Chapter 11: Christmas 1981 at Malfoy Manor

I once again freely admit that I didn't, and couldn't, write all the works I renounced claim to in the previous chapters. Since that was uploaded 17th September (2011), you may need to reread at least Chapter 10. No? Well, bully for you!

Lucius and Narcissa had to plan their welcome meticulously. On his first day at Hogwarts, Draco had owled his father, as he had promised himself, telling him what Harry had said to him on the Hogwarts Express. Over the next three months Lucius, Narcissa and Draco had discussed these ideas, so different from what they had grown up with. They were quite impressed by the fact that, although his attitude was so different from theirs, Harry didn't attack their convictions, but understood why they had them so deeply ingrained. As Draco gradually came to admire Harry for being such a friendly fellow, and not an I AM THE BOY-WHO-LIVED! I'M BETTER THAN YOU kind of person, as Draco saw he would have been himself if he had earned a lightning bolt scar— indeed as he largely was because he was rich and pure-blooded — his parents gradually came to feel that maybe Draco was right about his friend.

Like Dumbledore, they could see that Aunt Bella would be furious with their guest. When Draco told them how he and Harry were preparing for this, they had Dumbledore allow them to go to Hogwarts on the remaining weekends, and see if they could strengthen the boys' wandless magic with their own. Filus was delighted when he heard this, and soon the 'MALOTTERS' as they called themselves could withstand the best that Albus could hurl at them.

In the interests of safety, Harry and Draco travelled by floo from Filus' office to Malfoy Manor. By now, Harry was quite at ease with Draco's parents. He was very impressed with the ground and Manor.

"Dad, could Harry and I go flying outside for a while, please?" asked Draco.

"Just in case B comes, I'll disillusion you both first", replied Lucius.

"Thanks, Mr Malfoy"; "Thanks Dad" they chorused.

They flew out through the enormous window in Draco's room, and Harry followed his friend to a full-sized Quidditch pitch. Draco showed Harry how to roll, dive and spin, and they finished off with a race five times around the perimeter.

"Let's go back the way we came," suggested Harry; and when they landed in Draco's room again, they showered, then rested for about half an hour before dinner. Luckily, the dreaded B did not invite herself that first night, so they could make further plans for the day she arrived. Dobby the House Elf was ecstatic to find himself serving the great Harry Potter, but Draco warned him that Harry did not like to be reminded of what happened the night his parents were murdered, and told him what had happened to the part-goblin professor who wanted to celebrate 'Harry Potter Day'. When Harry thanked him for the meal, he was so overcome with emotion that he asked Lucius whether he could protect Harry if he needed it. So Dobby became the fifth Malotter, and was able to show the others something of the elf-magic that would make their group even more formidable.

The next day, or about five hours of it, was spent in Defence Against the B Arts, followed by some Slytherin planning. "If B is polite, we'll accept that; if she's impolite, we'll threaten to refuse to have her here to insult our guests again. If it comes to that, she's almost certain to try to get rid of us all, and achieve her aim of 'inheriting the Manor'. As soon as she utters the sounds "Cru..." or "Avad..", Dobby will apparate in, and the team will hurl her against the wall. This will probably either break her back or crush her skull; then while you're arranging for her transfer to St Mungo's, Narcissa, I'll obliterate her memory so thoroughly that she'll spend the rest of her existence in the bed next to her victims, the Longbottoms."

"At least Neville's next visit to his parents will be more rewarding for him," Draco smirked. "By the way, if she tries to Imperius Harry, she'll probably end up so placid you'll think she's gone sane." So he told them about how Harry had dealt with Dumbledore's Imperius, and his warning to Harry about what not to do to her.

[Time marches on.]

"Christmas Eve!" said Harry. "I expect the B will come tonight?"

"Almost certainly," replied his friend; "I know you don't like hurting her, but it's probably the only way to stop her throwing Unforgivables around at everyone to amuse herself".

"I know we have to do it; she'll attack you all because I'm here, so I really have to help protecting you, and everyone she would ever meet again. I can see that if that's what she'd do to her family, there's nothing she wouldn't do to Muggles, Half-Bloods and Blood-Traitors.

Dinner that evening went almost exactly as planned. As B was about to sit down, she shrieked, "What is that abomination doing here?"

"I assume you were invited," smirked Harry.

"Av..". So ended a life of crime, to be followed by existence as a vegetable in the permanent spell damage ward of St Mungo's.

A/N: Well, we'll have to see what you all think of this, and then wait until I can get an idea of something interesting to happen at the Dursleys. Anyone out there with ideas? I'll practise the Auguamenti charm for any flame-throwers. (:D)==