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Chapter Text

"Julie?" Ernest called, poking his head into his wife's office where she was making notes about the last patient she had been working on. "I have one more patient and then I think we're good to go home. You willing to wait for me?"

"I think I ought to get home to Hermione," Julie said as she finished writing the last few words in her note. "And I've been meaning to speak with the nanny recently. I don't know if you noticed, but she has been doing a lot of extra things around the house and I want to work out if she is fishing for a raise."

Ernest nodded. "I wouldn't mind. She's a good worker, that Nancy."

"I agree, but I wish she would just say she wanted one," Julie said, grabbing her bag and standing up, pecking Ernest on the cheek before she made her way out the door. 

Ernest shook his head and went to tend to his last patient. 

The man sat in the waiting room, his grandchild playing with the toys quietly in the corner. Ernest noted how tired the child looked, and how worn his clothes were. He'd try and get Mr. Parker through quick so he could get the boy home. 

Mr. Parker's appointment went quickly, and soon he was headed out to the front desk, leaving Ernest to his work as he finished with his notes and helped his assistant a little with the cleaning up so she could get going sooner. 

Since Julie had left already, he decided to take a moment to do some extra paperwork, double checking payroll and being sure that everything was in order. 

Despite the tedium of having to run your own clinic, Ernest had enjoyed it a lot more than when he had worked for a clinic run by the NHS. The money was a bit better, and he enjoyed feeling like had more control over his life. Ernest would be the first one to admit like liked being in charge. At least, whenever his wife didn't feel like she had to be. Really, this business would likely all fall apart without her. 

Ernest worked in silence, concentrating on the papers laid out in front of him and doing the math to be sure everything was alright when a sound from the waiting room nearly made him jump out of his skin. 

The sound of falling wooden blocks made his stomach sink to his shoes, and he slowly stood up, creeping toward the waiting room. 

Maybe someone had come in and were just waiting to speak with him? But the receptionist should have locked the door when she left and he was certain she had left. Ms. Sprocket didn't let anything get in between her and her train home at the end of the day.

He poked his head into the waiting room, heart pounding with fear. If they were being robbed, he would have to tread carefully, He was already imagining opening up the small safe of money waiting to go to the bank so he could make it home safely to his lovely 3 year old daughter and his fantastic wife. 

He wished he had left after his last patient. He wouldn't mind being robbed so much as long as he wasn't here to be in danger for it. 

There was no robber in the waiting room. Just that child from earlier.

The kid was young and a little bit frail, now that Ernest was looking at him a little closer. He looked to be about Hermione's age, maybe, and he sniffled and rubbed his nose, pushing his dark hair back to reveal the angry scar on his little forehead. 

Ernest felt a mixture of relief and renewed panic. He was free from the danger he had thought himself in, but now he had a child who had been left behind to deal with. 

"Hello," Ernest said, and the child looked up and around. He looked like he was only now realizing it was just the two of them in the building and looked very nervous about Ernest as he approached. 

"Did Mr. Parker accidentally leave without you?" Ernest asked gently, but that didn't feel right. Mr. Parker was a rather racist man, but not to the point that he might abandon a half Indian child behind in the clinic. Especially not when Ernest his his phone number. 

Besides. Ernest would have gotten an earful of complaining about having to babysit the child, and Mr. Parker had been rather complacent at his appointment. Content, even.

The child sniffled and looked down at his hands. Small, dirty hands. His wrist was bruised. 

"Did you come here with someone?" Ernest asked. 

The child shook his head, sniffling harder. "Don't want me....."

"Your... parents?"

"Aunt," the child said miserably, rubbing his wrist with that awkward coordination all 3 year olds seemed to have, "I'm hungry."

With that, the child broke into a soft wailing cry, and he slapped his hands over his mouth like he was trying to quiet himself. 

Ernest's awkwardness faded away in an instant and he reached forward to pick up the child and hold him against his chest. He rubbed the child's back and said, "You're alright, it's alright. We'll figure this out."

The child sobbed quietly, wrapping his arms so tentatively around Ernest's neck it nearly broke his fatherly heart. 

"I'm going to call the police and we'll see if we can sort this out," Ernest said, striding over to the reception desk to pick up the phone, "What's your name?"

"Freak."

"Surely not!"

"Boy?" the child tried, confused. 

"I don't think.... do you know your Aunt's name?"

"Tuna."

That wasn't going to be a lead, then. Maybe the police would be able to help a bit more. 

But when the police arrived, the child cried like he expected to be thrown in a car and killed. He refused to let go of Ernest, hurting both Ernest and himself in the process of trying to get him to let go, and eventually Ernest couldn't stomach his crying and promised to go with the child. 

Julie had not been pleased when he had called from a precinct, rocking the unhappy child who refused to sleep for fear of being taken away from Ernest.

"And why, pray tell, are you at the station?" she asked, Hermione happily babbling about dinner in the background.

"Did you see the half Indian child in the waiting room when you left? He didn't belong to any of the patients we had today, The police called them all, and Mrs. Loven said she saw him wander in by himself and start playing with the blocks but assumed he belonged to one of our staff members and thought herself kind enough not to raise a fuss."

"I did see him!" Julie said in shock. "Why didn't you just hand him to the police?"

"He won't let go of me! And, well, Julie I think he's been hurt and abandoned. He thought his name was Freak."

A small distressed noise escaped Julie at the very thought. 

"And he was so scared of being taken away from me, and you know how I get with children..... I almost wonder...."

The silence stretched between the two of them, Hermione had been a very difficult pregnancy, and while she turned out very healthy indeed, Julie almost hadn't survived the birth. The thought of it was still a blow to Ernest. That he might have lost his wonderful, capable wife.... it wasn't worth dwelling on. They had wanted two children, but they were not going to risk her health to try and make it happen. 

"Well.... we have been preparing to adopt," Julie said softly. 

"See if my mother can keep Hermione for the night and get here as soon as you can," Ernest said eagerly. 

After working out a couple more details, they hung up and Ernest located the social worker talking with the cops about the details of the situation. 

"Can my wife and I keep an eye on him while you investigate?" Ernest asked. "He's obviously scared out of his wits and-" Ernest lowered his voice- "I've heard about the foster homes and the schools for orphans."

The social worked pursed her lips, looking between him and the cops. 

"Let me make some calls."

.......................................

The child didn't get to come home with Ernest and Julie, and Ernest had to take the next three days off of work to stay with the child at the police station, sleeping on a small cot and holding him and trying to coax out any details he knew. 

He said his aunt was named Tuna, that she hated him, and that he was pretty sure his name was Freak. 

The social worker and Ernest found more bruises and scrapes on the boy's body, and the doctor who came for a check up on him said he was about three years old, badly malnourished, and that he was not in the records he had access to. In fact, he might not even be from Hampstead.

Someone had reported a boy who had gotten onto a bus alone with a ticket and a note to take him to Hampstead, and the boy confirmed that he had ridden in a bus and it had been very scary because he didn't know where he was going. 

The boy was surprisingly capable, and already potty trained, but that regressed the longer and longer they were in the police station. Ernest did not mind. He had not shied away from taking care of Hermione whenever he was home from work to give his wife and mother a proper break and he certainly was not going to turn his nose up at changing one more set of diapers.

Julie visited often after work, bringing supplies and talking with the boy so Ernest could go home and shower and grab fresh clothes before coming back to the police station. 

The boy took to her easily, and loved the blanket she brought for him and every cardboard children's book. He was not a picky eater, and while he was very shy around strangers, he clung to Ernest and Julie like his life depended on it. 

Maybe it did. 

Thankfully, the social worker pushed some things through and they used the money they had been saving for an adoption to grease the wheels a little here and there to make sure everything was settled quickly. It helped that social services were not interested in supporting another child, especially one who was not fully white (something that angered both Ernest and Julie despite how it helped their case in more ways that one.)

Soon, papers and permissions were signed with a clause that the child could be claimed by his guardians should they be found, but Ernest knew somewhere deep inside that they never would be.

Ernest and Julie came back from the meeting room, smiling at the boy they had gotten to name only moments before. 

"We can go home now," Ernest said brightly, crouching and holding his arms open for the child. 

The child gasped and ran for a hug. 

"Home? Your home?"

"Our home," Julie said, getting a hug next. "And you'll have a sister!"

"We've told you about Hermione and Hermione knows all about you," Ernest said. "She's going to be your big sister."

The child gasped again, eyes shining. "No more Tuna?"

"Absolutely not," Julie said sharply, which scared the child a little. He was extremely sensitive to tone, and he hid his face in Ernest's shirt quickly as though afraid of a blow. 

"Oh, I'm sorry sweetheart," Julie said soothingly. "Come here please."

The boy did carefully and she folded him into a hug. "I'm sorry, I wasn't mad at you. I love you and I am just sad you were hurt."

"But there's no need to worry anymore. We're your parents now," Ernest said. 

The boy turned his green eyes to Ernest. They were so striking in his face, and looked all too serious accented with that nasty looking scar. "My parents?"

"Yes. I'll be your dad and Julie here will by you mum."

"Mum," he murmured, stroking the lapel of her jacket. 

"And since you don't know your name, we got to name you," Julie said so kindly. 

The boy's eyes went wide. "No more Freak?"

"No. You are Ajax Granger," she said, lifting him up onto her hip as Ernest started to pick up Ajax's things. "How does that sound?"

Ajax's squeal of approval sealed the deal, and the three of them left the police station and went home. 

Chapter Text

Albus Dumbledore was a very busy man. He had been cleaning up absolutely everything after a war that ripped the European Magus community apart. 

He had been busy settling reformed Death Eaters in safe places, making deals for the Ministry of Magic, helping with the all too fast trials passing through, putting pressure on communities from other countries about why they didn't come to help, and all the while hyper aware that Tom Riddle wasn't truly gone and trying to strike that sweet spot between keeping people aware without making them panic. 

Things were not going well for Albus Dumbledore. What he didn't expect to be one of his biggest challenges was his new potions master. Severus was not sure of himself around the children, and lashed out often in pain, grief, and fear. He begged to be put somewhere else, to be given a different job, and Albus was forced to remind him over and over again that this was the best and safest place for him, no matter what the Malfoys were offering him. 

It was a nightmare. Albus felt like he was trying to herd a terrified bat while he left his broom and wand in his room. 

"Anywhere, Albus!" Severus said desperately. "I'll even run a tiny potions shop and won't publish any of my research! Anywhere but here!"

"Severus," Albus said sharply. "Now is not the time to become a recluse and you know it."

"Then let me help the werewolf packs, if you want me to be around people and suffering," Severus said. "I just can't-"

"SEVERUS!"

Severus fell silent, his jaw clenched and his shoulders trembling like he expected a blow. 

Albus sighed softly and shook his head. "You will do more good here. I have no other good candidates for the potions position and I know that you can bring potions incidents down nearly to zero if you put your mind to it. You need to be experienced in teaching when Harry gets here and you will need to be ready to act accordingly. Your work is not done."

"Act accordingly? Am I to be a mentor to the child?" Severus asked. He looked slightly disgusted at the thought, while at the same time wanting it very badly. James and Lily acted very strongly as opposing forces in the young man's mind. 

"You will not be a mentor. He will need to face a lot of fear in his life, so I will need you to get him used to acting through his fear."

"You mean for him to be a Gryffindor, then? And for me to, what? Terrorize him in his daily life so the Dark Lord won't seem as bad?" Severus asked dryly, though Albus could see that his tone was only barely disguising his outrage. "What a brilliant plan, yes. Make him think that some adults in his life cannot be trusted."

"Some of them can't, and he needs to be wary of that," Albus argued. 

"At the cost of my happiness? Albus, I know I have not been a good man, but I was young and stupid, and I deserve to know something past all of this!"

"You've been talking to Minerva again," Albus said with a sigh, rubbing his face. 

"Yes, I have, and she has been much more of a help than you!"

Silence fell between them as Albus fought for something to say. He needed Severus to stay. He needed Severus as a tool for forging Harry into the hero he is meant to be. Into the sacrifice he might have to be, if Albus guessed right. It was cruel. It was horrible, and it was against Albus's nature to want to harm a child in this way, but it needed to happen. The magus world was more important than one little boy. 

"I will stay," Severus said thoughtfully. "I.... I think I have said some things I might need to consider. And you're right that I could be helpful here."

Albus got the sinking feeling that Severus was planning on fighting all of Albus's plans from within. He would refuse to do anything he thought was not in the boy's interests, and it was going to make the Headmaster's life a lot harder. He thought, for a moment, of explaining his plan to Severus. To explain what he suspected, but the moment passed and Albus was too afraid to say anything as Severus swept out of the room. 

..................................

Severus put more effort into his lessons. Everyone noticed the change as he applied himself. He was seen reading books about how to care for children and how to handle trouble makers and those that were hurting inside. He wore pops of color in his robes, mostly in green though sometimes in blue. Occasionally, a brooch would pop up on his robes. Brooches that had once belonged to his mother. 

He wore his hair tied back to keep it clean of potion fumes while he worked, and he sometimes smiled when his colleagues made jokes. 

Minerva watched him proudly, leaving him with reading suggestions and gifting him a couple more brooches and colored scarves for the winter or just for the especially chilly days in the dungeon. 

Minerva did her best to keep Albus out of Severus's business, and she watched her former pupil improve. 

Potions incidents did drop as he became a strict, but fair, teacher. In his fourth year of teaching at Hogwarts, he approached Minerva looking deeply nervous. 

"Hello, Severus," she said soothingly, ushering him in and offering him a biscuit and getting some tea going. "Are you alright?"

"I just.... I've been thinking about changing my last name," he said softly. 

Minerva knew what that meant. Severus had told her in his second year of teaching about what his father was like. She didn't have all the details, but she could guess enough to know that being called Snape every day had to grate on him terribly. 

"I understand that entirely," Minerva said. "Just your last name? Or both?"

"I'll keep my first name. My mother chose it, and as for my last name, I was thinking of taking my mother's as well.... but I'm nervous about actually getting it done. I don't think Professor Dumbledore will allow it, and he has so much sway in the ministry that he may be able to block my attempt."

"Do you think he would?" Minerva asked, surprised. 

Severus nodded. "I think so. He said that Snape was a.... a more appropriate name for what he has in mind for me here. That Prince was too...."

Hurt bled from his eyes and Minerva reached out to put a hand on his arm. "I will get some of my friends in the Ministry to help. Prince is a perfectly suitable name."

Severus nodded, relaxing minutely. "And the students, too. I don't know how they will react."

"The older ones might have a tougher time remembering and they might want to know why, but I can help you figure out what to tell them. Even just saying you don't like your father would be enough. Or that you liked your mother's name better. It's fairly simple. And soon enough all the younger ones will only know you as Prince. It will be worth it soon enough."

Severus nodded and closed his eyes, taking a deep breath. "Thank you, Minny."

She nodded. "Of course. I am happy to help."

........................................

Ajax vaguely knew there was a time before this. There was a time where he slept somewhere small and hard and cold. Some time when he was scared of male voices. A time when all he wanted was a hug and all he got was a sneer. 

He knew there was time before this, when he was unwanted and he didn't know his name because all he was called was freak. 

But now, he was Ajax. He was loved and cared for and he had a big sister. Hermione was the best big sister, he was pretty sure. She had studied him like an interesting frog for the first month or so before declaring, "Yes! That is a brother!" And then she got to being a big sister about as quickly as she could manage. 

They were both graduating from their day care to an actual school, and Ajax couldn't have been more nervous. Hermione couldn't have been more excited. 

She babbled on about her books, and Ajax listened intently, like she was imparting knowledge about how to survive being abandoned in the woods. 

Ajax wasn't really afraid, though. Just nervous. He knew what fear felt like, and this wasn't it. He knew he was loved, that his mum and dad loved him. He knew that because dad always packed his snacks for daycare where Ajax could always get to them easily, and his mum always kissed him on his forehead when he went to bed. They loved him and chose him, and they wouldn't let him go. 

He knew that. 

Mum and dad dropped them off at the school they would be going to, coming in with them and introducing them to the teachers. 

"This is Ajax and this is Hermione," Mum said with a proud little smile."Hermione likes to have her full name said, but if any of the other kids struggle to say it, they can call her Mynie."

The teacher, Mrs. Holdon, nodded with a smile at both of them. "Good to know. It's nice to meet you Hermione. And you, Ajax."

"Hi," Ajax said softly, and Hermione took his hand and gave him a huge smile. 

School was fun. Ajax had been uncertain, but Hermione seemed to have made it her job to get him friends, and by the end of the day, Ajax had played with a lot of kids and made at least three friends.

Of course, to make up for being such a good big sister, Hermione had promptly stolen his apple juice after school at the office where their mum and dad worked, and Ajax began plotting to steal her apple juice the day after. 

Julie Granger had been worried about how Ajax would adapt to this situation. Being in a new family with a sister while he didn't look like any of them would be hard on him, she knew. She made sure to tell him she loved him, and to prove it just as Earnest did. 

She finally relaxed when she saw Ajax, who had started out terrified of cupboards for some reason, willingly walk into one and haul out the mop for her one Saturday with a huge grin on his face before running off to play with Hermione. 

Ajax was a hit with anyone who saw him playing with Hermione in the waiting room under the eye of the new receptionist. The story of how he came to be a Granger circulated for at least a year until it finally calmed down and everyone acted like he had always been there. 

There had been some difficult discussions for a while about how to raise Ajax. He was clearly half Indian, but since they didn't know who his previous caregivers were or what they celebrated, and they were completely white themselves, they decided to raise him the same as Hermione. Though they did make sure to increase the amount of Indian representation they had in the movies and books they consumed, which Hermione seemed to love almost more than Ajax.

So it was, after reading a traditional Hindi bedtime story from a huge book of them the Grangers had purchased that Hermione and Ajax snuggled down into their respective beds. 

"Their dresses are so pretty," Hermione murmured as Julie pressed a kiss to her nose. "Like they're wearing art."

"They are very pretty," Julie said warmly. "Maybe we should try and find a photo book at the library of clothing from different cultures, hmm?"

"Yes, please!" Hermione exclaimed. 

Julie chuckled and turned to Ajax. 

The scar on his forehead was still shockingly prominent. Julie knew from experience that scars as a child tended to heal quickly and thoroughly. You never would have been able to guess that the family dog had bit her in the ankle when she was 7. But his scar, while it had started to look a little better, was still as stark on his forehead as ever. 

She kissed the scar, imagining that something tingled under her lips as she did every night, and Ajax sighed. 

"G'night, mama," he said softly. 

"Goodnight, Ajax. Good night, Hermione."

Chapter Text

Albus made time to visit Privet Drive when Harry was supposed to be turning 5. He probably wouldn't show himself. He just wanted to talk to Petunia, see how things were going, and see if Harry had shown any signs of magic yet. 

When he arrived at Privet Drive, however, the Dursleys were not living in that quaint little suburban house he'd left Harry at. They were actually no where to be found at all. 

He searched for as long as he could, even digging through muggle news sources until he found one thing. 

"Family in Little Winging missing for five months. Any information appreciated."

They had gone missing when Harry was about 4 years old. 

Albus felt something seize in his chest as he read those words over and over again. Harry couldn't be dead. He couldn't. The prophecy-

But prophecies were sometimes wrong. Half the time, even. 

Albus should have kept a closer eye on them. He was certain someone had managed to figure out where the boy was and the blood wards must have weakened-

He had ignored Minerva when she said that the Dursleys were the worst sort of muggle. Albus put it down to her not spending much time around muggles, but now he realized what he should have known from the start this would all go wrong. Minerva was an excellent judge of character, and if they truly were the worst sort, then the blood wards might have died long before the family went missing. 

Albus cried over that newspaper, and he shut himself away from everyone while he tried to figure out what to do. 

He needed control over Severus. If Harry Potter was dead-

Albus cut that train of thought off and performed grand spells, trying to locate the boy. He didn't have anything of the boy, nothing he had touched or any piece of hair or toenail. Just the boy's name. 

Nothing came back. Nothing registered. Harry Potter was truly dead. 

Albus couldn't let it get out. Everyone was enamored with the idea of the boy. There were books about what he was up to in his childhood. Stories of griffins and dragons and underwater adventures with loving caregivers. 

People would go mad if they knew the savior of the world was dead, especially if they found out that it was all Albus's fault. 

Albus couldn't let this get out. It would come up eventually. People would notice if the boy didn't come to Hogwarts when he turned 11, but he was sure he could come up with something by then to remove his name from the muck. Maybe a story about a group of wannabe Death Eaters coming out from the mud to kill him and they were so sneaky about it that one of the caretakers was involved. 

Goodness knows that probably was what happened. Albus didn't even vet Vernon, he just assumed-

Albus had to spend another day in self pity and mourning for a child he should have treated better before he pulled himself together. He shoved those memories all away, those unhelpful thoughts and sadness and hurt and trauma, and just shoved them in a box, never to be thought about again. He had to keep Harry's idea alive while he found other means to control people like Remus and Severus. He had to figure out when hand how the world would find out Harry Potter was dead. (If he was. Someone could have kidnapped the child and hidden him from all prying spells.) He would need to come up with a plan to deal with Tom when he inevitably came back. 

Albus didn't have time to worry about the emotions festering and rotting in the boxes he trapped them in. 

........................................

Severus and Minerva had to wait for the right moment to push the name change through. Albus seemed to hover happily over the faculty of Hogwarts, getting things with the Ministry completed, setting a few disputes, and generally enjoying himself. He seemed to be delighted to rub it in every time he saw Severus. Everyone knew that the power was balanced in Albus's favor. He seemed to lord it over Severus, sending him scurrying for every task and forcing a certain image on Severus with every passing comment. 

The staff members did what they could to lighten Severus's load. They kept Albus off his back and encouraged him with gifts and compliments when he left the 'mean old bat' image Albus seemed determined to stuff him into, but it clearly weighed on the young man. 

Despite that, he was doing well with the classes and the children, getting potions accidents down and becoming a favorite. There were whispers that he would become the youngest head of house in Hogwarts history. 

Then, Albus vanished. He was around, but he made himself unseen while in the halls and he was gone more than usual. When he was seen, it was said that he looked like he had been crying or just woke up from a nightmare. 

Severus and Minerva mercilessly used this as their opportunity to get a name change through and, before Albus could see what happened, Severus Snape became Severus Prince. Severus was terrified of the backlash, of course, but he would have to wait for it, it seemed. 

The first class after the name change, Severus stood up front and fiddled with his wand behind his back to soothe his nerves as he faced his 6th year students. They were a mixture from all the houses as these were the ones who had chosen to continue on to advanced potions in their 6th and 7th years. 

"I have a bit of an announcement," Severus said. "I have changed my name from Snape to Prince and I expect you to call me Professor Prince. You have three questions."

A girl raised her hand and asked, "Are you married now?"

"No. This is my mother's maiden name."

"Why did you choose it?" a Gryffindor asked. 

"Because I have always preferred my mother's name but have not had the chance to change it till now."

One impertinent Ravenclaw who was a little too talkative to be a Slytherin asked, "So, did you change your name so you could get away from what you did in the past?"

Severus was a little shaken by the question. He cleared his throat a couple of times before he managed, "That was not the main reason, though it is a sound one. Now, let us get on with class."

The questions were much the same in his other classes. Most people connected the name change to his Death Eater activities rather than his hatred for his father, though Severus did not mind in the slightest. It was a good enough excuse. 

When Albus did come back to the school, he came looking for this Professor Prince, only to find Severus preparing for his next class. 

"I had thought that Minerva had hired someone while I was away," Albus said jokingly, though his tone wasn't quite as sparkling as it should have been. 

"No. I simply did something I've been wanting to do since I was 14," Severus said. 

And he was happier for it. Being called Professor Prince made him feel like everything his mother went through was almost worth it. That he was almost worth it. 

He expected Albus to argue, to say that Severus should have checked with him first, but Albus simply nodded and smiled a little."Of course.... Severus, I feel that perhaps I have been a bit harsh with you. I hope you know it is only because I am so worried about Harry and his future."

"I am aware," Severus said. 

"I think you were probably right in that.... that forcing you into my convoluted plans would make things messier and more dangerous for him. If you would stay here and work here, I will keep my rather crooked nose out of your business unless called."

Severus turned to the old man, shocked. "Oh..... that is appreciated."

Severus tried to work out what Albus wanted from him, what he could be getting out of this, but couldn't see much besides keeping Severus as a teacher, which he didn't mind so much anymore. He had grown to enjoy teaching now that some of the years he went to school with had cycled out into their own lives. 

Albus gave him another faint smile and turned, leaving Severus to his business. 

Albus backed out of a lot of business after that, and Minerva figured it was likely the end of all of the war stress catching up with him, and said as much to the other staff members. Severus didn't mind, simply getting back to preparing lessons and doing research for removing the Dark Mark on his arm. 

.........................................

Something was definitely strange about the children. 

Julie and Ernest sat on the couch, watching Harry and Hermione toss a balloon that had previously been a baseball, and every time one of them batted it, it changed colors. 

"That.... is happening, yes?" Ernest asked as Hermione turned the blue balloon neon green. 

"Yup," Julie said. 

The two watched on as Ajax and Hermione played, giggling loudly as they watched it change colors. 

It scratched something deep in Ajax's memory. It was something that felt right. That he knew was a part of him, and apparently a part of Hermione. 

"Baapu!" he cried in excitement, uncertain where the word had come from. 

Both Julie and Ernest stirred, recognizing it as an Indian word for father. They shared a look and Ernest said, "You're better with research, Julie. I'll watch the kids."

Julie nodded and went running for the family computer. 

That night, she came out of the computer room with printed research and read a story to her children before kissing Hermione's nose and Ajax's scar. 

Finally, she settled with her husband on the couch and showed him the printouts of chat groups she had found and joined. Chat groups with people asking about strange, almost magical things their children were doing. 

One message stood out. 

"I can't say much right now, but it is nothing to be worried about. When they are 11, you will find out what is going on. Just treat them like a normal child, don't hurt them for their magic, and try and get them to funnel it into something productive rather than destructive. You might notice their clothes wearing out faster. That is also normal. You can contact this number if you are in need of serious help. This belongs to a medical facility that knows what is going on."

"I think... color changing balloons aren't something to call about," Julie said slowly. "But I am NOT going to be waiting until their 11 to find out what is going on."

Ernest nodded and gestured at the user who had been the most helpful. "We need to talk to that person. And any others that know what's happening."

Julie and Ernest both went in to the family computer, getting back into the chat group and many others trying to find someone who would give it to them straight. No one would, though sometimes it seemed like people tried. There were a few extra clues, though. Something to do with September 11th and a specific spot in a train station. 

That, and a place called Diagon Alley. 

"A weekend trip to explore whatever that is might be a good idea," Ernest said. "We can leave the kids with my parents, I think."

"Probably best," Julie said, marking out the pub they would need to go to on her map and writing down the code phrase that had been used last year to get in. "I wish we knew more about what we were getting into."

Ernest nodded before pressing a kiss to her temple. 

"You coming to bed?"

She tore her eyes from the screen and hummed. "I just want to look for a little longer."

"Come to bed, sweetheart."

Julie sighed and followed her husband to bed. 

That weekend they dropped their kids off at Grandma and Grandpa Granger's house, and made their way to The Leaky Cauldron where, apparently, they would have their answers. 

Chapter Text

Julie got out of the car and she and Earnest walked the remaining few blocks to the Leaky Cauldron. Parking in London would always be a terror. 

"Do you think they'll let us in?" Earnest asked. 

"I think they'll have to let us in if we tell them the truth and let them know we know too much to go without the rest of it."

Earnest nodded as they entered the bar. 

It was one of those pubs that seemed older than the city itself. There was something about it that took you back to the middle ages. Probably the dim, smokey lighting. 

The barman gave them an interested look, and Julie quickly realized why. Most of the people in this pub were wearing.... well, something. They weren't dresses, but they were almost all made of long flowing fabric and they came in all shapes, size, cuts, and colors. 

One woman seemed to be wearing a living bird across her shoulder. 

Feeling out of place, Julie hurried to the bar man and said, "I'm sorry, but are you the manager here?"

"The owner," the man said, lifting his hand for a hand shake. "Tom."

"Tom," Julie said, shaking his hand firmly. "We have some questions."

"I can see that."

"We have two children. One is ours, the other adopted. They've both shown signs of... well, they turned a baseball into a color changing balloon. And there have been other things that I thought were normal at the time but now seem like-"

"Magic?" Tom asked with a crooked toothed grin. 

Julie cleared her throat. "I would appreciate it if you did not interrupt me, as much as you may want to play up the mystique. I looked around on some online chatrooms and found other parents such as myself dealing with these things. I read that this is, somehow, the entrance to Diagon Alley. I would like to have a full rundown of what to expect now instead of when my children are 11."

Tom shared a surprised look with a woman across the room. "Internet... chat rooms?"

"Yes. On the internet."

"Internet?"

"Computers," Julie said, annoyed. "Look, if you're having me on because you think I'm stupid, then-"

"No, no, not at all, miss," Tom said quickly. "We just... well, muggles have a different way of doing things from us."

"And what are you?"

"Mages."

Earnest made a noise of confusion. "What, like... witches and stuff?"

"Witches and wizards," Tom said. "Here, Daisy. Would you take these folk around the alley?"

Julie and Earnest turned to see a young woman approaching in bright orange robes. She smiled and said, "Hello. I'm Daisy Parker. You are?"

"I'm Julie and this is Earnest," Julie said. 

"Granger," Earnest followed up. 

"Oh, hey! You're dentists, right? Yeah, my dad goes to your place, I think," she said. "He's a muggle too. Muggles being people without magic, of course."

Julie nodded as Daisy led the way to a back door of the pub and into an alley where she tapped a few bricks with a stick and the wall opened up. It was like there was a whole other world behind that wall. There were buildings tall enough that Julie knew she should be able to see it over the brick wall in the alley, but she couldn't. There were shops and office buildings and something that looked like an official bank in the distance. 

