Author Note:

V1.3, R3

(Edited for format, error clean up, flow and additional miscellaneous fixes. first AO3 revision)

Harry Potter and the franchise are owned by their respective claim holders. I do this story as a hobby and not as a substitute for the books or as a means of profit.

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Emerald on Silver

Ch2 - Story Time Before Dinner

Lyra had changed into a white gown that her mother told her she was to wear for their company. Her hair was, however, just as messy as ever. Her mother blamed her father completely for that. She didn't mind, though. She liked her hair just the way it was. They had about a half hour before their friends showed up. Her mother was with her brothers trying to get the two balls of energy ready.

With nothing better to do in the meantime, Lyra began hunting down her father. She had already been told so much about magic from her mother. She wondered what her father would tell her, too. Her mother had explained that he also didn't know that magic existed before he got his letter as well.

Lyra found him once more in his study, pacing. At first he didn't notice her. She figured that he probably wasn't used to the door being wide open while she or her brothers were in the house. Lyra pushed the door open and he paused in place as she walked into the room.

"I'm still not used to you coming in here." He said as he turned to his daughter. He was smiling at her. He made his way over to her and knelt, giving her an affectionate squeeze on her shoulder. "You look just like your mother, you know?" He snorted lightly and shook his head with a small smile.

"Are you okay, Dad?" Lyra asked. She had never seen her father seem so apprehensive. He was usually one of the most decisive people she knew. She started to wonder if getting magic was a good thing or not. She never liked being any cause of worry for her parents, especially her father. He pulled her close.

"Of course, sweetie." He said as he hugged her. "It's that our life here is a pretty big secret. Well, it was." He reached out and lifted her up, placing her in one of those large comfortable chairs she had waited for him on. He squeezed into the seat right next to her and ruffled her hair lightly, eliciting a giggle. "I'm just anxious. I know they will all love you, but they may be a little hurt that they had to wait so long to meet you."

Lyra took the time to look around the room again, taking all the odd sights. It made her mind wander back to the story her mother had just told her. About how she and her father had become friends. She hoped to get a little more of the story since her father had come home before her mother could finish. Her mother made him sound like a perfect gentleman. She wondered what her father had thought of her mother.

"Hey, Dad?" She asked, leaning into her father's side. He wrapped an arm around her shoulder as her weight pressed into him.

"What is it?" He asked as he looked down at her with a kind smile. The one he always gave her. The one that told her everything was good, safe.

"Mum was telling me the story of how you guys met." She said as she played with her fingers. She rarely made requests from her father. He had always given her everything she could want, even when she never showed him any outward interest in something. He always gave so much to her and others that it never felt right.

"Was she now?" He grinned at the confession. "And what did she tell you?" He asked as he shifted his body to better look at her. He moved her to sit on his leg as he relaxed fully into the cushions. Lyra adjusted to her new seat with excitement.

"Just about how you found her on the train to Hogwarts crying." She said, swinging her feet back and forth. "She said she met her best friend that day." He smiled at what she told him, giving off a silent laugh.

"Draco never put it that way for me." He mused softly to himself. "I happen to agree with her, though." He said as he tapped her nose with a single finger. He had a face splitting smile that she couldn't help but return.

"What was it like becoming friends with Mum?" The question obviously sidelined him. He stared at her for a moment, seeming to be lost in thought. A ghost of a smile appeared on his face. Lyra wished she knew what he was remembering.

"Taken an interest in the story?" Her father asked, coming back to his senses. He ruffled her hair. Lyra swatted at his hand while giggling. He always did that. It wasn't like their hair would be any different 'messy,' though.

"Yeah." Lyra chirped. "She also said you'd tell me about the tournament." She informed him. He chuckled at her statement. She was really excited as her father had never talked about his past before. Her Mother only just recently delved into it with her.

"I will?" He asked with faux confusion in his voice as his eyebrow gave an amused tic. It was one of her father's tells. She knew she was going to be treated to a story.

"Yup!" She bounced in her seat, bubbling with energy. Her father laughed at her eagerness, wincing as Lyra gave him a charlie horse.

"Easy there," He put a hand on her shoulder to settle her as she laughed at his pain. "Just like your mother... Well, I guess they kind of go hand in hand." He said, taking a moment to clean his glasses. He took a long stick out of his pocket. It was much longer than the garment should have allowed. He made a show of casting the simple spell to amuse her. She rewarded him with clapping and laughter. "Well, we do have some time before our guests arrive. I should be able to start the story for you."

"Really?" She said as her eyes lit up with happiness. The day had started out so bizarre, but it had brought so many revelations about her family that her head was practically buzzing in excitement. It was like a fairy tale took over her life and she wanted even more.

"Yeah." He smiled. "Let's see, so that would have been the day of the feast. Fourth year, I think."

*If I remember correctly it had been storming horribly all evening. Those poor first years, having to cross the lake that year. Don't worry, sweetie, I'm sure you'll be fine. Anyway, when we got off the train we went to the school for the opening feast. We parted ways on the train, though. Your mother and I sat at different tables back then. Your Aunt Hermione and I shared a school house, you see, different from your mother's. Some would have called our houses rivals. Yeah, you could say it was like Romeo and Juliet, Sweetie.*

Harry and the others had made it into the entrance hall of the castle just in time to suffer at the hands of Peeves, who was dive bombing various groups of students that were making their way into the hall. Mcgonagall had Hurried them along to the feast, after Peeves was chased off. Harry was glad that his friends didn't ask too many questions when he had made his way back to their original compartment. He had made the excuse of finding out more about the mystery competition.

