In case you have missed, I have extended the previous chapter.

CHAPTER :: The Second Year, Hsssssss

Fred's pov

Ever since we have been integrated in our group of friends, our life has become more fun. There are letters for us all the time. There are plans to meet someone every now and then. There are friends asking our opinion for something. There is someone always present who would listen to our rants, or simply talk with us. Earlier, as much as we wanted them not to, people only looked at us as Weasley extras; as another brother, nothing more. Initially people did come to us, expecting us to act like one of our elder brothers. But they failed to grasp that we were people of our own kind, that we had different interests than others. George and I did try to be like them, tried to earn better marks, tried to do well in quidditch, tried to be the leading sort, but there was no satisfaction in that. We did things for the fun of it, not to impress someone or to feel proud of our achievements.

So the second year onwards, we dropped all the pretences to just be ourselves. We know we are good at potions, why do we need to show it just by following a book. We experiment. We know we are good at transfiguration, why show it by turning a block into feather? We turned someone's book into one. And so forth. We learn, we experiment and we implement. This did not sit well with the population. They laugh at our jokes, but keep away from us. It was indeed frustrating. I don't know what we would have done this year for lack of anything to do.

And now that we have someone who laughs with us, who plays with us, and who talks with us. Maybe this was the reason why our pranks reduced, because we had better things to do that bother someone who don't bother with us. All thanks to Harry. Sigh! I guess I need to ask Charlie how he controls himself around him. He is very tempting to not want to pinch his ass or hug him tight.

And I am pretty sure that George feels the same way. We have been together since birth, mere interest in another wasn't going to separate us. I guess I don't have any objections in sharing Harry with him, or even sharing harry at all, as long as I get my turn. Uh! My thoughts are turning crazy now. No what I should concentrate on was Ginny. Just as I was thinking about her, George turned to me on his bed.

"You are thinking about Ginny too, right?"

"Yes, ever since we returned from Diagon Alley, she has been acting weird."

"It is not like our sister to be a silent person..."

"or an introvert..."

"or a person who shies away."

"It feels like she is..."

"hiding something."

"We need to keep a watch on her."

"Ronald is too busy with himself to do that."

"She is not telling us something..."

"we need to find out what."

"Glad to know you are on the same page, George."

"Like always Fred."

After a moment, I could not help but ask, "George, you were thinking about Harry before Ginny, right?"

"Hmm. And his delicious ass."

We stayed silent for a moment before both started laughing like crazy.

Daphne's pov

Back to school today, I was just about to go to bed when Astoria, my sister, barged through my door and clung to my bed post, her breath coming in huffs. She spoke in haste, "I saw him sister. I finally saw him."

"Saw whom Astoria?"

"Harry Potter!"

"He studies in this school sister, of course you would see him."

"No, not like that. I was coming back from the library just now when I saw him walking quickly, as if someone was calling him or something."

"That is weird, Harry usually doesn't act like that."

"I don't know that, but yeah… he was following something, I am sure. He had his head close to the wall as if listening to something."

"We can ask him tomorrow. You should go to bed now. Tomorrow is your first day."

"Okay. Goodnight sister."

"Goodnight Astoria. Sleep well."

The last thoughts before I went to sleep were about the actions of Harry. Why was he doing so?

The classes started and they were better, except the Lockhart's class. He was an utter idiot and imbecile and… uhh, I can't even find words to describe him. I had taken Runes and Arithmancy as my specializations. We as a group had made a collective effort when deciding what subjects to take. Cedric was especially helpful in this case, and so was Charlie during the holidays. Though we cannot meet often, he was one guy who kept up with everyone through letters.

So we were all busy the whole week. On the weekend the twins called for a meeting under our tree. I do hope we can find a better place for the colder days. Meeting Draco in the main hall, we walked to our tree.

A girl was already sitting there. She looked a bit strange in her radish shaped earrings and weird tube like chain as her necklace.

"Excuse me, are you going to sit here now? Our friends have decided to meet here. We could relocate if you wish to sit here." I asked her. She looked up at me and smiled at me.

"But why would you or I leave? I am here to join your group."

"Excuse me?"

"Your group of friends, I am here to join myself."

"Aren't you a first year?"

"Luna Lovegood, Ravenclaw, nice to meet you."

"How do you already know about our group?" We sat by her. I did notice that Draco was unusually silent.

"You are very popular. But I should warn you that your integrity will be tested soon. I bet you will come out with flying colours."

"I do not understand."

"You will soon."

The others joined us soon. As soon as Harry sat, Luna immediately turned to him, "Harry Potter, I am Luna Lovegood. I will be your sister if you will take me. I do not see you in the other way."

Harry was puzzled as he took her hand. Cedric and the twins coughed together and then looked at each other with wide eyes. I did not understand that communication either. Anyway Harry's words were more interesting. They were sort of the invitation cards from Harry, though he still denies it.

"Of course Luna. You are welcome here. But what happened to you this week? Why do you look so tired?"

I looked into the smiling faces of the people in our group. Looks like we were all thinking the same thing.

Luna smiled, "Hogwarts seems to like my things better than me. They keep turning up in odd places and well used."

But we all grew serious. This was clearly abuse. Cedric, who had been elected as a prefect this year, even more so.

"Why did you tell no one about this?" He asked her.

"I do not know which stones of Hogwarts I can trust. What if the ones under my bed take my books because I told the fireplace? I do need to study, don't I?

It didn't take much for me to understand her references. What if some roommate stole books for telling a prefect? She was a kind all of her own. She might look crazy in the beginning, but she had much more underneath.

We fell into an easy conversation, each telling their experiences for the week. I brought out Astoria's concern.

"Hey Harry!"

