Chapter 1

"It is an unpleasant fact, but true Albus, Harry Potter is no longer safe to live in Gryffindor," Professor McGonagall said, her eyes revealing her anger.

"Yes, I believe even Mr Potter could not fight off the entire dormitory every night," Professor Snape added.

"Well what do you suggest we do Severus? After the unfortunate incident in question, even though Harry has been cleared of all charges, feelings run strong and we have never changed a student's house before. The sorting hat decides." Professor Dumbledore pointed out.

"Except...well, didn't the sorting hat have other ideas for Mr Potter?" Professor McGonagall added.

"Are you suggesting Harry join Slytherin?" Dumbledore raised an eyebrow.

"Well, it makes sense," McGonagall continued, "After all, Severus is his Guardian now, and I do not think Harry would be in any danger in Slytherin."

"Severus?" Professor Dumbledore asked.

Professor Snape let out a long sigh. "As much as it pains me to say it, I believe Potter would be best in my house. But I do not think he will take this well Albus. He barely acknowledges my Guardianship as it is."

"Then we are agreed. Harry Potter will join Slytherin house next year. And don't worry Severus, I will sort out Harry." Dumbledore said.

"May I make a small suggestion?" Professor Snape asked.

"By all means," Dumbledore gestured for Snape to continue.

"I do not think it would be wise to just throw Mr Potter into Slytherin house. Maybe a chance to form an alliance is what he needs first."

"What do you suggest?" Dumbledore waited patiently whilst Snape gathered his thoughts.

"I know Lucius Malfoy is keen to be seen in a different light, since he left the Dark Lord's service he has been looking for a way to make amends. I think he would be keen to take on the Potter boy and have him befriend Draco."

"Draco? But Harry hates Draco Malfoy," Professor McGonagall interrupted.

"Love and hate are very close, as you should know Minerva. At least the Malfoy's will not hold Potter's recent past against him, however the outcome of the court case turned out. I think Draco could be exactly what Potter needs to get through the year."

"I shall trust your judgement on this Severus. Now, if you will excuse me, I need to speak to Harry soon and you need to speak to the Malfoys."

Harry sat on his bed in the tidy house on Privet Drive clutching the parchment which had arrived 2 days previously carried by a smart looking owl. He looked down and read the words again.

Harry

Due to recent events we have come to the decision some changes need to be made next year for your safety. I will be arriving at 9am on Monday morning. Please be ready to leave your Aunt's house for the remainder of the holidays. I will explain everything when I see you.

Albus Dumbledore

Harry had already packed up his possessions into his trunk and Hedwig sat patiently in her cage, both eyes shut as if determined to ignore Harry. Not that Harry wasn't used to being ignored. It was a common daily occurrence for him in the holidays. He had resigned himself to spending the entire holidays at his Aunt's house since an invitation to visit the Weasley's home was very unlikely. In fact, having any of his friends talking to him ever again was exceedingly unlikely.

Harry was curious about the changes Professor Dumbledore had been talking about in the note. He had gone over many possibilities in his mine. He glanced up as the clock finally ticked onto 9 o'clock. It had been a long night with very little sleep. A knock on the door made him jump. Harry sprang up and ran to open it. The Dursley's had been called out for the day, Harry assumed it was not a coincidence.

Professor Dumbledore stood in the doorway, wearing a rather odd brown muggle suit.

"Harry," Professor Dumbledore said, his face beaming.

"Professor, please, come in," Harry said, standing back to allow Professor Dumbledore past him.

"We shall not stay long Harry," Dumbledore said, as Harry took in the second figure in his doorway. Snape stood glowering at him.

"Oh," Harry's tone of voice turned flat. "Come in."

The two professors followed Harry to Aunt Petunia's neat living room where they sat down on the sofa.

"I assume you received my note Harry," Professor Dumbledore said. Harry nodded, looking at the carpet.

"Well then, let me explain. In light of the recent unpleasant events, it is no longer safe for you to reside in the Gryffindor dormitories, or indeed the Gryffindor house next year. As such, we have decided to move you into Slytherin house."

"Slytherin?" Harry shouted. "Into his house?" He pointed at Snape.

"Indeed," Professor Snape said. "The sorting hat considered Slytherin for you so it should not be too much of a shock."

"But..." Harry's words trailed off.

"Yes Harry, Slytherin house. You will be safest there, and after all, Professor Snape is now your Guardian and as such can watch over you more closely." Professor Dumbledore paused, examining Harry's now resigned expression.

"And in order to help you prepare for this change, Mr Malfoy has volunteered to have you spend the remainder of the holidays at his manor to help you adjust. Draco will be supporting you in your transition to Slytherin house," Dumbledore continued.

