Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter. J.K. Rowling does! I do however; own this here story's plot!
Enjoy!
Chapter 10
A New Twist
"So what did you get?"
"Just a couple of knick knacks."
"Ronald Weasley, I hope you won't be using those so called knick knacks at Hogwarts."
"Blimey 'Mione. Let a bloke have some fun will you?"
"I'll have you know, all the 'fun' we get into isn't exactly boring." She stated.
"Fred, George, is it alright for you to leave the store unattended?" Harry asked worriedly, cutting through the start of an argument between his two best friends.
"Don't worry Harry." Fred said.
"We've already hired assistants to do the work." George confirmed.
"Of course, not inventing."
"That's our job."
"Where are we headed to now?" Harry asked, turning to his boyfriend.
"Where do you want to go?"
"What do you fancy?"
"Why are you asking me?"
"Better to ask someone who has a specified taste than someone who doesn't know much about the wizarding world remember?"
"Harry, I didn't mean – "
"It's alright. I was joking around."
"If you are done bickering like an old married couple, might I suggest we head to France to enjoy our lunch? I'm sure everyone would like a change in scenery." Lucius offered when there was a lull in conversation between the Gryffindor and Slytherin.
"What did you have in mind Mister Malfoy?"
"Lucius please." The blond said. "I was thinking about L'Argent Cygne?"
"L'Argent Cygne?" Harry asked, bewildered at the sudden change in language.
"The Silver Swan." Pansy supplied. "It's known for being the best French restaurant in France. It's a 5 star restaurant with several branches throughout Britain, not to mention that it takes a good eight months or so to reserve ahead of time. Only the best of the best are staffed at these restaurants."
"So how did you do it Lucius?" Harry asked.
"When you wield the Malfoy name, nothing is impossible." Lucius said. "That and it was easy to get a simple reservation for our large group when I dropped your name Harry. I hope you don't mind."
Groaning, Harry covered his face with his hands before lifting his head. "Did you really?"
"Yes I did. That way, I'm sure the restaurant staff would be picture perfect in their service to us. Wouldn't want a bad review from our Savior now would they?" he smirked.
"Alright let's go then. Let's get this over with." Harry said.
"Not before we do some shopping." Draco said, stopping Harry from any further movement.
"Shopping?" Harry gasped out, blood draining from his face.
"Yes, you can't always be wearing my clothes. All the resizing charms would be horrendous after awhile - that and correcting your eyesight. Those hideous glasses are blocking my view of your lovely eyes."
Ron snorted at his attempt of complimenting his best friend, whereas the girls swooned on their feet when they caught the glimpse of adoration in the Slytherin's eyes.
"If I'm doing some shopping, we're all doing shopping." Harry hissed, glaring at the rest of his Gryffindor friends.
"Now, let's head over to Madam Malkin's Robes for All Occasions. We've just had breakfast after all. Might as well work off those calories." Draco said, grabbing Harry's hand and leading the large group through the crowd.
"Are you allowing your son to drag my godson like this? To let him dictate what my godson will or will not do?" Sirius asked astonished.
"Is there a problem with my son then?" Lucius sneered, before he turned away from the animagus and walked away.
"Smooth, very smooth." Remus chuckled before he threw an arm over the befuddled animagus's shoulders and led him away.
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"That's a lot of people." Harry murmured when the group entered the store.
"Don't worry about it Harry. Just go about your shopping like you usually do."
The Gryffindor laughed, "Like I've ever gone shopping for fun."
"Hey, where's Theo?"
"Right here."
Harry let out a scream before putting a hand to his chest, trying to calm down his frantically beating heart.
"Theo! Why'd you scare me like that?"
Draco grabbed Harry's hand before looking at his friend not amused.
"I didn't scare you. You just didn't notice my presence." The Slytherin replied.
Heads turned at the scream before the store erupted in chaos.
"Mister Potter! How nice to meet you!"
Madam Malkin's customers suddenly turned into Potter fans as they pounced on the startled boy. People grabbed to shake his hands, asking about his scar and praising him for his heroic act as a child.
"D-Draco!" Harry choked out, head swiveling around to locate his blond boyfriend.
I hate this. Why is it always me? Why do these things always happen to me?
Harry's eyes widened when he heard a voice talking in his mind. 'Who is that?'
"-arry. Harry!"
His attention snapped back to the blond who had stuck his hand out for Harry's own. Grasping it, Harry felt a sharp tug before he was ripped away from the crowd's clutches and was wrapped between Draco's arms. Egidio, Alandair, Macaire and Tesia had stepped in front of the group with their bodies tense and expressions cold.
"Leave the boy be. He does not want any attention." Egidio stated.
"Who are you to Mister Potter?!" shouted a voice before several flashes of light erupted from his corner.
"Oh no. It's the Daily Prophet." Hermione whispered from beside Harry.
Harry groaned inwardly when he realized he would be drawing even more attention now that the Daily Prophet had seen him with everyone.
"Look… there's Witches Weekly Magazine." Ginny replied, pointing over to another corner where flashes came from.
"I'm surprised Luna hasn't whipped out The Quibbler." Ron snorted.
"Mister Potter! Luna Lovegood of The Quibbler. I was wondering what made you have a sudden change in associating with the Malfoys and the rest of the Slytherins." Luna asked from behind them.
"Luna, please. Not now, later alright?" Harry pleaded.
"Well alright." She giggled. "But you must promise me an exclusive interview."
"Deal."
Laughing, Luna put away her little notepad and quill before she turned to look at the havoc from behind the guardians.
"Leave now." Alandair ordered.
"You have no power over us!" One of the reporters shouted.
"Mister Potter! Have you turned to the Dark side? How else would you explain your association with the Slytherins?"
"Have you fallen from grace Mister Potter? Why would you no longer fight for the Light?"
"Did you forget what You-Know-Who has done over the last decade – much less over the past couple of years since he's risen to power?"
"Mister Potter! What is your answer?!"
"Leave now!" Macaire shouted, before his green eyes turned a gleaming yellow, followed by a heavy and dark aura.
The reporters scattered, but not before a couple of more flashes.
"I sincerely apologize Mister Potter. I should have been able to hold them back." Madam Malkin said, once she shooed off the rest of her customers.
"No, it's – "
"Yes, you should've. You are the owner of such a fine establishment, yet you're unable to make your customers feel welcome?" Draco hissed.
"Draco, stop. It isn't her fault. Really Madam Malkin. The fault lies with me. I really shouldn't have brought attention to myself."
"Nonsense Mister Potter. It is not your fault. It is entirely mine to blame. I should have noticed that you would want some privacy from the public's eye. As an apology, you have free reign of my store and your purchases shall be free."
"No! I can't do that!" Harry declined, shaking his head furiously.
"I already appreciate you allowing my friends and I the privacy within your store. I must insist that I'll be paying for any purchases."
"Thank you Mister Potter. Please feel free to look around. Do not hesitate to call if you need assistance." She said, before she walked away.
"Here Harry, stand on the dais." Draco said, tugging his boyfriend's hand.
"Might as well work on the rest of the Gryffindors." Pansy said, taking a hold of Hermione's arm and tugging her along.
"Come on Weasley. I won't be grabbing your hand so just follow me." Blaise said.
Ron fumed when he was being ordered around, but followed none-the-less.
"Ginny? Would you like for me to help you?" Crystal asked.
"Sure." The redhead agreed.
"Is there some sort of trend that's going on that we must follow?" Snape asked, as he watched his snakes pull the lions along.
