Hey everyone, chapter 5 is here! I think it turned out pretty good, so I hope you all enjoy reading it. I've loved reading all the comments and reviews on the story, thank you!
Chapter 5
Harry was surprised when the very next morning at breakfast a large barn owl landed in front of him carrying a package. He looked around in surprise, sure that the owl had made a mistake with the recipient. Who could possibly be sending him something? Someone nudged his side and he looked over to find Theo watching him expectantly, while Tom and Abraxas looked on in confusion. He reached out a hand and ran it through soft feathers before untying the package from the owl's leg. He offered her some of his water and his breakfast, which the owl gratefully nibbled at before taking to the air once more. He glanced down at the package in his hands, he knew he probably looked completely ridiculous, but he had so rarely received mail, especially while at school. He felt like it was something to be savoured.
He ran his fingers over the fancy black lettering on the front. Harry, written in thick black cursive. Gradually he pulled the paper apart to reveal, a black box within. He pulled the lid off, to find a think Slytherin scarf nestled snugly inside. He ran his fingers over it, revelling in the softness. He pulled it out and wrapped the scarf around his neck, it was so long he had to wrap it three times, so it didn't hang to his knees. He rubbed his face in the folds of the scarf, it was so warm! A note lay in the bottom of the box and Harry opened it.
Dear Harry,
I wasn't sure if the new belongings given to you yesterday from Headmaster Dippet included a scarf and I was worried about you getting cold in the castle, especially as winter drawers nearer. So, I thought I would send you a scarf, mostly to alleviate my own worries for your comfort and health.
I do hope you like it. Please let me know if there is anything else you need.
Sincerely,
Fleamont Potter.
Harry ridiculously felt tears pricking his eyes again. Wow, did he need to get a better hold of his emotions. It's just, he couldn't remember if anyone in his whole life had sent him a present simply because they were worried about him. Wanted to make sure that he was warm and well. Well, at least no one who had done so without some prompting. It was very thoughtful of Fleamont, and Harry made a mental note to send him a thank you letter later, after classes.
He looked up to find everyone near him watching him shrewdly.
"It's warm" he said softly, glancing away from the penetrating stares.
"It suits you very well" Orion said as he slipped an arm around Harry's shoulder under the pretence of examining the scarf. Harry jumped slightly, not having noticed Orion's arrival, before a small grin broke out on his face.
"You think so?" Harry asked, green eyes blinking innocently as he looked up at Orion.
Orion swallowed thickly, just nodding when words failed him.
Harry looked thoughtful as he continued to eat his breakfast. It wasn't particularly cold today, but he kept the scarf wrapped around his neck as he stood and walked with his year mates out of the hall for their first class. He ducked out from under Orion's arm as they walked, instead falling into step with a pretty blonde-haired girl who eye him curiously.
"Josephine Parkinson" the girl said primly as she put her hand out for Harry to take. Unfortunately, Harry had no idea what he was supposed to do so he just shook it awkwardly, causing Theo who was walking behind them to snort.
"Harry Potter."
"Oh, I know. You are the talk of Slytherin. Probably the whole school by now" she said wryly, and Harry had to fight back the shudder at the thought. She didn't seem to notice his aversion as she continued to talk. "A Potter in Slytherin is unheard of, especially with the unusual manner of your arrival and the fact that no one had even heard of you before now."
Harry could tell she was fishing for information, which he wasn't going to give.
"Green is really more my colour" Harry said with a shrug that caused Josephine to roll her eyes.
"Please tell me you're at least decent at potions?" she asked as they walked into the potion's lab.
"Err…" Harry mumbled as he thought about all his abysmal potions classes in the past, well the future. Slughorn was already waiting at the front of the room, and he smiled happily at his Slytherins as they entered.
Josephine gripped his arm firmly and led him to the second table from the front where Abraxas was setting up his things. At the raised eyebrow they got she quickly explained. "He needs you more than I do" she said, before walking off to sit at another table.
Harry stood their non-plussed for a moment, before Abraxas motioned for him to sit.
