Chapter One: Hogwarts At Last
Platform 9 ¾, Hogwarts Express…
"Durmstrang?" Ron asked in disbelief. "Are you serious?"
Hermione nodded. "That's what Professor Dumbledore said. Two students, fifth years, requested a transfer, which he granted. But that's all he would tell me!"
Ron shrugged. "What more do you need to know?"
Hermione somehow managed to sigh, roll her eyes and shake her head at the same time. "Their names, maybe? Or whether they're male or female? I don't know, something useful!"
Ginny giggled, finally raising her head from the muggle magazine that she'd been skimming. "Don't bother Hermione. Ron's not meant for logical thought."
Hermione sighed again before smiling faintly at the younger girl. When Ginny was right, she was right. That didn't help to solve her problem, however. "How am I supposed to 'help and guide' them if I can't bloody well find them!?"
Ron gasped in mock surprise. "Hermione Granger! Such language!"
Hermione blushed bright red, embarrassed not only by her own language, but also by Ron's spot on imitation of her. "Sorry," she muttered darkly.
"Don't apologize," Ron said brightly. "I happen to be quite proud of you…"
"As for finding them," Ginny added slowly, her voice faint. "I suddenly don't think it's going to be that much of a problem..."
Hermione and Ron both looked at Ginny in surprise and then followed her gaze. What they saw caused their mouths to gape slightly in surprise.
"Well, that answers one question…" Hermione muttered.
Oh yes, male indeed.
The two young men were striding purposefully across the platform towards the train as if they owned it. Their manner spoke rather loudly of money, as did the possessions that were visible on the trolleys they were pushing.
In attitude, they seemed to be almost identical.
But in looks… well in looks, they were as different as night and day.
On the right was a boy with hair so blonde it appeared to be almost white. It was cropped close to his head, apparently growing out after having been completely shaved off. He was rather tall, a good 5 ft 9 already, with a couple of years of growth ahead of him. His shoulders were broad and the muscles of his back rippled attractively under his t-shirt. A pair of muggle sunglasses hid his eyes.
On the left, standing an inch or two taller than his companion, was a boy with black, unruly hair. He had made no attempt to control it, having apparently long since given up the battle. His shoulders and muscles were as impressive, if not more impressive, than the other boys.
His eyes were also hidden by muggle sunglasses.
And he walked with a confidence that the boy beside him had yet to master… but made up for in arrogance.
All of that, of course, said nothing of the great ruddy hawk that was perched on his shoulder.
Altogether, they were a pretty impressive pair.
Hermione shook herself as Ginny sighed dreamily and glanced over at the other girl. She couldn't help but laugh at Ginny's expression.
"What?" Ginny asked, somewhat defensively. "Is it my fault that Hogwarts doesn't grow them like that?"
Ron groaned and glared at Hermione. "You just had to introduce her to Muggle television, didn't you?"
Hermione laughed again. "Oh, lighten up Ron!" She winked at Ginny and the two of them laughed as Ron began to sputter. She grinned at Ron and Ginny and nodded to the two boys. "I'll catch up with you two on the train. Duty calls."
She hurried towards them, intent on fulfilling Dumbledore's request to the best of her ability. She was to find them and help them navigate in their new environment. That was exactly what she intended to do. She had nearly reached them when she saw the dark-haired one stop a passing student.
"Excuse me," she heard him say politely. "We're supposed to meet a…" He looked down at the paper in his hand. "Hermione Granger. Do you happen to know where she is?"
"Right here," Hermione said, coming to a stop beside the two boys. They turned towards her, the dark haired one grinning in greeting, while the blonde just appeared both bored and annoyed. "You two must be the Durmstrang transfers?"
They nodded. "Thank you," the dark haired boy said to the student who was now looking at all three of them with avid curiosity. His tone was a polite dismissal, which Hermione was surprised to see the student accept without question. A moment later they were alone. The boy turned to Hermione, his grin still in place. "Nice to meet you, Hermione. I'm Harry and that's Drake." He nodded to the boy beside him.
"Draco Malfoy," Draco drawled imperiously.
Hermione's eyes widened slightly. She'd heard of the Malfoy's… Oh, yes had she heard of the Malfoy's… and she couldn't help but wonder what Dumbledore was thinking, sending a muggle-born witch to meet these two.
Harry laughed at the expression on her face. "Why Drake, I do believe she's heard of you."
Draco growled lightly in the back of his throat. Damn the legacy of having a Death Eater for a father. "Well just imagine her reaction if you'd told her your complete name… Potter."
