************ Chap 8 **********************

Disclaimer: JKR owns Harry Potter. She is just nice enough to let us build sandcastles on her beach.

AN: A few quick points to answer some reviews and PMs:
1) Dumbledore is a manipulative bastard who sees people as chess pieces. In D&D alignment terms, he is Neutral Good (or True Neutral). His ultimate goal is to defeat Voldemort and he is willing to sacrifice what is needed to achieve that goal.
2) Draco is a manipulative bastard! Those who think I am making him "too nice", look harder. He is out for number one, himself. D&D alignment, Neutral Evil.
3) Harry, in this story, will vacillate between Neutral Good and True Neutral. One of his primary goals is to become strong enough, magically and politically, to protect House Potter and assure its survival.
I hope this helps clear a few things up!
AN: on a side note, I have started a very strict diet and I notice it is seriously screwing with my attention. I wanted to post something a bit longer, but decided this might be as much as I can force through my fingers today. I hope it does not disappoint.

*********************** Chapter Eight ****************************

Letters Home

Draco considered his first letter home as he thought about how to word his next.

Father,

I hope this letter finds you well.

Please give Mother my regards.

On the trip to Hogwarts I was able to befriend Harry Potter, as you suggested. It seems there is profit to be made by this association, if handled properly. Thank you for beginning my education so many years before my peers. So few of my year mates (I refuse to call them peers), even in Slytherin, realize magic is only a tool.

As we all knew I would be, even before I stepped on the train, I was sorted into Slytherin. The Slytherin common room and boy's dorms are as you described them. It seems nothing has changed. I look forward to exploring some of the secrets you have mentioned, when I have more time.

The biggest surprise of the evening was Harry Potter's sorting. He has been kept deliberately ignorant of the wizarding world, a point I wish to discuss with you in detail in person. Extracting an offer of friendship for the information he was denied, I spent the entire train ride trying to teach him as much as I could as fast as I could. I am pleased to report he is learns quickly, sees past the surface knowledge, and at this time has no ingrained bias against 'dark magic' or blood purity. While discussing Hogwarts student Houses, we decided he was most likely Slytherin bound. However, Harry decided he would attempt to go into another House, so his Slytherin traits would not be readily apparent. We decided Ravenclaw would be best, as he has the mind for it. However, at the Sorting, Harry was placed in Hufflepuff! I suspect why and if correct it will play into my long term plans for Harry.

Any suggestions for my first foray into the real world of politics and intrigue will be given the consideration and respect they deserve.

Sincerely,

Draco Malfoy

Scion of the Ancient House of Malfoy, Heir Apparent.

The reply had come with this morning's mail:

Draco,

You have taken your first steps into a much wider world.

You seem to be representing House Malfoy well.

Well done.

I look forward to hearing more of your plans for your Mr. Potter.

With pride,

Your father

Draco read and re-read that letter through the day. Father said he was proud of him. While he often indicated he was satisfied with his performance, this was the first time he had actually written it. He had also given tacit approval to his plans for Harry without being given a detailed breakdown of those plans. His Father was beginning to treat him as an adult! True, it was a small step, but every journey begins with the first step.

This was a very good day indeed!

Of course, this was before the Potter/Weasley drama at breakfast and then the Potter incident in the first potions class. Now Draco was just confused.

Due to the attention Harry had received after potions class, he had been unable to give Harry the books. Tomorrow then. Now he must compose another letter to his father.

Father,

I trust your plans for the day met with success.

Please tell mother I think of her often.

Potter has confused me today. On the train he informed me he had known about the magical world for only a month. He seemed to have limited knowledge in the basics, including common words, i.e. pureblood. Yet today at breakfast he managed to neuter the Weasleys with great efficacy, with the entire school as witness. He clearly applied some techniques and information I provided him yesterday, but the little I was able to give him in the short time we had on the train would have led to a different outcome. He had either more information or some other skill to accomplish what he did.

Then, in our first potions class, a Slytherin and Hufflepuff joint class, he displayed knowledge far beyond even a pureblood first year student when questioned by Professor Snape. Eventually Professor Snape required he leave the class to prevent further disruption. As Harry was leaving, he winked at me.

My first instinct tells me Harry has lied to me and is much more knowledgeable than he led me to believe on the train. However, his innocence and ignorance seemed genuine. If it was an act, I must concede is my superior in this realm for I never suspected.

