a/n re-formatted a few chapters as per a few complaints, happy holidays 31/12/18

Chapter 4

DUMBLEDORES OFFICE

"Come in Harry, take a seat my boy" said the sparkly eyed headmaster as he gestured to the empty seat opposite. "Well it has been an eventful day already for you Harry, has it not?" Dumbledore chortled outwardly, "anyway I bet you are wanting to know what this is about?".

"Yes sir" Harry replied.

"Well just that as we discussed before school you'll be taking some private lessons with me, so together we can learn about the menace which is Voldemort" Dumbledore said happily.

Harry frowned.

"learn what sir? how to defeat him?" he asked.

"Well in the end hopefully, but we need to know how he was made into this man. I have recovered several memories which will help us peace together his life" he explained as he leaned back in his chair.

"Sounds like fun" Harry said with a laugh "and are we starting this tonight sir? as I haven't unpacked yet".

"No no Harry, I'll give you a couple of days to settle in, then I'll send for you if that is ok my boy" he said.

"No problem sir, I'll await your message" Harry replied as he opened the door to leave.

"Oh Harry?".

"Yes Sir?".

"Make sure you and Mr Longbottom keep your spare wands hidden. Mr Malfoy and his associates are still very angry, and I won't even mention Professor Snape. So please do us all a favour; keep them hidden and try to keep out of trouble Harry" Dumbledore said and without even looking up finished "you may go".

"Thank you, sir," said Harry as he closed the door behind him. "Shitttttt" he thought, and headed back to his dorm while wondering how the headmaster knew. But Harry decided the old bugger knows everything and carried on his way until…

"Oi Potter" came a shout which stopped him dead and as he looked around he saw Malfoy appearing from a dark corner.

"Yes Malfoy" snapped Harry.

Draco stood almost nose to nose with Harry.

"You out after curfew Potter, that's detention and 20 points from your lot" he spat "and that's just for starters Potter. I know it was you who attacked me on the train. Don't even think of denying it" prodding Harry in the chest.

Harry grasped his wand in his pocket just in case.

"well you're wrong on all counts I'm afraid Draco. Firstly, I was with Dumbledore so I am allowed out" Harry explained with a sickly smile "and secondly where's your proof? Even your own head of house checked my wand and couldn't find anything" he said while shrugging his shoulders.

Draco pushed Harry hard.

"I DON'T FUCKING CARE!, I know you did it and trust me I'll get you back" he spat and stalked away.

"One moment Draco, a word of advice; don't follow your father down the same path, it's not worth it. Just think of your mother being alone" Harry said almost with concern.

Draco faltered.

"Don't you ever talk about my father you filth, and my mother will do what she is told, as a pureblood wife and mother should" he spat, and carried on walking until he disappeared into the castle's shadow.

Next day

Pansy, Millicent and Daphne were just making their way to the dining hall for breakfast and to receive their timetables from their head of house. As they walked they were searching for their missing friend Tracey who they had not seen all morning.

"Where do you think she has gotten to?" asked Daphne.

The other girls just shook their heads.

"She was gone first thing, not even in the showers" said Pansy.

"I know. Normally it's down to me to get the lazy bitch out of bed on a weekday!" answered Daphne now worrying about her oldest and dearest friend.

"She'll turn up I'm sure. The only thing she loves more than sleeping, is eating and taking the piss" said the laughing Millicent, which made the other two burst out in unlady like guffaws as they continued into the hall.

Tracey was hidden away behind a suite of armour watching her friends laughing away and heading for breakfast. She chuckled to herself.

"The early bird gets the Potter" she whispered as she started to see one or two lions heading towards the hall.

She knew she had to time this perfectly and hopefully he will be alone, or at least with Hermione who she knew well from Runes class. From her position she could see not only the stairway but the hallway which the Gryffindor's used to head to the main hall; and that's when she saw him walking alone with his messy hair but a strange smile on his face. She could see that he had grown over the summer. He walked like a lion stalking his prey. So confident but still fragile.

"Oh my" she sighed as she gazed at his form. "How do people not see this man in this way. Almost the perfect man, strong but kind, powerful yet fragile, oh god, he must be mine' Tracey thought as she put her plan into action.

Harry was just walking his way down to breakfast and for once he was on his own as Hermione had ran off to the library to get some light reading material before all the good ones are gone. This brought a smile to his face. "Book crazy chick" he thought, and of course Ron and the others were struggling with the first day early wake up, but then again Ron had that trouble all year round! "Lazy git" he said to himself.

