Chapter 12 — Potter-Malfoy

Harry walked the steps up to the top of the tower, with Professor Snape. He had been summoned to the Headmaster's office. This would never be good news. Draco knew he was being summoned, so would have immediately sent an owl to his Father, who would making his way to Hogwarts immediately. He would claim it to be in his capacity as Head of the Board of Governors, but that would be a necessary lie.

"Harry, you must be wondering why I called you to my office." Dumbledore spoke as he entered the Headmasters office. He had a soft tone, not something Harry was ever expecting. It was kind.

"Yes, Headmaster." Harry took his time to make it to the step and take a seat in front of him, remembering to not look him in the eye. Harry always looked at the Headmaster's nose, or at his eyebrow, both close enough that it wouldn't arose suspicion. He also generally looked at his face, trying to gleam some information from it. Some non-verbal cues, something he was trying to hide. Harry was moving slowly and speaking slowly, trying to delay to give plenty of time for Lucius to arrive. "I assume there is something in particular that you wish to speak to me about."

"It is with great regret that I have to inform you that your muggle family were found dead by Professor Snape." Dumbledore spoke very slowly, as if he was breaking the news to someone who cared.

"I do not have a muggle family, Headmaster." Harry said coldly, There was no way to hide that coldness as he spoke.

Although he was feeling very nervous. How much do they know about what happened to them? Did they suspect Harry in all of this? He kept one hand by his hip, as if he was supporting himself on the chair. But in reality, that is just where he kept his wand. Harry was giving absolutely nothing away, no change in facial structure. He had to understand all of the information presented to him before he gave anything away.

Professor Snape came round to the other side of the table, behind the Headmaster, and did not take his eyes off the boy. He wanted to clearly understand his reaction. Although Harry assumed he too was trying to read his thoughts, his mind. The Headmaster did look a little irritated by his cold bluntness.

"Harry, they are you family." The Headmaster insisted. "Or at least were your family. We can't always choose our family, and so it might seem strange that we place so much trust in them. But trust me, as an old man that has lost a lot, family means a great deal more than you understand."

"What were they circumstances behind their death?" Harry asked, still unchanging.

"Your uncle and cousin died several months ago in a car accident in Australia." Professor Snape stated flatly. "Your Aunt died from unknown circumstances. Perhaps she could not live without them."

There was a quick knock at the door, before it flung open. Harry had turned around the second he heard the first knock. A tall, dashing, and unimpressed Lucius was there. Lucius had his cane in hand, and his house elf following close behind.

"Headmaster, Severus," Lucius said with great confidence, before looking to Harry with a kind smile. "Harry."

Harry immediately got up from his seat and gave him a hug. Dumbledore looked on undisturbed.

"What are you doing here?" Severus asked immediately as Lucius and Harry walked to the Headmaster's desk. "We are in the middle of an important meeting with a student, I ask that you remain outside while we finish."

"If you have something to say to Harry, you have something to say to me." Lucius spoke matter of factly.

"I shall not have you dictating the rules to me, Mr. Malfoy." The Headmaster spoke irritated. "That is not how this works."

"That is how this will work." Harry retorted. "When you bring me news like this, I expect you to inform my family."

"The Malfoy's are not noted as your familial contact on any of our records, I am afraid." Severus bluntly replied.

"Then I want my files updated." Harry protested.

"Never mind this right now," Dumbledore said firmly, bring order back into the chaos of the argument that was ensuing. "I have just informed Harry that the muggle side of his family have unfortunately recently passed away."

"There is no muggle side of Harry's family." Lucius spoke demeaningly. He cursed the name muggle.

"Exactly." Harry agreed.

The fake look of concern on Lucius' face almost made Harry laugh. "Would you like for me to take you to the funeral of these people, Harry? I can organise the whole thing."

"I shall be escorting the boy to the funeral if he wants to go," Dumbledore interjected. "I left him on that doorstep those many years ago, and I shall look after him if he decides to go. Else I will go alone."

"You left him on a doorstep?" Lucius snapped.

"A doorstep?" Harry looked seriously concerned.

