A Change In Perspective

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"Hatred is like a poison, Harry."The little boy looked up, brow furrowed in confusion. He was sitting in his room, eating breakfast with Professor Snape, writing diligently in his notebook thathis Mione had owled him that morning. After sighing morosely and scribbling a reply to her letter, he had wondered out loud whether Draco was mad at himsince he didn't come see him last night or join them for breakfast. Snape had lifted his eyebrow, studied the downtrodden face in that freakishly intent way ofhis, and then started this new vein of conversation. "I don't understand, sir. Draco doesn't hate me, does he?"Snape snorted, carefully placing his tea back on the table. "Not hardly, Harry. But you see, young Mr. Malfoy has his actions dictated by hatred as much asyou do."Harry frowned. "But I don't hate Draco neither.""Either," Snape corrected automatically. Harry rolled his eyes and resumed pushing his breakfast around on his plate. "The thing is, Harry, the Malfoy family iswhat one could correctly label as... influential. Whether their influence is good or bad is often a matter of perspective and opinion, but there are few who willdeny that a Malfoy is resourceful or clever." He paused, regarding the solemn faced child in front of him. "Right now, the Malfoy family is suffering from thebacklash of having their name associated with the Dark Lord.""The mean guy who tried to hurt Nagini?" Harry smiled at his pet where she lay curled up on the bed.He nodded once in agreement. "Correct. As a result of this... association, taking into account his recent bout of generosity where you are concerned, theMalfoy family is under house arrest until ministry representatives can question you to their satisfaction."Harry's shoulders drooped. "I don't like being under house arrest," he said glumly. "My cupboards not so bad, but I like not being locked up all day." Heshrugged, resigned to his fate, and scowled at his eggs as though they were singularly responsible for his misfortune. "So I can't see Draco because peoplehate him? People are stupid.""Some people are stupid," Snape agreed quietly. "But, like I said, hatred is like a poison. It spreads. Rapidly. And often has either unforeseen or negativeconsequences." He paused, sipping his tea slowly. "There is a beautiful plant I work with frequently as a Potions Master called Caladium. It has small, heartshaped leaves, produces flowers and berries, and is quite popularly used for decoration. Caladium is a main ingredient in pain relieving potions, pepper uppotions, anti-fever and anti-swelling solutions, as well as a multitude of other useful or superfluous potions." He paused again, focusing on curious green eyesas he sipped at his tea. "Ironically, eating or nibbling any part of this plant raw can cause severe stomach pain, vomiting, diarrhea, as well as burning andswelling in the mouth and throat. In rare cases, death may occur."Harry thought about this, absently accepting a blueberry muffin and taking a bite. "You see Harry," Snape continued, "people who assume Caladium isharmless because it is beautiful and useful in such helpful potions feel betrayed and angered when that same plant turns around and hurts them. Pretty soon,they start associating the plant as negative, and react poorly when someone such as I or yourself treat the plant with respect or affection.""But Draco's not a plant... oh." Harry frowned. "So, because the Malfoy's are influential, people thought they were good and now think they're bad because ofthe mean guy?" Snape nodded. Harry rolled his eyes again. "Like when Luke found out that Darth Vader was his father. Everyone hated him because he wasthe bad guy, and then Luke's all 'what? You're my dad? No way' and didn't know what to do for a few minutes."Black eyes blinked. "Pardon?""It's ok," Harry assured him, "he figured out what he had to do by the end of the movie."Snape rubbed his forehead. Plants. He understood plants. No one in their right mind understood ten year old boys. "How very reassuring for Luke."Browse Just In Community Forum Betas Story SearchBooks  Harry Potter+ -    "So," Harry toyed with his fork unhappily, "I can't see Draco until the other people figure out that he's not the bad guy?""Correct. This should be around lunch time since ministry representatives will be here to talk with you shortly.""Me? Why do I need to be the one to tell them Draco's not the bad guy?""Because you are the protagonist. You defeated the Dark Lord. Whether I approve or not, your opinion matters and you have the power to help the Malfoyfamily.""Like Luke?""If you prefer.""Wicked," Harry grinned. "Do I get a light saber too?"HDHDHDHDHDHDHD"When did you last speak with Mr. Malfoy?""Err... you mean Draco?"The Auror sighed, looking slightly