"Welcome to Diagon Alley," Daisy said, waving them in before she took them on a tour and started to explain things. 

"So, your children are mages, just like us. It happens sometimes that a mage child is born to muggle parents, you know. Did you say one of yours was adopted?"

"Yes. We don't know who his family was, though."

She nodded thoughtfully. She eventually shrugged and said, "Well, in this area specifically, there is a program at Hogwarts to accept any muggle born children. It's a school for magic the Scotland mountains. Most muggle borns go through there because they have a program built for muggle borns and funds for them. Other schools have their pros and cons and I can get you a book on it, but it's all rather pricey anywhere else, especially if you want to hire tutors to get your children ready for any other place besides Hogwarts. How old are they, by the way?"

"About 5."

"Oh, wow! You've figured this out quick, huh? We have a few muggles who find us eventually, but never that fast. You said there are chatrooms on the internet that had that info?"

"Just rumors. They were tricky to track down," Julie said. 

"The ministry is gonna have to stay on top of that if they want to keep school locations and places like this a secret then."

"The government is in on this?" Earnest asked, ever the sucker for a good conspiracy theory. 

"Oh! No, we have our own Ministry. The Ministry of magic. It's about as useless as yours is, though, so don't get your hopes up," Daisy said with a shrug. "They do sometimes work with the muggle Ministry for things like the internet, but that's all politics. Bleh."

She took them to the bank where they got some of their money traded for wizard money. Earnest had to take the lead on that one as he tended to with financial things, but also because Julie needed a moment to adjust to the idea of there being other sapient species beyond humans on the planet. 

"How does everything stay so hidden from us?" Earnest asked. 

"Well, magic likes its own. You're probably gonna start seeing a lot of magic from here on out because you have magus children and that means that the magic will also consider you its own. Magical creatures that used to be impossible to see in the past will pop out all over the place now. This does put you in more danger, but as long as you try to keep your contact with magic low, you'll be fine."

"And if we want to have as much contact as possible?" Julie asked, eyeing a bookstore nearby hungrily. 

Daisy gave them both a discerning look before she nodded. "Then I have some books to recommend you from muggles like you that became a part of the community."

Loaded with books and Floo powder to facilitate further trips to the alley, the Grangers left giving their heartfelt thanks to Daisy, who simply smiled and said, "It was no problem at all.... I have a feeling you two will be a very fine addition to our community, no matter what anyone else says."

With that, she headed back into the pub. 

.............................................

"Alright," Earnest sighed. "Hogwarts does seem like the best of all of them for our kids. The programs are great, they have funding, and they even have visiting days so we can see them every couple of weeks if we want."

"Seems so," Julie said, deep into her research on the headmaster. "I'm not entirely sure if I like the look of Albus Dumbledore. He's in everything, including every aspect of the politics."

"I thought you said recent headlines had him pulling out of politics in most areas," Ernest said, surprised. 

"They do, but I don't like it. He's apparently almost 300 years old, and you can't trust anyone that old not to have some kind of plan."

"What, you think he's evil?"

"I don't know what to think. He seems to be good, but when you really look you see that every action he takes is to put more and more power into his hands, and after that war with this Voldemort guy, he came out holding the reigns despite what he wanted everyone to think."

"Who is that Voldemort anyway?"

"No one really knows. No one besides this Albus, it seems," Julie said unhappily. "I hope that we get to walk around the school and meet all of the teachers. This-"

"Julie, sweetheart. This is years away and we have time to monitor the situation. It will be fine. And I would rather they get to learn magic than go without. You know how Hermione will be if she doesn't get her way."

Julie snorted. Then she groaned. "How in the world are we going to enforce rules with children who can do magic?"

"That is why I got this," Earnest said, passing her The Guide to Magus Children: A Practical Guide for Muggles and Muggleborns. 

She gasped happily and opened up the book as Earnest pulled the newest edition of the Daily Prophet to himself so he could fill out the crosswords and look at the moving comics. 

....................................

"Ajax," mum said from across the kitchen, almost without looking. "What did I say about transfiguring the oranges?"

"That you need them for orange cake later," he said, reaching up to the apples to try and undo what he did. 

A flash of panic boiled inside of him when they didn't go back to being oranges, and he tried harder, only for something deep inside of him to hurt and the fruit to get stuck somewhere between a pear and a lemon. 

"OW!"

His mum was there in an instant, picking him up. 

"I tried to turn them back, mama!" he half wailed, clinging to her. Some distant part of him expected to be punished, to be hurt, but his mum stroked his hair and said, "Oh, it's alright, but what did we learn?"

"Not to transfigure the fruit."

"And why."

"Cause I might get hurt trying to turn them back."

"Exactly. No more magic today, alright? You might hurt your core. It's too small for you to be doing so much all at once."

"But Hermione does it all the time!"

"And she is more careful about it. Does she hurt herself or turn things mama told her not to?"

Definitely not while mama was watching, but Ajax wasn't going to snitch on her. He learned his lesson from last time. 

"No," he mumbled. 

His mum took him back to his room where she set him on the bed. 

Hermione looked up from a top she was keeping on a spin on the floor. 

"Is Ajax okay?" she asked, getting to her feet and knocking over the top to look at her little brother. 

"He will be. He tried to transfigure some fruit and hurt himself a little."

Ajax looked away from Hermione's searching look and their mum said, "Alright. You two play quietly. No more magic for today, Ajax. I don't want you to hurt yourself."

"Okayyyy."

Their mum left and Hermione snorted. "You tried to transfigure fruit!?" she broke off into peals of laughter and Ajax felt his face burn.

"I saw you do it! It didn't look that hard!"

"I wasn't transfiguring them, silly! I was changing their color! You totally fell for my trick!"

She fell back onto her back and laughed. 

Ajax gasped, offended. "I should have just told mama that you were doing magic on her chair!"

"No! You promised not to tell!"

"You tricked me!"

"Okay, okay," Hermione said quickly. "How about you get my fruit snacks at school tomorrow, yeah?"

"Mmmmm tomorrow and the day after."

"Deal."

The two shook on it and then Ajax looked over at the books on the floor. "What were you reading about?"

"Some magus fairy tales," Hermione said. "I dunno all the words, but I could try to read to you."

Ajax nodded eagerly, leaning back in bed and making room for her to sit beside him. 

Soon, she was reading about the hopping cauldron, and the two were shouting CRASH CRASH CRASH! at the top of their lungs to mimic the brass foot on the stone, dissolving into giggles over and over again until they were called to dinner. 

Chapter Text

Someone was trying very hard to contact Severus. He had revived some owls with rather interesting letters. Things that were clearly in different kinds of code. When he broke down the code, though, nearly all the letters said the same thing.

"We have an opportunity for you."

It was all too ominous for Severus. He wanted to put his ill advised spy days behind him, but it was clear someone didn't want to let him rest. 

Eventually, another note came. When he translated it, the words were correct, but didn't make much sense. 

"The Lethifold Conspiracy"

If he had been younger, more curious, he would have started looking into this conspiracy. He would have found someone who was in too deep and then he would probably get a proper introduction to what was happening and be offered a job. 

Severus simply burned the letter. He was a teacher and he was happy to stick to his tea and his grading. He was not going to bind his name to another master. Never again. 

Whoever was trying to get his attention sent him two more letters. This time, he burned them without reading them. 

Severus limited his time outside of the castle, just in case, and when he did go out, he made sure to have someone with him. Perhaps he was being paranoid, but he couldn't help but feel like he was being watched while he went about his errands. 

Toward the end of the school year, though, Severus was making his plans to study abroad and spend some time with a Brazilian potion maker which would handily keep him out of the way from whoever was watching him while giving him a more rounded view of ingredients from the other side of the world. 

The last day of school (for the teachers, not the students; the students had already been gone for a week) came around and Severus carefully packed up his gear, humming softly under his breath when he felt he wasn't alone anymore. 

He glanced at his cloak, laying on a chair nearby. His robes were well protected, but if he was about to get into a fight, he would prefer to have an additional layer of protection. 

He carefully drew his wand from the sheath on his wrist and turned around to find no one. 

"Reveal yourself, or this shall become very unpleasant for you," Severus said darkly. 

There was a beat before he saw the flicker of an enchantment dissolving and a pale man with black hair and grey eyes stood before him. 

For half a moment, Severus thought that Sirius Black had escaped prison, but this man was cleaner around the edges and didn't have the stupid stick and poke tattoos that Sirius had on his hands. 

But this man couldn't be here. He was dead. 

"Hey, Sev," Regulus Black said warmly. "It's been a while."

"What are you doing here?" Severus asked. "How are you alive?"

Regulus laughed lightly. "Oh, I have so much to tell you! It's good to see you, Snape."

"I go by Prince, now," Severus said. "I assume you have a new name yourself?"

"I don't have any name at the moment," Regulus said. "Except maybe what I went by in school. But, you know, I died."

"And yet."

"And yet," Regulus agreed. He seemed to ponder what he wanted to say before going on. "I learned things about the Dark Lord I shouldn't have. And in the process I knew that my life was forfeit. So, I reached out to a couple of acquaintances. You worked more closely with them than I, but you seemed to consider them trustworthy and more skilled than anyone would admit."

Severus knew exactly who Regulus was talking about. Under the Dark Lord's employ were a great many assassins. And the assassins who had proved themselves the smartest and the best at their task were the two known as the Shadowed Pair. He did not know their names or their faces, but he suspected that should he ever need their help, they were not fully loyal to the Dark Lord. He got the sense that their blood status had not been in even partial status. 

"So, I reached out to them and they helped me fake my death. We have a great many plans, and we have been trying to reach you," Regulus said. 

"So I saw," Severus said, his mood souring now. "So you re a part of this Lethifold Conspiracy."

Regulus nodded. "Yes. And we could use a potion master and a spy like you. We need someone on the inside of Hogwarts. Dumbledore is just as much of a threat as the possible return of the Dark Lord, and we know that you-"

"No."

"-could help. What?"

"No," Severus said sharply. "Regulus, I appreciate that you came to ask, and I am.... I am very glad to know that you are alive after everything. I have always felt very badly that my influence may have led you to the Dark Lord more than any other influence. I would do a great many things to repay that debt, but I am not a spy anymore. A potions master, yes, but not a spy. I cannot be."

Regulus stared at him with mild disappointment and confusion. "But.... Severus, this is important! This could be the difference between the Magus world growing or succumbing to stagnation."

"And I will help where I can by teaching the next generation and making breakthroughs in my potions, but I refuse to be a spy and a servant to people that do not truly have my best interests in mind anymore."

Regulus practically wilted. "I.... okay. I think I understand.... but you can change your mind anytime. I'll come around every so often to see how you feel."

"I fear that my opinion and thoughts on the matter will change very little, but I would still like to see you and know that you are well and alive. If you are in need of help, if you are hurt or need potions, I will help where I can. I will reserve the right to deny you certain potions, however."

Regulus nodded and gave a faint smile. "I understand.... Are you happy, Sev?"

Severus thought about it. "I think.... I think yes, I am. I could be happier. I have a debt I owe to Dumbledore and a certain child, but I-"

"A child? Not the Potter child."

"Yes, the Potter child."

Something like regret shone in Regulus's eyes. "You do not have a debt to that child any longer."

"What does that mean?"

"You will want to ask Dumbledore," Regulus said. "I am intrigued as to what he might say on that front, but the short of it is that the Potter child has been taken, or is dead. No one knows where he is anymore, and his caretakers are all dead."

"What?" Severus asked, horrified. "You-"

"I must go. Ask Dumbledore what he knows," Regulus said quickly before darting out of the room. By the time Severus had chased him out in the hall, Regulus had vanished completely. 

..................................

Albus sat at his desk in his office, writing furiously. He had plans to use the summer to attempt to discover where the remains of Tom Riddle might be, whether physical or ghostly, and to try and discover the true fate of the boy who lived and disappeared. 

It would hopefully be a productive summer. He had some leads and he had mostly cleared his schedule, though he would have to appear at the Wizengamot a couple of times.

He was glad that Harry's disappearance had forced him to pull out of the Ministry a bit. While he hated the loss of control, it was truly wonderful to have more time again to concentrate on the things that actually mattered. 

He looked up as someone pushed through his door to see Severus. 

His heart dropped down into his stomach at the look of rage on the young man's face. Severus had been avoiding Albus as much as he could and vice versa, and somehow, Albus knew, the only reason he was here was because Severus knew. 

"How did you find out?" Albus asked heavily. 

"I have my sources," Severus said with a hiss. "And I did some follow up research. You put him with Petunia!? Petunia of all people! You do realize how much of a miserable girl and then woman she was, right? She attempted to destroy Lily's supplies every year or keep her from the train station in September. She was horrible about magic, and she would have been horrible to Harry. What happened?"

"I don't know," Dumbledore said softly. "They went missing when Harry was 3 and a half years old. The news mentions Petunia, Vernon, and their son Dudley, but it says nothing about Harry whatsoever. Going back farther, I don't even know if the Dursleys still even had Harry. I tried to do my research, but no one knows anything. Not even the neighbors or the spies I put in the neighborhood. They mentioned they hadn't seen much of Harry toward the end, but it's normal to not see a three year old outside for long periods of time, I think. I just..... I don't know. I plan on getting to the bottom of this. To discover if Harry was with them still when they vanished, if he has been taken for enemy purposes, or if he is officially dead. I plan to start by looking for what happened to the Dursleys, though they have vanished more thoroughly than any muggle should be able to. I am worried, Severus. More than worried."

Silence fell between them and Albus finally looked up and whispered, "Are you going to help me?"

"I have my own tasks this summer, and as far as I am concerned, the boy is very likely dead," Severus said, making Albus flinch. "I will stay and teach, but you do not hold my leash until you prove to me that the child is alive. Understand?"

"I understand," Dumbledore murmured. 

"Good. Don't forget, even if you do find him, I made the promise to him and Lily. Not to you."

Severus turned on his heel, his robes trailing elegantly behind him. 

Minerva must have taught him that. 

Albus found himself laughing until he cried in his office as the teachers and staff slowly left the school for the summer. 

.......................

Severus was planning on staying a few days with Minerva before traveling to Brazil, so he settled a little into the guest bedroom before coming out to speak with her. 

"Minny... do you know where Harry is?"

"With his Aunt and Uncle," Minerva said, unbothered. "I offered to Albus that I go check on him every so often, but he refused me. He said he already has people-"

"Harry has been missing for two years. Maybe more."

Minerva choked on her spittle before turning to him with a gasp. 

"WHAT!?"

"I confirmed it with Albus this morning," Severus said heavily. "Minerva, he's gone, and the Dursleys have vanished with him. I don't know if he's dead or if he had been taken, but I promised Lily I would protect him, and I didn't even know-"

Minerva threw herself across the room and pulled Severus into a hug where he trembled and fought with his emotions. 

"I am certain it was not your fault," she said firmly. "You had no way of knowing."

"I should have been checking on him," Severus whispered. 

"That was not your job," she said. "Albus made that very clear that it was his job and his alone. Do not let guilt or grief cloud your vision any longer, my dear."

Severus nodded, clearing his throat a few times before he sat down and studied his pale hands while Minerva made and brought him tea. 

"There you are. Drink that, and tell me about your plans for Brazil."

Severus took a steadying breath, let go of the guilt and responsibility he felt, placing the blame squarely on Albus's shoulders, and began to outline he plans for his summer. 

Chapter Text

On a hill in Germany, far away from the nearest city, hidden by trees and tumbled rocks, lay a grave. It was not a shallow grave. It was deep. There were slabs of rock placed on top of it and dirt on top of that. More rocks and more dirk and the plants, too mature for their age, going wild over this gave. 

In the grave lay the remains of two adults and one child. The child looked as though he had passed away in his sleep and had been placed reverently in an appropriately sized coffin on top of his parents. 

The adults had been placed directly in the dirt. Their bodies were not intact. Their skin was tattered. Marks of their torture and death clear even now. Even after being in the ground for years, so deep in the soil that even bacteria had a hard time getting to them to help them decay. 

They had been buried for three years before anyone managed to find this grave. 

An old, silver bearded man approached the grave in silence. He stared at the plant life and the tumbled stones. He pulled out his wand and split the earth down to the remains of the small muggle family. 

There, at the bottom of the pit, he opened the little casket, confirming the child's identity. He hesitated at the edge of the grave for a very long time, indecisive. 

Finally, after an hour of letting the bodies see the light, he closed the grave, replaced the stone and the plants, and turned on his heel to disapparate from that terrible, awful resting place. 

Harry Potter had not been buried with the Dursleys. This was, somehow, less reassuring than Albus Dumbledore expected. 

................................

Severus, who was wearing short sleeves as the humid heat of the day began to set in with bandages wrapped around his arm to hide his Dark Mark, was very much enjoying his summer. Davi was a wonderful potions master, and he had never allowed anyone to learn from him until Severus, and Severus was not going to take that for granted. He put in the work, wore what he had been told to wear, and helped to prepare delicious, cooling drinks with Davi in the afternoons when they took their rest. 

Severus was preparing for one such rest, listening as the sounds in the forest rose and fell in waves, Davi working in the back to prepare a couple more ingredients before joining Severus. 

Severus finished squeezing the limes into their cups as Davi came out, wiping his hands on his pants. 

Severus offered the drink and Davi took it with a smile, sipping at it and sighing in satisfaction. 

Davi was not an old wizard. He approaching his first century and still looked to be in his 30s, but he was lauded in his profession as one of the greats, even now.

He sat down and offered a seat to Severus, who always felt a little inadequate sitting there with only 26 years to his name. Still, he took the seat and sipped at his drink as the heat rolled in. 

"You have done well, Sev," Davi said in heavily accented English. "I'm proud."

Severus cleared his throat and rubbed at his nose self consciously. "Obrigado," he said awkwardly. 

Davi beamed at him, glad for the unprompted Portuguese. Severus had done his best to learn it, but for some reason it wouldn't come to him as easily as German or French did. Getting such a huge smile for such a basic word only enforced the fact that he truly was doing terribly. 

When Davi and Severus sat together, it was the only time they talked about personal things, but Davi also had a rule that no translation spells could be used between the two of them and Davi had to practice speaking English while Severus had to practice Portuguese. 

Severus had been trying to learn the words to ask the question he had been wanting to ask since getting here. He had expected to train for a day or two before Davi kicked him out like other potion makers who had come to study with him before, but he had been here a month now and Davi made no sign of being tired of him yet. 

"Por que ainda estou aqui?" Severus said as smoothly as he could manage, hoping everything was conjugated correctly. 

Davi thought for a moment before he said, "I am.... When potions makers come to me, they want all the things! All the knowing- no, uh knowledge?"

Severus gave a nod and Davi smiled cheerfully to himself. 

"I try to teach and they suggest and suggest. They think they know! But they came to learn. Potions Makers all mostly like this. Even me. You have not been."

Severus ran a hand through his hair, shocked. He had so many things he wanted to ask, but he didn't know how to ask them. 

Davi chuckled, seeing his struggle. "Speak, Sev. You don't learn without struggle. Without fight. I fight and I fail. Do not be worried. I will not make fun you."

Severus fought for a moment before trying to string together a sentence. It took a bit of correcting and trying, but finally he got his meaning across: How could I be the first to stay?

"You are not," Davi said. "There have been a few others. They keep more to themselves. They are younger. One day, they will be great, and everyone will know I helped to teach them."

Severus thought about that, swirling his drink in his cup before they heard a squawk and a black paroote, a magical bird that looked a lot like a parrot who had been dusted with charcoal powder, came winging through the trees to land at the window, a letter in its beak.

"It's for you," Davi said pleasantly. 

"How do you know?" Severus asked in English. 

Davi simply shook his head with a secretive smile. 

Severus got to his feet and took the letter, opening it up to see Dumbledore's scrawling handwriting. 

Dear Severus, 

I told myself I would keep you updated on Harry Potter's situation. I am afraid to say I still have no evidence as to where he is or what has happened to him, but I have discovered the whereabouts of his caretakers. They are dead and were buried 18 feet deep in the soil of Germany. It appears that they may have been tortured before their death. I believe that Harry may have been captured by some force I am unaware of. I will continue to look for him. If any of your contacts can aid in my search I would be grateful for your recommendation, but I understand if you do not wish to reply to this letter. 

Sincerely, 

Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore. 

Severus promptly crumpled the letter up and set it on fire. 

"What was it?"

Severus huffed. "Estupida."

Davi snorted and they got back to their afternoon chat. 

.....................................

"Thank heavens for how easily kids bounce back," Julie breathed, watching Ajax and Hermione playing out in the back garden.

She had taken them to the doctor that day, Hermione for one more vaccination, and Ajax for his checkup. He was getting back right on track and the doctor said that he probably wouldn’t even experience any stunting. 

He already looked better, and he was growing like a weed, trying his best to catch up to Hermione. 

"Agreed," Ernest said warmly. 

The two were silent for a long time, but it wasn't a very comfortable sort of silence. It was the kind of silence that said their were waiting for the other to talk about what was on their minds. 

Ernest decided to take one for the team this time. 

"Your parents are going to be here in 15 minutes."

"Yup."

"Should be fun."

"Very," Julie said blandly. 

"You don't think they're going to be that bad, do you?" Ernest asked, almost desperately. 

"I don't know. Maybe, maybe not. This is one of those things where we'll just have to see."

"You told them all about Ajax, right?"

This time, Julie looked guilty. "I told them we adopted."

"And?"

"And.... my dad just said he hoped I adopted from inside the country."

Ernest groaned as Julie continued, "I mean, we did adopt from inside the country, you know? He's obviously from somewhere around here! Earnest, I'm sorry, I should have told them but every time I tried they'd make some comment and then I'd get nervous and then the phone call would be over. I know I get on you sometimes for not being assertive enough and here I am-"

"Julie," Earnest said, turning to face his wife and hold her shoulders firmly. 

"Yes?" she asked softly. 

"It will be fine," he said. "Alright? We'll be alright. We should probably make some plans for how to handle this, though, because it could be a nightmare."

"Right," she said, giving an uncertain nod. 

"So, we'll make it clear that any inappropriate language toward Ajax will not be tolerated."

"Right," she said. "And we'll get on those snide comments too. And we'll tell them about Ajax before they see him so they don't have their reaction in front of him."

"Good. Do you want me to tell them?"

"No, I should have done it myself before and I am going to do it now," she replied. 

The two discussed plans and strategies right up until the doorbell rang and Julie rushed to get it. 

Her parents, Matilda and Harold Charleston, stood at the door. 

"Oh, sweetheart!" Matilda said happily, putting her arms around Julie. 

After a minute of asking about the journey and helping with bringing in the cookies and small cake Matilda had brought, Harold rubbed his hands together in glee. "Alright. Where are the kids?"

"The kids," Julie said quickly. "They're just outside playing, but I need to talk to you about something first. It's about Ajax."

"Oooh your adopted child!" Matilda laughed. "I am so excited to meet him. How wonderful you found a child with a Greek Mythology name too! I remember how set you were on Hermione's name despite certain objections."

Matilda had certainly made her objections to the name clear at the time. 

"Yes," Julie said. "Well, we did get to name him. He couldn't remember his name from before."

"Oh?"

"Yeah, um.... we did adopt within country but I do need to tell you that he is half Indian."

Ernest and Julie watched her parents apprehensively as their expressions went through several emotions before landing somewhere adjacent to shocked horror. 

"Oh! Oh, I see," Matilda said, smiling too widely. 

"And he is our son and we love him as such, so we will not tolerate any commentary on his race whatsoever," Julie said with an abrupt nod. 

Matilda and Harold looked at one another uneasily before Matilda smiled. "We'll do our best."

"No, you will do it or not at all," Ernest said firmly. "Ajax has been through too much to take any criticisms from his grandparents of all people, understand?"

"We're not going to say anything," Matilda said, rolling her eyes. "Honestly. Let's just go see the children, yeah?"

Julie nodded and led the way to the yard. 

Hermione squealed when she saw her grandparents and flung herself at them, getting and giving big hugs while Ajax approached more cautiously. 

"Ajax, this is Matilda and Harold. Your Grandma and Grandpa Charleston," Julie said warmly. "Come say hi."

Ajax smiled and said, "It's good to meet you. Mum told me all about you."

Matilda nodded with a smile and said to Julie, "He's a polite little tot, isn't he?"

"He is," Julie said. "Come in for dinner. I just need to finish some things up and then we can eat."

Hermione grabbed Ajax's hand, giggling as they rushed into the house to play with some blocks before dinner. 

"What happened to his head, dear?" Matilda asked Julie, following her to the kitchen. "Was his father abusive?"

"We don't know, though it sounds like he was more afraid of his Aunt than anything," Julie said lightly. 

"On his colored side, I'm sure," Matilda muttered, and Julie had to bite her tongue to keep from saying anything hurtful. If her mother had to say anything, let it be in front of her and not in front of Ajax.

Chapter Text

When the sounds of bedtime were called for, Hermione gasped and ran to find a book for their story time, running it back to her parents and grandparents with great excitement. 

"Pigeon story!" Hermione said, holding up the book. "I want the pigeon story!"

"Flap flap flap!!" Ajax called with a laugh. 

"Maybe Grandma can read to you tonight, yeah?" Grandma Charleston said warmly, reaching out to take the book. 

Hermione noticed her mum watching very intently, like they were about to be in danger, and she tensed up, uncomfortable as Grandma Charleston opened to the first page of the book. 

She frowned, and then her eyes widened and she turned on Hermione's mum with an angry gasp. 

"What is this!?"

Mum tried to have Grandma Charleston follow her to the kitchen to talk, but Grandma Charleston ignored her and yelled, "What is this, Julie? What are you trying to teach your daughter!?"

Hermione stepped back, arms spread as Ajax hid behind her, hands grasped in the back of her nightgown. 

"It's okay," Hermione said to Ajax. "Mum will handle it."

Dad came out from the other room, saw what was happening and hurried over to them, scooping them up and taking them to their room. 

Hermione watched over his shoulder as her mum and her grandma shouted, using words she didn't know the meanings of yet, but they sounded so, so angry.

Dad shut the door and set them on Hermione's bed. 

Hermione whined, trying to understand what was happening. Ajax simple trembled, tears streaming down his cheeks as his breathing started to sound raspy. 

Dad noticed and sat on the bed, pulling Ajax against his chest and rubbing his back. Hermione, desperate for something to do, reached out and rubbed her brother's back too. 

"It'll be alright, Ajax," she promised desperately. 

The argument had risen outside, and there were even more words that Hermione didn't know, but they did not sound nice. 

Ajax flinched every time one of them was said and he whispered and shook his head, crying softly into dad's shirt. 

Dad rocked him gently, listening with a pale face and wide eyes. He almost... he almost looked scared. 

Hermione flung herself off of the bed, ransacking the shelf before she came back with the story book her parents had got from the magical place. She hadn't been yet, but her parents promised to take her and Ajax there when they were older. 

She got settled down next to her dad and opened the book, clearing her throat as professionally as she could. 

"The Tale of Three Brothers, by Beetle the Bard," she said as clearly as she could. "Um, There were o-on-one-k..."

"Once." her father supplied. 

"Once three brothers who were tr-av-el-ing a-long a lawnly, wind ing-"

"Lonely, winding," dad whispered, holding Ajax tighter against his chest as Grandma shouted something Hermione couldn't make out, followed by her mum's scream of outrage. 

"Lonely, winding road at tw-i-i- uh-"

"Twilight."

Her dad seemed to shake out of whatever emotions he had been caught under and he asked, "Would you like me to read, dear?"

"Yeah," Hermione said. "I'm still practicing at reading."

He nodded and pulled her close, looking over her head to read. 

"The brothers reached a river, too deep to wade through, and too dangerous to swim across."

As dad read, Hermione forced her mind away from the argument and focused on the words, feeling out the shapes of the bigger ones in her mouth. 

Ajax eventually calmed down and turned around, listening with interest and looking at the moving illustrations with puffy eyes. 

Eventually, the house quieted down after the third story and dad tucked them into bed. 

"Is mum gonna come say goodnight?" Ajax asked as his dad made sure he was well tucked in. 

"I'll go see," he said, running a hand through Ajax's wild curls. 

He stood up and left the room, the quiet moving like a living thing into their room. 

"Why was she so angry?" Hermione asked out loud, trying to reason out what had happened. 

"Because of me," Ajax breathed.

Hermione sat up quickly in bed. "That can't be true! You're a perfect little brother if I have ever seen one." She thought herself a bit of an expert in the subject at this point. 

Ajax sniffled. "I'm different."

"No you're not. I have magic too!"

"I meant my color, 'Mione."

"That's dumb," Hermione huffed. "You're a perfectly good color."

Ajax just shrugged as the door opened and their mum entered the room. 

"Mum! Why did grandma get so mad?"

Mum sighed very heavily. "That is a long story baby."

"I just can't understand it," Hermione complained. 

"Well.... your grandma and grandpa don't like people different from them. From different countries."

"Why?"

"Well... I don't know. Because they were taught to, and because they're scared of what they don't know."

"Then why don't they just learn?"

"They don't want to," her mum said heavily. "Some people are like that.... your grandparents were very confused about Ajax, and they don't understand that he is perfectly wonderful and normal and an incredible little boy, because they are too lazy to learn."

Mum turned to Ajax, bending over his bed to pull him into a hug. "And that is not your fault. And what happened today was not your fault or Hermione's fault. My mum is lazy and mean and we needed to have this argument. It is not your fault and I love you forever."

Ajax hugged her back like he was afraid she was going to disappear. "I love you."

"I love you too, AJ."

She let go only when he did and leaned down, kissing his scar. "Sleep well. And don't leave your room till I come get you tomorrow. I want to be sure your grandparents have left before you get up, alright?"

