I have received so many good reviews for this story, and I want to thank you all for them. I keep getting a kick to finish from some of you, so I will attempt to do so. I hope you all like it. It has been almost a full year. Please forgive me?

This is not mine! My Harry is someone you can be proud of. My Dark Lord is awesome, and quite delicious.

Harry was relieved, and very happy. He profusely thanked the Court, told them all how much he would forever be grateful to them for giving him a chance at a happy life, to the point that a few of them had to dry their eyes. They told him it was their job, and that he owed them nothing.

He turned around, wondering how he would return to school, when he saw the most amazing thing.

Harry saw a giant Draco. Oh, that could only be his Father. Draco was a lucky boy, not only did he have a Father, he looked just like him. What was he doing here? Was he here for Harry's whole case? Maybe he knew his Grandfather. Maybe, since he was Draco's Father, he knew about Dumbledore and could help keep the old evil one away. Hopefully he wouldn't hold him responsible for the rocky relationship Harry had with his son.

Lucius Malfoy walked forward slowly, wondering at the look he was receiving from the little 'Savior'. He had an instinct for politics, and he had just had a hand in changing the world in his favor. He had no complaints. His contented smile put Harry at ease.

"Harry James Potter, my name is Lord Lucius Malfoy. You may address me as Mr. Malfoy." He tried to ease his posture a bit, to help Harry to accept him. He needed Harry to like him somewhat, seeing as how he was going to be around him quite a bit in the future. "I presented your Grandfather's case to the Court, since he was unable to be here today himself. We are good friends. I would like to become acquainted with you as well, if you are agreeable."

Harry was an opportunist, and he saw a few ways this would benefit him, the primary one was keeping Dumbledore away from him after he returned to school. Absolutely everyone who had a class with Draco knew that his Father was on the Board of Governors. He could already picture himself saying 'when Draco's Father hears about this…'

"I don't mind, Mr. Malfoy. I would like to talk to you too, and maybe learn a bit about my Grandfather." Harry could feel his excitement building, causing his words to tumble out. "When will I get to meet him? Do you know what he is doing that he couldn't come? Is he powerful enough to keep Dumbledore away from me, and if he isn't is there something you can do?"

Lucius Malfoy looked on in wonder. If what he was hearing was correct, Harry Potter, The Boy Who Lived, the iconic Gryffindor, wanted protection from Albus 'I am all that is right and good in the world', 'only I can identify evil'. His Lord had told him, he just hadn't really believed it.

This must be a patronus moment. He would be sure to share it with his Lord later.

"Mr. Potter, I do not know why Dumbledore took so much of an interest in you, but those days are over. He is no longer allowed. As a matter of fact, no one is allowed unless they have permission from your Grandfather." He paused a moment here, trying to find a way to say just how Dumbledore was actually viewed by the newly resurrected Lord Slytherin. " I can safely say to you that Dumbledore will not be allowed anywhere near your person without either your Grandfather or myself present. Should he try to get you alone," here he handed Harry a beautiful medallion, " you will immediately say the activation word 'help' and the medallion will spring up a shield around you, and notify your Grandfather immediately."

"Your Grandfather will be coming to see you at school in the next couple of days, he only has paperwork left with the Goblins to complete. You see, he is taking no chances that anyone, and I stress anyone, will have a chance to interfere. He couldn't be here today because he didn't want to take a chance of Dumbledore interfering, which he would have done if he had heard that your Grandfather was at the Ministry. I, however, am always here."

Mr. Malfoy could still feel the hum of complete satisfaction. "There is no need to worry anymore, Mr. Potter, Dumbledore's days of playing God are over." He gave Harry a happy smile and a contented nod.

"Do you have any more questions before the elf takes you back?"

Harry thought about it for a minute, and decided all the rest of his questions about his summer could wait until he actually met the man who had saved him. Since he was a genius, he probably already knew what Harry wanted to know and would tell him without being asked.

