Spoiler Warning: This story is a sixth year fic that follows on from the events of Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. As a conseqeunce this story contains major spoilers for book 5. You have been warned.
SNAKE HEALER: THE MALFOY MUGGLE LOVER
CHAPTER 22: PRESS
"LEO MALFOY: THE BOY WHO LIVED" the Front Page of the Daily Prophet screamed ten days after the meeting of the Slytherin Council, alongside two colour photos, one of his Malfoy appearance and another of his more famous Potter appearance. It was September 1st and it seemed that the Daily Prophet had decided to celebrate Harry's return to Hogwarts by telling the world of his new identity. It seemed that what little anonymity he hoped for at Hogwarts had been utterly destroyed. Consequently he was less than pleased with the little. He was also far from surprised that the Daily Prophet knew who he was. It was only a matter of knowing whether it had been Voldemort, Dumbledore or Lucius that had leaked the news – he suspected the former. Having said that the article portrayed the Malfoy Family, especially himself, in a particularly favourable light, but then he wasn't surprised; the paper was controlled by former Slytherins and the paper had been full of praise for Lucius' 'miraculous redemption'. Harry was also intrigued to note that there was a mention of his speech to the Slytherin council in the article, which read as follows:
"The entire magical community was left reeling in shock yesterday after discovering that, Harry Potter the defeater of He who must not be named, is not a Potter, writes Rita Skeeter special correspondent. An anonymous source sensationally revealed that the Boy-Who-Lived, previously believed to be the only child of James and Lilly Potter, is in fact the son of reformed death eater Lucius Malfoy. Malfoy refused to comment on the allegations, but a ministry source confirmed that the boy we know as Harry Potter is in fact Leo Malfoy, the illegitimate offspring of a brief affair between Malfoy and Lilly Potter that friends of the late Mrs Potter say occurred when the couple worked for the Ministry Archives in the late 1970's and early 1980's. Once the affair ended it appears the illicit couple agreed to disguise their child as the son of Mrs Potter's and her husband, James Potter, leaving Potter unaware of the identity of his true father until earlier this summer, when he was sent to live at Mr Malfoy's Wiltshire home following the death of his muggle guardians.
Despite initial problems arising from Malfoy's death eater past, Potter has settled in well and established a good relationship with his father. However, he has had problems getting on with Draco Malfoy, his half brother and a notorious school rival of Potter's at Hogwarts, where both boys are sixth years. "He much prefers the Malfoys to the muggles," said Hermione Granger, one of Harry's best friends.
According to another friend, Potter has completely accepted his true parentage and now regards himself as a Malfoy. "He gets very angry if you call him Harry Potter," said the friend, who wished to remain anonymous.
The news, which was first broken on WWN's popular 'witching hour' program, was soon followed by an alarmist statement from the Dark Forces Defence League. The statement expresses concern that Malfoy could prove to be a bad influence on Potter and calls for him to be removed from the Malfoy's 'dark influences'. However, such concerns were rubbished by both Potter's friends and Albus Dumbledore, whilst a spokesman for the Minister went as far to say that Potter had been major influence in Malfoy's rejection of who-know-who. The spokesman did admit though that Malfoy had affected Potter's beliefs, citing a passionate address Potter made to the secretive 'Wyrmtongue Society' of which both Malfoy and the Minister are members. In the speech Potter is said to have called for unity in the fight against You-Know-Who and the end to the distrust that graduates of Hogwarts' notorious Slytherin house, who are all commonly believed to be dark wizards.
Harry was only marginally surprised to find out that the article had been written by Rita Skeeter. The Animagus reporter was not only a former Slytherin, but also probably the only reporter who knew who his friends were and capable of getting in contact with them. He did wonder though about Hermione's reaction to finding out that Rita Skeeter was planning to write an article about him. Harry's opinion of Rita Skeeter had improved after meeting her at the Slytherin council meeting and discussing ways of improving Slytherin's reputation – whilst she was hardly the fairest of reporters she was a genius at propaganda, public relations and promoting the viewpoint that was in Slytherin house's best interest. Hermione knew none of this and even after using her last year to publicise Voldemort's return she still hated Skeeter.
"Harry, has your friendship with the Weasley Family been affected by your status as a Malfoy?" a reporter shouted as Harry passed through the barrier on to Platform 9 ¾, rushing towards the Boy-Who-Lived, quill and parchment in hand, his barely disguised eagerness for a response annoying Harry immensely.
