Bold + italics = parseltongue
Chapter 14
"We missed you at the manor, Luna." Draco smirked at her as he bowed his head gently in her direction. "I'm happy to hear that Potter kept you entertained though."
"So..." Harry mused, swallowing his chocolate. "It seems that we share a cousin."
"Indeed we do." Draco chuckled. "Though my connection is closer than yours."
Ginny glanced back and forth at them but Luna silently reassured her that all was well.
"Granted. Now then..." Harry stood up causing a barely perceptible reaction in the blond's eyes. "I really am torn here. We've had a delicate truce since June and you are family of my family so I'd prefer a friendly relationship with you... On the other hand, your family has an ongoing feud with another branch of my family."
Draco's gaze swept the compartment, taking in the casually entwined hands of the two girls sitting among them. "I can see how that would be a problem and although I'm not in a position to do much about it, I shall address the matter with my father."
Luna giggled as her hair fell over her eyes. "I think we should go for a walk, Ginny."
The redhead blushed as they left, though she gave Harry a look to be sure he would be alright by himself and he answered with a single stiff nod.
As soon as they were alone, Harry offered the other boy a seat. "You came to see me... may I ask why?"
"I think you know why, Potter." Draco's left eyebrow lifted in subtle challenge even as he took note of Harry's new appearance and sat on the opposite bench.
Harry smirked. "Perhaps I do."
"I cannot believe your bollocks! To boldly walk up to my father and the minister in the ministry building itself." Draco shook his head. "And, of course, he came directly home to question me about it."
Harry chuckled and leaned back resting his head casually on his hands. "That was fun."
"I'll bet." Draco said with a smirk. "Have you thought about my offer, Potter? I made it in good faith..."
"I've thought about a lot of things this summer, Malfoy." Harry replied honestly. "You see, fate had a birthday gift for me this year - a new path for my life."
It amused Harry that Draco's expression froze. "Oh?"
Harry hummed. "I've come into control of my life. After the death of my parents, a certain old wizard took an unhealthy amount of interest in me. Through the machinations of that old wizard, I grew up with people who treated me horribly. With the assistance of my Gringotts estate manager, I discovered my wealth and title in time for my fifteenth birthday. I'm sure you read the Daily Prophet and the Quibbler recently...?"
Draco's silent nod spurred Harry on.
"As the Earl of Inverness, I'm to be treated as an adult which means that I now make the major decisions in my life." Harry informed him. "I control quite a bit of money and have a wizengamut seat to fill."
"I see." Draco nodded slowly.
"In light of this new role, I chose to reconsider the choices that others have made for me..." Harry looked directly into Draco's eyes. "Or somehow influenced me to make..."
"Indeed?" The blond seemed interested.
"Despite all the galleons in my vaults, I find myself in need of something that money can't buy." Harry hinted.
"What might that be?" Draco asked.
"Your understanding." Harry said softly, gesturing gently toward the blond.
"My understanding?" Draco blinked innocently. "Mine specifically?"
Harry nodded determinedly. "Our first couple of meetings went terribly and that wasn't through any fault of our own."
"Do tell." Draco eyed him speculatively.
Harry stared off to the left. "Just before the first time we met, I was rescued from my horrible relatives by one Rubeus Hagrid - who is quite fond of our aforementioned old wizard. I - a scrawny, friendless, bullied, ten year old boy - then met you - a spoiled rich kid with the confidence to conduct an entire conversation with minimal effort on my part."
Draco's eyes narrowed at the description but he was still paying attention so Harry continued.
"Hagrid was the first wizard I ever remember meeting." Harry said wistfully. "He was kind to me and you insulted him."
Draco looked down at the floor for a moment before looking back at Harry, but he still said nothing.
"You boasted of your knowledge of the wizarding world and the school we would both soon attend - including the house you were certain you'd be sorted into." Harry told him regretfully. "I spent the next few hours being told that the very house you aspired to join was the one all the dark wizards came from and that the one who killed my parents was the most recent dark wizard to emerge from it."
Draco's gaze fell to the floorboards again and when he looked up Harry could tell he had taken the next events into consideration. "I then proceeded to insult Weasley on the train..."
