The Heir

Chapter 6: A night to celebrate

A/N- I am so sorry for how long you all had to wait for this chapter. I had only the first three chapters on my desktop, and the longer and more complete version was on the Laptop which my dad took to work and has refused up to yesterday to bring home(thinks I'm going to break it and loose all his work-psh as if his work matters, I would be more concerned about loosing this lol.) But obviously, I got it back, and have copied it to the desktop so that I can work on it. So this is chapter six. I am really sorry that I took so bloody long but I did promise you'd get it, so here it is!

Chapter Six-

"Ready Tenderfoot?"

Harry clenched his shaking hands behind his back, peering out the darkened balcony with dismay. Shaking his head, Harry sighed, "Are you sure I have to go? I'll probably just embarrass the family."

"Or, by embarrassing yourself, make me look amazing. I rather like the idea." Draco drawled, shooting him a smirk. Turning serious, he patted Harry's shoulder, "Hadrian you'll do fine. Just remember the steps, stick close to me, and you'll survive…maybe not unharmed…but you'll live."

"Draco…" Harry growled, aiming a friendly punch towards his arms.

"Hey! No hitting, you'll wrinkle the material!"

Mumbling something that distinctly reminded Draco of 'pansy', Harry took a deep breath and turned to walk down the balcony steps. "Coming cousin?"

The walk down the decorated banister seemed much to long for Harry's like. It looked as if everyone in the room had stopped their activity to watch the Malfoy children walk into their midst. Harry tried to keep his face completely void of all emotions, but by the time he had reached the last step the constant whispering made him freeze.

"Ladies and Gentlemen, may I present to you my Heir, Draconic Malfoy, and my dear nephew Hadrian Malfoy." Lucius said, rising from his seat at the other side of the largely decorated room.

Harry's eyes widened drastically when he noticed Voldemort standing at Lucius's side, a small polite smile on his completely human face. A sharp jab from Draco's elbow, and he committed a clumsy bow, and continued walking forward into the snakes den. He made his way quickly to Tom's side, for Harry found it difficult to even think of this normal looking being as Voldemort.

After greeting Lucius with as much respect as he could without lowering himself too far, he turned to Tom and hissed fiercely at him, "What are you doing here? Do you have any idea how dangerous it is for you to be out here alone…people could suspect."

"Hush. I'm perfectly safe, a quarter if not more of these people are my followers, or soon to be followers. There is nothing to fear. If there is," Tom gestured to the high curved windows, where Harry could faintly make out shadowed figures, following Tom's gaze to shadowed corners, where more shadows flickered ominously. "Everything is already taken care of. It pleases me to see how much concern you have for me."

Harry glared and turned as a young man walked up, who Harry faintly recognized as Theodore Nott.

"Young Nott, what a pleasure it is to have you here at our home."

Watching the interaction between Narcissa and his classmate, Harry attempted to slip behind the curtain, but luck seemed to have deserted him as Nott turned calculating narrowed eyes on him. "I have heard many things about you Hadrian Malfoy."

Harry felt the unsaid challenge in the taller youth, his eyes sharpened glowing behind lowered bangs; he took a measured step forward, his mouth in a predatory grin, "Is that so, because I haven't heard a thing about you. Does that say much?"

Nott's eyes flared to life a sneer blossoming on his face. "Why you little-"

"Theodore! That is no way to talk to your host, now apologize."

Harry's eyes flickered to a middle aged woman, her dark hair streaked with soft silver. Instantly Harry felt an instant softness towards this woman, her son obviously didn't retrieve much from her.

"Mother, I will not lower myself to apologize to this-"

"I apologize Lucius, Narcissa, and young Malfoy I apologize for my son's behavior, the loss of his father hasn't boded well with him."

"Mother…" Theodore murmured, a flush flaring to life on his hollowed out cheeks.

Harry nodded, recalling that Senior Nott had been lost in a skirmish between two giants. Harry felt his stomach twist, and instantly felt horrible for his spiteful words. Stepping forward, he lowered his head, "I apologize for my ignorant words. It was most impolite of me, and I am sincerely sorry for having disrupted your night."

