~ Chapter Two ~
Harry's week at the Ministry had only just started and he was already sick of it. He was at the point of almost regretting his decision to stay at the Ministry for in the past three days alone he had spoken to Fudge, Umbridge, Malfoy (Draco that is, Lucius had yet to make an appearance), Severus, Dumbledore and surprisingly Madam Bones. They all wanted something different but that didn't surprise him in the least. With the merging of the Malfoy and Potter families they would easily be the wealthiest and most influential family in Europe.
Fudge had visited him first. He had only wanted to play kiss arse to Lucius Mafloy's new spouse, the Boy-Who-Lived. Of course who wouldn't currently want to get a little edge in with him? Fudge had come to visit almost every day, trying to speak with Harry who wouldn't hear a word of it. The Minister only wanted to speak of the new laws and whether or not Harry himself supported them and in turn supported Fudge as Minister.
It was infuriating. There was no way he was supporting even half of those things until he had to since he knew they all came from Voldemort's twisted mind. Throughout the entire experience he had dropped subtle hints to Fudge in an attempt to steer the conversation away from this. Fudge however had continued ranting about how Lucius supported him with everything he did. He just continued until finally Harry snapped and said,
"These ideas Lucius has so gracefully bestowed you with are worth supporting because he suggested them you idiot. Do you honestly believe that Lucius wouldn't support his own ideas? I'm surprised that he has given you his support this far after all, you only rant on the ideas of other hard working people. Can you not think for yourself?"
The Minister hadn't return after that.
During that horrendous ordeal, Umbridge decided to show up and offer her support in their campaign as well. Umbridge like her employer desired to suck up to the new power that he possessed in an attempt to make herself look good. The entire half an hour was spent talking over nonsensical things while 'enjoying' tea. However half an hour was pushing how long Harry could handle being in her presence. One imitation horse hoof sound later and he was alone. Merlin the peace and quiet was bliss after hearing that high pitched sugary voice.
Harry was beyond furious though. She hadn't even once thought to apologize for the quill incident the previous year which made him wonder what Lucius would do if he ever discovered the scar. Would he thank her for attempting to discipline him? Was it possible that Lucius would simply leave her be? There was no way Lucius would ever become upset over something as small and insignificant as the Blood Quill she had used on him. It just didn't seem his style. Oh well, Harry could always worry about that later.
Dumbledore was the next to grace him with his unwanted presence. There were no 'how are you Harry?' or 'are you faring alright with your situation?' He didn't even get a simple hello. No there was only one thing that Dumbledore wanted Harry to know. He only wanted to discuss loyalty and plans to conquer the evil in the world. It all sounded the same to him after a while what with the Headmaster using his 'grandfather' voice.
"Harry… you are strong. You are a Gryffindor who will get through this with ease. Not only that, think of all the good that can come from this situation. The Malfoy family is wealthy. If the Light had even a tenth of his money for their ventures we could easily defeat the Lord Voldemort. You fight for the Light side Harry. No matter what methods you utilize to gain his trust we will still know who you are loyal to. After all everything would be for the Greater Good."
Harry wasn't entirely positive but it sounded like Dumbledore was pimping people out for his side know which in itself was disturbing. However it didn't stop there. Dumbledore had an entire speech planned out for Harry to listen to. He was constantly reminded of what the Death Eaters had done to their society and what everyone, including his parents, had sacrificed for the 'greater good'.
How could he forget any of this? What with the Dementor's effects constantly reminding him of his parents' death, it was hard to think of anything else. But no… everyone kept reminding him. Dumbledore tried to reinforce this by using the same tired lines over and over again and by the end of the two hour speech he was more than angered by his supposed supporters and friends. They were meant to help him yet they were relying on him for their miracle. What wonderful friendships he had created over the years…
On the days that they didn't show up Madam Bones took the time to visit even though she already had a very busy schedule. She was there to guide him through procures and even though it technically wasn't part of her job she was glad to do it. This was just her way of getting back at those she didn't particularly support like Lucius, Fudge or Dumbledore.
"I am here to teach you everything you need to know about any law that is now applicable to you as a married man." she had begun on the first day. "However I'm positive we can also include the real stuff you'll need to simply get through your time spent around Lucius Malfoy. That would include any and all blackmail material to keep him off your back about certain things."