"Okay."

"You too, Hermione," mum said before she kissed Hermione on the nose. "I'm thinking after they're gone we'll all go to Diagon Alley and get some more books, yeah?"

Hermione grinned. "Yes please!!"

Mum chuckled and said, "Goodnight, my loves."

"Night," Ajax and Hermione chirped. 

.........................................

With Ernest in charge of keeping an eye on Hermione and Julie in charge of Ajax, the two of them held their children as they passed through their fireplace to the visitor fire place of Diagon Alley. 

They had tested it before they took their children, of course, and while they didn't find it too difficult, both of their children were a little shaken by the experience. 

That was, until they saw the alley itself. 

Ajax gasped, pointed excitedly around at everything he could see, and Hermione's high pitched squeals of excitement made it clear they both would have walked over hot coals to get here. 

Julie chuckled. "We need to go to the bank first and then we need to do some errands."

"I wanna look!" Hermione complained, and Ernest said, "And we will, sweetheart. We have to do the boring stuff before we can do the fun stuff."

Hermione, who thoroughly enjoyed her homework and other such tasks and did not have a good grasp on 'the boring stuff' huffed with annoyance. 

They made their way to the bank, Ajax refusing to leave Julie's side whatsoever as he got more and more overwhelmed with how many people there were around. 

Soon, they were in the bank and they traded out their money, the goblins looking over them with boredom before finishing it all out. 

With their Magus money in hand, they were out in the alley again. 

"Their clothes!" Hermione gasped, pointing at a set of robes one woman was wearing that flashed in patterns of purple and white. 

Julie smiled. "Do you want some robes for when we're doing magic stuff?"

"YES YES!"

"I want some too," Ajax said. 

"I want some too," Julie agreed. "Ernest?"

"I wouldn't mind trying some out," he said agreeably. 

The four of them started looking for the robes and cloak shops, soon finding one and stepping in. 

The place was comfortable looking, sofas and chairs scattered around little platforms inside arrays of floating mirrors. 

There were a few people being fitted, one who had a gaggle of people with them and giving suggestions to the cut of the robe. A friendly man came up to them, dressed in simple but well cut robes. 

"Hello! Are you looking to be fitted?"

"Yes," Julie said. "You must know that we are muggles and our children are mages so we don't have much experience about all of this, but I have closely examined the pricing of robes and cloaks over the last 5 years so you will not be fleecing us, understand?"

The man gave her a wide eyed look and nodded with a soft laugh. "Of course! Wouldn't dream of it, friends. Come, come. Who would like to go first?"

"ME!" Hermione said, putting her hand in the air and hopping in circles on the spot. 

The man laughed and gestured for her to get on a platform, the mirrors backing off to let her in and keep her in view of her parents. 

"Children's robes are built to be worn for a much longer time, but you may still need several sets in case they get into a particularly messy situation," the man said. "How many would you like?"

"Three will do it for now," Julie said, smiling as she watched her daughter strike poses in the mirrors. 

Soon, Hermione was being fitted fro children's robes. They were mostly just a short sleeved sort of dress with a hood and adorable designs that moved and shifted over the fabric. 

Julie got one boring one, one with a nesting phoenix with her chicks done in the most lovely art style she had ever seen, and one with books along the hem of the skirt, sleeves, and hood that opened and closed, revealing fun facts about the magical world. 

Hermione twirled in her little robes and ran to hug her mother, still wearing her book robes. 

"Do you want to go next?" she asked Ajax, who nodded. 

Ajax also got a plain set, and he wanted some book robes too, but he chose a set of robes with little bow truckles that seemed determined to climb one another to try and escape out his collar, only to topple down again every so often as their tower became unstable. 

Ajax giggled, watching the bow truckles as Ernest stepped up for his robes. 

"Now, you mentioned you were muggles. We do have a service to add charms to robes if you would like."

"Can we get more charms added every time we come?" Ernest asked. "We have a bit of a budget what with how many robes we had to buy for the kids."

The man nodded. "Of course! Just come in and let us know what you want."

Ernest nodded. 

He almost went with something brown or grey or black, but his wife said, "Get something with a bit more color, Ernest. You don't want to stand out when we come to Diagon Alley."

Ernest chuckled, eventually settling on a cheerful blue, just a bit darker than sky, with clouds that settled in the wrinkles and hems of the robes. He pushed up his glasses, studying the robes. They were a more simple and basic cut, and he felt a bit silly about wearing them, but he imagined he would fit right in when visiting the Alley. 

Soon, he had stepped out and Julie had her turn. 

She pulled out a notepad, talking furiously about her ideas with the worker before he got out a set of robes, and started to modify them. 

By the time they stepped out, Julie's robes shimmered like a green and gold beetle with little gold fastenings and decals in fun little plant like swirls. 

"You look so pretty, mum!" Ajax said as he held her hand and they made their way to the bookstore. 

Julie practically glowed with excitement. "Thank you Ajax. You look very well too."

Ernest chuckled and braced himself for the torrent of books the children would almost certainly demand.

Chapter Text

It took Julie and Earnest a while to decide how they wanted to make sure their kids were prepared for the magical world. There were tutors and primary schools meant for magic. Mostly small schools with a few other students, and while Julie and Ernest did look into them, they eventually gave up on the idea when they say just how much muggle prejudice was baked into a lot of the lesson plans. 

Instead, they bought books, read as much as they could around work, and did their best to teach their kids themselves. While most of it went alright, sometimes things just didn't click, because Ernest and Julie were muggles and couldn't perform magic themselves to show the kids what was the correct way of doing things. 

It was awkward and annoying, and they couldn't actually teach much at all with their work schedule and the kids in school. It was clearly frustrating Hermione and Ajax, who were both very curious about the magical world, but cut off from it because of who their parents were. 

"There has got to be someone we can get help from," Julie finally said, getting on the computer to search through chatrooms. 

Help did not come through chatrooms. Instead it came from one of their patients. 

An older woman named Fiona Harper was paying for her treatment when Ernest came back from picking up the kids from school. He got them settled in the corner of the waiting room, snacks in hand, before he went to go work on someone as Julie came out to say hi to her kids. 

Fiona, who had finished talking with the receptionist, turned and watched with interest for a moment, her eyes catching on the Tales of Beetle the Bard that Hermione was practicing reading with Ajax doing the same over her shoulder. 

Julie looked up as Fiona stepped closer and cleared her throat. 

"Where did you get that book, dear?"

Julie looked down at the book in question and then up in surprise, uncertain of how to respond. "Um, well, a little bookstore my husband and I like to visit."

"Hmmmm, perhaps in Diagon Alley?"

Julie relaxed and smiled. "Exactly! Um, are you..."

"My husband is," Fiona said. "And so is my son. He's just finished his last year at Hogwarts. Is your husband..?"

"No, neither of us are."

"Ah, well, why don't you come by and I'll give you some help. This Saturday?"

Julie did have plans with her friends on Saturday, so after working out a time they could meet where she could still go to that, the plan was set. 

That Saturday, Hermione and Ajax were packed into the car and the family went to the Harper house. 

Mr. Harper was a fine man, wearing his robes in his home cheerfully and talking with his son who had just come home from Hogwarts. 

"I want to wear my robes!" Ajax declared when he saw what Mr. Harper was wearing, and Hermione was quick to agree. 

Julie, anticipating such a situation, had brought their robes and they filtered in and out of the bathroom to change. 

"You got them robes already!" Jim Harper said, delighted when he saw the little patterns. "Well, you're already doing very well then, aren't you?"

"Mum's the best!" Ajax shouted with a firm not.

Jim laughed and nodded. 

Their son, Terry, was happy to help in teaching what the Grangers couldn't manage, but they said they were very impressed with how much the two almost 7 year olds knew. 

"They're so driven," Julie said with a proud smile. "Hermione's reading level is not something to scoff at, and sometimes I find myself learning interesting facts I didn't know from Ajax."

"Ravenclaws in the making," Terry laughed, his wand out as he maintained some sort of spell that made the world almost wobble when you looked at it from the side.

"Ravenclaw!" Hermione gasped, practically with stars in her eyes. "Oh my gosh!!"

"You want to be a Ravenclaw?" Terry asked, amused.

She nodded. 

"What about you, Ajax?" he asked. 

Ajax thought for a moment, tilting his head to the side. "I wanna be where 'Mione is."

Hermione giggled and the two went back to their lesson with reckless abandon. 

Julie was pulled away at some point by Fiona, who said, "While we might not be able to do magic, there are some things you can do. Every good wife needs to know how to make a decent potion, especially with mage children under foot."

Julie nodded before saying, "I would love to learn. Let me just grab Ernest."

Ernest threw himself into potion making with just as much vigor as Julie, which seemed to surprise Fiona for some reason, but she kept the lesson coming until it was time for the Grangers to leave. 

Once the children had changed back into muggle clothing and said goodbye, they all left to go back home, though their Saturdays would always bring them back to the Harper house to learn more about the magical world, magic safety, and potions. 

.................................................

Severus had not seen Regulus for a long time. Sometimes he thought about the younger man, especially whenever June came around and Regulus's birthday came up, but Severus tried to put it out of his mind. He was careful to spend his time outside of school in other countries so that he would be harder to talk to, but at the end of yet another school year in 1988, Regulus found him. 

"You look well," Regulus said, leaning in the doorway of the potions classroom. 

Severus gave Regulus a good look over. It seemed as though he had not seen the sun in even a longer time than he had seen Severus, and there were bags under his eyes as well as a new scar on his jaw. 

"You look worse for wear," Severus said. "Are you alright?"

"Yeah," Regulus laughed. "Just had a bit of a wild mission about a year back and my employers keep me busy, but I have a vacation scheduled for this summer. I was hoping you could join me."

"No," Severus said, "I already have plans."

"In America, so I heard," Regulus snorted. "You'll have to let me know if they're as annoying as I've heard. My parents didn't ever take us out of the country."

Severus frowned a little at the sideways reminder of Sirius in the 'us.'

"So, you talk to Albus after last time??"

"Yes. Your information was correct. The boy is missing, as are his caretakers. I don't suppose your lot has the boy."

"Oh, no. We've been trying to find him. I think my employers had something to do with his caretakers going missing, but I don't know anything beyond that. Don't even know if the kid is still alive."

Severus sighed. He had long gotten over the sense of victory about being free to do as he pleased in the castle without the oath hanging over his head. Now, the idea that the last surviving part of Lily was gone and dead really ached inside of his chest. There was a part of him that hoped against hope the child was alive and well, but another that hoped he stayed dead. 

"I wish we'd had you with us. We did a good job of looking for him, but I feel like you would have actually gotten to the bottom of it.... maybe we still could. After all, you made an oath to his name, right?"

Severus froze. He looked up sharply. "How do you know about that?"

Regulus snorted. "I'm a spy, Sev. I'm supposed to know secret things. Anyway, I'll keep an ear to the ground for you if you keep an ear to the ground for me, yeah? I suppose either way we will know if he is dead or alive in 1991. He turns 11 then and he won't be able to hide from the castle."

Severus made a noncommittal noise, looking down at his bag. 

When he looked up, Regulus was gone.

.................................

Ajax trudged from the bus stop they'd been dropped off at, just behind Hermione as they made their way to their parent's office. 

Officially 9 years old after a party involving his muggle friends and grandparents (his dad's parents), Ajax had been making plans to convince his parents to let him have a birthday party with the mage kids he'd made friends with in the book clubs and libraries on Halcyon Street. 

Unfortunately, it looked like he would not be getting his way in the slightest after the day he'd had at school. 

Hermione glanced back over her shoulder, her bushy hair nearly obscuring her vision. Why she demanded to brush out her curls every morning instead of treat them like mum had shown Ajax how to treat his, he had no idea. 

"It'll be alright. They know accidents happen," she said. 

"I know."

"And that kid was being right mean to you."

"I know."

"And you had every right to turn his hair white."

Ajax just snorted. "Yeah?"

"Yeah. I personally would have turned it purple."

Ajax laughed again, but he still felt a little sick to his stomach like he always did when he was in trouble. 

He'd complained to his mum once about how scared he was to be in trouble, that he couldn't understand why he was so freaked out by the very idea of it. She said it might have something to do with his first three years of life. 

Ajax sighed. He wished he had been born to the Granger family in the first place, that he didn't carry visible and invisible scars from those first few years of life. He was only 9 and there wasn't much a 9 year old could do about all that. At least the scar on his forehead had faded down into something almost unnoticeable. He'd seen pictures of when he was little and had been shocked by how awful the scar looked, like lightning on his forehead. Now it was just a pale mark most people overlooked, especially with his messy hair in the way. 

They entered the dentist office and made their way to the back room they spent their time in until their parents were able to take them home. 

Julie, who was working at her desk with paperwork scattered across the room, spotted them and got up to greet them, kissing Hermione's cheek and Ajax's forehead. 

"How was school?" she asked like she always did, taking time from work to check in even if they would have time to talk in an hour or two. 

"I uh.... I got into a... well it wasn't really a fight," Ajax said, his hands shaking a little.

"He was being bullied," Hermione said. "Roger was calling him a know it all cry baby."

"Didn't you call him that the same thing last night?" Julie asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Yeah, but I'm pretty sure I get to. Roger doesn't."

Ajax swallowed and said, "He kind of pushed me and I got scared so I, uh, I accidentally turned his hair white."

Julie sighed. "Did you fix it?"

"He ran away before I could try," he said softly. "He wore a hat in class for the rest of the day even though he got in trouble for it."

"What's his last name?"

"Um, Farrow, I think."

"Alright. I'll get one of the Harpers to go check on him and sort it out."

Ajax nodded. "I'm sorry, mum. I didn't mean to."

"It's alright, duck. I know it happens sometimes," she said. "You two have had surprisingly few incidents, so it was bound to happen eventually."

Relieved that he appeared to be in safe territory, Ajax figured his hope for a magic birthday party could be allowed to survive. He'd just wait till the day after to bring it up. 

Turned out, he didn't have to bring it up as he was surprised with a party the very next day when they got home from school and work with all of his mage friends there and their families, along with the most wonderful gifts he had ever received probably ever. 

Mum smiled at him with a little wink and he grinned back at her. He had the best mum in the entire world. 

Chapter Text

Julie and Ernest were just as excited as their kids when they turned 10. The years moved so quickly, and yet none of them could wait to really join the magus world. 

They had been doing their best, and Ernest and Julie were frequently found in the magical parts of London with their kids, furiously preparing for Ajax and Hermione to go to Hogwarts. 

Ernest had actually had to hire another dentist so that he and Julie could spend more time with the kids out in this other world, and he felt very grateful that their business had been doing well enough to allow for it. 

Ernest had a feeling that some of the good fortune had come from magic charms Julie had been earning with her forays into potions work here and there or by just being friendly enough that witches and wizards wanted to give her a small gift. 

Things were not always perfect, of course. The prejudice against muggles and muggle borns in the magus community was astounding to say the least. There were places that Ernest had been kicked out of when it had been discovered he was a muggle, and he and Julie had been yelled at a few times for appropriating culture by wearing magus robes. 

The two of them ignored all of it, but it was a little harder to shield the children from such things as their playmates sometimes said hurtful things without understanding how cruel it really was. 

Julie had gotten very good at spotting pure bloods and making sure to avoid them, memorizing the faces of the nastier ones and reading through bloodlines so she knew their genealogies better than the pure bloods did themselves. 

She was obsessed with the magus world, clearly, and sometimes Earnest was concerned that she was hoping that curling up as deep and as close as she could to magic would somehow give her some in return. It was strange to see from his usually grounded and serious wife. 

Though, with how stubborn she could be and how good she was at seeing past the things everyone else saw, he wouldn't put it past her to somehow gain an ability for magic. 

Julie and Ernest were walking through a small neighborhood called Noxton. It was a magical community with a small park and a few shops. Julie had already purchased the physical charms she wanted to add to the stove and fridge so they could decrease their power bill again and the kids had asked to play in the park there when they spotted it. 

The park was geared toward magical children. The play equipment was, in turn, strange and magical. Sending children up into the air in places to land safely in widespread bubble charms. 

There was a play area above it where the children walked upside down as gravity was reversed, giggling and playing on the slides and the swings. 

Hermione laughed and ran off, Ajax doing the same though to a different cluster of kids who were all crouched around something, and Julie and Ernest looked around for a place to sit and a chatting companion. 

Julie's attention caught, of course, on a pure blood. 

Lucius Malfoy. He was from the most pure blood family of them all, and she knew just how tangled his family history was. She was certain that magic had to be working somewhere because he was incredibly beautiful and looked very healthy despite the huge amounts of inbreeding that had been played through to create him. 

He looked up and noticed them, and something about the two of them seemed to have caught his interest as well as he stood, picking up his cane (clearly for show) and walked away from his gaping talking companion. 

"Well hello," he said. "I'm sorry, but we don't see many new faces in this neighborhood."

"We were just stopping by the charm shop nearby and then the kids spotted the park so we decided it would be alright to let them come play," Julie said with a small shrug. 

He nodded, eyeing her and Ernest. "Hmmmm..... I'm sorry, but it's just that I don't know you, and you seem to be relatively my age, yes?"

Ernest snorted. 

"I take it you are someone who knows everyone."

"Of course," Lucius said with a nod. "But perhaps you are not?"

"You are Lucius Malfoy, son of Abraxas and married to Narcissa. You have a son named Draco about our children's age," Julie said, unable to keep the smug tone from her voice that she could show off a little. 

"My, it seems I have a bit of a fan," Lucius said, glancing at Ernest curiously. 

"Oh no. My wife just loves research. She's probably got all of the pure blood families memorized," Ernest said with a half shrug. 

"You are curiously embedded in the Ministry," Julie continued. "And with the ties you have to the minister and practically all of the new candidates, it makes one wonder."

Julie glanced back, reaching into her pocket to activate a physical silencing charm she had to hand as she leaned in and said, "Especially with the rumors about the Ashwinder project in the works. One Mr. Golden is apparently funding the project, but I have some fairly strong ideas about who Mr. Golden actually is."

Lucius, if possible, went more pale and glanced around, noticing the silencing charm. "What do you want?" he hissed. 

"Oh, nothing," Julie said with a smile. "I only want you to understand what you're dealing with before we say we're new to the Magus community, and we are the muggle parents to two muggle born children that will be in your son's year at Hogwarts."

The way Lucius’s mouth fell open at that made Ernest want to pull his wife into a kiss very, very badly. He loved watching her threaten and extort high and mighty mages. 

It took Lucius a moment to collect himself, but when he did he gave her a more thorough look, this time with clearer disbelief. "I do not know who put you up to this, but I assure you I can pay you better-"

Julie scoffed. "Oh, is that right? Of course. You do not want to be playing that game with me, Mr. Malfoy. All I want is for our kids to feel safe at school, which means that if you son, a pure blood heir, is friendly with them, then they will not need to be worried about being bullied by other pure bloods, yes?"

"Yes," Lucius said, more thoughtful now. 

He glanced at the playground and said, "I would like to meet your children. My son is not here as I was only here for a conversation with a friend who insisted on doing it in public.... Perhaps I could invite you to my manor."

"That would be acceptable," Julie said with a nod. "What is your address? We would prefer to arrive by Floo, unless you wouldn't mind a muggle car in your drive."

"Floo will work just fine. Can I have your names so we can allow you in through the wards?"

"I am Julie Granger and this is Ernest Granger," Julie said. "When would you like to meet?"

"Let's say tomorrow? Two in the afternoon?"

"That works for us," Ernest said with nod. 

Lucius nodded, eyeing the both of them. "If you will excuse me, I have.... things to look into."

Julie smiled politely and Lucius left. His conversation partner had already left as well so Julie and Ernest took the bench they had abandoned, watching the kids play. 

"That was hot," Ernest breathed and Julie snorted. 

"I was originally going to stay away, but I thought that we might try and gain an advantage for our kids sooner rather than later," Julie said. 

"And how did you get all of that information?"

"You really just have to follow the money and listen in at a couple of conversations in pubs," she said, waving her hand dismissively. "Oh, look, Ajax is starting a game of tag."

Ernest cooed, watching as Ajax ran around while Hermione chatted with some of the girls and boys more inclined to sit and talk. 

That being said, through a series of strange events, Hermione managed to win the last round of tag while Ajax lay on the ground, panting for his life as she had countered all of his tricks.

..........................................................

Hermione smoothed down her robes again, her hair, once again, brushed out rather than handled like how Ajax handled his. 

Ajax watched in horror as she ran her brush through her hair again. 

"Stop! What are you doing?"

"Trying to look like a mad scientist," she replied with a wicked little grin. 

"You've managed it! Stop!"

Hermione snickered and turned as the door open and Julie gestured for them to come. "We have to go now if we're going to be on time."

Ajax and Hermione, who was still taller than Ajax, especially with her bushy hair, walked over to the fire place and dad tossed the Floo powder in. 

"Mind your manners, don't touch anything that you haven't been given permission to touch, and don't break anything. We might not be able to afford to fix it."

Ajax and Hermione nodded and soon they were all passing through to the Malfoy Manor. 

Ajax shook his hair out of his eyes and looked around, intrigued. 

The manor was huge and a little empty. He imagined it would be hard to decorate all of that space. 

There was a Black haired woman, a tall pale man, and a kid their age waiting for them, all dressed in their best. 

"Welcome," Mr. Malfoy said pleasantly. He looked over Hermione and Ajax before pausing on Ajax and looking at Ernest and Julie. 

Ajax wanted to squirm. He hated that look. Like other people thought he didn't belong in his family when he knew he did. 

"This is Hermione and Ajax," Julie said, gesturing. "Thank you very much for inviting us."

Mr. Malfoy nodded and touched his son's back. "Draco, why don't you entertain our younger guests?"

Draco nodded and stepped forward, trying to be cool and suave and failing a little bit. "I'm Draco. Come along."

Ajax and Hermione shared an amused look before they followed the other 10 year old through the manor to a side room with some toys and books, all of which vibrated with magic.

Draco turned and gave them an appraising look. "Now, this is my play room, which means that you have to follow my rules," he said haughtily. "I'm in charge here."

Ajax loved moments like this. They were what brought Hermione and him together. "Oh, of course," he said, mimicking Draco's posh accent. "We would never dream of breaking your rules."

Hermione snickered a little. "Oh no, never."

Draco seemed to sense that he might possibly be in danger and cleared his throat. "Alright.... well, I want to play with my new Ritorflibit first. You do know what that is, don't you?"

"Oh, I think I've heard of them," Hermione said thoughtfully. "That's the device that makes complicated illusions based on what you imagine."

"That sounds like fun," Ajax said. "All you have to do is put you hand on it and imagine the place, right? Can we have turns?"

"Maybe," Draco said. "But I go first."

"Oh, of course," Hermione said. "It's your room after all."

Draco nodded and turned to the magical device in the corner, putting his hand on it and the room around them took on the plant like shapes of a jungle with a magnificent tree house up high in the trees. 

"We have to get up to the tree house quickly," Draco said. "There are cannibals down here."

Ajax and Hermione giggled as they raced to the tree, climbing up the ladders and handholds to get up to the tree house alongside Draco, who's face was bright with unadulterated glee. Draco was happy to give a tour of his tree house before they all cheerfully started casting imaginary spells at the sharp toothed ravenous wolf people down below. 

Chapter Text

Lucius Malfoy eyed the couple he and his wife were sitting with. He had done his research and found them to be a fairly well off muggle couple running a dentistry. It took him a bit to figure out what a dentistry was, but he found it out eventually. They had no family ties to the magus community whatsoever, and the closest mage they were related to was separated by about five degrees. 

They were not magical in the slightest and everything pointed to that fact. People knew them, had known them their whole lives. He had tracked every moment of it, from their college days to their meeting at a shooting competition to their hunts with their families in the countryside, to their building a dentistry when they finally decided to settle down. 

And yet, here they were. With a magical daughter and a magical adopted son. A son who looked like he belonged to an Indian pure blood family, in fact. Perhaps even a son who was a hidden Potter. 

"So," Lucius said after his wife had started the conversation and eased the social tensions. "You adopted?"

"Yes," Ernest said. He seemed to be the one to talk the most about the children, surprisingly enough. This couple was odd in every possible way, and giving Lucius's worldview a run for its money. "We don't know where he came from, unfortunately, but we were looking to adopt and there he was."

"Magic has a strange way of going about things, doesn't it, giving you another magical child like that."

"It's not that strange when you've looked into the way that magic interacts with laws of relativity," Julie said, once again giving Lucius a verbal slap in the face that these muggles were not to be underestimated. They knew a lot. More, even, than a lot of actual mages knew about their world, and it seemed they had been living within magical communities for a while now. 

"Yes, indeed," he mused. "Though it is not always magic. How old was he when you adopted him?"

"Oh, about three? Three and a half? He didn't know his birthday and the doctors we talked to couldn’t find his record."

"Have you thought about having his bloodline traced by magic?"

"We have," Ernest said. 

Julie nodded. "However, when we got Ajax he was terrified of the idea of going back to wherever he came from or being left alone. He didn't even know his own name."

"What?" Narcissa asked, deeply shocked by that. 

"The people who had him before were abusing him, we think," Ernest said, clearing his throat a little as emotion tried to clog it. "And... we are a bit selfish. If we find his guardians they have a right to take him back and we can't stand that thought."

"So we haven't really looked."

Lucius rubbed his face, letting his wife handle the conversation again. 

The boy had been about a year or so old when his parents had been killed. Where could he had been for a little more than two years? The Grangers seemed to be telling the truth, if the crystal humming gently in his pocket was to be believed. 

The topic eventually came around to politics, giving Lucius the space he needed to ask his next question. "It makes one wonder what Albus Dumbledore has planned. He didn't involve himself in the government for years, and now he's back."

Julie's eyes flashed with interest. "That is a man I would like to ask you about. I heard he had something to do with your staying out of Azkaban and I want to know why? And what you think of him."

Her husband shot her a reproachful look. "You can't just ask someone about their time in Azkaban, dear."

"No offense taken and no harm done," Lucius said smoothly. He had to admit it. He liked this couple. Julie's tenacity and wit paired with Ernest's watching carefulness, like he was gathering information for his wife to dissect later, was extremely intriguing and endearing. 

Lucius had worked with shrewd muggles before, of course. The muggle markets were larger and plentiful, after all, and he was happy to use business partners to accrue a bit more wealth for himself and his family, but these two. These two made him think they should be treated as equals. That perhaps there were more muggles to treat as equals. Muggles that could get just as much done, if not more, as he could. 

Interesting. 

"Albus Dumbledore is a strange old man. He believes, blindly, that he is the steward of our time. That he is in charge of all of us stray ducklings. He helped me because I had a wife and a son at home that needed a husband and a father. He helped me because he knew that I would owe him a debt and a favor if I did so. And he did it because.... well, he did see there was something in besides being a Death Eater."

Julie's eyes narrowed and she nodded, though Lucius could not really read her expression beyond that.

"The sense I get is that he is not to be trusted," she said. "I haven't met him, but I would like to give him a piece of my mind about some things."

"I as well," Lucius said. If Ajax was who he thought he was.... but there were plenty of magical Indian families, and there was no way that Dumbledore would have ever let his pawn out of his sight. This was a coincidence, Lucius just knew it. 

Ajax didn't even have a scar on his forehead. Maybe a tiny birthmark, but nothing beyond that. 

He let the conversation flow from there, happily thinking of an alliance with the Granger and seeing what place they could take in magus society that would benefit him. 

.................................

"It's our turn," Ajax said firmly, hands on his hips. 

Draco pouted, deeply annoyed by this, but the game of casting spells at cannibals had run its course and he was ready for something new. 

Who knew, these two might provide some new material for his alone play later. 

Ajax turned to Hermione. "Star wars or Star Trek?"

Hermione laughed. It was not a pretty laugh, but there was something to it that made Draco sit up and pay attention. "That's easy. Star trek! And I'll be the captain."

Draco pounced on that. "No! This is my house, I should get to be the captain."

"We let you be the leader in the last game. It's our turn now," Ajax said patiently before turning to Hermione, "But I would like to be the captain this time."

"No way! It has to be my turn!"

"No, cause last time you said that if you could read my Basic Charms book first that I could be whatever I wanted in my next game."

"And you got to be the phoenix-Godzilla when we were playing the fire thunder game."

Ajax rolled his eyes. "Only cause I knew how bad you wanted to be the Gila Hydra."

Hermione inclined her head and Draco felt for a moment he was watching a debate sitting beside his father in the Ministry, only this time about things he could understand. No wonder his father spent so much time listening to people argue. 

"Alright. You can be captain if I get to be your second."

Ajax stuck out his hand. "Alright, number 2."

"Alright, Captain. Shall I set the ship?"

"Please do so," Ajax said regally and Hermione made her way to the machine with glee on her face, putting her palm where indicated. 

Draco was bewildered by the shape change. They were in a roundish tiered room, consoles with chairs set in them, walls of blinking lights, and outside the window was a view of the night sky. 

Ajax went to sit in the main chair, Hermione taking the second's spot.

She fidgeted and said, "Actually.... um, Draco, do you want to be second in command? I want to steer the ship."

"The ship?" Draco asked, looking around. This wasn't like any ship he had seen before. 

Ajax nodded. "Come sit by me."

Hermione gave over the seat and Draco sat down as Hermione got into position. 

"Where's the rest of the crew?" Ajax asked with a frown before the door opened and the strangest people Draco had ever seen came out. 

There were humans, but then there were some that looked a little off. One man looked very off with his strange, ferocious features. 

"Data," Ajax barked at a man who was too pale to be real if his golden eyes hadn't given it away. "Status report!"

"We are coming up on Puton, Captain," the strange man said with a nod. "We will be there shortly should Ms. Granger's flying abilities prove as capable as ever."

Hermione flashed Data a grin over her shoulder. "You'd better believe they are!"

