Harry- July 15th

Harry, Draco, Pansy and Theo sat in the library of Malfoy manor over the course of the last week Harry had improved drastically in his understanding of the theory of potions, how to prepare, and managed his equipment thanks to Draco and now the four of them working on revising for their OWL exams. They were working through their third-year potions textbook now that Draco had helped Harry catch up with the rest of them.

Harry looked up from his notebook and asked, "what do you know about Daphne Greengrass?" Theo looked over at the raven-haired boy and quirked an eyebrow, "funny that you should bring that up again. I wasn't quite sure why you were asking about her before, but she reached out to me herself and wants to be introduced to you. This is huge Harry. The Greengrass family is famed for their neutrality. Her father is the head of the neutral faction of the wizegamot. If Daphne is paying attention, then that means that we have the attention of her father."

Harry considered Theo's emphasis on the necessity of this meeting, "what is she like?" Pansy jumped in to answer that question on the boy's behalf. The petite brunette smiled, "Daphne is amazing. She's my dormmate and probably the girl that I am closest too. That may not say much, but at least I can tolerate her. She's smart and has a wicked sense of humor. You'll like her."

Harry raised an eyebrow, "and this is a good thing?" That got a chuckle from Draco and Pansy. Theo waited for the laughter to die down before responding, "yes, Harry it is a very good thing. Her father is a particular blend of stubborn, tenacious and intelligent. A true Machiavelli in our day. The man can outmaneuver almost anyone." Harry's eyes widened, "and we want him on our side?" Draco and Theo exchanged looks holding a silent conversation before Draco answered, "we don't just want him on our side; we need him on our side."

From there the group went back to working on revising their notes for their upcoming OWL exams, at the end of term. Harry finding that potions made a lot more sense to him now that he had someone take the time to explain how the manner of preparation, ingredients, and ingredient quality affect the potion quality and outcome.

The session on potions over for the day, Harry began to process what Draco and Theo had explained to him. The group had fallen into a routine where each day of the week was devoted to a particular subject. Saturdays being reserved for Narcissa to hold etiquette and politics lessons. Potions was on Fridays, Charms on Thursdays, Transfiguration on Wednesdays, Astronomy Tuesdays at night in the Malfoy's backyard. Every evening Theo spent time helping Harry catch up on Runes and Arithmancy while they had dinner.

So it happened that Theo accompanied Harry back to the Leaky Cauldron. The boys were quickly served as Tom had their dinner already prepared knowing exactly what each boy would order. As Harry finished a sip of his butterbeer he asked, "are you sure that you dad is alright that you're here and eating out every evening?" The other boy looked at him, a look of fear flickering crossed his face briefly before he schooled his features, back into his ever-present mask, "trust me not only will he not care, but he won't notice."

The boys turned back to eating their supper and Theo explaining, "Elder Futhark is the oldest runic alphabet and was used by the Germanic tribes, which also at that time included parts of Scandinavia. That would be Norway, Denmark and Sweden. The name comes from the first few letters which are: FU, TH, AR and K. You're doing pretty well with those. So, you are almost ready to work on Younger Futhark. Which has a few different varieties itself." Harry nodded and looked at the book that sat in between them. "Harry smirked I like the rodless version in appearance." Theo chuckled so do I, but it's necessary to have a grasp of all of them." After dinner the two boys began to work together form letters to Daphne.

Harry took more time than normal to form his letters a little worried that she would judge him for his penmanship. He could almost hear Hermione, "really Harry you could stand to put in more time and effort to make your letters and essays more legible."

Greengrass,

I apologize for the tardiness of my response. I would indeed like for you to join our small study group which is being held at Malfoy Manor in the library. We can meet in person and have a proper introduction at that time. Wednesday we will be working on Transfiguration so bring your quill, ink and something to help you revise your notes and thoughts.