"I deny that. There's no trend, but if there was, I believe it's a Slytherin Gryffindor pairing." Remus mused.
"Go along with it Sirius. Lucius must have something for you." The werewolf added, as he pushed the Animagus into an unsuspecting blond.
"Black! What in Merlin's name are you doing barraging into people?" The blond hissed.
"Remus and Snape insisted on having you decide on my clothes." He muttered, lying about the Snape part.
"I refuse to. There's no one would will be able to order me, Lucius Malfoy – "
"Malfoy, go help Black with his fashion sense." Tom ordered.
"Yes my Lord." The blond complied, gritting his teeth before he gripped onto Sirius's sleeve and led him away.
Snickering behind his hand, Remus looked at the trailing couple before turning to look at the newly made chaos from the young Slytherins and Gryffindors.
"Vincent, Gregory, Theodore, Neville, Fred, George. Are you lot not going to look for clothing as well?" Remus asked.
"Professor Lupin, I think we'd rather watch the show." Neville piped up.
"Now, now. Join in the fun, go on." The werewolf said, herding the rest of the Gryffindors into the mess.
"Lupin, I might as well help change you as well. You do remember what Lily and James said in their will didn't you?" Snape drawled, grabbing a hold of Remus's hand before dragging him away.
"W-What? B-But – "
"Come along."
Tom watched with an amused look before turning to the guardians.
"Go on, I know you're just dying to jump in." he said, eyeing a fidgeting Macaire.
With the go-ahead, Macaire jumped in on the fun with his lover in tow followed by Egidio who was pulled along by Tesia.
"Tom, why don't you join us?" Harry gasped as he fought through the buster of the group.
"Me? The Dark Lord join in on such a plebian display of shopping? Do you not see them? It's like animals on a feeding day. Why do you not press your desire upon Miss Lovegood? She is right there."
"Oh please. I know all about your past. And besides, I think Luna's having fun with what she's doing. She'll join in whenever she wants. I can't force her." Harry said, his voice dipping low in volume.
"About your secret, don't worry; it's safe with me. All you have to do is have fun. It's been too long for you and all you do is wallow in darkness." Harry said.
"You cannot blackmail me boy. You cannot even threaten the likes of me. I will – "
"Please? For me?" Harry asked, pouting his lips and widening his big emerald eyes.
Sighing, the Dark Lord rubbed his face before complying. "You're an insufferable brat, did you know?"
"I've heard that line several times from Severus. I think I get it." The boy laughed before pulling Tom along.
Tom could've sworn he heard the slight tinkling of laughter coming from the blond girl who was looking out from the store's window.
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"Alright you lot. Stand on the dais and we'll pick out your clothes."
"How long will this take Draco?"
"Yes Malfoy. How long will it take?"
"Tom." Harry chastised when he was Tom narrowing his eyes.
"On with it then. At least it'll be faster than how Muggles do their shopping." Hermione stated.
Everyone looked at her with wide eyes.
"What? It's true. I'm simply stating a fact." She said.
"Right. Anyway, we'll just pick several pieces of clothing, have Madam Malkin and her assistants measure you and then the clothes will resize according to your measurements. It'll only take a good half hour, an hour at the most."
"That's only if you're alone." Blaise stated.
"Since you're with us Slytherins. It'll take longer." Pansy smirked when she saw the frightened look on their faces.
"Not to worry. It will be painless." Draco reassured them.
"Right. Let's get on with it."
The Slytherins strode off to different sections of the store, searching through racks. The Gryffindors sighed when all they could do was wait for their little shopping trip to end.
"I don't get why we have to wait here."
"Couldn't we just join in along with them and look for clothes?" Ginny thought out loud.
"After all, we're the ones who are going to wear them aren't we?" Hermione said.
"We have a much better fashion sense than you." Pansy quipped when she walked by, catching their conversation.
"You mean a much more expensive fashion sense." Ron grumbled.
"Now, now. Whether it be more expensive or more fashionable, we're still good looking." Blaise said, when he walked by the other way.
"How are they able to hear what we're saying?" Harry hissed.
"You're not exactly whispering you know." Draco said, coming out from behind the Gryffindor.
"Bloody hell. Nothing's private anymore." Ron muttered.
They could only stand from their dais and watch as the Slytherins stacked piles of clothes upon the other. They were currently at a total of four piles – two for the boys and two for the girls.
"Madam Malkin, if you would please." Draco said.
"Of course." The woman replied, motioning for her assistants to follow her.
The Slytherins watched them circle the Gryffindors before diving into their measurements. They could only laugh as the Gryffindors fidgeted and laughed underneath their administrations.
Draco in particular would crack a smile every time he heard Harry giggle whenever Madam Malkin touched a ticklish spot.
"Your measurements are done Mister Potter. If you will please move onto the changing rooms with this card, your choice in clothing will resize accordingly."
Harry stepped off the dais before being herded over to the changing room by his boyfriend, soon followed by Ron and Hermione.
"Hop in there and strip down." The blond ordered, before tossing Harry several clothing and ushering him into the room.
Letting out a squeak as he was forced in, Harry waited until he was sure he wasn't being watched before changing.
"Oi Harry?" came a voice on his left.
"What is it Ron?"
"Slytherins are a bit demanding aren't they?"
"You can say that again." Hermione agreed from the room on Harry's right.
"Will you three shut it and just change?" Pansy shouted.
"We are woman!" Ron hollered, before the rumpling of clothes were heard.
"We're giving you ten seconds. After the countdown, we're drawing the curtains. And if you're not changed by then… well, you know what will happen." Blaise chuckled.
"Ten."
"Nine."
"Are they serious?!" Ron growled.
"Eight."
"Seven."
"I think they are." Hermione said, panicked as she quickly threw on the clothes given to her.
"Six."
"Five."
"Stop! We're going! We're going!" Harry cried.
"Four."
"Three."
"Two, one." Draco quickly finished, before the trio tripped out from behind the curtains.
"Well, at least you're able to maintain your balance." Pansy murmured before the Silver trio (1) circled the Golden trio, judging their look.
"Not bad, but this color does not go well with your skin tone." Pansy stated as she looked at Hermione's outfit.
"This pattern is too bold." Blaise said.
"I think this works for Harry." Draco replied.
After awhile, the Golden Trio finally had on clothes that were Slytherin approved.
"Alright, now we'll go through the rest of the clothes with your measurements and meet back at the register in five minutes."
"What are we going to do for five minutes?"
"Well, you'll keep those outfits on because you'll be walking out with them."
"I don't think I can – "
"Don't worry about it Ron. Think of it as a present from me to you. Thanks for backing me up in this." Harry said.
'Of course it's a first in a while considering how he acted during fourth year.' Came a voice inside Harry's head.
Scrunching up his eyebrows, Harry put a hand to his temple before massaging it.
"Are you alright Harry?" Hermione asked.
"Y-yeah. Fine. I'm fine. I'll tell you later." Harry said.
"There you guys are! We were wondering where you went."
"They're devils they are! Latched us in their claws and dragged us deeper into the store they did."
The trio laughed at the looks on the rest of their Gryffindor friends' faces before meeting up at the front of the store with the Slytherins.
"Wow Sirius. You certainly look great."
"Of course he does." Lucius sniffed before leaving the store.
"Remus, nice robes. How do they feel?"
"Nice actually. It's all thanks to Severus. He helped me out."
