Sir Harry J Potter GCOM

### HOGWARTS’ EXPRESS ###

When Harry shut the door of the compartment Draco looked round: “Potter, what are you doing here?”

“Guarding you, whilst your mentor has a leak, or something, Malfoy. Do I suppose you are returning to school?”

“Yes … Part of my sentence … To see if I’ve reformed … Said Madam Chairman.” Draco looked miserably down at his feet.

“Don’t you want to get your NEWT’s?”

“Yes … But …” Draco screwed up his face. Harry thought he was about to cry.

“You don’t know how people will treat you. Is that it?”

“Yes, Potter. That, and the fact that most of my friends won’t be there. Vince’s dead, Greg’s not likely to be put on probation and Theo’s definitely for the can. The girls don’t want to know me and Merlin knows what’s happened to Blaise.”

“He’s alright; he’s up in the front of the coach with the rest of us eighth-years. Look – I know we were at loggerheads before – how about we call a truce? We’ve both been through awkward times. I meant what I said when I pleaded for clemency, you know,”

“Thanks! No that sounds too ungrateful. I’m not used to being the underdog yet. However, I am more than grateful for what you said. I think your opinion tipped the balance when they were considering what to do with me. At least; now I know how you got to the tower so quickly and were able to chase me and Uncle Sev.”

“He was on the side of the light, you know.”

“Nah! Your pulling my plonker. He was the D … Oh … Vol …”

“… We call him Voldie.”

Draco gave a brief giggle: “He’d have hated that … Okay … Uncle Sev was Voldie’s most trusted spy in the camp of the light. How else did the death-eaters know when you were to be moved?”

“We knew Voldie knew, that’s why we put up so many decoys.”

“Nah! That still doesn’t hold water. Uncle Sev killed Dumbles.”

“You saw Dumbles’s withered arm, didn’t you?”

Draco gave a nod.

“Well, it was slowly poisoning him. Your Uncle had already agreed to kill him if things got worse. They weren’t going to let Voldie or Fenrir get him first; imagine what they would have done to his soul? If you’re still doubtful I’ve got some of Snape’s pensive memories that might help you to believe.”

“Really! I’d like that … Hmm … I suppose that explains some inconsistencies I spotted – I just thought it was Uncle Sev being his usual peculiar self. I shall miss him; he was my consoler when Father became forcefully regimental with me. Merlin, how I eventually hated that man. To begin with he was my idol, he was stern and just. Then when Voldie came back, Father went berserk over the tiniest things. I was even beaten bloody for not saying thank you when someone passed me a plate. You get the drift.”

“Yes – so was I, but because I had magic – I hated my Uncle for much the same reasons. One day soon we can swap stories. However, shall we try to be civil towards each other in future?”

“I’ll try - What about the Weasel?”

“It was your rubbing it in about his lack of galleons that most annoyed him. From what I hear, you’re in the same boat as he is, now; only having a couple of brass farthings to rub together.”

“How did you know?”

“A fellow knight let it slip.”

“Oh … Right … Griphook’s correct … Voldie squandered most of the Malfoy millions. What remains will go to help the victims. The Manor’s in ruins, not that I cared for it much anyway, Hogwarts was where I was happiest.”

“Um … Same for me … Staying in my Uncle’s house was a living hell most of the time.”

“Something else we have in common then. With my NEWT’s I’ll have to get a job when I leave, or starve. I’ll try for a place in an apothecary I think, after all, potions was my best subject.”

“Why not try for a forensic Auror’s job?”

“It’s an idea – but I’d have to change my surname – imagine Rita’s article … Hmm … ‘Another Malfoy gains power in the Ministry’ or some such like.” Draco smiled slightly.

“It’s a back-room job, so maybe she’d not find out.”

Before Draco could reply there was a quiet knocking on the door: “Auror Digitallance, Sir Harry.”

Harry lifted a corner of the blind to ensure it was whom he said. He unlocked the door and let the Auror in.

“Thank you, Sir Harry; I managed to get us some food as well. Would you like some Mr Malfoy?”

“Yes please.”

The Auror shared out the food. Harry declined saying that he had eaten recently. Then he had an idea.

“Auror Digitallance, would it be permissible for a friend to visit Mr Malfoy. I can guarantee he has no death-eater connections.”

“I have strict instructions, Sir Harry …”

“… But we’ve bent them just a little, already.”

The Auror smiled: “Mmm … I suppose we have … Can the friend be relied on not to blab?”

“Yes, I think so … It’s bound to come out when Mr Malfoy appears in school, isn’t it? So it’s only a temporary restriction.”

“Mmm … And a senior Wizengamot Fellow has authorised it, haven’t you?”

“Of course, I have. There are at least three other knights nearby who would back my decision.”

