Title: Unlikely Heroes
Pairing: Future DracoxHarry, LuciusxSeverus, RemusxSeverus
Fandom: Harry Potter
Summary: A battered Boy Who Lived finds his world come crashing down when his name comes out of the Goblet of Fire. Shockingly, the only ones to come to his rescue are those he'd believed were his enemies.
Notes: Is compatible to the Selection of Triwizard Champions.
Chapter 28- Relaxing at Malfoy Manor
Severus started as the floo's green flames leapt and crackles.
Draco looking extremely nonchalant stepped through first turning to pull Harry through.
Severus hurried from the settee falling to his knees and examining his son, "I heard. Are you alright? Why didn't you come home?" that was twice in a matter of weeks that Draco had been injured. First by that fake Moody who transfigured Draco into a white ferret and slammed him repeatedly against a stone ceiling and floor. In the privacy of his own chamber's he'd practically drowned his then godson in pain relieving potions, dreamless sleep droughts, and Skele-grow. He'd fretted and fumed, how dare they make Draco a laughing stalk like that? How could they allow a professor to mistreat any student in such a heinous way? Looking at his lover's son it was hard to consider a punishment for 'attempting' to curse Harry when his back was turned. This was beyond punishment, it was beyond any sort of magical brutality he'd ever suffered at the hands of Black and Potter. To hear that Parkinson and that woman had attacked Draco, he was no weak 'woman' but this was his son, the son of is heart and blood.
Draco sighed, "I'm fine papa, I was examined by Healers Smythe and Tonks. They recommended I rest. We went first to Celestine's, I spent most of our time their sitting. Until Luna took pity on me, she healed the nerve damage the double bout of Cruciatus Curse I'd sustained. It was nothing too awful."
Harry snorted, "Don't lie Draco. As manly a face as you wished to put on, you were in pain. You don't think I'd recognize trying to ignore pain?"
Severus could understand what Harry meant easily enough. "So you're alright?"
"Yes papa. I'm fine. We picked up suitable attire for Sophronia and Luna at Celestine's. Then we lunched at that same restaurant as last week. Then something interesting happened."
"Oh?" Lucius asked eyebrow raised.
"Mr. Weasley showed up with Mr. Prewett!" Harry said excited, "Then Remus got all intense."
"Intense?" Severus was curious.
Remus coughed embarrassed, "Gideon merely showed up to retrieve his wand, that odious woman had taken his, Fabian, their mother, their father and Bilius' wands holding them over and giving them to the children rather then burying the wands with their masters and buying wands for them when they came of age. I might have revealed a rather passionate interest in wandlore. Following graduation I had once hoped to apprentice to study beneath Mr. Ollivander who has no children to continue his work. Although I don't agree with him that only unicorn hair, dragon heartstring and phoenix feathers make good wandcores. I had to pleasure to met his cousin due to Fred needing his own wand." Remus' eyes sparkled with pleasure.
"Remus said that Fred should have a Billywig stinger for a core. He said it would suit him. We discussed wandlore, he analysed our wands, even telling me about my parents! It was so cool!" Harry said bouncing in excitement.
Remus coughed, "Louis Ollivander said I had a talent. That teaching Defense was a waste. Wanted to discuss my thoughts on lore. He had just the sort of wand I mentioned for Fred, a Sycamore and Billywig stinger. It would do well with an inventive person."
"Talent? I'd say you were intuitive. I'd love to see the kind of wands you'd create Remus if an Ollivander spoke highly of you." Draco said pleasantly.
Remus glanced at Severus nervously, "Before I left his shop, Mr. Ollivander mentioned something odd. He said I must ask you about your wand. That I'd be surprised. He mentioned his cousin Garrick used to brag about his Phoenix and Yew creation He Who Must Not Be Named used. Apparently Louis was watching the Diagon Alley shop when Professor Slughorn escorted you in. he said the wand you left with was infinitely more powerful then the Dark Lord."
