A/N: This Harry is lot less sure of his place in the world than he appears in cannon. I've taken some liberties with his relationships with Hermione and Ron, simply because I don't think he'd have so quickly forgotten how even they had doubted him the year before.
"Men should be either treated generously or destroyed." ~ Machiavelli
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Harry sighed, looking at himself in the mirror. He had to admit he looked very good. The old wizard at Twilfit & Tattings had been professional and patient with Harry. He'd been pleasantly surprised that the man hadn't fawned over him because of his scar. He hated that more than anything. The old man had chosen a dark green shirt, to compliment his eyes and a simple black suit. Shiny leather dress shoes and black dress socks had completed his new outfit.
An owl had arrived from the Minister himself, giving Harry permission to attend dinner with the Malfoy's. It had cautioned him, however, against wandering away from their protection. He'd almost been hoping that the Minister would forbid him to go, so that he'd have an easy way out of this. He felt uncomfortable sneaking around on the Headmaster, and knew full well the man would not approve.
Though to be fair, the Headmaster had certainly not done him any favors last year. The only group in the entire school that had remained consistent in their treatment of Harry had been the bloody Slytherins. Even Ron and Hermione had watched him with a kind of wariness towards the end of the year. So far this summer he'd received only a single letter from each of them, and both had been rather brief. Harry sighed and smoothed his hands down the front of his shirt. Perhaps he should have just let the hat put him into Slytherin. Maybe he'd have been happier there.
He tried one last time to straighten his unruly hair and went downstairs. As he stepped off the stairs case, Lucius Malfoy himself entered the Leaky Cauldron. He was wearing a dark, charcoal grey suit and carried his ever-present cane. His cool features warmed into a smile as he saw Harry.
"Mr. Potter, I almost didn't recognize you." It was true, the scruffy looking teen had transformed into a stylish, young, pure-blood heir with a simple change of clothing. The hair was a bit of a lost cause, but that could be managed later. All in all, it was a promising start. "Narcissa and Draco are waiting on us in the car."
"Thank you Sir." Harry smiled a little at the praise and fell into step with the older wizard as they left the wizard pub. Waiting at the curb was a handsome black limousine. The chauffer opened the door for them.
Harry slipped in first and scooted across to sit by the far window. Across from him sat an extremely beautiful woman, who could only be Draco's mother. She gave him a warm smile and a nod. Draco was sitting at her side, dressed all in black.
"Mr. Potter, may I present my wife, Lady Malfoy." He said as he slipped into the limo and settled back against his seat. "Cissy dear, this is your young cousin, Mr. Harry Potter."
"It's a pleasure to meet you Lady Malfoy." Harry said nervously, not wanting to mess up and offend the woman.
"It's my pleasure, Mr. Potter. Such pleasant manners…you remind me very much of your mother." She said kindly as the limo moved away from the curb and slid into traffic.
"You knew my mother?" Harry brightened a bit.
"Only a little, in passing, while we were at school. We had several classes together in our NEWT years." Narcissa chuckled, as if remembering her school days. "Now, her best friend was actually Severus Snape, your potion's master. If you'd truly like to know more, perhaps I could ask him to speak with you?" She offered.
Draco snorted and then stilled under a thunderous glare from his father. "What? Everyone knows Professor Snape hates Potter." He sneered.
"It's true," Harry sighed, "he's had it out for me since my very first potions class."
"I imagine seeing you is painful for him, Mr. Potter. Severus was the one who discovered you and your family after the Dark Lord's attack that night." Lucius said softly. "He and I are close friends; I will have a little talk with him about it." He promised.
"That's very kind of you, Sir." Harry said, a little uncomfortable under Draco's gaze.
"So, how's your summer been, Potter?" Draco made himself ask, aware of his mother watching him from the corner of her eye.
"Other than a couple weeks at the beginning of hols, it's been great. I've gotten to explore Diagon Alley. I even finished all my summer assignments early." Harry said. "How about you?" He asked in turn. It was weird talking to Draco like this, but Mr. and Mrs. Malfoy had been so nice that he should at least try.
"Quiet mostly, Mother and I took a trip to Paris but Father was too busy with business to join us." Draco said. "I've also been busy with some tutors that mother insisted on." He made a bit of a face.
"Draco, there is nothing wrong with learning to dance. All young gentlemen should learn." Narcissa chided him, making her son's cheeks flame red.
"Cissy, don't embarrass the boy in front of his classmate." Lucius chuckled.
Harry just smiled, feeling envious of the clear affection between the Malfoys. It was something he'd never have. "I think it's great. I mean, your mum probably plans lots of balls and parties, so at least you'll know what you're doing." Harry interjected, a little hesitantly.