"It was… necessary." Dumbledore spoke like it was nothing.

"How dare you say such a thing, when he had Wizarding family that would have taken him in." Lucius snarled back.

"You know well why I would have never left him with you, Lucius." Dumbledore bit back. "Did you tell Harry were you were during the Wizarding war?"

"I was proven innocent." Lucius reminded him. "Need I remind you all of the people I have successfully sued for defamation."

"Of course." Dumbledore replied sarcastically. "Harry, for reasons I can not yet explain, it was necessary for you to live with your family. If there was any other way, I would have."

"Child abuse is never justifiable, Albus Dumbledore." Lucius admonished him. "The Board of Governors will be fascinated by your so-called ethical code. A Headmaster who is justifying child abuse. This conversation is making me sick."

"That is enough, Lucius." Dumbledore spoke firmly.

"If Harry would like for me to organise a small ceremony, and decide the guests, then I will." Lucius said, with a calm and collectively voice. But he was speaking imperatively. "Did they leave a will?"

"They left the house to Harry." Severus answered. "But I do not think questions like that are important right now."

"There is also the question of your guardians Harry." Dumbledore broke through the squabbling

"I will protect the boy." Lucius spoke instinctively, without a moment of hesitation.

"That is not your decision." Dumbledore disagreed.

"Do I have to have a guardian?" Harry asked.

"Harry, you are a boy of 11 years old, yes, you must have a Guardian." Dumbledore spoke to authoritatively, almost condescendingly. But he went on to try and reassure him, "but we will find you someone Harry."

"I want Lucius." Harry said without hesitation. "If I have to have a guardian, then the Malfoy family is the only family I can trust."

"It does not work like that." Dumbledore said ignoring his wishes.

"He is Harry Potter." Lucius insisted. "Every wizarding family in the country will be asking to take him in, it is better that it is someone he knows, someone he can trust, and someone who is actually family. Someone he will consent to."

And then Dumbledore had a sudden realisation. This was not something to fight about. This might just work out in his favour. Teenagers often have adolescent revolts, and Potter should be no different.

"You have made your case." Dumbledore agreed.

"Headmaster—" Snape cautioned.

"They are exactly right Severus. Lucius should be his guardian." Dumbledore stated clearly.

Lucius fought hard to fight the grin, but Harry could just about see it. Harry really questioned why Dumbledore was being so reasonable about this.

"I will send the necessary paperwork to the Ministry immediately." Lucius said forthwith. "And I will tell my wife, for she will be ever so happy with this decision. We will organise some sort of funeral for the muggles. What is the address of the property?"

"4 Privet Drive, Surrey." Dumbledore answered. He noted that Lucius asked for the address, it appears that Harry must not have told him it before. A good sign. "You know your Aunt always wanted to be a witch like your mother." Dumbledore spoke nostalgically. "She wrote to me asking if she would be able to attend." He paused waiting for Harry to say something but he didn't even acknowledge that Dumbledores spoke.

"If that is all, Harry and I will be leaving." Lucius announced, standing up from his chair and encouraging Harry to do the same.

"That is all." Dumbledore said, before the door swung open.

"I think it is best if Harry takes a couple of days off," Lucius advised, and Dumbledore nodded. "He will be back after the funeral."

Lucius and Harry did not speak a single word to each other until they reached Privet Drive. Lucius moved around the place with ease, inspecting everything. He knew where he was going.

Some time later, Lucius and Harry were gathered in the living room where they kept the casket. Lucius had quickly closed it shut when it had arrived, the house elves and built it surprisingly quickly.

"Clearly the killing curse," Lucius remarked. "I know it when I see it."

"Dumbledore bought his story," Harry pondered out loud. "I was not expecting Severus to kill her."

"He trusts Severus. While that has worked to our advantage now, I wonder of the future consequences." Lucius observed. "I was not expecting Severus to kill her, either. But it works out for us."

"This is a far better outcome than what I was originally planning." Harry smiled. "Thank you."

"As I said when you came to me, Harry. Accidents happen." He put his arm on the boys shoulder. "If you ever need my help in similar circumstances, or any other circumstances, you know where to find me."

