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Chapter Two:

The next morning, when Draco again woke up, he found himself once more entwined with Harry Potter. At least this time he understood what was happening, and a part of himself was even secretly gleeful that his Protectorate was a cuddler.

While he lay there waiting for Harry to wake up, Draco considered the things that he needed to get done. He would need to talk to Gentleheart and make sure that nothing had changed with his inheritances, which meant another blasted line test. While he was writing about that, he needed to see about getting some Account Managers here to the school to see about mass line tests being done. He also needed to get a letter to his solicitor and make sure she knew what had happened.

He wanted to have a letter written to his mother to see if she and Theodosia would like to use Cottage on the Cliff, which had been his Grandfather Abraxas’ home. When he’d passed on, he made Draco his soul heir, much to Lucius’ displeasure. The manor hadn’t been used much since his grandfather’s death and needed a good remodel. It was something his mother enjoyed, and he thought maybe redoing the cottage and enjoying the fresh sea air would do her some good.

Of course, these three letters would mean Apollo helping him because Draco’s hands were still too shaky to write letters. That thought gave him something else to think about, and he would need to discuss it with either McGonagall or his Godfather. He needed to know if he would be allowed to have someone, most likely Apollo, write his papers for him if Draco dictated them for the PA Elf.

“Apollo!” Draco called softly, and his friend and Elf immediately popped in. “I need to dictate to you some letters. Can you also open the curtains around the bed? I know Harry is still sleeping, but from what I gathered yesterday, it seemed that he is quite the sound sleeper.”

“Of course,” Apollo agreed, first opening the curtains and then popping himself to sit at the end of the bed with a little writing desk on his lap. On the desk was an inkwell and a quill, and next to him on the bed were some rolls of parchment. “Who we starting with?”

“Let’s start with Gentleheart and my solicitor, Gloria Stewart-Thistlethorps. Gloria, first I think. I just want to write her a short missive to let her know that I came online and that I need to know if there are any contracts, wills, or other legal matters that my being an online Guardian will change. Ready?”

“I ready!” Apollo declared, picking up the quill and waiting for Draco to begin the dictation.

Madam Gloria Stewart-Thistlethorps, 

Good salutations. I hope that you are doing well. I am sending you this letter to keep you informed of my happenings. As you know, Father died during the summer at the wand of the Dark Lord. I don’t know if I told you or not, but I have taken in my Godbrother Theodore Nott, who was cast out of his home because he did not want to be marked with the Dark Mark. 

The latest news is that I have come online as a Guardian and already know who my Sentinel is. It is Harry Potter, and we have declared a truce between us. Neither of us wants to be arguing with the other while we have that noseless megalomaniacal maniac out for the two of us. We went to shake hands, and the world exploded inside of my head.

I do not know if this will change anything for me legally. I am going to be writing a letter to my account manager at Gringotts, Master Gragin Gentleheart, to see about some things there. I will advise you that I am going to be talking to him about getting line tests done for anyone within Hogwarts who wants one. Heir Mercury Barrows and his House will be splitting the costs with the House of Malfoy. I have already conferred with Lord Barrows, and he was most excited about the idea.

I was hoping that you could check into my circumstances legally to see if anything has changed for me with my new Guardianship status. Not that I need any more money, but I was interested in seeing if any outstanding inheritances would be mine now that I am an online Guardian. If so, I would like your opinion on setting up a trust fund for those who have come online and may not be as wealthy as I am and may need funds for changes in their living circumstances. 

While we are discussing legal circumstances, I want you to know that Headmaster Dumbledore – and hopefully soon I can say former Headmaster – tried to interfere in the bonding between myself and Heir Potter. He both tried to order us to be separated and tried to separate us himself when no one would comply with his order. As I am sure you can guess, I am not happy with this action and would like you to keep an eye on the legal matters. Deputy Headmistress McGonagall saw to it that he was arrested, but I want to make sure that he does not weasel out of charges, of which there should be more than just the bond interference charge. If needed, we can meet in person to discuss that, but McGonagall has already thought of that also.

I do not think that I have any further questions, but this is quite new to me – I am writing this letter to you the morning after I came online – and I am not sure what I don’t know to ask the question, if that makes sense. 

I look forward to hearing back from you at your convenience.

Sincerely,

Guardian Lord Draconis Abraxas Malfoy-Black

“How did that sound, do you think, Apollo?” Draco asked, and the Elf nodded as he cast a spell to rapidly dry the ink so he could start on the next one.

“Sounded very good to me, Master Draco,” Apollo complimented before putting a new sheet of parchment on the tabletop and looking to Draco expectantly.

Master Gragin Gentleheart, Account Manager,

I hope that this letter finds you well and your horde overflowing with gold and treasures. I am writing this letter to you – well, Apollo is writing it technically, I am just dictating it for him – from the infirmary at Hogwarts. Heir Potter and I called a truce yesterday and, upon coming to an agreement, went to shake hands only for both of us to be pulled online.

Not only that, but apparently we pulled others online as well. The ones that I know about are fellow fifth years Lord Theodore Nott, Heir Pansy Parkinson, Heir Harry Potter, Hermione Granger, Heir Susan Bones, and 4th year Heir Luna Lovegood. Then we also pulled online Heir Mercury Barrows. I am sure that at some point, hopefully in the near future, we will find out that Ms. Granger is also an heir, but since she has not had a line test run yet, we can only speculate.