Everyone looked bewildered when they realized Snape, the potions master, the Head of Slytherin, the evil snarky professor, had helped Remus without being told to do so.
"What?" Snape snapped.
"Let's go held to the restaurant before his temper rises any further." Remus cautioned before ushering the group out.
"Oh these robes are fantastic. Not like our – "
"Macaire." Egidio hissed.
"Sorry." The guardian replied when he realized what he was about to say.
"We should go along with them. Let them have their fun weekend and then start their training."
"Oh yeah. What's this training going to be about?" Harry wondered.
"Just enjoy your weekend. You will have enough to worry about once training begins." Alandair reminded them.
Shrugging their shoulders, the teens followed the adults away to the restaurant.
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The group walked towards a large two-story building situated between two large Greek columns. On the way to the entrance lay a long red carpet, and a glass window on either side of the front entrance. Above the entrance was the fancy cursive glass font of the name of the restaurant.
Upon entering, the restaurant was carpeted in a rich deep blue color. The walls were painted a golden color, which Greek columns stood out in bright white. The ceilings hung large chandeliers while classical music played in the background. Light chatter filled the air – the restaurant emitted a sophisticated aura that even Harry could feel. It didn't make him feel comfortable at all.
"Harry, are you alright?"
"I'm fine." Harry mumbled, edging a bit closer behind his boyfriend.
"Welcome to L'Argent Cygne. Name please?"
"I have a reservation under the name Malfoy and Potter."
The maître d's finger froze when he heard the two names, but he continued on looking for the two most powerful names in the Wizarding World.
"Ah yes. Mister Malfoy and Mister Potter. Please follow me."
The group followed the maître d' through the restaurant, sparking interest from the patrons when they saw who had arrived to dine at the fine establishment.
Whispers spread through the floor like wildfire when the patrons spotted ebony hair with a pair of matching emerald eyes – not to mention several red headed children, a famous potions master, a pair of blonds, and several never before seen wizards.
"Here we are. Here are your tables. Your hostess will be with you shortly." The maître d' replied before bowing and leaving the group alone.
"I hope you don't mind. I know privacy is important to you, so I took the honor of having our tables in a near secluded area of the restaurant – close enough to be near the entertainment, but far away from prying eyes." Lucius said.
"Thank you Mister Malfoy."
"Please, call me Lucius."
Sirius quickly ran towards the blond and quickly pulled out his chair to help him sit. Lucius only lifted an eyebrow with an amused look before he took pity on the man and sat on the seat. Sirius grinned happily when he sat down beside him.
Snape helped Tom into his seat before taking his own and soon, the pattern started. Draco helped Harry into his seat before taking his own, Ron for Hermione, Blaise for Pansy, Neville for Ginny, Theo for Crystal and the twins with their own. That left the rest of the group to seat themselves for the rest of the remaining seating.
"Hello, my name is Brie Weathering and I am your hostess. Here are the menus. For your meal, I suggest the lunch portion of the menu. I recommend starting with the appetizers. The Escargot à la Bourguignonne with Rosemary French Bread and a jam of your choice, and Chamomile Tea are up to par for our patrons' exquisite tastes. If it is not to your liking, perhaps the Socca, Chickpea-Flour Crêpes with a side salad would be better. Might I suggest the Ken Forrester Petit Chenin as your drink?"
"Thank you for your recommendations. Might we have a few moments to decide?" Harry asked politely.
Blinking her eyes, the hostess beamed a professional smile at the teen before nodding her acknowledgement and leaving them for a couple of minutes.
Breathing out in relief, Harry looked around at the table when he realized everyone had their attention on him.
"What is it?"
"I never thought you'd speak up. After all, you've never been here before."
"That's exactly why I spoke up. I don't understand what she's saying. I've never had this sort of food before. I know bread, jam and tea. What's Escar- Esc… ugh! You know what I'm trying to say!" he scowled when he saw the Slytherins grinning in amusement.
"Oh don't worry Harry. Just tell us what you would like to eat. What do you prefer?"
"I don't really know what's there to eat. I haven't had this sort of food before. I just told you a moment ago." He frowned.
"I'll choose for you." Draco told his boyfriend.
"I trust you won't poison me?" Harry joked.
"That's not even funny." Draco blandly replied.
"Sorry." Harry shrugged.
"Anyway, is everyone done picking their meals?" he asked.
"The Slytherins nodded their heads, including the adults. The Gryffindors and the Guardians however, looked as lost as Harry was.
"How about, we get a quarter of the appetizers. Then we pick a light wine for our main dish. We pick one of everything on the meal, seeing as how we have a huge group with many stomachs. After that, soup will be served and dessert will follow. Father, are you opposed to the idea of sharing a meal with several others?" Draco asked, looking at his father for his disapproval.
"Not at all Draco. I would like to try a, what they call, family lunch." Lucius mused, closing his menu.
"Right then." Draco waved the hostess over before giving the order.
"We'll have the Squash-Blossom Beignets, the Anchovy Dip with Crudités, Aïoli with Young Vegetables, a large Fondue Savoyarde, and eight of each of the following: Verrine poire, Roquefort, et noix, Verrine avocet, fromage blanc, saumon fume, and Verrine mousse de kiwis sur gelée de groseilles. We'll be drinking some sparkling water. We won't be having any wine today. "
If the hostess was surprised at the amount of food being ordered, she didn't show it as she had on a face of indifference when she jotted down the dishes upon her notepad.
"Will that be all?"
"Yes. We'll be sure to call you for the main dish, soup and dessert when we're ready to order."
"Of course. I'll be on standby." Brie replied, dismissing herself from the table to head into the kitchen.
"You didn't order any main dish?!" Harry exclaimed.
"I could've sworn you were ordering a large meal for all of us." Ron admitted.
"No, no. I was just ordering the appetizer. Besides, the appetizer wouldn't be enough to feed us all. There's about twenty four of us, twenty four mouths, twenty four stomachs." Draco informed them.
After some idle chit-chat, their appetizers were brought out of the kitchen and served to them by several waiters and waitresses, the latter flirting with the Draco, Blaise, Sirius, Egidio, Alandair and Macaire – which did not go unnoticed by the rest of the group.
"Wow, these are delicious. Great call Draco." Harry exclaimed when he ate his first spoonful of his Verrine mousse de kiwis sur gelée de groseilles.
"I thought you might like those. I remember having these as a child. It's healthy with fruit, yet sweet enough to be enjoyed as a nice appetizer."
After awhile, the appetizers were devoured, leaving the waiters and waitresses to clear their tables.
"Would you like to order your main dishes now?" Brie asked, after giving them five minutes to rest after their appetizers.
"Thank you." Harry said, reaching out for the menu.
"I don't think so." Draco interrupted, grabbing the menu from his boyfriend. "I'll be doing the rest of the ordering, if you lot don't mind."
Shrugging their shoulders, everyone turned their attention back to their previous conversations with one another, leaving Draco to decide their next meal – Harry hovering over his boyfriend's shoulder in order to try to understand at least a little bit of what he was about to eat.
"Chicken Cordon Bleu II, Beef Bourguignon II, Crème Fraiche Chicken, Patti's Mussels a la Mariniere, Braseltouille, Ratatouille, Poulet de Provencal, Filet Mignon with Bell Pepper Haystack, Mediterranean Seafood Medley. As for our soup, make it a French Onion Soup, Tomato Bisque and a Split Pea Soup. " Draco finished.
Nodding her head, Brie left for the kitchen once more, leaving the group in awe.
