Disclaimer: All recognizable characters and settings belong to J.K. Rowling.

"So, you're really Harry Potter?" Fred asked.

"Do you really have a scar?" George asked eagerly.

Harry looked back and forth between them, not sure what the fuss was about. What was the big deal with his scar?

"Leave him be," Bill spoke up, giving the twins a hard stare.

"We're just wondering," Fred muttered.

"Our mum said you were living with muggles," Percy looked at him curiously. "Were you?"

"Yeah," Harry said.

"And now you're living with the new professor?" Charlie asked. "He looks...stern."

"He adopted me," Harry told them. "He's firm about rules but he's nice to me."

"Well, that's good," Bill said slowly.

"Have you met any other wizarding people?" George asked.

"Yeah, at Hogwarts. I have a house with the perfessor and we'll be living at the castle too," Harry said proudly. "I've met perfessor Dumdore and Madam Pomprey."

Bill and Charlie chuckled at the mispronouncing of the names.

"I met a boy at the sweet shop," Harry said thoughtfully. "And his mum. I'd never heard a name like his before. Draco."

Ron snickered.

"Draco Malfoy?" Fred wrinkled his nose. "He's a git."

"You've never even met him," Bill said exasperatedly.

"His dad is a git," George said.

"You've never met him, either," Charlie pointed out.

"Well, dad doesn't like his dad so..." Fred shrugged, as if that explained everything. He looked at Harry. "So was Draco a git?"

"He was okay," Harry said with a shrug. "He did make a point of telling me he got to have as many sweets as he wanted."

"Spoiled brat," George said with a nod. "The Malfoy's are rich and think they are better than everyone else."

Percy threw a pillow at George. "You've never met any of them! How can you know that?"

"From what I've heard dad say, it doesn't sound like Mr. Malfoy is a very nice man," Bill admitted. "But Dad's never mentioned anything about his wife or kid."

Growing bored with the conversation, Ron turned to Harry. "Want to build something with my blocks?" He asked.

"Sure!" Harry said, following him to the corner of the room where some were piled.

"What should we build?" Ron asked as he dumped out his blocks.

"Um... a space ship?" Harry suggested.

Ron stared at him, wide eyed. "What's a space ship?"

Delighted to know something someone else didn't, Harry began explaining and soon all the Weasley children were listening with fascination.

HP

Severus opted to have dinner in his quarters, figuring Harry would already be overwhelmed and tired from his first day of school. Merlin knew Severus was. It had only been one day but he couldn't believe the dunderheads he was having to teach. Most thought just putting in any ingredient and seeing what happened was the point of the class. Did they care about following instructions? Of course not. Did they care about reading the first chapter before the first class so they already were familiar with the potion they would be working on? No. The Gryffindors just gave him dumbfounded looks when he asked questions, the Hufflepuffs looked like they wanted to cry, big shock there, he thought sarcastically. The Ravenclaws weren't as bad but when he would ask a question, instead of just simply answering the question they practically gave a lecture as their answer. The Slytherins did what was expected of them without completely getting on Severus's nerves. Now all he wanted to do was have dinner, hear about Harry's day, and then after sending the boy to bed, put his feet up with a glass of brandy before tackling the summer essays his students had handed in.

"How were your lessons with Professor Burbage and Professor Sinistra?" Severus asked over dinner.

"Good," Harry said as he poured gravy on his roast chicken.

Severus made a face. "Are you trying to drown the chicken?"

Harry giggled. "No."

"Make sure you eat all your vegetables," Severus instructed, although he didn't really have to. The child never made a fuss about eating vegetables.

"I have homework," Harry announced when they were done eating.

"Indeed?" Severus thought of the papers he had to grade. "So do I." At Harry's confused look, he explained. "Grading the dunderheads essays."

Harry snickered.

"And what is your homework?"

"I have to do a worksheet on additions and I have to write two or three sentences of something exciting that happened to me this summer," Harry grinned. "I'm going to write that I found out I was a a wizard and got adopted."

"That sounds like a very good idea," Severus said.

After Harry did his homework and Severus checked it over, the little boy got ready for bed. Entering his room to tuck him in, Severus pulled out a small bag.

"What's that?" Harry asked sleepily.

"A little gift for you," Severus said, feeling out of his element. He had seen it in Diagon Alley and remembering how thrilled Harry had been when he had seen the owls, he pulled out a soft, stuffed white owl.

Harry's emerald eyes sparkled. "For me? Really?" He reached out and took the soft toy, hugging it to himself. "My own plushie," He whispered. He had so many things that were his own now, clothes, shoes, even toys. And he never went without meals anymore. And he didn't get told he was worthless or a freak, and no one slapped or kicked him anymore. It finally hit Harry that he was adopted, that he had someone who cared about him. He was safe. "Thank you," He murmured as he began to fall asleep, hugging his owl tightly.

"You're welcome," Severus whispered, feeling foolish that he felt so touched that Harry liked his gift. It was just a little stuffed animal, after all. But he had a small smile on his face as he left the room, leaving the door slightly ajar.