Which brings me to the point of this letter. I have spoken with Heir Barrows as well as his father, Lord Sterling Barrows, and come to an agreement. The House of Malfoy, along with the House of Barrows, will be uniting to pay for any student at Hogwarts who wants to have a line test run to do so, and we will be paying for it. This is where you and hopefully some of your other account managers come in.

I was hoping that you and whoever else is willing would come to the castle some weekend, probably a Saturday, and see about testing whoever wants it done. I don’t know the total cost, but I am not worried about it. I already have my solicitor looking into the possibility of further inheritances legally because I came online. 

I know that some families traditionally set aside funds for whoever comes online as a Protectorate or Guardian, and I am hoping that is the case for the House of Malfoy. Obviously, we will pay for your time and for the tests themselves. I do believe that this will benefit not only the students tested, but the bank as well. In that light, while we are more than willing to pay the fees, I was hoping that we could work out some deal for a group rate. I suspect a great number of students will get tested, if for no other reason than to spend my money. 

I am also going to set up some trusts with any money that I may come into because of coming online. While I am talking to you, I wanted to know if you could notify the Potter Account Manager of what is going on with Harry so that they can prepare for anything needed there. 

I don’t know if he has an official solicitor. If not, is his account manager able to look into the issue of any additional inheritances now that he is a Protectorate? Or would his account manager know who Heir Potter’s solicitor is if he has one? Now that we are connected, I want to make sure that his life in general improves from what I suspect is happening at the moment. I am not sure when we will have time to meet, but if you believe that we should, then I am happy to do so.

If there is anything else that you think needs to be done with my coming online, please do so. If you need my agreement beforehand, I am able to get letters at least for the moment. I don’t know when I will be able to have visitors other than my mother and Godfather, but you will be at the top of the list once I am able. 

Sincerely,

Guardian Lord Draconis Abraxas Malfoy-Black

When he got done dictating the second letter, Draco realized that he could feel eyes on him and that the weight on his chest had moved. Looking down, he noticed a pair of brilliant green eyes staring back at him with clear shock showing on his face.

“Harry? What is the matter?”

‘’What is the matter? What is the matter?” Harry echoed before calling to Hermione, who was two beds away. “Hermione, did you see that?”

“I think that I am still dreaming,” Hermione said, and Draco heard Theo snort.

“I don’t understand,” Draco admitted, looking from Harry to Hermione, and finally to Theodore. “What is it you are confused about? I am merely dictating letters because my hands are still too shaky to write at the moment. So, I dictate what I need to say to Apollo, who writes it down for me. It’s not different from what a secretary would do. Only my secretary is also my Personal Attendant House Elf.”

When Harry and Hermione just gaped at him, Draco looked around again to find that they weren’t the only two astonished. Susan Bones was also staring at him, and Mercury Barrows just looked amused. “I think that they’re confused about the fact that your House Elf can write. Can he also read?”

“Well, of course,” Draco said, cocking his head and frowning while Theo and Mercury snickered again. Looking toward Pansy and Blaise for backup, he saw they were also amused. This time it was Pansy who spoke, trying to clarify matters for him.

“Drake, you do remember that not all House Elves can read and write, correct? It is something unique to your House Elves and, well, those of us in your personal circle of friends who have PA Elves.”

“You mean there is more than just Apollo who can read and write?” Hermione shrieked, and Draco just shrugged while Pansy began to giggle.

“Yes, dear,” Theo finally confirmed as Hermione and Harry looked at each other, surprised.

“I don’t understand why you were so against S.P.E.W then, Draco.” Granger pouted, and Malfoy was forced to take a moment to center his thoughts before answering so as not to risk insulting her when they’d just called a truce.

“How much research did you do before you created umm S.P.E.W?” Draco asked as Hermione scowled at him slightly.

“I ask not to offend you, Granger, but rather because it seems as if you don’t understand House Elves very well. You seem like a generous-hearted girl, and therefore I don’t think you would intentionally want to kill all of the House Elves by removing the bonds that keep them alive.”

“I don’t… freeing them all would really kill them?” Hermione asked, this time turning her question to Susan, who was the only real neutral party in the room other than Luna, but Luna seemed to be reading something and not paying much attention to the discussion.

“Oh yes,” Susan said, shivering as she studied Apollo. “House Elves need the symbiotic relationship that has been formed between them and either their direct master or the house that they live in if the house is old enough and sapient enough.

“Magical homes, if they are old enough and have absorbed enough magic, can become sapient. This allows the House Elf to bond to the house itself if there is not a Witch or Wizard within the home strong enough to hold the bond. To free an Elf should be a crime because you’re dooming them to a slow and very painful death as they slowly go mad and then lose all control of themselves. It’s horrible to watch.”

“Can any House Elf learn to read and write then?” Hermione asked, and Blaise shrugged. “If their master is willing to allow it. That is the bit that you should be campaigning to change because there are several of us who do believe that House Elves should be treated better, but just not wanting to free them.”

“Wait, what about Dobby then?” Harry finally partook in the conversation as he leaned against Draco, whom he was sitting next to.

Draco held up a finger and called for Dobby, who popped in immediately wearing three pairs of socks and a t-shirt that said #1 Potter fan. “Dobby, we were discussing House Elf bonds. Would you like to explain to Harry why you have not begun to go mad yet, when Winky was affected within days of her being freed from the Crouches?”