Harry honestly couldn't think of anything more useful to his current situation and was only too happy to help Madam Bones in her pay back attempts. It was by far the highlight of his week so far. He couldn't wait to actually use some of these laws against his 'beloved' husband if need be. After all he hardly expected for Lucius to take his Gryffindorish tendencies in stride no it was better to play a snake when battling a snake.
Draco was by far the most courteous of those he didn't desire to speak with. It hadn't really come as a shock to see the young Malfoy heir standing outside his door after all they would soon be family. If they didn't get along then there would only be trouble for the both of them neither desired to see Lucius Malfoy angered by their insignificant arguments. An angry Malfoy was not a sight you wanted to see. Yes it was safe to assume that they weren't going to be battling each other any time soon.
Mostly they discussed school and Quidditch, the safe topics that didn't ruin their new found truce. However there was one thing that had to be covered before Harry became a Malfoy.
"There is nothing you can say to get me to call you any version of father." Draco had stated in a moment of silence. "Not only would it be weird calling someone a month younger than me father but it would simply anger me causing an argument between us as usual. I have too much respect for you as my rival to even consider it."
Harry only smiled. It was obvious that Draco was nervous since he continued to ramble, even if it was making sense. In the end he settled with answering the question with honesty.
"We're the same age and have known each other for six years now. I'd feel weird with you calling me father."
"Then what should I call you? I can't call you Potter any longer and it wouldn't feel right to call you Mal-"
"Harry."
"What?" Draco seemed so confused by this that he couldn't help but laugh.
"You should just call me Harry, Draco. After all, we'll be family."
Silence had filled the room. He had obviously shocked Draco. Sure it wasn't the same as when Harry had first refused Draco's hand in friendship but it was the start of something new. The relationship between them would forever be changed after this week and this only further proved it to the young Malfoy heir.
"Very well, Harry it is then."
After that their friendship seemed to grow swiftly as they realized many new things about each other and while this was a good thing, it still felt weird to speak with Draco in such familiar terms. Perhaps it would take longer for them to patch the holes in their past than first realized. However they would get past it.
Out of all the people who had visited him during the past week, the only person to bring him any comfort was Severus. He spoke of nothing to with the endless ceremonies and only had one thing to tell him on the subject when he entered.
"Regardless of what you may believe, Lucius isn't a bad man. He truly cares for those he calls family and will only harm those that threaten them. It may not be what you always have desired in a family but you will be protected from everyone including the Dark Lord. Just give it time."
Coming from someone he actually trusted, soothed him in a way nothing else could. Severus wouldn't lie to him about this, not when his life could be in danger. Protecting Harry was the only thing that Severus would never risk. As a spy he risked a lot but protecting Lily's child was something he would never risk.
After that moment of gravity, they traded gossip (though both were loath to call it that). Most of it was about the rumours surrounding the marriages currently being held. Like Draco and Blaise, a few of his fellow classmates were already betrothed to someone so they needn't worry about the new law. The others however were on the list. Neville was going to marry some Hufflepuff not that Severus cared to learn who. Seamus and Dean were together so they had managed to get around the law. Parvati was engaged to someone in Ravenclaw as her sister was engaged to someone in Gryffindor. Lavender was to marry Smith. Somehow Harry believed that all of those matchings would work out for the best.
That left his two friends. Ron and Hermione were the lowest of the low according to the Ministry since no one had even thought about them yet. Nor had anyone claimed that they desired to marry into the Weasley family or be married to a muggleborn Gryffindor. Obviously the only people looking for marriage candidates were purebloods who knew better than to even consider either of them.
All in all Harry thought it was quite hilarious. However no matter what the distraction, one thought remained nonstop in his mind. All he could think of was the sudden engagement to Lucius Malfoy and the ceremony that would occur in a day's time when he returned.
Harry blanched. He still didn't want to think about the ceremony just yet. To keep his mind off it he'd read the Daily Prophet just to have something to do in the morning. The constantly updated lists never held his friend's names and he was beginning to wonder whether Dumbledore had anything to do with it.
Sure Severus had discussed this with him, reassuring him the only reason they weren't listed was because they were, "far too underprivileged and far too undistinguishable to be consider anything remotely as marriage material". However his instincts were telling him otherwise. He had a feeling that someone was stopping their names from being mentioned in the Daily Prophet, someone with a lot of power over the people. But then what about him?
He was a part of the Order or at least was going to be part of the Order when he came of age. Why didn't he count in the scheme of things? He had people who cared for him, didn't he?