"I guess you're right." Draco muttered. "I'd still rather be playing Quidditch." He grumbled.
Harry nodded, shocked that there was actually something they agreed on.
"Ah, youth." Lucius smiled. "One day you'll be interested in chasing more than snitches, boys." He winked at the two, unsurprised when they both made a face.
Narcissa just smiled benevolently. "You know darling, perhaps Mr. Potter might like to come to the Manor for an afternoon before school goes back in. You could show him the pitch Draco, and I know I would enjoy watching the two best seekers at Hogwarts practice." She flattered both boys.
Harry ducked his head at the praise, coloring a bit.
Draco frowned, having expected Potter to boast and soak up the praise like a sponge. "He is good, for a Gryffindor." He admitted, grudgingly under his father's steely gaze. "Would you like to come flying, Potter?" He asked.
"I'd like that." Harry said and reached a hand over. "Truce?"
Draco couldn't help but compare it to how he'd offered his hand to Potter, and been rejected. He reached out and grasped it firmly, like his father had taught him. "Truce." He agreed.
"I'm proud of you both." Lucius said, letting them see the approval in his expression. "It is never an easy thing to move past a negative first impression. I hope you both realize how much you have to learn from one another." He couldn't help but lecture the two a little.
The boys were saved from further conversation as the limo arrived at the restaurant, and the door was opened.
"Ah, here we are." Lucius smiled and exited the limo first, steadying the two boys when they got out a bit more awkwardly. Draco moved to stand to the side with Harry while his father assisted Narcissa in exiting the limo.
Harry couldn't help but stare a little as Lady Malfoy unfolded herself elegantly from the limo. She straightened and slipped her arm through her husband's and leaned ever so slightly into him, her free hand straightening the silken shawl around her shoulders. She looked like the glossy pictures Harry had seen of movie stars, on the front of his aunt's magazines. She barely looked real.
"Let's head inside boys." She said in passing, as if unaware of the effect she'd had on their guest.
"Your mum is…" Harry whispered to Draco as they followed the adults.
Draco smiled and nodded. "Dad says she's the most beautiful witch in the world." He repeated softly, clearly believing it.
Harry stayed in step with his former nemesis and decided that there was a lot he didn't know about the other boy. They were greeted by a man in a tuxedo who led them through the busy dinning room. Harry was suddenly very grateful for his new suit, realizing just how embarrassing it would have been to come to dinner in anything he owned. He would have hated to look like some poor relation.
Narcissa was being seated and noticed Harry fussing a bit with his jacket sleeve. She leaned over, as she'd arranged to sit next to him, and whispered. "Don't fuss dear, you look splendid." She said kindly. "The green really brings out your eyes." She tucked a particularly wild bit of hair behind his ear.
Harry colored instantly. "Thank you, Lady Malfoy."
Draco rolled his eyes a bit and picked up a menu, so he'd have something to look at other than his mother making a fuss over the other boy.
"That won't be necessary Draco." Lucius said smoothly. "As this is a special occasion, I'll be ordering for everyone tonight." He said.
"Yes father." Draco said, resisting the urge to pout. His father hated that. "Can Harry and I have a slice of chocolate, raspberry torte for dessert?" He asked politely. "I think he'd really like it." He winked at Potter. It was a fabulous dessert.
"Yes little dragon, I'm sure your father can order that for you." Narcissa smiled, a reward for her son's attempt at camaraderie.
"It sounds delicious." Harry smiled, adding his vote too.
"I know when I'm outnumbered." Lucius chuckled and ordered when the waiter came around. He wanted Harry to have a little taste of everything.
It was an incredible meal. Harry had been ordered a soup to start off with, and it had been sprinkled with sautéed wild mushrooms and elegant curls of parmesan cheese. It had almost looked too pretty to eat. There was lamb for the main course, with roasted parsnips, rainbow carrots, and an amazing sauce.
Narcissa had subtly shown Harry which utensils to use, without calling attention to him. He was a sweet boy, just woefully in need of a little guidance. It was also clear, to her, that he was starved for maternal affection.
"Do you not eat out often with your family, Harry? May I call you Harry?" She asked kindly, once Draco and Lucius were involved in a discussion about the latest pro quidditch season.
"Yes, you can call me Harry." He nodded in response and then considered what to say. "I usually stay home when the Dursley's go out, ma'am." He dropped his eyes, pushing his carrots around the plate a little.
"They're not fond of magic are they?" She said sympathetically.
Harry's head shake was automatic. "No ma'am, not at all."
"Harry." She started and then paused, looking a bit conflicted. "You do know that if there is something not right at home, that you should tell someone. Don't you?" She'd dropped her voice to keep anyone from overhearing them.
