Oh my goodness, I appreciate all the love form you guys! I am happy to announce a new chapter! It's much longer than usual, but this chapter really sets the tone for the character's time at Hogwarts. I know the timeline in this story has been rather slow, but I'm hoping that now that I have this scene done, things will start moving along. Please let me know what you think- Echo Harmony

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Harry was pacing nervously around a corner from the Great Hall. It was where Remus had asked him to wait for the other students, to try to minimize any suspicion as to why Harry wasn't on the train by already sitting in the Great Hall. He wasn't sure how well he was going to be able to stay calm when everyone arrived. The times at Gringotts and Diagon Alley had made him so anxious that he only wanted to be around his mates. However, at school he would not have that opportunity. He fingered the tooth that hung around his neck, then the feather that he always kept tied in his hair. It helped knowing these parts of his mates were with him. He also hoped he would be able to rely on his friends.

Harry turned around to the sound of footsteps coming from behind him. He felt himself go cold, straight to the bone marrow. Professor Dumbledore was watching him as he moved closer, ignoring the man next to him who continued talking without noticing no one was was paying attention. Harry stood frozen as the headmaster only stared. He took in no comfort when he couldn't see a wand in either of Dumbledore's hands. At least if it was, Harry could tell what would be on the man's mind. As it was, he only stared with his face completely blank. No hint of the meddling, grandfatherly twinkle in his eyes.

'What should I do?' Harry thought. No one expected the headmaster to come seek him before the feast. The man was usually there before any of the other professors, Severus had told him. So they thought he would be safe here to wait.

"Hello, Mister Potter." No friendly 'Harry'. Dumbledore had taken to keeping their meetings friendly shortly after he had started at Hogwarts. Now there was this animosity between them, brought on by whatever the man thought Harry had done, and the threats he had sent to Harry. Dumbledore stopped in front of him, close enough that Harry had to arch his neck to look up at the older wizard. And didn't that just make him feel weaker around the professor.

"Hello, Headmaster," Harry replied. He tried to take a small step back, trying to keep the movement as minimal as possible. He knew it didn't work when the headmaster sent a menacing smirk.

"Mister Potter, this is Professor Slughorn," he introduced, waving a hand at the man by his side. Harry could guess why this man was being introduced to him, his new tutor. He was already weary of the man when Dumbledore wrote saying they were friends and that it was his decision to pick Harry's tutor. "He will be your potions tutor, since you can no longer be with Professor Snape."

Was that another threat made to Harry? Or just poorly chosen words? Although Harry wished it was just a bad word choice, he knew it was a subtle threat. He took it to meant that Dumbledore thought he could keep Harry separated from his mate. After this incident, Harry would need to talk to Remus and Severus about having someone with him.

Harry turned to Professor Slughorn with his hand outstretched, to be polite and give Dumbledore any more reason to hate him. This potions professor made him think of his Uncle Vernon. A very round man with all his buttons straining to hold him in. Watery eyes watched him closely, as if Harry was the man's prey. "Hello, Professor. Thank you for agreeing to tutor me."

"It is my pleasure, my boy." Slughorn gripped Harry's hand in a sweaty handshake. He hoped he managed to hide his grimace. He tried to ignore the sick feeling he got from Slughorn's statement.

"Professor Slughorn will be staying for the feast, but you will be meeting him on Wednesday," Dumbledore explained. "I do believe the students will be coming any moment now, best be on our way. Good evening Mister Potter."

Harry didn't respond as the two professors rounded the corner, leaving Harry alone finally. Not that he felt any better by their leave. The meeting left him cold with agitation, dreading going anywhere people could see him. Now he would have no time to try to calm down as he heard the loud hum of the students approaching. He was too unsettled to join them. Too afraid that Dumbledore was waiting around the corner. Too scared to move from this spot. Too…

Harry reached his hands up to hold the tooth and feather his mates gave him. Given to him as their promise, to care for him, to always be there for him. To protect him.