They had managed to be some of the first students into the hall, procuring their normal spots and easing into conversations about anything that came to mind. The competition, Quidditch, who the new DADA professor was going to be. As they waited, which Harry and Ron will have sworn to have been hours, their attention was caught by a commotion from the Slytherin table.

Harry looked over to see what it was. He had his suspicions but he had to see for sure. There was Malfoy in the middle of the Slytherin table. Behind her was Pansy Parkinson facing down some of the boys before dragging the blonde to the back end of the table away from most of the older students. Whatever was happening there was sure to be a story. Harry made a mental note to ask her about it when he got a chance to talk to her.

"What's going on over there?" Ron asked. The rest of the school had taken notice of the small scene playing out at the Slytherin table. Harry wondered how many people were beginning to learn about the change.

"Whoever that is, it looks like there is a fight in Slytherin over her. Maybe some of the boys were giving her unwanted attention." Hermione postulated, given her limited context. She had barely glanced at the table. Harry knew she usually tried to ignore the other house's existence if she could.

"Of course we traded one blond Slytherin for another." Ron huffed, eyeing the new girl. His statement, however benign, triggered a connection in Hermione's mind. It was like watching a Rube Goldberg machine in action. Hermione's face went through so many stages it took all of Harry's willpower to pretend he hadn't been paying attention. He watched as her eyes darted back and forth, following her own thinking.

*Your Aunt Hermione, being... well your Aunt Hermione, knew something had changed right away. She wasn't too happy that I didn't tell her right away that your mother and I had become friends. I'm pretty sure she was just happy that we'd stop antagonizing each other, though.*

Then she came back to reality and squinted at the other girl hard. Harry knew she was starting to see it. He probably had less than a minute before she figured out what had happened to Draco, or at least the outward effects of it.

Her head cocked to the side slightly as the connection was finally made. She glared at Harry. There it is… "You knew and didn't tell us." Well, that had been the best case scenario, so he couldn't complain. He hadn't gotten any wands to the face or punches to the arm. Those were her normal go-to's when she was upset with either of them.

"Sorry, sort of slipped my mind." Harry tried to excuse his decision. He was really hoping that she'd just huff at him and move on. He hadn't planned this far ahead, going for the 'crossing the bridge when he got there' approach. He saw Ron catch on to their exchange and start paying mild attention. Maybe things were going to snowball out of control after all. He really hoped his longest time friend would be understanding.

"What's that, Harry?" Ron asked, not really following what the two were talking about. He loved Ron with all his heart, he and Hermione being his only true family after all, and never liked to think anything ill of his mate. But he was really glad right now that his friend was usually slow on the uptake for most things that hold little interest to him. He would have noticed Malfoy well before Hermione if that had been the case. Harry wasn't sure their tepid friendship would last a Ronald Weasley that decided to go on the offensive against part of the family that caused his own so much trouble over the years. He needed more time. At least until Hermione was on his side.

Their conversation was cut short as the doors to the hall swung open with a loud creak. Professor McGonagall was there with the first years, ready to start the sorting ceremony. Harry had never been more glad for the start of the sorting than he had been at that moment. She walked in and set down the stool that all first years would sit on to start their Hogwarts career. The hat sang its song when placed on the stool and then the first years were sorted. Dumbledore stood and announced to the students to "tuck in" after all of the sorting had been accomplished and the feast began.

At some point during the feast the ghosts showed up and, unfortunately, Hermione had learned about the house elves in the kitchens from Nearly Headless Nick. She refused to eat anything at that time, glaring daggers at everyone nearby. Ron took pleasure in eating different foods and describing them to her. Harry was happy that she had gotten distracted and took Ron along with her. It meant that she was less likely to remember the earlier slight. Dumbledore stood at the end of the feast to give his beginning of the year speech. Unfortunately it turned out that less likely still meant it could happen.

"Don't think I'll forget." Harry heard Hermione say behind him just loud enough for him to hear. He sighed, so much for her getting distracted. He turned behind himself and nodded, letting her know they'd speak in the tower. She seemed to be placated by the promise. Dumbledore beginning his speech cut off any line of thinking he had been in the middle of.

"It is also my painful duty to inform you that the Inter-House Quidditch Cup will not take place this year." Their headmaster announced loudly. There was an outburst at this. Many gasps filled the room and Harry was completely sidelined by the announcement. Flying was his life at the school. It was the thing that he was a natural at and allowed him to escape the drudgery of constant schoolwork. And it was the one thing he always outperformed Malfoy in. His counterpart was otherwise always gloating at him whenever he was bested. Always.

*But you also wanted to know about the tournament. Yeah, I thought so. The old headmaster announced the TriWizard Tournament. A pretty intense competition between magical schools. Everyone wanted a chance to enter but only one person from each school was allowed to compete!*

Before much could be said, however, the doors to the hall slammed open, revealing a soaked man leaning heavy on a long staff. He pulled back his hood to reveal scars all along his face. He was introduced as their new DADA Professor, Professor Moody. Harry recalled that Ron's dad had a recent run in with the old wizard. Harry got a good look at the man as he began thumping his way along the hall to the professor's table. The sight sent a shiver of fear down his spine.

