A/N: Okay, so I know everyone is wondering about the pairing. In the old version, I had everyone take a vote in the review section, and before I decided on the rewrite the Lucius/Harry/ Severus pairing was winning. In THIS one, I've decided to RESET EVERYTHING. So ALL PAIRINGS ARE BACK TO ZERO.

In this chapter, you meet nearly all of the candidates, and not just for Harry *wink, wink, nudge nudge* So cast your votes, either in a PM or in the review. Also, I do want it noted that I do have a default pairing for the story, just in case.

Twisted Chains

Chapter 3:

August 2, 1993

"Remember boys, concentrate on your breathing and let it happen."

Both Harry and Dudley nodded, ears and tail twitching with anticipation and eagerness, today they will hopefully be able to change into their full form, and more importantly for Harry; know how many tails he had. As side from the occasionally itch near his tailbone Harry had yet to see no more than one tail in his shadow. And while he knew he was still growing, not mention his mother, Caretaker and everyone else telling him everything will be fine; it didn't stop the feeling of envy every time he saw his cousin's two shadowed tails. Not that having one tail would be a bad thing, it's just he could feel it.

Harry took a deep breath, calming himself, being anything else will just make the change harder for him, from where he and Petunia were sitting on the porch, Caz nodded, "Alright, give it a shot."

From the outside point of view, it wasn't anything amazing, just Harry and Dudley standing beside each other with looks of deep concentration, with only the surrounding woods for noise, it was incredibly boring. Boring, but necessary. When something finally happened, Petunia couldn't help the feeling of pride as she watched her Dudley do his first change. The fox was that mix between adulthood and adolescent, red fur and two-tailed.

"Well done Dudley" Caz praised before looking over at Harry, the youngest Musahib was looking down at his older cousin with look of envy and some jealousy, "Harry, focus" he then said, getting the Pup back on track, "Dudley, change back. Then try changing again."

Harry nodded, and went back to concentrating while his cousin went about trying to change back. Only to be stopped by his Caretaker five minutes later, tail thumping on the ground in frustration.

"You will get it," Petunia said running her fingers through the unruly black hair, "not everyone is able to change on the first try."

"Dudley did, as did you and my mother." Harry said crestfallen, glancing over at his now human cousin talking to Caz.

At the mention of her sister, Petunia's eyes soften, "That we did, but you are neither her, or us. Comparing yourself to us, is not fair to you, understand?"

Still looking disappointed, Harry nodded, and went into the house. After a moment, Dudley followed, he found the other in his room. Sitting on his bed, white fluffy tail curled around him and ears drooping as he read a book. Dudley didn't have to read the title to know it was the book on changing their forms that was giving to them by Caz earlier in the year. Without a word, Dudley climbed into the bed and settled against his cousin, his chest to Harry's back; being a head taller he was able to comfortably lay his chin on top of the boy's head. His arms and red fluffy tail wrapping around his cousin.

"It's okay." the older Pup said after a long moment.

Harry gave a suspiciously wet sniff, but nodded nonetheless.

October 14, 1993

It's October now, and Harry had yet been able to change to his full form, something that was frustrating to no end. Taking note of his sibling's mood, Dudley had taken to not changing, especially after he grew four more tails sometime in late September; upon realizing this, Harry had told the other Musahib that despite his feelings, Dudley shouldn't hold back. To which Dudley responded with an unimpressed look before dragging his sibling off to practice their magic and physical defense techniques that Caretaker Cody had been teaching them.

At the moment, he was alone in the living room, Caz had dragged Fenrir off into the wood to gather herbs for his potions. His Aunt was in her room, doing her daily grooming while Dudley was outside. His ears twitching, Harry closed his eyes and concentrated like so many times before. This time though he didn't have any expectations, and perhaps that why he was surprised when suddenly he felt the stirring of his magic, the twisting of bones and body until he was on four legs that felt more natural then when he was on two. The young Pup let out an excited yelp as he turned into a circle to see everything, including his tail. He managed to count three before a sudden gasp had him turning his attention to the room entrance. It was his Aunt, probably coming to see what was that noise was about.

"Oh my Harry." Petunia breathed.

Despite his wagging tails, Harry titled his head curiously at the Vixen's expression, after moment he whined in distressed when she said nothing else. Was something wrong with his form? Perhaps realizing that her silence was worrying the Pup. Petunia conjured up a full length mirror, and placed in front of her son. Upon seeing his reflection, Harry's ears perked up in surprise. While his white fur and everything was normal, it was his tails that was the surprised.

