Collared Deceptions

by Mindige0

 

Harry always knew that deep down he was different than the rest of the world.  With his relatives it was because of his magic and in the wizarding world it was because he had lived while others died at the two words uttered by their caster.  It was this difference that would make him realize just how powerful he really was, it was also this same difference that would lead him into the hands of a man, being, that wanted him dead.   

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Summer before seventh year

"Boy!"  Uncle Vernon bellowed to a boy, who sat upstairs in a room that had many locks on the door and a cat flap as well, as if an animal lived there and by the boy's relatives thoughts they did house a wild animal not fit for 'normal peoples' company.

oming Uncle Vernon" The boy said knowing his uncle couldn't hear him while making his way down the stairs and to where his relatives stood waiting for him at the front door of the house.

 

"There you are!  Took you long enough" The boy's uncle said while wiggling his mustache and glaring at the small frame of his nephew.

 

"Sir" the boy said quietly waiting for whatever directions that his uncle was going to give to him.

 

"We have guests coming over, and you had better be on your best behavior"

 

"Yes Uncle Vernon" the boy said not looking at his uncle, knowing that doing so would only result in a beating as he had gotten just the day before for.

 

"Good, now get in the kitchen and make dinner and you better be done by the time our guests arrive"

 

"Yes sir" the boy said before making his way slowly into the kitchen to begin making the dinner that was being requested.  He knew he wouldn't get anything to eat, but he knew better than to do something to the food since his cousin and aunt watched him like a hawk every time he cooked.

 

"What I want cooked is on the counter, boy" a woman with an abnormally long neck said pointing to the counter in question and glaring at the boy. 

 

"Yes Aunt Petunia" the boy said before walking over to the counter and then looking at the menu that his aunt had created for their guests to have tonight.  With a sigh the boy began making the dinner with his aunt watching him while sipping on her tea.  Her husband and son had gone out to get a few items that they thought would impress their dinner guests, and had left her behind with her nephew.

 

"Boy" Aunt Petunia said watching as he waved back and forth on his feet unable to stand up properly due to the lack of food from his relatives.

 

"Yes" the boy said before shaking his head and continuing to work on the dinner, the guests were set to arrive in the next hour and he hadn't even started on the dessert yet.

 

"You better not ruin this for us" the boy's aunt said while glaring at her nephew wondering how she had managed to end up with the boy.  He was after all her sister's son, but they were by no means related but she wasn't going to tell the boy that. They were being paid well to take care of the boy and she wasn't stupid enough to make the mistake and end the money coming in.

 

"Yes Aunt Petunia" the boy said before finally starting on the dessert for the dinner that the smells now floated throughout the house and even through the front door of the house.

 

"Dear" Uncle Vernon said as he made his way into the house and to the smells that lingered throughout the house.

 

"In the kitchen dear" Aunt Petunia said in a fake high pitched voice that made the boy standing at the counter mixing up the ingredients to the dessert, cringe.  Pansy Parkinson had a better voice than what he was hearing now from his aunt.

 

"Good, good" Uncle Vernon said before lumbering into the kitchen with his son at his side looking around for the food that they both smelled.

 

"Now, no cheating" Aunt Petunia said before shaking a finger at her son and husband and then smiling at her husband as he kissed her on the cheek.

 

"Now what did you get?"

 

"Oh!  Look at this" Dudley Dursley said before grabbing the bag out of his father's hand and showing his mother then most horrible piece of ceramics that he had ever seen in his life.

 

"Oh, they will just simply love this" the boy's aunt gushed before taking the item out of her son's hands and walking into the living room to place it on the mantle of the fire place, to be in prominent displaying for their guests.

 

A buzz of the door bell an hour and fifteen minutes later had all three Dursley up and moving towards the door while fixing their clothing.

 

"Up stairs you go" Uncle Vernon said before pointing a chubby finger to the stairs and glaring at the thin boy that he called his nephew.

 

"Yes sir" the boy said before slowly walking up the stairs and not taking any chances by looking back.  Once he had rounded the corner and out of sight did Vernon Dursley answer the door.

 

"Mr. Dursley" a voice that had the boy upstairs stopping cold at, he had heard that voice many times before and in that same cold tone directed at him only two years ago when he was at the Ministry of Magic saving his godfather's arse.

 

"Please call me Vernon, and this here is my wife Petunia and my son Dudley" Vernon said with a pompous tone to his voice.

 

"Charmed" the voice said in a clearly sarcastic way, but the boy knew from experience that his uncle, aunt and cousin wouldn't know that.

 

"And who have your brought with you?"

 

"This is my wife and son" the voice said before pausing as if waiting for Vernon to say or do something.  After a moment the voice spoke again, this time in a decidedly unpleasant tone.

 

"Well are you going to let us in, or are we dinning on the porch?"

 

"Oh!  Come in, come in" Uncle Vernon said before moving aside and letting the guests enter the house.  The boy upstairs had to put a hand over his mouth as he caught sight of the platinum blonde heads of the Malfoy clan.

 

"Right this way" Aunt Petunia said once the three Malfoy's had made it into the house.  All three Malfoy's sneered at the decoration of the house and the amount of pictures that held the three people in their sight.

 

"Father, I thought..." Draco Malfoy said looking to his father for an answer to his unasked question of 'where is Harry Potter?'

 

"Draco" Lucius Malfoy said giving his son a look that told him 'not now' before continuing to follow the Dursley's into the living room, which housed the now horrible looking ceramic that Vernon and Dudley had found while they were out.

 

"Would you like some tea?"  Aunt Petunia said nervous around the three Malfoy's that were currently sitting on her couch looking around their house, and measuring them up.  She really hoped they passed inspection for she knew that if all went well this night that her husband would be moving up at Grunnings.  This of course meant a higher class and she was itching to go to some of the parties that she had heard about while at the company's Yule holiday parties.

 

"Yes, thank you" Narcissa Malfoy said with an air that made Aunt Petunia jealous, she wished she had that sort of class and carelessness about money as the woman sitting on her couch did.

 

"I shall be right back" Aunt Petunia said before she made her way into the kitchen to make a tray for tea.  All the while Harry was peeking around the wall and downstairs to see what the Malfoy's, all three of them were doing and in his Aunt's and Uncle's house.

 

"Malfoy is here" Harry said stunned by the very fact that a known Death Eater was in his home and looked to be in fine spirits.

 

"Wards....wards my arse" Harry said in a snide voice, he did so hate when Dumbledore left out facts that he had every right to know and he figured that the fact that a Death Eater could enter the house without a blink of an eye was something he should have known about.

 

"Then again when has the man ever been straight with me about something?"  Harry questioned out loud before spotting Draco making his way out of the living room and towards the hallway with Dudley following.

 

"What is it that you want?"  Draco snapped when he noticed that Dudley had followed him out of the room and was now at his side giving him a look that made Draco want to vomit.

 

"Uh...uh" Dudley said nervous now that he was alone with Draco.

 

"The loo, I am allowed to use that alone?"  Draco said with a sneer on his face.

 

"Sorry" Dudley said before he stated that the only loo was upstairs and the first door on the right.  Draco sniffed and turned before making his way up the stairs slowly as if waiting for the boy at the foot of the stairs to follow.  Harry was so shocked by the scene at the bottom of the stairs that he was unable to move in time before Draco arrived to the landing of the upstairs.

 

"P..." Draco started to say before noticing that Harry was shaking his head in a no pattern and looking like death warmed over.  Draco looked over his shoulder to see that Dudley was still at the bottom of the stairs and had a blank stare on his face, while looking at Draco's back.  Draco gave Harry a look that told him they would talk once he returned from the loo.  A few minutes later Draco emerged from the loo and was happy to see that Dudley had now left the bottom of the stairs which left Draco time to go off in search of Harry, who had now disappeared.  Draco checked three bedrooms before coming to the door that held locks and a cat flap.

 

"He couldn't be in there" Draco said thinking that Harry's room was one of the other rooms in the house.  Draco shook his head before trying the door handle and letting out a breath as the door opened.

 

"Malfoy" Harry said quietly, hoping that Malfoy had somehow forgotten that he had seen him and had made his way back downstairs.

 

"What the hell?!"  Draco hissed angered by what he was seeing, he had been told time and again by his family and the Daily Prophet that Harry Potter lived a sheltered and great life, but now seeing that not only was his family but the entire wizarding world was wrong made him wonder if maybe Dumbledore was up to more than just trying to defeat Lord Voldemort.

 

"Ssshh" Harry whispered from his chair near the window.

 

"Potter"

 

"Malfoy look, just get your jollies and leave" Harry said with a defeated tone in his voice.  He knew that once he arrived back to Hogwarts that it would be all over the school about the type of life style that he lived when he wasn't at school and it was something that he wasn't looking forward to.

 

"I thought....I mean to say"

 

"Thought that I was a spoiled little brat?"

 

"Well yeah"

 

"Sorry to disappoint"

 

"Potter, are you, like okay"

 

"Could be better" Harry said not really knowing why he was telling anything to Draco but feeling good about it for some odd reason.

 

"What is going on here?"

 

"I'm their house elf"

 

"But you're Harry Potter!"

 

"They don't care; I'm just the freak that they got landed with when my parents died"

 

"What about your friends, don't they know about this?  What about that meddling old fool of a headmaster?"

 

"Oh they know and deem it not a concern since there are wards to keep Voldemort and his Death Eater out"

 

"Not much in the way of wards then" Draco said knowing that Harry knew that his father and his mother were both Death Eaters.

 

"Right in one" Harry said before looking at Draco and seeing that the boy standing in front of him was finally starting to understand that Harry's life wasn't as great as the wizarding world had touted it to be.

 

"Are you safe here?"

 

"No"

 

"Then write those two that call their selves friends"

 

"The last time I did that, I got a two meter long parchment from Granger explaining to me the dangers of contacting them in 'such hard and dangerous time' while also being told that it was 'safest here for me'."

 

"What kind of rubbish is that?"

 

"I don't know, but there is one thing that I know for certain"

 

"What"

 

"You should leave while you are able for I have no doubt that my uncle will send my cousin to search for you and finding you in this room could cause me serious trouble.  Oh and Draco, don't believe anything those people tell you."  Draco nodded his head at Harry's words before making his way out the room and then back down the stairs to meet up with the rest of his family and Harry's relatives.

 

"Father" Draco said in greeting to his parents after he had made his way back into the living room.  Draco so wanted to tell his father what he had seen but knew that saying anything in front of the family that now looked at their family as if they had hung the moon.

 

"Right this way" Petunia Dursley said after there was a moment of awkward silence which none of the Dursley's were able to fill with conversation.

 

"Hmmm" Lucius said before following the three Dursley's with a look of pure hatred on his face.  He so hated muggles like this and it was this reason along with the delusion of pureblood traditions that made him turn to Voldemort.

 

"We are having a wonderful meal my wife cooked" Vernon said proud as peaches that his wife cooked dinner, even though it wasn't the truth he wasn't going to tell the family in front of him that.

 

"Excellent" Narcissa said knowing that the muggles were wearing on her husband's nerves.  Soon the six sat down with the food laid out on the table, the smells made the three Malfoy's surprised that the woman had cooked anything like this.  Soon the food was passed out and the Malfoy's were enjoying a very nice meal, it was while they were being served dessert that Draco remembered the words that Harry had spoken to him before leaving.

 

"That was simply delicious" Narcissa said once they had all finished with their desserts.

 

"Thank you, I worked very hard on it" Petunia said preening under the complement, even though she didn't deserve it.

 

"My complements then" Narcissa said before looking to her son who had made a weird noise in the back of his throat.

"Draco?"

 

"I'm fine mother" Draco said before giving his mother and father a look that told them he had plenty to tell them once they left this place and returned home.  There was silence between the two groups, but for very different reasons.  Lucius and his wife were wondering how this house could be where Harry Potter lived, when there was nothing to indicate that he lived there.  The Dursley's, all three of them were thinking how great their lives would be if Lucius decided to go with Vernon for some business venture.

 

"Mrs. Malfoy" Petunia said now noticing a very large and very expensive necklace around Narcissa's neck.

 

"Yes" Narcissa said eyeing the woman and the greedy look she had on her face.

 

"That necklace is simply gorgeous" Petunia said hoping that Narcissa would be flattered by her comment.

 

"Thank you, Lucius got it for me" Narcissa said touching the necklace and remembering the day her husband had gotten the necklace, or should she say collar for her.

 

"Just amazing" Petunia said giving her husband a side-long glance to show that she wanted one as well.

 

"Where ever did you find something like that?" Petunia asked Lucius, hoping that Vernon was paying attention.

 

"Hand crafted" Lucius said not wanting to give out any details about the collar his wife wore.

 

"Ah" Petunia said her face taking on an unhappy look.  She so hated when things she liked were out of her reach, it made her feel less than adequate and that was something she never wanted to feel, since her sister had done that when they were little.

 

"Well" Vernon said clearing his throat, wondering how best to get to business related topics.

 

"Mr. Dursley..."

 

"Please call me Vernon"

 

"Vernon, then...it has been a pleasure and I will be in touch again soon" Lucius said before standing up from the table and then shaking Vernon's hands and then politely wiping his hand off when the other family wasn't looking.

 

"Excellent, excellent" Vernon said before following the Malfoy's out of the house and to the drive where a car sat on the curb waiting for its owner.

 

"Good night" Petunia said before waving and then smiling making her face look more horse like than before.

 

"Good night and good riddance I say" Narcissa said after they got into the car and closed the door.  It was then that they car sprung to life and made its way away from the house.

 

"Draco" Narcissa said looking to her son, who looked like her had seen a ghost of their fore fathers.

 

"Potter lives there"

 

"Well yes, we know that"

 

"No, did you notice that there was nothing to indicate that he did?"

 

"Well...." Narcissa said before stopping and reviewing the time that she had been in the house.

 

"No" she answered reluctantly; she had thought that she was just remembering incorrectly but when her husband nodded in an agreement she knew she had it right.

 

"He was upstairs"

 

"Did you speak with him?"

 

"I did, and let me say that his life isn't what the Daily Prophet or Dumbledork tells it to be"

 

"Explain" Lucius said wanting to know what was really going on.

 

"He had bruises on his face and I am going to assume his body from those people"

 

"But the wards"

 

"You saw how great those wards were"

 

"Indeed"

 

"He has even written to those two twits and he gets some response about how he is safe there and needs to be there"

 

"You have to be joking"

 

"I wish I was" Draco said oddly sad that they had, had to leave Harry in that house for an unknown period of time.

 

"Our Lord will want to know this" Lucius said already thinking up a way to make him look good and not his son.

 

"Lucius, Draco needs to tell him" Narcissa said already knowing what her husband was thinking; he wasn't a Slytherin for nothing that was for sure.

 

"But"

 

"He will be able to tell that you didn't see this first hand, and that will anger him"

 

"Touché"

 

"I have to talk to the Dark Lord?"

 

"Yes, it's not that bad"

 

"Right" Draco said before the car had stopped and a house elf popped up to open the door.

 

"That thing..." Narcissa said while touching her collar.

 

"I know dear" Lucius said looking at this wife and the collar she wore.  He had wanted to jump across the table and choke woman, when she had commented on his wife's collar.  Draco watched his parents and wondered if he was ever going to find what his parents had.  He could say with utmost certainty that he was *not* in love, lust or any other form of liking with Pansy Parkinson, he was however in serious crush mode with Harry Potter.  He had always felt drawn to Harry, for one reason or another but now that he had seen Harry looking less than Gryffindor it just made him fall even in more like with Harry.

 

"Draco" broke Draco out of his thoughts of Harry and what it would be like to be with the other young man.

 

"Father"

 

"Are you planning to daydream the rest of the night or were you coming to meet the Dark Lord with me to tell him about Potter?"  Lucius said with a smirk on his face.  He could tell that his son was thinking about Potter, but he wasn't too certain on what he was thinking and that alone worried him.  For if Draco was thinking of Harry in a manner that would anger the Dark Lord, then his son would be in great peril.

 

"I'm ready" Draco said clearing his mind like his father and godfather had told him how.  He wanted his crush for Harry to be the furthest thing from his mind when he met the Dark Lord.

 

"Good" Lucius said before pulling out a vial and holding it out for his wife and son to touch.  The pull of the portkey had Draco wanting to vomit but held it in hoping that they wouldn't land right in front of the Dark Lord.

 

"Lucius" met the Malfoy's ear once they arrived.

 

"Severus" Lucius said before inclining his head and nodding towards a pair of large wooden doors.

 

"He's expecting you" Severus said looking at the doors and then to the Malfoy family, wondering what sort of mission they had been sent on that would include all three of them.

 

"Thank you Severus" Lucius said before he led his wife and son towards the large wooden doors to where the Dark Lord was sitting waiting for them to arrive back.

 

"Luciusssss" the Dark Lord said watching as the three Malfoy's made their way closer to him.

 

"My lord" Lucius said before bowing low along with his son and wife.

 

"What newsss do you bring me?"

 

"Much My lord" Lucius said before glancing at his son and seeing a look of fear on his face.  He knew his son could do this, he just hoped that Draco would come out in one piece.  He did have a tongue on him, as most Malfoy's did and that would end him in plenty of trouble if he couldn't curb said tongue.

 

"Ssspeak" Voldemort said looking at the three Malfoy's and wondering what sort of news they brought from their mission.

 

"The wards that are said to be in effect at the house where Potter resides are non-existent"

 

"Explain"

 

"I, my wife and my son had no trouble entering the house"

 

"I under essstimated Dumbledore" Voldemort said while tapping his chin with one of his bony white fingers.  His appearance since his rebirth had him still looking like a half snake, half human being.

 

"It would also seem to appear that there is no evidence that Potter even lives in the house"

 

"Luciusss"

 

"My lord" Lucius said worried he had said too much.

 

"Explain"

 

"Well...there are no photos of him with the family; there really isn't anything at all to show that he even lives there.  The only reason we had confirmation on this is because my son saw Potter in the flesh"

 

"Draco" Voldemort said making Draco shiver in fear.

 

"My lord" Draco murmured.

 

"Your father tells the truth"

 

"He does my lord" Draco said before glancing up from his bow to see that Voldemort seemed to be in deep thought.

 

"What did he look like?"

 

"He was bruised up pretty badly" Draco said keeping his voice neutral.

 

"Bruised, the Golden Boy of Gryffindor was bruised"

 

"Yes my lord and from what he said it seemed that this has been going on for a long time"

 

"What?"

 

"I think, well I am going to assume that his relatives abuse him when he goes back there every summer.  Its common knowledge at Hogwart's that Potter hates going back to his relatives for the summer"

 

"Sssseverussss, isss thisss true?"  Voldemort called out, knowing that Severus was lingering somewhere in the large hall that they were in.

 

"It is my lord" Severus said after bowing to Voldemort.

 

"Interesssting" Voldemort said thinking about how he planned to use this knowledge to his advantage.

 

"My lord if I could be so bold" Narcissa said the cogs in her mind already putting together things that her husband hadn't seen from her son and the way that he spoke about Potter at the current moment.

 

"Narcissssa" Voldemort said looking at the prefect wife of Lucius.

 

"Would you allow for our son to strike up a friendship" here Narcissa hesitated at the word, for she was thinking of bigger and better things for her son and Harry Potter but she wasn't going to say that to the Dark Lord.

 

"Whatever for?"

 

"To show Potter that the Dark isn't what it is made out to be"

 

"Narcisssa you amaze me" Voldemort said surprised that he never thought of something like this before.

 

"My lord you honor me" Narcissa said before glancing at her son and noticing that his cheeks had a pink hue to them now.

 

"Young Malfoy" Voldemort called out looking at the youngest Malfoy and wondering if he would be as much of an asset as his father was.

 

"My lord"

 

"You will befriend Potter and show him that our side is the best side, failure is not an option"

 

"As you bid me to do, my lord" Draco said before bowing low again waiting to be dismissed.

 

"You are all dismissssed, Ssseverusss ssstay behind"

 

"My lord" the four people said before the Malfoy's bowed, turned and left leaving Severus in the room with Voldemort.  Once the three Malfoy's were out of the Dark Lords presence, Lucius spun and attacked his wife.

 

"What in the bloody hell do you think you are doing?  Sentencing our son to death is what?"

 

"Lucius" Narcissa said in a cool and calm voice, which brought Lucius up short.

 

"Narcissa, have you any idea..."

 

"I have a perfect idea of what I said and did back there Lucius" Narcissa said her tone telling both her son and husband that she was very, very unhappy which was never a good thing.  After all she was related to Bellatrix and everyone knew that woman had a vicious streak 100 meters wide.

 

"So how could you..."

 

"Lucius leave it" Narcissa said before spinning on her heels and making her way over to where a floo fireplace was standing.  She was not in the right frame of mind to even think of being near her husband at the current moment.  Draco watched the scene and had to wonder if maybe, just maybe his mother knew more than she let on.

 

"Go with your mother" Lucius said before glaring at Narcissa's back.

 

"I can feel that glare Lucius and it will be the couch for you tonight" Narcissa said making some of the lower Death Eater snicker at Lucius' predicament.

 

"Witches"

 

"I heard that"

 

"Shit" Lucius said looking at his wife's back and wondering how she always knew what he was saying behind her back.

 

"Father"

 

"Go with your mother"

 

"Okay" Draco said uncertain on what was going on between his parents.

 

"Draco" Narcissa said once Draco arrived at her side.

 

"Father sent me"

 

"Oh I bet he did"

 

"Mother"

 

"Not here" Narcissa said before throwing floo powder into the fireplace and speaking her destination.  Draco followed soon after with thoughts of Harry and what his mother had just allowed for him to do.

 

"Sit" Narcissa said pointing to a large Victorian couch covered in a rich green velvet.

 

"Draco, son....I have noticed these past few years your, how do I say this?  Your obsession with Harry Potter"

 

"Mother!" Draco shouted his cheeks rosy red now from his mother's words.

 

"Don't deny it Draco, a mother knows these things"  Draco could only look at his mother, he knew denying anything that his mother said was not a good idea for she knew him almost better than he knew himself sometimes.

 

"And I know that Pansy Parkinson, charming girl that she is" here Narcissa gave her son a look that clearly told Draco how his mother really felt about Pansy.

 

"Is not your intended other half" Draco nodded relived that his mother finally got the picture that Pansy was a horrible witch and he didn't want to be settled with her in the least.

 

"I know Draco that your other half is and always will be Harry Potter"

 

"Mother!"

 

"Draco" Narcissa said cutting her son off, she knew he would try and deny it but she had seen the way her son fidgeted when he spoke to the Dark Lord about Potter, and she had seen that same fidgeting whenever he spoke about Potter on the whole.  It was the one sign that her son exhibited when he wanted something and she could tell that her son really wanted Potter.  What was up for debate was for how long and to what degree, but she knew she would crack her son soon enough, she wasn't a Black for nothing.

 

"Draco, honey; Potter is your light"

 

"Sap" Lucius said from the doorway to the sitting room that Draco and his mother sat in.

 

"That may be but you Lucius Malfoy are not one to talk" Narcissa said giving a glare to Lucius that made the other man shutter.

 

"He will complete you, just believe me" Narcissa said before touching her collar and getting a faraway look on her face.  Draco noticed the movement and had to wonder if his mother and father would allow for him to present a collar to Harry, if his dream of them being together could come true.

 

"I would approve of such a joining" Narcissa said knowing what her son was thinking.  Lucius watched his wife and then nodded his head.  Whatever Narcissa was up to, he knew better than to disagree at this point.  Draco looked between his father and mother and then smiled; maybe just maybe things would work out to his advantage.

 

"I'll start now" Draco said before standing up and moving towards the doorway already thinking of a way to get on Harry's good side.

 

"You do that dear" Narcissa said a smile on her face at how happy her son was.  Lucius just nodded his head and watched as his son smiled a real smile and made his way to his room.

 

"Now dear" Narcissa said her voice ten times colder than it had been just moments before.

 

"Cissy"

 

"Oh don't you Cissy me" Narcissa said before whipping out her wand and pointing it at her husband.  She may be a submissive but she would be damned to be pushed over by the likes of her husband in matters dealing with their son.  Lucius got a glint in his eye when he saw his wife with her wand out.

 

"Narcissa"

 

"Oh do shut up Lucius" Narcissa said before glaring at Lucius, almost making the room cooler.

 

"Now you have gone too far"

 

"No, you have"

"Narcissa don't make me do something I'm going to regret"

 

"Then regret away, dear" Narcissa said a sneer on her face making her look almost as crazy as her sister.  Lucius pulled up short with the look on Narcissa's face.  He knew the kind of damage she could do, and he worried for his health now that is seemed that she wouldn't be backing down in this fight.

 

"Don't make me do this" Lucius said pulling out his wand and pleading with his wife.

 

"Lucius there are times in this world that you don't know everything, and doing things that are in the best interest of our son is one of those times." Narcissa said putting her wand away, knowing that her husband wouldn't curse her without her wand out.

 

"But you sentenced him to death!"

 

"No, I have given him proper motivation to actually succeed in his task" Narcissa said wondering how she would be able to explain to her seemingly daft husband the plan she had just put into action.

 

"How?"

 

"The words I spoke just moments ago are true.  Your son only needed proper motivation to actually do something about that obsession he has for Harry Potter"

 

"What obsession?"  Lucius asked confused on what his wife was talking about.  In the years since Draco had started Hogwarts he had never once mentioned anything about Harry Potter that didn't relate to his studies and competition in Quidditch.

 

"Lucius, dear" Narcissa said a smirk now on her face.  She actually couldn't believe that her husband hadn't noticed that their son was in serious crush mode when it came to Harry Potter.

 

"Cissy" Lucius said his voice a bit tense now that he noticed that his wife seemed quite pleased with herself for some reason.

 

"Just trust me on this" Narcissa said before smiling at her husband.

 

"But...but" Lucius sputtered not wanting to fight with his wife but wanting to know what she was thinking.

 

"He will succeed since failure isn't an option in either sense, Draco won't allow for Potter to get away and the Dark Lord will see to that as well"

 

"Cissy" Lucius said striding over to where his wife stood looking every bit of the perfect wife and mother that she was.

 

"Dear"

  

"Oh don't think that will get you out of sleeping on the couch" Narcissa said after she drew back and started to make her way towards the library to do some light reading.  She did after all have to refresh her memory on proper collaring protocol.  It had been awhile since the last collaring ritual that she participated in, that being her own.  Lucius watched his wife as she walked away wondering what she was up to, for he had no doubt that his wife was up to something it was just figuring out what that something was.

 

~One Week Later~

 

"I will simply not go to that...that place again!"  Narcissa said her face telling Lucius how she really felt about the news he had just given her.

 

"Cissy"

 

"No, I just simply cannot"

 

"Dear" Lucius said at a loss as to how he was going to get his wife to return back to the Dursley's.

 

"Mother" Draco said cutting into the fight that Narcissa and Lucius were having.

 

"Draco, dear" Narcissa said happy to change the subject from returning to the Dursley's to something else, really anything else.

 

"I heard what father said" Draco said looking at his mother and then to his father.

 

"Oh" Narcissa said before sighing, she didn't want to return to that horrid house but she knew if her son agreed with her husband that she was stuck.

 

"The Dark Lord wants an update and going back is the only way to give him that" Lucius said looking at his wife trying to convey how important returning was.

 

"But, that...that thing wants my collar!"

 

"And she won't get one of her own since she is a muggle and a horrid one at that" Draco watched the scene and had to wonder if his mother would cave sometime soon.

 

"Fine, but if she even tries..."

 

"You won't have to worry about that" Lucius assured his wife before making his way to his office so that he may floo to the Dark Lord's side to update him on when they would return to the Dursley's.

 

"Mother" Draco said now that he was alone with his mother.  He had wanted to talk to her about a few things that he knew would send his father into an aneurysm if he heard what Draco had to say.

 

"Follow me" Narcissa said walking towards the Malfoy Manor sunroom, it was one of her favorite spots to sit and talk to her son, when he came to speak with her about something troubling his mind.  Once they arrived they took a seat on the couch located there, Draco took a deep breath before speaking.

 

"I...." Draco started before stopping not knowing how to explain what he wanted to say.

 

"Is this about Harry Potter?"  Narcissa said knowing that her son wanted to speak to her about the Gryffindor.  Draco nodded his head with a pink hue on his cheeks.

 

"Well speak up"

 

"Do you think he would consider collaring?"

 

"As in being a submissive?"  Narcissa said wanting to clarify what her son was asking her.

 

"Yes"

 

"I don't know Draco, do you think he could?"  Narcissa said not really knowing Harry Potter all that well, so she couldn't form a guess as to what the Gryffindor would or would not do.

