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Chapter Text

Harry snuck through Hogwarts, his fathers’ cloak and a well-placed silencing charm hiding his every movement. They were only a few weeks into sixth year and the year had already gone to shit. Draco had told him that he had been given a task from Voldemort himself. A task that would be nearly impossible to complete, and indeed the pair thought that he was supposed to fail, as punishment for Lucius mistakes.

Harry would not let that happen.

Very few people knew that Harry and Draco were actually good friends. They had bonded and put their rivalry aside during fourth year, when Harry had been struggling his way through the Triwizard Tournament. Draco had been there for him, had helped him with the tasks, had comforted him when friends and strangers alike turned on him. The blonde Slytherin had sent him food and healing potions during the summer when the Dursleys abuse had become too much and held him when Harry cried after Sirius’ death. Harry had raged against Dumbledore and the Light then. All their lies and bullshit and Harry could admit, his own stupidity, had cost his Godfather his life.

Draco had spent many hours talking with Harry about what the Dark side used to stand for, back when his Grandfather had joined Voldemort. While Harry didn’t agree with everything that Draco said, and could point out some major flaws, it still gave Harry a greater understanding of the war and what it was all about. Which no one else had bothered to explain to him. Though, even the most loyal of Voldemort’s supporters could admit that they had strayed off their original path quite drastically. Having an insane megalomaniac calling the shots would do that.

The unlikely pair had kept their friendship a secret, knowing that it wouldn’t be accepted by either side. But still, Harry counted Draco as one of his closest friends and he knew the Malfoy heir felt the same way about him, which is why he was doing this in the first place.

Harry was sneaking into Dumbledore's office.

Harry had had several private lessons with Dumbledore already this year. They were looking at memories of Voldemort’s childhood. Dumbledore wanted Harry to understand more about Voldemort and how he became who he is. Though, Harry had a feeling he understood Voldemort better than Dumbledore ever would. They had also discussed the diary that Harry had stabbed in the Chamber of Secrets in his second year, Harry didn’t understand why yet, but Dumbledore said it would all make sense soon.

In the cabinet where the memories were kept, several other magical artefacts sat. Harry’s curiosity had got the better of him one day and he had asked Dumbledore about them. One of the items was an ancient looking time turner. It was larger than normal, almost as big as Harry’s hand and it was polished silver. Dumbledore had explained that no one knew where it had come from, but it had actually been the inspiration and provided much of the information for the time turners that are around today. He had been allowed to borrow it from The Department of Mysteries for study, which explained what something like that was doing in Dumbledore’s office.

Harry had planned this excursion well.

He knew the password to get into Dumbledore's office as well as the spell to open the locked cabinet. He also knew that Dumbledore was not here this evening. They were supposed to have another lesson, but Dumbledore had had to cancel, called to the Ministry on urgent business, so the Headmasters office was vacant. He didn’t know how to freeze the portraits so that they wouldn’t see what he was doing, but Harry wasn’t worried about that. He could deal with the consequences later.

Right now, he was determined to get to the time travel device and go back in time to help Draco.  He knew that he couldn’t do anything that would change the timeline drastically, like saving Sirius or his parents. He knew what he was planning was crazy and reckless, he planned on only going back to the start of the summer. His plan was to basically kidnap Draco and his mother and squirrel them away in one of their many overseas properties for the duration of the war. It wouldn’t mess up anything that had happened, and Draco and his mother would both be safe. He planned on grabbing them from Platform 9 ¾ before they returned to the Manor, using a portkey that Draco and Harry had made that would whisk the pair to a little-known Black property in Italy, before returning to his own time. If all went well, he would be returned to the exact moment that he had left.

They both agreed a Black property would be best so that Lucius couldn’t be forced to lead Voldemort to them. Draco didn’t want to leave Harry, but knew he was basically a dead man if he didn’t get away. There was so much that could go wrong, the main one being Harry only had a general understanding of how the time device even worked. Dumbledore had described it a little and Harry and Draco had tried to learn everything else they could about time travel from books. But funnily enough there wasn’t a whole lot of information. He figured if worse came to worse he would hide from his other self until the timelines merged again and think of another way to help Draco.

He thankfully didn’t meet anyone as he walked the quiet halls. He gave the password to the gargoyle, who jumped aside at “snickers” and made his way silently up the winding staircase and in to Dumbledore's office. The office was thankfully vacant of both Dumbledore and Fawkes. He snuck to the cabinet and quietly cast the spell to unlock it. A few of the portraits perking up and looking around at the sound. He carefully picked up the time device and examined the dial that made up the bottom. Dumbledore had said that you turned it for the number of days you wished to go back. But you also had to think very hard about the time you wished to go to, you had to will your magic into the time device to make it work.

Harry took a deep breath and started turning the bottom, thinking hard about Draco and Hogwarts and willing his magic into the time device. He wasn’t finished turning it when he felt the room start to shift around him. Trying not to panic he kept spinning, even as he felt like he was standing in the middle of a vortex. The force got so strong that he couldn’t even stay standing, let alone continue turning the device. He dropped to the ground, the device falling from his grasp as he clutched his hands around his head. He tried to take shallow breaths even as it felt like he was suffocating, his lungs burning with the need for air.

Then just as quickly as it had started it stopped.

Everything stilled and Harry took a great gasping breath.

Before he could even open his eyes, he felt a wand digging into his throat and a rough voice asking, “who are you and what are you doing in my office?”

Harry tried to turn his head to see who was talking, the voice was unfamiliar, but this just caused the wand to push in harder.

“I suggest you start talking” the other voice said gruffly.

“My name is Harry Potter.”

The wand at his throat eased up a fraction.

“Any relation to Charlus Potter?”

“Ah… yes.”

The wand pulled back even further, and Harry was able to roll over and sit up. He felt his whole-body freeze when he found himself face to face with none other than former Headmaster Armando Dippet. Armanda Dippet alive and well and not a portrait hanging on a wall.

His mind whirled and he thought he might throw up. He took a deep steadying breath to try to calm his nerves and right himself.

“Sir, I’m very sorry but there has been a terrible mistake” Harry gasped out.

Dippet reached down and helped Harry into a nearby chair, his wand still carefully aimed at the teen.

Harry’s whole body shook from shock and from the stress of the journey. It had been nothing like he had thought. He had envisioned that it would be similar to the time-turner but this had been a whole different kettle of fish.

“Now what is this mistake young man?” Dippet asked suspiciously.

Harry was unsure how much to say.

“I’ve travelled here from the future, Sir. I only meant to travel back a few months, but something obviously went wrong.”

Headmaster Dippet blanched at the words.

“You’re a time traveller?”

“I am, and I really must be getting back to my own time now, Sir.”

“But how did you end up here? In my office.”

Harry decided to leave out the part about maliciously breaking in to Dumbledore's office to use a rare time device.

“The time device I was examining was in the Headmasters office, I assume that’s why I ended up here.”

“Well, where is the device now?” Dippet questioned, casting his eyes around the office.

Harry turned as well, “It should be right where I landed…”

Harry stood on shaky legs and looked around, nothing. He walked over to where he had landed and looked all around, under desks and cupboards, it was gone.

Harry felt tears well up in his eyes.

Headmaster Dippet, perhaps sensing that Harry was close to his breaking point, put a gentle hand on his shoulder and lead him back over to his recently vacated chair.

“It’s OK son, I believe you, it may just be that the device disappeared from here because it already exists somewhere in this time” he said in a comforting tone.

Harry looked up at the older man, hope shining in his eyes.

“I don’t want you to get your hopes up, I’m not sure what things are like in the future, but time travel is virtually unheard of in this time, mostly just theory based. Are you able to provide a sketch and description of the device? I will reach out to some friends and see what I can find.”

Harry nodded frantically and began sketching on the paper that Headmaster Dippet handed him.

“Very good, leave this with me Harry and I will see what I can find.”

The Headmaster walked back around his desk and took a seat, rubbing his beard in thought.

“But, what to do with you while we wait? Hmm… I think it would be best to keep you close, so enrolling you seems like the best option.”

“What?” Harry spluttered.

Surely, he wouldn’t be here long enough that he would need to enroll and attend classes.

“What year are you currently in young Master Potter and if I may ask, what year are you from?”

“Ah, just started sixth year and it was the year 1996.”

“Wonderful,” Headmaster Dippet said seemingly already calmed down from having a time traveller crash land in his office. “It is currently 1944, so you have somehow travelled 52 years into the past, how extraordinary.” The headmaster eyed him with unveiled curiosity that left Harry feeling vaguely uncomfortable.

“Now, let’s sort you.”

Harry blanched. “Sir, I’ve already been sorted! I’m in Gryffindor.”

“Ah, Mr Potter, new time new sorting.” With that the Headmaster dropped the hat on Harry’s head with a chuckle.

Just like the first time he was sorted a voice seemed to echo in his head.

“Harry Potter, how wonderful to meet you.” The hat said quietly. “I can see that you have already been sorted, though I don’t have any recollection of doing it.” The hat sounded intrigued.

“It’s not for a very long time” Harry thought back.

“Still, it’s very strange. I can see that you were sorted Gryffindor last time, this time, I better make it SLYTHERIN.”

Harry stilled slightly at the proclamation but wasn’t entirely surprised. The hat had wanted to put him into Slytherin last time, it obviously took the chance offered to it this time around.

Headmaster Dippet pulled the hat off Harry’s head and place it back on its stand.

“Excellent, excellent” the older man said genially. “Now, we have a fund for students without means to attend, I will arrange for everything you need to be delivered to your dorm first thing in the morning. For now, let’s just…” with that he tapped Harry’s robes with his wand, red changing to green, and the Gryffindor crest changing to Slytherins. “I think it would be best if you refrained from going into too much detail about yourself for the time being. Just keep your answers vague. Also, I think it would be best if you keep the Potter surname, all my houses have their good and bad traits, but I won’t deny that my Slytherins tend to put a lot of stock in blood purity. Being a Potter will make your time here much easier. Charlus Potter is a seventh year Gryffindor, I will set up a meeting between the two of you tomorrow and contact his older brother Fleamont Potter tomorrow and apprise him of his new family member.”

Harry nodded dumbly, that was a lot of information to take in so quickly. He was still struggling to wrap his mind around the fact that he had travelled 50 years into the past, let alone that he was now a Slytherin and apparently going to meet an actual family member tomorrow.

“Come Harry, I will show you to the Slytherin common room and dormitories.”

Headmaster Dippet didn’t seem to require an answer, which was good because Harry found that he was still unable to speak. He was led out of the Headmasters office, Harry noticed that the castle looked remarkably similar, considering 50 years had passed. They kept walking until they reached a blank wall in the dungeon. Harry didn’t mention that he had been to the Slytherin common room before.

“The password, is Daisy.”

Harry’s eyes widened at that, what happened to passwords like pure blood, that’s what it had been when he and Ron and snuck in in second year. Daisy was actually quite sweet.

The wall before Harry started to open and Harry felt his heart thundering in his chest. He walked in a step behind Headmaster Dippet. The common was remarkably full, considering the late hour.

Headmaster Dippet cleared his throat to gain the rooms attention, though all of the students were already staring at them.

“Slytherin, I would like you all to welcome a new student, this is Harry Potter.”

Harry heard whispers of “Potter, did he say Potter” being thrown around the room.

“He was home schooled until recently when unfortunately, his guardian died. He then decided to partake of his final two years of schooling here at Hogwarts.”

Harry glanced at Headmaster Dippet, he was trying not to look surprised, but the story was a scarily accurate account of his actual life.

“I want you all to make sure that he feels welcomed. Sixth year boys, he will be joining you, please show him around.”

With that Headmaster Dippet swept out of the room, leaving Harry to the wolves, err well snakes.

Harry stood awkwardly waiting for something to happen, while every student in the common room seemed to size him up.

A group of males, who were seated around the fire, stood and slowly made their way to him. As they moved closer Harry ran his eyes over the group and started to recognise some familiar features. He was so stupid, of course there would be people attending Hogwarts now that are related to students he went to school with.

The lanky boy on the left clearly had the look of a Nott about him, while the lumbering giant behind him, had to be either a Crabbe or a Goyle. Harry’s eyes widened further as he saw who was walking next to Nott, long blonde hair and cold grey eyes, the absolute spitting image of Draco. He was obviously a Malfoy, there was simply no mistaking that sneer. The boy walking next to the Draco look alike didn’t look familiar, but the one next to him did. Harry nearly choked as the spitting image of Sirius walked closer, a smirk plastered on the handsome face.

Oh God, oh God, his mind screamed at him, while he tried to keep a cool, calm and collected exterior.

Harry had been so caught up staring at the Sirius and Draco look alikes that he failed to notice the teen who had stepped in front of him.

Harry looked up into dark brown eyes, with just a tint of red.

“Welcome to Hogwarts” a deep voice said. “I’m Tom Riddle.”

Chapter Text

Harry just stood completely shocked for a moment before shaking himself out of his reverie and muttering, “I’m Harry Potter, nice to meet you.”

The six boys all looked at him intently and Harry looked away awkwardly.

“A- are you all sixth-year boys as well?”

“We are.” Riddle said, eyes running over Harry, sizing him up.

“What’s a Potter doing in Slytherin? And how come we’ve never heard of you before?” The Goyle look alike asked.

Harry saw some of the other boys roll their eyes at the others lack of tact.

“Well, as you heard I was home schooled until recently and as for what I’m doing in Slytherin, the sorting hat put me here.”

Harry purposefully kept his answer vague, not giving any more information than they already had on him.

Riddle hummed thoughtfully, but thankfully didn’t question him further.

“Come, let me show you to our dorm room.”

Harry nodded gratefully, following behind the future dark lord. It felt odd seeing Voldemort like this, nearly exactly as he had been in the diary. Logically he knew this teen would become the crazed man who would kill his parents, but he wasn’t that person yet and Harry struggled to make the connection between the two. Though he wasn’t foolish enough to think that the charming smile Riddle wore was sincere.

Harry followed the group down a winding staircase, past several other doors before coming to one with an ornate silver six hanging on it.

Harry was and wasn’t surprised by what he found inside. Yes, it was another dormitory, similar to the Gryffindor ones he was used to, however, this was at least double the size. The beds larger and the room containing its only fireplace, which was going even though the weather outside was still warm. He supposed it got colder in the dungeons. The beds were all lined against one wall, with the whole top half of the wall one large window looking out into the lake. Harry actually stared mesmerized for a moment, taking in the swirling colours and the way the murky light reflected around the room.

“How beautiful” Harry murmured.

Someone chuckled and Harry looked up to see the Sirius lookalike grinning at him.

“That’s not always the impression it gets.”

“I like it” Harry said with a teasing smile back. “I’ve always had a thing for dark and mysterious.”

Harry blushed hard as he just realised what he said, glancing away from the looks of surprise.

A throat cleared, bringing all focus back to Riddle.

“I should introduce everyone. This one here, who will flirt with anything that moves, is Orion Black, this is Corvus Lestrange, Theodore Nott, Abraxas Malfoy and Austin Goyle.”

The teens all nodded as their names were said and Harry smiled at the fact that he had guess who four of the five were related to.

“It looks like you’ve been placed in the middle” Nott indicated to a beautifully made bed that sat completely devoid of any personal touches like those around it.

“Where are your things?” Riddle asked confused.

“I… I don’t have anything beside my wand” Harry said quietly.

No one spoke for a moment. Harry was expecting to be questioned as to why he had nothing, his brain whirled trying to think up a plausible reason, instead Nott just asked, “would you like to borrow some pyjamas?”

“Oh” Harry looked up in surprise at the dark eyed teen before him. “Yes please.”

Nott went over to his wardrobe and rummaged through it, pulling out a pair of silk pyjamas in a deep blue colour, handing them to Harry.

“Thank you” Harry said quietly. He clutched the soft material to his chest, subconsciously rubbing his cheek against it. It was oddly soothing after a very long and difficult day.

Harry came back to himself after a moment, remembering that he was standing in a room surrounded by strangers/potential enemies.

He cleared his throat awkwardly and hurried to the bathroom to change.

As the door shut behind Harry the other boys looked at each other.

“The new boys seems… interesting” Corvus said, looking at Tom for his thoughts.

“Mildly interesting” Tom conceded. “We will have to watch him closely to see if he is worthy of joining us.”

“Doesn’t seem to have what it takes to make it in Slytherin” Abraxas said mildly, as he began preparing for bed.

“I don’t know,” said Orion, lounging back on his own bed. “He has that lost puppy look about him, I can definitely see him using that to his advantage at times.”

“He’s pretty” Austin said gruffly, causing Orion to laugh.

“That he is. I reckon I will have him in my bed within the week.”

Tom rolled his eyes at that and began pulling on his own pyjamas.

“Like that’s a great accomplishment” laughed Corvus. “You’ve had half the school through your bed at this point.”

Orion just grinned unrepentantly.

“Got to make the most of it before my parents organise a betrothal contract. At the moment they’re considering my cousin, which I suppose wouldn’t be too bad-“

Harry walked out of the bathroom just as Orion was speaking, the blue pyjamas hung off his slim frame and made him look even smaller than usual. Nott was tall.

“You’re going to marry your cousin?” Harry asked without thinking. “Isn’t there all sorts of risks with inbreeding?”

The whole room turned to focus on Harry, and he gulped at the attention.

“Never mind,” he muttered, walking to his bed.

“No, wait, what do you mean?” Orion asked curiously.

“Just that I’m sure I read somewhere that marrying too close to your own family can lead to all sorts of problems in the children, not to mention fertility issues and a lack of magical power.”

Now he certainly had their attention, if he hadn’t already.

“Lack of magical powers, fertility issues…” Orion mumbled. “What does that mean?”

“It means not being able to have many children, if any.” Harry said as he walked to his wardrobe and placed his only clothes inside, he was seriously regretting getting involved in this conversation. He needed to learn to keep his mouth shut while he’s here.

“I mean, haven’t you noticed that a lot of the close-knit pureblood families aren’t able to have many children and that the children they do have, their magic is quite often weaker than it was a generation or two ago.”

Harry wasn’t sure if this was actually accurate in this time, though he knew it was pretty much fact in his own time, but Orion nodded like it made sense.

“But, hey, what do I know? I- I’m sure it will be wonderful marrying your cousin, she won’t even have to change her surname” He finished with a small grin.

Nott chocked on a laugh, before trying to turn it into a polite cough.

“What’s your cousin’s name anyway?” Harry asked as he crawled into bed.

“It’s Walburga” Orion muttered, still looking lost in thought.

Harry froze for a second. Oh, fucking hell. He was talking to Orion, who had married Walburga, his cousin and then had Sirius and Regulus! How could he be so fucking stupid! He tried to backtrack quickly.

“Wh-what a beautiful name. I’m sure she will make a wonderful wife” Harry stammered, missing the looks the other boys shot each other as he pulled the curtains closed around his bed. “Good night.”

Harry lay in bed, guilt causing his stomach to turn, he had to fix this, and he had to learn to keep his bloody mouth shut!

He tossed and turned, listening as the other teens chatted softly as they made their own ways to bed. He tried to sleep but his mind just wouldn’t shut up. He was 50 years in the past, in the Slytherin dorms with Tom Riddle aka Lord Voldemort himself. It was a surreal feeling. He hoped that Headmaster Dippet wouldn’t take long to acquire the time travel device he needed to get home; he wasn’t sure how he would cope if he had to stay here indefinitely.

After who knows how long he dragged himself out of bed, giving sleep up as a lost cause. He softly padded over to one of the large armchairs sitting in front of the fire and took a seat, dragging a blanket across his legs. He let the warmth of the fire comfort him as he thought of home and his friends. He absently mindedly watched the black lake through the large window above their beds. It was beautiful even at this hour, all manner of marine life swimming by, the room cast in a soft green glow. It was oddly soothing, which is something Harry thought he would never say about the Slytherin Dormitories.

He had to admit, everyone had been ok so far, but it had only been one night, only time would tell how things would unfold. His thoughts wandered to Tom, he wasn’t sure if he should try to change the future or if anything, he did would just make everything that much worse when he returned. Tom was an unknown quantity, from Draco, Harry knew that at this point in time Tom had many intriguing and valid ideas, even if they did end up warped in the future.

He continued to watch through the window as his eyes finally grew heavy and sleep claimed him.

HPHPHPHPHPHPHPHPHPHPHPHPHP

Whispers woke him early and he knew from the achy feeling behind his eyes he hadn’t been asleep for very long. He let out a loud groan and stretched, forgetting momentarily that he had fallen asleep on a chair, as he toppled off the side. He hit the ground with a loud thump, letting out a squeak of surprise and pain. Harry heard someone laugh and he groaned again, this time in embarrassment.

Firm hands gripped him under the shoulders and helped him up.

“Are you OK?”  a deep voice asked, and Harry blinked his eyes open to find Tom Riddle standing in front of him, wearing a look of mild concern.

“Yes, yes I’m fine” Harry said embarrassed.

“Why were you sleeping on a chair?” Nott asked.

“Oh, just couldn’t sleep well last night, so I sat out here to look out the window. Guess I must’ve fallen asleep after all.”

Harry walked to his wardrobe and pulled out the clothes he had been wearing yesterday, frowning slightly at the Slytherin crest.

“Ugh, I hope your not planning on wearing the same clothes as yesterday” Abraxas said with a sneer.

Harry looked down at the robes in his arms, momentarily confused, his new things hadn’t been delivered yet, what else was he supposed to wear.

He glanced up at the blonde teen with a small grin.

“Are you offering to lend me one of your robes? Why thank you Abraxas, that would be really appreciated,” Harry said, with an innocent expression on his face.

The Malfoy heir spluttered in indignation before shooting Harry his nastiest glare.

“That is not what I meant.”

Harry who had been on the end of so many of Draco’s glares and was now impervious to them just smiled, not phased in the least by the dark look. Out of the corner of his eye he could see the looks of surprise on the other boys faces.

“Of course, of course” Harry said lightly.

Before Abraxas could comment further, probably involving yelling judging by the pulsating vein in his forehead, Orion stepped forward.

“Here, Harry, you can borrow one of my robes.”

Harry took the robe gratefully.

“Why thank you Orion, what a gentleman you are. I can see that your family raised you right.”

Harry had to bite his lip to stop from laughing out loud at the look on Abraxas’ face, really, he should know better than to tease a Malfoy, but it was just so much fun.

He walked off to have a quick shower and change, meeting the other sixth year boys in the common room.

Orion dragged his eyes over the smaller teen as he approached, lasciviously licking his lip. The robe hung off the smaller figure, but Orion thought it suited the other teen.

“Hmm, I think I could get used to seeing you in my clothes” Orion said with a leer.

Harry just snorted and rolled his eyes gaining an astonished look from Orion.

“Right. I think there’s some girls over there waiting for you” Harry said with a laugh, pointing.

Orion glanced over and indeed there was a group of girls whispering and giggling, all giving Orion coy looks and batting their eyelashes.

“Breakfast?” Harry asked Nott, who nodded and the two started walking towards the exit of the common room.

“Hey!” Orion called out, his brow furrowed, but the pair were already through the door.

“What’s the matter Orion? Someone not falling for your patented Black charm?” Abraxas said with a smirk.

Orion trailed behind the other sixth years all the way to the great hall, ignoring the chittering girls behind him, still looking confused. He couldn’t work out what had just happened.

As they entered the great hall, Harry stuck close to Nott, trying to just blend in with the other students. It worked for the most part, only a few turning to stare at the new student.

Harry sat at the Slytherin table and buttered himself a slice of toast. It was a different perspective looking at the great hall from the here. His fellow sixth years sat around him, and Harry noticed many curious looks from the Slytherins around them. They were joined by some students from other years, obviously friends of his year mates.

“What’s wrong dearest cousin?” A male a few seats down from Harry asked Orion. “Did Aunty forget to pack sneazel your dearest teddy?" He said with a laugh.

“Enough Alphard” Orion said with a growl.

“Oh, Orion is just concerned he’s losing his touch” Goyle said with a grin.

“Oh, oh, oh cousin, finally someone with enough sense not to fall on their knees, literally, for you.”

Everyone around them chuckled at that.

“Alphard, I don’t believe you’ve met our newest snake” Tom put in smoothly. “Harry Potter this Alphard Black, Orion’s older cousin.”

Harry felt a jolt run through him at the name. Alphard Black, Sirius’ favourite uncle.

Harry stuck out his hand, a bright, genuine smile on his face.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Alphard” Harry said sincerely, shaking the others hand.

Alphard sat struck dumb for a moment at the bright smile and sparkling green eyes that were now aimed at him. He wasn’t the only one left breathless at the sight.

“Oh, the pleasure is all mine” Alphard said with a purr as he brought Harry’s delicate hand to his lips and kissed it gently.

Harry laughed and pulled his hand back, “you Black men think you’re so charming.”

“I can see the appeal” Alphard whispered in Orion’s ear while Harry was distracted talking to Arthur Greengrass. Orion just nodded in agreement.

“So what classes are you taking?” A pretty girl with caramel coloured hair asked. Harry thought her name was Beth.

Harry wasn’t sure what to say to that, he didn’t know what Headmaster Dippet had decided. Hopefully nothing to difficult, though Harry supposed he wouldn’t be here long enough for it to really matter.

“Just the usual, I think. The headmaster was going to draw me up a timetable.”

As if hearing his name had summoned him, Headmaster Dippet made his way down from the high table, a much younger Dumbledore and Slughorn following behind him.

The aged Headmaster smiled as he approached.

“How are you settling in Harry? I hope your fellow Slytherins have been welcoming” Dippet asked warmly.

“Everyone has been wonderful, thank you Sir.”

“I just wanted to give you your timetable” he said handing over a white slip of parchment. Harry’s eyes skimmed the sheet and saw that there was nothing too unexpected on the list, expect perhaps ancient runes, but he could deal with that.

“I also wanted to introduce you to your head of house, this is Professor Slughorn.”

Harry grimaced slightly at the man before him, he had only just met Slughorn recently in the future, and he honestly hadn’t been a fan. Hopefully younger Slughorn was better.

“Welcome, welcome” Slughorn said jovially. “How wonderful to meet you, I’ve never had a Potter in Slytherin you know.”

Harry groaned quietly, nope he seemed pretty similar.

Harry just smiled benignly back. He glanced around and found Dumbledore watching him carefully.

“Ah, this is our Deputy Headmaster, Professor Dumbledore” Dippet introduced, seeing where Harry was looking.

Dumbledore merely inclined his head in greeting, so Harry did the same. Much like with Tom Riddle, Harry found it easy to distinguish this young Dumbledore from his older self. Harry would judge him on himself alone, but he honestly wasn’t making a great first impression.

“Well, you better get to class” Dippet said with a smile. “Chop chop.”

Harry looked around and noticed that indeed most of the hall had cleared out in the time they had been talking. Harry looked at his timetable, “transfiguration first?”

Nott nodded, “yep let’s go, I’ll show you the way.”

Chapter Text

Harry stood up with the rest of his year mates as they made their way out of the hall. Dumbledore had disappeared and Harry assumed he was off to prepare for the lesson before they arrived. Harry groaned internally hoping that all the work he would be doing in the past will somehow count to his schooling when he returned to the future. He didn’t fancy having to repeat everything. He surprisingly ended up sitting next to Corvus. Harry wasn’t sure about the other teen; he was quite intense, and Harry got the feeling that Corvus didn’t trust him at all. Though not that Harry could blame him, they didn’t know each other after all. Harry knew very little about the Lestrange family, having not gone to school with any of them. He thought perhaps that there were some in Azkaban, just from what he’d gleaned from half remembered conversations amongst order members. Harry watched the other teen carefully out of the corner of his eye and wondered if he was the one who ended up in Azkaban or if it was some other relative.

Dumbledore entered right on time, sweeping in with a flare of his robes that strangely reminded Harry of Snape. Though Dumbledore’s robes were a maroon colour rather than Snapes usual black.

“Good morning class” Dumbledore said with a small smile, looking around at the assembled Slytherins and Hufflepuffs, his eyes settling on Harry. “In case some of you are not aware, we have had a new student join us last night. His name is Harry Potter, and he has been placed in Slytherin.” Dumbledore waved his hand to where Harry was sitting, drawing everyone’s eye to the slight teen, he ducked his head and his shoulders hunched in as he felt all eyes on him. After all this time he still hated to be the centre of attention. He stared hard at his desk, ignoring the whispers as they began to swirl around him.

“Potter, did he say Potter?”

“What’s he doing in Slytherin?”

“He has to be related to Charlus.”

“Do you think Charlus knows?”

Dumbledore let the whispers continue for a few moments before directing the class to that day’s lesson.  Harry could feel Corvus watching him but ignored the other teen and tried to focus on what Dumbledore was saying, even as he felt a gentle thrum of anger run through his body as he looked at his former Headmaster.

They were working on nonverbal spells today. So, while the spell itself was simple, how to transform a bowl into a plate, doing it nonverbally made it that much more difficult.