frustrated. "No, Mr. Potter, I do not mean Draco Malfoy. I mean the senior Malfoy, Lucius.""Oh." Harry frowned, thinking. He glanced over at where Snape sat watching the interview. "Well, I saw him when we were talking with Mr. Dumbledore andRemus and Tonks." Harry's shrugged. "And then we had dinner and I tried to remember to behave the way Aunt Petunia says I should behave aroundimportant company. Then I went to bed. So... I guess I saw him at dinner.""At any time since you have been a guest in the Malfoy home have they prompted you on what to say?"Harry sighed. "Just because they're pretty doesn't mean the Malfoy's are poisonous, you know."Snape coughed violently, turning away slightly from the confused faces of the Auror's. Kingsley Shacklebolt smiled. "A very astute analogy, Mr. Potter."Minister Fudge interrupted peevishly. "Why are you here instead of at Hogwarts or with your family? Have the Malfoy's drugged you? Cursed you? Are theyholding you against your will?"Green eyes glared at the insipid little man. "No," Harry said firmly. "Ever since Mr. Dumbledore let the nurse give me medicine that made me explode I don'ttake anything unless Mr. Snape gives it to me. I'm here instead of at school because Mr. Snape says it's in my best interest to be here, and I trust him to keepme safe. Mrs. Malfoy is nice. Her friend Beccalily gave me cookies and hot chocolate, and then we played a wicked fun game. Draco and my friends took meaway from the mean man and Draco said I could keep my pet. Draco's my friend. And Mr. Malfoy is my best friend's dad so I knew when he said he would nottake me back to my relative's house he wouldn't. And he didn't. He introduced me to a new friend."Fudge seized one aspect of Harry's admission. "Aha! So you admit that Lucius Malfoy unlawfully took you away with the full knowledge that your aunt wasexpecting you home.""No," Harry sighed irritably. "I went with Mr. Malfoy because he's my friends' dad and he promised he wouldn't take me to the Dursley's. I told you I didn't wantto go there!""And why not?""Because they suck."Snape snorted again, gracefully settling himself on the seat next to Harry. "Gentlemen," he said smoothly, "while under the care of his relatives Harry lived ina cupboard under the stairs and was degraded on a daily basis. While at Hogwarts, this year alone he was turned into a child, physically assaulted by afriend, nearly drowned, forced to consume potions against his will, set on fire, and forced to face the Dark Lord. Harry has just told you that while under thecare of Mr. Malfoy he successfully defeated the Dark Lord, gained a pet, spent quality time with a mother figure, and spent the afternoon consuming cookiesand chocolate." He raised an eyebrow, smiling sardonically. "Precisely which example seems deleterious to Mr. Potter's well being?"Cornelius' face turned scarlet. "That's entirely beside the point! We are here to determine whether...""Whether or not I chose to leave Azkaban to help Harry like I said in a previous statement, or with ulterior motives," a silky voice interrupted from the doorway.All heads turned to see Lucius and Narcissa standing in the doorway. Harry jumped up and ran over, hugging Narcissa around the waist.Fudge paled alarmingly. "Lucius...""Minister." The elder Malfoy nodded graciously. "How lovely of you and your guests to join us this evening. Although, I must admit, the implication that theMalfoy name should be considered so tarnished is a matter of great personal distress for me. Best get this situation resolved quickly, lest I feel the urge toseek legal counsel and monetary compensation to restore a semblance of propriety."Harry stared at the minister in faint concern, rather alarmed that someone possessed the ability to change colors faster than Uncle Vernon. It really couldn'tbe the healthiest alternative. "But, but," Fudge blustered, "you are in no position to make such threats! Need I remind you that you are the one who escapedfrom a high security prison where you had been sentenced for Death Eater activity!""A regrettable situation and one that will long fester in my nightmares," Lucius replied unblushingly. "However, a necessary course of actions in order to fulfillmy role as spy.""A spy?" Fudge echoed weakly. His gaze swept the room, looking for assistance, before settling on Harry with a look of greedy expectation. His smile wasmaliciously gleeful. "Need I remind you of the circumstances surrounding your imprisonment?""Harry?" Lucius' hand was firm and supportive on the little boys shoulder. Narcissa's arm clenched slightly where it was wrapped around him. "Do youremember our discussion on the man who died?"Green eyes dimmed sadly. "It's not my fault," he repeated dutifully, still feeling bad over the fate of the man who had hurt his snake. "Sometimescircumstances are beyond our control and we must