Chapter Three

Harry really enjoyed being at Malfoy Manor. He could sleep as late as he wanted and even better, he could do what he wanted. He spent a lot of time with his new parents, talking and playing games. Although no one would have guessed, Lucius and Narcissa were very caring and loving parents. Draco really did have it good.

School was getting close. He had only been here for two weeks and hated that next week he would have to leave. He was allowed to come home for Christmas though.

He had been writing to Hermione a lot. Not as Harry, he wanted Dumbledore to explain all that, but as Kade. He and Hermione had formed a friendship and Harry wished it were more. He wished he could tell her that Lucius was a spy so that it would be safe for her to come stay, but he couldn't.

Lucius was a good spy. He played close attention to details and kept up the act of the uncaring father and person quite easily. But behind closed doors or in certain company, he was a very caring individual.

Kade and his family made a perfect story up for why Harry was here. His "father", Marcus, was an auror who had been killed by death eaters. As the last living relatives, Lucius had taken him in.

Draco and Kade didn't get along. Even being brothers didn't change that. But Harry knew that if Draco needed help, he would be there in a second. How Draco felt? He had no idea. They basically stayed away from each other. Draco was usually found writing something, he seemed to like writing. Harry could spend all day on the Malfoy quidditch pitch or in their extensive library.

On August thirtieth, something Harry would have normally been terrified of happened. Severus Snape paid a visit. Of course, this was strange. The only people that knew Lucius Malfoy was a spy were his own family, including Harry, and Dumbledore. Severus acted like his usual self. Harry was afraid Snape would hate him but...he liked him. Harry had no idea why. He wasn't acting any different then he did when he was Harry Potter. Maybe Severus was pretending.

Severus offered to tutor Kade in potions since he wasn't very strong in it and they talked about potions for a long time. Severus also knew a lot about quidditch to Harry's surprise. They played a game, one on one, and Severus actually beat him.

"I have only seen two people, other than myself, fly as good as you..." Severus commented.

"Who?" Kade asked, innocently.

"Well, I do not like either of them...but James and Harry Potter. James was hell to play and gave me a match, like you. I haven't ever played Harry Potter, but he flies a lot like you. It's a shame we already have a Slytherin seeker. You would be a good match for him."

Harry smiled. "Well Draco is a good flier also...he just doesn't seem as devoted. I live and breathe quidditch. That and DADA."

Severus smiled. "You are kind of like me when I was your age. I excel at Potions but my heart is with DADA."

"I have an excellent book in my rooms if you would like to borrow it...it belonged to my father..."

"Wasn't your father an auror?"

"Yes sir." Harry said, sounding believingly heartbroken.

"I am sorry; I shouldn't have brought it up."

"No...It's okay. I didn't know him very well. I just wish I had known him better...Lucius is...different."

"Quite. He has different beliefs."

"Yes. I don't know what I believe. I have plenty of time to decide."

"Yes...Just choose wisely." Severus said, slowly.

Harry smiled. "So Professor, do you want to borrow that book?"

"I really couldn't. It was your..."

"Nonsense, it is excellent...you can give it back to me when you are finished."

Severus smiled. "Thank you."

Soon the day was over and Severus left. Harry had to admit, Snape was pretty nice when he wasn't at school or around Harry Potter.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

September first was cold and wet. Narcissa woke Harry and Draco up at five to gather their bags and leave. They ate a wonderful breakfast of pancakes and bacon.

Soon Lucius and Narcissa were standing next to the Hogwarts Express with their two sons getting ready to leave. Kade had arranged to sit next to Hermione in her usual compartment. Draco would be sitting with his cronies.

Lucius and Narcissa said goodbye and Narcissa hugged and kissed them while Lucius shook their hand and said, "I love you" in their ear. With a promise to be home for Christmas, Harry and Draco got on the train and parted ways.

Harry easily found his compartment. It was empty except for Hermione and she looked depressed. "Hey!" Kade said. Hermione smiled and Kade sat down.

