The Manor

A.N- Hello everyone! This is my first story, so please don't be too harsh. I hope you like it ((: Oh, this is unbata'ed. I'm not sure how to get one of those, so sorry for any grammar or spelling mistakes.

-C.S

Chapter 1

My feet crunched loudly on the gravel pathway as I made my way toward the gigantic pond at the far end of the Malfoy Manor grounds. It was a relief to get away from the house elves that were hounding me constantly. The little snotrags were always butting into my business. If I was building blocks in my room, Slinky would bubblewrap them so that I wouldn't get splinters. If I was walking down the stairs, Skrodd would insist on floating me down so that I would not fall. If I wanted to get a bite to eat, Drippy would taste the food first to avoid food poisoning. I couldn't even go to the loo on my own. Did the idiots really expect me to slip into the toilet and drown? I kicked at the ground moodily, feeling very sorry for myself.

My head shot up when I heard a giggle. Sitting on the grass in front of me was a girl of about seven, with messy curly brown hair. She was laughing in wonder at the white peacock that was pecking at the ground. I had no idea how she had gotten onto the grounds. Mother always warned me to stay away gates. She told me that there were horrible hexes and curses placed on then over many generations to keep people from coming or going. Even the heirs of the Manor.

I cleared my throat, but instead of running away in fright of getting caught, she smiled as if she was pleased to see me. "Hello." She said and offered a small packet of black swirly rubber bits to me. "Liquorice is my favourite, but my dad won't let me have any. He says my teeth will fall out, but I don't believe him. Do you want some?"

The girl was talking very fast and I could barely make out what she was saying. I didn't really care about what she said anyway, as I was a bit peeved at her off handed attitude. She should have been scared of getting caught by a Malfoy, especially since she was trespassing on my family's property. I would have been.

I pulled back my shoulders, raised my chin and looked down on the girl."Don't you know that you aren't supposed to talk to strangers? Especially when they offer you candy."

The girl waved my words away as if they meant nothing."I'm not a stranger, I'm a child. Only older people are strangers."

"Yeah, and how do you reckon that?" I sneered.

She rolled her eyes at me. "Kids talk to other kids. How else are we supposed to make friends?"

I frowned. "I guess it makes sense when you say it like that."

"Of course it does."

I took a moment to look at the girl. She was rather pretty and obviously smart, even though her hair was funny looking. I didn't really know what a friend was supposed to look like, but she seemed to be a good choice.

"I have decided that we will be best friends from now on." I said.

"That's nice. Have a seat." She patted the spot next to her. I plopped down onto the lush grass and held my hand out expectantly. "Hand me some of that candy."

"Not until you say the magic word first."

I pointed a finger at the swirly rubber imperiously. "Accio Liquorice!" Nothing happened.

The girl's wild curls bounced as she shook her head. She was clearly infuriated with me. "No, no, no. You've got it all wrong. The magic word is 'please'."

"Please Liquorice?"

The girl sighed. "Close enough. Here, you can have the last one."

I bit into the candy. It was rubbery and it stuck to my teeth, but it was nice never the less. We sat in silence for a while as we ate.

"So, what's your name?"

I puffed my chest out proudly. "I'm a Malfoy."

The girl waved the words away. "And why should I care? I asked for your name not your surname."

"How could I have known? You should learn to be more specific." I muttered.

"I would think it is rather self explanatory, unless you don't have a name. You do have a name don't you?"

"Don't be daft, of course I do. My name is Draco."

"Good. Now we ought to tell each other something about ourselves so that we get better acquainted." My head raced with thoughts, cataloguing facts about myself. I opened my mouth to tell her about my new broomstick but then closed it. Girls didn't like broomsticks as much as boys and it would sound snobbish to brag about it. For a moment I was at a loss for words.

"Well, aren't you going to say anything?"

"I can't think with you blathering the whole time. I have to collect my thoughts first." I grumbled.

"You are rather slow aren't you? Don't worry; I'll start then you can see how it's done." The girl cleared her throat. "My full name is Hermione Jean Granger and I am eight years old. My hobbies include reading, building puzzles and camping in The Forest of Dean with mum and dad. My favourite colour is purple and my mission in life is to be the cleverest person ever."

I was rather taken aback by her short speech, but not one to be outdone, I launched into my own monologue. "My full name is Draco Lucius Malfoy and I'm seven years old. My hobbies include reading, fencing and flying. My favourite colour is blue and my mission in life is to be cleverer than you will ever hope to be."