 

"I dunno" Draco said shrugging his shoulders, not at all sure what Harry acted like when he wasn't around Slytherins that were degrading his friends.

 

"I guess a better question is, does he even know about the collaring ritual?"

 

"I dunno" Draco answered again, he wasn't really sure on what the Weasley family may have or have not told him about wizarding tradition, and pureblood ones at that.

 

"Don't shrug dear" Narcissa said watching her son and how he was acting.  Hogwarts had definitely taught him some bad habits and one of them was the shrugging of his shoulders.

 

"Well I would think that the Weasley's would teach him about it"

 

"I don't think so mother, it is after all a pureblood tradition and you know how they *love* to stick with those" Draco said a sneer on his face at the thought of the Weasley's.

 

"True, but I still think they would have told him about it since they along with the rest of the wizarding world seem to see that Ginevra Weasley is slated to be his wife" Draco made a face at his mother's words.  He had heard all right about how the Weasley's had really been blessed with having a daughter that was about the same age as Harry.  No one had mentioned the collaring ritual, but Draco wouldn't put it passed the Weasley's to leave Harry in the dark until they felt that it was a good time for him to know something, which meant too late to back out, they may be muggle lovers but they were still purebloods and he knew they would want that extra bit of security the ritual gave you when pairing up their daughter to Harry.

 

"I don't think Harry thinks the same thing" Draco said remembering a comment that Harry had made when Ron had commented on how great it would be for Harry to pair up with Ginny and be part of the 'family' for real.

 

"Why do you think that?"

 

"Just something he said" Draco said giving his mother a look that told her all she needed to know.

 

"Well then, that makes things a bit easier ...." Narcissa didn't want to finish the sentence since she wasn't sure on what she should say, on the one hand she wanted to say for him to try but on the other it would be easier for anyone seeking to court Harry, if that was the case.

 

"I know" Draco said an air of misery surrounding him.  He knew deep down that he had little to no chance with Harry, but he held out hope that Harry would look beyond his mask that he wore when at Hogwarts.

 

"Draco, my dear dragon, you are an amazing young man and you must not think so negatively about this"

 

"How can I...."

 

"My dragon, things have a way of working out just do all you can and wait for the results" Draco looked at his mother with a doubtful look on his face, not really believing what she was saying but knowing better than to say anything against her.

 

"Narcissa, Draco" Lucius said walking into the sun room with a woman that looked very much like the woman sitting on the couch, only with long black hair.

 

"Cissy, Cissy, Cissy, the miss missy" the woman sung in a sing-songy voice.

 

"Bella, Bella, Bella one of the fellas" Narcissa sung right back, in answer to her sister's words.  Lucius pinched his nose, he so hated when Bellatrix came over to visit.  The two women acted like they were ten years old again and that always made Lucius want to scream.  Draco on the other hand laughed at his mother and aunt, happy to finally have the subject changed for the time being.

 

"Nephy dragon" Bellatrix said before kissing Draco on his cheeks and then making a noise that she had made when he was a little boy and she came to visit.

 

"So what brings you here Bella?"  Narcissa asked, wanting to know if her sister was there for a social call or if she had been sent by the Dark Lord.

 

"A sister can't visit her sister?"

 

"Oh she can"

 

"Well good" Bellatrix said before taking the seat that Draco had vacated when he stood to greet his aunt.

 

"Let us leave them to visit, Draco" Lucius said before backing out of the sun room with his son in toe.  Neither of the women noticed when the men left, and that was a good thing in both Draco's and Lucius' book.  The pair of men walked in silence until they reached the library where Draco had been spending most of his time while home at.  It was after all his last year at Hogwarts and he was planning on beating Granger for the top spot this year, so he had been studying and doing his homework since returning home.

 

"We will be returning back to the house where Potter is staying" Lucius said knowing that his son would whine about having to go back to where Potter lived.  Draco on the other hand just nodded his head, while thinking how excited he was to see Harry again.  When they had left the first time he had been hesitant to leave with Harry as bruised and battered as he looked.

 

"No fighting" Lucius said surprised that Draco was willing to go back to the horrid muggle home.

 

"No" Draco said quickly before speeding towards the library doors and then inside to go and hide from his father who no doubt had questions for him.  For the next couple of days Draco hid out in the library as much as possible while trying to avoid his father and his aunt, who had decided to stay for a week.

 

"Draco" Lucius called into the library one afternoon, he had finally set up a time for them to return to the Dursley's for dinner.

 

"Father" Draco said coming out of the stacks in the library with a book in hand.

 

"We are to return to the muggle's home tonight"

 

"Alright father" Draco said before slinking back into the stack of books, still wanting to avoid his father and the questions that he saw on the other man's face.

 

"Lucy, Lucy...where's my goosey?"  Bellatrix said averting Lucius' attention from his son to that of Bellatrix.

 

"Bella" Lucius said with a sigh, it was one thing to take his now seemingly willing son to the muggle house where Potter lived but it was another to have Bellatrix in attendance as well.  Most of the wizarding population thought that the woman was crazy, because of her stay in Azkaban.  What most didn't know was that she was well and truly crazy way before that, his wife hadn't inherited all of the Black markers for insanity, which Lucius thanks every deity out there for, but Bellatrix did along with her cousin Sirius Black.

 

"Aw Lucy"

 

"Bellatrix, I don't have the time to deal with you speaking in riddles and rhymes"

 

"Cissy said to let you know that she said I needed to come"

 

"No absolutely not" Lucius said before walking out of the library with Bellatrix following behind him, while he went in search of his wife.  It was four hours later that Draco arrived to the foyer of Malfoy Manor to see that not only had his father not talked his mother out of not allowing Bellatrix to go, but it seemed that the two women were in rare child-like form.

 

"Nephy Dragon" Bellatrix said giving her nephew the once over and allowing him to continue to where the group stood, happy with what he had on.

 

"Are we ready to go?"  Lucius said already stressed over the reception that Bellatrix would receive from not only the muggles but also Harry Potter if he was to see her.

 

"Yes, I think we are" Narcissa answered for the group before they all made their way out to the waiting car.

 

"Muggles" Bellatrix said before picking up the hem of her long skirt and getting in the car.  She so hated traveling like the muggles, but she knew that it had to be done and that the Dark Lord would be most unhappy with her if she screwed things up.  Once all four were in the car, the car began to move towards the road that lay in front of the long drive of the manor.  It was ten minutes later and an apperation that had the car pulling up to the curb of the Dursley's house.

 

"Be on your best behavior" Lucius said glaring at Bellatrix, she was the only one he was worried about screwing things up.

 

"Fine, fine...just like wine" Bellatrix said before jumping out of the car once the driver had opened the door.  The driver of course was a house elf, spelled to look human but the muggles need not know that.

 

"Oh how good it is to see you again" Petunia screeched from the porch to the Malfoy family.

 

"Hmmm" the three Malfoy's answered before Bellatrix spoke.

 

"Charmed to meet you..." Bellatrix said acting just like a true pureblood and not like a nut case that most thought she was.

 

"Petunia Dursley and this here is my husband Vernon and our son Dudley" Petunia said a tight smile on her face.  She was getting the most unpleasant feeling from the newest person in the Malfoy entourage.

 

"Bellatrix Lestrange, sister of Narcissa"

 

"Well welcome, come in, come in" Petunia said ushering the group into the house.  Bellatrix was the first through the door, she was dying to see Harry Potter sitting about being lazy but when she finally arrived to the main sitting area of the house she saw nothing, not one thing that said that Harry Potter even knew the people standing in front of her now.

 

"Doesn't..." Bellatrix started before being jabbed in the ribs by her sister.  None of the Dursley's noticed Bellatrix speaking, so they were saved from having to explain her abrupt stoppage of words.

 

"My wife has really out done herself tonight" Vernon said boasting about how great his wife was when in the kitchen, which was a complete lie but the Malfoy's had yet to find that out.  The Malfoy's along with Bellatrix listened to Vernon spout on and on about his family and the great things his son was doing at his 'private and exclusive' school that he went to.  Draco was having a hard time even staying in the room with the others, since he knew that Harry was somewhere in the house but not sure where.  He didn't put it past the Dursley's at this point in time to have hidden him in some cupboard as he had heard that he had lived there the first part of his life.

 

"The privy?" Bellatrix said standing up quickly, for if she didn't get out of these muggles line of sight soon she may kill him just to shut them up.

 

"Upstairs and first door on your right" Petunia said before touching her neck, while looking at both Bellatrix's and Narcissa's collars.

 

"Excuse me then" Bellatrix said before quickly walking out of the sitting room and towards the stairs so that she could hide in the bathroom for a while.

 

"Excuse me" Draco said following his aunt and hoping that she didn't find Harry and blow their cover.

 

"Nephy" Bellatrix said feeling that someone was behind her.

 

"Don't ask" Draco said following quickly and then watching as his aunt went into the bathroom with an evil grin on her face.  She was up to something, but for the moment Draco couldn't be bothered to find out what.  Draco quickly walked to the end of the hall where the room that he had found Harry in was, and knocked, he so hoped that Harry was there and would answer the knock.

 

"Potter" Draco said quietly wanting to get Harry's attention if he was standing on the other side of the door wondering what was going on.

 

"Malfoy" Harry said opening the door a bit and coming face to face with Draco.

 

"You came back?"

 

"We did" Draco said looking behind him to see if his aunt or one of the Dursley's had come to the hallway.

 

"What for?"

 

"Dark Lord Orders" Draco said hoping that if he was truthful with Harry that he would gain the other boy's trust.

 

"Right" Harry said with a nod of his head as well.

 

"Can you post something for me?"  Harry asked, not knowing why he was even asking his enemy, well not enemy since he had a pretty big crush on the other boy for a while now.

 

"Of course" Draco agreed, wondering who he would be sending something to.

 

"Here" Harry said before going over to his desk and grabbing a parchment that had the name that Draco least expected on it.

 

"Loony Lovegood?"

 

"Luna" Harry corrected Draco before gasping when he saw Bellatrix come out of the bathroom.

 

"Shit" Draco said before turning around and watching his aunt, she seemed quite pleased with herself and that worried Draco a bit.  Harry had no words for when he saw Bellatrix walk out of the bathroom.  He had of course known who she was, everyone knew who she was but to actually see her was another matter all together.  His godfather had always stated that Bellatrix was the craziest of the Black family and that her beauty made her all the more fatal.

 

"Bellatrix Lestrange" Harry whispered to Draco, wondering what was really going on.  If the Dark Lord was coming to get him, Harry would gladly go without a fight.  He had enough of his so-called relatives and would gladly go with the Dark Lord if it meant he could get away from this house.  Even his own godfather had sided with Dumbledore and his friends over how safe he actually was at the Dursley's.

 

"I'll get this to Lovegood" Draco said before taking one last look at Harry and then making his way over to his aunt.  He needed to do some damage control he was sure.

 

"There you are nephy" Bellatrix said looking down the hallway and not seeing anything out of the place.

 

"Aunt Bella" Draco said before taking a look behind him and seeing that Harry had closed the door so it looked like there was nothing out of the ordinary in the house.

 

"Muggles are such nasty things" Bellatrix said before a smile made its way to her lips.  Just the thought of what she had done to their bathroom made the visit worthwhile.

 

"We better get back" Draco said while sticking Harry's letter in a pocket of his pants, hoping this aunt didn't notice the action.

 

"Oh of course" Bellatrix said before making her way down the stairs and back to the sitting room, where Lucius, Narcissa and the Dursley's all sat.

 

"Sorry about that" Bellatrix said before sitting down and then listening to Petunia talk about something she had no interest in.  Draco on the other hand had yet to make his way downstairs, since he needed to check and see what his aunt had done while in the bathroom.

 

"Shit" Draco said once he saw the damage that his aunt had done to the bathroom.

 

"What in the world?" Draco said looking at the red covered bathroom.  There wasn't an inch of the bathroom that didn't look like it was covered in blood.

 

"What to do, what to do" Draco said before he decided that either his mother or father needed to fix what his aunt had done for the muggles.  With that thought in mind Draco made his way back downstairs.

 

"Great, now that we are all here" Petunia started out glaring a bit at Draco for taking so long.  Petunia wasn't the least bit worried that one of their guests would find their hidden nephew, since he had been hidden in the extra bedroom and that was at the end of the hallway, nowhere near the bathroom.

 

"What shall we be having for dinner?"  Narcissa asked hoping that she would be able to talk to her son while the horse like woman talking about the meal.

 

"Oh!  A lovely filet and vegetables" Petunia said not really sure what he nephew had cooked for the meal.  She had told him to make something worthy of the Malfoy's and then she had left to go and find an outfit that would match that of Narcissa's, which of course she was unable to do.

 

"Ah" Narcissa said wondering how the woman was not able to tell them about what they would be having for dinner.

 

"Right this way" Petunia said noticing that Narcissa was having a hard time understanding why she couldn't tell them what they would be having for dinner.

 

"Muggles" Bellatrix muttered under her breath when she arrived to the dining room which was set up with the ugliest china that the Malfoy's and Bellatrix's had seen.

 

"Did you say something?"  Petunia said hearing Bellatrix muttering under her breath.

 

"Oh no" Bellatrix said before making a face once all of the Dursley's had turned their backs to enter the dining room.

 

"Mother" Draco said hoping to get his mother's attention before they made their way into the dining room.

 

"Draco" Narcissa said, looking at her son and seeing that there was an issue written on his face.

 

"Aunt Bella" Draco said looking at his aunt and seeing that she had a grin on her face that made the Dursley's worried.  Narcissa saw where her son was looking and knew exactly what he was talking about even though he had said nothing about what she had done.

 

"I'll take care of it" Narcissa said knowing that she was probably the only person that would be able to clean up the mess that Bellatrix had made for the muggles to find.

 

"Excuse me" Narcissa said before backing out of the room and going towards the stairs to make her way to the bathroom.  Narcissa arrived back to the dinner room a few minutes later with a grim look on her face; her sister had really out done herself this time.  It seemed that she had spelled the walls to actually weep blood whenever you tried to clean them, so now there stood a large puddle of blood colored liquid on the bathroom floor, her husband would have to try and figure out a way to correct it before they left.

 

"Why don't we all have a seat and eat?"  Vernon asked nervously for some reason, it seemed that the latest addition to the Malfoy's group was making him much more worried than he should have been.  It was a *woman* for all that was holy.  The group sat down with Dudley taking a seat very close to Draco, which of course made Draco sneer at the boy and try and scoot as far away as he could from the large bodied boy.  Dinner was served by Petunia and soon the conversation ended so that all parties could eat.  It was once dessert was served that Vernon brought up "work related" discussion while shooing Dudley and Draco out of the sitting room where the parents and Bellatrix were seated.  Draco gave his parents a look before he was dragged out of the room and towards another room that seemed to be set up with muggle devices that Dudley was boasting about the whole time they made their way to the room.  It was an hour later before any of the Malfoy's could even attempt to leave the horrid place that the Dursley's lived in.

 

"If you'll excuse us" Lucius said after having tried multiple times to leave the house.

 

"Oh yes, yes" Vernon said before he watched as Narcissa left to go and get her son from whatever hell the youngest muggle was subjecting her son to.

 

"That necklace your wife wears" Vernon whispered to Lucius as they made their way to the front door of the house.  Petunia had been moaning and groaning about the necklace that Narcissa was wearing and he had as of yet figured out where the Malfoy's had gotten such an item.

 

"It's a family heirloom" Lucius said knowing that would stop Vernon from asking too many more questions.

 

"And the one..." Vernon whispered before looking over to a happy Bellatrix.

 

"Family heirloom as well" Lucius said through gritted teeth, he had no idea how Potter could live with these sort of people.

 

"Ah well then" Vernon said a bit put out that he wasn't getting any information on the necklaces as he would have liked.

 

"Ready dear" Narcissa said walking out of the room with their son following behind.

 

"Yes"

 

"Well then" Narcissa said before playing hostess and saying goodbye to the Dursley's.

 

"It was a pleasure to see you again"

"Yes, quite I hope we do this again soon" Petunia simpered back, happy to have met Narcissa's expectations.

 

"Yes" Narcissa said before Lucius opened the front door and guided his family out of the house.

 

"Good night" Lucius said before making his way down the sidewalk to the car that awaited them.  The four made their way into the car and then watched out the window as they left Privet Drive.

 

"The bathroom" Draco said looking to his mother, hoping that she had done something to the bathroom.

 

"I couldn't fix it" Narcissa said before glaring at her sister.

 

"You didn't likey?"

 

"Bellatrix" Narcissa said with a sigh, she knew that she should have warned her sister about doing any magic in the muggle's house but she had been so angry about having to go back that she forgot.

 

"Now Harry will get...." Draco started only to stop because of the looks that his aunt was giving him.

 

"Bellatrix those muggles hate magic and inside that house Harry Potter lives, so"

 

"Potter lives there?"

 

"Yes" the three Malfoy's said, already knowing what she was thinking.

 

"But there was no indication" Bellatrix said sounding quite sane all of a sudden.

 

"Yes, and I have a feeling that they work very hard at that" Narcissa said looking out the window and wondering what sort of trouble her sister had put Harry in.

 

"If he gets hurt" Draco started out before flushing because of the three sets of eyes that were looking at him.

 

"Did you see him?  Speak to him?"  Lucius said wanting to know if they would be receiving the Dark Lord's wrath that night or not.

 

"I did, he even wants me to post something for him" Draco said before looking out the window and wondering what was really going on with Harry and his circle of friends.  He had seen Luna "Loony" Lovegood hanging around with Harry and his cohorts, but he never once thought that Lovegood was anything more than a "hanger on" or a "groupie" that followed Harry and his friends around.  He knew for a fact that the youngest Weasley did it, which was why everyone was so certain about their pending marriage, if there was one.

 

"Hmmm" Narcissa said thinking about what that meant for her son.  Her thoughts were stopped by Bellatrix speaking.

 

"Why would Potter allow you to post something for him?"

 

"Because...." Draco said uncertain on how much to tell his aunt.  He knew she would sell him out if it made her look good in the eyes of the Dark Lord.

 

"We're home" Narcissa announced, not wanting her son to answer her sister.  All four piled out of the car once the house elf had opened the door.  Once all four were in the house, Draco made a bee line for the Owlery where he would send his own personal owl to Lovegood for Harry.  Bellatrix didn't have time to question her nephew since he had made quick work of getting out of her presence.

 

"Well" Bellatrix humphed, not at all happy with the way things were.

 

~Owlery, Malfoy Manor~

"Ivan" Draco said before whistling for his owl.  He had broken from tradition and named his owl something that didn't relate to flying, delivery or anything like that.  His father had been less than pleased at the time, but he still stood by his reasoning for it.

 

'It set them apart' in a way that no one had ever thought, which made Draco preen with just the thought.  A fairly large black owl winged his way down to where Draco stood with his arm out.

 

"Ivan" Draco said running a hand over the owl's back once in greeting once he had landed.

 

"I need you to take this to Luna Lovegood" Draco said bringing out the letter and showing it to Ivan.  The owl eyed it and then his master as if asking 'are you serious?'

 

"Please just take it and make sure that only Luna Lovegood gets it, alright?"  Draco said running his hand down Ivan's back one more time.  The owl hooted his assent and then took to the air once Draco had secured the letter on Ivan's leg.

 

"You don't need to stay for a response, I don't think" Draco called out to the leaving bird, who hooted in response.  Draco watched the owl disappear into the evening sky and he had to wonder if posting the letter to Lovegood for Harry was a good idea or not.  He knew he would do pretty much anything for Harry, but for some reasons sending a letter to Luna "Loony" Lovegood made the hairs on the back of his neck and arms stand on end.

 

"Draco" Narcissa said faintly from the door to the Owlery, she had waited until her sister had taken her leave of both herself and Lucius before going off in search of her son.

 

"Mother"

 

"I'm sorry" Narcissa said knowing her son would know what she was talking about.

 

"She only made things worse for...." Draco said but stopped at Harry's name.  He didn't want to even think what the *muggles* would do to Harry once they saw the condition the bathroom was in.

 

"I know, I know" Narcissa said unable to reassure her son that things would be fine for Harry, for she knew that when one of the Dursley's took one step into the bathroom all hell would break loose.

 

"I can only hope that the letter I just sent will help" Narcissa nodded her head at Draco's words before backing out of the doorway and then making her way to where her husband sat in his office, looking over something that the Dark Lord wanted done.  Draco on the other hand stood in the Owlery staring sightlessly out the window that Ivan had flown out of only moments before; only leaving when tiredness kicked in and made him make his way to his bedroom for sleep.

 

~Lovegood Residence, near Ottery St. Catchpole~

 

"Luna, there an owl here for you" Xenophilius Lovegood said as he watched the regal looking owl stare him down.

 

"Morning Daddy" Luna said her voice as usual, oddly whimsical and with the dream like quality that everyone at Hogwarts, that didn't like her which were many, said made her "loony".

 

"Morning Pumpkin" Xenophilius said before he pointed to the owl to indicate that this was her mail.

 

"Oh hello" Luna spoke to the bird as if it understood her.  The owl stuck out its leg without even being told to do so.

 

"What a nice owl" Luna said before untying the leather string that held the letter on the bird's leg.

 

"Would you like something to drink or a treat perhaps?"  When the bird hooted, Xenophilius, Luna's father set about in the kitchen to get a dish of water for the bird along with an owl treat if they had one laying around in the kitchen.

 

"Daddy, it's a letter from Harry" Luna said her voice changing just a bit which had her father stopping his moving about the kitchen and look at his daughter.

 

"What does Harry have to say?"  Xenophilius asked knowing that Luna would tell him if it was important or not.  Luna didn't hear what her father said since she was too busy reading the letter to hear him.  When she reached the end of the letter she reread it another time just to make sure that the words hadn't changed after her first perusal of the letter.

 

"We have to get him" Luna said her voice cold and crisp, something that it never was.  This had Xenophilius pull up short.  His daughter had never quite sounded like the way she sounded now.

 

"Is everything all right?"

 

"No, we leave in an hour" Luna said before walking out the kitchen and to her room to get ready for her trip to retrieve her friend.  Xenophilius just nodded his head before he too headed out of the kitchen and towards his bedroom so that he could get ready for the unplanned trip.  Ivan, the owl, sat in the kitchen he knew his master was hoping for a reply so he would just wait until one was given.  An hour later had Luna and her father, Xenophilius, exiting through the front door of the house and making their way towards one of the apperation spots that were set up in the area surrounding the town of Ottery St. Catchpole.

 

"We should stop by the Weasley's" Xenophilius said before he got a cold look from his daughter and the word "no", spat out like it was something that best not be done.

 

"Ah here we go" Xenophilius said before looking around the area and seeing that no one was there with them.  He was sort of worried, okay a lot worried by his daughter's behavior since she had gotten Harry's letter.

 

"Number 4, Privet Drive....Surrey" Luna told her father, hoping that they wouldn't have to get a portkey so that they could get to Harry's relatives house.  That would just alert the Headmaster and that was something she wasn't going to allow happen, hence her reason for them not stopping at the Burrow before leaving.  She wasn't stupid, she knew what game Headmaster Dumbledore along with the rest of the people that called themselves "friends" to Harry were doing and she wasn't going to sit by any longer and allow it to occur.

 

"Hold onto me" Luna's father said before he grabbed onto his daughter and then closed his eyes thinking of the home that Harry was currently being held hostage in.

 

CRACK!  The sound of appartion made a few birds that had been perched in the trees surrounding the area flee in fear.  It was just after Luna and her father apparated that a group of red heads made their way up the hill to investigate possibly who it was that had come to Ottery St. Catchpole.

 

~Number 4 Privet Drive, Surrey~

 

CRACK!  The sound of apparation again made the birds that were perched on around the area flee in fear.

 

"Number 4" Luna said looking up and down the street for the house that had a number 4 on it.  It was just as her father was going to step out into the street that Luna noticed a couple of Order members standing nearby watching the house that Harry was currently in.

 

"Wait" Luna said holding her father back and then pointing to where the Order members stood looking bored out of their minds.

 

"What...how?"  Luna's father stuttered unable to believe that Headmaster Dumbledore would do such a thing.

 

"We wait" Luna said before looking at a watch that her father saw now on her wrist, his daughter never, ever wore a watch so it surprised him to see one.

 

CRACK!  CRACK!  Twin sounds of apparation occurred and that was when Luna ran over to the house marked number 4.

 

"Daddy, we don't have much time!"  Luna threw over her shoulder as she made her way to the front door of the house marked number 4.  Once Xenophilius had arrived at the door, Luna knocked quickly two times.

 

"Hello?"  A horse faced woman said answering the door.

 

"We're here for Harry Potter" Luna said before glaring at the woman that stood before her, she knew all about Petunia Dursley and she was really trying not to reach out and hurt the woman.

 

"No one lives here by that name!"  Petunia screeched before trying to close the door on the pair.

 

"Open the door and take me to him or you will understand why you should fear wizards" Luna threatened; she knew that the woman would do as she said since she was now busy looking around the neighborhood.

 

"Fine!  Come in before the neighbors see" Petunia said before she continued looking around outside and Luna and her father made their way into the house.

 

"Upstairs last door on the right" Petunia said before then pointing to the cupboard under the stairs and speaking again.

 

"His *things* are in there" Petunia said before she made her way into the living room to hide out while Luna and her father got Harry.  Her husband wasn't home and her son was off at his best mate's house and she didn't dare be in the same room as a wizard and a witch.

 

"Daddy get his things, I'll go and get Harry" Luna said her voice still the same cool, crisp tone it had been since they left the house.  Xenophilius nodded his head and made his way to the cupboard to get Harry things, while he fought with the many locks on the door Luna made her way up the stairs and to the last bedroom on the right.

 

"Muggles" Luna said not at all happy with what she was seeing in front of her.  The many locks on the door made her want to scream, how could anyone do this to someone they called family.  Even pureblood families treated those that were family, be it "blood-traitor" or not better than this.  Luna shook her head before she opened the door after unlocking four of what looked to be ten locks on the doors.

 

"Harry" Luna called into the dark room, hoping that her sight would get better once it adjusted to the darkness of the room.

 

"Luna?"  A scratchy male voice said.

 

"Harry, it's me Luna" Luna said again walking into the room and trying not to vomit because of the smell and look of the room.

 

"Luna" the voice said with a little sigh.

 

"Daddy and I have come to get you"

 

"The Order?"

 

"Have no knowledge but we must move quickly"

 

"Why?" Harry said coming out from under the thin sheet that were laying on the bed.

 

"Shift change so we have about ten more minutes before the next batch arrives"

 

"Okay" Harry said keeping the sheet around his body as he moved about the room gathering things that he had snuck in when he first arrived back to the Dursley residence.

 

"Clothes?"  Luna said as she figured out that Harry was naked underneath the sheet around his waist.

 

"They took them" Harry said remembering when Vernon had come and taken the clothes off his body because of the mess that had been found in the bathroom.  He had also gotten a beating for that but that was nothing new to him; this new found nakedness was though.

 

"Hmmm" Luna said before she noticed that Harry seemed ready to go.

 

"Ready"

 

"Daddy should be waiting for us downstairs" Luna said before she followed Harry a few steps before noticing that he was unsteady on his feet.

 

"Hold on to me" Luna said wrapping an arm around Harry and making sure to avoid any of the really bad looking bruises and cuts on Harry's body.

 

"Ready" met the pair of them once they made it down the stairs and to the foyer of the Dursley household.

 

"Yes daddy we are" Luna said before glaring at Petunia, who had come out of hiding.

 

"Freak don't come back"

 

"I don't plan to" Harry grumbled in response as Luna's father opened the front door and then made his way down the stairs and back to the apparation point that they had come in at.

 

"All right?"  Luna said her voice sort of returning to its "loony" quality again.

 

"As soon as I am far enough away from there, I will be fine"

 

"Good" Luna said a bright smile on her face now, happy to know that her "brother" was already doing better.

 

"Hold on" Luna's father said before wrapping his arms around both Harry and Luna and then apparating away.  It was just as the apparated away that the new group of Order members arrived for the next shift of "Harry watching" it was too bad that they were now only watching a house full of horrible muggles.

 

~Ottery St. Catchpole~

 

CRACK!  Was the sound that Luna, her father and Harry made when they arrived back to the apperation point near their home. 

 

"Let's get you home" Luna's father said before they started to make their slow journey back to their house.

 

"Daddy" Luna said looking about and just knowing that if they didn't speed things up that some Weasley would come to investigate who had just apparated into the area.

 

"Honey?"

 

"Carry Harry, we need to be as far away as possible" Luna said before looking over to a hill where the Burrow was located closely behind.

