Harry circulated through the crowd of guests. Draco and Lucius had both explained most of the rules to him. One, spend no more than fifteen minutes speaking with anyone, even friends. Two, do not talk about politics, religion, or finances. Three, do not allow older women to leave you with young girls for even the polite fifteen minutes. And four, if all else fails, bow and walk off. Harry had had to bow and walk off from four 'hopefuls' already.
He called an elf and asked for a glass of lemonade as he tried to find somewhere to hide for ten minutes. He was exhausted and hot, his long sleeves sticking to his sweating arms. His cooling charms just didn't do it.
Lucius noticed Harry and ambled over to talk to him for a moment. "Hot?"
"Yeah. I just don't have the knack for cooling charms it seems. Why don't we all wear something lighter?"
Lucius pushed a sweaty lock of hair out of his eye. "My charms aren't much better. Keeping up with this heat and humidity is hard." He shrugged elegantly. "As to something lighter. When I was your age no one wore a shirt under their robes in this kind of weather. Even at an event like this. Those with a good physique wore their robes open to mid chest."
Harry got a devilish look in his eye. "And so should we now. None of us have anything to hide. Do we?"
Lucius blinked once then matched Harry's expression. "No, we do not." A flick of his wand disposed of his shirt and Harry's. "There. And you look very good. I think I'll slit the sleeves like Draco's. Do you think?"
Harry nodded, noticing that Draco had just shed his shirt leaving his outer robe with its overlapping slit to the shoulder sleeves intact.
Draco had chosen Harry's robes with their multi layered fluttering sleeves. Each layer was more or less leaf shaped, curled around the arm hole and over lapped at the shoulder. Every time he raised his arm they were bared nearly to the shoulder. The effect was elegant without being over done. Draco's robes were similar in cut but differently coloured. Lucius transfigured his heavy linen bell sleeves to match and walked off.
Draco bent to speak to Neville who nodded. Draco flicked his wand and Neville's sleeves disappeared to the elbow, the shirt beneath vanished entirely. Harry was pleased to note that Neville had an impressive set of guns and a noticeable but not bulky pectoral, which was nicely outlined by his soft linen outer robe. Neville was turning out to be a late bloomer in many ways.
Augusta also vanished the sleeves of her blouse, followed by Minerva McGonagall and Hermione.
As the guests noticed the missing shirts and blouses they also began to vanish their garments. As this process moved through the guests it was easy to notice those who didn't shorten their sleeves. No one wondered why they stayed covered.
Harry wasn't that surprised to see the Parkinson's leave, nor the Notts. He also wasn't surprised to see all the Weasleys sporting short sleeves, even Molly.
He wasn't surprised to be confronted either.
"Here, boy, awful style you've started. Old ladies like me, we don't show to advantage."
Harry looked at her for a moment then smirked a bit. "Oh, but you do. Very nice white skin you have." The woman looked puzzled for a moment then gave a start. Harry bowed and walked off.
He got several different versions of the comments and his answers were about the same.
He finally managed to enter one of the gazebos that were scattered over the lawn. He settled on a bench and sighed. He was still hot and thirsty. Before he could call a house elf Ron walked in with a tray in his hands.
"Man, I'm hiding out here with you. The scandal of short or no sleeves is really starting to boil. Mum's ecstatic. If a family like the Malfoys establishes a fashion like this it'll take. The D. E. clique is not happy. Limeade?"
Harry grinned and pushed a table nearer to Ron. "Please. Bet I know a few people who want to hex us all. Thanks." He took the glass Ron offered him and took a drink.
It didn't take long for Draco to join them with Neville and Hermione right behind him. Draco called for an elf who happily brought them a tray of cheeses, crackers and a bottle of wine. Harry wasn't sure about the wine but Draco assured him that Lucius would only be angry if they got drunk. As he'd been drinking wine with meals for quite a while now, Harry just accepted a glass and sipped.
Hermione accepted a hand fan from the attendant elf and fanned herself. "Oh, it's hot! Darn. I was hoping it would be nicer for your birthday."
Harry just nibbled on a bit of cheese before replying, "It's nice enough. I'm not shut up in Dudley's second bedroom, lunch was nice and you're all here. What more could I want? It is July after all."
Neville nodded. "And a very nice lunch it was too. I know Gran will write something appropriate but I'd really like to thank everyone for the nice presents." He grinned, "So ... thanks, guys."
They all laughed and talked and ate. This wasn't rude in anyway as it was expected that the guests would polarize into groups of friends and acquaintances. He was pleased when Daphne Greengrass and Millicent Bulstrode asked to join the group and again when Theo Nott and Vince Crabbe showed up. They were all offered refreshments and a spirited discussion of who the next Defence professor would be began.
They all agreed that, whoever it was, they would be worthless. Harry told Draco that the DA, which he now called Harry's Harriers, would be running again. But this time right out in the open. Dumbledore could like it or lump it.
And speaking of the old devil seemed to call him up. His voice called from outside, "Harry, are you in there? May I come in?"
Harry just shrugged, the old fart couldn't do anything much with so many people around. "Sure, come on in. Although I don't know why you asked as I'm sure you knew before you asked." His grumpy expression made Hermione sock him on the arm.
Dumbledore ducked under the fall of wisteria that partially covered the upper part of the door and took a seat on a squashy chair that he conjured. No one in the group started as Aspis stuck his head out of Harry's robes to weave between Harry and Dumbledore.