This only led to thoughts of Sirius and Remus which didn't help him in any way. Neither of them had come to visit him or to reassure him that what was occurring would eventually turn out alright. He needed their strength and their calming words and he wasn't getting them. This only caused him to worry increasingly about what was to happen.
At the end of fifth year when harry and his friends had gone to the Department of Mysteries he had nearly lost Sirius. His heart had clenched painfully as he watched Bellatrix shoot a curse towards his godfather causing him to fall backwards directly into the path of the veil. Luckily Remus had been close by and had pulled him away before he had even touched the material. Everyone had breathed a sigh of relief but it was just the distraction the Death Eater's needed. Sensing their loss they had apparated away to Voldemort to face their punishment.
That night the prophecy had been moved into one of the vaults hidden within Grimmauld Place. Dumbledore had told him what it spoke of making sure that he didn't do anything as foolish as that again. This only caused Harry to feel depressed. If he had thought about what he was doing that no one would have been injured, no one would have had to risk their lives to save him. No one blamed him but behind his back that was all they complained about. He hadn't even been taken to Grimmauld Place for the end of the summer. No, he had remained at Privet Drive.
If that hadn't been a wakeup call, he didn't know what was.
Their behaviour only sought to confuse Harry though. Over the summer, they had acted like he was the devil but now they were perfectly fine with him. It was as if they had to be friends with him now that they were in public. The change in their attitudes made him wary.
He was now of the belief that everyone connected in some way to the Order had heard the prophecy and come to their own conclusion. During the school year, when the Dark Lord attacked they would remain ever vigilant and loyal by his side but once away he didn't matter. To them, he was nothing more than a tool for their desire. Surprisingly though he didn't feel too upset about it. They had never been real friends to him anyway. Ron had always been too jealous and Hermione too studious to truly care about him.
However he couldn't help but believe the Order could have done something… anything to prevent this turn of events. He would just have to hope that everything would turn out in his favour as it usually did without the aid of others. If that didn't work well then he was screwed.
x-x-x-x-x
"How could you do this to Harry?" Sirius demanded before Dumbledore could officially open the meeting. He was livid.
How could Dumbledore easily accept this marriage proposal that Fudge placed for Harry? This match was never going to work the way they had originally hoped it would. They had hoped that this law would give extra protection to Harry when it was arranged that he were to be married to someone within the Order. Harry was never supposed to marry someone outside of their circle. It wasn't part of the plan to keep him safe from harm until he could kill the Dark Lord.
Sirius had been sure that Dumbledore, a member of the ICW and head of the Wizenmagot, was going to arrange it so that one of the Order members had a grasp on Harry instead of an outsider. It would have been simple enough to do what with his grasp on political power. But that had changed and he needed to know why Dumbledore would forsake their saviour, his godson, to that of the Malfoy family.
The Order had gathered for a meeting at Grimmauld Place, hoping that they would gain answers to what Dumbledore was planning when he agreed to this farce of a marriage. However understanding everything that Dumbledore did was something that no one could claim. He often thought on his feet and changed his initial decisions without regard to anyone else. While some praised hi swift thinking, others thought it to be a disaster at the end.
Looking around, Dumbledore realized that many agreed with Sirius' statement. They loved Harry in their own way whether that was for their own personal gain or not mattered little.
"You are practically making the Malfoy's even richer so that evil bastard snake-face can use the Potter money for his deeds!" Ron shouted in anger. Harry was supposed to marry his sister or at least someone in their family so they could regain the money that they so rightfully deserved. It shouldn't have to go to Malfoy who was already exceedingly rich. This situation wasn't right!
The few Order members that didn't agree with having these children in the Order to begin with, (namely Severus and Moody among a few) frowned at the youngest male Weasley's statement. Sure money was a huge part of the Order but it had to be given willingly or the goblins would bear down upon them with their weapons blazing. The fact that Potter hadn't authorized any money transactions led them to believe that Harry wasn't funding anything in the Order at all. Even if the group was devote to aid him in killing the Dark Lord.
The only way the Order could possibly gain money was for Potter to become an adult. The legal guardian of a minor couldn't touch the money unless they were blood magical relatives. That meant he would have to marry to be considered an adult so he could hand over as much money as they asked from him… Severus didn't like what he was uncovering at all.
"With the marriage between Lucius and Harry we will have access to the Malfoy vaults as well as the Potter vaults once they legally agree to help fund the Order. Harry won't allow Lucius to use the Potter money for something like the Dark Order considering his past. So there is no need to worry. Lucius can't control the Potter vaults without permission however since it works both ways Harry will have to be sneaky to gain Malfoy money."