He slid into his seat and started unpacking his things as Slughorn began the lesson.
Abraxas stood to get the ingredients, turning to look at Harry as he did so.
"If you are as terrible at potions as Josephine hinted at, I ask that you please follow my lead and not do anything without checking with me first."
Harry frowned slightly, he never said he was bad at potions. He would probably be half decent without Snape and Slytherins sabotaging every potion he tried to create. Nevertheless, he nodded. He wasn't going to be here long enough to worry about arguing his point with Abraxas. And honestly, he could probably use some pointers.
As the lesson wore on, Harry was very glad that he had Abraxas as a partner. The potion was more difficult than he had expected, and the blonde clearly knew what he was doing.
"No, no, no" Abraxas snapped for what felt like the 50th time that hour, as he pushed Harry's hand away. "It needs to be cut paper thin, go get more roots and do it again properly, these are completely useless."
Harry looked down and realised that he had cut them too thick, he walked over to the storage cupboard, collected more ingredients and started again. He bit back the sigh that wanted to escape. It seemed he was no better at potions here then he was in his own time.
As they trooped out of the doors at the end of the potions lesson, Theo clapped him on the shoulder, causing Harry to jump in surprise.
"Don't let Abraxas get you down, Harry" the dark-haired teen said.
"He didn't" Harry said honestly. "He's actually a really great teacher, he must know a lot about potions."
"I sure do" Abraxas said with a smirk as he walked past them. "Malfoys excel at everything that they do."
Harry rolled his eyes. "I seem to remember a Camille Malfoy who was charged after trying to sell magic carpets that she had knitted herself. The threading all came apart within an hour in the air."
Abraxas came to an abrupt halt, his face thunderous, while several people around them gasped.
"How do you know about that!" Abraxas yelled and Harry was honestly afraid he was about to be hexed.
Harry inwardly cringed at his mistake. Draco had told him that it was a shame on the family, but he mostly just found the story funny. Abraxas was still looking at him seriously, clearly waiting for a response.
"Err… I must've read it somewhere" Harry said, pulling nervously on his sleeve.
"Unlikely, as it was well before your time. I would've thought that a Potter would have had the good sense not to mention such a thing" the blonde practically growled. It was clearly a sore spot for Abraxas.
Harry reached out gently and rested his hand on Abraxas's arm, green eyes looking up to meet sky blue.
"I'm sorry if I've upset you, Abraxas" Harry said sincerely. "I just thought the story was funny, I didn't mean to bring up a painful topic."
Abraxas stared at Harry before he nodded, seemingly mollified.
"Malfoy's do not take kindly to anyone airing our private business. See it doesn't happen again, Potter."
Harry smiled softly up at Abraxas, his chest feeling warm as a wave of homesickness washed through him at the familiar way that 'Potter' was spat at him. He could practically see Draco standing before him, a smile on his face as he laughed at Harry's ignorance. He reached out and wrapped his arms around Abraxas, he wasn't tall enough to reach his shoulders, so settled for his chest. Leaning up to bury his face in the blonde teens neck. Soft blonde hair brushing his cheek as he breathed deeply.
Abraxas froze at the contact; he didn't think he had been so shocked in his entire life. Harry was so small he couldn't even reach his shoulders as he held him firmly. Abraxas couldn't remember the last time he has been held like this. He tended to avoid physical contact with those beneath him, and, well, everyone was beneath him. The only exception he made was when he deigned to take someone to bed and even then, it was just releasing a physical need, nothing more.
Before he could react, Harry was pulling away, giving him a fond smile before turning and walking down the hall. Seemingly unaware of the looks of shock on everyone's face as he passed by.
Harry Potter had just hugged Abraxas Malfoy and lived to tell the tale.
A firm thump on the back had Abraxas jolting back to reality, he turned to find Orion glaring at him but thankfully the Black heir was smart enough not to comment.
Theo fell into step with Harry as he wandered off towards the Great Hall for lunch. Though he too was wise enough not to say anything.
Tom watched as the other teen walked away, feeling even more intrigued by one Harry Potter.