Harry smiled up to Lucius. He owed a lot of trust to the man.

"This guardian thing," Harry waited a moment, and they both sat down on the sofa. "Do we really have to do this? I trust you, but I am just worried I am intruding."

"Well, firstly, Harry, it would not just be a guardian. I would have to formally adopt you." Lucius clarified. "Guardian is more temporary, and opens up the possibility of someone in the future trying to use the judiciary to obtain custody. The Ministry would rightfully require that an 11 year old have permanent parents."

"That sound sensible, but I have been looking after myself for basically my whole life." Harry argued. "Why do I have to have parents now?"

Lucius put his hand on Harry's shoulder, and used a very understanding tone of voice. "I know Harry, I know your circumstances, and I understand why you are hesitant. This is just how adults think unfortunately. They do not understand you like I do."

Harry sighed and put his hands into his face.

This is frustrating. I trust Lucius, especially after today, but I do not like this move. We do not have another choice Harry. Why the hell did Severus kill her? Ruined everything!

"Look, Harry." Lucius reassured him. "We do not have to do this today, but I would prefer we do it before you go back to school next week. For your own safety. Dumbledore might have accepted these circumstances, but he will try to come up with something else unless we move quickly."

"It is fine." Harry said, getting up from the chair and fixing his clothes. He was still in his school uniform. "We can go to the Ministry tomorrow. Just, get rid of the body and let us go."

Harry was not facing Lucius, but it did not require him looking in his direction to know how happy he was about this situation. What Harry did not know was that Lucius had set this up the entire time.

Lucius had known about Severus' past with Lily Potter. He did not know Petunia's name, but he was aware of her existence. For when Lucius befriended Severus back in school, that is what he became aware about. Knowing how close he was to Lily Potter, and how much her sister despised the pair, how she treated her son, he did wonder whether it would tip Severus over the edge — with nothing to lose. It was far from guaranteed, but it was a calculated investment that paid far more in return than it cost to set up. Lucius was quietly proud of himself.

And now he has the Potter votes within his grasp, and the boy right where he wants him. He has the heir at his finger tips. He did not care about the Potter fortune, he cared about the prodigy. That is what he was truly invested in. Harry Potter, he was much more than a boy, he was an idea, an inspiration for many. Lucius would have greater control over him now, and he knew how to push his buttons. This would be fine indeed.

Then it landed in the drawing room of the Malfoy Manor, as it did in many of the hands of the students of Hogwarts, and all of the teachers, as it made its way into the homes of every single magical family.

The Pureblood Directory

The Sacred Twenty-Eight (1992)

All of the original names were included, minus Ollivander, no mention or reasoning for the removal was noted, and the Potter name was added. It had a very brief and vague description outlining that the author had strong, irrefutable evidence — although it never specifically stated what it was.

"We are ever so proud of you, Harry." Narcissa smiled after seeing that the list had come through and gave him a big hug. "Our boy, now."

"Cissy!" Harry laughed

"I know my husband has not forced you to call him Father, but I am going to have to insist you call me Mother." She held him tight. "Or I am not going to let you go."

Harry squirmed before gigging with her. "Okay! Fine! Thank you mother."

She loosened. "That's better."

"Now, Harry." Lucius said a few moments after they stopped having fun. He was being rather more serious. "You know that tomorrow is your last day with us, I am taking you back to school. Your fun little break had to end at some stage."

"Yes, of course." Harry sighed a little, but he was going to be happy to be back. It was fun being home. Oh, home. Did he really just think of this place as home?

"There was a small change in the adoption paperwork, something we had agreed on otherwise. Stupid Ministry administrative mistake." Lucius prepared to break the bad news. "You are listed as being Harry Potter-Malfoy instead of Harry Malfoy-Potter, as we agreed. Now if this is a big deal for you, I am more than happy to push through everything again and ensure they fix it."

Harry was silent for a moment, a little lost for words. He had forgotten that this was happening. He wanted to change it, but then he looked up as his new mother, who was smiling down at him. He didn't want to disappoint her, she was terribly kind to him over the past week. She always was. Maybe it was right this way.