"Are you trying to kill me?"Harry shrieked, "Lucius Malfoy hates me. He wants to kill me, or to give me to Voldemort."

"No," Snape interrupted "Lucius has repented for his ways and is to be fully trusted in this matter. My mind is made up Potter, and as your Guardian, my decision is final."

Harry turned pleading eyes to Professor Dumbledore who watched them both calmly.

"But Professor..."

"I'm sorry Harry, but I fully support Professor Snape. You will be in no danger with Mr Malfoy and his family." Professor Dumbledore looked at his pocked watch. "And now it is time for us to leave, Mr Malfoy will be expecting us. Accio trunk."

Harry's trunk and Hedwigs cage flew down the stairs and vanished as Professor Dumbledore waved his wand.

"Professor Snape will be escorting you, I will be seeing you in a week Harry," Dumbledore said, before vanishing.

Harry gazed at the spot where Professor Dumbledore had just stood.

"Come along Harry, take my arm please," Professor Snape said.

"You called me Harry," Harry said, not moving.

"Well I am your Guardian. You may call me Severus when we are not at school. Let us try and make this unpleasant situation work please Harry. Now, take my arm."

Harry looked at Snape's eyes. He may be the teacher who hated him most in the school ,but Harry was old enough to understand the way Snape worked and that he was genuinely trying to make and effort to be pleasant.

"Very well...Severus." Harry stepped forward and held onto his Guardian's arm before the world vanished and Harry's stomach lurched.

The world came back into focus as Harry realised they were on the doorstep of a rather grand looking house.

"We are at the Malfoy Manor Harry, I expect you to be on your best behaviour here. Do you understand?" Severus asked.

Harry nodded silently as the door opened and the figure of Lucius Malfoy stepped out into the daylight, closely followed by the slim blond figure of Draco.

"Greetings Severus, Harry. We are very pleased to have you with us," Lucius said smoothly.

"Thank you for doing this Lucius," Severus replied.

Lucius gave a little bow. "Not at all, it is a pleasure to help out Mr Potter, isn't it Draco?"

Draco who had been stood studying Harry's face carefully, without his usual smirk on his face, nodded.

"Yes, a pleasure," Draco said.

"Aren't you going to say something Harry?" Severus nudged his Ward.

"Oh, um, yes, thanks for having me, I guess," Harry offered cautiously.

"Won't you come in?" Lucius asked.

"Well, I really must be going back to Hogwarts, so I shall leave Harry in your care. You know how to reach me if you need me," Severus said.

"Yes, until the next time then Severus," Lucius replied, holding a hand out for Severus to shake before he turned on the spot and vanished. He turned to face Harry again. "Well then, I expect we should go inside Harry."

Harry nodded and gripped his wand in his pocket as he followed Draco into the house. The door banged shut behind him.

"This way Harry," Draco said. Harry nodded again and followed him into a large sitting room furnished in cream and gold. Harry recognised Draco's Mother waiting on one of the rather uncomfortable looking chairs.

"Harry, what a pleasure it is to have you here. I have heard so much about you," Draco's Mother rose gracefully from the chair and approached Harry, pulling him into a rather one sided hug.

"Thanks," Harry muttered, feeling a little unsure of himself and the situation he was in.

"Harry, this is my wife, Narcissus. And you may call me Lucius."

"Ok," Harry replied, not sure what else to say.

"Whilst you are here Harry, please, treat out house as your own, but I expect you to follow our rules. There is to be no unpleasantness under my roof. You will be expected to attend meal times promptly, dressed properly of course. There will be no leaving the house grounds without my prior consent. This is for your safety. Do you understand?"

"Yes," Harry answered, thinking that the rules seemed quite fair and far better than he was expecting remembering his previous experiences with the Malfoys. "Um, dressed properly?"

Draco laughed, but not in an unfriendly way.

"I think Harry may need some wardrobe assistance Father," Draco suggested. Lucius looked Harry's second hand muggle clothes up and down before nodding.

"Indeed Draco. Maybe a trip to the tailors is in order."

"And the hairdresser," Narcissa eyed Harry's rebellious black hair.

"The tailors?" Harry asked.

"Nothing to worry about. Draco, perhaps you can show Harry his room and then we can take him shopping when he is ready," Lucius instructed. "If there is anything you require Harry, please let us know immediately.

"Ok," Harry said, then paused. "Thanks."

"Do not mention it," Narcissa smiled.