"Smells funny."
Harry stroked Aspis' head. "Funny how?"
"Funny. Not good, not bad. Don't like him. Can I bite him?"
"No. Not yet. Maybe later."
Aspis gave a disgruntled hiss and withdrew into Harry's robes again.
Dumbledore sighed. "Harry, might I have a word with you?"
Harry nodded. "Of course."
"Alone."
Hermione started to get up at once. Harry stopped her with a hand on her arm.
"Anything you can say to me alone, you can say in front of my friends. Or don't say it at all."
Dumbledore looked taken aback for a moment then he just sighed. He shifted in his chair before saying, "Very well. I was wondering if you knew what was going on with your finances."
Harry rose to amble over to the back of the gazebo. "Yes, a bit. As you know, now that I am a foster of the Malfoy family. Lucius is responsible for taking care of my properties until I am of financial age. Whatever he's been doing is surely in my best interests. Why are you so interested in what's going on with my finances?"
Dumbledore shifted uncomfortably, frowning slightly. Everyone noticed that his ubiquitous twinkle was missing. "Mr Malfoy has misunderstood ... some withdrawals from your accounts. It is causing me some inconvenience. Perhaps you could ... speak to him?" Dumbledore's expression was, frankly, hopeful.
"Sorry." Harry shook his head. "I am still learning my way. If something Papa" Dumbledore winced. "has done is causing you problems, you need to speak to him."
Dumbledore stood suddenly and found himself faced with interesting results. Neville Longbottom stood, putting himself right in front of Harry. Draco Malfoy flanked him while Ron Weasley was suddenly behind him. This put Dumbledore in the unenviable position of being out-flanked and blocked from his target.
"Now, now, boys, I just want to ... I mean no harm." Dumbledore eyed the distance between him and Harry. He was astonished when Vincent Crabbe and Millicent Bulstrode stood up adding their bodies to the wall between them. He never noticed Daphne Greengrass scurry off.
He did notice Lucius Malfoy as he entered the gazebo.
"Lucius." Dumbledore bowed slightly taking a moment to eye Lucius' pristine forearm.
Lucius bowed back. "Albus." His cold gaze swept over the group of young people. "I believe Narcissa is about ready to begin seating for the opening of Harry's presents. Please go find your seats."
Dumbledore started to say something then realized that he was stymied again. He watched as the whole group trooped out, making sure that someone was always between Harry and him. Lucius smirked at him then said, "You will lose him completely, old man, if you don't let go. Consider your choices carefully." Then he turned and followed the young people, braid swishing against his robes.
He found that he could only pity Dumbledore. The man had no idea what he was doing.
.
Harry settled in his chair with Molly Weasley at his side and Hermione in charge of his gift book. He glowered at Dumbledore for a moment then turned to his first present, determined to follow Draco's advice to ignore the 'old fart' and enjoy his party.
He opened the things from acquaintances first, following some rules that the elves knew. They were all the mildly useless, expensive things that such people gave. Writing sets, broom maintenance kits, stationary and blank journal books predominated. He also got a few more useful things, such as a rucksack with a featherlite spell on it and a book bag that was bigger on the inside than the outside, and also had an organization spell on it so he could find what he wanted. He told Molly to make a special note on those cards so he would be sure to mention their usefulness.
Then he got to the 'good' stuff. Molly had knitted him an afghan and signed both her name and Arthur's to it. He supposed it was more than reasonable as Arthur had paid for the yarn. He really liked it as it was deep green and brown, fuzzy and warm. He thanked them both then smirked slightly as Molly had to inscribe her gift card and hand it on to Hermione.
Hermione and Ron gave him a book on engraving, he had no idea why but handed it off with a vow to read it as soon as possible. Neville gave him a pot with a note that he would put an orchid in it later. Draco's group all gave him sweets of various sorts which made him smile.
Then he got to the presents from the professors. Each one gave him something relating to their subject, which made him smile a bit, hand them on then promptly forget who gave him what.
He was eyeing a large box with considerable interest when he was handed a flat one instead. He opened it and started to sigh, another book was not what he needed; then something caught his eye. The book was titled in gold, "Watercolors by Harry Potter". He gasped softly and carefully opened the book. His paintings and the text that accompanied them were frame bound into a beautiful book. Underneath the book the case nestled in a nest of tissue.
"Oh, ... um ..." Harry took a quick look at the card. "Draco. Thank you so much. Madam Sprout is going to flip when she sees this. It's excellent."
Draco smirked a bit but gave Lucius a speaking look. Lucius just smiled blandly back. Harry noticed and decided to ask Draco about it later, much later.
He spent several more moments admiring the book then handed it off to Molly.
His next present was a box, not the large box he'd been eyeing earlier, a different one. He eyed it for a moment then checked the card. It was from Lucius and Draco. The art box was a surprise to him and he spent a bit longer than was properly polite examining its contents. When Lucius cleared his throat the guests all laughed a bit. Harry held up the box so everyone could see it then handed it off to Molly.
The last present was the large box that he'd been waiting for. He wondered what was in it. It was from Lucius so it had to be something really good.
He nodded when an elf whispered in his ear that he was to open it in the space between the table and the guests as it was too big for the table. That meant it was under a shrinking charm. He blinked, once, twice, then started ripping the paper off, tossing it in every direction.
