THREE

'You might even get more than one. Whether or not they will contain any worth is another matter.'

Abraxus Malfoy had the long white-blonde hair and pale complexion of Lucius and Draco, but that was where the comparison ended. Abraxus had a harsh face, with strong lines and a chiseled jaw. He wasn't what Harry was expecting at all. Assumedly Lucius had got his looks from his French mother and the De Soie family… either that or he was secretly a girl. Abraxus was all man, and had brutality and toughness instead of poise and glamour, even in the way he moved across his frame, strutting much like Snape claimed Harry's father had.

'Amelia Bones mentioned you today.' Harry prodded.

Abraxus let out a snort. 'Of course she did. I still remember the little upstart when she was in short-robes. Always cheeky, but knew her stuff. Another miss-sort.'

Harry raised an eyebrow. 'Oh?'

'Could have been a Slytherin if she tried a bit harder.'

'I imagine that most people could be Slytherin if they put in a little effort.' Harry mentally rolled his eyes, but kept his face on a smirk.

'Hmph.'

'I wasn't aware the Bones' associated with the Malfoy's?'

'I'm sure there is a lot you aren't aware of.' Abraxus cut off. Harry grit his teeth a little, but continued anyway, wondering how to turn the conversation the direction of his curiosity.

'No doubt. Being all-knowing is an accomplishment that is beyond me, however I do strive to achieve.'

Abraxus snorted, then gave Harry a long blank stare. Harry tried not to fidget, he had almost given in on getting any useful conversation. Abraxus held the stare for so long that he was almost like a muggle painting.

Harry was about to turn and leave when Abraxus spoke up suddenly.

'You remind me of him, you know.'

For a second Harry thought he meant Lucius, 'Who?'

Abraxus smirked. 'You-know-who.'

Harry rolled his eyes. 'Oh har, har. I see what you did there. I never knew Malfoy's could have a sense of humor.'

'Yes, Lucius is a bit lacking… his son too.'

'Hmm… must be hereditary.'

'Careful now.'

Harry smirked but then paused. 'The comparison has been made to me before. Orphans, Parsel-… well, we even look alike.'

Abraxus put his head to the side, considering. 'No, you don't look alike. Tom was far better looking.' Harry tried not to be offended while Abraxus went on regardless, 'You both have dark hair and pale complexion I suppose, but it is the charisma not the aesthetics. Tom could have you begging on your knees for mercy one minute, but wanting to sit next to him at breakfast the next. Like with most Slytherins you had to read his words carefully as he made manipulation an art, but even when you thought you'd caught up, three months later something would come about because of it that you hadn't even comprehended.'

'He lost some of that, his thoughts were scattered and…' Harry trailed off remembering the dreams he had during the original timeline. He had assumed at the time that what he was getting sent were just snippets and emotional points, but from what he had since learnt of the mind arts, he wasn't so sure.

Harry focused back on Abraxus who was squinting at Harry suspiciously.

'Was there a difference? Between Tom and the Dark Lord I mean.'

Abraxus sighed. 'I am committed to the cause, even in death. I gave my best years to Tom, to the Dark Lord… but yes. There was a difference. And it wasn't just that Tom could be likable.' Abraxus glanced at the paintings surrounding him. They all appeared to be sleeping. Harry knew that could easily be misleading, however Abraxus seemed satisfied.

'It was a great loss, the day Tom became the Dark Lord.' He whispered it out, face blank and eyes darting across the room.

'Was that while you knew him at school?' Harry thought of the Horcrux ritual, and of a young man murdering his family.

'Yes. There isn't an exact day, although… I suspect it was finding out he wouldn't get the Defence post.'

'What?' Harry's mind had been wandering off into dark arts rituals and deep magical manipulation, Abraxus' answer caught him by surprise.

'I would say that he hadn't made up his mind at that stage which way to go, but finding out Dumbledore was to be headmaster was the deciding factor. Even had the Professor given him a job, which was highly unlikely, Tom never could have worked under him.'

