A/N: Just a quick mention about some things in this fic. It does involve a lot of things some people might find disturbing. Crossdressing, incest and the like. Just wanted to let you know in case you are a bit squicky about it. Also, I wanted to thank you WONDERUL reviewers!!! I hope you enjoy this next part! Please let me know!
~Fox
Chapter 1
Draco Malfoy swore under his breath, whatever he had to spare of it, as he ran to catch the train. In his rush, he failed to see another cloaked figure crossing before him and ran straight into it.
"Oof!"
"Ow!"
Draco snarled as he quickly got up not bothering to turn to whoever he had knocked down and quickly began gathering his belongings.
"Can't you watch where you're going?! I'm going to miss the train to Hogwarts!"
A soft, confused voice penetrated the din.
"But isn't the train leaving in two hours?"
Draco's head turned to view the speaker sharply and found himself face-to-face with a person he had never seen before. This person, who was definitely male but looking utterly delectable in the female clothing he wore, was definitely attending Hogwarts as they were standing on the currently empty Platform 9 3/4. So why had he never seen this boy before?
"Are you joking? It's already 11!"
The sable head shook, braid clasped lightly in one pale hand.
"No, it isn't. It's only 9. I just asked the porter."
Draco growled. He knew what was going on now. Whirling around, he rapidly searched the crowd until his eyes fell on two blonde heads peeking round a pillar not too far away.
"Father! Kieran! It wasn't funny!"
Draco's father and younger brother approached, one smirking the other snickering.
"I must say Draco. This is by the most entertaining idea your mother has had to get you to the station in time."
Draco flushed.
"I was only late once!"
"Be that as it may, once was more than enough. We don't want you making a habit of it."
Just then, Lucius saw the person Draco had run into standing behind them uncertainly. The boy had managed to gather all his things together and had been torn as to what to do. Should he just leave them or would it be rude to do so?
It was times like this that Harry desperately wished his family were here. But his father and mother had to take care of his younger brothers who had caught the flu and his grandfather was managing his father's classes in his absence. It had been with great reluctance that they allowed him his first venture into the outside world alone. The original plan was that Harry's younger siblings, Mischa and Derek, were to have been his guides as they were in their second year at Hogwarts. Instead, they had gotten sick and Harry had ended up going alone.
/Of course, with all the instructions and directions and warnings they gave me, I sometimes feel I've been here before./
The only thing they hadn't prepared Harry for was actual interaction with other people. Harry could feel the blush creeping up his cheeks as he lowered his lashes to hide from the inquisitive stare of the blonde man.
"And just who have you managed to bump into Draco? I do not recall anyone similar in Hogwarts from my past visits."
Were they talking about him, wondered Harry. He peeked a look and felt the blood rush to his cheeks as now all /three/ blondes were staring at him. A quick glance around showed him that all this staring was beginning to attract attention.
Draco noticed the pretty boy's discomfort and decided to introduce himself. He was curious about this oddity who was to be his schoolmate.
"I'm Draco Malfoy. That is my father Lucius Malfoy and my brother Kieran. I apologize for running into you…"
Harry filled in the blank at the end quickly.
"Harry Potter. And it's ok. I should have paid more attention to where I was going."
He had been too caught up in taking in the new sights, things he had only heard about or seen pictures of. It was so different to experience them for real.
Lucius started. Potter? The Potter's had no daughters. This had to the firstborn son. Looking at the boy and the way he was dressed and behaved, Lucius finally understood. It wasn't a secret that the Potter males were one of the few rare wizards who were to bear children. They had managed to differentiate which males preferred women and which preferred men in an effective, if somewhat discriminatory way to some. Those who preferred their own sex were brought up to be more genteel, a bit more nurturing and elegant than those who were heterosexual.
It wasn't discrimination by a long stretch but a method to provide the children with a maternal source. The men who would bear the children were often looked upon as the mother and so, they had wanted to be sure that the child would not lack a mother's love. Thus, they were trained from the moment they were certain of the sexual orientation, the boundaries of their behavior. It was an old tradition. Very old, and very respected. Not a few of the older families had adopted that approach.
/Especially after that fiasco where LeStrange's second son had been mistakenly betrothed to the wrong Weasley twin./
That had been hilarious, but of course no one ever spoke about it openly. The mess it had created had lasted for weeks.
"You are the first son of Lily and James Potter?"
Startled green eyes, lush and verdant as forest in the morning mist met his.
"Yes, that is correct."
"Why are you coming to Hogwarts now? Where have you been studying before? Are you transferring from another school? Were you ill?"
Harry blinked at the onslaught of questions from Draco. Even Lucius was surprised, but he knew what his son was like when he was curious and said nothing. He wanted to know as well.
Harry smiled and replied, "I was home schooled by my parents and grandfather. Grandfather insisted upon it because he wished to train me and didn't want me distracted by outside pursuits. Now that I am 16, grandfather decided it was time for me to attend Hogwarts to finish my education and to try to find a place within the main orchestra."
Draco's eyes went round.
"The main orchestra?! I'm going to try for it this year but I've been training for it since three years ago. You are going to attempt it in your first year at Hogwarts? You must be terribly confident."
Here Harry hesitated.
"Well… no. I am not that confident. What I meant was that my grandfather wishes me to be in it, but I am willing to work and wait until deemed adequate to join. I do not expect to be chosen immediately. It would be ludicrous."
Draco felt a little better at that. He had been afraid that this boy was going to be some egotistical prat. After that incident with Zabini, Draco shuddered to think of it happening again. The only good thing about it was that it had taught Draco that restraint and patience did eventually pay off. Much better than overconfidence and impatience did.
