━─━────༺༻────━─━

1 September 1998

Monday.

After trying every ice cream flavor, in which Harry's favorite was Belgium choco-chip cookie, they were ready to return back to Hogwarts. Snape came back after collecting the clothes from Madam Malkin's. It was nearly time for Dinner when they reached Hogwarts.

Snape instructed them to change before coming to the Great Hall for dinner. Harry and Draco trudge down to dugones at Slytherin dormitories. The snake on the Slytherin crest asked for the password. "Pure blood" Draco muttered and the passage opened. Harry clutched his palm tightly. They went straight upto Draco's room.

"Okay baby lion. Now we need to change. Will you change on your own?" Draco asked. Harry peered at Draco and raised his hands muttering "Hwelp." Draco understood and helped him change from the oversized clothes.

As Draco took off Harry's shirt he gasped. His back was littered with scars and bruises. "Who did this to you baby lion?" He asked frantically. Harry bowed his head and whispered " Uwncle and Auntie. Duddley too." He said. And as soon as Draco heard it Draco started throwing his things down in Malfoy rage. And due to this Harry got scared and began to sob.

"Dwaco angwy?" He asked meekly. And realizing what he did Draco immediately dropped to his knees and gently wrapped his arms around Harry's tiny body. Harry immediately jumped on him clinged to him like a koala. " Do you want to talk about it baby lion?" Draco asked gently.

Harry nodded. Draco placed Harry on his lap and caressed his hair lovingly. " Uwncle and Auntie meanies. They punish Hwarry with stick, belt and not giving food, locking under the cwpboard and making Hwarry do all the work." Harry said sobbing. Draco's blood was boiling. Who can do this to a child. With great difficulty he composed himself.

"Baby lion. Now we are going to go for dinner. I promise you are not going back to that meanies ever. Do you want me to dress you?" He asked. Harry nodded sniffling. But first Draco started healing his bruises and scars with the best of his capabilities.

After all he wanted to be a Healer at St. Mungos after Hogwarts. And when he was done Harry was as good as new. Some scars didn't fade,but bruises were gone. "Wow! Dwaco how did you do it?" Harry asked. "Magic!" Draco said cheerfully. Harry gasped. "No. Magic and Potter bad words. Auntie said my pwarents were good for nothing freaks like me." Harry stated. Draco gasped shocked.

James Potter and Lily Evans Potter were the best human beings and among the most powerful people in the Wizarding World.

No one will call them 'good-for-nothing-freaks.' Not even Malfoys. Draco explained gently to Harry "Baby Lion, your parents were heroes. I don't know them. But I have heard of them. And trust me they were the best people ever." he said. Harry nodded, grinning. Draco noted to tell Snape about this as soon as possible.

Then Draco dressed Harry in a green silk shirt and black trousers. With shiny black boots. His black shabby hair combed to perfection. The emerald green complimented and highlighted his eyes. Draco matched what Harry was wearing and wore additional accessories like his silver Rolex, his family crested rings and all.

Potter, once you remember what I made you wear and look like after you're normal, you're gonna hex me. But it is worth it. Draco thought.

And they were off to the Great Hall for dinner. With Harry squealing happily in Malfoy's arms. The news of Harry's predicament would be all over the school now. Time to face the tides.

༺═──────────────═༻

Draco entered the Great Hall with Harry in his arms which was already full due to them being late. As soon as they entered there was pin drop silence all over the hall and all eyes were on them. There were few gasps from people including Professor McGonagall and Professor Flitwick.

But as always Draco trudges down with Malfoy grace with head held high and shoulders thrown back. He was not wearing his robes to match with Harry. So his muscles and abs were very clear through his emerald green shirt and flexed with his every movement.

His boots made slick sounds with his heavy steps in the silence of the Great Hall. It seemed like the sorting and welcome speech of the Headmaster were done.

"Where do you want to sit Baby Lion?" He asked Harry softly. Though his voice was soft whole hall heard it due to the silence. People were shocked to hear 'Slytherin Prince's' voice. And that too this soft. Tiny Harry was another thing to maneuver. He glanced all over the room and noticed Dumbledore and Snape.

"Alwus! Sev'us!" He exclaimed happily. Dumbledore grinned and Snape groaned audibly. Hermoine and Ron's mouth opened in shock. Calling a professor's name this loudly before everyone. Draco sighed and walk regaly towards faculty table. And from there Dumbledore picked Harry.

"Slytherin colour suits him my boy." Dumbledore chuckled towards Draco. Draco smirked. " It's expensive Professor." Draco answered with a playful vibes. Making Dumbledore laugh heartily and people around them to gasp. Harry giggled in Dumbledore's arms. Then Draco went back to Slytherin table and placed himself at the head. The Prefect.

"Nice of you to join us, my prince." Pansy Parkinson retorted snarkily yet in a playful manner which rang all over the hall. "Of course Parkinson. Hope you handled the young ones. I will take over soon." He replied strictly with smooth grace making the sarcastic remark turned to his favor making him look like a real king in the silent Great Hall.

And after some time the slow chatter started. On the faculty table Harry moved on Snape's lap much to the man's displeasure. At least the brat is well dressed for once. He sneered in his mind. "Sev'us feed Harry?" He asked innocently. Great. Severus thought.

Now I have to literally spoon feed the brat. He grunted and began dicing the steak in small pieces for Harry. And after blowing on it, as to make sure it is not too hot he placed the tiny piece in Harry's mouth. After tasting it Harry's face lit up. The students and teacher that saw the cold potion master feeding a child with such care couldn't believe their eyes.

Between the dinner Albus introduced Harry to each and every professor on staff. Harry was more than happy to greet and play with them. Even Professor Binns of History of Magic who was a Ghost. At the end of the dinner Harry was silently asleep on Snape's shoulder.

"First years." Draco's firm voice rang through the hall rounding the Slytherin firsties. He took sleeping Harry from Snape and led the way to Slytherin dormitories. One single neat line.

First years at first, then second, third, fourth till the seventh and eighth years tailed the line while making sure every snake of their house was with them.

Not like chaos in other houses. The manners and loyalty were the pride of Slytherin. And Snape was exceptionally proud of the values and Prefect of his house.

After instructing first years and making sure they are off to bed as Prefect duty, with Harry on his shoulder sleeping all the time he retired to his dorm. Not once his elegance flattered. Changing Harry and himself in night dress he was off for a good night. What a first day indeed.

━─━────༺༻────━─━