Severus shuddered slightly as his thoughts were confirmed. The Order was only after Harry's money, nothing else. He didn't know how he would break that to Harry. It would be devastating to discover his friends were on Dumbledore's payroll.
"I am hoping that Harry can convince the Malfoy's to defect if not remain neutral in this war. With ta it would be a huge boost to moral of both the Ministry and all Light forces. It would make us appear impossible to beat and we would have more people interested in joining or cause." Dumbledore continued.
Severus sneered. The Malfoy's would never turn neutral after joining a side, it wasn't done. The old man was deluding himself and others that followed him.
Sirius glared at the headmaster. He didn't like this one bit! His godson was practically selling himself for the Light. "You better hope for your sake that you get this right Dumbledore or you shall never hear from me again."
Dumbledore nodded solemnly. The Black family money was one that the Order relied upon heavily right now. He couldn't possibly afford to alienate Sirius in such a way.
"Very well, we need to give Harry time to adjust to these new changes so I don't want anyone to contact him until he is ready. Are we in agreement?"
Reluctantly, everyone agreed though a few more readily than others. Something wasn't entirely right about that and they weren't sure if they should listen to Dumbledore but they couldn't find any fault in his planning. For the time being all they could do is agree. They could always make it up to Harry later, couldn't they?
x-x-x-x-x
In all honesty, Harry was currently a bucket of nerves. Early this morning, Lucius had returned to the Ministry after finalizing the job he had to complete for his department. Now however his soon-to-be husband was prepared for the ceremony to finally begin. His insides had instantly frozen at the disapproving glare his future husband had sent him when he was seen hovering in the doorway as Lucius had spoken to Minister Fudge. Yeah his Gryffindor courage had been non-existent ever since he'd arrived at the Ministry and it wasn't likely to return anytime soon. After all in a snake pit you had to be a snake to survive.
They were currently in a small private room where they were to prepare for the ceremony. It was to be a small ceremony with only a single representative from each side present (though even they weren't necessary) as well as Fudge and the Minister who was to perform the ceremony. Harry had no idea who this was and didn't care. He was more preoccupied with other things like getting these robes to sit properly.
Lucius (as he'd asked to be called) had graciously allowed him to dress first in the single bathroom his temporary rooms held. Harry's dress robes were a simple Slytherin green that accentuated the colour of his eyes and were lined in silver. Beneath that he wore plain black slacks and a grey button shirt that couldn't be seen beneath his robes. Black leather shoes completed the formal wear.
Looking in the mirror he had to admit that he looked good though he couldn't help but wonder at the price tag that accompanied the set of clothes. They were of the highest quality and sized to fit. How Lucius had acquired his measurements Harry didn't know nor was he about to question. Sighing he left the bathroom and allowed Lucius to change.
His stomach was doing somersaults as he thought on what was soon to be his new life. Everything was changing and he didn't know whether this new life would agree with him or not. If he was truly being forced into this then he wanted to at the very least be happy with what he had. Yet his doubts were having the opposite effect on his mood something that Lucius appeared to notice.
"Do not worry little one. There will not be many people present to gawk at you and we shall leave directly after the ceremony if you so desire. Which would you prefer?" Lucius explained as he left the bathroom.
Truthfully, Harry knew that Lucius was attempting to placate him but it was doing very little to improve his mood.
Lucius, like Harry, was dressed in green though a few shades darker than his own. He wore the same black slacks and shoes yet managed to pull it off to make it look more menacing than that of Harry's own lithe figure. His hair was pulled back by a black leather band. To accompany his outfit he also had his snake cane as usual by his side concealing his wand. However Harry couldn't answer the simple request in his own panicked state.
"Why? Why are you doing this? Aren't you happy in your marriage with Narcissa? She is your only heir's mother after all! She's also a pureblood! Surely she'd acceptable to the wizarding world so I don't see why you should have to put up with all the publicity you're going through to-"
A firm yet gentle hand gripped his chin to cease his rambling. Honestly he couldn't help it he was just nervous.
"Enough of your endless questions, I shall not listen to the senseless ramblings. I divorced Narcissa when it became apparent that she was to birth only one heir to the Malfoy family. Due to the inbreeding of the Black family, she could only birth one child which angered me. My aspiration to grant Draco siblings and further extend the Malfoy line is still present and I could not accomplish that with the money thieving Black chit married to me." Lucius hissed. "However with you by my side that shall be a simple task. I can finally recreate the prestige of the Malfoy family that my father dragged through the mud with my children and husband by my side. The Malfoy family will not fade but rise to glory."