deal with the consequences, be those good or bad." Kingsley Shacklebolt, thinking Harry was discussingwhat had happened to Sirius and well aware of the guilt Harry carried over the death of his Godfather, closed his eyes in sympathy and smiled sadly.Lucius had a smug smirk firmly on his face. "That's right, Harry," he praised quietly, squeezing the skinny shoulder approvingly. Harry straightened up to hisfull height and grinned in return. "And what, if anything, has my wife taught you in the brief time you have spent with her?"Harry looked confused for a moment. "Err..." He remembered walking into the drawing room earlier. "Teaching me how to be a proper young wizard?" heasked tentatively."Exactly!" Lucius smirked at the once again red faced minister. "I swore, once before, over my embarrassing resistance to the Imperius curse." He attemptedto look woeful. "Long has my family been associated with Severus Snape. Dumbledore himself swore on Severus' behalf in regards to his Death Eater status.Do you really believe such a figurehead of war would allow one of his puppets to associate with a genuine Death Eater?" Snape glowered at the term butremained silent, watching the proceedings with amusement, and shaking his head almost imperceptibly at Shacklebolt when the Auror caught his eye. "All ofmy actions, regrettably, have been necessary in order to achieve" if anyone noticed the distasteful expression on Lucius' face they chose not to comment, "thegreater good."Harry sighed, turning to his professor imploringly. "Can we be done now, sir?"Snape stood at once, nodding. "Indeed we can, Mr. Potter." He nodded once to Narcissa, who immediately tightened her hold on Harry once again beforeturning and sweeping from the room. Harry heard the voices behind him raised in anger and flinched instinctively."Did I cause trouble?" he asked quietly.Narcissa patted Harry on the head, walking quietly by his side as she mentally contemplated how best to address that question. "Harry," she said finally, "youcaused no trouble. Sometimes individuals become complacent. They feel that they, and they alone, are correct in their opinions and feelings. Having theirideals challenged can be... painful. And frustrating. And while normally I would be loathe to admit it, dealing with the resulting headache is necessary forgrowth and development.""Are they going to hurt Mr. Snape or Lucius?"Grey eyes sharpened as Narcissa studied the down turned head intently. "Harry," she said softly, "anger is not always a gateway for physical abuse." Harryflushed, remaining quiet, although he did relax slightly and lean into Narcissa's side more fully.They walked in companionable silence out elaborate French doors, following a twisting path through lush gardens. "Harry?" Narcissa's voice was gentle. "Willyou tell me about living with your Muggles?""You mean the Dursley's?" At her nod, Harry pulled away from her side. Not enough to dislodge the arm wrapped comfortingly about his shoulders, butenough to allow space for his arms to cross protectively around his waist. "What about them? Have I upset you? Are you sending me away? I'm sorry!""Harry!" Narcissa's voice rose slightly in alarm. Harry flinched instinctively, lowering his eyes to stare miserably at the path. Gently, Narcissa guided the littleboy to a bench, settling them both down and stroking unruly black locks. "You have done nothing to upset me! On the contrary, you have helped my family ina way you may object to once you age. I wish to assist you in any way I possibly can," she paused, continuing in a carefully controlled voice, "and I think thatas difficult as it may be to speak about, you need to share your experiences with someone who can understand.""How can you understand?" Harry's voice was resentful and slightly petulant. "You've never met the Dursley's.""No, I have not. However, I have several relatives that I refer to by their surname. I know what that type of connotation represents.""Huh?""When I was ten years old my Aunt Wilburga punished me for an infraction by holding me under the Cruciatus curse for two minutes. That is a curse thatcauses extreme amounts of pain," she elaborated at Harry's questioning look. "Much the same way that certain members of society spit out the name 'Malfoy'like it is a disease, for the last twenty seven years whenever I think of that woman I refer to her as Lady Black." Harry nodded, kicking his feet in the looserocks under his feet. "Harry," Narcissa's voice was as gentle as the fingers she placed under his chin, coaxing him to look at her. She brushed dark strands ofhair off his forehead. "I promise I will understand and will not think any less of you. Won't you please talk to me?""They never caused me extreme amounts of pain." Somehow it was infinitely harder to look Narcissa in the eye. Harry felt a rush of gratitude when