"It's… fine." Harry sunk his head and stared at the floor.

Narcissa grabbed his hand and lowered herself to his level. "Harry," She started to make circular gestures in his palm with her thumb. "It is whatever you want."

He looked into her thoughtful, warm, eyes, and was overcome with a feeling he had never felt in his life. Something he could never remember feeling. "Harry Potter-Malfoy." He stated, and then let out a forceful laugh to let out his emotions. "It even rolls off the tongue more easily."

"Potter-Malfoy, Malfoy-Potter." Lucius said out loud. "Yes, I suppose it does. Well, of course, welcome to the family. Now, you wouldn't pass a Malfoy with dark hair like that — time to get your hair bleached. Dobby!"

"Yes master?" Dobby said after quickly popping in.

Harry's eyes were mortified. "NO!" He said grabbing his own hair trying to protect it.

"Haha!" Lucius let out a very quick laugh, the most Harry had ever seen in him. "He really thought, Cissy!" Since when was Lucius one to make jokes? "Dobby, prepare dinner."

Harry knocked on Lucius' study for the last time before he headed back to school in the morning.

"Come in." Lucius spoke, and Harry heard some rustling of papers as he walked in. "Ah Harry, my boy, please come in. What is it that you need?"

"Just something that has been on my mind." Harry said, closing the door behind him and sitting on the chair in front of him. He was a little nervous to ask, and Tom had always refused to tell the full truth. And he suspected what would be the truth, but he needed to know for himself. "Lucius, I have put a lot of trust in you over the last few days, and now that the adoption is finalised I hope that you trust me too. Trust me with sharing some knowledge."

Lucius was wary but listening. Harry could just about gleam that from his face. "Of course, you have been very trusting, what is it?"

"I have gone as far as to make you my dad to show how much I trust you." Harry continued to ramble anyway.

"`Father, Harry, father. The other word is a muggle word, that shan't be used in my house." Lucius almost spat as he said muggle.

"Yes, sorry. I made you my father." Harry smiled awkwardly. "So, I just have a small question about your past. The Imperius curse, it is a lie is it not?"

Lucius paused analysing the situation. "I would never lie to you Harry. There was a war, a very terrible but unnecessary war. They were destroying our people, our good standing, our way of life, our blood. We were at breaking point, and I just have to give you that context. I was never under the Imperius curse. I supported the Dark Lord, and in many ways I still do. For he was the shining light that promised us our proper future."

"Thank you." Harry said understandingly. "I know it was a war. It is hard to come to terms with, but I understand it. I think. I just, well I find it difficult to have sympathy for my parents who I have never met. I never really understood family, until I… I… met Narcissa, and then Draco, and you."

"I understand Harry, I knew you would come sooner or later asking. I am glad you came to me." Lucius smiled.

"If he returns, would you support him again? Including killing… me." Harry asked nervously.

"Harry, it has been over a decade and no one has heard a thing about him." Lucius laughed unconvincingly.

"But you still feel his presence somewhere?" Harry probed.

"Nothing." He spoke honestly. "But I do believe he might be out there, he sought immortality. If he is, I would seek to reason with him. It would be difficult, and I can not guarantee the results. But when the time comes, I always side with family —and you are now my family."

"Thank you." Harry smiled again. "I am afraid of what the Dark Lord might do when he does return."

"We must not be afraid Harry, we must be strong. Remember, there is only power, and those too weak to seek it." Lucius reminded him. "Study the Dark Arts, read the books you have, I saw that copy of Magick Moste Evile. Fascinating that you sought it out at such a young age. You say Harry, what many people do is make the mistake of allowing their fears to hinder them from growing. But it is that very growth that we must harness that would allow us to surmount our fears. Just something to think about."

"Thank you." Harry stood up, and shook Lucius' hand. "I guess I shall see you at Easter next."

"Hopefully, unless something comes up Harry." Lucius gripped him hand strong. "I have already let Draco know the good news, and he is ever so excited to see you. He always wanted a brother."