Harry nodded. "His family had very kindly helped me get onto the platform and board the train. He seemed to have similar humble beginnings to mine and didn't treat me differently because of my fame."
"Whereas I strutted in assuming you'd grown up like I did and since muggles had raised you, you'd need help making contacts and networking among wizard-kind the way my father had taught me from a young age. I sought to make you feel indebted to me which would..." Draco muttered softly.
"Lead to me opening doors for you and possibly your family." Harry deadpanned. "I don't hold your ambitions against you, Malfoy."
"Don't you?" He frowned but Harry shook his head.
"I can't even hold your views on blood purity against you." Harry shrugged. "I know that's what you were taught."
"Actually..." Draco hesitated. "I know better than that. Blood purity is just a rhetoric that a few of my family's more powerful allies truly believe and we have a reputation to live up to. Until I had a closer relationship with you, I was obligated to act that way."
"So...it's a front?" Harry asked incredulously.
Draco nodded cautiously. "If I'd said those things in front of my parents or godfather without - let's say - a member of the Flint family present, I would be scolded fiercely."
"Is that why you said it that day?" Harry asked thinking back to the day the blond had called Hermione a mudblood causing Ron to cast the spell with his broken wand and end up choking on slugs for several hours.
"I'd just been accepted as seeker and Flint was captain of the team." Draco didn't pretend to misunderstand. His voice was tinged with guilt as he stood up and paced. "If I'd been anywhere near civil with the Gryffindor team that day, I would've been removed from my position and my family would've been scrutinized thoroughly by our allies and acquaintances."
Harry nodded slowly as he processed this information. "And now?"
"Now, the Dark Lord is back. Somehow his mind has begun to return to him and my father and godfather are telling me that the Flint family has separated from us, along with a couple of the others." Draco admitted as he turned around to face the young lord. "They were always among the more extreme followers and now that Uncle Tom isn't quite of the same mind, I'm free to be more... myself."
"May I ask what that's going to be like?" The brunette asked gently.
Draco took a deep breath. "My parents and godfather have taught me the old ways. I believe that muggle-born students need to be immersed in our practices as opposed to their ways being forced upon us."
"So they should be forced to conform as you wish not to be?" Harry challenged.
"You misunderstand so I shall reword my statement." Draco frowned as he rethought his words. "They need to experience our ways and find a balance between muggle practices and magical."
"I agree." Harry acknowledged this with a nod. "Neither side should be forced to conform to the other, but we must gain understanding of both in order to protect them from each other."
Draco nodded eagerly. "Both sides should be compelled to learn about the other but - let's just say - if a person chooses to celebrate Yule as opposed to Christmas, they should be given the same opportunities to follow their beliefs as the muggle-born students."
"There's more than just Christmas, you know, Malfoy." Harry reminded him. "Ramadan and Hanukah... I'm sure there are others but I can't think of them right now."
Draco nodded again. "Yes exactly, but what I'm saying is that people should accept the possibilities of learning something new that makes the most of the magical side of themselves and then make the decision of which to follow after leaving school."
"Hmm..." Harry had to admit it made sense. "I am curious as to other aspects of life. Are you planning to act as the usual absurdly superior git? Will you associate with the same people? Are you willing to hold civil conversations with me in public?"
"I spoke to my father about this very matter, Potter." Draco smirked. "It seems your bold stunt at the ministry has made him curious. Luna's relationship with you and...others... concerns him as he's the head of our family."
Harry recognized the non-answer and remained silent, allowing one eyebrow to lift.
"My godfather has let slip that a few of our classes this year will contain an element of cooperation." Draco informed Harry. "One such class is potions and my father has given his blessing to our possible partnership which would lead to us being civil for the sake of our grades."
"How would your godfather know that?" Harry asked in confusion.
"I'm sorry, I should've realized you wouldn't know." Draco smirked. "My godfather is Professor Snape."
Harry chuckled with a shake of his head. "Of course he is."
"What does that mean?" Draco bristled.
"Only that he may have been involved in the plot to separate me from my heritage." Harry frowned. "Due to his hatred of my father, I assumed it was deliberate but the way you speak of him raises hopes that it was unwitting."