Harry was struggling, though it did make him feel slightly better that everyone else around him was also having a hard time with the spell, everyone beside Riddle, who had managed it on his third attempt. Harry tried not to look too impressed. Dumbledore bypassed Tom’s achievement with barely a smile as he made his way around the room and Harry was once again reminded of the older man’s dislike for the Slytherin prefect.

By the end of the class Harry had managed the spell quite well, instead of a bowl he now had a curved plate, it wasn’t perfect but not terrible either and he was one of the few who had made any progress. He walked out of the class, feeling Dumbledores eyes on him as he left.

He let out a deep sigh, he was strangely exhausted considering it was only his first class of the day, he supposed travelling 50 years back in time would take its toll on anyone. He walked with his classmates towards Herbology, the Hufflepuffs heading off towards the dungeons for Potions.

“Your spell in transfiguration was actually quite amazing” Harry said to Tom as he found the other teen walking beside him.

Tom gave him a brief nod, “you did quite well yourself.”

“Oh, no, not really. I’ve only tried nonverbal spells a few times, I think I need a lot more practice” Harry said with a self-deprecating chuckle.

Tom’s dark eyes turned calculating for a moment. “A few of us meet up once a week for a study group, if you would like to join? We’ve been focusing on nonverbal spells because I knew it would be a focus this year.”

Harry hesitated, was this an actual study group or a Voldemort thing? He was quite interested in hearing what Tom had to say, before all of his plans were tarnished by insanity and power lust, but it was probably best to stay away from all that, so he wouldn’t risk changing the future.

He felt a heavy arm wrap around his shoulder and pull him close.

“Come on Harry, it’s a lot of fun and we learn loads.” Orion said with a grin.

“Besides,” said Malfoy, “it would not do for you to fall behind and embarrass Slytherin, we have a reputation to uphold.”

Harry brought his finger up and tapped his chin thoughtfully. “Weelll…” he drawled, pretending to give the proposal some serious thought, while inwardly chuckling as Abraxas’s frown deepened.

“If Slytherins reputation is on the line, then I would love to come” He finished with a large grin at Abraxas who merely continued to frown as he walked away.

“That’s great!” Orion said with a smile as he looked down at Harry. “If you need any extra tutoring, I would be happy to help out” he continued with the air of someone bestowing a great gift.

“I will keep that in mind” Harry said with complete sincerity as he continued to walk at Orion’s side, noticing that the other teen smelt like caramel.

The sixth year Gryffindors stared as the group approached.

“Why do they insist on us having classes with these cretins” Corvus murmured beside him.

“Muggleborn and muggle lovers the lot of them” Austin replied with a disdainful look at the assembled Gryffindors.

Harry frowned but didn’t say anything, at least they had kept their comments to themselves and the word mudblood hadn’t been bandied about, that was already an improvement on his own interactions with most Slytherins in his time.

And in an eery moment of foretelling Abraxas moved closer and said “you will soon find that some people are better than others Potter. You would do well not to go making friends with the wrong sort.” His eyes moving to the assembled Gryffindors, so Harry had no doubt who he was referring to.

Harry was struck frozen for a moment, shock coursing through him at how similar his words were to his future grandsons, at least now he knew where Draco had gotten the notion from. He couldn’t help himself, the absolute absurdity of the situation hit him and before he could stop himself, he had started laughing. Oh gosh he couldn’t wait to tell Draco all about this! He looked up and saw the dumbstruck looks on the faces of the Slytherins around him and tried to rein in his laughter.

He managed to right himself enough to look Abraxas in the eyes and say, quite calmly, “I think I can tell the wrong sort for myself, thank you though Abraxas.”

He would have to borrow Dumbledores pensive, to show Draco this memory, as there was no way that he could accurately describe the look that crossed Abraxas’ face at his words.

He looked around to find Tom staring at him intently and Harry swallowed thickly. He should be trying to avoid gaining Tom’s attention, not drawing it to him by being ridiculous. He mentally kicked himself and vowed to lay low until he could return to the future.

His face turned sombre, wiped of all good humour and he pulled away from Orion gently, straightening his back and trying to look serious.

“Care to explain what that was all about?” Tom asked idly, though his eyes were still focused on Harry.

“Oh nothing, just reminded me of something a friend said to me once. It was eerily similar.”

Tom merely arched an eyebrow but was prevented from commenting further by the arrival of their professor.

Abraxas watched as the small teen entered the greenhouses, he would never admit it to anyone, but he was quite intrigued by the new Slytherin. He had never met anyone who showed such genuine emotions before. Slytherins, even when alone together, always kept a part of themselves hidden. But the new boy wore his emotions clearly for everyone to see. And it wasn’t just that he didn’t hold himself back, it was more that his emotions were so genuine, so clearly felt. He didn’t hold himself behind this cold aloofness that most Slytherins adhered to. He didn’t seem worried about trying to fit in or be popular. He didn’t harp on about himself like he had seen the other houses do. He was just wholly himself and Abraxas was flawed by the entire notion. Not to mention the fact that he seemed completely unaffected by his own acerbic persona. Didn’t seem to give two hoots that he was the Malfoy heir. Abraxas knew he was feared, even in first year he had managed to reduce a fifth year to tears with one of his glares, but Harry seemed not to notice, or if he did notice, he didn’t care.

Abraxas found himself drawn to the sparkling green eyes more than he was comfortable with, considering he hadn’t even known the teen for a full day.

This time Harry found himself working with a Gryffindor, a smiling boy with shining blue eyes and short blonde hair called Noah. Noah was a bit standoffish, probably cause of the whole Slytherin thing Harry thought with a frown, but they worked well together and managed to get all of their wild bluebells potted by the end of class.

Harry was just making his way towards the great hall for lunch when a house elf appeared.

“Master Harry Potter, Sir, Headmaster Dippet is wanting to see you in his office immediately” the tiny creature squeaked before disappearing with a crack.

His house mates looked at him curiously, but Harry just waved them off, his heart pounding as he hurried away. Had they found a way to send him home already? He rushed through the castle forgetting that he probably wouldn’t know the way to the Headmasters office from Herbology on his own. He reached the gargoyle who moved out of his way as he approached and practically ran up the spiral staircase. He took a moment to catch his breath before knocking and pushing the door open. He was surprised to find not just Headmaster Dippet in the office but two other men. One who looked a little older than Harry and was wearing Gryffindor robes and one who looked to be somewhere in his 30’s.

“Harry, welcome” Headmaster Dippet said with a smile. “Please, take a seat” he said indicating a chair next to the other two men. Harry looked at them carefully, having a very good idea who they were, but he kept silent and took his seat.

“Now before anything else is said I will need you both to swear a magical oath that you will not repeat in anyway anything that is spoken about today.”

The two men shared a surprised look.

“What is this about Headmaster? You call us both here on a matter you say is urgent and now we are being sworn to secrecy.”

“This may be confusing, but I need you both to trust me, I promise you will understand the need for all this secrecy momentarily.” Headmaster Dippet explained.

The older eyed the Headmaster carefully for a moment before nodding reluctantly and pulling out his wand, the younger following suit and they both swore the magical vow.

“Now what’s this all about?”

“Fleamont, Charlus, I would like to introduce you to Harry Potter.”

“What!?” the older gasped and Harry figured that he must be Fleamont… his grandfather. “What are you talking about, there are no other Potters.”

“That is what we are here to discuss” Dippet said patiently.

“Harry here” Harry gave a small awkward wave as he found himself the focus of three sets of eyes. “Is actually a time traveller. He was born in the year 1980 and through a rather strange accident he has managed to land himself 50 years in the past.”

Both of the other Potters stared at Harry, completely flabbergasted. Harry enjoyed the moment to study them both, they had the same dark unruly hair, the shape of their faces, even the high cheek bones were all similar to himself. He had never met a family member from the Potter side before and he found himself mesmerised looking at the similarities.

“A time traveller, how is that even possible?” Charlus asked eyes narrowed in suspicion.

“Harry, would you care to explain?”

“Ah, so I was examining a time travel device in the Headmasters office and it sent me here.” There that wasn’t technically a lie. “The device has vanished though, so Headmaster Dippet is looking into it and ways to send me back to the future.” Harry kept purposefully vague about the breaking into the Headmasters office part of the story.

Harry looked nervously between the two before his eyes settled on Fleamont. “I-I’m actually your grandson, Fleamont.”

Fleamont looked like he was close to passing out from shock. There was only so many surprises one man could take in the space of a few minutes.

Charlus however grinned. “Of course, it’s your grandson who somehow manages to send himself back in time” he said with a chuckle.

Fleamont’s lip quirked a little at that and Harry came to the realisation that this must be where his own father inherited his trouble making genes from.

“I have obtained a hereditary test from Gringotts so we can be sure Harry is telling the truth” Dippet explained and Fleamont nodded gratefully.

It only took a few drops of blood before the results were clear.

“Now I don’t want to show you the whole document and give away any information about your future, but I will show you his name and date of birth, which clearly shows that he is a Potter and from the future.” Dippet said as he stood, holding the parchment firmly in his hand.

Fleamont frowned, he wouldn’t have minded a glimpse into his future, but he supposed his continued ignorance was for the best. After reading the name, Harry James Potter, and the date of birth, 31^st July 1980, the last of both Charlus and Fleamont’s doubts were washed away.

“Another Potter,” Charlus said with a grin. “We can always use more, there aren’t very many of us left.”

Harry gave him a strained smile; it was hard looking at the two men and knowing during his time he was the only Potter left.

“So, what’s the plan?” Charlus asked curiously.

“Quite simply I was hoping that you would accept Harry into the Potter family. We don’t know how long he will be here for,” Dippet hesitated for a moment, “or if he will even be able to get home. He needs family to support him during such a difficult transition.”

Harry blanched slightly at the thought of not being able to get home.

“Of course, we will accept him into the family” Fleamont said with a large smile. “It will be wonderful to spend time with my grandson for however long he is here.”

Harry smiled shyly at his grandfather, giving him a small “thank you.”

“I was thinking we could say he’s your brother but has been sequestered away all this time due to ill health” Dippet said thoughtfully as he ran his fingers through his short beard. “He is very slight and delicate for a sixth year; I think the story will be believed easily enough.”

Both Potters eyed him carefully, as if only now taking in his full appearance.

Harry grimaced and crossed his arms over his chest defensively; it wasn’t his fault he was so tiny. Years of little food and being locked in a cupboard tended to stunt one’s growth.

Fleamont looked as though he wanted to say something but decided against it, much to Harry’s relief.

“That sounds good” Fleamont said slowly. “Can you remember to keep with that story Charlus?”

Charlus nodded, his hazel eyes shining with excitement at the idea of having a brother so close in age to him, even if he was actually his great nephew.

Dippet nodded in relief, glad that everything, for the moment, had come to a satisfactory conclusion. He waved his wand and a heavy trunk floated over to sit beside Harry.

“Here are all your new things, Harry.”

“If you need anything else, please don’t hesitate to write me” Fleamont said eagerly. “Actually here” he said pulling out a pouch of gold from his cloak and handing it to Harry. “Take this in case there is anything urgent you need or if you go on a trip to Hogsmeade and just want to spend it” he said with a wave of his hand.

Harry sat dumbstruck for a moment, the pouch of gold heavy in his hand. Embarrassingly he felt his eyes start to burn and he quickly blinked a few times to rid himself of the feeling. He looked up to see Fleamont and Charlus both staring at him intently.

Harry cleared his throat awkwardly. “Oh- ah, thank you for this, but I can’t possibly take your money” Harry said and tried to hand the pouch back.

“Nonsense,” Fleamont said as his eyes narrowed, “you are a Potter, that money is just as much yours as it is ours.”

Harry’s emerald eyes flickered between the pair, but he knew they weren’t going to budge so he grudgingly put the pouch in his pocket. “Thank you” he said quietly.

“I also think it pertinent that Harry has a full health exam” Dippet continued. “He missed the start of year one and I would like to make sure he is in good health and has received all of his potions so that he doesn’t get sick during his time here.”

Harry froze, start of year health checks, since when is that a thing!?

“Of course, that sounds like a good idea” Fleamont said with a glance at Harry. “Organise it at your earliest convenience.”

Dippet and Fleamont looked at each other for a moment and Harry got the impression that a whole conversation was passing between them without a word being spoken, both men nodded, obviously reaching the same conclusion.

Dippet stood, the others following suit.

“It was wonderful to meet you Harry” Fleamont said with a smile as he pulled the small teen into his arms for a hug. Harry found himself leaning into the touch, before he realised what he was doing and righted himself.

“Great to meet you too,” Harry said with a small genuine smile.

“Would you be interested in meeting at Hogsmeade for lunch on the next Hogsmeade weekend? I would love to get to know you more, and I’m sure Charlus would like to come?” Fleamont said, with a look at his little brother.

“Of course,” Charlus said affably.

“I would love that” Harry said. “I will send you an owl when we know the date.”

Fleamont nodded, “I look forward to it.”

“Charlus” he said with a smile as they hugged briefly before he waved to the headmaster and left.

“Now boys, I think you will find that lunch and most of your afternoon classes have already finished for the day so how about you head back to your common rooms.”

“Right,” Harry said with a nod turning to leave, Charlus following behind him. Harry waved his wand and his new belongings trailed after them.

They both stopped as they passed the gargoyle. Harry wasn’t sure what to say.

“Would you like to join me in the library tomorrow evening?” Charlus asked a little unsurely.

Harry smiled, pleased that Charlus wanted to spend time with him. It was strangely comforting having family around, especially since he had never really had that before.

“Sure, I’ll see you then.”

They both waved goodbye and headed off to their respective common rooms. He was relieved when he returned to his dorm to find it empty, afternoon classes must still be wrapping up he thought as he flopped down on his bed. He would unpack his trunk later. It had been a long day and he hadn’t really had time to process any of it.

He was in the past. Fifty years in the past and had just met his very own grandfather, who he had never had the pleasure of meeting in his time. He has also got to meet his great uncle, who he quite liked the idea of thinking of him as a big brother. He had never had family who were kind to him, who wanted him around, even just a little, it was a heady feeling indeed and Harry knew he would have to be careful, or it would be especially difficult when he returned to the future.

He rolled on his side, getting more comfortable as he thought.

That was how his dorm mates found him a short while later, curled in a tight ball, sound asleep on his bed.

“I wonder where he’s been all afternoon?” Corvus asked suspiciously as he took in the sleeping teen.

“My guess would be collecting his belongings” Orion said with a pointed look at the trunk next to the bed. “Pity, I very much enjoyed seeing him dressed in my clothes.”

“Doesn’t take hours to collect a few things” Corvus said with a sneer.

“I’m more interested in how he seemed to know his way to the Headmasters office from Herbology se easily, given that it is his very first day” Tom put in coolly, effectively stopping the brewing argument before it started.

“He missed lunch, perhaps we should wake him for dinner?” Theodore said.

Abraxas stepped forward to wake the sleeping teen but was beaten by Orion who practically leapt across the short distance to reach Harry first.

“Harry, time to get up” Orion whispered, giving Harry’s shoulder a gentle shake.

Harry stirred, his eyes flickering open.

“G- way Sirius, tryna sleep” Harry slurred, burying his face back into his pillow and closing his eyes once again.

Orion froze and turned to look at his friends, “how does he know my Grandfather?”

Chapter Text

Orion stared in shock at his friends.

“How does he know my grandfather?” he asked again, looking around the room.

Voldemort’s eyes narrowed in suspicion. “Wake him up.”

Orion nodded and reached down to give Harry a harder shake.

“Harry, wake up!” he said more firmly.

“Seriously Sirius, bugger off!” Harry grumbled slowly rolling over and rubbing his eyes tiredly.

Orion had to stop himself from smiling at the adorable image of a sleep ruffled Harry Potter.

Orion could see as awareness returned to Harry, green eyes gradually clearing.

“Orion?” Harry asked slowly, blinking up at the dark-haired teen. Harry tried to appear calm, but his heart was racing in his chest. He glanced around to find the rest of their dorm mates watching him closely. Dammit!

“How do you know my grandfather?” Orion asked and it was the most serious Harry had seen him since he arrived.

“Who’s your grandfather?” Harry asked innocently, ignoring the derisive snort from somewhere in the room.

Orion’s eyes narrowed. “You should know, you said his name.”

Harry’s eyebrows furrowed in confusion, he pushed himself into a seated position so that Orion wasn’t looming over him quite so much. Harry knew that if he tried to lie outright the Slytherins would be on to him in a heartbeat, he’d never been a good liar. He decided on a version of the truth.

“I’m not sure who your grandfather is” technically true “but I was saying my Godfathers name, Sirius.”

Orion stared at him intently. “Your Godfathers name is Sirius?”

“Was” Harry said quietly and he in no way was faking the pain that laced his words. “He died a few months ago.”

Orion looked immediately contrite.

“Your Godfather died recently?”

Harry nodded, “Yeah” he said tearfully. Argh why was he getting so upset, he thought he had dealt with his grief already. It probably had something to do with how much Orion looked like Sirius or the fact that he was effectively telling Orion about his own son’s death. And wow wasn’t that a kick to the head when you thought about it.

Tears welled in his eyes and Orion looked around the room panicked, unfortunately no help was forthcoming, everyone looking completely flummoxed as what to do with a crying teen they barely knew. But oh, if those grief filled eyes didn’t stir something deep within Orion.

Before he could decide what to do Nott had elbowed him unceremoniously out of the way and pulled Harry into his lap. Wrapping his arms around the slight teen. Harry threw his arms around Nott’s shoulders and buried his face in the other teens neck. Quiet sobs echoing though the room.

“Hey, it’s OK” Nott murmured running his hands soothingly up and down Harry’s back, noting just how tiny the other teen was.

Orion glared heavily at Nott; he would’ve thought of doing that if he’d just been given more time! Nott should keep his bloody hands to himself! He thought darkly.

Harry pulled himself back after a few minutes and Nott reached up to grip the smaller teens face, wiping tears away with his thumbs.

“Thank you” Harry said quietly, now thoroughly embarrassed by his outburst.

He pushed himself off Nott completely, glancing around the room before looking at the floor in embarrassment.

“Ah, sorry about that. I thought I’d dealt with his death already… but obviously not.”

A few like Orion and Nott looked sympathetic, but others still looked distrustful.

“I don’t believe you” Corvus put in, his tone wasn’t angry, nor was it kind.

“Huh?” Harry questioned, wiping the last of the tears from his face. “You don’t believe my Godfather died or you don’t believe that I haven’t dealt with his death?”

“I don’t believe you’re telling us the whole truth” Corvus explained further, his tone taking on a more malicious quality.

Harry rolled his eyes, trying not to be intimidated by the cold tone.

“Really!?” he said snarkily. “Is the fact that I’m not telling you everything really a surprise? I have known you people for what, a day. Contrary to what you might think, you are not entitled to know everything about me.”

Corvus scowled but wisely kept his mouth shut at a quelling look from Riddle.

“I hope in time you will come to trust us, Harry” Riddle put in smoothly, watching the green-eyed teen with such an intent look that he swallowed nervously.

I won’t be here long enough for that to happen, Harry thought thankfully, but outwardly he just nodded. He would have to be more careful from now on he repeated for what felt like the 10^th time. They were already clearly suspicious of him, and he’d only been here a day. He really wasn’t cut out for this time travel nonsense he thought ruefully.

“How did your meeting with the Headmaster go?” Abraxas asked, sensing a change of topic was in order.

“Great” Harry said, trying to shed his melancholy. “I picked up my things” he said pointing to his still unpacked suitcase “and had a chat with my brothers.” He felt a little thrill run down his spine at the words, a bright happy smile breaking out on his face.

“Your brothers?” Abraxas asked pointedly.

“Yeah, Charlus and Fleamont.”

“Ah” said Riddle as he began to slowly circle, Harry tried not to feel too much like prey. “So that’s how you’re related to the Potters. Why then has no one ever heard of you” he paused for dramatic effect, “and how did you end up here at Hogwarts, late, with no belongings?”

Harry swallowed thickly, OK maybe they should have put a little more thought into his cover story, especially with how observant these Slytherins were.

“I’ve been sick for most of my life. I finally got the all clear from a healer that I was well enough to attend Hogwarts. Unfortunately, I was attacked on my way here and lost most of my belongings.”

Riddle eyebrows rose at that, taking in Harry’s diminutive and delicate structure which only added credence to his story.

“Attacked by who?” Riddle asked dangerously, pausing his pacing to meet Harry’s eyes.

“I really think that’s enough about me for one evening” Harry put in frantically, not wanting to say any more until he got a chance to give Charlus a heads up.

He thought for a second that Riddle was going to push it, but the Slytherin surprised him by nodding in compliance, the others following suit. He let out a little sigh of relief but knew that the Slytherins would start demanding answers sooner or later.

“Dinner?” Riddle suggested lightly, finally tearing his eyes off Harry and speaking to the room at large.

Harry’s appetite had completely fled but he agreed to go anyway, mostly to avoid any further suspicion.

His year mates seemed to have come to an unspoken unanimous agreement to ignore what had happened in their dorms, while he was grateful for the reprieve, he wasn’t foolish enough to think that it let him off the hook. They were at least more subtle about their scheming then his fellow Gryffindors.

Harry ate little, even after his nap earlier he felt drained. Meeting long lost relatives as well as the emotional upheaval that bringing up Sirius’ death had wrought, had wearied him and he could admit that he was looking forward to getting to bed.

A heavy hand fell on his shoulder causing Harry to jump out of his skin, cursing himself for not paying attention to his surroundings he spun around quickly to find Alphard grinning down at him.

“Alphard!” Harry said brightly, his dark mood lifting at once. Alphard raised a brow at the enthusiastic greeting. He pushed his way into the spot beside Harry, causing everyone to shuffle down. Orion fixed his cousin with a fierce scowl as he was forced from his place beside Harry.

“Watch what you’re doing, cousin” Orion sneered, pulling his robe down neatly again.

Alphard merely ignored the other Black. “And why aren’t you eating?” Alphard asked. He was smiling but the question was a serious one.

“Just a bit tired” Harry said mildly. “I’m never very hungry when I’m tired.”

“Here” Alphard said, reaching for a dish. “The honey carrots are amazing.”

Harry gave him a sceptical look but didn’t stop the older Black from putting a pile of carrots on his plate. With a very pointed look from Alphard, Harry began to eat.

“How was your day?” Harry asked the other, who was now dishing up his own pile of carrots.

“Oh, same old same old. Wowed everyone with my magical prowess, like usual” Alphard said with a smirk.

“Oh, I’m sure” Harry said with a laugh and an eye roll. But Alphard had achieved what he’d set out to do, bringing a smile to Harry Potter face.

They finished their meals quietly chatting about their days and ignoring everyone around them.

That night Harry finally unpacked his trunk, carefully putting his new belongings away. He wouldn’t admit it to anyone in the room, but it felt good to have some things that were his again, even if they were just a few outfits and personal hygiene items. Growing up with nothing meant he treasured everything he did have.

He folded his robes and clothes neatly, pulling out a pair of black pyjamas in a very soft cotton material. He pulled the covers around his bed as he changed, earning a few raised eyebrows from the other boys who were changing openly in front of everyone.

When the curtains opened again Harry emerged swathed in dark fabric, that highlighted his fair skin even more.

Abraxas found himself staring at the almost ethereal sight.

Harry returned the worn robe to Orion.

“Thank you again for the lend of your robe, Orion, I really appreciated it” Harry said sincerely, looking up at Orion with a soft smile.

“Any time, Harry” Orion said, putting the robes in a pile for the house elves to launder.

With a big yawn Harry climbed into bed. “Well, good night” he called softly as he pulled the curtains shut around him, smiling at the “goodnight’s” that echoed back.

The six remaining boys in the dorm glanced at each other before quietly continuing with their night-time routines. After some time had passed and they were quite sure that Harry was asleep, or at the very least not going to venture out of his bed again tonight, Riddle shot a silent silencing spell at Harry’s curtains blocking out their conversation from the other teen.

Orion sat on his own bed with Corvus and Abraxas beside him, while Riddle Theo and Austin sat opposite them.

“What are you thinking, my Lord?” Corvus asked hesitantly.

“I’m thinking…” Riddle paused as he tapped his finger to his chin, “that there is much more to Harry Potter then meets the eye.”

Chapter Text

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 50^th 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!?

Chapter Text

Harry and Theo walked into the Great Hall like usual the next morning, chatting quietly as they walked through the entryway. Both eyes were immediately drawn to the Gryffindor table, which was in an uproar the likes of which Harry had rarely seen before. Green eyes widened in surprise as Harry took in every Gryffindor’s head, all of which were now shaved completely bald. There wasn’t a strand of hair among them.

Harry rushed over to Charlus, gripping the older teens arm and ignoring the looks from his friends.

“Charlus! Are you OK?” Harry asked in concern.

Charlus merely rubbed his hand over his head ruefully.

“Completely fine, Harry. Someone just thought it would be funny to ‘shave’ everyone’s heads last night. They’ve also cast some kind of spell to stop us magically growing the hair back. Honestly, I’m mostly just impressed” he finished with a chuckle.

Harry let out a relieved sigh and laughed himself. 

“It is a clever piece of magic” the younger teen agreed.

“You wouldn’t happen to know anything about it, would you Potter?” One of Charlus’ friends asked, fixing Harry with a penetrating stare.

“Nothing” Harry said honestly. The other teen just stared at him for a moment before nodding and looking away.

“I’m glad you’re OK, if a little uglier” Harry said with a grin as he turned back toward the Slytherin table, laughing at the indignant squawk that sounded behind him.

He plopped down at the Slytherin table, a smile still lighting his face.

“Your brother, OK?” Theo asked and Harry felt his chest warm at the question.

“Yeah, he’s fine. Just lamenting the loss of his amazing Potter hair” Harry said with a chuckle and a glance up at his own wild locks.

“It certainly is a mess” a voice said from across the table, before a hand reached out and ran through his hair. “Maybe you could let me cut it sometime?” Harry jerked back violently at the very suggestion, staring in horror at Josephine, who still had her hand stretched out toward him.

“You stay away from my hair” Harry said seriously, causing everyone around them to chuckle.

“What? You don’t want the same haircut as the Gryffindors?” Theo asked innocently and Harry cast a suspicious gaze around the table of Slytherins, who all looked as though butter wouldn’t melt in their mouths.

Before he could even begin to question just who exactly had pranked the Gryffindor’s, Harry was distracted by the arrival of the morning post and a large screech owl that landed in front of him. Conscious of the many sets of eyes on him after yesterday, Harry didn’t hesitate to reach forward and untie the letter, letting the owl fly free once more.

He carefully opened the letter, dread settling in his stomach at the familiar spindly writing.

Dear Mr Potter,

I was wondering if you might like to come for a spot of tea on Saturday afternoon? Please let me know by return owl at your earliest convenience.

I make a point of meeting with all new students to ensure that they are settling in well.

I look forward to getting to know you better, Harry.

Sincerely,

Albus Dumbledore

Harry’s face went carefully blank as his fears were confirmed. He felt a shudder trying to work its way through his body, but he fought it down. No doubt Dumbledore was sitting at the staff table and watching his reaction. He would give him nothing. The absolutely last thing he needed was to draw the interest of Dumbledore, but it seems it was already too late for that. The meddling old coot, who had dictated so much of Harry’s life was already interested it seemed. No doubt the case of a mystery Potter turning up and being sorted into Slytherin had caught the interest of a lot of people.

He let out a sigh of dismay as he pushed his half-eaten plate of food away, instead turning his head slightly like he was talking to Theo, hiding the fact he was lost in thought. He wasn’t sure what the best thing to do here was? Meet with Dumbledore and no doubt stoke his suspicions, whatever they were. Perhaps he could talk to Dippet and ask him to make his excuses to Dumbledore, though that would probably seem just as suspicious to the transfiguration teacher. He could of course just come up with some excuse about being busy. Act calm and oblivious and explain that unfortunately Saturday just didn’t work for him. Yes, that would do. He breathed a little sigh of relief having come up with a plan. Decided, he reached down into his bag and pulled out some ink, parchment and a quill and quickly jotted down a note to Professor Dumbledore, explaining that he was busy all weekend. He stuck the note in his pocket to post the next time he was passing by the owlery, mentally reminding himself to pretend that he didn’t know where it already was and ask for directions. He was secretly grateful that he didn’t have transfiguration that day.

He glanced up to find Tom as well as several other nearby Slytherin’s watching him shrewdly.

He thought about explaining his dislike for Dumbledore, but how could he really explain how he didn’t like someone he had met only once. Time travel was hard work.

“Would anyone like to give me a tour of Hogwarts over the weekend? I still haven’t had an official tour and I’ve been here nearly a week” Harry said with a smile that was strained around the edges.

“I would be happy to” Alphard said with a smile at the same time as Orion said, “I will, I know all the best spots.”

Abraxas let out a sneer “if by all the best spots you mean the places you go with your current ‘partner’ then I truly doubt Harry would be interested. I will show you around Harry, I will actually take you places that will be of interest to you, like the quidditch pitch.”

Harry’s face lit up at the mere mention of the quidditch pitch, his mood lightening.

“Oh, yes, Abraxas, that sounds great.”