"It is! It's Sirius' motorcycle. Oh, man. Thank you! Thank you so much." Harry was nearly delirious with joy. He'd wanted this so badly. Not only because it belonged to Sirius but; what seventeen year old wouldn't want a flying motorcycle with disillusionment charms and who knew what else. His grin nearly split his face.
Lucius stood and took Harry's hand in his. "Harry, you are not to ride it until you read the manual. Miss Harmony has gone to a lot of trouble to write it for you. Promise."
Harry, well aware that he could loose the use of his prize before he even got to really enjoy it, promised at once. He was also very aware that the thing was dangerous. "I do. Really." He thought quickly. "I'll have the house elves put it next to the table of my presents, ok?"
"Good idea. I'll return it to riding size later. Now, Cake." Lucius smiled at Harry, surprising many of the guests.
Harry started to turn to his cake but he turned back when he heard Dumbledore speak to his foster father.
"Lucius, I don't think it's wise to allow Harry to have that machine. It's too dangerous." Dumbledore gave Lucius a grandfatherly look over the top of his glasses. Harry considered saying something but was forestalled by Lucius.
"Oh, indeed. More dangerous than leaving him with a family of murderous muggles? Or allowing him to racket all over Hogwarts, chasing possessed professors and basilisks? Or riding cursed brooms in a thunder storm? Dementors, anyone?"
Dumbledore looked disgruntled. "Lucius. Being taken in by a Death Eater is safe?"
Harry started to interrupt but Lucius gave him a pointed look and ordered, "Harry, go cut your cake. The guests are waiting." He then pulled Dumbledore aside and spoke to him quickly. Whatever he said made Dumbledore look displeased then dismayed. Harry turned to cut his cake, suddenly much happier. How dare Dumbledore question his father's decisions.
Harry enjoyed cutting the cake himself and allowed the elves to distribute the pieces. He made sure that Ron had a corner piece and Hermione didn't get too much icing. He wasn't sure of the likes and dislikes of most of the people there so he left it up to the elves.
.
Ron watched his friend as he played host with an aplomb that was surprising. It seemed that the Malfoys, father and son, were better for Harry than anyone could have expected. He watched as Goyle, Sr. walked up and said something to Harry. The expression on his face was haughty and cruel. Harry just looked at him for a moment then shrugged, replied and turned away. Goyle looked angry but turned and walked away. Ron wondered about that but shrugged it off.
Hermione, on the other hand, hissed in his ear, "What was that all about? Do you think we should ... do something?"
Ron shook his head, "No, I don't. Malfoy has an eye on him. If something needs done, he'll do it. And much better than we could."
Neville, who'd been sitting on the grass beside his Gran, over heard and interjected, "I wouldn't mess with Goyle, he's as stupid as Greg and much more vicious. Like a retarded pit-bull."
Augusta smacked him on top of the head with her folded fan. "Neville, that's horrible. You'll insult the entire race of dogs."
Neville just laughed, took her plate, fork and glass and handed them off to a hovering elf. "Sorry. Crabbe isn't so bad, he's intelligent enough to realize that things have taken a turn for the worse, Voldemort wise, but Mr. Goyle is too invested and Greg is just ... dumb as a box of rocks. Too bad, that, but there you are."
A voice from behind them said softly, "Yes, Greg is a lost cause. He's just ... not capable of resistance but Vince and a few others. They can be saved, if someone will take the trouble." Draco settled on a pouf at Augusta's feet with a sad expression on his face
Ron poked him on the shoulder. "Lighten up. We'll all do the best we can. If we manage to save even one or two, it'll put a dent in Tommy-boys troops. That's a good thing, right?"
Augusta nodded firmly and announced in that way she had, "Yes, it would be a very good thing. The only problem is ... where would they go. They're sure to be disinherited."
Neville thought carefully. "I think ... Mr. Malfoy could initiate legislation to preclude that. A proven Death Eater can't disinherit a child if they turn away from Riddle. I'm not sure exactly how to word it, but if you could get it passed ... well, I really think a lot more sixth and seventh years would back off. They'd have someplace to go, too. Gran, we'll take them in. We have tons of room. But we'd have to insist on very strict rules, perhaps even hire some help in. what do you think?"
"I think you're just like your father, that's what. Excellent idea. Spit in their eye and make them like it." Her smile was full of pride.
Ron grinned, "I like it. Gets them off the DE rolls without killing them and takes away support from Riddle at the same time."
Hermione frowned and Ron cringed, this was not going to be pretty. She started out, "But it's wrong to take children way from their parents. There's got to be another, better way."
Augusta Longbottom was an old woman and had very little patience. "Girl, you are out of your mind. There's only two ways to deal with Death Eaters. Kill them or put them away for good. If we can save a child from taking the Dark Mark, that's good. If we have to take them away from their Death Eater parents, that's just the price they have to pay. Get over yourself. Not all adults have any common sense, which is something you don't seem to understand. Now, I'd like some tea and you may fetch it. One scant spoon of sugar and a slice of lemon. Go."
Hermione gave Augusta one mutinous look then went. After she'd gone Augusta nodded to Neville. "Girl's got no common sense at all. See to it that you don't listen to her. Listen to that obnoxious brat, Malfoy. Boy's got a head on his shoulders for intrigue, he'll keep you from putting your foot in it. Now, scat, I've got some campaigning to start." She settled more comfortably in her chair and signalled to some woman, who hurried over to sit in a chair beside Augusta and bend her head to listen.
Harry circulated through his guests, speaking to everyone. Thanking them for their presents, in generic terms unless he remembered what they'd given him. He was surprised to find that he remembered a lot more than he'd thought he would.