The man was old, grizzled and mean looking. He took a pull from a flask he grabbed from his robes. It was hard to tell what parts of his skin were anything more than scar tissue, not to mention that a good chunk of his nose was missing. One of his eyes was clearly glass and quite certainly enchanted as it whirled around in its socket, occasionally stopping to stare at seemingly random things. If Harry had to describe him he would say it looked like he was poorly carved from wood.

After the new professor was introduced Dumbledore returned to his speech, declaring that the Triwizard tournament would be held at Hogwarts that year. The hall exploded in loud conversation briefly as the students became overwhelmed at the news. Dumbledore swiftly quieted the room back down. Unfortunately any witch or wizard that wanted to participate had to be at least 17 years of age to participate. The younger students let out rounds of disappointment. Fred and George swore they'd find a way to cheat the system. The hall exploded at the news after the announcement once more, but before long the Headmaster had dismissed them to their dorms.

*I was actually relieved that I could not enter the thing. You had to be seventeen. I had so much going on recently that I really just wanted a normal school year. Hermione forced me to talk that night, though. I can still feel the glare from Her. She grilled me about your mother. She used to pick on us, you know. You did? Oh, well, then you can imagine her and our friend Ron were not too happy. You'll meet him tonight, by the way. They got married in the end. At any rate, Hermione definitely made me feel bad about not coming clean. She always had a way of doing that. Poor Ron, though. He was just along for the ride. He had no idea what was going on at first.*

The group of students Harry and his friends were with used their new password for the term to get into the tower. The twins had lifted it off a prefect earlier. As everyone made their way to their rooms Hermione pulled Harry and Ron off to the side. They enjoyed the glow of the fireplace while the last of the students made their way up the stairs, briefly catching up with them as they passed. When the trio were finally alone was when Hermione finally spoke up.

"When were you going to tell us, Harry?" She gave Harry a hard stare. Ron gave her a confused look before turning his gaze back to him. Harry knew this was coming as soon as Hermione promised not to forget. He knew that the truth was the only thing she'd accept. She never liked to be left in the dark. Ron was more of the forget and forgive kind of person. Out of sight out of mind.

"What's she talking about, Harry?" Ron was completely in the dark, having forgotten about anything other than the tournament at the moment. Harry didn't blame him. He would have liked nothing more than to let him continue to be in the dark. But he knew that it was better to get this out of the way now. He was sure there was an idiom for that.

"Right now I think rumors are the last thing he needs." He said, trying to wave Hermione off. He still wasn't sure how they would respond to the whole thing. Draco had been so vulnerable when he had found her. He just hoped it was enough of an explanation.

"We wouldn't have spread rumors, Harry." Hermione insisted. He could tell she was hurt by him hiding this, even if it had only been for the day. He knew he could trust her, she had always known the better part of discretion. It was Ron and the other Weasleys he was worried about. He knew the history between the families. The twins in particular would take full advantage of the situation. Ron might stay quiet on his behalf, though.

"Does this have to do with that new girl?" Ron asked, trying to figure things out.

"Do you honestly believe that if I said anything before or at the feast it wouldn't be a rumor by now?" Harry said, glancing in Ron's direction. His friend had really hoped that Malfoy was attending another school, having voiced it three separate times on the carriage ride. Harry would usually agree with Ron on the topic. But after today? "He was on the train by himself. None of the others even knew he was here until we reached Hogsmeade." She nodded in understanding as he explained.

*I was just relieved I could talk about your mother to my friends. I always relied on their help. I ended up telling them basically everything about the train ride. I did make them promise to keep our discussion private though... In the end I did let them know that your mother and I became friends. Hermione had been pretty supportive, Ron not so much. Their families had a history.*

"How long were you with him?" She asked. She was doing that squint she used when she was investigating something. He knew she'd catch him in any lie. He was an open book now; it wouldn't be worth it. There would be no trolls to slay to satiate her anger.

"Almost the entire ride." He admitted. "He was in his own head and I needed to help somehow." He remembered what had happened when he found her. The way she looked like a trapped animal when he accidentally outed himself.

"Can someone please explain to me what's going on?" Ron complained. He was looking back and forth between the two waiting for clarity. It wasn't that he was stupid by a long shot. He just didn't care for Malfoy enough to give the other boy a second thought. He still thought they were on about 'the new girl.'

Hermione gave Harry a side glance as she turned to Ron and said. "I think I have it mostly figured out, but I think Harry could fill in some blanks for me."

"Alright. You guys have to promise to keep this private though. I feel bad talking about this without him knowing." Harry felt like he was putting Malfoy on the spot even though she wasn't there at all. He really believed that she wasn't as bad as she played herself these last couple of years.

"I promise, Harry." Hermione said after a few moments. He figured she accepted his reasoning. "Ron?" She gave him a glare that brokered no arguments. Agree or she'd be angry. She did have his back after all.

"Fine, I promise. What's going on?" Ron said, agreeing so that he could understand the situation finally. He hated when he missed something either of his friends picked up on.

"It's Malfoy." Harry started. Ron rolled his eyes but didn't say anything. "Remember when I did that wrong floo years ago?"

"Yeah." His friend gave off a quick laugh as he remembered it, closing his eyes and shaking his head. Harry gave him a moment.

"I saw him and his Dad at Borgin and Burkes. Something in that store triggered his transformation." Harry explained. He still remembered that day so vividly. The way Malfoy eyed the various things around the store. The argument she had with her father at the time.

"He's been like that for two years now?" Hermione sounded surprised.

"Yeah. He told me this was his deadline. Figure out the cure or go public, because hiding it was no longer an option." Harry replied, coughing into a fist at the slightly uncomfortable statement.