"Where are you off to?" Tom asked as Harry gathered his things that afternoon after lessons had finished. They had managed to secure the most comfortable seats in the common room from a group of seventh years all of whom bowed lightly to Tom before walking away.
Harry tried hard not to stare but it was the first sign of Tom's… power that he'd witnessed since he'd arrived in the past. He had expected more obvious signs, but Tom was clever, and he knew how to keep a low profile.
"Just off to meet Charlus in the library to study" Harry said happily, excited at the prospect of spending time with his 'brother.'
"I'll walk with you" Alphard spoke up from where he had been chatting with some friends nearby. "I was just getting ready to head to the library myself." He shot Harry a charming smile and stuck out his arm for Harry to take. With a soft laugh Harry slipped his arm through Alphard's and they made their way out of the common room. Missing the way that Orion scowled at their retreating backs.
"Keep glaring like that and you'll give yourself wrinkles" Theo said, with a smirk at Orion, who immediately looked horrified and dropped the look.
"It's just, why is he so interested in my boring cousin. I'm the most charming Black at Hogwarts, everyone knows it."
Tom had to fight not to roll his eyes.
"He's seems to have taken a real shine to Alphard, that's for sure" Corvus said, clearly trying to stir the potion. He grinned in success as Orion's face melted into a pout.
Harry looked around shyly as he and Alphard entered the library. Alphard seeming to sense Harry's distress even if he didn't know the cause of it, stayed by his side as he walked around looking for a familiar shock of dark hair. Eventually he spotted Charlus sitting with a group of Gryffindors in a far corner. They had a large table with all their things spread out everywhere.
Harry subconsciously gripped Alphard's arm tighter as they drew near, until finally Charlus spotted him.
"Harry!" Charlus cried happily, jumping from his seat and moving to pull Harry into a quick hug. Harry wasn't really sure what to do with the unexpected contact, so he just stood there awkwardly until Charlus let him go.
"Come sit down, Harry" Charlus said, gently pulling Harry toward an empty seat beside him.
"Move along Slytherin" one of the Gryffindors at the table snapped at Alphard, causing Harry to frown.
"Go back to whatever hole you've just slithered out of" a girl with shockingly blonde hair sneered.
"Hey!" Harry said indignantly, losing his shyness in the face of the animosity toward his friend. He disentangled himself from Charlus and moved back towards Alphard's side.
"Don't talk to my friend like that!" Harry said, eyes narrowed in anger.
"Don't worry about it Harry, I could care less what these… people think of me" Alphard said with a sniff and a twist of his head. Harry was just thankful that Alphard had gone with 'people' and not whatever insult he had been thinking of.
"Still, there's no reason to be rude" Harry said with a huff, crossing his arms pointedly and looking at the Gryffindors, who didn't seem to know what to do with this small Slytherin who was related to their friend and was currently giving them a telling off. Alphard just felt immeasurably touched that Harry would stand up for him like this, given that they hadn't even known each other that long.
"You're right, Harry" Charlus said in a placating manner and a significant look at his friends. "That was rude of them to say."
"Sorry" the girl said with a deep sigh, while the boy grunted out his own apology.
"You are forgiven" Alphard said. "You better hope that nothing of the sort is directed at Harry while he is with you" he continued, and it was impossible to miss the threat underlying the words. In that moment Harry was forcibly reminded that he was dealing with a Black. No matter the charming, outer shell, underneath was a cold, cruel streak that could rival anyone's once it was provoked.
"I will meet you back here in a few hours to walk you to dinner" Alphard said seriously as he turned his attention back to Harry but before Harry could protest that he didn't need an escort the older Slytherin was gone.
"Come take a seat, Harry" Charlus said somewhat awkwardly, and Harry cursed himself for ruining the happy mood, but he just couldn't let them get away with talking to Alphard that way.
He made his way over and sat beside Charlus, pulling out his books and trying to ignore all the eyes watching him. He had hoped that it was just going to be him and Charlus and was unprepared for such a large group of people.