Draco looked curious but didn't comment on it as he answered Harry's other questions. "I chose my friends well, Potter. Most of the people you'll see around me believe as I do."
"Harry?!" Ron exclaimed as he burst into the compartment.
"Seems that it's about time for me to go, Potter. See you in class." Draco smirked as he stood. "By the way, Potter...that thing you wanted..."
Harry's eyes met his.
"You have it." The blond's lips curved slightly.
Hermione took one look at Draco and made an outraged sound as he swept out of the compartment. "What was he doing here?"
"You're hanging out with Malfoy now?" Ron asked, his lips pinched.
"It was one conversation, Ron." Harry was exasperated with both of them - all three if he was honest. "Let's just get ready."
Hermione glared at him. "Padma asked me to join her for the rest of the trip."
"Dean and Seamus are talking quidditch. I said I'd grab my stuff." Ron gritted as she stomped off. "See you at the feast." He growled and scooped up his rucksack on his way out.
Harry watched them go and sighed as he plopped down into his seat. Only a moment passed before Harry realized that he needed to change. It wouldn't be long before the train would arrive at Hogsmeade station.
/*/*/*/*/*
Conscious of the fact that this would be his first real public appearance as the Earl of Inverness, Harry straightened his tie and ran his fingers through his hair one last time before leaving his compartment.
Ron and Ginny stood at the door waiting for him. "I thought it best to present a united front." Ron muttered. "Ginny and Luna will follow us out."
"Do allow me to lead the way, Potter." The unexpected sound of Zacharias Smith's voice grated on Harry's nerves but he nodded his assent for the time being.
Smith emerged first, with Ron on his heels and Harry close behind. Just as reporters began crowding the platform, Fred and George surged through them to join the girls and, together, they hurried toward the carriages.
Luna stopped and smiled at something but Harry just shrugged it off as her kookiness.
"Since the papers announced publicly that we're all related to you, I'd thought it best that they believe we all get along." Smith told Harry quietly after they'd all taken seats.
"I agree, Smith, or I would've asked you to leave." Harry said matter of factly. "We need to discuss a few things. Once we've settled in for the term, I'll contact you."
"And until then?" The arrogant boy asked.
"We remain civil in public." Harry said sharply.
"Understood. I await your owl." He nodded formally and fell silent for the rest of the trip to the castle.
Fred and George said they had news for Harry but wanted to meet after the feast so, as soon as they arrived at the castle, the group parted ways to meet with friends and find seats. Ron remained with Harry but the awkwardness was palpable.
"So...gay." Ron said grimly.
Harry stiffened at the words and wondered which way his friend would take this conversation. He nodded once.
"Are you sure you're not bisexual?" Ron whined. "I just...I always imagined us talking about girls together, mate."
Harry chuckled but relaxed a bit. "I'm not confused or something. I know what I'm attracted to. I'm fifteen, Ron."
"I know, but still..." The redhead pouted.
"Are you certain that you're completely straight? Maybe we'll end up talking about boys together." Harry suggested sarcastically nudging him lightly.
Ron's face twisted into a grimace of disgust, causing Harry to laugh while surveying the Great Hall.
Zacharias Smith remained a mystery as he silently watched Harry from the Hufflepuff table where he'd taken a seat near Cedric Diggory. Ginny beckoned from the Gryffindor table to tell them she'd saved seats. Luna was waving from her position at the Ravenclaw table to point out that there was pudding.
A glance at the Slytherins told Harry that Malfoy was seated with Blaise Zabini and Pansy Parkinson. He made a mental note to watch those three.
"Students! Young people!" The Headmaster gestured for everyone to settle down and asked them to find seats so the sorting could begin.
Professor Mcgonagall entered the room and placed the hat on the stool before going to collect the first year students. Once the little first year students had filed in and formed lines, the school collectively waited for the hat to begin its song but silence reigned supreme.
Harry frowned in the hat's direction and knew something was wrong but couldn't pin down the feeling as he became distracted by an unfamiliar face at the faculty table.
Dumbledore finally walked over and put the hat on. Everyone watched as he had a strange encounter with the enchanted headgear. At long last, Dumbledore took the hat off and addressed the crowd. "The sorting hat has refused to sing a song this year. It asks to skip to the actual sorting. This is highly unusual and we aren't certain what it means but we will acquiesce."