Taking a deep breath, closing his eyes, Harry stepped around the corner. Where he ended up bumping into a few students that shouted at him for being careless. Harry apologized quickly and tried to move around them, only to bump into more people. He seemed to be jostled around, no one looking friendly, their faces becoming a blur. Harry let out a whimper, hoping someone would help him.

"What are you scared, Potter?" Harry stopped and turned to the voice, dreading who it was. Malfoy, smirking at him, and all his friends laughing. "Need someone to hold your hand?"

Harry let out a quiet hiss. His nerves had been through so much, now he could only be angry at the taunts from Malfoy. The sound he made gave his rival pause. The boy narrowed his eyes and studied Harry before looking shocked.

"Fuck off, Potter," he said angrily. He pushed through his friends and marched into the Great Hall; leaving everyone wondering what he saw in Harry. The mer thought Malfoy could guess he went through a creature inheritance. Harry could only hope Malfoy couldn't tell which one.

"Harry!" He turned to the shout in time to have Hermione jump into his arms, squeezing the air right out of him. Through frizzy, curly hair, Harry saw Ron smiling, shrugging his shoulders at their friend. "Where were you? We couldn't find you at the station. We even had a private room on the train so we could talk about whatever happened over the summer."

"I came by portkey," Harry omitted any other information. "I need you two to follow me after the feast is over. I'll tell you everything, but not here."

"Alright, but you better!" Hermione promised. She linked an arm through Harry's and dragged him into the hall, with Ron following behind.

The sorting went by slowly. There were extra students this year now that no one was afraid of Voldemort threatening the school or the students' families. It was moments like this that filled Harry with pride knowing that he actually did something good, rather than survive. These children were able to be part of the wizarding world because he had won against the Dark Lord. However, he wish there was a way to hurry the sorting. He was so hungry his belly was making sounds and he was nervous about sharing his secrets to Ron and Hermione. But it didn't happen the way he had planned.

"Well done all of you! Welcome to Hogwarts to the new comers, and to the returning students," Dumbledore started once the last child sat down at Hufflepuff's table. "So many of you have come later than expected, but we are happy to have you now. Thanks to the courage of everyone sitting together, we can begin your education and help you to master your skills, nurture your growth, give you the greatest friends you could ever wish for. While here, all of you will discover where your path begins. Are you destined to be a healer, finding a cure to the deadliest curses? Or maybe an auror, defending the innocent such as yourselves at this moment? We are at your service.

"Now for some announcements." Here Dumbledore looked serious. "The Forbidden Forest is off limits to all students. Mister Filch has a list posted on his office door that has all items forbidden. There will be no spell casting or dueling in the halls.

"Please welcome our new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher, Professor Ophelia Halál," Dumbledore waved a hand towards the woman who stood. The woman had dark hair that fell in heavy waves, framing a round. She had olive skin, dark eyes, and a willowy figure. She gave a bow to the students, sporting a shy smile. Although Harry thought her eyes were shrewd, analyzing the tables, making plans that he may not trust. "We can only hope that we will be a good match for the professor.

"We have a few guests staying with us. Professor Horace Slughorn will be seen occasionally. He has full disciplinary rights as a full time professor. Also will be former Professor Lupin." At the introduction of Remus, the older students who remembered him began talking behind hands, either excitedly or angrily knowing he was a werewolf now. "Mister Lupin is unable to give or take house points, but can send a student to their head of house for any rule breaking.

"I have one last announcement," Dumbledore called back for attention. "Join me in congratulating Mister Harry Potter on a successful creature inheritance as a mer."

Harry froze, wide-eyed in disbelief. Had Dumbledore really informed the entire school of his inheritance? By the smirk and noise erupting all around, the man did. He had wanted to keep it a secret for as long as possible. Looking to Severus and Remus for help, Harry could not catch their attention as both were glaring at the headmaster and whispering to one another. He looked to Hermione and Ron to help him, when he began to stand up they nodded to him and followed. As he tried to walk away, people were yelling, trying to get his attention, or touch him.