sheallowed his eyes to drop back to his feet. "They just didn't like me. Or my parents. Maybe if they hadn't died in that car crash then things would have beendifferent, but they did. ""Harry, your parents... never mind. Please continue."Harry hesitated, feeling mortified and ashamed for some inexplicable reason. "My teacher read me a book once called 'Tikki Tikki Tembo.' It's about this boywho was born to this family and loved. His name literally means 'the most wonderful thing in the world.' Then the boy had a brother and his parents namedhim Chang, which meant 'little or nothing.' It was kind of like that for me. Dudley, my cousin, could do nothing wrong and I was just a waste of space." Helooked up, worried, when Narcissa stiffened. She produced a smile, though, so Harry took a deep breath and kept talking."I sleep in my cupboard under the stairs. It's not so bad; it's quiet. But Aunt Petunia and Uncle Vernon decide when I go to bed and when it is time for me towake up. And the lock... is on the outside of the door. It used to bother me when I was just a kid, but it's not too bad now. I just... I just wish I wasn't such afreak. Things are always happening to me, things I don't mean to, they just do." He sighed despondently. "Once you realize what a freak I am, you'll probablyhate me too. Draco says I'm not a freak, that I can do magic, but the Dursley's... they say that magic is bad. That the things that happen to me are my fault,even though I don't know how they happen. Aunt Petunia took me to a revival when I was little and the minister tried to get the devil out of me, but it didn'twork.""Have they physically harmed you as well?"A flush spread over Harry's face all the way to the tip of his ears. "Dudley likes to go Harry hunting. And Uncle Vernon... well, it's not so bad unless his faceturns purple. But they learned when I was little that it was best not to hurt me too badly, or else I won't be able to do my chores the next day and might have tomiss school. Dudley falls behind when I miss school," he explained. "I just need to remember to be good or else my friends might go away. Sometimes, likewhen I'm happy, I forget, but Draco and Mione and my friends say they like it when I'm happy. Sometimes Draco and Pansy tease each other about not beingfriends anymore, but it's just a joke." He brightened, cheered by the memory. "My snakes say they will be my friends no matter how I act, because they likeme and that Dudley can go piss off."Narcissa's face had an oddly gray tint to it, even as she smiled at the reference to her son. She had to take several deep breaths before she was able tospeak. "Forgive me for sounding redundant, Harry, but magic is magical. There is nothing freakish about it, and anyone who attempts to tell you otherwise isfar too close minded to be believable.""Like people thinking you guys are poisonous because you're pretty?" he asked hopefully."Exactly like that!" Narcissa praised, leaning over to kiss his forehead. "Something I learned a long time ago is that people who feel you are beneath them arefrightened of your potential. Attempting to coddle or patronize that opinion only tends to cause a more violent reaction. Harry, you must never be ashamed ofwho you are, or what you are capable of. Doubting your abilities is for the weak, the needy, and the helpless. You have far too large a core group ofsupporters to ever be that codependent.""Huh?""There are many people who love you, Harry. Your friends, my family, Severus, Headmaster Dumbledore, the wolf, and my niece to name a few. Think ofthem whenever you are feeling low or sad. Do not think of the ones who seek to constrict your potential."Harry nodded, feeling an unfamiliar glow spread rapidly throughout his chest. He leaned a little bit further into Narcissa's embrace, enjoying the peace of thegardens and the unexpected warmth of the day. "Well," Narcissa stated abruptly, rising gracefully from the bench and brushing imaginary wrinkles off hergown, "we'd best be off. I know Draco had a surprise in store for you today.""A surprise? Really?" Green eyes brightened at the thought. "What kind of surprise?"Narcissa smiled, leading Harry towards a nearly invisible door hidden in the garden wall. "Well, since you will not be returning to Hogwarts this evening, Ibelieve he wanted to teach you how to fly." Harry laughed outright at the thought, impulsively hugging her around the waist again. "Harry?" Narcissa's voicewas quiet once again."Yes, ma'am?""Will you promise me something?""Of course.""Will you promise to speak to Severus about what you have spoken with me about today?"Harry tensed, turning to gave anxiously at the lady walking calmly and confidently besides him. Hesitantly, he nodded. Narcissa beamed. "Thank you, Harry."HDHDHDHDHDHDGinny caught the snitch, although Slytherin ended up winning by twenty