Chapter Text
The first rule at the Dursleys’ was “Don’t ask questions.” Harry had this rule drilled into him from a young age, so by the time he received his Hogwarts letter, it was second nature for him. That’s not to say that he never asked questions. He still did sometimes — just not as many as he perhaps should have. More often, if he was curious or confused about something, he stayed quiet, made his own observations, and came to his own conclusions. Harry was a bright young lad, and this method served him well. Most of the time. But every now and then, the conclusions Harry came up with were utterly and completely… wrong.
***
Harry stepped nervously into Madam Malkin’s robes shop. He’d never been shopping by himself before, and he wished Hagrid had at least stayed to speak to the shopkeeper for him.
“Hogwarts, dear?” a voice called.
Harry looked past the lines of robes on display to see a woman standing with her wand out in front of a girl who looked about his age. The girl was standing on a wide stool in front of a mirror, her arms held out away from her sides. As the woman flicked her wand, the hem of the girl’s black robe folded back so she wouldn’t trip on it. Several dozen pins came flying out of a box on a shelf, and they swarmed around the girl’s feet, securing her hem in place.
“Have a seat, dear,” the woman (presumably Madam Malkin) said, gesturing to a nearby chair. “I’ll be with you in a moment.”
Harry sat down. He was facing the girl, whose eyes slid languidly over his face.
“Will you be a first year, then?” the girl asked. Her white blond hair hung sleek and straight down to her shoulders.
“Yes,” Harry said.
“Know what House you’ll be in?” The girl’s voice was a bit bored and extremely posh. And on top of that, Harry was quickly realizing that she was very pretty. He felt more than a little intimidated speaking to her.
“Er, no,” he said.
“Of course, no one really knows until they get there, do they,” the girl continued. She seemed content enough to speak without much input from Harry, for which Harry was very grateful.
“But I know I’ll be in Slytherin,” the girl said. “Everyone in my family has been.” A measuring tape zoomed out, stretching a line down one of the girl’s arms.
“I don’t actually know what the Houses are,” Harry ventured. The girl gave him a once-over and Harry felt his cheeks heating up.
“Are your parents Muggles, then?” the girl said dismissively.
“Ah, no, they were a witch and a wizard,” Harry said. “But I live with my aunt and uncle, and they’re Muggles.”
“Oh, you poor thing,” the girl said. “How dreadful for you. However do you manage?”
“It is pretty bad,” Harry admitted. It wasn’t something he usually talked about. Whenever he complained about his relatives to Muggles, they would tell him he should be grateful that his aunt and uncle had been there to take him in. They never seemed to understand. But somehow, this girl understood. She understood right away, and it made Harry feel suddenly eager to confide in her.
“Are they very horrible to you?” the girl asked sympathetically.
“Yes,” Harry said. “They shout at me a lot, and they make me do chores. And they never make my cousin do chores. And they don’t care if my cousin hits me.”
“The savages,” the girl said, shaking her head. “Good thing you’re starting at Hogwarts soon. You’ll be safe from them for the whole school year.”
“Yes,” Harry agreed, his heart warming at the thought.
“That’s you done, dear,” Madam Malkin said, taking the black robes off the girl’s shoulders. She was wearing a blue dress underneath with silver embroidery down the front. The fabric looked airy and light for the summer, and the dress fit her very well.
The girl stepped off the stool and held her hand out to Harry.
“I’m Draco Malfoy, by the way,” she said.
Draco? That seemed like an odd name for a girl, but Harry didn’t know much about wizarding names. They were clearly different from Muggle names.
“I’m Harry Potter,” Harry said, taking the girl’s slender hand.
“Are you really?”
“Up here, dear,” Madam Malkin said, ushering Harry up onto the stool. Draco watched Harry with increased interest as the tape measure zoomed around him.
“That’s right,” Draco said, more to herself than to Harry. “I read that Harry Potter was sent to live with his Muggle relatives.”
“You read about me?” Harry said, surprised.
“Of course,” Draco said. “It’s brilliant that we’re the same age! We’re going to start Hogwarts together! Aren’t you excited?”
“Let’s try these on for size,” Madam Malkin said, pulling black robes over Harry’s arms and fastening them down the front.
“Yes, only…” Harry hesitated, and then made the decision to confess. “I don’t think I’ll fit in, really. I don’t know anything about magic. I found out I was a wizard last night, and —”
“What?” Draco looked flabbergasted. “You didn’t know you were a wizard?”
“My aunt and uncle hate magic,” Harry said. “They didn’t want me to know.”
Draco scowled, her face darkening.