"Come on," Draco said, holding out a hand and guiding Harry from the room and up a large marble staircase. "I will show you your room, it is next to mine." Draco led Harry down another corridor and stopped outside three doors. "That is my room," Draco said, pointing. "And this is the bathroom," Draco pushed the door open to reveal a magnificent bathroom. "And this is your room," Draco turned the handle and pulled Harry in to a large, spacious room furnished in pale green with silver. Hedwig and his trunk were already in place.

Harry stopped and took in the colour scheme, and the abundance of space and furniture. Draco followed his gaze. "Father thought the colours would help you become accustomed to the Slytherin colours. I hope it is ok."

Harry's mouth worked but no noise came out.

"Of course, I can ask him to change it if you don't like it," Draco began.

"No, no it's great. It's just...bigger than anything I've had before," Harry interrupted.

"Yes, I heard you lived with muggles?"

"Only when I have to," Harry joked. Draco laughed. Harry smiled, before thinking how strange it was to be getting along with Draco Malfoy, his least favourite person at Hogwarts, well except for maybe his Guardian. Life had a funny sense of irony sometimes.

Draco's face returned to its normal perfect blankness before lighting up with curiosity.

"Look Harry, can I ask you about what happened with Ginny and Hermione?"

"I don't want to talk about it," Harry said, turning his back on Draco.

"Because, you know you were cleared so we don't think you did but..."

"I said I don't want to talk about it!" Harry snapped.

"Sorry, I didn't mean to..."

"It's ok," Harry sighed before turning back to face Draco, who looked worried. "I just...I can't think about that yet, do you understand?"

Draco nodded and for the first time, Harry saw a look of sympathy flash over his face.

"So, the tailors. What's that about then?" Harry changed the subject quickly.

"Well, it's about time someone did something about that look of yours," Draco smirked.

Harry looked at himself. "We don't all have tailors you know," he retorted.

"Well, Malfoys do, and so now, do you," Draco replied.

"I'm not going to get any peace from your Mother until I've done this am I?"

Draco shook his head, his perfect hair moving gently, almost transfixing Harry.

"Hey! Harry! Snap out of it," Draco groaned. He hated his Veela ancestry making it so easy for people to get obsessive.

"What? Oh, sorry," Harry blushed slightly, making Draco snigger.

"Don't worry, I'm part Veela so I'm used to it."

"Part Veela?"

"Yup, it explains my devilish good looks doesn't it?" Draco grinned.

"Could have done with more work on charm and modesty though," Harry teased.

"Hey!" Draco hit Harry playfully around the head. "Come on, let's get you sorted out and then we can go riding our brooms if you want?"

Harry nodded and followed Draco out of his new bedroom. It was strange, Harry mused, but he did feel welcome at the Malfoy house and Draco was almost like a different person. At least he was trying to be friendly, and Harry really needed a friend after the horrors of the past few weeks.

"Father, I think we are ready now," Draco called out as they descended the stairs.

"That was fast," Lucius said, appearing from another doorway.

"Well, why waste the whole day when we can shop and then go flying. I want another chance to beat Harry again," Draco answered.

"Beat me? You don't beat me, I beat you Malfoy!" Harry responded.

Narcissa rolled her eyes at Lucius.

"You see what you have let yourself in for here?" she asked.

Lucius sighed as he turned to watch his son and Harry Potter have a fast and sometimes rather nasty exchange about the Quidditch skills of each other.

"Enough!" Lucius stepped in between the boys. Draco's normally pale complexion was flushed with anger. Harry was breathing a little more heavily than usual.

"Sorry Father," Draco hung his head a little. Harry shook himself and regarded Draco for a moment before turning to Lucius.

"Sorry, I didn't mean to argue," Harry said.

"Never mind, it is time for us to go. I have prepared the floo for travel."

"Are we going to Diagon Alley?" Harry asked.

"No, to a personal friend of mine, and an excellent tailor," Narcissa said. "Follow me please."

Harry watched carefully, before stepping in to the floo and taking a handful of powder. He stumbled out of the floo at the other end of the journey, where Narcissa stood waiting for him next to a smiling witch holding pins and a measuring tape. Harry climbed out of the fireplace as Draco appeared and hopped out gracefully. Harry scowled at him. How did he always manage to look so damn graceful? Must be another of those Veela powers. Draco moved towards him and muttered an apology as Lucius appeared in the grate.

"Thank you for seeing us so quickly Lucinda," Lucius said.

"No problem, no problem," the witch waved away Lucius's thanks. "What can I do for my best customers today?"

"Well, we have a visitor who needs some...help," Narcissa pushed Harry forward a little.

"Ah, AH!" Lucinda's eyes widened as she realised who was stood in front of her.

"Harry is staying with is for some time and requires a new wardrobe," Narcissa said.

"Indeed, indeed," Lucinda looked Harry up and down. "Well then, lets get started!"