The ambitious Slytherin traits were certainly not lost on the Malfoy's, Harry thought. The hand released him and Harry exhaled a breath he hadn't realized he'd been holding. Lucius' aspirations were very heavy and daunting.
Harry knew that though they were expensive, a certain potion could help impregnate a male in the wizarding world. Their only save was that they both knew a potions master who would willingly create this potion for them. However even considering this there were two downsides Harry could think of without even learning about male pregnancy.
The first down side was that Harry would be the one drinking the potion as Lucius would never willingly carry a child. He was too dominant for that. A Malfoy was a leader not a follower. Harry didn't have the courage to point out that Lucius followed the Dark Lord. Somehow he doubted Lucius would appreciate it.
The second was that Harry wasn't sure he'd even need the potion to get pregnant. In some cases a male was powerful enough to have his body complete the change without the potions aid. There was no hesitation when it concerned him, he was powerful but was it enough to cause a natural birth? Harry had no idea.
Lucius though hadn't even begun to think that far ahead. He was entirely too focused on the Light and the affect their absence was likely to have on his soon-to-be husband. Nerves were already affecting Harry knowing that his life would be changing soon. This would just be heartbreaking.
"I can understand why you are nervous." Lucius began delicately "You don't have any friends or relatives present at this particular decisive moment. They have already deserted you knowingly or not. Perhaps you should have realized that this was going to happen after all Dumbledore is a member of the ICW. He should have been able to warn you prior to the article in the Daily Prophet or at least help gain you a marriage your godfather would approve of. Don't you find that odd?"
Harry froze. He had thought of that briefly. But it was too painful to realize that once again he was alone to suffer through this. However this was crunch time. The people who truly cared for him, the people who ignored Dumbledore's orders, would be there for him. They would disregard his political power to be there. Regardless of this, Lucius was correct.
Dumbledore was a member of the ICW so he should have been able to have some sway over the Minister's decisions. Instead he had more than likely sat back with that knowing twinkle in his eye and allowed Fudge to drag him away from Hogwarts and directly to the Ministry. Many people listened to the "all powerful and ever knowledgeable" Albus Dumbledore but that was probably what had gotten him into this situation in the first place, blind faith.
That only led him to the fact that Dumbledore believed him to be more of a sacrificial pawn than a student in need of guidance. And if that wasn't a low blow to his pride then where were his friends? None of them had chosen to visit him during his stay at the Ministry. They weren't with him aiding him through this hard time but then again they had deserted him during the summer. Why wouldn't they now when the situation was even tougher?
What of Sirius and Remus? Weren't they supposed to help him in his time of need? They were adults. They were friends of his father. Why wouldn't they aid him? Where was the Order? What were they currently doing to help him out of this situation?
The answer: nothing.
Why? Because Albus Dumbledore had probably told them not to come anywhere near him until they were certain of what it was they were doing. Dumbledore always had to have his plan figured out before he moved and if that changed at all then he would always take a step back and re-evaluate the situation. It wasn't a coincidence that Harry was always at the centre of his numerous plans.
Lucius seemed to realize that his train of thought and took him by the shoulders, wrapping his arms comfortingly around him even as he flinched at the contact.
"Do not fret. I shall remain by your side regardless of what shall come in the future."
Was the seriously supposed to make him feel better?
Harry assumed so but the way in which Lucius was looking at him was positively scary. It was possessive and filled with desire. At least it wasn't completely pure lust. That would make him terrified for what would eventually happen in this… relationship. He knew that there wouldn't be anything he could do about it but he felt that if he attempted to get along with Lucius it might ease the situation slightly when the time finally arrived.
Sighing, he nodded and tried to ignore the hands that seemed to wonder over the small of his back and closer to his arse. They may be getting married however he wasn't ready for anything intimate yet. Lucius however appeared to realize this to Harry's immense relief and back off.
"You shall have to get used to my touch eventually young snake. We are to be married in a few moments after all however I can wait until Yule for the more intimate moments we shall spend together for you to relax and get familiar to my presence."