But then was snapped out of his thoughts by a girl appearing from nowhere just in front of him. The click click of her slightly heeled shoes, her shapely legs and then her skirt encased bum which swayed to and fro almost hypnotising him. He then watched her long dark blonde hair dance down her back as she walked, and it was then he noticed the green edging on her uniform showing that she was a Slytherin. He flicked through his memory of blonde Slytherins.

"Davis!" he called out, but she didn't react, so he sped up and moved a bit closer "Davis" he called again which made her turn around with a beaming smile.

"Oh hi Harry. Call me Tracey please" she said in a low sultry tone whilst slowing down to let him catch up.

"What you doing up here Tracey? I thought your common rooms were down in the dungeons?" he asked kindly while looking into her clear blue eyes, and trying not to let his gaze drop down to her blouse which was unbuttoned to show just a hint of cleavage and lace.

Tracey found herself lost in his eyes once more.

"Oh yes they are" she said quickly as she pulled herself back into real life "but I needed a walk and with all those girls fighting for a mirror I find it easier to get up early" she lied.

She did this quite happily but was still feeling a pull to her bed and sleep, or even bringing him along for company she thought.

"Would you care to escort me to breakfast Harry?" she asked while fluttering her eyelashes at him and holding out her arm, which Harry happily linked with his own.

Harry laughed as they walked down the stairs together, looking at a few shocked faces and teachers.

"What's so funny Harry?" she asked.

"Have you seen all the looks we are getting? I think we're going to be in so much trouble" he chuckled as they started to descend the stairs to the entrance hall.

"Well fuck them, I don't care if you don't. I've waited all my school life to speak to you and get to know you, so I'm not letting anyone stop me now" she spat determinedly.

Harry stopped walking and looked down at the pretty Slytherin.

"You've wanted to talk to me all this time? Really?" he asked with a confused look on his face.

Nodding her head but with a smile on her face she answered,

"lots of us girls have Harry. But with the house rivalry and the Slytherin hating friends of yours we haven't dared to until now, especially since you looked after Pansy on the train. We now know you can be trusted" she said while patting his hand and pulling him further down the stairs. "But you're right this is going to cause a shit storm. Oh what fun!" and she chuckled.

As they headed to the hall door Harry's and Tracey's arms gripped tighter.

"Ready Trace?" he whispered.

"Oh yes. Care to escort me to my table Harry?" she said with a nervous laugh.

"Why not. What's the worse that could happen?!" he said as they entered the hall, which suddenly felt very empty and quiet as they moved to the Slytherin table.

Just as Pansy started to tuck into her breakfast she felt a cold chill run through the dining hall and a whisper of muttering coming from the rest of her dining companions. Then she heard

"That little bitch" coming from Daphne, which made her look up and see their missing friend being escorted to their table by 'the boy who lived'.

"What the fuck" Pansy uttered.

As Harry and Tracey made their way to the Slytherin table, hundreds of eyes were watching them. Some in awe of Harry, but most with distrust of the Slytherin girl. All apart from the Slytherin table as they just loathed anything to do with Potter and sat looking in utter disbelief at one of their housemates touching him.

"Your friends don't look very happy do they Trace?" Harry whispered as his eyes darted to and fro.

"Nope. They are just jealous Harry" she chuckled, loving the fact that he calls her Trace now. She could feel herself falling for him already. "Morning ladies" she said to her friends with a beaming smile.

"Morning ladies, I hope you slept well?" Harry asked while checking out all the rest of the tables occupants getting their wands out, and he could see that Draco was nearly exploding with anger. "Well here you go Trace, always a pleasure and I'll speak to you again soon hopefully" Harry said in a whisper.

"Thank you, Harry. You're a darling, and we'll have to do this again" she replied while unlinking her arm and giving him a quick peck on the cheek, before sitting at the table.

"Erm thanks" said the blushing Harry "bye then" as he waved and started to walk away.

"Bye harry" said a stunned Pansy bring a wink and smile from the retreating boy.

"What the fuck Trace, you said we'll keep clear from him for a couple of days and here you are turning up arm in arm with him" hissed a savage looking Daphne.

"I just woke up early and went for a walk, and we just bumped into each other, honest" Tracey explained with an honest look on her face, as she helped herself to some tea and toast.

Millicent held her hand up.

"I'm sorry but I'm calling bullshit on that. We've shared dorms together for 6 years and in all that time I've never known you to get up early. Normally poor old Daphne here has had to drag you out of bed" she said laughingly "let alone having you wearing makeup, hair done and if I'm not mistaken some new lingerie".