“Dobby thinks that this is not the proper time for this conversation.” Dobby started looking around the room, realizing that everyone was looking at him. “Surely the students have more to worry about than Dobby’s mental capacity, although Dobby is very thankful that there be so many people concerned about him.”

“That’s not going to work, Dobby,” Draco said, lifting an eyebrow. “Either you tell him the truth or I will.”

“Dobby thinks that Draco Malfoy has always been difficult. Pulled on Dobby’s ears as a child, he did.”

“Stop you attempts to confuse things, Dobby!” Apollo scolded, shaking his finger at his young friend. “Draco no understood what he was doing, and you knows it! He was not even a year old, and you was warned that he would do it if you got too close because him had been trying to stand. That has nothing to do with why you are keeping big secret from Master Harry. Now tell the truth! Apollo demands it!”

Dobby sighed, twitching his ears due to his nerves, before turning to look at Harry. “Dobby is sorry, Master Harry Potter, sir. But when you freed Dobby, he no knowed what to do. He didn’t want to become sick, but you was so proud of yourself, and he was afraid you would make him go back to Bad Master Lucy if you finded out the truth. So, Dobby created a small bond between himself and Harry Potter, just so that he wouldn’t get sick. Dumblydore didn’t have room for Dobby here, but didn’t notice that Dobby stayed around anyway.”

“So you’re like a stowaway Elf here in the castle? Do you actually do anything?” Draco asked, amused, and Dobby nodded fast, giggling.

“Dobby helps with all sorts of chores. Dobby likes to be busy; he does. Head Elf no minds the extra help and thinks it be up to the stupid humans to notice there an extra Elf working here that no is connected to the wards. Feemey pays Dobby in lost socks! It good trade.”

“So, what does a Personal Attendant House Elf do, and do I need one? Should I ask Dobby if he wants to be mine?”

“To answer the last question first, you certainly should ask Dobby to be your PA Elf. You already have a small bond with him, and he was training for that position under Apollo until you tricked Father into releasing him. For someone in your position, a PA Elf would be invaluable to you. Dobby is trained in all of the things that you need to know but haven’t been taught yet. Things that they do not teach in school, like etiquette, how the Wizengamot works, how the Ministry works, and the pure blood traditions. All of those things would be useful to you to be educated in.

“As far as what a PA Elf does, well, the simple answer is everything. They do secretarial work. They help you get ready in the morning if you’d like. They run errands for you. They can protect you if you need. They can act as a companion if you need. But most of all, they are someone who will be with you for the rest of your life. Someone that you can count on to be there with you no matter what.”

“You said they can protect us, but how do we protect them?”

“There should be protection amulets in one of your vaults for both your House Elves and your owl, Potter,” Blaise answered, speaking up from where he was snuggled up with Pansy. “If there aren’t, you can commission the Dragons to make you some. You just need to talk to your Account Manager. Do you know who that is?”

Harry shook his head while watching Dobby. “Dobby, would you like to be my Personal Attendant House Elf?”

“Dobby would! Dobby would like very much to be Personal Attendant Elf! It is great honor for House Elf to be given such a title, and to be one for a wizard as great as Harry Potter would make Dobby very proud!”

Before Harry could reply, the doors opened, and a couple entered that made Draco and some of the others sit up straight.

“Who are they?” Harry asked, and Draco leaned toward his Protectorate and whispered softly enough that only the two of them could hear. “Alpha Prime Protectorate Anton Fourpetals and Alpha Prime Guardian Brighton Oleander. Why they are here, though, instead of a normal representative from the Protectorate and Guardian Center, I do not know.”

“To answer your unasked question, Lord Malfoy-Black, we are here because this is no normal circumstance. So, we thought it best that we apparate in from London to check on things ourselves.” Brighton replied with a friendly smile on his face as Anton seemed to be checking out the room, including Apollo. The PA Elf was still sitting on the end of the bed waiting for the last letter to be dictated to him. “If there are any questions that need answering, we are happy to do that also.” The Protectorate advised starting at Apollo, and Draco just huffed.

“Yes, he can read and write.”

“How very forward-thinking of you,” Brighton said, taking his Protectorate’s hand. “I can see why you and Guardian Potter were chosen to be the first Camelot lineage descendants to come online in centuries.”

“I’m glad you do, sir, because I am a little confused about that myself. Why now? Why us? Why not someone from the first war? Why not during Grindelwald’s reign of terror?”

“We obviously cannot know for certain,” Brighton began before pulling Anton to an empty bed where the two Alpha Primes took a seat. For a moment, Draco was distracted as Madam Pomphrey came in to check on them, scolded the Alpha Primes, and then left.

“That woman will never stop being bloody terrifying,” Anton muttered, and Draco heard some of his friends and fellow infirmary occupants giggle before his attention was drawn back to the Guardian.

“I can guess, though that in the case of both of the last wars it has something to do with your father and the House of Potter being on opposite sides. The House of Malfoy supported both Voldemort and Grindelwald while the house of Potter supported Dumbledore in both wars.”

“That won’t be happening this time,” Harry muttered unhappily, and Draco nodded before motioning for Brighton to continue.

“As to why you, that is simple. Even if the first to come online are not from the Houses of Malfoy and Potter, the others can never come online if there is not a suitable descendant from the House of Pendragon and the House of Emrys. Although I was of the understanding that Protectorate Potter or Guardian Malfoy don’t get along. So I am curious myself if that has changed. I will be honest that I expected more upset when I walked in than I am sensing.”

