Chapter 3: Talons and Tea Leaves

The three people who entered the shop had shared pale coloring and pointed features. First was a tall wizard with long blond hair, who walked with a wooden cane. He held the door open for a beautiful woman with pale hair and blue eyes. She had her arm around the shoulders of a slim blond boy, who had gray eyes and was about Harry's age.

"Severus, what a pleasant surprise," said the wizard, his gray eyes swept the room alighting on Harry, "Surely you haven't been hiding a son all these years."

"From you, old friend?" Severus smirked, "This is my nephew Horatio Prince."

"Why haven't you brought him around before Severus?" the woman chided gently, "Surely Draco would have appreciated having someone to play with. His sisters have always been so contained in their own world."

Severus inclined his head, "My apologies Narcissa, but I did not know of his existence until recently. My mother's brother was a squib, he produced a child without magical ability, and she in turn was Horatio's mother."

Horatio's eyes sought his, a question half formed on his lips, when Olivander stepped in. "Lucius, am I correct in assuming you still carry that family wand you inherited from your father?"

Lucius fingered the head of the cane, which Harry noticed was silver and looked like a serpent's head. With a deft twist the blond wizard drew it from the shaft of the cane and revealed a wand. He held it out for Olivander's inspection as he said, "Elm, dragon heartstring, 10 ½ inches."

"I have wondered what type of wand might choose you, should you care to test one," Olivander gestured to the shelves of narrow boxes behind him. "However, if that wand still suits you…"

"It does still suit me," Lucius replaced his wand in the cane as if sheathing a sword,. "We are here for Draco's first wand."

Severus stepped closer to Horatio as Olivander began to measure the boy called Draco. He began to speak in an undertone, "A squib is a person born to a magical family who does not have magic themselves. Sadly, such people are not usually allowed to remain in our world. They are sent to muggle schools and encouraged to integrate into the muggle world. It is seen as a far kinder fate, because if they remain in our world, they will always be separate, as second class, because of their inability to preform magic."

As Severus spoke Draco was handed his first wand to try, "Maple and Phoenix feather 7 inches quite whippy", which he waved to no effect.

"No matter," Olivander took back the first wand and proffered another, "Beach wood and Dragon heartstring 9 inches nice and flexible", but the boy had hardly lifted the second wand before it too was taken from him.

"Now, let us try this, cedar and unicorn hair 10 inches." The boy waved the third wand, and a crackle of blue energy flowed in its wake, "Very good!" cried Olivander with a smile, "a loyal combination, a steady wand, good for defensive magic."

"Oh, congratulations Draco, your first wand," Narcissa beamed proudly at her son before addressing her husband's friend, "We have everything Draco needed from his school list. Severus would you and Horatio like to join us at the manor this evening? I'm sure you'd like some adult company before you go back to Hogwarts, and Draco can show Horatio the Hippogriffs."

"What are hippo-griffs?" Horatio asked eagerly.

"Our family has the finest herd in Brittan," Draco spoke for the first time, his face lighting up as he explained, "They're part horse, and part giant eagle. They're very proud and loyal. I have one I raised from when he was a foal, his name is Buckbeak."

"Buckbeak?" Horatio asked with a snicker.

Draco made a face, "Don't laugh, I was five when I named him."

Lucius shot Severus an amused look behind his wife's back which said, 'Now she's done it '. Severus looked thoughtfully down at Harry, whose dark eyes were filled with avid curiosity. "Well I do have business at the castle to attend to. If Horatio could go with you three, I could join you in an hour or so."

"But?" Harry frowned, "couldn't I come with you, and then we both go visit the Malfoy's?"

Severus ruffled the boy's hair, "Unfortunately, the business is quite dull, and I'd rather your first glimpse of the castle be on your first night. I will come with you to Malfoy Manor, then when Draco has you distracted with the hippogriffs I'll go and be back before you realize I've gone."