Mrs. Nott laid a gently hand on Harry's shoulder, her other hand raised his chin gently, "To see a Malfoy look regretful is something I'd never thought I'd see, but to see that he means it is something I always thought impossible. I accept your apology young Malfoy." Turning she nodded her head towards the adults, "Lucius, Narcissa, My Lord, if you will excuse us."

Eye brows coming together in confusion Harry turned to ask what she had meant, but sparkling eyes from across the room caught his attention, turning quickly to find who had caught his attention he lost hope when he realized that he must have imagined it. With a great sigh, Harry searched the room for Draco. Spotting him dancing with a lovely brunette, he went to join the conversation being held behind him.

"…muggle-born's have no right in Hogwarts."

Harry narrowed his eyes at the speaker, noticing the finely tailored dress robes, his house crest dangled off a thick chain of solid gold. "They dilute our magic, and put our world in unnecessary danger. With every admittance of a muggle-born child, there is a greater chance of being exposed. Then what?"

Harry snorted, "Have you ever read a text of blood lines, Lord Croix?"

Lord Croix glared heavily down his crooked nose at Harry, "I assure you young Malfoy, that I am well versed in this topic."

Harry nearly scowled at the term 'young', instead he smiled politely, "Than I take it you know that if purebloods continue to interbreed for more than five generations than producing an offspring with no magical talent is increased."

"That's preposterous! You obviously have been reading material that is incorrect." Lord Croix sneered, his laugh coming off scornful and fake.

"I assure you that I have read some material by credited authors, and the facts do not change. Inbreeding amongst yourself isn't strengthening your lines, it's weakening them."

"You're a Malfoy, and you sound like a muggle-loving fool. You're a disgrace to you family and to your lines." Lord Croix snarled, his cane jerking up slightly.

"I am glad that you remember I am a Malfoy, that I have been educated by the very best, the Vatican, the Druids, the strongest Dark Lord our world has seen." Arrogantly Harry smirked at him, "I am the best of the best. My lines travel farther back than all of yours combined. Now Lord Croix, you have made me quite upset, you do remember where our door is?" Harry smiled viciously at him when the man nodded, "Good. Then show yourself out of my goddamn house."

Lucius and Tom stood frozen as Lord Croix slammed his champagne glass onto the nearest marble table, spun on his heal and angrily marched from the room, only stopping to rudely remove his wife and daughter from the other ladies.

"That was quite rude Hadrian." Lucius reprimanded his tone sharp and cold.

"Yes well, forgive me for being short with him, the ignorance that man held was astounding. I found myself wondering how many brain cells he actually possessed." Harry drawled, his eyes snapping up to meet Lucius's and Tom's amused gazes.

"I personally was quite impressed Hadrian." Tom smiled, showing off white straight teeth, "I was never fond of the Croix family. They have all been rather odd."

Harry nodded his head, and started to reply when a soft tap on his shoulder had him turning quickly.

"Hello Hadrian."

Harry stared in amazement at the women in front of him, having not expected to see her for another month. "Briar!"

Reaching forward, he crushed her into a tight hug, "It's great to see you! I didn't think I would see you for another month!"

"Yes well, Narcissa insisted that the family show for your birthday. I'm glad I did decide to come, seeing you ream out that prejudice little moron. That was freaking amazing."

Harry smiled at her, and quickly blushed as he realized that his arms were still tightly wound around the pretty red-head. "You look…amazing."

She truly did, Harry having never seen her in anything but red cotton dress and shorts and couldn't help but stare at the silk dress that moved and felt like water.

"Thank you…I hate dresses, I feel like a cross-dresser."

Harry grinned at her, "Yes well you look beautiful. Cross-dresser or not. The dress suites you very well."

"Briar! I didn't know you would be joining us today." Draco's jovial voice cut through and Harry instantly was aware that his eyes seemed a tad too bright than normal.

"Draco, it is good to see you too." Briar said and hugged him quickly, when Draco nearly stumbled, she instinctively reached to steady him. "Draco, are you drunk?"