Harry thought of the memories he had seen of Dumbledore's first impression of Tom. Dumbledore had made his mind up then and probably hadn't looked back. 'No, I suspect he couldn't.'

'Ha. They would have killed each other within the week. Or so Rosie used to say.'

'Rosie?'

'Evan Rosier. He hates that name.' Abraxus seemed to get satisfaction out of that, which lead Harry to believe Lucius took after his father as much as people always said.

Harry thought back across their conversation. 'His cleverness has gone.'

'What Rosie's? No, the old chap is still pottering on in the accounting business. I've a portrait in his office!' Abraxus sounded rather chuffed about that, but Harry ignored it.

'I meant Tom.'

'He's dead.' Abraxus said, but Harry noticed a slight lilt in his voice.

'Is he now?' Harry drawled.

Abraxus had been rather less stuffy than Harry expected, but he suddenly seemed to shift. 'You're digging.'

Harry smirked. 'Of course, but if it's any comfort, I already know about the diary.'

Abraxus glared down at Harry. 'Killed it too. You have probably ruined my family with that one act. Lucius doesn't even realise of course.' He was sneering, but didn't seem too upset.

'You don't sound as angry as you should.'

'Malfoy's always pull through.' Abraxus sneered arrogantly.

Harry thought of how successful Draco had become in adulthood, and how Scorpius was a fine young boy.

'Yes, I rather suspect they will.'

Abraxus preened under the praise, however slight.

'You had better put in a good word.'

'To whom?' Harry asked, amused.

Abraxus went silent and gave Harry a heavy stare. 'With Tom. I had believed him ruined, but you don't believe so, do you? …and you are so very like him.'

Harry was surprised, but didn't let it show. He kept his face, and his mind just in case, blank. 'What makes you think he and I shall ever have a rational conversation?'

Abraxus let a small smile tilt the corner of his lip. 'Oh so very alike.'

Before Harry could retort Abraxus gave him a curt nod and exited the side of his frame. Harry growled in frustration.

'I hate Malfoys!'

Unfortunately that statement was loud enough for half a gallery of Malfoy Ancestry to hear. It took Harry nearly twenty minutes to get out of the room. Apparently some of the portraits controlled the door functions through innate magic of the manor and refused to be walked out on during an argument... or strings of insults.

Harry found Narcissa sitting on the balcony just off the Ballroom that Blaise had claimed to have seen too many times (four). Harry crossed the empty dance floor glancing up at the roof. It was a great piece of artwork. It was similar to the muggle Sistine chapel, however while the quality was the same (Malfoy's only take the best), the scene was entirely different. There wasn't a human in sight to start. That had quickly fallen out of fashion in wizarding culture after the Light Lord Demitri figured out how to make portraits come alive in the thirteenth century. Instead, a great battle scene was depicted (in a manor quite customary) between light and dark creatures. It was under a silencing spell, a trick not learnt until fifty years after the fashion started, but vast. At the Head end of the room were all the Light creatures, starting in an idyllic scene around a small pond. The centre of the room held the collision, but then the far end had the dark creatures relaxing around a bonfire.

It was under this end that the doors to the balcony extended out, and Narcissa was sitting watching the other Slytherins have a game of Quidditch above the lawn.

'Good afternoon.' Harry announced his return. Narcissa didn't turn around.

'You followed Lucius rather well.' Harry waited for her to comment further, but she didn't seem inclined.

'Indeed. Has he told you the news?'

'No. The wards alerted me. I haven't spoken to him yet, but Fudge seemed very upset.'

'It is actually something we were discussing last Tuesday.'

'…There was some mention of Azkaban.' Narcissa's voice was calm, but her eyes had widened slightly.

'It seems Sirius Black has escaped.' Harry smirked, waiting for the impact.

'Impossible. Azkaban is-' Narcissa paused, then narrowed her eyes. 'Why has my cousin escaped?'

Harry was very pleased that she hadn't reverted back to excluding Sirius from the family. It was quite hard not to grin.

'It seems he has broken out to come after me.' Harry was a little shocked when concern was the prominent emotion on Narcissa's face.