Harry groaned softly as Hermione's eyes widened even further. Her eyes flew to his forehead of their own volition and she was vaguely able to make out the lightning bolt scar that resided there. "Harry Potter!?" She managed to squeak, much to the amusement of the two boys standing next to her.
"Yup," Draco said, a satisfied smirk crossing his face. "She's heard of you too!"
Hermione looked from one of them to the other, not quite sure what to make of this situation. Of all the people she'd imagined meeting, these two had never come close to entering into the realm of possibilities… Especially not together.
Harry snickered as he watched her eyes flit quickly between them. She seemed speechless and quite out of her element. "I think we broke her…"
Hermione flushed and straightened. Of all the nerve. "Now see here…"
And Harry grinned again. "Now that's more like it. I would have been disappointed in Dumbledore had his guide been without a spine. As for Drake and me… well that's a really long story that is without doubt quite boring. Just believe me when I say that his evilness has been vastly exaggerated."
Draco rolled his eyes. "Why thank you Harry. It's nice to know that you don't find me to be evil." He looked around. "So are we to get on the train, or what?"
"Yes," Hermione said stiffly, glaring at the boy slightly. He had this way about him. A spoiled, snotty, entitled and annoying way... "After you." Draco shrugged and calmly levitated his trunk, grabbing a few loose items in his hands. Harry did the same.
Draco entered the Hogwarts Express silently, with a haughty look on his face. Harry hung back for a moment. Once Draco was on the train, Harry turned to Hermione, shifting Orion slightly on his shoulder. "Don't believe everything you've heard about Drake… or even what you're seeing now. Draco… well, let's just say that there's a hell of a lot more to him than meets the eye. He knows how people react to his name and it puts him on edge. And don't believe for a second that he buys into all that pureblood bullshit that his father and Voldemort spout like gospel. He's far too intelligent for such nonsense."
Harry hurried forward, following his brother onto the train. Hermione gaped at him for a moment before sputtering slightly and racing after him. She met up with the two of them in the corridor and took the lead, quickly finding an empty compartment. She stood by silently as the two boys quickly stowed their trunks. Harry then set up Orion's perch and transferred him over to it. The hawk promptly fell asleep.
"So," she said softly as the two collapsed, rather regally, in their seats. They both looked relaxed and calm, all outward appearances telling her that they had not a care in the world… However, she had a feeling that this was far from being the case.
"So?" Harry echoed, raising one eyebrow.
Hermione sighed and took the seat across from him. "So, I'm sorry about my reaction… It's just that, in these times… and being a muggle-born…"
Harry nodded slightly and Draco sighed. Lucius and his triple be-damned beliefs…
Hermione watched Draco carefully. He suddenly looked… softer? Far less haughty and reserved… Far less… Malfoyish.
"Just so you know, I happen to think that Voldemort's a moron," Draco said softly. "And my father's a bumbling idiot… Just don't go spreading that around. I have enough problems as it is!"
Hermione didn't have time to react before the compartment door burst open, revealing Ron and Ginny. In an instant, Draco's mask was back in place. Harry on the other hand, glanced at the new arrivals in surprise; but greeted them with a friendly, if somewhat uncertain smile.
"Ron! Ginny!" Hermione said brightly, forcing a cheerful smile onto her face. "Come meet the new students."
"Why do you think we're here?" Ron asked with a grin. He took a step forward and held out his hand to Harry. "I'm Ron."
"Harry," Harry said, getting to his feet and shaking Ron's hand.
Ron nodded in Ginny's direction. "My sister, Ginny."
"Nice to meet you," Harry said, shaking her hand as well. "That's Draco," he said, nodding in Draco's direction.
Ron looked over at Draco and his eyes narrowed in suspicion. Draco… Something his father had mentioned tickling in the back of his mind. "Malfoy?" He questioned, his tone full of distaste.
Draco's eyes narrowed in response. "What of it?" He asked. He looked first Ron and then Ginny up and down, his mouth taking on a practiced sneer. "Well, I don't have to guess who you two are," he said, his tone biting. "All that red hair. Must be Weasleys." He practically spit out the last word.
Harry glared at him as Ron started to sputter indignantly… and Ginny's eyes started to flash in a dangerous manner. He could tell just by looking at the diminutive witch that her size was misleading… She was a force to be reckoned with. Best to nip this in the bud. "Drake," he said warningly.
"What?" Draco asked caustically. "He started it."