"No! Malfoy's never get drunk. We are above that." Draco stated haughtily a soft hiccup followed

"Tappy." Harry murmured, and when the elf appeared with a nearly silent 'pop' he whispered for her to get a sober-up potion for Draco. When Tappy appeared shortly after a vial in her hands, Harry thanked her and forced the potion down Draco's throat.

"Thank-you Hadrian," Lucius commented, his hand coming up to hide a brief smile, "Draco has a hard time staying sober sometimes at these events. Though each time we have or attend a ball I implore with him to drink butterbeer."

"Urg…that tasted awful. What was that-Briar! What a lovely surprise!" Draco said spotting Briar once again.

Briar laughed softly as she was pulled once again into a hug, this time having no need to keep him upright.

"Draco darling, are you not going to introduce me to your friends?"

Both Harry and Briar looked past Draco to notice a young woman with short black hair, a young woman that Harry sadly recognized as Pansy Parkinson. Pansy came to stand next to Briar, and Harry couldn't help but grasp the difference between the two young women.

"Hadrian you're staring at us oddly." Briar commented shifting nervously from foot to foot. That was when Harry really noticed how much Briar stood out, most if not all these women looked ordinary, from too skinny, to being overweight. Briar seemed to exude a power that no other women did.

Where Pansy was medium sized and soft looking, Briar was taller, with broader shoulders, and stronger looking limbs. Harry shook his head, she wasn't a butch, far from it, everything in her body screamed graceful, beauty, and a rawness that Harry couldn't help but compare to the Amazon warriors of myths.

Shaking his head Harry smiled, finding that he liked this version of a woman than the version Pansy presented, "I was just taken away by the beauty you present." Harry confessed, instantly he felt the blood flow thickly to his face.

"Ooh, a charmer. Well Prince Charming, aren't you going to ask a lonely girl to dance?"

Harry grinned and offered his hand, "Will you dance with me?"

"No." Briar stated bluntly, than laughed at Harry's shocked face, "I'm not very talented on the dance floor, well not with this form of dancing."

"Ms. Clowes, it is good to finally meet you. Narcissa has talked non-stop about her visit to your home this month." Lucius commented, taking her hand and raising it to his lips in a formal welcome gesture.

Harry grinned as he watched Briar's face blush, she mumbled something softly smiling at Lucius with slightly glazed eyes, noticing her look, Harry couldn't help but frown, and glance at Lucius. He wasn't that good looking; Harry paused, and realized that Lucius Malfoy was that good looking, maybe even more good looking than he thought.

Harry felt a surge of anger as Briar once more smiled shyly at Lucius, her hand staying trapped within his grasp longer than Harry thought was necessary. With an undertone of peevish displeasure in his every movement, Harry bade a stiff farewell to the surrounding company, which Harry was surprised to see had doubled, and lead her to the open balcony doors.

One step brought the two into the dimly lit terrace. The cool air cleared Harry's mind of all traces of anger. Briar leaned up against the stone railing, "Really, that was not very polite, dragging me away from the crowd. You'll give me a horrid reputation. You uncle seems to be a rather charming man…well not really your uncle I guess…"

With growing annoyance, Harry noted the soft blush bloom across her cheekbones. "Lucius and Tom are charming; they have to be, manipulating bastard the both of them." Harry growled, softly lifting a hand to brush a piece of cooper curls from her face, distantly noting the difference of her hair to Ginny's.

"You sound like a bitter old man." Briar commented, taking a few steps away from Harry. "How is it possible for the Malfoy's to know so many people? I'm amazed they can all stay in one spot and not fight."

Harry smiled softly, aware of the switch in conversations, and allowed it to happen. "Yes, your father did mention that you had never left the pack territory."

Humming softly with the music, Briar caressed one of the vines softly, and Harry couldn't stop the flood of blood to his cheeks as his mind instantly wandered, imaging that it was him that she was softly caressing. Harry watched amazed as the vine sprouted little red flowers and began to crawl slowly up her arm and around her neck.

"Leaving the pack is probably the hardest thing I have ever done; it's the hardest thing a Lycan can do. That is why it is the challenge. The longer a member is able to stay away, the more powerful, and in control he/she has. You have to understand, we are mentally, emotionally, and magically attached to one another. Leaving creates a constant ache, the longer I'm away, the deeper, and more soul shattering it is. As a future candidate for Dragga, I have to leave for more than a year, if I am able to stay the time allotted, or longer I will succeed in becoming the Dragga, if not others will attempt to take my place."