"No, Mr. Malfoy." Harry smiled a true, happy smile. "Thank you so much for what you have done already."

Lord Malfoy gave his perfect smug smile, and replied with a flourish. "It truly was my pleasure."

Harry could feel the truth in that simple statement. He smiled back.

Harry took his time getting ready for classes the next morning, intending to act as if every day was the day his Grandfather came to meet him so he would make the best impression possible. He already loved him, now he just needed to make his Grandfather love him back. According to books on inheritance he had read, a Lord is bound by magic to look after his Heir, and is not allowed to harm them. Train, discipline, chastise, care for, but love was not mentioned.

He wanted his Grandfather's love. He was willing to do just about anything to get it. Starting with Draco, time to make nice.

Harry had no idea he was about to set Dumbledore's world upside down, again. Dumbledore may never be able to get his feet back underneath him once this was all said and done. After all, survival is single-minded.

Sometimes others are dragged along, but not always. For good or for bad, usually not both, but not always.

Harry walked down the hall towards the Great Hall before breakfast, trying to explain to Hermione and Ron what he was doing without giving any details. They couldn't be held responsible for what they don't know, so they should be safe. He wanted to keep his first friends, but not if they were going to get hurt, and he was going to make a few changes that they would have to accept.

"I'm just saying, Ron, that I hate fighting with him. I am going to try and start over if he will let me. I really want you to do it, too."

"No way! I hate that slimy snake. Slytherins are all bad, Harry! They are evil." Ron just couldn't see himself friends with any of them.

Hermione jumped in. "Ron, Harry is right. We don't want to spend the next seven years fighting! It will interfere with our grades!" Harry nodded his head in encouragement to her. "If we can get along, maybe we can help each other do better. You have to remember, Harry and I are muggle-raised!" Harry gave her two thumbs up with a big smile. Hermione gave him a smile back. She gave Ron a very determined look. "We don't know anything about anything in the magical world! I want to learn!"

Harry heaved a sigh of relief, at least Hermione would be on his side. Ron was so anti-everything-not-Gryffindor it was almost as if he were under a spell. Hmmm. Best to tell his Grandfather, maybe he could check.

"I am going to do this, Ron. I was hoping to have you with me." He looked Ron in the eyes as he spoke, so he would know how serious he was. "I want inter-house unity, and I am going to take the first step. If he doesn't accept, I will still try with the others. I am done with struggling to survive. No one else has to!" Harry raised his hands, pleading with them. "Why should I?"

Hermione looked at Harry with new eyes. She had only ever saw him as the boy who befriended her by saving her from a Troll. Now she was starting to see the bigger picture, of what it must be like to be 'the-boy-who-lived.' Not a book definition, not magical expectations, but as a boy. An eleven year old boy who knew nothing about what it meant to be seen as a possession of the wizarding world. A boy who wants what she wants. To belong, to be wanted, just for who he is.

Hermione reached her hand out, and carefully took Harry's hand as if he might break. "I am with you Harry, no matter what. I promise."

They both turned to Ron as they reached the doors to the Great Hall, stopped walking, and waited for his response. Harry held his breath, waiting for acceptance or an explosion. He figured the odds on explosion were greater, but he really really really wanted to keep his first ever friend.

Ron stared at them, unable to believe what he was hearing. Accept this? Making friends with the enemy so they can stab you in the back? No one in their right mind would do this! That was when he realized they must be crazy. Living with muggles must have done it. Maybe he should go see what Dean was up to. "You are both barking." Harry let his breath out in a whoosh. "You want them, go get them. Not with me, though. Never with me." He turned and walked through the doors, and took a seat at the Gryffindor table near Dean. He had no regrets, his conscience was clean.

Harry and Hermione looked at each other, Harry with sadness, Hermione with relief. "I'm with you, Harry. Do you want to try before we eat or in class?" She was hoping to focus him back on his goal, and off of his 'fair weather friend'. She never really liked Ron anyway. Jerk.