"Umm… if you don't mind me asking… why are you dressed like a girl?"
"Huh? Oh!"
Harry smoothed the material his skirt and shrugged casually.
"It is to signify that I am a male who is interested only in other males. It is a long standing practice in my family. If you know my father, then you can see he dresses as your father does. And those who are bisexual are usually androgynous in their appearance."
"Uh…ok."
Draco's mind was still trying to wrap itself around the idea. A quick look at his father revealed that the older Malfoy definitely knew about it.
"Father…?"
"Yes, Draco?"
"Do you know James Potter?"
Lucius smiled wryly.
"As a matter a fact, yes. We were schoolmates at Hogwarts, and while it might surprise you we were also friends."
Harry's eyes lit up at that statement.
"Of course! How could I have not realized! My father has spoken of you! You play the piano! Padfoot never liked you because you always showed him up in recitals."
Lucius nodded his head.
"That is correct. On both counts. Your mother preferred magic to the music and focused more on that aspect although she is proficient in the Chinese zither."
Harry nodded, now warming up to the people he discovered were his parents friends. He often heard of them but never met them for obvious reasons.
"Uncle Remus prefers the organ and Uncle Peter likes the pan pipes best although he only took it as a hobby. He is wonderful at Ancient Runes, though. But there was one more person… I think, a Severus Snape? They never mentioned what he played or if they did I can't remember."
Draco blinked. Severus? His godfather? The most sarcastic and feared professor of Hogwarts?
"Oh, Severus use to play several instruments but he never truly excelled in them. His true talents lie in composing and creating potions. You will probably be meeting him. He is one of the teacher's at Hogwarts. A bit anti-social but reliable if you ever need support."
Harry filed that away for remembrance. Any friends of his parents were good people in his mind.
"Thank you, Mister Malfoy. I will remember that. I am lucky to have bumped into you and your sons. I'm sure my parents will be glad to know as well."
Lucius smirked as he thought about what that animagus Black would do when he found out his precious godson had taken a liking to his rival. The friend/enemy relationship he had with Black was the most long lasting entertainment he had by far.
"Yes, I'm sure. Now, I think both of you should be on your way. It is a quarter to 11 and the train is here. Draco, take care of Harry. He hasn't been exposed to too much of the world and I would rather not hear any news of him being taken advantage of."
"Yes, father. And don't annoy mother, Kieran. Safe journey home both of you."
"Goodbye Mister Malfoy. It has been a pleasure."
"Goodbye both of you. Safe journey."
~*~
Lily was anxiously ringing her hands as she glanced at the glass orb over and over again. Mischa and Derek were finally asleep, their fever almost gone. Now, Lily's mind was worrying about Harry.
/Good lord, he's never been outside before. How is he? I hope he hasn't met any unsavory characters. If anyone's hurt him, I'll string them up by their toes./
Still, at least he wasn't in danger. The glass orb was connected to Harry and would glow a gentle white as long as he was healthy, red for danger, green for illness and black for death.
"Liiiiiilyyyyyyy…."
A yelp came from the nervous woman as she turned to her fireplace to see the floating head of a smug Lucius Malfoy.
"Lucy, I've told you not to do that!"
"Hmph, well I've told you not to call me Lucy either!"
"Well, I wouldn't if you would stop that annoying habit of yours in scaring me out of my wits!"
"Hah! I won't stop until you do. You started it by calling me Lucy in our first year. And at a recital, no less!"
"It was an accident! James tickled me! I didn't have enough breath to call you properly. Anyway, are you coming in or not?"
Lucius rolled his eyes, something he only did with his close friends and stepped through the floo. And barely managed from landing face first on the floor.
"Urgh, always hated the floo."
Lily grinned.
"That's because you always fall on your face. Not even Peter does that and he's so clumsy too."
Lucius glared, which didn't affect the redheaded woman at all.
"Now, was there anything in particular you wanted to talk about or is this just a 'Narcissa and Kieran are being whiny again so I need to get away for awhile' visit?"
"A bit of both actually," admitted the blonde. His wife and other son always became a bit whiny after Draco left and Lucius had made sure to be absent for as long as possible during those two weeks when they were at their worst. He dreaded to think what Narcissa would be like when Kieran left with his brother next year.
Just then James walked in.
"Hey, it's Lucy!"
Lucius scowled, the events of the aforementioned recital coming back to him with clarity. It had been one of the most humiliating experiences of his life.
/I will NOT give him the satisfaction. I won't. I won't! Stupid, moronic, imbecilic PRAT! Why am I friends with him again?/
James just grinned and flopped onto the couch next to Lily. Lucius was seated in the armchair to the right of it closest to Lily.
"So, what brings you here anyway? Draco left today right? You need to stay here awhile?"
Lucius sighed, annoyance disappearing as quickly as it had come.
"No, it's alright. I actually came to tell you something. I met the most intriguing child today."
"Oh?"
"Yes, I do believe you know him. One, Harry Potter I believe?"
James and Lily brightened considerably. Lucius was immediately bombarded with questions.
"Is he alright? Did he get on the train ok? Did anyone try to take advantage of him? Is he very out of place? Did he find his way around alright?"
"Lily, honey. Calm down. Lucius can't answer if you don't stop talking."
"He's fine, Lily. He made it to the station with all his things and none the worse for wear. No one had approached him yet, as I think he had just arrived. My Draco bumped into him and that's how we met. He seems to be adjusting well but it is too soon to tell. It will be different for him, when with peers. Either way, I have set Draco to look out for him to make sure nothing untoward happens."
"That's great. Thanks, Lucius."