"Oh...Oh!" Hermione's eyes lit up as she started to account for the information she had to connect the dots. The need to prove herself. Constantly picking fights with them. The insults. It mostly started their second year. The first year was understandable. Revenge was in her nature and targeting them should have been expected. The last two years? She had no overt reason to target them the way she had anymore.

"What happened to the little troll?" Ron asked. Harry could tell that he understood that something had happened and that it should help him see the bully in a new light. He just needed that last push.

"Puberty, Ron." Hermione said through half lids, exhausted with Ron's obtuseness. She would have expected him to connect the events of the evening, but he seemed to have put all the small details out of mind. "You know, the things that make boys and girls different?" She had a dangerous glint in her eyes and he was sure Ron felt his soul getting pierced.

"Wh...what!?" Ron squeaked out through a red face. Harry decided to push on past the tangent. He still remembered how he learned about Malfoy's new reality. The thought brought a light blush to his face as well. He cleared his throat to shake it off.

"When I found him he had locked himself into a compartment alone. He had just finished crying, from what I could tell. When I tried to help even in the most bare minimum way, he broke down. He was afraid of showing up now that he couldn't hide what had happened. So I helped him, er, let it out?" He finished with a shrug. He didn't know how to explain what had happened properly. Hermione smiled at him.

"That was very mature of you, Harry." She beamed at him. "Oh my goodness, no wonder he was so sensitive these last couple of years." She placed a hand over her mouth in horror as the situation fully set in. The thought of suddenly finding yourself something you weren't was unsettling.

"I spent the ride cheering him up." Harry shrugged. They knew what to expect from him though. Ever the bleeding heart. Hermione smiled through a light misting of her eyes at him. "His Parents expect him to accept his new position, start being proper, but he wouldn't explain why." Hermione's eyebrows shot up in understanding, face going slightly red. She refused his confused look.

"Can someone please explain in plain words what is going on?" Ron was getting visibly frustrated. Harry rolled his eyes, he felt like his friend was reading from a different book. Why couldn't Ron be this dense during their chess games?

"That was Pansy defending Draco earlier. He got turned into a girl." Hermione answered for him quickly. She wanted to move the conversation along further than page one, like him. Ron pulled his head back, shock erupting across his face. Harry palmed his face, knowing what was coming.

"Wait, Malfoy was the new girl?" He yelled out loud. Hermione shushed him violently with a swat.

"Ronald! Do you want to wake up the entire house?" She hissed out. He shrunk back from her admonishment. Ron knew when she was right. She continued "He isn't 'the new girl.' He is a girl, and has been since our second year, you prat!" Ron's face settled on bafflement combined with defeat.

Harry coughed into his hand to regain their attention. "Listen, I kinda went and made a truce with him." He admitted, sheepishly. This was what he was anxious about. What were they going to say about him suddenly willing to forgive Malfoy for years of antagonism?

"Why even bother, mate? He's been going after us since day one. Deserved it for all I care." His friend snorted in derision. He expected that from Ron. He was very prideful when it came to his family. Harry doubted he would ever get along with Malfoy given their history.

"Look, I don't expect you guys to be friends with him, but he's going through something that no one else can understand. He needs some help." Harry hoped that Ron would at least relent. Hermione seemed ready to try, but Ron would be a tough nut to crack.

"Alright, fine. Don't expect me to help, but I won't antagonize the blighter." Ron acquiesced as he crossed his arms grumpily. "But if he starts things…" He warned. That was probably the best Harry would get for the time being.

"I understand, Harry." Hermione said softly. "If he is civil I don't see any reason why we shouldn't at least try as well." Harry felt a massive weight lift off his shoulders. He really hoped that the others would be as forgiving as his two best friends. Well, at least as much as Ron. He didn't expect them to all be Hermione about it anytime soon.

"I guess that is good enough. Thanks guys." Harry smiled and clapped both of them on the shoulder. Ron rolled his eyes and smirked at him. Hermione gave him an odd kind of smile. It wasn't one he had seen often.

"What?" He asked.

"I'm proud of you, Harry. Maybe this will be the push he needs to be better."

"Maybe…" Harry replied before letting off a large yawn. The day had been pretty exhausting.

The trio separated to their bunks, Ron and Harry finding their beds quickly. As they settled in, Ron admitted to wanting to enter the tournament if the twins found a way. Harry murmured a soft agreement, though he knew that it was unlikely.

Ron fell asleep before Harry, leaving the dark haired boy staring at the storm clouds outside the window. His mind wandered to the tournament. He allowed himself to daydream about himself winning the tournament. The whole school around him, cheering. As he also drifted to sleep the images continued to play, his subconscious taking control. His friends were all around him in the crowd, pouring adulations in his direction. He could see Draco in the crowd, clapping softly for his friend, that smug lopsided smile on his face. Before long, sleep had claimed him completely.

*It wasn't until the next day that your Aunt Hermione and your mother became tepid friends. They had a colored history until then. Your mother started to go to her for everything after a while. That night we all went to bed dreaming of the tournament. It might have been the first time I had a dream where your mother wasn't trying to hex me*

*That next morning we began our fourth year lessons. I was so happy to be back at school. My Aunt and Uncle were horrible people. I think it was Care for Magical Creatures that morning. I got to see your mother again at class, but we were too busy to talk at all until much later.*

The next morning saw the storm pass. Harry and his friends were at breakfast relatively early, Hermione eager to get their schedules. Ron noted their schedule, Herbology and Care for Magical Creatures in the morning, with Ron and Harry going back to double divinations for the day. When they noticed Hermione eating again Ron teased her. She swore it wasn't just because she was hungry, though.