The group thanked Olivander and paid for their wands, the old wizard charged the same price for both wands. He winked at Harry as the others turned for the door and slipped back into the shadows between the tall shelves. They traveled back through the bustling street and returned to The Leaky Cauldron. Narcissa produced a small drawstring pouch from her blue and silver robes and turned her steps toward the fireplace set into the far wall.

"Narcissa," Severus said, "Horatio hasn't traveled by floo powder before."

"Of course, my mistake," her lips turned down in worry, "I suppose I should have expected that to be the case, but then how will we get you both home?"

"Cissy, it will be fine, we can show him how it's done." Stepping forward Lucius dipped his hand into the bag and came out with a pinch of glittering powder. "You'll scatter it in the flames like so." The fire roared up turning emerald green, "Step into the fire and speak your destination clearly, and you'll be whisked away." He stepped into the fire, his eyes on the room as he spoke, "Malfoy Manor," and was swept out of sight.

"It can be hot and uncomfortable, and watch out for ash when you speak," Draco's face turned pink as he said, "The first time I used it, I didn't speak clearly, and ended up somewhere completely different."

"Also, I'd tuck your glasses away, we wouldn't want them getting broken, "Narcissa supplied helpfully.

Severus watched as Harry obediently removed his glasses and slid them into a pocket of his robes, "It can be disorienting, if you need to close your eyes. You'll feel yourself slowing down as you reach your destination, open them and you should see Lucius waiting for you."

Horatio nodded, dipping his hand into the bag, and stepped forward. He scattered the powder into the flames, and poked one foot tentatively into them. Surprisingly, the sensation was pleasantly warm. Remembering Draco's advice, he took a breath before stepping fully into the fire saying as he exhaled, "Malfoy Manor." The worried faces of Severus, Narcissa, and Draco were suddenly whipped out of sight as he spun away.

The journey was hot and stomach churning as he spun round and round. His elbow knocked against something hard, and he tucked them both in, shutting his eyes against the brilliant emerald light; until a stream of cooler air made him open them curiously. Through his blurred vision he caught glimpses of other wizarding fireplaces flashing past. Finally, he felt himself start to slow, and a large room richly appointed with furniture appeared before him. Pitching forward Harry would have slammed into the marble floor if not for Lucius catching him.

"There, you've made it," the tall wizard withdrew his wand and began siphoning the ashes off both of them, "but where are your glasses?"

"Oh, your wife, Mrs. Malfoy told me to put them away, so they wouldn't get broken." He retrieved them from his pocket, and the room came into sharper focus as he put them back on.

"Darling Cissy thinks of everything," Lucius said fondly. The flames flashed green again and Draco stumbled out of the fireplace. "Made it alright son?"

"Yes father," Draco impatiently brushed ash from his robes and asked, "So what did you think?"

"It was like you said, hot and uncomfortable." Horatio grinned sheepishly.

The fire flared green once more and Severus stepped from the hearth. His scowl melted away as he saw Harry, and he wrapped the boy in a quick one-armed hug. The two Malfoys exchanged surprised looks but said nothing. Severus rid his own robes of ash as Narcissa joined them.

"I think, after all that excitement we're all due a nice cold drink. Glasses of pumpkin juice for you two, and perhaps something a bit stronger for the adults." Brushing soot from her fine silk robes she called, "Woody!"

With a loud crack a small creature appeared in the middle of the room. It had long bat like ears and bulging brown eyes. It was wearing a towel tied like a toga around its small body. The towel was royal blue with a white peacock, an emblem he remembered from the many coats of arms at Twillfoot and Tattings. The creature bowed low to all three Malfoys before speaking in a squeaky voice.

"Welcome home Master Malfoy, Mistress Malfoy, and young Mister Malfoy. How can Woody be of service?"

"Bring us a tray of drinks; pumpkin juice for the two boys, gilly water for me," here she glanced to Lucius and Severus.

"I'll have an apricot brandy," Lucius said, "Severus can I tempt you with the same?"

Looking thoughtful Severus said, "Perhaps later this evening, for now I'll have a cup of tea."

"Would Professor Snape like his usual mint tea?"