There were nine of them.

"Told ya it'd be okay." Dudley said later at diner when Petunia and Harry told him, Fenrir and Caz what happened.

December 25, 1993

"Happy Christmas!"

"…..Do you know what time it is?" Petunia growled.

Sirius just grinned and all but barged into the house, presents in his hand, "Are the Pups up yet?" he asked as he made his way to the living room.

"Unfortunately yes, apparently like you, they also don't know how to tell time." Petunia grumbled as she followed the man.

"Uncle Sirius!"

"Ack! Careful, you don't want to break your presents do you?"

Giggling the two Pups herded the man down on the floor in front of Christmas tree where bright presents were flowing out from beneath, on the couch Fenrir lodged, snoring loudly. Petunia threw a throw-pillow at him. The Alpha didn't even twitch, ears twitching and tail swirling in annoyance, the Musahib snapped her fingers; the Alpha yelped at the sudden shock and fell of the sofa.

"Good morning." Petunia smiled sweetly at the glaring Wolf.

"I'm shaving your tail." Fenrir growled.

"Just try it." Petunia dared, said tail swaying as though tempting the Werewolf.

"Alright that's enough," Caz said as he came in, he yawned before turning his attention to Petunia, "help with making the hot chocolate."

Petunia nodded and followed the man into the kitchen, when they came back, Caz carrying a tray of mugs filled with hot chocolate, the Pups were on the floor with Sirius opening their first gift while Fenrir was still on the floor, but more awake this time.

"Here you go Pet, this one is from Fenrir apparently." Sirius said once everyone had their mugs, handing Petunia an elegant carved wooden box that was wrapped in a sliver ribbon that ended in a bow on top.

Petunia looked at the Alpha who was currently tying a red robin on Dudley's tail, the Pup smacking the Wolf in the face when it was tied to tight, giggling the Vixen went back to her gift. She unwrapped the ribbon and opened the box.

"Oh my." she gasped in surprise.

Inside the bottom of the case was lined with soft silk, the top had a mirror that was framed by sliver carved Sakura trees.

"This is very lovely Fenrir." Petunia said, smiling at the Werewolf, who merely shrugged but looked very pleased with himself.

"Did you steal it?" Caz asked.

"Caretaker!"

Ignoring the adults, Harry and Dudley continued through their gifts, it's when he unwrapped a gift from his Aunt that he stopped. It was journal.

"It belonged to your mother."

Harry looked at his Aunt, then back at the journal, he knew that his Aunt was not his real mother; and he still called her Mama regardless of that fact. She, Sirius, and her Caretaker had sat him down when he had turned eleven and told him about his real parents, how they had died; and more importantly how much they had loved him. There were also pictures of her around the house, along with his father thanks to Sirius. So he knew that he took after his father in the face and hair but had his mother's eyes, although as he got older, Caz said he looked more like his mother. And neither Petunia or his Godfather were short on stories about his parents. In short, Harry knew about his parents, but this journal…..inside was his mother's thoughts, her voice.

"I figured you were old enough to have it." Petunia said as she moved so that she was sitting next to Harry.

Harry hugged her, their tails entwining with each other, "Thank you."

Petunia hugged him back.

July 31, 1994

Unlike his earlier birthdays, his 14th birthday was a small one, with just Dudley, his Mama, godfather, Caretaker and Fenrir. And after presents and cake his mother took him out into the woods like she did for Dudley's birthday. When they came upon the lake that they often swam in, they both sat down along the shoreline, toes tickling the water's age.

"Next year, you'll be fifteen. An adult" Petunia said after a long moment of silence between them, "and possible have a Master or Mistress…who neither Dudley or Fenrir will like regardless of who it is."

Harry chuckled, both his brother and Fenrir were very protective of him. And while Musahib and Werewolves were naturally protective of what they considered theirs, Harry had a feeling it had something to do with the fact that unlike his brother, who was taller and more muscular then his cousin due in parts to Caretaker Cody's training and genes in general. And Fenrir who was just a giant of a Werewolf that Harry was sure no one could match in height let alone in muscles and strength. Harry himself was lean, built more for speed then strength, something that he apparently got from his father according to Sirius. He was also a head shorter then Dudley. Him being more or less smaller, stirred his brother and Fenrir's instincts to protect him, even though they knew through experience that Harry could easily take care of himself.

