Summer came. To his amazement he was given his own room by the Dursely's. He didn't care what brought this on, but he was glad to finally have a room to himself.

And on lonely nights when he finished his summer homework, Harry carefully thought over his situation. He didn't understand fully what it all meant. But a part of him was beginning to realise that Dumbeldore wasn't all he seemed.

"Tom?" Harry whispered one evening, the night before his birthday.

Yes? He answered, and Harry felt his presence. The boy felt relief flood through him. It had been so long.

"You said you changed since then."

All because of you, Harry.

"Then can you promise me something?"

Yes? What is it?

"Don't do any of that again."

Very well. I swear I won't pursue violence unless it is absolutely necessary. Tom whispered with no hesitation.

"Wait, really? You would do that? For me?" Harry was amazed.

Anything for you, darling.

"Just know you know this is an opportunity to prove yourself to me." Harry stated factly. "You've done a lot of damage to me. I'm giving you the chance to be forgiven."

I understand. I will make it up to you, Harry.

"To start off, no more guiding me like you did before. If I want your advice I will ask."

Very well. What time is it, by the way?

Harry checked. It was one in the morning. He couldn't believe his birthday was an hour passed. Just then something caught his eye. Harry looked over and he realized his owl was coming back. Her snowy white feathers reflected in the moonlight.

Quickly he silently opened his window for Hedwig. The beat of her wings were silent as she entered the small room. She dropped a package on his bed before returning to her perch. Harry was then surprised a handsome eagle owl was following suit.

"That's Draco's owl." Harry could see a rather large package.

The owl promptly landed on his bed. Harry was quick to untie the package, to which the owl turned around and left. Then he wondered, if this was Draco's owl, then who sent him another package through Hedwig?

Silently as he could Harry tore through the parchment to reveal a few books from Hermione. Attached to them was a letter.

Dear Harry,

I realized only too late that Neville and I shouldn't have distanced ourselves from you and Malfoy. I saw these books and thought of you. But how to get them to you? Then by some miracle, Hedwig showed up! She really is a wonderful owl.

I hope your birthday finds you well. I do look forward to the next year. Will we have our study groups again? I have so much to tell you! But I cannot simply write it all down here, it would take up too much parchment.

Anyway, Hedwig is giving me the eye. Hope you enjoy these books.

Happy Birthday!

Hermione

"Well, let's see what the next school year brings, then." Harry said to himself.

The girl is clever. These copies are rare to find. If only she weren't muggleborn.

"That's enough, Tom." Harry hissed.

My apologies. You must understand, reversing years of one mindset is rather difficult. But alas I am trying my best.

Harry made a mental note to write to Hermione. Then he turned to the large package. He saw the shape and immediately got excited. He ripped off the parchment to reveal the Nimbus 2001. Harry was beside himself.

He and Draco shared a talent with brooms. Through the pale boy Harry learned of Quidditch. And his curiosity for trying out had been immense. He wasn't even sure if he would ever make the team and yet Draco graced him with a broom.

Attached was a letter that read:

Happy Birthday Harry,

I aim to be a Seeker. But I learned a little detail. Your father was also a Seeker. Albeit for Gryffindor House, but a Seeker nonetheless. And apparently he was rather good at what he did.

So, let's make a little friendly challenge. Let the best of us be Seeker for Slytherin.

Draco Malfoy

"Challenge accepted." Harry grinned.

I detest the sport. By his tone Tom was frowning.

"Well, if my father played, then I want to try. Besides, it gave us a boost last year to win the House cup." Harry shrugged, not at all bothered by Tom's distaste.

There is truth in that, so Tom didn't reply. Harry yawned, and suddenly he felt a wave of tiredness. He cleaned up the wrapping paper and put away his presents before climbing into bed.

xXx

"Do you honestly believe you can waltz back into our group after your stunt last year?" Draco snarled at the Gryffindors.

"For the record, I did apologize." Hermione stood her ground.

My, the Gryffindor is finally showing. Tom chuckled.

Beside Hermione sat Neville and Ron on either side of her. Harry was surprised about Ron. He recalled his younger sister blushing like mad at the sight of Harry before dashing to find another compartment.

"She did. And I've forgiven them." Harry added for good measure.