Severus inclined his head, "I would Indeed."

The creature gave another low bow, before returning his attention to Narcissa, "Is there anything else Mistress?"

Narcissa removed several shrunken parcels from her robe and placed them on the floor before returning them to their proper size. "Take the shopping upstairs to Draco's room if you please Woody." With another loud crack the creature vanished along with the packages.

"What, was, that?" Horatio asked before he could stop himself.

"A house elf," Lucius explained, "they are magically bound to serve one family their whole lives, which are exceptionally long. Many old pure blood families each have one, but larger institutions have many. Hogwarts has nearly 100 doesn't it, Severus?"

"Indeed," Severus agreed.

"Come, make yourselves comfortable," Narcissa gestured to a group of armchairs and sofas arranged around the fireplace. However she remained standing "I am going to see what mischief our girls managed to get themselves into."

"My sisters," Draco explained as his mother left the room, "Bella and Stella, well their proper names are Delphini and Druella, but don't call them that."

"Oh, I won't," Harry grinned, "How old are they?"

"They're both a year younger than me, if you mention Hogwarts they'll never shut up." He rolled his eyes.

"Be nice Draco," Lucius chided his son.

A moment later a girl with a mop of dark curly hair darted into the room. Spotting Severus she squealed, "Uncle Severus!" before flinging herself at the potions master.

He caught her up in his arms with a chuckle, "Hello Bella."

Narcissa returned, and with her was a girl with blue eyes and blond hair like her mother, she beamed at the sight of Severus and glanced at Horatio with a shy smile.

Bella caught sight of Horatio and squeaked, "Who's that?" before hiding behind her hair.

"That is my nephew, Horatio Prince." He explained calmly to both girls.

Woody came scurrying into the room baring a tray laden with all their drinks. He even had glasses for the two girls. Horatio took the glass the house elf offered him and took a sip. The pumpkin juice was light and refreshing, he sighed with relief as it cooled his throat.

Draco drained his glass in one, "When can I show Horatio the hippogriffs?"

"Oh, he gets to meet them already?" the fair hair twin asked, "but Hannah and Tramain didn't get to meet them for ages."

"Well, you all were younger than, and we had to ask their parents. Severus is here," Narcissa glanced at him, "are you the boy's guardian, Severus?"

"I am, and it is alright if Horatio meets them, but we have to explain the greeting ritual first."

"Of course, Severus," Narcissa poured Draco another glass of pumpkin juice before taking a sip of her own fizzy water, it reminded Harry of soda, and he wondered what it tasted like. Turning to him she continued, "As Draco said Hippogriffs are immensely proud, they decide if you are worthy to approach them. You must stand before one and bow, keeping your eyes on them, until they bow in return."

"And don't blink," Draco advised, "they don't trust you if you blink too much."

"Ok," Harry asked, "and what if they don't bow?"

"Then step back hastily and try again, or we'll bring out a different one for you to meet." Lucius took a sip of the pale amber liquid in his glass before adding, "and above all, never insult a hippogriff, their talons and beak are sharp."

The large manor house was surrounded by well-tended gardens on two sides, a forest stretched away to the left of the house, and a path wound deeper into the forest which the family and their guests now walked. Draco lead the small group, Horatio followed with Severus close behind, Lucius and Narcissa walked arm in arm after the Potions Master, and the twins brought up the rear. The two girls' heads were bent together as they whispered and giggled. Harry thought that Narcissa had been right; they were contained in their own little world.

"Hogwarts has a forest too," Draco was saying, "but father says it is strictly off limits to students. I've heard that there are werewolves in there, and there's a huge man who tends all the animals."

"Yes," Severus cut in, "his name is Rubeus Hagrid, but everyone calls him Hagrid. He is intimidating in appearance but has a warm and gentle demeanor unless roused. Though not a fully qualified wizard, he is quite capable in fulfilling his duties as groundskeeper."

"He was supposed to get me from my—my parents, but you came instead." Harry had almost said 'from my aunt and uncle' but caught himself just in time.