Lucius watched his boys as they both moved amongst the guests. They were as different as night and day, his treasure and his dragon, but they were both his.
The party continued for about another hour then Lucius disbanded the tired group to go to their assigned rooms and rest before dinner and the ball after. Harry had asked why at Draco's birthday and been told by Mimsey that most of the women would take at least two hours to get ready and some of the men almost as long. He'd smirked and remarked that their elves must be singularly inefficient then. Mimsey had blushed an odd shade of green and giggled.
Harry found that he actually fell asleep on the couch for nearly an hour, only waking when Mimsey patted his shoulder and called his name.
"Master Harry should wake now." Mimsey put a cup of tea on the side table for Harry.
Harry sat up, his house robe runched up uncomfortably. He stood and shook it out then sat back down. "Thanks, Mimsey. I know my robes are waiting for me but ... I need you to remove the inner sleeves. I know it's ..."
Mimsey waved her hand and interrupted, "Is already being done. Mimsey is pleased to do this. All house-elves belonging to good masters and mistresses is removing sleeves. No bad masters are staying. They is all leaving, ashamed to show their dirty secrets." She grinned in a way that made Harry snicker.
"Good. Oh, oh shit! I completely forgot. What colour is Hermione's dress? I was supposed to lend her some jewellery to wear. She's going to kill me. She was so careful with those pearls."
Mimsey just patted his arm, saying, "Mimsey will fix. You rest. Dancing is going on all night. You wait and see." And with that, she popped away to find out from the elf serving her what colour her robes were.
Harry finished his tea and was glad for the knock on his door. He was going to be very bored in the two hours between now and tea, if they were having tea. He didn't remember and wasn't sure he cared. These parties were just excuses to eat too much and socialize with people you didn't really like or trust. He was well aware that Lucius hadn't invited a lot of people who expected to be, just because Harry didn't like or trust them. He wondered what kind of impact this was having on his influence. Then realized that it wouldn't have any, Lucius was imbedded in the wizarding ton so deeply that it would be impossible to remove him short of killing him.
Ron stuck his head in, grinning, "Want to do something? I know that we're supposed to be resting, but if I tried that, I'd be barking in no time."
Harry called for another cup of tea for Ron and replied, "Not really. I think I'm slept out but if we leave this room, we'll just wind up cornered by some old fussbudget. Know anything good?"
Ron laughed. "Not really. But Hermione is flaunching at the bit to get you alone long enough to explain that she thinks your Darkling book is Merlin's Grimoire. And that the map is a treasure map of some sort. There. Now you don't have to listen to her ramble for two straight hours before getting to the point."
"You did, I take it?" Harry's amused expression made Ron hurl a pillow at him.
"Yes, I did, you prat. But, I looked at the map and it's of Ireland. I think New Grange is the place. She's convinced I'm wrong. We've been arguing about it for a week."
Harry shrugged. "We'll get a modern map and some stuff and figure it out. There's no hurry. Muggles have been excavating there for ... sixty years or so. More maybe. Wonder what's supposed to be there?"
"Who knows. Merlin's favourite thunder mug maybe." Ron made a gagging noise and Harry laughed.
"I'm still working on translating what I have copied out of that book. It's hard going but I'm getting there. It's in Irish and it's really hard."
Ron sighed, "I wish Mr. Malfoy had invited Finnigan but he didn't invite any of the muggleborn students. I wonder why?"
Harry shrugged, "We did invite them, all two of them. Hermione and Seamus are the only two I know well enough to invite and Seamus declined, he sent me a shirt, I think. And, if I ask Hermione, she'll take it all over and I won't actually learn anything. So ... I really need to do it myself. See?"
"Yes. I actually do. I can't believe that I've actually agreed to take Arithmancy and Ancient Runes instead of Divination and Magical Creatures. Mum's over the moon with it."
"Fred and George?"
"Think I'm crazy. They did send regrets?"
Harry chuckled. "Sort of, they're going to be here for dinner and the ball. They needed to keep the shop open today so they begged off lunch and so on."
The talk wandered from one subject to another for a while then Draco wandered in, demanded tea and sighed, "I'm tired. I tried to take a nap but Pans sneaked into my room. Luckily Gerard was there. She left in a huff then Daphne showed up to tell me that Pans is determined to be my wife. Blarg!" Draco's expression of disgust made Ron snort. "What? I found out, through reliable sources that she's ... loose."
Harry nodded wisely. "Yeah, Miss Peanut Butter Thighs." At his friend's blank looks he explained. "Frankie says it. Thighs like peanut butter, spread for anyone."
Draco then floored Harry with another comment. "What the heck is pea ... nuts buttered?"
Harry explained peanut butter to Draco while Ron just listened. Draco's opinion was that he was never eating something so foul sounding. Harry just shrugged and changed the subject.
They continued to visit, speculating on who would teach Defence, how potions was going to go and so on. Finally, Mimsey came in to tell them they had an hour before tea would be served and should go back to their rooms to get ready. Harry sighed and stood up. He hadn't realized before that he was going to wear different robes for breakfast, lunch, tea and dinner. The customs of the ton had him changing robes five times today.
Not that he minded, he now realized that he had a position to fill and fill it he would. Lucius was a stickler for propriety and Harry had no intention of embarrassing his father. He also understood, now, the need for political clout in his quest to destroy Tom Riddle. Dumbledore was going to find that Harry Potter had some pretty hefty backing.