Harry just looked at him for a moment and Draco sighed. "Sorry," he said sullenly, nodding his head at the two redheads.
"Thank you," Harry said. "Now, can we just agree that family reputations do not dictate actual personalities and have a civil conversation? I, for one, am tired of all this bloody nonsense!"
There was silence in the compartment for a moment and then Ginny took a deep breath. She took a step towards Orion and smiled slightly. "He's beautiful. What's his name?"
"Orion," Harry said with a grin. "Quite an intelligent being actually…"
"And he's yours?" Ginny asked, a hint of longing in her voice. What she wouldn't give for such a pet…
"Actually," Draco drawled. "He belongs to both of us. He's just decided that he'd rather listen to Harry." He glared lightly at Orion. "Stupid bird."
Harry smirked at his brother. "Ah, Drake, did Orion hurt your poor wittle feelings?"
Draco's eyes narrowed slightly and an evil smirk spread slowly across his face. "Why don't you introduce them to Ari?" He asked, referring to the snake even then wound comfortably around Harry's left arm. "I'm sure they'd love to meet her…"
Harry glared at his brother rather darkly. "Not fair Drake. Nor is it the time…"
"Ari?" Hermione questioned.
"Maybe later," Harry said, returning to his seat beside Draco. He waved for everyone else to sit, which they did. "So… let me guess, Gryffindors all around, I'd wager?"
The three returning Hogwarts students nodded.
"Figures," Draco muttered, ignoring Harry's elbow in his side.
"So how do you two know each other?" Ginny finally asked, curiosity getting the better of her.
"Oh, my parents died when I was about a year old," Harry said. "Draco's folks took me in. Tried their damnedest to make me into a fine upstanding Malfoy." He smirked over at Drake. "Right, brother?"
Drake smirked back at him. "Oh yes, try they did. But of course, they're both rather prone to bumbling…"
Harry laughed, enjoying not only Draco's jab at his parents, but also the sight of the wheels turning in the Weasley's heads… quickly in Ginny's case and reasonably fast in Ron's. He knew the instant Ginny figured it out. She gasped slightly, staring at him in shock for a moment, before her eyes shot quickly to his forehead… and then down at her hands in embarrassment.
"Harry Potter," she whispered softly. Ron started slightly. He would have gotten there eventually, but was still shocked by the revelation.
"Harry Potter?" Ron exclaimed. "And you were raised by Lucius Malfoy?"
Even Hermione was shocked by this revelation. Even though she had known who both of them were, she hadn't realized that the Malfoy's had raised Harry. He seemed so… normal.
Moreover, she couldn't help but wonder what the Wizarding World had been thinking. It was lucky that Harry wasn't dead.
There was still the very real concern that he might be dark…
Harry shrugged in response to Ron's exclamation. "It's not like I had a choice in the matter. And Lucius definitely wouldn't have been my choice. Not that I realized that until my first year at Durmstrang…" Harry paused, shaking himself slightly. That was a story for another time. Too long and far too depressing for his first day.
"What's it to you anyway, Weasley?" Draco asked snidely. "Upset that the legendary Boy Who Lived grew up in a respectable Wizarding family?"
Ron's eyes narrowed at the implied insult and Harry sighed, knowing with some certainty what was about to happen, but powerless to stop it.
"Is that some sort of roundabout insult towards my family Malfoy?" Ron asked darkly. He looked the other boy up and down disdainfully, scoffing. "Besides, I wouldn't be so quick to refer to your family of known Death Eaters as respectable. And you? Well, you're likely just as evil as your father. I mean, being a toady to a Dark Lord may seem respectable to you, but I happen to think that only the lowest of wizards would consent to kissing another's robes… but it does seem to be all your family is good for."
Draco opened his mouth to retort, but Harry beat him to it. He might have understood what had prompted Ron's words, but there was no way in hell that he was going to sit by while someone insulted his brother. He was on his feet in an instant, glaring at the redhead. "I would appreciate it if you'd keep a civil tongue in your mouth when speaking to my brother, Weasley," He said coldly, his eyes dark. He turned to Draco. "Shall we find a more suitable compartment, Drake? This one has lost all interest for me."
"Sure," Draco said, getting to his feet. He shot one last glare at Ron and then followed his brother out into the corridor. Orion let out a shrill cry before following them, lighting on Harry's shoulder. The door shut behind them, leaving the compartment in silence.