The deputy headmistress stepped up and began reading names. Each child donned the hat and joined their new houses.
Many of the students looked at Harry in confusion but nobody said anything as he applauded each child no matter which house received them. When the firstie he and Molly had assisted at King's Cross Station went to Slytherin house, he stood and cheered for little Jonathan Langford causing a stir among his classmates but still nobody said a word.
The last new student went to Hufflepuff and everyone looked to Dumbledore to signal the elves but he sat silently for a moment longer to allow Professor Mcgonagall time to move the hat and stool behind the podium.
When he stood, Dumbledore looked at each table before beginning to speak. "I know you're all hungry and I do apologize for prolonging your anticipation of dinner but I have a few announcements and I know you'll pay more attention now than after the meal."
The grumbling students glared up at him but knew he was probably correct.
"First, you all know Professor Severus Snape." Headmaster Dumbledore called out as the well known professor stood. "He will be taking over Defense Against the Dark Arts this year."
The Slytherin table erupted in deafening cheers.
"Next...Please allow me to introduce our new faculty member." The headmaster gestured for the unknown face to stand. "He was the head of Slytherin house while he taught here for quite a number of years and has come out of retirement at my request because there is nobody else who could possibly teach potions as well as Professor Snape except the man who taught him... Horace Slughorn!"
When Draco joined his classmates in giving the new teacher a standing ovation, Harry noticed that the blond had removed his outer robe which left the distracting vision of tight trousers hugging slim hips.
The chaos died down as Slughorn sat down and Dumbledore held up his hands. "Over the summer, you may have heard certain rumors. It is my duty to dispel them."
Harry's lips twitched as he waited to see what the headmaster would say.
"The reports are true!" Dumbledore spoke grandly. "Beginning tonight, for the first time in centuries, Hogwarts is hosting a lord. Not just any lord, but Harry Potter - Earl of Inverness!"
Most of the Gryffindor table stood and applauded but a few of them didn't.
Harry stood silently though what he really wanted was to correct the man and inform them all that they were the ones being hosted ...by him... but discretion ruled and he held his tongue.
"Lord Potter, welcome." Dumbledore smiled down at him before addressing the rest of the students. "Now, Lord Potter will have ministry business as well as school work to take care of. I don't want to hear of anyone pestering him."
Harry nodded formally and sat back down beside Ron and Ginny.
"Mr. Filch has asked me to remind you all that the list of banned items remains posted on the door to his office." Dumbledore told the crowd. "Also, please note that the forest is forbidden to all students and I know that we're all hungry, so that will be my last announcement." With that, he signaled the kitchen and the meal was served.
Harry watched the professors as well as Malfoy and his friends while he ate.
It wasn't long before Professor Mcgonagall stood and moved toward the center of the stage. "Prefects, please take charge of your house's first years so we can all get to bed."
Without warning, a breeze ruffled Harry's hair as the charmed ceiling began to rain. An eerie feeling shook Harry when a tremor rumbled beneath his feet and, suddenly, the torches along the walls flared. Harry scanned the hall barely noticing Dumbledore's shocked reaction as he watched the sorting hat rise high above their heads.
"The time has come to crumble or unite! The missing puzzle pieces will soon be found. Sleeping powers awaken when the lost son comes 'round." The hat's voice echoed through the room after a loud crash of lightning. "Choose what is easy or do what is right. Crumble or unite! "
The hat fell limply onto the podium as Harry took a deep breath and glanced at his cousins before focusing on Malfoy. The blond's eyes directed him toward the faculty table where the professors were consulting.
The younger kids looked nervous and confused but the prefects quickly reassured them and got everyone back into their seats until the teachers could tell them what to do.
"Everyone!" Dumbledore called for their attention. "Everyone please! There is no need for alarm! Follow your prefects to your dormitories and the faculty will attempt to investigate this matter."
Harry knew that he was involved somehow. The goblin seer had warned him, after all, that it wasn't unusual for prophecies to come in groups. Some of the wording in the hat's prophecy seemed to jump out from his dreams. He needed to write this in his journal ...but he also needed to speak with his head of house as he had no idea where he was sleeping that night.