Lucius accepted James thanks gracefully.
"It was no trouble."
Lily glanced at the clock and blinked.
"Goodness, it's almost dinner time! Lucius, you will be having dinner with us of course. Remi and Siri are coming as well. Peter will be a bit late but he'll be here too. You must join us."
The blonde agreed while James remarked softly, "Pity Severus couldn't join us. But I suppose he's having fun being around all those children."
The two men shared a smile as they knew their friend's opinion of the 'snot nosed, brainless little maggots' he had to teach at Hogwarts.
"Indeed, he must be ecstatic."
~*~
Draco had to stop himself from offering his arm to Harry as he had been taught to since he was young. It was just instinctive. Especially since Harry looked so extremely feminine and had such a shy air about him. It dredged up all of his protective instincts. Instead, he grabbed his sleeve and began to drag him off the train.
"Draco, please slow down. It is difficult to keep up with all these people around us."
Indeed, the students in their mad rush to leave the train, were jostling about and taking advantage of Harry's meekness to push him out of their way. No one had really met the new boy yet as Draco had charmed their lock shut and put had Harry put an aversion charm on it. He didn't want his compartment to be invaded by students clamoring to get to know the elusive Harry Potter.
Draco slowed down and made sure that no one pushed in front of Harry this time. People automatically gave way to Malfoy and were too rushed to notice whoever was with him.
Once they were safely in a carriage with a redheaded boy and a bushy haired girl, Draco finally let go. He then began to introduce the two to the newest Hogwarts oddity.
"The girl is Hermione Granger and the boy is Ronald Weasley. Hermione is a Pure Magic student while Ron is an In Between. If you look at their robes you will see what I mean."
In Hogwarts there were four categories or houses. One was for those who learned pure magic and music was only for recreational activities, another was for pure music with basic knowledge in magic, the third was a balance of both and the final one was a balance of both but an additional focus on music. Students in the last house had almost double the workload from the other three and were mostly filled by students aspiring to enter into the main orchestra or the two tiers below it. Meaning that they wished to dedicate their life to music but hold on to their magical heritage as well.
The robes had different hems depending on what category they were in. Silvery grey for Pure Magic, translucent material with prism like effects for Pure Music, an even between for In Between's and the same for those who were in the fourth group except that theirs contained an additional gold line between the two colours.
Ron waved and the girl smiled warmly at Harry who smiled back at both of them.
"Hey Draco, I thought you were dating that girl from Pure Magic? What's her name… Chang? Did you guys break up?"
"Weasley, are you blind? You'd think with the amount of time you'd spent around Finnigan you'd be able to tell when it's a girl in a dress and when it's a boy. And I would never go out with Chang. She's been salivating over Diggory since third year."
Ron gaped.
"Bugger me! Seamus never looked that good! What's your name by the way?"
Harry liked this outgoing boy. His vivacity seemed to stir some mischievous part of Harry which had lain dormant for so long.
"I'm Harry Potter. It's a pleasure to meet you."
"Is it true your family started the trend for gay men to wear dresses in the wizarding world?"
There was a happy curious light in Hermione's eyes and Harry laughed. He realized she only wanted to know, there was no offense meant.
"I don't really know. But you must remember that my family does it because when we do marry other men, we Potter males are the ones to give birth. Most other families do it to be able to tell which are of the male persuasion but not all do. A lot of them still don't, as a matter of fact."
Ron nodded.
"He's right Hermione. Look at Draco and the twins."
At the confused look from Harry, Ron elaborated.
"I come from a big family. Fred and George are my brothers. They're identical twins and dress like guys but their gay."
"Unlike me," came the frosty reply from Draco.
Hermione lifted an eyebrow.
"Are you sure Draco? I'm pretty certain that you were checking out Oliver last year.
"I was not!"
"Hah! You're blushing! Hermi, look! I was right!"
"WEASLEY!"
An amused cough caught the three friend's attention. Harry gestured to the scenery which was no longer moving.
"We're here."
~*~
As they alighted, Harry turned to Draco.
"Draco, I was instructed to speak with Headmaster Dumbledore upon arrival. Could you please tell me how to get there?"
"Come on, I'll take you there. Hogwarts is full of surprises and if you get hurt by accident my father will be after me."
As they walked, Harry noticed as he had with Hermione, that most of the others who wore feminine clothing were of quite a different type.
"Draco?"
Draco glanced at Harry, the hesitant tone tweaking his concern.
"What is it, Harry?"
"Why are there so many people wearing short skirts? Do they not care for their modesty?"
/Oh boy, Harry meet the 20th century./
"Er… well, the fashions have changed a lot, Harry."
"Oh… do you think I should write my family and ask them to send me these newer clothes?"
Draco eyed the boy beside him. Harry was wearing a jade green blouse which had a high Chinese collar, sleeves that come down to points on the back of his hands and flared out at the waist, emphasizing his figure. The flared ends rested on a full skirt, much like that of Professor McGonagall, of the same shade but made from slightly iridescent material which came to about an inch shy of the floor. There was subtle silver embroidery on the bodice of the blouse and the edges of the skirt. He wore ankle high, soft leather boots and simple white kid gloves to finish the outfit. The school robe only emphasized the subtle elegance of it all.
Harry looked absolutely perfect. Draco realized that if Harry did wear modern clothes, he would just look strange. These suited him so much better.
"No, you look fine like this. Besides, a few of the traditional type family children wear what you do. Don't worry about it. The students won't really care."
"Ok."
Finally, they arrived at the Headmasters office. Before Draco could begin to guess the password, the gargoyle slid aside to reveal the headmaster.
