No Obvious Truths

Chapter 27

Hogwarts

"Harry's going to be here soon!" said Draco, almost hyped up, if felt like forever since he'd seen his foster brother. The school year was going so fast, it was hard to believe it was Halloween already. They kept in touch every single day as promised, but it just wasn't the same. Although he'd feel better when Harry recovered and was able to come to Hogwarts and attend classes. They would become the dynamic four instead of a trio. Blaise and Ron were excited as well; they'd been practically jumping up and down all day. Draco couldn't wait until Christmas when he could spend some proper time with Harry though.

"What time is he coming at?" asked Ron, putting his book down, Blaise had been right it was interesting. His mum and dad were so impressed and pleased he was actively learning new things. His mum had even said if he did well enough she'd let him pick whatever he wanted when summer came. So it was an added incentive to study, although their head of house was the biggest incentive. Bad grades he said, reflected bad on him and on Slytherin house, and so it was his duty to study hard, learn everything he can and defend himself properly. If he did badly, then he would spend his weekends in 'detention' until he had a firm grasp on it. He wasn't kidding either; two first years had been made to give up their weekend once. Since then they'd made sure to keep up their grades, even the prefects helped. Percy his stuck up brother, hadn't wasted his time helping others in Gryffindor, so Ron realized how lucky they were.

"Just before the feast begins," said Draco, swirling his last word with his quill before setting it aside. He was all caught up, no more homework to do. Which meant his night and weekend was free, he was envious that he hadn't got to give Harry his first flying lesson. Tom had taken Harry out on his broom, Harry had been gushing about it which made it difficult to be jealous. If anyone deserved it, then it would be Harry, their own flying lessons had been great, even if Parkinson, Crabbe and Goyle had been annoying. It hadn't lasted long through; Madam Hooch had given them detention. Then the twins decided to prank them again, the thought made him grin in amusement.

"I hope he feels up to it," said Blaise, lately Harry's letters had gotten shorter again, which meant he wasn't feeling very well.

"He'll be fine," said Draco adamantly, Harry would come, although he hoped his foster brother wouldn't exhaust himself like he had at the welcoming feast. It had been good fun, even if he'd constantly worried about him. They were all Slytherins, and it made his night, no matter what. His godfather had assured him he was on the mend, and the potions were doing what they were supposed to. They didn't anticipate any set backs like last time, his godfather had reassured him.

"Everyone set for the feast tonight?" asked Severus, stepping into the Common room, staring at his snakes.

"Yes sir!" the Slytherins agreed in unison.

"I want to see everyone having a sensible lunch before stuffing yourself full of sweets tonight. At least one piece of fruit is that understood?" said Severus; his tone matched his stern face. Snacking on sweets all day every day wasn't good for their health. They could do what they wanted at home, but at Hogwarts he made sure they had nutritious food to keep fit and healthy. Hogwarts was a big castle, and they needed the stamina to navigate around it.

"Yes sir," chorused the Slytherins.

Draco wasn't surprised by that statement; his godfather was one for taking health very seriously. Especially Harry's, although he got away with eating less healthy foods, but it's only until he got better. Harry did look much healthier, put on lots of weight too and that had only been his summer. He couldn't wait to see what he was like now, even if it had only been one month.

"Sir? Is Harry still coming?" asked Draco, walking towards his godfather, he just wanted to be sure after Blaise' concern.

"Of course, nothing could keep him away," said Severus wryly, he was nothing if not determined. They had been worried of course, that Harry would feel depressed, and it was the night he lost his parents after all. Yet nothing had come of it, Tom, Narcissa, Lucius and himself had all just been regaled with how Harry couldn't wait until the feast to see Ron, Blaise and more importantly Draco again.

"Great," said Draco relaxing, letting out a breath of air relieved.

"Go on, healthy lunch remember." stated Severus, before he nodded to Marcus Flint the Head boy before disappearing out of the common room door. Marcus would look after them; he had been told exactly what was going on. Not only did he protect Blaise, Draco and Ron but all the younger years as well. It was a lot to ask of the seventeen year old, who was also beginning to study for his exams at the end of the year. N.E.W.T's were important, and the Pureblood's knew that better than everyone else. Regretfully the list of people they could trust was very short, Slytherins looked after their own. It was the most important rule in the house, and he enforced it with steel force. They didn't get welcome at Hogwarts from the other houses, so he made sure at least here they had someone they can go to for protection or with their worries, someone more importantly to look up to.