Harry cringed at the pet names but slowly nodded his head. It was nearing the end of October meaning he had about two months to relax in Lucius' presence even if he didn't desire to. After all he would be spending the remainder of his life with the man. His nerve spiked again as he realized this was the last chance he would be technically a free man. Lucius would practically control his life being the dominant partner in this relationship as shown by their age. The Ministry would never allow him to be dominant, even if he as the Boy-Who-Lived he was still underage.
Then there was the fact he was a student. He was still learning about the ways of the wizarding world unlike Lucius. His husband had a well-established job that paid handsomely. Lucius was not only a Lord but part of the School Board and had a seat in the Wizenmagot. Sure Harry also would be a Lord when he came of age and would inherit two seats but he was still a minor. None of that mattered.
Harry fidgeted nervously. He was practically running through everything that could go wrong in this situation and it wasn't helping him at all. There was no upside to this arrangement that Harry could find. Not only was he to be the submissive but he had no friends to support him. This deal was completely one-sided.
"Are you ready now, Harry?" Lucius enquired wandering elegantly over to his soon-to-be husband.
Lucius had noticed Harry begin to panic at the thought of their upcoming nuptials but he hadn't thought it would truly be that terrifying for the young hero. He had after all faced off against his master and defended against the entire wizarding world. Who would have thought that something like this would be the end of the Gryffindor's bravery?
Harry, who was still pale, nodded and resigned himself to a loveless marriage that would more than likely end in his early death. Slowly they made their way out of the room that Harry had been staying in for the past week and down the corridor. The chapel was small and only had two people in it besides the Minister performing the ceremony and Fudge. Harry had desperately hoped that someone from the Order would be present to at least calm him however it was not to be. It was only Severus and Draco, both of whom Harry knew were present for Lucius and not himself.
"Let's commence the ceremony shall we?" Fudge exclaimed with a merry gleam in his eye.
The ceremony was simple, short and to the point. All they had to do was speak two words, "I do", and that was it. Everything else was left up to the Minister of the ceremony and the witnesses. They signed the parchment and then the Minister finished with the usual you may kiss your… husband.
Lucius leant forward eager to capture Harry's lips for the first time but was interrupted by Fudge who pulled Harry away as soon as the words were finished. A quiet growl escaped him as he watched the Minister of Magic fawn over his husband. Both Draco and Severus knew that look. It was possession. Nobody messed around with what Lucius owned even if that meant family members and to mess around with his husband was definitely not something the Minister should be doing.
Harry however didn't know whether or not to be grateful to Fudge. Sure he hadn't wanted to kiss Lucius before his friend and stepson (even if they were the same age) but he really didn't want to be trapped listening to Fudge either. All Fudge ever did was talk about support for his campaign and the Ministry now he was an adult.
"We can now move to the entrance hall and talk to the reporters who eagerly wait to hear from you. Your marriage shall be front page news tomorrow morning! This is something to be celebrated and the reporters want all the details! They'll want to discuss you future plans-"
He instantly froze and cast a nervous glance to Lucius. There was no way he was going to talk to all of those leeches! He hadn't done so as a minor and it wasn't likely to change now that he was married. As the submissive in the marriage he didn't have to bother himself with politics. By the looks of it Lucius echoed his thoughts.
"Minister I believe it would be best if Harry and I return to the manor to settle don't you? After all he has been cooped here for a week while I was overseas working. I'm sure he would rather desire to return home. Lucius suggested yet Harry could tell it wasn't a suggestion at least not for Fudge.
Lucius easily slipped his arm around Harry and pulled him away from Fudge while the man spluttered. There was no way he was going to allow him to simply take Harry away as soon as he was married. After today hardly anyone would witness Harry out in public without Lucius or someone loyal to the Malfoy's by his side. No one was going to influence Harry while he was under a Malfoy's care. That included the beloved Light leader, Albus Dumbledore.
Harry looked up into Lucius' face and could see the sincerity behind the remark. He could only tell after studying Severus for such a long time. If he hadn't studied him there would be no telling the difference from his usual apathetic face that he showed to the public.
Fudge appeared to regain what little composure he had after spluttering indignantly. "Very well I hope that you will continue to support me and have a wonderful life together."
With that he wept out of the room leaving the four of them alone. Lucius turned to Severus and Draco steering Harry to follow him. There was no way he would allow his husband to be left here when he truly only obeyed one person. Those leeches would have to wait for a statement made by him later in the month.
"Severus, Draco, we shall see you come the Yule holidays."