"Or you" Harry then added, half teasing, and half hinting at the fact that his Aunt didn't approve of his father.

"It was more of not understanding, then disapproval" Petunia said with a small smile, clearly knowing what he was hinting at, "the same could be said about your mother with my choice."

By now, Dudley and Harry knew about their mother's choice in marrying a person not her Master or Caretaker, knew that he was Dudley's father; but that was all. Petunia never gave them a name, though both Pups were sure their Caretaker knew.

"Enough about me" Petunia then said, "back to you, traditional, a Musahib Pup will spend the year before their coming of age finding and observing a potential Master or Mistress. If that person is the one, then the Musahib will approach them when they turn fifteen."

Although he already knew this, Harry remained silent and waited.

"This year, Hogwarts is hosting the newly reinstated Tri-wizard Tournament. A terrible idea if I ever heard one, but it is a good way for you and Dudley to meet a potential Master or Mistress."

Harry's tail wagged, ears twitching in excitement, and eyes sparkling. It's not as though they haven't been anywhere, mostly in other countries. And the times they have gone into the Wizarding World here, it was under a Cover spell and with either their mother or Caretaker; who both were under a Cover spell. But this was different, for one thing, they would be around others for a longer period of time; meaning they could actually speak to someone for more than just a few seconds. But the best part was that he and his brother had would be one step closer to finding their Master or Mistress.

While she laughed softly at her Pup's excitement, she was also worried. She couldn't help it, she was their mother after all, but she knew that it had to be done.

November 25, 1994

The months before they were arrive at Hogwarts, Harry had read about the Tri-wizard Tournament, and understood why his Aunt disapproved of it. Who in their right mind would let their children participate in an event where they could die? An even better question, what kind of parent would even let their children attend a such a school? Either way, it did not put the Wizards and Witches of Britain in Harry's good graces. Still it was a start.

As he and his family, who all but Sirius wore Cover spells, made their to the field where the first task was being held, Harry noticed a tree in the distance. No doubt the Whomping Willow that his Godfather told him and his cousin about. He wondered if he had time to sneak away and have a look.

"Don't even think about it Pup." Fenrir said quietly behind him.

Harry pouted.

They finally arrive and they take their seats in the back row, in the section for visitors. The arena is filled with conversations all around as everyone waited for the First Task to start. As he patiently waited, Harry thought about the three champions. There was Hogwarts's Champion, Cedric Diggory, a Hufflepuff; which apparently was a surprise to everyone. He was three years older than Harry, Captain of the Hufflepuff Quidditch team, and their seeker. He was also a Prefect, and after seeing his picture in the Daily, Harry knew him to be very handsome. Fleur Delacour was Beauxbatons's Champion, a breathtaking beauty; tall and willowy. And finally, Viktor Krum; Drumstrang's Champion. And the only way Harry could describe him, is rugged.

Finally, the First Task began. Which, by the were Dragons.

"I am so glad I didn't attend here."

~.~

After the First Task, to which Krum got first place, the visitors were invited to have dinner in Hogwarts's Great Hall if they wished. Of course they went. The teacher table had been extended for the guests, and keeping as far away from Dumbledore as possible, Harry's family enjoyed a rather delicious meal. After dessert, Dudley and Harry went to mingle with the rest of the students, visitors, and Professors who were doing so. Harry chuckled when his cousin made a beeline for Delacour who was the center of a very large crowd, mostly made of males. His brother was not enchanted with the young woman, unlike the other males, but more curious about her bloodline; mostly because he had made a bet with Fenrir about whether or not the young woman had creature blood. Looking forward to that, Harry made his way over to Diggory, who had finally gotten away from his adoring fans and parents.

"Hello." Harry said upon approaching.

"Hello." Diggory said, obviously taking note of the lack of any kind of school uniform.

Harry smiled, eyes showing a bit of concern as he asked, "Are you alright? That burn had certainly looked nasty, something wrong?"

As Harry had talked, the older boy's expression turned to one of surprised realization, noticing that Harry was waiting for an answer; he gave a small smile of his own. "No, well, it kind of is. But not because of what you said," Diggory said, "it's just, you're the first person, beside Madame Pomfrey and my mother, to ask if I was okay. Not even my father asked me."

"Well, I'm sure it's merely because of all the excitement" Harry reassured, "and pride, you did really good out there. Not mention very brave, I'm sure I would have ran away with my tail between my legs had I been in in there facing that dragon."

