Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter. It and any characters from the franchise that may appear in this fanfiction are the intellectual property of J.K. Rowling. This story was written for entertainment purposes only and no profit is made from this story.
Author's note: Eternal thanks to my beta, GeekandProud (AO3) a.k.a. AnimeIsMyCrack (FF) who also made the cover image for this story.
Once the initial shock of Harry being Lord of the Slytherin had worn off, Ragnok explained to Harry that by defeating Lord Voldemort, he had claimed the seat of the last rightful scion of Slytherin. Through Harry's lineage, they deduced that both he and the Dark Lord had Peverell blood, strengthening the boy's claim to be the one to lead House Slytherin. Until he was of age, however, his magical guardian would be the one taking over his duties. According to the Director, in Harry's case, this would be Lord Sirius Black.
"My cousin can't take care of Mr. Potter," Narcissa argued with the goblin. "As you well know Director, he has been convicted of…" She looked at Harry sympathetically, unsure if she should be the one to break this awful news to him. "Sirius was convicted of selling out the Potters to Lord Voldemort and killing Peter Pettigrew and a bunch of muggles."
Harry immediately turned wide-eyed, never being privy to the story of his parents' demise as he'd grown up in the muggle world.
"Draco. Having House Black on our side could help us in the Wizengamot, even before any of you become of age," Deandra urged him on. "Hermione always told you that Harry's godfather was innocent. Your mother will agree that a scion of the Most Ancient House of Black should not be rotting away in Azkaban. This could be our chance to remove Harry from the Dursleys, like Hermione wanted."
The blond wizard agreed. Hermione had told him of Harry's love for his godfather and how he'd confessed to her that they'd wanted to be a real family and build a home together. Sirius had been the closest thing Harry had to a father. Even if his Hermione hadn't encouraged him to make life better for Harry, he would've made that decision himself after meeting the boy again at Diagon Alley. He was loathe to admit it, but he was growing a soft spot for the scar head. Life could have been so very different if he'd been less of an arsehole the first time round, that much was certain.
"How could Lord Black have betrayed the Potters if he was also Harry's magical guardian?" Draco asked innocently, hoping Ragnok would get the hint and help him out on this one.
"In the Potters' will, Lord Black was mentioned as Mr. Potter's godfather," the Director said, catching on easily. "Alice Longbottom was his godmother. Other potential guardians were the Lupin and Bones families. To my knowledge, Lord Black was never officially convicted of any of his crimes. Gringotts has never received official notice from the Ministry that his vaults should be locked down until the next heir took their place. As one of the bank's richest clients, if Lord Black would enter Gringotts today he would find refuge here with us."
Narcissa frowned, clearly disturbed by what she was hearing. "Are you saying, Director, that the Lord of the Most Ancient and Noble House of Black was thrown into Azkaban without receiving a trial? Has my family, my House, been turned into a mockery at the Ministry? Even if me and Sirius never were the best of friends, throwing him into jail without a trial… Whoever did, will pay. The day they locked him up with the Dementors, is the day they committed political suicide."
Draco, aware that it had been Barty Crouch Sr., who had flung Sirius into Azkaban, saw this as the perfect opportunity to have that idiot investigated. After all, he was the one who'd gotten his son, Barty Crouch Jr., out of Azkaban, allowing for Voldemort to return at the end of the Triwizard Tournament. Perhaps, this way he could prevent snake face from returning?
"Mother, how could Lord Black be Harry's godfather and betray the Potter family? Would his vow as godfather and Harry's guardian not have killed him?" Draco questioned again, feigning confusion.
"Exactly my thoughts, Draco," Narcissa drawled, turning her head to the Director now. "And who may I ask, has thrown my cousin into Azkaban without a trial?"
The leader of the British goblins grinned wickedly. "Why Lady Malfoy, only the Head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement or the Minister could enforce such a thing during a time of war. I'm sure you are familiar with Bartemius Crouch Senior?"
Narcissa smirked. "Of course, Director. Let me and Lucius handle this, I'm sure we will find a solution for Lord Crouch and be able to restore House Black's reputation. After all, Mr. Potter should get a chance to grow up with his rightful magical guardian."
Hermione took Harry's hand in hers, squeezing it encouragingly.
Draco couldn't help but think that the puzzle pieces were slowly, but surely, falling into place.
