Chapter 12

-oOoOo-

"Wow, she's so gorgeous!" whispered Sirius excitingly, "Isn't that Mila Kunis?"

Thanks to Harry's rambling about the Muggle pop culture and even sharing with Sirius some dirty magazines, Sirius knew exactly what could distract most Muggle men.

Shortly after the moment of distraction, the security officers of King's Cross returned their attention to Sirius but could not find him. Sirius had already turned into a dog and was walking toward the brick wall between Platforms 9 and 10.

"Now, what's the platform number?"

Sirius's doggy ears straightened up. He didn't expect that question from an adult, and definitely not from a Hogwarts graduate who had a lot of kids attending Hogwarts in the past ten years or so. The question sounded genuine enough, so either the woman was stupid or -

"Mum!" a young boy with flaming red hair protested, addressing a plump woman, also red-headed, "we DID agree that you wouldn't ask that question before you saw a bespectacled boy with a lightning scar looking hopeless!"

- a plot went wrong.

Sirius big-sweated. Although this boy tried a little too hard to become Harry's friend, he had to give him a little credit for trying.

That was when Sirius realised that Harry had gone without bidding him goodbye. The dog groaned as it walked straight at the barrier between platforms nine and ten.

-oOoOo-

"BASTARD SCARHEAD – WHERE THE HELL ARE YOU?!"

Harry's eyes twitched at Sirius's barbaric call for him, a vein popping up on his temple.

Narcissa's gentle smile reduced into a cold albeit poetic one. "Always loud, always gaudy. The Noble and Most Ancient House of Black has never been this jolly."

Draco chuckled. "Did you know, Mr. Potter, that Lord Black and my mother are first cousins, despite all the differences?"

"While it was your parents' arrangement to have Lord Black as your godfather, Mr Potter," Lucius said cautiously, in a voice barely louder than a whisper, bending down to talk to Harry face-to-face, "it is your choice to select your role models and social circles. And this is one of the most important decisions in life, Mr. Potter. Life goals, manners and behaviour, when polluted and not polished, could be disdained by certain political cliques of the Magical Britain, and that would be an unnecessary loss of meaningful friendship and respect. And this lack of credibility could, in turn, lead to loss of political or economic momentum when you need it most, such as requesting a fair investigation when you are suspected of a murder. I believe you see the implication, Mr. Potter?"

Sirius's face darkened for a moment before beaming brightly. "G'day, Narcissa – the posh one!"

Sirius addressed Lucius, with a wink, "Hey, Narcissa's boobs sucker number one."

And Sirius addressed Draco, "And Narcissa's boobs sucker number two."

Lucius straightened up, his grip on the cane so tight that this knuckles turned white. However, Lucius acted as if Sirius was not there. He continued talking to Harry, "Let me share with you a lesson I value dearly, Mr. Potter. Llight-hearted frivolity may open a window of opportunity for you, but unsavouriness is likely to bring the opposite. If you are not attentive as to who or what might influence you, Mr. Potter, you may not be able to dictate your own fate, as sometimes a golden opportunity does not come twice."

Harry opened his mouth – no words coming out – and closed it. Lord Malfoy may have been speaking words of wisdom, but he was indirectly insulting Sirius at the same time. Sirius's lack of social etiquette was not defensible, and any attempt to defend him would make it worse. Harry couldn't apologise for Sirius, either, as that would make Harry look mature and Sirius childish in comparison.

Sirius looked thoughtful. "But you have a Time Tuner. It can come twice! Or you have Viagra, which is an awesome Muggle medicine, you can come twice too!"

"Farewell, Mr. Potter," said Lucius softly, pointedly ignoring Sirius. Lucius then place a hand on Draco's shoulder. "Farewell, son." Another on Harry's. "I wish you both a marvellous year."

Narcissa gave Draco a warm hug, and Jarvis reported that she whispered something in Draco's ears, and in a language that Jarvis didn't understand. The whisper was so quiet that Harry's ears couldn't detect but Jarvis's wave detector could.

Then Narcissa did something that almost shocked Harry. She also gave Harry a hug, and he reluctantly hugged her back because not doing so would be impolite.

Harry would like to kick himself as tears were gathering in his eyes. Harry didn't remember the last time Lily hugged him, and Petunia had never hugged him. He never had a motherly figure before.

"Goodbye, Harry." Narcissa smiled.

So, Harry noted, he had been upgraded from Mr. Potter to Harry. This actually sounded a little scary, coming from a Malfoy.