“We made up,” Harry said, squeezing Draco’s hand. “Or we called a truce. I don’t know as I would call us friends exactly, but we decided to let bygones be bygones. We had agreed to at least be civil to each other because we both have more important tasks lying in front of us. I think we both came to a realization over the summer that we both have bigger enemies than each other. So, we were shaking hands to seal the truce when everything went haywire.”

“Well, that certainly explains things, don’t you think dearest?”

“Yes, Yes,” Brighton said with a quick nod as he bounced slightly on the bed. “It’s as if the psionic plane was just waiting for you two to be on the same side. You said you both realized that you had bigger things to fight than each other. Could it really be that easy? I wonder, Anton, if maybe the death of Lucius Malfoy had anything to do with it, also.”

“It could be,” Anton said with a shrug before his gaze went to Draco. “Our condolences on your loss. I am curious; it is rather infamous that you were quite fond of your father in your early years. Were you still close at the time of his death?”

“No,” Draco said sharply, and took a deep breath before he expounded on his answer. “In fact, at the time of his death, I rather hated him. I won’t say that I was hoping for his death, but the first emotion I felt was not regret or even sadness. It was something like relief because I knew that I had a chance without him alive. I know that sounds horrible, but I have long ago come to terms with the fact that my father and my great-grandfather were not good men. If I had anyone in the Malfoy family that I loved, it was my own grandfather, Abraxas Malfoy, with whom I was quite close with.

“Now I can tell you that my feelings for Lucius are complicated. There is a part of me, even as I was forced in front of the Dark Lord because of him, that I longed for his love, for him to step in and do something to indicate that he regretted what happened. Instead, he begged me to give in and take the Dark Mark, and when I didn’t, he cursed my name. Those curses were but the precursor to the killing curse that He cast.

“My arm was red, swollen, and sore. My heart was heavy with anger and hatred for the man I once adored. I was scared, starving, and unsure if I would make it to my 6th year because the notion of being killed seemed more likely than living did. Now I sit here next to my enemy of five years, surrounded by friends and people I would have called foes until very recently, with a whole new future open to me, having pulled these people online.

“I have no training because I was never considered a possibility of coming online despite my latency. Yet, I don’t feel out of control. I would think that I should be at least a little bit overwhelmed by the feelings of those in this room, and yet I don’t. Do you have any idea why this feels… well, easy?”

Brighton nodded quickly and leaned forward in his eagerness as if trying to get closer to Draco. “That I do have answers about. I did some reading last night from a journal from the last Camelot Guardian, and both she and her Protectorate noted that the transition was very smooth. After calling my counterpart in America, Blair Sandburg, we agreed that there are certain people who come online and they just take to the shielding and such naturally.

“We believe that none of the Camelot descendants who came online today will struggle. Of course, if you do, we are more than willing to help. We have been talking with the Headmistress about a class for those of you who have come online or wanted the classes and have not taken them yet. So that way you can learn what everyone else knows and some things that we don’t tell everyone but believe that you lot should know.’

“What about those that came online outside of here?” Mercury asked with his arm around his longtime girlfriend Alicia Spinnet’s waist. “I haven’t been able to talk to my father and my uncle yet. I was always told that I wouldn’t come online, not just because of being a Camelot descendant but also because my father and I are werewolves. And yet, here I sit as an online Protectorate.”

“It is extremely rare for a werewolf or, frankly, any kind of shifter outside of a dragon shifter to come online as a Protectorate or Guardian. It happens so rarely that we aren’t sure when the last time it happened.” Anton advised rubbing Brighton’s back absentmindedly.

“I talked to your father last night myself. In fact, Barrows Castle was the first place that I went because your father’s PA Elf, Lync, came to get me himself to notify me of what happened. It wasn’t until Mistress McGonagall sent us a message that we understood why your father and uncle came online. When we left last night, your father advised that he was going to go through the archives to see if he could find out when the last time a werewolf came online as either a protectorate or guardian. He thought such a thing, as rare as it is, would be something that would be recorded in the Barrows Family Archives.”

“Barrows Family Archives?” Hermione asked, leaning against Theo, who had his arm around her shoulders.

“Oh uh, my family has served as Archivists for Magical Britain all the way back to Camelot. None of us were knights, but we were a part of the court. So, while we typically aren’t included in the Camelot descendants, well, it seems we are this time.”

“As you should be,” Draco said seriously as Hermione nodded vigorously. “It is vital that we remember our history lest we be doomed to repeat it. Bad things happen when we forget where we have been. Protectorate Fourpetals and Guardian Oleander, do either of you know what is going on with Dumbledore? He was in charge of the castle when we passed out. Now, all we know is that Professor McGonagall is in charge without any understanding of what could have put her in charge.”

“The immediate answer is that in the aftermath of you all coming online, he first voiced objections to some of you, specifically Harry and Draco, touching in a way he viewed as indecent, I assume because he thought it to be too intimate, although I won’t claim to know what goes on in Dumbledore’s head. He was scolded by the Deputy Headmistress McGonagall and reminded that newly online P&G pairs cannot be separated until they are stable, especially if they come online together.

“So when he didn’t get the response that he expected from one of his most loyal supporters, then he decided to do the separating himself and tried to pull you, Harry, and you, Draco, apart. At that point, McGonagall had enough and cast an incarcerous on him and advised that, as the adult in charge at the moment she would be pressing charges on the student’s behalf for bond interference. Whether you two boys were actually bonding or not, it doesn’t really matter. There was obviously something going on between you, and he was trying to stop it.

