A/N-
Hello people. Hope you are having a good day. My next chapter for you is out. Let me know how it is.
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Chapter 2- Malfoy Humiliation
"Will you calm down for a moment, Potter?" Madam Pomfrey sighed, putting her wand aside. She nodded in satisfaction when she was sure Harry was suitable for discharge.
"I need you to hold off for a while—no magic, at least for a week." She ordered, her voice stern as she narrowed her eyes at the young man.
Harry held his hands up in surrender. "Fine."
"You can leave, Potter." The matron ordered. "And do try to keep out of trouble. Your penchant for getting into trouble is not very good for you."
Harry shrugged, smiling at the aged matron.
"I will say this a hundred times more, Madam Pomfrey. Trouble finds me."
"Of course it does." The matron muttered affectionately as the boy rushed out of the medical wing.
Harry was relieved that he had managed to escape the medical wing. He meant no offence to Madam Pomfrey but passionately hated the medical wing. For some reason, whenever he ended up in the Hospital Wing, he felt that he had attempted a step closer to his death.
Harry stretched his arms, yawning as he did so. The school year would end tomorrow, and he would leave Hogwarts for the summer and return to the Dursleys. He would never admit it, but he was slightly disappointed. Since Sirius's proposition, he had no intention of returning to Privet Drive. He desperately wanted his time at the Dursleys to be a matter of past.
He chuckled sadly. He had a semblance of hope that he might finally live away from the sad life that he had come to build for himself around the Dursleys. Peter's escaping pushed all his plans down the drain. Harry clenched his fists to try and abate his anger. Had there been any chance that if everything that transpired a few days back happened once again, he would kill the bastard, consequences be damned.
He had let Peter go for one reason: for Sirius. He would admit that he barely knew anything about the man. This was not a matter of sentimentality. He wanted to right a wrong. He had been troubled the entire year with occasional exposure to the foul beasts, but he could not comprehend what the man went through, having been exposed to the Dementors for a dozen years.
"Mr Potter?" Harry heard a familiar voice behind him, and he was faced with Remus Lupin.
"Professor?" Harry greeted the man with a smile.
He should be thankful to the man for all he did this year. Their first greeting on the train, the actions in the classroom when it came to the boggart, the patronus training that he constantly instructed him with. Additionally, he helped clear up the mess with Ron and Hermione.
Harry couldn't believe he left the two back in the Shack for a whole day. How it slipped his mind, he never knew. He stunned the two of them for plausible deniability. He wanted them to have no role in what he had planned to do to Sirius if he caught him. He left the two back there because they would have asked questions he could not answer, following the mess that conspired. He did not need that when reeling from all the facts he had learned that day.
He would have eventually returned to them had things moved how he intended. That was not the case. Remus, in his werewolf form, changed everything. They lost Peter, and subsequently, the only way they had to prove the innocence of Sirius in the murder of his family. He ended up in the hospital wing after the Dementors. His focus on Madam Pomfrey, who had taken it upon herself to talk to him about his Grandparents, led him to forget that the two of them were still in the shack.
He felt ashamed of himself when he woke up. How could he be so ignorant? He had escaped the Hospital Wing and had rushed towards the shack in the dead of the night only to be halted by Remus. The man had caught him in a difficult situation, and Harry did not know what to do. He could not reveal the situation to the man without raising all sorts of problems.
To his relief, the man didn't question him. He seemed to understand where Harry was going and immediately reassured him that Ron and Hermione were fine. He accompanied Harry back to the medical wing and made sure he returned to his bed. Not once did he question what took place, and for that, Harry was grateful, though he guessed that he would not let it pass. He was bound to ask Harry about that day and hoped the man would understand why he kept it from him.
It was reassuring to learn that Ron and Hermione returned safely. Harry didn't know how to explain what took place to the two of them. One of them was bound to slip up, and until they had Pettigrew, they could not afford slip-ups.
"Harry?" Remus waved his hand across his face, catching Harry's attention. "You are lost."
"Nothing like that," Harry assured the man as the two continued walking together. Remus rummaged inside his coat and pulled a familiar piece of parchment from within. He held it out for Harry. "That is something that belongs to you." He said as Harry received it from the man and unfolded it.
"Thank you," Harry nodded at the older man, pocketing the parchment after folding it.
"I am leaving Hogwarts." He whispered, but Harry managed to hear it. "What? Why?"
Remus was the best defence professor he had in his last three years at Hogwarts. Sure, there were few examples that he could compare, but he enjoyed the classes this year better than the past ones.
"Severus let slip that one of their professors is a werewolf, and the prominent families were scared that a killer beast was teaching their sons and daughters and that the issue should be taken seriously and I should be dismissed immediately." Remus chuckled.
"Stupid Snape. So all year round, all these prominent families were not bothered by the fact that the Dementors had been roaming around the school?" He was angry.