“In that case, Sir Harry …”

“Fine … I’ll go and get him.”

### CARRIAGE CORRIDOR ###

Harry left the compartment and wandered up to the front: “Blaise, can I have a private chat with you down the corridor, please?”

Harry took Blaise down to the closed compartment. Once he found out who wanted to talk to him, Blaise voluntarily gave up his wand, so Harry and Auror Digitallance stood in the corridor to give the two friends some privacy. Harry quietly questioned the Auror about his job. Knowing that he hoped to follow that path for a career; Digitallance realised what was happening and tried to give Harry meaningful insights including the tedious business of making accurate reports. The results of which Harry had seen on the bench when he was part of the presiding group.

Half an hour before arrival at Hogsmeade, Blaise came out of the compartment and thanked the Auror. Before the two students turned towards to the front compartment. They paused prior to entering the open section.

“What do you think the Headmistress will do with Draco, Harry?”

“No idea. I imagine he’ll have to be watched, at least at the beginning until he proves himself. I think he’ll have to be guarded too. Quite a few students will be pissed off with him for letting Fenrir in. I have a horrible feeling that it’s going to be me doing some of it.”

“He’s different now; much of that bombast has gone. I think he did it because he was frightened. His father was extremely strict and used to beat him regularly; I’ve seen the bruises and cuts myself. He’s a nice enough fellah beneath it all, he was never taught defence properly; maybe an offer to help him might break the ice. He used to help me and others a lot with potions, get him to help you in return. He understands trading skills off; quite a bit of Slytherin life was trading favours for favours.”

“Thanks for that Blaise. Let’s first see what McG has in store for him … Mmm?”

### FRONT CARRAIGE ###

When they opened the door into the front section everyone was toting their broomsticks.

“We had a note from McG, Harry,” said Michael: “Delivered by one of the prefects. We’re all to fly to Hogwarts as soon as we arrive in the station.

“Merlin, Harry; mine’s in the luggage van at the back.”

“So’s mine, Blaise; we might make it in the ten minutes left.”

“No need, Mate. I’ve got yours.” Ronald flourished Harry’s Firebolt.

“Here’s yours, Blaise.”

“Thanks Justin.”

“Where have you two been?” asked Hermione.

“Um … Official business, Hermione … You know!”

Hermione cottoned on: “Right … You’ll tell us later, no doubt.”

Harry nodded and retrieved his broomstick from Ronald. By this time the train was slowing for the station.

### HOGSMEADE STATION ###

When they arrived, Hagrid was there waiting as usual. What was different was that he had a handful of medallions and there was a small cordoned-off space at the end of the platform.

Hagrid Saw Harry and smiled: “All righ’ Harry? These medals are for your party to hang roun’ their necks. That’ll get ’em through the ’Ogwarts wards. Yeh to fly to th’astronomy tower.”

“Hello Hagrid, okay; if you give them to me I’ll distribute them for you. Does that include the goblin twins?”

“Can they fly?”

“Yes.”

“Then, ’em too! … Firs’ years to me.” Hagrid went back into normal mode.

As they took off Harry glanced back. Not far behind the party were two lone figures, also riding broomsticks. Harry saw Blaise looking back. They winked knowingly at each other.

### ASTRONOMY TOWER ###

Ganymede and Gambrel were a bit shaky, but with Ron and Harry supporting them occasionally, the whole party made it the top of the Astronomy Tower within five minutes. Minerva was awaiting them and ushered them into a room near the top.

“I’m glad that my message reached you all. Welcome to a rebuilt Hogwarts, especially the Griphook twins. If you two would go with Mr Filch he will show you to the Great Hall.”

Once they had left Minerva re-started: “Now; all you eighth years, we have special accommodation for you in the guest tower. The rooms are doubles so you may pair up with your best friends. Please note that boyfriends and girlfriends may not share the same room.” Here Minerva looked pointedly at Ronald and Hermione: “However, as the rooms are in pairs also, two girls could share the room on one side of the tower and two boys on the other side. There is a plan on the table, pick your own rooms. Note that the top floor is reserved.”

Harry and Ronald went to have a look at the plan, hoping to share together. However that was not to be.

“Messrs Potter, Zabini and Finch-Fletchley please come with me.”

The curious trio followed the headmistress into a side room.

“Please sit --- I have a surprise re-entrant to introduce; Mr Draco Malfoy.”

Justin gasped in surprise as Draco walked in accompanied by Digitallance. Harry and Blaise just smiled knowingly. Minerva noticed their lack of astonishment as the two newcomers sat.

