Ethereal

Daniel, Hermione and Ron were stood in Madam Malkiss's shop, getting measured for robes was no easy or painless thing to do and each pin that was forced into the clothing often brought a note of protest from Ron. He was being a touch untruthful with his size

"Ron just tell her your waistline," Hermione encouraged seeing him in some pain,

"No this is my size," Ron countered gruffly. Ever since the attack two weeks ago he had been jumpy and determined to prove his manliness after running away. Even though both Daniel and Hermione kept telling him the creature had made him and bragged about it the whole time.

"Fine," Hermione muttered as the door to the shop opened grandly, in swaggered Draco Malfoy who suddenly looked disgusted.

"I told you mother this was a mistake, look at the scum who shop here. Mudblood in broad daylight," he announced to the woman at his side, she simply frowned.

"Are you going to come over here and say that?" Daniel growled angrily

"Do not threaten him," Narcissa Malfoy retorted angrily.

"Or what going to call in some death eater pals?"
"Please do not make such accusations, or use such language," Madam Malkiss hissed angrily, not wanting to seem to offensive to either customer.

"Maybe we shouldn't even be here," Draco countered venomously with a look at Hermione

"Cousin Draco are you really going to drag us to another shop, you wanted to come here so you're going to stay here," a voice none of them recognised remarked from behind Malfoy's mother. The woman in question moved to the side and someone else walked in, a pale skinned relative of Malfoy who swooped in with elegance. Wearing fine black robes and looking around the room with a bored eye, he took a moment to flick his dark hair which seemed familiar but not overly so.

"I don't think we should now we know who comes here," Draco spat sneering at the trio who just glared at the both of them.

"Civil Draco, be civil," Narcissa warned with a look at the other boy, as if she was testing his views not knowing if he was going to agree with why they should leave.

"A mudblood." Draco began in threatening tones

"They share this world with us, there are more of them than pure bloods so if you cannot share a shop with them you might as well go home as you evidently won't be able to share a class with them. Be civil cousin," the other boy ordered harshly and the trio watching wondered why Draco suddenly looked obedient.

"Ok cousin, but don't get too close. You don't want them to get the scent," Draco replied icily and the other boy's eyes widened angrily. Daniel, Hermione and Ron frowned, that wasn't a comment aimed at any of them.

"Draco," Narcissa breathed in air quickly, realising her son had been talking about her "nephew" not Hermione. They knew he was more than human but they did not know what he was, the Dark Lord refused them that knowledge. However it was not something Draco was adapting to well,

"As you have such evident fear then go to the other shop," was the reply and Draco looked suddenly worried, like he had seen something. In reality his mind had been stricken by slight panic and quickly he and his mother left the shop.

"I need measuring Miss Malkiss, and I apologise for any discomfort that conversation caused you," the boy told her quickly.

"It's no trouble, Please stand over there," the woman smiled slightly before rushing off to the back room. She seemed pleased the other two were out of the shop.

"Good," he replied slowly walking over to the empty space next to Hermione.

"Who are you?" Ron demanded suddenly, already disliking this new person.

"Harry Malfoy, and you?" he replied seamlessly with no evident dislike or contempt. Though his eyes did dart towards Hermione for a single second,

"Oh great like one wasn't enough," Daniel snarled viciously.

"Guys, don't assume his like that..." She trailed off realising she was supposed to be talking to one of Draco's relatives.

"Please do not liken me to my cousin," Harry spoke the word cousin as if he was saying something grossly offensive. He seemed almost angry.

"Why not, you're all the same," Ron muttered under his breath.

"I would remind you that your logic in that sentence is the same one used to justify discriminating against muggleborns and supposed blood traitors." Harry replied quickly and with grace.

"Are you calling me prejudice?" Ron demanded

"No I'm calling you a hypocrite," Harry corrected quickly, not needing to even think about his response.

"What the hell does that mean?" Daniel demanded much to Hermione's dismay.

"Exactly how is being the most educated person in this group?" Harry questioned Hermione ignoring the question. Hermione sighed but said nothing in response,

"You could do better," Harry told her thinking of the Ethereals, he was convinced she would be a success. After all why else could she resist his mind control?

"Are you saying she should be a death eater?" Daniel demanded but all he got in response was a laugh.

"No I'm saying there is an abundance of more educated people than you two," Harry answered honestly wondering if either boy would work out what he said.

"I have your robes," Madam Malkiss stopped the conversation with an armful of robes.

"Well I must it was a pleasure meeting you Miss Granger, the others I have limited care for but I look forward to seeing you again," Harry smiled at the girl who despite herself smiled back.

Borgin and Burkes

Draco was pushed up against a wall the moment he was in the shop

"Listen to me very carefully Draco Malfoy, if you ever mention or reference the fact I am not entirely human then I will leave you brain dead in the great hall do I make myself clear," Harry snarled, he had already been inside and he was angry.