 

"Right, of course" Xenophilius said before he picked up Harry and then started a brisk pace that his daughter had to run to keep up.  Luna, Harry and Xenophilius made it back to the Lovegood home in record time.

 

"Thank you" Harry whispered, happy that someone, anyone actually cared enough to get him out.

 

"That is what family does, help each other out" Luna said her voice now quite firmly back to its normal quality.  Harry colored at her words, he had always thought of Luna like a sister but he hadn't known that she had thought the same thing of him.  They didn't spend a terrible amount of time with each other, so Harry was uncertain on what Luna's thoughts of him where.  Xenophilius watched the play by play and was quite happy that his daughter had found someone that she cared about and that seemed to genuinely care about her in return.

 

"First things first" Luna said before she disappeared up the stairs for a few minutes only to return with a small purple box labeled, first-aid.

 

"Wizards have those?"  Harry asked stunned as he saw the box that Luna was bringing down.

 

"Of course"

 

"But I thought muggles?"

 

"Aren't the only ones who are in need of basic medical supplies" Luna finished for him.

 

"Right of course" Harry said nodding his head before Luna pointed out a couch and told him to sit on it.  Harry of course did as he was told.

 

"Here take this" Luna said handing over a vial that Harry knew held some sort of healing potion in it.  He downed it without even thinking about if Luna would poison him or not.  Xenophilius watched the interaction and decided that if his daughter was happy then he was happy as well.

 

"I see the muggles did a right number on you" Luna said poking at some of the bruises and cuts that lined Harry's body.

 

"They weren't too happy about the blood stained walls in the bathroom"

 

"The what?"

 

"Blood stained walls, seems that they weren't huge fans"

 

"But how"

 

"Bellatrix Lestrange"

 

"Who?"

 

"Bellatrix Lestrange and the Malfoy's came for a little visit yesterday.  Needless to say one of them, I'm betting Lestrange, decided to scare the Dursley's with blood stained walls."

 

"Bitch" Luna said before her father admonished her for using such language.

 

"Malfoy?"

 

"All three of them"

 

"Harry" Luna said giving Harry a look that had him blushing.  Luna was the only person besides himself that knew of his crush for the youngest Malfoy family member.

 

"He saw me"

 

"And"

 

"Dunno" Harry said with a shrug of his shoulders before he bit his bottom lip.  That was so a bad idea now that he had done it.

 

"We'll be talking later about that, but now you need to get cleaned up and rested" Luna said now putting back the things she had taken out of the first-aid kit.

 

"Daddy" Luna said turning to her father and smiling.

 

"Yes, pumpkin?"

 

"Harry's trunk?"

 

"Oh?  Yes, yes!"  Xenophilius said before pulling out said truck and enlarging it.

 

"I'll put this in the guest room" Luna's father said before making his way up the stairs and to the spare bedroom next to Luna's.

 

"Follow me, little brother" Luna joked with Harry as they made their way up the stairs to where her father was already swishing his wand putting fresh bed linens on the bed as well as opening up the curtains to let the mid-morning light in.

 

"Little brother!?"  Harry said a glare on his face that made Luna only laugh.

 

"You are shorter than me" Luna pointed out before she made her way to the bathroom.

 

"Hmph" Harry said knowing that Luna was right; he was after all almost as short as a first years.  Damn the Dursley's and their "loving care".

 

"Bathroom" Luna said once they arrived to the semi-large room.

 

"Thank Merlin!"  Harry said before he made a bee line over to the shower stall that was on the back wall of the room.

 

"No bath?"

 

"I think I will wait on that" Harry said giving Luna a look that told her, his reasons that being that he was tired and didn't think he would be able to stay awake for much longer.

 

"Okay, I'll be right back" Luna said turning and leaving the room to get some fresh towels from the linen closet right next door.

 

"Here you go" Luna said putting the towels on a rack that would warm them up for you.

 

"Thanks" Harry said still fiddling with the knobs in the shower stall.  Once Luna had closed the bathroom door Harry dropped the bloody sheet and jumped into the shower.

 

"Ah" Harry sighed happy to finally be able to take a shower and not wash up in the garden hose as he had been doing since his return to the Dursley household.  An hour later had Harry emerging from the bathroom with a towel around his waist and a towel wrapped around his shoulders.

 

"I was beginning to wonder" Luna said leaning against the wall on the other side of the hallway where the bathroom was.

 

"Warm water and soap were not something the Dursley's thought I needed" Harry explained before he went to the room that they had stopped at before arriving to the bathroom.

 

"Hmmm" Luna said not at all happy with Harry's words.

 

"So you got the letter?"  Harry said changing the subject entirely, knowing that Luna was already thinking of ways to possibly hurt the Dursley's.

 

"I did, how did you manage to send that out?"

 

"I didn't, I had Draco post it for me" Harry said his cheeks red as a tomato.

 

"I see" Luna said before his grinned at Harry's back.  Oh what she wouldn't have done to have been the fly on that wall.

 

"Can I get dressed" Harry queried to Luna who was still standing in the doorway to the room.

 

"Of course" Luna said acting as if seeing Harry naked wasn't a new occurrence.

 

"Alone?"

 

"Harry" Luna said her would full of mirth, before she backed out of the room and closed the door while doing so.

 

"Women!" Harry said knowing that Luna could hear him.

 

"Little brother do shut up"

 

"Grrr" was all that Luna could hear from the other side of the door.  It was five minutes later that Harry pulled the door back open with his hair a rat's nest and wearing some of the "higher" end hand me downs.

 

"We just have to do something about those clothes" Luna said before she ventured off to her bedroom, she knew that Harry would follow her.

 

"Well how do you think we can manage that?  Dumbledore and his order of bird brains will send me right back if they catch sight of me"

 

"Owl order of course" Luna said holding up a catalogue that had posing witches and wizards on the cover.

 

"My blessed big sister" Harry said as he sat down in the chair that was stationed near a completely full desk.

 

"Well, pick some things out" Luna said handing the catalogue to Harry and then sitting down on the floor next to the chair.

 

Several hours later had both Harry and Luna making their way down stairs and to the kitchen where Luna's father was busy fighting with the regal looking owl that had been there since that morning.

 

"Daddy"

 

"It won't go" Xenophilius said at a loss as to a way to get the owl to leave.  He had been trying for the better part of four hours now and the bloody bird wouldn't leave, not even to perch on some other piece of furniture.

 

"Draco's owl" Harry said stunned, he had figured that Draco had sent his post to Luna via some bird that was probably in the Owlery at Malfoy Manor, not his own personal owl.

 

"I should have noticed" Luna said before shaking her head and then pointing to the ink well and parchment that was near the window.

 

"It's waiting on a reply"

 

"Oh" Harry said uncertain on what to say in a note to Draco.

 

"Tell him you are fine and being well taken care of" Luna said her shoulders shaking at the fluxumoned look Harry had on his face.

 

"Right of course" Harry said before taking a parchment, quill and ink to write his note.

 

Malfoy....Draco,

 

I can call you Draco, right?  I just wanted to say thank you for posting the letter for me.  Luna has rescued me.  I wasn't really sure on if you would post it for me or if you would have a laugh as you burned it.

 

Harry

 

 

Once Harry had completed the letter he glanced at Luna and saw the same misty eyed look she usually had on her face as she spoke with her father.

 

"Done" Harry said before going over to the bird and tying the note onto the bird's leg.

 

"Take that to Draco for me" Harry said before petting the bird and then watching as it winged his way out of the house and back towards its master.

 

"You touched it?!"

 

"Yeah" Harry said turning, noticing the stunned looks on both Luna's and her father's face.

 

"But...but you shouldn't have been able to" Xenophilius said before looking out the kitchen window to the darkening sky.

 

"I don't understand"

"Harry, owls that are owned by someone usually....well never allow another person to touch them, who isn't related to that person."

 

"Huh"

 

"You shouldn't have been able to touch Malfoy's bird because it belongs to Malfoy.  Only Malfoy and his family are able to touch it"

 

"And their soul mate" Xenophilius added helpfully.

 

"What?"  Harry stuttered out, he hadn't been told this sort of thing.  He had never quite understood why Hedwig would always bite Ron, or one of the Weasley's or Hermione when they would try and touch her.

 

"It's complicated" Luna said knowing that she and her father would be teaching Harry a lot that summer.  She knew all about what was going to happen once Harry returned to his seventh year and she had no doubt that the headmaster wanted Harry as clueless as possible about what lay ahead of him in his seventh year.  Harry only nodded his head before he decided that nothing would be accomplished that night, he would save it for tomorrow and the rest of the summer which he planned to spend with Luna and her father, if they would allow it.

 

 

~Two Weeks Later~

 

"Harry come on" Luna said looking up the hallway waiting for Harry to appear.  She had big plans for Harry's Pureblood tradition lessons today and it seemed that her "little brother" was moving as slow as possible.

 

"I'm up, I'm up" Harry said coming out of the bathroom with a towel slung low on his hips while drying his hair with another towel.  It was then that Luna saw what to look like a blob, right next to Harry's left hip bone.

 

"Harry" Luna said looking at Harry and wondering if he would allow her to inspect the blob, that she just *knew* wasn't a blob.

 

"I'll be down in a minute" Harry said still drying his hair.

 

"Harry" Luna said now making her way towards where Harry stood looking at her confused.

 

"Are you okay Luna?"  Harry asked now worried by the look that was Luna's face.  He had come to expect the dreamy/vacant expression that was on Luna's face and the look that was on her now said that something important was about to be said.

 

"You...you" Luna said as she got closer and closer while the blob got clearer and clearer.

 

"What"

 

"Fertility mark"

 

"A what?"  Harry asked truly confused on why this had Luna acting oddly, at least for her.

 

"Fertility mark, right there" Luna said now pointing to the spot where three crescent arcs intertwined together.

 

"Fertility?"  Harry said looking down at what he thought of as a "beauty spot" on the dip next to his left hip.

 

"Yes" 

 

"Is this something that may have been deemed not necessary for me to know?"  Harry said his voice had a hard edge to it now. Since staying with Luna and her father, he had found out a great many things that the headmaster, the Weasley's and even his crappy dog father, and he meant god father, felt that he need not know about when living in the wizarding community.

 

"Yes, this is something that I could see would cause problems for certain people"

 

"Explain" Harry demanded not wanting to be left in the dark any longer.

 

"Get dressed and I will tell you" Luna said before turning on her heels of her socked feet, and made her way downstairs and to the kitchen table where she had books upon books out for today's lessons.

 

"Ready?"  Harry asked as he made his way into the kitchen where he knew Luna would be sitting at the kitchen table looking at the many books that she had or had bought to bring Harry up to speed on the ways of pureblood wizards.

 

"Of course" Luna said before pointing to a chair and giving Harry a look that told him, he wasn't going to like what she had to say.

 

"Shirt...up" Luna said before moving closer to Harry so that she fully inspect the mark that lay on Harry's body.  Harry gave her a look but knew better than to fight with her, if Luna was one thing it was stubborn when it came to matter of pureblood traditions and Harry had a feeling that his "beauty spot" was more than just a run of the mill birthmark.  Harry lifted his shirt revealing that his pants still hung low on his body, which gave Luna a clear look of the mark she had seen when Harry had gotten out of the shower.  Harry watched Luna for any sort of comments or snide remarks that he had always gotten from Ron and the other boys in the Gryffindor Boy's Dorm Room and even Hermione as well.

 

"So it is then" Luna mumbled to herself before pulling back and looking at Harry, wondering if this would anger or saddened her brother.

 

"What?"  Harry said wanting to know what Luna was mumbling about.

 

"The mark of the maiden or otherwise known as the triple spiral" Luna said before looking at Harry, trying to see if he would remember a comment she had made about this particular thing.

 

"Uh" Harry said knowing he had heard those words before in his lessons with Luna but coming up blank.

 

"It is the sign of female power...." Luna started only to see realization show on Harry's face at her words.

 

"For male wizards that are able to bare children, it is usually called the fertility mark or Maiden's Mark" Harry finished the sentence that Luna had started.

 

"Correct" Luna said proud that Harry had remembered. 

 

"So this makes me what?"

 

"A very, very special young man" Luna's father said standing at the entry way of the kitchen.  He had been quite intent to let his daughter teach Harry about the ways of the pureblood wizards, but when he had heard the words "mark of the maiden" he had gone to find out what they were talking about.  He was even more shocked when Harry had said "so this makes me what?"

 

"Aren't I special enough?" Harry griped, not at all happy about his latest "specialness" that he had developed.

 

"You're Harry" Luna said a dreamy smile on her face, which made Harry smile and laugh at her antics.  She could always manage to make him smile even in the worst of times it seemed.

 

"That he is" Luna's father said smile on his face.  He had been amazed when his daughter had come back from Hogwarts in her fifth year talking about Harry Potter being her friend, she did have a tendency to imagine things, but when she had received multiple letters from the young man in question he had been quite proud of his daughter.  It wasn't every day that you made friends with Harry Potter, his attitude changed quickly when Luna told him that Harry was just a normal boy and wanted to be just that.  Now though, he thought of Harry as a family member and he would do all in his power to make sure that Harry was safe and sound, even if that meant going against Headmaster Albus Dumbledore.  Harry colored at the words, happy to finally have people around him that understood that he wasn't the 'Boy-Who-Lived' or 'The Chosen One' as the Daily Prophet had begun calling him for some unknown reason.

 

"Let me see" Xenophilius said looking at Harry wondering what the mark would really look like.  It was rare to see a "Maiden's Mark" up close and personal, if you weren't either a family member or the intended of the person.  Harry raised his shirt up again and Xenophilius moved closer trying to get a good look at the mark.

 

"Simply amazing" Xenophilius said before pulling back and then patting Harry on the shoulder.  He had been short on ideas for the latest Quibbler, but now it seemed that he had a few articles that he thought would be great for the next issue.  Most of them dealing with the Maiden's Mark and pureblood traditions of collaring, it had been a while since the Daily Prophet had done any articles on collaring and he wanted to be one step ahead of the Daily Prophet.

 

"Sure" Harry said wondering what Xenophilius was thinking.

 

"Off to work, plenty to do, plenty to do" Xenophilius said before making his way out of the doorway and to the small study that he wrote his articles in.

 

"Should I worry?"

 

"Of course not" Luna said before she grabbed a book and opened it up, closing the conversation about her father closed.

 

"Maiden's Marks go hand in hand with collaring"

 

"What?!"  Harry asked shocked, he was certain that he had heard Luna wrong.  Collaring?!

 

"Collaring" Luna said as if she had read Harry's mind.

 

"But....but"

 

"It's pureblood tradition"

 

"But" Harry said still not understanding what Luna was talking about.  He had heard Dudley talking about some of the clubs that he had gone to while away at Smeltings, and the words of "collars" and "bloody fantastic time" were in the same sentence and that was never a good thing in Harry's book.

 

"Muggles" Luna said with an eye roll to accompany it.

 

"Collaring is an old pureblood wizarding tradition; it dates back probably to the time of Merlin but at the least a few centuries ago." Luna started out watching Harry to see if he would bolt and lock himself in his room for the rest of the day, as he had done on a couple of other occasions.  When it looked like he was staying put Luna continued on.

 

"It began centuries ago when purebloods were among the majority of the wizarding world and wanted to show off their wealth and pureness of blood.  Collaring back then wasn't so much a way to show power; instead it was a showing of how pure their blood was."

 

"So Draco talking about having the purest blood?"

 

"Is very much true, there are only a few families out there that can even boast such a thing, and the Malfoy family is one of them."  Luna knew the information she had just told Harry was making him wonder if not accepting the other boy's hand in friendship was a bad idea.

 

"So where do the Weasley's stand?"  Harry said wanting to know if the Weasley's despite their 'muggle loving' ways still managed to be pureblooded or not.

 

"Firmly in the camp of pureblood, a 'blood traitor' status pureblood but a pureblood none the less"

 

"How?"

 

"I'll get to that in a minute" Luna said before continuing on her explanation of the pureblood collaring tradition.

 

"Each submissive collared, is given a specific type of metal for a collar.  The more pure the blood; the more precious or rare the metal became.  The purest of blood, the Malfoy's, use platinum.  Gold, silver and copper are just a few of the metals that are used by the Coryphaeus Nine for collars."

 

"I don't get it" Harry said confused on what Luna had just told him.  It had been like this every time she started a new wizarding tradition with him.  He had been so firmly in the muggle traditions that even small things such as how to greet and address someone, such as a professor or elder, were over his head or confused him since muggles had long since disregarded the 'older' traditions of the world.

 

"Okay, let me see how I can explain this better" Luna said tapping a finger to her lips.  She had been hard pressed to find examples in the real world to explain some of the traditions that the wizarding world used, since she herself was of pureblood and didn't know much about the muggle world.

 

"Okay, how about this?  The Malfoy's being the purest of the purebloods, one of the Pureblood nine called the Coryphaeus Nine, use platinum as their metal of choice.  Platinum is as you know, not only fairly hard to get a hold of but it is also very, very expensive.  In either the muggle world or the wizarding world, correct?"

 

"Right" Harry said following Luna's explanation so far.

 

"Now the Weasley's instead are consider 'blood traitors' but are still in the ruling nine, they instead use copper as their metal of choice"

 

"It is fairly common in the wizarding and muggle worlds and is semi-expensive but not so expensive that should a collar be commissioned that the person wouldn't be able to get it"

 

"Okay, I am lost.  So the Weasley's could buy a collar of platinum if they had the money?"

 

"Well they could in theory, but since their bloodline is not as pure as the Malfoy's it would be an insult for them to use it."

 

"But the Weasley's don't like the Malfoy's"  Harry said confused, he wouldn't put it past one of the Weasley's to go out and get a collar commissioned in platinum if it would piss the Malfoy's off.

 

"True, but in the end the Weasley's are part of the Coryphaeus Nine and those nine families are not able to use each other's chosen metals"

 

"Coryphaeus Nine?"  Harry said now understanding what Luna was talking but also confused on who the Coryphaeus nine were.

 

"Well they are the nine families that are the purest of the wizarding world"

 

"Right, so what families are they, besides that of the Weasley's and the Malfoy's?"

 

"Well there are the Black's and the Lestrange's for the other dark Coryphaeus families, and there are the Longbottom's and the Potter's of course for the light Coryphaeus families and then there are the Zabini's and the Lovegood's and the Diggory's for the neutral Coryphaeus families" Luna explained to Harry knowing that Harry wouldn't like the piece of information he was just given.

 

"So you mean to tell me that my family it aligned with the Weasley's?"

 

"Correct"

 

"Why?"

 

"It's all based on family history and your family along with the Weasley's have always been for the betterment of muggle-born witches and wizards."

 

"And they consider that a light thing?"

 

"That's stupid" Harry said answering his own question, he thought it was a load of crap that his family was aligned with the Weasley's all because of some stupid reason.

 

"It may be but it is what is reflected throughout history"

 

"Okay, I understand that, I think but what does that have to do with metals and why they collar or whatever"  Harry said reviewing all of the facts and trying to understand what he had just been told.

 

"Think of the collar as a symbol or showing"

 

"Of?"  

 

"In most cases a show of wealth and blood purity" Luna said before continuing on before Harry could ask another question.

 

"The tradition is still used by most pureblood families, even if they don't believe too much in the system.  Most older, purer blooded families that are usually said to be "dark", as you noticed by the families I just named, still have their collars made out of the rarer metals out there, while the other families, either "light" have their collars made out of the more readily available metals."

 

"But I thought you said...." Harry said now totally confused on the whole grouping that was going on.

 

"Well most of the families that are in the Coryphaeus Nine have little to no diluting of the bloodlines, but there are a few families, such as the Weasley's and the Potter's that have mixed bloodlines with a muggle-born or half born and still the bloodline remained pure.  The public had to justify the reason for the particular families to stay in the Coryphaeus Nine and came up with the excuse of betterment of muggle-borns and half-bloods in the wizarding world."

 

"Well that's just stupid"

 

"I am in totally agreement with you there."

 

"But there's more isn't there?"  Harry said knowing that there was more to the tradition that he needed to know.

 

"Of course there is little brother"

 

"Luna" Harry groaned he so hated when Luna used the words "little brother" since it usually came right before either bad news or something that he wasn't going to like to hear.

 

"A collar will also have gems on them as well"

 

"As in rubies, emeralds and diamonds?"

 

"Yes, but those are a bit too common for a pureblood family like the Malfoy's to use" Harry could only nod his head in agreement, he had no idea where Luna was going with this wizarding tradition lesson but he figured that she would get to her point soon enough.  She was after all a Ravenclaw, so she tended to give too much information as opposed to too little information.

 

"So what do the Malfoy's use as gems?"  Harry asked curious to hear what the Malfoy family had picked out for their family jewel.  At that thought Harry gave a laugh, 'family jewels indeed'.  Luna could only smile because she knew what her little brother was thinking and it was in no way dealing with gemstones, but instead it dealt with a certain blonde Slytherin and his particular 'family jewels' that were hidden beneath his Hogwart's cloak and robes.

 

"Let me see" Luna said thinking of what gems the Malfoy family had chosen as their family jewels.  She of course knew, all families of the Coryphaeus Nine knew, but she so did love having Harry hanging onto her every word.

 

"Luna" Harry said knowing that Luna was only drawing this out; she did have that tendency since they had started their lessons.

 

"All right, all right" Luna said before her mouth took on a particularly sunny smile.

 

"The Malfoy family gem stones are, Cat's Eye Alexandrite, Zultanite, Diamond and of course Gahnite Spinel"

 

"What?"  Harry said never hearing any besides diamond, gemstone names before.

 

"I've never even heard of those" Harry explained to Luna, he always seemed to be a bit over his head when it came to wizarding lessons.  At Harry's words, Luna sighed for some reason this didn't surprise her.  It seemed that the Headmaster along with the Weasley family had done a bang up job of keeping Harry clueless about the wizarding world and the traditions that they had.  It was a wonder that Harry hadn't already gotten himself in a situation that would make him and his family, look like heathens.

 

"Well I guess that is a good thing" Luna mused out loud.

 

"What...why?"

 

"Well the Malfoy's are known to do everything in the most extravagant way, and you not knowing any of the gems is a good thing, I guess" Luna explained.

 

"Oh, then what are the Lovegood's gems?"

 

"Oh, right of course" Luna said surprised that Harry was asking about her family gems and not his own, maybe he was avoiding the subject.

 

"A diamond, a Sri Lankan Rainbow Moonstone, Kyanite and a black pearl" Luna rattled off quickly.

 

"And the Potter's" Harry asked not really sure he wanted to know his own family gems.

 

"Yours are a diamond, star sillmanite, andalusite and amber"

 

"Does everyone have a diamond" Harry asked wanting to know if there was a reason for why all of the families had diamonds with their gems.

 

"Yes, it is usually in the gems stones because it amplifies the effects of the other gems that have been chosen for the family, along with it being the gem stone for the Coryphaeus Nine."  Harry just nodded his head not wanting to tell Luna that he still didn't know what any of the gems are that she had just listed off.

 

"Wait here just a second" Luna said before getting up and making her way to the office area where her father sat working on an article for the new Quibbler.

 

"Daddy" Luna said after knocking on the closed door and then making her way into the room.

 

"Pumpkin" 

 

"Do you have our Coryphaeus Nine book?"

 

"Of course" Luna's father said before going over to a bookshelf that was filled with books about all sorts of different things.  The book in question had a large symbol for the Coryphaeus Nine done in a silver and gold relief while the book was bound in leather so smooth and dark that it was hard to tell what animal had given up its life for the covering of the book.  Also the gems that symbolized the Coryphaeus Nine, with the Coryphaeus diamond in the center of the symbol glinting at Luna as she ran a hand over the raised symbol.

 

"Thank you Daddy" Luna said before holding the book to her chest and making her way back to where she knew Harry was sitting, with a confused look on his face.

 

"Here we are" Luna said after taking a seat in the chair that she had previously been sitting in.  Harry's eyes widen when he caught sight of the book that Luna was holding.  The gems alone on the book where worth a fortune, and that wasn't even hinting at the metals that were also in the symbol on the front cover.

 

"What is that?"

 

"A book" Luna said her voice telling Harry that she was quite amused with his question.

 

"I know that much, but what sort of book is it?"

 

"This is the Lovegood's Coryphaeus Nine book"

 

"Do...do all of the families have books like this?"  Harry asked wondering how much of his family history was tied up with Dumbledore.

 

"All Coryphaeus families do, and most of the families that have been in the wizarding world for quite some time have one.  I can say with utmost certainty that the Dumbledore Clan have one."

 

"Do you think I could get the Potter's?"

 

"I don't know"

 

"Do you think it would be in my vault?" 

 

"I honestly don't know" Luna said not liking the idea of Harry not having something that was rightfully his because of a headmaster of a school.

 

"Well I'll worry about that later" Harry said putting the thought of the Potter's Coryphaeus book from his mind.  He would write to Gringotts and see if they could help him in the matter, and if Dumbledore needed to be called, for some unknown reason then Harry would just wait until his birthday when he would take over the title of Lord Potter.  He had learned about the hierarchy of families from Luna and when the sole heir and male at that was alive and well he became Lord of the line, even with his Maiden's Mark.  Luna watched her brother with a critical eye she could tell he was going to do something and she just hoped that it wouldn't result with Headmaster Dumbledore knocking on their door and guiding Harry back to the Dursley's for the rest of the summer.  It was something that she wouldn't allow and she knew that her father would fight for Harry as well; she had seen the way that her father's eyes lit up when Harry was around.  It was something she was thankful for, her father finding happiness after the loss of his wife.

 

"Right" Luna said acting like she knew nothing of what Harry was probably thinking about doing once he got a chance.

 

"Here" Luna said now thrusting the book into Harry's hands, she wanted him to read it and understand what he would be seeing going on at Hogwarts when the coming school year rolled around.

 

"But I'm not a Lovegood" Harry said somehow knowing that this book was intended for only Lovegood family members and for no outsiders and he was definitely an outsider, he was in another Coryphaeus family for Merlin's sake!

 

"Harry" Luna said looking at Harry as if he had said the totally wrong thing.

 

"You are" Luna's father, Xenophilius Lovegood said coming into the kitchen where the pair of them sat currently.

 

"But....but" Harry said stunned that Luna and her father were willing to let him be a part of them family.

 

"You may be a Potter by blood, but are a Lovegood of our heart and that is all that matters to us" Xenophilius said trying to explain why he and Luna would allow for him to view their Coryphaeus book.

 

"I...I don't know what to say"

 

"You don't have to say anything" Xenophilius said before patting Harry on the shoulder and then making his way to the kitchen sink to wash his hands.  While Xenophilius washed his hands he caught sight of the Coryphaeus Nine symbol tattoo on his inner wrist, all of the members of a family that was in the Coryphaeus Nine had one tattooed onto their wrist when they came of age; which was seventeen.  Seeing the tattoo made Xenophilius wonder on whom or how Harry would be getting his tattoo, his birthday was after all only a couple weeks away and it was standard protocol for a family member or god parent if the family was "unavailable" to take the son or daughter to get the Coryphaeus member tattoo.  He knew that none of the people that were supposed friends and family of Harry were going to take him, since they still hadn't even figured out that Harry was missing from his aunt and uncle's house.  It was then that Xenophilius decided that he and Luna would do the honors; he smiled at the thought of the surprise that would be written on not only Dumbledore's face but also the Weasley's and most of the Order members.  With the thought of planning an outing in his mind Xenophilius retreated back to his study to continue work on not only the articles for the latest Quibbler but also for the planning of the yearly "family trip" that he and Luna took every year, only this time there would be a few extra stops since Harry was there with them.  While Luna's father was in his study Luna continued her lesson for the day with Harry.

    The Coryphaeus lessons continued on for the next two weeks, with Harry understanding more and more about how the system of purebloods and collaring worked.  He had become enraged when he figured out that both the headmaster and the whole Weasley family were setting him up for an arranged match with Ginny.  It made him even angrier to figure out that his so-called godfather was all too willing to do the headmaster's bidding, just so that he could be on the "right side" of the war.  The Black family had been known for centuries to be on the "darker" side of things but it made no sense to Harry why his godfather would do something like that to someone he consider family.

 

"Ready?"  Luna said standing at the front entrance of the house with her father standing next to her, while Harry made his way towards the pair of them.  Harry nodded his head and then stood next to Luna, taking her hand in his.  He so didn't want to leave the comfort of the Lovegood house, but it seemed that Luna's father had other ideas.

 

"Off to the portkey point" Xenophilius said before opening the door to the house and waiting for his daughter and son of his heart to exit their house before warding it.  Harry's face paled as they made their way to the portkey point, he knew the hill that they were making their way to all too well.

 

"The..."

