My Dear Volaticus
by kittenvks
Disclaimer: I own nothing
warnings: HPDM, slash, yaoi, homosexuality. Don't like it? Don't read it. Flamers to the left.
Chapter Ten: Always With the Traditions
AN: I'm not sure if I mentioned the season earlier, but I think that if I did, I said it was summer, getting toward end of term. It is not. It's fall, my many apologies. I wasn't thinking straight. So Lucius and Draco will be staying for the fall hols
That night found Draco and Harry sitting in his common area, with Ron and Hermione and Blaise, of course. They were discussing Volaticus traditions, Nott and Seamus- and their upcoming break from school.
"So... what do you have to do- spare me anything I don't want to hear, please. For this bond thing, I mean." Ron was asking.
"It's sort of like getting married I think," Blaise said thoughtfully.
"I would say closer to an engagement but, yes, basically. I suppose it's a bit of both... Draco?" Hermione asked. Draco hadn't really been paying attention, too wrapped up in his own thoughts but he snapped to pretty quickly.
"Ah, yes. I think Hermione has it about right. Harry is required to ask Father for his blessing while I am required to ask Harry's... legal guardian. There is the courting first though, where I basically get and keep his attention, giving small gifts and such. Then, he makes his choice, then the blessings. Then the exchanging of gifts is highly customary, a symbol of giving ourselves to each other- much like rings. We do this in front of our families and loved ones. That particular moment, is the turning point. It is very important. Then the bonding, obviously done in private, which Weasley has asked me to spare him the details of."
"I... I have to ask Lucius... for his blessing?!" Harry asked, eyes wide.
"Hmm, yes, that is customary," Draco replied, winking at Blaise who scoffed.
"Lucius Malfoy is a kitten... you just have to know him!"
"What sort of kitten are we talking about? A rabid baby lion, or tiger?" Ron asked, Hermione and Harry nodded their agreement.
"Aw, he's not that bad!" Blaise protested, leaning back in his seat. He absentmindedly was tilting the ring on his finger back and forth, looking thoughtful. Harry leaned over to peer at it,
"may I?" he asked. Blaise nodded, sighing, and stuck out his hand. Blaise's ring was much like Draco's though smaller and not as pronounced. It was still a Malfoy ring though. As Harry watched it began to glow and both Slytherins hissed a bit, shaking their hands.
"We do have to be going now, if you'd please excuse us. Hermione, Weasley," Draco stood, nodding to each of them quickly. Only Harry noticed him fiddling with his ring as he turned to him, bending at the waist to give him a quick kiss on the forehead, "Mon Amour, I will see you soon," then he whispered, "I love you, Harry." and of course, Harry turned a bright shade of Gryffindor red. Ron scowled while Hermione cooed at them. Blaise was standing near the portrait, waiting and rolling his eyes.
"Do you need me to go with you?" Harry asked, noticing Blaise's tense stance. Whatever it was was important.
"No, it's nothing to worry about, Harry. Thank you for your consideration, though I suspect your friends will want to spend some time with you. I have had you all day-" he walked toward the portrait quickly, "the house elf's name is Dippy, and stay as long as any of you like." Blaise bowed a bit at the waist, a very aristrocratic gesture, and with that, they were gone.
"What was *that* about?" Ron asked suspiciously.
"That was kind of odd, Harry," Hermione said, glancing back at the now closed portrait. Harry shrugged,
"they're just going to go see Lucius, it's no big deal. Trust me."
"So... you're going to have to talk to Lucius Malfoy?" Ron asked, shrugging off the earlier incident. Harry nodded,
"I guess so. Can't say I'm too excited about it. I'm more worried about this gift though... I mean what kind of gift should I get him? I really have no idea, really." Harry worried, biting his bottom lip.
"So you've for sure chosen Draco, rightt?" Hermione asked, leaning back. Harry nodded, smiling,
"It's the strangest thing, 'Mione. I don't know how to explain it. He's it though, really. Even if you took out that he was a Volaticus, I know I'd still feel this way- if we'd ever get over the rilvary that is. It's strange, how Draco is, unlike us... it's like he doesn't even realize how he is I guess. He's a Malfoy, that's the only way I know to explain it!" and they all laughed at that.
"He probably doesn't want you to worry about the gift Harry, it's not supposed to be something purely expensive but something important to you to give him. I'm actually very interested in what his gift will be. Never forget, Harry, Draco is the crown prince of Slytherin. This should be fun to watch!" Hermione said, looking thoughtful for a moment, "and what do you get for Lucius, the man that owns the Malfoy fortunes?"