Tracey just looked at her old friend and her new ones and winked.

"Maybe I've turned over a new leaf? Oh, and I believe you all owe me a galleon" she said with a smirk, as she watched them all hand over a golden coin while mouthing silent curses at her.

Meanwhile as Harry headed back to the Gryffindor table he was being stared at by nearly everybody. He gave the buxom Susan Bones a wink which made her blush straight away and giggle to her friend Hannah. But then he thought 'Harry, why do you have to make trouble for yourself?' and started to shake his head as he plonked himself down in front of a gobsmacked Neville.

"Harry, why?" Neville puzzled.

"I know I know. We just bumped into each other and started chatting that was all" Harry pleaded.

"But Harry. Arm in arm? What will Ron say?".

"Oh, Ron can fuck off. It's nice to feel wanted for a change and who cares what house she's in. She's nice, so fuck him and anyone else" spat Harry filling his plate up with food.

"Well said Mr Potter" came a stern voice from behind him. "10 points for trying to bring houses together, but minus 5 points for the language used" Professor McGonagall said walking past to the teachers table.

Harry and Neville laughed.

"Well at least I know how to get points now. I just have to date a girl from Slytherin" he said making both boys laugh again.

"Why would you even think of going out with those skanks Harry" said Ron as he and Hermione sat either side of him "I hope you're joking".

"Ronald be nice" said Hermione in her best teacher voice.

"What?" Harry said while shuffling scrambled egg into his face.

"Harry can go out with whomever he wants to. He deserves happiness" said Hermione lovingly.

Harry gave her a little nudge.

"Thanks Hermione" which made her blush a little.

"As long as it's not a fucking snake, that's all I'm saying" barked Ron through a half eaten sausage.

At this point Harry's temper boiled over and he slammed his fist onto the table disturbing several goblets of pumpkin juice.

"Fucking hell Ron. I can talk to who I like and go out with whoever I like" Harry shouted as his voice got louder and louder "even if it is someone from a different house, and if you don't like it you can FUCK OFF!" and he stormed off, once again sending the dining hall into utter silence.

Ron looked aghast.

"What did I say?" he asked out loud.

Hermione shook her head.

"Oh Ronald you are such an idiot" and tucked into her breakfast.

Pansy looked over at the scene in shock. Did she hear what she thought she heard?

"Girls did I hear that right?" she asked her group and saw them all smiling and nodding. "So Harry is willing to go out with anyone, including out of his house?".

Their nodding became even more emphatic. She could almost hear all the plans and dreams running around, not just these four but the majority of the female population of Hogwarts. The golden boy is free game to any house.

"Ladies" Pansy announced holding up her goblet for a toast "may the best girl win" and with that they all brought their goblets together.

But what they hadn't noticed was the eyes that watched them; Draco, Susan Bones who watched with a sneer to rival Draco's best and the two youngest Weasleys. There is a war coming which will change Hogwarts forever…..maybe.

A bit later after all the time tables were handed out, Hermione found Harry down at the Quidditch pitch where he normally went to vent his anger.

"Harry, here's your timetable" she said softly.

He reached out and took it.

"Thanks Hermione. You always know where to find me" he said with a chuckle.

"Of course, I do" she replied sitting down next to him and giving him a shoulder bump "we're family aren't we bruv?!".

"You bet we are sis" giving her the typical Potter wink.

"And don't worry about Ron, he can't help being a prat" she said jovially while handing him some toast.

"Oh, you legend, thanks. Good job I've got a free period and I can take my time" he said and started stuffing himself.

"But Harry why did you have to make a scene with Tracey like that? I thought you wanted a quiet year?" she asked kindly looking directly into his eyes.

She always loved his green eyes, as every girl did.

Harry sighed, threw his crusts away and gazed as the crows fought for the scraps.

"It just happened. We started chatting, people were staring, and we thought it would be fun. Why can't I just have some fun and talk to anyone I like without causing trouble for myself" he said.

Hermione just laughed.

"you know why. Because you're Harry fucking Potter" she said with a wicked laugh.

"Hermione" he barked "I can't believe you just swore! I'd better call the papers and wait for the headline 'Hermione swears, shock, horror" then he creased up laughing as she started to slap him.

"Piss off Potter, that's the last time I help you" she said with a smile "come on I'm sure your fan club will be waiting somewhere for you".

With a big sigh he stood up to follow his long-time friend.

"ok let's get back then".