Two Boons and a Pact
Rating: G
Summary: In the aftermath of Harry's stunning rescue of Draco, an unusual deal takes place.
Two Boons and a Pact
"Harry, have you considered what boon you might wish to ask of me?"
Lucius asked as he watched the much vaunted boy-who-lived with thinly veiled amusement. There was a decidedly delicious irony in watching the frail child interact with Draco and Severus. The child's tone was almost subservient to Draco and nearly worshipful of Severus as he attempted to explain himself for both his rash rescue attempt and his remarkable, though ill-considered, attempt to strengthen instead of heal himself with wish magic. It was probably the deference that the boy was paying Draco (combined with the amusing sight of Severus spluttering every time the boy's parentage showed in blatant admissions and cloying sincerity) that prompted Lucius to give the child a brief respite from their lectures. But the blaze of desperate gratitude that flashed through Potter's eyes as he turned to question Lucius cinched it.
"Sir?" Potter asked with obvious confusion. "A boon?"
"It is not uncommon for the head of a noble house to reward an individual who has performed an act of great benefit to that house. Preventing Draco, the direct heir to the Ancient and Noble House of Malfoy, suffering a grievous and severe injury could easily be defined as an act of great benefit to this house; therefore, you are entitled to request a reward should you desire one."
"A reward, Sir? I wouldn't ask for a reward to keeping Draco from being hurt when I could do something about it. Draco's m… I th-think of Draco as a friend. I'd be a pretty sorry friend if I didn't try to keep him from being hurt if I could." Realizing how pushy, even self-righteous, he'd sounded, the child blushed heatedly at his own impertinence.
Luscious, however, simply smirked - not having expected Potter to grasp the more manipulative opportunity being presented after having overheard the boy's discussion with his son in the infirmary wing. Too many wizards, even in Slytherin, had simply accepted the idea that Slytherins were, by nature, manipulative and opportunistic. Lucius, who had longed –since childhood- for political power beyond the power inherent in being a direct heir to an ancient and noble house, knew better after years spent observing the many the natures of his housemates, whom he deemed to be his most likely competition for such power.
As a result, he could often easily discern the factors that landed a child in Slytherin, as well as the most likely means of exploiting these factors. As Severus had, in his youth, Potter practically radiated with an air of long-suffered abuses, low self-worth, and un-confessed fears, and Lucius had no doubt that, like Severus, the child could be won over quite easily with carefully meted praise and a semblance of concern. The effort had been well worth Lucius's minimal attentions to Severus, and Lucius was quite certain that similar efforts toward Potter could be parlayed into a wealth of benefits for both Draco and himself.
"No, Harry. A boon need not be anything as coarse as money or a similar 'reward' – given as payment for such a service. Friendships would undoubtedly falter if they were reliant on such gifts. Instead, consider it similar to giving a child a confectionary treat in celebration of high grades. The distinction of outcome (between high grades and Draco's health and well being) simply merits a greater show of appreciation in this instance."
When the boy slowly relaxed from the tense position he'd taken since his outburst and began to pensively chew his lips, Lucius coaxed: "Do you have a familiar? Perhaps an owl? They can be quite useful creatures. A broom of your own? You certainly have the skill to make use of one. Is there truly no boon, gift, or favor you would ask of me?"
"Gift?" Harry's eyes flashed with a glimpse of curious anxiety that Lucius could not help but wonder at. After a moment's indecision, the child surprised them all by quietly asking if he could speak with Lucius alone.
Raising an eyebrow at Severus's archy glower, followed by a clearly reluctant nod, Lucius carefully suppressed his smirk at the potion master's clearly protective and possessive demeanor while taking note of how deeply entrenched his old friend's care for the boy must be to display such blatant concern. Although Lucius had long recognized Severus's connection to his godson, he had never suspected that his oldest associate was capable of shaking loose even a single ounce more compassion, particularly not for this child. Yet, there they stood Severus and his own son – both of whom he had discovered keeping well hidden their sentiments about the boy-who-lived, even from him – clearly very reluctant to even consider leaving the child alone with him. If this was even a hint to the loyalty that the child could engender in others, over so short a time, he was definitely a pawn to have in hand.
If deftly maneuvered, the boy might even be the key to wresting control of his former protégé back from that muggle-besotted loon that the Board of Governors had placed in charge of Hogwarts. Though an intensely proud man, Lucius had never allowed himself to be deluded by his own mistakes, and the loss of his control over Severus had been one of his greatest – perhaps even greater than declaring himself for the self-styled Dark Lord that Lucius had once hoped to use as a camouflage and shield to disguise his own campaign for power. Banking on Riddle's early charisma, Lucius had unwittingly committed himself a madman and had taken a mark that he had not truly understood the ramifications of until after the Dark Lord's first fall had allowed him the opportunity to reflect back on his previous actions – with loathing and disgust.