"Lucius?" Harry squeaked.
"Yes, Harry, the gift exchanging involves you giving a gift to both Lucius and Draco. He in turn is required to give you a gift and... Padfoot." Hermione explained. Ron and Harry groaned in unison.
"How are we going to get Padfoot down here, Harry?" Ron asked, looking pale.
"I have no idea. I'll owl him about it and see what he thinks. He's not far, though he didn't say where and he hopes to be able to visit," Harry said thoughtfully, "I'm more concerned out of everything, as to what I'm going to get Draco and Lucius. I mean this... ceremony or whatever only has to be around family and friends right? We'll just have to get Sirius down here, and Moony, and make sure it's private. I mentioned Sirius to Lucius yesterday... he didn't seem too alarmed or surprised."
"I wonder if he's ever alarmed or surprised?" Ron asked, grinning.
"The man was surely carved from ice," Harry agreed, "but I can tell he really does love Draco. He'd do anything for Draco's safety and happiness, I don't think he'd hurt me. Even if that's the only reason why he wouldn't."
"I just can't believe this is happening, it feels like a dream. The weirdest stuff happens to you, Harry, you know it?" Ron said, looking around the rooms. Hermione looked thoughtful,
"I think it's kind of romantic. Our Harry is practically getting married."
"Don't call it romantic in front of Draco, 'Mione- he doesn't do 'romance' it's unbecoming of a Malfoy or something," Harry laughed, waving his hand dismissively.
"Well, being the amazing chess player that I am," Ron said proudly, "I can see some strategy in all of this, even though I still can't stand the Ferret. You have to admit, having two Volaticus on our side is very beneficial."
"I'd say I have to agree to that, Harry," Hermione said, nodding.
"Well not me, I don't want Draco to be any where near the war." Harry said coldly.
"Harry... you're my best friend... I understand where you're coming from. I don't want either of you around the war and certainly not fighting in it. But you are, and it can't be helped. I don't think you could stop him. His instinct is to defend you, and he will. With or without your permission." Hermione said softly, leaning to put her hand on Harry's knee.
"She's right. When have you ever seen Malfoy bow to something someone said, just because they said so?" Ron said, shrugging, "he'll do it, Harry."
They sat talking for a few more hours, calling in Dippy to bring them some different puddings. When curfew rolled around, Hermione insisted they be off. Harry just told them he was still uncomfortable with Seamus being there and that he didn't want to get in trouble, but he didn't want to leave Draco's rooms yet. Though he would be out and about for classes and meals in the afternoon. He was "sick" after all. Ron promised to cover for him if anything came up and they were off. Harry quickly grew bored though, having lazed about all day he wasn't really tired so he meandered over to the book shelf in the library, reading the different labels. They appeared to be geared specifically toward Draco so Harry assumed that they were his. One was even a brief history of the Malfoys, or something similar. Several were in french, which annoyed Harry a bit but he ignored it and the potions tomes. He finally decided on the Malfoy Family history book, which appeared to be hand written and partially in french. If he was going to be a part of the Malfoys, he might as well know a bit about them. It might catch him up a bit on Draco as well.
As Harry pulled the thick tome from the wall it glowed a bit, each line of the crest that was engraved on the leather cover filled with what looked like silver and shone brightly before it was gone. Remembering that not all books, especially not the handwritten ones, were safe- Harry scanned it with his wand. Finding nothing wrong, Harry took the book over to the couch and sat back down, thumbing through it for something interesting and in English. He finally decided, after flipping through the whole thing twice, to focus on the magical properties of Malfoy Manor, it's grounds and other properties. Apparently the Manor, along with two other smaller homes was unplottable, surrounded by enough wards that it required to either be a Malfoy- a direct ancestor, one of their Volaticus' amesouers- assuming the gene was dominant, or to know every single password along with the intricate unlocking design.
It went on to talk about the family crest and the different meanings for it. Apparently the dragons on the crest stood for being strong, and resilliant. The serpent's furthered that, meaning to show the ability and willingness to strike. Then it moved on to the grounds. There were apparently many entrances and exits to Malfoy Manor, though many were hidden. One was described to look a bit like a water well on the edge of the grounds. Climbing into it and dropping in would transport you into the entrance hall, like a portkey. The doors were all self locking, the house having been built purely with magic and the portraits were known to move about, some not appearing for centuries. Harry was rather fond of the idea of having one's own aviary, as he loved Hedwig dearly. Even this room, it said, was filled with magic, keeping the birds well cared for and strong without the use of house elves.