The three remaining in the compartment remained silent for a moment before both Hermione and Ginny sighed, shaking their heads. "Honestly Ron," Ginny said. "Don't you ever think?"
They didn't see Draco and Harry again until the sorting ceremony that night.
Nearby Compartment…
Harry sighed and cast a quick silencing charm on the compartment as Draco began to rant. Harry dropped down on one of the seats, settling in for the long haul. He barely listened to Draco's words, knowing that it wouldn't do him any good. Not when Draco was channeling his father… or even the boy Draco had been not that long before. He let a few minutes pass, before tuning back into the rant.
"Stupid, muggle-loving git," Draco exclaimed. He stopped as Harry laughed. "What?"
"Are you quite done?" Harry asked.
Draco scowled at him. "No."
"It just seems that you're out of decent insults. I mean 'Stupid, muggle-loving git'? Far below you Drake. Besides, since when do you have a problem with muggles?"
Draco continued to scowl. "I used to. So did you, if memory serves."
"Yes," Harry said honestly. "But both of us put that nonsense behind us a long time ago. So what's really bothering you?"
Draco sighed, the scowl leaving his face. It was replaced with a look of pain and uncertainty. "They'll never accept me as anything but a Malfoy, Harry. So why should I bother? Maybe I should embrace my heritage and blast that damn Weasley off the face of the earth!"
Harry rolled his eyes. "Sure, go ahead. I'm sure that Father would be happy to welcome you back into the fold. You can spend the rest of your life trying to kill me."
Draco paled. "That's not funny Harry."
Harry shrugged. "It's what they'd expect. It's the only way they'd let you back in. Well, unless you convince me to come too… and we both know that's not happening." Harry studied his brother carefully. "Come now, Drake," Harry continued, his voice cold. "Do you really want to spend the rest of your life crawling after some dilapidated Dark Lord? It may be good enough for our father, but us? I happen to have much bigger plans for my life. All of which do not involve kissing that tosser's robes!"
A slow smirk made its way across Draco's face. Truth be told, Draco hadn't meant a word of what he'd said earlier, he'd just been blowing off steam. "I know, I know," he said slowly. "Big picture. Long term plan. No cursing the potential allies." He shrugged. "You know me."
Harry answered his brother's smirk with one of his own. "Yeah. You're far too easily insulted." He laughed as Draco glared at him. "So you're done with the hissy-fit? We're not going to let months of planning go down the tubes because you couldn't resist baiting a Gryffindor who was more than happy to give as good as he got?"
"Get over yourself Potter. And on with whatever it is you want to say." But his good humor had returned.
"You know the history of Hogwarts as well as I do. The houses have long been divided. You, my friend, are destined for Slytherin. It's in your blood. I, on the other hand…"
Draco laughed. "You are a wanker of a Gryffindor if I've ever seen one… but with far too many Slytherin traits to make the other members of that house truly comfortable."
Harry shrugged. "So, as we've previously discussed, we will infiltrate and take over the two most influential houses. Once we have Slytherin and Gryffindor in hand, Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff will fall into line."
Draco smiled. "And then, Hogwarts will be ours." He glared at Harry in mock annoyance. "And whose idea was that?"
Harry grinned. "Yours of course. I, as a Gryffindor Lion, am far too noble to think of such a sly and cunning plan."
"Ass," Draco muttered.
"Unless, of course, you've changed your mind and want to be in the same house… In which case you'd have to let go of your prejudices against Gryffindor and learn to be a lion…" He laughed at the horrified expression on Draco's face. "Well, I can't very well be sorted into Slytherin, now can I? No one would ever trust me… Besides, just imagine the look on Lucius' face…"
Draco's look of horror melted into one of evil delight. After a moment he shook his head. "As fun as that would be, I think we'd be better off splitting up. Much easier to get Slytherin in line with one of us on the inside. If we're going to break down the walls between the houses, we have to start with Gryffindor and Slytherin. They're the ones with the most volatile animosity towards each other."
Harry nodded. "I agree. So it's decided?"
Draco nodded. He was unable to keep a smirk from crossing his face. "They won't know what hit them."
Harry smirked in response. "That's what I'm counting on."
The Great Hall…
Sorting…
The buzz of excitement in the Great Hall was even more pronounced this year than it had been in the past. After all, standing beside the first years were the figures of two rather intimidating older students. Students who, according to rumor, were transferring in from Durmstrang. There was a great amount of speculation as to who they were, but the few who knew weren't letting the secret out. They felt that it was better for, well anyone other than them to break that news.