Stalking through the halls, his mind dwelled on Quirinus Quirrell; he had as always dutifully informed the Headmaster. He might as well have spoken to a brick wall, for all the reaction he'd received from the man. Quite frankly it had infuriated him; it was pretty obvious the Headmaster had known all along. He'd told the others, they were just as furious, Tom especially. Harry and Draco meant everything to them all, the fact they were in danger so enraged them all. Until something happened they could do nothing, utterly powerless, and with magic that saying was even more devastating. He was up to something, and if he was a betting man, he would bet his last Knut he knew what he was after. The philosopher stone and the Dark Lord could not get his hands on it, not under any circumstances.

Part of him just wanted to go down there, tear down the stupid defences and get the stone to safety before something happened. Unfortunately Dumbledore no doubt had things warded and would know the second he was down there. If it came to protecting Draco and Harry, then he sure as hell would do it regardless of Dumbledore's reaction. They were only playing nice to stop any antagonistic actions coming their way, not that they would lose, Lucius had never lost before and he wouldn't now. He had too much clout within the Ministry, added with money and influences even Dumbledore wouldn't stand a chance in court.

"Well, well, well if it's not Granger and Longbottom," sneered Pansy, coming out of the shadows along with her two additional shadows Gregory and Vincent. Pansy hated Granger, and the fact she had stopped reacting to what they said made the distain run deeper. They'd received two weeks of detentions because of her tattling to the teacher, which made her even angrier. So she'd waited until Granger came up the steps coming back in from outside.

"What do you want this time?" asked Hermione, sighing in exasperation, they never left her alone. Although she had taken Draco's advice, it so far seemed to be working; she didn't annoy them so much anymore. It still got to her, but she didn't let it get to her. She was used to being bullied, even in Muggle primary school she'd been mocked for being a 'teachers pet' and a 'know it all' just because she wanted to do well in school.

"Don't talk to me like that, you disgusting Mudblood!" hissed Pansy, her eyes gleamed in satisfaction as she finally garnered a response from the irritating smug bitch who believed she was better than them all. She shouldn't even be at Hogwarts, Mudblood's belonged in their own stinking world, and they shouldn't have magic. They were all disgraces in her eyes, and she'd sooner see them dead.

"Shut up Parkinson!" said Neville, who had paled drastically upon hearing that word, before going red in the face. "She's twice the witch you'll ever be!"

Pansy snorted in amusement at the weak wizards words.

Hermione stifled her reaction, before she ran away from them not caring where, just having to get away from everyone. She didn't want them to see her crying, coming upon the girl's bathroom, at least she'd get privacy in there since nobody used it. Slamming the door to the stall closed, she sat on it, and begun to sob her heart out. When she'd learned she was a witch, she thought at last things would be different, that she would fit in and finally find peace at Hogwarts. Shaking her head, the tears still tracking down her face, why had she allowed herself to hope? She felt like such a baby, but she wanted one of her mum's hugs right now. Nothing could make her feel better than a big hug and comfort from her mother. She might only be a few hours away, but it felt like hundreds of miles.

Grabbing some tissues she sniffled as she wiped her tears and nose, bringing her feet onto the lid she wrapped her arms around her legs. She'd tried so hard to stop herself reacting to what Pansy said, now she'd blown it all to smithereens. Sighing sadly, she burrowed her face into her knees as the tears continued to rain down on her face. At least Neville wouldn't come looking for her in here, she had little doubt he would be. Sometimes she felt as though he was her only friend, maybe he was.

"Are you ready to go, Harry?" called Narcissa, stepping into Harry's bedroom; they were at Tom's place today since he wasn't going to spend the evening with them. It was times like that it really hit Tom that he couldn't do normal things with them. He had to stay hidden, while he tried to find his answers, which was never very successful.

"Yes I can't wait!" said Harry grinning gleefully, full of life.

"Do you need to take anything before we leave?" asked Narcissa touching his forehead to see for herself that Harry was indeed well. No sign of fever and Harry didn't seem to be in any pain, this was very good. Lately he'd been eating more, getting sick less a sign they were waiting on. Severus had all potions they would need on hand, they had no worries in that regard.

"I'm fine," said Harry honestly, gazing at Narcissa earnestly. They were all so protective of him, normal eleven year olds would hate it but Harry secretly loved it. It was nice to have someone take care of him, other than the nurses when he was ill, he hadn't received much kindness. Even they had only been able to spend an hour at a time with him. Mrs. Figg had always been kind; although it wasn't until he got sick that he realized this. Mrs. Figg had been the only one to visit him and read to him. No more chores, smacks, cupboard and the Dursley's, Harry shook his head it had been a while since he thought about them.