They'd be with the Slytherin for Hagrid's class. Harry thought about testing the newfound waters with Malfoy. Sure, they'd spent the better part of a day actually enjoying hanging out, but now that they were out and about with their peers, maybe things would go back to how they were? It was hard to tell this early on and his anxiety was getting the better of him.

He watched the flock of morning owls descend with their gifts and letters in tow. Harry looked around, hoping to see Hedwig. He was unable to see her amongst the flurry. He caught sight of the Malfoy eagle owl carrying a rather large basket. He briefly wondered if it wasn't the regular supply of sweets the girl always bragged about. When he thought of his owl and if Sirius got his letter he felt disappointment well up inside him. Malfoy must have noticed. When he looked over toward her table she was looking in his direction. He couldn't tell what she was thinking at all. She turned back towards Pansy, putting the basket next to her seat. He tried to put all of this out of his mind. They had Herbology soon, then class with Hagrid.

Herbology itself wasn't too bad. They shared the class with Hufflepuff, so there was a generally good atmosphere in the class. The day's lesson was to collect pus from sacks that grew on a strange plant. Most of the students were absolutely disgusted by the prospect. Lavender and Parvati in particular were gagging every few minutes. Ron tried to bet Seamus which one would give up their cookies before Hermione intervened. They managed to get quite a bit for the hospital wing in the end. Madam Pomfrey used it on students for acne so it was worth it after all.

When the lesson ended the Gryffindor students went their separate way from the Hufflepuffs, heading towards Hagrid's hut near the Forbidden Forest. They were thankful for the fair weather. It wasn't a great day out, but it also wasn't dreary. Or, heavens forbid, still storming. As they got near the hut they heard something that sounded like faint explosions. They saw Hagrid and Fang in the distance near several wooden crates. Hagrid's face lit up when he saw his personally favorite students.

They were introduced to the blast-ended skrewt and when the Slytherin finally showed up they were able to get a baby skrewt and start trying to feed them. Malfoy wasn't completely herself during their first lesson. She complained enough, but it was mutterings rather than the attention catching loudness. When Hermione eventually admitted that she agreed with Malfoy and that the skrewts should be stamped out before they got too big the other girl actually laughed lightly.

They had lunch after the morning lessons and separated from Hermione to go to their divination lesson. Unfortunately Ron made a Uranus joke while they were learning about star positions and their influences. The whole class got a very intense assignment their first time together.

When the trio reunited, Hermione gloated about the lack of homework she was assigned in arithmancy and they made their way towards the dinner hall. By the time they reached the entrance hall the place was packed, students already in line for food. The three of them groaned, knowing that it would be a while before they got to eat.

*We did get to talk again before dinner, though. She found me and my friends in the dinner line. Used some dumb excuse to be able to come talk to me. She had a lot of pride. I think it had something to do with the newspaper?*

"Of course the line is miles long already." Harry turned his head at the complaint. Malfoy had taken the spot right next to them in line. Pansy was with her, though she didn't look too happy about being in that particular spot as she kept glaring at them. Before any more words could be exchanged the blonde held out a newspaper towards Ron. "Somehow your father got mixed up in the front page news, Weasley," she said. Harry smirked at the interaction. It seemed like she was just going to roll with the punches and act like everything was normal. Well, in so much as her chumming with them was normal.

Ron took the paper from her, confused, and looked at Harry who just shrugged. If she was going to be civil, they had agreed to it as well. It did make him happy that Malfoy approached them outside of class first, though.

They looked over the paper. It was written by a witch named Rita Skeeter. The entire piece ridiculed the ministry. It blamed most of the commotion on Mr. Weasley, who ended up in an altercation with muggle police officers when dealing with their new professor.

"Of course the new professor is barking mad." Ron moaned out as his face got red while reading the article. "She didn't have to write it like that! She could have at least gotten his name right." His face started to shade a bit purple the father he read into the paper. Harry felt terrible for his friend. His family always seemed to be bullied even outside of the school.

"Ron, that's horrible." Hermione said as she read the article over his shoulder. Harry agreed with her. The Weasleys were the nicest family he had known. They definitely didn't deserve this kind of attention.

"That your house, Weasley?" Malfoy asked, referring to the picture of the Burrow on the front page with a small nod. Her voice seemed a little unsure.

"Yeah, what of it!?" Ron barked out. It was clear that the article was making him upset. His knuckles were white as he gripped the pages in his hands, threatening to tear the whole paper apart. Harry saw the look of horror spread across his face when he saw the girl's response. Ron swallowed hard.

The blonde had flinched heavily at his answer, as if she had been physically struck. "Nothing. I just thought I'd ask." She all but whispered out. Malfoy started to play with her fingers, not looking up after the other boy snapped at her. Harry knew she was still hurting even after he spent the previous day cheering her up. Even in Hagrid's class, where she usually made it quite clear that she didn't like animals, she was quite subdued. She had still made it quite clear, though.

"Oh..." Ron looked sufficiently mollified at her response, his ears turning a light pink hue when he considered his reaction. Harry could tell he felt slightly embarrassed.

"Thanks, Malfoy." Harry said. She gave him a shrug after a moment of surprise, but had a small smile nonetheless. It filled Harry with a bit of happiness that she was trying to be friends with them. He smiled back at her.