Harry felt a sudden cold chill run over his body. He paced for a moment then called, "Mimsey! I need you." The little elf popped in at once and Harry said, "I got a chill, one of those ... weird things. Put out my combat bracelets, I probably won't need them but I'd rather have them and not need them than need them and not have them."
Mimsey just nodded then said, "Mimsey will do. Mimsey will also put spell on them to make them pretty. No one will think anything of them but that they is decoration for bare arms. Mimsey will also tell Gerard and Trovy to make some for their masters." She nodded and popped away.
Harry sat down and tried to relax, it wouldn't do for him to be tense and snappish at tea, he was the birthday boy, he was supposed to enjoy the day. For the most part he had. He contemplated his presents with pleasure, his book was beautiful but the things that brought him the most pleasure were his book bag, rucksack, art box and motorcycle. He couldn't wait to get his hands on that. He drifted away into dreams of taking his motor out. He could fill his rucksack full of things, like his art box and MP3 player, some food and just go.
He was pulled from his dreams by Mimsey calling him to come get dressed.
.
Tea was boring as hell. Lucius had had it set up in the small ball room, where the presents were set out on two tables. Each one was marked with a banner hanging from the front. Harry wandered over to look at his presents, absently fingering a card here or there.
Hermione walked up to him to say, "I made sure to record everything properly."
Harry turned to smile at her. "I know that. Merlin forbid that you'd make such a gaffe even in the muggle world. I just ... It's hard for me to realize that so many people would come to a party in my honour."
She was just about to reply when a voice from behind Harry said snidely, "Don't aggrandize yourself so much, Potter. The only reason anyone has come is due entirely to Lucius' influence. Otherwise, this room would be as empty as your head."
Harry turned to see Snape scowling at him. "Hello, Snape. So glad to see you could come. Too bad you couldn't bring a better attitude." He pointedly checked the table of presents. "Or a present. Excuse me, Hermione, Snape. I believe I'll leave before I say something that would get me a mouth soaping hex."
Harry walked away, head high, shoulders back. Lucius watched with pride then turned a furious scowl in Severus' direction. He'd deal with that attitude later, he was not about to start a public argument at Harry's party.
Severus noticed the look, of course, and dipped his head in recognition of the reprimand. Lucius turned away, showing Severus a very cold shoulder.
Harry noticed this in a mirror and stored their actions away for later. Now, he just wanted to find someone to speak with who wouldn't annoy him.
Augusta Longbottom noticed the goings on, her eyes were still sharp. She eased into Harry's line of sight and signalled him to come to her.
Harry really didn't want to but he was well schooled now and knew better than to ignore her. He bowed slightly and settled into the comfortable chair beside her.
"Ignore him. He's an ill mannered, ill bred brut. Lucius enjoyed his ... attentions at one time. I believe they parted ways under some sort of cloud. Too bad actually, they suit. But that's neither here nor there. He had no business acting as he did and you gave him a very nice set down. Now," She motioned to an elf who brought a tray of cakes and pastries over. "have some cake and a cup of tea. And stop scowling like that, you'll frighten someone." She glanced at his wrist as he reached for the plate and cup. "Nice bracelets. I remember ... never mind."
Harry accepted the cake and tea then did his best to get back in a good mood. Neville eased by to chatter about some present he'd gotten and Draco told him a silly story. He was soon in a much better mood.
When Lucius stopped to tell him that he needed to move on in a few minutes, then he bowed to Madam Longbottom and drawled, "Thank you so much for ... soothing Harry's ire. He is still young enough that Severus can sting him into being ... indiscreet. Not this time, however." He smiled at Harry slightly. "Very well done, by the way." Then he ambled off, radiating that cold calm that Harry could only aspire to.
"Well, that's a new one." Augusta eyed Lucius' receding back with interest. She'd noticed the bracelets he was wearing.
Harry quickly finished his tea and made his excuses. He moved on and found that many of the people he spoke to had noticed, marked and approved of his behaviour. Severus hung on the fringes of the guests scowling at everyone. Harry ignored him.
Tea was finished at about four of the clock and people again retreated to quarters to rest then change for the exigencies of dinner and dancing, or they left as they were not invited to this more private part of the party. Harry was relieved to realize that there would be no more than sixty people at this. How he managed to be intimately acquainted with that many people, he wasn't sure. He finally decided that Lucius had probably included enough of Draco's close friends to make up even numbers.
Mimsey helped him into the last set of robes of the day. These were especially constructed for dancing. First he donned a silk t-shirt and a pair of linen trousers, both deep forest green. Then he eased into the under robe. This was made of a medium weight silk of a lighter shade of green, nearly emerald but deep enough that it looked well with the deep forest green. The robe was cut back from his lower legs so as not to wind around them while he danced. The neck line was v-cut and only three buttons kept it closed over his abdomen. The next layer was comprised of a heavy yoke, sewn of layers of shades of green from dark to light. The layers were sewn just at mid chest then the loose folds fell to his ankles in carefully hemmed layers, the undermost layer the longest.
When he accepted his shoes from Mimsey he realized that they were dancing slippers instead of the sturdier boots he favoured. Mimsey just flapped a hand at him. "You is wearing them. They is proper foot wear and they is nice. Ladies is not liking it when you is stepping on their feet in boots."
Harry gave her an indignant glower and said, flatly, "I'm a good dancer. I'm not going to be stepping on anyone's feet."