"Yes, there has been something hunting the unicorns that dwell in the forest."

"How awful!" Narcissa gasped, Harry caught a flash of anger in her blue eyes.

"It is a grave crime to slay a unicorn," Lucius rested a calming hand upon his wife's arm as he explained to Horatio, "not just in terms of the law, but it is magic at its deepest. The blood of a unicorn can keep you alive, even if you are an inch from death, but you will have a cursed life from the moment the blood touches your lips; because you have killed something so pure to save yourself."

The group lapsed into silence as they walked deeper into the forest, soon a break in the trees became visible, and Draco grinned over his shoulder. "The stable is just through those trees."

"They live in a stable?" Horatio asked.

Narcissa shook her head, "Only those who are ill, near to giving birth, or mares who have young foals."

The group emerged into a grassy meadow surrounded by trees. A well-tended stable dominated the clearing, which was bordered on two sides by wooden fences. Inside one of these corrals a creature Harry realized must be a hippogriff lifted her head. She screeched at the newcomers, her sharp yellow beak snapping in warning, as she gathered a smaller creature close with a clawed foreleg. He took in the rest of her as she lifted her wings, revealing pale gold feathers transitioning to almost tawny fur, and her hind legs and long tail were those of a horse.

"It's alright Glimmer," Narcissa called, "you and your young one are safe, we will not approach." The hippogriff clicked her beak in annoyance and clawed the ground with her talons. Smiling Narcissa gestured toward the far side of the clearing, "Perhaps we should give her more space."

"Of course," Lucius agreed, and the couple lead the way to the far side of the clearing. Turning to Draco he nodded, "Call him son, and Horatio remember what we told you before."

Draco drew in a breath, lifting his fingers to his lips, and let out a shrill whistle. He waited with an expectant look on his face, a grin breaking out as the sound of flapping came from behind them. Harry turned so sharply he almost lost balance, Stella and Bella giggled but Severus placed a steadying hand on his shoulder. "Thanks Uncle Sev, " he said and looked back in time to see a stormy gray hippogriff landing somewhat awkwardly on his mismatched feet, folding his massive wings along his back.

Despite the caution they had given to Harry, Draco rushed forward and wrapped his arms around the feathery neck, and Buckbeak closed his orange eyes, settling his head on the boy's shoulder. When you got over the first shock of seeing a creature that was part horse and part bird, you started to appreciate the glossy coat transitioning from feathers to fur, and the power and beauty of the wings. He could also tell the creature was being very gentle with Draco as he ran his sharp beak through the boy's blond hair.

"Now, step forward and greet him Horatio." Severus gently nudged the boy forward, watching as the hippogriff caught his scent and opened its fierce orange eyes. The creature pulled away from Draco, positioning himself between his master and the unfamiliar boy. He glared at Harry who bowed stiffly then looked up. Severus began counting mentally toward thirty seconds before he would intervene, but it was unnecessary, when he reached 13 seconds Buckbeak's scaly knees bent into what was unmistakably a bow.

"You can step forward and pat him if you like," Draco encouraged.

Horatio glanced back at Severus who nodded his approval, and the boy stepped forward to gently pat Buckbeak's neck. Stella lead the way as she and Bella took up positions on either side of Buckbeak, petting his wings and shoulders. Draco stepped back to allow them all room, beaming with pride at the foal he had raised himself.

Lucius rapped Severus in the shin with his staff and said, "A little trust Severus, you stopped breathing until Beaky bowed."

Severus shot his old friend a glare and retorted, "And what do you think they would say at Hogwarts, if I turned up there with my robes covered in blood, much less when they learn it is my own nephew's blood?"

"Ah yes, your errand. Shouldn't you go now while the boy is distracted?" Lucius glanced toward the children.

Turning to her brother Stella asked, "Draco, can we ride him? Can we show Horatio how?"

"Sure, just let me get my saddle," Draco enthused darting away toward the stables. Buckbeak looked after his master forlornly but allowed the others to continue petting him.