Harry's shoulders hunched a little. "No one ever listens." He whispered, throat tight.
"I would listen, Harry." She gently laid a delicate hand on his arm. "If you ever need to talk to someone, you are more than welcome to write to me. I promise, on my magic, to believe you. No matter what." She straightened and moved back, leaving him to think on that. Before Harry looked up, she shared a meaningful look with her husband.
"Mr. Potter, have you chosen your electives for the coming year?" Lucius asked smoothly, drawing the boy's attention.
"I chose Care of Magical Creatures, and Divination Sir." He said.
"Care of Magical Creatures can be an interesting elective." Narcissa smiled. "However, your mother took Ancient Runes and Arithmancy, all the way through to her NEWTS." She said.
"Really?" Harry said, having learned more about his mum tonight from the Malfoys than anyone had told him his whole life.
"She was exceedingly clever, and was Head Girl her last year at school, and if my memory is correct she finished near the top of all of her classes." Narcissa supplied the little bits of information she did recall about Lily Evans.
"I'll be taking Arithmancy, Ancient Runes, and Care of Magical Creatures." Draco said. "It's ambitious to attempt three, but Professor Snape said they were very complimentary fields of study for Potions, Charms, and Defense." Draco added, seeing that his parents were trying to subtly influence Potter's academics.
"Do you think Professor McGonagall would let me change my course selections if I wrote to her?" Harry wondered.
"I can see no reason why she would discourage you from bettering yourself, academically." Lucius smiled.
Harry nodded and was distracted as dessert was brought out.
"I understand you celebrated your birthday just a couple weeks ago, Mr. Potter." Lucius said. "We wanted to get you a little something, late as it may be."
Draco pulled a small box out of his pocket. "Happy Birthday, Harry." He made himself use Potter's first name.
Harry took the small box and smiled, genuinely. "Thank you Draco, Mr. and Mrs. Malfoy."
"You're welcome, now open it." Narcissa smirked.
Harry opened it and had to work hard not to gape. It was a pocket watch, made of solid gold. On the front was the Gryffindor crest, and on the back was a family crest that he assumed was the Potter crest. He opened it and smiled, inside was inscribed Property of H.J. Potter. The timepiece itself was both a normal clock, and on the inside was a part more like the Weasley family clock. There were icons for Home, Class, Study, Mortal Peril, and even one that said Mischief. He stroked it and smiled softly.
"Thank you, this is brilliant." He really couldn't thank them enough.
"The minute you touched it, it keyed to your magic. It's charmed to be nearly indestructible and un-losable. A young wizard should always try to be punctual, so I'm sure you will find it useful." Lucius said.
"Yes Sir." Harry nodded and let Lucius show him how to fasten it to the little pocket in his jacket. "Thank you for inviting me, I've had a really nice time." He said, surprised that it was the truth. It was different than spending time with the Weasleys, not better or worse…just different.
"It was long overdue." Lucius said dismissively.
Harry settled in to finish his dessert.
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By the time Lucius walked Harry back into the Leaky Cauldron, Harry was full and sleepy.
"Goodnight, Mr. Malfoy." He said politely stifling a yawn.
"Goodnight, Mr. Potter. You'd best get to bed." Lucius said and nodded in return. As Harry went up the stairs to his room Lucius shifted his gaze to Tom, the barkeep. He headed over to the counter. "Tom, who's covering the boy's bill?" He asked.
"The Headmaster said to bill it to the boy's trust account." Tom said, clearly uncomfortable. "I don't think that's right, so I've been trimming the bill as much as I can."
"I'll be covering it Tom, a child shouldn't have to pay for his own lodgings." Lucius sighed and handed over a bag of galleons. "If we can keep this between us, I'd appreciate it. I wouldn't want the child to feel uncomfortable." He said.
"Of course, Lord Malfoy, you know I can hold my tongue." He said. "It's probably not my place to say, but the poor lad has no decent clothes either. My elf Tippy says they're no more'n rags."
"I'll handle it." Lucius felt anger simmering deep inside. An heir to ancient and noble family, forced to live as a pauper. It was scandalous. "If you could pen a statement to that effect, it could be helpful to improving the boy's situation. I fear things are not as they should be at his home." He said sympathetically. "My son mentioned something this summer, and I feel it's my responsibility to try and help the boy."
"I'd be glad to. He's a good boy, you know? Real polite and respectful. I can't get my head around him not being properly looked after, especially after all his family did." Tom said.
Lucius nodded. "Thank you Tom." He said and left the Leaky Cauldron, resolved to do what he could to get the Headmaster's claws out of the boy…so he could sink his own in place.
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TBC