- London, 1st of September 1991 -
Their visit to Gringotts a few weeks earlier could not have played out better. Both Hermione and Harry had been heirs to ancient lines, increasing their political power, even if it was still a few years too soon to execute that particular plan. Director Ragnok had agreed to keep Harry's status as Lord Slytherin hidden until he came of age, and the two witches and wizard present had taken a vow to never tell anyone of his Lordship without Harry's permission. Dr. Granger had signed a written contract to never speak of the conversation, and they'd all shaken hands afterwards, settling the deal.
Harry had clearly been confused at first, learning that his parents had been betrayed.
Director Ragnok had been the one to write his parents' will and specified that it would be impossible for Sirius to betray his friends and still be alive today. The real culprit was still out there, somewhere. He promised to give the Wizengamot a copy of the will, with Harry's permission, once a trial for Sirius would be held.
Narcissa had assured him that she would speak with her husband right away to see the Lord of her house acquitted of any charges made against him. She would also contact her estranged sister, Andromeda Tonks, who was a healer at St. Mungo's and would be able to help Lord Black with any mental and physical injuries he'd suffered in Azkaban. How she would explain that peculiar detail to her husband without facing his fury, she still had some issues with figuring out, however.
Draco suggested that she could mention to his father that being aligned with House Black would be politically beneficial for their family, and that Sirius had never wanted his aunt Andromeda to be blasted off the family tree. If anything, he would probably reinstate her and allow her and her daughter Nymphadora to join the family again. Therefore, being friendly to Andromeda was politically advantageous to the Malfoy family as it would show their willingness to play nice to Sirius.
Narcissa smiled at her son and wondered out loud when he'd become so considerate yet cunning. He waved it off, grunting in annoyance when his mother ruffled his hair lovingly.
After the initial confusion and excitement died down, Harry got information about his vaults and estates as Heir Potter, Heir Peverell and Lord Slytherin. Director Ragnok assured him that the bank could take care of most things until he became of age, but that it was probably a good idea to take lessons in politics and investing while still at Hogwarts, probably during his summer holidays. His godfather might've despised his parents, but he was still trained in old pure-blood values.
Hermione and Draco got the same advice, seeing as they would also take over their House responsibilities when they turned seventeen, or in Draco's case, when his father left him the Malfoy Estate.
Hermione had taken a short trip down to the Dagworth-Granger vaults which were filled with galleons, but even more importantly books and research. Agreeing that she'd need to be a few years older and more knowledgeable than she was now, she paid the goblins to make a detailed inventory for her so she, her family, and friends could go through the vault at a later and more appropriate time. She did manage to take one book with her which seemed to be aimed at beginning potioneers and it wouldn't surprise Draco if she'd already devoured the entire book before they set foot on the Hogwarts Express.
After some arguing with her mother, she also paid the mortgage on her parents' dentist practice, saying that she didn't want them to worry about money if she had a lot of it just sitting in a vault. With her mother's permission, director Ragnok re-assigned a goblin to the vault so they could start investing the money and make the funds grow. For a fee of course. Lastly, Dr. Granger and Hermione asked if it would be possible to also give a certain percentage of the profits to a local shelter and orphanage.
A few signatures, and soon the five of them went back to the Dursleys to grab Harry's things and let them know he would be staying with the Grangers for the foreseeable future. Draco couldn't help but think that Harry's uncle looked particularly happy about that, while his aunt looked terrified. She probably hadn't told her husband of the threats Hermione's mother had made.
Now, almost two weeks later, Draco was nervous as he, Harry, and Hermione walked to platform Nine and Three-Quarters to leave for Hogwarts with the Hogwarts Express.
True, the three of them had written in their diaries during the past few weeks and were becoming fast friends. Draco's worries about Harry and Hermione getting the same brother-and-sister relationship had quickly evaporated as he met the two goofing off together when they met him in London.
The only thing he was unsure about right now was Weasley. Even if Potter had turned out to be sassy, witty, and even cunning when allowed, Draco just could not shake the feelings he had about the Weasel. His obvious attraction to Hermione in the last timeline had probably clouded his mind, and he reminded himself that had technically never happened and that Hermione would date whoever she damn well pleased. Yet, there was something more that just didn't sit well with Draco. Even if Ron had shown a strategic mind and helped the Golden Trio survive, he had also been an ill-mannered, biassed little git, especially during their first years at Hogwarts.
"Much like you were the first time around," Deandra scolded him. "Give the boy a chance, Draco. If he doesn't take it now, then give him the time to grow up like you did. Their friendship might not be the same as it was before, we knew we would make changes. But whatever is meant to be, will be."