The mark itself was a corrupting influence that it had taken many years to limit the influences of. But, due largely to the mark's own magic, he had not realized it until its maker was diminished and exiled by this confrontation with the child.
"Sir…" Harry interrupted his introspection nervously.
"There was something you wished to ask of me?" Perhaps, he owed the child two boons for enabling him to free himself from the throes and influences of the Dark Mark.
"Yes, Sir." Harry's voice suddenly slipped almost below
Lucius's hearing as the child explained in an embarrassed rush: "Sir,
Christmas-is-coming-pretty-soon-and-I've-never-been-Christmas-shopping-in-the-muggle-world-much -less-the-wizarding-world,but-Millicent-says-that-the-gifts-I-give,-as-the-head-of-the-House-of-the-
Potter-household,-are-very-very-important-to-making-alliances-and-alliances-are-important-between-houses. One-of-the-account-managers-at-Gringotts-said-I-I-have-access-to-a-special-account-for-"just-such-a-purpose", but-I-don't-know-what-to-get-and-what-not-to…Could-you-please-teach-me?"
Somewhat bemused that he had actually understood the entire explanation, though it was given in a single breath, Lucius took a moment to diminish his smile to a merely humorously tolerant expression before he turned. It wouldn't do at all to let the boy know that he was virtually delivering himself into Lucius's influence.
"You do realize that your request reflects a rather lengthy tutelage; that such lessons are usually carried out in person, by example, over years; and that my duties as the Head of the Ancient and Noble House of Malfoy are not ideally suited to delivering such instruction in a traditional manner."
"Oh, I-I-I had-n't." Harry answered quietly, apparently paled by the thought that his request had been for something far more involved than he realized. "I'm sorry; I really wouldn't have asked if I had."
"Harry, I did not intend to imply that I was unwilling to do so," Lucius smiled graciously – pleased to see that he would take such a small caution so seriously, then continued, "but simply that it could not be done in the traditional manner – the same manner that Draco will learn the subject. What I would propose, instead, is to proceed through the same instruction by correspondence. Perhaps a visit over the holidays could be arranged for us to attend certain functions that will expose you to the alliances you will one day need to make."
Waiting until the child's face regained some color and lit up with understanding, Lucius finished laying the path the first of many steps the child would take under his 'guidance': "We will not have time to address the subject thoroughly by this Christmas; however, I believe that I can assist you in making the appropriate choices this year, and the expectations placed on you for your first Christmas in the wizarding 'world' (as you call it) will not be as exacting as they will be in later years. By this time, next year, I believe we will have covered the material sufficiently that you should be able to make suitable choices without advisement."
"Thank you, Sir. If you're sure you don't mind, that would be brilliant. I didn't know it would take so much time, or I really wouldn't have asked, but … it would be brilliant if you could. … Thank you."
"You are quite welcome, Harry." Lucius's let his smile reflect some of the genuine pleasure he was feeling at Harry's reception. It was so much easier to sway other's opinions when they felt indebted to you simply for discussing the matter with them.
"It occurs to me, Harry, that there are other areas of instruction that you might benefit from as well. While Hogwarts is staffed with excellent and knowledgeable instructors, there are none, to my knowledge, who have the singular experience of being a Head of an Ancient and Noble House. As you are of roughly equal station, already consider yourself Draco's friend, and have proven that commitment with your recent actions, it would not be inappropriate for me to help you cultivate the skills you will need both as his companion and as a head of house, yourself… if you wish to become skilled in these areas, that is."
"Th-thank you, Sir. Thank you. The account manager at Gringott's wrote that there were estate courses I could take in Seventh year, but I'll already be an adult then and 'in control' of the estate. It worried me a bit because it's already obvious that there's so much I could muck up before I learned what to do. I don't know how to thank you."
"Well, there's no need to worry about thanks at this juncture. Once you have a better understanding of your station, I am certain you will be able to conceive of an appropriate recompense."
After a short discussion of what other matters Lucius could advise Harry on, the child began to yawn softly – completely unaware of the unspoken somnolence spell that Lucius had cast moments before. As he left the child to Severus and Draco's watchful eyes, Lucius made a pact with himself: by the end of the school year, he would have the child in his thrall and (with both Harry and Draco in hand) Severus back under his influence not long after. Turning to favor the three with a parting smile, Lucius noted Draco's worried gaze and Severus's grim expression, but gave them little thought.
Certainly, there would be some reluctance, but Lucius knew himself to be a master at manipulation and had no doubt that, before they even realized it, they would be eagerly delivering themselves up – just as Harry had.