A/N : First , I'd like to thank everyone who took the time to read my story, I'm doing this without a beta so I'm open to your reviews and insights.

I was moving at a slow pace till now but it was necessary to introduce the main players .

Things will pick up in the next chapter so, see you soon !

Chapter 3 : A True Potter

Harriet felt overwhelmed.

She thought she had enough surprises to last for a lifetime, but here she was standing like a fool, while Warrington waited patiently for her to sort out her thoughts.

She felt the weight of his gaze, but she refused to look his direction.

Heiress Potter...

She wasn't oblivious as others thought. She might have some lapses in her attention but, she couldn't afford distractions, not if she wanted to stay alive.

She was aware that the wizarding world was totally independent . So there had to be some sort of a parliament.

The Wizengamot.

Yes. she overheard Malfoy boost about his father's high standing in the Wizengamot, being the leader of the dark faction. She knew that , like the British Muggle world, there was some noble families. But this?

The sacrifice of her parents was a bleeding wound in her heart. She didn't have the courage to ask about her family's history.

Hell! She barely knew the names of her grandparents, thankfully Sirius mentioned them in one of his letters .

Was this why Snape thought that she was a pampered princess ?

Heiress Potter ...

Yes, obviously she was a part of the nobility.

''Are you alright ?'' Warrington's soft voice made her thoughts scatter, his calm expression was strapped firmly in place.

''I'm not sure.'' Her eyes flicked to the wall behind him before she spoke again. ''Why are you behaving like this with a gryffindor ? I'm grateful that there's at least someone who believes in my innocence but we are not exactly friendly; I'm not even sure that we had met before.''

If she thought that she could shake his confident demeanor by her obvious distrust, Harriet was deeply mistaken. He just gave a small smile . A smile so charming that it made her, once again, aware that they were alone and faraway from her territory.

''You are untitled to your doubts of course, being two years your senior made it really hard to interact with you and let's not forget your interesting interludes with Malfoy. I couldn't just cut your fun and introduce myself.''

And there it was, the famous Slytherin sarcasm. Couldn't those guys just give one straight answer?

''So you are a sixth year? ''

''Yes''. He paused for moment, then continued in an even tone:''I know that you have many questions, and I do encourage you to not trust me yet. But if anything just know this: it is about time for you to become a true Potter. Last night's events should motivate you to improve yourself and cut all the loose ends . I heard that you were raised by muggles.'' Harriet noticed right away that he didn't use the forbidden "M" word, and as if reading her mind he just tilted his dead to the side.

"So, you were raised by muggles but that shouldn't have stopped you from learning about our world. You had three years to ask and acquire knowledge . I am aware that you didn't have pleasant encounters with many purebloods, even though, keep in mind that Malfoy is just a little fool. His ideas are his own. In fact he isn't even part of our court. And I like to think that the new king will keep him in a tight leash unless, of course, he redeems himself before it's too late.''

His words were flowing smoothly like honey but they gave her a lot to think about.

Becoming a true Potter? Slytherin's court and king? And oh joy ! Malfoy's behavior was criticized even by his housemates.

''Can you please elaborate further ? ''

''With pleasure, I do hate talking in riddles.'' Harriet scoffed, but she kept herself in check. It wouldn't do to offend the guy.

''First, if I might say so, you aren't always behaving like the Heiress of your house'' When she opened her mouth to interject , he raised his hand, and the light caught on the dark emerald in his ring.

''Please hear me out . In the wizarding world, every family is known for something, for example: The Blacks are known for their strong dark affinity, the Greengrasses are known for their green thumb, the Bones are known for maintaining the law, the Notts are known for their strategic minds, the Malfoys are politicians, the Lovegoods are known for their magizoology and their connection with nature. The Longbottoms are known as 'the right arm', they defend the law with their wands and swords following the commanders .

Now, the Potters are the protectors. They are the rulers of the battle zone, the leaders that have the power to split the tasks and organize the army. I know that we aren't living in a medieval world anymore, but it's about our magic's affinity. You may have noticed that you are the best in defense. It's no coincidence. It's in you blood.''

Harriet closed her eyes. All this knowledge... It made sense in a way. She felt her best every time she was fighting. Quirell, the basilisk, the dementors... She remembered the rush of power she had. It was euphoric, it made her feel right.

''So where does this leave me? I don't think you want me to take out my wand and start fights right and left.''

Warrington straightened his already perfect robes. ''Now that would be foolish." He grinned in that pleasant, lighthearted way that concealed his real thoughts. "I think it's high time you started honing your skills, distinguishing your friends from your foes and surrounding yourself with people who would protect your back, even in the darkest hour.''

Oh yes ! like her faithful friends. Harriet clenched her hands at the memory of Ron's ugly sneer and Hermione's downcast eyes. Her sister in all but blood wouldn't even look at her.

''The events of the quidditch world cup were a warning . The war is coming and you know it. We have to be ready and stop messing around. Being a part of a noble house isn't about fancy robes and shiny rings, it's about embracing your true self, learning about your gifts and improving your abilities in order to protect what we hold dear : our magic, our heritage and our people. We can't repeat the last war's mistakes, we lost so much already."

Harriet gritted her teeth remembering her loss, she understood very well what it means to be lonely and hollow. She was left behind and there was a void that remained; an emptiness her parents' death left in her.