However, I do not believe he deceived me. I believe something else is occurring, but I cannot determine what with the information I currently possess.

I would like your counsel on how to proceed.

Your Heir,

Draco

Draco,

You have given me much to consider.

Potter's behavior, as you have described it, is improbable. There is another factor at work, as you have rightly discerned. Finding it will take time.

For the moment, continue with your plans for your Mr. Potter and keep your eyes open. Secrets and subterfuge do not long withstand consistent scrutiny.

Your father

***** 8pm Slytherin Common Room, after the first day of classes ****

Everyone sat silently, observing everyone else. In a House filled with the ambitious and cunning, what else would you expect?

The logs crackled merrily in the large fireplace while a portrait of the Founder watched the gathering with disapproval. No one except Slytherins had seen this portrait in living memory. It showed a well-groomed man in his prime, dressed in formal robes and holding a wand. Paintings within the painting showed the elements of Statecraft; on the right a painting of a large body of men in formal robes, seated soberly discussing affairs of state in hushed tones; on the left a painting of a wizard in dragon armor, splattered with blood, ichor, and less pleasant things, standing uncontested in a field of bodies. Not immediately apparent were smaller paintings far back against the dark walls of Salazar's room; paintings of potions brewing and assassins creeping. Rumor had it, Salazar would only speak to the most worthy Slytherins. Of course, it is only a rumor. If Salazar has spoken to a student, the student kept it to himself.

The students watched as their head of house swept into the room. Without preamble, he began.

"The Headmaster has decided it is more important for me to attend to other tasks which will prevent me serving as your Head of House for the immediate future. I will continue to teach you potions and expect you to behave in a manner which elevates this House. Am I clear?"

The students sat in stunned silence. No one moved.

"I expect you to provide your full cooperation to whomever the Headmaster chooses to TEMPORARILY step in as Head of Slytherin. Any questions? Good."

Professor Snape pulled his wand and muttered something as he circled the room, freezing all the portraits in their frames, before returning to stand before the semi-circle of students.

"Now that the portraits have heard what they were meant to hear, I must warn you. Whoever the Headmaster chooses as Head for Slytherin, it is unlikely he will choose a former Slytherin."

Snape waited as the students absorbed the full impact of a non-Slytherin as Head of House.

"You can no longer expect the leniency I have shown you in previous years. Your actions will carry consequences as set in the student handbook. Do you understand?"

A sixth year student raised his hand and waited to be recognized.

"Yes, Flint? Your question?" Snape said.

"Sir, will this affect quidditch?"

Snape smiled. 'Trust Flint to bring up that topic.' "No, Mr. Flint. It will not affect your ability to play quidditch. However I strongly suspect our tactics will have to change. Cheating is unlikely to be tolerated."

Several students began to protest at this, their voices blending into a cacophony of displeasure. Snape stood dispassionately until silence returned.

"I begin to see I have done my House a disservice in allowing such thing. Are you, or are you not Slytherins? Ambition and Cunning are the traits for which we are known. Getting caught cheating is beneath us. Consider this a test of your worthiness to be Slytherin. Are you worthy? Or were you sorted into the wrong House?"

A fourth year raised his hand and waited.

"Yes Mr. Bole?"

"Sir, you said 'getting caught cheating is beneath us'", Bole said with a raised eyebrow.

Snape raised an eyebrow, "Your question?"

Bole smiled, "But what if we don't get caught?"

Snape grinned maliciously, "Mr. Bole, no one has ever been punished for what he was not caught doing. However, be aware, if your actions are sufficiently egregious, your entire year, if not the entire House, could be punished for your actions, if you leave evidence connecting either with the act. We are Slytherin. I do not believe the Headmaster expects us to become Hufflepuffs or" Snape paused as a disgusted look visited his face, "Gryffindors. Cunning. Ambition. Learn it. Live by it. And never… EVER… trust what you think you know."

Snape tapped his wand to his head and suddenly Harry Potter stood before them, "After all, the world is full of magic…"

Again Snape tapped his head with his wand and his features melted into those of the Headmaster, "For you never know who you are talking to…" He tapped his head again, fading from sight, "Or who is really there to see you…"

"Good night." The students heard as the dungeon entrance opened and closed.

Draco looked at Daphne, "You don't think…?"

Daphne raised an eyebrow before turning to walk to her dorm.

Dumbledore whistled as he returned to his office from the Slytherin common room.
"It is going to be a fun year!"