"Harry, How much do you trust your father?" another reporter asked, following close behind.
When Lucius had said during the journey to Kings Cross that there would be reporters waiting for him on the platform he had not imagined the scene in front of him. He had thought that there might be a couple waiting for him, especially as they were over half an hour early, but the flock of fifty or sixty vulture-like journalists and photographers took him completely by surprise. Their eager faces as they rushed towards him sickened Harry, whilst the sight of their quills positioned to take down his every word annoyed him immensely. They reminded him of a pack of Colin Creevey's all worshipping his every word and action. There was one thing about the journalists that annoyed him more than their attitude – their use of the name 'Harry'. It angered him immensely, tempting him into ranting at the pack of pushy reporters. He stayed calm though, resorting to vicious glares as he followed Lucius in pushing through gathered crowd, ignoring the rapid-fire questions that were being sent his way.
"Jason, can you confirm that James Potter is alive?"
Harry emerged from the throng of quote-hungry journalists, only to be confronted by Mr Lovegood, father of one of Harry's friends. The eccentric Quibbler editor also had quill and parchment and eager anticipation, but it was a friendly eagerness, unlike the viciousness of the reporters working for the more mainstream press. Ultimately though it wasn't this disarming friendliness that made Harry answer the question nor was it the fact that Mr Lovegood had used his name, instead it was the question itself that made him answer it. It gave him the chance to reveal James Potter's deceit and betrayal, an opportunity he relished, especially after noticing that James was standing on the other side of the platform harassing Ron.
"Yes I can. He's the black-haired Wood Elf over there," Harry replied politely, pointing out the elf in question for his friend's father, who glanced over to see where Harry was pointing before asking another question. Mr Lovegood seemed oblivious to the death glares that were being directed at James' direction by the three other Malfoys. He also seemed oblivious to the questions that were firing at Harry because of his question.
"Harry, if what you say is true, why did you choose Lucius Malfoy over him?" One reporter, standing behind Harry, asked in a manner that annoyed Harry immensely. It wasn't just the obnoxious, self-righteous manner of the reporter that made Harry want to hex him though, it was the show of blatant anti-Slytherin bias. The reporter seemed to be questioning why anyone could ever trust or like a Slytherin.
"Jason, What do you think of James Potter?" Mr Lovegood asked in the same eccentric yet eager tone of voice, ignoring Harry's growing frustration.
"He's an obnoxious, selfish, egotistical bastard who left my mother to die and me to live with a bunch of muggles who hated me. He's no better than Voldemort." Harry replied venomously, taking Mr Lovegood and the other on-lookers by surprise due to the fierceness of his dislike. This didn't stop them flinching on hearing Voldemort's name, a habit that annoyed Harry as much as ever. He half expected the reporters to criticise him for his words and he wasn't disappointed. Mr Lovegood, however, was not among his critics, the eccentric Quibbler editor thanked Harry for his answers and wandered away towards James Potter.
"James Potter died a hero helping defend you against Voldemort! You should be grateful to him," One reporter cried in a moral outrage that did nothing but goad Harry's already fraying temper. He turned to face the outspoken reporter, who looked indignant with rage, resisting the urge to punch him. The only thing that restrained his anger was Lucius' calming hand on his shoulder acting as a gentle warning not to do something stupid.
"Haven't you been listening? James Potter did not die like he should have! He should have died saving his family, doing the right thing. He shouldn't have run like that stinking treacherous rat Wormtail," Harry snapped. Despite the restraint he was still furious with the reporter in question and glared furiously at the blond man in question, who refused to back down.
"You're lying!" No Potter…" the reporter began, his self-righteous anger making him refuse to back down. It was a refusal which turned to be a mistake when the reporter found himself being flung screaming across the platform by an exasperated onlooker, leading to him landing at James' Potter's feet, shocking just about everyone, especially Harry.
This was soon followed by Narcissa's outraged cry of "Draco!" which identified the particular onlooker who had been cast the spell that had thrown the reporter across the platform. Harry turned to find Draco standing several feet behind him, being berated by Lucius for being impolite and acting without any dignity. It was a sight that cheered up Harry immensely, especially because of the petulant look on Draco's face, which made Harry's half-brother look like a naughty child who had been caught stealing sweets.