"So, Harry" a tall redhead male sitting across from began. "Where have you been for the past 17 years?"
Harry looked up from the book he hadn't even had a chance to open yet, in complete bewilderment.
"Aaron!" Charlus hissed from beside him.
"I think that's actually a pretty fair question" a brunette girl piped up. "I mean I know Charlus said you've been ill all these years but many of us have known Charlus for a long time, been to his home and never seen or heard anything about a younger brother. And yet here you sit, a Slytherin no less."
Harry frowned at the muttering and nods that broke out around the table.
"I actually don't see how it's any of your business" Harry said coolly, as his green eyes flickered around the table, heart pounding in his chest.
"We care about Charlus and don't want to see him swindled by some slimy Slytherin!" another boy shouted, and Harry felt his insides clench in dismay. It seemed he was forever destined to have people dislike him without even knowing him.
"Well," he said, picking up his book with shaking hands and putting it back in his bag. "I- I can see when I'm not wanted."
He made to push his chair back but was stopped by a firm hand on his arm, glancing over to see Charlus glaring around at his friends.
"Ignore them Harry, their hearts are bigger than their brains" Charlus explain, eyes still pinning his friends. Charlus gathered his things, "let's go sit somewhere else, just the two of us. I really don't feel like being around these nit wits at the moment."
"But, Charlus-" someone stuttered, only to be hit by such a fierce scowl that Harry nearly took a step back himself.
"Save it. Come on Harry, I see another table over there" Charlus said, indicating to a table across the other side of the room.
"You didn't have to do that" Harry said quietly but Charlus just shook his head.
"You're family Harry, there is nothing more important to a Potter then family. There is so few of us left that we need to stick together."
Harry felt warm all over at the words, so this is what it felt like to have a family who cared.
They sat and worked together for the few hours before dinner. Chatting a little about inconsequential things, but enough to break the ice. Harry, conscious of revealing anything about the future the whole time they were together. It turned out that Charlus was as much of a quidditch fan as Harry himself was, so they made plans to go flying together on the weekend. Harry couldn't wait.
"You like the scarf?" Charlus asked, with a nod at Harry's neck.
Harry blushed a little at the realisation that he was still wearing the scarf Fleamont had sent him that morning.
"I love it" Harry murmured, running his fingers over the soft fabric and causing Charlus to smile softly.
When Alphard arrived to walk him to dinner, Harry had been surprised at how quickly the time had flown.
Harry's arm was once again looped through Alphard's as they walked toward the great hall.
"I noticed you left the big table, were the Gryffindors unkind to you?" Alphard asked casually as they neared the doors.
Harry shrugged, glancing away. "It was just a bit too busy for my taste. Thankfully Charlus was happy to move to a quieter table to work together."
Alphard hummed but didn't comment further.
They walked toward the Slytherin table and Orion scooted down the table to make room for Harry beside him. Alphard slid into the spot after guiding Harry to a place between Theo and Greengrass.
"Why thank you for saving me a seat, dear cousin" Alphard said looking amused.
"That was supposed to be for Harry" Orion hissed looking angry, but Alphard just shrugged unconcerned.
That night Harry stayed up later then usual, writing a letter to Fleamont to thank him profusely for the scarf. He didn't hear anyone approaching, only looking up when someone dropped into the seat opposite him.
"You're up late" Tom commented idly.
"I could say the same for you" Harry said with a small smile.
Tom merely raised a brow at him. "Alphard advised me of a situation that required my immediate attention."
Harry decided not to pursue that line of questioning, preferring to not know just what Tom had been up to this evening.
When Harry didn't comment, Tom continued talking.
"You aren't used to getting presents" it wasn't a question but a mere statement of fact, so Harry stayed silent. "I understand the feeling, though I am a little surprised that a Potter would relate."
Tom's deep brown eyes stared intently at Harry, but he didn't seem to be expecting a response, because the next moment the Slytherin prefect stood and headed to their bathroom to change for bed. Leaving Harry alone to fret. Oh, why couldn't Professor Dippet find that time travel device already so he could go home!?