Draco gasped when something crossed the view of the night sky. It was round and a swirling brown and grey color with strange patches of blue and green. 

"Ah, the dome planet," Ajax said pressing some buttons on the arm of his chair. "Beautiful. It has been too long since we were here last. 'Mione! Take us in. Number 2, I need you to make sure we have permissions to land where we need to."

Draco stared, open mouthed. "I.... what?"

Everything in the room froze and Hermione turned, rolling her eyes. "Don't you watch TV?"

"TV?"

"Yeah, this is Star Trek, obviously. We never miss an episode."

"Mum showed us all of the first part, and now we're watching The Next Generation as it comes out," Ajax said. "Are your parents strict about what you can watch?"

Draco felt his ears burn as he was faced with two expectant pairs of eyes. 

"Um... we don't.... have that."

Hermione gasped like she had been burned and Ajax stood up, scandalized. "We have to fix this!" Ajax declared. "Come on!"

The three of them got up, disturbing the magic and leaving Draco's playroom. They made their way back to where their parents were talking and Ajax and Hermione spoke at the same time. 

"MUM!"

Mrs. Granger turned and Draco felt his face burn with embarrassment, uncertain of what to do with himself in all of this. He thought he was going to be in charge of them, not getting dragged around and told he was missing out on something vitally important. 

"What's wrong?" she asked, looking for injuries. 

"Draco doesn't know about Star Trek!" Ajax said, still sounding like he was deeply wounded by the concept. "Not even the first show! We need to fix this!"

"Star Trek?" Draco's father asked quizzically. 

"Yes!" Hermione said. "Only the best show ever."

Mrs. Granger smiled. "Well, I'm sure Draco can ask his parents to help him watch it if he wants to."

"I want to!" Draco said, if only to avoid being left out. That game looked like it could have been a lot of fun if he had known what was going on. 

His father, slightly scandalized, looked between all of them. 

"Yes, um... a show..."

"It's a muggle form of entertainment," Mrs. Granger said helpfully. "Usually watched through a television."

Ajax and Hermione nodded. "And it's on Sky One at 5," Hermione said helpfully. 

"Dad records the episodes for mum as we go, so we have everything you've missed," Ajax told Draco reassuringly. 

Draco nodded, still bewildered but delighted by the idea of a new thing to get excited about. 

He looked over at his father pleadingly, and was delighted to see he looked a little frazzled. 

"Er, yes, I will look into it," he promised. "Uh-"

"If you need any help you let us know," Mrs. Granger said eagerly. 

Mr. Granger laughed. "Julie is always looking for more friends to pull into her favorite show. It's fun."

"I'll take your word for it," Draco's father said with a nod.

Seemingly happy with that, Ajax and Hermione happily grabbed Draco's arms and dragged him off to play some more, leaving the adults laughing a little in their wake.

Chapter Text

It had been a long time since Severus had spoken with Lucius on a one on one basis. He had been invited to the manor for a few of his godson's birthdays and a couple other events, but this was the first time that Lucius had invited him over just to talk. 

They had planed to wait to really speak with each other and build up a friendship again, since they had been Death Eaters together and it would hurt both of their images to be seen together too soon after everything, but it had been almost a decade since the Dark Lord had been defeated and people had moved on and forgotten. Especially Lucius Malfoy, who had been intent on raising his family, expanding his business, and getting far away from the mistakes of his past. 

Severus had though that Lucius considered him one of those mistakes, but he was happy to find that Lucius welcomed him wholeheartedly, his eyes glimmering with excitement. 

The manor had not changed much, though Draco was noticeably nowhere to be found. He usually came when Severus visited to see if the potions master had any toys or treats for him. 

"Where is Draco?" Severus asked after the welcoming had concluded and Lucius grinned. 

"Well, we as a family had been introduced to muggle media recently. Televisions are the most interesting things I have seen, and I am only angry that I did not know about them before. This form of entertainment is already so popular, and if I can find a way into the niche I will be set for quite a while, I believe."

"Television," Severus said in utter surprise. He, of course, watched some television. There were a few good soaps he enjoyed with Minerva often enough. "What has your son been watching?"

"Star Trek. His new friends are obsessed with it," Lucius said, and Severus wondered for a moment if he had been confounded. 

The two made their way up to Lucius’s office and got set up with some wine and soft music in the background as Lucius said, "It is good to see you, Severus. I think it has been much too long since we have properly spoken."

"I agree," Severus said, relaxing into the moment and accepting a glass of wine. "I am hoping that these are overtures of friendship and not you hoping to have a cheap potions master on your payroll."

Lucius snorted into his wine and the two of them laughed together for a moment. 

"So, besides working for the old Headmaster, what have you been doing?"

"I've mostly bounced between potions masters around the world to learn more," Severus said. "I.... I made a promise that I need to see through. This coming year we'll be seeing the Boy-Who-Lived.... perhaps."

"Perhaps?" Lucius asked, raising an eyebrow. "I had heard rumors that the boy was missing, but surely it isn't true."

"It is," Severus sighed. "And he is very likely dead if my sources are to be believed. If he is gone, truly, then I will likely take my leave of the school in another few years and pursue my career as a potions master."

"And if he is not dead? If he does come to school?"

Severus fought down the exhaustion and the disappointment that threatened him as the very idea of Harry Potter being alive crossed his mind. "Then I will do what I can to help the child. I only hope I can keep him out from under Albus's thumb. I do not like what the man has in mind of the child."

Lucius hummed thoughtfully, rolling that over in his mind. 

"I....." he fell silent and Severus saw that he was calculating probabilities and putting things together. 

"When did the boy go missing?"

"His caretakers went missing when he was three and a half. I do not know if he went missing with them, though there are whispers that he was gone before that."

Lucius gasped softly, getting up to pace. 

"What?" Severus asked, getting to his feet as well. "Surely you do not know where the boy is."

Please let it be something else. Anything else. Severus did not even want to think about what he might have to do if the boy was still alive. 

"There..... my son's new friends. I had met the family at a park and the parents were muggles, but they have a very good grasp on our world. They have a daughter, and an adopted son. An adoptive son who is clearly half Indian. I did not think he was the Potter child because he did not have the scar on his head, but perhaps his family has hidden it...... I do not know, but they found him when he was 3 or 3 and a half years old."

Severus stared at Lucius, shocked not only that the potter boy might be alive, but had been to the Malfoy manor and that Lucius apparently allowed muggles and muggle borns into his life now. 

He had to have been confounded, surely. 

"I don't..... I must see him. Where does this family live?"

Lucius said, "They live in Hampton. They own a dentistry there. The Grangers."

"I must see them now."

"I will go with you," Lucius said, reaching for his cane and his cloak. 

Severus and him disapparated from the office to a street that Severus did not recognize and they charmed their clothing to look high class, though muggle in form. 

Lucius led the way to the dentistry while Severus walked behind him, his heart in his throat. 

There were people waiting in the chairs in the front room and Lucius seemed a little lost so Severus stepped forward to the desk and said, "We need to speak with the Grangers."

"I am a family friend," Lucius said quickly with a charming smile. 

The receptionist nodded and picked up a phone from a cradle, pressing a button and waiting a moment. 

"Hello, Julie. There are two gentlemen here to see you. One says he's a family friend."

"Lucius Malfoy," the pure blood said. 

"Mr. Malfoy," the woman repeated into the phone.

She gave them a surprised glance and then looked at the phone in confusion when Julie appeared in the doorway to the back, waving them frantically to follow her. 

Lucius and Severus did so- past chairs with muggles laying back and having their teeth cleaned, checked and worked on- and into a quiet office. 

"Lucius," Julie said, surprising Severus with her familiarity with the man. "What are you doing here? Has something happened?"

"Oh, no, not really," Lucius said quickly. "I'm sorry, I did not realize my presence here would startle you."

Julie relaxed and smiled. "I'm sorry. I guess I didn't see you as the type to be seen in places like this unless it was urgent."

Lucius cleared his throat in a distinctly guilty manner and said, "This is my friend, Severus Sn-Prince. Severus Prince. He brought a matter to my attention that made it imperative that we talk to you."

Lucius looked at Severus expectantly, leaving him with the task of telling Julie what they were here for. 

Coward, Severus though good naturedly. 

"Your son. Does he or did he have a scar on his forehead? More toward the side?"

"He did," Julie said. "Still does if you look closely, but it's healed alright since we've had him."

Severus shared an alarmed look with Lucius. 

"I know who your son is," Severus said quickly. "Are you aware of Harry Potter?"

Julie closed her eyes, like a blow had been struck to her heart. "I thought so," she murmured. 

The three stood in silence and she took a deep breath before she said, "When we took him in I didn't know. We didn't learn about magic till he and Hermione started doing it when they were 5. When I looked into everything and learned about the war and Voldemort-"

Both Lucius and Severus hissed and Julie gave them wide eyed looks, glancing at their arms that burned like they had been freshly branded. 

"It's alright, Julie," Lucius said with a pained smile.

She gave Severus a piercing look and he cleared his throat a little, rolling back his sleeve to show her the mark. 

It was scarred and damaged from every time he had tried to remove it, and Lucius gasped when he saw the marks. 

"Severus, what have you been doing to yourself?"

"Trying to get it off," he replied simply. "I assure you that I am no enemy. I... I knew Harry's mother quite well and made a promise to protect him."

"Ajax," she said firmly. "His name is Ajax Granger."

Severus nodded, rolling his sleeve down. 

"Well, I learned about your world, our world, I would say, actually, and about the child that stopped the Dark Lord. When I looked into the Potters and realized they were an Indian family I just..... I knew. In my heart I knew. But I didn't want-"

She stopped, tears in her eyes. "How could any mother put up with the knowledge that her son had been orphaned because of something so horrible? That the magus world worshiped him, but when you found him, he had been hurt and abused by those who had him before."

"Petunia," Severus said darkly. "I had been afraid of that."

"Is she still around?" Julie asked, something fearful in her face and Severus shook his head. "Her and her family died, though we do not know why.... there are rumors, Mrs. Granger, and it's going to be a task to parse it all out, but you have an ally in me and in Lucius."

Julie nodded, wiping her eyes and putting a business-like expression on her face. "I will not allow anyone to call my son Harry Potter, and he will not be used a pawn in political games. Is that understood?"

"Understood perfectly, Mrs. Granger," Severus said with a firm nod, "And I had already come to the same resolutions as you on that front."

Lucius winced. "He will be in the public eye and he will be someone politicians will fight over, but you have already done well in choosing me to be your friend and to introduce our children to one another."

Julie nodded firmly. "I thought as much. I have buried my head in the sand for too long. We will need to worry about the minister as well as Albus Dumbledore."

"I work at Hogwarts and will be able to head off Dumbledore and Lucius can handle the Ministry," Severus said, getting a relieved look from Julie. "But there is something I am concerned about. There.... are no longer Death Eaters, not really, but something has taken their place and grown from their shadows. They will be interested in the boy, and I do not know why."

Lucius gave Severus a sharp look, intrigued. "Who are they?"

"They call themselves the Lethifold Conspiracy. I know of one member, an old friend of mine from school. He has spoken with me a few times, trying to convince me to join."

Lucius wrinkled his nose in disgust and Severus nodded his agreement to that look.

"Why didn't you?" Julie asked sharply and Severus felt like she was ready to rip him apart till she understood every bit of how he worked. 

"I'm tired of being a spy," he replied. "I was a spy for Albus Dumbledore and the Dark Lord, and I am done with all of it. I know that doesn't make me very trustworthy, but I assure you I want to help."

Julie stared at him for a few moments before glancing at Lucius, who raised an eyebrow. 

She pulled out a truth stone from her pocket and said, "I will never be able to repay you for this thing, Lucius."

Lucius laughed and Severus snorted, letting his anxiety ease out of his shoulders. 

"The kids will be back soon. We need to discus what we will be telling them."

"We shouldn't tell them much," Lucius said quickly. "It is too much for-"

"Trust me when I say that you are very wrong and, for their safety, they need to know what is going on and who is on their side."

"She is very right," Severus said with a nod. "We'll start with telling Ajax about his biological parents."

Chapter Text

"Uh oh," Hermione said as she and Ajax approached their parent's office. 

Ajax had felt it too. There was an air about the place. One like waiting. Like something was going to happen or conversations were going to be had that changed everything. 

Mr. Harper called these magic currents, and he had been teaching them how to sense those currents so they could be ahead of their peers in school. 

Ajax and Hermione, of course, picked it up quickly, working together to make sure they were doing it right. 

"I can't tell if it's good or bad," Ajax said with a frown.

"A bit of both, I expect," Hermione said. "Come on."

The two entered the office and went back where they saw mum talking with Mr. Malfoy and a dark haired stranger with a rather unfortunate nose. 

"That'll be it, then," Ajax said, nodding in their direction. 

"Yup," Hermione said. 

The two, standing shoulder to shoulder, walked to the office and poked their heads in. 

The stranger was staring at Ajax, a very conflicted expression on his face and Mr. Malfoy turned, looking them both over expectantly. 

"Well?" Hermione asked. "Get on with it."

Mum snorted and the stranger gave them a perplexed look. 

"Come in, dears, and shut the door. We have a lot to talk about." 

Ajax shut the door and looked at the stranger. 

"Who are you?" he asked. 

"I am Severus Prince," he replied, his expression becoming even more complex. Ajax was beginning to worry for the man's health if it kept on like that. 

"I'm Ajax Granger. And this is my sister, Hermione," he said. 

Mr. Prince nodded. "I see that. It is good to meet you."

"Master Prince is my friend," Mr. Malfoy said, and Hermione nearly leapt out of her skin at that. 

"Master!? What did you master in!?"

Ajax was just as eager. "I'll bet you anything it's potions!"

Master Prince gave them both a shocked look and nodded, the shock turning to surprised delight. "Yes, I did indeed. How did you know, Ajax?"

"That sort of robe cut is usually worn by people working with their hands in places where draping sleeves is dangerous," Ajax said. "Plus, your fingers are stained."

Master Prince glanced down at his hands and smiled. "You are very perceptive."

"We do perception exercises a lot," Hermione bragged. "Mr. Harper said that a good mage always knows what's going on around them cause they're paying attention.

Ajax nodded. "We knew you were here before, too. There are currents outside in the magic."

Master Prince and Mr. Malfoy shared a look before deferring to mum. 

As they should, Ajax thought to himself. No one was as smart or as capable as his mum, even if she wasn't a mage.

"This conversation mostly has to do with Ajax."

"I'm staying," Hermione said just as Ajax said, "Hermione is staying."

Their mum nodded. 

"Ajax, you know about Harry Potter, correct?"

"Of course," Ajax said, rolling his eyes. "Baby who ended the magus war cause a Dark wizard couldn't kill him. There are books about what he's been up to."

"Probably exaggerated," Hermione agreed. "I haven't heard of anyone actually being allowed to live with mermaids, and I know because I looked in every book I could get my hands on."

Mr. Malfoy smiled, either impressed or amused. Ajax wasn't sure. 

"It turns out that Harry Potter was given to his aunt and uncle when his parents died, and that they weren't very nice to him."

Ajax frowned and then became very nervous now. Hermione shot him a quizzical look.

"You're not saying that I'm Harry Potter," Ajax asked slowly.

"We believe you are," Master Prince said. "You look a lot like James Potter, and your eyes.... they look exactly like Lily Evans's.... she was a good friend of mine when I was younger."

Ajax frowned. This was surreal in a way. He was not Harry Potter. He was Ajax Granger and had been for a lot longer than he could have been Harry Potter. He felt a bit like he was being told that he was the Easter Bunny's son. Harry Potter wasn't real. He was a figure in mage stories. 

He huffed and folded his arms. 

When Master Prince moved to speak, he said, "Shh, I'm thinking."

He took a few more moments, trying to reconcile what he learned with who he felt like. Finally, he decided that he would accept it as a title of sorts, but it didn't really have to be him. 

Though thoughts of his real parents...... that was harder to deal with. 

He loved his mum and his dad, and he knew that he was expected to mourn the ones he had lost, but he didn't know them. He couldn't remember anything about them, even, and he didn't want to be weighed down by grief for people he didn't know. He didn't want people to expect him to mourn them either, which would be tough. It definitely looked like Master Prince mourned his mother and maybe still was, but that didn't mean Ajax had to. 

"Alright," he said. "I was Harry Potter at one point. But now I am Ajax Granger and I am not Harry Potter. That changes things."

Mr. Malfoy grinned. "We'll make a Slytherin out of you yet, Ajax," he said with a little chuckle. 

"No, I want Ravenclaw," Ajax said offhandedly. "We both do."

Hermione nodded, still thinking hard. 

"People will want Ajax to be Harry Potter, right?" she asked. 

"They will," mum said. 

"And we won't let them," Mr. Malfoy assured the both of them. "Master Prince here works at the school as a potions professor, so he will be able to help there, and I have my own connections that will be very useful to us. It's important to understand that it might be hard for some people to grasp that."

Master Prince nodded. "It might not be that difficult. Many depictions of the character Harry Potter portray him as white with a very prominent scar on his head. You are darker than they will expect and your scar is very well healed. I could barely even see it despite actively looking for it."

"So I could just tell everyone I'm not Harry Potter."

"Someone will make the connection quickly, I'm afraid. Especially the headmaster," Master Prince said. "He will want to speak with you and make plans with you, but that will not allow you to focus on your schooling like you undoubtedly want to."

Ajax nodded. "Exactly."

"Whenever you are called to speak with him, you must request that your head teacher be there, and I will attempt to ensure that you will not have to speak with him alone, ever," Master Prince said. 

Ajax folded his arms thoughtfully. "That makes sense to me.... you said that Harry... that I was put with my aunt and uncle?"

"Petunia, yes," Master Prince said. "She was a miserable woman."

"Could she try and claim me?" he asked. 

"No. She and her family are gone, presumed dead," Severus said. 

Ajax felt a small spark of relief, but also concern. "Dead? How?"

Severus hummed. "I am not certain. Perhaps killed by the fragments of Death Eaters that would have wanted to kill the child that ended their master. I will be looking into it further for you."

Ajax nodded thoughtfully. 

"At the end of the day, you can trust us to handle it. If you are ever in a strange or uncomfortable situation, you can come to one of us and we will sort it out for you so you can get on with your day," Mr. Malfoy said warmly. "I will be purchasing the best owls for you and Hermione to have at Hogwarts."

Hermione gasped, delighted by the thought and Ajax grinned. He liked the promise of a pet.

"I believe that is the most of it. Hermione, Ajax, I will be inviting you to my manor for lessons on how to handle any press that might reach you as well as how to politely get out of situations you don't want to be in," Mr. Malfoy said. 

"Ooh, that will be good," Hermione said, delighted. "And then we can play with Draco after, right?"

"Yes, you may. He has made good progress in that show of yours so he should be ready to play your games."

Hermione smiled a truly delighted grin, as did Ajax. 

"And, Ajax. Should you ever wish to know more about your birth parents, I would be happy to tell of your mother. And perhaps a little of your father," Master Prince said. 

Ajax thought about it for a moment and shrugged. "No offense, Master Prince, but I already have really good parents. I don't really think I want to know about the Potter's right now."

There was a flash of something sad in Master's Prince's eyes, but he nodded and said, "I understand."

Hermione huffed and said, "Now, we have some homework to do, and I want to keep reading about Thestrals today. Can we go?"

"It's 'may we go', Hermione. Mind your manners," mum said. "And yes, you may."

Hermione and Ajax nodded and they were off to the little room they usually stayed in after school and before going home. 

"I don't like this," Ajax said as soon as they had closed their door. 

"Me either, but I think it could be worse," Hermione said. "And it's not like you've ever really been Harry Potter! Dad said you didn't even know your own name when you came here, so we can just tell everyone your Ajax and that's that. Not like they can argue because you're the authority on being you."

Ajax snorted, reaching into his bag to get out his maths homework. 

"Agreed. Hey, since you're looking into Thestrals right now can I borrow your charms book?"

"No."

"Why not?" he asked, almost at a whine. 

"Cause it's mine," Hermione said haughtily. "Draco gave it to me, not you."

Ajax suck his tongue out at her and got to work on his homework. 

He finished quickly, opening up the potions book he hadn't looked at in a while. Actually knowing the teacher of the potions class put a fire under him to get to work learning about potions before they got to Hogwarts. 

Eventually, dad came to get them. He smiled, looking a little tired and overwhelmed. Mum probably had to explain everything to him, and Ajax wished he could have been there to know what exactly had been said. 

"Hey kiddos," he said softly and Ajax got up, stepping up to hug his father, who hugged him back. 

"Are you alright?" he asked softly. 

"Yeah," Ajax said. "I don't care who I used to be. I'm Ajax now. And you're my real dad."

Dad choked on his words a little, his eyes going wet. "I'll take that as the highest compliment, AJ."

He leaned down and kissed Ajax on his forehead. 

Hermione grabbed Ajax by the back of his shirt, choking him a little as she pulled him back. 

"My turn!" she declared, hugging dad thoroughly as Ajax glared at her back.

"Hey, not fair! This is my moment!"

"And I let you have it," Hermione said, looking over her shoulder with an evil grin. "Now it's my turn!"

Ajax rolled his eyes and walked around his dad and leapt up onto his back, grabbing hold around his shoulders. 

"Ah! Ajax, wait!" dad said, wobbling. "You're too heavy to be doing that anymore."

Ajax giggled as his dad struggled, slowly rising till he was standing and holding his daughter in front and Ajax hanging on in back. 

With mighty puffs, he took a few steps forward before dislodging both of them, grinning as they giggled and went to go grab their things. 

Mum came to the doorway and smiled at both of them before all of them went home. 

That night, when mum checked in on them, she hesitated before kissing Ajax's nose. 

He frowned up at her. "Mum."

"Yes, dear?"

"You missed."

With a gentle smile, she leaned in and kissed the faded, nearly vanished scar mark on his forehead before leaving to let him and Hermione sleep. 

Chapter Text

Their letters arrived at the same time, alongside Master Prince. 

When Julie went to answer the door one Sunday morning, he smiled and asked if he could be let in, showing her the letters. 

"Usually Minerva does this," he said. "She teaches transfiguration and she's the Deputy Headmistress. But I asked if I could take these since I was a 'family friend' of sorts. I don't want anyone finding out about Ajax before he's actually at Hogwarts and has been introduced as Ajax first."

Julie nodded and accepted the letters. "That works out just fine."

Master Prince nodded and Julie called for the kids, who came running, looking like they were trying to hide the fact that they had been fighting. 

Ajax's glasses were nowhere to be seen again, and Julie sighed to herself as she knew she would be enlisted to try and find them later. 

"Hello Master Prince," Hermione said in a too chipper voice. "How are you?"

"Very well, Miss Granger," he said with the smallest of smiles. "I have brought you and your brother your letters."

Ajax and Hermione gasped, reaching for the letters and Master Prince handed them out. 

Julie watched as they tore the envelopes open, eyes wide. 

"I know that you have no need for help with getting their supplies," Master Prince said with a wry smile. "Something tells me you might know Diagon Alley better than even I do."

Julie smiled at him as Ernest came out from doing the washing and beamed when he saw the letters. 

"About time," he said brightly. "What does Ajax's say?"

"It has my real name on it," Ajax said smugly. 

"That is does," Master Prince said. "I watched the school quill write out all of the letters to see what name would be written. There is no Harry Potter on the lists for school this year."

"That's because it's not my name," Ajax said firmly and Master Prince nodded. 

"That is exactly right."

Julie gave him a grateful look as Ernest came to put an arm around her, watching the kids as they figured out which school books they already had and which ones they would need.

"Oh, 101 Herbs and Fungi," Ajax said, pointing. "We have that one."

"That's for your class, right Master Prince?" Hermione asked. 

"It is," Master Prince replied, something more than fond in his eyes. Like he was just as excited as the children and trying to hide it. "It will be a pleasure to teach you. Do you have any experience in potion making?"

"Mum makes potions all the time," Hermione said and Ajax nodded. "Sometimes we get to help."

"Then I am certain the two of you will be star students in my class," Master Prince said, shooting Julie a curious look. 

"I don't make any complicated potions," she explained. "Just some of the ones I think I can handle and that don't require more magic than a few charms I can easily activate."

Master Prince smiled wider. "That is still impressive. Would you mind if I took a look at your set up?"

Julie beamed. "Not at all! This way."

She led Master Prince into the kitchen as Ernest went to read over the supplies lists and she pushed back a curtain she had hanging from the cupboards to hide one of the counters. 

There was a small cauldron on top of a hot plate, measuring equipment and bottles of ingredients lining the wall behind it.

"I was a little worried about using a hotplate for potions," she said," but when I added a heating charm to it just right it gets up to the temperatures needed with more control than I would ever have over a fire."

"A heating charm," Master Prince murmured, looking at how she had rigged the magic trinket to the muggle device. "Fascinating..... I've never seen something like this..... I am deeply impressed."

Julie just smiled. "So it's not likely to blow me up?"

"I don't think so," Master Prince said. "Perhaps I will need to try something of the sort myself to see the difference between this and a fire...."

"You're welcome over anytime," she said warmly. 

He gave her a smile and soon they were back out with the kids and he made his goodbyes before leaving. 

.................................

They went supply shopping with the Malfoys, which all of the kids were ecstatic about. 

Draco had been working hard to finish watching Star Trek before school started and had just managed to catch up on the Next Generation, so all three were chatting animatedly about their favorite characters. Unsurprisingly, Data and Geordie dominated the conversation. 

Ernest watched them, grinning when a debate started up about if a mage could stand against the Borg with Hermione and Draco firmly on the side that 'no, they wouldn't' while Ajax was certain that the magus community could figure it out fast enough for it not to be a problem. 

They got robes, and the conversation turned to houses. 

"I expect I'll be a Slytherin," Draco said warmly. "Every Malfoy man has been a Slytherin for 500 years."

"Sounds like you need something new," Ajax said as he was fitted. 

"We're obviously gonna be Ravenclaw," Hermione said, swishing her outrageously poofy hair over her shoulder. Ernest was certain she brushed her hair out like that because it annoyed Ajax so much.

"Nooooo you should come join me in Slytherin," Draco whined. 

"No," Ajax said cheerfully. "You could always come be with us in Ravenclaw."

Draco's whines were enough for Lucius to reprimand him gently for acting out in such a way in public. 

They passed through book stores and supplies shops. 

They considered the animals, Julie hemming and hawing. 

"I just don't know," she said. "We don't have anyone to take care of the animals during the summer."

"We're old enough to stay by ourselves at the house in the summer," Ajax argued. 

"Maybe in a few more years," Ernest said gently. 

"It would be cool to have pets at the office," Hermione pointed out. "Then people can look at the animals while they're waiting!"

"Not owls," Julie said firmly. "If they are to be office pets they will have to be tank animals."

Hermione and Ajax readily agreed but Lucius stepped in.

"We would be happy to take care of the owls during the summer, Julie. We have an aviary and everything and they can go visit Ajax and Hermione occasionally," Lucius said with a smile. "And besides, I promised to buy them owls."

Julie thought about it for a moment before she nodded. "Alright. I supposed that works for me."

Ajax and Hermione cheered and they turned to look at the owls, cooing at the lovely birds who preened happily.

Draco got the most gorgeous eagle owl he could lay eyes on while Ajax went for a snowy owl and Hermione stood stroking a tawny owl.

"Names!" Ajax gasped suddenly.

"What if we names our owls after historical figures?" Hermione asked.

"Hedwig," Ajax said immediately, stroking his hand over his owl's back, who clicked her beak appreciatively.

"And mine shall be Salazar," Draco said.

"No, that one is too obvious," Hermione said.

Draco frowned at her before frowning at his owl.

"I'm naming mine Gilrook. That's the name of the goblin matriarch who fought and one in the battle of Prost," Hermione said.

"Then..... how about Firok?" Draco asked. "That's the name of the wizard who grew up among centaurs."

"I like it," Ajax said and Hermione nodded eagerly.

The two Granger children were very sad to have to part from their new pets so soon after getting them, but Draco promised to take good care of them and to bring them with him when it was finally time to go to Hogwarts, which they accepted graciously.

Lucius, Narcissa, Julie, and Ernest couldn't help but smile at one another.

................................

September first came to quickly for the parents and too slowly for the kids. Ernest felt like he was wrestling an arm full of weasels trying to get the kids ready to go and being sure they had all their things, but he loved every minute of it. 

Because, soon, they would only get to see the kids every other week on the visiting weekends, when parents were allowed to go to Hogwarts to see their children. 

It was the end of an era, and the beginning of a new one, and Ernest was sure he would never get used to the passage of time. 

In the car, Hermione and Ajax spoke excitedly, barely breathing between their sentences as they talked about their coming adventures at Hogwarts. 

Soon, they were at the platform and Ernest and Julie held a child's hand with one of their hands and the trunks with the others. 

The Malfoys were waiting for them and they all passed through the pillar to 9 and 3/4s at a leisurely pace. 

Then, as though time were laughing at them, they were on the platform, other families and students saying goodbye. 

Ernest watched teenagers barely look at their parents as they eagerly boarded the train and felt his heart pound in his chest. 

One day, that would be his Hermione and Ajax. One day they would be adults. One day they would leave his arms and his care. 

But today was not that day as Ajax pressed against his side, eyes wide. 

Even Draco looked overwhelmed. 

"You'll be alright," Ernest said. "And you can write to us and we will write to you and we will see you every visiting day," Ernest said softly. 

Ajax looked up and nodded. 

"And you'll have me," Hermione said, who was trying very hard to be brave for her brother. 

"And me," Draco said, still folded in his mother's embrace. 

Ajax nodded and smiled. 

There were a lot of hugs all around. Lucius actually gave Ajax and Hermione a hug, and Draco came to the Grangers for hugs as well. 

"Alright," Ernest said. "One more for the road!"