Draco sighed as he walked through the invisible barrier to the platform, his mother at his side. Dr. Granger followed behind them, holding both Hermione's and Harry's hand as Hermione's father walked behind them, pushing the cart with the children's trunks.
"Here we are, children," Narcissa announced. "Welcome to Platform Nine and Three-Quarters."
Draco noticed the wonder in his companions' eyes as they took in the bustling business of wizarding England saying goodbye to their children, all of them crawling onto the Hogwarts Express for that one last hug. It was pure and utter chaos. But Merlin, he loved it. It felt like home.
"Now remember to write to us in the diaries we gave you when something important comes up," Narcissa said to all three of them. "Owls are easy to be intercepted, and after the media attention Lord Black's trial is stirring up, we should be a bit more secretive when communicating about Sirius. But please, do let Hedwig and Ulysses deliver the regular mail. They are probably waiting for you at Hogwarts already. They need exercise, and it will make them happy."
The Ministry had not taken well to discovering that Lord Sirius Black had been cast into Azkaban without a trial by the previous administration. The current head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement, D.M.L.E. for short, had immediately begun gathering evidence, witnesses and memories of the night the Potters were killed. Sirius Black was taken out of Azkaban by Madam Bones only a few days later and put under surveillance at St. Mungo's while being watched over by his cousin Healer Tonks in preparation for his trial.
Barty Crouch Sr. had been interrogated under Veritaserum and they had found his son Barty Crouch Jr., a well-known and presumable deceased death eater, alive and well under an unforgivable Imperius curse at his home. Things were not looking up for either one of them. Draco, however, was very pleased at this revelation. Let's see how Moldy Pants would try to resurrect himself this time around without his faithful servant infiltrating the school, playing Professor Moody's imposter. He couldn't wait for that arsehole to get what was coming for him. It had after all been Barty, and not Moody, who had turned him into a ferret during his Fourth Year. Revenge had never tasted so sweet, even if Crouch Jr. technically had not committed that crime yet, he'd done way worse during the war. He deserved to suffer.
The trio eventually said their goodbyes to Lady Malfoy and Hermione's parents, and they got onto the train looking for a compartment to sit in. Draco almost walked past Daphne Greengrass, Theodore Nott and Blaise Zabini. All three of them had been Draco's acquaintances the first time round and even though they had been friendly, they had never actually been friends. Associating with these three Houses would be a good start, however. All three of them were the respective heirs to seats on the Wizengamot. Perhaps, this time around, he should try and expand his circle of friends. That's also what he'd promised Hermione, to make sure she'd grow up with more friends than she did last time.
Bracing himself mentally, he opened the door to the compartment, stuck his head in and smirked at the three 11-year-olds. "I assume you got room for some more fellow snakes?" he asked.
Blaise smiled and waved them in. He had always been one of the more friendly, yet reserved, Slytherins. At least, that was his true nature which he showed to the people in his own house. To the rest of Hogwarts, he spouted the same blood purity above all nonsense and was an arrogant and vain boy. He was extremely good at keeping up appearances. Something told Draco he probably would've been sorted into Hufflepuff if it wasn't for Lady Zabini's particular take on blood traitors.
Theo looked up from the book he was reading and nodded at him and Hermione, while Daphne raised an eyebrow when she noticed the Boy Who Lived walking through the doors, closing the compartment behind him.
"Harry Potter, a snake?" she asked, tilting her head, her golden blonde hair falling over her shoulder. "Now I've seen it all. Have you been spreading your Malfoy influence already, Draco?"
Draco smirked. Greengrass had always been too smart for her own good. Analytical, observant, and one of the most sought-after girls in Slytherin House. She'd always been a Ravenclaw in a snake's skin.
"Be nice, Daph" he scolded her. "Hermione and Harry are my friends."
"Draco Malfoy, making friends? Impossible," Theodore chuckled, putting his book away. "You've been a righteous snobby twat since you were in diapers, I can't believe you actually found someone who likes you," he smirked, putting out his hand for Harry and Hermione to shake. "Theodore Nott," he introduced himself.
"Harry Potter," the raven-haired boy answered with a big smile on his face as he got introduced to the three other children.