"Come on then, lets get your hat on," said Narcissa, nabbing his dragon hat from the bottom of his bed. It was too cold to risk him going out anymore. He missed being outside, Narcissa knew, without Harry even needing to say anything, Harry missed playing with Shenanigans outside, watching Nagini and feeling the sun on his face even riding on Smaug. Soon snow would lay thick on the ground, but Harry wouldn't be able to play around in it this year. They couldn't risk setting him back, if he got ill that's exactly what would happen. His immune system wasn't ready for anything like that. Thankfully with lessons, visits from Arabella had kept him appropriately distracted.

"Do you think Professor McGonagall will transfigure it again?" asked Harry, he didn't want stared at. Not that he really minded, he was used to it, but he'd rather not be. Harry still didn't know how people reacted to his fame, having so far been protected from the worst of it.

"I'm sure she won't mind." said Narcissa, "There, ready to go!" she added once the hat was firmly over his head and ears keeping him snug and warm. She'd been dubious about buying them, but they had certainly been worth the money, Harry loved them. Her son had gotten Harry into dragons as much as he himself was, smiling wistfully; glad she was getting to see her son again. Harry was her second son, always would be, and the day she could 'divorce' Lucius and marry Severus couldn't come quick enough. She wanted to adopt Harry, show the world she loved him. Until that time, she would have to content herself with being merely his 'foster mother'.

"Are we coming back here after the feast?" asked Harry, as he stood up and began walking out of his room.

"No, Madam Bones is coming for a visit tomorrow, we will spend the night in Malfoy Manor, is that alright?" asked Narcissa as she closed the door behind her.

"Yeah," said Harry, nodding he'd just been curious that was all.

"I'll be by tomorrow sometime to hear all about the fun you had at the feast." said Tom, crouching down so he was eye level with Harry.

"Yes!" cheered Harry, grinning widely.

Tom shook his head wryly; you wouldn't think he saw them nearly every day the way he reacted. "You have fun, but don't overdo it." he said patting his back, as he usually did.

"I won't," promised Harry solemnly.

"Good." said Tom, just as Lucius came into the room the epitome of a regal pureblood heir.

"I have a Portkey that will take us to the wards," said Lucius, holding it out, the beauty of having connections within nearly every department of the Ministry of Magic. "Hold on Harry." added Lucius, as all three of them touched the goblet. Lucius grabbed a quick kiss from his lover, before saying the words that would activate the Portkey. Swirling air surrounded them before they landed gracefully at the gates of Hogwarts, Narcissa held Harry steady since he wasn't used to magical means of transport yet.

"Draco!" called Harry, his green eyes twinkling madly as he caught sight of him.

"Mum! Dad! Harry!" said Draco, walking swiftly towards them, almost breaking into a run before remembering himself. Blaise and Ron were right next to him, looking just as excited as Draco to see them. Draco hugged Harry tightly, glad he was finally here. Backing up, he inspected Harry properly, his blue eyes taking in everything until he nodded in satisfaction. He looked much better, still smaller than him, but it would take a while for him to grow to his size even with his godfather's potions.

"Hello, Mr. Malfoy, Mrs. Malfoy." said Blaise respectfully, Ron nodded expressing the same sentimentalities.

"Hello, boy's how are you?" asked Narcissa smiling at her sons best friends.

"We're fine ma'am," said Ron speaking for both of them.

"May I suggest we take this Inside?" suggested Lucius, "It is cold, and we cannot risk Harry getting sick."

"Come on then Harry! The twins want to meet you!" said Draco dragging Harry along, but not too roughly, not wanting to exhaust or hurt him even accidentally. Blaise and Ron followed, all speaking together, sometimes over each other excited to be able to talk to Harry properly. Telling him what they'd done that day, about their homework, about the twins, and everything else in-between that they could think about.

"Careful boys!" said Narcissa in warning, but it's as if she hadn't spoken as they continued on. She didn't have the heart to warn them again, they were all so happy and excited she couldn't be a 'party popper' as it was aptly named.

There was something about this chapter that's really irritating me I just feel as if its wrong as if I've dropped the ball on it! what do you guys think? and sorry about how short it is and cutting it off there...gotta get some sleep - I have to be up in six hours soo tired! will Severus retrieve the stone and make sure it cannot be taken? will anyone be around to help Hermione? or will she be the first casualty of Voldemort or rather Quirrelmort :P R&R please! and I promise the next chapter will be longer...that's if I don't re-do it for some reason it is bugging me :)