Horatio turned with his grey eyes wide behind round spectacles, "Can I fly Uncle Sev?"

Unable to turn down that hopeful expression Severus said, "Alright, but be careful. Do not break your neck or give yourself some sort of lethal injury."

"Severus, you worry too much," Narcissa laughed, placing a comforting hand on his arm, "your nephew will be alright with us for a few hours."

He sighed as Draco returned with the hippogriff's saddle and other necessary equipment. Shaking his head Severus nodded to Narcissa and Lucius saying, "Don't let anything happen to him while I'm away."

Lucius rolled his eyes as he wrapped his arms around his wife's waist, "Yes, yes, or you'll chop us all up into potion ingredients, Severus we've raised three children and nearly two dozen hippogriffs. I think we can keep your nephew alive for a few hours while you go make your lesson plans, or whatever it is you need to do in your drafty old dungeons."

Severus snorted in derision and quipped back, "You used to live in those dungeons, both of you as a matter of fact," as he turned to take his leave. Looking back over his shoulder he could still see Harry disguised as Horatio, standing beside Buckbeak, as Draco knelt beneath the animal adjusting the saddle. As if he could sense Severus watching, he turned and gave his godfather a nervous smile. Severus mouthed, 'I'll be back' before stepping into the shade of the path. He walked without incident down the long drive, passing a white peacock, from which the Malfoy family had derived their coat of arms, as he went. He felt the magic of the wards touch him as he approached the front gates, which swung open to allow him to exit the manor, beyond which he could apparate to the boundary of the Hogwarts wards.

Mustering his courage Harry had followed Draco's instructions, and put his foot into the stirrup, swinging awkwardly onto Buckbeak's back. The dark-haired twin stepped up beside him, taking his right foot and sliding it into the opposite stirrup, "Thanks" Harry said to her, "but how do I hold on?"

"With your knees," she said quietly before stepping back.

Draco snorted, "Wow Prince, you got three whole words from my shy sister, and this is your first day meeting her."

"Sorry, should I not be talking to her?" Harry asked in genuine confusion. The hippogriff beneath him flexed his wings, anxious to be flying now that he had a rider on his back. "Woah" Harry squeezed with his knees, trying not to lose his balance.

"I'm just surprised she talked back is all." Draco answered, slipping a head collar over Buckbeak's beak, "Now, don't pull on this too hard, it's just meant to guide him in the direction you want to go. Touch his left shoulder if you want to go down, and his right shoulder if you want to go higher" He handed the long cord which split on either side of the hippogriffs head, giving Harry essentially a long loop to hold onto. Returning to his trusted companion's head he stroked the large beak, "Be good now, Horatio has never ridden before, go easy on him." Unseen by Harry Buckbeak blinked his fiery orange eyes once in acknowledgement, before raising his wings to an almost vertical position.

All three Malfoy children jumped back on cue, and when they were clear Stella shouted, "Good luck!" The wings came down with a rush of air that almost unseated Harry, and with a jolt Buckbeak leapt into the air. Harry gripped the edge of the saddle, as the wings rose and fell a few more times. He looked down, hearing the cheers of the young Malfoys, and grinned back at all the smiling faces, even Mr. and Mrs. Malfoy were smiling encouragingly up at him. Glancing about he noticed he was level with the treetops and reached with his right hand to tap Buckbeak's shoulder. A few more wingbeats and they were above the trees, so Harry could see the manor house beyond, and a long drive that lead to an ivy-covered wall and a set of wrought iron gates. He thought he could see a figure beyond it for a moment before he blinked, and it vanished. Shaking his head, he tugged lightly to the left, and Buckbeak obligingly turned in that direction.

Harry's touch was tentative, but the hippogriff responded to his timid commands as they flew in a wide circuit around the clearing. His robes whipped in the wind created by Buckbeak's wings, which rose and fell on either side of him. The saddle was clearly well designed because he never felt in danger of falling off. Harry guided Buckbeak in a second lap around the clearing, grinning broadly as he grew more comfortable, stretching out his arms to mirror the wings on either side of him. He felt free for the first time in his life and whooped with unrestrained joy.