Severus coughed, "My wand? I've only made a brief study of wandlore. All quite intriguing stuff I'll warrant but I'll stick to my dusty tomes and scrolls of potions, draughts, poisons and antidotes."
"Please papa? I'd love to see what Remus said your wand tells us about you."
"Yes please Severus?" Harry's plea was accompanied by a begging look that reminded one of those Chesapeake Bay retrievers that Lucius started raising after his father died to Narcissa's horror.
Lucius was curious, "I've forgot what your wand is. Do please remind me Sèvere."
Severus sighed, "Oh very well since I'm besieged on all sides. My wand is an inflexible, 15" Acacia wood with an Abraxan Feather."
Remus was so shocked, he swayed visibly looking faint, he stumbled towards a nearby chair and collapsed into it. He opened his mouth a few times before he could bring himself to speak, "Merlin's staff! Severus, do you have any idea what…of course you do. As vast as your magical talents are you must."
Lucius was intrigued, what was so special about his Bondmate's wand that would cause that sort of a reaction in Remus.
"Remus!" Harry whinged "Tell us…please…"
Remus swallowed gaining control of his shock, "Acacia wood…" he paused briefly "Acacia wands generally refused to produce magic for anyone but their owners, but conversely, seemed to withhold their full power from all but the most gifted wizards. Owners of Acacia wands were generally subtle wizards, which I dare say Severus is." He meant that in a complimentary manner of course.
Severus didn't remember coming across that in his cursory reading into wandlore, he was pleased, "My wand seemed to take to me from the start. It quite refused to work for anyone else even Professor Flitwick I remember. I was shocked that Professor Slughorn invited me to attend his Slug Club meetings my first year. I must have been because of my wand. He never seemed to regard me as much to court because of my looks and Muggle father. I think only Lucius and Lily looked beyond mere surface appearance."
"He was jealous of you." Remus said quietly, "Your brewing was clearing in a league of its own from the first day of term our first year. He'd compliment you to your face but glare at you in jealousy behind your back. One or twice I was sure he'd muck up your potion to mark you down."
Severus smirked, "Oh he tried. Too bad for him I was keen enough at brewing to fix any little mishaps of accidentally knocking too much of something into my cauldron."
"What about his wandcore?" Lucius asked this was interesting. Perhaps, he'd see if he could use some of his influence to held Remus find his place in the wandmaking profession.
"Abraxan hair and feathers may take some time to master, but will produce very rewarding results. It is well balanced between speed of casting and power. Strong ties to air element. Wielders often have an excellent constitution for alcohol consumption."
Lucius snorted, "I've never known him to be drunk. He can and did drink many Death Eaters under the table or even into unconsciousness trying to get them to spill secrets."
Severus glared, "You are fond of liquor yourself Luce"
Lucius bowed, "Indeed but I've never lost my temper under its influence or devilged privileged information."
"What about your wand Dad? What is it?" Draco asked this was all interesting.
"Yes Luce, let Remus dissect your wand for us." Severus said dryly.
Lucius' eyes twinkled, "Which one? For I bear two, one I have full mastery of and the other sometimes I wonder."
"A family wand? One carried by all Heads of the House of Malfoy?" Remus asked.
"True, the Malfoy wand is over a thousand years old. Family legend maintains an ancestor of the Ollivanders once crafted it for the Head of the Family. It was created to serve multiple masters, rather then most wands created to cleave to one unless it's loyalty was won away "
"Many ancient families purchased such wands," Remus said thoughtfully, "What is this wand?"
"A sturdy, 18" Elm and Dragon Heartstring wand." Lucius said with an air of feigned boredom.