“Muggles,” she said scathingly. “They should never have made you live with Muggles. What a stupid idea.”
She tossed her hair, and then her face brightened with a new thought.
“You stick with me, Potter. I’ll tell you everything you need to know. And any time you’re confused, you can let me know, and I’ll explain things to you.”
“Okay,” Harry said, feeling immensely comforted.
“I say, who in Merlin’s name is that?” Draco said suddenly. Her attention had been caught by Hagrid, who was outside the window waving at them.
“That’s Hagrid,” Harry said. “He’s the gamekeeper at Hogwarts. He’s taking me shopping.”
“I’ve heard about him,” Draco said. She looked like she was going to say something else, but she stopped herself, and all she said was, “I’m glad it’s not the Muggles taking you shopping.”
“They would never come here,” Harry said.
“Good,” Draco said. “This place is for our people. They don’t belong here.”
“Do you think I belong here?” Harry couldn’t help asking. He had never felt like he belonged anywhere.
“Of course you belong here,” Draco said firmly. “Doesn’t matter that you don’t know anything. You’ll learn. You’re a wizard, and you belong here with us.”
“Oh,” Harry said. He felt a bit overwhelmed, and he didn’t trust himself to say anything else. Draco was the best person he had ever met.
Draco stayed for the rest of Harry’s fitting, and they left the robe shop together.
“Alright there, Harry?” said Hagrid, who was outside waiting for him.
“Yes,” Harry said. “Hagrid, this is Draco.”
“Ah, met another Hogwarts student, have you?” Hagrid said genially, but just then, Harry was distracted by the approach of a woman in a long, flowing grey dress.
“All finished, Draco?” the woman said, walking up to them. She was very tall for a woman, and Harry was sure she had to be Draco’s mother. He could see where Draco had gotten her good looks. Her mother had the same fine features and the same white blond hair, although hers was longer and was pulled back in a ponytail.
“Look, I found Harry Potter!” Draco told the woman, putting a hand on Harry’s shoulder. (A thrill went through Harry’s entire body at the contact.)
“Is that so?” the woman said, eyeing Harry with interest. Her voice was a bit deep for a woman, rich and mellow. Harry thought it suited her.
“Malfoy,” Hagrid said. Harry was surprised to see that he looked unhappy.
“Hagrid,” the woman said curtly. She turned back to Harry and she seemed about to say something else, but just then another blond woman came up to them. She was tall as well, though not as tall as the first woman, and her hair was a more golden blond.
“Lucy?” the second woman said. “Are you and Draco ready to go?”
“Mother, look,” Draco said, taking hold of her wrist. “It’s Harry Potter!”
The three blondes all looked at him while Harry blinked. Wait, the second woman was Draco’s mother? Then who…?
“Mr. Potter,” the first woman said, holding out her hand. “We’re honored to make your acquaintance. My name is Lucius Malfoy, and this is my wife, Narcissa.”
Harry shook Lucy’s hand, his mind whirring. So… Draco had two mothers! He’d heard about lesbians, but he’d never met any before. The people in Little Whinging didn’t approve of them. But perhaps the wizarding world was more accepting of lesbians? Or perhaps not, judging by the look on Hagrid’s face.
Harry tried to hide his own surprise. He schooled his face into what he hoped was a friendly, non-judgmental expression. He didn’t want to embarrass Draco.
“It’s nice to meet you,” Harry said.
“Can Harry come with us for the rest of our shopping? Pleeease?” Draco had her hand on Narcissa’s sleeve now. She bounced up and down, drawing out the last word in a wheedling tone.
“We’ve set aside the whole day for Hogwarts shopping,” Lucy said to Hagrid. “We’d be happy to join you for the children’s sake, if you’re willing.”
Lucy must be Draco’s biological mother, Harry thought. They looked so much alike. It would probably be rude to ask, though.
“I, uh. Sorry, Malfoy, but we really have ter be going,” Hagrid said, to Harry’s disappointment.
“What about just the wand shop?” Draco bargained. “Have you got your wand yet, Harry?”
“Draco,” Lucy said reprovingly. “Mr. Hagrid said no. You’ll see Harry soon enough at Hogwarts.”
Hagrid grimaced at that. Draco, however, swallowed her disappointment and turned to Harry.
“September 1st, then,” she said. “I’ll see you soon.”
“Right,” Harry said, and he reluctantly left Draco behind, following Hagrid down Diagon Alley.
“There’s somethin’ yeh ought ter know, Harry,” Hagrid said when they were out of earshot of the Malfoys. “When it comes to wizards, there’re good ‘uns and there’re bad ‘uns. And the Malfoys… well, they’re as bad as they come.”