"It is fine. It was bound to be common knowledge sooner or later. It is a miracle that only a handful of people knew about it when I was studying." The two men made it to the courtyard of the castle and took a seat nearby.
"Tell me something, Professor." Harry broke the silence between the two. "Why did you not introduce yourself as my father's friend back on the train?"
The man sagged in his seat when Harry finished his question. He looked away from the young man as he spoke. "I hoped this day would never come." He whispered.
"I am a werewolf, Harry. We just discussed what being me entails. People already want me out despite how good of a job I do. Work is hard to come by, and it is a burden to lead an everyday life."
"I wanted to meet you. Dumbledore told me you were safe with Petunia, and I had to stay away. You must know how much Petunia hates us." Harry nodded. "I kept to myself. Whenever I felt the urge to come and see you, I had to listen to the demons in my head. The beast, the society, your aunt, the situation in which you were kept away from our world."
"Answer my question, but had I developed a typical uncle and nephew relationship with you, would you have continued to stay in the muggle world, or would you have been miserable every time I left you there knowing that you do not belong there?"
Harry frowned. "I would have insisted you take me with you. How could I not?"
Remus smiled as he nodded. "Forgive me for assuming so, but I guessed the same." He explained. "But what after that?"
"I take you with me, knowing that I am a werewolf who is nothing short of a killer regardless of the person I live with is my blood. One slip-up and you would become a werewolf. Trust me when I tell you so, but I cannot live with myself knowing that I was why you became a werewolf. I will be dead the very instant if that becomes the case. I would never let you anywhere near this deformity." He whispered, shuddering slightly as he closed his eyes.
"That is not all. What about our life?" He questioned rhetorically. "I barely have a job. When I do, it is for not more than a few months, which is me being generous. I have to work the minimum wage, and I might lose my job the first day, after a month or after six, but I can never keep a job. I can barely support myself on what I earn. I go hungry for days together. I cannot afford the wolfsbane potion. Dumbledore was kind enough to ensure its supply in Hogwarts but not outside. With my state being this bad, how can I look after a child?"
Harry felt ashamed for questioning the man. He cannot fault him after hearing that. He should not criticise the man. He felt terrible for blaming the man and his genuine intention. He observed the man once again. His outfit was shabby and worn out. Judging by the tension on his face, the man seemed worn out beyond measure.
"Sorry." Harry apologised genuinely. "It was wrong of me to question your intention, Professor. Forgive me." Remus chuckled as he shook his head. "You shouldn't be. You have every right to question me, Harry. I would have come clean anyway. Just not today. Well…" He shrugged.
The two remained seated in silence for a while until Harry broke it. "What about now?" He questioned. "Things are different now. How about I learn about the man who was my father's best friend now?" He held out his hand expectantly.
Remus observed the young man. He was astounded by the amount of maturity the boy possessed. 'It is a shame you aren't here to witness him grow, James, Lily.' He thought mentally. The boy was a gem. He felt his throat constrict painfully. He was a blend of both his parents, the best of both.
He took the boy's outstretched hand and shook it. "I would love nothing more than that."
BREAK
A resounding pop breaks the silence of the evening, signifying the arrival of a lone figure on the well-maintained driveway. The figure continued on the driveway, leading to the grand manor ahead. Immaculate blonde hair flowed onto his shoulder, pale skin, calculative blue eyes, dressed in jet black robes made of the finest of material available in all of Britain. He seemed to have dressed to impress.
The man walked with a swagger, his every being screaming upper class. The clicking of a walking cane accompanied the man's stride as he climbed the stairs to the front door.
The man didn't pause when he entered the manor and continued walking forward until he reached a grand staircase that led further up into the mansion. He reached a hallway and continued for a few more minutes, gazing at the long line of portraits on either side of the wall. The pride of his family. His history.
"Lucius?" He was about to enter his office when he heard his wife arrive. "In your office…"
Lucius Malfoy turned to face his wife, looking into her eyes. "Never interrupt me, Narcissa." He whispered, but he was sure that his wife heard him.
"But…" She made to speak only for the man to interrupt her.
"I said, never interrupt me while I am doing something." The woman stepped back slightly as she held her words. "Do well to remember what you are supposed to do when asked to do something." He said as he proceeded to enter the room.
"You would do well remembering who you are speaking to, Lucius." His hand stilled on the door handle when the woman spoke. "Just because I ignore all your nonsense doesn't mean I would tolerate disrespect from you." Narcissa Malfoy's voice was as cold as ice.
"Don't pull that Black family nonsense over me, Narcissa. That family is down in the dumps, with my son being the only one who can provide any semblance of attention to it. You are still trying to pull your influence that went dead with your Grandfather after fifteen years?" The man laughed, shaking his head.
The woman didn't reply, choosing to remain silent for now. Lucius Malfoy leaned forward. He chuckled. "Flushed face, narrowed eyebrows, shallowed breathing, clenched fists. Angry?" He questioned, his hand reaching up and grabbing her chin.
The woman pried herself away from his hand. "Now be a good wife, and shut your mouth. Understand?" If it was possible, the woman's eyes could kill. She walked away from the place, leaving the man behind.
Lucius entered his office and closed the door behind him. He walked towards his desk and stopped in front of it. "Your wife should learn to keep her mouth shut." Lucius glared at the man who
"Save it, Barty." A squeaky voice broke in, halting the two heated men. Lucius bowed down immediately when he heard the voice. "My lord."
"Surprised, Lucius? You seem to be surprised by my presence." The voice squeaked.
The man shook his head, still not daring to look up. "Just like my father before me, I live to serve you, my Lord. This will always be the same and continue to be the same."
"They why is it that I sense fear, Lucius? I can smell your fear, and don't bother lying to me. I will be most displeased." The voice squeaked. The Malfoy patriarch swallowed hard when he was called out on his inner thoughts. "My lord…" He stammered, failing to answer the man's question honestly.
"Don't bother Lucius." The voice snapped. "You think I don't know?" The man dropped his head down, unable to reply. "You assumed I was dead, Lucius?" The voice chuckled.
"Have I fallen off so badly in your eyes that you didn't trust my abilities, Lucius? That you thought that a baby would best Lord Voldemort?"
Lucius Malfoy looked up from the floor. He had remained quiet for a while now but would be punished badly the more he did so. He gathered as much courage as possible and spoke.
"Forgive me, but what more should we have done? The last we heard about you was that you had disappeared from the Potter house, leaving nothing but your burnt robes and wand. We had no sign of your presence, and the Dark Mark faded considerably. We had no choice but to assume that you had perished. The evidence suggested so." He defended himself.
"Speak for yourself." Barty Crouch spoke from behind him. "When defending your actions, make sure you speak for yourself. I didn't waver. The Lestranges didn't. Dolohov didn't. We went to Azkaban for it. The others are still in Azkaban for it, barring the few of you who were cowards."
"Oh, and staying outside where we can get things to work for us is cowardice? Do you know the inroads I have managed to build into the Ministry? Every single department works under my command. I am the strings behind every move of the Ministry. I have managed to weaken the Minster to such an extent that he could not function without my help." Lucius was breathing hard as he finished his triad.
"What use were you, Barty?" He continued. "How did you and the Lestranges make yourself useful? By being the shadow of your former self? By becoming weaker considerably?"
"Give me three days, and I will have the ministry dancing to my tunes. What about you? Can you say the same?"
"I have not been idle, my lord." Lucius turned back. "As I said, I have the Ministry at my beck and call. Anything you need can be done."
"Not now, Lucius. Not right away." The Dark Lord ground out. "I need Potter." He explained.
"I have something important to carry out in the presence of Potter."
"Can I know why, my lord?" Lucius questioned. "Potter is not hard to find. I know he stays with his muggle relatives, but I would expect protection in his home. Dumbledore would not be foolish enough to keep the boy without safety."
The Dark Lord was silent in contemplation, with the two men waiting for his orders.
"Well, now is the time to test your loyalty to me, Lucius." The Dark Lord squeaked. "I will leave it to you, but I expect you to finish this job. Give me Potter as quickly as possible. I don't care what you do or how you do it, but I will be most displeased if you fail to devise a plan. I hope you remember what will happen if you fail, Lucius?" The man nodded obediently, shuddering slightly, reminiscing the punishments the man would implement.
BREAK
She slammed the door behind her and collapsed on the other side of it. He was alive. How was he still alive? She silenced her room from the inside before throwing her wand away angrily, screaming to the high heavens. She clenched her fists tightly, tears beginning to flow from her eyes.
Narcissa Black had a sheltered life. She had everything she could ask for. Born to one of the wealthiest and most powerful wizarding families in the Wizarding World, she never had to worry about her life. She grew up in her cocoon, dreaming about the beautiful ideal life that her parents were planning for her. As the Black family's daughter, it was her duty, and she would only be given to the most prosperous and powerful family as a wife.
It was beautiful. She was to be wedded to Lucius Malfoy, the heir of the Malfoy family. One of the wealthiest families in Magical Britain. She had watched Lucius at Hogwarts. He was extremely handsome, very powerful and highly influential. He commanded respect from the entirety of the Slytherin house. It was all going accordingly for Narcissa Black until she became Narcissa Malfoy. That was when everything began going downhill.
She had high hopes for her marriage. She imagined all sorts of scenarios where her husband would shower her with love and affection, go on romantic dates, and have many children, but that was not the case.
She was wrong. She knew it when she stepped up on the altar at her wedding. His smile was false. During the entire wedding, she felt uneasy standing next to the man. Everything about him felt wrong, felt out of place. A kiss that should have been filled with promises and a fantastic future ahead now felt empty.
She ignored the feeling and returned with the man to the vast manor. One look at the Manor and Narcissa felt her heart drop. The place could only be described as grand, but despite its attractiveness, it came off as…plain. She did not want to start her life in this place, but she kept her thoughts to herself. It was not her place to complain. She didn't want to come off as a snob.
And then, she was shown to her chambers that she was supposed to live with her husband. There she lay next to the man who did what was necessary so that she could sire a child, and then, she was told that she would be given a separate bedroom that was specifically for her and said that she should never enter her Lucius's room again unless he demands it.
That did it. She had closed her door, sealed it and silenced it before collapsing to the ground with her back to the door, tears rolling down her cheeks like today. Her life had been anything but comfortable. She had a manor to herself but no freedom. She had a husband, but not a man who loved her, a son she adores, but he is an exact carbon copy of his father in every way. The boy barely speaks to her, let alone respects her. She had the epitome of an upper-class lifestyle but was nothing but a prisoner in this place.
She would have managed to push ahead if not for that man. The Dark Lord. She knew of the man. Her sister raved about how great he was and how he was the right solution to their society. She didn't pay much attention to it. Why would she? It had nothing to do with her. The name she carried would undoubtedly keep this mess away from her.
She was wrong. The man brought the mess into her life. Lucius adored the man. He followed the man religiously, worshipping his every step. His every word was an order to her husband. Everything that the man asked of her husband, he did it without thinking twice. He was passionate about the man and his cause. Some of the things that went on in the manor were inhumane. Muggles are brought into the manor's dungeons and tortured for hours in the name of recruitment and training.
Then there were women. Narcissa had thrown up in disgust when she learnt what happened to those women in the manor. She could do nothing but remain quiet. Her perspective of the man she had married died with each passing day. She would have left the place and the man if not for Draco.
Draco brought her hope. He brought optimism into her life. She believed that change would come into her life with her son. It was a strong belief. Lucius adored his son. As soon as Draco's arrival was nearing, Lucius changed into a different man. He was always around. He asked about her condition and whether she was eating well. He made sure that no stone was left unturned in her care.
Draco was born, and Lucius was ecstatic. He was the happiest man in the world. She saw the man cry in joy, something that surprised her to no end. Maybe not everything was lost. She could salvage something after all. The war was over. The Dark Lord was no more. All, if not most, of his associates were in Azkaban.
That was the case for the next three years. The three were all in the world: Lucius, Draco and herself. Nobody mattered. They toured countries and celebrated anniversaries and birthdays. It was all going well. It was supposed to remain so for a long time, but it was all over when Draco began to walk and talk.
Like before, Lucius began ignoring her, focusing only on her son. She would have been happy with it if not for the things he began to teach Draco. Her son, who was supposed to be innocent, was slowly being crafted into the man that Lucius himself was. That was too much for her to bear.
Who could she go to? Her parents were dead. Her Grandparents, who were so supportive of her, passed away before this marriage was a thought. An elder sister who is rotting away in Azkaban for her stupidity. An estranged sister who left a long time ago, a sister who, despite her best attempts, managed to insult her, push her away and cut off all contact, despising her choice of husband. A dead cousin who, despite him being alive, would have done little to help her.
Now, he was back. The bastard was still alive and back in her house, with Draco returning tomorrow. She had tried hard and failed to keep her son from behaving like his father. Now, she would have to try and keep him away from that monster and his ways. Her chances were bleak at best. She tried desperately to mould him into a different man than his father, but that was not to be. She heard from Aurora about her son, and it was not good things that she spoke of him.
"No." She whispered, wiping her tears away. She would not lose her son. He was the only good thing that happened to her, and she would not lose him to that abomination that spoiled her life. If it were her life that was necessary to keep him, she would gladly lose it. If it were Lucius's life that was necessary, she would take it. She only hoped Draco would make the right choice and listen to her.
BREAK
"What happened that night, Harry?" He still didn't know how she was quiet all this while. The fact that he wasn't questioned when she had her eyes on him surprised the young man.
After his talk with Remus, he made it to the Great Hall for the last feast of the year, along with the man who left to occupy his seat on the head table. Harry continued and reached the space next to Ron and Hermione, who watched him closely.
"Hey guys." Harry greeted the two of them and slid in next to them. "Hi, mate." Ron greeted, though Hermione chose to remain silent.
Harry piled some food into his plate and ate quietly until Hermione butt in, but he was quick to reply.
"Should we talk about this right now? We will talk about this later on the train." He watched as the two of them nodded, though Hermione was still unsatisfied by his answer.
The three of them continued with their food, remaining silent for now. Harry didn't spare a single glance at the two. He didn't want their judgemental stare on him. He would not budge in his decision to keep whatever happened that day to himself.
He let his gaze travel down the table and saw Oliver Wood talking animatedly with his friends. The Gryffindor Quidditch captain would be leaving Hogwarts for the last time and from what Harry knew, he had a few offers from a few professional Quidditch teams.
"I will see you guys in a bit." He stood up from his seat and made his way towards Oliver. The young man saw him coming and smiled.
"Harry!" Oliver cheered as he waved for him to sit down. "Heard you were in the hospital wing for some reason. Are you alright?" Harry shook his head. "I was slightly ill. Nothing more."
"So this is it?" Harry questioned the young man, who nodded, a look of nostalgia on his face. "It is." He whispered with a chuckle. "I can't believe it passed quickly. Quidditch aside, I guess I am going to miss this place."
"It had to happen eventually, but I never thought about the day I was to leave Hogwarts until the last two months. It all went away very quickly. Just yesterday, I was trying out for the keeper slot, and today, I am leaving Hogwarts as the winning captain of the Gryffindor Quidditch team, breaking the streak of the Slytherin team who had been dominating Quidditch at Hogwarts for a while now. It has been pretty good."
"In a week, you will be looking at the new reserve keeper of Puddlemere United." Harry stared at the boy in shock. "For Puddlemere?" He questioned incredulously.
The young man reached into his pocket and pulled a parchment, handing it to Harry.
"This came in two days back. I will be signing for them in three days and will be attending training from the next week."
Harry read the letter carefully and chuckled. "Would you look at that? Even you could make it to a professional team. The standards have gradually deteriorated if they want you on their team." Harry teased, hoping to annoy the young man who narrowed his eyes.
"I might be leaving, but until we reach King's Cross, I am still your senior and Quidditch Captain, Potter. Don't get all cheeky with me."
The two of them chuckled good-naturedly. "You deserved it, Oliver. There has not been a better player in Hogwarts for the last three years. You deserve this and more." Harry wished the young man genuinely.
They had discussed Puddlemere and that their keeper was close to retirement. Oliver hoped to make it to their trials but was now offered a professional contract. He knew for a fact that this meant a great deal to Oliver. He would make a great player in a few years.
"It could not have been possible without you guys." Oliver smiled.
"You are trying to be too modest." Harry stood up, and Oliver did the same. The two shook hands. "I will be there when you make your debut. That is a promise." Harry promised and stepped back.
"See you soon, Oliver. Good luck." He wished him once again as he left to join his friends. It was time to go.
BREAK
He stepped into the compartment, and he was faced with two expectant faces. He would not have a moment's peace if the two decided to be this way. He would get this over with.
"Why did you stun us?" Ron questioned. "What happened that night? What happened with Sirius Black?" Hermione shot her questions right alongside Ron.
"Nothing happened." Harry answered, "Sirius Black did nothing to me. He just stared me in the eye and then ran away." His voice didn't waver for a single second as he lied to the two.
"I was shocked. He seemed to have been waiting to attack me all year, but he didn't do so when he got the chance. He wanted to prove some sort of point, and I could not guess what it was for the life of me." He was half right about it.
Sirius was not here to attack him, and Harry had not managed to guess what he was here for and who he was here for.
"I tried to chase after him, but he escaped using his animagus. I had ventured into the deeper areas of the forest. The dementors attacked me, and the next thing I knew, I was waking up in the Hospital Wing."
"As for the stunning, I didn't want you guys to see what I would be doing to the betrayer of my parents had I got my hands on him." He replied seriously, taking the two by surprise. "My parents were betrayed and killed. If anybody expected that I would show the man mercy, you are certainly mistaken."
"I did not want you two on my back in that situation. I stunned you two." He shrugged.
"You would have hurt the man?" Hermione questioned. "No, not hurt." Harry shook his head.
"I would have tortured him mercilessly. I would have watched him scream in agony, hoping he would be killed rather than face what I would do to him."
Harry had expected such a reaction. The two of them were looking at him differently. He didn't care. Let them think whatever they wanted of him. This was how he always was. He had never changed before, and he will not change now. If they assumed differently, it was not his problem.
The two remained silent for the rest of the journey, glancing at him occasionally and sharing a look between them. He was getting annoyed every time they did that. He would have lashed out if he had stayed in the compartment any more, so he decided to step out.
He stood up to leave, and the two didn't speak as he went. Harry took a deep breath and released a sigh. It hurt him. They were watching him like he might blow up and start throwing killing curses around any moment now.
He began his trip to the front of the train. A walk might take him away from the moment.
Was he in the wrong? Was it wrong that he wanted to break every bone in Pettigrew's body? Should he not think of harming the man who took away his family? No. He would never forgive the betrayal of the man. He could not digest that a good friend betrayed his father's trust. He could never forgive betrayal.
He was lost in thought and didn't realise he had ventured to the part Slytherins usually occupied. He crashed into somebody by mistake and stepped back. He went to apologise when he realised that it was Draco Malfoy.
"Watch where you are going, Potter." The boy sneered as his lackeys stepped in behind him.
"Yeah, sorry," Harry muttered as he stepped away from the boy and tried to walk away.
"Caught Black yet, Potter? You know, the man who betrayed your parents?" Harry froze midstep. He realised that a crowd had formed around him, watching the nonsense.
"I am ashamed to be related to the man. It almost pains me that he was somebody who betrayed his friends. He tarnished the reputation of Blacks, and it pains me to say that I have to do everything in my power to raise the name and standings of the Blacks once I become the Lord Black."
Harry turned around and faced the boy. What little patience he had managed to build moving out of his compartment was waning away slowly.
"On the other hand, maybe he saw the truth. Maybe he came to his senses and decided he had been in the wrong place with the wrong kind. Maybe he decided he had been putting all his support to the wrong side. I mean, the irony. A Black befriending a mudblood. A Black assuming the role of a Godfather to the blood of the same filth." Laughter rang around him as Draco mocked his mother. Harry's patience dwindled as he cocked his head.
Harry motioned for him to come closer. Malfoy stopped laughing and stared at Harry. Harry beckoned him closer again. Malfoy looked around and was strengthened by the fact that he had his mates from Slytherin and Crabbe and Goyle standing behind him, cracking their knuckles, trying to look menacing. Draco stepped forward and approached Harry, standing face-to-face with him.
Harry just stared at the boy for a few seconds, and when the boy made to speak, he slapped him.
Their surroundings went silent at that. Malfoy reeled back, the impact of the slap pushing him to his knees.
Harry's eyes never left the boy as he waited for his response. "Why you…" Malfoy stood up and rushed forward, his hands raised, only to be slapped again.
Harry glared at the Malfoy heir as the boy nursed the bruise that had formed on his cheek, his eyes streaming with tears from the sting.
"Just because the others let you blabber nonsense, do you think everybody would do the same?" Harry snapped, and Malfoy jumped slightly.
"How many times do you think you would get away? Once? Twice? Thrice? What about the fourth time? You think I would sit down and watch you try and walk all over me?"
"Shut up!" He growled, holding out his hand to stop him from interrupting.
Harry remembered what Madam Pomfrey said about his family. Taking inspiration from the same, Harry continued. "Did you forget who I am?" He whispered, sure that he was being heard. "Did you forget the name I carry?" He looked around.
"Did all your families forget who my Grandfather was?" He questioned so that every ear around him had caught his words. He observed subtly as most of them shuffled uneasily.
"Did you forget what family I hail from?" He questioned, his question concentrated towards Draco.
"This time, it is just a slap. Next time, I assure you…" He shook his head. "No. I promise you that it will be much worse." He warned.
Harry stepped forward, and his hand moved towards the Malfoy heir's face, who cringed away from the hand, expecting another blow. He grabbed the boy's shoulder and dusted his robe of some non-existent dust.
"Just because a person remains silent doesn't mean he is a pushover, Malfoy. There are people stronger than you can imagine." He stepped away from the boy and began his walk back.
"Make sure to keep that in your head." He called back on his way out, leaving a humiliated boy and a group of shocked students behind.
BREAK
Narcissa stood waiting for the Hogwarts Express to pull into the station. Her son was coming home today, and she was with her husband to collect him. Lucius never ventured to pick up Draco from the station. Her job was to send him off to Hogwarts and receive him as he returned. That was the only mother-and-son bonding that she was allowed to do.
Lucius stood ahead along with his many friends, who were here to collect their sons and daughters. They shared a muted conversation that didn't interest Narcissa, lost deep in her thoughts.
She had done all the thinking she wanted, and her decision was made. She didn't want to be in that house any longer. Not with that thing being around them. She would go, and she would be taking her son along. Draco was just a boy. Impressionable. His being around Lucius with that monster around her house would only turn him into the man she hoped he would never become. The same man that Lucius was.
The train pulled into the station, and students began piling out to go and join their families. This was the part where Narcissa felt envious. She watched as young boys greeted their families with hugs and their mothers with kisses. She never expected Draco to show public affection. That was too much to ask for. But she would be more than happy if he talked to her with some love. Just talk about his year at Hogwarts. Tell her how he was doing in his classes. These small details gave her a lot of happiness, but again, that was too much to ask for.
She watched as her son exited the train and searched for her. When he noticed them, he began walking towards them, a hand on his cheek. Narcissa frowned. 'What is the matter?' She thought as he neared them.
"Draco," Lucius greeted his son as he stopped before them. Narcissa, though, stepped closer to him and reached towards his hand on his face. The boy turned away, shielding his face.
"Draco?" Narcissa pried his face towards them. "What is it?" She asked as she forced his palm away. She gasped as his bruised cheek came into view.
"Draco?" She caressed his cheek softly. "Who? Who did this?" She questioned gently, even though she knew he might have been responsible for somebody's ire and said person would not have taken lightly to his transgressions. She wondered who had the nerve to go against her husband. Lucius was a scumbag, but she had to admit he was influential.
She felt the man step behind her. She immediately stepped back. He was furious. She didn't know if it was the fact that somebody had hit his son or if it was the fact that somebody dared to torment him.
"Who was it?" Lucius questioned, his voice low, indicating his anger. "Speak up, Draco."
The boy looked away, his face reddening in shame. "Potter." He muttered, but his father was not able to hear him. "Speak up, boy!" He snapped, his voice garnering attention from the people around.
"It was Potter!" Draco shouted, his patience waning. Heated whispers began circulating the crowd at the exclamation.
"Potter slapped me. He slapped me in front of the entire Slytherin House!" He continued, his face reddening in shame.
Lucius Malfoy had gone quiet when he learnt that Potter had slapped his son. Why did Potter, of all people, hit Draco? But that curiosity gradually shifted towards anger. The last altercation between them had finished with him being cursed by a lowly house elf. He had walked away with shredded dignity that a second-year boy had gotten one up over him.
He would have managed to do something about it later but could not let the matter rest with the case out in the open. The public would lose their fear of the name of the Malfoys he managed to instil. He could not let this slight slide.
Potter chose that very moment to make an appearance. He was lost in his thoughts, barely paying attention to the mess around him as he approached the exit.
"Potter!?" The boy paused in his stride and faced him, his eyes watching them in curiosity. Lucius pulled Draco by his arm and dragged him towards Potter, who cocked his head to one side questioningly.
"Apologize!" He ordered as he came close to the boy. "Apologize to my son." Harry stared at the man, his gaze not wavering for a moment.
To the shock of the gathered crowd and the Malfoy family, the boy shook his head. "I don't think so." He muttered and turned around to walk away.
Lucius turned purple with rage at the casual dismissal of the boy in front of the large group of assembled wizards and witches. His allies were right behind, and that only caused his rage to increase considerably.
"You dare!" He growled as he lunged at the boy, his common sense blinded by rage.
Harry watched the man lunging at him, but he didn't back down. He slapped the man's arm away as he tried to grab Harry by his shirt. Harry was mad from everything Malfoy Jr. blabbered on the train to the actions of Ron and Hermione as soon as he revealed his intentions. Now, this man was grating on his nerves. He slapped the man's hand away and stepped closer to the man.
"Don't ever dare raise your hand against me," Harry warned, ensuring the gathered crowd was hearing him. "I am not somebody who will lightly take a slight against myself or my family. Your son did both. He walked up to me and mocked their death." Harry's eyes narrowed, conveying his anger.
"I am not a pushover, Lucius Malfoy. Your son and, by extension, you might get away with all the nonsense you try without much effect, but remember that the same would not work with everybody. Those friends of yours back there," He nodded towards the man's partners. "They might not have the nerve to call you out on your stupidity, but I do."
The gathered crowd began laughing as they heard Harry speak. Lucius's face reassembled a tomato as he grits his teeth at the insult. "Never disrespect my family," Harry warned as he stepped back. "The name I carry is infinitely better than all of yours combined. The man who sired me stood in the the face of death and welcomed it so I could live. The woman who birthed me sacrificed herself when she was allowed to live at the expense of my life so that I could live my life."
"My Grandfather was a war hero, a man worshipped for all he did to you people. Never bring your status into the conversation in association with my family. My people are fighters. You, on the other hand, are a boot licker. Never compare us." Harry taunted.
"You measure status on your bloodline. My status is my ability. I may not be as able as I hope to be, but I will get there." Harry shrugged. " When I do get there, and trust me, I will get there quickly. I will be there to remind you again and again, Lucius. We are not the same."
Satisfied with his accomplishment, Harry turned around and walked away without a care. He left behind a fuming man, embarrassed among the common public and a thoughtful woman stunned beyond comprehension.
BREAK
He crossed through the barrier that separated the muggle world from the magical world with barely hidden sadness. This was a recurring process by now. He was always hesitant to return to the Dursleys. He had learnt long back that his place was outside them. They resented his presence and made it a point to let him see their resentment.
He walked a bit forward to the spot from where his uncle usually picked him up. He leaned against a wall and stood, anticipating the man to be seen.
His thoughts strayed towards the weird dreams that he had witnessed. The Peverells. Why was he seeing those dreams now? What was the purpose? Those men had somehow managed to help him cast a patronus. The scene of his family, a scene he would never forget till his last breath.
He felt something brush against his leg, disturbing his thoughts. Harry looked down and stepped back in surprise when he saw a large, black, shaggy dog sniffing at his feet. The dog looked up and barked joyfully, prancing on his legs around Harry, his tail wagging hard.
Harry panicked slightly as he looked around urgently to ensure nobody from the magical world was around them. "What are you doing here?" He whispered as he bent down to pat the dog, ensuring he didn't gather any attention if anybody saw him there.
"Come." He whispered, leading the dog to a secluded corner of the King's Cross station. Harry could not believe that the man showed up here, knowing full well that he was still the most wanted man in the wizarding world.
"Are you stupid, Sirius?" Harry questioned with an exasperated shake of his head. "What are you doing out in the open?" Harry watched the man transform out of his animagus form, giving him a winning smile. "Harry!" He stepped closer to the boy and slapped his shoulder good-naturedly.
"The way you handled that git was excellent. Never knew you had it in you." Sirius chuckled. "You insulted the man and his son, made sure that he came out as the bad guy, and managed to gain the crowd's sympathy while reminding people who you are." He shook his head, laughing.
"That was a masterstroke." Harry sighed. "So you were watching?" Sirius nodded. "I did. Good thing that I managed to convince myself that coming here was the best thing I did."
"So?" Harry questioned, wondering why the man was there. "Why did you come here in such a serious scenario?"
"I wanted to take you home." Sirius shrugged at the young man. "Let's go." He stepped back slightly and closed his eyes, probably trying to convert back into his animagus form, but Harry stopped him.
"Your house?" Sirius nodded. "I do have a house, Harry. A very big one, too. You don't think I am destitute, do you?" Harry shook his head.
"What about the Dursleys?" He questioned.
"What about them?" Sirius shrugged. "You don't belong there in the first place." He replied dismissively.
"Are you sure?" Harry questioned. He did not want this to be a mistake. "As sure as my name is Sirius Black." He smiled. "Come on. It is not too far from here." Sirius ensured nobody was looking as he tapped his wand on his forehead, and his facial features changed.
Harry watched as the man's eyes changed from stormy grey to blue, his face elongating down by his chin slightly, along with his nose.
"Let's not take any chances." He said when all was done. "Come on," He held out his arm for the young man, who stared at it in confusion. "I am pretty sure I am not so young as to hold hands, Sirius." He replied dryly. "Just hold it." Sirius forced.
Harry took hold of his hand, and the next moment, he felt himself being sucked into a vacuum of sorts, pressure being exerted all over his body. His stomach felt churned inside out, and everything he had eaten from the morning being pushed back into his mouth. When he felt his feet gain something hard to stand on, he slumped to his knees, holding his stomach, groaning pitifully.
"Oh Merlin…your face…" His godfather laughed, holding his stomach for a completely different reason. Harry tried to glare at the man, which only led to the man doubling down in laughter.
"Your expression…" He gasped, a lone tear breaking free as he continued to laugh.
"What the bloody hell was that!?" Harry gasped between short breaths as he tried to regain his bearings. Sirius seemed to calm down, and he pulled Harry to his feet.
"That, Harry, is called an apparition. A form of magical travel just like the floo, the portkey and the brooms. This reaction is expected the first time it's attempted. I had guessed you would not have travelled in this method, and I was right." He laughed once more. "How was your first time apparating?"
"Fantastic." Harry snarked sarcastically. The man held up his hand. "Okay. I am sorry." He apologised and led Harry across the road. "We are here."
Harry turned to the buildings in sight and frowned. He could make out several houses along the path but quickly noticed the missing Number twelve. There was a number eleven and a number thirteen, but no twelve.
"Hey, Sirius?" Harry faced the man. "Why is there an entire building missing?" Sirius grinned. He leaned towards the young man and whispered. "The House of the Blacks is found between the eleven and thirteen."
"I can't…." Harry began only to stop midsentence when, out of the middle of those two houses, number twelve came into existence. The door had the number twelve on it, and Harry turned back to the man in surprise.
"How?" Harry questioned, dumbfounded by what he had witnessed. "This Harry is what is known as the Fidelius Charm." Harry turned back to the building, still fascinated by what he had seen. Harry felt he knew little about the Wizarding World at times like this.
Here he was, witnessing a masterpiece of magic. An entire building hidden between other such buildings would only become visible out of nowhere.
Sirius stepped up the stairs, travelling to the front door, and Harry followed, looking around to see if anybody would notice. People seem to walk away from the building. They were ignoring its presence.
"Harry?" He turned back to the front door that was now open. "Welcome to Grimmauld Place! The House of Blacks."
TBC—-