“So, Headmaster Dumbledore has been taken to the DMLE and will be put on trial. Maybe for more than just the interference of a bond charge. There have been whispers for years about things he allowed to happen and were overlooked because no one would believe that he could do such a thing. So, an investigation into all of the allegations will happen. Minister Barrows is taking this chance when Dumbledore’s supporters won’t be so quick to back him to get a fair and impartial case started.”

“Will McGonagall really be any better, though? Everyone knows that she’s one of his staunchest supporters,” Pansy questioned and Draco found himself nodding along, thinking that it was a fair question. Harry, though, was unimpressed by the Slytherin girl’s doubt of his beloved head of house and expressed his displeasure.

“She’s a right more fair than Snape, who favors Slytherin house openly while treating the other three houses like shite. At least McGonagall is fair to those who deserve it! Gryffindor, Ravenclaw, and Hufflepuff have no problem with her because she treats us fairly and with respect.”

“I don’t think that is how that is supposed to work though,” Hermione said, chewing on her lip while the rest of the room fell into silence, even the Alpha pair

“Hermione, what?” Harry started only to be cut off by her.

“Harry, stop being defensive and listen to what you’re saying,” Hermione ordered, making Harry frown in disbelief but pay attention to what she was saying, because he had learned long ago to pay attention when she talked.

“You’re mad at Snape for being too loyal to his house and favoring them when you just admitted that Professor McGonagall does the very same thing, only this time she is only unfair to one house instead of three. How is that any better?”

“No! That’s not… I mean, that’s not true, is it? I didn’t mean it like that. I… does she really do that?” Harry asked, scooting away from Draco, feeling confused.

“I think it is, Harry,” Hermione said reluctantly as Susan and Luna watched along with the rest of the room. “And that isn’t good. Teachers and authority figures are supposed to be neutral parties. They should treat everyone the same.”

“I think that the only heads of house that are actually fair to everyone are Sprout and Flitwick, which would be why we Slytherins very rarely act up in their classes.’ Theo pointed out softly, eyeballing Hermione who was worrying her lip.

“These are the kind of things that happen when you don’t have the correct person at the head of things,” Brighton pointed out gently as Harry started to shake his head and argue, but he stopped because even he knew that he was wrong.”

“Interim Headmistress McGonagall has already been warned that the Board of Governors won’t sit by and allow the same things from her that Dumbledore pulled.”

Harry shook his head but once more stopped himself before hugging himself as he bit down hard on the inside of his lower lip. Eventually, though, he looked up at the two Alpha Primes and asked, “So what are we supposed to do? I don’t want it to make sense, but it does, even if I don’t want to admit it. But what are we to do if our new headmistress isn’t going to be any different than the old headmaster?”

“The first thing we need to do is not make snap judgements. Lovegood aside, I don’t think any of the rest of us are seers or have seers in our lineage.” Anton pointed out as Brighton nodded along with him. “The second thing you need to realize is that maybe you shouldn’t let adults tell you who you should respect at this point in your lives. I understand it’s hard to do. This issue with Slytherin House wasn’t any different when I was in school.”

“Can I ask what Houses the two of you sorted into?” Draco asked, and Anton smiled.

“I was a Snake, and Brighton was an Eagle.”

Harry started, narrowing his eyes at Anton in distrust. It must have shown on his face because Draco huffed angrily and threw himself down on the bed, burying his face in the pillow. “You seemed fine with Protectorage Fourpetals until he told you he was a Slytherin,” Hermione pointed out, and Harry nodded sadly, looking at Draco, who seemed to be trying to ignore the world.

“I didn’t…” He started, but Susan Bones interrupted him.

“As an impartial outsider, Harry, can I point out that it isn’t always the Slytherins who start it? And it certainly isn’t all of them. Hel, Slytherins aren’t even the only bullies in the school. Look at what happened to Luna in her first couple of years before it suddenly stopped. I don’t think we ever found out why that happened.’

Draco huffed angrily again before Pansy jumped in to explain. “Draco found out what was going on and put a stop to it.”

“Draco?” Harry asked, shocked, looking back at his possible Guardian.

“Oh yes,” Luna said with a smile. “Draco is my cousin, you know. Mum was Lucius’s cousin. Now they’re both gone. I think us making up our own minds about things is a wonderful idea. The nargles hate it when you do that. Also, I am a medium, not a seer.”

“Duly noted,” Anton said with a slight bow, and Luna giggled at him in response. “Now, I am sure you all have questions. I think that this is as good a time to ask them as any.”

Before any of the teens could speak, the infirmary doors opened, and Protectorate Interim Headmistress McGonagall came into the room. Draco couldn’t help but watch her distrustfully; the recent conversation was at the front of his mind. Still, he refused to be the reason for any continued animosity and therefore stayed as civil as possible.

“Protectorate Headmistress McGonagall,” he greeted and received a nod in return.

“I heard that the Alpha Primes were in the building and wanted to come and check to see how everyone was doing.”

“We are doing well so far, I think,” Brighton said with a smile. “We were just about to do a question-and-answer session. Anton and I thought the students would feel more comfortable if they had the time to ask us whatever was on their minds.”

“That sounds like a wonderful idea. I have time to answer some questions also, if you’d like.” McGonagall offered and received a chorus of yeses. Before they could start, she noticed Apollo’s presence and seemed startled.