points.The parties that night were subdued. The Gryffindors celebration of the demise of Voldemort counterbalanced by their hollow victory and missing friend. Ronsat silently in front of the window in their dorm room. It did not escape his attention that this was the very window Harry routinely sat at to gaze at the stars andthink. He had done it. His best friend had killed the dirty tosser. But instead of celebrating with a couple Butterbeers or a few rounds of Exploding Snap, hisfriend was at Malfoy Manor. Happy. With his new friends. Ron had always thought that Harry was too serious, too introverted, for his own good. As best mate,it was his responsibility to help balance Harry's emotions; convince him to laugh in the face of overwhelming adversity. But sometimes... well, sometimes Rondidn't think before he spoke. And, in one way or another, he had pushed Harry away to the point where he felt substantially more comfortable around theSlytherins. Ron sat there, watching the stars twinkle and shine, and swore to whoever was listening that he was going to grow up and learn how to be the kindof friend Harry needed.The Slytherins were subdued as well. Several of them openly cheered the fall of the Dark Lord, others tentatively and unconvincingly joining in the festivitiesin a hope to avoid the backlash of negativity that would be surrounding their families over the next few weeks. The careful greetings to Hermione as she satamongst them were testimony enough to that fact. More than a few students, however, had their elation over their Quidditch win surpassed by the naggingworry over their head of house and the Malfoy family. Whether they agreed with him or not, most Slytherins had chosen Draco as their leader because theygenuinely admired and respected him. And Professor Snape was always there with letters of recommendation for secondary learning institutions, a pat on theshoulder, a nod of approval. It was a difficult thing for Slytherin students to relax, when two of their own were not cocooned in the safety of the common room.Albus Dumbledore finished his staff meeting, dismissing his teachers to attend to their own celebrations. For a long time he sat at his desk, gazing fixedly at anondescript cherry wood box. Occasionally, he would reach out and run his fingers over the glossy wood pensively, before resuming his introspection.Varying devices bubbled and moved cheerfully on the shelf to his left. Harry was happy. Harry was safe. But Harry was not at Hogwarts. Precisely how muchof Harry's current housing situation was Dumbledore's own fault?Remus Lupin stood in the bitter cold, just outside the rather impressive wards surrounding Malfoy Manor. The Auror on duty was an Order member. She hadsmiled sympathetically at the man unable to breach the wards to attend young Harry and left him to his silent vigil. The werewolf stood there, ignoring thebiting wind, gazing deeply at the cheerfully lit up windows in front of him. At five and at ten, Harry didn't trust him. Sure, he responded to the older man politelyand was eager to hear stories about his parents, but not once had he spoken to Remus without the steadying protection of Severus Snape of his snakesnearby. And now... Now Harry had chosen to stay with the Malfoy family rather than return to the castle or headquarters with him or Dumbledore. Moony hadnot missed the way Harry had stood so comfortably next to Narcissa before heading straight to Draco that day. Why was his best friends only son morecomfortable around virtual strangers than himself?The Malfoy's knew none of this, however.Harry sat curled up in a large armchair writing faithfully in the book Mione had sent him, giggling as Nagini occasionally stuck out her tongue and tickled hisfeet. Once he grew bored writing, Draco was quick to engage him in a game of chess with his father. Harry had no clue about the elaborate strategy Dracomapped out, but thought the pieces going to war with each other was brilliant. Lucius won three games in a row while before Draco managed to teach Harrysome semblance of competitive drive. Narcissa and Severus spoke quietly, flicking the occasional glance Harry's way. After a time, Harry abandoned chess tolie on the couch with his head in Narcissa's lap. He fell asleep to the scratching of the quill as she wrote her own observation in his book.And when Harry woke up at three in the morning, breathing harshly and sweating from his bad dream, he realized he had been placed back into his bed. In hisown room. And was sleeping between Draco and Narcissa while Snape read a book quietly on the couch. Harry smiled, feeling an odd sense of belongingand happiness. He turned over, one hand absently reaching for a lock of Draco's hair. Not quite as soft as his...err...Greg's unicorn, but vastly reassuring. Hefell back asleep with a smile on his face.