Draco could practically feel the nervousness seep into Hermione. Ever since they'd shook hands in Flourish and Blotts, he'd been feeling flickers of her emotions. Like the first time, when her hunger became his and their despair got mixed together, he had no issues picking up her feelings. He wished Ragnok would do something about that damned bond rather sooner than later. What if she started sensing his emotions too?
She had confided to him in their own two-way-diary that she felt like she might be the odd one out once they started at Hogwarts. She would be the weird girl raised by muggles – well squibs – who was actually the heir of a lost and ancient house. He turned his head at her and winked, encouraging her to introduce herself.
She smiled grateful at him and said: "I'm Hermione Dagsworth-Granger. It's a pleasure to meet you."
She shot him another thankful look and answered the others' questions as they were all interested in her heritage. Theodore mentioned that one of his ancestors had written the Pure-Blood Directory, a book containing a list of the Sacred Twenty-Eight Houses to which the Nott, Greengrass, and Malfoy family all belonged. Draco tried to put in his two cents on the heritage test and Hermione even being linked to the Malfoy family through an adopted line. He had to establish her status from the get-go. Even if these three Slytherins had not necessarily followed their families' footsteps and weren't actual proponents of blood purity, he had to establish her status as a half-blood, yet part of an ancient house. Harry luckily didn't need his help. He was the bloody Boy Who Lived. The freakin heir of the ancient house of Potter. He could fend for himself.
The six of them engaged in pleasant conversation, sharing some of their family history and excitement for being starting at Hogwarts. Draco tuned out during some point of the conversation as he noticed that especially Daphne and Hermione were making fast friends, and instead started talking to Harry about Quidditch.
Suddenly, Neville Longbottom appeared, looking at them nervously, clearly noticing he'd just entered the snake's den.
"Hi," he stammered. "Did any of you see a toad? I'm looking for my familiar, Trevor…"
In true Hermione fashion, she got up immediately and offered to help Neville. Draco knew he could use a simple Accio or point-me charm to find the toad, but he thought it was better for the others to have their own experiences and find their own solutions to their problems. He was here to prevent the war, not prevent them from being children and living the lives they wanted to live. The sooner they learned to think strategically, however, the better. They would bloody well need it if they were going to take the Ministry by storm in the future. Finding a toad would be their first adventure, their first step in learning how to solve problems.
"Thank you," Neville said, bowing his head slightly at Hermione, a blush spreading on his face because of all the attention he was getting. "I'm Neville Longbottom by the way, as most of you will know…"
Hermione introduced herself and the rest of the compartment, her confidence showing now that she'd spent some time talking to the other first-years.
"Longbottom is one of the Sacred Twenty-Eight, just like us," Daphne said. "We've met before. I have to admit, my father thought you wouldn't even make it into Hogwarts," she said sheepishly to Neville.
"My uncle Algie thought the same," the boy sighed.
Harry had been awfully quiet, merely observing the conversation. "Your mum," he exclaimed suddenly, "she's my godmother. And mine was yours. That makes us godbrothers, right?"
Neville blinked at that. "Yes, my grandmother mentioned that once," he said quietly. "It's nice to meet you, Harry. Now if you'll excuse me, I really need to find Trevor."
Once Harry also jumped up, Draco noted that you could potentially get the Gryffindorks out of Gryffindor, but you could never truly get the Gryffindor bravery, chivalry and determination out of the Gryffindorks. Oh well. Neville had always been a good friend to Hermione, often spending his time quietly studying or reading with her in the library. She'd mentored her friend and he'd slowly but surely become a force to be reckoned with. Draco still couldn't believe this shy boy grew up to be the leader of the Hogwarts Resistance during his seventh year.
The three of them ran off, promising to return with Trevor, and left to look for the toad on the train. Daphne, Blaise, and Theo started grilling Draco on his friendship with the Boy Who Lived and his mysterious discovery of the Dagworth-Granger heir.
About twenty minutes later, Neville and Trevor showed up at the compartment door. "You guys," he said. "I think Hermione is having an argument with one of the Weasleys a few compartments over… Harry was trying to cool them down, but…"
Well fuck. Hopefully it was just that wanker Percy. He certainly hoped they hadn't run into Ron. Those first few months at Hogwarts had been harsh for his Hermione, and he couldn't help but wonder if Ron had been the cause of some of the bullying that originally went on concerning her intellect.
Draco thanked Neville, and was followed out into the hallway by Blaise as he made his way to the compartment the future Gryffindor had pointed out. He could immediately see the top of Ron's red hair. Bloody hell. Why did Weasley have to be such a knobhead?