“Guardian Malfoy, is that your house elf? I wasn’t aware that you had one with you. Personal house elves are not allowed in school.”

Draco narrowed his eyes at her but forced himself to remain calm when he replied. “That would be true if I were not a Lord already. Lords are allowed certain extras like having one personal House Elf to attend to them and their own quarters. As I am sure you know, I took over the Lordship of the House of Malfoy this summer. You may not be aware though, that I also took over Lordship for the House of Black. This is Apollo, my Personal Attendant House Elf, and should be allowed to attend to me. I actually do have a question for you, one which Apollo is at the center of.”

“Of course, Guardian Lord Malfoy. How would you like to be addressed by the staff? I am happy to answer whatever question you have. My apologies. With everything going on, I forgot for a moment that we have two lords in our midst now.”

“If you already knew this, I will apologize in advance for the repetition. Part of the reason my father passed away is because the Dark Lord was upset with us. After all, every time he tried to brand me with the Dark Mark, it wouldn’t take.

“This resulted in a summer’s worth of punishments from him and my aunt Bella, along with some of the other favored Death Eaters. Their favorite punishment was the cruciatus curse, which left me with some physical issues that will not be completely fixed until the end of the year. One of them is a shake in my hands. I was hoping that I could dictate my assignments and tests to Apollo so that he could write them for me. As to my name, Lord Malfoy-Black is fine, unless we’re in a situation where I am acting as a guardian. Then obviously they would need to use my Guardian title.”

“Dictate… Your House Elf can write? That is amazing!” McGonagall praised, looking openly surprised.

“Draco says that he can read too!” Hermione chirped in, and McGonagall seemed to shake her head in wonder.

“50 points to Slytherin for the advancement of Elvish welfare. As long as he is only writing what you dictate, I don’t have a problem with it. I will notify the staff so that they can arrange for you to take your tests separately from the rest of your class. Lord Malfoy and Lord Nott, we have separate quarters for you arranged, although now that you are both online, we will need to add some additional spells, and I will need to converse with the school about some changes to the room, as you both seem to have come online with mates. Now, what else can the Alpha Primes or I do for you?”

The next half hour was spent with the teens asking questions about their new circumstances and getting answers. They learned that any of the couples could get new combined housing in either of their houses; they just needed to decide which one they wanted to stay in. They learned that they would be in the infirmary for at least another couple days to make sure that they were ok to be released to their normal dorms without the spelling to keep them safe and isolated.

They learned that they could return to the infirmary any time they felt like they needed isolation and would be put there automatically if something happened with their new abilities. They learned that their spirit animals would show up whenever they were in need of them and would respond to them if called. They also learned that in order to call them all, they would need to meditate to find the thread that was their spirit animal. Some were around more than others, so no one should get upset if theirs was around more or less than their friends’ spirit animals.

They also learned that they would have a special class for the first semester to teach them what they should already have been taught. That would leave them with no free period for the first semester, but would get it back after the winter holidays. “Headmistress McGonagall, or should I say Protectorate Headmistress McGonagall in this instance since the Primes are here? I have a delicate question to ask and I don’t… well, we had a conversation about how some of the houses are treated by staff, and we wanted to know if you were going to continue to…”

Hermione sighed, twisting her hands together tightly and Theo put his arm around her. “I think that what she;s trying to say is that we had a conversation about how uneven the treatment is for the houses for all of the professors. I am sure that you get complaints from Snape, but nearly all of the other professors are the opposite. Treating the other three houses, Ravenclaw, Hufflepuff, and Gryffindor, well, but acting like Slytherin is always the villain when that isn’t the truth. The fact is that none of the Slytherins would come online if they were truly as bad as everyone acts like we are.”

“Draco is probably the best example of things not being as obvious as they seem.” Susan took over when Theo stopped. “Yes, Draco was a little prat when he was young, bullying others and his constant insistence that his father would hear about whatever was done to him, but he’s changed well before today we’ve all noticed a change in him.”

“If Draco is supposed to be the worst of Slytherin house and he not just came online but came online and was immediately paired with Harry Potter of all people, then certainly there was something most of the rest of the school had overlooked.” Alicia offered quietly.

“I wasn’t blameless in the whole fight with myself and Malfoy either,” Harry insisted, tilting his chin up stubbornly. “I have started things more than once and then laughed when Draco got blamed for it. Especially as we’ve gotten older, or more often, Ron started it and blamed Draco for it. And I’m not just saying that because Ron and I are no longer friends. It’s just that I didn’t want to rock the boat before, but now I understand I was in the wrong by not telling the truth in the moment.”

“When you have one professor that favors Slytherins and four or five that favor the other three houses, things are more than a little outnumbered. As someone pointed out when we talked amongst ourselves, the professors who treat us all equally have the least issues from any of the houses within their classes. That is because we all respect those professors too much to act up.”

“And I am one of the professors whom you feel doesn’t treat everyone fairly?” the Headmistress asked.

When Blaise looked at him as if asking if he should respond, Draco shook his head and spoke. “Frankly, Headmistress, you and Professor Snape are the worst at treating the houses fairly. You favor Gryffindor, treat Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff neutrally, and act like Slytherins are always the villain. If something happens, you blame us first and take the word of your Gryffindors over ours even if others disagree. Snape is the opposite. He favors Slytherins, is mostly neutral with Ravenclaws and Hufflepuffs, and treats Gryffindors like the villains.