"Don't worry. It's not a lot of food if that's what you all were thinking. It's just three dishes per table followed by some soup. I'll be ordering some dessert last for the final meal."
The Gryffindors looked at Draco in a whole new light.
"What?"
"You sounded like you were just rattling off some potion ingredients." Ginny stated.
"Well, it wasn't. I was just ordering food."
"When did you learn French?" Hermione asked.
"You didn't expect a pureblood to know just one language did you?" Draco asked.
"No, I guess not." She replied, feeling a stinging feeling at the mention of pureblood, but soon it turned to a feeling of pride when her mind ran through the memory of her punching Draco in the face back in third year.
Draco narrowed his eyes at her, as if he knew what she had just been thinking about.
After finishing the main course, Draco quickly ordered a Chocolate Ganache, Crepes filled with varieties of fruit, toppings and filling, Irish Cream Crème Brulee, Tarte de Pommes a la Normande, Macarons, and a Soufflé to finish off the list.
"Well, this has been the perfect lunch, hasn't it Harry?" Draco asked.
"Harry?"
The Gryffindor's eyes were glazed and dull looking, his hands had stopped moving to feed himself. It looked as if he were gone to the world.
"Harry? Harry!"
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'Listen to me. This cannot be happening! Draco and I aren't supposed to be together!'
'Who are you? What do you want?'
'Clearly you can't tell the difference between dreams and reality. And I think you know who I am. I'm you.'
'You can't be me. I'm me!'
The voice sighs. 'I'm you from before you had amnesia! Listen to what I'm telling you. There's no way Draco can love me. After all we've been through in Hogwarts. How is that even possible?!'
'Are you trying to convince me? Or are you trying to convince yourself?'
The voice didn't speak.
'How about this? Since you're me from before amnesia hit, you saw how Draco's been acting towards us – all our friends and all his. We've been bonding. Can't you see they're trying? And I think they're doing quite well.'
'You do have a point, but it's only been what? A couple of weeks?'
'That's enough to prove to me that he cares – and that his friends care as well. Besides, we're getting along. And you heard what mum and dad said.'
'You understand what will happen after the inheritance right? There's two of us and only one of our body. What do you suppose will happen then?'
I couldn't speak.
'Stumped are we?' The voice replied before a mist formed in front of me, revealing another me.
"What do you think will happen? Will the inheritance cast one of us aside? Or will it merge us together? Who's the stronger one? Me or you?"
"…arry…"
"Oh look. Draco's calling you. I'll be seeing you."
"Harry!"
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Draco watched the Gryffindor jolt in his seat before blinking his eyes. Looking around, Harry realized that everyone had turned to look at him.
"Harry, are you okay?"
"Yes, I suppose I am. I'm fine Draco."
"You kind of spaced out. What were you thinking about?"
"Nothing. I was too far gone to remember." came the reply.
Draco furrowed his eyebrows noticing someone was off about the teen. Even Hermione had on her 'I-will-find-out-what's-going-on' expression when she looked at her best friend.
"I'm okay Draco, really." Harry replied, giving Draco a light chaste kiss on the blond's cheek.
Narrowing his eyes, Draco grabbed Harry's wrist and stood up. Hastily excusing himself, he dragged the Gryffindor into the men's room. Their tablemates quickly stopped those that wanted to follow the couple.
Draco walked through the restaurant, into the men's room and locked the door shut.
"Draco? What's wrong?"
"Who are you and what have you done with Harry?" the blond growled.
The Gryffindor's eyes grew wide with surprise before his whole demeanor changed. Harry cheekily smiled at the blond before answering. "I'm me Draco. I'm appalled that you have the audacity to claim that I'm not myself."
"My Harry wouldn't kiss me in public unless I was the one to initiate it. The fact that you were the one to initiate a kiss just now just proves that you aren't Harry. Now what have you done with him?"
Scoffing, Harry looked at Draco. "Honestly, how the other Harry is dealing with all this surprises me. The Slytherins and Gryffindors getting along like best friends? Never in a million years will that ever happen. But listen here Malfoy," Harry glares at the blond, "you may be able to tell the difference between me and the other Harry. But mark my words; I'm the real Harry Potter. Not the happy go lucky one you've all met for the past couple of weeks. I've seen the truth and there's no way you love me for me. It's all just an illusion you've created to try to turn me. There may be no way to undo the Unbreakable Vow, but I'll get around it."
Draco stepped away in surprise and watched as Harry fixed his attire and dusted his clothes off.
"Speak a word of this to anyone and something might happen to your sweet, loving Harry Potter. Now, let's return and give them a show, shall we Dray?" Harry smiled, holding a hand out for the blond to grasp.
Quickly calculating his options, Draco found that he had none unless he could get more information on the situation at hand. So, he gently grasped his boyfriend's hand like it was spun from glass and led them back to their table.
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'Why'd you do that for?!'
'You didn't really think I wouldn't do anything drastic did you? You seemed so bent on believing that Draco really loves you, loves us. If he could love you, he could love me. After all, I'm a part of you… or the other way around.'
'Just because you beat me this time around and took control doesn't mean I'll allow it the next time around!'
'You'd have to be stronger than me then. However, I'll let you have control for the remaining week. If you can prove that Draco really does love us like you believe he does… Well, I don't think I have to finish that sentence do I?'
'Hmph. You seem like a spoilt brat to me.'
'Interesting that you'd say that considering how you know what our childhood's been like.'
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Draco looked to Harry when he found that the Gryffindor had froze in his steps, with eyes glazed and dull looking. Waiting a couple of minutes, Draco finally gave Harry's hand a little tug and the teen rapidly blinked his eyes before turning to look at him.
"Draco? Are you alright?"
"Harry? It's really you isn't it?"
"Yeah. Sorry about before."
"Could you tell me about what happened?"
"Didn't the other Harry say not to speak a word of it to anyone?"
"I didn't think he meant you as well, seeing as how you're… both… Harry…?"
Harry chuckled. "Well that's fine. I'll tell you all about it. Besides, I doubt the other Harry will do anything to us. Plus, he did say you couldn't tell anyone. He didn't say anything about me not telling anyone."
Grinning, Draco led the Gryffindor the rest of the way back to their tables, quickly dispelling any concerns from their group. However, it did not stop the suspicious looks coming from the four guardians from the table to their left.
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"We'll return to Malfoy Manor and then when it's dinner, we'll go out once more. I'm sure it will be a nice bonding moment between the Gryffindors and Slytherins." Lucius said, announcing the plans for the rest of the day.
Though no one seemed shocked hearing Lucius putting the word Gryffindors and Slytherins in the same sentence, they were definitely surprised when they didn't see a disdainful look on his face when the word Gryffindor passed through his lips.
"Now, run along. I have some business to attend to." He said, motioning the teens to leave the restaurant.
"How are we getting there?" Harry asked.
"Why, we're going to apparate of course."
"But, there's only five of you and eighteen of us. Even I know that apparating side-along with several people would be difficult. Not to mention running into the risk of splinching."
"Not to worry Harry. We can go by ourselves. After all, we've been to Malfoy Manor. It won't be a problem at all." Egidio stated.
"Okay... five apparating and fourteen side-along. That still doesn't decrease the risk of splinching."
"If you're so worried, why don't two of you come along with us? The four of us and take two and whomever is left can go by apparating." Macaire suggested.
"Is that alright?" Harry asked.
"It's fine." Alandair confirmed.
