A/N: Have you ever had a story get away from you? This one seems to be writing itself, I'm curious to see where it will take me. There were a few questions from the previous chapters, so I will try to answer. Yes, the ingredients Hermione recites are the actual Polyjuice Potion ingredients but I did take some liberties with the brewing process. Also, the Extendable Ears were not introduced until the summer before Fifth Year; however, my reasoning is that the Weasely twins have an incredible amount of products that it would make sense to me for them to have started at least a prototype of the ears but have them perfected by when they are introduced in Order of the Phoenix.

Side note: I don't have anyone proof reading my work so if you see errors please point them out and I will try to fix them!

On to the next chapter dear friends. Enjoy.

❝A Lesson in Manners❞

❖Chapter Three❖

The Conflict

"Harry!"

The boy in question turned to see a familiar curly head rushing towards him. Harry sighed as he watched Hermione bounce down the stairs from the girl's dormitory. He loved his friend dearly but he was still confused and a little hurt after finding out about her secret friendship with Malfoy.

Oh bollocks. Harry shook his head quickly as he felt the now familiar nausea crash into him when he thought about it. Hermione hadn't been acting any different, she still spent the majority of her time with him, still laughed and smiled in the common room, still berated the twins for their outlandish behavior. The black haired wizard's hand strayed to where he had the most recent prototype invention from the Weasley Twins, "Extendable Ears" nestled in his pocket. Because of the wards surrounding their hiding place Harry knew he couldn't get too close without alerting someone that he was there. It was pure luck he overheard the twins discussing their newest invention. The relief he had felt when hearing that his best friend and his enemy spent most of their time studying and talking and not...other things...was overwhelming.

"Hey Hermione," He greeted as she came to a skidding stop in front of him, "what have you got there?" He asked, indicating the rather large package she was trying to hide behind her back.

Hermione's eyes twinkled at him as she maneuvered the box around and pressed it into his hands. "They're your dress robes!" She whispered conspiratorially. "They arrived this morning after breakfast!" Harry swallowed as he remembered the conversation he had overheard. Pushing it aside he couldn't stop the smile from growing on his face at Hermione's obvious delight.

"That's great Hermione! Thanks, I'm supposed to hide them?" He dropped his voice into a mock whisper and winked at her. Her answering grin caused him to chuckle. "Right you are! At least until the Ball is officially announced. I have mine hidden under my bed with a couple of wards and a notice-me-not charm, I can show them to you if you want." Her answering wink made Harry feel that perhaps he wasn't going to lose his best friend to his worst enemy.

"Thanks, I'd like that." He was then herded upstairs and Hermione spent the next hour showing him how to set area wards around his package. Both knew it was rather silly of them since it would soon be common knowledge but it didn't take away from the fun they were having. Harry shook his head at himself. Having fun and learning. Ron would be so disappointed in me.

"How is the book coming along?"

Hermione glanced up from said tome to nod at Draco as he sidled into their shared space. "It's really quite interesting," she said, her eyes sparkling. "I cannot believe how much history I was missing out on in the magical world." Closing the book slightly Hermione smiled fondly at the cover that read Magical Worlds: British Isles and the Sacred 28. "Honestly Malfoy, if I had known this before coming to Hogwarts I think I would have had a very different outlook."

Draco sat with a satisfied look on his face. "You'd find that many of the so called 'pure-blood bigots' are just ancient families that don't take kindly to new people coming into the community and running roughshod on our traditions." Draco opened his satchel to pull out another tome and passed it to the eager witch across from him. "My mother would rather every mudblood coming in knew our laws and history before tossing them aside." Hermione pursed her lips in distaste at Draco's use of the term she despised causing him to roll his eyes. "Muggleborns tend to come into the wizarding world with no thought that it has stood timeless yet arrogantly they expect it to change instantly to their ideas of what is acceptable."