"Hm, there are ten common varieties of heartstring used for wand worldwide, although there are many more dragon species. Specialises in hexes, sometimes especially for poisoning spells. It lacks subtlety, very powerful. Very good for any form of Elemental Magic and is considered by Garrick Ollivander to be most common among Slytherins. Some consider Dragons to be of a dual nature, with some providing benevolent and lucky, and others malevolent and a sign of death." Remus closed his eyes searching through his mind for his memories regarding Elm as a wandwood. "Ah yes Elm, according to Muggles it is associated with Mother and Earth Goddesses, said to be where fairies dwell. Sturdy, adds stability and grounding to a spell. I wonder Lucius if there is Fae in your blood as well as Veela."
"Interesting, what do you make of a flexible 12 ¾" Ivy and Centaur hair." Lucius was far more interested then he let on, although Severus claimed Draco never complained about his wand. The boy never did as well as one expected one of his intelligence to do. Perhaps, Draco's reasonably springy 10" Hawthorn and Dragon heartstring wasn't as suitable as Ollivander believed. Perhaps, Remus could as Draco's former and soon to be current professor could recommend a better wand.
"Let me see, Ivy is a strong all-around wandwood. It is associated with ambition and personal drive, which makes it especially well suited to Slytherin users. Particularly you Lucius with your ingratiating way," Remus teased good-naturedly, "It holds meanings of attachment and eternal friendship, fidelity, and wedded love. 'I die where I cling.' Is a saying associated with Ivy, I dare say it suits you well. As for Centaur hair, its very strong for Astronomy and Divination, more often found with Ravenclaws rather then Slytherin. Given its ties to seers I'd believe it would be more likely to be found in Luna's hand rather then yours. It is associated with aloofness, intelligence and wisdom. However it has a more negative association of a tendency to watch rather than take action. Not a fast caster but a powerful one."
Severus chuckled, "Sounds an awful lot like Luce."
Lucius muttered, it did; for he was more of a watcher, stepping in when he felt it was warranted but mostly staying to the sides unless he had no choice. There were some who had crueler words to describe his relations with high placed persons. Longing to change the subject from himself, "Draco has a reasonably springy 10" Hawthorn and Dragon heartstring. As much as Ollivander praised it, I don't think it suits him."
"Suiting the boy I thought I was instructing I'm sure it didn't for her was an arrogant, cruel boy who was disrespectful to his instructors and bullied fellow students unmercifully so I'd heard. However the nature I'd observed in Draco recently has caused me to reexamine my interpretations of his character. I'll not repeat my views on Dragon Heartstring again for I'm sure I've thoroughly bored you on it. Hawthorn symbolises protection, so it is associated with protection and love. It is considered very strong for Defense Against the Dark Arts. Which is good since you've both sought to avoid teaching him Dark Arts. It is a good wandwood for Transfiguration."
Draco schooled his face to avoid the blush he'd known was sure to erupt on his features, a Veela was known for their protection and love for their mate. He felt a rush of attraction for Harry and a desire to protect him from all who wished him harm. "Interesting," he said calmly, "As good as I am at Transfiguration, I find it interests me little. Just as wandlore is not to papa's taste. Blaise is as passionate about the subject as you are about wandlore."
"Perhaps, it doesn't suit you as your father claims. It does reflect a part of your character though, however though a wand chooses a wizard it is not truly sentient and merely was attracted to a tiny bit of your personality. So, Transfiguration is not where your talents lie?"
"Indeed not as his first teacher, I ought to know his talents are similar to my own. He excels at Charms, Potions, Ancient Runes, Occlumency and Legilimency as do I." Severus said a look of pride coupled with an almost preening air.
"He was clearly meant to be your son, Severus. In intellect he resembles you but as to his better character traits he takes after Lucius'." Remus said thoughtfully, "He's got to strong a character to suit Unicorn hair. Veela hair might work but it's dangerous to work with and I'm not sure it would suit him any better then Dragon Heartstring. His wand works for him but it not a perfect fit. Perhaps, he should have gone to Louis rather then Garrick for his wand. I wonder, perhaps Rowan would do for him. Don't know where I might find some."