"Yes. I'm sorry," Draco told him through gasps of fear, he was surprised and when Harry let go he looked ready to collapse.

"Good, now if you don't mind we need to discuss our mission in Hogwarts," Harry announced dryly.

"It's my mission!" Draco corrected maliciously

"Then plan it," Harry growled as the death eaters around him watched, all of them were told not to interfere with him at any point. Voldemort himself had made that clear

"This vanishing cabinet..." Draco began. Though as they were talking Harry began to peace, something in the back of his mind was ebbing. He turned around and for a second out of the window he thought he saw a flicker of red.

"Is something wrong?" Greyback asked, he was obviously intrigued by Harry's presence.

"Not yet, "Harry replied closing the blinds.

Hogwarts Express

"I am pretty sure the head girl should be patrolling the train, not stuck in an empty compartment with her nose in a book," a deep and yet curious voice filled the compartment and Hermione looked up to see Harry Malfoy of all people walk in. He was smiling and she was suddenly defensive

"What are you doing in here?" Hermione asked, shouldn't he be with his cousin?

"Draco's friends bore me, as does he and yet you don't. So what are you doing in here?" he countered.

"Well I'm taking a break," she argued standing up but he raised a hand and she was suddenly inclined to sit back down.

"Is that a historical guide to magical creatures , that even for one who enjoyed reading like myself or you would agree it is not leisure reading," Harry commented knowing exactly what she was looking for and he knew she wasn't going to find it. There was no longer any reference to the Ethereal Ones in any book as far as he knew.

"I'm doing homework," Hermione justified.
"For which there are hundreds of better more readable books. This is something else isn't it?"

"I don't have to explain myself to you," Hermione hissed and Harry just smiled.

"I never said you did, I am just intrigued to know what you're doing. That book is for looking things up and you are definitely scanning it, like you're looking for something." He commented looking thoughtful.

"I need to go," Hermione announced standing up and heading towards the door.

"You're looking for the creature that attacked Diagon Alley," Harry announced and she stopped, she turned to him. Wondering how he has guessed.

"Yes that's it. Well I must say that is nothing short of adventurous for a teenager, and very interesting. Tell me have you found anything?" Harry asked knowing the answer. She shook her head.

"A shame, whatever it was must me a being of immense power, something like that would be the discovery of a lifetime if caught. But you're not in this to catch it, you want to know the enemy," Harry continued and as he watched her he knew he was right. Hermione just stood there.

"You're very observant," she commented suspiciously.

"Exactly, maybe we should look together. We both have an interest in this thing and unless you want to go through it with Ronald and Daniel it might be fun," Harry offered changing his tone to one of politeness. He hoped it was something she would find trustworthy.

She sat down next to him in the end and cautiously opened the book.

"You have an interesting eye colour," she muttered looking into them, indeed they were an emerald green with a strange purple mist overlapping them.

"Thank you, I must say I find yours just as incredible. Shall we begin?" Harry offered with a warm smile.

Later

"Is that your cousin?" Pansy asked seeing a boy depart the train, Draco had grumbled about his cousin for a while saying nothing but vague things about him.

"He's cute," Daphne Greengrass commented suddenly and received a glare from Draco. Crabbe and Goyle were just coming off the train and they were waiting,

"Hmm," Pansy muttered as he extended an arm and helped someone down.

"And getting close to the mudblood," Draco muttered under his breath as he realised who he was helping off the train, both of them were evidently in deep conversation.

"I don't think he needs to work much harder," Daphne smiled seeing how Hermione was already embedded in the conversation.

"I really hope he does," Pansy muttered looking at Harry with a longing eye.

"That is my cousin guys," Draco muttered hating the words but knowing what fate awaited him if he did not keep up appearances.

"And you never told us about him. I'm offended," Pansy muttered wryly watching his every move.

Great Hall

"Harry Malfoy," McGonagall called through the hall and some interest was with the boy who was stood a few metres away from the rest of the first years. He looked slightly annoyed at having to be sorted. However as he wanted to hurry up he quickly took his place on the stool.

What is this? Harry heard in his head the moment the hat was placed on him, he quickly prepared to take control of the hat.

A mind that is shrouded from me, yet no magic. I can sense no magic in your blood or mind what exactly, he whispered but the hat stopped long before it could finish and it was a good thing the hat had fallen over Harry's eyes. For they were glowing a vibrant purple which seized the hat's will in a moment.

Slytherin Harry ordered, again appearances were essential if this disguise was to last.

"Slytherin!" the hat obeyed and Harry quickly sent a mental jolt, wiping its mind of him and making it a bit confused. He was inside Howgarts and quickly moved to join the applauding Slytherin Table. He looked at Sanpe who gave a slight nod, and with that he was part of the school. It had been simple and easy.