Harry stood protectively in front of Hermione as he frowned at the youngest Weasley son. "I think we can tell who the wrong sort are for ourselves, thanks," he quipped.
Draco stopped in his tracks, Blaise almost walking into him. He blinked. No. This couldn't be. No. No. It was almost exactly the same thing that Harry had said to him that first day on their way to Hogwarts. But now it was aimed at his former best friend. This couldn't be right… Draco had even prepared himself to have to share a dorm, if not an awful lot of his free time with the Weasel. But now? It was almost as if time itself was mocking him, replaying the exact same scene, but with Ron as the aggressor instead of Draco.
"Some things, are always meant to happen," Deandra spoke in his mind, saddened. "They may not happen in the way we expect them to this time round, but they will happen. There's still hope for them to become friends with the Weasley boy. We should try not to antagonise him."
Blaise yelled at the previous golden trio, trying to catch their attention to break up the argument. "Guys, what's up? Why are you arguing with Weasley?"
All it took was one look at Draco and Blaise for the redhead to turn an awful shade of purple. "Fraternising with Slytherins?" he said. "I would expect better of the Boy Who Lived."
Bloody. Fucking. Wanker.
"Draco," Deandra warned him. "Don't do or say anything you will regret. Remember he's an 11-year-old boy. You were much the same at his age. All he knows is the rivalry between his family and yours, between Gryffindors and Slytherins. Do not ruin this for Hermione and Harry. He's always been there to help them in the past."
Draco mentally grumbled at her. It would be so much easier to be a total arsehole back to Ron. But indeed, he was nothing but a child. Draco would be best suited to do some damage control, giving him something to think about.
"And what does better mean exactly, Weasley?" he asked, raising his chin in the air as he approached Harry and Hermione. "Being a Gryffindor like you lot? I thought your parents would've raised you with the notion that everyone should be treated equally. Everyone means muggle-borns, squibs, half-bloods, muggles and pure-bloods alike. No matter what House they are sorted into. Yet you stand here being a bloody git to Harry and Hermione. Is that what your family has taught you?"
Before Ron could sputter out an answer, the Weasley twins popped up. "That's enough, ickle Ronnikins," one of them said, putting a hand on their brother's shoulder. "The Malfoy spawn is right-", "-mum and dad would have a fit if they heard the filth that came out of your mouth right now."
"Our sincerest apologies-", "-Mr. Potter and friends."
Fuck it was strange to hear the twins finish each other's sentences.
Harry nodded at the twins, took a still furious Hermione by the hand, and let the four of them away.
Draco glanced at the Weasleys one last time and couldn't help but smirk as one of his brother's smacked him in the back of the head, scolding him. That's when the blond saw the rat in Weasley's hands. He'd almost forgotten about Hermione sheepishly admitting to what had happened the day he'd seen her use the time turner. Peter Pettigrew. An anonymous letter to Remus Lupin and Madam Bones would surely take care of that particular problem.
"What was his problem," Hermione asked, crossing her arms as she sat down next to Daphne again. "Once Harry mentioned that we were sitting in a compartment with you, he started spouting all this nonsense about Slytherins being the spawn of evil and whatnot."
Even if Draco loathed to do so, he realised that he didn't want their relationship to be irreparable. So, he manned up, and did the right thing and tried to put Ron's feelings in perspective.
"Weasley's family and mine have been at odds for generations," he began. "It worsened during the war with You-Know-Who. You see, the Weasleys, like me, are Sacred Twenty-Eight. But they are what is known as "blood traitors" by a lot of the older pure-bloods, because they fight for muggle and muggle-born rights. They aren't perfect, however. They have no actual clue about how advanced muggles have gotten, and they have also secretly left some squibs to grow up in the muggle world. But they are, and have always been considered, a Light family which opposed You-Know-Who, while the rest of us was either neutral, or… Well."
Harry and Hermione nodded solemnly. They had met Narcissa Malfoy and liked her well enough, but they both knew to stay clear of Draco's father and his blood purity nonsense. Both 11-year-olds were glad their friend didn't share the same ideas. If only they knew how it had been before…
"Don't think about the past, Draco," Deandra told him. "What has happened has happened. We are here now. This is your chance to make it right."
"You're right," Draco replied as he sat down next to Harry who offered him a chocolate frog. "But are we changing it for the better?"
After bonding some more on the train, the six children got ready and put on their robes when they neared Hogwarts.