Draco was interested, "Rowan? It has a saying about I heard."
"There are superstitions with some wand woods. Such as, 'When his wand's oak and hers is holly, then to marry would be folly.' Garrick Ollivander holds that to be nonsense. Another is regarding Rowan as you mentioned, 'Rowan gossips, chestnut drones, ash is stubborn, hazel moans'. Not sure I buy into that either. Rowan is a dense wood, sometimes difficult to work with. Like Hawthorn it is associated with protection, especially against enchantments and beguiling. Which would suit a wizard skilled in Mental Arts to protect oneself. It's strong for Charms, Divination and Transfiguration. It's said to have an affinity for Ancient Runes, but strong all-around in various magical fields. It's said to be an excellent dueling wand. Users are often highly intelligent, visionaries or highly intuitive."
"Being Veela and our son, he's clearly highly intelligent." Severus proudly, "Being Veela and his sense that all wasn't right with Harry as well as knowing instinctively despite their past history that Harry had had nothing to do with his name coming out of the Goblet of Fire."
Lucius smirked, of course their son privately tutored from his early years by a wizard of Severus' talents and knowledge. He chided himself for missing out on Draco's formative years not having a hand in his son and heir's grooming. As it was, he had his mate to thank for Draco's good breeding he supposed. His own father would be appalled that his son had been raised, cosseted and taught above his years by 'a lowly, dirty little Halfblood' who had the audacity to fancy himself in love with such a personage as someone of the Malfoy family who had years of breeding and money as to be beyond his reach despite Severus' bearer being a daughter of the Prince line.
"Harry claims to enjoy cooking and wanted to do so for us. I arranged with Dreca for him to be able to use our kitchens though she'll have to show us the way for I have no idea where they lie in a House such as this." For the Manor was a Quadrangle, built around a square courtyard of a garden with corridor windows that overlooked it. It used to be quite the thing for members of the Malfoy family to live here. The South rooms home to the Nurseries where the children of the Family lived. Their parents living in appropriate wings, with the Head's family living to the North. Draco had due to whatever reason grown up in the nurseries alone. Watched by Dreca and begrudgingly a selection of witch nurses that for some reason or another papa found fault with and dismissed. They'd haughtily at first claimed he was a nobody who had no say. He'd snark right back in that way of his, that the Master, Lord Malfoy put him in charge of his son's care and that if he said she was to pack up and leave she better. Not to let the wards clasp shut on her before she exited them.
"The kitchen is in the basement over the cellar, one floor above your lab Draco." Severus said smoothly. "I got lost once and wandered in. Thank Salazar that woman rarely left her wing except when you had guests."
"She was rather put out we wouldn't share rooms. That I cared much, took the rooms that had a passage from the mistress' room. There we stayed happy as a lark in a tree." Lucius said smiling at Severus, who'd calmed once Draco assured him that he was quite well despite his double bout of Cruciatus Curse.
"So you don't mind if he makes supper?" Draco asked.
Remus smiled to himself, "No, I'd quite like it. Lily was a brilliant cook. I'm decent having to take over for mother when she took ill. James and Siri were a disaster in the kitchen. Siri you see, he chased off his house elf, never liked them much. Siri burned water and James broke cheese if you understand my meaning. Either Lily invited them over to her parents' house, brought by meals or had to cook for them. Although they often dined late after cases in the Leaky Cauldron or Brews and Stews. I cooked when I was around. Siri wanted James and Lily to stay with him after they were Bonded but Lily wanted a place of their own. She was starting to see Siri was a bad influence on James. James had his good points but with Siri around he could be a utter toerag. As we three know well." Briefly avoiding mentioning the hell their Hogwarts years had been to Severus. As good of a woman Lily was and as gentle and forgiving her nature how in the world did she fall in love with someone like James? Who bullied her best friend and practically her brother to within an inch of his sanity to the point where Severus lost his temper and call her a, Godric and Salazar forgive his mate, a 'Mudblood'.