Most people seemed to ignore the sight of Draco being told off and returned to their business after only casually glancing to see where the screams had come from. Unfortunately the business of the reporters seemed to be harassing Harry and asking stupid and biased questions about James and Lucius. Consequently, Harry simply ignored the reporters and boarded the train, entering the first empty carriage he came across. He knew that doing so was the only way he was going to keep his cool and avoid yelling at another reporter. After all the hassle outside he was grateful for the peace and quiet. Unfortunately, it wasn't to last.
A knock on the already opened compartment door, alerted Harry to the fact that Rita Skeeter had intruded into his privacy. He had been surprised not to see her among the crowd of journalists outside, but now knew why she hadn't been there – she'd been waiting to get him alone. "I was hoping you could answer a few questions about Lucius and the Slytherins in general as well as conducting the interview you promised me," Rita asked in the pleasant yet arrogant tone of someone who was making an offer that he or she knew wouldn't be refused. "It would give you the opportunity to respond to your critics and start the redeem Slytherin campaign." Harry accepted willingly as he had promised to give Rita an interview at the Slytherin council meeting as part of the campaign to redeem Slytherin's image. At the time Rita Skeeter hadn't known that he was the boy-who-lived, but her discovery of his more famous reputation changed nothing. If anything it made the reporter more eager to conduct the interview, as he was no longer just a random Gryffindor, instead he was Harry Potter, hero of the wizarding world, someone who people might actually listen to.
The interview lasted twenty-five minutes, which the beetle animagus seemed to regard as far too short a time. On the other hand she had no choice, as it left barely left Rita Skeeter with enough time to get off the train before it departed Kings Cross. Despite this, the interview went reasonably well and as far as Harry was concerned he said everything that he wanted to and a lot more besides and more importantly, Rita and her quick quotes scroll seemed to be presenting him a favourable light. However, he knew that he had to wait until it was actually published that Sunday before judging the fairness of the interview he had just done.
Ginny, Neville and Luna entered the carriage just as the train pulled out of the station, carrying their luggage with them. Ron and Hermione were nowhere to be seen, presumably because they had made their way directly to the prefect carriage for the first prefect meeting of the year. "What were you doing talking to Rita Skeeter?" Ginny asked sounding as though she was shocked that Harry was speaking to the press. However, Harry could detect no hostility or anger in Ginny's words.
"The prophet is trying to restore my reputation, because they want my backing for a campaign they're running," Harry answered amiable not giving any details. He was surprised that Neville and the two girls, particularly Ginny, were treating him as if nothing had changed over the summer. The last time they'd met Ginny had been very suspicious of him and Ron had said nothing of his sister's attitude towards him. Indeed, the elfin boy had been very quiet on the whole issue, except to say that he and Mrs Weasley had explained his connection to the Malfoy Family to all of Harry's friends and that everything was 'fine' as a consequence. Hermione had written to him apologising for unwittingly offending him and saying that their friendship had not changed, however, he had not heard a word about anybody else and had worried as a consequence, but seeing these three acting so normally had partially eased his fears.
"What campaign is this and why do they want you're backing for it? They normally can't resist criticising you. Surely this is a perfect opportunity, just like last year," Ginny asked taking a seat next to Luna on the opposite side of the carriage to Harry. Neville sat next to Harry directly opposite her.
"Last year I wasn't a Malfoy," Harry replied firmly, noting with disappointment the uncomfortable expression on Ginny's face that followed his declaration. "To both the owner of the Daily Prophet and to Fudge I was an enemy, but now I'm the son of one of their friends, one who've spent a lot of time defending. Montague would never allow the prophet to attack me, even if the editor wanted to and not just because it would annoy Lucius.
Not surprisingly, both Ginny and Neville instantly recognised the surname of the Daily Prophet owner and linked it with Uther Montague, who had been in the twins' year and had a well-deserved reputation as among the worst of the Slytherins. Harry was not the least bit surprised and was only marginally annoyed that Ginny automatically assumed both father and son were death eaters, it had been the truth and it was a reasonable assumption to make unless you knew better, like Harry, who was among the few to know of the defection of the majority of the death eaters, news which wouldn't be announced until that afternoon. "You're telling me that the Daily Prophet is owned by a death eater and that this death eater wants to defend you! Don't you find this a bit suspicious?" Ginny exclaimed, sounding worried, before Luna or Neville could raise their own concerns.
