No More Fear
A.N. Hey everyone I just wanted to say thanks for all the reviews, alerts, and favorites and I hope that this chapter will not disappoint. Now I am currently looking for a beta to help me with grammer and punctuation for this story. If you know anyone that can help or are kind enough to help me yourself please P.M. me. Thank you all for reading and I hope that you continue to enjoy the story.
Chapter 2: The New Lord
Harry and Lucius sat in the school governor's office enjoying a tea prepared by Lucius's house-elf Dobby. Harry noticed that Dobby's hands were heavily bandaged and even though he was levitating the tray his hands obviously pained him. "So why are his hands bandaged?" Harry queried as he sipped at his tea. Lucius had been explaining the wizarding world to him and much of the knowledge in his head had unraveled and he knew almost everything he needed.
"He burnt dinner last week when I revealed mine and Severus's plan to free you, so he was punished." He sipped at his tea as if that explained everything.
"Unlike a house-elf I am not born to serve one family all my life and I know for a fact that I got treated worse than Dobby." Lucius watched Harry warily while Dobby, due to Lucius's oversight, watched the two wizards in awe. "The wizarding world is in decline, there was once a time when witches and wizards could practice openly. Now everyone is becoming complacent and reliant on technology. It is the will that drives a person to be able to manipulate the energy inside them that lets them become a great witch or wizard."
Lucius was very impressed at the youth's ideals, but of course he knew better and decided to explain why. "As impressive as that speech am I can assure you that pureblood wizards are the most powerful of all wizards since they have been born into magic." Then struck by another thought he added, "What does that have to do with Dobby." Harry's smile took him by surprise.
"The muggle population outnumbers the wizarding population by ten times at most. Magical creatures are dwindling even faster than the wizarding population. If the magical world is too survived we need to merge with the muggle world." At that Lucius spit his teal all over his desk and with a snap of his fingers Dobby cleaned it up while levitating a napkin to his master. "Sorry about that should have warned you," Harry said calmly sipping at his own tea.
"It's alright, but how in Merlin's name will the combining of the two worlds possibly helps restore the wizarding world." Lucius said trying to cough out his lungs.
"There are several ways," Harry stated, "first of all muggles have really evolved technology wise since medieval times and now that the witch hunts are over it's possible to discreetly move back into the muggle world. The human business world is a good place to begin if you bought up a few companies you could use them however you want. Suppose you make muggle and wizard products in one company, any witch or wizard you hire to enchant the products could learn how to discreetly use magic in the muggle world and any muggles you use will just think that the product is just made using microchips not magic."
Lucius seemed intrigued by this idea, "that would be a good start, but what about magical creatures how would explain a hippogriff to the muggles." To his surprise Harry chuckled.
"Well every corporation that sells items needs a delivery system and a place to store their goods. A fleet of trucks and warehouses can transport and store anything we need, especially if they were expanded on the inside to hold a great deal." Harry trailed of thoughtfully allowing Lucius to complete the thought.
"With such a large space one area could be used as a habitat for the magical creatures and the rest of the warehouse given over to storage and between the containers and 'notice-me-not' charms then no one would realize that there is more than meets the eye. Yes, it could work what else?" He turned an eager gaze eagerly on Harry. Harry in turn favored him with a patronizing smile.
"In order to increase our numbers it would be best to slip genuine magical shops and people among all the fake stores. This way we may find out who is more prone to magic or can even use it, because they will be the only ones to see the truth." Lucius smiled wide, but before he could say anything Harry continued on. "We would also need the help of any and all Squibs and you would have to take control of that Kwikspell course and redesign it too give anyone entering the magical world a chance to learn about the wizarding world."
"Squibs!"
"Yes, Squibs!" Harry thundered his arm striking the desktop. "Some of the people who could do magic may be beyond their teenage years and into adulthood and the Squibs are familiar enough with the magical world and muggle world that they could help ease the transition for those who want to join the wizarding world." Lucius turned a thoughtful gaze upon his young charge and voiced a thought that had been floating around his head for some time.
"You remind me of my former master, commanding, cunning except you're not cruel, but honest. It's interesting I wonder if being a horocrux of the dark lord has influenced who you are."
"Severus Snape that is how you know about the horocruxs," Lucius's nod confirmed Harry's theory. "It's not because I'm a horocrux, but probably because Tom and I grew up in similar settings." He smirked at Lucius's confused expression, "he never told you that his name was once Tom Marvolo Riddle or that he was a half-blood." He laughed as Lucius's mouth dropped open in complete shock and tried to stammer out a question. "He was born to a muggle, Tom Riddle Sr. and a witch, Merope Gaunt who died after he was born. Tom was named for his father and Merope's father, it's seems that Merope fell in love with Tom Sr. and used a love potion to make him love her, but then when she stopped using the potion he left."