"What's wrong, Potter?" Draco Malfoy had sauntered up while he wasn't paying attention. "Are you worried?"
"A bit." Harry admitted with a weak glare. "Too many things going on in my head. If you'll excuse me, I'm supposed to meet with Mcgonagall." He walked over to where the teachers were gathered and attempted to gain her attention. "Excuse me, Professor?"
"Not now, Mr. Potter." Professor Snape snapped at him with a shooing motion.
"I beg your pardon, Professor Snape?" The beginnings of a snarl lifted Harry's lip. "I'm certain you were in attendance when the headmaster announced that my title was authentic."
"You are correct..." The older man wrinkled his nose but acknowledged his words with a terse nod. "Lord Potter... I apologise for my lapse, but you can see - I'm sure - that we are occupied with this..."
"Your lapse in manners is forgiven." Harry interrupted, adopting an officious air. "If you wish me out of your way, however, I must speak with my head of house as there was some housing issue and I don't know where to go."
"Oh..." Mcgonagall looked over at them. "I'm terribly sorry, Lord Potter...in this confusion, I forgot. I'll have to explain later, but lords do not share quarters. Dobby!"
A moment later, Dobby appeared. "Yes, Professor?"
"Please take Lord Potter to his rooms." She requested. "I'll be up in a while to confer with him."
Dobby bowed and asked Harry to follow him.
Once out of the teachers' earshot Harry greeted his little friend warmly. "How are things, Dobby?"
"Dobby has not witnessed any changes yet, Master Harry, but he is watching in hopes that the headmaster Dumbles is sure to being distracted with this strange prophecy."
"That's true." Harry nodded. "Now, where are you taking me?"
Dobby chuckled which turned into a fit of giggles. "Did Master Harry forget who he is descended from?"
"Of course not, Dobby." Harry frowned but realised that the little being obviously knew something he didn't.
"Perhaps Master Harry simply didn't think the founders would prepare for the arrival of their heir?"
"I'm fairly certain that only one of them would've known to expect one." Harry said lightly.
"It was being bound to happen eventually, Master Harry, since many magical beings marry and breed with each other. The possibility was being prepared for." Dobby shook his head, still laughing.
"What does that have to do with anything, Dobby?" Harry asked tiredly.
"Silly, master - there is being a suite reserved for the founders' combined heir. It was magically sealed many years ago and a statue blocked it. When Master Harry accepted the title, the statue disappeared, revealing the door." Dobby detailed the domino effect as they turned a corner. "The elves reported to the deputy head of the school that a new and mysterious suite of rooms had been found."
"Mcgonagall must've seen the papers and put it together." Harry nodded thoughtfully.
"Indeed, Lord Potter." Snape's voice made Harry stiffen in surprise as the older man came out from behind a tapestry. "The Headmaster needed Professor Mcgonagall's assistance so I was sent to explain." He sniffed with disinterest. "She will meet with you in the morning after breakfast."
Harry gritted his teeth but politely accepted the news with a nod.
"The suite is close by." Snape looked down at Dobby. "Elf - go start the fire. I will have him there in a moment."
Dobby glanced at Harry for confirmation before popping off.
"Walk this way." Snape walked down the hall at a brisk pace. "As Minerva said earlier, lords do not share quarters. You're suite does have several bedrooms, though, along with a large combination office and sitting room. It is also equipped with its own owlry and floo-call only fireplace."
"Several bedrooms?" Harry asked in a low murmur. "Interesting..."
"Perhaps the magic was assuming you had siblings." Snape suggested callously.
Harry held his tongue. "A floo-call connection will be convenient when the wizengamut is in session and I need to speak with other members."
"Yes, yes. You're very important." Snape sneered. "Let's get you settled...my lord."
Not another word was spoken until they reached an archway that framed a door. The arch was simple stone with a rounded top and no carvings. The door reminded him of the one at Mac's boatyard - solid wood with an old key lock.
Harry tried to remember if he'd ever been in this part of the castle before and very much doubted it. He stepped closer and that's when he saw it.
A circular impression surrounding three smaller circles. Looking closer, Harry was able to make out a lion's paw print, a badger's claw mark and the talon mark of a bird - probably an eagle.