"Montague's no longer a death eater. He and quite a few others changed sides with Lucius." Harry replied as calmly as before. It was a calmness that was soon broken by Ginny's scepticism.
"Even so, why would he want to defend you?" the redhead responded doubtfully, clinging to her previous argument, irritating Harry in the process. However, he let Neville speak his thoughts, rather than respond himself, as unlike Luna, Harry's dorm mate still desperately wanted to say something.
"Slytherin's always stick together, everyone knows that. We shouldn't be that surprised if Montague sticks up for all the Malfoy's, Jason included, as Malfoy wouldn't tolerate attacks on his family anymore than we would." Neville said confidently, sounding as though it were the most logical thing in the world. Of course, to Harry it was an extremely logical statement because loyalty to one's own was one of the cornerstones of the Slytherin mentality, Ginny, however, seemed unable to grasp this.
"But Jason's not a Slytherin, why would they stick up for him?" Ginny queried. It wasn't just the redhead's reference to Harry in the third person that caused the blond Gryffindor to sigh in frustration.
"Lucius and I are family and we act like it. As far as the Slytherins are concerned that is enough for them to treat me as one of their own. To them insulting me is like insulting my entire family, even if Lucius and I do have our differences." Harry replied testily, intellectually he knew that Ginny knew nothing about the Slytherin mentality and that he shouldn't be angry at her scepticism. However, her repetition of virtually the same question annoyed him immensely, which meant that his temper refused to subside, even if he wanted it to.
"But they're Slytherins! How do you know that you can trust them? Ginny replied raising her voice a little in response to Harry's obvious irritation. Everyone in the carriage knew that the argument was developing into a overly heated shouting match, but none seemed to want to do anything about it, even Neville who did not want the wrath of either Harry or Ginny to be redirected onto him. Of course the anger previously displayed by Harry was nothing compared to his reaction to Ginny's latest argument. If there was one thing that was guaranteed to rile his temper it was displays of anti-Slytherin prejudice as Ginny's words.
"What the hell does that mean?" Harry cried venomously, leaping to his feet in righteous fury. "What is it about Slytherins that means I shouldn't trust my own father? Their absolute loyalties to their own families? The fact that Lucius had plenty of opportunities to betray me to Voldemort but didn't? The promise Lucius made to my mother to protect me, one that his honour would never allow him to break? Stop being such a prejudiced bitch and open your eyes to the truth."
"But he's a death eater, they are all." Ginny asserted in reply, sounding once again as if it were an indisputable truth, her increased anger matching Harry's temper. She, like Harry leapt to her feet in a vain attempt to meet Harry eye to eye. The Malfoy was several inches taller.
"How many times do I have to tell you Ginny? He changed sides during the summer, as did all the other Slytherins. The ones that did not were branded traitors," Harry snapped viciously in response. His exasperation at her repetition of the same prejudice expressed through intense anger.
"So you say, but how do you know they're telling the truth? They're Slytherins, they could be deceiving you." Ginny responded, her genuine concern lost amidst the anger that had arisen in response to Harry's own anger.
"I know because I've seem the actions that back up their words. I trust them because I've seen them directly oppose Voldemort. I was there when they declared the death eaters to be traitors. I was there when Draco and Marcus Flint helped Lucius escape Voldemort's dungeons. I even saw Lucius attack Voldemort, through my scar." Harry retorted, his temper fraying even more in response to the request for proof. It was proof that Ginny had clearly not been expecting, for she had look of immense shock on her face. It was reaction that Harry found both deeply satisfying and intensely annoying, although the annoyance subsided along with his temper when Ginny sat down without a response. It seemed that Harry had won the argument, although he doubted whether Ginny's opinions had been changed by it.
In case you've forgotten Harry is 'Jason' and 'Leo' whilst Ron is 'Caranthir'.
I also wish to littlehobbit85 and others who have forgotten that Harry's appearance changed at the very beginning of this story so that he looks like a Malfoy. I know he looks like a Potter in cannon, but that is merely a disguise placed on him by Lilly, Lucius and James, which Snape removed using a potion in the first chapter. I know that I've never mentioned this disguise, I assumed that most people had read enough Severitus challenge fics to guess that this is the case. If you think I'm making any other assumptions like this tell me, sometimes I do it deliberately, but generally I don't even realise I'm doing it.
Thank You to all those who reviewed chapter 21, your reviews were most appreciated. If you want me to e-mail you when I update this fic leave your e-mail address in your review.