When Draco got home, he had a quiet dinner alone, which was not unusual. He was glad for it though because it gave him time to reflect on what had been a very long and very tiring day.

When he had got up that morning, he had spoken with Dobby and explained that he wanted him to go to Harry's house and ask him if he would like to speak with Draco. He was not to be seen by anyone but Harry. He was not to mention Draco's name unless Harry seemed to recognize Dobby.

Draco had paced for hours waiting for Dobby to come back and tell him something, anything. He knew that by this point Harry should be in Dudley's spare room and not the cupboard. He would love to hex the Dursley's to pieces for the way they had treated Harry. He knew it was not Dudley's fault. Dudley did not know any better. He also knew it was not Petunia's fault. She was bloody terrified of her husband. She had told Harry, after Harry had managed to save her when death eaters attacked her home looking for him, that she realized shortly after Harry was left there as a baby just what a mistake she had made. After seeing the way Vernon had treated Harry, she knew she never should have married him. Harry was innocent. He had not done anything wrong other than be born to someone with magical blood.

She knew even though she was not a witch that it was possible Dudley could be a wizard. She knew if he was that Vernon would treat Dudley just the same. Therefore, when his Hogwarts letter had come, she replied that Dudley was not going to attend.

She did the best she could for Harry. She gave him extra food when she could get away with it. She convinced Vernon that if Harry was sick or injured then he needed to go to the doctors just in case someone checked up on him. When Vernon was in one of his moods, she did her best to deflect his anger onto her. She did all she could to protect Harry without risking her life or her child. Draco could not fault her for that.

While he paced he tried to figure out what he needed to do. He knew he had to get to his mother and himself away from his father. If they stayed, there was a good chance his mother would end up dead just like last time. It was not a risk he was willing to take.

He also needed to find a way to get Sirius out of prison. Even if Harry did not remember, it was one of his top priorities. Harry needed to be with someone who loved him, someone who would put Harry's needs before his own. He was not sure how they would accomplish this but maybe his mum could help them.

He would like to get Dudley to Hogwarts but that hinged on Harry remembering. There was no way he would be able to accomplish that without Harry's help.

Before he had time to ponder that more his father had strode in informing him that they were leaving to go to Diagon Alley and do his school shopping. He was honestly terrified. He could not be sure that this was the same day he had done his shopping last time.

He had walked around the Alley terrified the whole day. When he got to Madam Malkin's his eyes had never left the shop door. When Harry walked in his nerves had increased more if that was possible. He stood there nervously afraid to make the first move. He was so relieved when he heard Harry say his last name was Evans. This meant Harry knew and was trying to find out if Draco remembered. The meeting with Harry at his house had gone better than expected. They already had a small plan.

As Draco walked upstairs to his room, he thought about ways to get his mother to Harry's. He knew this was not going to be easy to accomplish. He would have to talk to his mum and see if she would even consider leaving. If he did figure out a way to get them out of here then she needed to be ready.

When he got to his room, he went straight to his desk to make a list of things they needed to do ideally before going to Hogwarts.

1. Get Sirius out of Azkaban

2. get mother to Harry's

3. Convince Petunia to let Dudley go to Hogwarts

4. Contact Aunt Andromeda

5. Get cup out of Bella's vault

6. Figure out Hogwarts' houses

Looking at his list Draco recognized just how difficult this was going to be in the month they had before school started. Sirius might have to wait until after they went to school. He was not sure just how much time it would take for his mother and Aunt Andromeda, if she agreed to help, to get Sirius a trial. He knew Harry would not like Sirius being there but there was not much they could do if they wanted him out and free.

He hid his list in the secret compartment of the trunk his parents had gotten him for school. Only people who knew the password could get into it. He had it last time around to protect letters and objects his father sent him. This time the password, instead of being mudblood, was Evans. He knew that no one except for Harry would be able to figure that password out.

The next day he had lunch with his mother. His father was out of town on business so it was a good time to have a private conversation.

"Mother," Draco started cautiously, "Why do you let father treat you the

way he does?"

His mother looked at him curiously, "That is between your father and me," she replied.

Draco shook his head. He knew it was going to be hard to talk to his mother. Why should his mother tell him anything? He was only 11. He tried again. "I don't think the way he treats you is right. He treats you like a possession. He yells at you and belittles you. I know you don't want to stay with him so why do you?"

He knew he was taking a chance asking her point blank like that. He knew he did not sound like an 11 year old. He certainly never would have sounded like that last time.

"You have changed my little Dragon," she responded. "I don't know what happened or when but you are not the same boy you were a few weeks ago. I can tell you are still my Draco though. What happened that made you change?"

Draco was speechless. He knew he was different but he never expected anyone to notice. He had thought he was doing a good job. He had not prepared for this. He figured at school questions would be asked but he could answer them somewhat honestly. Harry had changed him. His friendship with Harry and the fact that he was hoping to not be in Slytherin this time around would take care of any personality differences.

"You're right mother. I have changed. I cannot explain why right now. If certain people were to find out…" He cut off knowing he did not have to say more for his mother to know which people he was talking about.

"I understand Dragon. I stay with your father to protect you. I do not want you to grow to be like him. I do not want you making the same mistakes he did," his mother said, a tear slipping down her cheek.