"It's getting late. Had I the time I'd make a nice pot-roast. It's too last for a proper one, perhaps a nice salad, roasted potatoes and chicken with lemon and thyme."
Remus could hardly prevent a groan, "Sounds just like your mother. All though it's a bit late in the year for salad."
"Oh dear, I hadn't thought of that. It's not like I'm at Number Four Private Drive. Mrs. Dursley would hit up the Markets for fresh vegetables and then groan about the cost." Harry said quietly.
"You'll just have to see what the house elves have." Draco said trying to comfort him a bit.
"Perhaps, they've got something nice. The Manor is a nice estate we manage quite well, the house elves rarely have to go to market you see. We've kept goats, sheep, and cows and farmed here for generations. We don't keep witches and wizards in service nowadays. It the ages past we did but numbers dwindled too much and it became far too unseemly to have Muggles about. Squibs are alright I suppose but they always have like Muggle a bit of a jealousy against their 'betters' for we have magic and they don't." Lucius said blandly.
Severus winced slightly; to distract his mate he swiftly changed the subject. "Luce why don't we head the Music room? It's been some time since we played together. I taught Draco some but he could use better instruction from a more adapt musician."
Draco's eyes shone, Dad? Teach him to play? Papa always said that his father was a far more superior musician and that he made his own play seem like a mere trifle.
Remus took the subtle hint, "I'll show Harry to the kitchen then. We'll send an elf to summon you to supper. Where shall we dine then?" He'd never been here or indeed to a house such as Malfoy Manor.
"It if were a grand party it's be the formal dining room off the ball room. There is the formal parlour opposite the dining room. Connecting to the formal parlour is the gentlemen's parlour of course." Lucius said thoughtfully, he snapped his fingers.
An elf appeared, "Yes what Master be wanting?"
"Treca, make sure the family dining room is ready."
Treca bowed, "Treca and Dippy already see to it. All dusted and polished. Nice crisp linen and family silver set. Treca be deciding which china she ought to set the table with."
"Oh, the Malfoy china will do."
"Yes Master. Treca do. Wine and coffee be served?"
"Yes. Port and scotch decantered in the green parlour."
"Of course Master. Milk for the young Masters?"
"Yes, port and scotch be a bit strong of those of formative years." Lucius said pleasantly.
"Dippy off to put the music room to rights. We so happy to see that Master wishes to play. Manor should ring with laughter and music like before. We elves tell stories of when this was joyful place." Then she looked as if she thought she'd said too much.
"It's quite alright." Severus said kindly, he'd learn to appreciate house elves. Treac'd half served him for years out of duty to her master Lucius whom she seemed to worship. Lucius never had a harsh word for her and often relied on her.
"We'd best see to dinner hadn't we Harry?" Remus said standing and stretching, trying to distract himself from his thoughts on Draco's possible Rowan wand. That is if he could find a Rowan tree.
XoooooX
Lucius' fingers were entwined with Severus as he led the way to the Music room. It was spacious with high vaulted ceilings painted with nymphs and satyrs.
There was a violin, a harp and harpsichord
Instruments that Severus knew besides those were the Viola, a cello, what Muggles would call a grand piano, a glass harp and a lute. There were also horns and flutes
Lucius had learned music when he was younger having been under the care of excellent tutors. He'd been taught first the piano, then finding a flair for classical instruments such as the Viola and Harp. He'd taught Severus piano wanting to play duets together. Severus had introduced him to Muggle composers such as Vivaldi, Mozart, and Beethoven. His favourite pieces besides the old Wizarding tunes such as the Founders Ode or the French songs he learned to play by ear.
The summer section of Vivaldi's Seasons was amoung Severus' favourite pieces. He couldn't play it well but he summoned both the Viola and Piano music. Draco had his father's flair for music.