“Not as dramatic an entrance as we planned Mr Malfoy.” She gave him her usual pursed-lips smile: “Very well then; you four will inhabit the top floor of the guest tower. Mr Zabini; as the only other Slytherin, we need to accommodate you safely, I know you have made friends with Mr Finch-Fletchley so he will be your room-mate. That obviously means that Messrs Potter and Malfoy will have to share. I apologise to you both for this inconvenience, but the Wizengamot wanted a trustworthy pupil to closely monitor Mr Malfoy and Madam Chairman suggested that you would be suitable, Harry. After all, our new Knight Grand Commander fits the bill perfectly.”

“Um … Headmistress … What happens if I don’t agree?”

“Mr Malfoy will return to the internment camp with Auror Digitallance. The sentence was only pronounced late yesterday evening, Harry. It was your plea for Draco that swung the verdict.”

Harry recognised that he was being steamrollered again and sighed deeply:

“So Draco Malfoy, it looks as though we’re roommates.”

Draco let out an explosive gasp: “Thank you Sir Harry, I thought for a minute I was returning to that cell. I’ll try and behave, at least we found out that we share certain back histories together, and we both like flying and Quidditch. I’ll trade you some potions help for some of your defence spells.”

“Okay, Malfoy, perhaps you could help the new twins with their potions too. They’re starting in the third year because of their age, and I’ve taken them under my wing unofficially.”

“They’ve accepted my offer to help them with Charms,” added Blaise.

Harry noted that Blaise and Justin were sitting very close together and thought he saw them holding hands. He smiled inwardly, realising what Minerva had quietly arranged. He looked up at her quizzically and she winked.

“Right then, that’s settled, we’ll go and tell the others the good news.”

Minerva went first, Blaise and Justin followed her, Harry and Draco emerged last. This time Minerva got her dramatic gasp.

“As you see, Mr Malfoy is joining us. He will be Mr Potter’s room-mate. For security reasons these four will inhabit the topmost rooms in the tower. I hope that you will join Mr Potter in protecting Messrs Malfoy and Zabini from some of their would-be attackers. Mr Malfoy is here on probation from the Wizengamot, and Sir Harry is now one of its foremost members. So it is fitting that Mr Potter was chosen as Mr Malfoy’s mentor. Any questions?”

Michael put up his hand: “Hey Draco; will you help me with my potions like you did for me two years ago?”

“Of course I will, I think Potter has volunteered me for helping the twins too.”

Harry smirked and winked at Hermione, who came forward and offered Draco her hand, much to Ronald’s surprise.

“If Harry thinks you’re worth helping, Malfoy, I’m willing to try, okay.”

Draco’s eyebrows shot up: “What …? Oh…! Thanks. I’m sorry about all the bad names I’ve called you, I’ve no real excuse, I apologise heartily. And that goes for the rest of you too.” Draco looked down, whipped out his handkerchief and dabbed his eyes.

Whilst the Slyth was recovering Hermione and Ronald had a fierce whispering match. When Draco looked up, Hermione dug Ronald in the ribs with her elbow.

“Erm … Fer … Mmm … Malfoy? You play wizard chess don’t you? Perhaps you could be a decent challenger, I beat Harry most times and my girl can’t play for toffee.”

Draco’s mouth hung open; then he shook himself: “Weasel-ey, thanks. I was Slyth Champion, maybe I can be a worthy opponent. Look; I’m sorry for all those put downs, I’m in the same boat too. Our house is in ruins and we have no cash to repair it. Merlin knows what’ll happen when I leave here.” Draco held out a tentative hand.

Ronald looked at the hand. Hermione pushed him from behind. Ronald shook hands perfunctorily. The room erupted in applause.

Ronald looked round: “Hey Nev, wanna be my room-mate?”

“Great, yes please.”

Hermione indicated to Harry that Neville had been the one left out of the pairings.

“You have half an hour before the feast starts. I suggest you find your rooms and make yourselves presentable. As the Slytherin table is short on occupants we have divided it. That means you eighth-years will eat all together, not on your house tables. The banners over your table will have all four colours in them and you will be known as the Founders’ House. That means that you may play friendly matches with the other four houses. Professor Hagrid will be your housemaster for the year. Good luck!”

As Minerva left a number of others came to shake Draco’s hand and/or pat Harry consolingly on the back.

As a group they went to the guest tower and then in search of their rooms. Draco was still as fit as Harry and they soon left Justin and Blaise puffing up the stairs.

Draco entered their fifth floor room first: “Oh no!”

“What’s wrong?” asked Harry as he squeezed in behind the stationery Slyth: “I agree. She really means us to share everything; I hope you don’t snore too loudly.”

“Malfoy’s don’t snore Potter,”

Harry thought Draco had relapsed, and looked at him.

Draco was grinning good-humouredly: “Well, I don’t hear myself, do I? Okay who takes the inside?”

Both of them stared at a wide double four-poster bed.