Harry hesitated to allow Snape to see Sigmund but couldn't think of a way around it ... unless...
"Is there a key?" Harry asked his teacher.
"We searched the records and found only a mention of a way in." Snape's lips became pinched. "The Headmaster has an emergency password but your access was only hinted at."
"And what was the hint, if you'd be so kind, Professor?" Harry asked innocently.
"Two nests, one bird." Snape huffed.
"Ah!" Harry pulled his rucksack off and searched until he found the key from Mac's boatyard. The key went in smoothly and turned. The door opened to admit them and Harry faced his surprised teacher. "Thank you, professor. I'll see you in class. I have to admit, I'm sad that I won't get to show you my new understanding of potions. I spent quite a bit of time going over it during the summer." Harry nodded to him and went inside when there was no answer.
After shutting the door, Harry waited to hear footsteps leaving his door. As soon as silence reigned, he opened it back up and pulled Sigmund out of his rucksack.
"Sigmund, we're at Hogwarts. Look what is on the door to my suite." Harry held the metal snake out to show him.
"I sssee. How interesssting..." Sigmund answered. "Perhapsss if I am placed around the othersss..."
"That's what I thought also." Harry said, already reaching out to place him.
Sigmund's eyes began to glow as he travelled the path given to him. "My spellsss have been joined to the castle'sss own."
"Wonderful!" Harry grinned and entered the suite feeling much safer than before. "Dobby, please let Ziva and the others know that I've arrived safely and I'm settling in just fine. Don't mention the hat's strange behavior. I'll use the mirror before I go to bed."
Dobby protested. "But Dobby must show you around the suite!"
"Don't worry, Dobby. I'll find everything alright myself." Harry smiled at him.
Dobby bowed grudgingly before popping out, leaving Harry to sigh with relief at the silence.
The entryway led directly into the sitting room where he could see a cozy looking sofa and a pair of armchairs surrounding an elegant coffee table and fireplace. As he walked further into the room, a desk was visible along with a tall bookcase. A large antique vase sat between the bookcase and the arch leading onward but Harry barely glanced at it as he walked through.
There was a bathroom and five doors which he guessed led to bedrooms. He opened each door in turn and discovered two dormitory style rooms, along with a guest room and the owlry before coming upon his own bedroom.
Hedwig was already on her perch and she fluttered her wings when she saw him peek in.
Harry gave her a treat and a pat before going back to his room. He wasn't surprised to find that Dobby had arranged his room the same way as the London suite. Everything was just where he thought it would be so he sat on his bed and pulled out his mirror.
"Sirius Black!" He called.
A moment later, Sirius and Remus both appeared in his sight. "Hiya, pup."
"Hey. So how did it go?" Harry wanted to know.
"They found something on both of us, Harry." Remus told him sadly. "Sirius had a mail diversion spell along with a couple of compulsion spells and one that was supposed to affect his mind."
"It gave me the nightmares that night because I hadn't spent much time in my old house." Sirius explained. "Olgok got rid of the spells on me easily. Remus's are a little more difficult."
A sad smile came to Remus's face. "Because of the lycanthropy the spells on me are more resistant to Olgok's methods. He has recommended that we perform a ritual on the next new moon."
"When the wolf is at its weakest..." Harry murmured recalling this from his third year. "Oh, but that's not until the end of the month!"
"It's nothing dangerous, Harry." Remus assured him gently. "I'll avoid him as much as possible so the compulsion spells don't take effect."
Harry nodded sadly. "How is Dudley? I hope he's doing alright."
"We'll let him tell you." Sirius grinned as he turned the mirror to face Harry's cousin.
"Hi, Harry!" Dudley had a big smile on his face.
"How was your day?" Harry asked, genuinely interested. "Were the tests difficult?"
"I didn't know much about the magical world but the things you told me last night helped a lot." Dudley told him. "The best news is that I'm able to stay with the kids my age."
"That's great, Dudley! I'm really happy for you." Harry was relieved. "Now, I want to let you all know what's going on."
"Remus told us about Hermione." Sirius told him, shaking his head.