Lucius nodded, "You adore Vivaldi." Tuning the viola he gestured with the bow for Draco to test the tuning of the piano, "Show me what you can do. Vivaldi was good but he did enjoy The Planets, by a Muggle names Gustav Holst who was too talented conjuring the evocative feelings of the planets. His Veela nature was drawn to its cathartic nature. Mars, the Bringer of War he played when that woman put him in a temper. Severus could make him more partial to the movement of Venus, the Bringer of Joy or the movement attributed to Jupiter, the Bringer of Jollity. Back to Vivaldi, the Four Seasons was written for the Violin, though he himself painstakingly transposed a simple accompaniment for Severus to play on the piano. It better suited the harpsichord but Severus insisted that the piano was the best he could do. He wanted his mate to play along, he pulled out a simplified version of The Summer moment for Violin he'd made for Severus, giving Draco a quick lesson on the violin. Showing him how to make it sing.
Draco had tried to teach himself the violin and thanks to his early music lessons could read music. He caught on quickly and was soon playing the first bars.
Lucius nudged a protesting Severus to the piano, "I do wish to play together."
Severus couldn't resist, it had been too long since he'd played with either of them.
Lucius tapped out the beat.
Soon the voices of the piano, violin and Viola soared, Lucius' Viola was the more difficult and proved an magnificent background to Severus' shy piano. The piece often called the storm gain majesty as Draco and Severus gained confidence.
XoooooX
Remus led Harry down to the kitchen.
There were large deep brick ovens, heated by hot fires. There was a stove but a type of which Harry'd never seen. He groaned, he knew how to cook the Muggle way and he was lost.
Remus noticed his panic, he remembered with an ache Lily having the same when faced with Siri's kitchen. "It's not so bad." He called out, "Dreca? Harry be needing chicken, thyme, lemon juice and pepper."
Dreca hurried do as she was bid, "be Dreca to wash chicken legs? Thighs? Breasts? Wings?"
Harry swallowed, "Um…thighs?"
Dreca grinned, "Yes Master Harry. Right away Master Harry."
Remus squeezed Harry's shoulder gently, "You wanted baked potatoes? Either I or the house elves can show you how best to cook them."
Harry wrung his hands, "When I said I wanted to cook I never dreamed I'd be attempting in…picturesque, old-fashioned kitchen like this."
"Magic and electricity don't always mesh well. Not many Muggle devices have been made to work well in magical environments. Too much of the Wizarding world has little respect for Muggle inventions and discoveries."
"So much to get used to…" Harry mused, "I wonder what vegetables I can use."
Dippy fairly skip up to them, "Master Harry be wishing to see the cellar? Dippy take."
"Cellar?" Remus asked.
"Yes, Manor have big cellar. Store lots of food. All keep fresh. Be special magic. House elf magic. Come!" she too Harry's arm tugging him towards the small wooden door off to the side.
They went down a steep dark staircase that when down a few steps, about seven probably.
Dippy led them into a large chamber; it was partitioned off with something was a cross between a sort of wall and a thin wooden screen. There was a sort of aisle; there were large hunks of meat. There were also shelves of glass jars bearing pickled vegetables, jams and preserves. Something like Mrs. Dursleys' canned things from the pantry. There were also herbs and what almost seemed to be fresh produce hanging from the ceiling or sitting in baskets on shelves.
Reminding Harry of a large walking freezer he'd once seen on the Telly.
"I've never seen such a place…" Remus said in awe, "How does it keep?"
"House elf magic. Something like preserving charms but different. Last long, long time. Dippy's grand dam say in case of bad crop, save much. Use old first. Once found fruit ten year still good. Grand dam said find older, made cider fresh."
Harry scurried along the shelves, "Some of that romaine lettuce, spinach, tomatoes, cucumbers, ooh baby carrots." He wanted a dressing he favoured, calling out spices needed for a simple vinaigrette, "vinegar too."
"What sort of vinegar Master Harry be wanting?"
"White?" Harry said shyly.