"You never know" Cedric chuckled, "you may have more courage than you think, I should know, being a Hufflepuff and all. I'm sorry, I didn't even get you name."

"My name is Harry, and what does being in Hufflepuff have anything to do with it?"

Cedric's eyes automatically went up to Harry's forehead, and the Musahib fought back a smile. He had already decided that if anyone asked, he would give them his first name. For one, being the Boy-Who-Lived aside, Harry was very common name. And another was that he wanted to see who at the very least would get suspicious of him, it showed potential. Not finding the fable scar, Cedric turned his attention back to the boy's question.

"You're not from here, are you? Everyone knows about the four Houses, Gryffindor, Slytherin, Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw. Name after the Founding Fathers of this school."

"Like you said," Harry shrugged, "I'm not from here."

"Oh, where are you from?"

"Japan."

Technically, not a lie.

"Tell me more about the Houses." Harry then urged, settling to stand next to the boy, a bit closer than appropriate but aside from a strange look, Diggory didn't say anything else as he talked about the Houses.

Despite asking, Harry knew about the Houses, he knew a lot about the school his parents went to, and to be honest; he found it lacking, and a lot of errors. Number one being the Houses, but that was for another time. The two talked for a good fifteen minutes, and while it wasn't even close to enough time to get to know someone, it did give Harry a good feeling as he excused himself to make his way over to Krum who was still surrounded by his adoring fans. Half way there he discreetly casted a language spell, before slipping through.

"Vecher." Harry said, gaining the Champion's attention.

"Vecher." Krum said back in surprise, and thus activating the spell.

"Pozdravleniya za pobedata dne." Harry continued on, much to the confusion of those around them.

"Blagodarya vi, che me iznenada. Az ne mislya, che nyakoĭ tuk govori rodniya si ezik."

"Az ne sŭm ot tuk, moeto ime e Khari, e khubavo da me vi."

"Udovolstvieto e moe, priyatelyu." Krum smiled

Krum did not look for his scar, but that could be that his story hadn't reached him or he didn't care. Either way, he was nice enough and seemed very much happy that someone other than his classmates, was talking to him in his mother tongue. Which seemed to be greatly frustrating his fans, Harry was not ashamed to admit that he took a bit of pleasure in it.

"Mozhe bi tryabva da se govori na angliĭski, dori i samo da se spasi ot vashata fenkluba."

Krum blinked before he burst out laughing, startling everyone nearby, and gaining his Headmaster's attention, as well as Dumbledore's…oops.

"Vie ste mnogo interesno, az se nadyavam da vidya poveche ot vas po vreme na turnira." Krum grinned.

"Mozhe bi shte, mozhe bi ne, da me izvinite."

With one last smile, Harry slipped away just as Krum's Headmaster came over. He spots his cousin still talking to Delacour, he leaves them be and looked around, hoping someone would catch his eye.

"You are not a student."

Apparently some one noticed him, a very beautiful someone, the woman rivaling Delacour in beauty, long blonde hair and pale blue eyes. It was easy enough for Harry to recognize Lady Malfoy, who was looking at him with something like calculation. However, there was a softness along the edges, it remained it of his Aunt. And her scent, unlike most of the females here, it wasn't over baring. It was soft smell of flowers, Harry liked it.

"Lady Malfoy, good evening" Harry smiled politely, "and no, I'm not a student. I'm here with my family to watch the Tournament."

"Yes, I do remember seeing you with them in the field, with my cousin."

Harry gave her a deliberate innocent look, to which he was sure she did not buy one bit.

It's then that Sirius suddenly slide up beside him, "Hello cousin." he ginned with all teeth.

"Sirius."

Harry all but ran away.

Only to run into the woman's husband, Lucius Malfoy, and if she smelled nice; this handsome man smelled amazing.

Well, this night was just getting better and better.

~.~

He noticed the child mostly because he came with Black, and while not family, the boy was obviously close to the man. Severus left it at that, not wanting to do with anything involving Black. However, during dinner, he found that his eyes were always drawn to the child, following him as he slipped through the coward and talking to Diggory and then Krum, who laughed at whatever the boy was saying. Surprising most people, mostly because Krum walked around with either a blank or confused expression, the later Severus summarized that it was because it was something that went over his knowledge of the English language. And it also gained attention, Severus watched as Narcissa approached the boy, the two talked before Sirius interrupted them and the boy was able to get away only for Lucius to block his path.

Severus's lips twitched at the display of the typical Malfoy tag-team.