He hugged his son and daughter and lifted them both off the ground, making them giggle before setting them down and they went off with Draco to the train, stepping up together. 

They soon had their heads poking out of a window and were waving, all three nervous, but excited. 

"I think I'm dying," Julie whispered, and Narcissa came around Ernest to stand beside her and put an arm around her shoulders. 

Soon enough, the train was off, leaving parents to stand and watch and come to grips with their children being gone. 

"So!" one tall black haired man called across the crowd. "Who's ready for drinks!"

There was a cheer. 

"What?" Julie asked.

Lucius smiled. "I hear that the parents who have all of their kids off to Hogwarts go out to drinks after sending the children off. I would like to go."

"We'll go," Ernest said, and they were soon swept up in the crowd. 

Narcissa apparated with Julie, while Lucius apparated Ernest and they joined a crowd at an overcrowded bar, laughing, talking, and getting drinks together. 

Despite the sadness, it was clear that everyone was coming to terms with the free time they were about to have on their hands and the gathering became more of a celebration. Ernest was sure he would feel very guilty about it later, but was happy to indulge now as he and his wife danced to music from the Wyrd Sisters and Lucius sweep Narcissa off her feet.

Chapter Text

Hermione sat back in her seat when the train took off, but Ajax peered out the window with delight. He loved trains. The feeling of them and watching the land pass by always excited him. 

Draco sat, trying to look uninterested, but he was quickly failing, watching out the window. 

"I love this," Ajax said brightly. "We're going to Hogwarts!"

"Finally," Draco said dramatically. 

Hermione snorted and the three of them chatted happily for a while. Mostly wondering what their common rooms would look like and discussions of how they would decorate their dorm rooms. 

"I got a picture of mum, dad, me, and you," Ajax said to Hermione. "I'm gonna see if I can find a frame to put it in. I want it on my bedside table."

Draco visibly cringed. "Why would you do that?" he asked. "We're supposed to be grown, Ajax."

"Because I love my family," Ajax replied. "I'll have to write to your mum and dad and tell them you are too grown to love them anymore."

"No, no! I was only saying cause I was worried you'd be picked on," Draco said quickly. 

"I don't care if I'm picked on," Ajax said. "Anyone who does would probably just be jealous." 

Hermione giggled and nodded. "I'll be putting the picture on my table too, Ajax."

"Good," Ajax said firmly as the door to their compartment opened. 

A boy their age poked his head in. His hair was a wild red color and he had a mass of freckles on his face. When he spotted Draco, he looked a little baffled and then like he was about to leave. 

"Hello!" Ajax and Hermione said at the same time. 

"You're a Weasley," Draco commented. 

"Oh! I know about the Weasleys!" Ajax said. "Mum talked about them. They're a really nice pure blood family, I've heard."

"Sure," the boy said. "I'm Ron."

"Wanna sit with us?" Hermione asked. "Unless you were just looking for someone."

"Yeah, I was looking for somewhere to sit. By brothers won't let me have the space in their compartment."

Draco scootched over and Ron put his trunk away before sitting down awkwardly, clearing his throat once or twice. 

"Er..."

"I'm Draco Malfoy, obviously. And this is Hermione Granger and Ajax Granger. We've been friends for a while."

Ajax and Hermione smiled and nodded. 

"Oh, cool... Granger?" Ron asked curiously, glancing at Draco, who seemed to know what the boy was getting at. 

He rolled his eyes. "I know what you're thinking. Death eater pure blood family mixing with families that aren't. First of all, my father is not a death eater, and second of all, the Grangers are brilliant."

Hermione nodded. "Our mum makes potions even if she isn't magic, and the potions professor from Hogwarts said he was impressed with her work!"

"And dad is very good at navigating Diagon Alley. He knows where the best treat shops are. Did you know there is a sandwich place secretly operating in Gringotts' back garden?"

Ron gaped at them. "Your parents are muggles?"

"Yup," Hermione and Ajax chirped again. 

Ron took a moment to process that, but seemed more stunned with the fact that Draco was there more than that their parents were muggles.

They heard a rattle in the hall and the door opened again with a friendly witch leaning in to smile at them. 

"Hello dearies. Anything from off the cart."

"Oh, wicked!" Ajax gasped. 

"Don't go crazy," Hermione said. "Mum said we don't get more allowance till Christmas."

Ajax stuck his tongue out at his sister and bought some candy while Draco got a few things himself. 

Hermione chose some for herself when she noticed Ron looking wistfully at the cart. 

"You want anything, Ron?"

"Oh, er. I have a sandwich. It's fine."

"Oooh, sandwich!" Ajax gasped. He didn't really care what form food came in, honestly. 

Soon, they were settled in and had a little candy before they had their packed lunches. Draco's was fancy, as always, while Ajax and Hermione had a good, though normal, spread. 

"So," Ajax said. "You have brothers, Ron?"

"Yeah," Ron said, pulling out a wrapped sandwich. "They're a lot older, and they're not super fun. Well, others think they're fun, but they're all kind of too cool for me right now, you know?"

"I don't, but I'll take your word for it," Ajax said with a warm smile. "Hermione still likes me."

"No, I don't."

Ajax pouted at her and Draco snorted. 

"Glad I got off sibling free," Draco said brightly. 

"You're missing out," Hermione said, which made Ajax brighten. 

"Yeah! Hermione would have been an only child without me."

"Hey, yeah, you're probably adopted, right?" Ron asked. 

Ajax nodded. "Yup! And into the best family probably ever."

"He's going to out a picture of his family on his bedside table," Draco teased. 

Ajax stuck his tongue out at his friend. 

They chattered on a bit before Draco, once again, brought up the topic of houses. 

Hermione and Ajax groaned. "We have had this conversation 1000 times!" Hermione complained. 

"Well, can you blame me? This is the last time I can try and coax you two into being in Slytherin with me."

"No way," Ajax laughed. "I'm a Ravenclaw for sure. Hermione is too!"

"What about you, Ron?" Hermione asked. "What do you want to be?"

Ron sighed softly. "Well, my family are all Gryffindors, so.... probably that."

"Boring," Draco said. "Gryffindors are annoying. Imagine you were not a Weasley!"

Ron gave him a curious look. "Mmm, I dunno, I hadn't really thought about it before.... I guess I wouldn't mind as long as I was different from my brothers."

"Sounds pretty ambitious," Draco said with an evil grin. 

"There you go, Draco. You can coax him into being a Slytherin," Ajax said brightly. 

Ron's face went a little pale. "No! I'd probably get disowned."

"That would be stupid," Hermione said. "You're family wouldn't disown you for being in Slytherin. And Slytherin is cool. If I weren't so interested in Ravenclaw, I might go there."

"But you're a muggle born?"

"So?"

"Well, Slytherins don't like muggle borns."

"Have you talked to a Slytherin?" Ajax asked curiously. 

"Well, no, but everyone knows that."

"No they don't!" Draco said. "I'm the most Slytherin to ever Slytherin and I like Ajax and Hermione. I expect I could like anyone as long as they were interesting."

"And liked Star Trek," Hermione added thoughtfully. 

Ajax snorted. 

"Come on," Draco said. "Cunning and ambition! Wanting to be different from your family? Slytherin would be perfect to help with that!"

"That is true," Ron said thoughtfully. "My mum might be disappointed, though."

"Silly," Ajax murmured but Hermione said, "She does love you, right?"

"Well, obviously."

"Then it doesn't matter where you go."

Ron seemed to be warming to the idea. "You're right! But.... well, I guess we don't really have a choice in it. I don't know what the selection process is, but-"

"It's a hat," Ajax said helpfully. "Mum looked into it. It's called the sorting hat and it goes on your head and decides, but she said that people say it talks with you a bit so you could probably ask it and add your opinion."

Ron hummed thoughtfully, looking even more cheerful. "That doesn't sound half bad. The twins were trying to tell me it would be a troll fight or summat."

Draco snorted and then burst out laughing and the others followed suit. 

Soon, it was time to get changed into their school robes. They changed eagerly, each thinking about what colors the robes would be by the end of the night. 

When the train stopped, they grabbed their trunks and stepped out into the cool night air. 

"First years! First years with me!" an absolutely enormous man called. "Leave your trunks there. We'll magic 'em up to yer dorms when it comes time. First years with me!"

"Wicked," Hermione gasped, following the man. 

Ajax couldn't help but grab Draco's sleeve, anxiety starting to get to him as they followed the large man down to the water of a large lake where there were boats waiting for them. 

"I'm nervous," Ajax said. "You think that's okay?"

"Yeah," Draco replied. "I'm a little nervous too."

"Not as nervous as me," Ron said, looking a little ill. 

Ajax grabbed his hand consolingly and they piled into the boat Hermione had saved for them. 

"What's wrong with you three?"

"Nothing," Draco and Ron said quickly. 

"Nervous," Ajax replied softly. 

"Oooh, poor ickle Ajax," Hermione said, sliding over to cradle him before grabbing him in a head lock.

Ajax squirmed and laughed as Hermione messed up his already difficult to tame hair. 

They were soon distracted by watching the castle loom higher and higher over them as the boats glided across the water. "Wow," Ajax finally breathed. "This is a school."

"Wicked," Hermione and Ron said at the same time. 

They got out of their boats and climbed the steps to where a stern looking woman looked over the lot of them. 

"Welcome to Hogwarts. School for witchcraft and wizardry."

The woman went on to explain how they would be sorted, but Ajax and Hermione were too busy pushing each other to really pay attention. 

Soon, they were in the castle, standing outside of a door which opened for them. 

"Line up," the stern woman said, and the children shuffled into place as she walked through the great dining hall.

She stood by a stool with a hat, all of the older students staring at them from around the hall eagerly. 

Then, the hat started to sing. 

Ajax could barely pay attention, too eager to be called up. He was kind of glad that everyone would see him. They would know he was called Ajax first, rather than Harry. 

He grinned to himself. 

Up at the table, Master Prince, or Professor Prince, watched with a knowing smile of his own. 

The first of their group to be called was Ajax, actually. 

"Ajax Granger!" the woman said in her Scottish accent.

He made his way up and smiled when recognition and shock flashed across her face, as well as some of the teachers up at the table. 

The man sitting in the middle of the head table in the throne like chair with silver hair looked like he was going to be ill. Ajax figured that had to be Albus Dumbledore, and thought his expression was very funny. 

He sat and the hat went on over his head. 

"Well, well...... look at you. Ajax Granger. That is not the name I expected....mmmmm...... well, it seems you know where you want to go, don't you. I think that is exactly where you should be, my boy. RAVENCLAW!"

Ajax popped off the chair and rushed to the Ravenclaw table, who clapped vigorously for him. 

Hermione, of course, came to Ravenclaw and she sat by him, the two giggling madly. 

Draco went to Slytherin and he waved at them as he went, delighted that he had gone right where he wanted to. 

Ron was almost last. He looked like he was going to throw up as the hat fell over his head. 

The hat took a long time, shifting a little on Ron's head as though it was indecisive. 

Finally, finally, it called out SLYTHERIN!

Ron looked a little woozy as he popped to his feet. Terrified and elated. Several red heads at the Gryffindor table shouted in shock and horror. 

"Ron! Ron!"

"Wait, that can't be right! He's a Weasley!"

Ron stumbled to the table where Draco welcomed him, thumping him on the back in a friendly manner. 

When Ron glanced over at Ajax and Hermione, they both shot him thumbs up and he shot a thumbs up back as the Headmaster stood. 

He seemed a little shaken, his eyes drawn to Ajax over and over. "Er, welcome back. Um, the Forbidden Forest is still forbidden, and the same goes for the womping willow and the shrieking shack. Please try not to over feed the giant squid and, er...." He trailed off, looking over his shoulder at Professor Prince, who seemed content to look at the details on the ceiling, which was currently showing off the lovely stars and well lit clouds drifting across the sky above the castle. 

"Mmm, eat up!"

The children all cheered as the feast appeared and Ajax relished every bite of the very good food, as well as the deep confusion on the teachers' faces.

Chapter Text

Ajax and Hermione walked with the other first years through the halls and up the stairs to the tower that the Ravenclaws stayed in. The head boy, Marcus Heeler, turned and said, "Unlike the other houses we don't really have a password as such. The door will ask you a question and you have to come up with an answer. Now, there's no need to be worried about coming up with the right answer. These are not that sort of questions. You just have to put some thought into it. If you ever get stuck or can't get through, you can wait for someone to come or press the blue tile just behind this relief here. It will alert someone inside that you need help getting in."

The first years murmured and Marcus smiled. "Now, first, why don't you pair off and line up? Groups of two three or four for this. I want you to get a feel for opening the door."

Hermione and Ajax stood right next to each other, eager to have a crack at the door. 

Hermione and Ajax listened to each question as the groups ahead of them went, and they whispered their thoughts to one another eagerly, delighted as the line moved steadily. Some students got it wrong three times in a row, clearly too tired to come up with a good answer. After the third time Marcus simply answered for them and let them in so the line could keep moving.

The question right before them was spoken by the old eagle knocker softly, and though it was not Ajax or Hermione's question, they leaned forward eagerly to hear it better. 

"I am what is, at once, the hunter and the hunted. What am I?"

The girls in font of Ajax and Hermione whispered to each other, just as Ajax and Hermione muttered to one another as well.

"Could be anything, really," Ajax murmured. "Anything in the middle of the food chain."

Hermione shook her head. "I don't think it's about animals."

"Could be animals."

"Could be a lot of thing."

"Um, like a mouse?" one of girls said. "Hunting insects and then being hunted by cats or summat."

The knocker clacked its beak and opened for them. 

With a giggle, the three dashed inside. 

"That's the easy way out," Hermione muttered, getting a soft laugh from Ajax. 

It was their turn now and the two paid rapt attention to the knocker after Ajax gave a gentle tap with the ring. 

The knocker asked softly, "What is the shape of time?"

Hermione gasped in delight and Ajax turned to her, delighted. "Circle, I think."

"No! It has a beginning and end, presumably. It can't be a circle."

"Who's to say time won't start again when it ends?" Ajax said, "And we could be a bit cheeky and say it's hour glass shaped."

Hermione giggled. 

"No, wait, I think I have it."

"Oh!" Hermione said brightly. "I know what you're thinking. 

The two turned to the knocker and, at the same time said, "The shape of time is the same as those things experiencing it."

The knocker clacked it's beak and the door opened for them. 

"Good job," Marcus said, impressed. 

"We had that discussion when we learned about time feeling faster when we started to get older," Hermione said helpfully and they stepped into the common room. 

It was warm, but the air did not feel too close for it. The chairs were all comfortable, with tables perfect for studying scattered here and there and an open space for games to one side. There were stairs leading up to different halls where they could see dorm room doors. 

Most of the first years were settled in the common room, waiting for everyone else as the head of the house, Professor Flitwick, stood by the fire telling a story about magus dueling.

When he spotted the two of them, he quickly wrapped up his story and approached. "Can I talk with you two over here?"

Hermione and Ajax nodded and followed him to an empty corner where he cast a silencing spell to hide their conversation. 

"Professor Prince has told me a little about what happened," Professor Flitwick said. "He said that you are, in fact, Harry Potter, but that you prefer Ajax Granger, is that correct?"

Ajax nodded. "I don't want to be called Harry Potter at all. That isn't who I am."

Professor Flitwick nodded. "Not a problem at all, not a problem. And you are Miss Hermione Granger."

He held his hand out to her and she shook it eagerly. It was odd to be talking to a teacher who was only a little bit taller than them, but he had such an air of professionalism to him that it was difficult to see him as lesser for it. 

"It's good to meet you," Hermione said warmly. "Ajax and I have read about your dueling competitions back in the day."

"The curling stunner is incredible," Ajax said with a nod. 

"You'll have to meet our mum and dad when visiting day comes. I think dad is probably your biggest fan."

Professor Flitwick chuckled appreciatively. "Well, well, I shall have to meet them.... say, I thought your parents were muggles."

"They are," Ajax said. "They learned about magic and whatnot when we were just five or six, though. Mum's been making potions and buying charms for years now. And dad has investments in Flourish and Blott's as well as a few other places."

"Mum says just because they aren't magic doesn't mean they can't participate," Hermione said with a firm nod. 

Professor Flitwick laughed. "Then I cannot wait to meet your parents! Outstanding! Alright, I am glad to have some things cleared up, and I am glad to see you are safe, my boy. There were some unsavory rumors about what happened to you. Now, let us rejoin the others. It's nearly time for my little speech."

The two nodded and followed him back to the chairs, finding a couple to sit in at a study table as he stood at the fireplace again, counting the children for a moment. 

"Welcome to Ravenclaw! Now, you may have heard some rumors that this is a house you can flunk out of. I want to assure you that you cannot, but that is no excuse for slacking. If you are struggling, there are plenty of resources available to you in the form of books, older students, teachers, and of course, myself. I expect you to use them. I want you to strive to learn and do what you can without stressing yourself too much. Remember, learning is meant to be fun, no matter what anyone says.

"I am to be your go to if you are being harmed or bullied in any way. Other heads of houses are available to you as well. That would be Professor McGonagall, Professor Prince, and Professor Sprout. If I am not available they will take care of you just as well as I would. Do not hesitate to reach out, understand? 

"If it is a minor issue, or you are nervous about telling a teacher, talk to the older students, the prefects, or head boy or girl. They will be able to help you or let you know who to talk to. 

"Now, tomorrow you will have a mandatory lesson with the school healer, Madam Pomfrey. She will be explaining some of the changes your bodies are going to be going through in the coming years."

"Magical changes?" one boy said eagerly. 

Flitwick smiled a very amused smile as some of the kids who knew more about what he was talking about snickered. "Something like that. Now, the prefects will help you find your rooms. Girls are up those stairs, boys are up these other ones. You will be able to enter rooms that you have been unanimously invited into as you will be staying three to a room. If rooming assignments are not working out, let us know and we will figure it out together."

There was a soft murmur amongst the first years and then they were all heading up the stairs to see their rooms. 

It was strange to suddenly be separated from Hermione. She seemed eager and was already chatting with another girl and Ajax felt a strange sort of anxiety that made him want his mum very badly. 

He was put in a room with Michael Corner and Anthony Goldstein, who both seemed very excited to meet him and were happily chatting as they put their clothing in the little wardrobes by their beds and set up bedside tables with their things. 

Ajax did the same, listening to them chat. 

"Shame about Harry Potter," Michael said as he finished putting up a poster of a Quidditch team from America called the Freedom Fliers. (Ajax's mum had made a comment when she had seen their name in a newspaper at one point. 'Course they're called that. Americans are so cheesy.')

Anthony nodded. "We were supposed to be in his year. Think he's training somewhere else, maybe?"

"Maybe," Michael said. 

"Maybe he has a new name," Ajax said. He didn't want to let this fester despite not wanting to let everyone know he was once called Harry Potter when he was too young to remember.

"Oh?" Michael asked, turning to look at Ajax before his eyes went wide, catching on to the implication. 

"Oh my gosh, you're-"

"Ajax Granger," Ajax said fiercely. "I haven't been called Harry Potter once in my memory, and it's not my name."

"Woah!" Anthony said with a soft gasp. "Hey, that's crazy! Do you want us to keep it a secret?"

"Everyone will find out eventually," Ajax said, trying not to sound miserable. "It's stupid though."

"We won't tell anyone," Michael said with a friendly nod. "So, you were put with the Grangers, then?"

"No. I've been told that I was put with my aunt and uncle, but something happened and the magus world lost me and then the Grangers adopted me."

"Wait! So your parents are muggles!?"

"Yes," Ajax said. "But they've been in the magus world for years now. My mum can make the best pepper up potion anyone has ever had!"

Both Michael and Anthony looked a little like they had been thrown into a washer and spun around a few times. 

"That is insane, mate!" Anthony finally said. "And cool!"

"Yeah! My mum is a witch and she can't brew very well at all. I can't believe that your mum is a muggle who can," Michael said cheerfully. 

Relaxing a little, Ajax nodded. Maybe this wouldn't be as hard as he thought it would be. "Yeah, it's super cool. Er... thanks, by the way."

"For what?"

"For offering to keep it a secret."

"Course!"

"I have a cousin who is very particular about the name she gets called, and I think it's very fair," Anthony said. "It would be weird if someone came up to me and said I used to be called something like Jeremy Baldwin!"

Michael snorted and laughed. 

Their chatting turned to the questions they got at the door as Ajax found a picture frame on his bedside table and inserted the moving picture of him and his family into the frame. 

Bedtime was approaching and Ajax was quite full from dinner, so he got in his pajamas and washed up, getting into bed as Michael and Anthony settled down. 

He rolled over a few times, staring at the picture of his family until he teared up before rolling away with a huff. And then rolling back cause he missed them. 

He sniffled a little, trying to fight down emotions as he realized he wished his mum was there to kiss him on the forehead like she did every night. 

He didn't know how long he laid there, but it felt like hours till he got up and quietly padded out of the room. 

He was surprised to see Flitwick reading in the common room, another first year girl pressed to his side where he was soothing her. 

He looked up and smiled at Ajax. 

"Are you alright, young man?"

"I just...."

"You miss home?"

"Yeah," Ajax said. "Could I go up and see Hermione really quick?"

"Go ahead," Flitwick said. 

Ajax went up the other staircase and found the door marked with his sister's name. He gently knocked and then waited. 

The door opened and a curly haired girl looked curiously out at him. 

"Can I talk to Hermione?" he asked. 

She nodded and disappeared before Hermione came to the door, looking tired and a little uncomfortable herself. 

She reached out to him and hugged him tight and he hugged her back. 

"I'm glad you're here," he whispered. 

She nodded into his shirt, too emotional to say anything.

"Could... could you kiss my scar?" he asked. 

Hermione pulled back and nodded, this time firmer. She kissed his forehead, hard and a little wet with emotion. 

After a murmured goodnight, Ajax and Hermione went to bed and fell asleep soon after laying down in their respective beds.

Chapter Text

"Elucidating," Ajax said as he and Hermione left Madam Pomfrey's hospital wing, making Hermione cackle. 

The students around them, all Ravenclaws, looked either bored, amused, or rather stunned. Learning about human biology did that to a person, and the boys all looked a little more shaken by the experience than the girls, who had likely already been warned what was coming. 

Hermione and Ajax had already developed a good idea about puberty as they had rushed to the library to find books on it after first time the word was uttered by their dad. 

He had been very relieved when they had taken the education on themselves, meaning he didn't have to explain it all out loud.

Hermione had voiced that she couldn't really understand why everyone made such a fuss, but Ajax quietly thought she wasn't bothered because her body had been ready built to bleed every month. He felt that this answered a lot of questions he had about girls growing up, and added a healthy bit of respect to his already hefty pile. 

"The magus parts of it were interesting," Hermione said with a little nod. "Though I am a little worried about how potions is going to go."

Ajax nodded happily. "I agree. The robe evacuation practice is going to be.... interesting."

"With Master Prince of all people," Hermione said with a sudden gasp. 

Ajax and Hermione giggled imaging the rather serious man standing there teaching children how to escape robes that he been contaminated, caught on fire, or hexed. That would apparently be their first potions lesson. 

"This also explains why there are so many underclothing shops," Ajax said. "I wondered why there were so many in Diagon Alley. You would think you'd only need one or two."

"The difference between how muggles view under clothing and the way mages view it is fascinating," Hermione said. "I will need to try and find some papers to read about it."

Ajax nodded. He would need to find some himself. If only to help his mind separate the concept of under clothing from private things never to be displayed to the last resort clothes for protection against magic and the elements when spells go wrong. 

They spotted the Slytherin first years coming up the hall, and the two groups mingled messily for a moment, Master Prince watching with annoyance at the back of the pack as the children slowed down.

Hermione and Ajax dove into the Slytherin group to where Draco and Ron were having a discussion about Quidditch teams.

"Give me your timetables," Hermione said sharply, holding hers out to them.

They did so and Ajax peered over her shoulder at their time tables. He and Hermione were in the same classes all day, as were Draco and Ron. Something about this year of students being smaller than other years because of the war. 

"Transfiguration and Astronomy," Ajax announced. 

Hermione nodded, handing the time table back as Draco handed hers back. "We will see you after dinner for Astronomy, then," Hermione said, as though setting an important meeting. 

Draco opened his mouth to speak, but Professor Prince was already wading though the students to get them going again, so they moved along away from each other. 

Ajax pulled out his time table and said, "We have History and the lunch."

After probably the most boring History lesson Ajax had ever attended, they woke themselves up and headed to lunch, feeling rather put out.

"I swear, we had better get to do some actual magic tomorrow," Ajax grumbled.

Hermione was in such a bad mood she didn't even reply.

At lunch they sat with some of the third years, listening to them complain about the transfiguration homework they already got. 

"Miss being a first year," one said, giving Hermione and Ajax a look. "Enjoy it while you can."

"What class have you had so far?"

"History of Magic," Ajax said with a huff, wishing he had some transfiguration homework to his name. 

"Frankly, I'm worried about that class. I looked at the curriculum and I am worried we might only come out of it with a knowledge of the goblin wars."

"And that's if we don't fall asleep partway through," Ajax said.

The Ravenclaws winced. "Yeah, that's Professor Binns for you."

"I won't stand for it!" Hermione declared. "I need to speak to someone about this. This is a prestigious school, is it not?"

Ajax nodded firmly. "I agree! I've been looking at some of the history of the magical world and this is important stuff to cover!"

"Maybe we can talk to the Headmaster."

She realized her mistake as a flash of discomfort struck out across Ajax's face. 

"I will," she amended. 

Ajax nodded, eating a few mouthfuls of pudding as the third years wished her luck. 

........................................

Ajax and Hermione practically scrambled into potions, eager and hopeful for something more substantial though they knew they would mostly be practicing safety techniques all of class. Severus was not necessarily surprised by their murmured hopes for the class. He had visited the Grangers a few times since delivering their letters to them, and he had been very surprised by the tenacity of these two and their eagerness for learning. They had peppered him with questions so ferociously he'd felt a little like two imps were tearing him apart, trying to consume all of his ability and knowledge for their own. 

It was amusing and extremely endearing, so he approached them as they sat in one of the front desks at the beginning of class. 

"Hello," he said, and they both perked up. 

"Hello, Master Prince," Hermione said. 

"It's Professor Prince now, Hermione," Ajax said before Severus could say so. 

Severus smiled. "You may call me Master Prince or Severus outside of class. I do not mind."

The two gasped, sharing a look before beaming back up at him. 

They looked nothing alike physically, but their mannerisms were so similar that Severus would have called them twins if the evidence against that was not sitting before his eyes. 

"I'm excited to learn from you," Hermione said. "I'm kind of sad that we'll only be going over robe evacuation today, even if it is important."

Severus laughed softly. "No need to worry. You have 7 years with me, after all." Technically, they only had 5 required years, but he already knew these two would be joining his older classes.

Ajax looked at him like he hung the stars, and that really was not fair. Severus might not have been the one who killed Lily and James. He might not have even been the one giving the Dark Lord the key to get to them, but he had put the Dark Lord on their scent. 

The Dark Mark on his arm itched and burned faintly. 

He was careful to set those feelings aside, focusing on the other emotions he had. 

Excitement and an awe that these two children, bright and eager, already looked up to him and were excited to learn from him. What he wouldn't have given to have a family like the Grangers when he was little. 

"I am eager to teach you," Severus continued. "Now, it's time we get the lesson started. 

He backed up to the front of the classroom and cleared his throat, gathering the attention of the children in the room. 

"Welcome," he said, glad that he had the Ravenclaws and Hufflepuffs now, even if that meant he would have to have the nightmare class of Gryffindors and Slytherins together tomorrow. He wondered if he might be able to get the houses switched around. Competition and rivalry was all well and good, but not in an environment as dangerous as potions. 

"I want to impress upon you how important and how dangerous this class can be. The other classes all have their dangers and their tricky tasks, but potions are not to be trifled with. I knew three classmates who died because they were brewing potions while horsing around, and they took three more lives with them. This is not a room to fool around in. If you must get your energy out in the hall before coming into my classroom, you may, but here, you must be ready to work, focus, and be prepared to keep one another safe."

The children nodded, Ajax and Hermione most seriously. They were like tiny adorable versions of Julie as she scribbled notes down while he gave her potions tips. 

"I will show you where things are kept. If you could stand up and grab your things I shall move the desks out of the way for the safety drills we will be going over after the tour."

The children scrambled to do so and he flicked his wand to push the tables all aside, careful not to run over a stray student.

The rest of the class went well. The students didn't seem confused by where anything was, they marked out their cubbies easily enough, impressed by the fact that he could close the door and open the door to another class's set of cubbies. After the inevitable set of students who forgot to put on their magus under clothing had come back with the required clothing, they started practicing robe evacuation. 

There were always the shy muggle borns who couldn't hardly stand the idea who he had to talk to individually, but he found he had help in the form of Ajax and Hermione who were, at once, racing each other to see how fast they could evacuate out of their robes and helping work the other muggle borns through the thought process and get over their shyness with mini lectures that could have made any teacher worth their salt weep. 

It was the smoothest drill Severus had ever led, and he was already dreading what the Slytherin and Gryffindor class was going to be like. 

After robe evacuation, he showed them how to use the washing station as well as the anti-magic tarps they could throw over cauldrons or situations to stop any bad reactions, warning them to try not to get caught under them if they could help it. Anti-magic tarps could hurt young mages on occasion.

The chime that signaled the end of class floated through the air and Severus watched everyone begin to grab their things and leave with satisfaction.

"Mr. and Miss Granger. Would you stay back?"

The two did so and he smiled at them. "Thank you for your help today."

Hermione nodded with a huge smile and Ajax shrugged like it was no big deal. 

"Oh, Master Prince? I was thinking about speaking with the headmaster tomorrow about the History professor situation," Hermione said. "Do you think I need to have Professor Flitwick with me. I know I'm not Ajax, but I wanted to know what you thought."