"Ah, young Harry I presume? And Mr. Malfoy, I see you've met our new student. If both of you would like to come into my office."
/How does he do that? It is unnatural for a man to be so cheerful. Sometimes, I really do believe his sweets are drugged./
Draco saw the headmaster give him an amused look, as if telling him he knew perfectly well what the blonde was thinking. He flushed in embarrassment and focused his eyes anywhere but the headmaster.
"Oh! Is that a real phoenix?!"
Dumbledore nodded.
"Yes, yes it is. Fawkes has been my loyal companion for a great many years. His judgment of people is faultless."
The phoenix preened at the praise and warbled a few sweet notes before settling itself back on its perch. As the two student sat down, the headmaster removed a scroll from nowhere and began to speak.
"Now Harry, as you are aware, it is most unusual to be entering school in your sixth year. However, the records of your education and level of accomplishments sent by your parents indicate that you will not be too far behind your peers. You will only need tutoring in Potions, Transfiguration and some of the newer compositions played here. Now, I have put you under a mentor per your grandfather's request. He wanted to know that you would have someone trustworthy watching out for you at all times. However, I wish to know if you are aware of the exact ramifications of having a mentor?"
Harry blinked and then blushed brightly. Sliding a glance over to Draco, he saw that the other boy was thinking along the same lines he was.
/Grandfather, you really should tell me your plans in advance!/
Most people under a mentor bond ended up sleeping with their mentor. It had to do with the degree of closeness both felt towards the other. Some parents would rather have their children under the bond as only those with high integrity were chosen. It gave them some peace of mind to know their child would not be abused and would be taken care of. The sexual part of it was always voluntary and the only time a student-teacher relationship was legal. Parents knew about it and the students to be bonded were always informed of all aspects of the bond before agreeing. If it was found that they didn't know what to expect from the bond, it would be void and a new bond would have to be formed.
"Er… I take it you mean the more… intimate… aspects of the mentor bond?"
Dumbledore smiled, eyes twinkling merrily.
"Ah, then you are informed. Good, good. Lemon Drop?"
Declining the sweet, Harry waited for the headmaster to continue speaking.
"Well, since you know what you need to, I'll just give you your timetable and your letter officially stating your bond. Your mentor is Professor Severus Snape, by the way."
Draco fought the urge to let his jaw drop.
/Is he insane?/
Just last year there had been a huge scandal involving the professor and a student, Blaise Zabini. It had been said that the professor was sleeping with the student as Zabini had been seen to be frequenting the dungeons excessively. Outside of a mentor bond, a teacher-student relationship was still unlawful. And then, when the man had suggested him for the main orchestra and the boy had failed to meet the requirements, it had only fueled the fires instigating an investigation. Severus innocence was discovered when Blaise had been questioned under Veritaserum. It had been done quietly of course, to protect both the student and the teacher involved. It never made the papers and only those in Hogwarts knew and had been sworn to secrecy.
But now, letting Harry mentor with the professor would surely start the rumour mills again.
/Or maybe not. Severus integrity has been proven to be impeccable. People might actually say it is safest to have Harry tutored by him./
"Your extra tutoring will have to be worked out with the professors of those subjects. I suggest you see them as soon as possible."
"I will. Thank you, headmaster."
"No problem at all, dear boy. Now, go owl your parents about your arrival while I find your mentor. He will be waiting at the main doors so be sure to be there."
Thanking the headmaster again, the two boys left the headmaster who was cheerfully munching on a Chocolate Frog.
~*~
Severus Snape was ready to commit murder.
Albus Dumbledore, the benign, much loved and slightly cracked headmaster of Hogwarts had just told him he would be the mentor to a new student this year. As if Zabini hadn't put him off private tutoring forever. Why couldn't Albus just let him do his required teaching and leave him in peace? He liked being solitary. He liked being alone. It wasn't as if he was lacking in friends although they saw each other infrequently. So why couldn't the headmaster just let him live out his peaceful existence quietly, with his potions and compositions for company?
/Because he's Albus, and you Severus are always a sucker for his damned puppy dog eyes./
Which was why, he was now standing at the front entrance, in the blasted cold awaiting some student he had never laid eyes on.
/I don't even know his name! How on earth am I supposed to find him? 'I'll know him when I see him' indeed./
At that moment, a hesitant voice, far too old to be a first year and much too enticing for Severus' peace of mind drew him from his inner ranting.
"Pardon me, but are you Master Snape?"
~*~
Harry had left Draco at the doors of the Great Hall after getting directions from the blonde on how to find the main entrance.
As he had approached it, he saw a tall man with long black hair standing there with a fierce scowl on his face. He had a powerful magical aura and Harry could see that this man wasn't to be trifled with. He had pale skin which glowed in the moonlight and artist hands, with long graceful fingers. His face had a kind of attractiveness that couldn't detracted even by the scowl.
And then Harry discovered something else which stunned him.
They were Resonating. His aura or something akin to it and the professor's were resonating indicating that this man was to be his chosen mate. It was obvious that the man was as yet unaware of it but Harry, Awakened by his grandfather to search for his mate, knew exactly what was going on. Potter's could have a thousand partners, but it had to be before the found their Bondmate and the Resonation took place. The moment they Resonated, regardless of whether the other was aware of it, the Potter could not and would not have anyone else. But they could only bond when their mate became aware of it. It couldn't be induced. It had to be a natural realization.
/Oh god, this is going to be so difficult./
Draco had told him about Snape's morals and the difficulties of last year. It almost guaranteed to make Harry's task an impossible one. A soft whimper of distress escaped him.