“It isn’t that Professors Sprout and Flitwick don’t favor their own houses, because they do. It’s just that they are neutral with everyone else, mostly unless it was Harry because everyone knows that Dumbledore favored Harry and therefore he, Ron, and Hermione were treated differently than the rest of us.”

“It’s not right,” Harry echoed, leaning against Draco as the headmistress arched an eyebrow at him. “I don’t want to be treated special, even if that means getting in trouble more. Take our detention first year when we all got sent to the forbidden forest. Hagrid immediately separated us. That wasn’t right. We were eleven-year-olds and got sent into the place alone that we were told at the beginning of the year never to go into by ourselves. We could have been seriously injured or worse, and Hagrid never would have gotten to us in time.”

“There have been multiple instances where you caught Ron and Draco fighting. You assumed Draco was to blame and gave him a detention without anything happening to Ron, and he was the one who started it. I’ve heard rumors since third year that Ron and Seamus bully the first- and second-year Slytherins horribly, but I ignored it because I assumed a Gryffindor would never do that. I mean, they’re Slytherins so they must have started it, right? No, not right. It’s horrible, and I am ashamed of myself.” Hermione sniffled, still cuddled up to Theo.

“I see,” McGonagall said, looking pensive, and eventually gave a short nod. “I will think about this and talk to the staff about it. I have never done it intentionally, but I won’t lie and say that I don’t have any bias because I know I do. Is there anything else? If not, I need to talk to Protectorate Potter and Guardian Malfoy alone before I go to my next class.”

“Thank you all for your excellent questions. I feel good about the lot of you and see changes coming in our future in this country with the ten of you running things. If you need either of us at any point, just owl. We look forward to seeing where your futures take you.” Anton said before he and Brighton excused themselves.

When the others said they had no further questions for Minerva, she headed to Draco and Harry’s bed, pulling the curtain closed before studying the two of them. “I want to say that I am surprised by this pairing, but honestly gentlemen, it makes too much sense to me now. I want to reiterate that I am genuinely going to consider your words about how we all treat the houses but specifically Gryffindor and Slytherin, and make changes. Mister Potter, are you ok with Mister Malfoy hearing this next bit? It’s mostly personal, but I am not sure how we would separate you without doing harm at this stage. I will try, though if needed.”

“No, no, I’m ok. Draco and I… well, we’re going to have to get to know each other, and that will, I assume, include things that are personal and hurtful. We might as well start now.”

McGonagall nodded before starting in. “I want you to know that I have  just come out of an in-depth conversation with Madam Bones about Albus, and there was more than just the bond interference that was discussed. Albus considered me part of his inner circle and therefore told me things that he wouldn’t tell others. I think he thought my oath of loyalty to the school would prevent me from disclosing things to people like her, but it did not, to my pleasure.

“So, I am here to let you know that they are going to be investigating your situation with the Dursleys and how you came to be there in the first place. They’ll be checking into your parents’ will, as I informed them that Albus had it sealed so that it could not be read. And they are going to investigate Sirius’ circumstances because I was able to inform them about your claims in third year.

“I want to give you a personal apology for not doing more to help you before now. That includes last year when I didn’t step up and do something when Delores was using that blood quill on you, which I also notified Amelia about, among other things that I noticed but didn’t think I could do anything about before now. I want you both to know that I am going to do my best to be a better headmistress than Albus was a headmaster. The Board of Governors are having an emergency meeting today to decide what to do about Albus, but I expect him to be removed from his seat. Draco, the house of Malfoy has a seat on the board. With your father gone, we need a new adult to sit in his place.”

Draco considered the question, tapping his finger to his lips before eventually speaking. “I would like it to be my mother, but I am not sure as she is up to it. If not, I would like to select Lady Parkinson to sit there until Mother is ready to. They should both be at Malfoy Manor right now. I was about to dictate a letter to Apollo to go to Mother. I can address that with her if you’d like. In case neither of them would be willing, Lord Barrows already has a seat, correct?”

“No, his brother Andrew has it because Sterling didn’t think it was appropriate. Andrew has a son starting Hogwarts next year, and their younger sister has a set of twins starting two years after that.”

“Ahh, very good. Then I would like, as a last shot situation, to give Andrew my vote until mother can do so, but I don’t expect that will be necessary.”

“I will make sure the Board is notified of your decisions. I will also have Lady Longbottom, who currently sits as the head of the Board, notified of your choices so that she can also send letters as per board policy.”

“Thank you, headmistress,” Draco offered, bowing his head slightly as was proper, chewing on his lip for a moment before continuing. “I want you to know that I hope you are able to overcome some precedents that I believe Dumbledore set for you and some of the other staff. If I didn’t believe that you could treat us all fairly, then I would have objected the second that I heard you were stepping into his place.”

“I appreciate your belief in my abilities, and I will do my very best to live up to it. If there is nothing else, then if you will excuse me, I need to get to class before the second years start acting up. Have a good day, gentlemen and if you need anything going forward just send a house elf.”

“Oh! One quick question: do you have a problem with us performing the ceremony for Dobby to become Harry’s Personal Attendant House Elf?” Draco asked as she was opening the curtains, and after thinking about it for a moment, she responded.

“I would be most pleased to see Dobby have a real home. I know that he has been living here, but we don’t really have room for him as part of the house elf staff. So, he has been surviving off the access magic that the castle gives off. You most definitely have my approval. I would also recommend that you look into your own lordship, Harry. You should qualify for the Potter Lordship because of your father being deceased, Mr. Potter.”