The silence that fell between them was deafening. It made her hyperaware of the sound of her own breathing, of the pulsing in her neck and the thundering in her chest.

''We have to gather our forces and prepare ourselves. Throwing stunners is not the answer when you are facing cutting and killing curses. This war is going to be lethal, I can feel it in my bones." Warrington paused for a moment then, he looked straight into her eyes. "I believe you, and I will help you survive this tournament no matter what because it's just a small hurdle. The worse is yet to come."

Harriet gathered her courage, and her eyes locked onto his.

A strong energy crackled to life between them, and she couldn't drag herself away from the fascinating whirlwind of greys. Was it possible to find a small crack in his armor?

''One last thing, you didn't tell me about your family's part in all this…. thing.'' She asked.

She could swear that his eyes darkened before he gave her a sweet, bone chilling smile.

Harriet gave the password and climbed through the portrait. The Fat Lady was enraged, but she couldn't summon the energy to apologize.

The room was empty. It seemed that Fate knew that she had enough for tonight. She wasn't sure what she would have done if someone confronted her right now. She was tired of Hogwarts' population's attitude.

She walked resolutely towards her dormitory praying that the girls were already asleep, or at least pretending to be.

Her luck didn't run out. After cleaning up and changing her clothes, she climbed into her bed and closed the curtains.

She would better wake up before her roommates, currently she didn't feel ready to talk to anyone.

She thought that her mates were her strength, but after last night's events and tonight's encounter with Warrington , she realized that they were never her friends , nor had they known the real Harriet Potter because they had never understood, had never bothered to stick around long enough for her to explain, that all that she had ever wanted was to be the owner of her own fate.

And though her parents were war heroes, and toddler Harriet might have vanquished Voldemort; it still hadn't earned her the position she held today. She had to prove her worth and show her mettle to acquire any respect.

Her thoughts wandered again to Warrington. The guy was an enigma.

At first, she hadn't known what to make of his words. But now, alone in her bed, she could admit that she was grateful for the knowledge he had given her, even though he was after something .

Basically all good things come with a price and he had made it clear what his would be. Good thing that she agreed with his purpose.

She knew that she couldn't trust him fully. Not yet.

After last night's events she learned a valuable lesson: Trust must be earned, not given freely.

Never again …

Cassius took purposeful strides towards his chair. He leaned back in his seat and closed his eyes, the last few nights of restless sleep were catching up with him.

The last voice he wanted to hear at the moment drifted to him from the corner:

''I'm sure she did it. Even the know it all and the weasel don't believe her. I bet she will like my surprise tomorrow, It pays off to have some connections with Ravenclaws.''

Ignoring the rest of the conversation, he opened his eyes, Adrian Paucey and Graham Montague were walking towards him looking pissed, and shaking their heads.

Everyone was getting tired of Malfoy's attitude.

Daddy's boy was ruining what remained of Slytherin's tarnished reputation with every word that left his big mouth.

Time to teach the little vermin a lesson in manners. He flicked his wrist and his wand come out from his holster. Holding it down at the side of his leg, he didn't make a big show of it, but everyone was aware of it, the telltale widening of their eyes was hard to mistake.

He wanted to play with him first. Ruin him. Make his life miserable. But even as patient as Cassius was, this guy was pressing his buttons and decimating his plans.

"Malfoy, I'm getting tired of you. Did you know that I can keep torturing you for hours without breaking a sweat?"

Little boy Adam's apple bobbed as he swallowed, but he put on a bold act:"You can't cast a dark curse in Hogwarts!"

''Well now, isn't that a coincidence.'' Cassius stood up and took a step closer to him while twirling his wand through his fingers. He noticed a bead of sweat run down the side of his face. "Because I can.''

Cassius smiled making everyone in the common room avert their eyes, then he continued in a low, bored voice:''You got too comfortable thinking you were untouchable because of who your father is. Did you forget who I am? What I am? No one disobeys me." He didn't raise his voice. He didn't need to. It dripped with a deadly intent all the shouting in the world couldn't compete with.

"No." Malfoy's eyes were pleading with him now. He finally comprehended the extent of his error. "I wasn't really going to do anything." He struggled to continue. "I was just joking with my friends." He tried to smile, but it came out wobbly.

"Well, I'm not laughing." Cassius raised his wand.

"Wh… Wh… What are you going to do?"

He leaned over him, laying his pitch black wand along his cheek, the tip resting under his eye. "Do you like your pretty face, Draco?"

Eyes wide, holding himself perfectly still, and his lips barely moving, he whispered, "Yes."

"Then I suggest you listen well and heed my warning, you will stop bothering Harriet Potter and those she choose to associate with immediately. If you don't , I can assure you that you won't like the consequences.''

Cassius stood abruptly, making Malfoy visibly shake. Good, the fucker should be scared.

He edged closer to his chair taking pleasure in the way everyone cringed with each step that brought him nearer.

Everyone shrank as he took his seat . Adrian and Graham stood at each side of his chair. His eyes were focused on the flames not bothering to look over as he addressed his audience:''If you don't provoke me then you have nothing to worry about. You should know by now that I hate inflicting pain on others .''

Turning his head and making a brief eye contact with each Slytherin in the room, he smiled:''You know that I am a fair king.''