"Okay. I pick Macaire then!" Harry shouted, quickly darting forward to the mentioned guardian.
"I guess I'm following Harry then." Draco sighed.
"He's so cockwhipped." The twins whispered, though not out of Draco's range of hearing.
Draco glared at the twins before rolling his eyes to join his boyfriend.
"Might I be able to join you?" Neville asked, glancing at Tesia who nodded her approval. He stepped up to her and gingerly took her sleeve, to which Tesia laughed at before she grabbed his hand in hers.
"I shall be joining you as well Tesia." Luna smiled before linking her hand with Tesia's remaining free one.
"I shall take these two then." Egidio announced, walking over to Crabbe and Goyle and clapping them on the back.
Blaise silently walked over to Alandair while Pansy situated herself next to the guardian. Alandair only gave a grumble before putting a hand on their shoulders.
"That leaves bonding time for the Gryffindors! Sorry about that Theo, Crystal."
"Not at all Harry. It'll be nice to meet the people that looked after you. Though, I can't say we'll have much of a conversation anyway – what with the apparating and all." Crystal giggled.
The twins quickly bounded over to the Dark Lord standing by his side.
"We shall be –"
"Tom's side-alongs!"
Grinning mischievously to themselves, Tom would over let out a sigh before grabbing their arms and quickly disapparating.
Crystal quickly grabbed Theo's hand and led him over to Remus.
"You don't mind us Slytherins do you Professor Lupin?"
"Not at all. Now, let's go." Remus replied, before disapparating the three of them.
Ginny quickly ran to grab hold of Snape before motioning him to disapparate. Raising an eyebrow at her childish behavior, Snape quickly grabbed hold of Ron's collar and Ginny grabbed hold of Hermione's hand before the four of them disapparated.
"So…" Sirius started, looking at the elder blond.
Lucius raised an eyebrow before turning on his heels and disapparating without so much of a word to the animagus – leaving Sirius feeling down in the dumps.
"It's alright Sirius." Harry murmured, "Everything will be alright."
"I sure hope it ends well pup." Sirius said, smiling softly before disapparating.
"You ready?" Egidio asked.
Nodding their heads, the teens gripped hold on of the guardians.
"Now this will be less, how you say, nauseating than apparition?"
The rest of the guardians nodded their heads, while the teens looked at them in confusion.
"How so?" Pansy asked.
"Like this." Egidio said, and a large amount of mist crept up around the group before swallowing them up, leaving just a trace of wind blowing several leaves along the ground.
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"That was brilliant!" Harry exclaimed, as soon as they had arrived at Malfoy Manor. He looked down to see the mist dissipating before he made a move to leave the vicinity.
"You've got to teach me how to do that sometime! I'm always bad at wizarding transportation." He replied sheepishly.
"Don't we know it." Draco joked, wincing when he was hit upside the head by the Gryffindor's hand.
"Do you want me to tell you or not?" Harry asked petulantly.
"Yes, I do. I apologize." Draco said, trying to appease the Gryffindor.
"Well, take me to your room!" Harry declared. Soon, he felt several pairs of eyes on him.
"What?"
"I hope you're not thinking about … about – " Sirius gestured wildly with his arms and limbs.
His godson only looked at him in confusion until a fiery red blush engulfed his cheeks.
"No! Sirius! Please! Stop! We're not!" Harry cried out, covering his eyes with his hands.
Harry peeked out of the slits between his fingers to look at Draco's expression. Catching his boyfriend's shy and embarrassed gaze, Draco only wiggled his eyebrows before winking at him.
"Okay. Good. But I'm watching you two." Sirius warned, walking off to following the rest of the group indoors.
"Ah!" Harry shouted, suddenly.
"What is it?" Draco asked.
"Since I have all the House titles, does that mean it includes everything?"
"It does. Why do you ask?"
"So if there were, for example, businesses under the House name…" Harry trailed off.
"The businesses would be yours. Yes." Lucius supplied.
Draco watched as a sly grin grew on his boyfriend's face.
"I must see my solicitor then. Do I even have my own solicitor?! Does the family name have their own or do I assign one? Merlin, I'm lost!"
"Not to worry Harry. Each family is entitled to their own solicitor when dealing with their own business or anything dealing with the family account. I'm sure with all the new titles you've accepted that you have at least four solicitors on hand. I wouldn't be surprised if you had more than four. After all, the family titles you've acquired have vast amounts of businesses and money."
"So what you're saying is, that I'm richer and more prosperous than the Malfoy name?" Harry asked cheekily.
Failing to fall into Harry's little trap, Lucius merely lifted an eyebrow. "Yes, yes it does."
"That's great. So, I'd like to meet with them as soon as possible. I have loads of plans to start. I can't wait to see them." Harry smiled.
"Wait right there." Hermione ordered, ceasing the happiness bubbling from her best friend.
"What?"
"Harry. You've got to tell us what happened back at the restaurant. Surely you didn't think you'd be left alone after that small scene did you? Draco was worried sick."
The blond Slytherin did not bother to deny the fact – though, it did cause a small ripple of the Malfoy name. Malfoys were not allowed to show emotion; a calm, cool and collected mask was settled in place in public. Only in private quarters were they allowed for their mask to disappear.
"Alright. We'll have a talk about that." Harry agreed. "Then can I have a talk with my solicitors?"
"Harry, I think you can have that meeting tomorrow. Just write a letter to Gringotts and have them agree to the arranged time, date and place. But for today, no meeting." Remus said, trying to compromise between the teens.
"Fine. But no one ask me any questions. Quite frankly, I'm a bit frazzled myself." Harry admitted.
The group entered the Malfoy Manor before settling down into the drawing room.
"Why don't you start from the beginning Harry?" Hermione said, giving the boy a place to start.
"Okay. So, while we were doing our shopping, I heard a voice in my head."
"Shopping? At Madam Malkin's? Harry! You should've said something." The brunette scolded.
"I didn't think of it. I just thought I had thought of something, or it was just a random passing ache. I thought nothing of it." Harry repeatedly stressed, when he saw the other third of the Golden Trio open her mouth to retort.
"Then what happened mate?" Ron asked, interrupting Hermione's oncoming lecture.
"Well, it went away and then reappeared as we were dining." Harry finished lamely.
"That's it?" Ginny asked, unbelievingly.
"That's it." Harry confirmed.
"Might I ask to be able to speak up as well?"
"Harry, you're already speaking. You don't have to ask. Why are you asking in the first place?"
"Goodness Hermione. I thought you'd be able to tell the difference between me… and well, me."
"You're the other Harry." Draco realized, earning a smirk from the Gryffindor.
"Ten points to Slytherin. How is it that they are the ones that are able to tell the difference so quickly?"
"Wait. Hold your answers. I'm giving myself a migraine." Harry replied, massaging his temples.
"Sorry guys. Let me do something about this." Harry said, pulling out his wand.
Summoning a body length mirror, Harry quickly whispered to Macaire and the group watched as Macaire waved a hand over Harry's head before feverishly mumblings words towards the mirror, gesturing his hands widely above it.
A figure slowly walked up towards the glass and there it was – another Harry James Potter. Though the mirror produced an image of the Harry currently standing besides it, the Harry within the reflective surface looked different.
Not wearing the clothes Harry was currently dressed in, Slytherin green robes donned the Harry within, the Slytherin House crest shown proudly on his left breast pocket. The Harry within the mirror was smirking proudly with a mischievous gleam in his eyes.