Lucius and the boy talked, the older Malfoy was amused by the child, while the boy was surprisingly relaxed around the older man. It was a surprise, usually children were nervous around Lucius, instinctively sensing that the man was one not to trifle with. But the boy showed no indication of that. Finally, the boy excused himself and started making his way through the crowd once more. Severus's eyes followed, and perhaps sensing that he was being watched the boy looked in his direction. The boy froze, eyes going wide with emotions that Severus didn't understand the why to. Blinking rapidly, the boy looked away and hurried over to who the Potion Master presumed was his mother.

"Odd."

~.~

After saying goodbye to Delacour, Dudley looked for his cousin and found him heading to their mother, he looked around the room for someone of interest, he paused at a large group of red-heads he knew to be the Weasley family. He noticed the youngest boy glaring at him, but considering that most of the boys had been doing so during his conversation with Delacour, Dudley paid it little mind. Looking away, he found a girl sitting in the corner, she had long bushy brown hair and light brown eyes; and she looked bored.

He went over.

"Not your cup of tea?"

Intelligent eyes looked him over, before shaking her head, "Not really" she said, "I mean, I'm all for school comradery and all, but not if it interrupts lessons."

"I suppose that could be problem," Dudley titled his head, "however a little break now and then never hurt anyone."

"Yes, a little" the girl huffed, "not…this. And don't get me started on the boys going crazy over Delacour, which I saw you doing just moments ago."

Dudley's lips twitched upward, "We were just talking, mostly about our younger siblings, that's my brother over there." The girl followed his gaze to Harry in the corner talking to Caz and Petunia, he watched as Caz turned his attention to the Weasley family, it was so casual that on one would think twice about it; however the girl's eyes narrowed.

"I'm Dudley, by the way." He introduced, holding out his hand.

"Hermione." the girl said taking and shaking it.

"Nice to meet you, I take it you don't like Delacour."

"She's stuck up."

"Well, she certainly has a high opinion of herself, that's sure." Dudley agreed as he sat down next to her, "but there's more to her, if only you tried talking to her for more than a few seconds….and don't take much offense to her bluntness."

"I doubt it." Hermione snorted.

"You never know" Dudley shrugged, over at the group of red-heads the youngest boy was still glaring at him, 'besides, I'm sure she's not the first person who you met with a bad first impression."

Hermione looked thoughtful, and Dudley let it sink in before steering the conversation in another direction, he found that she was very smart if a bit of a know-it-all. And while she obviously followed the rules, Dudley easily caught on that she'd break them if needed.

He liked that.

They talk for what felt like thirty minutes, before Dudley bid her goodbye and started to make his way over to Fenrir who had taken to hiding in the shadows of a corner, watching the room. As he made his way over he spots Harry talking to some of the Weasley, it looked like mostly the children….well almost all of them. Dudley glanced over the where the Minister of Magic was talking with Dumbledore, standing next to him was a red head with familiar Weasley features.

The Pup suddenly jumped when something wet suddenly spilled all over his clothes.

"I am so sorry!"

Dudley looked at the boy who had spilled most of his goblet on his person, his face was flushed with embarrassment and his hands were flailing as though he wanted to wipe off the contents but didn't because he didn't want to make it worse. He had brown hair and light blue eyes, he has a bit of baby fat on him, but Dudley thought that just made him look cuter. Besides, he could see that cuteness turning into a handsome man.

"It's alright" Dudley smiled with a reassurance, which seem to make the other boy flush red all the way up to his ears, "nothing a little magic couldn't fix, I'm Dudley"

"...Neville"

~.~

"I have an idea" Harry said to his brother during the Second Task.

Dudley looked away from the lake to Harry who had a very mischievous glint in his eyes, "Will I like this idea?" he asked, his own eyes sparkling with the same mischief.

"Certainly" Harry hummed.

"What do you have in mind?" Dudley asked, both well aware that their mother and Fenrir could hear them.

"It's a bit rough, but if all goes well. Next year, the Main House will have numerous visitors."

Petunia gave him a look.

~.~

"….Whelp, things have finally gotten interesting." Harry said on the night of the Third and final Task.

From where he, the new Tournament champion Cedric, and everyone else was looking up at the sky at the colossal skull; composed of what looked like emerald stars, with a serpent protruding from its mouth like a tongue. Dudley looked at his brother with a near look of disbelief.

"What in the world have you been watching these past few hours?"

Harry grinned.

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