 

"Weasley's" Luna finished for him, knowing that Harry was about to have panic attack, he had been them getting since the day he arrived to their house and it took Luna and her father an amazing amount of time and patience to calm Harry to the point that he came out of the trance like state he would go into.

 

"Right there" Harry said as they topped the hill and saw The Burrow along with the overgrown front and side yard.

 

"They are but we shouldn't even see them" Luna said trying to reassure Harry that things would be fine.

 

"Where is it?"  Xenophilius said looking around on the top of the hill for the portkey that was supposed to be up there.

 

"Ah there it is" Luna's father said before lifting up an old looking blue glass bottle.

 

"Fingers on" Xenophilius said holding out the bottle to Harry and Luna.  Once all three were touching, the portkey began to activate just as a herd of Weasley's made their way to the top of the hill looking around for something.  Since Harry's back was turned he never saw the herd make its way up the hill, but Luna had and she sighed a bit of relief when none of the red headed family noticed their departure.

 

"Bloody hell"

 

"Language" Xenophilius said before looking around the area and smiling at his daughter.  They had landed in a room that was lined with several floo fireplaces as well as what looked like "landing pads" for portkey arrivals.

 

"Welcome to Hotel Martinez" a woman with long flowing black locks said with a little French accent, to the three of them that were standing in one of the "landing pads".

 

"Hello" Xenophilius said before taking the woman's hand and then kissing it, it was after all proper etiquette.

 

"Hi" Harry said with a small wave along with Luna, he wasn't really sure on what to do in these sorts of situations.  Luna had taught him but seeing the beautiful woman there he sort of froze.  The woman eyed the two teenagers and then turned back to Xenophilius.

 

"Reservation, no?"

 

"Lovegood" Luna's father said knowing that the lady would become quite shocked by the name he had just given.  Even in France the Coryphaeus Nine were quite well known.

"Lord Lovegood" the woman said before curtsying a bit and then turning around towards an arched doorway that would lead to the main reception area of the hotel.

 

"Wow" Harry whispered as they followed, what Harry assumed was the receptionist for the wizarding part of the hotel.

 

"Lord Lovegood" the woman said now standing behind a counter at the front of a very large and very posh looking reception area.

 

"Yes?"

 

"Your portkey" the woman asked while sticking out her hand.

 

"Oh right" Xenophilius said before handing over the blue glass bottle to the beautiful woman.

 

"My name is Marie and I will be helping you check in" the woman said before clicking away on a computer, it seemed that the hotel had done its research and knew better than to exclude wizards from their business since muggles had been the one to invent computers and their many uses.

 

"Here you are" the woman said before clicking again at the computer and then pulling out an old fashioned key, not the usual plastic key cards that most hotels used now a days.

 

"Suite 1823" she said while handing over the key and other items that were usually given out when a guest arrived.

 

"Erik" the woman called out, before a semi-tall lanky looking man made his way over to there the Lovegood's and Harry stood at the counter.

 

"Suite 1823 and be quick about it" Marie snapped out, Erik was not her favorite bellhop but it seemed that he always had many complements from the guests who dealt with him.

 

"Right this way" the lanky man said before walking away from the counter and towards a bank of elevators that would take the group and other guests to their rooms.

 

"Welcome, welcome" the man-boy said eyeing Luna and turning a lovely shade of pink.  Harry had to hold back a grin on his face due to what he was seeing.  Luna on the other hand was staring into space already planning what they would be doing for Harry's birthday, so she didn't notice the newcomer's looks and reaction to her.

 

"Hi" Harry said quietly back, he wasn't much of a talker these days and the times that he did talk he spoke very quietly.  Luna had assured him that it was part of the effects of the Maiden's Mark, but Harry wasn't so sure.  He had learned his lesson while at the Dursley's and that was to keep as quiet as possible and speak only when spoken to.

 

"Name's Erik as you already know" Erik said his voice carrying a much heavier French accent.  Erik was just about to ask who they were in the bell of the elevator went off, letting them know that they had arrived to the desired floor.

 

"Right this way" Erik said walking out and then holding the elevator doors open so that the three could exit the car.  The group walked in silence to the end of a hallway and then turned to the left.

 

"Your suite" Erik said before putting out a hand, in a silent request for the key.

 

"Here you are" Xenophilius said handing over the key and then watching as Erik watched his daughter who had taken up twirling in a circle in the center of the suite.  Xenophilius could only smile; it seemed that his daughter had an admirer.

 

"Have a nice day and if you need anything further....." Erik said before looking at Luna more one time and then making his way to the door where Xenophilius stood waiting for the key to the suite.

 

"Thank you" Luna's father said before closing the door to the suite and with a smile planted firmly on his face.

 

"Daddy" Luna said a smile on her own face, while Harry stood watching the two.

 

"That bellboy seems to fancy you" Harry said whispering into Luna's ear once he had made his way to her side.

 

"Oh silly" Luna said before making her way to one of the three doors that had been pointing out as the bedrooms in the suite.  For the following few days the trio saw the sights that Cannes, France had to offer as well making their way to the private beach that the hotel had.  The scene that had occurred with Harry and the Lovegood was something that made all three still smile.

 

~Flashback~

 

"A beach" Harry said on his hands and knees in white sand.

 

"Correct"

 

"I've never been to a beach" Harry said looking up at Luna tears in his eyes.  None of his friends, except for Luna it seemed had taken the time to know that he hadn't ever traveled outside of the British Isles, let alone London it's self.  When Luna heard the words she wanted to rant and rave at someone but she knew nothing would come of it, nothing ever came of anything when you brought issues up with the Order and headmaster.

 

"Happy Birthday" Luna said smiling at Harry; this was going to be one of the few birthdays that Harry never forgot.

 

"Thank you both so much" Harry said tears now running freely down his face and into the sand that he was now currently sitting in with Luna next to him and Xenophilius sitting in a nearby lounge chair.

 

"I figured you could use a bit of sun" Luna said looking over to Harry and seeing how pale he was, she was so used to see Harry with a golden tan, that she never realized that Harry got that tan from all the hard work that the Dursley's made him do when on holiday.

 

"Yeah" Harry breathed out closing his eyes and drinking in as much of the summer sun as he could.  He was glad that he didn't have to work in the Dursley's yard to get his tan; instead he was laying down on the beach in Cannes, France.

 

"Oh my" Luna said catching sight of what she thought was a Malfoy blonde hair.

 

"Luna" Harry said sitting up a bit and looking at Luna, wondering what had his sister 'oh my'ing'.

 

"Nothing, nothing" Luna said with a wave of her hand.  She had totally forgotten that the Malfoy family tended to visit France on summer holiday.  Harry gave Luna a look before laying back down and taking in the sun that was high in the sky.

 

~End of Flashback~

 

That had been not two days ago and now the trio was making their way towards the wizarding shopping district, out for birthday presents for Harry.  His birthday after all had pasted just a few days ago and the Lovegood's wanted to be sure that Harry was spoiled rotten on his seventeenth birthday.

 

"Let's start here" Luna said pointing out a very posh looking wizarding clothing store.  Harry could only groan; he knew he was in for hours of pain while shopping for clothing.  Luna had stated to him that his clothing was "unacceptable" and that if "he planned to find a suitable dominate, that he was to dress appropriately".

 

"Luna please" Harry said not ready for the horrors that lay behind the French clothing shop doors.

 

"It won't be bad" Luna said already knowing what she wanted Harry to get and only needing Harry's measurements before the items could be made.

 

"Hermione would say the same thing...." Harry started out only to stop at the thought of his bushy hair ex-best friend.

 

"Well she is doing something wrong then" Luna said before giving Harry a push into the open shop doors.

 

"May ve help you?"  A large busted woman with a thick French accent said to the trio when they walked in.

 

"Yes" Luna said before explaining what it was that Harry needed.

 

"Up, up" the woman said pointing to a raised dais and then coming over to measure Harry personally.  She knew who was in her store; she wasn't the owner of [clothing store name] for nothing.  Soon Madame DuBois was measuring Harry the old fashioned way.

 

"There" she said a few minutes later before allowing Harry to step down and guide him towards the bolts and bolts of fabric that lined the walls.

 

"'olours?" Madame DeBois said gravitating towards the more expensive fabrics on the wall.

 

"Jewel tones" Luna mumbled to herself before picking out several colors that she thought would look good on Harry.  Harry stood back and watched as his sister picked out bolts and bolts of fabrics in colors that he himself would have chosen.  On the few occasions that he would go shopping with Hermione, Ron and Ginny they would always put him in the standard Gryffindor colors, he wasn't sure on why they chose the colors but now he understood they were flashing his Coryphaeus status even if he didn't know at the time.

 

"Zeez will look smashing" Madame DuBois said with a smile on her face while watching Harry fidget under all of the attention he was getting.

 

"Mother...." met all of the people ears as Draco Malfoy and his mother walked into the small but exclusive shop.

 

"In, in a room" Luna said pushing Harry to a fitting room with nothing to try on.

 

"What?"

 

"Don't!"  Harry could only stare and then follow the directions his sister had given him.

 

"Lovegood" Narcissa said surprised to see the Lovegood Lord in France during summer holidays.  Most people were of the opinion that the Lovegood clan was a tad insane but Narcissa knew better, she had always known that Lord Lovegood was much smarter than his actions showed.

 

"Mistress Malfoy" Xenophilius said with a slight bow before he bowed to Draco as well.

 

"Young Dominate Malfoy"

 

"Lord Dominate Lovegood" it was at this time that Luna decided to come out of the room that she had gone in with Harry when Draco and his mother arrived.

 

"Submissive Lovegood" Narcissa said in greeting, somehow knowing that greeting the family so formally was a good idea.

 

"Mistress Malfoy" Luna said in greeting before curtsying and then looking around the shop for Madame DuBois.

 

"Mistress Malfoy" Madame DuBois said coming towards where the group now stood looking at each other, the owner had a stack of robes in her hands.

 

"Madame DuBois" Narcissa said her voice warmer than what most tended to hear from the wife of Lucius Malfoy.

 

"I vill be wiz you in a moment" the busty woman said before making her way over to where Harry was currently standing behind a curtained off area.

 

"Nice to meet you" Luna said with a wave before jogging after the woman that had just strode by.  Narcissa and Draco watched as Luna made her way behind a curtain wondering what the girl was up to.

 

"Teenagers" Xenophilius said with a smile on his face, he knew the reason for why Luna was currently behind the curtain and it was his dark headed son.

 

"Pick out your fabric while we wait" Narcissa said to Draco still standing by Xenophilius, wanting to talk to the man alone for a moment.

 

"Okay mother" Draco said before eyeing his mother and wondering what she was up to.  It was about ten minutes later that Madame DuBois, Luna and another person walked out from behind the curtained area.

 

"I look stupid" Harry said keeping his head down while he pulled at the robe that covered his body.

 

"You look fine, amazing even" Luna said before waving Madame DuBois away, she knew that if the woman stayed that her feelings may get hurt because of Harry's words.  It was of course nothing against the woman or her shop, but Harry had been raised on hand-me-downs and Gryffindor apparel for too long for him to know anything about what looked good and what didn't.  Harry blushed at Luna's words wanting for some unknown reason to curl up and disappear.

 

"Is that Harry Potter?"  Narcissa questioned Xenophilius.

 

"It is"

 

"With your daughter?"

 

"It is"

 

"Collaring match?"

 

"No, siblings of the heart" Xenophilius explained knowing that Narcissa would want to know what was going on.

 

"I see" Narcissa said watching as the two fought about what Harry had on, which was a new robe that Madame DuBois had just made for him.  Narcissa then noticed her son making his way over to where Harry and Luna stood with a look of shock on his face.

 

"Let the games begin" Narcissa muttered quietly but not low enough so that Xenophilius didn't hear her.

 

"Yes let them begin" Xenophilius said a smile on his face before he too watched the trio now that Draco had arrived to Harry and Luna.

 

"Potter?"  Draco asked Harry totally forgetting where he was.  Harry looked every bit of the amazing beautiful teen that Draco had fallen for.  Harry jerked his head away from his watching as his fingers played with the embroidered Coryphaeus Nine symbol that was repeated on the hems of the robe.  Harry stood stunned not really sure on what sort of response to give the blonde haired young man.  Luna elbowed Harry in the ribs, as if telling him to respond.

 

"Hi" Harry said in a quiet voice, he was unwilling to call Draco, Malfoy and he had learned from one of his 'pureblood traditions' lessons that you were to never use a person's given name unless you were given permission.

 

"Young Dominate Malfoy" Luna said formally, she knew that Draco would be asking for a collaring parley in the near future.

 

"Young Submissive Lovegood" Draco said be a tip of his head.  Luna nodded her head in greeting before nudging Harry one more time.

 

"Young Dominate Malfoy" Harry said having now gotten over his shock and also deciding to answer the same way that Luna had.  Draco was uncertain on what to call Harry since it wasn't very visible if he was a dominate or one of the lucky males who was a submissive.

 

"Young Submissive Potter" Luna answered for Draco, knowing that if he answered incorrectly that Harry and the Potter line could deny any sort of requests from the young Malfoy dominate.

 

"Young Submissive Potter" Draco said clearly surprised that things seemed to be working out in his favor.  Now it wasn't unheard of for two dominates coming together, since marrying your same gender wasn't unheard of, but things always had a way of working out to where one killed the other.  The last dominate that married another dominate was currently spending his life in Azkaban because he murdered his husband in a jealous rage.  Harry shifted his weight not really sure what to say or do now that he had been thrown into the situation that Luna had explained to him in his daily lessons.

 

"Thank you" Harry said quietly, he wanted to make sure that the Malfoy heir understood that his thank you in the letter he sent were sincere.

 

"For what?"  Draco asked clearly confused on what Harry would be thanking him for in the middle of a store in France.

 

"For posting the letter to my sister, I thank you for that" Harry explained a smile lighting up his face at the mention of his 'sister'.

 

"It was no problem at all" Draco responded, he so wanted to say that he had to look out for the other boy since it seemed no one else, except for 'Loony' Lovegood was going to look out for him and his best interests.

 

"Thank you any way" Harry said just as quietly as before, which made Draco have to lean into Harry's personal space to hear what he was saying.

 

"Draco, darling" Narcissa said knowing that if she didn't pull her son out of the scene he was in now that there would be a lot of explaining on why he had done something so out of character, at least for him.

 

"Mother" Draco said whirling around with a look on his face that said he was clearly shocked by his actions.

 

"Madame DuBois is ready" Narcissa said before looking over to the busty woman and then looking at the small group Draco was in.

 

"Right" Draco said before looking at Harry and Luna one more time and then deciding that he would at least try and see Harry again while still in France, for he was certain that when they all arrived back to England and Hogwarts specifically it would be hard do to.

 

"Would you like to have dinner with us?"  Draco asked the pair, hoping that they would say yes.

 

"Sounds just lovely" Luna said looking at Harry and noticing the look of shock on his face, for he was certain that the conversation that they were having with Draco was some sort of dream or joke.

 

"Tonight?"

 

"Sorry but we have plans for dinner tonight" Luna said knowing that the shopping trip would tire Harry to the point of him dropping into bed earlier than usual for him.  Draco gave Luna a considering look, wondering if she was telling the truth or if she was just brushing him off.  When Draco found what he was looking for in Luna's eyes he nodded his head and then spun around to go to his mother.

 

"Mother" Draco said once he reached where Narcissa and Xenophilius stood together.

 

"Madame DuBois is waiting" Narcissa said trying to make her son leave her with Lord Lovegood so that she could set up the dinner that she had heard her son asking about.

 

"Fine" Draco said a pout on his face before making his way over to where Madame DuBois stood with a smile on her face.

 

"Lord Dominate Lovegood"

 

"Yes"

 

"The dinner that Draco suggested"

 

"Ah yes" Xenophilius said before looking at his two children and a glimmer coming to his eye, he was so proud of them both.  It wasn't every day that a member of the Malfoy family asked for anything and for them to be asking for a dinner meeting was a HUGE deal.

 

"We are staying at the Hotel Martinez, how about we dine there tomorrow night?"

 

"Sounds splendid since we too are staying there as well" Narcissa said happy to be in such close proximity of her son's chosen submissive and she just *knew* that Harry Potter was her son's chosen submissive.  It was nothing against the Lovegood Clan, but her son had always been a bit obsessed with Harry Potter since his start at Hogwarts and the obsession had gotten to be more and more as the years went by and Harry Potter seemed to be firmly planted in the "light side" of the war.

 

"How about we meet you in the dining room at say, 7 o'clock?"  Xenophilius said before watching his daughter and son, who were still fighting over what Harry had on.

 

"Excellent" Narcissa said before she walked off to let her son know the good news.

 

"Mistress Malfoy" Xenophilius said with a half bow and then he too went to where his children still stood.

 

"Harry stop that" Luna said clearly frustrated with what her brother was doing.

 

"This is just wrong, it's too much"

 

"No, and leave it alone before I have daddy curse you to leave it alone" Luna said just as Xenophilius walked up to the pair.

 

"Harry it is fine, just leave it be"

 

"Okay" Harry said with a sigh, he knew that if his 'father' said it was fine than more likely than not it was just fine.

 

"We are to have dinner with the Coryphaeus Malfoy Family at seven o'clock tomorrow evening"

 

"Oh Daddy" Luna said before jogging off to find something that only she knew about.

 

"Is....I mean to say....is that okay?  Like is that a good thing?"

 

"It is a very good thing" Xenophilius said before noticing that Harry was truly worried about something and he had a feeling it was about the meeting that was to take place tomorrow evening.

 

"Do you want it to be a good thing?"  Xenophilius said leaning down so that he was eye to eye with Harry.  Harry could only nod his head, he so wanted Draco in a strictly non-friendly manner but he was afraid that the dinner and meeting would only show the blonde hair teen that he wasn't what he should be looking for in a submissive and husband.  Harry had figured out early on in his stay with Luna and her father, that he was a person that wanted, no needed to be taken care of.  Now he wasn't helpless by any means but with the way he was raised at the Dursley's he had always been a domestic person and also that he really wanted someone to look out and make decisions for him and for their family.

 

"Then there is nothing to worry about, let's just call this the first step in collaring parley.  The Malfoy's have requested an audience with us, which has never ever been done by a Malfoy family since the creation of the Coryphaeus system" Xenophilius explained to Harry, trying to show Harry that this was a good thing and in Xenophilius' mind it was a very good thing.

 

"This will be just wonderful" Luna said arriving back with a bolt of fabric following her.

 

"Lord Dominate Lovegood" Madame DuBois said coming up shortly after Luna arrived with the bolt of fabric floating behind her.

 

"A robe" Luna said then pointing to the amazing fabric she had picked out.

 

"Splendid" the woman said before bustling away to make another robe for Harry, for she had no doubt it was for the small young man.

 

"I have plenty of robes already" Harry said not really understanding why this was so important, he knew it was important but he just didn't get why all the pomp and circumstance was needed for this.

 

"You will look amazing for this meeting and a new robe will do that"

 

"But I have robes"

 

"No, not a robe for collaring parley, you don't" Luna said making Harry shut up, he knew his sister knew more about this than he did and it still angered him that the Weasley's, Dumbledore and his 'dog' father would keep something like this hidden from him.  A few minutes later Madame DuBois came over with the robe that Luna had requested.

 

"Go and try it on" Luna said pushing Harry towards the curtained off area to go and change.  Harry took one look and Luna and knew she meant business.

 

"Okay" Harry said before taking the robe out of Madame DuBois' hands and making his way over to the changing area muttering about meddling older sisters.

 

"Simply amazing choice of fabric" Madame DuBois commented to the two Lovegood family members.  The three made their way over to the curtained off area, so that when Harry came out that they would be the only ones able to see what he looked like in his newest robe.

 

"Collaring parley?"  Madame DuBois questioned, she had never been a big on keeping up with whom in the Coryphaeus families were feuding with each other but she did know that she had three of the nine in her shop and all in one day that things must be really, really moving and shaking.

 

"I think so" Xenophilius said before slanting his eyes to the woman wondering if she would be gossiping about this and it would be in the newspaper faster than things that dealt with Harry Potter ended up there.

 

"Hmmm" the busty woman said before clapping her hands and asking Harry to twirl now that he had come out of the changing area.

 

"It's perfect little brother" Luna said while walking around Harry and taking in how the colors of the embellishments brought out the golden Carmel color of his skin as well as his amazing green eyes.

 

"I must agree" Madame DuBois said before waving a hand and watching as the fabric moved with the little bit of wind she had just made.

 

"Moves with you, I must say some of my best work"

 

"I agree" Xenophilius said before shooing Harry back into the changing area since it seemed that there were a couple of families wondering what had the owner of the shop in awe.

 

"Luna why don't you help Harry and I will get this taken care of" Luna's father said with a wink, he knew that Harry would want to pay for this even though he was part of their family, if even in heart.

 

"Of course Daddy" Luna said before walking behind the curtain and then laughing at the strange squeak that Harry made when he saw his sister standing there.

 

"Such the modest bear"

 

"Luna!"

 

"Get dressed we have a few more places to go"

 

"None of them clothing?"  Harry asked as the robe he had on with the Coryphaeus Nine symbol sewn into the hems repeated fell over his head and then body.

 

"Of course not, it's pretty much up to you where we go"

 

"Thank Merlin" Harry said clearly embarrassed for some reason.  Fifteen minutes later had Luna, Harry and Xenophilius making their way down the pretty crowded streets of the wizarding district in Cannes, France.  It was while they were walking past one shop that Harry stopped and glance in the window and became entranced by what he saw.

 

"Harry, I know you are....." Luna was saying before she noticed that her little brother was not in step with her but now a few paces behind her and her father looking into a window of a very, very expensive and exclusive jewelry shop.

 

"He would end up there" Luna said before backtracking and pulling up besides her brother.

 

"What's caught your eye, little brother?"

 

"Those" Harry said pointing to a pair of two inch wrist cuffs done in tiny diamonds and something else that Harry couldn't figure out.

 

"Coryphaeus cuffs" Luna said clearly amazed that the shop even had the cuffs out on display for most of the wizarding populace wouldn't be able to even look at let alone purchase the cuffs.

 

"Come on" Luna said pulling Harry into the store with her father following behind with a grin on his face.  Talk about the fate's playing a role in the collaring parley this year, for he was certain that something bigger was at play than Albus Dumbledore and his minions of idiot bird lovers.

 

"Good day" a tall man with almost white blonde hair said to both Luna and Harry.

 

"Hello" Luna answered before speaking again, she knew her bother would do nothing to get the cuffs out and she just *knew* that Harry was to have those particular cuffs on his wrists when the time came for the dinner meeting tomorrow.

 

"The Coryphaeus cuffs in the window" Luna said before she watched as the man's beautiful face changed to something ugly.

 

"There are not Coryphaeus cuffs in the window, young lady" the man sneered which had Harry backing away and trying to escape.

 

"Oh but there are" Xenophilius said coming up the counter where his daughter and son stood.

 

"Even if there are Coryphaeus cuffs in the window, you are not able to buy them" the man said before he was pushed quite hard out of the way by a little old man.

 

"Jonathan move" the old man said before coming right up to the counter and looking over the two blonds and one black haired boy.

 

"Grandfather"

 

"Oh shut up sonny" the old man said before taking off his glasses wiping them on the hem of his robe and then putting them back on.

 

"I know of the cuffs, had to put them in the window this morning"

 

"Their beautiful" Harry whispered so that only Luna, her father and the old man could hear.

 

"One of my finest pieces of work, you know Coryphaeus cuffs aren't used these days"

 

"Not enough Maiden's Marked men out there these days"

 

"Too true" Xenophilius said before his eyes flittered down to Harry's slim body.

 

"Ah, Jonathan get the cuffs out the window"

 

"But Grandfather"

 

"Don't question me boy" the old man said before he stomped over to the case that faced the window was and grabbed the cuffs before making his way back to the trio.

 

"Do you need help, Grandfather?"

 

"No, and leave me alone I'm with customers"

 

"They aren't"

 

"They're MY customers and in MY shop so leave me the bloody hell alone!"

 

"Yes Grandfather" the man said before eyeing the trio and then going over to a pair of witches that were ogling some of the earrings on display.

 

"Youth today, I swear" the old man said before grabbing a velvet wrapped square and then placing the cuffs on it.

 

"There are empty spots" Harry noticed right off.

 

"Yes, well we can't very well make a cuff with one particular family's gems on it"

 

"Right" Harry said now looking at the cuff and already imagining what it would look like with a mixture of the Potter family gems and the Malfoy family gems on it.

 

"Family sonny?"

 

"Potter"

 

"And Lovegood" Xenophilius said knowing that the older man would understand what he was saying.  It was of course common knowledge that Harry Potter had no living wizarding family to speak of, so the Lovegood's now speaking up for him in this year's collaring parley would be needed and hopefully unexpected to those that had plans to destroy Harry's chances at happiness, all for power.

 

"Two very powerful Coryphaeus families" the old man said before eyeing Harry and knowing that the small teen-aged boy somehow had been chosen for these particular cuffs.  They had been sitting in the back of the shop for years, ever since he had stopped making jewelry, and now today he had just known that the cuffs had to go out today and only today.  Xenophilius nodded his head before he continued to look at the amazing cuffs and the design that seemed to form in front of their eyes.

 

"What"

 

"The cuffs meet the needs of the wearer" the old man said watching fascinated as the famous Coryphaeus symbol became apparent along with a small lion, raven and for some reason a snake and dragon.  Harry liked to think it was a sign of the future that he had with Draco but he knew better than to speculate something like that.  Fate was a fickle bitch and Harry wasn't going to get his hopes up only to have them crushed by fate once he was happy or content.

 

"Most interesting" the old man said before turning around and then grabbing a black box that had the Coryphaeus symbol on the outside of it.

 

"Let's see what gems will it choose?"

 

"Choose?"

 

"Oh yes, just watch" the old man said before opening up the box and the trio plus the old man watched as the gems the box vibrated and jumped around almost trying to get out of the box.  There were only four gems that seemed powerful enough to make their way out of the box and onto the cuffs, those being the Potter's Star Sillimanite, the Lovegood's black pearl, the Malfoy's Cat's Eye Alexandrite and oddly enough the "dark" families chosen stone of Gahnospinel.

 

"Very interesting" the old man said before he continued to watch the gems make their way to the cuffs almost in an excited dance if gems could dance.

 

"What" Harry said not really taking his eyes off the movement of the gems onto the cuffs.  He remembered the last time he had someone say something was "interesting" and he ended up with the brother wand of Voldemort, not interesting at all but very, very strange.

 

"Well when gems are chosen this way it usually tells a lot about that person, it seems you...Mr. Potter" here the man whispered knowing that if any of the people in the shop knew that Harry Potter was there that things could get ugly for not only him but the people he was with.

 

"Oh I know who you are" the old man said waving a hand as if it wasn't that important and in his mind it wasn't, what he was about to say was much more important to him and probably the wizarding world as a whole if that got this information.

 

"It seems that you Mr. Potter are a young man that leans for a dark neutral"

 

"Dark neutral?"  Harry said confused he wasn't really sure on why the old guy standing in front of him looked pleased as punch but he figured it had something to do with what he had just said.

 

"Hmmm, it would make sense" Luna answered instead of the old man.

 

"It seems it does" Xenophilius said agreeing with his daughter, he could understand why Harry leaned towards a dark neutral, even if the young man had no idea what a dark neutral was.

 

"Did I miss something?"

 

"I'll explain later" Luna said noticing that the man from before was trying to make his way over to where they still stood.

 

"Damn my Grandson" the old man said knowing his grandson was watching the group now since there was a power surge when the Coryphaeus gems mounted themselves onto the cuffs.

 

"Sir"

 

"Mr. Heyman, Oscar Heyman" the old man said before bowing a bit to the trio which seemed to set the 'grandson' off for he was causing quite the scene now with trying to get over to them.

 

"I'll send the bill for you should go before my grandson arrives"

 

"Hotel Martinez, suite 1823"

 

"Lord Dominate Lovegood" the old man said before bowing again and then shooing the trio out with a now wrapped pair of cuffs.  It was amazing what the old guy could do while others were distracted.

 

"That was close" Harry said holding onto the box with a silly grin on his face, for some reason it had felt right to get the cuffs and nothing and he meant nothing was going to stop him from getting them.

 

"It was and I think that we should return to the suite now" Xenophilius said noticing that people seemed to be very interested in the group now that people noticed the Coryphaeus symbol on Harry's robes.

 

"I'm beat" Harry said agreeing to go back to the suite.  The trio arrived back just as another family was leaving.

 

"Lord Dominate Zabini" Xenophilius said placing a fist over his heart and then bowing.

"Lord Dominate Lovegood" the elder man of the Zabini clan said before responding in kind to the other man's greeting.