'Indeed?' She sighed. 'I shall probably have to talk to Andy again.'

Harry scowled, not managing to keep his face under a mask at all. Narcissa looked slightly alarmed, but didn't comment, which Harry was glad for. It would be impossible to explain.

'It is going to be an eventful year.' Harry tried to bring the topic back, wanting to take his leave.

Narcissa frowned and turned back to watch the Quidditch game. Pansy went into a steep dive chasing the practice snitch, but Harry could already tell she would pull out too soon.

'You are all growing up too fast.' Narcissa sighed. 'You should stay with us for the remainder of the holidays. The Malfoy wards are the best available.'

Harry smiled slightly, but shook his head. 'I am staying with friends next week. Their wards are unconventional, but strong.'

Narcissa nodded. 'It is a pity. You are good for Draco.'

Harry laughed. He had thought her overly friendly, worrying about her son didn't surprise him at all. 'I do try to keep him on his toes.'

'Shall I call them in for you?' Narcissa offered, 'Carina Greengrass will be picking Daphne up soon anyway.'

'No, I said goodbye earlier.'

'Hmm.'

Harry left soon after, making his way down to the gates with the assistance of the friendly elf Tria, then caught the knight bus. He switched to his Harris Noir persona as soon as he sent the elf back, and apparently Stan didn't seem surprised to see a dark child of unknown name leaving Malfoy manor. He was far less friendly than when he picked up Harry in any guise in either time-line, and didn't talk more than necessary. Harry requested to be dropped off at Briggs Emporium again, and though Stan sneered and mumbled about avoiding ministry regulation, he took Harry's fare. How anybody could have thought Stan wasn't under Imperious during the second war Harry didn't know, as he had to wait nearly two hours before getting off the bus, and was jumped back in the line several times. The bus disappeared quickly after dropping him off and left Harry in a cloud of exhaust.

Apparently the knight bus didn't like the Malfoy family and guests.

Dalvin greeted Harris Noir cheerfully when Harry arrived at Msaw Ætare, and said that he'd do up the best room promptly. Harry sighed and felt some tension leave him, slipping back into life in the hotel/bar as if he'd never left. He put his things away then headed to the kitchen to hear any new stories Dalvin had. There was no mention of Sirius Black yet, but Harry expected the story to break the next morning. Most of the gossip was inane, the most exciting bit being that Gilderoy Lockhart had definitely fallen on hard times (which Harry suspected would happen). Dalvin's cousin was friends with a few vampires, who had seen Lockhart conversing with other vampires in a private booth in the back of The Coffin House. Harry was going to assume that Lockhart wasn't interested in their food like Harry had been. Apparently Lockhart's latest book wasn't going to be published this holidays like originally advertised, and Harry wouldn't be at all surprised if Lockhart was suffering a severe case of Blackmail. After all, Snape had been forbidden from talking, but Harry hardly believed that he would have just let the matter go.

Harry also subtly asked opinions on Lucius Malfoy. Harry had thought he knew Lucius' motives rather well, however the more he thought on it, the stranger it seemed that Lucius had not only gone along with Harry's takeover of Fudge, but had actually backed it when Bones turned up. It was extremely suspicious and made Harry wonder if he had let something he shouldn't have slip. The thought kept him up late that night and running over every conversation he had had in his week at the manor. He eventually managed to get to sleep around three in the morning.

The next morning was a rather late start for Harry, and the weather reflected his mood. It was pouring down rain. Harry mentally sent well wishes towards Sirius out into the ether, feeling bad for his godfather and hoping he found somewhere dry.

As soon as Harry entered the public lounge downstairs it became obvious that Harry wasn't the only one with thoughts going out towards Sirius Black.

Security breech during routine upgrade at Azkaban: Sirius Black, an escape artist?

Harry could have laughed at the Headline of the morning's newspaper. It was clearly written by Skeeter. Apparently some of his amusement must have been rather obvious, as Dalvin gave him a questioning look.

'You seem pleased. You a supporter of the Dark?'

'Not exactly. I like Black however, and I found the whole Pettigrew thing suspicious.'