"Guys, this is .. me?" Harry looked towards his reflection.
"They can just call me Potter and you Harry. It'll go by quick enough." The reflection replied.
"So, ask away." Harry gestured awkwardly between himself and his reflection.
"Who are you?" Ron shouted from the explosive noise coming from their group.
"Well Weasley. I'm me, Harry James Potter, but you must call me Potter. Don't think I haven't forgotten what you've done during fourth year. Harry, here, might forgive you. But I won't be so willing." He sneered.
Ron sputtered and flushed red as he tried to come up with a coherent response to the unexpected answer.
"So, you're the real Harry." Ginny concluded.
"Correct you are Ginny. Though, I'd prefer it if you didn't match starlight dazed eyes at me anymore. Harry, here, might not notice it because he's with Draco, but I still watch my surroundings."
Ginny flushed when Draco's eyes pinned her down with a glare. He walked up to Harry, dragged him into his lap as they reached the settee and wrapped his arms around the Gryffindor possessively.
"Oh grow up Draco. I don't do it anymore." Ginny scoffed as she pointed her nose into air.
"Someone's getting her panties in a twist." Fred chortled.
"Too bad we can't tease our baby sister like we can with our wee little brother." George chimed in.
"If we're all done playing games around here, we should get to the point of this conversation." Hermione reminded them, watching exasperatedly between the somewhat fuming somewhat grinning Gryffindors and the amused Slytherins.
"So Ha- Potter," Hermione quickly corrected, "How is it that you are, well, here?"
"As amnesia hit, I was forced into the back of my own mind, forced to take a seat as I watched you lot try to jog my memories. Of course, didn't you wonder why it was so quick and easy for me to catch onto the subjects we were going over? An actual person with amnesia would not be able to remember things that quickly. If anything, it's more likely a bump to the head that makes the person forgetful. Might I also add that, while you were trying to jog my memory, none of you actually tried to enter my mind to try to help? What was Severus there for then?! Just to have an adult supervise as you reteach me everything from the past six years?! Did you really want my memories back or did you want to keep me in the dark like that old coot's been doing for my entire life?!"
The reflective Harry had gone from scolding to raging – expressing his disbelief that a simple answer that had been with them all along, a quick and easy possibly way to bring back all his memories, had not been noticed in the slightest.
"Harry, calm down." Draco said, stroking his boyfriend.
The boy on his lap blew out a puff of air just as the reflection did and the group saw that the mirror image of Harry had calmed down, just a tad.
"Anyway, so you're there and Harry's here. Why aren't the two of you, you know…" Neville made a fusion gesture with his hands, quite unable to explain his thoughts.
"Because, Harry's formed another personality that's not me."
Receiving questioning looks, Potter sighed before drowning deep in his thoughts, wondering about how he could better explain his answer to the mixed Group.
"Like see here. It's like a split personality. While that Harry's all positive, I'm more –"
"Negative?"
"Pessimistic?"
"Cynical?"
Glaring at the group, Potter nodded his head. "Yes… you can put it that way. So, because we're complete opposites, it's kind of hard to put us back together. It's not like you can shove two personalities and mix them together into one person. The results may not be … acceptable, I guess that's the correct word that could be used for a situation like this."
"Well, there's actually several spells we can use to fix it. Not quite permanent I'm afraid, but if you're willing – " Hermione started.
"No." Egidio interrupted, silencing the brunette from any further speaking.
"Why not?" Blaise asked.
"That seems to be a perfectly good solution." Pansy put in.
"You must not forget. Harry has his inheritance in a few days. He, his body, his mind, his soul – everything of his, must not be tampered with." Alandair stated.
"But what's the difference with his magical inheritance? We all end up having the same magical inheritance – a extra boost of power from our magical core, unless we have magical creature blood in us. Then that's different."
"We cannot further explain without breaking the rules young one." Macaire replied softly. "We must cleanse Harry for the week before he undergoes his inheritance. It is a must that no magic is to be used on him, but he, himself, can use magic."
"That's a bust then." Hermione uttered, slumping into the seat cushion.
"Then what are we going to do for the entire week? We can't just sit at home twiddling our thumbs. No offense Draco, but even though your home is extravagant, I can't imagine us just sitting around and doing nothing." Ginny responded.
"Well, there's always been a summer ball at Draco's house. It's always been a Malfoy tradition." Blaise responded.
"Don't forget the Dark Lord's masquerade ball." Snape reminded them as the adults walked into the room.
"Oh goodie, two balls for us to attend." Potter scowled.
"Harry? What are you doing being at two places at once?" Snape replied, when he saw the Gryffindor far away from the mirror, unable to produce any physical reflection upon the glass surface.
"I'm me. He's me. We're both us." Harry explained, cutting out all the details.
"That's the real Harry." Hermione explained, as the reflective Harry dipped into a small bow when pointed to. "And that's the other Harry." The Harry on Draco's lap gave a small wave, accompanied with a small smile before leaning into the blond's embrace.
"Long story short, Harry's been split into two. We can't do anything about it because it might affect his inheritance and now we're talking about the balls that we'll all be attending?" Draco asked, looking over at everyone.
The Slytherins nodded, but the Gryffindors looked at each other uncertain about their answer. Sure today was a nice day that the Gryffindors and the Slytherins had hung out without ending up in a duel, but to be within hundreds of other Slytherins? Possibly even hundreds of other pureblood families? That might be a lot to take it.
"Oh don't worry. You don't have to make your decisions now." Crabbe laughed, looking at the Gryffindors' wary expressions.
"The Malfoy's Summer Ball is in two weeks. The Dark Lord's Masquerade Ball is in three weeks. So it's basically one right after another. After Harry's birthday, he'll have a week to recuperate so he'll be ready to attend the Malfoy's ball, followed by the Dark Lord's ball. That is, if you want to go Harry." Goyle quickly rushed to prevent any pressure given to the Gryffindor.
"That would be nice." Harry smiled. The mirror image nodded as well.
"Very well. Hopefully when this…. situation is resolved, I'll be able to attend as one person and not two." Potter replied. "I'll be taking my leave now." He dipped into another bow before disappearing from the mirror in a growing mist.
"Well that was… "
"Something."
"Yes. Quite. Now, what will you kids be doing? I hope I don't receive 'Sit around and do nothing' as an answer." The Slytherin head warned.
"Actually – "
"Look! Mail's here." Harry said, pointing up into the air.
"Hello Ajax. How was your flight?" Draco asked as he ran his fingers across the bird's breast.
"That's a big bird."
"It's called an eagle." Hermione said exasperatedly at the other male in the Golden trio.
"What does Ajax mean?" Harry asked.
"It means Powerful Eagle." Luna mused. "Not quite a well thought out name seeing as how you named an eagle, a powerful eagle. But nonetheless, it's still a good name. Symbolizes the strength, pride and beauty in your eagle. Ajax certainly wears his name proudly.
As if understanding the Ravenclaw, Ajax puffed up its feathers even more, raising its leg for Draco to retrieve to over abundant mail before flying across the drawing room to Luna and butting her hand with its head. Luna suppressed a giggle before rubbing her hand gently over the eagle's head.
"Oh look. Our Hogwarts' Letters have arrived. Dumbledore sent us everyone's."
"How the coot is able to do that but unable to defeat me is inconceivable." Tom drawled, as he sat down onto an armchair with Severus on his right and Lucius on his left. Sirius had gone on to stand behind Harry and Draco's occupied settee, whereas Remus had taken to sitting on the armrest of the settee, feeling calm around the presence of his cub. Moony certainly feels that way, that's for sure – if his growing pride towards his cub was any indication.