"Well yes, I was guilty of that myself," Hermoine admitted, "but it wasn't arrogance Malfoy, it was merely ignorance. Ignorance can be changed, people can learn. I've found that British wizards and witches arrogantly assume that since their way of thinking has been around for so long that it is automatically correct. There are billions of people in the world and I'd expect at least a few million are magical, not all of them hold the same thoughts about magic and society as those it Britain." There was a rustling of parchment as she dug around in her own satchel. "When I visited France last year my parents and I explored their magical community and it was so different than here!" The little witch's excitement was palpable.

"They had so many different views on magic, sentient beings, and even first generation magical students. Ah! Here Malfoy." She handed him a thick volume she'd pulled from the depths of her bag. "I was surprised to find so much, especially on magical families. Since the Malfoy name is French in origin I suppose I should have expected to see it crop up, but I didn't know there had been a civil unrest a century ago which led to the Malfoys fleeing here after its resolution."

Draco took the book with a confused expression on his face as Hermione continued.

"Indeed I couldn't contain my amazement when it lists that your family and a few others had tried to overthrow the government when the Veela Protections Act was passed in 1880. It's quite a thrilling tale! After the victory of the French Ministry the three instigating families were exiled. One found refuge in Russia, the other fled to the Americas, and the Malfoys crossed the Channel to come to Britain. I had no idea!" Hermione shot a grin at her friend as she went back to her own reading, oblivious to the effect her words had on the wizard sitting across from her.

Draco tried to keep his face impassive while she had been speaking. How dare she say such things about his family! Before his temper could take over and cause him to lash out he took a steadying breath. Granger was a piss poor liar and after she explained her brief loss of sanity in second year over their defense professor she refused to believe things outright, and did extensive research before coming to a conclusion. If she was saying such slanderous things it was not to goad him, it was because she had found proof. That disconcerted him. With a sniff Draco wrenched open the book to see what lies were printed that involved his family. He knew his family had been in Britain for centuries, his father had told him so, but as he began to read he wasn't so sure.

The entire book had been translated from French but had assured its readers that was the only change made, and if it was true Draco had just had one of the biggest shocks of his young life.

The passages spoke the passing of the Veela Protections Act that classified Veela as sentient magical beings, outlawed the use of their properties in potions or wandmaking without consent, and abolished the then lucrative trade of Veela being sold as slaves in and out of the country. As he continued reading it described the unrest that followed from the organizations whose livelihood was made off of Veela trade, and it listed his ancestors by name. In horrid detail it laid bare the acts led by the three families that came against the French ministry. Terrible acts done to the creatures and wizard-kind alike that was grossly reminiscent to what the Dark Lord had done over decades in Britain. Draco continued reading even as the evening came and Hermione left.

Her farewell of "have a pleasant dinner, Malfoy," went unanswered and when he finished he realized it was quite late.

In a daze he packed his things away before making his way stealthily out of the library and made it back to his common room minutes before curfew. Clutching the book to his chest Draco sat on his bed with the curtains shut tight and thought. The things he knew about his family were a lie if this book was accurate...Draco had some research to do. Damn you, Granger.

❖Part 2❖

His Own Walk

The school year was off to a great start. The announcement of the Triwizard Tournament brought a new level of excitement to the students, even if participation was limited to the upper years. Just the fact that there was something new going on was enough to get even the most reticent to agree that they would enjoy watching the competition unfold. Speculation was running rife for what lucky student would be chosen from Hogwarts to compete.

Draco felt the thrum of anticipation amongst the student body and couldn't help but get caught up in it. There was very little change that happened in their society or Hogwarts and this competition was like a fresh breeze flowing into a stagnant room. After a summer of his father acting strangely, the disaster of a world cup, and now having confusing revelations about his family history Draco felt as if he could use the distraction. Sitting down to breakfast two weeks before the arrival of the rival schools the wizard helped himself to a bowlful on bangers and mash.

"Pass the sausages, please, young Malfoy."

Draco set down his eating utensils and genteelly wiped his mouth with his linen napkin. "Of course, Mister Urquhart." The two Slytherin males made eye contact as the platter was passed between them.

"My thanks." The elder boy inclined his head, just slight enough to be noticed.