Another hippogriff, this one pure white with blue eyes, flew at them from above with a screech of fury. Harry was on the far side of the stables from the Malfoys, and he had no idea what to do. There was no way to bow in this situation, and in any case this hippogriff was already trying to attack him. He had not counted of course on Buckbeak's swift action. The gray hippogriff folded his right wing to his body, spinning them upside down in midair to protect his rider from the talons and beak of the other animal. Harry barely held on, but his glasses were ripped away from his face by the sudden reversal of gravity. Losing his grip on the reins, he wrapped his arms around Buckbeak's neck, and buried his face in the surprisingly smooth feathers.

The two beasts were a storm of sound and motion: of wind and wings, of talons and beaks, of blood and feathers and shrieks. All Harry could do was hold on, until two shouts and the unexpected heat and light of magic blazed past him. He looked up, and even with his blurry vision he could tell that the two figures on broomsticks were Lucius and Narcissa Malfoy. Lucius had his wand pointed at the immobile white hippogriff and was moving with the beast toward the ground. A third figure was rising to meet them, and Draco neared his injured companion.

"Come on Beaky, let's get you down. Some of those slashes look deep." If possible, Draco's blurred face paled further as he added, "Horatio, you're hurt too."

Harry looked down at his arm, and now he saw it. His arm was slick with blood, and now he could feel it too. The wind whipping around them seared at his open wound, and it throbbed painfully as he tried to hold onto Buckbeak. Finally, they landed with a jolt, and he would have fallen off if not for Narcissa catching holt of him and wrapping him in her arms. Harry realized he was shaking, and he must be getting blood all over her nice robes, he tried to pull away, "It's alright Horatio, I've got you," she soothed.

"I'm s—sorry," he shivered though the day was not cold.

"What in Merlin's name do you have to be sorry for?" Narcissa asked, as she brushed his sweaty hair back from his face.

"For ge—getting bl—blood on your robes," his teeth were chattering from adrenaline he guessed, he vaguely remembered something about science class, and how the body reacted to fear.

"Oh Horatio," she wrapped her arms around him again, "I don't care about that right now." Turning she raised her voice, "Lucius, how is Snowfire?"

"He's alright, still unconscious from the stunners. Draco is tending to Buckbeak." The wizard came into sight, "Cissy we should clean that cut before we heal it."

"Woody," Narcissa called. With a crack the elf appeared, and she continued, "Could you take Horatio and myself back to the house, to mine and Lucius rooms so I can get our healer's kit. Then would you bring me some of Draco's clothes for Horatio to wear."

The elf bowed low, "Yes Mistress."

"I'll find your glasses Horatio, Woody once you're done with your Mistress' orders, kindly return here to take Stella and Bella to one of their rooms. Then go fix a tray of hot chocolate with calming draft and leave it in the family room but take the girls their own tray of the same."

"As you wish Master Malfoy," the elf bowed again before reaching up to gently take Narcissa's proffered hand.

With a crack the three of them disappeared, and Harry felt like he was being squeezed through a very narrow tube, he couldn't breathe or move, until the sensation ceased with a faint pop. Looking around blearily Harry could tell he was in a spacious bedroom, not a suite of sorts. There was a large bed, a fireplace with a small seating area, and other furnishings he couldn't see clearly without his glasses. Narcissa guided him gently to an armchair beside the fireplace, and with a swish of her wand a fire roared to life. With another crack the house elf disappeared, and Narcissa knelt before him. She checked his temperature with her wrist, it was a gesture he had only seen Petunia use on Dudley, but never on Harry himself. He blinked back the stinging at the inner corners of his eyes.

"I know it hurts, sweetheart. I'm so sorry this happened. We shouldn't have let you fly that close to the stables." She sighed frustrated with herself.

"No, it's not that," Harry bit his lip, "I've never had anyone be this nice to me."