"Fine. Then what's Weasley doing here?" Draco glared.

"I'm their friend, too." Ron defended.

"Are we really going to do this?" The pale Slytherin turned to his classmate.

"The more the merrier, right? Besides, I want to try the club again. This time without the headmaster's permission." Harry was confident.

"But where will we meet up? How do we invite anyone?" Hermione questioned with concern.

"You're not upset over breaking the rules?" Ron turned to her in surprise.

"No. Besides, we broke the rules plenty of times last year." She pointed out.

"Okay, now you have tell us. You, miss perfect little prefect in the making? Breaking rules?" Draco raised an eyebrow.

And so Hermione recounted last year that the Slytherins were left out of. The Sorcerer's Stone hidden in the west wing that had been named off limits, and how they suspected Snape was trying to steal it. Instead it was Professor Quirrell, who happened to store He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named on the back of his head underneath the turban. And Quirrell got away without the stone, since Neville wasn't the one who was the key to retrieve it.

Harry took a moment to process. In the back of his mind he felt Tom stir.

That version of you doesn't sound friendly. Harry thought cautiously.

An unfortunate side effect of splitting one's soul so many times. Tom reflected.

"You don't seem surprised. That he's back." Ron observed.

For a Gryffindor, he is immaculate with his attention to details. Tom commented.

"I speculated as much. That he would return." At their shocked faces he continued. "I mean, there was never a body found, right? He just disappeared. But, why didn't you guys ever come to me for help?"

"Well, we sort of had to act fast when we had to go and stop him. Plus, we don't know the password to get into your common room." Hermione had fair points.

"We should come up with a means to contact each other within a moments notice." Harry suggested, but didn't know how to go about this.

"I'll do some research and see what I can come up with." Hermione offered.

"So, you guys got any big plans for this year?" Neville tentatively asked when things went quiet.

"Yes. Draco and I will be competing which of us will be chosen as Seeker on the Slytherin team." Harry felt a sense of pride.

"My bets on Harry!" Ron of course wanted to one up Malfoy.

"Please. I've been training for this since I was four." Draco rolled his eyes.

"We shall see, Draco. We shall see." Harry flashed a smile. The first he ever shown to all of them.

"What?" He asked when they all stared.

"It's just - I've never seen you smile." Neville stammered.

"I'm learning to." Harry admits. Feeling that he let too much out he placed his mask on once more.

"Don't do that." Draco caught on.

"But - "

"No buts, mate. You should really smile more." Ron insisted.

As the train neared, Harry had a thought. Or more of he remembered something.

"Hey, so turns out I have a godfather. But he's in prison for betraying my parents. Thing is, I don't believe it. Is there any chance I can somehow bail him out of Azkaban?" Harry asked the group.

"Azkaban? Good luck, mate. No one gets out of there if they have a life sentence." Ron shook his head.

"You really don't think he betrayed your family?" Neville was wide eyed. "I - I think I know who you're talking about. But the stories - they all say he went mad."

"Maybe he was framed. I just get this feeling he's innocent. I want to know the details of his trial."

"There was no trial." Draco said flatly.

"What?" Harry was exasperated.

"I looked into the details over the summer. I got curious since he is part of my family. He never got a trial." Draco explained.

"Isn't that illegal? Harry, this could be the breakthrough you need!" Hermione was beside herself.

"How do I go about getting him out then?"

"My father is part of the Ministry. I think he can pull some strings." Draco offered.

"But wasn't he accused Death Eater?" Harry frowned.

"Yes, but if he whispers to the right person that Harry Potter is asking around for his godfather, who happened to be thrown into Azkaban without a trial, then people will talk."

The Malfoys have good connections.

"I can see if my dad can ask around, too. He's not an auror, but he also works in the Ministry." Ron wanted to put in his effort, too.

"Perfect! Two different people spreading the word would give us a better chance! Then Malfoy wouldn't looks so suspicious." Hermione added with excitement.

You really sure about this? My ultimate goal is regaining all the missing pieces and become whole again. Black might be a hindrance between us. He was loyal to the bone.

I want my godfather, Tom. He is an extension of my family that I want to get to know. Besides, since he's innocent, he shouldn't have to rot in Azkaban. Harry remained stubborn.

Very well. I will work around this.