The Magic Theory

Chapter One: No Way to Stop Narcissa Malfoy

Disclaimer: Anything in this story that is remotely recognizable is not mine.

Sometimes, it's so hard to believe I survived the war. Then I realized that Mother and I came out of it with the Malfoy name and fortune nearly intact. We obviously had to pay a certain amount of reparations for the Mark on my arm and Father in Azkaban, but with Mother at the head of the family, we came out relatively unscathed. Now, all I had to worry about was my envy at how effortless it seemed for Mother to control all of the Malfoy business. It's not as if I wanted all the power, but at some point, having nothing to do became tedious. Father received a sentence of ten years—which was lenient considering his crimes. Now, four years into that sentence, Mother and I had both been starting to move past him. Mother was busy enough with the social and financial dealings to not have to think about the war.

I, on the other hand, was getting bored. I went to all the parties, but I knew I wasn't particularly important to the company anymore. My regular daily schedule went; wake up, eat breakfast with Mother, read the Prophet while Mother goes to the study, read, lunch (usually alone), meet with Pansy or Blaise (when they had the free time), read, dinner (again alone), sleep and repeat. My life had gotten so unbelievably dull that I actually looked forward to the loathsome parties Mother hosted or attended.

I began to think it would always be like this until I took control as Malfoy Head. Of course, that thought had to be ripped out from underneath me the moment it crossed my mind.

All it took was one article and one party to shift my life so completely.

*) o_0_O_0_o (*

Potter Resurfaces!

There was something to be said about how completely motionless I became as soon as I read those words. What can this even mean? How long has the damn Savior even been gone? Did the pressure of being waited on hand and foot finally get to him? Or has he been having a tryst with a French Quidditch player? I put a stop to my speculating mind and began reading the actually article. No use paying so much thought to Potter.

After the alleged separation between Ginerva Weasley (21) and Harry Potter (22) and the alleged fallout between Hermione Weasley (née Granger, 22), Ron Weasley (22), and Harry Potter, the latter seemingly fell off the face of the planet. While the reasons for the breakup, fallout and Potter's disappearance are unknown, sources have told us that the estranged Savior of the Wizarding World was spotted in Knockturn Alley on the 26th of this month, just two days ago.

Now this reporter was obviously very curious as to the reappearance of Potter I just had to get the scoop from those who witnessed the alleged siting and those who knew Mr. Potter the best—or so we thought. Following are comments from the witnesses who claimed to have seen Mr. Potter themselves, the other members of 'The Golden Trio', and Ginerva Weasley herself!

Marius Flint (42): "I saw 'im wand'ring 'bout the alley. Seemed as if he didn't want nobody messin' wit' 'im. If I hadn't seen 'im wit' me own eyes 'fore, never woulda guessed he was da Savior."

Samina Reuse (19): "It was most definitely him. I was four years behind him at Hogwarts, but I saw him often in the halls. Even though he had his hood up, I could tell it was him. I would recognize his eyes and the scar anywhere. I didn't approach him because he looked like he already had things to deal with and really didn't want to be approached."

It went on for a while with people explaining an unexpectedly hostile Potter. (Though at some point I began to wonder why so many people commented on Potter's eyes even though he supposedly had his hood up.) I didn't pay much attention until the last four statements.

Hermione Weasley: "I don't know anything about Harry. We haven't really kept in touch for a couple of years. Honestly, I couldn't care less. He made it quite clear that his business was his business."

Ron Weasley: "I don't care if he's back or if he died. He can go to hell for all I care. If he's reading this, all I can say is that he better stay the hell away from me and my family." (Of course, Weasley's grammar hasn't improved any.)

Ginerva Weasley: "Harry is no concern of mine anymore. Quite frankly, I only wish he would stay away if he has returned. He is nothing more than a nuisance. I'm quite happy now, though I don't wish the same for him."

George Weasley (24): "Well, mum's going to kill me when she reads this,—if Ron leaves her anything to kill—but I would be glad if Harry returned. I don't quite understand what happened between them, but Harry can always come to me. If Harry is reading this, he knows where to find me if he needs me."