"For what? I'm not the one in the paper." Malfoy began to relax again as the conversation moved forward.

"Fair enough." Harry chuckled. " I guess thanks for not taking the piss." He finally offered. He was not used to a Malfoy that was not trying to be the center of attention.

"It wasn't easy." The girl snorted, smirking in Ron's direction. She leaned against the wall as they waited for the line to move forward. "Some people are saying things about the new professor."

That caught Harry's interest. "What's that?" He had been wondering about the new professor. The man made Harry uncomfortable just looking at him. His wooden features reminded Harry of some horror films that gave him nightmares.

*Her friend Pansy busted her, though. I had a feeling she wanted to hang out and not just to share some news article. Your mother started to relax around us. It was nice. We had been at odds for so long, I was happy to have a different kind of relationship with her.*

Pansy huffed out in frustration. "Really, Draco? You said you just wanted to drop that paper off, not make small talk with the golden boy." She glared at Harry, but he just smiled in response. Malfoy had used an excuse to come over and spend time with them. "It's already bad enough in the dorm."

"Pansy, I told you that you could stay behind if you wanted." Malfoy rolled her eyes at her fellow Slytherin.

"And leave you to fend for yourself with all these brutes around?" She waved her hand around the room, glaring at all the boys looking in their direction. Harry noticed it for the first time. A lot of the boys were looking in their direction. Many of them were staring at Malfoy, obviously caught up in daydreaming. Others were glaring at Harry himself. He wasn't sure what to make of it. Whatever it was she pulled his attention back to their conversation.

"What do you think of him?"

"Who's that?" He asked, trying to focus on anything else than the other students.

"Professor Moody." She clarified.

"I'm not too sure, honestly. I don't think Dumbledore would make him a teacher unless he knew what he was talking about." Harry answered after giving it some thought. The man was intimidating, though.

"I suppose not." Malfoy said. She became quiet for a moment, shifting in her spot.

Hermione was watching the scene unfold. Harry glanced at her to see her eyes going back and forth between the Slytherin and himself. He couldn't fathom what she was trying to figure out now .

*I told your mother about my godfather while we were waiting for dinner. It really surprised her to learn who he was. Just so you know, he was innocent. But your mother didn't know at the time. She still thought he was some scary murderer. It did pique her interest. She made me promise to tell her all about him some day. They were related, you know. My godfather and your mother. Your grandmother was his cousin.*

"This morning…" Malfoy started, but the words died on her lips as she looked unsure of what she was even doing. She started to play with the fabric of her robes. He still wasn't used to seeing her so meek. At least not since they were in the forbidden forest, when they still had something in common. He mentally chuckled at the insinuation of his thought.

"What about this morning?" Harry offered up, glad to have the short silence broken. He was thinking back on the day, trying to remember anything she might ask about.

"At breakfast you looked disappointed when the owls showed up. Were you expecting something?" She finally asked, though she wasn't looking at him when she asked. He wasn't expecting concern. She had enough on her plate. She shouldn't worry about him.

"Oh, yeah." Harry said, remembering breakfast that morning. Malfoy had gotten a large package while his own owl had not shown up. "I was hoping to get a letter from my godfather." He scratched his head as he recalled the event.

"Your godfather?" Malfoy asked, eyebrows up in surprise. Harry smirked at the display. He sometimes forgot that not all of his life was common knowledge.

"Yeah." He said, looking at Ron and Hermione. Ron rolled his eyes. Hermione, however, pursed her lips. He couldn't tell if she was about to object or not.

"What are you thinking, Harry?" She asked, eyeing him. He just shrugged in response. "I won't stop you." She said, leaning back as if she had nothing to do with the consequences going forward. "Just remember, he's still waiting." She was right, but he felt compelled regardless.

"Keep a secret?" Harry asked, turning to the Slytherins, grinning. He knew Malfoy'd bite. She lived for secrets. The look she gave him made it quite clear she understood his game. She nodded a 'well played' at him.

"If it'll get you to spill, fine." She pushed herself up from the wall and straightened her skirt. "Pansy, just agree." She said, tapping her foot loudly while waiting for her friend's response.

"Fine!" Pansy huffed out, crossing her arms. She looked like she wanted to be anywhere but there at the moment. "I'll keep a secret." She consented.

"Sirius Black." Harry said the name as if it explained everything. Pansy let out a light gasp. Malfoy waited for him to say something, anything more. He just kept his smirk in place. She looked to Ron and Hermione who were staring back at her passively.

"The escaped murderer?" She asked wide eyed. It was quite the sight, seeing her shocked. He never got tired of it. Not since the remembrall incident.

"Yeah, that's him." He laughed out loud. "He's my godfather."

"Woah." That was all Pansy could manage as she was shook by the news. She had no problem acting tough but she was just as sensitive and easily frightened as anyone. The name still made her afraid, it seemed.

"I expect a full explanation at some point, Potter." Malfoy said with her hands on her hips. Harry wasn't too surprised at that demand. Sirius Black had been trying to kill him last year. Well, that's what most people would tell you right now. No one believed he was innocent yet.

"I let him know about something that had been bothering me. I was hoping to get a response by now." Harry said. He was not disappointed, she gave him a look of pure curiosity. "I'll tell you some time. I sent Hedwig to him a while ago. I thought he'd write as soon as he could."