'Interesting.' One of the things Harry liked about Dalvin was that while he liked gossip as much as the next wizard, he didn't pry too much. It probably came from being able to read people's truthfulness. 'Are you staying long? Only with Black on the loose rooms will fill up. People won't be willing to spend the night on the streets.'

It would sound rude to an unfamiliar ear, but in his original life Harry got to know Dalvin quite well. Dalvin wouldn't outright ask, but it was his way of checking Harry had a place to stay. He was a good man.

'No, though I might be back next month. I have to visit family for a while.'

Harry knew he needed to return to the Dursleys to finish replenishing the wards, he was also contemplating blowing up Aunt Marge again. Partially for retaining the timeline's sake, and partially because being back in his old body reminded him how many of his scars he had had before facing dragons, snakes, spiders and three headed dogs. Aunt Marge had been responsible for Harry breaking his arm twice (and only getting to visit the hospital once), as well as numerous scrapes and bruises across the years. He had also had to sleep in a dog kennel the one time they visited her house when Harry was four. At four, sleeping outside with dogs almost as big as he was, after hearing tales gruesomely described about the terrors of the night, had been a horrific experience.

There was still another week until Marge arrived, and Harry only intended to turn up two days before hand. Besides, he had things he needed to do while being Harris Noir, and suspected that he wouldn't get a chance to come back as anything but Harry Potter this summer.

After a quick meal Harry headed out to Knockturn alley. He first went to Borgin and Burkes, wanting to get the most unpleasant business over for the day. He needed a copy of Death Lines before he headed back to school, and would need time to collect the ingredients he needed as well. Burke was as unpleasant as ever, but did have Harry's book, which Harry managed to haggle down to just above the price he wanted. Burke did throw in a particularly old and haggard book on the process of becoming an Animagi, (it was probably mostly outdated, but the process hadn't changed that much) so it wasn't a total loss. Harry also had to make a trip to the optometrist, although this time he went to a muggle one. The potions he had taken at the beginning of the previous year had done wonders, and Harry was sure his sight was now excellent, but it was nice to have it confirmed in a 20/20 result.

That took the whole first day however, and Harry spent the next one checking the odds and ends shop Curios. He went looking for some second hand, written in text books with contributions of value, and found a Runes dictionary, a Creatures encyclopedia and a potions diary, although the last looked even darker than Snape's. He also found a fountain pen (new except for a curse of addiction that would easily be dispelled), an old, but in working condition briefcase, some interesting diagrams of old rituals and manual on spell weaving which included instructions on creating invisibility cloaks. The last was full of arithmancy equations that were well beyond Harry's level and may be too complicated to ever use, however Harry had found a fading cloak in the room of requirement, so he would hang on to it just in case. It was an expensive day out, but Harry thought it was worth it.

He also invested in a magical diary, as he was aware that this year would probably get very complicated very quickly. Coming from knockturn, it had the added advantage of being able to hide and reveal events by category, so a user could open it using different passwords and see different results. This was generally for customers who had illegal things to be hidden and wasn't at all effective if you (or any nosey Aurors) knew what they were looking for, however it would be invaluable to Harry when living with Slytherins and attending classes with two or more of them at the same time. It wasn't as expensive as he had thought it would be, and on a whim he bought one for Hermione as well. He would have to wait until she calmed down after finding out Harry had a time-turner too, or at the latest send it as an anonymous Christmas present.

The third day Harry once more emptied his whole trust fund into his Harris Noir account (only just dodging McGonagall's eagle eye when he spent twenty minutes in Diagon Alley's entrance to Gringotts as Harry Potter). He then had one final task of going to the post office and setting Neville up with a subscription to Herbs and Herbology Monthly for his birthday, before spending the afternoon just hanging out in Msaw.

As a whole, the three days respite from being a twelve-year-old Harry Potter went far quicker than Harry liked, and soon he was back in Harry form and sitting glumly on a muggle bus headed for Surrey.