"This will make you a stronger leader?"

"Yes."

Silence descended among the two, the soft melody of a waltz in the background. Harry shrugged out of a black glove and allowed his hand to touch the small flames that was emitted by the floating candles. "You must be very overwhelmed by the entire thing."

"It has been an experience. One that I will need to get used too." A smile lit her face up, "Oh! Congratulations Harry!"

Confused Harry turned to fully face the girl who had captured most of his attentions, "I'm afraid you have me lost."

"You did the elemental ritual! And you're doing so well with it…"

"I experience some problems with the gift sometimes. But otherwise I have pretty good control over it. I practice almost hourly, just simple control exercises, breathing ones. I just find it extremely addictive. The pull is so strong sometimes, that it can leave me breathless or weak to my knees. I'm getting better at controlling that aspect, but if it is sudden than it hits me like a train."

Harry's small confession made his stomach tighten; he hated this feeling, the feeling of being weak. Briar patted his arm, "The gift of fire, destroys but makes way for new life. I still have trouble controlling the gift, and I have been without it for only five years of my life." Briar murmured, her own hand coming to capture a strand of dancing fire, "You best be off to the party, people will begin to wonder where you are. I am going to stay out here for some time. I feel a little anxious."

Nodding in understanding, Harry grabbed her hand raising it to his mouth for a chaste kiss. "I shall see you soon than."

&

Having missed the Clowes family by a mere whoosh of green flames, Harry lay sulking on his bed, his feet finally being freed from those awful contraptions, namely: dress shoes.

"Well Tenderfoot, how did you find your first ball?"

The sudden dip in the bed, alerted Harry to Draco's presence, who in turn scowled, "It was a horrible night. I will never touch another cigar if my life depends on it."

"I quite like them myself; this was my first year being invited into the parlor. I thought it was fascinating. The amount of politics, and all the manipulating! Some of the men were amazing at it!" Here Draco gave a small sigh, "Those men, much like my father, are what I wish to grow to be."

"And your masters in potions?"

"Will be completed, but first I will apprentice under a politician. Did you see the amount of business that was conducted! The simple threats made; oh Harry, you've know idea how much I long to be of age, to follow in my family's footsteps."

Having been swept up with Draco's soft sighs, and dreamy tone, Harry too found that he could see the interesting side to politics, to see how fascinating it all really was. How one wrong word to a man who had higher caste could be your downfall, would seem exciting. Especially, since the Malfoy's are at the top of all castes.

"Sleep Prongs. It's been too long of a night for us to discuss this properly; tomorrow shines a new day, a new take on the entire night. As of right now, I am sore, and not in the mood to recount how many women I was forced to dance with."

"Did you happen to dance with Bulstrode? I thought I saw you dancing with her; how she ever got you to sign a dancing card is beyond me…."

"Her mother. She caught me unawares, I was just coming in from a walk with Briar, my mind was else where, I happened to say 'Yes, ma'am.' I thought it would be the safest thing to say, but afterwards…god I think even some of her pocks were oozing."

"Ohh, gross! Hadrian, you need to learn when to keeps things to yourself!" Despite Draco's harsh reprimand, his crow of laughter made Harry smile in return and he couldn't help but bathe under Draco's attention.

"Prongs, go to sleep. We still have to get up for training tomorrow."

"Har-Harry…"

Startled by Draco's unstable voice, Harry rolled to face him, "What is it?"

"Voldemort has invited my to a DE meeting."

With that simple statement Harry's heart stopped beating…

OHHHH I cliffy! So you know what to do, Review, and tell me what you think. Should Harry go? Or perhaps a vision captures our Hero? E-mail me your suggestions! Once again, I am so sorry for how long it has taken to update. But due to being veryy deprived of writing this, I have a shit load of ideas so many that I have so many different outcomes and future plans for it. Like I siad, any ideas are apreciated :P Hoped you enoyed! Review!

Jad