Mimsey gave him a disgusted look and snorted, "No, you is not. But they is not knowing this, are they?"
Harry just snarled wordlessly and put out his foot for her. He was now used to having her help him on and off with shoes and boots. He couldn't put them on first, and bending over to get them on wrinkled his robes.
He thanked Mimsey for her help and headed out for dinner. He sighed as he realized that he hadn't had a private moment with either Draco or Lucius in the last three days. He hoped for a nice family night soon.
.
When he wrote in his journal later, he skipped mention of dinner as it was unremarkable in every way. He was seated between two older women who he did not know. They spent the whole meal talking over his head. He ignored them in turn and addressed himself to his food. Lucius noted the behaviour of both women and gave them the cut direct the next time he saw them.
When Lucius stood up to signal the end of the meal, Harry just stood as well. Draco nodded to him and they all processed out to the ballroom where the small orchestra was already playing softly.
The dancing was always started with the host and hostess leading out a guest. Harry was surprised when Lucius lead Severus out and even more surprised when Narcissa came to him.
"Well?" Narcissa held out a hand and raised one elegantly plucked eyebrow.
"Sorry." Harry flushed a bit while taking his position.
"You were expecting?"
"Draco, actually." Harry led Narcissa through an inverted turn.
Narcissa, for her part, followed gracefully. "He's leading out Longbottom." She smiled as they moved through a beauty turn. "He's quite a good dancer."
"Neville is a great person and a wonderful friend. I'm going to take more interest in him."
"I see." Narcissa started to say something else but the French doors suddenly exploded inwards.
Harry pushed Narcissa behind him snapping, "Back me." she didn't object, just pulled her wand and prepared to guard his back.
The Death Eaters stormed in in a flurry of black robes and white masks. Harry snarled, "Idiots! What the hell do they think they're going to accomplish?"
Lucius' voice from behind him snarled, "Their death. Narcissa, go start evacuation."
Narcissa nodded and slipped away to begin the process of getting her guests out of harms way.
There were a few who rushed the doors to the Entryway who had to be pushed back as the doors opened inwards. Narcissa was surprised and pleased to find that Ron Weasley was right there, helping to push the terrified people back, while Draco dragged the doors open.
When the doors were open, Narcissa was the first one through. This was not due to cowardice but to the need to get the floo set to out only and make sure the apparation point was free of obstacles. None of the guests had port keys but she began making them as quickly as she could from a box of odds and ends kept under a table for that purpose. She couldn't know who would get what so she made them all to go to the village square in Hogsmead.
Meanwhile, back in the ballroom, Hermione was kneeling at Lucius feet, providing a shield from behind which he was returning hexes as fast as he could cast. Beside them, Harry was standing, both holding a shield and casting. Severus Snape was doing the same on Lucius' other side except that he was only casting hexes as he, like most wizards, couldn't hold a shield and cast at the same time. Fred and George Weasley were there too, casting hexes with the best of them and cracking bad jokes.
The fight was quick and vicious. Arthur and Molly Weasley joined in as well as several others who were either good duellists or just brave enough. As in the case of Arthur and Molly, one member of each team shielded while the other took the offensive.
It wasn't long before the floor was shattered and littered with bodies. And the fight was over.
Moments later, Aurors arrived. Too little, too late, as usual. All they did was gather up the Death Eaters, threaten the wrong people and leave.
When they finally left Harry realized that he really had no memory of the event. It was just a big blur, first he was dancing, then he was fighting for his life. Aurors arrived, he answered questions, but what they had been he couldn't say. Now he was just numb. He realized that he was terribly thirsty.
He looked for Lucius, noticed that he had a small burn on his cheek, then went on to look for Draco. He was in a corner speaking with Neville and Augusta. Ron and Hermione were cuddled up on a love seat, half asleep and leaning into each other. Narcissa was gone, as were most of the other guests. He was surprised to realize that the people that Lucius was speaking with were Molly, Fred and George Weasley. Arthur was leaning against the wall near by, holding his arm.
Harry watched as Lucius organized something then settled into a chair and leaned his head back looking weary and pale. He nearly jumped out of his skin when Mimsey thrust a cup of tea under his nose. "You is drinking this now." Harry just took the cup and gulped the steaming liquid down in two swallows.
When he tried to get up to check on things for himself he found that Lucius just stopped him from clear across the room. His, "Exactly what do you think you are doing?" Froze Harry to his chair.
He thought for a moment then said, "Just checking on people. You need something done for your cheek. Arthur needs his arm taken care of. Hermione and Ron need to go to bed..." He trailed off at Lucius' look.
Then his fathers amused voice drawled, "And you think I didn't notice all that? I will admit that I'm a bit impressed that you did. No, stay seated. I've sent for Medi-wizards to come from St. Mungo's. They'll be here in a few minutes. Everyone that's still here is remaining for the rest of the night."
With that information, Harry relaxed again, never really understanding how proud his actions had made his father. It really wasn't second nature in most people to check on others before taking care of oneself.
The healers arrived and Arthur was found to have a curse that interfered with the nerves in his shoulder. This was easily cleared up. Another Medi-wizard stopped at Lucius just long enough to tell him that the burn on his cheek was the result of a near miss with an incendo. He put some burn cream on it and moved on. Harry looked for Snape and saw him rubbing cream into Augusta's hand. She'd actually punched someone. The bruises should clear up in a day or so.