The fourth statement surprised me more than the hostility in the first three. I had vaguely heard about the falling out, but the fact that not every Weasel agreed with it was strange. For the most part, they had always appeared as a united front. Now, there was bound to be drama brewing. Especially with the types of rumors that had been spreading immediately after the break-up and the falling out.

I made the unconscious decision to stand and walk with long strides though the Manor towards Mother's study. I knocked on the door and waited patiently for her muffled; 'Enter', before doing so.

I had always admired the study, though, when Mother took it as her own, I found knew appreciation for both the room and Mother herself. It was the subtle shifts from when Father used the office to now. The room was lined with bookshelves that were always full with books rotated from the Malfoy personal library—though, how Mother found time to read, I did not know. The floor was a beautiful marble with a rug in the center of the room to give it a homey feeling. Directly behind the rug and opposite the door is a dominating mahogany desk with a high backed chair with my mother in it. Facing the desk, there were two chairs. Behind the chair was a fireplace that was always lit. There are other groups of chairs and tables around the room that can be used for anything. On the rug in the center of the room, stands a world map that updates itself, but was centuries old.

"Hello, Draco." I waited until I had sat down in front of the desk to acknowledge Mother's words.

I smiled warmly at her and said, "Mother." Knowing she would reprimand me later for it, I dropped the Prophet onto the desk in front of her without another word.

I watched patiently as she read it, raising her eyebrow at many parts, but not saying anything until she had finished. When she finally had, she calmly put it down and said simply, "Well."

I nodded in agreement. "My thoughts exactly."

She smiled softly for a moment before her eyes widened and she smiled broadly. It is my mother's idea face, not something that was particularly safe. "This is perfect, Draco! Please tell me you and I have the same idea!"

She looked at me expectantly for a moment and I began to think about all (and I do mean all) the possibilities. Suddenly, an idea so obscure hit me that I knew it was what Mother was thinking about. She nodded as my eyes widened, knowing I'd figured it out. "Mother, that is absolutely ridiculous." There was a slight pursing to her lips at flippancy in my tone, but it didn't last very long. "There is no way it will work."

It's a lost cause, she had not stopped smiling. "Draco, start making the preparations and I will send the invitations. Come Friday, we will host a party!" I groaned and put my face in my hands knowing that with the party being on rush order; Mother would make sure I was very involved.

Other than shooing me out of the room to go talk to the house-elves, she ignored me as she began fire-calling people.

*) o_0_O_0_o (*

"Aw, Drakey-poo, this is so exciting." Despite Pansy being one of my best friends being called 'Drakey-poo', especially by Pansy, grated on my finely tuned nerves.

"Pansy." That one word and the should-be-patented Malfoy stare made her pout but quiet nonetheless. I ignored Blaise's laughing, focusing on Pansy. "This is anything but exciting and will be anything but fun. It will be only one of two things. It will be uncomfortable if the git shows up and downright humiliating if he doesn't."

Pansy continued her pouting so it was Blaise who finally pulled my attention. "Draco, it won't be humiliating if no one knows he's invited. If I'm correct, only your mum, you, Pansy, and I know Potter is even invited. None of us will tell anyone unless it turns out that Potter shows his face at the party." Pansy nodded enthusiastically, but said nothing. "Anyways," now he had a mirthful glint in his eyes, "if he doesn't show up, Pansy and I will want to be the only ones who can tease you about it." Pansy continued to nod.

I rolled my eyes. "Prat."

"You ought to know that by now, Draco." I'm surprised when it's actually Pansy who says that.

"I suppose I should." I muttered as we moved the conversation away from the party set two days from now.

*) o_0_O_0_o (*

My usual routine continued the next day, without visiting any friends, only interrupted by party plans—the only attention Mother paid me. It was not until Friday that it hit me; there was a possibility that Harry bloody Potter would be coming to a party at Malfoy Manor.

And I had thought a Potter-Weasley confrontation would be dramatic…