Harry started his shopping and found out sure enough any supplies for school including owl food for Hedwig was covered by Lucius but when he bought a new novel he handed over money. It was a comfort to know Lucius was able to keep his word.

He walked into Madam Malkins and the woman smiled. "Harry Potter, your master told me you'd be through."

Harry remembered most people knew he was an apprentice now. "I have out grown my robes and will need a few pairs."

She nodded. "Lucius has ordered you have tailor made ones as his son does as well as a new pair of dress robes. I'll need to properly measure you up here."

Harry was surprised to here this but he remembered though the standard black with the school crest on them, Draco's robes had always been much finer. He wondered what the dress robes were for but didn't ask.

Madam Malkins finished with measurements and directed him over to some materials. "You'll need to choose from these for some colors."

Harry looked up again surprised. "Colors? School robes are black."

She smiled. "The dress robes as well as he ordered some every day robes. I'd assume for weekends and holidays away from school."

It turned out his master had ordered a whole new wizarding wardrobe for him and some pants, shirts and shoes for school under. His master had made a few suggestions on possible color choice but had insisted that the final choices be up to Harry.

Harry looked at the three bolts presented to him for his dress robes. "The green, practically the color of my eyes. My old ones were close but not like this."

The woman smiled. "The same thing Lucius said when he came through before. I believe it was his favourite choice."

Harry wasn't sure why he cared but he chose the green and went by most of Lucius' choices. "I guess that will do."

The woman motioned him back out front. "Your new robes and clothes will be sent on to the school. You should have them before the start of term."

She explained that Lucius had come in that morning, seemingly right after he left the house. He had already placed the order by owl, for both Harry and Draco but had come in to choose colors for his son and make suggestions for Harry. He had guessed it would be one of Harry's last stops if not the last.

Harry headed back out onto the street. He was done but had no bags as they had all been sent on. "Now what?" he thought.

He was heading to Fortescue's where he got some chocolate ice cream when he bumped into on the way out, a familiar face. "Neville."

Neville smiled. "Hey Harry. Are Ron and the others here too? You usually come with them, or are you with your dads?"

Harry didn't have to answer for Mrs Longbottom did. "I have heard Lucius Malfoy has taken you as an apprentice. That is a great honour young man."

Harry smiled at the formidable woman. "It is mam. We have come from the school for a few days to collect my supplies. He is seeing to business now."

Neville seemed a bit surprised by the news that Harry was an apprentice and to none other then Lucius Malfoy but he recalled how close Harry and Draco seemed that summer at Harry's birthday and thought it might have something to do with it. Neville grew up in a very old and traditional pure blood family and he knew of the honour of being asked to apprentice.

Neville smiled. "Are you going to be living in the dorms still?" and when Harry shook his head Neville's smile turned a bit. "We'll miss you."

Harry hugged him. "Nev, you know you're one of my best friends, and nothing will change that. It makes no difference if I'm not living in the dorms."

Neville looked relieved. "I know. It's just other then you and Hermione, and Luna; I have never really had many friends. I really appreciate you hanging out with me."

Harry nodded. "Nev, you have stuck by me when a lot didn't, even Ron. Your and your grandmother's support last year meant a lot. I promise to stay friends."

Though Hermione and Ron were Harry's best friends, when it came to unconditional loyalty and friendship, Neville and Luna proved truer then Ron any day. He knew he could count on them to back him. As he parted with Neville and his Gran, there was a part of him that wondered if the truth about Lucius came out, if Nev would be the only one to stick by him. He shook his head. Hermione would, so would Luna and the twins proved their family loyalty.

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Lucius had been busy with business and wasn't at all happy when he was summoned to one of his contacts on Knockturn Alley. Lucius Malfoy was not a man who got summoned places but he knew if the man was calling him like this, something was up.

He walked into the back of the shop. "Karloff this better be important. I have enough business to handle without being summoned."

The man looked at him. "You keep me on your pay roll to keep you informed if your name comes across the lips of any of my contacts. I'm doing my job."

Lucius was surprised. The man had not called on him since he had come out as a spy as the war was ending. He had used him to ensure his cover was never blown, in order to try and protect the lives of his son and his wife, failing in the second.

Lucius sunk down into a chair. "This war is over and I have no enemies out there I can think of now. This information better be good if you want pay."

The man nodded. "I have heard a certain rumour that you have a contracted sexual relationship with one of your students, your so called apprentice."