Lucius and Draco settled down to play chess as tape measures flew around Harry and Narcissa pointed out items in the show catalogue.

An hour later Harry was stood in the best fitting clothes he had ever had in his life. Even Draco's eyes widened slightly as they took in Harry in snug black jeans with a sleeveless black top and dragonskin jacket showing off his toned chest, down to his new black dragonskin boots.

"Just one more improvement I think," Narcissa said, looking very pleased with herself. She waved her wand and Harry's hair shot down in length to his shoulders, with a slightly shorter fringe laying smoothly over his forehead to cover his scar. Harry's hair lay flat and straight for the first time in his life.

"Perfect!" Draco said enthusiastically, before biting his lip as Lucius gave him a surprised look.

"Um, thanks," Harry grinned. "How much do I owe you?" he turned to Lucinda.

"No, no, no!" Lucius waved Harry's offer away. "We are paying. I insist. Think if it as an apology for our previous encounters."

"Wow, thanks!" Harry said.

"I will send the rest of the clothes along with you," Lucinda trilled as Draco headed for the fireplace.

"Malfoy Manor," Draco said before throwing the floo powder and vanishing. Harry followed him and as he appeared in the fireplace of Draco's home, Draco stuck out and arm and steadied him before pulling him out.

"What was that for?" Harry asked, surprised.

"Oh come on Harry, I've seen more graceful hippogriffs!" Draco laughed as Lucius and Narcissa appeared.

"Charming," Harry muttered.

"Now boys, off you go for your fly. Don't leave the grounds and don't get into any trouble," Lucius said.

Draco waved a cheery hand to his father before pulling Harry out into the large grounds of the house. Harry stopped to admire the perfectly manicured lawn and trees, but Draco pulled him on around the house. Harry's jaw dropped as he saw what was behind the house.

"Is that? WOW! Your own quidditch pitch?"

Draco nodded smugly. "Nicer than that Weasley hovel I dare say."

Harry's face turned dark.

"Do not insult the Weasley's Malfoy."

"Ooh, scary Potter. I'll make a deal with you, I won't insult their 'home' again today if you can catch me." Draco grabbed a broom from the store and sped into the air. Harry followed suit closely behind him. The two spent a long afternoon dodging, diving and swooping through the grounds of the Malfoy Manor. Harry caught Draco very quickly, earning him a muttered apology before they practised Seeker skills with a snitch Draco had purloined from Hogwarts.

A bell rang out, interrupting the game. Draco pulled his broom up sharply.

"Dinner time," he called to Harry who nodded and landed on the ground by the broom store. Draco landed beside him and they put the brooms away.

Harry pushed his longer hair out of his face. Draco smirked as it stuck up a little where the wind had blown it, before waving his wand and smoothing it out again.

"I guess I should learn that," Harry said ruefully as they headed back into the house.

"I'll teach you later, but we need to get changed quickly for dinner."

Harry looked down at his new clothes, admittedly looking slightly rumpled after an afternoon's flying.

"Really?" Harry asked.

"Honestly Potter, you have no class," Draco smirked before dragging Harry upstairs and laying out a new set of clothes for him from his wardrobe. "Wear these, I'll be back in a minute."

Harry looked suspiciously at the new black suit before him before pulling his clothes off. He was just putting the shirt on when Draco reappeared silently in the doorway, dressed in a suit. Draco's eyes dropped to Harry's bum, encased in silk boxers before shaking his head and telling Harry to hurry up.

The two of them walked down the stairs to the dining room. It was a magnificent room, wallpapered dark green with silver place settings and lit by candles. Lucius was already sitting at the head of the table with Narcissa at the other end. Draco gestured for Harry to sit opposite him. Harry sat quickly onto the chair. Lucius clapped his hands and the food appeared steaming on the table. A house elf moved between them, pouring goblets of wine for everyone. Harry had never tasted wine before and appreciated the deep, rich flavour by drinking the goblet straight down in one huge gulp.

Lucius raised an eyebrow as the elf poured another goblet.

"Oh that's classless," Draco groaned.

"What? Oh sorry, wasn't thinking," Harry explained.

"As a Slytherin you need to always be thinking," Draco pointed out.

"Appearances are very important Harry," Lucius added. "We must present our best image to the world in order to succeed. And in light of certain recent events and unfounded accusations, it is especially important for you."

"We do not wish to lecture you Harry, but at the same time, you were sent to us to learn," Narcissa added.

Harry nodded slowly.

"I'm sorry for my bad manners," Harry apologized. He was careful to use his best table manners through the rest of dinner. For a minute he missed the free and easy dinners at the Burrow with the Weasley's before he banished that thought. That was all over for him now.