Harry was now back on the train to Hogwarts. He never did get to see Neville over the holidays due to the fact that Neville's parents were now awake and coherent. It had been all over the Daily Prophet.
" This has seriously been the best Christmas ever! I can't believe that my parents will be back home in time for Easter break. As soon as everything is settled down, you'll have to come over and meet them Harry. Grandmother has already told me she wanted you to bring your Aunt Bella, so that she could thank her in person.", Neville said excitedly. Draco and Harry just grinned at each other. " Just let me know.", Harry said happily.
Before another word could be said, there was a knock on the door. " Come in.", Harry said, curious as to who it could be. Ron Weasley stood there looking nervous. " I-I talked to my mother over the holidays and she told me some things that just came to light. I can't tell you what, it's family stuff. Anyway I just wanted to apologize for my behavior earlier on in the year. It was rude and uncalled for. I know that not all Slytherins are evil or Death Eaters, it's just that growing up that's all I ever heard people say about them. Well except for my family now that I think about it except for the Malfoys. Also, my father would like to request a meeting with yours Draco. Something about clearing up their ancestors' past or something like that. Well that was all. I'll see you at school.", Ron said before leaving.
Harry sat there confused. He could tell that Ron's apology was sincere, but what could his mother have told him to make such a drastic change. Draco looked at him solemnly.
" I think I know why.", Draco said softly. Harry and Neville gave him their full attention. " Not many people know that my Grandfather Abraxus Malfoy had a twin sister. She was a squib which is why no one really remembers her. Her name was Loraina Malfoy. She married Archeron Prewett becoming Loraina Prewett. She had one daughter and a set of twin boys. Molly Lora Prewett and Fabian and Gideon Prewett who died in the war. Molly Prewett married Arthur Weasley. Loraina was originally suppose to marry Septimus Weasley. This is what caused the Malfoy's to think the Weasleys were blood traitors, because Septimus married Cedrella Black instead. We never found out what happened. Loraina died a few years after Molly was born. Father told me about it after Christmas when he was going through some family archives. He never knew he had an Aunt, he just was raised that the Weasley's were traitors.", Draco told them.
" So that means Ron's mother is your father's first cousin and that the Malfoy and Weasley lines came together after all. You now have family outside the Black line.", Neville said. Who would have thought that Ron and Draco were related so closely? Harry couldn't believe it. " Your father must have wrote Mrs. Weasley and sent a copy of what he found.", Harry added. Draco nodded. " This is great news. To find out you have even more family. I'm sure that you'll be able to get along. I think with the right people around him that Ron could be great.", Harry said. They all agreed with that and let the matter drop for now.
The rest of the train ride was uneventful and they made it back to Hogwarts safely. Tomorrow classes would resume. As Harry ate at the feast he couldn't help, but feel as if he was being watched. Sure enough Dumbledore was staring at him, the twinkle that was normally present was gone. Harry could feel him in his mind and let him see the memories of Christmas break and how he was grateful to have his father's cloak. Dumbledore left his mind looking...sullen and unsatisfied.
The next day, after classes, Harry invited Ron to join their study group. Ron was nervous. " You'll be fine Ron. I know that if you do your best, then one day you will be a great wizard. Besides it can only help you in the long run.", Harry consoled. That did it. From that moment on Ron took his studies more seriously. Ron and Draco got on surprising well once they shared their love of Quidditch.
All in all things were going a lot smoother in this time. The only issue Harry had was Dumbledore and he would just have to wait to catch him doing something he shouldn't. Harry put it out of his mind for now. It was now March and Harry walked with Severus into the Forbidden Forest to help him collect ingredients. He was shocked however when a heard of unicorns, the centaurs, wolves, big spiders, black winged horses, and other creatures came towards them.
" Ah. You have come. Do not be shy, Harry Potter. We all wanted to meet the boy who is pure of heart and soul. My name is Morgan, chief of my clan.", the head centaur said. Harry gulped and looked to Severus. Severus smiled reassuringly. Harry stepped forward and shook hands with Morgan and chatted with him a bit before timidly approaching the unicorns. The one in front was pure black and beautiful. The unicorn eyed him as he came closer. Harry stopped a foot away. The unicorn stepped forward.
" I see Bane was not leading us on when he spoke of you. You may touch me, child who has returned in time. I am called Elistar.", he said. Harry tentatively reached up and stroked Elistar. " You are magnificent.", Harry said. Elistar bowed at the compliment. It went like this, mostly, for each creature. Harry was fascinated by the wolves as they were true werewolves in the sense that they were wolves who could turn into humans. Severus asked if one of them would be willing to donate blood to help create a cure for a friend and they agreed.
Severus was surprised when Harry walked right up to the thestrals. He hadn't expected Harry to have seen death. Then he remembered that Harry had seen his mother die right in front of him. Severus vowed to himself that he would give Harry the best life possible. After the thestrals, Harry talked politely to Aaragog. By the time Harry was done it was late and they were both tired. They headed back up to the castle. They were almost there when they were stopped by Dumbledore.
" It is rather late Severus. Were there complications? And what was Mr. Potter doing with you?", Albus asked. Before Severus could speak, Harry made himself taller then reached out with both hands to cup Dumbledore's face. Albus was frozen in place as Harry checked him over and found what he was looking for. Apparently Albus had taken a curse from Grindelwald and hadn't even known it. The curse was very subtle. It would very slowly corrode the mind over time. Harry removed the curse and reversed the damage.
Severus looked on with concern as Albus began glowing white. Then there was a bright flash that was almost blinding. Once Severus could see again, he rushed to Harry's side. Harry and Albus had collapsed.
AN: And the plot thickens :) Hope you're enjoying this so far. I'll be wrapping it up soon. As always Please R/R