Malfoy Manor

Narcissa walked into Lucius's office, trying not to look as nervous as she felt. She couldn't show how she actually felt, he would perceive it as weakness. She had to be careful around her husband, he was a cold and cruel man. She didn't love him, although she had tried to when they had first married. In front of others, he treated her like a queen. In private, he treated her like a nuisance. She knew he didn't love her and though he had been proud when Draco was born, he didn't show their son any love or spend time playing with him. He did spend time telling Draco how important he was, how they all needed to have pride in the Malfoy name and how pure-bloods were superior to muggle-borns and half-bloods. Narcissa had never agreed with that, and neither had her sister Andromeda. Her sister Bellatrix on the other hand had been like their parents, believing that the dark lord had the right idea on purging the wizarding world of anyone who was not pure, who did not follow him. Narcissa had been so relieved, so thankful when news of Voldemort's death had reached them. Lucius had been furious and Narcissa had pretended to be upset but she had a feeling Lucius saw through her.

"Is there something you want?" Lucius asked impatiently from his desk when he noticed her hovering. "I'm busy."

"Forgive me, Lucius. I can come back," Narcissa offered.

"No, just tell me what you want," Lucius said, setting down his quill.

"I was thinking of putting Draco in daycare once a week," Narcissa said casually. "He is receiving proper instruction from his governess of course, but I believe it would be good for him to be around children his own age."

"He sees the children of my associates from time to time," Lucius said dismissively.

"Yes but I believe he would benefit from routinely being around children his age. Social skills are so important, do you not agree, dear?" Narcissa leaned on the side of his desk. "Our son is a natural born leader and it would be good for him to start developing his strengths and making connections."

Lucius leaned back in his chair and stapled his fingers together, his cool gray eyes observing her. "I must say I am pleased to hear you say that."

Narcissa gave him a small smile. "I want the best for Draco, never doubt that."

"What sort of daycare would you look into?"

Here she would need to tread carefully. "I heard of a pure-blooded witch who was thinking of running a once a week daycare. She would help the children interact with each other, let them do arts and crafts as well as bring any homework they need help with."

"Who is this woman?"

Narcissa took a deep breath. She had a friend, one of the real friends she had, who wanted more for her daughter than to be a death eater. She had been the one to tell Narcissa about Molly Weasley's daycare. Marina and Paul Davis both were happy to have the dark lord gone and wanted their daughter, Tracey, to grow up not being prejudiced about one's blood status. Paul's grandparents were muggles, after all. "A friend of Marina Davis. She is looking to have Tracey entered. Both her and her husband were Slytherins so it is likely that Tracey will be as well. I'm not sure who the other children will be," She lied. There was no way she could say Harry Potter would be one. She couldn't put the poor child in danger and she knew Lucius would love to get his hands on the boy. "It is only one day a week and of course, if we see that it is not helpful to Draco we will pull him from the daycare."

"Davis? Trying to arrange Draco's marriage already, my dear?" Lucius smirked. "If that is the case, I believe the Parkinson girl would be the better choice. Her parents were loyal followers of the dark lord."

Narcissa gave a light laugh. "No, dear. It's too early to think of that, isn't it?" There was no way she would have Draco enter an arranged marriage and risk being as trapped and unhappy as she was.

"Never to early to think of the boy's future and what will look good to the Malfoy name." Lucius said. "I want that boy to be a son I can be proud of."

He already is! Narcissa wanted to scream. She held her tongue and nodded. "You're right. Now, about the daycare?"

Lucius waved her away. "Fine, fine. Keep me appraised of his progress."

Narcissa resisted the urge to grin. She kept a cool look on her face and nodded. "I will. Thank you Lucius."

She turned to leave his office but his next words stopped her.

"Perhaps we should contact Severus and see if he wants his newly adopted brat to join," Lucius said with a sneer. "It would be easier to get my hands on him."

Narcissa froze.

"First I would see what, if any, powers he has," Lucius said thoughtfully. " "Somehow, that brat caused the dark lord's downfall. The dark lord was concerned that he was prophesied to be a powerful wizard, I would love to see if there are any signs of it."

"Tell me you are not afraid of a five year old," Narcissa scoffed, speaking without thinking. What should she expect though? The dark lord had been afraid of a mere baby.

Lucius slowly rose and stepped towards her. "Do not mock me," He hissed. "Are you forgetting your place, Narcissa?"

Narcissa pasted a fake look of repentance on her face. She wanted to get her way on this and antagonizing her husband would not help her. "Forgive me, Lucius. I have been concerned for our son. I want to give him the best of everything and every opportunity we can give him."

Lucius walked over to her, grabbing her arm and giving it a hard squeeze. "What a dutiful mother you are," He mocked. "If only you would put the same time and attention into being a proper wife, one I could be proud to have on my arm when we go out."

"I do my best to please you," Narcissa said quietly.

"Do better," Lucius let go of her arm. "I have big plans for this family and I need to know I can count on you. As for our discussion, I want weekly progress reports on how Draco does at daycare."

"Of course, Lucius," Narcissa said, relieved. She relaxed, too much, that she was caught unaware when Lucius slapped her. She stared at him, resisting the urge to rub her stinging cheek.