Before Orion could start to protest Tom spoke up.

“We can all take him” the tall Slytherin said, indicating to their small group. “Between all of us I’m sure Harry will get a very thorough tour, though I’m not fully convinced that he needs it” he finished, a shrewd look crossing his handsome face.

Harry took a sip of his juice and did his best to look completely innocent while internally his mind was screaming, shit shit shit.

“Thank you, Tom, that sounds great” he said as calmly as he could.

Orion went back to eating his breakfast, slightly mollified that he wasn’t being completely shut out.

And if Harry raced up to the owlery to post a letter as they were walking to charms later that day (after asking for directions) no one commented.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Harry rolled over, pulling his warm blankets up around his ears as he tried to fight the urge to wake up. It was Saturday morning, and he was determined to sleep in a little. He had found that he actually quite liked the Slytherin dormitories. It was quiet and dark down in the dungeons and actually a lot warmer and cosier than he would’ve expected. There was no wind howling through windows like in Gryffindor tower. Perhaps he could ask Draco if he could spend some nights in the Slytherin dorms when he returned to his own time. He let out a little sigh of defeat, knowing that he was too awake now to get back to sleep, but that didn’t mean that he had to get out of bed anytime soon. He snuggled down and let his mind wander. Thinking of Dumbledore and mentally preparing a list of excuses to try to avoid any tea invitations he may receive in the future. He might go and visit Dippet next week if he’d still received no word on the artefact, surely it couldn’t take that long to locate where the thing had gone.

He blinked blearily as his curtains were pulled open, to find Orion grinning down at him. The larger teen climbed into bed with him, Harry tensing as strong arms wrapped around him. When said arms did nothing more Harry began to relax infinitesimally, the smell of caramel helping to calm him.

“What are you doing?” Harry asked quietly, looking up at Orion, whose face was very close to his own.

“I would think it was obvious” Orion whispered.

Harry merely stared at the teen, before nodding and burrowing himself further into Orion’s embrace. He let the warmth and sense of safety lull him back to sleep.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++

“I thought you were supposed to be getting Harry for breakfast so we could start his tour” Theo said, bemusement colouring his tone.

Orion stared back at his friend, a perplexed look on his face.

“I climbed into bed with him and… he went to sleep” Orion spoke slowly, as though his brain was struggling to comprehend just what had happened.

Theo stared at him for a moment before roaring with laughter. The dark-haired teen gasped for breath, slapping his knee as his whole body shook.

Harry startled awake at the noise, pulling his face out of Orion’s neck as he looked for the source of what had woken him.

“ats g’on?” Harry asked in confusion as he became more aware of his surroundings.

Theo was laughing too hard to answer so Orion huffed, “It’s time to get up, Harry.”

“Oh- right.”

He made to pull away from Orion’s embrace, but he found himself quite stuck.

“Ah, you’ll have to let me go if it’s time to get up” Harry said, green eyes blinking innocently up at the other teen.

Orion let out a soft groan before gradually pulling away and letting Harry out of the bed.

Harry took his clothes and went to the bathroom to change, leaving Theo and Orion to collect themselves.

“I actually think he doesn’t find me attractive” Orion said in a disbelieving voice.

Theo wiped a few tears from his eyes before speaking. “I think it’s more that he doesn’t take your interest seriously, he thinks your merely joking around.”

“Well, my interest is serious, very serious” Orion said indignantly.

Theo merely looked at him sceptically. “You may be serious about getting him into your bed, but not much more than that. And if that’s all you’re interested in I would just drop it. Harry doesn’t seem like a casual relationship kinda person. And if you end up hurting him, I will not be pleased.” Theo finished seriously.

Before Orion could respond, Harry came out of the bathroom fully dressed and looking much more awake.

“Let’s go” Theo said, leaving Orion to his thoughts as he guided Harry to the great hall. “Everyone else is waiting for us there” he explained as they walked.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

“So where should we start?” Harry asked as they excited the great hall. He had been shocked to learn that it was nearly 10am when he’d arrived in the hall, thankfully his friends had saved him some breakfast before it had all vanished. He paused for a moment, surprised to realise that he was starting to consider these Slytherins his friends. Well, some of them, of all his dorm mates he could say that he wasn’t very close to Goyle and Lestrange, both being quite cold and standoffish. He had actually had more conversations with Tom than he had had with either of them. Still, they had come out with the rest of their dorm mates to show Harry around, so they couldn’t be all bad.

They wandered around for hours, he was shown everything from the location to all of the other houses common rooms, the hidden entry into the kitchens, a tour of the owlery and library as well as multiple hidden passageways meant to make getting around the castle easier. He did notice that he wasn’t shown the room of requirement or Slytherins chamber, not that he had really expected to be. Harry had a tough time trying to pretend that this was all new information that he was receiving, and that he hadn’t already been living in the castle for the last five years. It was more tiring than he would’ve thought.

While they walked, they talked.

He learned that Austin had two younger brothers, both in Slytherin, while Theo had an older sister who had already left Hogwarts and was now happily married. He learned that Abraxas loved to fly, and that Malfoy manor had its own quidditch pitch (though he’d already been aware of this from Draco), Tom even shared the fact that he was an orphan and Harry nodded, wondering grimly if he had already killed his father yet. For a moment he had wanted to tell Tom that he knew how it felt, to grow up with no parents, unwanted and unloved, constantly thought of as a freak, but that admission wouldn’t have really tied in well with his whole pureblood Potter persona he had developed. Instead, he had looked at Tom with warmth and understanding hoping that the other teen would realise that he wasn’t alone.

“I owled my parents about what you were saying the other day about marrying within your own family” Orion said as he sidled up beside Harry as they strolled down to sit by the lake. The Black heir had been remarkably quiet today.

Harry looked positively alarmed at that.

“Oh, you shouldn’t listen to anything I say” Harry said with a squeak, but Orion merely smiled at him.

“No, what you were saying made a lot of sense when I thought about it. Anyway, they have hired several researchers to look into the problem and if what you say holds any merit then I won’t be marrying Walburga.”

Harry felt ill at the proclamation. Sure, Walburga was horrible and would make her husband and sons miserable for the entirety of their lives, but without her Sirius and Regulus would fail to exist.

He struggled to come up with a way to fix this. “B-but don’t you love Walburga? Want to build a life together?”

Orion snorted and Corvus who was walking beside them actually burst out laughing.

“No” Orion said with complete sincerity even as he rolled his eyes at the absurdity of the statement.

“Oh” Harry said, eyes flicking away. What could he really say to that?

They sprawled out in the sun; Harry smiled slightly as Abraxas settled beside him.

“So, what did you think?” The blonde asked softly. “Of Hogwarts” he continued, at Harry’s questioning glance.

“It’s amazing” Harry said honestly, in love with the castle as much now as he had been all those years in the future.

Abraxas’s look turned soft, and Harry thought it might be the first time the blonde had looked at him with something other than disdain.

Before he could truly get comfortable though, a house elf appeared with a pop right beside Harry.

“Headmaster be wantin to see you master Harry Potter, Sir” the house elf squeaked before disappearing again.

Harry’s heart began to pound, the last time he had been called to the headmaster’s office was to meet Charlus and Fleamont, what could it be this time? Could it possibly be about the artefact?

“Do you want one of us to come with you?” Abraxas asked as Harry practically leapt to his feet.

“No, thank you. I’ll be fine” Harry said with a grin as he started walking quickly towards Dippet’s office, missing the shared looks of the boys behind him.

He was out of breath when he burst into Headmaster Dippet’s office. “You wanted to see me, Sir?”

“Yes, Harry, take a seat” the headmaster looked grave. It was then that Harry noticed the other man standing to the side of the room. The man looked to be in his fifties with light brown hair sprinkled with grey. Seeing where his attention was now focused Dippet explained.

“This is unspeakable Andrews.”

Harry’s heart started to pound.

Dippet’s voice turned very gentle, causing Harry to turn from the man before him and focus back on the headmaster.

“We have been in correspondence over the last few days regarding the artefact that you were able to use to time travel. Andrews is familiar with the artefact, and he has explained to me that it is exceptionally powerful, though very dangerous. You see those who use it to travel back in time never return. It is only able to travel back a large number of years and thus doing so creates a fork in the timeline. On one timeline things will continue, but on this timeline, the one we are currently on, a whole new one is formed completely separate from the future that you came from.”

Harry just stared at Dippet non-plussed, what did that mean?

“What” and here Dippet let out a deep sigh. “What it means for you, unfortunately Harry, is that you won’t be able to return to your future.” Dippet looked sad at the proclamation. “Even if we somehow worked out how to send you that far forward in time you would be going back to a different future then the one you left behind.”

“What he’s trying to say, young one” the tall man from the Department of Mysterious spoke up. “Is that you cannot return to the future, the future as you know it is over, it has continued on without you. Your future now lays here.”

Harry’s brain felt sluggish as he tried to comprehend what he was being told.

“There’s no way for me to return to the future?” He asked slowly, eyes flicking between the two men trying to detect any deceit.

“No. I am sorry” Unspeakable Andrews said. “I am here to set you up with a new identity for this time.”

“A new identity for this time” Harry repeated numbly.

“Yes. After speaking with Headmaster Dippet, we thought it would make the most sense to simply make your fake identity real. You will be Harry James Potter, youngest of the Potter brothers. You haven’t attended Hogwarts thus far due to ill health. I will leave you as well as your brothers to sort out the specific details you wish to tell people. Here is a record of your birth” Andrews said, “just let me know your date of birth and I will update it.”

Both men stared expectantly at Harry before he managed to stutter out “ah i-it’s the th-thirty first of July.”

Andrews tapped the parchment with his wand before handing it over. “As well as a Gringotts record adding you to the Potter vaults.”

Harry took the pieces of paper and glanced down, not taking in anything he was seeing.

“I know this is a lot, Harry. It must be very difficult for you” Dippet said kindly. “Would you like me to contact Charlus and Fleamont to be here for you?”

Harry shook his head, eyes unfocused. “No – no I’m OK. It’s just a lot. I’m OK.” He paused for a moment before asking desperately. “Surely, there is something else we can do, some other way for me to return to my own time?”

Dippet looked concerned. “I am afraid not. Unspeakable Andrews has worked in the department for many years and knows all there is to know of time travel. I’m sorry Harry but it is just not possible.” Seeing Harry’s devastated look, he continued. “I think I will still owl Fleamont and Charlus both and update them on what is happening. No doubt they will want to meet with you soon to discuss.”

Harry nodded, standing up and nearly tripping over his chair as he made for the door, not even bothering to say goodbye. His magic was roiling around him in distress, as chaotic as the thoughts racing through his head. It didn’t all seem quite real.

He ambled back to the Slytherin dorms, thankful that the halls were mostly empty. Several people said hello as he made his way into the Slytherin common room, but Harry ignored them. He headed straight for his dorm, falling on his bed and staring listlessly at the ceiling. The sheets of parchment in his hands fell to the ground with a whisper. He wasn’t going home. That future was lost to him. A tear rolled down his cheek, quickly followed by another, he didn’t bother to try and wipe them away.

He was never going to see his friends again, never sneak around the castle with Draco, go flying with Ron or fall asleep with his head in Hermione’s lap. No more summers spent at The Burrow. No more hearing Remus talk about something interesting he’d read in a book. No more carefully eyeing everything he ate in case Fred or George had somehow managed to slip a prank into the food. More tears started to flow as he cursed his own stupidity. Jumping in without thinking things through, like always, he never learnt. Would they even be able to defeat Voldemort without him? He was sure Dumbledore would find a way, but still how much more difficult had things just become for them. He started crying in earnest now, his magic swirling and snapping around him.

Out by the lake Tom sat up.

“Do you feel that?” he asked seriously, causing all conversation around him to stop.

After a moment Abraxas responded, “I feel something.”

“Me too” Orion agreed.

“It’s someone’s magic… someone powerful” Tom said softly, eyes turning sharp.

“There’s something happening in the castle” Theo said, starting to stand.

Harry’s magic swirled around them, broadcasting his pain to all.

Dippet raised his head from where he had been writing to Fleamont, instead calling for his house elf Hatti. “Go and get Charlus Potter and bring him to me immediately.”  The house elf nodded and popped away. Dippet walked to the fireplace, grabbing a pinch of floo powder and throwing it in the flames before sticking his head in and calling “Potter Manor!”

Tom hurried towards the castle, following the demand of the magic. It was calling him, practically screaming for him to hurry and he increased his pace, Abraxas, Orion, Theo, Austin and Corvus all hurrying along behind him, wands in their hands. They weren’t sure what was going on, just that it was something important. When they entered the castle there were others looking around curiously, though none seemed to be as affected as Tom, who was now feeling the magic like a physical caress.

They headed for the Slytherin dorms, Tom instinctively knowing that it was Harry calling to him. When they entered the common room, they were directed to their dorms by several students, who were all staring with wide eyed fascination.

Harry didn’t look up as he heard the dorm room door slam open and hurried footsteps approaching.

“Harry, what’s wrong!?” Tom asked urgently, firm hands gripping his shoulders and turning him, so he was now looking at the Slytherin prefect.

“Oh, why did you have to go crazy?” Harry moaned as he stared at Tom. “I wouldn’t even be here if you hadn’t.”

Tom shared a perplexed look with Corvus as Harry’s magic swirled around them, the feeling nearly bringing Tom to his knees.

Harry’s crying, if possible, got worse. His words slurred as he babbled. Tom thought he heard, snake man and leave Draco alone, but he couldn’t be sure.

“It’s all gone” Harry cried out, before his magic exploded out of him like a volcano, everyone in the room was knocked to the floor, unharmed but completely stunned at the show of power. Tom’s whole body was thrumming, he had never felt anything like it, it was intoxicating. He struggled to right himself as he turned and saw Headmaster Dippet, Charlus and Fleamont come running into the room.

The headmaster stopped short, “oh my”, he gasped. “Charlus, run and get Madam Raston and bring her here immediately.”

Charlus nodded seriously before running from the room.

“Harry” Fleamont called quietly as he approached the bed, while headmaster Dippet pause to check over Tom and the other boys, who were all beginning to rise.

“He’s out cold” Fleamont said, running a hand comfortingly through Harry’s locks.

“No one was injured, and nothing was damaged” Dippet said. “The extreme emotional distress must have caused his magic to go haywire, an outlet for what he was feeling.

Fleamont nodded. Leaning down to scoop Harry up into his arms, frowning slightly at the small body.

“I will start heading towards the hospital wing, you stay with the others until Madam Raston arrives.”

Normally Fleamont wouldn’t dare give orders to the headmaster in his own school, but when it came to his own flesh and blood, even if he had only met them once, he would do anything.

Tom couldn’t take his eyes off the small figure as it was carried from the room.

Chapter Text

“Why hasn’t he woken up yet?” Fleamont grumbled from his place beside Harry’s bed.

It had been nearly two days since Harry had collapsed but he had yet to awaken. Dippet had explained to himself and Charlus why Harry had been so upset; the fact that he could no longer return to the future, that his future was in fact lost to him forever. It would have been a massive blow to the young man and Fleamont could understand his distress.

Madam Raston had already explained to him several times that Harry was merely resting from the huge outpouring of magic and emotions and when he felt ready, he would awaken. Still, Fleamont couldn’t stop the worry that was gnawing at his insides.

Charlus rolled his eyes in exasperation but couldn’t stop the look of worry that lingered on his own face.

Fleamont had yet to leave Harry’s side, sleeping and showering in the hospital wing. Determined that Harry would not wake up alone after he had suffered so much emotional distress. Charlus had had to attend classes today but had come back to the hospital wing after dinner to spend time with his… brother.

“Now that he is staying permanently, we will have to ensure he is added to our family tree and accounts at Gringotts” Fleamont said quietly, the urge to do… something, nearly overwhelming him.

Charlus nodded in agreement, “we will need to prepare a room for him at the manor as well.”

“Perhaps we can speak to Dippet about a shopping trip into Diagon Alley so that Harry can choose out what he would like for his room?”

“That sounds good, let’s not overwhelm him though.” Charlus didn’t think Harry would be feeling up to shopping trips anytime soon.

On top of his general worry for Harry, Fleamont knew that Madam Raston was keeping something from him. She had run all sorts of tests on Harry when he’d first been brought to the hospital wing, the results had been extensive, but the healer hadn’t said much more then he would be OK and would wake up in due time. He had thought about demanding to see the reports as head of the Potter house, but he didn’t feel comfortable doing that with how little he knew of Harry at the moment.

So instead, he just sat and waited and worried.

“I’m happy to stay with Harry tonight if you want to head home and get some proper sleep?” Charlus offered, taking in the bags under his older brothers’ eyes, but Fleamont just shook his head.

“I’d rather stay, Harry’s been through a lot, I want to make sure he knows we’re here for him. Besides, you have to go to classes tomorrow, I can afford a few days away from my responsibilities.”

“Okay,” Charlus said reluctantly. “But if he doesn’t wake by tomorrow evening you are going home to sleep, and I will stay with Harry, he’s my brother as well.”

Fleamont nodded reluctantly, he didn’t know what he would do if Harry still hadn’t woken by tomorrow evening.

Fortunately, he didn’t have to find out as he was awoken before sunrise the next morning with the sounds of Madam Rastons hurried footsteps. He sat up groggily rubbing sleep from his eyes as he looked around the hospital wing, his sleep addled brain struggling to process what was going on. It was only when he heard a small groan that it clicked, Harry.

He pulled himself out of the slightly uncomfortable hospital bed he’d been attempting to sleep in and walked the few steps to Madam Raston’s side, eyes taking in everything he could about the teen lying on the bed before him.

Pale, hands shaking, dark circles under his eyes, green eyes clouded and confused.

Madam Raston waved her wand a few times.

“His vitals look good” she murmured softly to Fleamont, and he felt some of the tension that was running through his body start to ease.

“Madam Pomfrey?” Harry asked in confusion as he struggled to sit up.

Fleamont felt his heart break a little.

“No, dear, I’m Madam Raston.”

Dark brows furrowed in confusion for a moment before understanding came like a kick to the stomach. Fleamont could see the exact moment realisation hit as Harry’s face crumpled and he gripped his blanket tightly.

He reached out to rub a soothing hand down the young mans back, ignoring for the moment the way Harry jumped at the contact.

“Fleamont?”

“I’m here, Harry.” What else could he say.

Harry looked at him with such a sad, lost expression on his face that Fleamont couldn’t help pulling him into his arms, trying to offer what comfort he could.

Harry leant against him awkwardly for a moment before all fight seemed to leave him and he melted into Fleamont. Fleamont could feel his shirt getting wet as Harry cried silently in his arms, he just held him tighter. They didn’t speak, eventually Harry cried himself to sleep but Fleamont didn’t leave his side. Sitting beside him and stroking his hand as he watched the teen sleep.

Madam Raston watched on for a moment. “We will need to have a meeting with Professor Dippet in the morning.”

Fleamont nodded in understanding and thanks, not taking his eyes off Harry, the latest Potter would need all the support they could give him.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Later that morning found Fleamont waking up with a crick in his neck and a sore back after having fallen asleep leaning on Harry’s bed. He sat up slowly, stretching as he found green eyes already awake and watching him.

“Good morning, Harry. How are you feeling?”

“I’m fine” Harry said, voice hoarse.

Fleamont knew better then to take that seriously.

“You didn’t have to stay.”

“I wanted to stay” Fleamont said, letting the sincerity ring through his voice. “We’re family.”

Harry gave him a bemused look.

“Family.” He said quietly.

Before Fleamont could respond Madam Raston was walking over.

“How are you feeling, Harry?” she asked kindly.

“Fine” Harry said again. “Just tired.”

“I would expect you will be tired for the next few days. You will have to take it easy physically but also magically. You expelled a lot of magic young man and your core needs time to replenish.”

Harry nodded in understanding, looking suitably chastised. Fleamont wasn’t fooled for a second.

Everyone looked up as the door swung open and in walked Headmaster Dippet, his expression unusually grave.

“Ah, headmaster, you’re early.”

Dippet nodded. “I wasn’t sure if Lord Potter had any urgent matters to attend to, so I thought it best that I make myself available as early as was convenient.”

Harry looked confused for a moment, looking at the three people standing around his bed, eyes focusing on Madam Raston as she cleared her throat.

“Harry when you were brought in, I ran a full medical history on you to try to ascertain what was happening. The results were… concerning.”

Harry’s face paled even more at that, and he stared at Madam Raston as if begging her to stop.

With a wave of her wand a sheet of parchment appeared in front of her, and she began reading.

“Malnutrition, burns, broken bones, a basilisk bite…” she kept reading but Harry did his best to tune her out. He kept his eyes on his hands as they nervously plucked at a loose thread on his blanket.

Headmaster Dippet and Fleamont shared a dark look.

“Harry.”

Fleamont’s soothing voice broke through his melancholy.

“Do you want to talk about it?”

Harry just shook his head, what was there to talk about? It didn’t matter anyway it’s not like he was ever going back to that life now anyway.

Harry felt a hand land gently on his shoulder, the warm weight grounding him and giving him the courage to raise his eyes to look at Fleamont. To his surprise the older was looking at him softly, no pity, no disgust.

“When you’re ready I think it would be beneficial for you to talk to a mind healer. You don’t have to tell me anything, but it would make me feel better to know that you had someone to talk to. Harry’s first instinct was to refuse, but Fleamont kept looking at him so imploringly, eyes wide and sincere that Harry found himself nodding in agreement instead. This having a family that cared thing was…odd.

Madam Raston and even Headmaster Dippet looked relieved at his words, while Fleamont struggled to understand how a Potter could be treated so.

“Charlus is very excited to take you shopping so you can pick out things for your room at the manor” Fleamont said, in a transparent attempt at changing the subject.

“You don’t have to do that” Harry said, furrowing his eyebrows in confusion. “I will be out of your hair as soon as I can.”

Fleamont looked positively alarmed at that.

“What!? No! Harry, you are welcome at the Manor for as long as you wish. You are a Potter it is your home. I’m already making arrangements to have you added to our family tree and get you access to our vaults.”

Harry stared at Fleamont in surprise, though he supposed he shouldn’t be, this was the man who had given him a bag of galleons on their first meeting, it’s obvious his grandfather is a very generous soul.

“When you get a little more settled you could come for a visit to the Manor for the weekend? Get to see your new home.” Fleamont continued softly, completely oblivious to the fact that he was offering Harry something the teen had only dreamed of on his darkest loneliest nights.

He nodded, a warm feeling filling his chest at Fleamonts pleased look.

Madam Raston started speaking again. “You will need to take several potions to assist with the malnutrition as well as to help repair the damage to your bones and muscles. I want you back here in two weeks time to see how your healing is progressing.”

“So, I can go?”  Harry said eagerly, already trying to sit up.

A firm hand gripped his shoulder and pushed him back down.

“No, I want you to stay one more night to make sure you’re fully recovered from your ordeal.”

Harry opened his mouth to argue but a look from the headmaster had him snapping it closed again. He supposed one more night wouldn’t hurt him. It would probably be good to have some time to think about what he was going to tell his dorm mates anyway. He bit back a groan at the thought. He knew they would have question. Especially Tom, the Slytherin was too clever for his own good.

“There is one last thing” Madam Raston continued on. She hesitated for just a moment. “My scans also indicated that Mister Potter here, is a carrier. This really should have been mentioned when you arrived Mister Potter.”

Harry looked confused at the word, while Fleamont looked completely gobsmacked.

“What!?” He rasped out before clearing his throat. “Harry’s a carrier?”

Harry’s eyes swung between Fleamont and Madam Raston, “what’s a carrier?”

Now it was Madam Raston’s to look completely flummoxed.

“You don’t know what a carrier is?” she asked incredulously.

Harry thought for a moment before shaking his head, “I don’t think so, no.”

Madam Raston glanced at Fleamont, but upon finding the older Potter still in shock she started to explain.

“A carrier is a very powerful wizard who is able to fall pregnant and carry a baby. It is exceptionally rare as the magical strength of the wizard must be near unparalleled. Magic supports the baby throughout the pregnancy and only the most powerful wizards would be able to sustain such a feat.”

Madam Raston paused, lips quirking slightly at Harry’s bright red face.

Carriers are highly sought after as the children they have are said to be particularly strong as they have been surrounded by and absorbing their carrier’s magic for the term of the pregnancy. They are also sought after by gay wizards, particularly heirs as a way of fulfilling their sexual needs as well as producing heirs to continue their line.”

If possible, Harry turned even redder at that. “What?” he squeaked again.

Madam Raston opened her mouth and began explaining again but Harry quickly waved his hand begging her to stop. Headmaster Dipper coughed and Harry was sure the old man was trying to stifle a laugh.

“I understood what you said, I just- how come I’ve never heard of this before?”

Madam Raston shrugged her shoulders, “now that I cannot say. At the very least you should have been tested on your first medical check when you started at Hogwarts.”

 Harry groaned, “they don’t do medical checks in my time at Hogwarts.”

Madam Raston pursed her lips in apparent disapproval.

“We are going to have every family in the wizarding world sending betrothal contracts in an attempt to secure your hand” Fleamont groaned. “Of course, I won’t accept any that you don’t want” Fleamont hurried to reassure, seeing Harry’s face starting to turn green.

“I’m sorry to cause you even more trouble” Harry mumbled, but Fleamont waved the apology away.

“Don’t be silly, it is quite the honour to have a carrier born into your family. Why, the only other carrier I know of is Dumbledore.”

Harry blinked slowly. Dumbledore is a carrier, but during his time as headmaster he got rid of the tests that indicate whether you’re a carrier or not. Why?

“You will have to make sure that if you engage in any penetrative sex with another male that you cast a contraception charm to ensure you don’t fall pregnant.” Fleamont explained, looking at Harry seriously, though his cheeks had pinked a little.

Harry simply nodded, embarrassment making his tongue stick to the roof of his mouth. Thankfully headmaster Dippet saved them from the awkward moment.

“I have officially entered you as a student at Hogwarts now that we know you are staying” headmaster Dippet said, a hint of a smile still lingering around his mouth. “If you need any assistance with your classes, please let me know. There are several things we can do to help get you up to speed.”

“Thank you, headmaster” Harry said, not quite able to meet his eye.

With a final nod Dippet left.

“I will just go get your potion, mister Potter and perhaps a few pamphlets on carriers” Madam Raston said, walking away as well.

Fleamont pulled up the chair he had been sitting on and smiled softly at Harry.

“It may not seem like it now, but everything will be ok.” Fleamont said softly, reaching out to grip Harry’s hand and suddenly all embarrassment fled, and all Harry was left with was a hollow ached in his chest. He looked up at the ceiling, taking a deep breath as he felt his eyes start to burn.

“I just can’t believe that I will never see any of them again” Harry said weakly and the grip on his hand tightened.

“Would you like to tell me about them?”

So, Harry did.

He spoke of a bushy haired witch, who would go on to change the world, of a ginger haired boy who shone brighter then all those around him. Of a blonde Slytherin who fought back against the worlds expectations of him and managed to befriend a Gryffindor. He spoke of feasts and classes and days spent in the air and if Fleamont noticed that he didn’t make any mention of his family, well, he didn’t say anything, for now.

HPHPHPHPHPHPHPHPHPHPHPHPHP

Harry startled awake in the middle of the night, his heart was pounding and sweat beaded at his temples. He looked around wildly but found no one as he had insisted that Fleamont return home for a good nights rest. Hurried footsteps let him know that Madam Raston had been alerted that he was awake and was on her way. When she pulled aside the curtains surrounding his bed he practically shouted, “I need to speak to headmaster Dippet immediately!”

To her credit Madam Raston simply hurried off, Harry assumed to call the headmaster.

Harry twisted his hands anxiously in his lap, every second wasted felt like a lifetime.

Finally, when he was contemplating jumping out of bed and trying to make his way to the headmaster’s office himself, he heard footsteps approaching. He looked up to find headmaster Dippet and Madam Raston hurrying toward him.

“Harry, what is it?” Headmaster Dippet asked, clearly confused.

“Hagrid’s innocent!” Harry cried desperately.

Chapter Text

Headmaster Dippet just blinked at him bemusedly and Harry was amused to see that the headmaster still had his pyjamas on, a robe obviously thrown over them in haste. He felt a twinge of guilt waking the older man up, but once he had remembered Hagrid, he couldn’t wait another minute to do something to help.

“What do you mean, Harry?”

“Hagrid, he got expelled for having a creature in the castle that killed Moa- I mean Myrtle, didn’t he?”

Dippet’s expression started to clear.

“Yes, that’s right. That was just over a year ago.”

“It wasn’t his creature that killed Myrtle, it was another” Harry rushed to explain, his green eyes staring imploringly up at the older wizard.

Dippet put a calming hand on his shoulder.

“Is this something that you know from the future or something that you’ve learned since arriving in the past?”

“It’s something that I know from the future” Harry explained and Dippet’s expression turned grim.

“I was afraid of this” Dippet murmured as he ran his hand gently through his beard. “You must be very careful with what you share about the future.”