-HJP

Harry moved to the bed and slumped as he considered the past three and a half weeks, and let Theo take over the desk. Theo watched as Harry began to prepare a letter to Daphne before drafting his own response to Daphne.

Greengrass,

Indeed, we live in perilous times and it imperative to know who your allies are and who is your foe. The lines will be clearly drawn before long. I will help you with a proper introduction to Harry. I do have one condition though; I want a meeting with your father for Harry and me. Do we have a deal? If you agree then we will see you on Wednesday.

T.A.N.

Harry then collected the letters and sent them off with Hedwig his most faithful and constant companion, "get these to her and come back safe girl." The owl lookedat Harry and if owls could roll their eyes she surely would have. As Hedwig took to the sky on her way out of the city, Harry and Theo fell into a little more personal discussion.

Theo stared at Harry, "how are you liking staying here by yourself?" Harry shrugged, "Truthfully, it is not all that different from what I'm used to. The only real difference is that I'm in the wizarding world and not the muggle world and well don't have to deal with my relatives." Theo raised an eyebrow at what seemed like a nearly contradictory answer. Harry sighed, "When they aren't yelling at me, beating me or making do chores I am pretty much left alone."

Theo's face registered something that Harry was very unused to. The taller boy clenched his fists, and he began to pace in the room, "rotten horrible, awful people! They never should have gotten a hold of him in the first place. Bloody idiots! Who decided that and didn't check up on the kid."

Theo's pacing became more agitated, and Harry said, "I'm not sure that there were really any other options with my godfather in prison and my folks dead. My dad as I understand it had no other relatives. That leaves mum's sister since her parents had passed away."

Theo shook his head, "that still doesn't excuse it someone in our world should have had the privilege of raising you." Harry grew thoughtful, "I doubt Aunt Petunia sees it as a privilege." Theo chuckled, "it definitely would have been viewed that way by any wizarding family." Harry's eyes widened, "Let's just say there was a reason that for the last few years I was willing to do whatever Dumbledore asked. Why I was desperate to stay at Hogwarts?" Theo's eyebrow went up at that, "I always wondered why you would let yourself be manipulated like that. I trust that you realize what he was doing, right?" Harry just nodded.

Theo continued, "with you being you, it definitely would have been seen as a privilege and a wizarding family would have been under much more scrutiny, than the muggles ever were. Did you ever even tell anyone? Harry nodded, " I tried when I was in primary, but either nothing would happen, the person that I told would disappear, both, or they'd buy whatever lie the Dursley's fed them."

That led Theo to a question that followed naturally, "what about once you were at Hogwarts?" Harry looked down at his shoes, "I tried telling Dumbledore. I begged not to have to go back. I tried asking if I could stay with the Weasleys or someone else. He kept telling me no, that I had to go back because of some protection tied to my mother's blood, because she died to protect me."

Theo rolled his eyes, "first off shocking that Dumbledore would be so controlling. Second, you can take it from me, and my family is pretty well steeped in blood magic that such a protection spell without there being love in the home to bind it to the home would not work." The raven-haired boy's face grew so red that it was nearly purple. Theo stared at his companion, and desperately modeled breathing for Harry. As Harry moved his hands, leading his body relax, and inhale and exhale in turn until his hands finally relaxed and his arms fell to his side.

The taller boy scuffed the floor looking at his feet, "I'm sorry Harry. I didn't think that you would react that strongly to the news. Harry looked over at the other boy and green eyes met hazel, "I just can't stand that I went through that with no purpose." Theo shook his head, "I hate to say this, but it wasn't without purpose. It's just that it's not the purpose that you were told."

Harry nodded, and Theo moved to sit on the bed next to the other boy. The hazel eyed boy looked at his new friend, "if it would help you can tell me about what happened. Believe it or not our lives haven't exactly been sunshine and unicorns." Harry sat up straighter at that, and considered that maybe, just maybe there is more to the Slytherins than some others have allowed themselves to consider.