“I thought they were nice,” Harry said quietly. He’d expected something like this, after the way Hagrid had been looking at Draco’s lesbian mothers.
“Yeah, well, manners can be deceivin’,” Hagrid said. “I jus’ don’ want ter see yeh gettin’ mixed up with the wrong sort before yeh even start Hogwarts. The Malfoys supported You-Know-Who, yeh see.”
At this point, Harry strongly suspected that Hagrid was just making up slander to justify his dislike of the lesbian couple.
***
Harry was sitting on the Hogwarts Express with Ron, a boy he had just met, when the door to their compartment slid open.
“There you are, Harry, I’ve been looking all over for you!” It was Draco, her white blonde hair just as sleek and shiny as Harry remembered. There were two boys standing behind her, both of them taller and larger than she was.
“Hi Draco,” Harry said. “This is Ron.”
“Hi Ron,” Draco said. “This is Vince and Greg.” She gestured carelessly to the hulking boys behind her.
“Want something to eat?” Harry asked, gesturing to the piles of cakes and sweets surrounding him and Ron.
“Harry bought out the trolley,” Ron said proudly.
“Wicked!” Draco said. She scooped up several cauldron cakes to clear a space so she could sit next to Harry. Vince and Greg squeezed into the compartment as well, digging cheerfully into Harry’s purchases.
Harry was a little taken aback by Draco’s choice of friends. He’d expected her friends to be more… female. Maybe Draco was a tomboy? She didn’t look like a tomboy. She was wearing another very pretty dress, this one dark green with a pleated skirt. The green contrasted nicely with her sleek blond hair that brushed against her shoulders every time she moved her head.
Draco and her friends stayed in Harry’s compartment until they were nearly at Hogwarts. Then they had to leave to change into their school uniforms, since they had left their trunks somewhere else on the train.
“So, you’re friends with Draco Malfoy, huh?” Ron asked when Draco and her friends had left. He sounded a bit unsure.
“Yeah,” Harry said. “At least, Draco came looking for me, so I think so?”
“I don’t know them well, but I’ve seen the Malfoys around now and then,” Ron said. “I don’t think my dad likes them very much.”
Harry felt a bit disappointed in Ron’s dad (who he had never met), but not surprised. It seemed that wizarding attitudes towards lesbians were not that different from Muggle attitudes.
“But he seems okay,” Ron hastened to assure Harry. “A bit stuck up, but not bad, overall.”
“Who?” Harry said.
“What?” Ron said.
“Sorry… what were you saying?” Harry asked, confused.
“Oh, uh. I was just saying Draco seems alright.”
“Yeah, Draco’s cool,” Harry agreed. He kind of liked the way she walked about with her nose in the air as if she owned the place. He found her confidence very attractive.
***
“Potter, Harry!”
Harry walked up to Professor McGonagall, trying not to listen to the buzz of excited whispers that had arisen at the announcement of his name. Turning around to face the crowd, he sat down on the stool. Behind him, Professor McGonagall dropped the Sorting Hat onto his head.
Slytherin, Harry thought. Please say Slytherin. Draco had already been sorted, and, as she’d expected, she’d gone to Slytherin.
That’s an awfully big crush you’ve got there, the Sorting Hat said, somehow speaking directly to Harry’s mind.
Slytherin, Harry thought. Please be Slytherin.
It’s really not a good idea to be in the same House as your crush from such a young age, the Sorting Hat said. You’d live in the same dorms, have all your classes together… It’s too much. A little space is healthy for a developing relationship.
But — Harry protested.
“GRYFFINDOR!!!” the Hat shouted out loud.
“Bollocks!” Harry said, but no one heard him over the cheers from the Gryffindor table.
***
Classes at Hogwarts were intimidating, but also exciting. On the whole, Harry enjoyed all his classes — except for Potions.
“Snape hates me,” Harry groused to Draco as they left the Potions classroom together (Potions was the only class that Slytherin and Gryffindor first years had together, much to Harry’s dismay).
“He doesn’t hate you,” Draco said. “He’s just old school, that’s all.”
“Old school,” Harry repeated. “What does that mean?”
“Most of the teachers these days are pretty soft, but they used to all be like Snape. My parents told me,” Draco explained. “Snape uses the Socratic method. That means he teaches by asking questions. And he expects us to have done the reading beforehand so we know how to answer the questions.”
“You could have warned me,” Harry complained. “I didn’t know I was supposed to read before the first day of class. That first day of Potions was awful…”
Draco laughed, and Harry couldn’t even be annoyed with her because he loved the way her face lit up when she laughed, her grey eyes sparkling and lively.