Harry had to hold back a snort, if he knew what the future held Dippet would be begging him to change it.

“I will be careful” Harry said quickly “but this is important. This changed Hagrid’s whole life and he did nothing wrong. It isn’t fair!”

Dippet looked thoughtful for a moment. Harry knew this wasn’t over, but he breathed a sigh of relief when the other slowly nodded.

“Do you know what did cause Myrtle’s death?”

“It’s a basilisk that has lived in the school since the time of Slytherin, the entry to Slytherins chamber is in the girl’s bathroom that Myrtle died in.” Harry purposefully didn’t mention Tom or his involvement. Not yet anyway.

“A basilisk from Slytherins chamber” Dippet breathed, his eyes alight with curiosity and Harry began to understand how the man had become the headmaster of Hogwarts.

“I can get us in” Harry said enthusiastically, excited now that it looked like he had Dippet on his side.

“We would need a team of trained magi zoologists, to assist with the capture and containment of a basilisk. I will get in touch with the ministry immediately. Rest for now Harry, if what you say is true and Hagrid is innocent this will soon be proven.”

Harry felt himself slowly relax, his shoulders untensing as he relaxed back into his bed. “The creature Hagrid had an acromantula, that’s been released into the forbidden forest. I’d get onto that if I were you.” Harry said with a large yawn, watching carefully as Dippet’s lip twitched.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

When Harry awoke again, he felt much more rested. He was alone, for which he was thankful, he really wanted some time to think. His whole world was turned upside down… again. He felt like he should be used to it by now, but it only seemed to get more difficult each time it happened. All his friends were lost to him. Draco has no one to help him now he thought, as a few tears managed to escape. He tried to convince himself that things would be ok. He could make new friends, he had actual family members here who seemed to care about him, perhaps he could even do something about Voldemort. But it was hard when sadness and loneliness gripped his heart.

He half-heartedly picked at the food that was brought to him and drank all the potions Madam Raston said he needed, but he remained quiet, melancholy, as he continued to work through everything.

It was only after dinner, when Charlus arrived for a visit that he felt his mood begin to lighten slightly.

Charlus regaled him with the Gryffindors attempts to grow their hair back or at least try to make their hair grow back quicker and Harry couldn’t hold back his snickers.

“Are you out of the hospital wing tomorrow?” Charlus asked, concern tingeing his expression.

“Yeah” Harry said, looking away.

“You know you can always come hang out with the Gryffindors, if you ever want to? Eat at our table, spend time in our common room. You’d always be welcome.”

Harry was touched by the offer.

“Yeah?”

“Of course,” Charlus said softly.

“Thank you” Harry said, glancing up and meeting Charlus’ eyes, it would be nice to see the Gryffindor common room again.

“Well, I better get going” Charlus said, standing up and patting Harry on the shoulder. “I’ll try to check in on you tomorrow.”

Harry waved, feeling marginally better about everything. Whatever was coming couldn’t be worse than what he’d already been through.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Tom sat in the Slytherin common room; he’d scared away anyone that wasn’t in his immediate circle. Not like it had taken much, he’d simply swept in and cast his gaze over the room, and everyone had found somewhere else to be. He reclined back in his favourite chair, letting the warmth of the fire wash over him as he thought. His thoughts centring around one Harry Potter. The younger teens power had been intoxicating, calling to him like nothing he had ever felt before. That depth of sadness had been intense. There was much more lurking behind those green eyes then anyone knew. He rubbed his face thoughtfully, he wanted Harry to join his knights, he must have him.

Tom’s eyes trailed over his… he’s not sure if he would say friends… supporters? All completely loyal to him. He could already see interest from both Orion and Abraxas in the newest Slytherin. Though he wasn’t sure if they were even fully aware of it themselves. Nott had also formed a close friendship with the other teen. Tom could use that to draw Harry further into their circle. That kind of power would be invaluable to him. For now, he would watch, plan, wrap Harry so tightly into the fold that it would be impossible for him to escape.

He hadn’t allowed any Slytherins to visit Harry in the hospital wing, though he had heard that he’d been awake for a few days now. No one had outright asked to go but he could see that many had wanted to visit. Now that he had made up his mind on his course of action, he would stop holding them back. It all work in his favour, he wanted Harry to feel like he belonged in Slytherin, to be loyal to them, to him.

“I heard from Greengrass that Harry is getting out of the hospital wing tomorrow” Theo said looking around the group. Orion visibly perked up while Abraxas tried for aloof but failed to keep the interest out of his eyes.

“I don’t trust him” Corvus said with a scowl. “There’s something off about him. He knows his way around the castle too easily, has secret meetings with Dippet, seems to dislike Dumbledore on sight, claims his Godfathers name is Sirius and that he’s some long-lost Potter and now this magical outburst! His power, it was something else.”

Austin hummed in agreement.

“I want him” Tom said plainly, holding back a smirk at the way Orion and Abraxas stiffened at his announcement. He was not interested in a romantic relationship with the other Slytherin, he had no such time or inclination for such things. “I want him to join the ranks of my knights” he clarified. “Make sure he feels welcome, trusted, accepted. Leave me to discover exactly what he’s hiding, that is no longer your concern.”

Corvus didn’t look surprised at the command, just nodding in understanding.

 “He is a Potter, that much is clear” Tom continued, “the Potters are traditionally light, it will be invaluable to finally have a member of such an influential light family in Slytherin. Their name holds power with families that even the Malfoy’s and Black’s can’t touch, imagine what we could achieve if we all work together.”

The other teens started to lean closer to Tom, mesmerised like they always were when Tom started talking like this.

“I am making plans, and Harry Potter is essential to them.”

Five heads nodded seriously, a familiar glint entered Orion’s eyes and Tom smirked, he had a feeling the Black heir didn’t know what he was getting himself into.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Harry left the hospital wing early the next morning, he was pleasantly surprised to find Charlus waiting for him.

“Thought I’d make sure you got to your common room OK, didn’t collapse on the way or anything” the Gryffindor said with a grin.

Harry laughed, “you never can tell what’s going to happen when it comes to me.”

“I’m beginning to see that” Charlus said as they began their walk to the Slytherin dorms. “Do you need breakfast?”

“Nah, Madam Raston made sure I ate before I left the hospital wing. I think she was worried I would skip the meal completely if she didn’t.”

“She’s getting to know you already.”

They had reached the Slytherin common room as they’d been chatting.

“You, OK?” Charlus asked softly.

“Course,” Harry wondered how convincing he sounded.

Charlus gave him a reassuring smile before turning and starting to walk back towards the great hall and breakfast.

Harry took one more deep breath, wondering just how bad the inquisition was going to be, before he said the password and entered.

The common room was nearly completely empty, which shouldn’t surprise him, it was breakfast time after all. He went up to his dorm, changing into a fresh set of robes. He packed his bag before heading back to the common room. A warm hand clasped his shoulder and Harry jumped, spinning around as he reached for his wand, to find Alphard looking at him in concern.

“Oh, Alphard you startled me” Harry said smiling up at the older Slytherin, only to find himself engulphed in a warm comforting hug. It was gentle and Harry found his face tucked into Alphard neck, breathing in the scent of citrus. Alphard pulled back gently, and Harry found himself trying to follow after, he caught himself and straightened up to find Alphard looking at him softly.

“I’m not sure what happened, but I’m here if you want to talk.”

Harry was flawed by the genuine offer, he glanced away, not sure what to say. He smiled shyly but was saved from answering by someone shouldering Alphard out of the way.

“Harry! Welcome back” Orion grinned. “I hope my cousin wasn’t boring you too much.”

“Oh, definitely not” Harry said with a small laugh, turning away from both Blacks and finding more Slytherins had entered the common room.

“Welcome back” Theo said.

“Thanks” Harry said, an awkward silence settling over the group. He waited for the questions to begin, but nothing happened.

“Potions?” Orion asked, breaking the tension.

“Ah, right” Harry said, what was going on here? Didn’t they have questions about what had happened? He glanced at Orion and Theo as they walked to potions, to find that both were watching him out of the corner of their eyes. Ok, so it wasn’t that they weren’t curious, but are going about things in a more… Slytherin way. It almost made Harry smile, thinking of his time with Draco, before they had become friends. Slytherins rarely go for the straightforward route, he forgot who he was dealing with for a moment.

Harry felt a burning gaze on his back, he turned to find Tom, staring at him intently. Harry spun back around; he wasn’t sure what to do about all that at the moment. One thing at a time he supposed and right now that meant paying attention. If he was going to be stuck in this time, he would need to put more effort into his studies, he felt a pang of sadness as the thought about how proud Hermione would have been of him. He took his seat next to Abraxas, giving the blonde a small smile as he pulled out his potion things. He stood to move to the storeroom to get the ingredients listed on the board for that day’s potion.

“Sit” Abraxas said softly, but with authority and Harry found himself obeying almost immediately. “I will get the ingredients today, you’ve just got out of the hospital wing, I won’t have you wasting time getting the wrong things because you still aren’t feeling well.

 Harry smiled softly; how similar Abraxas was to his grandson.

“Thank you, Abraxas. I appreciate you worrying about me” Harry said happily, finding he liked the way Abraxas scowled at him.

Harry’s day ended up being disturbingly normal. He chatted with his new friends, went to class and ate lunch with his fellow Slytherins. It seems the majority of the school was unsure of his involvement in what had happened a few days ago and the Slytherins weren’t talking. True to Slytherin form, they closed rank around Harry like a fortress, stopping any possible curiosity in its tracks. Harry had never been on this side of things, he had always been the one trying to find out what the Slytherins were hiding, it was actually kinda nice to feel so protected, so ensconced.

They sat around the fire that night, doing their homework. Harry was going to have to find help with his ancient runes very soon.

“We are having our study group tomorrow evening, if you’d like to join?” Theo asked, looking up from his own essay and Harry, well he couldn’t think of a reason to say no.

Chapter Text

Harry spent most of the next day in a state of abject worry. He ate, went to classes and chatted with his friends but on the inside his stomach twisted and churned. He had agreed to go to the study group tonight, but he was still unsure if this was an actual study group or just a front for a Voldemort meeting. He knew he would have to do something about that whole situation at some point, but he just wasn’t ready or even sure what the right course of action would be.

Theo seemed excited about his coming though, which was nice.

After dinner the pair walked into the common room to find a small group of Slytherins sitting around the fire. There were male and females from his year but there was also a few from the years above and below.

Harry noticed Alphard hovering in the group, and he instantly felt himself relax slightly. He made a bee line for the older Black, who greeted him with a warm smile before pulling him into a quick hug.

“Tom will already be waiting, the rest of us usually walk over together” Alphard said quietly, and Harry nodded in understanding.

“We use an old classroom that Tom has done up a bit for us” Theo explained, as he stood on Harry’s other side. There’s plenty of room for practising spells, but also tables to work at and armchairs and a fire to sit and talk by.”

“That sounds really good” Harry said sincerely, liking the sound of the space, Theo looked pleased.

“Shall we go?” A new voice asked, and Harry looked over his shoulder to see Orion standing there, his usual cheeky grin in place though Harry noted that his grey eyes were serious. A firm hand pushed into Harry’s lower back, and he found himself being guided out of the room by Orion. Alphard and Theo trailing behind.

Harry glanced up at the other Black but chose not to say anything, instead wrapping his own arm around Orion’s waist as they walked, hoping to offer some comfort to the other who was clearly upset about something. Orion looked momentarily surprised before he moved his hand from Harry’s back and instead wrapped it around his waist, pulling the younger tight against his side. Harry tensed at first, not expecting the movement, but as they walked, he felt himself relaxing and even leaning into the comforting warmth.

They walked into the room and Harry couldn’t help but feel impressed. How had Tom managed to create such a place? Like literally where had he got everything from and how had he got permission to have a classroom, that is assuming that he even asked. It was warm and inviting, with a huge rug in front of the fireplace and a variety of comfortable looking armchairs. Theo had been right, there was plenty of space to practice spells as well as tables to work at, though the other Slytherin had failed to mention the bookshelves that lined one whole wall. Harry had a sneaking suspicion that many of the volumes had been liberated from the library and Harry couldn’t stop the grin that was sneaking up on his face at the thought of what Hermione would say if she was here. Orion let him go as they moved further into the room.

“Welcome” Tom greeted, and Harry refocused his attention on the other Slytherin, watching cautiously as the others made their way over and settled into various lounges and armchairs. He joined them, finding himself sat next to Abraxas, who merely sniffed at him before turning away. Harry couldn’t fight the grin that broke out on his face at the action.

A throat clearing had Harry glancing over to find Tom looking at him intently, he felt his insides squirm at the attention.

“Tonight, we will be working on non-verbal casting as I know a few of us have been struggling with it” Tom went on melodically and Harry felt himself blush as he knew he was one of the ones struggling the most.

“Please be aware next session we will be working on ancient runes, so make sure you bring what you need with you.”

For the first time Harry could see how Voldemort may have done well in a teaching position at Hogwarts. Tom gave a brief example and explanation on non-verbal casting, explaining that it was mostly focus and intent as well as practice.

Harry found himself paired with Abraxas as they stood and moved to a place in the room to begin practising. He swallowed thickly, knowing how accomplished the other was. He watched intently dodging out of the way as Abraxas sent a silent spell flying towards him.

“For those of you who can already cast non-verbally you are working on making sure your spell is as strong as it would be if you cast verbally” Tom’s voice rang out as Harry attempted to send a tickling jinx back at Abraxas. Nothing happened and he felt his cheeks warm in embarrassment.

“Focus, Harry” Abraxas called out and Harry jolted in surprise at the others use of his first name. That moment of distraction allowed Abraxas to hit him with a jelly legs curse and he wobbled around for a moment before collapsing to the ground. The spell lifted immediately with a wave of Abraxas’ wand and Harry stood up, determination flooding him. Unfortunately, determination wasn’t enough.

“Feel your magic,” Abraxas instructed, “take hold of it, it’s only in your mind that you feel like you need to say the spell for it to be effective.”

Harry dodged a few more spells sent his way before he finally managed to send something back. He focused on his magic, sending it down his wand and straight toward Abraxas. The other was so surprised that he wasn’t able to dodge in time and was hit squarely with a hair colour changing jinx. Long blonde locks now a soft orange.

Harry let out a shout of delight. “Abraxas! It worked, it worked!” Harry cried as he ran across the room and threw himself into Abraxas’ arms. Reaching up to run his hands through the soft and silky orange strands.

“You look like a Weasley,” Harry laughed, causing the Malfoy heir’s expression to sour considerably. “I think I prefer you blonde though” Harry said honestly and with a wave of his wand and a quietly muttered spell, removed the jinx. Orange hair slowly faded back to blonde, and Harry ran his hand through it a few more times, “there, all better” he said quietly.

Green eyes looked into blue, and Abraxas opened his mouth to say something, but before he got the chance a spell came flying out of nowhere and hit the taller in the side of the face. Harry took a step back as Abraxas’ hand flew to his mouth, taking another hurried step back as the other belched loudly before a torrent of slugs fell from his mouth. More slugs continued to spew from Abraxas’ mouth, splattering on the ground as Harry had a flash back to second year and Ron. Unlike Ron though, this spell was cast correctly so it wasn’t difficult for Harry to stop it.

Abraxas looked pale and sickly as the spell stopped, burping up a few more slugs as Harry stepped closer again. Abraxas glared viciously around the room as Harry cleaned up the mess, noticing that they had managed to garner the attention of everyone at this point. His gaze fell on Orion who was looking vindictively happy as he looked at the sheen of sweat that covered Abraxas’ face and the slime that still coated his chin. Abraxas felt his hands clench into fists as he made eye contact with the Black heir, his lip curling up into a snarl. A soft hand on the side of his face had him focusing back on Harry, his expression softening.

“Are you OK?” Harry asked and Abraxas managed a weak nod, playing it up just a little bit.

“You don’t look OK” Harry said decisively. “Come on, let’s head back to the dorm, I’ll take care of you.”

Harry linked his arm through Abraxas’ to help hold him steady before turning to Tom.

“Abraxas isn’t feeling well, I’m going to take him back. Thanks for tonight, it was really helpful.”

Tom nodded in understanding, “I’m glad you found it useful, you’re welcome anytime, Harry.”

“Ah, thanks” Harry said awkwardly as he started to steer the tall blonde out of the room. “We may want to think about a few shield charms between pairs next time though, just to make sure this kinda thing doesn’t happen again.”

  “Yes, shield charms” Tom said quietly, amusement coating his tone as he watched their newest member lead Abraxas out.

++++++++++++++++++++++++

Abraxas sat on his bed quite befuddled as Harry ran a warm face washer over his face, wiping away sweat and slime and helping to calm his ire. Don’t get him wrong, his blood still boiled that Orion would dare to attempt such an underhanded trick just to make him look bad. But for the moment it was hard to care too much. Abraxas wondered why Harry didn’t just cast a cleansing charm on his face but couldn’t deny the appeal. A freshening charm was cast in his mouth as Harry passed him a glass of water. After he’d downed the whole thing, he was feeling pretty much back to normal.

“Feeling better?”

“Yes, thank you” Abraxas said somewhat stiffly, he wasn’t really sure how to react to someone taking care of him.

“Good, I’m glad” Harry said with a fond look, before moving away and starting to get himself ready for bed. “Just wake me if you need anything during the night” Harry said as he climbed into bed, it had been a long day after all.

Anything? Abraxas’ mind supplied, before he shook away the thought. As soon as Harry pulled his curtains shut Abraxas stood and made his way over to Orion’s bed, the Black heir was in for a nasty surprise during the night, he cast a silencing charm on Orion’s curtains so no one would hear him scream before quickly getting ready for bed himself. The Black heir would rue the day he tried to make a fool out of a Malfoy.

++++++++++++++++++++++++

There was a strange tension in the dorm when Harry awoke the next morning. Orion looked haggard and kept shooting murderous looks at Abraxas, while the Malfoy heir simply looked smug. Harry decided it was in his best interest to stay out of whatever was going on between those two. Instead, he walked with Theo down to breakfast, both discussing the study session from last night.

Harry had only just sat down to breakfast when several small potion vials appeared before his plate. He looked at them with trepidation for a moment. These must be from Madam Raston he thought with a grimace as he ignored them for the moment, going back to buttering his toast. A few of the Slytherins cast him curious looks but were too polite to outright ask what the vials were, and Harry offered no explanation, simply drinking them one after another after he had finished his toast. Washing the horrible taste down with a big glug of pumpkin juice. Blech why did they always have to taste so horrible?

“How are you feeling this morning?” Harry asked Abraxas as the other members of their dorm settled onto chairs around them.

“Very well, thank you. Though I’m not sure if Orion can say the same” Harry took in the haughty look on the blondes face and knew that whatever had kept Orion up had probably been Abraxas’ doing.

With a roll of his eyes Harry looked over at Orion, who was sitting two seats down from him on Theo’s other side. The black heir looked exhausted, his face pale and waxy and his hair a mess. The usual cocky smirk was gone, replaced with a dark grimace. Harry gasped, it felt like a punch to the gut as he was forcibly reminded of Sirius when he was recovering from Azkaban. Sure, it was nowhere near as bad, but there were definitely similarities.

He moved from his seat, shuffling Theo down so he could sit next to Orion and start buttering him some toast and making him a cup of tea. The Slytherin’s around them, Orion included, stared in shock at this open level of care.

“Here, have some breakfast” Harry said quietly as he put the toast and tea in front of Orion, “it will help you feel better.”

Orion tentatively started to eat as harry ran his hands over Orion’s uniform, straightening it out before running his fingers through dark curls, trying to get them back to their bouncy gorgeous self. It worked somewhat.

Harry smiled in relief, patting Orion’s back in a soothing manner as the other seemed to come back to himself. Harry knew he was feeling better when a large hand snaked around his hip and pulled him tight against the others side. Harry didn’t shove him off, instead laughing at the others antics.

“Feeling better?”

“Mmm, might need you to stick close for the day, just so I don’t have another relapse” Orion smirked, and Harry laughed brightly.

“Eat all your toast and we’ll see.”

+++++++++++++++++++++++++

Harry found himself settling into life in Slytherin over the next week. He took a different view of things now that he knew he would be staying. Making more of an effort with other students and in class. Alphard had agreed to tutor him in ancient runes, seeing as how he had literally no experience in them, thankfully the older didn’t question his lack of knowledge merely sitting with him during their first study session, carefully explaining the basics. Harry made sure to take extensive notes, to show Alphard that he valued the effort he was putting in to help Harry. He also snuck up to the kitchens, returning with a plate of eclairs that he promptly presented to Alphard with a bright smile.

“Thank you for helping me” Harry said as he handed over the plate and Alphard had boggled for a moment before taking the offered treat.

“It’s my pleasure Harry” Alphard said around a large bite, batting away one of his friend’s hands as they tried to reach for one. “But please feel free to bring me sweets as often as you like.”

“Me too, Harry” the boy to Alphard’s left chirped with a grin.

Harry waved goodbye with a laugh as he went to join his own friends all of whom were sitting around the fireplace. They were discussing their study session for the following evening which would be on ancient runes. Even though he was grateful for the extra study time his stomach churned in embarrassment if anyone other then Alphard learnt how dismal he was at the subject. He made a mental note to talk to the other in the morning about pairing up for the study session.

++++++++++++++++++

The next morning as Harry walked into the Great Hall his attention caught immediately on a large, towering figure seated at the Gryffindor table. The whole hall was abuzz, and it didn’t take Harry long to realise what was happening. His heart started pounding in his chest as he sat down at the Slytherin table, and several students leaned in to gossip.

“Hagrid’s had his expulsion revoked!”

“He’s re-joining Gryffindor as third year as that was when he was expelled, even though he’s a few years older now.”

“Apparently, he didn’t release the monster that killed Myrtle, it was a basilisk, a team of magizoologists are coming to remove the snake from the school.”

“A basilisk!” several other students murmured in surprised awe and fear.

Harry felt a swell of happiness warm his heart, he had done it, he had made a difference. Now Hagrid would be able to finish Hogwarts, his whole life would be different. Though, it saddened him to think of a future Hogwarts that didn’t have Hagrid.

A swell of anger erupted from where his scar used to be, so strong and fierce that Harry found himself leaning over the back of his chair and vomiting violently. He knew where the anger was coming from, but it shouldn’t have been possible, he no longer had his scar, but there was obviously still a magical connection between himself and Voldemort. Firm hands rubbed his back while someone got rid of his vomit. He felt himself being turned toward the table again and found that it was Orion helping him sit up.

“Come on, Harry, let’s get you to the hospital wing” the Black heir said gently. Harry didn’t even try to fight him as he was gathered up close to a firm chest and nearly dragged out of the hall. His legs weak and unable to hold his weight properly. His head pounded but it was more the fear running through his veins that had him stumbling. He clung to Orion and let himself be manhandled up to Madam Raston, who quickly had him settled in a bed.

“I’m fine” he finally managed to grumble, only just noticing that Theo, Alphard and Abraxas had followed them up. “Just got a bad headache and it made me feel sick.”

Madam Raston looked dubious, casting a few spells before producing a pain and calming potion for him to drink.

His new friends stayed beside him, keeping him company as the potions took effect. Harry felt the pain recede, his body and mind relaxed, allowing him to think more clearly. He needed to talk to Tom, but first he needed occlumency lessons.

Chapter Text

Madam Raston made him stay in the hospital wing for the rest of the day, seeing as how he felt completely fine after taking the potions, Harry wasn’t too happy about this.

His friends had had to leave after a few hours, but unfortunately, he received another visitor. Professor Dumbledore, turned up just before dinner, a genial smile on his face that had all the hairs on Harry’s neck standing up at once.

“Mr Potter, I had heard you were unwell” Dumbledore said benignly as he took a seat beside Harry’s bed. “In your short time here, you have spent more time in this hospital wing then many of our other students combined. That is… quite a feat.”

Harry looked away sheepishly, deciding to go with the story that the headmaster and he had come up with.

“I have been unwell most of my life, it’s really not a surprise that I would need to spend some time in the hospital wing.”

Dumbledore hummed non-commitally and Harry felt his stomach twist in apprehension.

“Ah, yes. The reason that no one had supposedly heard of you, this long-lost Potter. Where did you say you have been all these years?”

Harry frowned and looked carefully over Dumbledore’s shoulder, knowing even as he did so that avoiding eye contact only made him look guilty.

“That’s not really any of your business, is it sir?” Harry asked, trying to project confusion. Really who was the transfiguration teacher to come and question his life. In this time Harry didn’t know anything about Dumbledore.

“I am not just the transfiguration teacher, but also the deputy headmaster.”

“Still, I’m not really sure how that makes my life outside of Hogwarts your business, sir.”

Dumbledore decided to change tact and Harry found himself glancing at the door, wishing anyone would come and interrupt this interrogation.

“You have been fitting in well with your fellow Slytherins?” Dumbledore asked and Harry knew the man well enough to know that he was fishing for information.

“Everyone has been kind and welcoming so far” Harry said honestly.

“You have engrained yourself with an… interesting group” Dumbledore said as he shifted slightly in his chair.

Harry felt anger boil in his stomach, if he wasn’t already well aware of Dumbledore and the Slytherins this kind of ploy may have worked on him. Hell, it did work on him for a time.

Harry opened his mouth to respond, but was thankfully saved the trouble by the hospital wing doors being pushed open and Abraxas walking in.

The tall blonde stopped short at seeing Dumbledore sitting beside Harry, blue eyes narrowing infinitesimally.

“Professor Dumbledore, sir. I just received a msg from Madam Raston that Harry was ready to be released from the hospital wing” Abraxas said, and Harry felt like jumping out of bed in relief.

Madam Raston walked out of her office at the sound of an arrival to her hospital wing.

“Oh good, Abraxas, you’re here” Madam Raston said with a smile as her eyes darted to Dumbledore and back again. “Harry is ready to leave, but I didn’t want him left on his own. Can you please make sure he has something to eat and gets to bed early.”

Abraxas nodded his head regally, “of course.”

Harry squirmed in indignation, but kept his mouth shut, he didn’t want to jeopardise his chances of getting out of there.

Dumbledore didn’t say anything, but sharp blue eyes took in everything as Abraxas made his way forward and helped Harry out of the bed and onto his feet.

“Bring him straight back if he starts to feel sick again” Madam Raston said seriously, and Abraxas nodded.

Now that he was standing Harry did feel a little lightheaded, so he didn’t object when Abraxas wrapped a strong arm around his waist and pulled him to his side. Harry sighed and felt himself relax into the hold.

“Thank you” Harry said sincerely to Madam Raston, he gave Dumbledore a brief nod before letting Abraxas lead him out of the hospital wing.

“How are you feeling?” Abraxas asked and Harry smiled at the concern in his voice.

“I’m fine, honestly it was nothing.”

Abraxas shook his head, “I have the feeling you would say that no matter what kind of condition you were in.”

Harry shrugged, trying not to look sheepish.

The hand around his waist tightened.

“Chappie” Abraxas called, and a house elf popped into existence right next to where they were slowly walking.

“Yes, master, Sir?” the house elf squeaked.

“Can you please go to the kitchens and prepare a plate of sandwiches and a jug of pumpkin juice and deliver it to our dorm.”

The house elf smiled and clapped his hands in happiness before disappearing.

“You have a house elf here at Hogwarts?”

“Of course” Abraxas said. “It comes in handy.”

“I bet” Harry laughed, not really surprised that the Malfoy heir had his own house elf.

“What did Dumbledore want with you?” Abraxas asked, as they meandered along the winding staircases.

“I’m not actually sure, just digging for information, I think.” Harry had to remind himself that in this timeline he didn’t know or dislike Dumbledore yet. “I don’t think he trusts me.”

“If I were you, I wouldn’t trust him” Abraxas said with a scowl. “He hates Slytherins. It’s best to try to avoid the man as much as possible.”

Harry couldn’t disagree with anything that Abraxas was saying, he’d learnt the hard way just how prejudiced Dumbledore was. It embarrassed him now, how readily he’d taken on other people’s views. It had taken him years to start thinking for himself and making his own judgements about Slytherins, amongst other things.

They made their way back to the Slytherin common room, where Harry was greeted warmly by his friends. Abraxas deposited him in a comfortable lounge chair before sitting down beside him. Harry let himself relax into Abraxas’ side, his mind wandering over Dumbledore. He would have to be careful, or the deputy headmaster could become a real problem for him in this time. The last thing he wanted was for Dumbledore to learn anything about Tom’s future or the prophecy and start expecting him to be some kind of dark lord stopper.

His eyes flicked to Tom and found the others dark eyes watching him intently. He quickly looked away, he really needed to do something about his inability to shield his mind. He would speak to Charlus tomorrow and see if he could help. At least Charlus already knew that he was from the future and nothing Harry knew was particularly specific to Charlus and his future.

Dinner arrived, and everyone dug in, even those who had already eaten dinner in the great hall.

They sat around talking and Harry hadn’t even realised he had dozed off until he felt himself being lifted up into strong arms. He stirred momentarily burrowing his head into a warm neck. Voices murmured around him, but Harry was too far gone to work out what was being said.