"Master Harry want Dippy chop?"
Harry shook his held, "I'm used to chopping. Been using a knife since I was five."
Dippy's eyes went wide, "Why? You being an heir just like Master Draco. You be Lord Potter one day."
"Harry was raised by his mother's Muggle relations. They made Harry cook and clean for them."
"Like house elf? That wrong. Very wrong."
"Perhaps," Harry admitted, "but I like cooking. Ooh blackberries! And cocoa! Dippy if I mix a cake can one of you take it out when it's done?" he had no idea how hot one of those ovens ran.
"Do for potatoes too. House elves good cooks. Old recipes. Always share."
With the ingredients he wanted selected despite being off season Harry skipped back to the kitchen where Dippy, Dreca and Remus were only to kind to help him learn how to cook in the old fashioned but nevertheless charming kitchen.
At one point Harry said something about how he wished he had thought to make biscuits only to see an unfamiliar elf pulling a set of fluffy biscuits out of the brick oven.
On a tray was a dish of fresh cream butter and a pitcher of fresh milk, brought over that morning Dreca assured them. Knowing the Masters would be home they'd requested that their estate dairy send up some.
Harry again marvelled how well stocked the Manor's kitchen cellar was, fresh milk and butter? He'd never had such luxury…
Dreca spirited off to summon her masters when Harry declared everything was finished including the cake which Dippy had placed aside with the house elf version of a warming charm to keep the cake as warm and fluffy as when it came out of the oven.
There were two tables in the kitchen, one long like a House table at Hogwarts only more ornate and the other was smaller meant only to seat not more then twelve. The smaller table was arrayed with the dishes of food. The dishes were of monogrammed and family crested china and silver. Was that how the House Elves at Hogwarts arranged meals? Transferring hot food from the kitchens to the tables somehow switching empty dishes with full ones filled with steaming plates?
Harry remembered as Dippy escorted them to the family dining room, that even when one arrived late to a meal at Hogwarts that the food was just as hot as when it first appeared on the House tables.
XoooooX
Lucius, Severus and Draco where playing through another of the Planet movements, Jupiter, Bringer of Joy, with Lucius pausing to give some instruction to help them play through the difficult piece despite his simplified versions.
Dreca popped into the Music Room bowing nervously, "Dreca sorry to interrupt Masters but Master Harry say dinner ready. He be meeting in family dining room."
"Thank you Dreca." Draco said grinning, music always calmed him and he was ecstatic that Dad was proud of him and Severus. He might never be as good as Lucius Malfoy but he could one day hold his own.
Lucius put up his viola, loosening the strings on the bow before putting it back on it's stand and casting his dust repelling charm.
Draco shyly copied his father with the violin; he'd caught on quickly though he'd only played the pianoforte before.
Severus closed his instrument, "We should wash out hands."
"There is a washroom near the dining room," Lucius offered smoothing his robes.
Although it was considered family tradition for the Malfoy children to eat meals with the family after the age of nine Draco spent little time in the family dining room having been excluded from his then parents company. Severus came over on his release from professor duties to check his homework and give him lessons. He looked forward to the attention, his nurses did their best he supposed but nothing replaces a parent. As he grew older Dreca took over more of his care and the nurses were at last gone. Severus was still busy but now that he was at Hogwarts as a student he saw more of his now papa.
XoooooX
Harry had washed his hands in the Manor's large kitchen before leaving it as had Remus.
They reached the kitchen a few minutes before Lucius, Severus and Draco.
Harry could see Draco was glowing; spending the time with his fathers had been good for him. He felt a bit of an ache not to have his own parents…
Draco let go of his fathers' hands, something he'd never do in public but this was home and it was different. He hurried to sit beside Harry leaning over to kiss him softly, "tell me, did every thing go alright? What did you make?"
Remus laughed, "Judge for yourself."