"Well, at least you know what you'll be doing tomorrow." The werewolf stated, going through Harry's letter. The amount of books required would keep the Slytherin – Gryffindor group busy for a good couple of hours, not the mention the new robes they would all be ordering.
"At least one day would be checked off the list."
"Make that the entire week." Harry said, interrupting everyone's thoughts.
"What do you mean Harry?"
"Since we can't really do any thing, we might as well just study up on this year's books and spells. I don't want to get left behind if we end up having extra lessons…" the Gryffindor trailed off, looking towards the four Guardians.
Nodding his head, Macaire smiled with approval. "That's a smart idea young one. It is better plan ahead, rather than wait until something interrupts."
"Alright, well. It's almost time for dinner. Would you rather dine in or dine out?" Lucius asked.
"I'd like to dine in. Do you have anything for me to cook?" Harry asked.
"Cook? The house elves are the ones that do the cooking Harry." Draco replied, looking at the teen in his arms.
Hermione's face grew stern as she pursed her lips in silent anger. Harry noticed it from the edge of his vision and quickly went to dispel her growing agitation.
"No no. I'd like to cook for us all today." Harry said with a simple answer.
"I'll help." Hermione offered.
"Yes, it would be nice to cook for a big family wouldn't it?" Luna's voice came dreamily floating into the conversation.
"On second thought…" Hermione began, "I'll come by later. Not that I don't like being around you Luna, I just need to check up on something." She said, noting the curious look coming from the Gryffindor.
"Well okay. Just be quick about it. We need as many hands as we can get." Harry replied.
"Tesia, would you like to give us a hand?" The blonde Ravenclaw asked, reaching out a hand for the guardian.
"Of course." Tesia nodded before stepping up and placing her hand into Luna's.
"Well, there are three of us. The rest of you can just hang around until dinner. We'll send for you when we're done. Would we be dining in the formal dining room or the informal dining room?" Harry asked.
"Informal would be acceptable. After all, we are not having a party. We're dining with family." Lucius replied with a smile on his face.
"I'll help you out as well cub. There'll be less work for us to do if we have more helping hands." Remus stated.
"Thanks Remus."
The four of them walked into the kitchen as directed by Lucius and walked in amongst the house elves of Malfoy Manor.
All the noise stopped when the elves noticed the five individuals standing in the doorway.
"Hello. I've asked Lord Malfoy to allow us to be the ones to cook tonight's dinner." Harry began.
His words set off the house elves as they began to titter and panic frantically, thinking that they had all been set free from their service to the Lord of the Manor.
"Please! It's only for tonight's course. We'll also cook something for you as well – as thanks for being in service for Lord Malfoy. I'm sure he appreciates your dedicated daily help to his home. I know I do." Harry smiled as he watched the house elves' eyes grow large and teary as they feverishly thanked the Gryffindor.
The dark haired teen was sure that if Hermione were around to hear this, she'd be glowing with appreciation and satisfaction.
"Now, if you can direct us to the food storage. We'll begin as soon as we can." Remus said, rolling up his sleeves.
"This will be fun." Luna said dreamily as she tied her hair up into a bun, leaving loose strands to dangle.
"We've got about five hours everyone! Let's do this!" Harry shouted, pumping his fist into the air. With a loud cheer, the group quickly began to cook for the copious amount of stomachs that await their meal.
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Draco watched as Harry led the small group away from the drawing room, turning around to see that his best friend had had his eyes on the same group leaving as well.
Narrowing his eyes, Draco sent a small glare at the olive skinned Slytherin who's attention had been drawn since the very absence of his Gryffindor boyfriend and his little cooking team.
Blaise caught Draco's look before raising an eyebrow and turning away to pay attention to the rest of the Gryffindor – Slytherin circle.
"So Draco… now that we've got you alone…"
"I think we need to have a little chat…"
"Don't you think?"
The blond turned to look at the rest of the Gryffindors whose smiles had disappeared from their faces. Noting the seriousness in their voices, he turned his body fully to give them his full attention.
"Since when have you…" Ron started, before he got interrupted.
"Taken a fancy for…" Fred continued.
"Our dear little brother?" George finished.
Hermione and Ginny raised their arms to cross them over their chest as their eyes narrowed, awaiting the Slytherin's answer.
"Well… I… it's hard to say when it all began …" he began.
He schooled his features when he saw the cool looks thrown at him. He guessed he could've worded it correctly.
Lucius watched as his son's mask begin to crumble bit by bit. He thought he'd throw his son a lifeline and cleared his throat so the Gryffindors' attention would be drawn to him.
"My son Draco has taken a fancy with your friend Harry since he was but a young boy. Quite frankly, I believe we used to call it his 'Harry Obsession'. Of course it should be noted that it occurred and began to blossom as he grew older. I should say it began from when he was an infant?"
Draco's blush erupted when he realized that he had held Harry in such high esteem even when he was an infant that didn't know much.
"It was probably due to those books I've been reading to him since he was a baby." Lucius mused, drawn into his memories of when Draco would lie on the blanket-covered floor, playing with his rattle as he giggled at his father's author voice.
Draco's gaze averted when he felt the Gryffindor's amusement drifting from their very bodies. His face refused to listen as another blush surfaced.
"How about you lot?" Draco retorted, though there was no heat behind his words.
"You all seemed so relax about this entire Slytherin and Gryffindor combination. I thought you of all the people Harry knew would be entirely against our relationship."
"Thinking about this logically, all those fist fights and arguments between the two of you only further explained the sexual tension being emitted." Ginny laughed.
"Plus, I'm not all that against the two of you being together." Hermione added. "I was at first, but seeing how you both react to each other helped me wrap my brain around this union. Not to mention you apologized for calling me a mudblood."
Draco winced before laughing weakly. "Yes, I really, truly, sincerely apologize for ever calling you a mudblood. I was so set in my ways of blood purity as well as being caught in the past when Harry refused my hand back in first year. It really stung."
"It's alright." Hermione said, waving his apology off. "I'm sure you'll be able to make up for it during your lifetime."
"What about you Weasley? I thought you would be set in having us torn apart. Don't think we don't remember what happened first year." Draco said cooly.
Though the teens knew Draco was putting on a face, his words were crystal clear. What would happen if Harry were to be pushed into the spotlight again? Would Ron turn his back on his best friend once more?
The red head fidgeted under the intense gaze before taking a deep breath.
"Look Mal – Draco."
The blond rose an eyebrow at the sudden change in name.
"I apologized to Harry. And I know that practically everyone knows of my insecurities. I thought really though that Harry had gone behind my back and entered himself for the Tri-Wizard Tournament. Yes Hermione, I know it's a stupid idea. I was a twat." Ron sighed, cutting off the brunette's outburst before it could leave her mouth.
"I was wrong. I did not know what I was thinking. I know that Harry's very forgiving; he's a forgiving person. He'll forgive anyone as easily as Tom as we all saw. But, I'm a changed man. I've seen the error of my ways. I won't turn my back on Harry, not anymore. I refuse to let my best friend down just because I decided to feel jealous. I know that I have to work hard to earn my honor, to earn recognition. And I know that sitting around riding on Harry's coattails like I know everyone thinks that I do, does not help me in my goal. I swear on my magic that I'll always be there for Harry, through thick and thin." At this, Ronald Weasley drew out his ward and stared straight into Draco's silver eyes. "So I swear it, so mote it be."