The bus dropped him off two streets away from Privet Drive, and sadly the walk took him only five minutes even when Harry stretched it out as long as possible. Harry was pleased to see he had beaten his uncle home, as the currently shiny new company car was missing from the drive, so Harry would only have to deal with Petunia. With any luck Dudley would be out too, if they stuck to the original timeline he was probably pestering the younger kids or trashing the new equipment in the park.

With one final sigh Harry made his way slowly up the garden path and let himself in.

'Dudley dear, there is ice-cream in the fridge, and the man came to fix the kitchen TV. It should get channel twelve now, but-… Oh. It's you.' Petunia's light tone rapidly degraded into a sneer.

Harry had to control his face almost as much as at the Malfoy's, as the urge to roll his eyes was huge. He never did expect a warm welcome.

Petunia sniffed heavily. 'You're still alive then?'

'Afraid so.' Harry said, keeping his tone neutral.

Petunia seemed to pause for a moment, as if about to comment, but in the end Harry guessed she didn't want to know. 'Well Vernon's sister is coming to visit, so you will have to help clean up. You can start with the laundry, and the windows in the guest room need wiping down.'

Harry raised one eyebrow, but didn't comment. Petunia sniffed again, but turned and hurried back in the direction of the lounge.

Harry put his trunk away first, hiding it inside the wardrobe, and putting all the important things in his pouch, and putting that under the loose floorboard. He had to clear a space on the desk for Hadwin's cage, and move more broken toys off his bed to the other side of the room. Having not been there for more than a few days since he was given the room it seemed Dudley had tried to take it back again. Ignoring the sounds of Dudley arriving and being greeted with ice-cream and TV, Harry made his way to the Laundry. He would do his fair share of chores, but then he was then going to do the homework he had been avoiding.

The Laundry didn't take too long to sort, and after putting the first load on Harry went to look at the windows in the guest room. They were actually relatively clean (surprising since he hadn't been around to act the slave), and by the time he wiped them down the next load of washing was due to be put on. Harry did that, then headed to his room and pulled out his History homework.

Witch Burning in the Fourteenth Century Was Completely Pointless - Discuss.

Pulling out his new fountain pen, Harry set to work. He let out a startled noise after the first line, then a grin before continuing using the messier quill from the desk. That would be useful.

In terms of his essay, he remembered most of the key points, and a few odds and ends he had learnt over the years, but for the most part had to look his history homework up, having paid little attention to it the first time around. It didn't take long (however longer than he expected) before his door was opened and Petunia stood impatiently in the door.

'What do you think you're doing!? I have to go out for groceries and the kitchen floor needs a mop.'

Harry didn't look up from his homework.

'Oh, sorry but I have to finish this essay.'

'Look at me boy! You will finish your chores first. Vernon won't be pleased.'

Harry put down his pen and turned to face his Aunt.

Petunia was combining a glare and a sneer like it was an art form. It made her already sour face look particularly nasty, and would have made a twelve-year-old Harry worry about the consequences of an annoyed aunt. However Harry was not twelve any longer.

'Sorry, but if I don't finish this essay, then I won't have time to feed Apep.'

'If you have another owl then-' Petunia cut herself off with an unnatural half-yelp, half-squeal. Harry kept his face blank and void of all emotion, and stared at Petunia as if nothing had changed.

Returned to full size especially for this visit, Apep wrapped nearly twice around Harry's chest and looped once around his arm and over his shoulder. He was slowly winding his way out from the in-built pouch he'd been sleeping in.

.:She doesn't look pleased master:. Apep turned to face Petunia and she involuntarily took a step backwards .:Should I snap at her to make her soil herself?:.

Harry quirked a lip, but otherwise ignored Apep.

'I'll be down to help out with dinner around six.'

Petunia's eyes were locked on Apep.

'It can't stay here!'

'Oh, Apep is quite attached to me.'

Petunia had never looked more like she wanted to just throw Harry out with the trash, but being put under pressure, just deferred to his Uncle.

'We shall ask Vernon. We are eating earlier, so you'll be down at half five. No pets at the table.'

'That would just be rude.' Harry kept his voice and face blank, but internally he was smirking.