Draco took her hand. "If I can get us out of here and someplace safe without father knowing would you go?"

"Of course darling but it is impossible. He would find us and he would make me pay for taking you from him." His mother was openly weeping at this point.

"I promise you I have a safe place for us to go. I just have to figure out a way to get us there. Before we go, there is something I need you to do. I need you to go into Aunt Bella's vault and get Hufflepuff's cup. It is very important. Do not let anyone see what you are taking. This is a life or death matter. Can you do this for me, mother?" Draco asked.

"I can. I will be ready to leave at a moment's notice. I trust you. I love you my Dragon."

Draco hugged his mother. "I love you too."

It took him two days to figure out a way to get them to Harry's with no way for his father to track them. He was not sure why it had taken him so long to figure it out. It was simple. He summoned Dobby to his room. He then asked Dobby if it was possible for Draco to free him. When he answered that it was, Draco was quick to assure him that he still wanted Dobby as a house-elf. He just wanted him as his own personal house-elf. He also wanted to pay Dobby. He did not like treating Dobby like a slave. Last time Dobby had given his life to protect Harry.

It took a chat with Harry to assure Dobby that Draco was sincere. They agreed on two Galleons a week and one day off. He told Dobby to act like normal. He needed Lucius to think Dobby was still his elf. He told Dobby under no circumstance was he to punish himself unless he had to do so to fool Lucius.

Once Draco had got things straightened out with Dobby, he checked in with his mother. She was all packed and waiting for Draco to tell her it was time to leave. She was going to Gringotts tomorrow. Draco told her to give the cup to Dobby as soon as she got home. Dobby had already gotten the diary for him. Draco had hidden it in his trunk with his to-do list.

After his mother left for Gringotts Draco had Dobby, pop him over to Harry's. He informed Harry of his list. Harry agreed with most of it. His only contention was that Draco did not want to be in Slytherin.

"I just don't understand Dray. You bleed Slytherin green and silver. You loved being in Slytherin. How are we going to convince the other Slytherins not to join Voldemort if you aren't there to guide them?" Harry said shaking his head.

"Easy, they will come because they have options. I am already friends with Blaise, Pansy, Vince and Greg. If the Slytherins see there is a way for them to not follow the Dark Lord they will take it. I will always be a Slytherin deep down but it will only hinder our plans if others know I am. I believe that the easiest way for us to accomplish our goals would to be in the same house. We both know you cannot be in Slytherin. Too many people would worry that it would be sign you were going to become the next Dark Lord. Especially if they find out you can speak Parseltongue," Draco replied easily.

Harry seemed to think on this for a moment then nodded his head. "Okay, I can see where you are coming from. So does this mean you are going to be a Gryffindor?" Harry asked with a trace of disbelief.

Draco grinned. "Absolutely, I cannot wait to watch Weasley's head explode when he realizes he has to share a dorm with me for 7 years. In addition, I know the secret to the Sorting Hat. All I have to do it tell it I want to be in Gryffindor. You were the one that told me that. I personally believe my going to Gryffindor will be a bigger scandal then you going to Slytherin would be."

Harry laughed. "You are right. I really cannot wait to see the look on Ron's face. Maybe it will help your and Ron's relationship. I doubt you will ever be good friends but it'd be nice if you could at least be civil."

"I'll behave if he does," Draco replied. "Do you mind if I use Hedwig? I have a letter to send my Aunt Andromeda. I told her who I was and that I was nothing like my father. I asked her if she would be willing to meet me somewhere for a discussion. I'm hoping that by then I will have my mum here with you."

Harry gestured to his owl, "No problem. I'm sure Hedwig wouldn't mind stretching her wings."

Draco left shortly after that. He had just finished packing his things when Dobby came in holding the cup. He immediately put it in his trunk and asked Dobby to pop his things over to Harry's. Now that he had the cup, there was no reason for him and his mother to stay at the Manor any longer.

He went to his mother's room to get her and found a surprise. His father had come home early and apparently noticed that his mother was ready to leave. He was ranting at her, telling her she was stupid if she thought he would let her take his son from him, not that his son would ever be willing to go with her.

Draco watched as his father backhanded his mother. In all his life, he had never seen his father put his hands on his mother. Unfortunately, by his mother's reaction this had happened before. She did not seem surprised and did not cry out. Before Draco had even realized the thought was in his head, his wand was out and he had stunned Lucius.

Draco ran over to his mother, "Are you okay? He did not seriously hurt you did he?" His mother appeared to be all right, though she was going to have a nasty bruise. It was already forming on her cheek.

"I'll be fine Draco, do not worry about me. Right now we need to get out of here before he comes to," his mother replied in a shaky voice.

"Dobby," Draco called.

With a pop Dobby arrived. "Yes Master Draco, can Dobby do something for Master Draco or Mistress Cissy."

"It is time. Can you take my mother and me at the same time?"

"Yes Master Draco."

"Good. Bring us to the safe house then come back and get my mother's things, but only if it is safe. I do not want you to endanger yourself."

Dobby reached out his hands for Draco and Narcissa and with a pop; they were in Harry's bedroom facing a very startled Harry.