"Hmm"

"What were you doing the first night, walking close to the walls as if following something?"

"Oh that? I heard some voice. Only, it was like it was coming from the walls. I tried to follow it, but it disappeared soon. The more disturbing fact was what it was saying. It went like, 'No, not again. I cannot be freed just to be chained. I was not raised for this. How do I get out of this?' "

"Oh!" I had no reply. What was happening at our school again?

As our discussion continued, we all complained about the poor teaching of Lockhart. Cedric was worried.

"This is my OWL year. I cannot have him teaching me. I will never get a proper grade like this."

"That is an issue." Harry said, "Why don't you and your year mates form a group and self study. You could go to some professor for any doubts or explanations. You'll have no defence teacher to depend on this year too. I don't understand what Dumbledore is doing. Doesn't he care about students anymore?"

Draco replied in a monotone, "He does not want Ministry placing anyone in the castle."

"But, if the students get some education better that way, then so be it. What secrets does he have to risk education?"

Our discussion continued this way for some time before we dispersed. I turned to Draco to go with him, but I saw Harry hold his hand and pull him back toward the tree. I smiled. Looks like I am not the only one concerned for Draco. How sweet! I sometimes wish I had some problems, just so that he would care for me like that.

Draco's pov

As I got up to leave with others, someone put a hand on my shoulders. I knew in my heart that it was Harry, but I shivered anyway. This made him turn me around, a concerned look on his face. He ghosted his arm down my arm to my own hand and held it tight. Then he dragged me back to the tree, in a spot which I knew hid us from view. We sat down again, him just beside me. We sat in silence for a few minutes, before he sighed and put his chin on my shoulders. I could feel his warm breath and smell his cool fragrance. It made me shiver for some unknown reason.

"Will you tell me Draco?"

"There is nothing to tell." I did not look into his eyes.

"Well, I won't push. But I do want to know what made my pretty friend shiver at a simple touch and why he is unusually silent. Can we sit here for a while?"

I nodded, that was better than anything else I can think of doing right now. But I could not hold on to that thought for long. For some reason him sitting beside me just to care for me stuck a cord in my heart, one that I never felt before. I felt… loved.

"Harry?" I asked him, taking his hand in my own and playing with his fingers.

"Hmm?"

"I don't want to go back to my house again."

He raised his head from my shoulders and looked into my eyes. I don't know what he saw but he nodded, "Okay, you won't." He declared.

I felt stupid for being encouraged with that impossible promise.

"How? How can you promise me when you know it is not possible? Do you even know what my father has done, what he can do? He is the worst saddist and cruel manipulator. He will beat me if I step out of bounds. He will crutiate anyone just for stepping in his way. He'll kill you just for promising me that."

His face had grown very serious during my rant, "Did he beat you, Draco? Tell me what did he do, please. I cannot… cannot see you like this."

"It was nothing pretty. Leave it be."

He took my chin in his hands and turned my face towards his, caressing my cheek until I raised my teary eyes to meet his.

"What did he do, Draco?"

"He made me watch… that… repeatedly." I could not say it.

"Watch what?"

"He and mother did… it in front of me. It was barbaric." I shivered at the memories.

"Sex?"

I nodded, "It was more of torturing each other than anything else. One time, he even cast Imperio on her before raping her in front of me. It was… like he was showing me how to do it. It was so…. Uhhh" I rubbed my eyes to dispel the images. Harry took both my hands in his.

"How could they do it? That is not… parenting. And how did they make you see all that? What are you not telling me Draco?"

"They did something… I don't know what… but something, related to Hogwarts. They keep saying the whole summer that their dark lord will return soon and that I had to be prepared enough to earn a place among his followers. And they started it all. They taught me loopholes in politics, they taught me how to manipulated people, they taught me how to bow before their dark lord. They tried teaching me how to cast the unforgivable. They showed it to me, on my house-elf Dobby. But I could not do it, I like him. He remains my constant company and support in that house since my childhood. Father got angry Harry, he cast it on me. It was painful, like I could not find a part of my body not in pain. And then they had sex. Then it became a routine. I mean, seriously, who gets excited by torturing one's own son?"

Tears were flowing through my eyes now, but I did not care. Who else would I tell this to? Who else would believe me? Who else give me something other than disgust or pity? Harry did. He pulled me into his arms and hugged me, rubbing my hair and back while I broke down. It took a while for my crying to subside, only then I pulled away from his safety.

"So tell me Harry, what should I do now?" I expected no answer. He had one.

"Will you let me tell this to a few people? I promise, they are trustworthy and will direct us to the solution."

"Who? And What?"

"I am the heir to the ancient line of Potter. Since I reached 11 years of age and I have no guardians in that title, I am eligible for emancipation. I did not bother about it till now, I was happy with the things as they were. But I will take it up now and then take you under my protection. Family magic is a powerful thing. They could track you as you are the heir to Malfoys, but being under my protection will give you safety. You will…"

"I will renounce it if it helps. I do not want to be a Malfoy anymore."

"Draco, Malfoy line is powerful in its own right. You need not disown it due to some savory characters that hold it too. I have another solution, but I will have to talk to someone. That's why I have to tell all this. Please!"

Hope blossomed in my heart, "If you trust someone Harry, do as you wish. I trust you."

He kissed me on my cheek, making me blush slightly, "Thank you. Now, you will then be able to live with me or anyone I approve of. I will protect you Draco, and you will never step under their hold again. I promise."

That was a strong statement. I did not know that it could provoke such a strong reaction from me. It was unconscious move. I leaned forward taking his cheek in my hands and kissed him, full on the mouth. It was just a small one, but it got a blush from both of us. "Thank you" I said and immediately rushed to the castle, leaving him looking stunned with his fingers on his lips.