 

"It seems that a meeting of the Coryphaeus families is going on" Enrico Zabini said with a bit of a laugh afterwards, he and his family were just about to go out into the Cannes mid-day life and see what the exclusive town had to offer them on this day but before arriving to the large foyer of the hotel they had stopped by their good friends, the Malfoy family to see how they were fairing on their holiday away from the British Isles.

 

"So it seems" Xenophilius said noticing that the youngest Zabini seemed to sizing up his daughter, that would be an odd match, good but odd.

 

"Mistress Zabini" Xenophilius said bowing to the woman and smiling at her.  She was an amazing beautiful woman and it still stunned Xenophilius that the woman wasn't or hadn't been a fashion witch, even now.

 

"Lord Dominate Lovegood" the woman said her British accent coming right out unlike her husband's which was a thick Italian accent.

 

"Our son, Young Dominate Blaise Zabini" the woman said putting a hand on Blaise's shoulder and smiling a smile that should be on the cover of any witching magazine.

 

"My daughter, Submissive Luna Lovegood" Xenophilius said before hesitating on whether he should introduce Harry or not.  While the Zabini's were firmly placed in the neutral side of things, they tended to usually side with the "darker" side of things way of thinking.

 

"And who's this young man" Tegan Zabini said looking at Harry and wondering why he looked familiar.

 

"Young Submissive Harry Potter" Xenophilius said knowing that if the youngest Zabini had an interest in Harry that he would have to go through the Malfoy family and Draco in particular to get to him.  The gasp from the lady of the Zabini clan had Xenophilius chuckling; Tegan Zabini was never one to keep her feelings to herself when it came to people asking her opinion.

 

"This must be what Narcissa was talking about" Tegan said before blushing at the harsh look she got from her husband.

 

"No worries, we just recently ran into the Malfoy family ourselves" Xenophilius explained not wanting the woman to get a tongue thrashing from her husband about her casual use of the Malfoy's given name.

 

"Hmmm" Enrico said still glaring at his wife, they may not be in formal collaring parley but he would be damned to burn any bridges of aligning their family with either the Lovegood's or the Potter's, even if they were on the "lighter" side of the current war.  The war wouldn't be going on forever and any matches made now could benefit them in the future.

 

"We are to dine with them tomorrow night actually" Xenophilius said smiling when he saw the shock on Enrico's face.

 

"So soon" the man mumbled before glancing at his son and then seeing that his eyes were firmly on the Lovegood girl and not Harry Potter. 'Good' Enrico thought, he would hate to have to go up against the Malfoy clan for the young Potter's affections and since he was a submissive there would be even more families that would be vying for the Potter boy's affections.

 

"It would seem so" Xenophilius said answering Enrico's question.

 

"We won't keep you any longer Lord Dominate Zabini"

 

"Thank you and it was a pleasure to see you and your family so well Lord Dominate Lovegood" the mocha colored man said bowing with his fist over his heart as he had done in greeting Xenophilius.

 

"You as well" Xenophilius said while his fist was over his heart and bowing.  The three Zabini's quickly made their way out onto the streets of Cannes and probably to the wizarding district for a day of shopping in small exclusive shops that Cannes was known for.  Harry, Luna and Xenophilius made their way to their suite so that they could rest, they knew that tomorrow was going to be a stressful day, dinner with the Malfoy family was not something that people like Harry and the Lovegood's were used to.

 

"So are you going to tell me what Mr. Heyman was talking about a "darker neutral" or whatever?"  Harry said while sitting on the couch that sat in the middle of the living room of the suite.

 

"I'll do it Daddy" Luna said knowing her father had some letters to write to make sure that the where abouts of her brother were kept safe.

 

"If you need me pumpkin"

 

"I know" Luna said before watching her father walk off to his room to presumably write those letters.

 

"Luna" Harry said getting frustrated with the lack of information he was getting.

 

"Little brother calm down, I'll tell you" Luna said a smile on her face. Now that Harry had been able to learn and gather information freely he was always on a quest to know more, learn more about any and everything.

 

"Luna" Harry said before pouting knowing that would make Luna laugh.

 

"Well you know that each Coryphaeus family is basically aligned with a side of the war, or type of magic.  Depends on the times..." Luna said starting to ramble about something that was a bit off topic.

 

"Luna" Harry said trying to keep his sister focused.

 

"Right, so as you well know the Malfoy's, Black's and Lestrange's are the "dark" families of the Coryphaeus Nine"

 

"Yeah"

 

"Well the Lovegood's, Zabini's and Diggory's are on the "neutral" side of things, but with the Zabini's leaning towards the "dark"."

 

"Okay, I get that part but what does that have to do with me?"

 

"Potter's always have and most people think always will be on the "light" side of things, you not only being "neutral" and with a leaning towards "dark" means that the Potter's are firmly not a "light" family any longer"

 

"So why is that a big deal" Harry said clearly not understanding, he hadn't really understood it when Luna had told him about it weeks ago and he still didn't.

 

"It's a social construct, you should have been raised by your father and mother as a Potter, a "light" Potter but you weren't, so you screwed the social construct up"

 

"So you mean that if my parents were alive I would still be Dumbledore's lap dog?"

 

"Pretty much, he may not be a Coryphaeus member but he is the puppet master for the light side of the war"

 

"And Voldemort if the puppet master for the dark side?"

 

"Right"

 

"And neutrals can go either way"

 

"Pretty much depending on the Lord of the family's beliefs."

 

"Merlin this is confusing" Harry said before holding his head, he could feel a migraine coming on from all the twists and turns that being a Coryphaeus member entailed.

 

"It is but I don't think you have to worry much about" Luna said with her famous 'there but not' smile of hers.  Harry only looked at her and groaned that was never a good thing when Luna did the 'there but not' smile.

 

"Open up that box" Luna said by way of changing subjects, she really hadn't gotten a good look at the cuffs since the other gems were added.  Harry only nodded his head before opening the box and gasping, for the cuffs looked nothing like they had before they had gone in the box.

 

"They've changed" Harry whispered now taking out the cuffs and see that the lion, raven and snake were gone and it seemed that the only animal that had stayed was the dragon.  Now the Coryphaeus symbol was much larger and the letters P, L and M could been seen intertwining.  Luna was amazed by what she saw, she could say that she had never, ever read or heard of Coryphaeus cuffs changing *AFTER* being selected.

 

"I think that is a sign of things to come" Luna said cryptically as was her way from time to time.

 

"Great, just what I don't want" Harry said before pulling out the cuffs and getting a closer look at them.  He could see that the letters P and M were more intertwined that the letter L and M, which Harry only hoped meant something.  The letters L and P seemed to be almost twined like a tree and ivy that had gotten out of control and Harry knew all too well what that looked like since he had to always clean up the mess that his aunt made of the garden while he was gone to Hogwarts.  There was ivy there in the side yard and he could say that if not taken proper care of that they were a bloody pain to deal with.  Harry stopped the thoughts about his aunt and cleaning up ivy to look more closely at the cuffs, he was still in awe of them.

 

"I like this better" Luna said to Harry hoping to ease his worries of if it they were still okay, amazing in her opinion.

 

"Me too" Harry said just as an owl winged its way into the suite from an open window.

 

"Ah the bill" Luna said before signing it and then placing it back on the bird's leg.

 

"Luna!"  Harry yelled watching as the bird made its way out of the suite again and back to the jewelry shop it had come from.

 

"Harry, don't worry about it" Luna said before pushing Harry to sit back down so that they could admire the cuffs some more.

 

"But I planned to pay for these"

 

"No, you are going to except them as a gift as they should be in the first place"

 

"What"

 

"Coryphaeus cuffs are always bought for a submissive male by his parents and sometimes grandparents"

 

"But"

 

"You are a Lovegood and we are going to be your family from now on.  Can't get rid of us" Luna said before hugging Harry.

 

"You mean it"

 

"Of course and if that old man of a headmaster and his troop of bird lovers have a problem with it they will have to go through not only me but Daddy also and I know the old man won't want to piss Daddy off"

 

"Language young lady" Xenophilius said standing in the doorway of his bedroom.  He had come out when he heard Harry yell and it seemed that his daughter was up to her usual tricks again.

 

"Sorry Daddy" Luna responding automatically before taking the cuffs out of Harry's hands and looking at them more closely.

 

"Daddy the cuffs changed" Luna said knowing her father would want to know.

 

"They did"

 

"Yeah" Harry said wondering if Xenophilius would comment on how 'freak like' the change was, like he knew the Weasley's would.  'They're not the Weasley's' Harry reminded himself before he watched Xenophilius look at the cuffs and smile.

 

"I must say I like this much better"

 

"Luna said the same thing"

 

"Well then" Xenophilius said before looking to his daughter and communicating something to her.

 

"I'll be back" Luna said before gliding to her bedroom and then closing the door.

 

"Is Luna okay?"  Harry asked worried that maybe Luna wasn't feeling well.

 

"She is fine, but she can't be here for this" Xenophilius said putting both cuffs in his hands and then grabbing his wand.

 

"What"

 

"Ritual for placing the cuffs on"

 

"Oh"

 

"It will be just fine Harry, trust me"

 

"With my life" Harry responded, because he actually did trust Luna's father with his life.  Xenophilius nodded his head and then cleared this throat, he hadn't ever planned to do a Coryphaeus cuff ritual but it seemed that fate was playing her hand again and had made it so.  Each ritual was always done by the Lord Dominate of the family but the specifics of the ritual changed from family to family, and even generation to generation.

 

"I'll be right back" Xenophilius said before making his way into the dining room that held a large circular table and four chairs around it.  Xenophilius came back with five candles each in a holder and a different color, he so hoped he was doing this right.

 

"Stand right there" Xenophilius said pointing to a spot in the center of the living room, while Harry moved he placed the candles facing the directions that they would represent.

 

"Ready"

 

"Yeah" Harry said amazed at what was going on, he hadn't ever really seen any rituals done at Hogwarts even though the school was a place of learning for witches and wizards.

 

"I call on the wind to enter and be welcome" as soon as Xenophilius spoke the room was filled with a summer breeze.  Xenophilius smiled at the look of shock on Harry's face.

 

"It gets better"

 

"I call on fire to enter and be welcome" soon a rush of hot air filled the room making Harry sweat a little.

 

"I call on water to enter and be welcome" a smell of the sea met Harry's nose and he took a deep breath in.

 

"I call on earth to enter and be welcome" the smell of freshly cut grass and the sounds of birds chirping could be heard when the element of earth was called and welcomed.

 

"I call the final element of spirit to enter and be welcome" Xenophilius said before feeling a rush of pride and joy coming from within.

 

"With these elements welcomed, may my son's journey from boy to man be a blessed one" Xenophilius said speaking from the heart now; he knew that there was a basic outline he had to follow.  One was calling the five elements and then next was to bless the person that would be the object of the ritual and then finally evoking the binding call for the cuffs.  The elements seemed to enjoy being welcomed for Harry because he had the most amazing feelings running through him.

 

"For my son is a chosen one, a Maiden's Mark male may his journey to find a worthy dominate be one of self discovery and of true love" here the winds that had been in the room picked up.

 

"Bless these cuffs for which I am about to place on my son's wrists in hope that he will be protected from those with unworthy attentions" Xenophilius said already knowing that whatever was going on was something powerful, he was in no way thinking about what he was saying it was all coming out as if someone else was saying it. 

 

"Blessed be!" Xenophilius said holding up the cuffs and watching as the glowed from the powers that the elements were giving them.

 

"May these cuffs guide you to your true dominate" Xenophilius said before putting the cuffs on Harry and watching as the spilt that had been on the cuffs disappeared and it now looked like the cuffs had been made around Harry's wrist.

 

"Spirit may your ride to the other realm be safe"

 

"Earth may your land be bountiful and fertile"

 

"Water may your seas be deep and full of your essence"

 

"Fire may your passion always burn bright"

 

"Air may your winds always circulate the world" Xenophilius said and watched as the five candles that had lit by themselves at the beginning of the ritual go out one by one.

 

"Blessed be!"  Xenophilius said before then walking over to where Harry stood looking at the cuffs that now wrapped around his wrists.

 

"All right?"

 

"Yeah" Harry said a bit breathless, it had been so amazing to see something so old occur right in front of him.

 

"Good, now let me have a good look at those cuffs" here Harry stuck one of his arms and watched as Xenophilius inspected the new jewelry that adorned Harry's wrist.

 

"Simple amazing" Xenophilius said before calling for Luna to come back out.

 

"Let me see" Luna said zeroing in on Harry's wrist.

 

"Perfect" Luna said before changing the subject to what the family would be eating for dinner tonight.  The rest of the day was spent with the Lovegood family and Harry lazing about in the suite and down by the pool.  When dawn broke the next day, Harry became a huge mess.  He was excited for the dinner tonight but he was certain that once Draco saw how unsophisticated he was that he would be turning away and looking for another submissive.

 

"It will be fine little brother you'll see"

 

"Says the girl who has nothing to worry about" Harry threw back at Luna.

 

"True but you know I would never lie to you"

 

"I know" Harry said deflating before straightening his back and coming to the conclusion that this was exactly what the headmaster wanted him to act like, so when the good guys, namely the Weasley's came riding in he would be ever so thankful and never think that there was something better out there for him or that be deserved something better.

 

"Well go and get ready" Luna said pushing Harry towards his bedroom door so that he could prepare himself for the dinner with the Malfoy family, Luna of course had, had a robe made special for the dinner.  An hour later with Luna fighting with Harry's hair had the three making their way towards the large dining room in the hotel.

 

"I feel stupid" Harry said swinging his arms front and back, Luna had made changes to the robe since Harry now had his cuffs and Coryphaeus cuffs must ALWAYS be on display when with a potential dominate partner.

 

"Lord Dominate Lovegood" the deep voice of Lucius Malfoy said before placing a fist over his heart and bowing like Lord Dominate Zabini had done.

 

"Lord Dominate Malfoy" Xenophilius said before replying in the same fashion.  Harry watched the pair and wanted to question about the odd greeting but knew better than to ask about it now.

 

"Young Submissive Lovegood and Potter" Lucius said his voice not betraying the shock that he had over Harry Potter being a submissive.  He hadn't been with his wife and son when they had met the Lovegood family along with Harry Potter out in the shopping district, but now seeing for himself how beautiful the young man was, he could understand why his son was certain on the match that would occur between the pair.

 

"Lord Dominate Malfoy" Luna answered back with a curtsy and then a glance at Harry as if telling him to do the same thing.

 

"Uh, Lord Dominate Malfoy" Harry said before giving a bow, he may be able to have children but he was NOT going to curtsy like some girl.  Lucius nodded his head in greeting; he then noticed that his son was looking at Harry with the most perplexed look on his face.

 

"Young Submissive Potter I see you have Coryphaeus cuffs on" Lucius said clearly surprised to see the cuffs on Harry's wrist.

 

"Lord Dominate Lovegood was ever so nice to give them to me" Harry said looking down at the cuffs and watching the gems glint in the lighting that the dining room had.

 

"Really" Lucius said before waving a hand and having one of the suited men that stood at the front of the dining room come over.

 

"Our table" Lucius said before glaring at the man that was staring at Harry in a strictly more than friendly manner.

 

"Right this way" the man said guiding the group of six to a large table near one of the windows that looked out onto Cannes, France main street.  People could be seen looking in the windows looking in the windows and pointing to the formal dresses that the women wore and the tailor suits that the mean wore.

 

"Can they see our robes?"  Harry questioned to Luna not really knowing, what was correct protocol when dinning with another Coryphaeus family.

 

"Well if there are wizards and witches walking by then yes, but if they are muggles than all they see are suits that muggles wear to formal dinner parties."

 

"Makes sense" Harry whispered to Luna before they arrived to their table.

 

"Your table sir" the man said before going over to the chair that Harry stood by and pulling it out.

 

"That won't be necessary" Lucius said his voice telling the man how unwanted he was at the current moment.

 

"Excuse me" the man said before backing away but keeping an eye on Harry.  He didn't know it was Harry Potter, but he did know that it was a Maiden's Mark male and a Coryphaeus member at that and he was willing to toe the line to get a chance with the young man.

 

"Here let me help you" Draco said going over to stand next to Harry and then pulling out the chair.  He had wanted to do so but it seemed that the employee of the hotel moved faster than he had, he had wanted to scream at the man who clearly knew about the Coryphaeus cuffs and Harry being a Maiden's Mark male and it seemed he had his eye on Harry now, that Harry was his but he knew better than to even state something like that so early into hopefully what would end up at collaring parley.

 
"Thank you" Harry said before taking a seat in the now pulled out chair.  Luna was helped by her father and Lucius helped Narcissa before the dominates took their seats.  There was silence as the six people stared at each other, wondering what would be the best way to break the tension that had built since the employee had left.

 

"So how do you liking your stay in Cannes?"  Draco asked Harry, he was pretty certain that this was the first time that Harry had left the British Isles.

 

"It's an amazing place; I don't think I have ever seen a more amazing place"

 

"I would tend to agree the sandy beaches are a sight to be seen" Narcissa said which seemed to break the tension that had been at the table.

 

"The beaches are amazing" Luna put in before a man dressed as a waiter came to the table.

 

"Ze menus" the man said handing out the menus to each of the people at the table.  Harry looked at the menu and knew right away that he was in hot water, the menu was in French and that was one thing that Harry had been unable to learn while with the Lovegood's.

 

"Don't worry" Luna whispered to Harry before asking her father to order for her.  Draco saw this as his chance to get to talk to Harry without the pomp and circumstance of the collaring parley bearing down on them.

 

"Do you speak French?"

 

"No" Harry said before blushing.

 

"It's quite all right, how about I read to you the menu?"

 

"Thank you that would be great" Harry said before he listened to Draco voice speak in perfect French.

 

"Uh" Harry said not really knowing what to get, most of the food on the menu sounded horrid or at the least very tiny in portion size.

 

"Is something wrong?"  Draco asked worried for some reason that he had done something that had made Harry nervous for some reason.

 

"No, not so much an issue" Harry started out, he along with the Lovegood's had been lucky with meals at the hotel but now sitting in the dining room with others there to witness his lack of sophistication he was embarrassed.

 

"Are you okay?"

 

"The menu" Harry said with a sigh, he might as well get this out of the way now that way they could go out and get something else to eat.

 

"Is there nothing on the menu that you want?"

 

"No"

 

"Am I to assume that it is a bit above what you normally eat?"

 

"Yes"

 

"I'll take care of this for you" Draco said before patting Harry's arm.  The waiter returned back to the table to take the orders and to also pass on a message to Harry from the man who had guided them to their table.

 

"He'll have the il est une fois votre vie" Draco ordered for Harry once the waiter had gotten to where they were sitting.

 

"Right" the man said before writing down the orders and then walking by Harry's chair and handing him a slip of paper.

 

"What is that" Draco said before noticing that it was a piece of paper.

 

"A note" Harry said before reading what was on the paper and then blushing.  He wasn't quite sure on what he should do.

 

"May I have that" Draco said his voice a calm, cold tone.  Harry was very much quick to obey, this may have been his rival at one time but even then Draco always commanded respect. Draco quickly read the note before motioning for this father to come with him to the desk that sat at the entrance of the dining room.

 

"Is everything okay" Harry said looking to Luna and Xenophilius for an answer.

 

"He has over stepped his bounds"

 

"Bounds?"

 

"Formal collaring parley may have not started but being that you are with another Coryphaeus family, he has over stepped his bounds on his interest in you" Narcissa said a warm but cold smile on her face.

 

"Oh" Harry said feeling like a right idiot.  A few minutes later the two Malfoy dominates made their way back to the table looking quite pleased with themselves.  When asked about what they did neither one of the men said anything besides than 'that things were taken care of.'  For the rest of the dinner the six talked about what they had seen and did while in Cannes and over the summer holiday.  No mention of the scene at the Dursley's was mentioned.

 

"I had a simply splendid time" Narcissa said before curtsying to Xenophilius.

 

"I quite agree" Xenophilius said he was quite proud of how Harry did, he could see now that Draco was even more interested in Harry than he was before.  After the formal goodbyes by the two Lord Dominates both families made their way back to their suites.

 

"Did you have a good time?" Xenophilius asked Harry, he knew that the only reason why the Malfoy's had bothered to ask for a dinner was because of Draco's interest in Harry.

 

"It was great" Harry said a smile on his face at how great he felt.  Draco had taken his less than upper class upbringing in stride and that amazed Harry.  He was certain that once Draco saw how unsophisticated he was that he would be running in another direction, that was not the case and it made Harry so happy, maybe the cuffs knew something that he did not.  For the rest of the stay Harry, Luna and Xenophilius took in as much of Cannes as they could, which of course included the beach.  They met the Malfoy family on more than one occasion while out and about and it seemed that Harry and Draco had formed a friendship and both were hoping that it would lead to something more, later on down the road. 

    The Lovegood family, including Harry arrived back to the portkey location in Ottery St. Catchpole with smiles on their faces and tanned skin.  The smiles quickly fell when they noticed that the Weasley's seemed to be making their way towards the portkey location.

 

"Off we go" Xenophilius said before walking towards their house, he figured that with the distance away from them that by the time they reached the top of the hill that they would only be able to see their backs and they would look very small.  It seemed that luck was with the Lovegood's and Harry since the Weasley's didn't even notice that there were people making their way towards the Lovegood residence.

 

"Wonder where they are going?"  Harry said turning back once to see the group all now touching something and looking none too happy about something.

 

"Order headquarters would be my guess" Luna said just as they entered the Lovegood home.  Harry was shocked that Luna had even suggested that, he had totally forgotten about his "friends and family" that stayed at the musty location of Number 12, Grimmauld Place.

"Of course" Harry said before making his way to his room to unpack, he needed to think about the changes that were bound to occur with September 1st and the beginning of a new year at Hogwarts.  Luna watched her brother and his change of mood, she knew what was bothering him but she had no answers that she could give to him, the decisions were to be made by him alone and she wasn't going to try and push her thoughts or opinions onto him unless she asked.  Once Harry had made his way out of the room and Luna was certain that he was out of earshot she spoke to her father.

 

"Harry will need Maiden's Mark rooms set up at Hogwarts"

 

"Pumpkin" Xenophilius said confused on his daughter's random words.

 

"Maiden's Mark room, Harry needs them"

 

"Oh" Xenophilius said knowing not to ask any questions, since his daughter was very much like his late wife and that was they both had a sixth sense about things and it best do you well to heed their warnings or comments.

 

"Bye Daddy" Luna said off to her own room to unpack, she knew her father would do as she said.  If he didn't she *just* knew something bad was bound to happen.

 

 

~King's Cross Station, September 1~

 

The day that the students returned back to Hogwarts came, and with it came a wave of change that only a few select people knew of.  Arriving to Platform Nine and Three Quarters, you could tell something was different in the air, something that had all of the students and even their parents craning their necks to see if there was something or someone making the air buzz with something indescribable.  To some parents they would say like was like the ley lines of old were alive and trying to say something.

 

"Are you sure he'll be here" a red headed teen-aged boy whined to his mother.

 

"Of course he will be here" the woman said before giving her son a look that said if he asked again he would get a cuff to the ear.  The teen-aged boy rolled his eyes and then made his way over to where his sister, with red hair as well, was talking to a teen-aged girl with bushy hair and semi-buck teeth.

 

"Has your mother seen *him*?" The girl asked once the lanky teen-aged boy came over.

 

"Don't think so" the boy said before shrugging his shoulders.

 

"Ronald Weasley" the girl said before stomping her foot and giving the boy a look that told him and those around him that he was in hot water.

 

"I doubt we'll miss him, what with his stalking us"

 

"Ssssh, will you" the girl said before rolling her eyes, knowing she wouldn't get the boy to do as he was told.  He was after all a bit dense.

 

"Is that him?" 

 

"Where?"

 

"Over there with Loony Lovegood" Ginny Weasley said pointing her finger over to where Luna and her father stood with an unknown person.

 

"Guess we'll find out if he comes over here"  Both girls only rolled their eyes, it seemed that the third person in their group hadn't taken to heart the words of their Headmaster and both figured that this could only lead to trouble for him and them by associations.

 

"I'll be back" the girl with the bushy hair said walking off towards where Remus Lupin and a now fully name cleared Sirius Black stood looking around for Harry Potter.  Once the girl was gone, brother and sister spoke.

 

"I can't believe that mum is allowing you to enter into the rites a year early"

 

"Well Ronald.  It's because I am so much more mature than you are" Ginny said before sticking out her tongue and showing just how much more mature she really was.

 

"Have you told Hermione yet?" Ginny asked before watching her brother do his famous routine of turning an unattractive shade of pink that clashed with his ginger hair color.

 

"You haven't have you?  Yet you think......" Ginny didn't get to finish her sentence since the girl in question was back.

 

"Neither Remus or Sirius haven't seen Harry" Hermione said before craning her neck again and looking around the platform to see if Harry was there and they just weren't seeing him.

 

"All Aboard the Hogwarts Express!" a voice came from out of nowhere.  The three jumped at the words and started to make their way to the train while checking around to see if they could spot Harry.  The voice announced again that the train was about to leave, making the three get on the train and find a compartment.  They were certain that once the train started off to Hogwarts that Harry would come a looking for them.  Twenty minutes into the three hour ride the door to the compartment, that they had decided to sit in, opened up to reveal the visage of Draco Malfoy.

 

"Malfoy" Ron said glaring at Draco as if his look could kill.  Draco eyed the compartment but noticed right away that Harry wasn't with the half-wits that called themselves friends.  He was just about to make a comment on the lack of Harry, when from around him Luna made her entrance.  She just couldn't wait until the youngest of the Weasley clan saw the Coryphaeus cuffs on Harry's wrists.

 

"Luna" Ginny said greeting her sometimes friend.

 

"Young Submissive Ginevra" Luna answered, knowing better than to answer with casualness with two dominates in the compartment.  Hermione had a confused look on her face, not really sure what was going on but knowing she had missed something.  Ginny opened her mouth about to say something to Luna about her odd behavior but was stopped short when another person made their way into the compartment.

 

"Luna there you are" Harry said not noticing the tension in the air when he entered the compartment.

 

"Harry" Ginny, Hermione and Ron all said at the same time.

 

"Uh" Harry said noticing who was now in the compartment, he wasn't really sure on how he should address Draco since they had seen each other over the summer.

 

"Young Submissive Potter" Draco said before bowing a bit and then smiling at Harry.  He knew that he had probably just pissed off at least two of the people in the compartment and for that he was proud.

 

"Young Dominate Malfoy" Harry answered back before he heard Ron and Ginny gasp.

 

"Malfoy just leave" Ron said through gritted teeth, he so didn't need Draco to be there stirring up trouble.

 

"What is going on?"  Hermione queried looking at Ginny, Ron, Luna and Harry for an answer.  She knew she probably wouldn't get an answer from Harry and she was certain that she wouldn't get one from Draco, so that left her with only Ron and Ginny as viable options since there was a reason that they called Luna 'Loony' after all, and by the looks on Ginny face she wouldn't be getting out of her any time soon either.  That left her with getting answers from Ron and that was always a bad idea since he tended to either not know or lie and she needed, no she wanted answers now.

 

"Please call me Draco, Young Submissive Potter" Draco said a smile on his face that had Ginny practically fanning herself, she could say that Draco Malfoy was hot, a right git but hot none the less.  Harry just nodded his head, not sure he could speak with Ron, Hermione and Ginny in the compartment as well.

 

"Harry!"  Hermione screeched making most in the compartment wince at the tone of voice.

 

"Uh, hi" Harry said a bit reluctant to even be talking to these people that had called themselves his friends.

 

"What were you thinking?  Running away from the Dursley's and now, now talking to Malfoy!"

 

"Submissive Granger shut up" Draco said his tone telling all in the compartment how unhappy he was with Hermione.  Hermione was about to open her mouth and say something when Ron spoke, amazing her and everyone in the compartment.

 

"Hermione be quiet"

 

"But..."

 

"Just do as I tell you" Ron said giving her a look that said he would explain once Malfoy and the situation was gone.

 

"Fine" Hermione said clearly put out at having to listen to Ron Weasley of all people.

 

"Young Dominate Malfoy, leave" Ron said glaring at Draco, knowing that he had to act accordingly now that Draco seemed to have started something with the collaring parley season, he hadn't been told when or how you knew when it started but it seemed that Draco knew more than he did, which of course bothered him.

 

"Hmmm" Draco said before looking around the compartment and noticing that Ginny had become oddly quiet, which was a feat in and of its self.

 

"Shall we go Young Dominate Malfoy?"  Luna asked wondering if Harry would follow or if he would end up spending the rest of the ride with the three in the compartment trying to explain something that none of them were willing to hear about.