She frowned, "Surely your own mother?"

"No, my mother and father, they died, in a car crash," well if it was a good enough lie for the Dursley's, Harry thought he might as well get some use from it, since he'd believed it all these years.

"And you survived…" she concluded with a nod, "That must have been when someone realized you had magic."

"What do you mean?"

She stood, walking over to one of the closed doors as she spoke, "such muggle catastrophes don't usually kill our kind, Horatio."

"Call me Harry," he said absently then gasped in shock at his lapse.

"Alright Harry," she said, returning with a couple fluffy white towels, and a green box with some sort of symbol on it. He squinted trying to decipher it.

"Um, you don't have to call me Harry."

"Nonsense," she opened the box and began rummaging inside, "My daughters both prefer to be called by their middle names. If you prefer this nickname, I don't object to it." Opening a bottle filled with purple liquid she moistened a washcloth she had brought with the potion, "In fact it seems to suit you." Gently taking Harry's wrist she examined his left forearm, "This will sting but it will also kill anything harmful that's gotten into the wound."

Harry nodded and she pressed the cloth to the wound, dabbing all along the angry red slash. Once she was satisfied, she put the bottle back into the kit, and gently wiped away any remaining debris and blood. Lifting her wand again, Narcissa gently jabbed it at the wound, and Harry felt an itching sensation as his skin crawled, knitting back together. She opened another bottle and gently applied a salve, "Essence of dittany, it will prevent scarring." Harry jumped as another crack announced Woody's return.

The elf bowed to his Mistress and held out the neat pile of clothes. "Where should Woody leave these, Mistress?"

"In the bathroom, so Harry can change in privacy. The bathroom will also need fresh towels." As the elf walked off to deliver the clothes Narcissa looked back to him, "We have some blood replenishing potion if you think you need that?"

Harry shook his head, reminded again of his blunder. He was going to need some practice if he was going to keep up this Horatio alias. What was the point of having a secret identity he could slip into if he kept messing things up? He let Narcissa lead him to the appropriate door and was relieved to find that Woody had already gone. He sighed removing his brand-new robes, the left sleeve of which had been reduced to a shredded mess. Uncle Sev isn't going to be happy, he mused as he turned to the clothes he'd been given; a set of charcoal gray sweatpants, deep green t-shirt, a hooded jacket to match the pants; which actually fit and were free of holes or stains. Donning the clothes, Harry found they fit well, even if they were still a little loose on him.

When he returned to the master bedroom Lucius had joined his wife. The two were sitting on a two-seater sofa beside the fire, "I have your glasses here, Horatio."

"Call him Harry," Narcissa corrected gently, "He prefers Harry."

"Interesting," Lucius mused, he left the glasses on a small table beside the sofa, and came to stand beside Harry, who looked over at him in confusion. Lucius drew his wand, "Accio Harry's glasses." By the light of the fire Harry could see his glasses soar through the air toward Mr. Malfoy, who caught them deftly with his free hand, "Your possessions share the same affinity with your nickname it appears."

Harry ruffled his hair nervously, trying to think of an answer…

Lucius shook his head, offering Harry his glasses as he spoke, "If you're going to pretend to be the nephew of my oldest friend, you're going to need to not act like your father, Mr. Potter."

After Entering the castle, Severus went straight to Minerva McGonagall's office. It was she who had finally told him where Harry had been left, and as Deputy Headmistress she would be in charge of the sorting, if Harry was serious about continuing this Prince alias, Severus was going to need help pulling this off for him. Moreover, she was one of the teacher's Dumbledore had trusted to secure the Philosopher's Stone, so she could give the damn thing to Albus, and Severus would not have to face the man. He was not sure he could do so and be rational at the moment. He would have to put aside his anger for another day, and he would if it meant keeping Harry's anonymity intact, and helping Harry was precisely what Severus would do, he'd keep visions of cursing the Headmaster into next term to himself.

He knocked and heard the Scottish witch call, "Enter."