"Thank you…" Harry hesitated. "Father" He almost whispered, but very much loud enough for Lucius to hear as he closed the door.

"Goodnight… son." Lucius looked as the last inches of light from the door disappeared before returning to his work at hand.

Harry walked proudly into the Great Hall, and the room got that tiny bit quieter. People were looking at him funny, obviously they had read the directory. He proudly smiled and held his head high as he made a quick turn to the left to march in the direction of the Slytherin table.

"Draco!" Harry said as he approached where the other first years were sitting on Monday morning.

"Brother!" Draco said, leaping from the table and giving him a hug.

Pansy jumped up too, to give Harry a hug. "We missed you!"

"Every knows about the pureblood directory, almost everyone received a copy of the list." Bullstrode spoke

Theodore Nott made a wry smile. "We always knew you had pureblood in you Potter, nothing less makes sense."

Harry laugh, but he noticed how a lot of the more senior, older, Slytherins were looking at him less harshly. He always felt a little unwelcome by them in the first six months, but this news might be space for things to improve. For many, he was the reason why parts of their families were rotting in Azkaban. This news might improve relations.

"Also, there is something else you should know." Harry said, taking a seat beside Draco and grabbing some of the breakfast that was on display. "I am sure Draco said that his father has officially adopted me. So, I am now Harry Potter-Malfoy."

"You took Malfoy as your second last name rather than as the former?" Draco asked, impressed.

"Well, it was a mistake by the Ministry. Obviously the second name tends to represent the more important one, but not always. It is apparently standard procedure for adopted children to just make it the more senior name." Harry shrugged.

"Makes sense," Pansy giggled. "So when is the blonde coming in?"

All of the first years laughed at that. He even saw some of the second years giggling.

"Har, har." Harry rolled his eyes. "I'll dye my hair when you dye yours."

"Deal." Pansy shook his hand, and laughed further.

"So never going to happen?" Bulstrode quipped.

"Never." They laughed in unison.

"Good morning, class." Professor McGonagall spoke a few minutes after everyone had settled down. "I shall of course be taking the register."

She continued down the list of the register, but she knew the vast majority of the pupils by now on sight anyway. Everything went smoothly until she reached Harry's name. "Potter-Ma—" She stopped herself. She looked up at the boy, adjusted her glasses and looked again. "Potter-Malfoy? There seems to be some sort of mistake with my register, nevertheless."

Harry spoke loudly so that she could hear. "Here! No mistake."

Pansy nudged him. "And now the whole school knows, assuming no one overheard us. Nothing is a secret here, the walls can hear."

"Potter-Malfoy?" Snape rolled his eyes unimpressed. He looked down on Harry, as Harry stirred the potion. "I am not giving you two names. I will be addressing you as Potter."

Harry nodded. "Yes sir."

Harry was pretty exhausted from his first day back. He had forgotten how easy it was to be lazy, to lay in bed all day, and he was already looking forward to the weekend. Unfortunately, he had to catch up on everything that he missed — but he was studious. He could quickly catch up, all he needed was a weekend in the library.

It was there, in the library, that he found himself, unfortunately, sitting beside Granger. He could feel her eyes staring down on him, watching him as he studied. The second he looked up from his paper, she was pretending not to look, but he could really see that she watching from the corner of her eye. It was strange.

"It is rude to stare." He looked her dead in the eyes, and then she dropped the act and met his gaze.

Granger looked around the room, quickly noticing that all of the other desks surrounding them were empty. "I think you have done much ruder things, so I am in the clear." She shrugged.

"Hmmm." He said sitting down his quill. "Perhaps, but nothing wrong with teasing."

"You know, some day the shoe is going to be on the other foot." Hermione informed him confidently.

Harry laughed. "I am Harry Potter, I do not think that will ever happen to me."

"Potter-Malfoy." She corrected him, and then it sunk in for Harry. He did not like that at all. He did not like the name. He was never going to be just Harry Potter anymore. For better, or for much worse, this was going to change things. "That Pureblood list is a joke."

"My blood is pure." He went red in the face. Not with embarrassment, but with anger.