"Is it true, Potter?"

"Are you really a creature?"

"Where is your tail?"

"He looks so pretty now!"

"I knew Potter was a freak!"

"Aren't mer classified as dark?"

That question had Harry running for the doors, knowing Ron and Hermione were right behind him. They would watch his back so no one would try to hex him. He was not a dark creature, no matter what the ministry said. But he didn't want to try to argue that now, with everyone in the school staring at him and arguing. Harry didn't slow down once they left the Great Hall, he ran for the stairs that would lead to the dungeons and his private rooms.

"Where are you running to?" Ron called after him.

"We should go to the Room of Requirement," Hermione suggested.

Harry stopped at the top of the stairs, looking down into the darkness of the dungeons. He waited to explain until Hermione and Ron were at his sides again. "I have private rooms down here, we'll be safe there."

They all kept quiet as they descended the stairs. Harry's thoughts were too wild to allow him to talk. What was Dumbledore thinking? In the past he had never mentioned about anyone going through an inheritance, he had even kept Remus being a werewolf quiet. The boy couldn't understand Dumbledore's problem with him, but at the least the wizard seemed to want to keep most of it away from the public's eye. So why now? What was he hoping for with announcing there was a mer at the school? Harry had no idea what anyone would be thinking, the students were finicky with their feelings towards Harry. Everything was making his ears fuzzy, or was that the blood pounding in his ears?

No, wait. Someone was following them. He stopped in the middle of the hallway, the painting to his room in view. The mer hoped it was Severus and Remus.

"What do you think you're doing down here, Potter?" Harry cringed when he heard Malfoy's voice. Of all the people to catch up to him. Harry looked to Hermione when she placed a hand on his arm. His friends would stay by his side. He squared his shoulders and turned to face Malfoy. "I could tell you were no longer human, but to be a freak of a fish. Well that's a new low, even for you. Are you going to be Hagrid's new pet he shows off to the class?"

Malfoy laughed at his own joke. None of the other Slytherins joined him at first, until the blond turned and laughed harder, signalling the others to do so. He turned back to Harry with a sneer; "I thought the Potters were purebloods, but I see I was mistaken. That or your mother slept with a fish."

"Come off it, Malfoy," Ron interrupted. He pushed Harry back, who was hissing and had his wand raised ready to hex the smirk from Malfoy's face. "You know, as well as I do, that almost all of the pureblood families have some type of creature blood. It was only when Voldemort was in power that some tried to ignore it."

"Lying with creatures is disgusting," Malfoy spat. He was focused on the Gryffindor trio that he didn't notice some of his own housemates looking offended. "Only the true purebloods are of the highest class."

"Veela," Harry spoke at last. He smiled when he saw Malfoy jerk back.

"What are you mumbling about, Potter?" Malfoy stammered. The blond looked around nervously.

"Malfoys have Veela in their blood. That's where the blond hair, blue eyes, and good looks come in," Harry pointed out. "But so many generations of no full Veela and the suppression of anything Veela to please Dark Lords, has left any Veela powers to fade away. That's why you try so hard with looking good because you don't have the lure."

Everyone was quiet. Many not wanting to believe what Harry said was true. Malfoy was shaking with anger. He wanted to deny what Harry had said, but doing so would make his housemates angry. The silence was broken when Ron began laughing.

"That's rich! I actually forgot being told that Malfoys had Veela," the redhead gasped out.

"What about you, Weasel? Most likely related to slugs," Malfoy sneered, trying to gain back the upper hand.

"Draconis," Ron replied, sobering up at the question. He was actually confused that Malfoy would even try to ask and make fun of his family this way. All the families learned each other's history, and that included their creature inheritances. When Ron looked around to the others in the hall, he puffed up a bit seeing that some were impressed with his announcement. "My brother, Charlie was the most recent one to become a Draconis. Ginny and I are the next possible ones."