“Sorry, but it’s really nothing to be embarrassed about,” Draco said. “It’s part of the old school thing. The teacher mocks the students who aren’t prepared. It’s practically a rite of passage.”
“Being old school just sounds like being a git,” Harry grumbled. Draco just laughed again.
Harry was pretty sure that Draco was wrong and that Snape actually did hate him. But that wasn’t the only thing that had been bothering him about Snape.
Their first Potions class, Harry had thought he heard Snape call Draco “Mr. Malfoy.” He immediately thought he’d misheard. Or he thought maybe Snape had misspoke. But in subsequent classes, he’d heard it again: “Excellent work, Mr. Malfoy.” “Correct again, Mr. Malfoy.”
Harry hadn’t said anything about it at first because he didn’t want to embarrass Draco over Snape getting her gender wrong. But no one else seemed to notice, and Draco herself didn’t seem bothered by it. Harry was beginning to doubt himself, and he finally decided to ask about it.
“Draco, why does Snape keep calling you Mr. Malfoy?
Draco looked confused.
“What else would he call me? Don’t Muggles use titles too?”
“Well, yes, but… not quite in the same way. So… Snape is calling you the right thing, by wizarding standards?”
Harry had wondered if wizards addressed everyone as “mister” regardless of gender. But the professors clearly addressed other girls as “miss.” His next guess was that Draco was addressed as “mister” because of her family’s status in the wizarding world. He knew the Malfoys were very rich, so maybe that had something to do with it?
“Yes, Snape is calling me the right thing,” Draco said, bemused.
“But why are you called that?” Harry asked.
“I don’t know… That’s just how we do it here,” Draco said.
Draco did try to explain things when Harry asked. She was good at explaining things like Quidditch and Every Flavour Beans. But she didn’t know very much about Muggles, and so she lacked a frame of reference sometimes to understand what exactly it was that Harry was asking.
The wizarding world was just complicated, Harry thought. He might never understand all the intricacies of it, since he’d been raised Muggle.
***
Aside from some good-natured teasing, Draco was fairly nice to Harry. Also, every time Harry saw Draco, he found himself getting dazzled by her good looks. With those two facts combined, it took Harry perhaps longer than it should have to realize that Draco had a mean girl streak. She made clever remarks at the expense of the less popular students, and she did unflattering impressions of their professors.
She was unfortunately very charming and funny when she did these things. However, Harry determined that he could not continue to turn a blind eye to such behavior. So when Neville fell off his broom at their first flying lesson and had to go to the hospital wing, and Draco laughed about it and stole his Remembrall, Harry seized the opportunity to make a stand.
“Give it back, Draco,” Harry said sternly, holding his hand out for the Remembrall.
“Come and get it yourself,” Draco said, and she jumped onto her broom and sprang into the air. She looked back at Harry as she flew, and she threw him a flirty, mischievous smile.
It was all over for Harry at that point. He would follow Draco anywhere if she looked at him like that. So he grabbed a broom and kicked off into the air after her.
Draco was torn between pride and jealousy when Harry got a position on the Gryffindor Quidditch team after that incident. She argued to Professor Snape that she should get to be on the Slytherin team since Harry only got on the Gryffindor team because of her. She reported to Harry afterwards, in a peeved off tone, that Snape had told her she had to wait until second year to try out, as Slytherin already had a full team.
***
Harry’s first year at Hogwarts was exciting and magical, and full of trolls, dragons, and three-headed dogs. The typical experience for an eleven-year-old in the wizarding world, Harry could only assume.
Near the end of the school year, Draco accosted Harry and Ron on their way to lunch.
“Ron, we have to save Harry from the Muggles this summer,” Draco said.
“Uh, ok?” Ron said.
“I’ve asked my parents if Harry could stay the whole summer with us, but I don’t think they get it. They keep telling me that Harry’s Muggles won’t want him gone for the whole summer, and that he can come stay with us for part of the summer. So here’s where you come in, Ron,” Draco said.
“Ok,” Ron said again. He was mostly a very agreeable person, and Harry liked that about him.
“If Harry stays part of the summer with me, and part of the summer with you, then he can spend as little time as possible with the wretched Muggles,” Draco explained.
“Sounds good,” Ron said. “I’ll ask my mum.”
“Will your family require financial assistance to feed and house Harry over the summer? I can offer you a portion of my allowance. I’m sure it will be more than adequate,” Draco said.
“Oi, bugger off, mate,” Ron said, making a face.