He felt magic wash over him as he was placed on a soft bed, the body holding him shifted but didn’t move away and Harry let the warmth and comforting closeness lull him back under.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Abraxas left the curtains around his bed open for the moment, relishing in the dark scowls that Orion was sending his way. The small green-eyed teen was nestled in tight to his side and he felt a shiver run down his spine at the feel of warm breath brushing his neck. The other teen was slight and fit so wonderfully in his arms. It was strange, these feelings that the youngest Potter was able to bring out in him. A part of him longed for the other teen, even though he knew there could be no possible future between them. He was the Malfoy heir and needed to produce an heir of his own, he was also betrothed… He smirked as Orion walked past again, at least he knew that Orion was in the exact same predicament as himself. With a flick of his wand, he closed the curtains around them.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Harry woke up sluggishly the next morning, from one of those deep sleeps that takes you minutes or hours to pull yourself out of. He squirmed and felt hair brush against his face. He registered the strange feeling, but it still took him a few minutes to gather enough power to slowly blink his eyes open.

His eyes cleared and he found shining blue orbs staring back at him. He blinked again; he didn’t remember going to bed with Abraxas, but he couldn’t deny that he had slept wonderfully. Abraxas must’ve been worried about him feeling sick again during the night and had decided to keep him close. His heart warmed at the thought.

“Thank you for taking care of me” Harry said softly, closing his eyes as he yawned and stretched. The hand around Harry’s waist tightened and Harry gave Abraxas a quick hug before starting to climb out of bed. Still Abraxas said nothing. Harry pushed back the curtains and blinked as he found himself face to face with the other boys in their dorm. Theo smirked at him, while Corvus looked amused. Orion, however, was angrily searching through his cupboard, things flying everywhere while he muttered under his breath.

He pushed aside his worry about what could be bothering Orion for the moment, it was Saturday and there was only one thing he felt like doing.

“Does anyone feel like going flying?”

Orion’s face immediately lit up, as he swung around to face Harry “always” the dark-haired teen laughed. “Abraxas and I are actually on the Slytherin quidditch team.”

Harry smiled fondly at Orion, thinking of how Sirius and Draco had also made their house quidditch teams. Must be in their blood he thought.

“I don’t have a broom here, but I love to fly.”

“Let’s all go” Theo said, “you can borrow one of the school brooms.”

“Breakfast first” Tom said with an amused look, as they all changed and started making their way to the great hall. Abraxas and Orion regaled him with stories of their quidditch exploits all through breakfast, with others chiming in with some of Slytherins best wins. Harry quickly realised that there was a healthy rivalry between Gryffindor and Slytherin even in this time.

They were joined by a few Slytherins from other years as they made their way to the pitch, all of them bar Harry carrying expensive looking brooms.

The pitch looked very similar to Harry’s time and Harry couldn’t help but smile, a little sadly as he was reminded of years spent training and playing on this pitch.

“Here” said Alphard, handing over his own broom to Harry. “Have a try of this, it will be much safer than the old school brooms.”

Harry took in the sleek handle, “thanks Alphard” he gasped as he quickly mounted and took off into the sky. Causing Alphard to laugh at his eagerness.

The wind whipped through his hair as he soared up, up, up. All his worries fading the higher that he got. He had missed this so much over the past few weeks. Draco and he had taken to going flying together most evenings, he hoped Draco was still flying without him.

He did his best to push the melancholy thoughts away, concentrating instead on the feel of the wood under his hands, the sound of the wind as it rushed past. He did a few lazy loop the loops getting a feel for how this broom handled, before he focused back on what the other Slytherins were doing. Everyone except Alphard, as Harry had his broom, was in the air.

Orion floated past, a cocky grin on his face.

“Fancy a game, Potter? That is if you even know how to play?”

Harry rolled his eyes, but nodded none the less, keen to test his skills against these unknown players.

He floated behind Orion, who led him to a spot where the others were congregating.

“Alright” an older boy, who Harry didn’t know said loudly. “I’ll be captain of one team.”

“He’s the Slytherin quidditch captain” a voice whispered in his ear and Harry turned to grin at Theo floating beside him.

“I’ll captain the other” Orion spoke up and the older teen nodded.

They both started choosing players, obviously familiar with the strengths and weaknesses of their fellow Slytherins.

Harry was unsurprised when he was left until last to be chosen and ended up on the Slytherin captains’ team by default. Only a little hurt that Orion hadn’t chosen him.

They moved away from Orion’s team and formed a quick huddle.

“Potter, right?”

Harry nodded.

“My name is Frank; I’ll give you a quick run down of the rules as you haven’t played with us before. No bludgers, we will use a snitch and quaffle though. I’m keeper, but everyone else is playing chaser and seeker. It’s simple, try to score as many points as you can while searching for the snitch.”

Harry nodded in understanding. “Sounds great.”

“I’m not sure of your skills, but if you aren’t any good, please just try to stay out of our way.”

“I’m pretty decent at quidditch” Harry said modestly.

“Good, just do your best then. Orion is obviously out to impress, let’s make sure that doesn’t happen.”

Franks grin turned malevolent, and Harry chuckled lightly.

Harry heard a whistle blow and looked down to see Alphard holding a box Harry assumed contained the snitch and quaffle.

Theo gave him a thumbs up before their team started to spread out. Harry kept his eyes locked on Alphard and saw the moment the snitch was released and the quaffle tossed into the air.

Abraxas snatched the quaffle from the air and Harry took a moment to appreciate the skill before he was off, searching for the snitch. He found it only a few minutes later, floating lazily near the edge of one of the stands. Harry glanced around making sure that no one else had noticed it. He made his way over slowly, not wanting to alert anyone to what he was doing. When he was only a few metres away he put on a burst of speed, the snitch tried to dart away but Harry was too quick, his hand wrapping around the fluttering golden ball with ease.

He raised his hand in the air, only to realise that the game was still going on and no one had realised what had happened.

“I’ve caught the snitch!” then louder “I’VE CAUGHT THE SNITCH!”

The game came to an abrupt holt and a dozen confused faces turned to look at him. Blushing under the scrutiny he held up the small ball for everyone to see.

Frank let out a crow of triumph, “Woo! Way to go Potter! Catching the snitch on your first try!”

Theo flew over and clapped him on the back, “great work, Harry.”

“How did you manage to catch it so quickly!” Corvus called out and Harry just shrugged.

“Saw it floating by the stands so just flew over calmly and grabbed it before it knew what was happening.”

They all stared at him for a moment.

“You play seeker before?” Orion asked gruffly and Harry nodded.

“50 galleons, he can’t catch the snitch again” a seventh year called, and the others immediately started placing bets, some for him and some against. Harry was a little disorientated by the sudden rivalry and the large amounts of money being wagered.

He kept his mouth shut, even though Fleamont had given him some money it made him feel sick to think of wasting it on a bet, even though he was pretty sure he would catch the snitch again.

Frank grabbed the snitch out of Harry’s hands and flew it and the quaffle back down to Alphard.

“Let’s give the snitch a head start this time” Frank said as he watched Harry closely.

Alphard released the snitch and they all waited five minutes before the quaffle was tossed into the air and the game began. Once again Harry didn’t worry about trying to get the quaffle and score points, he was focused on finding the snitch.

He did a few laps of the pitch, dodging other players as his eyes tirelessly scanned. He dived down and then soared back up again, noticing another player mimicking his movements. He was obviously being watched this time.

He spotted the snitch down low, so instead he soared high, watching as the other player copied before he abruptly dropped into a nosedive, he pulled up slightly easing his decent as he knew this older broom wouldn’t be able to handle as much as his firebolt. He darted in-between players, before snatching the snitch up with ease. It struggled feebly in his grasp before going still. This time when he raised his fist and shouted, “I caught the snitch,” everyone’s eyes were already on him.

“No fair!” Orion cried, “we didn’t know how good he was when we picked teams.”

Frank just smirked, “too bad, now pay up.”

Harry did a loop around Orion, laughing the whole time, “you really should’ve known better then to bet against me” he teased, laughing harder when Orion growled.

“Have you ever thought of playing quidditch?” Frank asked as they all floated to the ground.

Harry turned thoughtful, “I could be convinced.”

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

“Still can’t believe you didn’t mention what a great quidditch player you are when we were picking teams.” Orion grumbled from beside him as they walked back up to the castle after having played a few more games that Harry won spectacularly.

Harry looked down, embarrassed, “I’m sure there’s a lot of people here who are much better than I am.”

Abraxas snorted from his other side but chose to stay silent.

Frank, as well as Abraxas and Orion had talked him into joining quidditch practices when they started up again. Harry had been worried about taking someone’s place on the team, but the current seeker was wanting to move to the chaser position, so the seeker position was wide open for him if he wanted it.

Once the high of flying had worn off, he was a little unsure. He didn’t want to let down his new house and the new friends that he was making. He’d agreed to go to training sessions and see how he fit in with the team. It had felt wonderful to be back on a broom though.

The whole Slytherin table was a buzz with news of his possible inclusion on the quidditch team, when they sat down for lunch. It quickly spread throughout the hall and Harry heard the murmur of voices throughout the hall, speculating.

“Heard he blew them all away during a game.”

“Caught the snitch within minutes.”

“The perfect build for a seeker.”

Harry tried to tune the voices out, his cheeks flushing red at the scrutiny.

A large hand clasping his shoulder had him jumping in shock, before he turned to find Charlus grinning at him.

“Hey there seeker” he said with a laugh, ignoring Harry’s mumbled “not seeker yet.”

“Care for a walk?”

“Anything to get away from all these people.”

Harry stood and followed Charlus out of the hall, enjoying the cool air on his face as they walked around a small courtyard.

“I’m happy for you, little brother” Charlus said with a grin, “even if it does mean we will be in direct competition with each other.”

“Thank you” Harry said shyly.

“Owl Fleamont, he will order you your own broom” Charlus continued.

Harry rubbed the back of his hair, causing it stand up even more then usual. “Oh, it’s OK, I can just use a school broom.”

Charlus stopped his walking and turned to look at Harry in surprise. “Absolutely not. Owl Fleamont, or I will.”

“I- I’ll send him an owl tonight.” Harry said, struggling with the idea that he actually had someone he could owl if he needed something.

Charlus looked relieved at that, and they continued to walk.

“I actually wanted to talk to you about something” Harry said and Charlus motioned for him to continue. “I’m wanting to learn occlumency, I’m worried about Tom, Dumbledore… anyone really reading my thoughts and finding out anything about me.”

Charlus hummed in thought. “That’s a good idea. I don’t actually know a lot about occlumency, but I do have this” he held up his hand to show a dark silver ring, holding the Potter insignia. It looked aged and Harry realised it was probably a family heirloom.

“There is a multitude of spells and enchantments placed on this ring, protecting my mind as well as protecting me from most poisons. We have several others in the Potter vault, when you owl Fleamont for a broom ask him to send you one as well. We probably should have thought of it earlier.”

Harry felt relief rush through him at such a simple solution, that he didn’t have to suffer through horrendous occlumency lessons again.

“That sounds, great” the relief evident in his voice and Charlus shot him a warm smile as they continued to walk.

Chapter Text

Even though Harry felt awkward he wrote Fleamont like he’d promised Charlus. He told him the news about possibly being on the Slytherin quidditch team and asked for a new broom, making it clear that Fleamont didn’t have to if he didn’t want to and that he was quite happy to use the school brooms. He also mentioned the ring that Charlus had told him about and his need for his mind to be shielded. He cast a spell over the letter so that only himself or Fleamont could read it, then sat it on his bedside table to post in the morning.

Around the dorm the other boys were all sitting at their own desks, either doing homework or writing to loved ones. The only one who was not there, was Abraxas, who apparently had a date. Harry had been doing his best all night not to think about that fact.

Apparently, his betrothed was in the year above them and they met every so often to help the pair build a relationship for when they eventually wed. The whole thing was so archaic, and he had to remind himself that there were plenty of betrothals and wedding contracts between the older wizarding families, even in his time.

The whole thing made his gut churn. He’d shut up about it though, not wanting to draw any attention to his views after his misstep with Orion when he’d first arrived.

He laid on his bed, his thoughts quite melancholy, only glancing up when Abraxas arrived back to their dorm. His blonde hair was slightly ruffled, causing Orion to leer.

“Good catch up was it, Abraxas?” Orion laughed as he moved away from his homework, giving all of his focus to the Malfoy heir.

A smirked touched Abraxas’ lips. “It was satisfactory.”           

Harry glanced away.

“She has agreed to go with me to Hogsmeade next weekend” Abraxas continued.

“Walburga is meeting me there as well” Orion said and was it his imagination or did the Black heir glance over at him. “Perhaps we can double date?”

Abraxas nodded as he moved to his bed to start changing. “Perhaps.”

Orion snorted, “anyone else going to Hogsmeade?”

Harry jolted as he remembered that Fleamont offered to meet up with him during the next Hogsmeade weekend, he sat up and tapped his sealed letter with his wand and quickly added a few lines about Hogsmeade and if he wanted to meet. A warm feeling rushed through him at the thought that he had actual family that he could owl to meet him at Hogsmeade now.

He’d stopped paying attention as he had been writing, so was surprised when he heard his name being called.

“Harry, what about you? Are you going to Hogsmeade?”

He glanced up to find everyone watching him, blushing slightly at the attention.

He shrugged, “probably, it would be good to have a walk around and see what its like.” He was actually interested to see how much had changed between his time and now. He mentally shook himself, he really needed to start remembering that this was his time now.

“Fleamont said he may come and visit me at the next Hogsmeade visit, so that’ll be nice” Harry said smiling softly.

Theo spoke up, “that sounds great Harry. A lot of the older years take dates to Hogsmeade but if Fleamont can’t make it to see you, you are welcome to join me and my date. Violet is a very sweet girl, who is more friend than anything, and would enjoy the extra company, I’m sure.”

Harry’s face lit up. “Oh, thank you Theo” he said happily. “You sure I wouldn’t be imposing?”

Theo shook his head, “not at all. Like I said we are mostly just friends, you would be very welcome.”

Harry gave him a pleased nod, before flicking his wand to draw his curtains closed and settling down to sleep. He pushed all thoughts of Orion, Abraxas and their betrotheds out of his head, instead concentrating on the fun he would have with Fleamont and Theo.

To his utter surprise, over the next few days he was inundated with offers for him to join people at Hogsmeade. He’d barely made it out of their dorm the following morning, heading for the exit so he could head down for breakfast when he was approached by a sixth-year girl he didn’t know. She asked him quite blatantly if he wanted to go to Hogsmeade with her. He’d been so shocked he’d just stood their gaping for a moment before replying weakly, “no, thank you.”

He'd just been thankful that none of his friends had been around to witness the event. Unfortunately, he wasn’t so lucky at breakfast, where he was approached by a fifth year Slytherin and two seventh year Ravenclaws all of whom asked him quite formally if he would go to Hogsmeade with them.

Harry had flushed crimson at the attention, shaking his head no each time it happened.

He kept his eyes glued to his plate after that, hoping to discourage any more would be askers.

Alphard chuckled from the seat beside him, “your shyness is probably the most adorable thing I’ve ever seen.”

Harry elbowed him harshly.

“You have just been asked out by three of the most eligible females in Hogwarts and instead of jumping at the opportunity to further yourself you sit here blushing and saying no.”

“The hide of them even coming to ask you” Orion grumbled, “they have never even spoke to you before this moment.”

“Very improper” Abraxas agreed.

“Everyone is just interested in the newest Potter. They are a very old wealthy family and the opportunity to get in with them isn’t to be missed by many” Tom said wisely, from his place next to Orion.

“I’ve only really been on one date before and it didn’t go well” Harry admitted quietly, remembering his failed date with Cho.

“Did she kiss you?” Orion asked, gaze intent upon Harry.

“Well, yes. But I didn’t really like it. I think I prefer males over females” he glanced up through his lashes, trying to gauge his friend’s reactions to this news. He figured since he was going to be staying here now, he may as well be upfront with his preferences. He purposefully kept his gaze away from Orion and Abraxas.

“Well, that will limit interest from heir’s” Theo said thoughtfully.

“That doesn’t really matter to me” Harry said honestly, breathing a little bit easier when no one had a problem with his announcement. He knew it was quite common in wizarding society, but still.

“What, you don’t want some rich heir fawning over you?” Abraxas said, a touch of scorn in his voice.

“Whether someone is an heir has zero impact on whether I’m interested in them” Harry said with a frown as he looked at the tall blonde.

“Well, you’d be the only one” Abraxas muttered, and Harry felt his heart break a little. He reached out and gripped the others larger hand.

“Hey,” he said quietly. “There are a lot of reasons someone would be interested in you, the least of them that you’re the Malfoy heir.”

Abraxas stared at him, and Harry kept his face open, letting the sincerity shine through. Abraxas moved, gripping Harry’s hand tightly for a moment before shifting back. Harry let him go, giving him a warm smile that caused the usually stoic heir’s lip to twitch up slightly.

“Well,” Alphard said, breaking the moment. “We will be sure to spread the word that you are only interested in males. That’ll at least give you something to think about.”

Harry blushed again, “oh no, that’s OK really.”

“It’s a little too late for that” Tom smirked, nodding his head down the Slytherin table where their conversation has obviously been overheard and the gossip was already spreading.

Harry groaned loudly, he grabbed his bag and hurried out of the hall before anyone else could ask him a damn thing. He headed for the owlery, determined to post his letter to Fleamont before heading to his first lesson of the day. Thankfully charms weren’t too far from the owlery, and he made it to class with time to spare. He’d even managed to beat most of his friends, aside from Tom, who was sitting in his usual place at the front of the room.

“Mind if I sit here?” Harry asked quietly, as he slid into the seat to Tom’s right.

“Not at all” Tom replied with a calculating look that instantly had Harry on alert. “I thought you might have been avoiding me?” Tom continued speaking.

Harry shook his head, trying not to grimace. “Not at all, just been a lot trying to settle in and get used to everything.”

Tom hummed non-committaly.

Harry started pulling out his things and they both sat in silence as they waited for the rest of their classmates to appear.

“Have you been settling in, OK?” Tom eventually asked and Harry was startled out of his reverie.

“Everyone has been very kind, but it’s still been… difficult leaving everything I’ve always known behind and starting new.”

Tom nodded in understanding, and Harry supposed that he could understand the feeling perfectly.

Before Harry could think of anything else to say the Professor walked in, she was a middle-aged witch with curly brown hair that reached almost to her bottom. She began writing on the board as the rest of the class entered.

“Take a good look at the person next to you” she said with a smile and Harry felt a shudder run down his back. “That is your partner for the next month.”

It turns out that they would be spending the next few weeks working on a charms project for homework. After winter break everyone would present their projects to the class. They had to research a well-known charm and then come up with a way to modify and improve it. It actually sounded quite fun, if Harry’s partner hadn’t been Tom Riddle. Hopefully Fleamont got back to him soon about the ring.

“We should organise a time to start working on this” Tom said as they walked out of the classroom at the end of the lesson.

“Sure” Harry said affably.

“Perhaps tomorrow evening, after dinner?”

Harry’s heart pounded in his chest; it was unlikely he would have the ring by then. He would just have to be extra careful then.

“Sure, that sounds great” he said, plastering a not quite so bright smile on his face. Tom stared at him, looking as though he was learning every one of Harry’s secrets even if Harry was purposefully avoiding his eyes.

“Very well” Tom said with a nod, striding off down the hall to transfiguration. The rest of their dorm mates hurrying to keep pace.

“Great score getting Tom as a partner” Theo said quietly as they walked after the others.

Harry nodded in agreement, whatever else could be said about Tom Riddle, there was no doubt that he was an excellent student.

They trailed behind their classmates into transfiguration, Harry made to sit next to Theo, but a voice called out from the front of the room.

“Please stay standing.”

Harry fought back a grimace as Dumbledore walked in.

“You are to sit with a student from a different house today, it is time to start forming friendships outside of your own house” Dumbledore said, blue eyes twinkling behind his spectacles.

The Slytherins and Ravenclaws that they were sharing the class with all groaned.

“Move, now.”

Harry grabbed his bag, patted Theo on the shoulder as he made his way toward the Ravenclaw side of the room. He hovered awkwardly, not really sure where to sit before a dark-haired boy waved him over.

He shot the other teen a relieved smile. “Thank you.”

The other teen smiled at him, “it was entirely my pleasure. Harry, right?” He asked, sticking his hand out to Harry to shake.

“Right” Harry said awkwardly, shaking the outstretched hand. “I’m sorry, but I don’t know your name.”

“It’s Cygnus.”

“Well, thank you for inviting me to sit with you, Cygnus” Harry said quietly, turning to face the front as Dumbledore began to talk.

It turned out that Harry had made a good choice sitting with Cygnus. The teen had a snarky sense of humour and kept up a running commentary throughout the lesson.

“If he has the power to transfigure anything, why doesn’t he do anything about those ghastly robes” the Ravenclaw whispered, and Harry had to bite his lip to keep from chuckling. His eyes ran over today’s robes that Dumbledore was wearing, a lemon concoction covered in small suns, he couldn’t help but agree with Cygnus.

He leaned in closer to the other, shuffling his chair so he wouldn’t be heard.

“Perhaps they were a gift, and he feels obligated to wear them” Harry reasoned, unable to come up with another reason.

Cygnus snorted, “honestly, who would give a gift so horrible?”

“…Me” Harry said, keeping his face straight. “They were a Christmas present I gave to him last year.”

Cygnus reared back looking startled, staring at Harry until the green-eyed teen couldn’t hold it back any longer and a small smile broke out on his face. Cygnus stared at him for a moment longer before he threw his head back and laughed. Loudly. Right in the middle of transfiguration. Harry couldn’t help the warm glow that went through him, that he’d made his new friend happy.

“Something funny, boys?” Dumbledore asked from the front of the room, pausing in his lecture to stare at the pair.

Harry looked around and found the rest of the class openly staring at them as well.

“Sorry, sir” Cygnus said, wiping a tear from his eye and attempting to look contrite.

Harry just smiled back blandly.

“Ten points each from Slytherin and Ravenclaw for disrupting my lesson. Now do try to pay attention.”

Both boys nodded, dutifully taking notes for the rest of the lesson.

As soon as class finished Cygnus turned and clapped Harry on the back.

“You almost had me then, Harry” Cygnus laughed.

“What, you didn’t like my choice in gifts?” Harry asked innocently, causing Cygnus to start laughing again.

They talked as they walked towards the great hall for lunch, trailing behind the other Slytherin and Ravenclaw sixth years, who kept shooting furtive glances back at them.

As they were walking towards their tables Alphard appeared and clapped Cygnus on the back.

“Brother, what has you in such a good mood?” Alphard asked.

Harry blinked in surprise. “Brother?” he squeaked.

Alphard looked confused for a moment.

“Yes, of course. This dashing young Ravenclaw is my little brother Cygnus.”

Harry stared dumbstruck for a moment; he’d never really thought about how all the Blacks were intertwined.

“So, you’re Orion’s cousin?”

“Yep” Cygnus said. “Just like our sister Walburga.”

Now Harry was truly flawed, Alphard, Cygnus and Walburga were siblings. Walburga is Orion’s future wife. He shook his head to clear it.

“You really didn’t know I was a Black?” Cygnus asked curiously.

“What? No, of course not. You just seemed like a nice person to sit next to.”

Alphard and Cygnus shared a look that Harry couldn’t quite interpret, now he was looking he could see the definite similarities between Alphard and Cygnus and even Orion. He felt like a fool.

“Looking at you now, it seems quite obvious you’re a Black” he said sheepishly, a blush lighting his cheeks.

Cygnus and Alphard share another look.

“You know, Harry” Cygnus started slowly, running his hand through his dark hair, much shorter than Alphard or Orion kept theirs. “I’ve yet to ask anyone to Hogsmeade for this weekend, would you perhaps like to go with me?”

Harry blushed.

“Of course, as friends” the latest Black hurried to reassure. “I would just like the opportunity to get to know you better.”

Harry smiled, “I’d like that as well.”

“Wonderful” Cygnus said with a smile of his own. “Well, I shall meet you in the entrance hall 10am Saturday morning, though I do hope I get to speak to you again before then.”

“Of course,” Harry said honestly. “You can come speak to me any time you like.”

Alphard gripped Harrys arm gently and with a nod at his brother, started to lead him over to the Slytherin table.

Harry felt…happy. He’d managed to make a new friend in a different house. Sure, it was another Black, seriously how many of them are running around Hogwarts, he thought to himself with a shake of his head as he took his seat with his friends at the Slytherin table.

“I see you met cousin Cygnus” Orion said with a dark scowl.

“Yeah, how many cousins do you have at this place?” Harry joked.

“A few too many” Orion said darkly.

Harry laughed softly, his voice turning wistful. “You are so lucky, to grow up with so much family around you.”

“Well, my dearest brother has succeeded where many others have failed.” Alphard spoke up, obviously trying to change the topic. “He has secured a date with Harry to Hogsmeade on the weekend” Alphard finished smugly, causing Harry to choke on his pumpkin juice.

“It’s not a date, he said just as friends” Harry spluttered as Alphard rubbed his back soothingly.

“Ah, that’s right, as friends” Alphard said with a significant look at Orion. “My mistake.”

“’You two were certainly looking very chummy in charms” Abraxas said with a sneer and Harry paused in taking a bite of his sandwich to look at the blonde.

“Is something the matter?”

Abraxas swallowed thickly, with the look of someone tasting something disgusting, “no.”

“Cygnus is really nice and funny; it’ll be fun exploring Hogsmeade with him. Especially since it will be my first time there.”

“I’m sure you will have a lovely time” Alphard said, patting Harry’s arm gently as they went back to their meals.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++

It took two days for Fleamont to write back. He nearly jumped out of his seat when he spotted the familiar owl flying in during breakfast time. He’d already had to struggle through a study session with Tom, luckily, they had been doing nothing more then scouring through charms books trying to find the right one for them to work on. They had marked down any of interest and were going to compare and discuss over the weekend.

The owl landed in front of him, with a letter and small package tied to his leg. His heart leapt into his throat as he untied both, feeding the owl a little toast before it flew off again.

He opened the letter and began to read, scanning the contents slowly and savouring the happiness a letter from his brother brings. He’d sent a ring! And was going to meet him for lunch on Saturday at Hogsmeade and then take him shopping to pick a broom. It was more then Harry could’ve hoped for. He pushed the ring on his finger, marveling as it adjusted to fit his finger automatically. It was a beautiful designed, a navy-blue stone with flecks of gold and according to Fleamont there was no way for the ring to be removed, except by his own hand. He felt safer already.

Without thinking he jumped up from his seat and hurried over to where Cygnus was sitting and enjoying his own breakfast at the Ravenclaw table.

The Black smiled as Harry drew close.

Good morning, Harry” Cygnus said with a smile, ignoring the leers from his friends sitting around him.

“Morning Cygnus. I just received word from my brother that he will be in Hogsmeade on Saturday, is it ok if we have lunch with him while we’re there?”

Cygnus’ eyebrows rose, “you want me to have lunch with your brother? Fleamont isn’t it? The head of the Potter family.”

Harry nodded, “yep, that’s him. Charlus might join us as well, I’ll have to check. Is that OK, though? I’m not sure what you had planned for lunch.”

“Of course, lunch with your brothers sounds wonderful” Cygnus said, and Harry smiled happily, leaning forward and hugging Cygnus, squeezing a little tighter when warm arms wrapped around his back. He pulled back after a moment, “thank you, you’ll love them, I swear.”

“I’m sure I will” Cygnus said softly, watching as Harry wandered back to his own table, green eyes sparkling.

“How did you manage to get a date with Harry Potter?” his best friend Abe asked to his left, as he swung back around to concentrate on his own breakfast.

“Just the natural Black charm,” he smirked “and it’s not a date we’re just spending time together as friends. He’s very… sweet, besides, it could be very advantageous to my future to have a Potter in my corner.”

Abe hummed beside him. “Well either way, you’re the envy of half the school at the moment.”

“When am I not” Cygnus laughed and a few of his friends laughed as well.

“Oh, sod off, you wanker” Abe joked, shoving Cygnus playfully before they all returned to their breakfast.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

News spread rapidly that Harry was attending Hogsmeade with Cygnus. A few people still tried to ask him out through the week, but he declined, stating quite simply that he already had plans.

When he walked into the great hall on Friday morning, it almost felt like he was back at the Hogwarts of his own time. All talking ceased and every head in the hall turned and stared at him. Mutterings broke out as he walked towards his table, casting a glance at Theo, who looked just as confused as he felt.

He sat in his usual spot, but no one greeted him. Everyone just sat staring at him. Corvus and Abraxas both had newspapers open in front of them and Harry started to get a very bad feeling about this.

Theo leaned over and snatched the paper out of Abraxas’ hand as the mutterings around the hall started to grow louder.

Harry leaned over and they flicked through the paper urgently, finding nothing until they closed the paper to start again. There on the front page was a photo of himself, he’s not sure when the thing was taken though. Underneath the photo was a large black headline that read, Harry Potter a Carrier!