*Your mother had a bit of a reputation, though. We were eventually interrupted by the new professor. Professor Moody. He wasn't the real one, but we didn't know it at the time. He wanted to make sure she wasn't up to 'no good.' Or so he said. He was a scary man. He helped me out throughout the year, but he was scary.*

Before their conversation could continue, the loud thumping of wood on stone caught their attention. It was Professor Moody, making his way across the entrance hall towards their direction. They had finally made it up to the doors of the dinning hall. By the time the professor reached them his glass eye was firmly on Malfoy.

"Well, if it isn't the Malfoy brat. Aren't fixin' to start trouble, are you, girl ?" He spat out the noun as if it were some cruel joke. His eyes shifted from the girl to Harry. Harry shook his head in defense of her.

"No, sir. My father wouldn't-" She tried to say but was cut off by the grizzled man in front of her. He came at her like a dog tearing into fresh meat.

"Oh, your father, is it? Oh, I know your father alright. An old friend of mine." He growled out, as if warning the girl. "I could tell you stories about your father, girl, that would make you never show your face in public again." Malfoy was starting to shake in front of the man, her cheeks turning pink.

"P...Professor Sn-" She stammered out but wasn't allowed to continue as she was cut off again.

"Snape!? Another old friend . Just what do you think I've done most of my life girl?" He barked out through a cruel grin. Harry was certain he was enjoying playing with the girl. Like she was just a toy for him. "I make sure dark wizards get exactly what they deserve. I've been wanting to have a chat with ol' Snape for a while now." He let out a rasping wheeze as he finished, spittle on his chin.

He stamped his staff hard into the ground, causing Malfoy to jump. "Watch yourself, girl. I wouldn't want to find you doing something you're not supposed to." He warned as he pushed through the doors,chugging from his flask and leaving the group behind. Everyone stood there in stunned silence.

*Your mother was nearly crying by the time he left. Your Aunt Hermione comforted her that time. Hogwarts usually likes to beat a person when they're down. I really do think that is the moment those two became friends.*

"What was that all about?" Hermione finally asked, frazzled by what had just happened. She looked over to Malfoy, who had tears threatening her eyes as she stood shaking in her spot. Her face was red in anger. "Are you alright, Draco?" She asked, placing her hand on the other girl's shoulder much like Harry had the day before. She flinched slightly but made no move to brush the hand away.

"Yeah, I'll be fine." Malfoy said as she tried to regain her composure, her voice wavering. Hermione hugged the girl from behind. Harry couldn't see either's face. When the blonde stopped shaking Hermione removed herself, allowing Malfoy to straighten herself out. She eyed Harry before giving them a curt nod, turning to leave with Pansy at her side. Her face was just as red as the time Harry had done the same thing.

"If you need to talk, just let me know." Harry called out, causing her to pause after a few steps to turn and consider the Gryffindors one more time. She took a deep breath before she even let words pass.

"Granger, Potter." She said before pausing again. "Thanks." she finally offered.

"Yeah, no problem." Harry replied, smiling at the girl as she turned back towards the other Slytherin, both vanishing beyond the doors to the dining hall. They also entered the hall shortly after and quickly found their seats once they had their food. Ron was still fuming at the article by the time they sat down. Every little sentence seemed to have some slight that made it worse.

"I guess he really is trying." Hermione said. She looked over to the Slytherin table. Harry followed her gaze to watch Pansy and Malfoy talking off to the side at their table. He looked over the table and frowned. He saw it again, the boys staring at her. She caught his eye and gave an exasperated look after nodding her head towards the male population of her table. He grinned lightly as she turned back to the other Slytherin.

"Yeah, he is." He said, trying to ignore the other students. He wished Pansy hadn't pointed it out. He tried to get into the conversation to clear his head a bit. "I don't get why the professor would go after him like that. I get he was an auror, but it's not like Malfoy is in with Voldemort." Ron winced at the name before joining the conversation.

"Yeah, that was a bit rude." Ron said. He noticed the look of shock he was getting. "What? I'm no fan of Malfoy, but that was scary. I didn't think anyone could get scarier than Snape."

The trio tucked into their food. Hermione was eating faster than they had ever seen. She just said she wanted to get back to her studies. The twins showed up with Lee after Hermione excused herself to the library. They were electrified from their lesson with the same professor that just went after Malfoy for seemingly no reason. Harry wasn't sure what to think of the man. He was intense, that much was certain. Maybe he was just a crackpot after all.

*It wouldn't be for a couple more days until we had the professor's class. He was just as terrifying and knowledgeable as the rumors around the school were saying. The tournament didn't start for quite a while after that, though. But it was-*

They were interrupted by a knock at the door. It was Lyra's mother. Her father smiled brightly at her presence. She was wearing a green evening gown and had put a little extra effort into her makeup. Her necklace was in the same spot it always was. Lyra was in awe at her mother's appearance. She wondered if she'd ever look that pretty someday.

"It is almost time, Harry." She called out from the doorway. "The twins are down in the foyer waiting for us. Kreacher is sure to have his hands full" She spotted Lyra and let out a delighted hum. "I knew you'd look adorable in that." Her mother pulled out her smart phone to snap a picture. "I'll need to figure out a way to get these moving for postcards..." She heard her mother mumbling.

"Are you ready, Lyra?" Her father asked her as he held his hand out. Lyra took it and got up from her seat. She was about to meet her parent's friends for the first time. She was very excited. Lyra really hoped that they would also be able to tell her many stories too. It was a story just as magnificent as any fantasy she had heard.