/At least there is the mentor bond. It should help some./
Making sure he looked fine, Harry took a deep breath and took the final steps towards his potential mate and present Professor.
"Pardon me, but are you Master Snape?"
~Fox
Chapter 1
Draco Malfoy swore under his breath, whatever he had to spare of it, as he ran to catch the train. In his rush, he failed to see another cloaked figure crossing before him and ran straight into it.
"Oof!"
"Ow!"
Draco snarled as he quickly got up not bothering to turn to whoever he had knocked down and quickly began gathering his belongings.
"Can't you watch where you're going?! I'm going to miss the train to Hogwarts!"
A soft, confused voice penetrated the din.
"But isn't the train leaving in two hours?"
Draco's head turned to view the speaker sharply and found himself face-to-face with a person he had never seen before. This person, who was definitely male but looking utterly delectable in the female clothing he wore, was definitely attending Hogwarts as they were standing on the currently empty Platform 9 3/4. So why had he never seen this boy before?
"Are you joking? It's already 11!"
The sable head shook, braid clasped lightly in one pale hand.
"No, it isn't. It's only 9. I just asked the porter."
Draco growled. He knew what was going on now. Whirling around, he rapidly searched the crowd until his eyes fell on two blonde heads peeking round a pillar not too far away.
"Father! Kieran! It wasn't funny!"
Draco's father and younger brother approached, one smirking the other snickering.
"I must say Draco. This is by the most entertaining idea your mother has had to get you to the station in time."
Draco flushed.
"I was only late once!"
"Be that as it may, once was more than enough. We don't want you making a habit of it."
Just then, Lucius saw the person Draco had run into standing behind them uncertainly. The boy had managed to gather all his things together and had been torn as to what to do. Should he just leave them or would it be rude to do so?
It was times like this that Harry desperately wished his family were here. But his father and mother had to take care of his younger brothers who had caught the flu and his grandfather was managing his father's classes in his absence. It had been with great reluctance that they allowed him his first venture into the outside world alone. The original plan was that Harry's younger siblings, Mischa and Derek, were to have been his guides as they were in their second year at Hogwarts. Instead, they had gotten sick and Harry had ended up going alone.
/Of course, with all the instructions and directions and warnings they gave me, I sometimes feel I've been here before./
The only thing they hadn't prepared Harry for was actual interaction with other people. Harry could feel the blush creeping up his cheeks as he lowered his lashes to hide from the inquisitive stare of the blonde man.
"And just who have you managed to bump into Draco? I do not recall anyone similar in Hogwarts from my past visits."
Were they talking about him, wondered Harry. He peeked a look and felt the blood rush to his cheeks as now all /three/ blondes were staring at him. A quick glance around showed him that all this staring was beginning to attract attention.
Draco noticed the pretty boy's discomfort and decided to introduce himself. He was curious about this oddity who was to be his schoolmate.
"I'm Draco Malfoy. That is my father Lucius Malfoy and my brother Kieran. I apologize for running into you…"
Harry filled in the blank at the end quickly.
"Harry Potter. And it's ok. I should have paid more attention to where I was going."
He had been too caught up in taking in the new sights, things he had only heard about or seen pictures of. It was so different to experience them for real.
Lucius started. Potter? The Potter's had no daughters. This had to the firstborn son. Looking at the boy and the way he was dressed and behaved, Lucius finally understood. It wasn't a secret that the Potter males were one of the few rare wizards who were to bear children. They had managed to differentiate which males preferred women and which preferred men in an effective, if somewhat discriminatory way to some. Those who preferred their own sex were brought up to be more genteel, a bit more nurturing and elegant than those who were heterosexual.
It wasn't discrimination by a long stretch but a method to provide the children with a maternal source. The men who would bear the children were often looked upon as the mother and so, they had wanted to be sure that the child would not lack a mother's love. Thus, they were trained from the moment they were certain of the sexual orientation, the boundaries of their behavior. It was an old tradition. Very old, and very respected. Not a few of the older families had adopted that approach.
/Especially after that fiasco where LeStrange's second son had been mistakenly betrothed to the wrong Weasley twin./
That had been hilarious, but of course no one ever spoke about it openly. The mess it had created had lasted for weeks.
"You are the first son of Lily and James Potter?"
Startled green eyes, lush and verdant as forest in the morning mist met his.
"Yes, that is correct."
"Why are you coming to Hogwarts now? Where have you been studying before? Are you transferring from another school? Were you ill?"
Harry blinked at the onslaught of questions from Draco. Even Lucius was surprised, but he knew what his son was like when he was curious and said nothing. He wanted to know as well.
Harry smiled and replied, "I was home schooled by my parents and grandfather. Grandfather insisted upon it because he wished to train me and didn't want me distracted by outside pursuits. Now that I am 16, grandfather decided it was time for me to attend Hogwarts to finish my education and to try to find a place within the main orchestra."
Draco's eyes went round.
"The main orchestra?! I'm going to try for it this year but I've been training for it since three years ago. You are going to attempt it in your first year at Hogwarts? You must be terribly confident."
Here Harry hesitated.
"Well… no. I am not that confident. What I meant was that my grandfather wishes me to be in it, but I am willing to work and wait until deemed adequate to join. I do not expect to be chosen immediately. It would be ludicrous."
Draco felt a little better at that. He had been afraid that this boy was going to be some egotistical prat. After that incident with Zabini, Draco shuddered to think of it happening again. The only good thing about it was that it had taught Draco that restraint and patience did eventually pay off. Much better than overconfidence and impatience did.
"Umm… if you don't mind me asking… why are you dressed like a girl?"
"Huh? Oh!"