Harry straightened back up, never realizing that he had slumped with Ron's words. Needs must, and if he had no one else but Hermione, he would be happy. He gave her a grateful smile. "Now. Let's do it now, while I still have the drive."

Hermione's look changed to match his, as she was willing to follow him wherever he would go.

Harry's Grandfather would be so proud when he found out, but for a different reason. After all, Harry had his first follower.

Harry turned to the Slytherin table, tilted his head up, and with a determined walk headed on over. A hush fell on the Gryffindor table when they realized Harry wasn't going to sit there. The Ravenclaw table fell silent and began to carefully watch him, because they were able to figure out something with great momentum was about to take place. The Hufflepuff table took to their feet, ready to back up the-boy-who-lived.

Harry stopped behind Draco Malfoy, who had already received a letter from his Father, and knew something was going to happen. After the revelations in the letter, Draco now hated Dumbledore more than he had ever hated Potter. How dare he keep a magical child in the dark, and in an abusive environment. Dumbledore should have his magic removed! He should be belittled and condemned! He should be publicly stripped of his titles and shamed for this!

Draco startled when he heard a throat clear behind him. He lifted his head, and noticed the silence. He became concerned. Draco turned, and saw Harry standing behind him. And the Hufflepuffs behind Harry. Then he wondered how anyone could be so dense as to not realize their power. He wanted to harness that power for himself, so dealing with an oblivious Gryffindor came first.

Draco slowly stood, his actions showing he was not going to be aggressive. No need to set off a Hufflepuff revolt. History has shown that they are the hardest to subdue. They never accepted when they lost, because they just would not quit. Always best for them to have your back, not to be aiming for it. Did Potter even know? He searched Harry's eyes, and just knew Potter had no idea. He needed to teach him, especially after his Father's letter. Best get this started, and figure out how to keep Potter for himself.

Harry shifted from foot to foot, then stilled himself. He wanted to do this right, so he needed to be his best. He stood straight, and started his rehearsed speech. "Draco Malfoy, we may have got off on the wrong foot. I would like to make things right with you, if would let me. I offer my sincere apologies for any offense I may have given you, and I ask that you forgive me."

Draco could tell by Harry's eyes and demeanor that he meant every word. He just wasn't trying to gloss things over, he really was sorry. Before his soon to be new friend could embarrass himself, Draco extended his hand and started speaking.

"Since you have apologized, I am happy to start over. Shall we?" Harry was only too happy to accept, and shook Draco's hand.

Harry was smiling, the Hufflepuffs were sitting back down, and things were looking up again. "Any chance you could explain to me about what it means to be an Heir, and any duties I might have?" Harry's simple request changed everything.

All of the Slytherins within hearing were shocked. How could someone from an Ancient and Noble House not know? He should have been learning what his responsibilities were from an early age.

Even those that hated Harry Potter for what he stood for could not sanction such blatant disregard for the care of a magical orphan. Blaize Zabini, whose family was known for neutrality and questionable morals, could not believe what he had heard. He had to know the truth, and he knew that all of Slytherin needed to know. The ramifications….

He stood, leaned forward, and made a demand. "Swear you don't now what it means to be an Heir. Swear it!"

Harry was shocked, the outburst was so unexpected from the quiet Slytherin. "Ok, I swear I am telling the truth." He expected that to be it. Harry could not understand the look of amazement and denial on the face of all of the Slytherins. It made him nervous. "What?"

"On your magic, Harry, on your magic. When you swear on your magic, then can still perform magic, that proves you were telling the truth." In a quieter voice, Zabini spoke what everyone was thinking. "How is this possible, the light's poster boy, not knowing basic magical knowledge?"

Harry felt Hermione move to stand beside him, as she gave him her support. He sighed, of course this was basic knowledge he didn't have. Harry raised his wand, and spoke. "I swear on my magic that what I just said was the truth." He could feel his magic respond, and knew it had worked. Harry lifted his wand a little higher, and spoke clearly, "Lumos." If the light seemed to be brighter than the usual lumos, it could be attributed to the shock of the listeners.