"So that is what became of the descendents of Salazar Slytherin. A half-blood you said, impressive he always claimed to be a pureblood and he had the power and the drive to be one. Yet he was half and he was more powerful than any pureblood. So it seems that talent comes from will not blood, blood is just a tool in the end." Lucius sat back his fingers taping against themselves as he stared at the ceiling. Harry coughed to get his attention and Lucius voiced another question before Harry could say anything. "Do you want to rule the magical world Harry?"
Harry's snort forced Lucius to look at him, "not bloody likely. For one there is the pressure from being that high up I'd be more comfortable just finding a job I like, maybe an Auror." Sitting up straighter Harry turned towards Lucius, "I have a proposition for you if you're interested."
"I'm sure that it will be interesting," Lucius said leaning forward.
"I'll support you for Minister of Magic if you agree to a few things." Out of all the possible things that Lucius had been expecting that wasn't one of them. "If you agree to my plan to save the wizarding world and magical creatures, to treat everyone fairly no matter blood status, and you protect the people you lead. So do we have a deal?" Harry asked holding his hand out. Lucius took it, shook it, and held on to it while drawing his wand. He then spoke in a clear, slow voice.
"I Lucius Tenebrae(1) Malfoy do swear upon my magic and my life to the best of my abilities carry out the commands of my lord Harry James Potter, so mote it be." Harry was stunned and only managed to murmur his oath.
"What is this Lord business?" Harry said after struggling to come to terms with what he had just heard.
"Well my lord," Lucius smiled as Harry's eyes narrowed, "you have an air about you that says command and unlike my previous lord I believe that you Harry will do your best to help people and not just yourself." Then Lucius turned serious, "besides if you do want to save the wizarding world your biggest challenges will be saving the wizarding world from itself and Albus Dumbledore. You would have to become a gray lord or as Albus will call you a dark lord. Can you do that?"
"I will do whatever it takes to save our world." Harry said firmly and drawing out his own wand he spoke, "I Harry James Potter will do whatever is necessary to save the wizarding world and protect those that follow me to the best of my ability. I swear this upon my life and magic, so mote it be." Lucius repeated the required response and faced his new lord with pride in his eyes.
"I am honored to witness that my lord and now if we head downstairs there are several families waiting to help train you and unlock the knowledge that flows through you."
"Who are they Lucius?"
"They are; the Malfoy's, Goyle's, Crabbe's, Parkinson's, Bullstrode's, Zabini's, Davis's, Greengrass's, Flint's, Nott's, and a few other families. If you'll just follow me they are in the 'auditorium' and are awaiting the chance to talk to you." With that he stood from his desk and opened the door to the office and bowed Harry out. Following at Harry's right side he explained how each family was placed, what they strove for, and just how far they had gone with Voldemort. Upon arriving Harry spent a few minutes meeting each person personally. Then he ascended the stage and began speaking to everyone present.
He repeated what he had told Lucius and he swore that he would do whatever he could do to protect those that choose to follow him. To his surprise there was no hesitation as they swore to follow him, his aura of command and kindness convinced them that he spoke the truth and they were all eager to see how he would be. After that they all broke for lunch and Lucius managed to drag Harry to a quiet corner to talk privately. "I knew that you would do well my lord," Lucius said allowing pride to creep into his voice.
"Thank you Lucius, but I couldn't have done it without you. Now if you'll excuse me I have a few toasts that I want to make." Turning he stepped forward and raised his glass and addressed the group. "First of all I want to thank you all for placing your faith in me so I wish to propose a toast to you all. Second a toast to Severus Serpens(2) Snape and Lucius Tenebrae Malfoy for giving me the opportunity to rise up to my destiny. Last and certainly not least a toast to my relatives and Dumbledore without whom I would not be standing before you today, credit where credit is due." Everyone repeated the mantra laughing and the adults drained their wine while the children and teens drained their butter beer.
With that done everyone returned to the food and Harry cornered Lucius for another conversation. "How exactly will this training take place without Dumbledore knowing?"
"Not to fear my Lord, Severus is the secret keeper for this place and he has explained to Dumbledore that the Dursley's sent you to a school for troubled youth to live and learn. Also that reminds me tomorrow we have to go to Diagon Alley to get your supplies." Lucius said tapping his chin thoughtfully.
"Lucius you do have other house elves than Dobby right?" Harry interrupted Lucius thinking.
"Yes, why?"
"Well considering the fact that as a lord I should have someone close by whenever I need and since I know Dobby so well I figure that he could be a good and loyal servant." Harry stated watching Lucius through half lidded eyes.
"Hmm, he would leap over the moon with joy about being your servant. Just wait here my lord and I'll go fetch him." Dobby's shriek of joy could be heard throughout the entire academy and when he and Lucius appeared in the dining hall he clung to Harry's leg for the rest of the day. Despite that Harry carried himself in such a way that everyone knew him for the lord he was and they knew that Harry would be the savior of the wizarding world no matter what Dumbledore said.
1 Latin for Darkness
2 Latin for Serpent