Lucius' head snapped up. Other then Dumbledore, no one had been told. The goblin at the bank would never have spoken and his lawyer knew he'd die a painful death if he ever revealed anything personal about Lucius. He paid the man enough money to make no bribes worth it.

"How did you hear this? I want the source and I want the source now." Lucius demanded.

The man smiled. "You make it worth my while and I'll tell you and you may still have time before he sells the story to the Dailey Prophet."

Lucius grabbed a pouch of money from inside of his robes. "Twice what I normally pay you. Now tell me who it is and where I can find them, now."

Karloff weighed the pouch. "Some man named Steven Ford. A minister in social services. Said he witnessed the contracts."

Lucius flashed back to when he had been forced to show Albus the brands on Harry and of the man in the office. He had never even stopped to think of that man and his mouth. Lucius had long had everyone in the ministry in his pocket. He had to shut the man up. This would destroy Harry.

"How did you find out? Is he one of your contacts?" Lucius demanded.

"He was bragging to one of my contacts when he was drunk at the bar last night. He has a meeting with Skeeter later this afternoon to sell the story."

Lucius got to his feet. "You hear any more about this man and you tell me. And you forget everything you heard. If anyone else learns, you'll wish for death."

Karloff nodded silently and he knew the man would keep silent and not out of fear but more for money. His shop barely made money. It was people who relied on his spy network, like Lucius, that made his pockets heavy. He'd be a very rich man but he gambled most of it away after he got it.

Lucius headed for the ministry and stormed into Fudge's office. "I have a problem Cornelius and you're going to help me out."

Cornelius wasn't shocked as Lucius often stormed into his office like this. "What can I do for you Lucius?"

"I need to find a minister named Ford. I need him arrested or obliviated or something." Lucius explained.

Cornelius paled. "The man is head of social services and a well known figure around here. I can't simply arrest him on no charges."

"He is about to sell some private information about me to the paper. If he succeeds I'll make sure your skeletons come from the closet. You'll be ruined."

Cornelius had long ago been on the payroll of Lucius or at least made to help him when he needed it. Lucius from his days as a spy had a lot of information about the minister and his back door dealings. Cornelius knew Lucius could end his career with a flick of his wrist, if he chose.

"I will have the man picked up and obliviated if I can." Cornelius finally agreed.

Lucius turned to leave. "See that you do. Neither of us want to see you out on the street. You're to valuable to me where you are."

Lucius left the office but he knew he had to look for the man himself. He had to make sure that he didn't manage to sell the story. He had three hours to find the man before his meeting with the paper.

He stormed into another bar he was told the man frequented, with 20 minutes to spare. "He has to be here. Dam it; I have to stop this story."

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Blissfully unaware of everything his master was going through Harry eventually made his way to the twins shop when business had died down and he could see the look of relief in the twins' faces when they saw him.

Fred closed up shop when the last customer left. "Dumbledore said to expect you. He seemed to be worried you'd be black and blue."

George nodded. "He knows that you're in this kind of relationship and not just an apprentice doesn't he?"

Harry nodded and explained the office. "Last night he practically insinuated Lucius was beating me. He really angered Lucius with talk of you two."

George went pale and looked Harry up and down worried he'd been beaten or worse from anger. Harry assured them Lucius had been in a fowl mood but he had not harmed Harry. He had yelled but stormed out.

Fred was relieved. "I'm sorry he found out about you Harry. I can't imagine how hard it was. I'm sorry if our agreement with Albus caused you to be scared"

George added. "He told us he was worried about apprenticeship laws. He never mentioned he knew of the erastes, but he wouldn't know we did.

Harry didn't blame them. "If it wasn't you two he'd have someone else checking. I'm glad it was you as you already know and I can talk to you."

Fred pulled him into a hug. "That you can little brother. Now are you allowed to stay for dinner Harry or do you have to head home?"

Harry beamed. "Lucius told me that he had business all day and if I was invited to stay, to feel free and have dinner with you two."

Harry went up to their flat with the twins and was at ease sitting and having dinner with them and talking to them about what happened since they last spoke. He was relieved he had told them the truth because he really needed someone to talk to. The twins were happy to hear that other then the blow up the night before and the brand showing, Lucius had made an effort to be gentler and caring with Harry. They wanted their little brother happy.

They were finishing dessert when Lucius surprised them by coming in. He looked drawn and pale. "I need to escort Harry home now."

Harry stood and looked up at him. "Is there something wrong?"