"What's wrong?" Harry asked when he saw Hermione's expression.

"Well I got here this morning and Harry hasn't shown up...I am worried about him. And Ron...it was weird getting on here and not seeing him come through the door. I even looked for him before I realized he wasn't here because he is...." she buried her face in her hands and Harry ran over and sat next to her.

"I know it might not seem like much, but they are watching over you...and I am here..." Hermione looked up and smiled at him.

The next thing Harry knew soft lips were up against his. He reveled in the feeling running through him and kissed back. Then the compartment door slid open. Harry and Hermione parted when a voice interrupted them. "OH NO MY COUSIN IS A MUDBLOOD LOVER!"

Harry was up in a second and hexed Draco. He flew out of the compartment and Harry slid the door shut after whispering, "I AM going to tell MOM about this!" Goyle and Crabbe just looked confused, Draco looked...surprised.

Harry walked and sat next to Hermione and the rest of the ride went in silence.

When they arrived at Hogwarts Kade and Hermione got in a carriage with Neville and Ginny. He was re-introduced to both as Kaden Malfoy and they sort of ignored him. Hermione just whispered in his ear, "They will come around." Harry just nodded.

At the Great Hall, Harry stood at the door with the first years. Soon "Malfoy, Kaden" was called out and Harry made his way up to the bench. Snape and Hermione both gave him smiles, even though Snape's was virtually undetectable. He sat on the stool and the hat was placed on his head.

"Ahhh, now I can call you by your real name...Kade. This time do I have permission to place you where I want to?"

"Yes." Kade said to the voice in his head.

"Wonderful, I really do prefer to make this decisions, and this is the best one, you are naturally, down in your soul, meant to be a....SLYTHERIN!"

Harry smiled and stood up. He saw the smile on the Potion Masters lips and the curious look he got from Hermione. He went and sat at the end of the table, away from everybody. Soon Dumbledore stood.

"Hello and welcome to a new term at Hogwarts. I am Albus Dumbledore, your headmaster. There are a few things I need to tell you. The forbidden forest is named that for a reason; do not go in unless directed by a staff member. No magic in the corridors. Also Mr. Filch the care taker asks me to remind you not to use any inappropriate items. Please see the list in his office as to which items I am talking about. I am sure you have noticed an absence here, I would like for you all to remember those who died last year....Harry Potter is also not here, and he is in hiding for the year. Thank you, that is all."

Dinner was quiet for Harry. Until...Draco came. Draco plopped down next to Harry. "To good to eat dinner with your brother, huh?" He whispered. Harry glared. "What would dad say, you being so mean to me?"

"Malfoy, leave me alone."

"Malfoy? I think you are forgetting who's talking. Last time I checked you had the same blonde hair, grey eyes, fair skin..."

"I am better looking..." Kade teased

"You wish." Draco snarled.

"Was there a reason for you to sit here?" Harry asked, irritably.

"No...Just figured I would see how you feel having people judge you for being a Slytherin, and a Malfoy at that." Draco said, smirking. "It isn't as easy as people say, is it?"

"What are you talking about? No one is..." But then Kade realized. People were judging him. Looking at him in either hate or confusion. Except for Snape, Dumbledore, Hermione and Draco. They were glaring at him or averting their eyes when he looked.

"No one is what? Did you say that no one was judging you? Well now you know how it has been since I came here...welcome to my world."

Hearing those words coming out of Draco's mouth terrified Harry. He ate the rest of his meal in silence. His brother sat quietly beside him.

Soon the meal was over and Draco stood. "Well are you going to see there all night, Pot...Kade or are you going to come back to Slytherin Common Room?"

"I'm not sure, I feel safer here. Do you know what they will say and do when Harry Potter walks into their common room?

"Good thing that Harry Potter isn't getting anywhere near there. Only Draco and Kaden Malfoy are...come on." Harry stood and he and Draco walked down to the dungeons.