Her mother dashed down the hall when there was a crash in the distance. She heard her mother's shout of "Boys! Behave yourselves!" taper off, moving farther away. Her father let out a round of laughter before starting towards the foyer. Lyra trotted along next to her father, buzzing with excitement.

"They always said they'd jinx me to have twins like them." Her father said as he suppressed a grin. She didn't know who they were, but she smiled with her father nonetheless. His energy was just as high as hers.

By the time Lyra and her father made it to the foyer her mother had her brothers firmly on either side of her. She was wearing her angry smile. Severus looked particularly upset as he was hiccoughing with watery eyes. Sirius, on the other hand, was scowling at his brother. They were probably just scolded for whatever trouble they were causing.

Kreacher popped in, startling them. He narrowed his eyes at the boys and gave them a snarl. His harsh voice rasped out as he bowed his head slightly. "It has been fixed and all is as it should be." His calming hand gesture and chosen words were the opposite of any emotion he displayed. It made Lyra smile. He really did have his own way.

"Thank you, Kreacher. You shouldn't have worried yourself. You need to rest more. I could have easily fixed whatever needed it." The aged elf snarled and made a warding motion, shaking his head furiously as her father tried to show gratitude. "Thank you." He finally said again, causing the aged elf to scoff at him. She was pretty sure she caught a hint of a smile as he popped away once more.

"Come on! They'll start coming through the door any moment!" Her mother urged. She had never seen her so anxious before. Lyra hurried with her father to get into a position to face the door together, waiting for their first arrivals. Her mother was absolutely correct as the door chimes sounded and the door began to swing open. It was the first time Lyra had watched something in her house move on its own like that. Her brothers let out sounds of amazement.

"This where you been hidin' Harry?" A voice called out. It came from a stocky man slightly taller than her father. He had bright red hair. There was a short woman about the same height as her mother with medium length black hair. The man was grinning from ear to ear as he swaggered in, arms in a wide gesture to the room. The woman stood as if she had seen a ghost, gasping and holding a hand over her mouth. The bag she was holding fell to the ground making a loud smacking noise.

"Obviously not good enough if you've finally found me, Fred." Her father joked with the man. Their forearms met as they pulled each other into a tight embrace. The man noticed her behind her father and gave her a wink as he clapped what looked like a little donkey tail on his back. It flicked about as if it were the real thing. She could hear her brothers start to snicker. She looked up to her mother who shook her head in annoyance.

"Draco!" The woman called out, rushing her mother with her arms out. She pulled her mother into a tight embrace, almost like the man had with her father, but with less mischief. "I thought I'd never see you again! You practically vanished after everything!" Her mother had tears in her eyes as she stroked the other woman's hair.

"Hey, it's okay. We just needed time." Her mother whispered into the other woman's ear. She released the other woman who returned to the man's side. "Who all made it, Pansy?" She asked the other woman as she straightened herself out.

"Everyone." The woman replied with a large smile. "No one was going to pass up the chance to find out where the great Harry Potter had been outside of work. You being here, and with a family…" She looked around at the Potters. "This is a bit of a surprise." She beamed down at her when she got a good look at Lyra. It made her blush a little at the attention.

"We decided to take turns coming through the door to see what you made of your life, Harry." The man laughed. "Hermione wouldn't tell any of us. Did you make her into a secret keeper? That would be about the only way you'd have escaped like you did. She can be rather tight lipped." Her father laughed with the man as he began trailing off before responding.

"Actually, we did." He said while grinning. "Ron was okay with it. He understood what we needed."

Fred let out a low whistle. "You weren't kidding when you said you wanted to be out of the spotlight. Pansy will probably abduct Draco if you try to hide her from us again, though." The man winked at her father.

"He's not wrong." Pansy had her hands on her hips before turning her gaze towards her and her brothers once more. "Oh my goodness! Who are all of you?" The dark haired woman lowered herself to Lyra's level while smiling at her and her brothers. Her parents moved to their flanks. It was her mother that answered.

"These are our children." She beamed down at Lyra while placing a hand on her shoulder. "This little one is Lyra Lily" her mother gave her shoulder a loving squeeze as she introduced her oldest child.

"Hello Lyra, my name is Pansy Weasley." She introduced herself. "I'm one of your mother's oldest friends."

"Hi Mrs. Weasley!" Lyra chirped out. She leaned forward in a slight bow with her hands behind her back giving her brightest smile.

"Aunt Pansy is fine, Sweetie. There are too many Mrs. Weasleys here for you to call me that." The woman giggled at her, poking her belly. Lyra squealed at the touch before giggling at the woman. She looked past her to her brothers. "And what about these little gentlemen?"

"These two are Severus James," Her father announced, "and Sirius Remus." Her brothers were in his arms, giggling as he held them up. "Though I'm not sure gentlemen quite describes them," he finished with a smirk.

"Twins of your own? You must have made someone angry in a past life, Harry" Fred joked. He put a hand to the side of his mouth and pointed to himself while mouthing out ' It was me .'

"You two told me every year you'd jinx me for twins. I figure this is your fault." Her father laughed, "I can only hope they aren't worse than you and George."

The Weasleys moved off to the side to allow the next set of guests to enter. The door swung open again as they returned to their positions. Lyra finally noticed the massive crowd of people mingling outside as an identical man with a beautiful dark skinned woman walked in. Her eyes widened in amazement.

Author Note: I really enjoyed this chapter. I hope you did, too. I am going to warn you that nothing is free. One character's survival may very much point to another's demise. This is the story of Draco and Harry, though, not the war. I'll see you next time.