Fred and George were fine, vocally so. Lucius called an elf to take them up to a room. Molly and Arthur followed quickly. Augusta wanted to go home but the floo was out of order until the aurors checked it for unauthorized access so she and Neville would have to stay. When she suggested apparating Lucius just raised an eyebrow and said, "Like being splinched, do you?" She sighed and followed the elf out the door with Neville right behind her.
Then it was just the three of them; Lucius, Draco and Harry. Harry checked Draco, who was decidedly rumpled, and found that he was fine. Or at least as fine as someone who'd been through a battle in their own ballroom could be.
Harry felt himself begin to shake. Everything he treasured could have been taken away in an instant. He looked around at the destroyed room and whimpered softly. The first person to notice was Ron, he and Hermione had been asleep on the love seat partially hidden from the room by a screen of potted plant. He shook Hermione awake then hurried to Harry,
"Hey, mate. It's alright. Every thing's good."
"Oh, god. Oh, shit. Fucking hell. Damn, cock-sucking fiend spawn. I'll kill them all. Every last bastard, shiteating one of them." By then he was panting, sweat pouring down his face.
Hermione scurried to Snape. "Give me a calming draught."
"Granger, you are not in need of one" His look of distaste went right over her head
"No, I don't. But Harry does. If you don't give me one, I don't know what he'll do."
Lucius approached just then, demanding the same thing. Snape handed one over then turned to look at Harry. All he'd heard was the sound of Harry's panicked swearing. He'd though the reaction extreme. Now that he saw the fury on Harry's face he realized that Harry wasn't scared, he was furiously angry. Not something good in a wizard as powerful as Harry was. Snape didn't know how powerful Harry actually was but Lucius did.
Lucius gave the draught to Ron who managed to coax Harry into drinking it. He managed to choke it down between spluttered threats. Lucius was impressed at Ron's ability to get Harry to do anything the state he was in. Hermione just stood nearby, wringing her hands.
Draco eased up, eyed Harry then turned to Hermione. "You'd better go up to bed. You look exhausted. Good show, by the way. Now scat. Mimsey!" Mimsey popped in and chivvied Hermione off to her rooms, undressed her and got her into bed
The minute the draft hit Harry's stomach he drooped. Lucius ordered him off to bed with Ron trailing behind him.
Draco eyed his god-father for a moment then opined that he needed sleep too. He left for his bed, yawning wearily.
After all the others were gone, Severus approached Lucius. "Luc, let me see that." He touched the burn. "Well, it's not so bad."
Lucius gazed at Severus for a moment, reluctant to broach the subject he wanted to. Severus knew what he was going to say and forestalled him. "I know. I'm older and he's not James. But I've played that role for so long. It's difficult."
Lucius just shrugged. "I know. Just try. Now, I think we're both more tired than is good for us. Let's go to bed before one or the other of us says something we shouldn't. I will not fight with you, Sev."
"Oh, very well, Luka, I don't want a fight either. Good night." And they both walked up the stairs, side by side, and went to bed.
.
Breakfast the next morning was a rather subdued affair. Harry was worn and twitchy while Draco was nearly vibrating with nerves. Lucius greeted them with the news that all the Weasleys had gone home at 6am. So the only guests left were Severus and Hermione. Lucius gave Harry a pointed look and remarked that they all needed to remember that Severus was a guest, no matter what. Harry just nodded and gazed glumly into his tea cup.
Severus came down shortly after, greeted Lucius politely and Draco with actual affection. Harry just got a flat, "Potter."
He looked at Snape for a moment then said, "Good morning. Tea?"
"Please." Severus watched as Harry poured tea from the pot in front of him.
Hermione came in just then and defused a potential problem by exclaiming, "Oh, tea! Thank goodness. And the china is beautiful."
Lucius thanked her politely and, as everyone was now at table, signalled the elves to serve.
Food appeared, family style, and Lucius took portions of this and that then passed the plates to Severus, who then passed them to Draco who, in his turn, passed them to Hermione. Harry, as younger son, was last to receive the serving plates and platters, but there was plenty to go around.
Draco handed Harry the rack of potions he took every morning and Harry downed them without expression, carefully handing the unmarked, plain test tube like containers back.
When he was finished, he downed several gulps of orange juice to take away the taste. "Oh, those are foul. I swear they taste worse every day."
Snape refrained from comment on the potions, if Lucius kept Potter drugged, it was none of his business. He did, however, want a taste of that strange juice.
Lucius noticed his friends glance and just poured him a small glass from the pitcher on the table. Severus nodded then sipped carefully. He made a face but took another drink.
Harry watched the potions professor as he sniffed, sipped and savoured. "What is this?"
"Orange juice." Harry took a bite of his toast.
"I am well aware that it is orange. I'm not blind."
Lucius' smooth voice interrupted what was obviously going to be a snarking session. One which Harry would lose. "It is the juice of the fruit muggles call orange. No snarking at the breakfast table."
Harry just smirked at his plate and said, submissively, "As you wish, Papa." and returned to his bacon.
Draco nearly choked on his tea, his throat convulsed several times before he managed to swallow.
Lucius just said, "Of course." while he watched Severus blink like an owl.
Hermione glanced from Lucius to Snape then Harry. She brightly demanded more tea from Harry, turning everyone's attention to her. Harry poured her more tea and Lucius offered her a glass of orange juice, which she accepted happily. Lucius also spared her a speaking look, which she accepted in the spirit it was offered.