Harry smoothed the material his skirt and shrugged casually.
"It is to signify that I am a male who is interested only in other males. It is a long standing practice in my family. If you know my father, then you can see he dresses as your father does. And those who are bisexual are usually androgynous in their appearance."
"Uh…ok."
Draco's mind was still trying to wrap itself around the idea. A quick look at his father revealed that the older Malfoy definitely knew about it.
"Father…?"
"Yes, Draco?"
"Do you know James Potter?"
Lucius smiled wryly.
"As a matter a fact, yes. We were schoolmates at Hogwarts, and while it might surprise you we were also friends."
Harry's eyes lit up at that statement.
"Of course! How could I have not realized! My father has spoken of you! You play the piano! Padfoot never liked you because you always showed him up in recitals."
Lucius nodded his head.
"That is correct. On both counts. Your mother preferred magic to the music and focused more on that aspect although she is proficient in the Chinese zither."
Harry nodded, now warming up to the people he discovered were his parents friends. He often heard of them but never met them for obvious reasons.
"Uncle Remus prefers the organ and Uncle Peter likes the pan pipes best although he only took it as a hobby. He is wonderful at Ancient Runes, though. But there was one more person… I think, a Severus Snape? They never mentioned what he played or if they did I can't remember."
Draco blinked. Severus? His godfather? The most sarcastic and feared professor of Hogwarts?
"Oh, Severus use to play several instruments but he never truly excelled in them. His true talents lie in composing and creating potions. You will probably be meeting him. He is one of the teacher's at Hogwarts. A bit anti-social but reliable if you ever need support."
Harry filed that away for remembrance. Any friends of his parents were good people in his mind.
"Thank you, Mister Malfoy. I will remember that. I am lucky to have bumped into you and your sons. I'm sure my parents will be glad to know as well."
Lucius smirked as he thought about what that animagus Black would do when he found out his precious godson had taken a liking to his rival. The friend/enemy relationship he had with Black was the most long lasting entertainment he had by far.
"Yes, I'm sure. Now, I think both of you should be on your way. It is a quarter to 11 and the train is here. Draco, take care of Harry. He hasn't been exposed to too much of the world and I would rather not hear any news of him being taken advantage of."
"Yes, father. And don't annoy mother, Kieran. Safe journey home both of you."
"Goodbye Mister Malfoy. It has been a pleasure."
"Goodbye both of you. Safe journey."
~*~
Lily was anxiously ringing her hands as she glanced at the glass orb over and over again. Mischa and Derek were finally asleep, their fever almost gone. Now, Lily's mind was worrying about Harry.
/Good lord, he's never been outside before. How is he? I hope he hasn't met any unsavory characters. If anyone's hurt him, I'll string them up by their toes./
Still, at least he wasn't in danger. The glass orb was connected to Harry and would glow a gentle white as long as he was healthy, red for danger, green for illness and black for death.
"Liiiiiilyyyyyyy…."
A yelp came from the nervous woman as she turned to her fireplace to see the floating head of a smug Lucius Malfoy.
"Lucy, I've told you not to do that!"
"Hmph, well I've told you not to call me Lucy either!"
"Well, I wouldn't if you would stop that annoying habit of yours in scaring me out of my wits!"
"Hah! I won't stop until you do. You started it by calling me Lucy in our first year. And at a recital, no less!"
"It was an accident! James tickled me! I didn't have enough breath to call you properly. Anyway, are you coming in or not?"
Lucius rolled his eyes, something he only did with his close friends and stepped through the floo. And barely managed from landing face first on the floor.
"Urgh, always hated the floo."
Lily grinned.
"That's because you always fall on your face. Not even Peter does that and he's so clumsy too."
Lucius glared, which didn't affect the redheaded woman at all.
"Now, was there anything in particular you wanted to talk about or is this just a 'Narcissa and Kieran are being whiny again so I need to get away for awhile' visit?"
"A bit of both actually," admitted the blonde. His wife and other son always became a bit whiny after Draco left and Lucius had made sure to be absent for as long as possible during those two weeks when they were at their worst. He dreaded to think what Narcissa would be like when Kieran left with his brother next year.
Just then James walked in.
"Hey, it's Lucy!"
Lucius scowled, the events of the aforementioned recital coming back to him with clarity. It had been one of the most humiliating experiences of his life.
/I will NOT give him the satisfaction. I won't. I won't! Stupid, moronic, imbecilic PRAT! Why am I friends with him again?/
James just grinned and flopped onto the couch next to Lily. Lucius was seated in the armchair to the right of it closest to Lily.
"So, what brings you here anyway? Draco left today right? You need to stay here awhile?"
Lucius sighed, annoyance disappearing as quickly as it had come.
"No, it's alright. I actually came to tell you something. I met the most intriguing child today."
"Oh?"
"Yes, I do believe you know him. One, Harry Potter I believe?"
James and Lily brightened considerably. Lucius was immediately bombarded with questions.
"Is he alright? Did he get on the train ok? Did anyone try to take advantage of him? Is he very out of place? Did he find his way around alright?"
"Lily, honey. Calm down. Lucius can't answer if you don't stop talking."
"He's fine, Lily. He made it to the station with all his things and none the worse for wear. No one had approached him yet, as I think he had just arrived. My Draco bumped into him and that's how we met. He seems to be adjusting well but it is too soon to tell. It will be different for him, when with peers. Either way, I have set Draco to look out for him to make sure nothing untoward happens."
"That's great. Thanks, Lucius."
Lucius accepted James thanks gracefully.
"It was no trouble."
Lily glanced at the clock and blinked.