"You should try and take your head teacher with you, yes. I'm afraid the Headmaster could try and use you to get to Ajax," Severus said apologetically. "Speaking of, have you had any trouble with your identity yet, Ajax?"

"No. My roommates know," Ajax said with a shrug. "They seemed pretty calm about it, and they promised they wouldn't tell anyone."

Severus nodded. "Good. If it takes a while to come out then people will have a harder time putting the figure of Harry Potter to your face. Try to introduce yourself to as many people as you can before it gets out."

Ajax nodded. "Thank you, Master Prince."

"Do not hesitate to reach out if you need anything from me. Now, be off. You have dinner to get to."

The two nodded with a grin and left cheerfully. 

.........................................

Hermione and Ajax got lost on the way to the Astronomy tower, but they were not the last to get there as it seemed most everyone got lost at least once. 

Professor Sinistra didn't hold it against them. "I'm afraid the stairs like to play tricks on the first years," she said. "Especially with the ones that come up here. It will get easier after a week or two."

A 6th year, Professor Sinistra's teaching assistant named Jamie Gaulding, nodded. "I think it's just the castle trying to get the first years to explore a little, but it's not very helpful, is it?"

Hermione shook her head as Ajax laughed at the thought of a castle eager for new explorers. 

"Maybe if we promise to explore it properly on Saturday it will let us find our way around better," Ajax said. 

Professor Sinistra chuckled, putting a hand on Ajax's shoulder. "You will need to let me know if it works, alright?"

Ajax nodded, grinning before he and Hermione went to find a telescope to stand by. 

Chapter Text

"Well, Ron."

"Well, Draco."

The two stood in the middle of a corridor, one end blocked by a wall, the other one blocked by a stair case pointing entirely the wrong way. 

"I would say that this is your fault, but seeing as I'm the one holding the map...." Draco looked down at the map in question. 

It had been give to them by the Slytherin Head boy, who had been very friendly and warned them to be careful of some of the staircases. The two had heard rumors that every year this particular hall was infamous for trapping first years for the first month or so, but they had not expected to be the ones caught. 

"At least the teachers have been cool about us being late," Ron said, trying not to sound too miserable. 

Draco just nodded faintly. 

The two ended up sitting, pulling out their books and reading together. 

Ron hadn't expected to get on with Draco so well, and neither had Draco it seemed, but they had become fast friends. They both enjoyed chess, both felt they had a lot they needed to prove, and they both loved Quidditch. 

Ron had been pleased to find out that Draco had a decent opinion of muggle borns and muggles, as well. It seemed that the Malfoys really had changed after the war.

The war..... Ron hadn't been alive for the war, not really. He supposed he had been born at the end of it, but he just saw the after effects of it. The way it split families, the fact that his age group was so much smaller than previous ones. The way it turned house rivalries into something more serious than they were meant to be. 

His brothers had shouted at him from across the hall at breakfast, calling him a traitor, as though they were at war. 

He was sure they were just teasing. That had to be it. It would die down in a few weeks. 

Something twisted in his stomach, realizing that his parents would probably be sending a letter to him tomorrow morning. If he had been a Gryffindor they would have congratulated him just like they did the others, but he was a Slytherin. A Slytherin Weasley? It shouldn't even possible, and yet when the hat has suggested it, had said that Ron could have it and that it would be the best house for him if he wanted it.....

It had been Ron's choice at the end of the day. And that was worse than imagining it was some predestined fate. 

"You alright, Ron?" Draco asked softly. "You're looking a little pale."

Ron took a deep breath and nodded quickly. "Yeah, I'm alright, thanks."

Draco nodded and closed his book, leaning against the wall. "I just want to be out of here! I wanted to see Ajax and Hermione."

"Yeah," Ron said. "How did you guys become friends?"

"My father met their mother while they were out and she impressed him," Draco said. "He invited them over and then we just got along. They're crazy, absolutely bonkers, but they are very fun and will be good allies to have when we're older. They're destined for great things."

Ron closed his eyes. Destined for great things. He hoped that one day the same could be said for him. 

"Oi!"

The two looked over to see a Gryffindor prefect up on the stairs, still pointed the wrong way. "You two alright?"

"Yeah!" Ron said, scrambling to his feet. "We're just stuck!"

"Alright, grab your things and I'll help you out!"

Soon enough, they were on the right track again, the prefect walking with them to the Astronomy tower. 

"Glad we put those checks in place," the prefect said with a smile. "I got trapped there for a whole day when I was a first year."

Draco and Ron both winced. "I'm sorry, that sucks!" Ron said. 

The prefect shrugged. "You're Ron Weasley, right?"

"Yeah," Ron said. 

"Cool, nice to meet you," the prefect said. "Your brothers keep going on and on about you. Dramatic gits."

Ron snorted and the prefect said goodbye to him and Draco as they climbed up into the tower. 

Professor Sinistra, who had started the lesson already, looked over and smiled. "There you two are."

"Sorry, Professor," Draco said. "We got stuck in the trap hall."

She sighed. "It happens. Were you there long?"

"No, a Gryffindor prefect found us," Draco said. 

"Good. I believe there is a spot over with Ajax and Hermione there."

"We saved it for you!" Ajax called happily with a wave. 

Soon, the four were settled together with their telescopes, chatting softly as they looked at the stars and filled out their star charts. 

"Oh, lumos would be really bright tonight," Ajax said, looking through the telescope. 

Hermione swung hers around to see and made a noise of agreement. 

"I know a bit about this already," Draco said brightly. "I've had tutors in how the stars and phases of the moon affects certain spells. It's really important to know if you want to be a good dueler."

Ron burned with the knowledge that these three were already so ahead of him. He knew some basics, but his parents hadn't had the money for tutors, nor the time to teach him things like that while trying to keep his brothers from burning the house down. It almost made him want to give up on the spot. 

But there was something deeper inside of him that knew he couldn't give up. Not now. Not yet.

At least Draco and him were in the same dorm so it wouldn't be hard to get help with studying. 

Ron threw himself into it, taking notes about what the others said. 

"I hear you two are going to have potions with the Gryffindors," Ajax said as he finished marking another constellation. "Is it true the rivalry between those two is terrible?"

"I hear it is," Draco said, "though I have yet to experience it."

"I know it is," Ron sighed. "My brothers love terrorizing Slytherins when they can."

"Are you worried they'll target you?" Hermione asked, concerned. 

"Yeah."

"I'm sure they wouldn't," Ajax said. "I would never target Hermione like that, no matter what she did."

"What do you mean? The tricks you pulled to make off with my apple juice after school every day were nothing less than war crimes."

Ajax simply grinned. "Yeah, but you did the same thing, plus you thought it was funny."

"It was kind of funny," Hermione conceded. "You are a worthy challenger."

Ajax laughed and turned to Ron. "I'm sure it will be fine. Besides, your brothers aren't in your classes so they can't make that difficult for you."

"Right," Ron said with a small nod. "Yeah, I'll be fine."

Eventually, they finished up class and went yawning to their dormitories, glad that they only had Astrology twice a week. 

..................................

The next morning, Ajax and Hermione stopped by the Slytherin table. 

"Want to meet up after lunch?" Ajax asked. "I know we all have a break period then. We could do some studying and start in on homework."

"That is a good idea," Draco said. "Do you mind if I bring along Pansy?"

"Go for it," Ajax said as Hermione nodded.

"She's your childhood friend, right?" Hermione asked. 

"Yup," Draco said. "I can't wait for you to meet her, though.... er.... I might need to talk with Pansy before hand... Her family is a bit..."

Draco looked deeply embarrassed, but both Ajax and Hermione nodded. "Sounds good," Ajax said. 

"But if she does say anything we are kicking her out," Hermione replied and Draco agreed that was fair. 

The owls came swooping in at that point and Hermione and Ajax held out their arms for their owls. 

They landed softly, Hermione's tawny owl and Ajax's snowy owl. 

Draco's eagle owl landed gently on the clear patch that Draco had made, politely dropping the letter while a small and rather stressed out owl made it's way to Ron. 

It didn't stop, simply dropping an envelope and leaving. 

"I can't wait for visiting day," Hermione sighed as she took her letter, trading it for a treat she kept in her pocket and sent her owl on its way. 

"Me too," Ajax said. "Could I get a treat for Hedwig? I left my treats in my room."

Ron took his envelope in his hands, simply glad that it wasn't red and opened it. 

He didn't know what he expected, but he was pretty sure this was worse than what he had imagined. 

The words were congratulatory, but there was something about how the were written, the words that were chosen, that smacked of disappointment. 

Ron felt his heart sink as he read the line "We love you no matter what." Like he had done something that other families would stop loving him for. 

He felt two presences behind him and the letter was snatched from his hands by Fred, who grinned down at his brother. 

"Let's see what mum and dad said."

"Mum sent us a letter telling us not to pick on you," George said. "I wonder why she would think we would ever pick on our ickle Ronnikins."

Ron's face burned as they ruffled his hair hard, pulling it out of the style Draco had taught him how to do that morning.

Draco batted them away, looking offended that his hard work had been destroyed. "Go away! You have your own table to bother."

The twins snorted. "No, it is our job to bother little Slytherins, Malfoy. We'll be seeing you around."

With that, the two turned and left, leaving Ron feeling cold inside. 

"You shouldn't have said anything," he told Draco. "They're going to try and prank you!"

"I'm not worried about a little prank," Draco said, rolling his eyes. 

Ajax and Hermione shared a look before they said, "We're gonna go have breakfast. Good luck in potions today."

"Right," Ron muttered as Draco wished them a good day. 

..........................................

Hermione's scheduled meeting with the Headmaster was after first hour, so she said goodbye to Ajax who was going to check out some books from the library for both him and her as she went to find Professor Flitwick. 

After she found him in his office, they went to the Headmaster's office and Professor Flitwick whispered the password to get up the stairs. 

The office was brightly lit by mid morning sun, the devices all clinking and chiming as the smell of good tea and coffee filled the air. 

It put Hermione at ease, especially as the old man behind the desk smiled at her and offered her a candy before she sat down. 

"Alright, Miss Granger," Dumbledore said. "How may I help you? Is this about Mr. Potter-"

"His name is Ajax Granger, and no, it's not about him. This is about the History professor. You do realize he is a ghost, correct?"

"Correct?" Dumbledore said, looking a little taken aback. Hermione wondered how many 11 year olds had owned enough chutzpah to talk to him like that. 

"Well," Hermione said, "He is clearly a bad teacher. I have been talking to the upper class men and they all say they couldn't tell you pretty much anything they've learned in his class. I think this is unforgivable, considering the prestige this school intends to offer and I would request something be done. I have written my parents about it, who will write to the school board in turn and I believe that the Malfoys, who are family friends, have written to the school board as well."

"Oh, my!" Dumbledore exclaimed, glancing at Professor Flitwick who was chuckling now. "I will take this into consideration, Miss Granger. Professor Binns has been a good teacher for a long time-"

"Perhaps you ought to sit in on one of his classes to see for yourself," Hermione said quickly. "He has a very strange effect on the mind. I have found myself drifting to sleep several times in his class which, I can assure you, is very strange for me."

Dumbledore nodded, a new twinkle in his eye. "I will take you up on that, then, Miss Granger. When is your next class with Professor Binns?"

"Thursday."

"Then I shall endeavor to be there too. Thank you for bringing this to my attention."

Hermione thanked him and got out of his office as quickly as she could before he could bring up her brother again.

Chapter Text

Draco and Ron made their way to potions alongside Pansy and Blaise. Ron liked Pansy alright most of the time, and Blaise seemed nice enough, if a bit.... strange. It wasn't the on purpose kind of strange. It was the kind of strange you get from growing up around certain kinds of people and then later learning that your experiences were off the wall bonkers and perhaps somewhat abusive. 

For example, that morning they learned that his mother often locked him in his room at random, even now that he was 11 and wouldn't let him out until whatever 'friend' she had over had left. Blaise had been very quiet when Ron had told him that wasn't normal. 

Ron wished he had kept his mouth shut. He felt strangely out of place with his year in Slytherin house. Plenty of older kids had nice healthy families, but Ron's year seemed to be the year that all the wonky families decided to have children together. Most of the Slytherins his age came from posh Death Eater families. They had traditions and stories that he had not grown up with. Even though Draco's family had long left the world of Death Eaters behind, for good it seemed, if the Grangers were an indication, they still had habits left behind. Plus, they were all just so incredibly rich and posh. 

Not to mention the blood purity argument that seemed to be baked into everything. So, Ron coming from a poor family who just happened to be pure blood by coincidence more than anything was...... well, it was something. 

He couldn't tell if the others in his year disliked him or envied him for the stories of loving parents who did their best and their best was enough because it was loving. 

Even though he was sure his family hated him at the moment for being a Slytherin. They couldn't possibly know this had been his decision, but he felt like they might know. Why else would a Weasley be in Slytherin? And it had been his decision. 

Draco bumped his shoulder and cleared his throat. 

Ron snapped out of his thoughts, grateful for his friend as they approached the cluster of first years waiting outside of Professor Prince's classroom. 

The Gryffindors turned, curious. They hadn't had a class together as of yet, and Ron was nervous to see what happened. 

"Well," Dean Thomas said, looking Ron over. "You're a Slytherin, ey?"

"Yes," Ron said. 

"But all of your family members are Gryffindors."

Ron shrugged. "It happens."

Dean didn't seem convinced. Draco looked like he was going to sneer something out, but Ron did not want anything to escalate so he stepped heavily on Draco's foot to shut him up. 

Draco shot him a baleful stare as the door opened and Professor Prince ushered them in. 

Ron felt that Professor Prince looked a little apprehensive, and remembered stories his brothers told about the work they put in to disrupt any class they shared with Slytherins. 

Ron was NOT going to be like his brothers. 

When Professor Prince gave the tour, he was the one to ask helpful questions and redirect the Slytherins and Gryffindors that wanted to establish their rivalry. 

When some of the Gryffindors had to leave to get their magus underclothing for the lesson, he kept the Slytherins from making any comments with help from Draco. 

When they started to actually practice evacuating their robes, Ron made sure to help the Slytherins and Gryffindors who struggled, putting himself between the class mates who looked like they wanted to make fun of the others. He even stopped a plot on both the Slytherin and Gryffindor side to hide the other house's robes from them.

By the end, he was exhausted, but very proud of his work as everyone gathered up their things, chatting softly. It was worth it just to see the relief on Professor Prince's face. 

He approached Ron with an open expression he was sure none of his brothers had seen before and put a hand on Ron's shoulder. 

"Well done, Mr. Weasley," Professor Prince said. "I will not lie, when I had heard we would be getting another Weasley, I felt rather apprehensive. I am glad to see you are not like your brothers."

Ron swelled with pride and nodded. "Why do else did you think I was sorted into Slytherin?"

Professor Prince chuckled. "Well, thank you."

"Come on, Ron," Draco called and Ron flashed a smile up at Professor Prince before he made his way out with his friend. 

.......................................

Ajax finished his lunch quickly, waited for Hermione to finish, and the two made their way to the Slytherin table. 

"Hello," Hermione said as Ron and Draco turned to them. "Where do we want to study?"

Draco hummed. "There are usually tables in the library and there are always empty classrooms, from what I understand. Pansy went to go hang out with her friends, by the way, so it'll just be us."

"Maybe we should go exploring for a bit," Ajax said. "We haven't been able to explore properly yet. Maybe we'll find a really cool place that we can have for ourselves for the rest of the year."

The other three nodded and they got up to do just that. 

They started in the hall of staircases, climbing one and letting it spin around to an unfamiliar hall where they got off and wandered down the corridors, sometimes splitting up to look down smaller corridors before meeting back up to talk about what they had found. 

Ajax wandered down one hall happily, turning a corner and listening to the distant voices of Draco and Hermione as they got into an argument about something. 

One door that led to a classroom was cracked open, and something about the light shining from the doorway caught his attention. 

Curious, he pushed the door open the rest of the way and found a tall mirror standing there. 

Intrigued, he stepped up to the mirror, smiling at himself in his black and blue robes, running his fingers through his hair to settle it. 

Something shifted in the background of the mirror, and then his mom and dad were standing behind him. 

He looked over his shoulder to find nothing there. 

"Magic mirror," he murmured. 

He turned back to see an older version of himself standing with his parents, a prize or award in hand that he knew was for some sort of breakthrough in magical knowledge. He and his parents looked like they were getting ready for a picture, and then he stepped aside so Hermione could take his place with a prize of her own. 

Ajax hummed with a smile. He wondered if this was a mirror that showed the future. 

He turned, ready to get his sister and friends to show them the mirror when he came to a dead stop. 

The headmaster, Professor Dumbledore, stood in the doorway, watching Ajax with a curious tilt of his head. 

"Hello, Harry," he said gently. 

"My name is Ajax."

Hurt flashed in Professor Dumbledore's eyes. "That is what you have been renamed, but your true name is-"

"No. My name is Ajax Granger. That was the name the school quill wrote out on my envelope and letter. It is my name. Harry Potter is the name for a kid in a bedtime story," Ajax replied fiercely. 

Professor Dumbledore cleared his throat. "My apologies, H-Ajax. I'm afraid I've gotten a little confused in my old age, I'm sure you can understand.... I see you found the Mirror of Erised."

Ajax frowned. "Erised? Is that Desire backwards?"

"It is," Professor Dumbledore said. "Good catch, my boy."

"I like word puzzles," Ajax said, giving him a withering look. He was not Dumbledore's 'boy.'

"What did you see, if you don't mind my asking?"

"What do you see?"

Dumbledore smiled and glanced at the mirror. "I see myself unwrapping a new set of comfortable socks for Christmas. No one thinks to get me things like socks. Always some magical bauble or expensive gift."

Ajax studied Dumbledore. He didn't for a second believe that. 

"What do you want me to say I saw? The Potters standing around me?"

Dumbledore visibly flinched at Ajax's tone, which gave him a jolt of satisfaction. 

"I see my real parents. And me and Hermione winning a prize for magical and scientific breakthroughs, if you must know," Ajax said haughtily. "Excuse me, I want to find the others."

"I'll walk with you," Dumbledore said brightly. 

Ajax ignored him as he stalked down the hall, pretending the old man wasn't there. 

He spotted Draco and Hermione chatting peaceably now and he said, "Guys! I found a magic mirror."

Hermione and Draco looked over in excitement before Hermione's expression changed to one of wary caution upon seeing the Headmaster. 

She took Ajax by the arm, stowing him behind herself as she said, "What are you doing here?"

"This is my school, Miss Granger. Where else should I be?" Dumbledore said too brightly. 

Ron popped out of a nearby hallway and hesitated when he felt the weird energy in the room. 

"Er..... hullo, Headmaster."

"Hello, Mr. Weasley," Dumbledore said with something like disinterest in his voice. 

Ron bristled, as did Draco on behalf of his friends, but he didn't say anything. 

"We're going to go look at the mirror now," Ajax said. "Unless it's not allowed."

"Oh, it's allowed. Just don't touch it."

The four nodded and stood, waiting until Dumbledore cleared his throat, said goodbye, and walked down the hall. 

Ajax waited until he was out of sighed before he spoke. 

"Anyway, it's a mirror that tells you what you desire most of the world. I thought it would be fun for you guys to look."

Everyone agreed and made their way to the room. 

Hermione went first and had a hungry look in her eyes when she stood in front of the mirror. 

"What is it?" Ajax asked. 

"Space travel," Hermione breathed and Harry nodded, sufficiently impressed. Maybe he should think more about space travel. 

"If you ever get your own ship, can I be your second?" Harry as Hermione as she stepped out of the way so Draco could have a look. 

"Yes, I think so," Hermione said with a smile. 

Draco hummed when he looked in the mirror. "Quidditch captain," he said with a smile. "I cannot wait to actually start playing! It's a shame first years can't play."

"Maybe if you fly really well in lessons you'll get chosen for a team early," Ajax said. "You could probably talk to your head of house about it."

Draco nodded thoughtfully, getting out of the way for Ron, who stared at the mirror with his mouth open. 

He closed it quickly, but continued to stare. 

"What do you see?" Hermione asked impatiently. 

"I've won the world cup," Ron said, "And there are all these other medals and prizes and whatnot."

"Not a brother in sight, I imagine," Draco said with a smile. 

Ron's face reddened and he backed away from the mirror. 

"I think that's great," Ajax said warmly. 

"What did you see, Ajax?" Ron asked. 

"Hermione and I with our parents winning awards," Ajax said with a grin. 

Hermione looked endlessly flattered, her own face reddening. 

"Hold on."

She stood in front of the mirror and nodded. "There. You're my second in command in there too."

Ajax snorted and Draco rolled his eyes. 

Eventually, they were back to exploring for a little bit before they had to go to Transfiguration together. 

They got there just in time, sitting down and giggling with one another as they discussed their discoveries until Professor McGonagall walked into the room. 

"Good, you're all here," she said, looking over the Ravenclaws and Slytherins. "This is transfiguration, the magic behind turning one thing into another. Today we will be going over the theory and rules that dictate all of Transfiguration."

A smile touched her face as she said, "Including the rules that dictate the transfiguration of the self."

She shrunk down into a cat, leaping up onto her desk as the children when crazy. 

Ajax gripped the edge of his desk, eyes wide before he looked at the other three. 

They all gave each other the same look. 

They needed to learn how to do that themselves. 

Chapter Text

Severus cleaned up his potions room quietly. There had been an unavoidable incident with his 4th year class and he was doing his level best not to be too angry with them. He might have decreased the amount of incidents that occurred in a potions classroom, but he couldn't stop every accident. 

He sighed softly, waving his wand at the ceiling in the hopes that some of the gunk would dislodge itself and that he wouldn't have to get up there and physically clean it. He wanted to assign a detention to the Hufflepuff who had caused this, but she had been so apologetic and had already helped to clean during her break, so it wouldn't really be fair. 

He supposed he could hope the Weasley twins would step out of line so he could get their help cleaning this evening, but he didn't want the residue just hanging over his head the whole day. 

Severus felt the air change a little in the room, and he didn't even turn around as he said, "Regulus."

There was a soft laugh from the doorway and Severus turned to see Regulus standing in the doorway, wearing a locket of some kind that had clearly seen better days. It was rather scorched and the front panel hung loosely on its hinges. 

"So, no Harry Potter on the schedule this year," Regulus said, pulling a list of names from his pocket, reading down it. 

"Mm," Severus said, noncommittal but on the side of agreement. "No Harry Potter."

"Shame. He must really be dead. Unless your Headmaster is hiding him?"

"No need to fish for information, Regulus," Severus said. "The headmaster has been distraught about there not being a Harry Potter at school."

Regulus sighed, throwing his arm around Severus's shoulders. "Right. Well, my employers will be pretty upset, I suppose. They had hopes for the boy. Ah well. Hey, Sev, speaking of-"

"I will not be a spy for anyone," Severus said shortly. "I refuse entirely."

"Alright. Well. I had better be on my way."

Severus turned and grabbed Regulus's arm before he could leave. "Send a letter next time. I do not want you sneaking into the school for any reason. I have let this go on long enough."

Regulus rolled his eyes. "Fine. Then you may want to close the gaps in security."

"I intend to."

"Good."

The two stared at each other for a long moment before Regulus said, "You're hiding something from me."

"A man is allowed secrets," Severus replied, letting Regulus go and Occluding carefully so nothing could escape. Eventually word will get out about Ajax, but Severus hoped that would take a while, and he had answers ready for when that day came. "Get out of here."

Regulus shook his head with a little smile and did as he was told. 

Severus waited for a while before he abandoned the mess to prowl the halls with his eyes half closed, sensing the barriers and wards and closing as many gaps as he could sense. 

................................................................

"Narcissa!" Ernest said, delighted when he opened the door. "Julie is in the back working on a potion. Do you need her?"

Narcissa smiled warmly and said, "I was hoping to come in for a visit if the two of you aren't too busy."

"Oh! Sure, come in," Ernest said.

Narcissa stepped in and set down the covered bowl she brought, lifting the lid to reveal color shifting figs. 

"I brought a little gift for you and your wife. This are chromafigs. They are very delicious and make for very lovely pies."

"Thank you," Ernest said, picking one up to examine it as Julie called from the other room, "Ernest? Who's here?"

"Narcissa, sweetheart."

Julie made a happy noise and there was a great clatter, presumable as she paused her potion. 

She came out, wiping her hands on her potions robes before she took Narcissa's hands, kissing her on each cheek. 

"I'll go make tea," Ernest said. 

"Let's go to the living room," Julie said brightly, picking up a fig to take with her. 

Narcissa laughed softly and the two settled on the couch. 

"To what do we owe the pleasure of this visit, Narcissa?" Julie asked before taking a bite of the fig. 

"Oh, please call me Cissy. And I wanted to stop by to gossip, mostly. Things are so quiet around the house with Draco gone and I am dreadfully tired of my acquaintances in Ministry circles."

"Not sure we can be more interesting than any of them, but we can try," Julie laughed. 

Narcissa shook her head with a smile. "Perhaps not, but at least you actually act like real people. When you're in those higher circles you feel this pressure to be perfect and lovely and endlessly interesting. After a while it all feels so fake. You and your family have truly been wonderful in this regard."

Julie hummed as Ernest came back with a pot of tea, going back for some cups. "I'm glad to be here for you, then. Has your son been sending you letters?"

"Oh, yes, he has. He has become friends with the youngest Weasley boy. Ron, I believe. I never thought I would see the day that a Weasley became a Slytherin."

"Oh?" Julie said, intrigued. "Now that is interesting! I believe Ajax and Hermione have mentioned Ron in their letters too. I didn't realize he was a Weasley."

Narcissa smiled and nodded. "It makes me wonder if we should introduce ourselves to the Weasley parents. I've never actually spoken to them before but maybe now is the time to change that."

"Perhaps," Julie said. "Maybe they will go on visiting day next week and we can meet them there."

"True. I hope so."

Ernest came back with the cups and sweeteners, kissing his wife before he sat down and everyone got their cups prepared the way they liked it and settled in again. 

"I wonder how long it will be before the news gets out about Ajax," Julie said thoughtfully. "Sometimes I wonder if we should have told him to just keep it a secret."

"I'm not sure that would have worked. You and I both saw pictures of his biological father and he looks just like James Potter. Someone will notice eventually and that will be a nightmare to deal with."

"It will be a nightmare this time," Julie sighed. 

"Not necessarily. You have Lucius and I in your corner," Narcissa said with a smile. "We'll be able to help to ensure that people distance the idea of Harry Potter from Ajax Granger. He will be alright. People will care for a few months but it will die down after that, I'm sure."

" I hope so," Ernest said. "Ajax hates being called anything besides his name."

Narcissa hummed, sipping her tea before she gasped softly and said, "Oh! I haven't told you two! Someone broke into the manor last week."

"What?" Ernest asked, sitting up straighter as Julie leaned in, intrigued. 

"Oh, yes. Someone broke in and went through the garbage in the basement storage. We really ought to have cleared it all out. Some of it is from the dark days, you know. Lucius had wanted Draco at Hogwarts before we dealt with it in case there was anything dangerous, but someone got in there before us. They dug through the old Death eater stuff."

"A past Death Eater?" Julie asked, tea forgotten in her fervor. 

"On can only assume," Narcissa said, shaking her head a little. "We couldn't figure out who had snuck in and what they had taken. It isn't like we have a census for all of the things in the basement, especially since we've just kept the doors down there locked. Lucius says that the remaining Death Eaters are too scattered to be a danger and found the hole in the magic the fiend got through, but I have this foreboding."

Julie bit her thumbnail, thinking. "Well.....it sounds like this is the signal you need to clean everything out. You'll have to let us know how it goes. We would love to help if you think it would be safe enough for us to do so."

Narcissa shook her head. "No, I don't think that would be a good idea, but I will keep it in mind, thank you."

Julie nodded and Narcissa smiled as she asked, "So, Julie, what potion were you working on before I got here?"

Julie launched into a description of the potion with deliberate delight. 

...........................................

Ravenclaws mostly had classes with Gryffindor on Wednesdays, so going into Transfiguration with the Slytherins on Thursday was a serious relief. Gryffindors were fun for the first hour and a half, but after that one got very tired of them. 

Ajax and Hermione sat with Ron and Draco who had been excitedly discussing the Magics Basics class they would be going to the next day and barely said hi to the Grangers before getting back into it. 

"Broom lessons," Ron said with relish. "This is it! We'll be the best fliers this school has ever seen, Draco!"

Draco grinned. "That we will! What position do you want, Ron?" 

"Any, I expect. Maybe not seeker."

"But seekers get so much glory!" Draco exclaimed. 

"Sure," Ron said, "But seekers switch out all the time. You barely get a chance to learn their name before there's a new one. Keepers, on the other hand-"

"I don't know why everyone is so excited about Quidditch," Hermione said. "I personally prefer trick flying. That is where the true talent lies."

"Well, yeah, sure, but in Quidditch you get to see people getting bashed in the face sometimes."

Ajax snorted. 

Hermione rolled her eyes as Draco and Ron turned to Ajax. "What about you? Do you want to play Quidditch?"

"Maybe pick up games, but I prefer trick flying too," Ajax said, glancing at Hermione, who nodded proudly. "There might be less glory in it, but at least I don't have to worry about losing my teeth."

"Coward," Draco said good naturedly as Professor McGonagall stood at the front of the class to start the lesson. 

When they got to the practical portion of the lesson, they chatted while they tried to turn their straw into sewing thread. 

"What's up with the defense teacher?" Ajax asked, if only to see his sister's face go red with anger. 

"That was the worst lesson I've ever been to!" Hermione said, jabbing her wand at her straw and accidentally turning it into wire. She took a breath and said, "I think he ought to be fired."

"He might get better," Ron said doubtfully as he tried to correct the color of his thread.