"Your mother was a muggleborn as I am." Hermione laughed. "Everyone knows it."

"Do they?" Harry was boiling now. "They will learn better soon. That list is valid, it is verified to be coming from a similar source as the previous one."

"So you know who wrote it." She deduced quickly.

"I didn't say that."

"You didn't have to." She was defiantly confident now. "Well, whoever wrote it — I do not care. I am just as much of a witch as any other."

"But you would say that. You have to believe that, because you're a mud—" He quickly stopped himself. The rage had taken over for a moment.

"That is how I know you are not like the others." Hermione spoke with greater zeal. "You are different when you are not with them."

"Trust me, Granger." Harry settled down but spoke cautiously. "I am every bit as pure as they are, and proudly so. Just do not mistake basic courtesy for lack of zeal."

That made her less confident, more frustrated. "Fine. But as long as we can remain on the same page…"

He looked around the room again, and grew confused. "What?"

"We could be friends." She asked, almost desperately.

"That would never work." Harry shook his head.

"It could. I would not tell anyone." Hermione pleaded.

Harry flicked his wand quickly and said the incantation, and all of the items on his desk levitated in front of him. Hermione stared in awe, not even mastered the levitation charm to that level just yet.

"Hermione, grow some self respect." He turned his head to head to another desk, before turning around. "If you stand up to everyone else the way you stood up to me, especially Weasley, you might just find some friends."

And for once, Hermione was left stunned silent. When she considered everything, Harry was right. She nodded her head, not that Harry saw, and then headed back to her own desk. She packed everything up immediately, and headed on her way.

Why are you not meditating tonight? Tom asked clearly annoyed

I feel good today, I do not feel like I need to. Harry mused in his head. I am a good place in my life.

That is not how it works Harry, you need to build it up to get long term benefits

Just one night off, sometimes it can feel really good but sometimes it can feel off

I said, TONIGHT. He felt his scar ache as Tom's words echoed through his body. It hurt like a pulse throughout his body, worse than an electric shock.

It caused Harry gasp for breath, even though he wasn't talking. It took something out of him. Tom, you can't just —

I can do what I like! I know what you are capable of Harry, we have seen how dark you have gone — even if no one else knows yet

The pain ruptured through his head again. Tom had never sent his level of pain through him before. He was lucky that the bed curtains were enchanted to muffle noise, as he rolled around on the bed in agony.

I will not let you undo our progress!

And just when Harry was in a good spot, when loose ends were tied, the pain was overcoming him again, and the stress began. Tears were rolling down his eyes, and the swelling stopped for a moment of respite. Harry had just felt like he was not worrying about things anymore, and now Tom was acting up.

For what Harry did not realise is that Tom could not allow Harry to feel so comfortable right now. He was developing, and at this age rather prone to persuasion and inducement. He was malleable. Him pausing was a problem. The bigger problem as well was the fact that Tom had previously used the upset of his parents and the muggles as the driving force to darkness, but now everything had changed. He needed to find something new, something tangible, something to hate.

And he would, even if it meant Harry hating Tom. He would find something. And so the pain was necessary, for now, if it meant that Harry would continue.

Tom, Tom, TOM! Harry screamed in his head in desperation, as he felt the build up for another jolt of pain. I'll do it.

Of course you will. He felt a smile all around his body, and the tension stopped. Everything eased, and he felt a little better. People will eventually realise your power, what you are capable of, and we have to powerful enough to stop them once they find out too much. That will take years of practice, no time to waste.

He reached into his beside table, and lifted out his copy of Magick Moste Evile. This time, he was going to do it ons his bed. He was confident enough that he would not make too much noise, and he would only do a short meditation. Tomorrow during the day would be a longer ritual, as it was a Sunday.

"Emovere Motus Animi" Harry whispered.

The euphoria had returned, the pain and agony channelled into something magical. The anger he had for Tom in this very moment worked like coal in an engine. As Harry finished and collapsed onto the bed into a deep slumber, Tom felt victorious again. The feeling of happiness and warmth building up over the past few days had peaked, and the coldness rushed back.