The dishes were now full of steaming food; there was a platter of baked lemon and herb chicken, a bowl of fresh salad, a flask of dressing, a basket of steaming rolls, a disk of fresh butter, a pitcher of warm fresh milk and a plate with fresh from the oven potatoes. There was also a complimentary white wine to accompany the chicken and to aid with digestion.
Draco eagerly filled his plate with the wonderful smelling food, placing a warm biscuit on his bread plate and serving himself salad. He took a bit of chicken and moaned, it was tender and the flavours…
Harry asked nervously, "Is it alright? I've never used an oven of a stove like the one's you have. I was worried it wouldn't turn out."
Lucius laughed, "He wouldn't sound like that if it wasn't. I've only heard him like that with desserts." He delicately cut himself a bite of chicken and sampled it, a look of wonder filled his face. "You," he said after finishing the bite, "are and excellent cook." Those Muggles beat him? Imbeciles…
Severus tasted the chicken and tears filled his eyes but didn't fall. He swallowed before looking at Harry, "It tastes just like Lily's…"
Remus nodded after he finished his own bite, "He make look like James apart from his eyes but he is far more like Lily. I was having flashbacks to her first visit to Siri's kitchen after he turned off the house elves. Foolish thing to do, considering they stand between you and many things including starvation."
Harry blushed, "No wonder they don't take kindly to Hermione's desire to free them."
Dreca and Dippy looked up from their place near the window waiting to see if they were needed.
Dippy spoke hotly, "He's a bad un that one. Who can blame him being that woman's elf? But wanting pay? Bad Dobby. He's not real Malfoy elf. We don't want freedom or paying," she spat the last word." I'm so ashamed of him,"
Dreca sighed, glancing up; "Dippy liked Dobby until he started talking about freedom. She thinks he'll come to a bad end."
"He works for me now. I think he'll behave." Harry said trying to deflect the conversation.
"We spoke out of turn." Dreca said thinly.
"So he can't mingle with mingle with other house elves?" Remus asked curious.
Dreca nodded, "Should keep eye on dishes. Mister Harry be wanting us to bring up his cake for Master Draco."
Draco turned to Harry, pausing in his barely polite eating mannerisms. "You made me a cake?"
Harry blushed nodding, "You may tease Vince and Greg for being greedy with sweets but you like them too. You'll eat anything with chocolate. When we have blackberry anything, you smear the preserves over toast or you eat just the blackberries in the porridge."
Draco shifted nervously, "Blackberries are so good!"
The five practically family ate their way through Harry's delicious meal before Draco turned to Dreca, "Cake?"
The house elf twittered and the empty supper dishes were replaced be a cake, but what a cake! It was two layers of chocolate cake with blackberry filling, there was chocolate frosting and a heavy amount of blackberries covering the cake.
Draco whooped and earned a glare from his fathers, to which he paid no heed.
A shy Harry asked Lucius if he would serve it.
He did so.
Soon they were digging into Harry's cake with identical expressions of bliss.
Draco was bouncing and making such noises of delight one might mistake him for orgasming at the table.
When they had finished their cake, Draco had seconds, Harry found himself being kissed eagerly by Draco.
Lucius chuckled, "Oh dear you two, I suppose I better let you stay the night. You will return to Hogwarts by Lunch."
Draco nodded, "If we have to have Dreca Apparate us into the Entrance Hall we will be."
Harry was blushing; he'd never had someone compliment his cooking before….
"You'll have to cook for us again Harry. It reminds us of your mother. A really lovely woman." Severus said quietly.
Remus nodded, "Wonderful meal. Better then I could have done."
Harry was about to cry from happiness when Draco led him up to his new room in the Lord's family quarters.
What do you think? Outstanding? Exceeds Expectations? Acceptable? Poor? Dreadful? Troll?
Author Note: the LuciusxSeverusxRemus lemon is available on for those who wish to read it. to avoid having this story taken down I've chosen to continue my practice of not posting all but the lightest of lemons here.