The group was stunned with a glimmer of magic draped over the youngest male redhead before a burst of light shown from him.
"Lumos." Ron muttered and the light shown even brighter than the previous glow.
"I know that will mean a lot to Harry." Draco said, getting up and walking over to Ron when five minutes of silent staring had passed.
Ron got up as well and took Draco's hand in a firm grip when it came up to give him a handshake. Pulling each other into a hug, they patted each other's back, reaffirming that the both of them will be there to protect Harry when he needed it the most.
"That's the most beautiful thing I've ever seen." Neville whispered.
Twin glares were thrown at him. "Beautiful, in a manly way." The Gryffindor corrected, averting his eyes and clearing his throat. But the hidden smile could be noted when Neville turned his gaze back towards the two.
"Blaise what about you?" Pansy asked, smirking evilly when she saw Draco's head snap towards the aforementioned teenager.
"What about Blaise?" Draco hissed.
"I will court him when I am allowed." Came the answer.
"You will not." Draco bit out.
"We shall see." Blaise said. "Harry might not reject the notion of having another suitor."
Everyone's eyes grew wide when they noticed an impending dramatic moment between Slytherin's Ice Prince and Slytherin's Shadow Prince. (2)
When the deadly aura emitting from Draco was felt throughout the room, the guardians stood in an alert position, slightly defensive, slightly offensive, just watching the room in case a fight were to break out between the two Slytherins.
Hearing a loud cheer from the kitchen several halls down, the tension disintegrated leaving an annoyed Draco and a grinning Blaise. The group within the drawing room could only roll their eyes.
"How hard could cooking be anyway? Isn't it just like brewing potions?" Pansy asked, pushing the group into a different topic, but not before noting to herself to talk about the relationship between the two much, much later.
"Apparently, skills in potions do not equate to skills in cooking." Blaise commented.
"Does that mean you cannot cook either Uncle Sev?" Draco wondered, drawing his glare from his best friend and turning his attention towards his godfather.
"Insolent brat. Of course I can." Snape sneered, glaring at his godson, who in turn gave him an innocent look.
"Then why don't you give them an extra pair of helping hands?" Tom asked.
Sighing internally, Snape set about rolling his sleeves up and walking out the room.
"Hey, there comes another owl." Fred shouted, noticing the presence of the bird that lurked near the window.
Swishing his wand, Lucius opened the window to allow the bird indoors.
"That's Gringotts' emblem. Who's it for?" George asked.
Removing the letter from the owl's leg and turning it around, Lucius read it out loud.
"To Harry James Potter, Temporary residence at Malfoy Manor."
"Huh, they really do know where everyone is." Ron said, looking impressed.
"I'll leave this for him later. At least Harry does not need to write to Gringotts. They've already written a letter to him." Lucius said, slipping the letter into his robe pocket.
"Speaking of Gringotts, have you already done it?" Tom asked, looking at his blond follower interestingly.
"Done what?" Neville piped up, only slightly flinching when Lucius turned his cool gaze at him.
"Very well. Since everyone seems to be interested in my private life and are dying to know what the Dark Lord is talking about, I'll tell you." He drawled, earning snickers from the Weasley twins, amused looks from the rest of the Gryffindors and smirks from the Slytherins.
"I have decided to dissolve my marriage with Narcissa. She will no longer have a place in the Malfoy family. Her accounts linked to the Malfoy name, the multiple Malfoy estates - anything of relevance to our name will be removed. So she will be left with the Black name in her possession. I've already signed the needed documents for such a deed. It will be finalized soon by my solicitor, who has told me that it will be taken into account in just a few days."
"The power of the Malfoy name." Severus grumbled.
"Oh that's what I forgot to tell Harry." Sirius murmured.
"What is it?" Remus asked.
"I forgot to tell him that he now has the ability to disinherit someone from the family name." Sirius stated. "I should've remembered… oh well."
"You should tell him when he retrieves his Gringotts letter from Lucius." Remus suggested.
"Yes, I think I'll do that. Thanks Remus." The animagus said, pulling his old friend into a hug, missing the narrowing of Lucius's eyes.
"Now what should we do?" Neville pondered.
"Why don't we help Harry and the others with cooking? I'm sure the kitchen's big enough for all of us."
With everyone's confirmation, the group headed towards the kitchen where a delectable and mouthwatering scent came wafting out.
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"Chop those onions Remus!" Harry ordered as he walked past the werewolf.
"Put more salt into this." Harry said, taking a sip from the ladle after he had scooped some of the soup onto.
Tesia nodded her head before walking towards the shelves lined with condiments.
"Luna, could you – "
"On it Harry. And don't worry. Everything will be perfect. I just know it." The blond beamed, turning back around to the stove where she had her eyes set on the timer above.
"Harry, how can we be of service?" Draco asked, as he wrapped his arms around his boyfriend who happened to walk past the doorway.
"Draco! Merlin, you gave me a fright. What are you all doing here?"
"Didn't you hear me the first time? We want to help you." He replied, making way for the rest of the group to join them in the kitchen.
"Er… I don't think – "
"Please. I think cooking is very easy. It seems to be similar to the makings of a potion. What difference does it make?"
The rest of the group rummaged through the kitchen, pulling out almost every ingredient the Malfoys had in storage. Then they went to stock up on the condiments before pulling out the pots and pans.
"Not really potions ingredients, bubbling concoctions and less disorienting smells? There's definitely no magic involved." Hermione quipped, when she walked by, tying her hair up as well as rolling her sleeves up.
"Let me show you how the master works Granger." Draco retorted competitively.
The blond strutted all the way to the empty cutting board and grabbed a couple of vegetables off of Remus's list. Grabbing the closest knife, he quickly chopped up the carrots, and prepared to grab the next ingredient.
The group that had just entered seemed to be making more of a disaster than preparing for dinner. And it didn't help that everyone seemed to want to be three or more places at once, doing more than two actions at the same time!
"Um… Draco dear. I don't think you're doing it quite right." Pansy said, edging closer to the blond.
The rest of the group noted the unevenly cut piles of carrots before Harry stepped up to herd Draco away.
"Why don't you just wait outside? We'll only be a couple of hours. If we need any help, we'll call for you."
Before Draco could get a word out, Harry leaned in and pulled Draco down for a short kiss. Pulling away, Harry nearly laughed out loud at Draco's questing lips, before he settled with a small giggle.
"Be good." He warned, before shooing the group out, all but Hermione leaving.
Draco turned to leave but caught Blaise's closed off look. Raising an eyebrow in a show of victory and possession that Harry Potter was his boyfriend and not Zabini's boyfriend, Draco walked away with an air of cockiness – one that many could identify as his aura back when he was younger and at Hogwarts.
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The Silver Trio : yes, I have named Draco, Pansy and Blaise the Silver Trio of the House of Slytherin; I figured I might as well create a new trio since Gryffindor has its own Golden Trio.
The Shadow Prince: Because Draco is Slytherin's Ice Prince, I have dubbed Blaise Slytherin's Shadow Prince, because really… I think it's awesome that his character is more observing than action affiliated.
Hey all! I've decided that I will make this a Draco/ Blaise / Harry pairing story! :D YES YES YES! DRACO MALFOY, BLAISE ZABINI AND HARRY POTTER! I JUST LOVE IT! :3
Please comment, follow, like, favorite, private message. Anything! (: I want to hear your thoughts!