He gasped, hands clenching around the paper, how on earth did they find this out!? Only the school nurse, his brothers and the headmaster knew, and he didn’t think any of them were likely to leak it to the papers.

He looked up at the staff table, but found it empty aside from Dumbledore and a few other staff members he wasn’t familiar with. He jumped up, grabbing his bag and the paper and raced from the hall, missing the eyes that watched him flee, he needed to talk to Headmaster Dippet right now.

Chapter Text

Harry raced through the halls as quick as his feet could carry him. He thought he heard someone calling his name, but he ignored it, instead focusing on getting to Headmaster Dippet as quickly as possible.

To his surprise the stone gargoyle jumped out of his way as he approached, he raced up the spiral staircase pausing to catch his breath before knocking on the door. It was flung open only a few seconds later and Harry nearly stumbled back in shock as he was greeted with the sight of a very angry Fleamont.

“Fleamont,” he gasped, as his big brother stepped out of the doorway and ushered Harry into the office. He quickly found himself wrapped up in strong arms.

“I’m so sorry this has happened to you, Harry” Fleamont whispered in his ear and Harry felt his heart rate start to ease.

“It’s OK” Harry whispered.

“No, it most certainly is not” Fleamont hissed, spinning back around to face Dippet, Harry still nestled in his arms.

“How the hell did this happen!?” Fleamont growled. “Students medical files are supposed to be private!”

Dippet looked just as annoyed as Fleamont.

“I have no idea, but I swear to you I will get to the bottom of this” Dippet looked like a man half his age, fire blazing in his eyes as he stroked his beard. He walked out from around his desk, throwing a pinch of powder into the fireplace before getting down on his knees and sticking his head in.

“Miss Raston, a word please.”

The headmaster pulled his head out and moved, just as Madam Raston stepped through. She looked nervous, but Harry couldn’t blame her if she’d seen the papers that morning.

Dippet lifted up the paper, his voice now calm.

“Do you have any idea how this information was leaked?”

Madam Raston shook her head.

“I don’t, sir. I was so surprised when I saw the newspaper headlines this morning. I’ve been trying to think how word could’ve got out, but I really have no idea.” The healer looked down miserably, and Harry believed that she was telling the truth.

“Speak to no one about this” Dippet said, looking thoughtful. “There will be an investigation, but I want it on a need-to-know basis, and no one outside this office needs to know. Someone at Hogwarts is responsible for this information being leaked.”

Fleamont opened his mouth to speak but was cut off as the door swung open and Dumbledore walked in. Harry instinctively shrunk back further into Fleamont’s arms.

“We are in the middle of a meeting, Professor Dumbledore” Dippet said with a frown.

“My apologies headmaster, I just saw the newspaper and wanted to see if there was anything I could do.”

“No, I will be handling this personally” Dippet said, his voice full of authority.

“I still can’t believe that the newspaper would print such information about an underage wizard.”

“Don’t worry about The Prophet, I will be taking care of them personally. My lawyers should be contacting them even as we speak.”

Harry looked up at his brother in open surprise.

“They are?”

Fleamont looked down at him, hazel eyes studying him intently.

“Of course. What they have done is illegal and I will make them pay for it.”

Harry felt a shudder run down his back as he buried his face in Fleamont’s chest, touched that his family were standing up for him like this and also annoyed that no one had ever stood up to the press in his own time. Honestly, he hadn’t even realised that you could even stand up to the press.

“Now that the information is out, Harry is going to have offers coming in from every family in the wizarding world” Dumbledore said, watching Fleamont and Harry as he moved around Dippet’s desk. “You will need to make sure you choose the right family for Harry.”

Harry tensed at the words but calmed when Fleamont ran a reassuring hand down his back.

Fleamont frowned, “I won’t be choosing anything. Harry will decide whoever he wishes to be with if or when he so chooses. That has nothing to do with me, aside from being there for him as his brother.”

Dumbledore frowned himself then. “Harry should be careful, there any many out there who may wish to take advantage or influence him negatively.”

Harry felt his blood boil, no one had ever taken advantage of him more then the very man in front of him.

“That’s really none of your business” Harry spoke up for the first time, fixing Dumbledore with a firm stare. Now that he had his ring on, he had no worries about making eye contact with the future headmaster.

Dumbledore nodded his head in acquiescence, but he didn’t look happy. This younger Dumbledore was not as adept as hiding his emotions as his older self.

Fleamont cast a charm around them, so that they could speak privately.

“I have to get going, Harry” Fleamont said softly, “but I will see you tomorrow. Dippet is investigating how this information got leaked, I am taking care of The Prophet, all you need to worry about is yourself. Stay with your friends, report any problems to Dippet so that they can be handled immediately. We will be able to talk more tomorrow.”

Harry nodded, “thank you” he said quietly. Fleamont hugged him one last time before waving away the privacy charm.

“I must be going now, Headmaster, Professor Dumbledore, Madam Raston” he nodded at the others before guiding Harry from the room and down the spiral staircase.

“Aren’t you going to floo out?” Harry asked in confusion.

“No, I have business to attend to in Hogsmeade and want to clear my head beforehand. I will walk down.”

“Try to have a good day” Fleamont said quietly as he squeezed Harry’s shoulder in final farewell before striding off towards the front doors.

Harry stood there for a moment, getting his bearings, before slowly striding off toward potions. This was going to be a long day.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Every head turned to look at him as he walked into Potions a few minutes later. Professor Slughorn stopped his lecture and watched Harry quickly walk towards an empty seat next to Corvus, his usual seat taken.

“Sorry I’m late, sir” Harry said quietly but Slughorn just waved the apology away.

“Perfectly understandable, I imagine it’s been quite a trying morning for you. Remember that as your head of house I am always here if you need anything.”

Harry was touched by the offer but really wanted everyone to stop staring at him, so he nodded quickly, “thank you, sir.”

Slughorn stared at him a moment longer, before returning to the lesson. Harry pulled out his books and a quill and began taking notes, he did his best to concentrate but he was taking nothing on board. Not really. He looked down and realised he’s started drawing a racing broom, so giving it up as a lost cause he continued to doodle for the rest of the lesson.

Too soon for his liking the lesson came to an end, heads once again turned to him, but Harry just ignored it, he had years of practice after all. Like everything else he had faced before this would die down as well and he would just have to endure it until it did.

He was immediately surrounded by his friends.

“Why didn’t you tell us?” Corvus asked, immediately suspicious like always.

Harry rolled his eyes, “Why would I tell you about my ability to have children?” He flushed furiously but met his gaze, “unless you’re the one fucking me it’s really none of your business.”

Orion let out a low groan and Harry’s gaze flicked to him.

“Sorry” Harry said quietly. “Its just this doesn’t have to change anything.”

Abraxas let out a derisive snort but didn’t comment, Harry squirmed at the others intense gaze.

Austin leered at him, and nope. Nope. No thank you. He shouldered his bag and started walking out of the room, conversation over.

The others quickly caught up with him.

“It’s just, you know everyone is going to be interested in you now” Theo said from his side. “Carriers are highly sought after.”

Harry shrugged, “I’m not going to be with someone who’s only interested in me because I’m a carrier.”

“An advantageous marriage will be very beneficial to the Potters” Orion spoke up from his other side. “Fleamont may insist on you marrying someone of influence.”

“Fleamont would never” Harry said with a scowl. “We already spoke this morning, in Headmaster Dippet’s office and he said any decisions on who I may or may not want to be with is completely up to me.”

Orion’s gaze turned calculating.

Harry ignored the gossiping as he entered the hall, this was nothing compared to the year everyone thought he was Slytherin’s heir and going around petrifying other students.

He’d barely sat down to lunch when Cygnus slid into the seat beside him, Harry startled a little at the sight of him.

“Cousin, to what do we owe the honour?” Orion said glaring at Cygnus from across the table.

“I just wanted to check on Harry” Cygnus said, pulling a sandwich from a platter and starting to eat. He sat one in front of Harry, who automatically picked it up and started eating. Cygnus smiled at him.

“How are you, Harry? Already planning your wedding, I assume?”

Harry snorted and elbowed Cygnus in the ribs. “Not likely.”

Cygnus expression turned more serious, as he took a bite of his next sandwich.

“I’m OK” Harry said quietly. “The gossip doesn’t worry me, even if I don’t like the attention. Just… disappointed that someone would do this to me.”

“It’s not right. I assume Fleamont is handling it?”

“He is.”

“Good” Cygnus nodded.

Harry looked down, fiddling with his sandwich for a moment. He leaned in closer, trying to lower his voice.

“Did you still want to go to Hogsmeade with me? I understand if you want to avoid all the attention.”

Cygnus looked back in surprise, “I’m a Black, I’m used to attention.”

Harry rolled his eyes but couldn’t hold back a small laugh, “of course, how could I forget?”

“Don’t worry, when we go out to Hogsmeade, everyone’s eyes will be on me, not you.”

Harry smiled, reaching over to ruffle Cygnus’ hair, causing the other teen to squawk in indignation.

“I don’t know how I ever missed the fact that you’re a Black” Harry said with a laugh.

Cygnus let out a loud cry, hunching over the table and Harry immediately went on the defensive, pulling his wand out and looking around.

“What is it? What’s wrong?”

Cygnus let out a small groan, before shaking his head. “Nothing, nothing.”

Harry slowly put his wand away, “you sure?”

“Yeah, it’s nothing” Cygnus said, looking up and meeting a glaring Orion head on.

Ah, Harry thought. Something going on between the two Blacks. Best to leave that alone.

Cygnus glanced away.

“I’m so glad we met Harry, I think we’re going to be great friends” Cygnus said with a genuine smile and Harry practically beamed at him, green eyes sparkling.

“I think so too.”

They went back to their food, joining in the conversation with those around them, until it was time to head to their next class. As Harry walked the whispers followed him. It seemed though that no one was quite game enough to speak to him… yet. That could be because Abraxas was walking at his side, glaring at anybody who so much as glanced at Harry. The cold Malfoy mask was perfectly in place, the blondes magic swirling around them like a visceral warning to stay the hell away.

In a strange way the whole thing made him feel safe. Abraxas’ magic reminded him a lot of Draco’s, they weren’t exactly the same but there were similarities. It was almost instinctual that he felt himself start to relax.

Charlus caught him on the stairs, giving him a fierce hug before telling Harry to come to him if he had any problems whatsoever.

“We’ll talk more at lunch tomorrow” Charlus said as he started to hurry away to his own class. “Remember, come find me if you need anything at all.”

“I will” Harry called out, waving as Charlus walked away.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++

Harry dressed nicely the next morning, he noticed that everyone was. Orion had even gotten up early and spent close to two hours on his hair. Even Tom was wearing his best robes and making sure he looked immaculate. OK so Hogsmeade weekends seem like a much bigger deal in this time than his.

He gets it, a chance to get out of the castle and explore the world, even just a little, it was a nice feeling.

He pulled on a new set of robes in a deep navy blue. A subtle nod to Cygnus being in Ravenclaw. He attempted to fix his hair but gave up after a few minutes, it just wasn’t worth the hassle. Finally, he cast a spell that he had been practicing for the last few weeks. He waved his wand, muttering the incantation before pulling off his glasses. The spell temporarily fixed his eyesight, it lasted about eight hours, plenty of time for a visit to Hogsmeade. He had been learning it to use during quidditch matches, annoyed how his glasses could end up being a hinderance during games at times. He thought this was a good opportunity to try it out.

When he was ready, he turned to find most of the boys already finished, sitting around chatting while waiting for everyone to be done so they could all walk down together.

Orion watched him attentively as he walked over to join the group.

“You look beautiful” Orion murmured, lacking his usual flirtatious tone. Harry wasn’t sure what to think of it.

“You look very handsome. All that time spent on your hair was worth it.”

Orion grinned at him, flicking his hair over his shoulder.

“You all look very nice” Harry continued looking around at the group. “I can see that Hogsmeade visits are a big deal around here.”

They all nodded in agreement.

“Should we head off then?” Tom asked, standing up and straightening his robes.

There was a rustling sound as everyone fixed themselves one last time before heading out the door. Most were meeting their chosen partner for the day in the entrance hall, though others, like Orion, were meeting them at Hogsmeade.

Orion stayed at his side as they walked to the Entrance Hall, joking with Harry about how much he was going to spend on sweets at Honeydukes and managing to keep Harry’s nerves at bay.

They each started to drift off as they found whoever was waiting for them. Harry looked around until he spotted Cygnus. He started walking towards the taller teen, pausing as he realised what the other was wearing. Yellow robes, covered in suns. Exactly the same colour and pattern as what Dumbledore had been wearing in Transfiguration earlier in the week.

His mouth dropped open in shock before laughter erupted from him.

“What are you wearing!?” He cried out, laughing even more as Cygnus did a little twirl.

“I told you no one would be looking at you today.”

“That you did. I’m sorry I doubted you.”

“Shall we go?” Cygnus asked, sticking out his arm for Harry to hold.

Orion appeared beside them giving his cousin a disdainful look.

“Don’t leave his side at any time while you’re in Hogsmeade.”

Harry looked between the pair confusion furrowing his brow.

“You don’t need to stay with me the whole time if you don’t want to” Harry spoke up.

“Yes, he does.” Orion said, in a tone he hadn’t heard from him before. In that moment he looked every bit the heir to the noble and most ancient house of Black.

Cygnus looked every bit as serious when he replied, “I won’t leave him.”

Orion studied the other before nodding and walking out the front doors.

“Honestly, you don’t have to listen to Orion” Harry said as they started to walk, confused why Orion would even ask such a thing.

Cygnus didn’t deign to reply, instead changing the topic.

“I always love the opportunity to stretch my legs and get out of Hogwarts for a little while. As much as I love the castle it can get a bit stifling at times.”

Harry could understand where he was coming from. Hogwarts had been his only safety from a cruel and neglectful family, but still all those people in one place for months on end, it could get a little much sometimes.

“Flying helps me relax when everything is getting a bit much.”

“Ah that’s right, I’m looking at the newest seeker for the Slytherin quidditch team, aren’t I?”

“Well, I haven’t officially taken the position. We are training for the first time tomorrow though and I think I’ll take it. I mean I want to; I was just a little hesitant as I didn’t want people to think I’d barged my way onto the team.”

Cygnus shrugged, “If there is one thing Slytherin’s can appreciate its competency. They saw you fly and knew you would make their team better. It’s as simple as that. They want to win, and you will help them do that. Once they see you fly no Slytherin will argue with that decision.”

Harry chuckled, “so you just naturally assume I’m that good?”

“They wouldn’t have asked you to join the team if you weren’t” Cygnus said honestly, and Harry paused. That was a good point.

“Fleamont is taking me to choose a broom today, you will have to help me pick. I’m not even sure what the best models are at the moment.”

“Oh, well for all around speed and performance you really can’t go past the comet” Cygnus explained, starting to go into the ins and outs of the different racing brooms that were on the market at the moment. The conversation carried them all the way into Hogsmeade.

“Come on let’s start with a few butterbeers at The Three Broomsticks before we start exploring” Cygnus said, leading him to a familiar looking building, where he was hit with such a strong sense of nostalgia that he had to bite the inside of his cheek to keep from getting teary. Memories of his visits to Hogsmeade with Ron and Hermione had him clinging to Cygnus’ arm even tighter, but the other teen didn’t seem to mind, squeezing his hand reassuringly as they entered.

The Three Broomsticks was nearly exactly as Harry remembered it, warm and cozy. Even though it wasn’t quite winter, yet they were still far enough into autumn that there was a definite chill in the air. It had been a good choice to come inside and warm up before exploring some more. They weren’t the only Hogwarts students who had seemed to have the same idea, tables were dotted with students, all of whom turned to watch as they took their seats.

A young man came to take their order, retreating with a cheeky grin after he’d gotten it.

“So, I was thinking we could visit Honeydukes first, to get some sweets, then stop by Dentalis to see what books they have in. By then it should nearly be time to meet your brothers for lunch” Cygnus said, waving his wand over their drinks before they took their first sips.

“Are we having lunch here?” Cygnus asked.

“Yeah, we are meeting Charlus and Fleamont here at 12pm. Fleamont has already organised a table for us.”

“Perfect” Cygnus said with a smile.

Harry had a wonderful morning walking the streets of Hogsmeade with Cygnus. A large number of students he didn’t know smiled and said hello to him, he wasn’t sure what to make of it but everyone was being friendly so he just smiled and said hello back. He stocked up on an exorbitant number of sweets in Honeydukes, including a box of sugar quills for Cygnus after he revealed they were his favourite, before they had spent some time perusing the bookshelves in Dentalis. Unsurprisingly Cygnus left with half a dozen books compared to Harry’s one.

Everywhere they went they ran into people that they knew. They had run into Abraxas and his betrothed as they were walking to Honeydukes. Alphard and Theo both had been with their dates picking sweets in Honeydukes. They’d even run into Austin and Corvus in Dentalis. Everyone was in a great mood smiling and talking and Harry couldn’t help but be amazed.

They met up with Fleamont and Charlus and Charlus’ date outside The Three Broomsticks right on 12 o’clock.

Both Potter men eyed Cygnus with appraising eyes, though the other pretended not to notice.

“Fleamont, Charlus, this is a friend of mine, Cygnus Black” Harry introduced.

“We’ve actually met quite a few times” Fleamont said, leaning forward to shake Cygnus’ hand.

“Oh, of course” Harry supposed that a lot of the older families ran in the same circles.

“Harry, I’m not sure if you’ve met Bonnie?” Charlus said, stepping forward and introducing the blonde girl beside him. “She’s a seventh year in Hufflepuff.”

“It’s nice to meet you” Harry said with a small smile to the tall, blonde Hufflepuff.

“Well, shall we?” Fleamont said, opening the door and leading the way into The Three Broomsticks.

He spoke to a young witch at the bar who guided them to a large table to the right of the room.

“Just come up to the bar when you’re ready to order” she said with a sigh, obviously already feeling tired from her busy day.

“So how has your morning been?” Fleamont asked the table in general.

“Great” Charlus said with a smile. “Bonnie is very good at Herbology, so we spent most of the morning looking at seeds in Belby’s.”

“I was trying to find a seed for a mimbulus mimbletonia. I want to try to grow one as part of my final project for Herbology” Bonnie explained.

Harry’s eyebrows furrowed in thought, “isn’t that the little cactus looking thing that squirts like slime?”

Bonnie laughed in delight, “that’s exactly right! Do you enjoy herbology as well, Harry?”

“I don’t mind it” Harry said honestly, “though I’m not very good at it. I had a friend who had a mimbulus mimbletonia, he tickled it the wrong way and we got covered in slime.”

“You’ve actually seen one? They are very rare, that’s why I was hoping to try to grow one. Do you think your friend would let me see his?”

Harry thought of Neville, 50 years in the future and his face fell.

“Probably not, he doesn’t live around here” Harry explained.

Bonnie looked disappointed for a moment, before smiling again. “Still, it’s very exciting that you’ve even seen one. How big was it? Is it true that they pulsate? Does the stinksap really smell as bad as everyone says?”

“Even worse” Harry joked.

“Do you enjoy herbology?” Charlus asked Cygnus, obviously trying to include the other in the conversation.

“I enjoy learning about the different plants that relate to potion making, their properties and what they can be used for. Unfortunately, outside that, I have little interest in herbology.”

“Oh, there’s so many different plants that are used in potion making” Bonnie spoke up and they spent an enjoyable lunch talking mainly about plants and just how amazing they are. Harry had never met anyone so enthusiastic about plants before, he thought Bonnie would even give Neville a run for his money.

After all their meals had been eaten, the conversation turned to more serious matters.

“How are you doing, Harry” Fleamont asked, concern shining in his eyes.

“I’m OK” Harry said honestly. “So far no one has been game enough to approach me, and my friends have been doing a good job of keeping away anyone who looks like they might.”

“That’s good, I’m glad” Fleamont said with a relieved sigh. “It will get worse before it gets better though. Expect the betrothal contracts and offers of marriage to start rolling in. Do you know the spells to make sure that none of your mail is harmful?”

“I sure do” Harry said, thinking of his disastrous fourth year.

“Make sure you are checking everything before you open it. Who knows what people may send you. I have already received several offers of betrothal for you; I burned them all. It was oddly satisfying.” Fleamont said with grin. “We are also suing The Prophet; papers went out yesterday. Our lawyers seem to think it will be an open and shut case, though I will keep you both informed of how it progresses.”

“They will regret the day they posted that article” Charlus said vindictively.

“I really want to know who leaked the information” Harry said, looking around the table.

Cygnus nodded, his eyes narrowed in thought.

“Headmaster Dippet is handling that” Fleamont said. “Though if I am not satisfied with what he is able to find out I will be lodging a complaint with the school governors and demanding a formal inquiry.”

“I know that they will be behind you on this. It is not something to be taken lightly.” Cygnus said.

Fleamont let out a small sigh. “Anyway, we best be going if you want to pick your broom, Harry.”

Harry jolted in excitement; he had completely forgot about that!

“I had a Tornado when I used to play” Fleamont said as they walked out of The Three Broomsticks, “but I hear that Comets are the way to go now.”

“You used to play quidditch?” Harry asked in wonder. He’d never known that about his grandfather.

“Oh yes, I was keeper on the Gryffindor team four years in a row. We won the quidditch cup three times while I was on the team.”

“I bet you were amazing” Harry said, marveling that quidditch really was in his blood.

He turned from Fleamont to keep walking down the street when he ran smack bang into someone walking in the opposite direction. They both stumbled back a little before Cygnus looped an arm around his back and helped him back on his feet.

“I’m very sorry, I was-“ Harry started to apologise, mouth falling open in shock as he came face to face with a much younger looking Walburga Black.

He gaped at the unlined, beautiful face, so different to what it would become.

Walburga brushed herself off, eyes flicking over Harry before landing on her brother.

“What do you think you are wearing, brother?” she hissed clearly embarrassed at the florid yellow robe that Cygnus had on.

Cygnus chuckled, “what you don’t like it, sister? It’s merely a joke between Harry and myself.”

“It looks more like one of Dumbledore’s horrid creations.”

Harry and Cygnus looked at each other before bursting into laughter.

“That’s what it is!” Harry laughed, unsticking his tongue from the top of his mouth. “He was wearing it earlier in the week when Cygnus and I had transfiguration together.”

Walburga sniffed haughtily.

“Is this how you represent the noble and most ancient house of Black?”

Cygnus shrugged “it is today.”

Walburga did not look happy. “When Orion and I are head of the family, this kind of behaviour” her eyes ran over the robes “will not be tolerated.”

Harry glanced behind the witch to find Orion standing there, a frown on his face as he watched Harry.

Harry wanted to comment but held his tongue. It wasn’t his place to get involved in a spat between siblings.

Cygnus merely rolled his eyes, “we are all simply dreading when that day comes.”

Walburga chose to ignore that comment, her eyes swinging to Harry as well as Fleamont, Charlus and Bonnie standing behind them.

“And who might you be?” Her gaze turned calculating; Cygnus shifted a little, half shielding Harry with his body.

“I’m Harry Potter” Harry said awkwardly. His stomach turned knowing how miserable this woman made Sirius in the future.

“Harry Potter… The Harry Potter, the carrier that was announced in the newspaper yesterday?” Her dark gaze moved back to Cygnus. “Oh yes, good work Cygnus, he would bear you strong children for the Black line.”

Harry blushed scarlet at that.

“I thought you were hungry?” Orion spoke up, trying to distract the witch from her current train of thought. He reached out and gripped her hand tightly basically pulling her away.

“I hope you have a lovely day” she simpered to Harry before turning and following Orion into a small restaurant next to The Three Broomsticks.

Cygnus rubbed Harry’s back, “sorry about her. Nothing much matters to her except power and the strength of the Black line. She will be a nightmare as head of family.”

“I’m sorry you have to put up with that” Harry said with a grimace, knowing just how worse she gets over the years. “I think you look very handsome in your robes.”

Cygnus grinned and did another twirl at that.

“Come on you pair, let’s get going before everything is closed” Fleamont said, with a glance back ato Orion and Walburga. He led the way to a small shop at the end of the street, a rusty sign hanging above the door exclaiming Broom Broom Brooms! Well at least they got to the point, Harry thought as they pushed open the door and walked inside.

When Harry left Hogsmeade a few hours later, he had Cygnus at his side and a brand new Silver Arrow grasped tightly in his hands.

Chapter Text

Abraxas fought not to roll his eyes as Meadow simpered at a pretty robe that hung in the shop window.

“Oh, can we go inside and have a look?” the older Slytherin asked, gripping his arm firmer as she started moving toward the shop’s door.

“Of course,” Abraxas acquiesced, following his date inside. He tried not to look too bored as he was shown robe after robe in varying shades, like he cared. He could barely focus on what she was saying, when all his thoughts as of late centred solely around one Harry Potter.

“The blue, I think” he murmured softly when two robes were held up for his inspection.

How lovely Harry would look in blue, Abraxas thought as they continued to browse.

He glanced down at his pocket watch, he still had an hour before the meeting with his father, it couldn’t come quick enough. Unfortunately for Abraxas, Meadow managed to spend that whole hour shopping for new clothing. It was only years of practice and good breeding that kept him looking mildly interested throughout.

It took extreme effort to extricate himself from her clutches when the time drew near for him to leave.

“Must you go?” Meadow asked, once again clinging to his arm.

Abraxas nodded, “yes, I have a meeting with my father that cannot be delayed.”

Meadow pouted, “I thought we were going to spend the whole day together.”

Abraxas bit back a sigh, “I will meet you at Mirabelle’s in one hour.”

He strode away before she could voice anymore objections, heading to the three broomsticks. He gave his name at the door and was immediately shown to a private room where none other then his father and grandfather sat waiting. Both greeted him warmly.

“It is good to see you” his grandfather, Lucius murmured as Abraxas took a seat at the table.

“You are looking well” his father, Hyperion said as he called for a house elf to begin serving them.

“I am quite well, thank you” Abraxas said, feeling his heart flutter slightly in nerves.

“Why have you called us here?” Lucius asked. “It must be important if you did not wish to discuss it in a letter.

“I felt it was a matter that was better discussed face to face” Abraxas agreed, taking a fortifying sip of his tea. Both his father and grandfather sat watching him quietly, knowing he would speak when he was ready.

“I wish to cancel my betrothal to, Meadow.”

Both Lucius and Hyperion looked surprised.

“You do not wish to marry her?” Hyperion asked in confusion. “When last we spoke all was going well.”

“As well as they can go with a girl like Meadow” Abraxas agreed. “But things have changed since then.”

“Changed, how?” Hyperion asked, eyeing his son carefully.

“I have developed feelings for another and wish to have the freedom to pursue them.”

Lucius sighed softly, “feelings come and go. Are you sure this is not just youthful infatuation. It would be a mistake to throw away such a good match over something that may fade in a few months.”

Abraxas swallowed thickly, “I have never felt before as I do now. I do not envision a time when these feelings will change.”

He did his best not to squirm under their scrutiny, lifting his chin and squaring his shoulders.

“We will have to ensure that this person is a suitable match, someone worthy of marrying into the Malfoy family.”

Abraxas let himself relax just a little, he knew there would be no objections about his choice.

“It is Harry Potter.”

Both Lucius and Hyperion raised their eyebrows in surprise.

“Harry Potter would indeed be a suitable match” Hyperion conceded. I will contact our lawyers and have your contract to Miss Selwyn revoked, her family will not be happy about it but I’m sure we can smooth things over in one way or another. Do you wish a contract drawn up and sent to Lord Potter?”

Abraxas shook his head, “Fleamont is not playing a part in who Harry chooses and Harry will choose for nothing short of love. He will not be moved by titles or money and would be most angry if I was to send a contract through to him. No if I am to have Harry, I will need to prove myself and my devotion to him.”

Hyperion smirked, “good luck in your endeavours my son, I feel you may have your work cut out for you.”

“Harry will be worth it.”

Talk turned to other matters, and Abraxas felt a sense of relief wash over him so vast he lost his breath for a moment. For once in his life his family’s name and influence would mean nothing, if Harry is to choose him it will be based on Abraxas alone. The thought was as thrilling as it was terrifying.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Orion frowned as he led Walburga into Mirabelle’s. The place was packed with Hogwarts students, but Orion had thankfully thought ahead and booked them a table.

As soon as they sat Walburga started talking about Cygnus.

“An utter disgrace to the Black family, just what was he thinking walking around Hogsmeade wearing that outfit. You should have put a stop to that before he left the castle, Orion.”

Orion’s frowned deepened at that.

“You simply can’t allow things like that to happen, Orion. You are the heir; they have to listen to you.”

“Please, do not tell me how to rule my house” Orion said stiffly. “I have been trained for this since birth.”

“I would never dream of telling you what to do” Walburga said with a coquettish smile, as she reached out and ran a finger over the back of his hand.

“I just meant that when we are the heads of the Black family, that kind of behaviour will not stand. It would be best if you were to stamp it out now.”