"Draco," Narcissa muttered in a low voice but loud enough that Harry could hear it, "don't try to impress the teachers. Modesty and dedication should suffice to impress them. That... is one of the most powerful non-magical charms I learnt from Hogwarts. Use it well."

With that, Lucius and Narcissa left without saying anything to Sirius at all.

"Lord Black?" Draco bowed, "Would you excuse my discourtesy for not having acknowledged you earlier? Your unusual salutation had stunned me for a while."

Harry mentally groaned. The Malfoys had dealt with Sirius's childishness with elegance. It was implied that the Malfoy adults would not talk to Sirius until they received his apology. And Draco's apology to Sirius made this whole thing even more ridiculous.

Harry guessed that Draco did this because Narcissa told him to do so when she disguised the whisper in a hug. This achieved at least three things that Harry could think of: proof of social superiority, saving Sirius's face and mollifying Harry. Obviously, the Malfoys were so good at playing a political game at a high level and fast pace!

Harry needed to watch his moves carefully from now on. Malfoys could be either great allies or very dangerous foes.

-oOoOo-

"Lord Black?" Draco bowed, "May you excuse my discourtesy for not having acknowledging you earlier? Your unusual salutation had stunned me for a while."

Sirius grinned. "Your name's Draco right? Don't you worry. I've always been this awesome."

Harry wanted to rub his temples like Dumbledore did. Now he began to understand and sympathise with the Headmaster for tolerating him.

Draco chuckled lightly. "To be honest, Lord Black, I have never seen anyone dare to offend my mother like that. Not that I approve your manners. It is just that if you were not Lord Black or related to Mother, I can predict the consequences of what you had done."

"And what would that be, Mr Malfoy?" Harry found himself asking.

Draco smiled a mysterious smile. "That... is a family secret. After all, nobody could predict what would happen to them, and even after it happens, they have no idea what has happened, nor could they trace it back to us."

Harry winced, feeling icy chills down his spine. He made a mental note, with double underline. Don't mess with the Malfoys... unless you really have to.

"By the way," Draco's grin turned to a warm smile – Harry thought Draco was either a natural actor or had been extensively trained in acting, "please call me Draco. If Mother addresses you as Harry, you are practically in one of our inner social circles now."

Sirius looked horrified. "That can't be a good thing, can it?"

Draco considered the question. "Lord Black, please understand that sometimes a golden opportunity does not come twice."

Sirius nodded. "Yeah, you shouldn't prank someone with the same trick twice, even if you can."

Draco looked puzzled. "If your opponent doesn't expect a sudden repeat, and the tactic is thought to be effective, then why not?"

Harry big-sweated. Sirius and Draco talked about totally different things, yet they seemed to be on the same page. "Draco, I believe it is a code of honour that is specific to Sirius's inner social circle. While your circles may value political and economic outcomes, his circles give a higher weight to creativity and originality of execution."

Draco smirked. "Mr. Potter –" Draco waited and Harry quickly told him to call him Harry. " – Thank you Harry. Believe it or not, the Malfoys do have a style. We just don't advertise it."

Sirius looked a little sceptical. "Even to your inner social circles?"

Draco said diplomatically, "Styles are better witnessed than said, Lord Black."

Sirius was impressed, nodding in agreement. "Well said, Narcissa's boobs sucker number two. I think I like you."

Draco groaned. "Harry – would you please remind your godfather that my mother's honour has not yet been restored?"

Harry was reluctant, "Um, Sirius?"

"I haven't forgiven you yet for leaving me with the Muggle police!" Sirius shouted childishly.

Harry big-sweated. Security officers were not police, but anyway he needed to settle this quickly. "Sirius, if Lord Malfoy called me Lily's boobs sucker number two, would you be okay with that?"

Sirius's face fell as Draco watched him intently. After a while, Sirius sighed and said, "Alright, alright, I retract my words and will apologise the next time I see her. Happy now?"

Draco bowed. "Thank you, Lord Black." He then turned to Harry with a smile, "Well executed, Harry."

"Now –" Harry looked at the steam engine in front of him. The 'Hogwarts Express' sign overhead contradicted the fact that steam engines were not supposed to be that fast. The chattering sounds of owls, cats and crowds became louder as they approached the train. " – shall we?"

Sirius suddenly looked a little panicked. "You forgot Padfoot, Harry!"

"Padfoot? What're you talking about, Sirius?"

Sirius rolled his eyes. "You named your pet dog yourself. Don't you remember that?"