"Yes. That was a difficult situation you walked into on the train." Harry winced. "On a lighter note, I came out to Ron. He wasn't entirely happy with me being gay but he wasn't openly hostile about it either."
"Interesting." Sirius grinned.
"More interesting things to come in this conversation..." Harry chuckled. "Draco Malfoy stopped in during the train ride. It seems that we've all had the wool pulled over our eyes."
"What do you mean?" Sirius asked, frowning.
"He confessed that his family has been putting up a front to keep their true beliefs a secret from some of their allies." Harry explained. "They raised him to believe that blood purity wasn't important but preventing dilution of the old traditions was. What's more, he said that Snape is his godfather and his beliefs run along the same lines."
Sirius hummed thoughtfully in the background as Remus replied. "But if he told you that, does that mean they're abandoning the idea of hiding it?"
"He mentioned that someone else was involved with his childhood and the way he was raised..." Harry hinted. "His Uncle Tom."
Remus and Sirius shared a look.
"And Uncle Tom has apparently changed his stance on certain matters. Seems he'd gone a bit mad in recent years but he's regaining his sanity little by little." Harry informed them. "The more radical blood purists have split from them and I can expect a civil if not cordial relationship with the Malfoy family."
"That really is something..." Remus murmured to a nodding Sirius. "Does this mean Snape will be civil, too?"
"I'm not sure. I'll get to him in a minute. So at the feast, the hat refused to sing before the sorting. Then, at the end of dinner, it gave a prophecy." He quoted it for them and waited as Sirius and Remus each handed a sickle to Dudley. "And what's that about?"
"They said that with your new status and money and stuff you'd have a more normal school year than the previous ones." Dudley laughed. "I bet them each a sickle and won."
Harry glared playfully at his uncles. "Bad influences! The both of you!"
"What did Minnie want?" Sirius asked his godson when they all finished laughing.
"Oh, she got caught up in Dumbledore's prophecy investigation and had to postpone our meeting until the morning but I think it's safe to say that it had something to do with my new housing situation." Harry explained his conversation with Snape and then described the door and riddle of how to gain access. "I didn't bring Sigmund out until I was sure Snape had gone, but he's on the door now and he says his wards are integrated with Hogwarts." Then, he described the suite.
"Maybe the dormitory style rooms were originally meant for siblings but it's just as likely that a lord would want his closest allies with him." Sirius suggested. "Ask Minnie about it and see what she says."
"I will. Now, let's agree that we'll talk by mirror every week. Is Saturday alright?" Harry asked.
"Yeah, but don't you want to know what happens on Monday?" Dudley asked.
"You can write to me or, since it's a special circumstance, you can call by floo or mirror that night." Harry grinned at him.
"Saturday night mirror calls and mirror or floo for special circumstances." Dudley nodded with a smile. "Got it. Good night, Harry!"
"Night, Dudley." Harry grinned. "Goodnight, Padfoot...Moony."
His uncles smiled and Harry sighed as the image faded. He started to get ready for bed but suddenly realized he hadn't written down the hat's prophecy yet. Pulling out his journal, he did exactly that. He added notes on his Hufflepuff cousin's behavior as well.
"What is Master Harry doing still awake? I is doing a terrible job of taking care of him! Ziva will being upset with Dobby if Master Harry isn't getting his rest!"
"It's alright, Dobby. I'm finished and going to bed now." Harry chuckled.
Dobby watched over Harry as he performed his self-care routine and only popped away when Harry covered himself with the blanket.
No dreams disturbed the young lord's rest that night and he awoke calm and refreshed.
When he'd dressed for breakfast, he pulled out some stationary and wrote out three notes asking his cousins to join him for tea this afternoon. By then, he figured, he'd have something to tell them and he needed to talk to Zacharias anyway.
The great hall was just as crowded as the night before but the students cleared the way as he strolled along. He dropped a not in front of each cousin before heading to the Gryffindor table and giving the last one to Ron.
"Lord Potter, I've taken the liberty of asking an elf to prepare a plate for you." Professor Mcgonagall told him. "Please join me in my office."
Harry nodded formally and patted Ron's shoulder as he followed her out. "See you later."
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Sorry it took so long to update! Thanks for sticking with me!
Lori