"I don't know," Ajax said. "He seemed pretty twitchy. What do you think his deal is?"

"I am not certain, but I have sent a letter to mum so she can find out more about him since the Hogwarts library isn't really geared toward that kind of research."

Draco snorted. "What was the hat thinking letting you go to Ravenclaw? Trying to get blackmail on a teacher-"

"I'm not trying to blackmail him! I'm only trying to work out what his deal is."

"He smelled strange. Like garlic that had gone bad," Ajax said as he sneakily reached around Hermione to transfigure Draco's threat into ribbons. 

Draco squawked when he noticed and turned Ajax's thread into needles. 

Ajax giggled as Ron leaned in and said, "I heard that he was an abandoned kid raised by vampires."

"That can't be right," Hermione said. "Vampires have very specific religious traditions they follow and he hasn't followed any of them so far."

"Culturally vampiric," Ajax suggested as Professor McGonagall approached their table. 

She raised an eyebrow at the assortment of beads, ribbons, threads, and human hair on their table. 

All four moved to transfigure their items into the thread and she smiled a little. 

"Those are all excellent. If you've already finished that assignment why don't you stop gossiping and help your classmates?"

"Yes, professor," the four chirped before sharing an amused look and getting up to do as they were told. 

Chapter Text

Friday had a frenetic energy that could only be created by a full year of students promised that they would be taught how to fly brooms in their magic basics classes. Hermione and Ajax, who had promised themselves and each other that they would not be swept up in the hype, found themselves following the currents of excitement with breathless anticipation. 

"I really am excited," Ajax said, startling himself and Hermione at lunch. 

She just snorted into her eggs. 

The two of them followed the Ravenclaw first year class out onto the Quidditch pitch when the time came and found a rather stern looking woman waiting for them. 

"Line up, line up," she said, like a harried flock leader trying to keep the chicks from being eaten by a stray fox. "We don't have all day."

Ajax and Hermione, as always, stood next to one another, watching Madam Hooch with delight as she started to march up and down the line like a military officer with a broom in her hand. 

Not everyone managed to quell their giggles. 

"I am Madam Hooch, and I will be teaching you how to ride a broomstick," she said. "How many of you have experience with brooms?"

A good chunk of the class raised their hands. 

She nodded. "I fear you may have the worse of it. You have probably picked up bad habits and I will not allow laziness in my class. Now."

She flicked her rather stubby wand and brooms came zipping through the air, landing in between each person in line. 

"Hold your hand out over the broom on your left and say 'Up.' Firmly, if you please."

Ajax extended his hand over his broom. 

"Up," he said. 

It jumped willingly into his hand while Hermione's just rolled over on the ground. 

She frowned at it and glanced at Ajax, who shrugged. 

"Do yours again," Hermione said. "I want to see how you did it."

Ajax nodded, setting the broom down. 

"Up," he said again and, again, the broom jumped up into his hand. 

Hermione seemed to think for a moment before she looked down at the broom again and said, "Up!"

The broom rose into her hand, not as willingly as Ajax's had, but it was obedient enough. 

She grinned at Ajax, who grinned in return. 

Then they sat on their brooms, which was a strange experience. The cushioning charms made it feel like one was sitting on a broom wrapped in perfectly fitted padding, but when you looked down, all you could see was the broom handle. 

Madam Hooch went up and down, correcting posture and hand grips. Ajax had to be corrected twice, which had Hermione giggling at him. 

Finally, Madam Hooch said, "Alright now. you will gently kick off the ground with both feet. Do not be frightened, and do not shift your weight. I have placed cushioning spells on the ground so if you do start to feel panicky you will not hurt yourself when you land."

"How do we know it will stay up?" one Ravenclaw asked nervously.

"Because that is what a broomstick is built do do. We do not ask why a cauldron holds water, now, do we?"

The child nodded and then she blew her whistle. 

Ajax pushed off a little more vigorously than he should have, rising above the others, but he did not feel unsteady or scared. The wind brushed through his curls and whipped through his school robes, filling him with a sense of exhilaration. 

Hermione was just below him, making sure Madam Hooch wasn't looking before she leaned this way and that, feeling out how the broom moved and how quickly it would respond to her movements. 

Ajax giggled at the look of concentration on his sister's face and started doing the same. 

Madam Hooch joined them in the air as the last stragglers made it up into the air and she grabbed each broom by the tail, pulling it into position until each of them were placed in a circle with her in the center. 

"Alright, my chicks," Madam Hooch said, getting more giggles from the children around her. Her face softened as she said, "Whenever you are on a broom, it is important to remember you are moving in a 3 dimensional space. Every side, and up and down. You must keep your head on a swivel. When you don't have anything to push off of, you will not move straight in one direction. To go up, you must pull up on the hand of your broom. You cannot fly backward, you must turn around. You will always be moving forward as well as up or down based on the position of your broom handle. We will be practicing this one at a time and I will correct mistakes as I see them. Do not fly too quickly or leave my sight, understand?"

The class made their usual sounds of agreement before she got them started on actually moving.

Ajax and Hermione were among the first to be let loose to do passes around the Quidditch pitch, and when Madam Hooch looked distracted with the other students, they would try simple tricks and gentle dives. 

The only incident was Gerry Maryweather as he ended up face-planting on the ground, but the cushion saved him from any real damage. After Madam Hooch declared he would be alright, she let them loose from class, congratulating them all on a successful first foray into the world of broom flying.

"I wonder how Draco and Ron did in their class," Ajax commented. 

"We have lunch next. Let's go find out."

Draco and Ron were at the Slytherin table, heads low like they were trying to avoid attention. 

Hermione tapped Ron on the shoulder. "Well?"

Ron turned, clearing his throat as his face went very red. 

Draco gave an unhappy sigh. "We got detention."

"Why?" Ajax asked. 

"We, um, may have caused a few people to fall off their brooms while we were showing off."

"Draco didn't," Ron said. "I did. I misjudged my angle and I knocked some people off-"

"Only cause I egged you on," Draco replied. "We both got in trouble. And we are definitely not going to be the youngest Quidditch players at Hogwarts."

"There's too much going on around here for Quidditch in first year anyway," Ajax said consolingly. "We have a castle to explore in the evenings and on the weekends, remember? That sounds a lot more fun than having to trudge out in the snow for practice in the winter."

Ron winced. "Oh, I didn't even think about that."

Hermione nodded. "I wouldn't want to fly out in the snow. No matter how many warming charms I can cast."

"Who are you doing detention with?" Ajax asked. 

"Madam Hooch," Ron said. "We're going to be servicing brooms until our hands bleed, I'm sure."

"So dramatic," Hermione snorted. "Serves you right for trying to show off."

Ron huffed and Draco shook his head, stirring his lunch around. 

Hermione and Ajax went to their table, grabbing their lunch and chatted amiably together before the bell rang and they went to their review period where they could go over all the material they learned that week and work on homework before getting off early for the rest of the day. 

..........................

Saturday arrived comfortably, the sun shining and promising a few more warm days before fall and then winter settled in. Ajax slowly got up, getting out a magus adventure novel to read for a bit while everyone else stirred awake slowly through the dorms. 

He only got up when he heard a knock at his door and found Hermione waiting for him. 

"What's the pan for the day?" he asked, grabbing his bag and packing up a couple of quills and a notebook he had been using to learn how to draw. 

"Exploration for most of it, I expect. Are you caught up on homework?"

Ajax snorted. "Are you kidding? Of course I am."

Hermione grinned. "More time for weekend plans. Come on!"

The two Grangers left the room and started their explorations for the day. 

There were huge halls to look at, the abandoned classrooms kept free of dust by the house elves that worked in the castle to investigate. As they went deeper, they found paintings that had long fallen asleep, never to wake up again. 

They chased a unicorn through portrait frames for several halls before it vanished completely from view. 

Panting, the two stood shoulder to shoulder, looking around to decide where to go next. 

"I heard that there is a lost hall somewhere in this area," Hermione said, breathless as she pulled out a book that showed sketches of hidden and beautiful rooms in Hogwarts. "A hall of statues. I hear you can climb up into the statue's laps using the wrinkles in their robes."

"That we have to find!" Ajax declared. 

They started their search, surprised when Ron and Draco found them after an hour of searching. 

"Told you I knew a good locator spell," Ron said. "Mum taught it to me when I was little in case I needed to find Ginny or the twins."

Draco nodded, suitably impressed. 

"What are we looking for?" Draco asked. 

"A hall of statues," Ajax said, reaching into Hermione's bag to pull out the book and show Draco the sketches of the statues in question. "It was last found in 1909, it says here. We want to find it again."

"Lost rooms like that usually just want to stay lost," Draco said, but they could all see he was intrigued by the challenge.

"We'll see. Maybe it's just waiting for the right people to come along," Ajax said. 

They were back at their search, Ron throwing himself enthusiastically at the walls, pulling on portraits and pressing every stone he could get his hands on. 

Draco tried to be less conspicuous about how deeply he was searching, but he kept disappearing behind suits of armor for a few minutes, checking for hidden openings or buttons there. 

Ajax took to stepping on interesting flagstones, trying to see if they needed to be stepped on in a certain order, which had been so fun that the others had joined him in an impromptu dance party. 

After they were done laughing over that, they ran into another group of first and second years out exploring. After chatting about interesting things they had seen and finding out the unicorn was grazing in a portrait up ahead, they went back to their search. 

In the end, it was Hermione who found the entrance. 

She spotted a painting of a small group of students sitting on a strange stone formation which she matched to one of the statue's laps. 

The group walked up to the portrait, delighted for a clue. 

Ron reached up to tug a little on the portrait, only for his finger to slip through the surface, warping the painting. 

He looked back at the others, shock clear in his eyes. 

They each gave each other boosts to get through the portrait and then they stood in a huge hall full of statues of sitting mages, their students painted at a more reasonable size on the walls and floors around their feet. 

"This is awesome!" Ajax gasped. 

"We are SOOOOO keeping this place our secret," Ron declared.

"Yeah, we are," Hermione said before dashing toward a witch who was labeled 'Gwendolyn the Bright.' She climbed up the complicated patterns of the woman's skirt until she was sitting in her lap, giggling and kicking her legs. 

The others went up after her where they found some old pieces of parchment and a couple of bracelets left long ago by students that had been here last. 

"This is incredible," Hermione said, trying on a bracelet before passing another to Draco. 

"Can you imagine coming here to study?" Ajax asked dreamily. 

"I want to bring a broom in here and have a better look at the ceiling," Ron said, his head tilted way back as he rested his weight on his arms, squinting at the murals so far up they were difficult to see.

"We could look up a magnifying spell," Ajax suggested. 

"Nah. A broom would be more fun."

None of them could argue with that.

Chapter Text

Ajax and Hermione decided to join Ron and Draco at the Slytherin table for dinner that night, happily chewing through their food and chatting quietly about their discoveries. They had done more exploring of that little room and found the remains of a broken wand, a few old pieces of clothing, and a bag with old expired potions that they had left alone. 

They were having a discussion about if they should tell Professor Prince about the potions and turn them in when Ron glanced over his shoulder and stiffened. 

The twins were sauntering over to the table and they leaned in to the little group, their uncanny eyes on Ajax. 

"There are some rumors going on about you, Ajax Granger."

Ajax shifted nervously at the strange way the twin said his name. "Yeah?"

"Yeah," the other said. "Rumors about you being a Potter."

Ajax could see some of the Slytherins paying attention now, trying to hide it as they ate their food but quieting their conversations to hear better. 

"Well, I'm a Granger," Ajax said firmly. 

One twin reached out and pushed back Ajax's unruly hair. He batted the hand away with a disgruntled noise and Hermione jumped up, putting herself in between Ajax and the twins. 

"Leave him alone! It's rude to touch people without their permission, you know!" she declared. 

"Yeah? Well maybe we're rude. Just show us your forehead. Ajax. We're just curious."

Ajax huffed and pushed back his hair, knowing full well that the scar he had as a child, red and jagged, had faded to a very faint lighter mark that didn't remotely look like the lightning bolt it was portrayed as on the little white boy's head on the cover of 'The Adventures of Harry Potter' books. 

The Weasley twins hummed, rubbing their chins as they looked. 

"Well..... that's not very helpful," one said. 

"Go away, George," Ron said, annoyed. 

"Oh, sure, I guess we have dinner to get back to," George said. "Be seeing you, Harry."

"His name is Ajax!" Hermione seethed. 

The twins smirked and turned, leaving for their table. 

Hermione sat down with a huff and Ajax shook his head, giving her a look. 

"Are you really Harry Potter?" an impetuous second year Slytherin asked.

"I'm Ajax Granger," Ajax replied. 

"Evasive," another murmured. 

Whispers seemed to spread through the hall, all laced with the names Granger and Potter. 

Ajax started shoveling food down his throat faster. He just wanted to go back to his dorm and go to bed. 

He knew he couldn't hide it forever, but he wasn't ready for the secret to be out just yet. He didn't want to know what people would expect from him if they knew he was once called Harry Potter. 

He was surprised as a magically magnified voice cleared it's throat and he looked up to see Dumbledore holding his wand to his throat. 

"It seems there are some rumors disturbing us all tonight," he said with a smile in the direction of where Ajax was eating with his friends. 

"I have to get out of here," Ajax said, shoving his plate back and going to get up, but Dumbledore's words beat him to escape. 

"Ajax Granger is indeed Harry Potter. He was adopted into a loving family due to some strange circumstances in his youth. Please keep in mind that 'The Adventures of Harry Potter' are merely works of fiction and that things you read in books are often exaggerated."

Ajax looked up at the table, mouth hanging open at the betrayal. He felt everyone's eyes on him, and he hated that he had managed to stand up. 

He didn't know what to do. He could only stand there, shaking with anger and nerves. People were staring at him as though they expected him to speak and he had no idea what to do with himself. 

Against his will, tears welled in his eyes and he glanced at the Weasley twins, who had the sense to look rather uncomfortable now. 

Hermione stood up, getting up on the bench so she could look around at the whole hall. 

"If any of you call him Harry Potter, I will hex you!" she declared shrilly before hopping down, taking Ajax by the hand, and dragged him out of the hall at a fierce stride. 

Ajax heard the scrape of benches, but he couldn't see past the tears now trailing down his cheeks. 

Why did he feel so embarrassed?

He cried softly as Hermione pulled him into an empty hall, turning and hugging him protectively. 

"It's alright," she whispered. "We knew they'd find out eventually."

"I'm not Harry Potter," Ajax choked out between sobs. "I'm NOT!"

"I know," Hermione said softly, rubbing his back. 

They heard two pairs of feet approaching and Professor Flitwick and Professor Prince came around the corner, concern in their faces. 

Prince came to kneel on one knee beside them. 

"Ajax, are you alright?"

Ajax could only sniffle and shake his head as Flitwick put a hand on his back. 

"That was not alright what the Headmaster did," Flitwick said, his voice trembling with rage. "I will be having words with him. I will ensure that everyone knows you are to be called by your real name, Ajax."

"Points will be deducted from anyone who refuses to use your real name," Prince said with a firm nod, reaching out hesitant fingers and resting them lightly on Ajax's wrist. "I am sorry, but things are not going to be as bad as you fear, I promise."

Ajax nodded hesitantly before looking at Hermione, who looked a little lost. 

"Why don't the two of you head up to the dorms. Did you get enough to eat? I can bring you something if you need," Flitwick offered. 

Ajax's stomach roiled at the thought and he shook his head. 

"I think I ate enough," Hermione said. "Thank you, Professor."

Flitwick nodded and Prince stood. "Let us know if you need anything."

"We will," Ajax whispered. He just wanted to go up to his dorm and write his parents a letter. 

Hermione took his hand again and walked with him up to the dorms. 

.................................................

"Did you know he was Harry Potter?" Blaise asked Draco and Ron as soon as they had reached their dorm. 

Ron wrinkled his nose. "I guess I suspected, but it's kind of rude to ask that, you know?"

"I knew," Draco admitted. "Father told me. I was meant to help keep it a secret."

Blaise shrugged. "Not your fault the cat's out of the bag when the Headmaster got involved. Hey, but that's so cool! I was wondering why you were putting up hanging out with the Grangers."

"They're my friends, I'll have you know," Draco said haughtily. 

"What? Even the mudblood-"

Ron grabbed Blaise by his robes and got in his face with a sneer. "Don't call her that. She's twice the mage you'll ever be."

Blaise held his hands up for surrender, but there was amusement in his eyes. Ron knew his opinion didn't go very far in Blaise Zabini's circles of influence, being considered a blood traitor and all, but he still wanted to make his point. 

He let go of Blaise just for Draco to take Ron's place. 

"Don't you dare say that in my presence ever again," Draco said in that rich prat tone of his. 

Blaise's face twisted into one of confusion and annoyance. 

"Whatever," he grumbled. "I'm going to bed. You two are no fun to gossip with."

Draco and Ron shared an eye roll before they found a table, pulling out some of the homework they had left to do. 

Ron sighed over his star chart for a moment and looked at Draco. "So, people will know he used to be... you know. Does that really change things?"

"It depends on how it's played. Because the Headmaster announced it, people could see that as a declaration that Ajax is taking on the mantle of Harry Potter, or whatever. Which is stupid, of course."

Ron nodded. "So we need to just tell people that's not what it is and eventually they lose interest?"

"Yes. Some parties might be interested in stirring it up over and over again, though, so Ajax would be better off acting against the type of Harry Potter as much as possible. We'll need to listen out for what people think Harry Potter would do at Hogwarts, put together a list, and then just tell Ajax to avoid those things or do them differently."

Ron pulled out ha piece of parchment, nodding vigorously. "Alright. I can think of a few things already," he said, scribbling down some notes. 

Draco nodded, looking at what Ron was writing for a moment before pulling Ron's star chart towards him to check his work and to fill in some of the spaces while Ron worked on that. 

..........................................

Dear Mum and Dad, 

Hello. I don't know how many letters it's normal to send back home, but I don't think you'll mind if I send too many. 

Today started off really good. I got to sleep in and read and then me, Hermione, Draco, and Ron went out looking around the castle again. Hermione had that book on interesting room in Hogwarts and there was one room that hadn't been seen for almost a century. We spent all day trying to find it and we did! It was awesome! The room is huge and has all of these big statues! We don't want to show it to any of our year mates because we want to keep it for ourselves, but I think I would like to show you the place when you come for visiting day next week. 

Something else happened today. At dinner people were asking me if I was Harry Potter and I just told them I was Ajax. I think it would have been fine since the scar is almost gone and people don't really expect me to be Harry Potter, but the Headmaster got up and announced that I was. It really hurt me. 

Professor Flitwick and Master Prince were very kind and came to help me and tell me it was alright and that the Headmaster was in the wrong, but I still feel really small. Like someone glued a mask to my face and now no one will be able to see me. I hope that makes sense. 

I miss you. I'm sure I will be fine. Their opinions don't really matter, not when my housemates are nice and I have good friends and I have Hermione here with me. 

I love you, 

Ajax Granger. 

Julie sat stunned at the table Sunday morning, a letter from her son in hand. 

She snarled and got up, looking for her husband. 

"Ernest," she said, thrusting the letter into his hands. "Read that."

"Oh! A letter from Ajax! I wonder if Hermione's will be around soon-"

His eyes tracked over the paper, his frown deepening as he reached the end of it. 

"Oh, no. We are not letting that stand."

"Absolutely not," Julie snapped. "I need to go talk to Mr. Harper. I need him to make a Howler for me."

Ernest grinned. "I'm coming too."

The two grabbed their jackets and Julie snatched up the keys, only for Ernest to take them gently from her, kissing her forehead. "We both know not to let you drive angry."

She grumbled but acquiesced before they drove to the Harper’s, Julie making calls to Lucius on the way (who had grown rather enamored with modern phones) letting him know what happened. 

She was delighted to learn that he was going to send a howler himself, and perhaps Narcissa would send another one. 

"Don't label it as for the Headmaster, though," Lucius warned. "He can vanish them rather easily. Send them to Master Prince. I will send him a note now to make sure he is at the table with the headmaster so he can pass them along."

"Will do," Julie said. "Thank you, Lucius."

"My pleasure."

Chapter Text

Sunday morning started with no less than than four howlers for Dumbledore. All of them had been sent to Master Prince, but he passed them over to Dumbledore just as they went off. 

They came in one at a time, each perfectly understandable. First Narcissa who scolded Dumbledore for a lack of tact, then Lucius who scathingly told him just how disappointed he was in the school, delighting Hermione with a side tangent about the quality of some of the teachers. 

Then came Ernest's letter where he read Dumbledore the riot act about treatment of students in front of their peers, and last came Julie's howler. 

She was angry. More angry than Hermione and Ajax had ever heard as she shouted Dumbledore's sins at him, including all of the scandals he had been involved with at the ministry before telling him if he pulled another stunt like that she would be coming to the school to deal with him personally. 

Ajax was rather embarrassed, in all honesty. Hermione, Ron, and Draco, on the other hand, had been delighted by the display. 

"I wonder if I can get my mother in on it," Ron said eagerly. "She does a smashing howler."

Ajax snorted. 

Opinions were divided among the student body. Older students who had come to see through Dumbledore's act felt it was a long time coming. Gryffindors were the most offended by the display, closing ranks around the headmaster's name and shooting the Slytherins and Ravenclaws dirty looks all day. 

Unsurprisingly, Ajax had to deal with a lot of people asking him about his name. 

"'Harry Potter' is a story book character," he found himself saying for the 10th time by lunch time. "I'm Ajax."

"But you are the boy-who-lived?" the Hufflepuff asked eagerly. 

Ajax rolled his eyes. "If you mean I survived a freak attack by a crazy wizard mad with power, then yeah."

"So you defeated You-Know-Who!"

"I was a baby! I didn't do anything but lay there and drool a bit," Ajax said angrily, which was usually the point where Hermione stepped in, beating back his questioner verbally until they ran off.

"You're doing it wrong," Draco said, coming to join them at their table for lunch. Ron hadn't come to lunch yet. 

"What am I meant to do?" Ajax asked. 

Draco shrugged. "Make it seem like it's not a big deal. Answer their question. They are curious, as can only be expected. Just make it out to be boring."

"I can't imagine that would work," Ajax said. 

Draco smiled. "Trust me, this will be old news. If you stop giving them a big reaction every time it comes up, they could care less. The Dark Lord was before their time. Before our time, actually. Only the older students remember it even a bit. There are more interesting things to focus on than what a baby did years ago before they could even think very well."

Ajax bit his cheek and looked out across tables of students who were all looking at each other and whispering to one another. 

"Make it sound boring," he murmured.

Draco nodded. "Exactly. Just wait it out. And if anyone tries to call you Harry, you can ignore them. Not your name, right?"

"Right."

"It might also be a good idea to make some friends with the older students," Hermione said thoughtfully. The younger ones take their cues from the upperclassmen, right?"

"Right," Ajax said, looking at the older kids. They were just as interested in Ajax, but they were better about looking away when he glanced in their direction. 

"Where is Ron?" Ajax asked, wanting to change the subject.

Draco shrugged. "He said he wanted to write a letter before he came down for lunch."

Ajax hummed, going back to his food with little enthusiasm. 

..............................................

Ron was not having a good time. He knew that his brothers liked teasing and pranking Slytherins. He knew that they did kind of horrible things to the younger Slytherins they got alone. He knew that, as their brother, they would feel more entitled to teasing him, but this was ridiculous. 

He folded his knees to his chest, looking up from some sort of hidden pit trap the castle, of course, had. He hadn't been hurt in the fall, though his shoulder was a little bruised. 

He should have known to just walk past them. Just ignore them, but they started taunting him when they saw him. 

"Hey there, Ron. Heard you made friends with a celebrity, right?"

"Guess this is the start of your rise to the top."

Ron had stopped, fists clenched, trying to find a retort, only for the world to drop out from under him. 

"Or fall to the bottom," one of the twins laughed before they left him there. 

So, Ron sat there for a minute, feeling bad for himself before he reached for his wand. 

Only it wasn't there. 

He checked his bag, his holster, in his sleeve, even his pocket, but he couldn't find it. 

The pit was completely empty besides himself and his bag and he pulled at his hair, trying to keep from freaking out. 

He needed to find his wand!! His family couldn't afford to get him a new one, and he didn't know if they would even want to get him a wand since he became a Slytherin. Slytherins were supposed to be self sufficient, right? So they might expect him to get his own wand. 

He put his head between his knees, trying to calm down. The twins probably had his wand or it was just on the floor above him. Everything was fine. 

He cleared his throat, standing up. He took several deep breaths before he called, "Hello? Hello! Is anyone there?"

He listened hard for a moment. This hall was typically well traveled, so he shouldn't have to wait too long to get a rescue. Right?

He was so telling Professor Prince about all of this. 

He heard feet above and called, "Hello! Can someone help me?"

"Oh?"

A friendly looking man poked his head over the edge. He didn't look to be a very old wizard, but he was older than Professor Prince, certainly.

"Are you alright there, lad?"

"Yeah," Ron said. "I think my wand might have landed up there when I fell?"

The man backed up and made a noise of victory. "Ah, right here."

The man dropped Ron's wand down to him and Ron chirped out a thank you before he cast the spell that would reverse the trap. 

The floor rose to level with the rest of the floor and Ron smiled at the wizard. He was wearing a set of forest green robes, the embroidered arcane symbols done in the same color so they had an interesting textured effect. They seemed very practical. 

"Thank you."

"Of course, my boy. I'm glad I could help. This place can be dangerous, I understand. I've actually never been to Hogwarts before today."

"You haven't?"

"No. I was home schooled, see," the man said with a warm smile. "I'm Mr. Smith, by the way. Eret Smith. You must be a Weasley if I'm not mistaken?"

"Yes, I'm a Weasley," Ron said, shaking the man's hand. "What are you doing here?"

"I'm here to apply for the history position," Mr. Smith said warmly. "I hope to see you around."

"Good luck," Ron said. "I'd better get to lunch now."

Mr. Smith smiled. "Lovely to meet you."

Ron made his way off through the halls, intrigued by the wizard he just met. 

................................................

"Woah, we really are getting a new history professor?" Ajax asked. 

"As we should," Hermione said firmly. "Truly, Professor Binns was dreadful."

Draco made a noise of agreement as they reached the portrait of the hall of statues. After helping one another through again, Ajax sighed. "I'm glad we have this place to ourselves. It's nice to get away from the whispering."

"And away from the twins," Ron agreed, who had told them about his time in the pit trap. 

Draco rolled his eyes. "And you lot keep telling me having siblings is a good time."

"It is sometimes," Ajax said, giving Hermione a wry smile.

"I think it depends on the sibling," Ron said. "I like Bill and Charlie, but Percy and the twins are obnoxious."

"What about your little sister?" Hermione asked. 

"She scares me."

The other three snorted before they climbed up into a statue’s lap, sitting together as they pulled out a game of exploding snap to play. 

After they finished a couple of games, during which Ajax cheated successfully twice before getting caught, Draco said, "You said that Mr. Smith was home schooled, yes?"

"Yeah, that's what he said," Ron said. "He seemed pretty cool, though. But can someone who was home schooled teach well?"

"Sure. He might have a mastery in history or some such," Draco said. 

"Right."

"Mastery," Ajax and Hermione said, a far away look in their eyes. 

"You two are so weird," Ron snorted. "I've never met people so excited about being apprenticed."

"Masteries are cool! What do you want to master in?"

Ron thought about it for a moment with a frown as Draco said, "There are several I have been looking at. The magic involved in politics would be customary for my position, but...."

"But what?"

"Well... my mother mastered in healing magic, and that just seems interesting," Draco said with a faint blush.

"Healing is so cool," Ajax said dreamily. "Maybe I'll do that."

"I thought you were thinking of potions," Hermione said. 

"No, Ajax said yesterday he wanted to master in Dueling."

"Curse breaking?" Draco said, just to tease. 

Ajax laughed. "I have time to decide. I wish I could just do them all."

"Get a mastery in masteries," Hermione joked. 

The group laughed before Hermione said, "I think I'll get a mastery or two, but then I think I'll pioneer some things. I really do want to see about exploring other planets."

"Ooooh!" Ajax gasped. "Yes! And, you know what, maybe I should just get to the bottom of how magic works. There's still so much we don't know about why some spells need verbal components and others don't."

"What about you, Ron?" Hermione asked. "What do you want to do?"

Ron shrugged. "I don't know. I'm only 11."

The group laughed again before starting another game of exploding snap, this time keeping a closer eye on Ajax. 

.................................................................................

Julie and Ernest had spent the day at the Malfoy Manor since making their howlers that morning, and they were delighted to see an owl coming with a letter from the Headmaster.

"Oh, this ought to be good," Lucius said, opening the envelope. 

Inside was a letter written in extravagantly loopy handwriting. It read:

To the Grangers and Malfoys, 

I would sincerely offer my apologies. I did not realize that you were so intent on keeping Harry Potter's identity a secret for so long-

Julie made a noise of offense as Lucius continued reading the letter. 

I only wanted to keep the rumors from getting out of hand. I assure you we will respect what name Mr. Granger wishes to go by. 

My only request is that you do not send Howlers in a similar manner as you did today. I am amenable to simple discussions in the future. Howlers directed at the headmaster while all of the students are taking breakfast is rather unprofessional. I rather expected better from the Malfoys.

Regards.

Lucius rolled his eyes. "Well, he knows we are serious, now. That was what we needed. He has a habit of putting off people unless they are firm with him from the beginning."

"I only hope that the howlers didn't stress Ajax out."

"I'm sure it will be fine," Lucius said.

Ernest nodded. "Ajax is tough and he has friends to help him through this."

"My son has certainly provided yours with strategies," Narcissa said. "I expect we will be receiving a letter from him asking for advise."

Julie nodded. "Well, we'll just see how this plays out."