The Slytherin dorms were just as nice as Gryffindor. It was all done in blacks, dark greens, and silvers. Velvet and Leather. Draco got him the bed nearest to him. Kaden walked back down to the common room and sat down. Soon a pug-faced blonde came from behind. She put her arms around Harry and said, "Dracie, do you want to spend the night with me?" Harry jumped off the couch. "I might if I were Draco. This certainly doesn't do anything for my opinion of him...sleeping with you."

She walked closer to him, seductively. "No, you aren't, even better looking than Draco, you look even more like his dad then he does. You are taller...and a little more muscular..." She purred.

"Listen, whoever-you-are, I am not attracted to you, in the least, and besides I have my sights set on someone else, so PLEASE cease to assist."

Pansy pouted and started to cry. Draco walked down. "Kade? What's wrong?"

Pansy stopped her crying and glared furiously at Kade. "Is that your name? Kade? Well KADE you are a jerk and you should learn how to treat a lady..."

Draco snorted and Harry retorted. "Well...dog...you are NO lady...offering yourself to me the first time you meet me, honestly..."

"I agree..." Draco said. Pansy started crying and ran to her dorms. Draco turned to Harry. "You might learn to be a proper Malfoy yet..." Harry glared. "Dad isn't like this...not normally..."

"Well, I know one thing; he wouldn't be caught dead kissing a mudblood." Harry drew his wand and pushed it against Draco's chest. "Listen, Draconis, I can do whatever the hell I want...I have WARNED you about calling her mudblood SEVERAL times...I warn you...don't fuck with me....GUTUSPUNCH!" Draco fell down and held his stomach which had just got magically punched. Kaden glared at his brother and turned to walk out when he saw...Snape.

"Mr. Malfoy, why did you punch your cousin?"

"He called someone a mudblood..."

"And of it?" Snape asked, smirking.

"He called someone that I am interested in a mudblood, and I have warned him several times..." Harry said with an indifferent tone of voice.

Snape smiled. "Don't do it again..." He then lifted Harry's hand and gave it a little swat and then walked out. So this is what it was like to be on Snape's good side....Harry could get used to this. He then went to his dorm, got his cloak, and left.

Harry strolled the corridors, carelessly, he soon found himself by the lake. He sat down and looked at the water. Every once in a while the squid would touch up and look at him. He took off his cloak and relaxed. Then a hand touched his shoulder. "Kade?"

Harry turned around to see Hermione. "What are you doing here? It is after curfew?"

"Well I am head girl, I am allowed, I was about to ask you the same question..."

"Oh...I just wanted some fresh air...It takes a special type of person to make fast friends in Slytherin. It probably didn't help that I punch Draco."

"WHAT?! Why did you punch him?" Hermione asked, bewildered.

"He was being ignorant." Harry replied.

"What did he say?"

"Don't worry about it...anyway...sorry about your friend..."

"Well at least he is safe...Dumbledore talked to me after dinner...said something really strange."

"That is a normal Dumbledore occurrence. What did he say?"

"He said: 'Even though those closest to us might seem far away, they are still with us." Harry smiled.

"Does he know where Harry is?"

"No...He said that I am not to worry about it and that he will write me as soon as he can."

"Oh...well I am sure you will get a letter soon...I am sure he can't resist long."

"Yes...but he hasn't really been speaking much. After Ron...left...and Sirius had already died, he kind of shut himself out. He barely spoke to me at all. I think he feels guilty. He thinks that everyone around him is cursed to die...."

"Is it true?" Harry couldn't help but ask.

"No...He is just one of those people that you would die for. He has this sort of magnetic pull to him. They don't die because he is cursed; they die because they love him enough to do anything so that he can live."

"If it helps I am sure he would do the same for you."

"I know...I hope it never comes to that though."

"I see what you mean."

"You remind me a lot of him." Hermione interjected.

"How do you mean?" Harry asked, nervously.

"Well you act similar and have similar facial expressions. I feel the same sort of pull towards you..."

"Were you attracted to him, more than as friends?"

"Mentally, yes...but...never mind."

"No...What?"

Hermione blushed. "I am more into blondes."