"You are obviously delusional. You will never be smarter than me." Hermione's voice held a patronising tone that my father used when he talked to me. I could almost see red. I hated when people talked down to me. "Oh, and people can't fly either." Hermione said as an afterthought.

"They can on a broom." I hissed angrily."I bet you've never even seen a broom before."

Hermione's eyes narrowed. "I most certainly have and I can use them whenever I want. My mum has one with a wooden handle and a blue one made out of plastic. My aunt even has a green one that can soak up water. I bet yours can't do that."

"You have three brooms?"I asked, surprised. "Me too!You must be rich like me."

"Are you mad!?' Hermione giggled. "Your house is positively gigantic!"

"You can see The Manor?" I whispered. As far as I knew, Malfoy Manor was invisible to the eyes of muggles.

"Sure. Mum thought it curious that only I could see it. Dad told her it's my brilliant imagination at work, but it must be real if you live here."

"Only witches and wizards can see The Manor."I said excitedly. "That must mean that you're a witch like my mother!"

"You think I'm a witch?" she said sceptically. "But I don't have a cauldron or a pointy hat."

"I'm a wizard and I don't have any of that either. You have to wait until you're eleven, then you can come with me to get your wand and supplies." I chuckled. "I bet that I will be a better at magic than you. I've known about it long before you."

Hermione put her hands on her hips. Her cheeks were flushed with anger. "It doesn't matter that you knew about magic before me! I will be the cleverest and best witch ever. You won't even come close."

"Oh, yeah!"I yelled, outraged. Of course I would be better at magic. My family all had magic after all.

Hermione jumped to her feet. "Yeah!"

I stood and wiped the dirt off of my clothes. "Then prove it."

She stomped her foot angrily."I already did. How'd you think I got in here."

I paused, my anger forgotten for the moment. Hermione had a point. It was impossible to get in without mother or father's help. "How did you get in exactly?"

"I'm not really sure to be honest." she sighed. "I was playing in the field across from here and I remember thinking how I really wanted to go explore the manor. Then I was here. I didn't even have time to explore really. You came walking along only moments later."

"Wow. You must be a really powerful witch. Not as powerful as me though, but close." I turned my head sideways and looked Hermione up and down. Pretty, smart and a powerful witch. That was everything my mother said I should look out for in a girl. "Will you marry me?"I asked.

Hermione nodded. "Yes, but only if you admit that I'm better than you."

"Are not!" I hissed.

"Is too!" she shrieked.

"Are not!"

"Is too!"

"Are not!"

Our fight was interrupted by a soft, commanding voice. "Draco, who is this?"

"Oh. Hello mother." I said, bowing my head respectfully. "This is Hermione Jean Granger. She's eight years, old almost a year older than me, and her hobbies include reading, building puzzles and camping. Her favourite colour is blue-"

Hermione laughed. "That's your favourite colour, silly. Mine's purple, remember?"

"Yeah, sorry." I grinned "Hermione's favourite colour is purple and her mission in life is to be the cleverest person ever. She's also my fiancé. We're looking to get married soon, but only when I admit that she's better than me; which she isn't."

"My, my, why aren't you two getting along splendidly?" Mother said. She held out her hand. "It's a pleasure to meet you ."

Hermione grasped my mothers outstretched hand in her own and shook it up an down. Mother pressed her thin lips together at the muggle gesture."It's a pleasure to meet you too, Mrs Malfoy."

"She can see The Manor, mother." I said before she could hex Hermione away. "She's a witch like you."

A small smile gracedher lips. "What good news. Your father will be pleased."

"Really!?"I sad excitedly. "Can she come to dinner tomorow evening?"

"Indeed. Why don't you bring your parents along, Hermione? Maybe we can make an arrangement to...validate your engagement?"

"That would be perfect, Mrs. Malfoy!" Hermione squealed. "I'll go tell them straight away."She dashed off and ran straight through the high walls that surrounded the grounds. Mother's eyes were round with shock. "However did she?...The wards!...It's impossible!" she muttered.

I sighed in wonder. "She's marvellous, isn't she mother?"

"She will make a perfect addition to the Malfoy Family." Mother said quickly. "Now come inside. I must tell your father to go check the wards immediately."

What do you think? Is it any good? Please let me know.

-C.S

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