 

"I think so, Young Submissive Potter?"

 

"Right" Harry said turning around and then linking his arms with Luna's before Draco escorted the two out of the compartment full of Gryffindors.  Once the door closed Hermione exploded glaring at Ron and searching out Ginny's face for any sort of indication of what was going on.

 

"Will one of you tell me what in BLOODY HELL just happened?"

 

"Uh" Ron said now clearly a bit vexatious now that Draco, Harry and Luna were gone.

 

"Harry just LEFT with DRACO MALFOY!"  Hermione said waving her arms about looking like a crazy person, and in both brother and sister's mind she was a crazy person at this point in time.

 

"It's something you know nothing about" Ginny said looking Hermione in the eye letting the girl know that she was telling the truth.  It had been decided that Hermione would know nothing about the Collaring Parley that occurred every year. 

 

"What are you talking about?  I'm the smartest witch of our time" Hermione boasted, she had heard many times the words that she had just spoken come from her Head-of-House and also the Headmaster of Hogwarts.

 

"You may be but there are things that books can't teach you and this is one of them" Ginny said looking to her brother for him to take the lead, he was after all the Young Dominate in the compartment.

 

"Collaring Parley" Ron said glaring at his sister, she was so much better at explaining things but it seemed that this was one subject she was going to *make* him take the lead on.

 

"What?"

 

"Collaring Parley"

 

"I heard you fine the first time, Ronald" Hermione said sniffing and putting her nose in the air.

 

"Collaring Parley is a tradition that pureblood..." here he got a glare from his sister.

 

"Coryphaeus Nine and other long standing wizarding families use as a way for their children to find a spouse, mate or whatever you want to call it" Ron said looking to see if Hermione was even listening.  Hermione nodded her head to show that she was listening but look as if she would pounce if Ron even tried to say something that she didn't agree with.

 

"So what does that have to do with Harry leaving with Malfoy and Luna?"

 

"Coryphaeus Nine"

 

"What?"

 

"Coryphaeus Nine"

 

"What is that?"

 

"It's not a what, but a who"

 

"Who then"

 

"The nine pureblood families of the wizarding world"

 

"Are you kidding me?"

 

"No, there are nine families that are considered the 'ruling' court of the wizarding world"

 

"But the Minister of Magic"

 

"Is only a figure head, he can really do nothing without the backing of at least the majority of the Coryphaeus Nine"

 

"So who are the nine families" Hermione said not really believing a word of what Ron was saying, she would of course go off and find out if this was true but for now she would humor him.

 

"Black, Lestrange, Malfoy, Longbottom, Potter, Weasley, Lovegood, Zabini and Diggory" Ron rattled off, knowing that some of the names she would at least expect while others would be a surprise.  Hermione was surprised at how serious Ron was being about this.

 

"What?  Wait, your family is part of this group?"

 

"We are" Ron said nodding his head and then looking at his sister and wondering what it was that she was thinking since she had a grin on her face.

 

"So what does that make you?"

 

"The Weasley's are considered one of the 'lighter' Coryphaeus families, with the Potter's and the Longbottom's rounding out the group"

 

"And I am going to assume that the Black's, Lestrange's and the Malfoy's are the 'darker' side of the nine"

 

"They are and that leaves the neutrals, the Lovegood's are known to be on the 'lighter' side of things, while the Zabini's are 'darker' in nature and the Diggory's are usually the 'wild card'."

 

"So what does that have to do with Harry leaving with Malfoy and Luna and all this 'young dominate; young submissive'?"

 

"When Collaring Parley is in effect, as it seems to be now, the males who plan to choose their mates are considered "young dominates" since they will one day take over the Lordship of the line"

 

"But your family...."

 

"Is large, and in those sort of cases the oldest male will take over Lordship if our father was to die.  For the rest of us males we will be the Lords of our own families so we are still considered "young dominates" where Ginny here is considered a "young submissive" instead"

 

"But Malfoy called Harry a "young submissive" what is that about?"  Hermione said needing to know the answers, for some reason she knew that Ron was telling the truth and it was something that she had never ever seen from Ron and she knew that she wouldn't be able to read about this in a book for some reason.

 

"There are those males out there that are gifted with the ability to have children"

 

"That's not possible!"  Hermione exploded.

 

"Are we wizards and witches?"  Ginny commented loving the shock on Hermione's face as her brother finally got the balls to tell her what she was bound to find out sooner rather than later.

 

"Oh" Hermione said blushing, totally forgetting for a moment that they could do things that muggles told their children in fairytales.

 

"Males who can bear children are said to have a "Maiden's Mark" and are to be considered "young submissive" just like any female child in a family of the Coryphaeus Nine"

 

"So what does that make Harry?"  Hermione asked wanting to know if there would be a change in the plans that the Headmaster had made for Harry.

 

"A submissive, which reminds me Ginny write mum and the headmaster about this"

 

"Okay" Ginny said getting up and getting a couple pieces of parchment, quill and ink.  While Ginny was busy writing the requested letters Ron continued on explaining things to Hermione.

 

"Harry won't be able to collar Ginny"

 

"Collar?  That sounds horrible"

 

"Well it is what happens when a dominate chooses a submissive"

 

"What"

 

"A collar is placed on the submissive's neck, showing all in the wizarding world and even those in the muggle world just who choose them"

 

"But..." Hermione sputtered not really liking the idea of a collar around someone's neck.

 

"There are of course two types of collars, those that look like necklaces and those that look like collars"

 

"Why"

 

"For the different types of bonds" Ron said before letting Pig, his owl, out of the cage he was in so that Ginny could post the letters.

 

"Take this to the headmaster and take this to mum" Ginny told the bird before opening the window in the compartment and watching at Pig soared out the window and into the sky above.  Ron was just about to continued when Neville Longbottom walked into the compartment.

 

"Did you just see that Harry and Luna were with Malfoy?"  The boy said before plopping himself down on the bench that was across from the sitting Ron and the standing Hermione.

 

"They were here not too long ago" Ginny said before taking a seat next to Neville.  If she hadn't been slated to marry Harry, she would have gladly married Neville.  He had turned into a fine young man and a generally pretty upstanding guy.

 

"What was that all about?"

 

"Collaring Parley" Ron said his lips in a grim line, he hated to say the words but they needed to be said.

 

"Well that isn't a good" Neville said looking around the compartment and seeing that everyone else seemed to be thinking what he had just said.

 

"Ginny just sent a letter to the headmaster, he needs to know"

 

"Hmmm" Neville said before watching as Hermione fidgeted a bit.

 

"I'm going to go...." Hermione finally said not feeling all that comfortable in the compartment now that she had some facts that made her sound a bit beneath whose presence she was in.  Neville, Ginny and Ron watched as Hermione made her way out of the compartment and to who knew where.

 

"I take it she didn't know" Neville said pointing his head towards the now closed compartment door.

 

"No" Ginny said before laughing at the look on her brother's face.

 

"She didn't take it too well I suspect" Neville said watching the byplay between the brother and sister combo.

 

"No, and if I know Hermione, she is out there trying to find out more"

 

"Of course" Neville and Ginny said before laughing.

 

"I heard Malfoy call Harry a "young submissive" is it true?"

"As far as we know, Harry didn't spend too much time in here with us once Loony came with Malfoy"

 

"Don't talk about Luna like that" Neville said, trying to sound a bit more powerful than he felt at the current moment.

 

"Whatever" Ginny and Ron said shrugging their shoulders, they had been there at headquarters when Neville and his Gran arrived per the request of the headmaster.  They had heard the headmaster's plan for Neville to collar Luna Lovegood, so that he would have a fewer families that would go against him and his ideas of the wizarding world.

 

"She may by your future submissive but I still think she's loony"

 

"Most do" Ginny said before blushing when Neville gave her a look, as if see the girl for the first time.

 

"I'll leave you two, Seamus and Dean are already going at it" Neville said knowing that Ron would know what he was talking about.

 

"So early"

 

"Of course"

 

"All right" Ron said before giving Neville a wave and then staring out the window.  While Ron and Ginny spoke about the possible changes that might occur once the headmaster found out about the change in Harry's status, Neville made his way back to a compartment that he had dared not enter before.

 

"Knock, knock" Neville said while knocking on the compartment door while opening it at the same time.  The occupants of the compartment looked up to the newcomer before a staring contest began.

 

"Young Dominate Longbottom" Luna said her voice as misty and off as per usual.

 

"Young Submissive Lovegood, Young Dominate Malfoy and Harry" Neville said a smile on his face at seeing Harry again.

 

"Hello Young Dominate Longbottom" Harry answered not really sure where Neville sat in the war and his true feelings about he himself.

 

"Please call me Neville, nothing's changed"

 

"Hmmm" Luna said already zoning out as if listening to something that only she could hear, which was probably the case in the first place.

 

"What do you want?" Harry said being blunt, he didn't need another spy on him to update the headmaster or whoever it was that Ron, Hermione and Ginny were updating.

 

"Harry" Neville said stuttering now, not as confident as he had been just a moment before.

 

"Whose side of this war are you on?"

 

"Yours" Neville answered right away, he had always been and would always be on Harry's side of the war.  Harry had been a true friend to him, even when all the Gryffindors had thought that he deserved to be in Hufflepuff.

 

"He tells the truth" Luna said swaying side-to-side as if she was a snaked charmed by some sort of music.  Harry looked at Luna and he just *knew* that she was telling the truth, but for how long?

 

"Are you" Harry said looking at Neville now and watching as Neville didn't flinch under his gaze as Ron and Hermione were known to do from time to time.

 

"I am, and I will always be by your side" Neville said which had Draco emitting a growl from low in his throat.  Neville slanted his eyes to Draco and quickly reassured the blonde that it was a strictly platonic relationship, nothing and he meant nothing would get him to like Harry in that way.

 

"I went to their compartment to see if I could find anything out.  Seems that Miss. Know-it-all doesn't know-it-all since she hadn't known about Collaring Parley or the Coryphaeus Nine"

 

"She will learn her place soon enough" Luna said still swaying but now her face had a silly grin on it.

 

"She all right?"  Draco asked; he had known that Luna was a bit off but he wasn't really sure if he could actually put up with her if she was going to be in Harry's life indefinitely.

 

"Yes she is" Harry said before returning his attention back to Neville.

 

"Said they had to let Dumby know of the changes" Harry nodded his head, he had sort of expected this but to actually know that it was happening made him angry, sad and five other emotions he knew he couldn't show right now.

 

"Of course they did" Luna said still swaying, it was the Lovegood way to know of things that were happening and were about to happen.  It was what had the Headmaster wanted from the family and he would tie two people together just to see the results that he wanted.

 

 "I had better go" Neville said remembering that he said he was going to sit with Seamus and Dean for the rest of the train ride.

 

"They will be looking for you soon" Luna commented before looking to the compartment door and tilting her head to side as if listening to something.

 

"I'll see you later" Neville said totally weirded out by the fact that Luna had done one of her usual foretellings of the future.  She was no Professor Trelawney but most knew that Luna usually spoke the truth and you had either steer clear of her or heed her warning because they always came true.  Draco watched the scene with a curious air around him, it wasn't every day you sat with not one Gryffindor but two and of course a loony Ravenclaw.

 

"Your court awaits Young Dominate Malfoy" Luna said head still tilted to the side and her eyes had taken on the color of the kyanite gem that her family selected for one of their Coryphaeus jewels.  Right away Harry noticed the change and knew that Luna was about to foretell a future that hopefully wouldn't be about him, she had done that at least a couple of times in his stay with the Lovegood family.  Draco on the other hand had made his way to the compartment door certain that if his 'court' where to find him with Harry Potter and Luna "Loony" Lovegood, there would be hell to pay and that was something that he was unwilling to put Harry through at this point in time.

 

"Young Submissive Potter and Lovegood" Draco said before leaving the compartment and the two submissives alone.

 

The barer awakens to bare the child of true love

Borne of the elements, the barer shall evoke the magic of old with

The winds of change

The fire of creation

The water of knowledge and

The earth's bosom shall guide the barer to their true potential

 

Luna's voice rang out in the compartment.  Harry listened on knowing that Luna would need to know everything that she said while in the trance like state she usually went into when foretold the future in this way.

 

"What did I say?"  Luna asked once she had gotten control on her mind and body.  Harry quickly recited what she had said back to her.

 

"Hmmm, this shall prove to be an interesting year then" Harry was just about to question Luna on her statement when Ron and Ginny came stomping into the compartment.

 

"There you are, we've been looking all over the train for you!"  Ron said looking not at all happy with having to actually look for Harry.  Harry looked at the pair and had to wonder how he ever thought that the two standing in front of him could be considered friends, had he known that years later from his first year at Hogwarts he would have thought a bit more about taking Draco's hand in friendship instead of Ron's.

 

"We've been right here" Luna answered for Harry, she knew her brother could get a bit tongue tied when the youngest Weasley male got into a stit about something.

 

"I wasn't talking to you" Ron spat back not at all happy with the way that things were going.  He figured that he would stomp into the compartment throw a bit of a fit and Harry would be up and apologizing to him about his selfishness.  That hadn't occurred yet but Ron was just at the beginning of the fit he was about to throw.

 

"There you are!"  Stopped Ron from saying anything further, it seemed that Hermione had also now found her way to the compartment that he and his sister stood in with Luna and Harry sitting.

 

"Hermione" Ron gritting his teeth, he didn't need Hermione in here asking questions.

 

"Ron come on!  We have a prefect meeting" Hermione said hands on hips and looking almost like his mother, Molly Weasley.  Ron rolled his eyes before backing out of the compartment with Hermione and Ginny on his heels.

 

"Prefects" Luna said looking at the three and truly confused on how the three that had just left were prefects.  Harry snorted before he brought out a book to read, there was still hours before they would arrive at the station in Hogsmeade for the ride up to Hogwarts.  It was just as the train was about to pull up to the station that Ron, Hermione and Ginny made their way into the compartment that Luna and Harry still sat in.

 

"Well aren't you going to change?" Hermione said now standing in the standard Hogwarts robes with a prefects badge pinned to her chest as well as another badge that looked like the Head Girl badge that they had seen on each Head Girl in previous years.  Harry looked up from his book about to answer when Luna did so instead.

 

"We are changed"

 

"You are not!"

 

"We're Coryphaeus Nine members" Luna stated flatly, she was getting quite tired of having to explain things to this....this muggleborn.  She may not be a muggleborn hater but she was certainly coming to realize why the 'darker' families hated dealing with them so much.  They not only diluted the blood but they also questioned the ways of things and that was something that Luna was seeing more and more as a bad thing.

 

"But" Hermione said looking and noticing that the robes that Harry and Luna had on where the standard black color but instead of their usual house emblem there on the robe stood the Coryphaeus Nine symbol in silver and gold thread predominately showing.

 

"Leave it alone Hermione" Ron said showing her that he along with his sister wore a similar type of robe.  Hermione could only sigh before spinning back around and then glaring at Luna and Harry.

 

"We will talk" Hermione said before she left the compartment to wait out the rest of the train ride.  Ron nodded his head in agreement before he also left.  Ginny stood for a long moment staring at Harry wondering if the headmaster would find a way out of Harry not being able to collar her.

 

"Ginny come on!"  Ron's voice rang out in the hallway.  Ginny flushed before making her way out the compartment and to where her brother stood glaring at her.  She shrugged her shoulders and then entered the compartment that he had been standing by.

 

"We're here" Luna said once the train had slowed to a stop.  Harry stood as well not really sure how he was going to put up with Ron, Hermione and Ginny while sitting at the Gryffindor table for the welcoming feast.

 

"All will be well little brother" Luna said before touching Harry's forehead.  Harry nodded his head and made his way out to the platform where all the students from the train had gathered.  A horseless carriage ride later had Luna, Harry and Neville entering the Great Hall that was alight with candles of all shapes and sizes.

 

"Be well" Luna said before breaking off from the trio to take her seat at the Ravenclaw table.

 

"She's an odd one" Neville said before taking a seat that was towards the end of the table and nowhere near where the Golden Trio usually sat.  Harry followed suit, if he could avoid them at dinner then that was less time he had to listen to Ron and Hermione both whine and belittle him for making decisions with his wellbeing in mind and not that of the wizarding world or their feelings.

 

"She may be but I love her" Harry said before craning his neck to look around the large hall to see if any other Coryphaeus Nine families members had dressed the part.  Harry saw right away that both Draco and Blaise Zabini had on their Coryphaeus Nine robes and when Harry looked to the Hufflepuff table he saw Cedric Diggory sitting there with a rogue-ish smile on his face which had a lot of the people around him blushing and falling over themselves.

 

"Wish I had some of that?" Neville said looking to where Cedric was holding court with no less than five Hufflepuff girls and at least three Ravenclaw's.

 

"I think most guys think that" Harry agreed, he would have probably been acting like Cedric if he hadn't found out that his beauty spot a.k.a. birth mark was no normal birthmark but that of the Maiden's Mark.  Hermione, Ron and Ginny soon entered the Great Hall with plenty of swagger before pulling up short when they noticed that Harry wasn't sitting in the seat that had been claimed as his, since his arrival to Hogwarts.

 

"That pulled them up short" Neville said watching the trio and laughing at how lost they looked when things were going the way they were supposed to.  The Great Hall fell silent when everyone noticed that the headmaster was standing up looking his normally jovial self.  Ron, Hermione and Ginny quickly took their seats and listened to the Headmaster as he welcome the old students back and then signaled for Professor McGonagall to bring in the first years for sorting.  After ten new Gryffindors, eight Ravenclaws, six Hufflepuffs and surprising twelve new Slytherins had taken their seats the headmaster spoke again.

 

"Hogwarts has been a long standing tradition.  A tradition that is rooted in magic even beyond our control" the headmaster said looking around the room and taking note of the young men and women who had decided to wear their Coryphaeus Nine robes.  He was quite surprised to see Harry sitting near the end of the table with Neville Longbottom by his side and dressed in Coryphaeus robes himself.  The headmaster lost himself for a moment before realizing that he had a whole room watching him.

 

"One of those traditions that we keep alive is that of the Collaring Parley" when the headmaster said the words, whispering broke out.  The headmaster had never; ever addressed the students about Collaring Parley and for him to be doing so now of all years must mean that something big was going on with this year's or season's Parley.

 

"I am pleased to see that of the Coryphaeus Nine, there are seven families present and choosing to take part in the Collaring Parley rites" the headmaster said before his eyes locked onto Harry.  He could see now what the youngest Weasley was talking about, Harry seemed to hold himself differently than he had in the past, sitting at the Gryffindor table now was a quietly confident young man instead of a scared and starved for affection boy.  The whispering that had broken out before raised in volume making the headmaster shoot off sparks to get the noise under control.

 

"I bid the seven families welcome and I hope your journey is a fruitful one" the headmaster said before then smiling a smile that had Harry on edge instantly.  When the headmaster smiled the smile he had now it usually ended up with Harry fighting off Voldemort in some way.

 

"Let the feast begin" the headmaster said before clapping his hands and watching as the food appeared on the tables and the students began grabbing for food.  He watched as a parchment appeared on Harry's plate and watched as the young man opened the letter and read it before looking to the headmaster.  The headmaster nodded and then began to take a few things off the platters that were in front of him.  The headmaster never noticed when Harry vanished the letter, or said letter arrived to Luna Lovegood's hands, but one well actually two people did notice and had to raise their eyebrows at the causal display of power the young man had done.  Soon the parchment reached Harry again with the words:

 

Retribution will come

 

Harry nodded his head before continuing to eat his meal.  The feast ended much too quickly in Harry's opinion but that may be due to the fact that he had to meet with the headmaster for an unknown reason as stated on the parchment he had received.

 

"You wanted to see me, sir" Harry said quietly after he had been bid entrance to the Headmaster's Office hidden behind a large stone gargoyle.

 

"I did indeed" the headmaster said his eyes twinkling and looking the part of a grandfather.  Harry took a seat in one of the over sized chairs that sat in front of the headmaster's desk looking confused and a bit nervous.  There were only a few reasons on why the old man would beckon him to visit the headmaster in his office.

 

"Why did you leave the protection of your aunt's house?"  The headmaster said looking at Harry with a disapproving and slightly disappointed look on his face, it had worked for him in the past and he figured that it would work again.

 

"That isn't your concern" Harry said knowing that the headmaster was fishing for something that would make him feel guilty and horrible and would make him apologize for something that he need not be apologizing for.

 

"Harry, my boy, I'm only looking out for your wellbeing" Harry snorted at the comment, he just couldn't help himself.  He had known that the minute the Order and Dumbledore in particular found out about his lack of staying at the Dursley's that he would he scolded like a small child and then sent back to the hell hole they thought he would call his home but was really his prison.

 

"My wellbeing is only your concern while I am at Hogwarts, sir" Harry said knowing that he was stepping out of bounds on this but he was unwilling to allow the headmaster to think that he had his weapon and puppet under his complete control.

 

"My boy" the headmaster said putting on a hurt face over Harry's words.

 

"My wellbeing over the summer is not your concern, you made that clear when I begged you in the past to stay at Hogwarts" Harry said hoping that he was doing the right thing.

 

"Harry you have to understand...." the headmaster started out only to be stopped by Harry.

 

"I understand perfectly" Harry said before standing and making his way to the door.  He was unwilling to stay in the headmaster's office and be scolded for a decision that he knew was the right one to make.

 

"Harry" the headmaster called out one last time before he watched as Harry left his office.  Fawkes ruffled his feathers when Harry slammed the headmaster's office door.

 

"Whatever shall I do Fawkes?"  The old man asked the bird that eyed him.  When no response came Albus let out a sigh.  He had known that allowing Harry to stay away from his relatives was a bad idea, he of course didn't count on the fact that Harry had been hidden so well that all of his searches came up empty.  He came up even more empty now when trying to see into the younger man's mind on his where abouts but only got a large black wall that stopped him dead in his tracks.
 

"Harry will realize the errors of his ways" Dumbledore said to the empty room and the only indication that his words were heard where Fawkes ruffling his feathers again.  While an old man thought of his plans for the 'Savior' of the wizarding world, said 'Savior' made his way back down to the entry hall of Hogwarts to speak with his sister.

 

"Harry!"  Hermione screeched as Harry made his way into view of all of the leaving students from the Great Hall.  Harry could only sigh, he had hoped to get a word with his sister but it seemed that the newest 'Golden Trio' were making their way towards him with glints in their eyes that had Harry groaning.

 

"Answer me!"  Hermione said stomping her foot like a bratty first year not getting their way.

 

"Baby brother" Luna said gliding up to the group and stopping Harry from answering the question.

 

"He's not your brother" Hermione said clearly not happy and showing it.

 

"Not your concern"

 

"Harry's *my* best friend"

 

"I beg to differ" Draco said walking up to the group now.  Pretty much the whole school had stopped to watch the battle that seemed to be stirring.

 

"Malfoy stay out of this" Hermione said not knowing that she had so totally over stepped her bounds now.  The headmaster had stated that Collaring Parley was to begin, she just didn't know that it meant then and there.

 

"Submissive Granger know you place" Draco's voice boomed making Harry shiver a bit in fear.  The power behind the voice had those that hadn't been trying to pay attention stop and watch what was going on.

 

"Shut..." Hermione didn't get to finish her words; Ron had placed a hand over her mouth.  If Hermione continued on the way she was, she was likely to end up in the dungeons, the real dungeons of Hogwarts with Draco punishing her for insubordination.

 

"Submissive Granger regrets her actions" Ron said bowing a bit and glaring at both Hermione and Draco.  Hermione could be heard trying to break away of Ron's grasp but failing.

 

"Young Dominate Malfoy" Ginny said with a curtsy following close behind, now that she wasn't chosen to be collared by Harry she had an open playing field and Draco Malfoy was one powerful, hot Dominate.  Draco eyed the girl before speaking.

 

"Young Submissive Weasley" she wasn't by any means the person he had his eye on but he was going to make sure that should she decide to try anything that his etiquette would be perfect leaving her no recourse.  It was after all how Molly Weasley ended up with her husband, she had felt like she had been slighted and had taken her cause to the Collaring Parley Department of the Ministry and soon thereafter Molly Prewett was Molly Weasley.  It was of course the only way that the lower ring pureblood wizarding family, Prewett, could marry into a Coryphaeus Nine family even if it was the Weasley family.  Ginny preened under the words, thinking that she had caught the eye of Draco.  Luna cleared her throat knowing that Harry was all sorts of confused right now, she had of course tried to explain how things would go while in Parley but it seemed that the Weasley's and probably the headmaster were just making things much more difficult than it needed to be.  It was at this time that Professor Minerva McGonagall walked into the scene looking none too happy with her Gryffindors.

 

"Young Submissive Potter" the old woman said not believing that she was saying those words to Harry Potter of all people.

 

"Professor McGonagall" Harry said wondering if she had been sent by the headmaster or not.

 

"Follow me"

 

"Professor" Harry said stopping the woman from walking away; she knew what the boy was going to ask.  He always asked and she always thought it was a good thing that he had friends that would stick by him in times of need.

 

"Yes, yes they can come" Professor McGonagall said waving a hand to the trio that had smug looks on their face.

 

"Just Luna" Harry said before taking his sister's hands and then bowing before Draco with a quick goodbye.

 

"Well" Hermione sputtered along with Ron and Ginny.  They had been certain that Harry was going to allow them to go wherever it was that their Transfiguration professor was taking him.  Once the professor along with Harry and Luna were out of sight, Ron started in on Draco and his treatment towards his sister.

 

"You, you"

 

"Oh shut it Young Dominate Weasley" Draco said not wanting to be anywhere near the group now that Harry was gone.  He had to wonder on where their professor was taking him though since it was clear that he had already had a run in with the headmaster before arriving back to the entrance hall. 

 

"Ronald" Ginny said before spinning around and making her way to the Gryffindor Tower she had some plans to make and they included one blonde Slytherin, a love potion and a collaring that would rock the wizarding world.  She would follow in her mother's footsteps if need be but she was hoping to do things a bit more above board.

 

"Ronald Weasley" Hermione said already whining up a lecture on Ron's treatment of her when Malfoy was around.

 

"You need to learn to keep that mouth of your shut sometimes" Ron said before he too left.  He wasn't going to have this out with Hermione right in the middle of the entrance hall he knew people would say and do some not so nice things to Hermione if they saw and heard her telling off a Coryphaeus Nine family member.  It was times like these that he wished that he hadn't followed Harry to the Girl's bathroom to save her in first year.  There were just some things that Hermione would never get and Collaring Parley and Coryphaeus Nine was one of those things.  His mother had told him in no uncertain terms that he was to collar a witch with at least a low level pureblood status, no muggleborn which meant no Hermione.  Ron had been quite relived of the fact but now he had to wonder on whom his mother would approve of it certainly wasn't Hermione Granger.  Hermione stood there stunned; Ron had just walked away from her!  Her, the cleverest witch of their age!  Snickers soon broke out and comments about just how clever Hermione really was were made.  The words had Hermione stomping away not even bothering to show the scared first year Gryffindors to their dorms.

 

"Hey there" Neville said making his way over to where the group of first years stood looking like they had just seen a ghost, and they may have in fact have since Nearly Headless Nick had just floated by.  The first years all looked at Neville before waiting for him or someone to speak.

 

"Follow me and I'll show you to the Tower" Neville said an easy smile on his face. He just couldn't wait until McGonagall came back, so that he could tell her about Hermione not doing her job as not only a prefect but as Head Girl as well and all because Ron had grown a backbone or at least some smarts about the girl.  The first years followed Neville, a non-prefect for the Gryffindor house around the castle and to the Tower telling them about the moving staircase and the trick hallways that lay in the castle.  Oh Neville just couldn't wait to tell McGonagall about the lack of help from the prefects in escorting the first years.  Meanwhile on the other side of the castle Luna and Harry were being lead by their Transfiguration professor to a hallway that looked to be quite old and unused.