"Just a reminder to give me the proper respect," Lucius said, giving her a look of abhorrence. "You don't want me to find you replaceable, Narcissa. If that happened, I would make sure you disappeared and give Draco a more worthy mother." He smirked and closed the door in her face.

Narcissa finally rubbed her cheek, seething. She longed to curse him, to even kill him. But she couldn't risk getting sent to Azkaban and being separated from her son and Lucius had spies in the house with the house elves. Only one of them was loyal to her. She wouldn't get away with hurting him and she wouldn't be able to take Draco and run far, not with all the contacts Lucius had. She was trapped and all she could do was try and protect her son.

HP

Severus was very surprised to see Narcissa Malfoy waiting for him in front of his office. "Did we have an appointment that I am forgetting?"

Narcissa shook her head, her blonde hair pulled back in its usual bun. "No. I was hoping to get a chance to talk with you. It won't take long."

Severus opened his office and gestured for her to enter. "Take a seat."

Narcissa sat in front on his desk and smirked slightly. "I feel like I am back in school and in trouble for something."

Severus raised an eyebrow. "Did you get in trouble a lot? I don't remember that you did."

Narcissa gave a light laugh and shook her head. "Not too much. I was going to talk to Albus but thought I should run my idea by you first. If you do not feel comfortable with it, then I will drop the issue."

"What is it?"

"I would like Draco to attend Molly Weasley's daycare on Fridays."

Severus stared at her in surprise. He didn't think the Malfoys, especially Lucius, would want a Weasley taking care of their son. He knew Lucius considered them blood traitors. Suddenly his eyes narrowed. "May I ask why?" If Lucius thought he could get at Harry this way...

"I know what you are thinking," Narcissa said quietly. "I assure you this is not a way to hurt Harry in any way. I want my son to have interaction with other children," She explained. "He sometimes sees the children of Lucius's colleagues but the atmosphere..." She trailed off. "I would like him to have something different."

"And Lucius is okay with this?" Severus asked suspiciously.

Narcissa cleared her throat. "Yes. Of course, I neglected to tell him who was running the daycare. See, Marina Davis ran into Molly in Hogsmeade and heard it. She wants her daughter Tracey to join. So I told Lucius it was a pure-blooded friend of Marina's. I added that it would be a chance for Draco to grow in social skills, a chance to make connections." She sighed. "Severus, I don't believe in that blood purity nonsense. I never have, nor has my sister Andromeda. Unlike my parents and Bellatrix."

"Ah, yes Bella was a mean one," Severus murmured.

"Lucius remembers her as deliciously cruel," Narcissa grimaced as she thought of the horrid things her sister had done, especially what she had done to the Longbottom's.

"The Burrow is warded, Albus did it himself," Severus said slowly. "But I would not want Lucius anywhere near there or my ward."

"I wouldn't either," Narcissa said sincerely. "I could send Draco to the Davis's and he could go with them to the Burrow. I do not even have to go there, just to be safe. Believe me, Severus. I would not do anything that would let Lucius get near Harry." She shook her head. "Lucius wants to know if there are signs that he will be a great, powerful wizard. One like the dark lord feared."

"He is just a little boy," Severus said stiffly. "A normal, little boy."

"I know that," Narcissa said with a nod. "Now, I just need to know if you would mind Draco attending Molly's daycare" She looked at him pleadingly. "You can contact Marina and her husband Paul, if you have questions for them. I would even subject myself to Veritaserum to prove that I have no ill will towards your son. I will take a wizards oath as well, if you want me to." She continued on. "I will speak with Draco about not telling Lucius who the daycare provider is and not to mention Harry's name."

Although he rarely did this without warning, Severus used his Legilimency skill when he looked into her eyes, just a surface look and saw that she spoke the truth. "I have no issue with it," Severus said at last. "But understand that if anything happens to Potter, if you set him up in any way, I will make sure you live to regret it. If you get any inkling that Lucius is suspicious, you must let me know immediately."

"I understand, and yes, I will immediately message you if I feel Lucius is up to anything regarding your son." She looked at him thoughtfully. "You adopted him," She said slowly. "Why do you call him Potter and not Harry?"

Severus looked surprised. "I – didn't realize I still did that."

"You might want to start calling him Harry," Narcissa said a little teasingly. She stood. "Thank you for your time. I will talk to Albus about Draco joining Molly's daycare, as well as I would like to offer my assistance in letting him know of any plans Lucius makes in taking over the dark lord's plans."

Severus raised an eyebrow. "That could be dangerous."

"It would be more dangerous for Lucius to try and take over the wizarding world," Narcissa said seriously.

"Narcissa," Severus hesitated. "Why do you not leave Lucius?"

Narcissa paused. "And bring about the scandal of divorce?" She gave a small laugh. "I suppose I keep hoping he will change and well, Draco loves him." She admitted. "Lucius may not be as warm and loving as I wish he would be towards Draco but he hasn't hurt him." She stood, not wanting to admit how much she truly feared her husband and that she was afraid to leave him. "Thank you for your time, Severus."

"Good day, Narcissa." Severus stared after her, contemplating their conversation.

TBC: