Hello everyone and Happy Holidays. I hope everyone has been having a good year as we venture into December. Can't believe 2022 is already almost over.

Glad to finally have the next chapter done so here it is and I hope you enjoy. Thank you everyone for both your patience and for sticking around to read.

I do NOT own any of the rights to the Harry Potter series

Enjoy and remember to leave me a review on any thoughts, likes or questions. Though I am also always open to any ideas.

Snowbeam12

Is The Dark All Dark?

Chapter 9

Harry was silent as he sat in the chair in front of Dumbledore's desk, his arms crossed as he glared at the Hogwarts Headmaster. Remus was standing off to the side with a disappointed look on his face as he glanced between Harry and Draco. The blonde haired Slytherin sat in the chair next to his twin, still rubbing his hand against his cheek in an attempt to ease the bruise that had formed from Harry's punch.

"Mr. Potter, while I understand that at the point you are not a student at Hogwarts it still saddens me to see you resort to such violence against another student." Dumbledore stated, clasping his hands together in front of him on the desk.

"I don't see why you should have any say over what my punishment is when I'm not a student at Hogwarts anymore. Professor Lupin is listed as my headmaster so he should be the one that gets onto me." Harry objected. He flinched slightly at the way Remus' eyes flashed gold for a moment, showing just how furious he actually was with Harry. He knew that he shouldn't have lost his temper and just ignored Draco like he has in the past. He hadn't meant to actually punch him, not really even realizing it until he had already knocked his twin to the ground.

"Yes well, be that as it may you didn't punch another student and since he is a...pureblood I did have to notify his parents of the incident and they have both expressed a want to speak with you. And I personally do not feel comfortable leaving you in their presence without some form of guidance for either of you boys. Though before they arrive there is another matter I want to discuss with you Harry and that this ridiculous look you have adopted this school year. Clearly Miss Tonks hasn't been the best influence on you since you've decided to completely change both your appearance and your behavior Mr. Potter." Dumbledore continued, ignoring the glare he received from both Draco and Remus. Harry jerked up straight, opening his mouth to voice his objection when the office doors opened.

"Well Albus since you are neither the boy's headmaster nor guardian I do not think that is something you have any say over at this given moment." Lucius stated, standing in the doorway with Narcissa on his arm. He faltered for a moment when he caught sight of his youngest son's new appearance, a small burst of pride going through him at the sight of the Malfoy blonde hair and silver eyes. Narcissa's mask melted for a moment at the sight of her youngest child, a small smile appearing on her face as she took him in.

"Now Headmaster I do insist that you allow my wife and myself to have a private conversation with the boys. Of coarse Mr. Lupin is welcome to stay so give...Mr. Potter some form of reassurance that all we want to do is speak." Lucius stated, giving the aging headmaster a brief glare, as if daring him to voice any form of objection. The headmaster's eyes narrowed for a brief moment before he stood from his desk.

"Of course. If anyone needs me I'm sure one of the paintings can inform me. Now if you'll just excuse me I do need to find Mr. Crouch to speak with him about the arrangements for the first task." Dumbledore stated before sweeping past them, out of the office. Harry released a breath he had been holding before he turned his attention to Remus.

"I really am sorry for reacting." He admitted, returning to leaning back in his chair. He ignored Narcissa when she cleared her throat, figuring she was going to object to his posture.

"I know you are Harry, but I am still disappointed in you. However, that is a conversation when can have once we are back in the tent. I do believe Mr. Malfoy said there was something they wanted to speak with you about." Remus stated, gesturing to the family of three. Harry flinched for a moment before finally turning his attention to his 'parents' not failing to notice the disappointed looks he was receiving from Lucius as Narcissa waved her wand to ease the bruising on Draco's face.

"You know punching someone, especially your brother is very unbecoming for a pureblood heir. It's a muggle at of violence that I will not tolerate from either of my sons and you will do well to remember that. Now I want to know just what you were thinking on disappearing for the entire summer just because you didn't get your way that day in the Leaky Cauldron. You've had the both of us worried sick and that blasted house elf of yours has clearly blocked every attempt to discover just where you were." Lucius reprimanded, moving to place his hand on Draco's shoulder. Remus stepped forward to stand at Harry's side should the discussion take a turn for the worse.

"I'm not some pureblood that is going to act like the perfect child that's been reunited to his lost family. I don't care about how much you say you've missed me or how much you've searched for me. You're not better than the muggle family I grew up with and they hated everything about me!" Harry snapped, abruptly standing from his chair. Draco glared at his twin's behavior, crossing his arms.

"Our family is a thousand times better than some lowly muggles." He muttered under his breath, resisting the urge to roll his eyes.

"Will you listen to yourself!? Since the moment any of you found out the truth you've done nothing but try to boss me around and run my life! I'm not going to change overnight. I'm not going to accept any of you overnight and none of you seem to accept that! That day at the bank and in the pub and here you've done nothing but say purebloods do this or purebloods don't do that! I don't care about being a pureblood any more than I care about being a Malfoy!" Harry snapped, losing the control he had on his magic for a moment. Remus flinched when several trinkets located around Dumbledore's office rattled, some breaking or falling to the floor. He carefully placed his hand on Harry's shoulder, hoping to help ground him until he regained control of his emotions. The Gryffindor closed his eyes, taking a deep breath as he lowered his head. Narcissa stepped forward slightly, raising her hands in an effort to show she meant him no harm.

"Hadrian...Harry...if you'd just let us help...you would see you can accept us as your family. Just give us the chance to help you, to teach you." She whispered, a pleading tone slipping into her voice. Harry shook his head, taking several steps back until he was pressed firmly against Remus' side.

"I have all the family I need and until you stop seeing me as your missing son and...see me as just Harry I don't want whatever help you think you want to offer. I've got enough on my plate without either of you adding even more." He whispered. He ducked under Remus' arm and walked towards the closed door. Narcissa looked at the werewolf, clearly hoping he would voice some form of objection on their behalf, her face hardening when he remained silent.

"Let Padfoot take you back to the tent Harry. I'll be along in a minute. Maybe Izzy will fix you some hot chocolate to calm your nerves." Remus voiced over his shoulder once Harry had opened the door. The boy only returned a nod, staying silent as he let his fingers brush against the black fur of the dog standing there in wait.

Once he was sure the duo had gone he turned his attention back to the Malfoys, briefly glaring at both adults. There were dozens of thoughts running through his head, hundreds of things he wanted to say to them, to hurt them for hurting someone that he held so dear. He wanted them to hurt just as much as Harry was, but he also knew that that wasn't something Harry would want, no matter how angry he was.

"Harry is a great kid and I wish you would both see that, but neither of you seem to. You both just talk about the lessons and manners you want to force on him, to change him. So yeah, while I think it would be great if he could have more than just me and...Nymphadora to lean on, you're not doing yourselves any favors." He stated, leaving them standing there to think about his words.

Lucius tightened his grip around his cane as he briefly looked down at Draco, seeing the crestfallen look that had settled on his face. He knew his eldest had been attempting to gain some form of trust and friendship with Harry, but it seemed that all of that was likely for not at this point.

"Maybe...Lupin is right. Since we found out the news we really only been thinking about what needs to be done to attempt to turn Harry into the son that we lost that night." Lucius finally sighed, shaking his head. Narcissa stared at her husband for a moment before letting her gaze flicker to Draco.

For the following weeks until the first task Harry didn't venture away from Tonks or Remus, opting to check books out of the library instead of staying in the castle. Sirius and Izzy both worried for the boy since he hadn't said much since that day in the Headmaster's office with the Malfoys. None of the adults knew what to do to try and cheer Harry up as he seemed to bury himself in preparing for the task.

Late in the afternoon the day before the first task Harry was sitting up in one of the trees surrounding the lake. His leg dangled at his side as he stared at the rippling water, his hair hanging in his face as he remained lost in thought. While he had been avoiding everyone he couldn't help but think about the short amount of time he had spent with Draco and the other Slytherins. He had to admit he had had fun with his brother when he wasn't acting like a stuck-up prick that was going to tattle to his father about everything. He'd actually acted like a friend at the least even if he wouldn't quite consider them brothers.

"Knut for your thoughts?" a female voice questioned, starting him. He glanced down, a small smile appearing on his face for the first time in days at the sight of Daphne Greengrass. The Slytherin Ice Princess was standing at the base of the trees, looking up at him with her hands behind her back, tilting her head in curiosity.

"I haven't seen you around the castle, though nearly everyone in at least Slytherin knows what happened a few weeks ago with Draco so I could probably guess what happened. He decide to try to convince you to play the dutiful role of his devoted little brother?" she questioned, lowering her voice to mock said Malfoy. Harry couldn't help releasing a small laugh, shaking his head. She offered him a reassuring smile before she waved her wand, easily transfiguring the leaves on the ground into a smooth blanket. She slipped it back into the guard around her arm before sitting down, smoothing out her robes. He leaned his head back against the trunk, releasing a sigh.

"All three of them seem to want me to be something I'm not and I just...just the thought of it is exhausting. I'm not some pompous pureblood Slytherin. I'm a crass and rambunctious Gryffindor and they just can't seem to accept that." He admitted. It felt good to say the words out loud to someone that wasn't going to judge him.

"Well...technically you're not a Gryffindor anymore either. You're just...Harry Potter, son of both the Potters' and the Malfoys'. That's not going to change just because you found out that you have another set of parents. But they are parts of two very old families in the wizarding world and they're not going to change their minds overnight." She offered, hoping her advice would do some good to help ease the pain she was sure he was feeling. When she didn't receive a response she simply leaning back, opting to read her book in a comfortable silence instead of attempting to force a conversation.

"For what it's worth Harry...Draco does want to have a friendship with you. I'm sure of that after his moping about the castle for the past weeks so maybe you knocked some sense into at least one of them." Daphne teased before continuing reading her potions' book.

Remember to leave me a review on what you thought. However, flames are not appreciated. But constructive criticism always is. Hope to write another chapter and post it soon.

Everyone stay safe and have a happy holidays.

Until Next Chapter,

Snowbeam12