The silence was deafening. "Does this mean you are going to tell me?" Harry asked in a soft voice.

Draco motioned with his hands, and those sitting beside the young Malfoy scooted over, making room for Harry and Hermione both to sit down. "Sit down, the both of you." Draco motioned for Harry to sit on his right, Hermione sat beside Harry. "Now that we know, we need you to make a promise too, Granger. Promise you will not betray Harry or us, because it is obvious that someone tried to keep Golden Boy here in the dark." Draco gave Hermione a nice smile, trying not to be threatening. She had to promise though, mud-blood sensitivities be damned, and now would be good.

Hermione would walk through fire for Harry, so she promised. "I promise on my magic that I will not betray Harry, or the Slytherins that help us. Furthermore, I promise I will not tell anyone what we talk about or learn unless given permission that it is safe to do so from the ones who teach us." She watched the shocked looks on the faces of the Slytherins with satisfaction as she added the extra bit and felt the magical promise take effect. She raised her wand. "Lumos." They now knew she meant what she said as she said it, and intended to keep her promise.

Draco looked at Hermione with approval. "Maybe, Granger, I will consider you a First Generation. If you learn our ways, accept them, use them, there will be no reason to hate you." His calculating expression was turned to Harry. "Do you know what I mean by First Generation, Harry?"

Harry shook his head no, while watching the other Slytherins across the table out of the corner of his eye. "Please tell us, and anything else I should know, and everything a muggleborn should be taught their first year here." Harry interrupted Hermione, figuring now would be a good time to try his hand at getting the information he wanted most of all, while he had their undivided attention.

"Let's set aside that discussion for this one. Hypothetical, of course." Harry smiled at Hermione, to ease her frown away at his abrupt change in topic. "What if someone, who was told by someone who had no connection to him other than being the Head of the school he attended," Harry made sure to look each Slytherin in the eye as he spoke, to make sure they knew he was being very serious, "tried to tell him where he would have to live. Let's say, completely hypothetical, that that boy decided he would do everything he could to find somewhere else to live where he would at least be wanted, much less survive. And let's say, completely hypothetical, that said boy looked to find a relative on the magical side of things, and discovered that his mother wasn't a muggleborn, but was adopted."

Harry prepared to tell them everything. "Let's say the boy was told he going to be returned to the muggles he was forced to live with whether he wanted to or not because, and I quote, 'your mother's sacrifice protects you while you call home where her blood resides.' Which was obviously false since his mother was adopted so the blood wards that were supposed to be so awesome never existed anyway and there was no way the old man could not have known that seeing as how he was supposed to have set them up, and said boy decided the muggles' threat of 'if you come back you'll be sorry' meant he wouldn't survive, since he was one step away from starvation and death by beatings in the first place."

Harry took a deep breath here, barely noticing the shocked look on Hermione's face and the carefully blank faces of the Slytherins. "Now, still hypothetically speaking, what if said boy found help, found his mother's biological father, was claimed by said Grandfather, and was now trying to stay under the notice the twinkly-eyed head of his school until his Grandfather could finish the paperwork that frees him and saves him both at once." Harry took a drink of the pumpkin juice sitting in front of him, placing it carefully back on the table. "Let's also say, that he was told that his Grandfather made this boy his Heir, and flattered as this boy was to be wanted, he had no idea what that meant."

"Hypothetically, if the boy made some new friends, would they be inclined to run interference?"

In a drawling voice, Nott said, "Hypothetically?"

Harry smirked a bit, smoothed his face to appear neutral, and said "Of course."

With the thinly veiled references to Dumbledore, the muggle abuse, and the finding of Harry's Grandfather which Draco's father was quick to point out in his letter was none other than the Lord of Slytherin himself, the ramifications were starting to sink in. Dumbledore's perfect world was crumbling around him, and he, Draco, was going to not only be able to watch, but participate in it.

He threw his head back and laughed.