“You presume too much; we are not betrothed yet” Orion moved his hand off the table and into his lap.

Walburga’s brows drew together in consternation but did not press the subject.

“At least Cygnus had an appropriate choice in date, Harry Potter would be quite a boon for the Black family. Perhaps I shall owl father when I get home and see if a contract has been drawn up for Cygnus and Harry.”

“Harry and Cygnus are merely friends.”

“He would be a fool to let a carrier slip through his fingers. Perhaps we should speak to father about something to improve his chances, perhaps a love potion.”

Orion slammed his fist down on the table.

“Do not be so foolish” he snarled, pushing his chair back from the table as he stood. The Black heir took a deep breath, calming himself before bowing slightly. “Thank you for your company, but I must be going. Good day.”

Walburga spluttered in indignation, “Orion!” she called, but he was already out the door. He had a letter to write to his father immediately, there was no way he was going to marry that, that woman. He would mention what Harry said about marrying too close within your own family and how it inhibits magical growth, that would be sure to get his father’s attention.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Harry waved goodbye to Cygnus in the entryway as the Black headed to his own common room, Harry was about to head off towards his when a hand on his shoulder had him spinning back around.

“We’ve got a few hours before dinner; did you want to come up and see the Gryffindor common room with me?” Charlus asked with a smile.

“Oh, yes please, but-“

His question was answered before Harry could even ask it, when Charlus called for a house elf who came and collected Harry’s new broom to deposit in his dormitory.

“Our common room is up in one of the towers, its about as far from the Slytherin common room as you can get” Charlus laughed as they started walking. “There’s lots of shortcuts if you know where to look” he continued with a wink, as they pushed aside a tapestry and walked through.

Charlus knew Harry used to be in Gryffindor, so he figured this explanation was because Bonnie was still walking with them.

“The Hufflepuff common room is much closer to Slytherin’s” Bonnie said as they emerged on the other side of the secret passageway. “We’re practically neighbours.”

They continued walking until they reached a painting of a very familiar woman. Charlus made a show of leaning forward and whispering the password so that Harry and Bonnie couldn’t hear it, before stepping back as the portrait swung open.

Harry trailed after Charlus and Bonnie, a warmth setting into his bones as he emerged on the other side to the familiar sight of red and gold. He stared around in open awe, a flood of memories hitting him like a hippogriff. The common room though not identical looked very similar to when Harry had attended Hogwarts. He looked around the room, remembering his very first night at Hogwarts, in this very place. He remembered hours studying with Hermione and playing chess with Ron. He remembered sneaking out at night and the wild parties they used to throw after winning a quidditch game. He remembered Ron’s laughter and Hermione’s smile and had to fight back the tears that stung his eyes.

A firm hand on his shoulder pulled him back to the present, Harry blinked struggling to refocus for a moment as he looked at Charlus’ concerned face.

Charlus lead him over to a group of lounges where several students sat, greeting the newcomers warmly as they took a seat.

“We’re just about to start a game of exploding snap, care to join us?” Aiden asked, and Harry knew he was making an effort to include him.

“Sure” Harry, Charlus and Bonnie chorused as the cards were dealt.

“These are a new set I got in Hogsmeade today, twice the amount of explosion-“

BOOM

Aiden blinked dazedly as the cards he was dealing blew up in his face, causing everyone in the vicinity to start laughing.

Harry spent a fun afternoon in the Gryffindor common room, making new memories.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Betrothal offers began rolling in the next morning, Harry was flawed by the sheer number of them. The whole hall froze what they were doing as the owls started pouring in, one then five, 10 then 30. He ended up with 34 letters in one morning. Everyone stared, standing, craning their necks to get a better look at what was going on. Harry blushed and, in a fluster, reached to gather up the scrolls and envelopes to put them in his bag. A firm hand on his shoulder stopped him and he turned to find Tom beside him.

“Don’t touch them yet” he murmured, pulling out his wand and casting a spell over the whole lot.

Harry nearly smacked himself for forgetting to check if they were safe to touch.

“Thank you” Harry said, looking down in embarrassment.

Tom took pity on him, helping him scoop up every last piece of mail and shrinking them so that they would fit easily into Harry’s bag.

“You’re not actually going to bother reading all of those, are you?” Abraxas sneered.

Harry shrugged; he actually hadn’t decided what he was going to do with them.

To Harry’s surprise Tom took his side.

“It’s wise not to just get rid of them, there will be some very beneficial offers amongst them.”

Harry shrugged as he started to spread some jam on his toast.

“It could be interesting to read them.”

“If nothing else you may make an acquaintance or two” Tom said, sipping his cup of tea and eyeing Abraxas with a smirk.

“If you like, I could help you go through them this evening?” Tom offered, and Harry eyed him cautiously.

“Sure, that’d be great.”

Tom looked pleased and Harry wasn’t sure if that was a good thing or not. Luckily, he was saved from thinking too much about it by the arrival of Alphard, who managed to get everyone into a rousing discussion about quidditch and Slytherin’s chances of winning the quidditch cup this year. The conversation carried them through breakfast and out onto the pitch where Harry joined in a Slytherin team training session for the first time. Harry spent most of the time getting used to the feel of his new broom, wanting to make sure he was in tune with it, he watched the other players go through their training, eyeing things that they did well and areas that they could improve on.

That evening he sat with Tom and started going through the contracts and letters he had been sent. They had set up at a table in a corner of the common room and both were studiously ignoring the amount of attention they were gathering. Though Slytherins at least were a little more subtle in their attention then some of the other houses would’ve been.

They began opening the mail and Harry found that many of them were letters, offering dates and courtships rather than outright betrothal contracts.

“They are wanting the chance to woo you; they think their chances of being picked will increase if you actually meet them” Tom explained, and Harry hummed thoughtfully. That actually made sense.

Tom separated the letters that were from families with students at Hogwarts, the ones from influential families and the ones from overseas.

“If I were you” Tom said quietly, “I would send them all a letter, thank them for their interest and explain that you are only interested in marrying for love. It will soothe a lot of feathers and leave you on good terms with many in the wizarding world. You aren’t flat out rejecting them, nor are you favouring another over them, it could lead to some valuable friendships.”

Harry nodded, “I like the idea of being honest with them. I don’t want to lead anyone on or hurt anybody’s feelings and I certainly don’t want to create conflict between the Potter family and other influential families.”

“Exactly” Tom said with a smile. “Write out the letter and sign it and we can just duplicate it.”

Harry nodded and did just that, introducing himself, explaining his reasoning before signing.

Tom did a complicated wave of his wand and a hundred exact letters now sat piled on the table.

“Now we simply address them, and we can owl them in the morning.”

Harry felt a little twinge in his stomach as he wrote out the addresses and realised none of the names were familiar to him. Why, he wondered, had he thought anyone he knew would be interested in courting him.

“Are you courting anyone?” Harry asked, deciding this was a good opportunity to try to get to know Tom better.

The elder shook his head, “no, I’m not sure if that is where I want my future to go.”

Harry had to hold back a shudder as he remembered just where Tom’s future did go.

“Is it something you are actually interested in?” Tom asked.

Harry thought about it for a moment. “Yes, definitely. With the right person and for the right reasons. I’ve always wanted a large family.”

“Something that may be somewhat difficult with the fact that you are from a wealthy family and a carrier. Thankfully neither is something I have to worry about” Tom said with a sardonic grin.

Harry smiled back, moving another letter to the finished pile.

“Surely there must be witches and wizards alike lining up for their chance to be with the heir of Slytherin.”

Tom froze, his eyes swinging up to fixate on Harry, “the what!?”

Chapter Text

Harry froze, his heart pounding in his chest as he glanced around the room to make sure no one else had heard him. Blood rushed in his ears and before he could even start to think of some kind of plausible response, he felt a large hand grip his arm and a wand poking him in the ribs.

He let out a little meep, as he was moved across the common room to their dormitory, Tom moving smoothly and attracting no attention, while Harry was too stunned to do anything more than gape. The dormitory door swung open as they approached, and Harry was dismayed to find it empty. The hope of salvation from one of their other dorm mates died quickly. Tom spun him round and gave a hard shove that had Harry falling backwards with a heavy thump on his arse.

A cold and calculating Tom Riddle who had his wand pointed in your face was enough to freeze anyone’s blood and Harry was not immune. He took a deep breath, trying to steady himself.

“What do you mean, I am the heir of Slytherin” Tom hissed dangerously, sparks flying from the end of his wand as he crouched over Harry.

“Err” Harry said unintelligibly.

The wand pushed into his cheek, causing Harry to flinch back slightly.

“I mean, just that, that you are the heir of Slytherin” Harry said quietly, seeing no way out of this besides the truth. Tom was too clever to believe any lie that Harry could’ve come up with, not that any were forthcoming at the moment. There was also no point trying to fight his way out, where would that get him?

“How would you know a thing like that!?” Voldemort asked again, his eyes flashing dangerously. “I have suspected, have taken steps to investigate…”

Harry pushed Tom’s wand away from his face and climbed to his feet, moving to sit on a bed all while never taking his eyes off the other wizard.

“I actually know quite a lot about you” Harry said softly. “Tom Marvolo Riddle, born 31^st December 1926. Son of Tom Riddle and Merope Gaunt.”

Tom looked completely stunned but Harry only had a moment to enjoy the look before the other rushed forward, gripping his collar in his fist and shaking him roughly.

“Who sent you!? Dumbledore!? That old man has resorted to sending spies to watch me!”

Harry raised his own wand, sending a small stinging jinx to Tom’s had until the older let go.

Harry tried to stay calm as he straightened out his robes, he knew if he got into a duel with Tom there was no way he would win.

He settled for scoffing loudly, “I would never be a spy for Dumbledore. That man ruined my life.”

That had Tom pausing for a moment.

“Who are you?”

“Harry James Potter, born 31^st July 1980. Son of James Potter and Lily Evans.”

Tom stumbled back a step of two, dropping down on to the closest bed next to Harry’s.

“A time traveller” Tom breathed; eyes alight with interest.

“Yep” Harry nodded, glad that Tom had decided to stop manhandling him.

“And you know me, in the future?”

“I do… somewhat” Harry said hesitantly, seeing Tom’s confused expression he continued. “You are… famous in my time, though not for anything good.”

“What am I famous for?”

“Well, mostly going batshit crazy, starting a war and killing a bunch of innocent witches and wizards.”

Tom blanched at that.

“You try to take over the wizarding world, try to destroy and force out muggleborns. Obviously, some people have a problem with that.”

“Muggleborns are eroding the very society that we hold so dear.”

“Muggleborns are essential for a thriving magical community, without them magical powers will start to diminish, fewer and fewer wizards and witches will be born. The old blood grows stagnant. We have already started to see it in my time and things will only get worse. Or do you think it’s a coincidence that two of the strongest wizards of our age” Harry indicated to himself and Tom, “are half-bloods.”

Tom leapt up from the bed, “show me!” He reached out and grabbed Harry again, though this time much gentler than before.

Harry spluttered, “w-what?”

“Come, you will show me” he said quickly, walking with Harry back towards the common room.

“Oi, where are you two headed?” Orion called out as Harry and Tom strode through the common room, this time drawing the attention of those around them.

“Harry and I have some business to attend to” Tom said shortly, and Orion fell silent. Harry tried to give him a reassuring smile, but they were gone too quickly, out through the shifting wall and down the hall towards the classroom that they have potions in.

Tom locked the door and cast several strong spells around the room before he walked to a cupboard and pulled out a stone pensieve. It wasn’t as large or ornate as Dumbledores, but Harry could still tell what it was. Tom sat it on a desk before waving his wand again, tables and chairs moved out of the way and several comphy looking armchairs appeared, as well as a low table in between them. Tom moved the pensieve to the table and then took a seat in one of the chairs. Harry gingerly took the other.

“Have you ever used a pensieve before, Harry?”

“I’ve viewed memories in one but never put my own memories in one before.”

Tom nodded, “it is quite easy, you simply think of the memory you want, hold your wand to your temple and mutter the spell, reflectus, when you remove your wand, the memory will come with it. This is merely a copy of the memory; it isn’t actually removing it from your mind.”

“Right… okay, so what do you want to see?”

“Everything” Tom breathed.

Harry swallowed thickly, not at all sure if this was the right thing to do or not, but knowing it was too late to turn back now.

He thought of what he can remember about what people had told him of the night his parents died, as well as his own meagre memories. To his surprise, it actually was quite easy, the memories came away and Harry dropped them into the pensieve.

“Come with me?” Tom asked and Harry nodded. He reached over to grip Tom’s hand, ignoring the surprised look on the others face, before they both leant forward and stuck their faces in the pensieve.

“Dunno if he had enough human left in him to die.”

“Not Harry!”

“Voldemort.”

“There was a prophecy made, about you and Voldemort.”

Harry gasped as they pulled their heads back.

“I killed your parents?” Tom asked quietly, as he ran his fingers through his already mussed hair.

“You did” Harry said, not wanting to elaborate.

Harry raised his wand to his temple, already knowing that Tom’s next question would be to see the prophecy.

The one with the power to vanquish the Dark Lord approaches... born to those who have thrice defied him, born as the seventh month dies... and the Dark Lord will mark him as his equal, but he will have power the Dark Lord knows not... and either must die at the hand of the other, for neither can live while the other survives... the one with the power to vanquish the Dark Lord will be born as the seventh month dies...

“And I took that seriously?” Tom asked aghast.

“You sure did, you thought it was about me and so set out to kill me but in doing so you marked me as your equal.” He lifted his hair to show Tom his scar, where the killing curse had hit him.

“Show me more.”

So, Harry did. He showed him his first year.

“Yes, he does seem the type, doesn’t he? Why, next to him, who would suspect p-p-poor, st-st-stuttering Professor Quirrell?”

“I can’t believe I stooped so low, as to share my essence with another” Tom said looking sick.

“I don’t think you really had much choice.”

Harry showed him second year.

“I am Lord Voldemort.”

“You destroyed my diary!” Tom raged.

“Don’t worry, you didn’t die. You had more than one horcrux by that point. That’s what caused you to go crazy!”

Tom stared at him for a long moment, “you know about my horcrux?”

“Of course, I do, and if I have any say in it, one is all you’re going to make this time around.”

Harry showed him fourth year, and the monstrous figure he would become.

"Bone of the father, unknowingly given, you will renew your son. Flesh of the servant, willingly given, you will revive your master. Blood of the enemy, forcibly taken, you will resurrect your foe."

“Your blood resurrected me” Tom said in awe, eyes boring into Harry as though trying to see his very soul. “And our wands are brothers, we are irrevocably linked Harry James Potter.”

And he showed him fifth year.

“I DON'T CARE!" Harry yelled at them, snatching up a lunascope and throwing it into the fireplace. "I'VE HAD ENOUGH, I'VE SEEN ENOUGH, I WANT OUT, I WANT IT TO END, I DON'T CARE ANYMORE!"
"You do care," said Dumbledore. He had not flinched or made a single move to stop Harry demolishing his office. His expression was calm, almost detached. "You care so much you feel as though you will bleed to death with the pain of it.”

They collapsed back onto their seats, both tired and emotionally wrought. Seeing everything again, seeing Sirius’ death again was… difficult. He swiped at a few tears that escaped and wondered just how much time had passed while they had been viewing the memories.

Tom looked almost as distraught as Harry, “th-that is not what I wanted.”

Harry let out a weary sigh, “well, that’s what happened.” He tried to pull himself up a little straighter. “You don’t need anymore horcrux’s. I know you already have one from Myrtle’s death. Leave it at that, they become your downfall.”

Tom looked thoughtful and Harry knew seeing how far he’d fallen had shaken the other wizard to his core.

“I will think on it” Tom said finally. “I will not alter my goals though; I still plan on ruling the wizarding world one day. And I still believe that muggleborns will be the downfall of our society.”

They talked and talked for hours, discussing ideas and plans. Arguing and considering. Eventually it got to the point where Harry could barely keep his eyes open any longer. They drooped of their own accord, burning and stinging as he tried to force them open.

“You will be seventeen next month and able to claim the Slytherin lordship, that should be our next step” Harry yawned.

Tom nodded in agreement, looking as dishevelled as Harry had ever seen him. Tom stood and Harry followed him. With a wave of his wand everything in the room righted itself and the exhausted pair slowly made their way back to the Slytherin common room. Despite the weariness that clawed at his bones Harry felt happy, well maybe not happy, but hopeful. He felt like perhaps he’d achieved something last night that would actually make a difference to the future.

When they entered the common room, it was to find all of their dorm mates up discussing them in urgent tones.

“Where have you been?” Abraxas snarled as he strode over, taking in the rumpled state of both Harry and Tom.

“You’ve been gone all night; we were beginning to get worried” Theo spoke up as he walked over and stood next to Abraxas.

“What Harry and I have been doing is none of your business” Tom stated plainly eyeing the other Slytherins with a cold look.

Austin leered, but Harry ignored the other teen.

“We’re okay” Harry said trying to reassure Abraxas. “Just tired” Harry yawned.

The blonde looked in no way placated, instead looking nearly irate in anger. He did a good job in masking it, but Harry was too used to the Malfoy tells. He reached a hand up, gently rubbing over the ticking muscle at Abraxas’ jaw until the other started to calm somewhat.

“You’ll need a pepper up potion if you are to make it through today” Abraxas said stiffly, calling for his house elf to bring two. “It’s nearly time for breakfast.”

Harry groaned at the thought of trying to get through today on no sleep. This would not be pleasant.

The pepper up potion did little to revive him and he stuck close to Abraxas as they walked down to breakfast, feeling unsteady on his feet. He’d done little more than change and tidy himself up a bit before leaving their dorms, Tom doing similar. Both ignored the glances the others kept shooting them as they walked.

At breakfast he sipped his tea and drooped against Abraxas’ side, feeling safe.

Chapter Text

Tom took the opportunity to pull Harry away as often as possible over the next few weeks, squirrelling them away so that he could question Harry relentlessly about anything he wanted to know about his role in the future that Harry came from. Harry didn’t complain, if it meant that the older was seriously reconsidering the path he was going to take Harry would do anything. 

Everyone, however, was now convinced that they were having an illicit affair, or less dramatically, dating. Harry just laughed off the rumours, he had zero romantic interest in Tom, and he knew the other felt the same way about him.

His betrothal contracts continued to arrive, lessening as December rolled along. He had received some lovely letters from those that he had already written, and he was looking forward to writing back to them again soon. 

“You forgot your scarf, Harry” Orion said from his place across the breakfast table, the Black heir took off the scarf from around his own neck and wrapped it around Harry’s. “I wouldn’t want you to get cold.”

Harry beamed at him, pulling the scarf up around him face and rubbing it against his cheek, “thank you, are you sure you won’t need it though?”

“Nah, it’s not even that cold.”

Several people raised their eyebrows at the blatant lie, Harry included, but he let it pass without comment.

“Tea?” Abraxas asked, from beside him and Harry nodded his thanks as a steaming cup was placed in front of him. 

Alphard had to hide his smirk as Harry continued to eat his toast, happily sipping on his tea as people around them talked of their weekend plans.

Harry blinked out of his morning stupor as an owl dropped a box down in front of him, narrowly missing his plate.

He fed the owl a bit of his toast as thanks before grabbing the package in excitement.

“What’s that you’ve got there?” Abraxas asked, blonde eyebrow raised in the closest approximation of curiosity a Malfoy will show.

Harry immediately pulled the box against his chest. “Nothing.” And before anyone could say or do anything else he jumped up and rushed out of the hall. He raced back to his dorm where he proceeded to cast every kind of concealment and hex, he could think of on it, to stop any of his nosy dorm mates from sneaking a look inside. As he left the Slytherin common room he realised that he needed to rush if he was going to make it to History of Magic on time.

He snuck into the class just as Professor Binns had started talking. Harry had been a little surprised to find that Binns was already a ghost in this time, he wondered just how long the man had been teaching for.

He slid in next to Theo and dutifully took out some parchment and quill and began taking notes. Well, that was the plan anyway, he quickly grew bored after a few minutes and began writing a letter to Fleamont, asking if the packages that he’d ordered had arrived at the manor and to make sure that the man didn’t go snooping through any of them. Harry had ordered every Christmas present he needed through owl post, and he was beyond excited for his first Christmas in this time. 

There was only a week left, and he would be travelling to Potter Manor for the first time in his life. He planned on spending the whole break relaxing with his family, aside from The Yule Ball at Malfoy Manor, which was apparently an annual thing, and a small gathering Fleamont had allowed him to have, with his friends for New Years Eve. He’d never gone ‘home’ for the holidays before and while Potter Manor may not be home just, yet he hoped that in time it would be.

+++++++++++++++++

That night as they sat around the fire relaxing, talk turned to the Malfoy’s Yule Ball.

“Father says there will be a dozen ice sculptors lining a full-sized ice-skating rink” Abraxas boasted, looking very pleased with himself.

“I’ve never been ice skating before, is it hard?” Harry asked.

“It can be, but don’t worry I’ll teach you” Abraxas said generously, and Harry smiled warmly, adjusting himself on his couch, his head resting on Orion’s lap. 

“Thank you”

“We can all go ice skating together” Orion spoke up and Harry blinked sleepily up at him.

“That sounds like fun. Are you bringing Walburga?”

Orion’s eyes shifted away for a moment.

“No, father has decided that she is not a good match for me after all.”

Harry’s eyes popped open, suddenly more alert. “Really?”

“Yep” Orion said, popping his p. “At the moment I am currently completely single.”

Harry wasn’t sure how to feel about that, he didn’t want Orion to have a miserable life with Walburga but now there would be no Sirius, well not in this timeline anyway.

“Are you bringing Meadow?” Tom asked Abraxas and Harry was confused by the smirk that played around his mouth.

Abraxas meanwhile looked as smug as ever, even more so actually which was really saying something.

“No. Our contract has been dissolved, at the moment I too am single.”

“What happened with Meadow?” Harry asked in surprise.

“I just decided that she wasn’t what I was looking for” Abraxas answered simply.

Abraxas and Orion shared a look, and Harry felt his stomach twist as the two stared each other down.

“So, we’re all single then. Sounds like this is going to be one hell of a party” Corvus spoke up, breaking the moment between Orion and Abraxas.

Harry let his mind wander as the others continued to chat, he turned his face into Orion’s stomach, feeling some of the tension leave him as a hand came down and ran through his hair. It seemed that Slytherins, once you got to know them, were big on physical affection, Harry had found himself regularly on the end of a pat on the back, or a hug. Arms that wrapped around his shoulders or a hand that grabbed his wrist. He had shied away from it at first, but he now drank in the warm touches, leaning into them and taking the comfort, they offered.

It's funny that a group of Slytherins were the first to really offer him this type of companionship.

++++++++++++++++++

“Got everything?” Theo asked as they both threw the last of their things into their trunks and closed them up ready for the house elves to collect.

“Yeah” Harry panted, clicking the lock shut on his overly full case, it seemed his things had doubled since arriving.

“Let’s head down to the common room and meet the others, we can all walk down to the carriages together.”

As they entered the common room, Corvus, Austin, Tom, Abraxas and Orion were indeed waiting for them. Orion and Abraxas were bent close together, deep in conversation that broke apart as they drew nearer.

“Ready?” Abraxas asked.

“Yep” Harry said, nervous excitement running through him. Tom was the only one who knew that he had never visited Potter Manor before.
Snow fell from the sky as the carriages made their way to Hogsmeade and Harry idly wondered if thestrals felt the cold or not. He hoped they didn’t.
He soon found himself warmly ensconced between Abraxas and Orion as the train roared towards London. The carriages were emptier then when they caught the train too and from school and Harry supposed it made sense with a large number of students staying behind at Hogwarts for Christmas. Indeed, Tom usually stayed at Hogwarts, Harry knew. Any reason to avoid the muggle orphanage that he had grown up in, but Harry knew he didn’t want to be at Hogwarts when his magical majority hit. Harry had invited him to Potter Manor for Christmas dinner and the older teen was planning to stay with them for the remainder of the winter break.

“Anything in particular you’re hoping to get for Christmas?” Orion asked, pulling Harry from his thoughts.

“Oh, not really. I will be happy with anything I get.”

Orion made a frustrated noise, but didn’t get a chance to say anything else as everyone began talking about what they were hoping to get.

He sat back and watched the scenery pass by, letting the conversation wash over him.

Before he knew it, they had arrived at Kings Cross Station, Theo and then Orion pulled him into a quick hug and to Harry’s surprise, Abraxas. He hugged the blonde back fiercely, worried that something was wrong and wanting to offer him comfort.

“I’ll see you in a few days for the Yule Ball” Harry murmured when they pulled away, “owl me if you need anything.”

Harry watched Abraxas walk away toward two blonde men who were watching them with raised eyebrows, Harry decided that he’d owl the youngest Malfoy tonight just to make sure everything was alright.

Charlus found him a moment later and they made their way to Fleamont together.

“Charlus” Fleamont said happily, pulling his little brother into a hug before turning to Harry himself. “Harry” Fleamont said smiling warmly as he hugged Harry as well. 

“Let’s head home.”

With a rushing feeling and a blur of colour Harry found himself standing in a large sitting room. A prominent fireplace was roaring on one wall, while rows and rows of books lined another, there was multiple comfortable looking lounges scattered around and a deep brown rug on the floor, it looked like the perfect place to spend a cold afternoon. 

“Welcome to Potter Manor” Fleamont grinned, and Harry felt his chest warm, and his hands start to shake a little. This was where his father grew up, where he might’ve grown up. Why had no one ever bothered to take him to this place in his own time?

“Let’s give him a tour” Charlus said excitedly, already walking towards the doors. Harry stumbled along behind them, overwhelmed.

The house was beautiful… and huge. The Dursleys house would have fit in it 10 times over. There were large sweeping staircases, family portraits hung on the walls, a large ball room, a formal dining area as well as a much smaller dining area that was used day to day. The kitchen was beautiful, and Harry got to meet two house elves that immediately started offering him food. There was a quidditch pitch, several large greenhouses and a lake surround by a forest of trees. Even though it was so big it still had a homey feel about it, it felt lived in and comfortable, welcoming and warm, he loved it immediately.

“So, what do you think of it? Fleamont asked and he turned to find both of his brothers watching him almost anxiously.

“I love it” Harry said honestly. “It’s brilliant.”

“You haven’t even seen the best part yet” Fleamont laughed, grabbing Harry’s hand and dragging him upstairs and past several bedrooms before they stopped outside one with an intricately carved wooden door.

“This is your room.”

Harry blinked owlishly.

“My room?” he croaked. “I-I’ve never had my own room before.”

Now it was Fleamont and Charlus’ turn to blink at him. It was the truth though, he’d had his cupboard, Dudley’s spare bedroom, he shared a dorm and shared a room with Ron at the Burrow and Grimmauld Place, but he’d never had a room that was actually his.

“Well, now you do” Fleamont said quietly, and Harry nodded thickly, words sticking in his throat as he leaned forward and pushed the door open. 

The room was big, with its own fireplace and sitting area in front of it, a desk was placed against the wall right near a window so that Harry could enjoy the view while he worked if he wanted to. The bed that sat opposite the fireplace was large and looked very comfortable and Harry was surprised to notice doors leading out to his very own balcony.

He turned to find Charlus and Fleamont beaming at him, practically bouncing on the spot.

“It’s amazing” Harry said breathlessly.

“We’ll leave you to get settled” Fleamont grinned, “our rooms are in this hall if you’re looking for us.”

They both filed out quietly and as the door closed behind them Harry found himself collapsing face first on to the bed. His bed. He rolled on to his back and stared at the ceiling giving himself time to process everything. Unsurprisingly he fell asleep.

++++++++++++++++++++

“I’ve taken the liberty of ordering you both a new set of robes for the Malfoys Yule Ball” Fleamont announced after Harry had been shaken awake and escorted to dinner by an amused Charlus

“Blue for you Charlus and Green for you Harry.”

“Is this ball a big deal?” Harry asked, it seemed to be the main topic of conversation everywhere he went lately.

“It’s the social even of the year. The Malfoys spare no expense and anyone who’s anyone goes. It’s a great way to meet new connections and stay in contact with people you don’t get to see that often.”

“Sounds like fun” Harry said.

“It is” Fleamont agreed, “though it can be a bit of a political minefield. “Everyone will be wanting to talk to and meet you, you will no doubt be the talk of the ball.”
Harry’s face fell at that.

“Don’t let it worry you” Fleamont reassured him. “Just be polite and if anyone is bothering you come and find myself or Charlus, we will make sure there’s no problems.”

Harry nodded but secretly wondered if it was too late to get out of going.

++++++++++++++

He spent the next few days exploring the Manor and spending time with Charlus and Fleamont. It was nice to have a place where he was safe from the outside world, and he could just relax and be himself. Even if that means blowing up half a table when the potion that he and Fleamont had been working on had gone awry. Luckily Fleamont had only laughed at Harry’s mistake.