"It is no trouble." Draco gave a mildly deeper nod and waited for the elder boy to finish the interaction.

"Continue with you morning meal, young Malfoy." With that the eye contact was broken.

Manners and etiquette were staples of the wizarding world, to purebloods or non, and it was only in the very recent years that the Wizarding Studies class had been removed from the Hogwarts curriculum, to the dismay of many of the families. Even the blood traitors of the other side of the divide had voiced their dissent of not teaching the course. Draco's mother had fumed for days before he left for his first year about the new students coming in would have no idea the codes of conduct, wizarding customs and courtesies, and Old Magic. Whenever it was brought up Dumbledore would merely wave his hands and twinkle his eyes, saying he would look into it. His darling mother took that to mean he would do nothing.

His mother was the embodiment of everything Draco knew to be correct. A daughter of one of the oldest wizarding families in the country, Narcissa Black of the House of Black. Beautiful and talented with the knowledge of Old Magics that she learned under the tutelage of her Head of House as a girl. It had taken him years to see the difference in his parents, and now armed with the knowledge of his father's family many of the discrepancies were explained. Many of the lessons his mother taught him of magic were deep, moving stories. How magic was in the birds, stones, in the air he breathed, and settled deep in his very bones. From his mother he learned to appreciate Magic as a part of every magical being.

A frown tugged at the corner of his mouth as he sliced his sausage into bite sized pieces. Those lessons had been quickly overshadowed by his father's teachings. Taking Draco from his mother Lucius had decided to teach him the "magic of the Malfoy" away from the concerned eyes of his mother. Looking back the young man could see what that was. Taking small but savory bites the wizard enjoyed his breakfast while simultaneously picking his childhood apart piece by piece. His father had attempted to brainwash him. Draco could see that now. Instilling the thoughts that Malfoys were above everyone else, that the power they had was unrivaled, save for by the Dark Lord. That blood traitors, mudbloods, and half-breeds were to be spit upon, downtrodden, and thrown out of the world. It had been just before his ninth birthday when his father "took over his education" and by the time he was ready for Hogwarts he could see the fear and pain in his mother's expression when she saw his arrogant walk and affected sneer.

Draco closed his eyes and brought the delicate teacup to his face and inhaled deeply. He was ashamed to admit that he had wanted the power his father spoke of. People fearing you. Quaking in their robes about what you could do to them.

Now he found no comfort in his father's words, his father's lies, and felt his heart ache for the calm lessons with his mother. Hearing her soft voice in the study, kitchen, forest, or gardens as she showed him the magic of her house. Perhaps when he returned home he would speak to his mother. His hand strayed to the strap of his satchel as it lay across his lap where the book his friend had given him was hidden. Yes. With a imperceivable nod to himself he blotted the corners of his lips with his napkin, placed his used breakfast utensils on the empty golden charger at the middle of the table, followed by his teacup and spoon. Folding his linen square up he placed it to the side of his little pile. Standing tall he inclined his head at the group still eating and bid them good morning and slid the strap of his bag on his shoulder. Abandoning his father's walk he made his way unobtrusively from the hall, off to face the rest of his day.

After another awful Defense Against the Dark Arts lesson...

Alarm coursed through Hermione as she shot down the steps to grip Neville after he successfully completed a rather exotic gymnastics floor routine that almost ended up with him throwing himself bodily down the tower steps after leaving the Defense Against the Dark Arts classroom.

The boy gave her a grateful look and kept a tight grip on her arm as they descended the tower to get to Transfiguration. The little witch could hear Harry and Ron speaking behind her about Professor Moody and his time at the ministry, their conversation jumping along with Ron as he continued to skip despite having the curse lifted, just as Neville seemed to be competing for the gold with his acrobatics. Looping her arm through his securely she whispered to him as the continued to walk.

"No Neville, you're focusing on the actions your body is doing, not why your body is doing them." With a tight smile she quietly walked him through the mental exercises and kept him from tossing himself into the air yet again. "That's good, focus, yes exactly! Bravo Neville."