 

"Your new rooms" McGonagall said still amazed that Dumbledore had fought her about getting Harry rooms of his own.  He was a Maiden's Marked Male and all Maiden's Marked Males were to have their own rooms away from any potential Dominates in their dorms.  This was done for the protection of the marked male, and when Dumbledore had read the note from an unknown sender he had disregarded it and passed it onto her to write a letter that said he was refusing to do so.  She had read the letter multiple times and had come to the conclusion that her mentor and person she looked up to in these darks times was wrong, not only wrong but was up to something that she was unwilling to put Harry through.  She had allowed the old man to place Harry with his muggle relatives instead of his godfather, she had allowed him to not check up on the boy in his 11 years there, she had even allowed the old man to set up tests to see if Harry really was the destined 'Savior' as everyone thought him to be, but this latest disregard for Harry's wellbeing was something she could not and would not ignore.  She wouldn't be able to forgive herself should something happen to Harry while in a room full of Dominate Young Men.  There were reasons on why this hallway had been created and it was to serve the purpose of protection of the marked males of the time.  It had happened many years ago, a Maiden's Marked Male had come back to Hogwarts and stayed in his dorm room with his longtime roommates.  One night it was decided that since the marked male had spurned their advances that they would take what was owed to them and take it they did.  The four Young Dominates had raped the Marked male until insanity and then and only then did they stop.  They of course where thrown into Azkaban for their crimes but the damage had been done and the Marked Male never collared for fear of becoming a Dominate's punching bag.  When that had occurred the headmaster at the time saw fit to create a hallway within the castle where the Marked Male could stay and know they were safe.  She was doing this against the Headmaster's wishes but she wouldn't put it past the headmaster now to have Ron Weasley or even Seamus Finnigan to do his dirty work, they were both known for their action now, think later way of thinking.

 

"Professor" Harry said looking at the older woman with awe on his face.  He had never figured that his Transfiguration professor would ever do something so kind for him.  She was always strictly business and this well this was something that Harry never expected.  He had been worried with staying in the dorms.  He wasn't really sure on what sort of reception he would receive from his dorm mates.  Dean was muggleborn and he knew the prejudices that came for people seeking love in their own gender in the muggle world.  Ron on the other hand, well he didn't strike Harry as the type to hate him outright for that but he wouldn't put it past the brash gingered hair boy to do as commanded by the headmaster.

 

"Now I am doing this against the Headmaster wishes, but..." here Minerva mumbled something that neither Luna nor Harry heard but knew it dealt with the headmaster.

 

"If you have any issues, at all, come and see me or Professor Snape"

 

"Professor Snape" Harry said stunned that his head of house would think he would be safe with the Potions Professor.

 

"He can be trusted" Minerva said before telling Harry the password for the room, verus diligo.  Harry had colored at the password but had given the painting that protected the rooms the words and entered with Luna right behind him with a secretive smile on her face.

 

"Father would approve" Luna said once they had made a once over of the rooms that Harry was now located in.  A pop made the pair jump and pull out their wands.

 

"Dobby!"  Harry said before putting a hand to his chest to calm his rapidly beating heart.

 

"Harry Potter!  Sir!" Dobby, said looking at the changes that had occurred to the black hair boy while away from Hogwarts this summer.

 

"I is having a letter for you" Dobby said a bit concerned over giving Harry the letter he was about to give.  It had come from his old masters and he was uncertain on his attentions with Harry.

 

"Okay" Harry said before taking the letter out of Dobby's hands and looking at the tidy handwriting that his name was written in.

 

"It's from Draco" Harry said knowing the handwriting well, even if they had been enemies for most of their Hogwarts career, he had made it part of his daily routine to know *everything* about the blonde Slytherin and that included what his handwriting looked like.

 

"Passing love notes?"  Luna joked, she was secretly happy that Draco had taken to Harry as well as he had for he was certain that the headmaster would find one way or another to tie Harry to either one of the Weasley Dominates or to someone that was sympathetic to the light side with lower pureblood status.  Harry colored at the words; he had been getting notes from Draco since they had left France only a few short weeks ago.

 

"So what does he have to say?" Luna said taking a seat on the small settee that was in a semi-small sitting room of some sort.  Harry broke the Malfoy seal on the back, and read the words written before a smile light up his face. 'Draco' was all that Harry could think; only Draco would pen a note telling Harry how much he missed his company already.

 

"Is the dragon missing you already?" Luna asked before laughing at the nod of Harry's head.  She knew when she had received the letter from Harry at the beginning of the summer from Draco's owl that the blonde Slytherin felt more for Harry then just standard enemy stuff; it was something more which she found to be correct.  She had no doubt in her mind that Draco was falling or had already fell in love with Harry and was just waiting for Harry to accept his Collaring Parley once he offered it.

 

"He does and he says he wishes to have breakfast with me"

 

"I'll make the arrangements" Luna said before getting up and then kissing Harry goodnight, she had a lot to do before morning so that the headmaster wouldn't interfere with the Parley that was sort of going on with Draco and Harry, it was nothing formal yet but Luna knew better than to not expect some sort of, shall we say approval from the Malfoy Clan to formally enter into Collaring Parley with Harry.  It was going to be tricky since the Malfoy should really be asking Sirius Black, Harry Godfather, but since the Black heir had been lacking in his duties it could be brought up that Harry could choose his own guardians now, and she knew that it would be them, as it should have been many years ago. 

 

"Be safe sister of mine" Harry said before hugging Luna and then watching her leave the room.

 

"About bloody time that girl left" made Harry jump in the air and point his wand at the portrait that was sitting above the small fireplace that had been lit due to the darkness after the sunset.

 

"Who are you and what do you want?"  Harry said keeping his wand trained on the portrait, he wouldn't put it past the headmaster to put something in these rooms to make sure that he was in the know of what he was doing.

 

"Nirav Sholwan"

 

"Who?"

 

"Children these days" the portrait mumbled before the man stood up and then glared at Harry.

 

"Nirav Shlwan, the last known Maiden's Marked Male"

 

"Uh" Harry said not really sure on how best to tell the portrait that there was another Maiden's Marked Male.

 

"You one boy?" the portrait asked.

 

"Yes"

 

"Good to hear that these rooms are still being used correctly" the portrait said before taking a good look at Harry and then nodding his head.

 

"Name?"

 

"Harry Potter" Harry said somehow knowing that the portrait was one not to be messed with.

 

"Hmmm, a Potter" the portrait said before deciding that it had enough talking and walked away.

 

"Right" Harry said before he looked at the portrait and then shook his head, only in the wizarding world could portraits get up and leave in the middle of a conversation, then again only in the wizarding world could a portrait talk to you.  Harry made quick work of finding his bedroom, he couldn't really be bothered with what the bathroom looked like or how amazing the bedroom was since he was dead on his feet.  Seeing his 'old' friends had taken a lot out of him more than he had thought before and then to have the headmaster demand him to his office had wore him out even more.  Once he was changed into pajamas he fell right to sleep with the man from the portrait watching him as he slept.

 

"A worthy heir" the man said before leaving the room to go and see if any of the other portraits knew about this heir.  The next morning came way too quickly in Harry's opinion but he knew that with the first day of classes that he needed to be down in the Great Hall as soon as possible and the thought of having breakfast with Draco made him smile.  Draco was turning out to be an amazing man and it made Harry's heart burst each and every time that Draco called him Harry and spoke to him like he really cared for him.

 

"Harry Potter, sir!"  Dobby said before smiling at Harry his eyes big as saucers.

 

"Dobby" Harry said a smile on his face at seeing the house elf.

 

"Lovey Good is waiting for you" Dobby said before bouncing up and down a bit, he had been told by Luna that he was to be Harry's personal house elf and was to answer to no one else besides Harry unless told so by Harry himself.  He had taken up the task with excitement.

 

"Thank you Dobby" Harry said before he finished getting himself ready for the day.  He was not going to look like a ragamuffin when he met Draco for breakfast that was for sure.  The blonde may think ill of him and that was something that Harry was unwilling to allow now. "Took you long enough" Luna said once the door to the rooms opened and Harry walked out in a set of robes with the Coryphaeus Nine insignia on them and done in black to match that of the Hogwarts robes that the rest of the school wore.

 

"Sorry" Harry said knowing that Luna was only joking with him, she knew how important Draco had become in Harry's life so her jokes only made him a bit more comfortable with the situation.

 

"Come, I was quite busy this morning and last night" Luna said remembering the letter that she had written daddy telling him of the things that needed to be taken care of before the Malfoy's asked for Collaring Parley with Harry.

 

"Harry!"  Hermione yelled once Luna and Harry made their way into the Great Hall for breakfast.  Luna pointed out the table at the back of the hall and said that Draco was standing there waiting for him.

 

"Harry!"  Hermione yelled again thinking that she was going to get the attention of the black haired teen.

 

"Young Submissive Potter" Draco said in a seductive purr which only made Harry blush.

 

"Draco" Harry said before smiling at Draco with a shy smile.

 

"Harry" Draco said before taking Harry's arm and then leading him to the table at the back of the hall.  Meanwhile the whole hall watched in awe over what was going on.

 

"What the bloody hell!"  Ron yelled before stomping over to where Harry had taken a seat with Draco sitting on the other side of the table.

 

"Harry" Ron said before grabbing Harry's arm and trying to pull the teen away from the table he was currently sitting at.

 

"What do you think you are doing?"  Draco said knowing he had more power over Weasley than anyone else in the Coryphaeus Nine.  Harry would have, but since he was a submissive that was no longer the case.

 

"Taking Harry back to where he belongs"

 

"He belongs here" Draco said his voice telling Ron just how much he didn't like him.

 

"We'll see about that" Ron said before stomping away, he knew he didn't have the power to make Harry leave the table but he knew someone who did and was just now walking into the hall with a smile on their face.

 

"I don't want to go" Harry whispered to Draco, knowing that Draco would do something.

 

"Don't worry" Draco said with a smile that had Harry believing the blonde Slytherin.  While Draco and Harry ate breakfast Ron made his way up to the professor's table to speak with the Headmaster.  A brief exchange of words between the pair had the headmaster with a smirking Ron in his wake making their way to the table where Harry and Draco sat.

 

"Mr. Potter"

 

"That would be Young Submissive Potter, to you Headmaster" Draco corrected the old man, he knew that the old man was going to try and pull his headmaster card on Harry but it wouldn't work but they need not know that until after he played his cards.

 

"Ah yes" the headmaster said before correcting himself when he addressed Harry.

 

"Young Submissive Potter then" the headmaster said before looking at Harry with his twinkling blue eyes.

 

"Headmaster" Harry said respectfully, he knew the man was going to try and make him sit with his year mates at Gryffindor but that wasn't going to happen.

 

"Young Dominate Weasley would like for you to eat breakfast with your friends"

 

"I'm having breakfast with Young Dominate Malfoy" Harry said knowing that if he said the wrong thing that the headmaster would be able to make him leave the table.

 

"So I see, but your friends have not seen you all summer" this was decidedly the last thing that the headmaster should have said to Harry.

 

"And whose fault is that?  Mine?  You would do well to remember to *not* communicate with your friends, my boy" Harry said mimicking the old man, irritated that the old man had enough gall to make it seem like it was Harry's idea to stay away from his friends, if it had been up to him he would have gladly spent his whole summer with the Weasley's but that option had been taken from him just like his option of living with his godfather.  The headmaster could only smile, this had not been what he was hoping for when Harry returned back to Hogwarts, he had expected the dark haired teen to be quiet and demure not the spitfire that he was showing now.

 

"Harry!"  Ron said coming from around the headmaster, he had enough of the old man not doing what he needed to.

 

"It was for *your* own safety" Ron said remembering what the headmaster had said to him and Hermione before they left on the train home for the summer.  Both Harry and Draco snorted at the comment, if it was for Harry's *own* good they would have sent him as far away from his relatives as possible but that didn't seem to be the case.  If it was for Harry's *own* good there would actually be wards on the bloody house protecting him from Death Eaters entering said house for dinners with his relatives, but Harry knew better than to say anything to that effect yet.  In time the headmaster would learn just how much he had learned over the summer away from his abusive family and his lying friends.

 

"Just come on!"  Ron said clearly making a scene now, knowing that Harry wouldn't want to be in the spotlight any more than he usually was.

 

"I am having breakfast with Young Dominate Malfoy" Harry said again before he totally ignored both the headmaster and Ron, while taking a piece of melon that sat on the table and placed it on his plate.  The headmaster spluttered for a moment before nodding his head and then making his way back to the head table where he was going to have to figure out what his next move was.

 

"That's it?" Ron said amazed that the headmaster was going to take what Harry just said and leave it alone.

 

"For now" the headmaster said before taking a seat at the center of the table and looking over the professors seeing which ones he could enlist to help him get rid of Draco Malfoy from Harry's life since it seemed that the blonde had gotten in it somehow over the summer.  Ron puffed up and then decided that it was best to stay on the headmaster's good side and left to the Gryffindor table to eat, maybe eating would give him some ideas on what to do about Harry.  Hermione screeching in his ear didn't help this thought process but at least it was something normal and he could block out.  Harry on the other hand was having a great time with Draco at their breakfast table, that was until the morning post came and an owl came flying over to their table.  A letter was dropped onto the plate in front of Harry.

 

"Okay" Draco asked he could see that whoever had sent the letter was someone that Harry did not want to deal with.

 

"Sirius" Harry said before picking up the letter and then reading what the mutt, as Professor Snape would say, had to say.  It had all been hush, hush when they figured out that Sirius wasn't dead or behind the veil back in his fifth year.  They had kept it a secret for years now, with only the ministry and Order members knowing of Sirius status of being alive and free.  Now it seemed they were using that card to make Harry fall back into line.

 

"As in Black?"  Draco said amazed that the crazed ex-con was writing to Harry.

 

"Yeah" Harry said before opening the letter and then reading it.  After he was finished he was right pissed at what the older man had to say.

 

"Is, are you okay" Draco asked worried about the small dark haired teen.

 

"No" Harry said honestly, how could anyone who said they cared for him do this?  How could they allow the headmaster to do whatever with him while they sat back and said 'it's for the greater good' and never once worrying about how he was doing?

 

"Harry" Draco said putting a hand over Harry's shaking one.

 

"He's alive and has enough nerve to tell me what I need to do in my life"

 

"Alive?"  Draco asked confused, he never knew the man was dead.

 

"Just something else to add to the pile" Harry said before laughing and then deciding that he wasn't going to take this at all, the headmaster may have the Order and most of the Ministry of Magic fooled but he didn't have Harry fooled any longer and things were going to change.

 

"I'm fine, everything will be just fine" Harry said before lighting the letter on fire and then wiping away the ashes, there was going to be a lot of begging and groveling from not only his supposed friends, but his dogfather and the headmaster as well for what he had to go through over his horrible summers with the Dursley's.  Draco knew better than to even ask questions with the way that Harry was acting and it was a very good thing that Luna walked up just as the bell that signaled breakfast to be finished and classes were to start rang.

 

"Harry" Luna said before waving hello to Draco and then walking a bit aways from Draco to speak with Harry alone.

 

"Daddy is taking care of everything" Luna said before kissing Harry on the cheek and then walking away, she knew that Harry would understand what she was talking about.

 

"Young Submissive Potter" Draco said now standing behind Harry with the urge to wrap his arms around the Gryffindor and never let go.

 

"Will you walk me to class?"  Harry said before noticing that Professor McGonagall was walking towards them with Harry's timetable in her hands.

 

"Since you were having breakfast with Young Dominate Malfoy I thought I would wait until you were finished to give your time table" Minerva said knowing that the old man was watching her, not happy that she seemed to be helping the pair out.

 

"Thank you professor" Harry said before taking his time table and seeing what classes he had first thing in the morning.

 

"Not Potions" Harry grumbled, Professor Snape hated him and he knew that with the tenseness high between him and the Gryffindors that the Potions Professor would only add fuel to the fire.

 

"Professor Snape will be a good ally" the old woman said before turning and making her way to her classroom.  She knew that the headmaster would be calling her to his office later on, but she really couldn't be bothered with what the headmaster was playing at.  Harry just raised his eyebrows before shaking his head and looking at Draco.

 

"Shall we?"  Draco said holding out an arm for Harry to take, most of the hall watched as the pair left.

 

"How could he do that" Hermione said while making her way down to the dungeons.  It seemed that Ron had somehow managed to get into the seventh year potions class, and no one was really sure on how that occurred.

 

"Who?  Malfoy or Harry" Ron said walking along side Hermione wanting nothing more than to be back in the Great Hall eating.

 

"Both" Hermione said watching as the pair walked seemingly enjoying each other's companies to potions class, something that wasn't even possible one year ago.

 

"Collaring Parley" Ron said with a shrug of his shoulders, he had spent the better part of his night last night to explaining the ins and outs of Collaring Parley to Hermione and she still didn't get it.  Ron was certain it was just one of those things that a muggle-born would never get, which was why most of the pureblood families had sided with the Dark Lord some years ago.  Hermione huffed at Ron's words, she still didn't see what the big deal about the whole thing was and she was very willing to let those that would listen know.

 

"Well that's just stupid" Hermione said before stepping into the open potions classroom door, where it seemed that Harry was sitting next to Draco all on his own.

 

"Harry" Hermione said after she had placed her things at a table in the back of the room, she had learned last year and the year before that a Gryffindor sitting in the front of the class was a bad idea.  Harry turned at hearing his name to see that Hermione was stomping her way over to where Harry now sat next to Draco.

 

"Submissive Granger" Harry said not really knowing what to call Hermione in a formal setting, he knew he had to be careful with what he said around Draco since the other teen seemed to be a stickler for following Collaring Parley protocol.

 

"No" Hermione said now standing in front of the table that Draco and Harry sat at.

 

"Submissive Granger" Draco now said wanting to get rid of the girl before she said or did something that she or he would later regret.

 

"Granger sit down and ten points from Gryffindor for not being in your seat when class starts" Professor Snape said before slamming his wand against the blackboard at the front of the class and watching as most of the Gryffindors, that had managed to get into the class, jumped and pulled out their things.  The Slytherins on the other hand were already prepared and waiting for instructions.  Professor Snape thanked the stars that the headmaster, in his infinite wisdom, would only allow two houses per class for seventh years instead of mixing all of the houses as they had done for years now.  Hermione huffed in her seat not at all happy with the way things were going, first Ron acted as if he actually knew something and then Harry decided to up and become friendly with Draco Malfoy and now, now she had lost her house ten points and the start of the school year had barely begun.

    Professor Snape swept his eyes over the classroom, sneering at most of the Gryffindors and nodding his head to the few Slytherins that he found acceptable in this class.  He stopped though when he reached the table where Harry Potter and Draco Malfoy sat, not fighting, not sneering or sniping at each other but actually sitting acting as if this was a normal occurrence.

 

"See me after class Potter" the professor said before slamming his wand yet again to the board and telling the students to get to work.  It was two hours later that Harry was packing up his things when Professor Snape swooped over to his desk and watched as Draco helped Harry pack his things up.

 

"You can't be serious" Snape mumbled to himself, when he had heard from Lucius that his son had taken a keen interest in a 'light-side' Coryphaeus family he had thought that it was the Weasley chit, since he had only heard of the supposed conquests of his god son with the ladies of Hogwarts.  Now seeing Draco treating Harry bleeding Potter of all people like a submissive was a huge surprise, he had not known that Draco leaned towards the male gender and since he had been "busy" with potions that the headmaster said were needed he had been unable to see the ruckus that the pair of them had caused at the welcoming feast.

 

"Sir" Harry said after he had been packed up and made his way to where the Potions Professor stood lost in thought.

 

"Mr. Potter" Severus sneered before he noticed that his godson seemed to be in the back of the room watching the pair of them, almost as if protecting the Gryffindor.

 

"What are you doing with Mr. Malfoy?"

 

"Sir" Harry asked confused, he had figured that Snape would call him out because of sitting with Draco in class, but this sort of through him for a loop.

 

"Mr. Potter don't play dumb with me, or maybe you are that stupid" Severus said watching as Draco got more and more tense at the words he was throwing at Harry.  'Interesting' Severus thought before trying to bait Harry one more time.

 

"Why or what possessed you to sit with Mr. Malfoy today?"

 

"Professor Snape" Draco said having enough of his godfather treating his potential mate like scum, before when he hadn't really cared much about Harry it had been funny, now though he could see that the older man's words were affecting Harry more than they should be.

 

"Mr. Malfoy I am speaking with Mr. Potter"

 

"That is Young Submissive Potter, Professor" Draco said now standing right next to Harry and then taking his hand in his.  He knew it was out of protocol but he could see that Harry was trying very hard not to break down at the Potions Professors' words.

 

"Ah, Young Dominate Malfoy thank you for informing me" Severus said noticing that Draco was holding onto Harry's hand.

 

"I'm sorry Professor" Harry said quietly, he knew that the older man still held anger against him looking into his pensive.  He had tried for over a year now to try and apologize and only got so far as to hear the Potions Professor go off on how alike he was to his father and godfather.  Severus eyed the boy and could tell that he truly meant his apology whereas before he could tell that the headmaster had sent the boy to apologize.

 

"Accepted" Severus said before waving the pair of them out of the room, he had another group of students due in and he had some questions that he needed answers to before he decided what he his next step was.

 

"Thank you" Harry said before turning and breaking contact with Draco so that he could make it to his next class which was Care of Magical Creatures.

 

"Severus" Draco said once he was certain that Harry was far enough away that he couldn't hear the conversation that they were going to have.

 

"Draco"

 

"He means a lot to me, more than I think even he realizes he does" Draco said knowing that his godfather would understand what he wasn't saying.

 

"I see" Severus said before looking to the door and watching as some third year Ravenclaws made their way into the room.

 

"Just..." Draco was at a loss as to what to say to his godfather concerning Harry, he hadn't ever thought that his feelings for the Golden Boy of Gryffindor would go beyond hate, and then lust to now love and seeing his godfather treating the dark haired boy the way he was made his blood boil.

 

"He will be safe" Severus said watching as a small group of giggling girls made their way into to the room now.

 

"That is all I ask" Draco said before turning around and walking out of the room with most of the girls drooling after him.  His godson had turned into amazing handsome young man and most of the population at Hogwarts knew that.

 

"Oh my sweet Merlin..." was one of the many comments that came out of the girls mouth as Draco passed with his bad slung over one of his shoulders, looking like a classic Slytherin and true old pureblood member.  Draco arrived to Care of Magical Creatures class to see that Harry was being hassled by Hermione and Ron, while Hagrid prepared for the beginning of class.

 

"Harry just tell us" Hermione said hands on hips and looking like a know-it-all that most said she was.

 

"Yeah mate" Ron said looking like he really didn't want to talk about this while Hermione was present.

 

"Young Dominate Weasley and Submissive Granger" Draco said making his to where Harry stood hoping that someone would come and help him out of the confrontation.

 

"Keep out of this Malfoy"

 

"Class, class" Hagrid said breaking up the fight that was bound to occur soon between Hermione, Ron and Draco.  For the next hour Hagrid spoke about the creatures that they would be learning about for the rest of the year.

 

"Harry come on" Hermione said grabbing onto Harry's hand as he had finished packing his bag up ready to make his way into Hogwarts for his next lesson of the day.

"Uhm" Harry said uncertain on how to tell Hermione and Ron both that would he prefer to walk with Draco up to the castle.

"Young Submissive Potter" Draco said holding out an arm for Harry to take.  Harry looked to his one time friends and then grabbed onto Draco's arm.  At one time he would have gladly walked with the pair up to the castle for their next class, now though having spent a short time with his relatives and their 'care' and finding out what the Headmaster along with the Weasley's were planning to do with his life, Harry was unable to even look at the people he called friends in the eye without some sort of rage running through his body.

"What in the bloody hell is going on?" Hermione said finally having enough of whatever it was that Harry was doing.  Draco decided to answer her question.

"Collaring Parley, it would do you well to read about it" Hermione only stomped her foot before grabbing her bag and making her way alone into the castle.  She was going to research Collaring Parley and find out exactly how to get Harry out of the mess she was certain he had gotten himself into, after all she was the brains of their group.  Ron just shook his head as he watched Hermione make her way into the castle, he knew she was off in research mode and he was quite happy to let her do so.  It after all gave him time to formulate his own plans for Harry which included him collaring the shorter teen.

  Over the next few weeks, Harry spent most of his free time with either Luna, Draco or on occasion Neville; his friendships with the small group were on the tip of everyone's tongue. Most of the Hogwarts' rumor mill were speculating on the reason for the split up of the ‘Golden Trio' as Harry, Ron and Hermione had been called. The rumors ranged from things such as Harry being under some sort of curse to Draco using Harry as some form of prank against the Gryffindors. Many had tried to speak to Harry but they were usually met by either Luna, Draco or Neville near the Lord Potter making it hard for any sort of conversation. Hermione and Ron had both tried and failed to speak to Harry alone, instead only to get Luna or Neville, since Draco was not usually seen outside of Slytherin territory, popping up at the totally wrong moment for both of them.

“Harry” Hermione called to Harry as he made his way into the Great Hall for breakfast, a few weeks later. No one besides Luna, Neville and Draco knew where his rooms were and for that he was thankful since he was certain that Hermione and Ron both would show up at his door everyday taking him away from the friends and family that he had made over the summer.

“Does she not know her place?” Luna questioned Harry before rolling her eyes when she heard her ‘brother' snort at her comment. Hermione Granger learning her place was never going to happen, at least not until she realized that not all things could be learned from a book and that she didn't have all the answers.

“Harry” Ron called out when it looked like Harry wasn't going to respond to Hermione's call of his name.

“Common purebloods” Luna commented before they continued on to the small table that had been set up since the beginning of school, when Professor McGonagall had taken it as her duty to protect Harry as the Maiden's Marked Male. Harry rolled his eyes at his ‘sister's' comment, since they had arrived to Hogwarts she had taken up the mantle of a Coryphaeus Nine Pureblood and all noticed the change, even Dumbledore and he had tried to keep the young blonde girl away from Harry to no avail.

“Harry” Ron called out again, the first Hogsmeade weekend was only a few days away and he was certain that if he was to show an interest in Harry that he would have the petite Lord on his arm, becoming the envy of all of Hogwarts and in particular Draco Malfoy. When it became clear that Harry didn't plan on responding to Ron's call of his name the ginger haired male made his way to the table where Harry and Luna now sat eating breakfast and discussing the day ahead of them.

“Harry” Ron said standing near Harry's chair giving the petite male a look that told him he was disappointed in his behavior.

“Young Dominate Weasley” Luna said in greeting, knowing her ‘brother' wouldn't respond to Ron until he started acting as a Coryphaeus Nine Pureblood should and shouting in the Great Hall was definitely not that.

“Young Submissive Lovegood” Ron said remembering at the last moment to respond correctly, he wasn't at all happy with the way that Harry was acting and he figured that if he could just get the other male alone for a moment he would be able to sway Harry to a date or maybe even a Collaring Parley if he said the right things. Luna tipped her head in acknowledgement before looking to Harry to see if he would respond to Ron now that he was acting as befitting to his station.

“Young Dominate Weasley” Harry said in greeting before going back to picking at his breakfast. It had been four whole days that Draco had left Hogwarts without so much as a by-your-leave and Harry was beginning to wonder if there was something he had done to drive the Young Dominate away. Luna had tried and failed to tell him that it probably had nothing to do with him, but he hadn't quite believed her yet and now it seemed that Ron Weasley was trying to move into the bracket for being a potential Dominate for him.

“Young Submissive Potter” Ron said before bowing a bit, he hated the motions that he had to go through to get to even speak with Harry in a normal manner, but he knew that in the end Harry would be on his arm and he would finally bring the Weasley name back to its former glory, among the Coryphaeus Nine it was no secret that the Weasley blood had been tainted when rumor that his mother had cornered his father into marrying her and it was because of that, that Ron's brothers had been unable to collar a proper pureblood witch from within the Coryphaeus Nine rings. None had married yet, but it had been a very slim number of witches that were willing to even throw their name into Collaring Parley with the Weasleys, and most of them were lower rung purebloods looking for a way to move up in the pureblood circles. Unfortunately once the families found out that the Weasley name while still powerful was not a name that you wanted to be associated with when trying to become a mover and shaker in the pureblood elite. Harry looked at Ron knowing that him not doing so would be a form of disrespect, and that was something he was trying to avoid since Luna had warned him that they Weasley family matriarch had found her way into her position by Arthur disrespecting her in some way.

“As you know Hogsmeade weekend is coming up” Ron started only to have Hermione make her way over with her hands on her hips. She had been doing tons of research on Collaring Parley and so far she saw the whole practice a complete and utter waste of time.

“Ronald” Hermione said her voice telling all that were trying to listen in on the conversation between Harry and Ron, now waiting with baited breath for what would now come out of Hermione's mouth when she figured out that she was not number one on Ron Weasley's list for collaring.

“I'm busy Hermione” Ron said his teeth clinched, knowing that Hermione wouldn't just back down and leave Ron to his business with Harry.

“I don't care Ronald” Hermione said clearly not understanding that she was digging herself a hole that no one in the right mind would help her out of. She was always pushing Wizarding Tradition boundaries and for once the repercussions of such an act would rain down on her in the near future. It was at this time that a new voice was heard, one that almost brought tears to Harry's face.

“It would do you well to know your place Submissive Granger” the voice of Draco Malfoy said walking over to the table where Luna and Harry sat with Ron and Hermione standing near the side of Harry's chair.