++++++++++++++++++++

The night of the ball found all three Potter men trying, with varying degrees of success to tame their wild hair. It seemed that no matter the time, Potter hair was infamous. Harry pulled on his new robes and paused to admire himself in the mirror, the darkness of the robes highlighting his pale features making his eyes pop. He decided to wait in the main sitting room for the others to arrive, which thankfully didn’t take long. Charlus walking in a few minutes later adjust robes of midnight blue, Fleamont a few minutes after that in robes of a pale silver. 
Charlus went through the floo first, followed by Harry, who flew out the other side, crashing into a waiting Abraxas with a thump.

“Oof” the blonde grunted, reaching to steady Harry as he found his feet.

“Sorry” Harry gasped, “floo’s never seem to like me.”

“It's quite alright” Abraxas said, running his hands over Harry’s arms and back, straightening his robes and brushing off any soot that remained. 

A voice clearing had them both straightening, but Abraxas didn’t move away, instead a warm hand was placed at the small of his back and he was guided over to the two blonde men that he had seen at the station as well as two beautiful women. 

“Harry this is my father Hyperion and my mother Hortensia” Harry wasn’t sure what to do, so bowed awkwardly to Abraxas’ parents. “And this is my grandfather Lucius and grandmother Marigold.”

Harry startled a little at the name Lucius, Abraxas had named his son after his grandfather? The man was obviously very important to him then. He bowed again.

“It’s nice to meet you.” He searched around for something else to say. “Thank you for inviting me to your party.”

Hyperion and Lucius shared an amused look and Harry wondered if he’d said the wrong thing.

“It’s a pleasure to have you here, Harry.” Hyperion said. “You will have to come and visit us another time, when things aren’t quite so busy.” He shot a rueful look behind Harry and Harry glanced over his shoulder to find, not just Fleamont and Charlus waiting but a half dozen other people as well, all eyeing Harry with a mixture of curiosity and distain.

“Oh gosh” Harry gasped face flaming as he ducked away from Abraxas, ignoring the blondes frown. “I’m sorry for holding you up.”
Fleamont and Charlus stepped forward looking amused. They bowed graciously at their hosts before shuffling out of the room, taking Harry with them.

Thankfully he soon forgot about his embarrassment as they swept into a large ball room, much bigger than the one at Potter Manor, that was crowded with people.

The room was gorgeously decorated, tables filled with food lined the walls and a full orchestra was serenading the crowd into dancing. There were thousands of floating pixies illuminating the ceiling like stars and everywhere he looked people were dressed in beautiful dresses and robes. He now felt quite glad Fleamont had got him new robes for the occasion.

They walked through the crowd.

“That’s Martin Francis, editor at the Daily Prophet, he’s part of the case our lawyers are currently taking against the paper” Fleamont whispered in his ear.

“That’s Madam Clipstone, she’s quite high up in the ministry, she works with the unspeakables most of the time” Charlus said on his other side.

Harry nodded trying to take in the flaxen haired male and dour looking female, but he soon lost them in the crowd as other people were pointed out to him.

“Are this must be your infamous brother” a loud voice boomed as a large red-haired man stepped into their path.

“Ah, Septimus nice to see you” Fleamont said warmly, leaning forward to grip the man’s hand. “This is my brother Harry; Harry this is Septimus Weasley.”

Harry stared at the man as understanding dawned on him, this must be Ron’s grandfather. He leaned forward and shook the man’s hand as well.

“It’s nice to meet you.”

The man eyed him for a moment, “I’ve heard a lot about you, Harry. Don’t be surprised if you are inundated with dance offers tonight. I know a lot of people who have been dying to talk to you.”

Harry felt quite alarmed by that statement, which unfortunately turned out to be quite true when Harry was asked to dance not a minute later by a young man in pale yellow robes.

He hadn’t even had time to answer before the man was leading him on to the dance floor. He felt a moment of panic, he didn’t know how to dance! The older man swept him into his arms though and began guiding him around the dance floor with ease.

“My name is Bertrand Smith, it’s a pleasure to meet you Mr Potter.”

“Uh, hi” Harry managed to stammer out and causing Bertrand to smile down at him. The man was kind, asking Harry about his evening and how his year at Hogwarts was going. Harry managed to mumble out some reply’s but honestly, the man must’ve thought he was a complete idiot. By the time the end of their dance rolled around, Harry hadn’t even asked him one question about himself. Bertrand didn’t seem to mind though, leaning down to kiss his hand softly before walking away.

Harry stood there flummoxed for a moment, startling when another man pulled him into his arms and began to dance. This continued over and over again, Harry would’ve put a stop to it, but he felt like he spent the whole time struggling to keep up with the situation, his mind stumbling along behind him.

After 6 dances he was just beginning to wonder if he could feign an injury to escape when strong arms and familiar curly dark hair pulled him into his arms.

“Enjoying yourself, Harry?” Orion said as he grinned down at him.

“Get me out of here now, please” Harry hissed and Orion, thankfully, was quick to comply, leading Harry through the room and outside. The wash of cool air had him feeling calmer in moments, as did the firm grip Orion had on his waist. He felt himself relax a little.

“Thank you” he said earnestly. “They wouldn’t stop coming and I couldn’t get away.”

Orion nodded. “You looked like you were being forced to swallow bubotuber pus, I thought I better intervene. Besides you promised to go ice skating with us.”

While they had been talking Orion had led them down a garden path that opened up to a beautiful ice-skating rink, with ice sculptures dotted around. Theo, Avery, Corvus, Tom and Abraxas were waiting for them and Harry raced over excitedly.

“Here” Abraxas said, gently tapping the sides of Harry shoes with his wand. The sole of the shoe lengthened to a point, similar to ice skates Harry had seen muggles wearing.

Harry made his way cautiously on to the ice and nearly slipped over on his third step, it was more slippery than it looked! Theo zoomed past him, quickly followed by Austin and Corvus. Orion was making his way towards him, but Tom got there first.

“Need a hand, Harry?” Tom asked sticking out his elbow for Harry to grip.

“No, whatever gave you that idea?” Harry laughed, and Toms lips twitched.

“Oh, I don’t know, perhaps the impersonation your doing of a baby deer taking it’s first steps right now.”

“Fair” Harry agreed, reaching out to take hold of Toms arm as they began to slowly make their way around the rink.

“Remember, you’re not trying to take steps like you would on normal ground, you are trying to push your foot forward, like they’re gliding” Tom proceeded to demonstrate, and Harry attempted to copy. It went about as well as you would expect.

Abraxas laughed as he skated by, and Harry had to fight the urge to stick his finger up at him.

“How has your break been?” Harry asked, eyes still firmly fixed on his feet.

“It has been alright; everyone stays away from me for the most part and I packed enough food from Hogwarts under a statis charm that I am not hungry.”

Harry stared at him. “You’ve been hungry?”

“I just said I have not.”

“No, in the past?” Hunger was something Harry knew all too well.

“Of course, orphanages are extremely underfunded.”

“Maybe that’s something we could fix” Harry said, his thoughts running away with children going hungry. “Perhaps even set up a magical orphanage, though those children would probably get adopted into magical families quite quickly” Harry said thoughtfully, and Tom turned to stare at him.

“Magical orphanages?” Tom said quietly.

“Sure” Harry said enthusiastically. “I’m sure you’re not the only magical being that has been sent to a muggle orphanage.”

Tom continued to stare at him and Harry realised they had stopped skating.

“Perhaps welfare checks for muggleborns as well? I am sure that you are not the only magical child who was brought up in less the ideal circumstances by magical hating relatives.”

Harry’s heart thumped loudly in his chest.

“Yeah” he said softly, then more loudly, “yeah, that’s a great idea Tom.”

They continued skating, both lost in thought for a moment. 

“You can come to stay at my place now if you like?”

“No, that’s quite alright, thank you. I want you to have some time alone with your brothers. I know this is your first family Christmas.”

Harry shook his head, “I don’t want you to suffer for it though.”

A small smiled pulled at Toms mouth, “I assure you I am not suffering, it has allowed me some time to get a few things sorted actually.”

“Nothing murderey, right?”

And this time Tom actually laughed, “no nothing murderey. I have been looking for places that I could rent over the summer, part time jobs to fund it, that kind of thing. Once I reach my majority, I won’t have to stay at the orphanage any longer.”

“Oh, that’s a good idea” Harry said. “Perhaps Fleamont has some ideas, I will check with him tomorrow and let you know when you come to stay.”

Tom let out a very put upon sigh and Harry grinned. “Very well.”

They skated for a while longer before Abraxas interrupted them, taking Harry’s hand and leading him around the rink a few times as well. 

“I better return to hosting duties” Abraxas said with a sorrowful air and Harry patted his arm in commiseration.

“Luckily you are so very good at it.”

Abraxas nodded before leaning down and pressing his lips to the back of Harry hand, this was the second time this had happened to him this evening. This time Harry had the presence of mind to take the gesture in, his cheeks flushing lightly as the Malfoy heir smiled at him then walked away.

Harry watched him go before Orion brushed past him, “I better return as well and ensure I’m not needed for anything by my family.”

“Alright,” Harry called after his retreating back. “Come find me later, if you want.”

He looked around the rink and found that Tom had vanished as well and Austin, Corvus and Theo were currently skating around with pretty looking witches.
He smiled for a moment before walking off the ice, thankfully someone came and tapped his shoes with their wand to return them to normal, he assumed it was someone the Malfoy’s had hired for that very task.

He wandered back along the dimly lit path, looking around when he heard voices nearby, though he couldn’t make out what they were saying he thought he recognised them. He took a few steps off the path and came across Abraxas and Orion kissing passionately. Abraxas had his hand tangled in Orion’s curls and Orion was gripping Abraxas’ robes, holding him close.

He stared for a moment, feeling the whole world stop. His stomach dropped into his feet and his breathing caught, a roiling sickness tore through him before he managed to rip his gaze away. He stumbled away, back on to the path, cursing himself for ever straying off it in the first place. He felt his blood pounding in his ears as he made his was back inside. People tried to talk to him, but he brushed them aside, seeking out either Fleamont or Charlus.

He spotted Fleamont’s familiar messy locks, hurrying through the crowed toward him, only hesitating as he realised that Fleamont was in conversation with several important looking men.

Fleamont caught his eye, though, immediately realising that something was wrong.

“Harry, are you alright?” Fleamont asked in concern.

“Yeah” Harry croaked. “Just, feeling a bit overwhelmed, thought I might head back to Potter Manor?”

“Of course,” Fleamont agreed instantly. “Would you like me to come with you?”

“No” Harry said waving his hands. “No, it’s fine, you stay and enjoy the party. I think I just want to be alone for a while anyway.”

Fleamont looked like he wasn’t sure if that a good idea or not.

“Alright” he finally relented, “I will return home shortly though.”

Harry nodded in understanding, “bye, have fun” he said awkwardly as he turned and started walking back to the room, they had arrived in. Thankfully it now stood empty, he grabbed a pinch of floo powder, threw it in the fire and shouted.

“Potter Manor!” 

Chapter Text

“Abraxas! Wait up!” Orion called as he hurried away from the ice-skating rink and after the blonde. Thankfully said Blonde heard him and stopped, waiting for him to catch up.

“Can we talk?”

He waited as Abraxas stared at him appraisingly for a moment.

“Okay, but not here.”

Abraxas walked off the path, not far but enough to give them some privacy, Orion trailed behind.

“What this about?” Abraxas asked, brow furrowing in confusion.

“Harry” Orion said simply, and Abraxas’ face became hard.

“What about Harry?”

“Come now Abraxas, lets at least be honest with each other. We are clearly both interested in Harry.”

“And what of it?” Abraxas said, giving nothing away and Orion had to fight back the urge to sigh.

“I was thinking instead of competing against each other we should team up, work together to win Harry and keep any other competition away.”

Abraxas looked unconvinced, “he would still need to decide between us, eventually.”

“Would he?” Orion smirked, willing the Malfoy heir to understand, smiling when the realisation struck him. 

“Share him” Abraxas whispered, and Orion nodded.

“Imagine it, Harry being ours. We’d take such good care of him, better than anyone else ever could. It would bring together the Black, Malfoy and Potter families, it will be the match of the century.”

Abraxas’ eyes turned shrewd, contemplating and Orion held his breath knowing that if the other agreed, Harry would be theirs. There is nothing that could stand against the will of a Black and a Malfoy together.

Abraxas still looked unsure, “and what about us? Would we also be intimately involved?”

Orion hadn’t thought of that and honestly wasn’t sure what to think of it now. He had never thought of Abraxas in that manner, too many years of friendship.

Without giving it too much consideration and spurred on by the few glasses of wine he’d had, he leant forward and pulled Abraxas into a fierce kiss, fingers running through blonde locks as hands reached up to grip his own robes.

They broke apart after a few moments, both staring at each other wide eyed and panting. 

“Maybe not” Abraxas grinned a little.

“I definitely think we need Harry included into the mix,” Orion agreed cheerfully “you kept trying to force your tongue in my mouth, I thought I was going to choke on it.”

“Well, I’m surprised I don’t have a bald patch from where you were tugging on my hair so hard.”

“You should have let me take the lead” Orion laughed.

“I clearly have more experience than you, you should have followed my lead” Abraxas said indignantly.

Orion choked on another laugh, “there is no world where you have more experience with kissing than I do!”

“There is, and this is it!” 

Orion waved his hands in surrender, “alright… okay so clearly we need Harry to balance us out.”

Abraxas took a deep breath, straightening his hair before he nodded in agreement. 

“There is no us without Harry.”

“But you’re willing to give it a try, working together to try to court Harry, with the goal to end up in a triad relationship between the three of us?”

Abraxas looked contemplative, “I am willing” he said slowly.

Orion breathed a sigh of relief and felt his shoulders start to loosen.

“Great. I will owl you over the holidays and we can arrange a time to meet up and start planning.”

“Agreed” Abraxas nodded. “Now let’s get back to the party before anyone notices that we are missing.

They walked back on to the path and headed inside the ballroom, both surreptitiously keeping an eye out for Harry. With a nod they each headed off to their own families, ideas already beginning to form.

++++++++++++++++++++

Harry stumbled as he fell out of the floo into the quiet of Potter Manor, it was nearly jarring after all the noise and people at the Malfoy’s party. He brushed as much soot off himself as he could before walking up to his room, he listlessly stripped out of his fancy robes, leaving them where they fell as he changed into his comfortable pyjamas and climbed into bed. 

It had been a big evening, and he was tired but unsurprisingly sleep illuded him. His stomach still felt like a writhing mass since he’d witnessed Abraxas and Orion kissing. He was self-aware enough to realise that since they were both currently single a small part of him had held out hope that perhaps one of them may reach out to court him. Which was crazy, he knew that. There was no way that the Malfoy or Black heir would be interested in him in that way. He supposed he was also a little upset that if Abraxas and Orion got together then there would be no Sirius… no Draco in the world, the thought made him endlessly sad. He knew it was ridiculous, so much had changed that that future was long gone anyway, he thought that he had accepted it, but seeing Abraxas and Orion kissing had made it all seem more real.

He curled tighter into his blankets, tomorrow he would feel happy for his friends, tonight he would grieve the futures lost to him.

++++++++++++++++++++++

When Harry awoke the next morning, he felt a little better. He was tired and felt listless, but that was probably more from the late night than anything.

Fleamont and Charlus greeted him cheerfully at the breakfast table and Harry managed to dredge up a smile that only felt half forced. He missed the look Charlus and Fleamont shared as he nibbled the corner of a piece of buttered toast.

“Did you have a good night?” Fleamont asked.

“It was nice” Harry said softly.

“Only nice?” Charlus asked. “I saw you on the ice-skating rink with Tom and it looked like you were having fun.”

Harry’s mood lightened a little, “that was a lot of fun. Are there any ice-skating rinks we could visit?”

“Of course,” Fleamont said enthusiastically. “We could visit one tomorrow if you like?”

“That would be good” Harry admitted.

“You could invite a friend to join us if you like?” Fleamont offered but Harry immediately declined.

“No. No, thank you. I think it would be nice if it was just the three of us.”

“Of course,” Charlus piped up at Fleamont’s concerned look. “Some brotherly bonding time.”

++++++++++++++++++++++

Harry did his best to shake off his dour mood, determined not to let it ruin his first Christmas with his family. He had been through worse after all and survived it, in the grand scheme of things this was nothing. 

Charlus and Fleamont could clearly tell that something was bothering him, but they took their que from him and didn’t question him about it. Instead, both seemed determined to distract him from whatever was wrong. Charlus took him out flying for hours after breakfast and then Fleamont spent the afternoon, going through the whole of the Potter family tree and showing Harry every photo that they had of their family. 

“The Potter hair really is genetic” he laughed as he looked at yet another ancestor with unruly locks.

The house elves made his favourites for dinner and by the time he went to bed that night he was actually feeling a bit better.

They went ice skating the next day and Harry wasn’t sure he’d ever had so much fun before. It turned out that Fleamont and Charlus were nearly as bad at ice skating as Harry was and they all laughed themselves silly as they slid and slipped all over the ice. Fleamont took about a thousand photos of the three of them throughout the day that he then diligently added to the Potter albums that night. He even enlarged one and put it in a frame above the fireplace. It made Harry’s insides squirm with happiness.

They spent Christmas eve together organising and preparing to send out all the presents that they had bought for other people.

“There’s a spell” Fleamont explained, and Harry wondered why he’d never really thought to question this before. “Some people use owls, but an owl can’t deliver dozens of different presents all over the place and time it so that they arrive exactly when you want them to. No, it’s much easier to use this spell.”

Harry watched intently as Fleamont waved his wand and said “ifesa”

“You have to be thinking clearly of who the present is for when you cast it. The spell holds the present in stasis releasing it to that person right before they wake up on Christmas morning.”

“That’s amazing” Harry said, honestly impressed with whoever had come up with such a useful spell.

“It really is. Most people spend the day before Christmas organising their presents and casting the spell, so everything is ready for the next day.”

Harry nodded in understanding, they went through the spell a few times, practising before all three got to work casting on the presents they wanted to send.

It took longer than he thought, but eventually everything but Charlus, Fleamont and Tom’s presents were sitting in stasis ready to go the next day. He hoped everyone like the presents he had gotten them.

++++++++++++++++++

When Harry woke up the next day, he found a large pile of presents sitting at the end of his bed… well large might be a bit of an understatement. It was huge! Covering half his body and overflowing off the bed and on to the floor around him.

He let out a sound of surprise. He had never gotten so many presents before in his entire like, let alone just from one Christmas. He thought he might have even been more than Dudley had gotten on his last birthday.

Hesitantly he reached out and picked up the first present, it was

from a man named Josef Billington. Ah most of these must be from potential suitors. That made sense.

He moved it to the side, carefully sorting through the huge pile until he had a much more reasonable pile sitting in front of him, from people he actually knew, while the others he had moved onto his desk for him to open at another time.

He picked up the present and saw it was from Corvus, he ripped open the paper to find a large bag of Bertie Botts every flavour beans. He smiled, this would be a good one to save for when they were all back at school and could share them in the common room. His next present was from Theo, he opened it carefully, gasping as personalised quidditch gloves rolled out. They were black dragonhide and his initials were embroidered on the side of each glove in a deep forest green. Harry loved them, pulling them on immediately to get a feel for them. He opened a few more presents, receiving, sweets, books and a broom care kit. Finally, he was left with just two presents. He picked up the first one to catch his eye and found it was from Abraxas.

His stomach swooped before he took a deep breath and opened the present, two tickets to Puddlemere United Vs the Hollyhead Harpies fell out. He grinned from ear to ear as he read through the information, other than the quidditch world cup he’d never been to a professional quidditch game, this was going to be so much fun! He reminded himself how lucky he was to have a friend like Abraxas.

One present left. As he pulled open the paper he gasped in surprise, it was a tiny bottle of Felix Felicis, liquid luck. Orion had either spent a great deal of money on this or he’d gone to a lot of trouble to make it himself. Either way it was a very thoughtful and useful gift. He carefully tucked the bottle under his pillow for safe keeping. 

When he made his way downstairs a little while later, he found Fleamont and Charlus waiting for him in the cosiest sitting room, where they had set up the tree. They were laughing about something and drinking large mugs of hot chocolate. He paused for a second, remembering that Charlus and Fleamont had been on their own for years, had their own traditions just the two of them, but then Fleamont spotted him and smiled, waving him over and he reminded himself that he was a part of those traditions now too. 

“Merry Christmas!” Charlus and Fleamont chorused together, and Harry grinned.

“Merry Christmas to you” Harry laughed, taking a seat on the couch next to Charlus.

“Did you get some nice presents?” Fleamont asked.

Harry took a sip of the hot chocolate that appeared before him, thinking of the pile of presents upstairs.

“Yeah, I got a few.”

“Well, none of them will compare to our presents” Charlus joked handing over several beautifully wrapped gifts. Harry reached under the tree and handed over their own presents from him and the three of them dutifully began unwrapping. A huge box of Zonko’s pranks, several texts on the history of the wizarding world (Hermione would have loved that) quidditch practice robes – “so you can train whenever you’re at home” Fleamont explained – and lastly a leather clad album. He opened it up to find a whole bunch of photos, many of the ones he had been admiring the other day in Fleamont’s study, but there was also ones from his time since he’d arrived at the manor, when he hadn’t even been aware he was being photographed. The look on his face when he first arrived at Potter Manor, the three of them eating dinner on his first night, flying with Charlus, playing chess with Fleamont, and of course photos from their ice-skating adventure.

“The album gets bigger as soon as the pages are full, so you will never run out of space. We thought you would like your very own family album.”

Harry paused on a page that showed an image of Harry and Charlus laughing uproariously as Fleamont laid on the ice at their feet having just fallen over. He ran his finger down the delicate edge of the page, swallowing thickly, he looked up at his brothers.

“I love it” he whispered, causing Fleamont and Charlus to break out in relieved grins.

After presents, Fleamont announced that he needed some fresh air, Harry followed him outside bemusedly only to find everything completely covered in snow.

His mouth dropped open in surprise. “Did it snow last night?”

Charlus laughed, “nope. We helped things along a little bit. Christmas morning snowball fight is a Potter tradition” and before Harry even knew what was happening a snowball hit him in the chest sending snow flying in all directions.

Fleamont roared with laughter as Harry stared at him in shock. 

“Oh, it’s on” he laughed already leaning down to scoop up a handful of snow.

“No magic allowed!” Charlus cried as he took off running across the lawn, but Harry only had eyes for Fleamont, who was already backing away.

He took aim and threw, groaning as the snowball sailed over Fleamont’s head as the older man ducked down. Luckily his escape didn’t last long as Charlus hit him in the back of the head before running off again.

Harry and Fleamont shared a look before they both took off after him.

+++++++++++++++++

They had a quiet lunch, just the three of them, everyone still riding the high of their snowball fight before Charlus and Fleamont headed to their rooms for a rest before dinner and Harry headed to the floo receiving room, which was just the nicest sitting room, to wait for Tom.

He sat, flicking through his new album, looking up as the flames flared green and Tom stepped through. 

He took a moment to appreciate the fact that he was smiling at the sight of Tom Riddle, instead of cowering in fear at the sight of Voldemort, before he stood up to greet his friend.

“Merry Christmas” Tom said formally, and Harry gave him a fond look before pulling the taller teen into a quick hug.

“Merry Christmas. How has your day been so far?”

Tom shrugged, putting his bag down beside the door before taking a seat.

“The usual.”

Harry frowned and thought Toms usual was pretty similar to how things used to be for him at the Dursleys, before he found out he was a wizard. 

“Are you hungry? Dinner won’t be for a few hours yet, but we can get you something from the kitchen.”

“I ate at the Leaky Cauldron before flooing here, thank you though.”

Harry nodded, “well how about we take your things up to your room and you can get settled?”

“That would be good.”

Harry gave him a quick tour as they walked, showing him where the kitchen, library and bathrooms were before arriving at Toms room.

“My room is right next door” Harry explained, waving to the room to the right. “Come get me after you’ve settled in. Feel free to have a shower or anything if you want.”

Harry wasn’t sure how much access he had to that kind of thing at the orphanage.

Harry went back to his room where he pulled out the box he’d received a few weeks ago at Hogwarts. Tom’s Christmas present. He sure hoped the other liked it.

+++++++++++++++++++++

“Welcome Tom” Fleamont greeted jovially as Harry and Tom came downstairs for dinner.

“Thank you very much for having me, Lord Potter” Tom replied with a bow, causing Fleamont to chuckle.

“Fleamont is perfectly alright. Come, let’s sit down” Fleamont said, ushering everyone to their places at the table. The table that was ladened with so much food the wood was starting to creak.

“As you can see, the house elves have outdone themselves this year, so I hope you’re all hungry.”

There was so much food it reminded him of Christmas at Hogwarts, except there was only four of them here to eat it.

“I’ll do my best” Harry said seriously, amusement glittering in his eyes as he began piling his plate with food.

“So, Tom, Harry tells us you’re in Slytherin, a prefect and top of nearly every class, that’s quite impressive.”

Harry smiled as Tom tried to look modest but mostly looked smug.

“I work hard.”

“Ambitious” Fleamont nodded, “there’s nothing wrong with that.”

“Actually” Harry spoke up, “that reminds me. Tom is looking for somewhere to live once he reaches his majority. I was wondering if you could recommend anywhere?”

Fleamont glanced between Tom and Harry for a moment, obviously wanting to know why Tom couldn’t stay where he currently was. Thankfully he didn’t ask.

“Where are you thinking, Tom?”

Tom wiped his mouth with his napkin, looking thoughtful.

“Well, anywhere really. But preferably I would like to be close to Diagon Alley.”

Fleamont looked thoughtful, “leave it with me” he said at last, “I’ll reach out to a few contacts I have and see if there is anything around. Though of course you are welcome to stay here in the meantime.”

“Thank you” Tom said graciously, and Harry smiled pleased with how well that had gone.

When they had eaten so much that Harry was concerned that he wouldn’t be able to make it back to his room, they wished Fleamont and Charlus a goodnight and made their way back upstairs. Harry pulled Tom into his room and cast several spells so they wouldn’t be disturbed. Tom looked at him curiously.

“I got you a Christmas present” Harry explained.

“Ah. I have one for you also” Tom said reaching into his pocket and pulling out a small package before tapping it with his wand to expand it.

Harry took the gift with a whispered thank you. He pulled the paper aside to reveal a piece of parchment, folded. He pulled it open to find that it was completely blank, he glanced up to Tom in confusion. Tom smirked and leant forward.

“I solemnly swear that I am up to no good.”

Harry gasped, eyes widening as a map of Hogwarts began to take shape.

“I-it’s the Marauders map! Harry mumbled, eyes flicking between Tom and the map as though he couldn’t decide which deserved his attention the most.
“It is. You told me so much about the map and how much it meant to you. It made you feel closer to your father and aided you when you needed it most. I know it’s not quite the same, but I thought you might like to have a version of the map in this life as well.”

Harry blinked, his throat burning. He swallowed, then swallowed again before looking back up at Tom.

“Thank you” he whispered, and Tom looked pleased.

“It really is an ingenious idea, once you mentioned it, I couldn’t help but try to recreate it. I’m sure it will prove very useful.”

Harry snorted, “I’m sure we’ll find something to do with it.”

Harry tapped the paper, saying mischief managed, before he carefully folded the map up and sat it on his bedside table.

Harry then went over to his dresser and pulled out the now wrapped box for Tom.

“Merry Christmas” Harry said, handing the box over to Tom, who was looking at it as though it may explode at any minute.

Tom ripped the paper off before slowly opening the box, inside, nestled amongst green velvet sat a ring. The Gaunt ring.

Tom didn’t know that though.

Harry began to explain. “You know how we were talking about your magical inheritance when you came of age. Becoming the heir of Slytherin and all that?”

Tom nodded slowly.

“Well, it got me thinking about any relatives you may still have. I contacted a private auror. They are like a private investigator or bodyguards in the muggle world.

Well, I contacted one and got him to look into it for me.”

Tom stared at him, riveted.

“He managed to find an uncle of yours, a Morphin Gaunt. Said the man was out of his mind and living in complete filth. He contacted St Mungo’s who came to check on him. It seems that he had suffered extensively under the cruciatus curse, probably from your grandfather. Anyway, they admitted him to the spell damage ward where he can be taken care of. But for you that means that all titles that he held have now been relinquished and once you come of age all you have to do is go to Gringotts for an inheritance test and they will be yours.”

Tom stared at him in astonishment. Harry had been worried that if there had been any family members standing in Toms way from inheriting, he might kill them. This way Morphin is getting taken care of and Tom isn’t tempted to stray from their no killing people pact.

“The ring?” Tom asked, glancing down at the box in his hands.

“It’s a family heirloom. It was found in the house where Morphin was living.”

Tom picked up the ring, looking at it with reverence.

“I thought when we went to Gringotts we could get the goblins to check it out and if it doesn’t already have them, imbibe it with all those spells that are usually on heir rings.”

Tom slid the ring on to his finger, eyes darkening for a moment before he looked up at Harry. 

“Thank you, Harry. No one has ever done such a thing for me before.”

“We’re in this together, remember. Building a better future for the wizarding world.”