"Goodness, it's almost dinner time! Lucius, you will be having dinner with us of course. Remi and Siri are coming as well. Peter will be a bit late but he'll be here too. You must join us."
The blonde agreed while James remarked softly, "Pity Severus couldn't join us. But I suppose he's having fun being around all those children."
The two men shared a smile as they knew their friend's opinion of the 'snot nosed, brainless little maggots' he had to teach at Hogwarts.
"Indeed, he must be ecstatic."
~*~
Draco had to stop himself from offering his arm to Harry as he had been taught to since he was young. It was just instinctive. Especially since Harry looked so extremely feminine and had such a shy air about him. It dredged up all of his protective instincts. Instead, he grabbed his sleeve and began to drag him off the train.
"Draco, please slow down. It is difficult to keep up with all these people around us."
Indeed, the students in their mad rush to leave the train, were jostling about and taking advantage of Harry's meekness to push him out of their way. No one had really met the new boy yet as Draco had charmed their lock shut and put had Harry put an aversion charm on it. He didn't want his compartment to be invaded by students clamoring to get to know the elusive Harry Potter.
Draco slowed down and made sure that no one pushed in front of Harry this time. People automatically gave way to Malfoy and were too rushed to notice whoever was with him.
Once they were safely in a carriage with a redheaded boy and a bushy haired girl, Draco finally let go. He then began to introduce the two to the newest Hogwarts oddity.
"The girl is Hermione Granger and the boy is Ronald Weasley. Hermione is a Pure Magic student while Ron is an In Between. If you look at their robes you will see what I mean."
In Hogwarts there were four categories or houses. One was for those who learned pure magic and music was only for recreational activities, another was for pure music with basic knowledge in magic, the third was a balance of both and the final one was a balance of both but an additional focus on music. Students in the last house had almost double the workload from the other three and were mostly filled by students aspiring to enter into the main orchestra or the two tiers below it. Meaning that they wished to dedicate their life to music but hold on to their magical heritage as well.
The robes had different hems depending on what category they were in. Silvery grey for Pure Magic, translucent material with prism like effects for Pure Music, an even between for In Between's and the same for those who were in the fourth group except that theirs contained an additional gold line between the two colours.
Ron waved and the girl smiled warmly at Harry who smiled back at both of them.
"Hey Draco, I thought you were dating that girl from Pure Magic? What's her name… Chang? Did you guys break up?"
"Weasley, are you blind? You'd think with the amount of time you'd spent around Finnigan you'd be able to tell when it's a girl in a dress and when it's a boy. And I would never go out with Chang. She's been salivating over Diggory since third year."
Ron gaped.
"Bugger me! Seamus never looked that good! What's your name by the way?"
Harry liked this outgoing boy. His vivacity seemed to stir some mischievous part of Harry which had lain dormant for so long.
"I'm Harry Potter. It's a pleasure to meet you."
"Is it true your family started the trend for gay men to wear dresses in the wizarding world?"
There was a happy curious light in Hermione's eyes and Harry laughed. He realized she only wanted to know, there was no offense meant.
"I don't really know. But you must remember that my family does it because when we do marry other men, we Potter males are the ones to give birth. Most other families do it to be able to tell which are of the male persuasion but not all do. A lot of them still don't, as a matter of fact."
Ron nodded.
"He's right Hermione. Look at Draco and the twins."
At the confused look from Harry, Ron elaborated.
"I come from a big family. Fred and George are my brothers. They're identical twins and dress like guys but their gay."
"Unlike me," came the frosty reply from Draco.
Hermione lifted an eyebrow.
"Are you sure Draco? I'm pretty certain that you were checking out Oliver last year.
"I was not!"
"Hah! You're blushing! Hermi, look! I was right!"
"WEASLEY!"
An amused cough caught the three friend's attention. Harry gestured to the scenery which was no longer moving.
"We're here."
~*~
As they alighted, Harry turned to Draco.
"Draco, I was instructed to speak with Headmaster Dumbledore upon arrival. Could you please tell me how to get there?"
"Come on, I'll take you there. Hogwarts is full of surprises and if you get hurt by accident my father will be after me."
As they walked, Harry noticed as he had with Hermione, that most of the others who wore feminine clothing were of quite a different type.
"Draco?"
Draco glanced at Harry, the hesitant tone tweaking his concern.
"What is it, Harry?"
"Why are there so many people wearing short skirts? Do they not care for their modesty?"
/Oh boy, Harry meet the 20th century./
"Er… well, the fashions have changed a lot, Harry."
"Oh… do you think I should write my family and ask them to send me these newer clothes?"
Draco eyed the boy beside him. Harry was wearing a jade green blouse which had a high Chinese collar, sleeves that come down to points on the back of his hands and flared out at the waist, emphasizing his figure. The flared ends rested on a full skirt, much like that of Professor McGonagall, of the same shade but made from slightly iridescent material which came to about an inch shy of the floor. There was subtle silver embroidery on the bodice of the blouse and the edges of the skirt. He wore ankle high, soft leather boots and simple white kid gloves to finish the outfit. The school robe only emphasized the subtle elegance of it all.
Harry looked absolutely perfect. Draco realized that if Harry did wear modern clothes, he would just look strange. These suited him so much better.
"No, you look fine like this. Besides, a few of the traditional type family children wear what you do. Don't worry about it. The students won't really care."
"Ok."
Finally, they arrived at the Headmasters office. Before Draco could begin to guess the password, the gargoyle slid aside to reveal the headmaster.
"Ah, young Harry I presume? And Mr. Malfoy, I see you've met our new student. If both of you would like to come into my office."