Even in the relatively short trip from one classroom to the next Neville had calmed considerably and his actions were no longer life threatening. With a shy smile he squeezed her arm before doing a small ball change and a perfect grand jeté into the classroom, turning pink before successfully making it to his seat without further flair.

Hermione huffed as she made her way towards her seat, her mind in turmoil over the class matter taught by Professor Moody. She knew the importance of knowledge about that particular curse, especially after the Wizarding War ending and so many of the perpetrators being found innocent after claiming to be under its effects. It was the casting it on students without prior knowledge and laughing at their inability to fight off its influence that caused her distress. Harry had been the only one close to resisting the vile spell, and had a bruised head to show for it. Not that he minded in the least if the grin on his face said anything. With a shake of her head Hermione pulled out her supplies for class and rolled her eyes as Ron came skipping in, his cheeks burning from embarrassment. At this Hermione felt no need to assist Ron as she had with Neville, the shy Gryffindor never insulted her or called her a nightmare...Ron could figure this out on his own.

With a lazy tracing of her wand the cute little hedgehog that had been nosing around her desk flipped and twisted until it squeaked into a rough spun pin cushion. Sighing as she prepared herself to assist with the other students as Professor McGonagall lectured about the importance of their studies and the approaching OWL year only to see that the entire class had turned towards her as the professor stated that she had been the only one with a successful transfiguration. With a blush she twisted her wand and the hedgehog was sitting in front of her again. The little creature gave her an affronted chitter before shambling off to do its business elsewhere as the witch tried whispering apologies-the hedgehog was having none of it.

Someone cleared their throat and Hermione glanced up to see Dean Thomas holding a spiky looking pin cushion that seemed to quake with fear. With a puff of laughter she gestured to the seat next to her. "Honestly Mr. Thomas, the poor dear isn't meant to stay like that."

❖Part Three❖

The Vow

Later that evening when Hermione watched Draco move from scowling at his history essay to insulting his potions book. The blonde wizard had been a little off since their return to Hogwarts and Hermione thought perhaps she knew why.

"Excuse me, Malfoy." She started quietly, causing the boy in question to jerk his head up and glower at her. Swallowing Hermione fiddled with the cuff of her sleeve as she tried to ask him in a way that wouldn't be considered prying, instead she took a deep breath and dove right in. "Are you...are you upset with me since I brought you that book?"

She watched as Draco's scowl deepened and he slammed his books shut. Surprisingly when he spoke anger wasn't at her.

"Yes Granger," he began, "I am upset. I'm upset because the book you gave me, and every other one I've scrounged up in this library or owled out for is all telling me the same thing." Smacking his closed fist on the table Hermione watched a torrent of emotion race across his normally schooled face. "That the Malfoys have been in Britain only since just before the turn of the century, and even before that their family line is unsure."

Hermione had a dozen questions rush into her mind at his words but decided to wait to say anything until he was finished.

"I have very little knowledge of my father's family, save for what he told me. He would have me believe that the Malfoys have been apart of British Magical society for centuries. He told me tales of Malfoys setting up and tearing down ministers, changing laws, and silently running the government when it suited them. How would that be possible if the first Malfoy hadn't stepped across that Circe's cursed channel until 100 years ago? My mother's family has been here since the time of Merlin but I cannot find evidence of the Malfoy family existing except within the last three hundred years...and in France!"

Hermione looked at Draco's face and felt herself frowning in return. Part of her thought he was being incredibly irrational about finding out that his family may not be as "pure" as he once thought but she pushed that aside immediately. Thinking over everything he had said she realized that everything Draco new about his father was shaken down to its foundations. If his father lied about this, what else had he lied about? Was there any truth a boy could hold onto? Or was he living a lie perpetuated by a liar?

Hermione continued to listen as he ranted, speaking of more personal and private dealings with his father that she knew no one else had ever heard. Tales of his father's lessons in the "ways of the Malfoy" but was there really a "way" or was it just his father's need to assert control of his son? Made up history lessons followed by intense spell work that would leave him sweating and feeling dirty. Hermione was able to keep her silence until she heard of Lucius Malfoy casting the Imperius Curse on his own son, she couldn't stop the horrified gasp that escaped her lips.