“I should?” Harry asked wide-eyed, and Draco nodded with a smile.

“You should. That is why when I wrote to my account manager about my situation, I asked him if he knew who both your family solicitor and who the Gringotts account manager was. Don’t worry, Harry, you and I will get through all of this legal stuff together.”

Sensing they were finally done with her, the Interim Headmistress hurried out of the infirmary, leaving the others to talk and bond not just within their pairings but as a collective. Because they all felt what the Alpha Primes had hinted at. This group, these ten people, were special and would be a united front for the rest of their days.

“Apollo, let’s get that letter for mother done, and then you can head off to do whatever it is you need. Feel free to get a look at my room and do whatever you feel is best within it. Ph, Harry, do you feel ok with us staying in the Lordship accommodations? I figure that either of us staying in the other’s house will be tricky. At least the Lordship room would be neutral. Hopefully they come with a second bedroom because while I don’t want you to be too far away in our off hours, I also don’t want to speak for you.”

“I think that would be fine. I appreciate you not just assuming that we’ll stay within Slytherin House. As much as I want to work on my prejudices against your house, I don’t think I would be comfortable there.”

“Or safe,” Draco inserted. “As much as I say we aren’t all evil and bullies, that doesn’t mean there aren’t those within my house that aren’t the Dark Lord’s servants or true believers. There are bullies and those who may not be evil, but don’t walk the path of righteousness. So, I would never ask you to stay there overnight because it would not be safe for you, just like I hope you can see how there are those within Gryffindor who would not like me there and I am not confident i would be any more safe in your house than you would be in mine.”

“Now Apollo if you are ready,” Draco said, turning his attention to his PA Elf.

Dearest Mother,

I hope that this letter finds you well, or at least as well as can be expected. I hope that Mother Theodosia is still there with you in your time of need. I wish that I could be by your side, but I also understand the sight of me might not be what you need right now. 

I appreciate you coming to see me and I want you to know that I am doing better. Potter and i am working on being a united front and getting over our issues with each other through the years. I have hopes  that we will be successful. Alpha Prime Protectorate Fourpetals and Alpha Prime Guardian Oleander came to see us today, and after a bit Interim Headmistress McGonagall joined us to answer some questions we had. 

We found out that Albus Dumbledore – I won’t refer to him as headmaster ever again unless I am forced or ordered to – will potentially be in trouble for more than just the bond interference. So the board is meeting today about some issues with him and seeing about removing him and appointing Minerva McGonagall the next Headmistress. It is something that I support as I have hopes that she will be better in the position than her predecessor.  That brings me to my first reason for writing so soon.

As Interim Headmistress McGonagll reminded me, we have a seat on the Board of Governors which does not have anyone sitting in it at this time. I would like to see that filled as soon as possible before the Board gets some bright idea to try and vote us out. I know you are still in mourning. If you are up to sitting that seat, it would be my ultimate preference, but I understand if you are not. In that case I would ask that Lady Parkinson sit in temporarily if you cannot do so. 

Since she is your support at the moment, I did take a precaution and appointed Andrew Barrows as my third option if neither of you can sit for the vote. You should be getting a letter about this all from Dowager Lady Longbottom about the meeting and if you or Theodosia will be attending. I support you in whatever you decide. I love you more than there are stars in the sky, and I only wish for you to get through this and be able to smile some day.

My second reason for writing is part of my hopes for your future. I am not saying I know better than you, I would never do that as I will not be that kind of Lord who disregards the experience of his elders, but I am not sure the manor is the best place for you right now. I was thinking that you and Mother Thesia could go stay at Cottage on the Cliffs and do some redecorating and renovating. That home hasn’t been touched since Grandfather died and I would like to be able to use it again. Especially this upcoming summer, for while I will never abandon Malfoy Manor, I am not sure I am ready to spend so much time around Father’s ghosts and the memories of his friends and that creature in our home.

I would like the Cottage to be usable as a summer home or even a vacation spot when I am older. You know my tastes and Lady Parkinson, like her daughter, has an eye for things like that, which cannot be argued. I will not force you to go but as your only child I hope that you will at least consider it. I truly believe from the bottom of my heart and soul that you will be better off there where the only memories are of my Grandfather, whom you hopefully only have happy memories of.

In more gossipy matters, the fact that Apollo can read and write has been a huge hit here, and I think that others beyond my friends’ group will do so with their elves. Harry has already asked about Dobby. And speaking of, not only will Dobby be able to continue his classes, but Harry is going to make him his Personal Attendant Elf! Isn;t that wonderful? Apollo wishes me to let you know that he is very proud of Dobby and will happily help him however he can.

I have more news, but i will save that for another letter. I love you and wish nothing but the best for you. Give lady Parkinson my love, please.

Your Loving Son,

Guardian Lord Draconis Lucius Malfoy-Black

When he was done, Draco yawned and looked over to see Harry laying on the bed watching him. “Nap?” he asked sleepily and Draco gave a nod before replying.

“That sounds excellent, then maybe later we can have some time just the two of us? Maybe we can talk about some things.”

“That sounds brilliant,’ Harry yawned again before giving his Guardian a tired smile. Draco scooted down, while giving Apollo some last minute orders before laying down himself. He wasn’t really looking forward to the talk that was to come, but knew it was needed. One thing he refused to become is his Father and being open about his past was one step on the path to being his own man.