/How does he do that? It is unnatural for a man to be so cheerful. Sometimes, I really do believe his sweets are drugged./
Draco saw the headmaster give him an amused look, as if telling him he knew perfectly well what the blonde was thinking. He flushed in embarrassment and focused his eyes anywhere but the headmaster.
"Oh! Is that a real phoenix?!"
Dumbledore nodded.
"Yes, yes it is. Fawkes has been my loyal companion for a great many years. His judgment of people is faultless."
The phoenix preened at the praise and warbled a few sweet notes before settling itself back on its perch. As the two student sat down, the headmaster removed a scroll from nowhere and began to speak.
"Now Harry, as you are aware, it is most unusual to be entering school in your sixth year. However, the records of your education and level of accomplishments sent by your parents indicate that you will not be too far behind your peers. You will only need tutoring in Potions, Transfiguration and some of the newer compositions played here. Now, I have put you under a mentor per your grandfather's request. He wanted to know that you would have someone trustworthy watching out for you at all times. However, I wish to know if you are aware of the exact ramifications of having a mentor?"
Harry blinked and then blushed brightly. Sliding a glance over to Draco, he saw that the other boy was thinking along the same lines he was.
/Grandfather, you really should tell me your plans in advance!/
Most people under a mentor bond ended up sleeping with their mentor. It had to do with the degree of closeness both felt towards the other. Some parents would rather have their children under the bond as only those with high integrity were chosen. It gave them some peace of mind to know their child would not be abused and would be taken care of. The sexual part of it was always voluntary and the only time a student-teacher relationship was legal. Parents knew about it and the students to be bonded were always informed of all aspects of the bond before agreeing. If it was found that they didn't know what to expect from the bond, it would be void and a new bond would have to be formed.
"Er… I take it you mean the more… intimate… aspects of the mentor bond?"
Dumbledore smiled, eyes twinkling merrily.
"Ah, then you are informed. Good, good. Lemon Drop?"
Declining the sweet, Harry waited for the headmaster to continue speaking.
"Well, since you know what you need to, I'll just give you your timetable and your letter officially stating your bond. Your mentor is Professor Severus Snape, by the way."
Draco fought the urge to let his jaw drop.
/Is he insane?/
Just last year there had been a huge scandal involving the professor and a student, Blaise Zabini. It had been said that the professor was sleeping with the student as Zabini had been seen to be frequenting the dungeons excessively. Outside of a mentor bond, a teacher-student relationship was still unlawful. And then, when the man had suggested him for the main orchestra and the boy had failed to meet the requirements, it had only fueled the fires instigating an investigation. Severus innocence was discovered when Blaise had been questioned under Veritaserum. It had been done quietly of course, to protect both the student and the teacher involved. It never made the papers and only those in Hogwarts knew and had been sworn to secrecy.
But now, letting Harry mentor with the professor would surely start the rumour mills again.
/Or maybe not. Severus integrity has been proven to be impeccable. People might actually say it is safest to have Harry tutored by him./
"Your extra tutoring will have to be worked out with the professors of those subjects. I suggest you see them as soon as possible."
"I will. Thank you, headmaster."
"No problem at all, dear boy. Now, go owl your parents about your arrival while I find your mentor. He will be waiting at the main doors so be sure to be there."
Thanking the headmaster again, the two boys left the headmaster who was cheerfully munching on a Chocolate Frog.
~*~
Severus Snape was ready to commit murder.
Albus Dumbledore, the benign, much loved and slightly cracked headmaster of Hogwarts had just told him he would be the mentor to a new student this year. As if Zabini hadn't put him off private tutoring forever. Why couldn't Albus just let him do his required teaching and leave him in peace? He liked being solitary. He liked being alone. It wasn't as if he was lacking in friends although they saw each other infrequently. So why couldn't the headmaster just let him live out his peaceful existence quietly, with his potions and compositions for company?
/Because he's Albus, and you Severus are always a sucker for his damned puppy dog eyes./
Which was why, he was now standing at the front entrance, in the blasted cold awaiting some student he had never laid eyes on.
/I don't even know his name! How on earth am I supposed to find him? 'I'll know him when I see him' indeed./
At that moment, a hesitant voice, far too old to be a first year and much too enticing for Severus' peace of mind drew him from his inner ranting.
"Pardon me, but are you Master Snape?"
~*~
Harry had left Draco at the doors of the Great Hall after getting directions from the blonde on how to find the main entrance.
As he had approached it, he saw a tall man with long black hair standing there with a fierce scowl on his face. He had a powerful magical aura and Harry could see that this man wasn't to be trifled with. He had pale skin which glowed in the moonlight and artist hands, with long graceful fingers. His face had a kind of attractiveness that couldn't detracted even by the scowl.
And then Harry discovered something else which stunned him.
They were Resonating. His aura or something akin to it and the professor's were resonating indicating that this man was to be his chosen mate. It was obvious that the man was as yet unaware of it but Harry, Awakened by his grandfather to search for his mate, knew exactly what was going on. Potter's could have a thousand partners, but it had to be before the found their Bondmate and the Resonation took place. The moment they Resonated, regardless of whether the other was aware of it, the Potter could not and would not have anyone else. But they could only bond when their mate became aware of it. It couldn't be induced. It had to be a natural realization.
/Oh god, this is going to be so difficult./
Draco had told him about Snape's morals and the difficulties of last year. It almost guaranteed to make Harry's task an impossible one. A soft whimper of distress escaped him.
/At least there is the mentor bond. It should help some./
Making sure he looked fine, Harry took a deep breath and took the final steps towards his potential mate and present Professor.
"Pardon me, but are you Master Snape?"