Draco stopped immediately and took in Hermione's horrified expression. He felt his face flush and he stood quickly, throwing his belongings into his bag. He tried to rush out of the alcove only to have his way blocked by Hermione.

"Move Granger." He bit out, staring over her head, refusing to see the pity in her expression after his unrestrained rant.

"No."

"Move!" He wanted to push her aside and disappear to never see her again. Ever be looked at like that again. Pity and horror. "Get out of the way." He could see Potter and Weasley's snide comments and sympathetic faces in his mind's eye. Schoolmates knowing his hidden fears and judging him for it.

"No!" Came her forceful reply. "I will never tell anyone about this, on my honor. Your secrets belong to you, and I will not reveal them knowingly. This I swear."

Magic rose between them, humming like a plucked chord on a harp. It settled between the two teens like a chord wrapped around one and strung to the other.

Draco stared at her, gobsmacked, before he shook himself out of his stupor to glare at her. "For someone so smart, Granger, you are incredibly stupid sometimes."

The witch shook her head vehemently.

"Perhaps, but this is important. Revealing this should not be shameful, and you should not run from your friend. I won't try and pretend that I understand everything but I can keep your secrets, and support you."

Draco let out a puff of air and rolled his eyes. "I'm not another charity case for you to take up."

"I know."

"I don't need you sympathy."

"I understand."

"I don't want your pity, or Gryffindor-ish sentimentality."

"I'm not giving any."

The two stared at one another for a few moments before Draco turned back and sat down at the table. "You really shouldn't toss out magical vows like that Granger, they can be costly."

Hermione only smiled gently at him. "For this," she gestured between the two on them, "you cannot comprehend what I would pay."

The thrum of magic was gone but an incredible warmth remained. Both teenagers went back to their work, refusing to acknowledge that anything had changed.

In the dark of the stacks outside Harry Potter opened his eyes that had been clenched tight. Resolve filled him as he adjusted his cloak and made his way out of the darkness. His dearest friend thought his enemy worth something. That-at least-was enough to change his own opinion. He would not, however; be left behind as a friend who couldn't understand or accept change. Malfoy was able to give her some kind of companionship that she didn't get from anyone else, and Harry decided that he would make sure that he proved himself to be just as good of a friend to her. He owed her that much.

The revelations he had overheard tugged at his heart in a way he hadn't expected. It was so easy to paint Malfoy as an evil to be overcome. An enemy. Harry felt his stomach roll at the thought of growing up with a man like Lucius Malfoy, and he could for the first time since his start at Hogwarts sympathize with the other boy. The Dursleys were horrendous, abusive people, but they didn't have a wand to turn on him. Making his way quickly out of the library Harry stopped short before abandoning his original plan of going back to the tower. With a quick turn on his heel he headed to the owlery, fishing out a quill and his stationary set as he walked. He had questions and right now the first person he would go to couldn't be asked, Ron was useless when it came to anything not related to Quidditch or chess, so he needed to talk to Sirius. Hopefully he could get some answers and be able to approach Hermione about Malfoy in a way that didn't end in either boy cursing one another. Harry's mouth turned down in a concerned frown at remembering Malfoy say the vow Hermione gave could be dangerous, so he added that to the list of things to ask Sirius too.

A/N:

Apologies for the time in between updates. I'm currently going through a major change since I'm leaving the military at long last and trying to settle in to being a civilian again. Hopefully I'll be done with my out processing this week and can have some time to write more.

Thank you for the reviews on the last chapter and the suggestions! Someone had mentioned Neville being brought more into the story and gave a very good reasoning for it and I while I had toyed around with the idea of him becoming part of the story I was further convinced of his inclusion. Thank you Guest for your suggestion and I hope if any other readers have ideas they'd like to see please leave them in a review or message and I'll see if I can incorporate them into the story.

This chapter is a tad shorter than the previous ones but I do hope you enjoy it.

Cheers, The Pirate King