Severus kept his eyes on Harry who although was relieved at being away from Fudge didn't look any better at being close to Lucius. Truly he worried about Harry's mental health. First his parents had been murdered. Then he was sent to live with muggles who despised magic in any forms. Though Severus hadn't be told by Harry exactly what had occurred there he did piece it together with the few bits of information he let slip occasionally. It hadn't gotten any better throughout Hogwarts either what with fighting for his life every year. Now this had to happen.
He could only hope that Lucius aided to heal the hole Harry had in his heart. However from what he had witnessed so far, everything was looking for the best.
"Remember what we discussed and you will be fine." Severus reassured Harry as he led Draco to the apparrating point away from the reporters.
When the only two people Harry trusted currently disappeared, his dread returned full force. He wasn't returning to Hogwarts he knew that. Lucius planned on keeping him away from the only home he'd ever known. However it was a blessing in disguise considering he would become gossip material for weeks perhaps months after the article is published. Then there was his "friends" the ones that didn't bother to turn up to his ceremony even if it was only a short formal affair. Of course along with that he would be forced to see Dumbledore every day and he couldn't handle that. No he truly didn't want to return there.
"Come Harry let's gather your belongings." Lucius said as they walked back to his Ministry room. "Then we can go home."
Harry squirmed a little when Lucius called Malfoy Manor home. He couldn't think of the manor as his home, not yet. He hadn't been able to ever call the Dursely's house a home, only Hogwarts had that title and it was a school. Not only that but Lucius still had his arm wrapped around waist and was guiding him around the Ministry. He couldn't help but squirm a little. Once they were sure they had collected all of Harry's belongings, they disapparrated to Malfoy Manor ready to begin their new life.
Malfoy Manor was everything Harry had imagined it to be in his spare time. It was extravagant and held a lot of marble in the structure. In no way was the Manor as large as Hogwarts and definitely not as welcoming but he would have to adapt to the idea. The gardens were immeasurable and he immediately fell in love with them. Harry had always enjoyed being outdoors regardless of what he was doing at the time. He could tell that it would be no difference here.
"Welcome, my love, to Malfoy Manor." Lucius said as he ushered his husband towards the large double doors.
A house elf met them as they entered and took their belongings, disappearing with a small pop, most likely to place them in their room. Lucius didn't even bother with a tour. His reasoning as it would take too long what with the numerous rooms. There would always be plenty of time to do that later when Harry settled in, til then Lucius would simply act as an escort. Not that it truly matter, there was only one room they would be retreating to after such a long evening.
Harry proceeded into the room as Lucius opened the French style doors. It was a fairly large room that screamed extravagance like the rest of the house. It also happened to be the bedroom where he and Lucius would be sleeping for many years to come. There was a door to his right that led into a bathroom that rivalled the prefect's bathroom at Hogwarts and a door besides that which was obviously a cupboard for all of their clothes. Though that was only a guess he had yet to check. The carpet was a soft cream colour while the walls were surprisingly blue. It was calming and that was good for Harry's nerves as they were completely shot after the day's events.
Then he noticed the large King sized bed, that could possibly fit six people snuggly together, further in the room resting against the farthest wall. There were two windows on either side of the bed allowing the moonlight to enter, making the scene look like something out of a romance film.
Lucius noted his reluctance to near the bed and chuckled quietly enough only for Harry to hear. He was surprised that the Gryffindor had lasted this long before his bravery had run out.
"Don't worry. All we shall be doing is sleeping for now. Our relationship is still too new and I do not desire to force myself upon my husband when I have you now. I have told you that I shall wait till Yule and I shall keep my word to you."
Harry nodded and walked into the bathroom to change into his pyjamas and do other little necessities he wanted to waste the time. He was alright with that. As long as all they did was sleep he could handle that. Once he left the bathroom he realized that Lucius was already in bed waiting for him.
Cautiously, he climbed into bed he squeaked (much to his embarrassment) when Lucius pulled him closer so that his head was resting on Lucius' bare chest. He couldn't have been afraid of someone else touching him but what with the neglect he had suffered from the Dursley's he couldn't help it. Touch was foreign to him and it didn't help that he knew Lucius was a Death Eater whose master desired him dead.
But as the large warm hand that he knew belonged to Lucius ran through his hair calmingly his eyes began to droop and he fell into a peaceful sleep with his husband by his side.
Alrighty that is the next chapter done~ Hope you enjoyed it. Thanks for all the reviews and your patience.
~MidnightEmber