“Malfoy” Hermione spat, she still refused to acknowledge Collaring Parley and all that it entailed. It made one wonder if she truly understood what Collaring Parley stood for.

“Submissive Granger, Young Dominate Weasley, Young Submissive Lovegood and Potter” Draco said his voice warming up at seeing Harry after so many days away. He had been called away by his father for some business related to the Coryphaeus Court and the Malfoy family's vast holdings in both the wizarding world and the muggle world.

“Young Dominate Malfoy” Luna said in greeting a smile lighting her face when she noticed that her ‘brother' was blushing and looking like a love struck girl.

‘Finally' Luna thought, she had been quite worried when Draco had been called away from Hogwarts, wondering if he had gone to a different country looking for another potential submissive. Her worries had been put to bed as soon as Draco spoke and his eyes lit up at seeing Harry once again, something she knew that Harry would enjoy hearing about when they were alone.

“Young Submissive Potter if I might have a word” Draco easily cut in, knowing that Ron had probably been about to ask Harry to go to Hogsmeade with him, something that he would *never* allow if he was breathing. Harry nodded his head and stood from his seat before taking Draco's arm and going over to a small alcove that Draco knew he would be able to charm to resist others from listening in on their conversation. Once Draco was certain that their conversation couldn't be heard he began to speak.

“Harry” Draco started knowing that in the setting they were in he was free to use Harry's first name. A smile broke over Harry's face, he had dearly missed the blonde Slytherin Prince and now being here listening to him call him by his first name made him the happiest he had been for days.

“Draco” Harry said back wondering what Draco wanted to speak to him about, he didn't want to presume that Draco would ask him about Hogsmeade weekend so he kept quiet.

“My father decided at the last moment to include me in some of the business matters that the Malfoy family have control over”

“I see” Harry said relieved that Draco hadn't been running away from him, but instead learning the family business, well besides being the Dark Lord's right hand family.

“I had hoped to be back sooner, but alas things became messy…” Draco started to say before stopping himself. It wasn't that he didn't trust Harry, because he did so with his life; he just knew that talking about one's family business was out of protocol for Parley and he dearly wanted to Parley with Harry.

“It's quite alright” Harry said noticing that Draco stopped speaking about what he had been gone for. ‘Must be that invisible line Luna told me about' Harry thought, he was still trying to get the hang of what was Parley and what wasn't Parley acceptable.

“Since I am back, I was hoping to escort you to Hogsmeade this weekend” Draco said a smile on his face that made Harry melt, how could he resist a smile like Draco's?

“That would be great” Harry said before blushing, he sounded like such an idiot sometimes it amazed him that Draco was still interested at all.

“Prefect” Draco purred before sticking out an arm to walk Harry back to the table so that breakfast could resume before classes started up for the day.

“Young Submissive Lovegood” Draco said before kissing Harry's hand and then excusing himself. Ron by this time had turned red in the face not at all happy with the way things were going.

“Harry” Ron said hoping that Harry would respond to his name; Harry turned his head but didn't respond. He may be on cloud nine with Draco's kissing his hand but he wasn't going to be tripped up by Ron and his use of his first name when addressing him. “Ronald' Hermione huffed clearly not happy that no one was paying her any attention. She was after all the brightest witch of their age.

“I'm busy Submissive Granger” Ron ground out, knowing he would have to deal with a pissed off Hermione once he was able to ask Harry what he wanted.

“Oh you are going to pay for that” Hermione said before stomping off to grab her bag and make her way to the first class of the day.

“Young Submissive Potter” Ron said composing himself once he saw Hermione make her way over to the Gryffindor table.

“Young Dominate” Harry responded before he listened to Ron ask him to Hogsmeade weekend.

“I was wondering if you would do me the honor of escorting you to Hogsmeade this weekend?”

“I'm sorry, I have already accepted another offer” Harry said not at all sad to have to reject Ron's offer. He had been highly upset with Ron and his family when he found out about the secrets they had been keeping from him along with the Headmaster and his so called Godfather.

“Malfoy” Ron growled out before spinning on his heels and making his way to the Gryffindor table to grab a couple muffins before going in search of the blonde Slytherin Prince. He had a bone to pick with the other boy and he would be damned if Harry was going to go to Hogsmeade with Draco Malfoy of all people.

“Well” Luna said clearly unimpressed with Ron's departure.

“And that is why some wizarding families are better than others” Luna said making Harry remember the one time that Draco had told him that back when they had been first years. It really was true, some families were better than others and Harry was finding that out first hand.

“Mr. Potter” Albus Dumbledore, Headmaster of Hogwarts called out to the now leaving Harry and Luna. Classes were to begin in a few short minutes and both had been delayed with the arrival of Draco and Ron's request to escort Harry to Hogsmeade that weekend.

“Young Submissive Potter” Luna corrected the old man, he may be their Headmaster but when Collaring Parley was in effect he was just a low rung Pureblood with no sway over the Coryphaeus Nine.

“Ah yes” the Headmaster said before he made his way over to where Harry and Luna now stood outside of the Great Hall, near the main stair case that would take the pair of them to their classes for the day.

“Headmaster” Harry said wondering what the old man wanted, he figured it was probably going to be a request for him to visit his office and talk about his change over the summer but since the Headmaster couldn't demand much from a Coryphaeus Nine member, all he could do is request.

“I was hoping that we could have a chat this afternoon”

“I'm sorry but I have homework that needs to be completed” Harry said declining the Headmaster invitation with ease.

“Ah well” the Headmaster said put out that Harry hadn't jumped at the chance to get out of classes to have a ‘chat' with him.

“I had been hoping to have a word with you since school began”

“Hmmm” Harry said not committing to anything, for he knew the Headmaster was a master at manipulation and anything he would say would be used against him later on.

“A few ‘friends' are planning to stop by as well” the Headmaster said hoping that with the promise of possibly seeing Sirius and Remus that Harry would be all too eager to make his way to the Headmaster's office.

“I must decline, now if I could be on my way” Harry said before sidestepping the old man and making his way up the stairs where his ‘sister' stood with a smile on her face. She was quite proud that Harry hadn't caved to the old man, for she was certain that he would entice his ‘brother' for a meeting and then things would go downhill from there. She knew the old man wouldn't give up, but at least Harry put a stop to this attempt by himself. The pair made their way to the Charms classroom before Luna broke away when she saw that Draco was standing across from the closed Charms door.

“I'll leave you here brother” Luna said before kissing Harry's cheek and then skipping off to her first class of the day, her radish earrings swing back and forth as she made her way down the hallway.

“Mad” Ron said before grimacing at the sharp look he got from Harry over his comment. Ron was just about to apologize when the Charms door opened and Flitwick stood with a smile on his face, even that early in the morning.

“In, in” the short man said before closing the door behind the last student and then making his way up to the front of the class.

“Today we are going to be learning about the….” Flitwick began before giving a brief history over the charm they were learning and the proper movements with a wand. It was while the class had been tasked to practice the charm that a paper airplane similar to those in the Ministry came zooming into the room.

“Oh my” Flitwick said before catching the plane and then reading over the contents before looking over to where Harry sat next to Draco attempting the charm while the blonde helped him with his wand movements.

“Young Submissive Potter” Flitwick said knowing the etiquette in which to address Harry at this point in time.

“Sir” Harry said before placing his wand on the table so as to not set off some charm due to his inattention.

“The Headmaster is requesting your presence in his office”

“Oh” Harry said trying to think of a way to get out of the meeting. He knew there wasn't much he could do about it now, but he was hoping that something would come to mind that would give him a reason on not making his way to the Headmaster's office.

“Here you are” Flitwick said handing over the note with the Headmaster's password on it along with a note that said that he would excused from the rest of the class with no penalty.

“You don't have to go, you know” Draco said casually, he could see what the Headmaster was trying to do and knew that Harry was probably thinking that he had to go to the old man's office since he had been requested it probably for school related issues.

“What” Harry said turning to look at Draco to see if he told the truth or not.

“You don't have to go”

“How”

“You are a Coryphaeus Nine member; the most he can do right now is request”

“And I won't get into trouble?”

“No, oh he may request until he's blue in the face but the fact remains that you do not have to go”

“Young Submissive Potter” Flitwick said confused on why Harry hadn't left yet.

“I think I'll stay” Harry said handing the notes back to Flitwick before sitting back down. Most of the class had their mouth hanging out, Harry Potter had just refused to go and see the Headmaster after he was requested to do so.

“Harry!” Hermione said shocked and appalled the Harry wasn't making his way to the Headmaster's office right that moment.

“Ms. Granger” Flitwick snapped, he was not at all happy with the girl's outburst and it showed since she blushed and shut her mouth making note to yell at Harry once class was over. The rest of class progressed in much the same manner with Ron and Hermione shooting Harry looks, trying to get some sort of reaction out of the petite male.

“Class dismissed” Flitwick said which had a good majority of the class shooting out of the classroom like a rocket to get the Hogwarts' rumor mill working on the fact that Harry had refused to go to the Headmaster's office when requested.

“Harry James Potter!” Hermione screeched when they exited the Charms classroom. Harry could only roll his eyes at Hermione's shout, did she not understand that she held no sway with him at all and acting like some common muggle was only making her status worse, as if it wasn't bad enough with her being a muggleborn.

“You heard me!” Hermione shouted when Harry didn't respond, most of the students that had been in the class before were standing around watching the scene unfold.

“Submissive Granger” Draco cut in knowing that the scene would get ugly quickly since it looked like Hermione wasn't going to back down anytime soon.

“Stay out of it!” Hermione shouted to Draco not really wanting to deal with the blonde, when she had her sights set on Harry.

“Submissive Granger” Neville said hoping that his distraction would allow Harry and Draco to make their way to the next class. Hermione spun around to glare at Neville giving Harry and Draco a chance to escape. It seemed that luck was on their side since Ron was busy glaring at Neville as well, so he or Hermione never saw the dashing pair as they made their way to their next class.

“Young Dominate Longbottom” Luna said gliding up to Neville and giving him her classic smile. She could say that she was very pleased with the way that Neville was taking up the role of Young Dominate.

“This is all a load of….”Hermione didn't get to finish her words for it was then that she noticed that not only was Harry missing so was Draco.

“Ah hell” Hermione said making Luna shake her head, this was just one of the reasons on why the Coryphaeus Nine families tended to stay far away from muggle-borns. They just had no decorum, none at all.

“Miss. Granger” Professor Flitwick said clearly shocked that Hermione was swearing in the hallway of Hogwarts, like some common muggle.

“Ten points for language” Professor Flitwick said before making his way into his classroom and getting ready for the students that were making their way into his class. Hermione noticed and began to dash away forgetting who she was standing with and what she was doing. She was after all going to be late and that was something that the Head Girl and Prefect could not do. Neville and Luna gave each other a look before making their way to their next class, which left Ron confused and pissed off that he had been pushed out of the way by not only Hermione and Neville when dealing with Harry. He had seen Harry and Malfoy in Hogsmeade and he could say he was very unhappy with what he saw, which was that Harry was a bit too cozy with Malfoy for them to be just ‘friends' as he had been able to get out of Harry the one time he did manage to speak to the petite young man. For the rest of the day Ron and Hermione both tried and failed yet again to gain Harry's attention, it was finally at dinner that the headmaster finally played the one card he was certain that would have Harry up in his office doing whatever it was that he wanted. It was really too bad that the headmaster knew nothing on the fact that Harry had not responded to the pair that now sat in his office.

“Young Submissive Potter” the Headmaster said making all stop and listen as the old man stood by where Luna, Harry and Neville sat eating, with a watching Draco close by at the end of the Slytherin table.

“Headmaster” Harry said happy that the Headmaster at least knew enough to go through proper protocol when addressing him now, unlike with Ron and Hermione.

“You have some guests” the Headmaster was certain that Harry would jump at the chance to see his godfather and his parent's other best friend. Harry only nodded his head, he had known that this was coming he had just hoped that it would have been while Luna's father was visiting when he planned to do that weekend, which was another Hogsmeade weekend.

“We ought to not keep them waiting then” the Headmaster said knowing that finally he had been able to get Harry away from Luna and the meddling of the Lovegoods. If it wasn't for the seer blood and being a Coryphaeus Nine member he would have nothing to do with the truly odd family. It still amazed the Headmaster that his bloodline wasn't as pure as the Lovegoods, he had thought over time his family's name would rise to the top along with the Potters and Malfoys but sadly that had yet to occur and he was one of the few men in the wizarding world that held Lordship of the line even though he was the youngest in the family line. Harry looked to Luna for what to do, he didn't want to go with the headmaster by himself but he had no real way of saying that he wanted Luna to come without telling the Headmaster that she knew about the whole Sirius Black situation, which was still a dicey thing in the wizarding world. The Minister and the Order may know of the man's innocence's but that meant nothing to the rest of the wizarding population.

It was just as Luna was about to ask if Harry wanted her to come that Xenophilius Lovegood came strolling into the Hogwart's Great Hall with his long white hair streaming behind him.

“Luna, Harry” Xenophilius greeted the pair before eyeing the headmaster and realizing that he had come at just the right moment if the look of relief that was written on both of this children's faces were anything to go by.

“Xenophilius” the headmaster said clearly not happy that the Lovegood patriarch had shown up when he did.

“Dominate Dumbledore” Xenophilius responded, he knew what was going on at school and he also knew that the headmaster would try and pull any and all cards to make sure that his side of the war won. The headmaster could only respond in kind, he had hoped that this generation of Lovegoods would side with him but it looked as if he had to work for their power base something that was always tried by both sides of the war and Coryphaeus families. The Diggory family may be the swing vote most of the time but it was the Lovegoods that most wanted on their side for the seer blood that ran in the family.

“Lord Dominate Lovegood” the headmaster said not at all happy with the way things were going, just a few moments ago he had been certain that he would get Harry back under his thumb but now things look to have changed.

“Your guests” the Headmaster said directing his words towards Harry.

“Oh” Harry said looking to Xenophilius for help.

“I am in charge of Young Submissive Potter affairs now, who is it that wishes to seek out my charges time?”

“His godfather” the headmaster said thinking that he had won the agreement. He was livid at Xenophilius' words, but there was nothing he could do right now since they still stood in the Great Hall.

“Hmmm” Xenophilius said clearly not that impressed with the man that was supposed to be Harry's godfather.

“Young Submissive Potter” the headmaster said thinking that he could bypass Xenophilius with Harry's words.

“Young Submissive Potter will need an escort and I plan to be that” Xenophilius said making Harry sigh in happiness. He wouldn't be seeing his dogfather alone or with only the headmaster as company. He had known the minute they got him alone that they would be making him do things that he would never agree to if he had someone else there to run block for all the deeds that the pair and no doubt trio had planned for him. The headmaster could only agree it was either take it or leave it at this point in time.

“Luna get to class, I'll see you at dinner” Xenophilius told his daughter before watching as she spoke quietly to Harry and then kissed his forehead as she had done since he arrived to their house over the summer.

“Ready?” Xenophilius asked Harry, knowing that the Headmaster wouldn't ask and wouldn't care if Harry was ready or not. Harry nodded his head and began to follow the two older men to the Headmaster's office. Harry was unable to see the smug look on Ron's face or the truly worried look on Draco's over the events that had just happen.

“You lose” Ron said with a swagger in his step as he passed by Draco on his way to his first class after lunch which was Potions that day.

“So you think” Draco threw back before tripping Ron and making all laugh at him as he stood up and blushed a horrible red that clashed with his hair. Meanwhile the Headmaster attempted and failed to make small talk with the patriarch of the Lovegood family. He had been hoping to get some sort of indication on where the family stood in the war and so far all he could gather was that Xenophilius was here for Harry and his daughter during Collaring Parley.

“Pop Rocks” the headmaster said before making his way up to his office, he hoped that Sirius had enough common sense to stay in human format so that Xenophilius could take note that the man wasn't a threat, at least not a threat to Harry. The headmaster forgot that Xenophilius was not part of the Order and so didn't know that Sirius Black was in fact innocent and not out for Harry's blood like the Daily Prophet printed at least once a quarter for the past four years. As soon as Xenophilius made it through the door he had his wand trained on the man that was making a bee line to Harry.

“One more step and you will know if you can survive the killing curse” Xenophilius said his wand trained on the man that was being held back by his best friend, Remus Lupin.

“Whu…..” Sirius said looking to Harry, the headmaster and Xenophilius with his wand still trained on the man.

“Xenophilius please” the headmaster said trying to defuse the situation. He had totally forgotten that Xenophilius along with his daughter had steered clear of any Order happenings for quite some time.

“That is Sirius Black” Xenophilius stated as if that explained things and to most it would but this was totally different. It was at this time that Harry spoke up he knew he would be the only one to get Xenophilius to back down. He was after all looking out for one of his children, something that gave Harry a thrill each time he thought about it.

“Papa he is my godfather” Harry knew that Sirius and Remus would be livid at the name he called Xenophilius, but at this point in time he didn't care. Xenophilius was his Papa and that was what he was going to call him.

“Harry James Potter!!” Both men screamed before getting glared at by not only Harry but also Xenophilius.

“Papa he isn't out to get me….” Harry mumbled something that only Xenophilius could hear which had the man laughing. Xenophilius nodded his head before lowering his wand only to rise it when Sirius glared at him.

“I would be careful who you glare at” Xenophilius warned before waving his wand and making Sirius freeze in place.

“I am the one with a wand” all in the room heard as Sirius growled the only thing he could do since he was frozen in place.

“Temper, temper” Xenophilius said waving his wand again and ending the charm.

“I can see why people jumped to conclusions about you. You are just as hot headed as they paint you to be”

“Who the bloody hell are you and why is Harry calling you Papa?” Sirius barked out, sounding just like the dog that his aminagus form was.

” Xenophilius Lovegood” Luna's father introduced himself.

“And what Harry calls me is between the Lovegoods and Harry”

“You're that loon's father?” Sirius said before being slapped upside the head by Remus, he had seen how that comment had affected Harry.

“What”

“That's my sister…”

“That's my daughter…..”

“You are speaking about” Harry and Xenophilius said at the same time. Sirius looked to Remus for help but got nothing but a glare, he had really stepped in it this time.

“I'm sorry”

“No you aren't” Xenophilius said knowing that Sirius was only saying the words and not really meaning them. He had heard stories about Harry's father and Sirius Black and what he heard had him not wanting any child to be in the presence of the pair. Both were brash and thought little of others, he had heard enough to know that and for Harry to have this man who thought so little of others made him wonder if it was really such a good idea that Harry's parents were dead. He hated to think that but he had heard nothing but bad things about James Potter and Sirius Black, Lilly Potter nee Evans was almost a none entity, which had the patriarch of the Lovegoods wonder what was really going on.

“That is neither here nor there, now what do you want with my son”

“About that, what are you talking about? Harry is a Potter through and through”

“He may be but he is under the Lovegoods Coryphaeus Family Code”

“But he's a Potter”

“Which means he can choose and he has chosen…..”

“Harry” Sirius said looking at Harry as if he would be backed up by the teen.

“Papa is right” Harry confirmed for Sirius which had the smile he had on his face fall off and a look of confusion placed there instead. He had been certain that if given the chance that Harry would change his tune, seemed he over estimated a bit. He had known that staying away so long was a bad idea, but he had believed the Headmaster and his plan that Harry needed to stay with the Dursley's for one more year to make sure that he was well protected. It wasn't until after that he found out that the Headmaster had been lying to him for quite some time and that the Headmaster wanted Harry as malleable as possible and for that to happen they needed to remove his family and friends from his life. By that time it was too late and he still firmly believed that the Headmaster was working for the ‘greater good' of the wizarding world.

“Harry”

“No” Harry said already tired of the scene that Sirius was creating it was always like it with him, and for some reason he could see how selfish Sirius truly was.

“The Lovegoods are family and you need to respect that. If you can't then don't bother coming back” Harry said before turning around and making his way to the door. He wasn't going to stay with the three he couldn't stand any longer than he had to.

”Harry” Sirius said clearly confused on what had just happened.

“Excuse me” Xenophilius said before leaving the office to that of three shell shocked grown Gryffindors.

“What just happened?” Sirius was able to vocalize moments later when he noticed that Harry wasn't going to come back.

“I think….no” the headmaster said before shaking his head. He had no clue on what had gone on just moments before.

“I'm with the Headmaster on this one” Remus agreed with the Headmaster, he had never expected for Harry to put them in their places, so to speak. Then again he never figured that Harry would ever speak out against his godfather, but it seemed he had and wasn't afraid to do so.

“What happened over the summer?” Sirius asked, he was missing something and the only thing he could come up with is that something happened over the summer that he had missed.

“I have no idea” the headmaster lied, he knew that Harry had spent his summer with the Lovegood family but he couldn't figure out and Harry wouldn't tell him where. He also knew that where ever it was that they stayed, that not only did the Malfoy stay close by but also the Zabini's since he has seen their one and only child talking to Luna on occasion. It was at this point that the three sat down and tried to figure out a plan to get Harry back in order, a plan that would fail miserably in the coming months.

“Papa” Harry said stopping in the hallways with Xenophilius pulling up quickly.

“I know and it will be taken care of” Xenophilius said knowing what Harry wasn't saying. He had feared that the Headmaster would do any and everything possible to make sure that Harry was under his control, and it seemed that his daughters warning had not been in vain.

“What will you do?” Harry truly curious on what Xenophilius could do to make sure that the Headmaster stayed off his back and out of his affairs.

“I will have to put in a special request, something that not even the Headmaster can get around” Xenophilius said before he continued walking he had plenty to do and so little time. He knew that the Headmaster was probably up in his office trying to figure out a way to get control over Harry's affairs. It was just too bad that Xenophilius had made doubly sure that no one could become Harry's guardian without Harry's knowledge. Harry nodded his head in agreement while following Xenophilius to his next class.

“Harry stay close to Young Dominate Malfoy if you can” Xenophilius said hoping that things were still cozy between the two.

“Yes Papa” Harry said before Xenophilius knocked on the door and had Professor Snape swinging the door open.

“What do you want?” Severus Snape barked to the pair.

“Excuse my son for being late to class; he was detained by the Headmaster” Xenophilius explained to Snape.

“Right” Snape said giving Harry a look that was probably shock at hearing the words he had. In looking at the class it seemed that no one had heard the words, they were all too busy gossiping about Harry arriving with “loony Lovegood”'s father.

“Thank you sir” Harry said before making his way over to where Draco sat alone. He had barked at Pansy when she tried to take Harry's spot since the young man was up in the Headmaster's Office. Snape snorted at the words but knew that they were heartfelt none the less.

“Lunch time Harry” Xenophilius said before departing from the dungeons.

“You alright?” Draco asked once Harry was sitting next to him.

“Fine” Harry said before getting his things out and copying what was being written on the board down, with the chalk writing directions for a potion that they planned to make in the next few class sessions.

“Begin” Snape said after he was certain that everyone, even Harry had the directions copied down.

“I'll get the ingredients” Draco offered before getting up and going over to the Potions Ingredients Supply Closet.

“Malfoy” Ron whispered since he had been the chosen one to get the ingredients for his team mate. Draco on the other hand paid Ron no mind, he had Harry waiting for him and he wasn't going to get into a fight with Ron over something stupid.

“You heard me ferret face” Ron threw at Draco before he was pushed from behind by Pansy Parkinson. Draco just snorted before making his way out of the closet and to where Harry sat with a cauldron on a fire.

“Ready” Draco said while putting the ingredients down and then watching as Harry sorted them out by stages of the potion. An hour later had the class putting a statist charm on their potions and moving them out of the way of others that would come and go from the class. For the rest of the day Harry got the oddest looks because of the Lovegood patriarch showing up and taking an interest in Harry's affairs.

“Harry” Ginny said swaying her hips as she made her way over to where Harry, Luna and Neville sat at their table at the end of the Gryffindor table. Luna rolled her eyes; she had thought that the Weasley's would know better than to break Collaring Parley protocol.

“Submissive Weasley” Neville said showing respect even though she was not showing any to Harry.

“Young Dominate Longbottom” Ginny said a frown on her face, she had been certain that if she worked her womanly ways that Harry would be begging anyone to allow him to collar her, seems she over estimated herself on their responses to her.

“Young Submissive Weasley” Harry and Luna greeted Ginny since it was obvious that she wasn't going anywhere without speaking to Harry.

“Harry can I talk to you for a minute…..alone” Ginny said remembering what her mother had said about how her brother was interested in Harry for collaring. She had thought that her brother would marry Hermione, but she had seen firsthand what her mother truly thought about the muggleborn and that was a very strong dislike.

“I'm eating lunch” Harry said making a point to look at his plate that was piled with food. It seemed that not only had Luna taken over feeding him but so had Draco and Neville.

“Afterwards then” Ginny huffed; she hated playing the messenger for he too weak brother.

“Fine” Harry agreed before going back to eating what he could on the plate. It was after lunch was finished and they were getting ready to leave the Great Hall that Ginny made her way over to where Luna, Neville, Harry and Draco stood talking over the events of the day.

“Young Dominates Longbottom and Malfoy” Ginny said hoping that she would catch the eye of one of them, since her dreams of being Mrs. Harry Potter had been dashed.

“Young Submissive Weasley” both responded in kind before Harry was being dragged off to a small corner so that she could say her piece and be done with it.

“What do you want, Young Submissive Weasley” Harry said knowing that either the Headmaster or the Weasley Matriarch had put her up to whatever it was that she was up to.

“I just wanted to pass along some information”

“What” Harry said now knowing that Ginny was up to something, what he didn't know but he figured he would find out soon.

“Ron is too afraid to say anything but he fancies you” Harry stared at her in shock. He never in a million years thought that Ron was gay, no he had been certain since they were first years that Ron would marry Hermione and they would have tons and tons of children, as per the Weasley way.

“He's been trying for awhile to ask you out but you have been with Young Dominate Malfoy so much that he hasn't had the chance”

“Uh” Harry said clearly at a loss, it was almost as if Ginny was trying to give him advice on how to run his Collaring Parley.

“I think you should play the field a bit more, Young Dominate Malfoy is probably great but how do you know if he is the right one for you when he is all you know?”

“Young Submissive Weasley” Draco said cutting into the conversation. He had seen the change in Harry's face when Ginny began to talk to him and he was not going to allow that chit to ruin any chances he had with Harry.

“Young Dominate Malfoy” Ginny said clearly surprised that Draco was there and looking not at all happy about something and that was something that Ginny knew could be dangerous.

“Submissive Potter” Draco said putting out an arm and giving Harry a look that told him to obey. Harry nodded his head and took Draco's arm and then was escorted over to where his sister stood looking all sorts of crazy.

“Grrr” Ginny said stomping her foot before turning away and making her way to her room to get grab the next set of books she would need for the rest of the day. She had been hoping that with the new information on Ron's feeling about Harry, she would be able to gain Draco's favor and finally merge two major players of the Coryphaeus Nine members. Harry on the other hand couldn't thank Draco enough from saving him for Ginny's clutches.

“She said that Young Dominate Weasley fancies me” Harry told his sister as he walked back to his room. Draco had dropped him off with a kiss to his hand and a promise to meet him for dinner that night.

“There you are” Xenophilius said as he waited outside of his son's door. He had to ask Professor McGonagall about the where abouts of Harry's rooms since he was certain that someone followed through on his request and gave Harry a room alone away from the male population of not only Gryffindor but also the school.

“Papa”

“Daddy” both Luna and Harry called out before Harry said the password and all three were entering Harry's chambers.

“The Headmaster is causing a right mess for Collaring Parley this season” Xenophilius said after he had returned from the Ministry of Magic and making sure that there was no possible way for the Headmaster or Harry's godfather that could take over control of Harry's affairs until he turned twenty-one. Majority for a Maiden's Marked male.

“Is everything okay?”

“Perfectly fine, I just hope that someone invokes Parley soon” Xenophilius said knowing that both his son and daughter thought the same thing. He had found that his daughter spoke more and more about Young Dominate Longbottom than she did of Young Dominate Zabini, which had him wondering if Longbottom taking an interest in his daughter wasn't set up by the Headmaster.

“Me too” Harry agreed he had been certain that Draco would ask to invoke Collaring Parley with him soon enough, but that had been months ago. Now here it was almost time for Yule holiday and they were still only friends, Harry couldn't understand why nothing had happened yet.

“Fear not little brother” Luna said her eyes giving her away that she knew something. A smile later and Luna was dashing out of the room to her afternoon classes.

“She knows something” Harry stated to Xenophilius, he knew that the older man would know what he was talking about.

“She always does” Xenophilius agreed with Harry before he outlined some of the trouble that the Headmaster had been making while Harry was at Hogwarts.

 

TBC.....

 

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