Harry smiled at her and pulled her to him. "I like brunettes." Then he kissed her on the lips.

Kade didn't remember how he got back to his room last night. He had run into Snape, but he just let him pass with just a warning to go to bed. All Harry knew was that he had never slept that well in his life. It was like his life was finally complete.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~

The next morning Harry woke up with five minutes to get to Potions, he had already missed breakfast. Draco had left a note hanging above his head. It said: Kaden it is time to get up...or you'll be late for potions. Harry growled and rushed to the potions classroom. He opened the door and walked in. He found an empty seat next to Neville, the only possible seat to his despair. Snape looked at him and raised an eyebrow.

"Mr. Malfoy, the punishment for being late to my class is two nights of detention...." The Gryffindors smiled, it was rare he would give detentions to Slytherins and looking at the Slytherins confused, because the Slytherins looked happy that the new kid was getting in trouble. "Please try to be here on time, consider this a warning." Snape finished. The Slytherins jaw dropped, so did the Gryffindors at the unfairness.

Harry nodded and started to brew the Dreamless Sleep potion with Neville. Snape lurked around in his usual manner, taking points off of the Gryffindors. When he came to Neville and Harry's cauldron he smiled. "For once, Longbottom, it looks like you have made a successful potion...20 points to Slytherin for the fine tutelage, Mr. Malfoy." Harry was proud of himself; he had actually made a potion with Neville, CORRECTLY! And had gotten some points.

Harry found quickly he was good at potions when he didn't have the stress of Snape being mean to him. It was actually quite enjoyable and peaceful. Hermione and he gave each other shy glances all through class, which everyone seemed to notice.

After class, Harry gathered his books up and was preparing to leave when he heard a voice whisper in his ear. "Have fun at the lake last night?" He turned around with a sneer on his face ready to yell at any Slytherin girl who had been spying but saw Hermione. His sneer dropped. "Hello." He kissed her cheek and invited her to lunch. They packed some food up and took it outside near the lake and had a picnic.

Soon their picnic was over and Harry and Hermione made their way back up to the castle. "Why were you late for class?" Hermione asked.

"My dorm mates 'accidentally' forgot to wake me..." Harry sighed.

"Damn slimy Slytherins." Hermione muttered.

"Hey, Slytherin in company, need I remind you." Harry scoffed.

"You are the exception." She said, kissing his cheek. "I have to go. Meet me at the library to study after dinner?"

Harry smiled "Sure..."

Harry walked back up to the room to write his father a letter, a letter he had put off for too long.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Dad,

Well looks like you won't have to take shame, I am a Slytherin. The sorting hat said that it was where it had wanted to put me my first year and that I was stubborn, basically. I am not making very many friends. Draco is like their king or something.

About Draco, he really is going to get hurt if he calls Hermione a mudblood anymore around me. I know that when you do it, it's an act, but he is doing it just to spite me. Please don't be made but I might have "accidentally" hit him with a Gutuspunch charm...I don't know what will slip out of my wand next...

Anyway, enough about him...how are you and mom? I hope you are both doing well. Well the real reason for writing this letter is...I REALLY like Hermione.

Not that it will stop me if I do so choose to make this serious; do you mind that she is muggle-born? You are my family, I want your approval. I could care less about Draco's but I would like yours and mom's blessing. Please write at your earliest convenience.

Love,

Kaden Xavier Malfoy

~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Harry went up to the owlrey and sent it off with a school owl. He really hoped his mother and father approved of him and Hermione. Of course they weren't serious yet but he hoped that they would be able to if wanted.

Harry then and rested until dinner, which he ate alone, and then went to the library to meet Hermione.

Their study session went well. They had Care of Magical Creatures and Defense against the Dark Arts tomorrow. Remus Lupin was coming back as their DADA teacher for the second year in a row. He had been reinstated for sixth year since they knew he was trustworthy.

Harry went to bed with little on his mind. He had had a nice day and he hoped it would stay that way. He fell asleep peacefully and had no memorable dreams.