"That's a lie!" Malfoy cried out. It didn't seem fair to him that his family's mistakes had robbed him of being the perfect being he could be, but the poor Weasley's had a current inheritance. The idiot had to be lying. "Your brother never had an inheritance when he came of age. And neither did you!"

"How dense are you Malfoy?" Ron was amazed. He thought Malfoy would know all of this? Malfoy's parents has been at the top of pureblood society, so the son should have learned about the other families and when inheritances were announced. "Draconis take longer to mature. I have a few more years to wait."

"Liar!" yelled Malfoy. Pride hurt and made a fool in front of his peers, Malfoy lunged at Ron. He was able to punch Ron once before he was pulled off.

"Mister Malfoy, what do you think you are doing?" Severus had swooped in when no one was paying attention and grabbed Malfoy by the back of his shirt. He stared down at his student, making himself appear as big as he could and used his lure to make the boy actually fear him. "Never be caught starting another fight, am I understood? Now go to the dormitory."

"Yes, sir," Malfoy murmured. He straightened himself out before walking away, the rest of Slytherin following behind. Some were even snickering at Malfoy, making him duck his head in shame.

"Let's go in Harry," Remus spoke softly, appearing at Harry's side guiding him with a hand to Harry's back. Severus stood to Harry's other side as they walked the rest of the way to their rooms, not saying anything else. Ron and Hermione followed quietly. Once they were inside, Harry ran ahead to the room that held the new spring and slammed the door shut. "He just needs some time to calm down."

"Sir?" Hermione questioned. However, neither Severus nor Remus seemed to notice her and Ron were standing with them. Both older men were staring longingly at the colorful door Harry disappeared behind. "Professor?"

"Yes, Miss Granger?" Severus finally acknowledged her. He scrubbed at his face before turning around. "I apologize. Could you explain what happened with Mister Malfoy?"

"He ran after us to tease Harry about his inheritance. He said some rather nasty things about his parents," she replied. "But then Ron made Malfoy look like an idiot in front of everyone. Rather brilliant actually."

"Thanks, but the git had it coming," Ron said, running a hand through his hair. "No one is really all that pure. I guess he doesn't pay attention to what really goes on at some of the gatherings."

"No matter," Severus dismissed. Draco Malfoy had always been spoiled, so it was no surprise to hear that the boy would ignore his teachings. Severus reached a hand towards both students, shaking their hands. "I thank you for staying with Harry and defending him. We were not expecting the headmaster to announce Harry's lineage."

"So it's true then? Harry is a mer?" Hermione asked. She was intrigued, now that she had the time to think about it. To learn that most of the older families had creature blood was fascinating, and would help her cause to fight for house-elves rights! She would need to talk to Ron about all he knew.

"Yes, and the headmaster invaded his privacy by announcing it like that to school," said the professor.

"Yeah. See Hermione, inheritances happen all the time. They normally aren't announced outside of the families' immediate connections. Like at the social gatherings some have. It's private to go through one because they can be quite painful, or if you're lucky finding your mate right away," Ron explained. He looked up suddenly to his professors. They stood rather close to one another and Remus was still looking at the door Harry went though. When he looked around the room, he noticed things that wouldn't belong to Harry. Like potion books on the shelves and the old worn teaching robes he remembered Remus wearing. "You're Harry's mates, aren't you?"

"Very good, Mister Weasley. I would appreciate it if you would keep it to yourselves?" Severus asked. He pulled on Remus' arm to sit him down on the sofa. He sat down next to his mate, and gestured for his students to sit down as well.

"Of course, Professor!" Hermione reassured.

"There is one more thing I must ask of you," Severus requested. When the two nodded their heads, he continued. "The headmaster has been making threats towards Harry, and we do not understand why. I ask that you two stay as close to Harry as possible, when Remus or myself are unavailable to do so. Could you do that?"

"Anything for Harry," Ron said. He always believed that Dumbledore was a great wizard, but if he was trying to hurt Harry. He would do anything. They were practically brothers, and he would always protect his family.