Harry almost didn't hear the portrait open, he was intently reading about the different rooms in the Manor, and their uses. If one could apparate into a specific windowless and doorless room of the manor, he would be protected and the house would stand guard of that person, if they were able to. Apparently even some genetic relatives had been unable to find the room. Harry loved mysteries, after all. He did, however, take notice of Draco's sharp intake of air and looked up to see the blonde standing merely feet from him, a strange emotion on his face.
"You're reading the Malfoy family heritage book, Harry?"
"I was... am I not supposed to?" Harry asked, closing the book quickly.
"No it's okay, I'm a bit surprised it opened for you, but I don't mind you reading it." Draco said quietly, watching him as if he were waiting for something.
"It did glow when I picked it up- turned the crest silver. Is that important?"
Draco took a deep breath and shifted his weight from foot to foot for a moment before nodding,
"yes, it's recognizing you as a future part of the family. It did that for Mother, when she was pregnant with me." he crossed the rest of the space between them, picking up the book and showing Harry. It glowed again, the crest turning a tarnished green, like copper, and rigid- appearing to be made of metal. It stuck this time, and Harry noticed the book seemed to have added more pages and looked much thicker. Draco placed it on the table and it faded back to normal. Harry grinned, watching the book,
"that's pretty neat. I never get tired of seeing all the different magical things here that don't exist in the muggle world."
"Why did you choose that book, Harry?" Draco asked, sitting down next to him but keeping his distance so as to watch the shorter boy. Harry shrugged,
"Er... I don't know really. I guess I just figured... you know, since I'm going to be a part of the family... I might as well look into it? I've never really had a family before... except the Weasleys. Do you think they have a book like tha-" Harry's mouth was covered with Draco's fiercely and he was being drawn over, on top of the blonde who was clinging to him tightly. When they pulled apart, Draco gazed at him for another brief moment, a smirk on his face at seeing Harry so flushed.
"I'm very flattered you would do that, Harry..." he whispered, kissing along Harry's jaw line, making him moan loudly. He could feel Draco smirk against his skin at receiving the reaction and Harry wondered what sex would be like with Draco. The man was insufferable, and unabashed in his efforts to ellicit little cries from his counterpart. Harry vaguely registered that Draco was probably every bit the Slytherin in the sack as he was in his normal life, using his cunning to get what he wanted before being drawn back into a searing kiss. He gasped, feeling Draco's attraction to him against his stomach and Draco willingly used the gasp to explore Harry's mouth with his tongue. When they eventually broke apart for need of air, Draco released him, letting Harry sit up.
"Well," Harry said, smirking himself, "if that's what I get for reading, I'll be doing that a bit more." Draco laughed genuinely and sat up. It was then that Harry realized he'd changed his clothing. Where he'd been wearing his school robes earlier, Draco was not now. He wore a black jumper over a gray shirt and khaki colored trousers, his boots drawn up to his knees. He looked very proper and even appeared unmussed from their recent snogging session."Where have you been?" Harry asked curiously.
"I had to go speak with Father, apparently Mother no longer wishes to be a Malfoy and is requesting a divorce. Father got the official documents today. We did a bit more practice, training with my wings and wandless magic...then we discussed your gift a bit, as Father is going to take me to get it."
"What? When are you leaving?"
"Tomorrow, mon amour, I will be gone for a week. I've finished all my classwork tonight. Dumbledore seemed to understand all of it, and said that he couldn't deny me my heritage. He's allowing me to go."
"A whole bloody week? Draco!" Harry snapped, "why didn't you tell me till now?"
"Well, I wasn't sure Father would know where to go. He had to look into it and I didn't want to tell you till I knew for sure. Besides, Why didn't you tell me you knew about Mother?" Draco retorted and Harry just huffed back at him, silent for a long moment.
"Fine. I see your point. No more secrets though, okay Draco?"
"I can't tell you every thing. Not until I get back. Then, I will, okay?"
"Fine. Whatever. Just... be safe, okay? Don't get hurt or anything?"
"I won't, I'll be safe. I'll have Father with me, Harry, he wouldn't let me get hurt. Since I won't be here to fend that idiot Finnigan off of you, I'd like for you to stay in my rooms, at least until school lets out in a few days and he's gone. Dumbledore already agreed that it would be okay."
"Okay, I'll probably do that then." Harry said with a shiver.