"Indeed. Now would anyone like to join me in watching a documentary?" Lucius asked, trying not to sound too eager. 

The other laughed and easily agreed to join him. 

Chapter Text

Ajax's exploration of the castle went from being a fun activity, to a full blown necessity. People were constantly trying to talk to him and ask him questions. They didn't leave him alone when he asked politely and he often had to make strategic retreats through hidden passages and lesser halls to get somewhere he could just stand and breathe. 

Draco had assured him that it would calm down, that people would leave him alone if he was boring enough, and he was starting to see that in his efforts, but it was Thursday and he still had to make it through Friday before he could see his parents on visiting day on Saturday and he was so tired of being cornered and being asked invasive questions. 

Like now. 

Ajax stood with as neutral expression as he could summon as several second years and their older siblings surrounded him, chattering away as though they weren't being an extreme inconvenience to him. 

Why was it always Gryffindors?

"So, if you're Harry Potter, why do you go by Ajax Granger?" one of the older boys asked. 

"Because that's my name," Ajax said. 

"It's not your magical name, though."

"Yes it is," Ajax said. "It was the name that came on my Hogwarts letter."

"Wait, does that mean you won't be able to get into your family vaults?"

"I don't know," Ajax said. 

"Woah. What's it like being famous? Did you ever go traveling? What did you learn before school?"

"Being famous is annoying," Ajax said, snapping just a little. "I don't like it. I went to France with my parents and sister when I was 9, and I just learned the normal things before school. Look, I have to go."

He shouldered his way through a gap, ignoring the complaints from some of the students as he ducked behind a tapestry and lost himself in the maze beyond. 

He hoped Hermione would be done in the library soon. He liked the library, but he had run out of things to do and wanted to find Ron and Draco. Now, he wasn't sure he would be able to. 

He came out of the hidden passages and spotted a group of Slytherins and Hufflepuffs he was familiar with. They were all 7th years, and they were a calm group, planning to start a company together when they got out of school. 

He dove into their ranks, getting chuckles from a few of them. 

"Hey there, Ajax," Tonks said with a smile. "Good to see ya. You getting chased?"

"Feels like it," Ajax groaned. "I wish they'd just leave me alone!"

"Here, you can hang with us for a bit," a Slytherin named Jessie said. "We'll scare 'em off for you."

Ajax chuckled. "Thanks, but I was hoping to find Ron and Draco."

"Oh, I think I saw them heading out to the Quidditch Pitch," another Slytherin Ajax wasn't familiar with said. "We could escort you if you wanted. We were about to go outside for our break anyway."

Ajax nodded eagerly. "Yes! That would be great, thank you."

Soon, the sun warmed Ajax's face and hair and he waved at the group of other students, shouting his thanks before he took off across the lawn to the pitch. 

He could see figures flying around on school brooms and personal brooms alike. Ron and Draco had taken up the space around one end of the pitch with the goalposts where Ron was blocking balls that Draco was tossing his way. 

Ajax dumped his bags next to where theirs were and sprinted to the broom shed, digging around for a decent school broom before pulling it out and rising into the air to meet them. 

"Ajax!" Ron called as he caught another ball. "Hey!"

"Hi," Ajax said brightly. "Are you practicing?"

"Yup," Draco said with a grin. His face was a little red with exertion. "I'm practicing making goals since I want to be a chaser, and Ron wants to be a Keeper so he's blocking them."

"It's not really good practice with only one Chaser and everyone else out here is playing Quibble Ball," Ron said, gesturing to the other players across the field. Most of them were older students anyway. Fourth years. They never wanted to play with first years most of the time anyway. "Would you mind helping, Ajax?"

"Sure," Ajax said. "I guess you should practice passes too, Draco."

Draco nodded eagerly. "Yes, if you don't mind."

"I don't," Ajax said. "It's harder for people to corner me when I'm up here."

Draco have him a sympathetic nod before they got started. Ajax thought he was doing a pretty alright job with passing the ball back and forth, though he was rather clumsy compared to Ron and Draco who had actual experience with playing flying ball games. 

"Sorry, Draco," Ajax shouted as he dove through the air to catch the ball he had passed too wide again. 

"No problem," Draco shouted in reply. 

Ajax caught the ball and brought it back, tossing it more accurately to Draco. 

"You'd be a good Seeker, I think," Ron suggested. "You should think about playing next year when you're allowed to try out."

Ajax shrugged. "We'll see. I don't know if I really want to."

"We don't want Ajax playing against us, anyway," Draco said. "The Ravenclaws are tricky enough as is."

Ron laughed before the three went back to playing. 

About an hour in, Hermione showed up on the pitch and waved at them. 

"Come play with us, 'Mione!" Draco called down. 

"Yeah, come on 'Mione!" Ron called as Harry waved her on. 

She hesitated before she left her books and bag with their things and went to get a broom. 

Soon, she was in the air with them. 

"You're a lot steadier," Ajax commented. "Have you been practicing?"

"A little," Hermione said with a blush. "Are you training?'

"I was helping Draco and Ron train. I kind of want to play something else, though," he said, giving the other two an apologetic look. 

Draco nodded thoughtfully. "Yeah, I kind of want to do something else too. Ron?"

"Sure," Ron said with a smile. "Wanna learn some tricks my brother taught me?"

"Sure!" Ajax said eagerly, though Hermione looked a little uneasy. 

Soon, they were swooping through the air, twirling and diving as they went. Hermione was getting the hand of it and clearly enjoyed flying in happy arcs while Ajax preferred dives and Draco practiced a spin that Ron had taught him. 

Eventually, Madam Hooch approached the field, calling everyone down so the Hufflepuff team could have the pitch for practice and tryouts. 

The four put their brooms away and Madam Hooch locked up the shed as they gathered their things and made their way to the school. 

"So," Hermione said, her hair terribly matted in places. "What's the plan now?"

"Probably helping you with your hair," Ajax said, raising an eyebrow at her. 

"Oh, I'm sure Georgie wouldn't mind helping me."

"Sure," Ajax said. "But I'm faster."

"Yeah, and you pull at my scalp more."

"But it's faster."

Hermione giggled. 

"I suspect we should have dinner first," Ron said. "It's about time, anyway."

"Ooh, yes please," Draco said. "I accidentally missed lunch. I was sending a letter to my mother and got caught up in a discussion with my godfather on the way back to the Great Hall."

"Master Prince, right?" Ajax asked. 

Draco nodded. "Yeah. He said he'd been thinking about starting a little potions club and I said he should and that I wanted to join. He said I was a bit young, though."

"I hope he does," Ajax said. "I want to learn more about potions from him. Maybe he could get our mother to come help him supervise if he's worried. I think that's something parents at normal schools sometimes volunteer to do, right?"

"Maybe," Draco said. 

"Do you miss your mom that bad?" Ron asked. It was meant to be teasing, but Ajax could hear something else in his tone. The three of them knew Ron had been having a difficult time with his family because of his sorting. Ajax couldn't even imagine how hard that had to be.

"Yeah," Ajax admitted. "But really I was thinking more for her sake. She loves brewing potions and she would love to help with that here."

"Very true," Hermione said from where she was reading a book with one hand and holding onto Draco's school bag so she didn't run into anyone. 

They were early for dinner so they got to watch the snacks vanish from the tables, replaced with potatoes and chicken. They settled in at the Ravenclaw table to eat, chatting as the other students trickled in to eat. 

When Ajax spotted Master Prince at the head table, he told the others he would be back and made his way over. 

"Hello, professor," he said. "Sorry to bother you."

"No bother, Ajax. How has school been?"

"Busy," Ajax said. "And a little annoying this last week."

"Yes, I would imagine so," Master Prince said. "Be patient. People will grow bored soon enough."

Ajax nodded. "Draco said you were thinking about starting a potions club. I know we're kind of young, but Hermione, Ron, Draco and I really would like to join if you do. Maybe you could make exceptions for us cause we're careful and your favorites?"

Master Prince snorted into his goblet. He cleared his throat and set it down, chuckling lowly. "You are an incredible boy, Ajax. I'll think about it, alright?"

"Alright," Ajax said brightly. "Oh! And I was wondering if you had thought about getting someone to help supervise the club. I think other schools sometimes have parent volunteers or community people come help? I know my mum would love to help with a potions club. I know she's a muggle, but I think that could be useful since she could teach everyone how to be more careful or how to brew if you ever lose you wand and only have muggle supplies!"

Master Prince nodded slowly, intrigued. "That is a fascinating idea.... and I could use someone to help... The other teachers all have their own clubs and typically have helpers taken from the older student body, but I feel potions is too dangerous for underage volunteers. Julie might be just the person for the task. I will consider it. Allow me to send the proposition to your mother, rather than springing the idea on her yourself, alright?"

"Alright," Ajax said brightly. "Thank you, Master Prince. Have a good dinner."

"I will, Ajax."

Ajax sat back to the table, grinning. "Something tells me I got us into potions club. Us and my mum."

Hermione giggled while Draco clapped him on the back. Ron smiled, too, but seemed a little preoccupied with keeping an eye on where the twins were in the hall. They were steadily making their way down the tables, chatting with practically every single person along the way. 

Hermione noticed too. "Are they still giving you trouble, Ron?"

"Yeah," Ron sighed. "I mentioned it to Percy, kind of out of desperation. They used to listen to him when they were a little younger, but I think I just made it worse."

"Just give them a good hex already," Draco said, looking at the twins with distaste. "I taught you some nasty ones."

"I can't just hex them! You don't know the kind of torment that would be inviting," Ron said, something haunted in his expression. 

"Alright, alright."

The twin spotted the group and made their way over, grinning at Ron. "Hey, there, Ronnikins. Thought we would drop in on you."

Ron's face went red and the twins laughed. 

"We're not here for you today, Ron," one said, ruffling Ron's hair. "We're here for our little celebrity."

Ajax huffed and rolled his eyes. 

"Not you, Mr. Potter," the other laughed. "Little Draco here."

"It's Granger, not Potter," Ajax muttered as Draco gave the twin a look. 

"Me?"

"We hear you're in good with Professor Prince."

"You're his godson."

"We want you to get us out of detention with him this Saturday."

"In return?" Draco asked. 

The twin smiled in Ron's direction. "Maybe we could be convinced to leave Ronnikins alone."

Draco pursed his lips thoughtfully. "I will think about it."

"You have until breakfast tomorrow," the one on the left said before he ruffled each of their hair in turn. "See ya!"

Draco tapped his chin before he said, "We need to discuss this. Let's finish eating and then go to the hall of statues."

In agreement, they all worked to finish their dinners, getting up and leaving as one soon after.

Chapter Text

The four did not manage to make their break for the hall of statues cleanly enough. A group of Gryffindors and Hufflepuffs cornered them, peppering Ajax with questions about his childhood which Hermione answered very tactfully before Ron and Draco scared them of. 

"I hate it!" Ajax seethed as they practically ran down the halls to get to their secret place. 

"I know," Ron puffed as he slowed, crouching and offering his knee to Hermione so he could step up into the painting. 

She hauled herself up, then Draco, then Ajax, and then the three helped Ron up into the painting and they were safe. 

"Can't wait for us to be tall enough to get through by ourselves," Ron said, rubbing his knee. 

The others nodded, giving him their thanks for graciously being their step stool. 

They picked a new statue to climb and were rewarded with a little pouch of marbles they could play with as they discussed their day. 

"The twins are a menace," Ron said as he flicked a marble over to Draco, who caught it with ease. 

"Agreed," Ajax groaned. "Draco, can you actually get them out of detention? It would be incredible if we could get them on our side."

Draco hummed. "I would love to say that I could, but Severus is an extremely fair godfather. He doesn't favor me much more than any other Slytherin, and that is precious little except for when it comes to Gryffindors. And the twins are two of the biggest Gryffindors in the castle."

"Do you think Master Prince would be upset if you asked?" Hermione asked. "Maybe if we tell him about the deal the twin want to make with us-"

"We don't negotiate with terrorists," Ajax grumbled. "We can handle it."

"But do we want to?" Ron asked. "Maybe we should find some way to get them out of detention? Maybe sneak-"

"I refuse to lower my standing with my godfather to allow you to do that."

"Especially after he said he would think about letting us into the potions club," Ajax pointed out. "We would be left out for sure after that."

"What, you think we would get caught?" Ron asked. 

"I know we would get caught," Hermione said. "And then our parents would be disappointed in us too."

Ron huffed. "Like I care."

"You do care," Hermione said bluntly, making Ron flinch. "And I don't know why you act like your parents hate you. They'll be coming along on parents day and then you'll see that everything is fine. You have no need to worry."

"Maybe you could talk to them about the twins?" Ajax suggested. 

Ron shook his head. "They don't listen to my parents. Not when they're not watching and they're good at not getting caught."

The four fell silent for a long time. 

"So, we're not going to try and get them out of detention," Draco said, glancing at Ron. "Do you think the harassment will get worse?"

"I don't know," Ron said, "But it probably is better than giving in to their demands."

"If we give in now they will ask more and more of us for their continued compliance," Hermione nodded. "And if it gets to be really disruptive, you can go to a prefect or the head students for help and they'll get the teachers involved and your parents. It might not be great, but in the long run it would be better."

"Do you think we should tell Master Prince about this?" Ajax asked. "I feel like an adult should probably be in the know for what is going on here, just in case."

"I think so," Hermione said. "Do you think he would mind if we bother him now?"

"He's probably grading papers right now, and he said he always welcomes a good distraction when he has to grade," Draco said. "Come on."

They carefully divided the marbles up between them, Ron keeping the pouch they came in as payment for his services in helping them back out through the portrait and then they were off through the halls toward the dungeons. 

"Ooh, I can show you a shortcut I found," Ajax said, pausing by a huge vase. "It's kind of a weird one though."

The three crowded in behind him curiously as he stood on a plate. With a smile he reached up and tapped a small symbol carved into a brick and then the floor dropped out from under him, sending hims down a chute that always made his breath catch in his throat. 

It sloped out evenly, leaving him to crawl the last few paces until he came out from behind a tapestry. 

He heard Ron's far away whoop and then the red headed boy was crawling out too, followed by Hermione who smiled and laughed breathlessly. 

Then, they waited for Draco, all kneeling together on the floor. 

He didn't come. 

"Was he scared?" Ajax as Hermione, pulling back the tapestry. 

"I don't think so," Hermione said. "He looked excited."

"You don't happen to know of a quick way up, do you?" Ron asked. 

Ajax shook his head unhappily when they heard the sound of the chute and finally Draco came through. 

"There you... your hair is blue," Ajax commented. 

Draco, with electric blue hair, huffed. "Your brothers, Ron, are terribly impatient. They said I had till tomorrow to decide earlier, but then they wanted to know now."

Hermione grumbled to herself something that sounded vaguely adjacent to plans for war crimes. 

"I told them that- how did you put it Ajax? I would not negotiate with terrorists? They turned my hair blue in response and said I might want to think about it longer."

"They are so annoying," Ron groaned. 

"Severus will put my hair right," Draco said, standing and brushing off his robes. He offered a hand to Hermione and Ajax, who took each accepted the help up before offering their hands to Ron. 

The were pretty close to the dungeons now. There was just one more staircase down and then they followed Draco past the Slytherin common room to a portrait of an old head of Slytherin who eyed them suspiciously. 

"Hello, Ashforth," Draco said. "I-"

"Who gave you permission to call me that?" the portrait snapped. "Who are you?"

"I'm Draco Malfoy! You know me!"

"Draco Malfoy would never allow his hair-"

"I was hexed. Let me in to see my godfather please."

The portrait huffed. "Password?"

"Kelpie water," Draco replied. 

The portrait nodded. "I will tell Professor Prince you are here."

"Just let me-"

The man shuffled out of the portrait and Draco rolled his eyes. "I don't know why he always acts like I'm planning on going in there and murdering Severus in his sleep. 

The portrait swung open and Severus glanced over the four of them. His tense expression relaxed and he actually snorted when he saw Draco's hair. "Come in, you four. What trouble have you gotten yourselves into now?"

"Not really trouble," Ajax said. "Just a bit of difficulty. We wanted your opinion on how to handle it."

"Could you fix my hair please?" Draco asked, tugging on his godfather's sleeve. 

Severus pulled his wand from his hidden holster and flicked it at Draco, whose hair was restored quickly enough to it's almost white color again.

"Thank you," Draco said as Severus herded them all through his office which seemed to be in the slow process of falling apart as the school year really set in and into a sitting room beyond. 

They each chose a chair, Ajax and Hermione squashing into the same one giggling madly while Ron sprawled a little on the couch until Draco shoved him aside to sit as well. 

Severus watched fondly until he summoned a house elf to bring them tea. 

The house elf, Gildy, nodded eagerly, rolling up the sleeves of the Hogwarts sweater she wore and apparated away.

"She was wearing a sweater!" Draco said, delighted. 

"The house elves that work at Hogwarts are all free elves," Severus said. "The headmaster makes sure they are well supplied with fitted clothing."

The house elf reappeared, setting down a service tray with tea cups. 

"Anything else?" she asked brightly, looking around at the group. 

"Thank you," Ajax said. "I'm good."

Hermione, Ron, and Draco said the same and she bowed to Severus before she apparated off again. 

"Severus poured each of the children some tea before he said, "Alright, tell me what it is you came for."

"It's about my brothers, sir," Ron said. "They came up to us at dinner and asked Draco to get them out of your weekend detention and they'd leave me alone."

"We already decided that agreeing to do so would harm our reputations and also would just make the twins worse," Hermione said. "If we agreed here, where would they stop?"

"Dad taught us that," Ajax said brightly. "He had a bully like that when he was in school."

"They're not bullies, they just like pranks," Ron said hesitantly.

Draco gave his friend a look and Ron sank down in his chair a little. 

Severus hummed softly. "Have you told your parents?"

"The twins won't listen to them. It'll make things worse," Ron said. 

"And they called me 'Potter'," Ajax said, as though to put the final nail in the coffin.

Severus stirred some more sugar into his tea and took a sip thoughtfully before he said, "Alright. What you are going to do is travel groups. Together as much as possible. Ajax, I had heard that you've made some friends with the upperclassmen? You may want to see if you can spend time with them where you can. Get them invested in this and they will tell the twins to knock it off. That will be more effective than hearing the same from a teacher or parent. Meanwhile, I will let the other teachers know. We will talk to them and then head them off from you where we can. The ghosts may help as well. I will handle that. See if you can't make some Gryffindor friends among the upperclassmen as well. That will help more than any of the other houses."

Hermione nodded eagerly. "That will work. I know there is a study group of fifth and sixth years that are willing to let first years hang around a bit. We can start there."

"Cool," Ajax said. "And maybe we could find Tonks. She seemed cool, and I've heard she can rival the twins on their playing field."

"I should hope so, seeing as she is a seventh year," Severus said. "Is there anything else?"

"Nope," Ajax said. "Thank you."

Severus nodded. "You can stay for a bit. I rather needed a break."

"I thought so," Draco said. 

"Hey, can we ask you a question about another staff member?" Ron asked. 

"I suppose so," Severus said. "I am not at liberty to spill every piece of gossip I know, however."

Hermione and Ajax grinned at one another, both thinking about the way Severus and Minerva stood together to gossip after breakfast and while walking together in the halls. 

"Well, I was wondering about the defense teacher," Ron said. "He's kind of strange, but we can't put our finger on it."

Severus sighed. "I would have to agree. Very strange indeed. I do not know much. Professor Quirrell had just returned from a trip to Albania when he applied to teach here. He seemed... well, he doesn't have the temperament for teaching. I have it on good authority that there may be a new teacher arriving to teach Defense classes after the holidays."

"And the new history professor?" Hermione asked. "Ron said he met a Mr. Smith who was applying. Has he or someone else been chosen?"

"Yes, in fact," Severus said. "Mr. Smith was actually the one chosen. Draco and Ron will likely meet him tomorrow. You have history after lunch, correct?"

"Yes, we do," Draco said. "That will be interesting. Did he seem good, Ron?"

"He was nice," Ron said. "Helped me out of a situation the twins put me in handily enough and he was friendly. I reckon he could be a good teacher."

"I think so too. Mr. Smith is a muggle born, as well. I believe he plans to include muggle history alongside history of magic. I for one am excited to see the changes he makes to the curriculum," Severus said. 

He listened to their chatter and gossip until he insisted they be off bothering 5th, 6th, and 7th years and leave him to his grading. Each of them made sure to thank him on their way out and promised to visit again soon.

He smiled as he watched them go, before closing the door to his office and getting back to work.

Chapter Text

Everyone was buzzing after Dumbledore announced at breakfast that they were getting a new history professor and that he would be starting that very day. 

"He will make that class interesting once again," Dumbledore said with that twinkle in his eyes as he looked at the new man sitting at the high table. "There is a lot we can learn from history that can help us prepare for the future, after all. Heed him well, and thank you to the young woman who made me realize how badly we needed a new professor for our history classes. She was very right indeed."

Hermione got a good serving of pats on the back and praise from her table, and some of the other more studious students from other houses. 

Draco and Ron studied the man that was to be their new teacher. Professor Smith a friendly looking in nearly every sense of the word. Your average white 40 year old suburban dad, really, with black hair that was starting to grey a little in seemingly random patches. His robes were understated, but still well made and well done, and he smiled at the students with a friendly charm that made on think of their favorite uncle. 

Everyone was excited to test what kind of teacher he would be. 

Ajax and Hermione came up to Draco and Ron at lunch, demanding that they find them after class and give them a full rundown on Professor Smith before they ran off to their review period with their head of house and the Hufflepuffs. 

The Slytherin and Gryffindor first years made their way to the new History classroom, sharing rumors about what happened to Professor Binns now that he wasn't the teacher anymore. 

"I heard he got exorcised," Pansy said. "Do you suppose that's likely?"

"I'll bet they tried to tell him he could quit and he just kept on teaching," Ron said. "He never seemed to register much of what was going on."

"I think Ron is more on the money than you, Pansy. Poor old thing," Draco said with a soft sigh. "Anyway, let's see what we're dealing with from here on out."

They waited by the door, which opened as the soft chime that indicated the start of class sounded somewhere from above. 

"Sorry, children," Professor Smith said with a smile. "I was just putting some finishing touches on the classroom. Come in and take a seat wherever you like. 

The room was bright in a sepia kind of way. Dust motes floating alluringly in the light coming from the high up windows without the room actually feeling or tasting dusty. There were several different kinds of globes around the room, each marked as being from different time periods and all slowly spinning on their axis. 

The tables were set up with four chairs each and with more maps and reference sheets laminated to the tables. Posters with ever changing scenes from history hanging on the walls around a chalk board that simply said "Professor Smith. Welcome to class."

Draco watched the posters as everyone finished settling in. He recognized most of the magus scenes that played out but he didn't recognize the muggle scenes that followed in turn. The still pictures flashed up, usually with people in strange suits. Though, Draco wasn't so closed off from the muggle world that he couldn't recognize Hitler when he saw the man. 

"Welcome, welcome," Professor Smith said as everyone got settled. "Let's see. The role says everyone is here, good. I don't know all of you, though, so I'm going to match names with faces."

He took a minute, calling out names and matching them to each person before he set the role call aside and said, "I am very excited to be teaching this class, and you guys are very lucky. Since you're only first years I don't have to give you any pop quizzes to find out what you actually know. Whoever thought a ghost should teach history clearly didn't think very hard about what they were doing."

There was a chuckle from the class and he looked around one more time. Draco felt that the man's eyes linger a moment longer on him and a couple of the other pure blood children in the room, Ron included, before he clapped and said, "The history of magic. And of the world in general. It is a genuinely fascinating topic and don't let anyone else tell you otherwise. After all, we love a good bit of gossip, don't we?"

There was a general murmur of assent and Professor Smith smile. "History is just gossip about dead people at the end of the day. Or still living people in some cases. Such as Dumbledore! He is a living piece of history. The man who defeated Grindelwald. Surely we all want to know more about that!"

Another murmur of agreement and he said, "But we must go back to the very beginning. I know some of you went to schools that had decent history teachers. Were did civilization first start?"

One Gryffindor girl raised her hand. 

"Yes, Miss Patel?"

"Atlantis?"

"That's where wizard society as we know it today was rumored to start. I meant civilization in general."

A half blood Slytherin raised his hand. "Wasn't it Africa?"

"Close. Most scholars believe that society- civilization, living in large groups with commerce and businesses- started in Mesopotamia. Points to anyone who can figure out where that is."

Draco glanced around at the maps and globes, looking for the oldest one. He finally spotted it and raised his hand. "The Middle East?"

"Absolutely, 10 points to Slytherin," Professor said brightly. "Nice use of the maps, Mr. Malfoy."

Draco grinned as Professor Smith began to talk about the true magic of society. The fabric that holds communities together and the messy business of figuring out what things are and aren't allowed in that society. 

Draco and Ron found themselves captivated as he explained what it was like to live then. When magic was wild and untamed, when all people had were the tools they could build with their hands and the friends and family they could make along the way. The technologies they made and discovered along the way to protect themselves. 

It was a very enjoyable lesson overall. 

In the second half of the lesson, Professor Smith gave them the itinerary for what they could expect to learn that year and promised points to anyone who read ahead so that class time could be dedicated more to questions and discussions rather than going over the details of what happened. 

After everything, they poured out of class chatting excitedly with one another and Ron and Draco were almost immediately cornered by Ajax and Hermione. 

"Was he good?" Hermione asked anxiously. 

"Probably the best history lesson I've ever had," Ron said. "You know, I'm actually excited for the next one."

Ajax and Hermione grinned at one another, delighted. 

"Perfect!" Ajax said, "Well done getting us a new teacher, Hermione."

She scoffed. "It should have been done ages ago. And it was really more the efforts of our parents that got us a new teacher."

"You still started it," Draco pointed out.

Hermione smiled and nodded and the four went off to find some older students to chat with, as well as discussing parents day which was scheduled for the next afternoon. 

..............................................

Saturday was always a pleasant day for Severus. He made sure that everyone was still alive in the dormitories before letting the Head girl know he would be going out to get some potion supplies and a few other things. She knew how to contact him if anything occurred that should need his attention. 

He grabbed his favorite cloak and then strode out through the halls of Hogwarts, watching the early risers among the students meander toward the Great Hall for breakfast. 

The sun was bright, but the air was quite crisp, promising that autumn was soon to arrive. 

Severus enjoyed this sort of weather. 

He continued his walk down the paths toward Hogsmead, ignoring the opportunity to use a carriage pulled by the thestrals or to apparate there when he reached the border of the Hogwarts grounds. It wasn't a long walk and it was a comfortable day, after all. 

He reached Hogsmead and went to the post office, picking up the packages too sensitive to have delivered during his breakfast and then went to the apothecary. 

He picked out the things he needed, plus the packages that had been waiting for him there, tucking them all away in his pockets before stepping out into the fresh morning air. 

After treating himself to a breakfast in the village and a poke around some of his favorite bookshops (grabbing a trashy romance novel he would read and then give to Minerva to read) he was on his way back to Hogwarts. 

It did not take him long to realize he was being followed. 

He slowed his steps, glancing back with care, trying to figure out who was tailing him and if they would be able to cross over into Hogwarts ground. 

He saw a flash of movement and he turned on his heel, disapparating to right on the edge of the Hogwarts boundary. 

Whoever was tailing him must have known where he was going as Severus slammed into his pursuer there. 

He reached for his wand only for his attacker to twist his wrist and force him to drop it to the ground. 

Severus hissed, preparing for wandless magic when the man, it seemed to be a man, grabbed him around the throat and dragged him into the nearby treeline. 

Severus fought back the whole way, digging his elbow into the mans stomach and ribs and stamping on the man's feet, but his robes and shoes protected him well against Severus, leaving Severus defenseless. 

"Stop fighting," a familiar voice said in his ear. "I just want to talk."

"Regulus," Severus rasped around the grip Regulus's elbow still had around his throat. "What are you doing!? I should kill you."

Regulus gave a short laugh. "I wonder if I ought to kill you. You lied to me. Harry Potter is at school."

"Ajax Granger is at school," Severus snapped. "You never asked about him. 

"But you knew who I was talking about."

"Yes, but that boy does not need to be involved in whatever plot you have signed your life up to. And neither do I. Release me at once!"

Regulus did and Severus stepped away, turning to his old friend. 

He had his wand in hand, but it was lowered at his side and he had a sly sort of smile on his face. 

"You're right. You aren't a spy anymore."

"I'm not," Severus agreed unhappily. "I do not enjoy being treated like one. You've accused me, I have parried. Now what?"

"Why did you want to hide him?"

"Because I don't trust whatever you have become involved in and the boy wants to be Ajax Granger. He has no care in the world for being called Harry Potter or asked to be used as a political chess piece. I will not allow it, neither will the Grangers, and neither will the Malfoys."

"The Grangers. Muggle family. That's interesting."

"And what is that supposed to mean?" Severus asked darkly. 

"Nothing. It's just interesting."

The two stared at each other for a long moment before Severus asked, "What do you really want, Regulus?"

"I want access to the school. With your permission, of course. I want to speak to the boy. If-"

"No."

"But you haven't even heard-"

"No, Regulus. I promised him and his parents and sister that I would protect him from this. Don't push me or I will put out the news that Regulus Black is alive."

Regulus frowned deeply. "Fine. Fine, then. Whatever. I'll leave you be. You will wish that you had parleyed with me, though, Severus. My employers will not be so forgiving."

"Then you should not be working for them," Severus said. "I am disappointed in you, Regulus. You could have been-"

"What? A nobleman? Head of the house of Black? I am championing a cause, and if you would just listen and hear us out, you would want to as well. You will benefit from it more than I will."

"I don't care. Leave me and the boy out of it."

Regulus huffed, turning on his heel and stalking away into the forest. 

Severus was quick to grab his wand and get to the safety of Hogwarts as soon as Regulus was out of sight.