Closing the door behind him he cast a quick series of spells to ensure they were not disturbed and turned to face the dark-haired witch. She was gazing at him intently through her square-rimmed spectacles, "To what do I owe the pleasure of you entering, and warding my office for me Severus?"

Reaching a hand inside his robes, Severus produced the small package, and dropping it on the desk he snarled, "That is the bloody stone he wanted Hagrid to fetch from Gringotts."

"Surely the stone isn't what's gotten you in such a thunder, Severus?" She glared at the package mistrustfully, "Though I'll never understand what Albus was thinking, locking a Cerberus up in a school full of children, to protect a highly powerful magical object, that was perfectly safe in a vault at a bank? What could go wrong I ask you?"

"No, it's the result of the other errand he asked Hagrid to undertake…" he said darkly.

"What, did you find? Is Harry alright?" The genuine concern for the boy had Severus expression softening somewhat.

He sighed, closing his eyes to collect his thoughts, "He's alive, and unharmed as far as I've gathered, but he was clearly malnourished, and wearing his cousin—" pausing he opened his eyes to meet hers, "—you do know he has a muggle cousin, do you not?" She nodded and he continued, "well, wearing his cousin's secondhand clothes, and the boy is massive Minerva… he's at least four sizes above Harry, so it's not a question of them both being underweight."

Minerva's mouth thinned and she reached into a drawer of her desk, pulling out a heavy parchment envelope, "I thought he would have a hard life when Albus left him there, but when I saw this I knew we'd been wrong to leave Harry with those people. Look at the address, Severus."

Mister H. Potter

4 Private Drive

Cupboard Under the Stairs

Little Winging, Surry

Severus read the emerald green ink several times, and resisted the urge to shred the letter into tiny pieces, or set it on fire, or dissolve it in a potion, or lace it with poison and have it delivered to Dumbledore, or the Dursley's anonymously. It took all his willpower to hand it somewhat calmly back to Minerva. Walling off his emotions behind his formidable Occlumency shields Severus said through gritted teeth, "I will make him answer for this one day Minerva."

She snorted, "Why not today? I have half a mind to march up to his office and give him the piece of my mind I should have when I first read that address."

"I am surprised you restrained yourself until now, but I am grateful you came to me with this." Severus offered a sardonic smile.

She raised her eyebrows at his calm demeanor, "I take it that after meeting with the boy, you have another idea?" Glancing around she added, "and where is Harry? Surely you didn't leave him with them?"

The younger man spoke silkily, in a manner that showed just how angry and how cunning he was about to be, "No, I assure you Minerva, I did not leave him with his relatives. However, I do have the beginnings of a plan, and I think we will need your help to pull it off."

The Deputy Headmistress adjusted her glasses, and folded her hands upon her desk, before asking, "How can I help?"

Severus was on a precipice, Harry's future was hanging in the balance, he met Minerva's eyes and said, "I took Harry to Diagon Alley this morning disguised as my nephew Horatio Prince. Olivander even granted him a second wand and promised not to tell anyone about it. I suspect that if an issue came up the goblins would support the claim as well. Harry would like to attend Hogwarts as Harry Potter, and as Horatio Prince."

Minerva sat there for almost ten minutes thinking, her eyes flicking back and forth as if reading things only she could see. Finally, she nodded and said, "This will take some planning. I don't even know if we can pull this off Severus, but I will try for Harry's sake." She grabbed the small package from her desk and tossed it unceremoniously into a drawer, locking and warding it against theft. "For now, tea and biscuits and we'll make a plan, then you can go back to Harry, and I'll have Hagrid come and take that bloody stone to Albus."

A/N:Hello readers, here is the whirlwind that is chapter 3. This was a lot of fun to write, and I have enjoyed the many positive reviews, even the guest one that I had to put into Google translate to read. I am going to start writing next chapter now, but I'm not sure if it will be complete by next Tuesday. Then again I might surprise myself. This chapter was written almost completely in one day, and I had to fight the urge to post early. Keep the follows, favorites, and reviews coming, and I will keep writing!