Harry and Draco just stood silently, occasionally exchanging amused glances as bits of conversation reached them. It was frightfully amusing to observe the effect that they were having on the students. They watched as Professor McGonagall placed a battered old hat on the stool in front of them. They had known from the moment they'd met her that she was not a witch to be trifled with. Harry had decided that she was someone that he would very much like to have on his side… and very much regret angering…
His thoughts were interrupted as the Sorting Hat began its song.
In times of old when I was new
And Hogwarts barely started
The founders of our noble school
Thought never to be parted;
United by a common goal,
They had the selfsame yearning,
To make the worlds best magic school
And pass along their learning.
And never did they dream the they
Might someday be divided,
For were there such friends anywhere
As Slytherin and Gryffindor?
Unless it was the second pair
Of Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw?
So how could it have gone so wrong?
How could such friendships fail?
Each of the four founders had
A House in which they might
Take only those they wanted, so,
For instance, Slytherin
Took only pure-blood wizards
Of great cunning, just like him,
And only those of sharpest mind
Were taught by Ravenclaw
While the bravest and the boldest
Went to daring Gryffindor.
Good Hufflepuff, she took the rest,
And taught them all she knew,
Thus the Houses and their founders
Retained friendship firm and true.
So Hogwarts worked in harmony
For several happy years,
But then discord crept among us
Feeding on our faults and fears.
The Houses that, like pillars four,
Had once held up our school,
Now turned against each other and,
Divided, sought to rule.
And never since the founders four
Were whittled down to three
Have the houses been united
As they once were meant to be.
And now the Sorting Hat is here
And you all know the score
I sort you into houses
Because that is what I'm for,
But this year I'll go further,
Listen to my song:
Though condemned I am to split you
Still I worry that it's wrong,
Though I must fulfill my duty
And must quarter every year
Still I wonder whether sorting
May not bring the end I fear.
Oh know the perils, read the signs,
The warning history shows,
For our Hogwarts is in danger
From external, deadly foes
And we must unite inside her
Or we'll crumble from within
I have told you, I have warned you…
Let the sorting now begin.
Harry nodded knowingly at Draco as the Sorting hat finished its song and faint applause rang through the hall. It was just as they'd thought. Hogwarts was horribly divided… and as such, was ripe for the picking.
They watched in interest as the first years were sorted. Once the hat had sorted all of them, the attention of everyone in the hall shifted to Dumbledore, who stood.
"Welcome to a new year at Hogwarts," he said, glancing around the room at the bright young faces before him. There was a strange feeling in the air. Something telling him that something significant and potentially world changing was about to happen. What it was, or what form it would take continued to elude him. He looked over at the two young men remaining by the sorting hat. "As you are all without doubt aware, we have two new students with us this year, transferring in from Durmstrang Institute. They will be entering fifth year here and will be sorted momentarily. They are…" Dumbledore paused and turned to the two young men. His eyes sparkled behind half-moon glasses. "I'm afraid that you failed to include your names in your correspondence…?"
Harry grinned before nodding to Draco, prompting him to go first.
Draco winked at him. "Draco Malfoy," he drawled arrogantly, giving a slight bow in the direction of the Headmaster. There were a few gasps throughout the hall as people recognized the name. The Potions Master sat up slightly straighter in his chair, shooting a confused look at the Headmaster. Why hadn't Lucius informed him that Draco was transferring in?
Dumbledore just stared at Draco in shock, the tickling sense of foreboding in the back of his mind becoming a wailing siren.
Harry snorted slightly as he watched shock and disbelief flitter across people's faces. If Draco had gotten that reaction… He shrugged, deciding to just go for it…
"And I am Harry Potter," he said. It seemed like everyone in the hall gasped as his name reached their ears.
And then the whispers started.
Harry Potter? Really!?
It's Harry Potter!
The Boy Who Lived!? Finally at Hogwarts!
But what's he doing with Draco Malfoy? Is he dark?
Why are they here now? What's happened?
D'you reckon they're evil?
Harry couldn't help but roll his eyes as parts of the various conversations reached his ears. He glanced over at Draco and grimaced. Draco smirked back and nodded in the direction of the Headmaster.
Harry took a deep breath before chancing a look at Dumbledore's face… and began to snicker. It was an opportunity that few in the Wizarding world were allowed to enjoy. Seeing Albus Dumbledore, Headmaster of Hogwarts, Order of Merlin, Supreme Mugwump, completely and undeniably gob smacked.