Snape glowered at her for a moment but when Lucius cleared his throat rather pointedly, he returned to his breakfast.
They finished without further conflict and Lucius told Hermione that he'd take her back to her parents in a moment. He'd sent an elf last night to tell them that he was too tired to bring her then, which they'd accepted.
It didn't take him long to get her back to her parents, explain what had happened and return. Hermione hadn't wanted Lucius to tell them anything but he insisted. He told them the truth, sort of, that a group of hooligans wearing masks had intruded on the ball and had to be fought off. They hadn't liked it but they'd thanked Lucius for taking care of her. He'd left, thinking rather acidly, that Hermione should have been named Bodiccia instead. Although he was glad that Harry had friends like her, and Ron.
.
They spent the rest of the day resting together in the family lounge. Harry read on Ancient Runes and the Irish language. Draco had no work to finish so he immersed himself in a Potions journal. Lucius also read, but the book didn't have a title so Harry had no idea what it was about.
Just before dinner Lucius drew Harry aside to say, "Harry, I'm truly sorry that your party was ruined by a bunch of low level idiots. We'll plan something special for next week."
Harry smiled. "I know it wasn't your fault. I know what I want. If you don't mind." He gave his Papa a hopeful look.
"You may ask. I reserve the right to say no." Lucius wondered if he'd put his foot in it, he really didn't want to say no.
"I'd like to go back to France, to the Island of Strawberries. And I'd like to invite Neville and Ron." Harry's expression was even more hopeful.
"Not Miss Granger?" Lucius wondered at this, leaving out one of the Golden Trio.
"No. She's off with her parents and I'd like this to be sort of a guys thing. See?"
Lucius thought he did. "You want to train? Both of them?"
"Yes, but we'll have to leave Ron out of the sword training. We'll teach him hand-to-hand instead." Harry frowned just a bit. "Unless Mr and Mrs Weasley say not. Then I don't know what we'll do. Fly, I guess. Or ..." He gave Lucius an assessing look. "take rides on my new motorcycle. I never did thank you for that."
Lucius laughed softly. "You're welcome. Just do not get yourself injured. I shall be most upset if you do."
Harry laughed back then shrugged. "I'll be careful. I promise. Should I write or will you?"
Lucius thought for a moment. "I shall write. Come along." So Harry trailed after Lucius into his private parlour and waited until Lucius was done writing his letters. Lucius had Harry read them, approve them and co-sign them. Then they sent them off with Hedwig, who nibbled on Harry's fingers as he tied the letters to her legs. She was happy here, she had a perch in Harry's quarters, he took time to play with her a bit every day and she could come and go as she pleased. Mimsey fussed a bit about feathers and such but Harry knew that it was just lip service.
"There. I know that you'll be ready to leave at the proper time. Now, I asked you here to speak to you about Draco." Harry raised an eyebrow in a perfect imitation of Lucius. "He's feeling left out. I know that you are trying to protect him from injury but ... it's time to ask him if he wants to join in. I have protected him as much as I can but I ... I feel that I have done him a disservice. He is a young man who has no idea of his abilities. His limitations, yes. His abilities, no. So, if he gets hurt, we'll just have to deal with the consequences. Do you understand?"
Harry nodded. "Yes, I do. He'll have considerable catching up to do. He'll have to start running, first off. And tai chi, of course, yoga too. That'll help keep him from getting hurt from over stressing his muscles. Hand-to-hand is out of the question and he knows as many spells as you do, almost. So ... sword training and he'll duel with me. Did I leave anything out?"
Lucius shook his head. "Harry, you can be truly frightening. I swear. How did you get such a mind for this sort of organization?"
Harry laughed, "I ran the household at the Dursleys from the time I was six. God forbid that we should be out of something. And video games. Frankie and Johnny also gave me lots of advice and help."
Lucius nodded, he understood most of this but, "What is a vid ... game? I have no idea what you are talking about."
"Video game. Or hand held. Those electronic things I play with. They're all sorts of games in a little box thing. I like Role Playing Games, where I'm the main character and have to lead my team to victory. It teaches all sorts of things. Conservation of resources, team work, strategy and tactics. And, if you screw up, you can go back to the last save point and try again. Gives me a chance to experiment with different choices to see what happens. And no one gets hurt if I mess up. Then there are also time management games where I only have so long to get something done, points for completing some task within a time frame, extra ones for this and that. See?"
Lucius did see. "I think I should have paid more attention to such things. Would you lend this RPG to Draco?"
Harry grinned. "He's got it right now. I've played all the games I have to death. He loves it so he's working his way through them now. I'd like to go buy some new games but ... I think I'll let it ride until Christmas. I won't have time at Hogwarts and I doubt they'll work at Hogwarts anyway."
"Shame. But you, my boy, will have enough homework to keep you busy." Lucius got up and led Harry to the door, one arm around his shoulders. "We should be getting replies soon. Go start packing."
"Yes, sir." Harry leaned against Lucius for a second then headed up to tell Draco to pack and get started on his own packing. They were going, whether Ron and Neville could go or not.
By noon they had their answers. Both Ron and Neville could go. Ron was accompanied by a note from Molly, forbidding him sword training unless Lucius was sure that he wouldn't fall on one again. Neville brought his own duffle of weapons, given to him by Augusta.
Lucius gave each one of them a quick look over, sneered at Harry's well worn trunk and gave each one of them a loop of rope. "Port key." was his only explanation and they were off.