Harry said, "Oh," playing along, "bad me." Harry knew Sirius's Animagus form from Dumbledore's dairy, but he didn't know his codename. Somehow it sounded fitting. "Where is he now?" Harry's eyes widened. "Don't tell me..."

"I'll be looking for him in King's Cross. Be right back. Don't go anywhere, alright?" Sirius said quickly and sprinted away.

Draco frowned. "Lord Black could have cast a locating spell before searching for the dog. Unless..." Draco was grinning widely now, whispering, "he is the dog."

Harry was stunned for a moment there before muttering "What?"

Draco chuckled heartily. "Come on, now, Harry. Your response was a tad too slow to be believable. Don't worry. I promise to keep this a secret. I won't even tell my mother."

Harry nodded grimly. Now Sirius owed Narcissa an apology AND he owed Draco a debt for keeping Sirius's secret a secret. "Thank you, Draco. But you seem to take the news pretty well. I take it that your family is familiar with Animagus transformation?"

"Well..." Draco became suddenly reluctant. "It is not easy to become an Animagus. My father has located some good books on the subject, but he doesn't want to risk us practicing the Art without being closely mentored by an expert. He has also tried to approach all the registered Animagus in Magical Britain and beyond, most of whom owed Lord Malfoy a favour, but they were all incapable of teaching anyone. They had lost eyesight or magical power due to old age or accidents of some sort. It seems as if the Art was dying. But maybe..." There was a glittering in Draco's eyes. "You can talk to your godfather into teaching us?"

Harry nodded carefully. Sirius could not say no, now that Draco had learnt his secret as an unregistered Animagus. "I'll try," said Harry noncommittally.

-oOoOo-

Draco muttered, "Thanks Harry." His mind was not as thankful. He had not fully trusted Harry yet, although the Boy-Who-Lived seemed to be more trustworthy than Lord Black. Sirius was notorious for mischief in a way that even Draco's parents could not predict. Yes, Draco had learnt about James Potter and the gang's 'creativity and originality of execution'. They were good, but not as good as Lord Voldemort in getting what they wanted. Nobody suspected a Hogwarts student named Tom Riddle of becoming a dark lord, but almost everyone suspected James Potter and the gang for all the mischief. Indeed, some of the mischief attributed to them was engineered by Lucius Malfoy himself, but nobody suspected him at all. James Potter and the gang were just his easy scapegoat.

Well, things changed now. Draco needed to re-evaluate and, if required, rectify the Potter-Malfoy relations. Harry Potter was not only very famous but also very skilful in utilising his fame and other resources to his advantage. The Boy-Who-Lived had started to build his own business empire, one that could pose a threat to Malfoys' political and economic interests. At this stage, Father ordered him to be Potter's friend so that he could learn more about the Scarhead. Father always wanted to have information before making a move. After all, a lad could not play chess in a dark room, could he?

-oOoOo-

Meanwhile...

The Hogwarts Headmaster Office was void of light, void of warmth.

Sitting alone in the cold, dark space was Albus Dumbledore, and he was playing chess against himself. Not his future or past self, but really himself, genuinely alone.

But he cheated himself when he thought the other he was not looking. Dumbledore giggled happily, before asking the other he if he wanted more Lemon Drops.

The other he said "no" and pretended that he didn't know the other he was cheating. So he tried to be a bit conversational. "Did you know why Harry specifically requested Moody to escort Sirius from Azkaban?"

He replied with an amused tone. "Funny you asked that question, Old Coot. Moody is paranoid enough to act scarily moody and destroyed all his files at the Ministry after his retirement. So.."

"Right," Dumbledore nodded, "our Harry somehow has access to a member of the Order of Phoenix's memories, via Legilimency, Pensieve, Veritaserum, alcohol or other Muggle method."

The other he added. "Don't discount the possibility that certain members of the Order of Phoenix are not very capable of keeping secrets."

He giggled. "Well, that's part of the plan."

The other he moved a chess piece. "Yes, but that doesn't explain how Harry knew Moody, someone he was not supposed to know."

The Headmaster paused. "There is one easy way to find out."

"Hold on." Dumbledore warned himself. "Isn't Kreacher a bigger concern?"

He giggled again. "Well, that's also part of the plan."

-oOoOo-

A/N: Thank you for your votes, via PM and reviews.

Now we have several chessmasters.

The insane chessmaster = Dumbledore

The cautious chessmaster = Malfoys

The naughty chessmaster = Harry

The stupid chessmaster = Ron

The evil chessmaster = Voldie (of course)

Sirius is not a chessmaster. He is kinda prankster by instinct. He does not calculate much.