Disclaimer: Harry Potter and his world belong to J. K. Rowling.

Chapter 35 :

Narcissa held her new daughter with the tenderness of a new mother. It had been thirteen years since Draco. She had forgotten how very tiny a new baby was. And she had arrived on the 31st July, the same as the birthday of Harry Potter. Maybe it was destined that they should be together. He already had the most inherent power of any wizard she knew, and in time, would be an important man. He was not pure-blood, of course, which was a shame, but if the Malfoys managed an alliance with Harry Potter, the one who had defeated Lord Voldemort when just a baby, (or so it was said,) those past unfortunate associations with the man would be forgotten. There was no threat to the Malfoy Vanieship; the baby was a girl and so would not affect the Malfoy Pure-blood status. She doubted that Harry had any idea how much his Muggle-born mother had brought down his family's status in the world. James Potter's father had been Van Gerion Potter. Harry James Potter could never be one of the Vanie. He was not Pure-blood.

Lucius entered softly, and said quietly, "Will we ask him to the Naming Ceremony?"

"I've been thinking about that. It would seem far too pointed to have him as one of the limited numbers that would fit in the Ceremonial Room, so what if we invite a lot of people and make it more like a party? And not exclusive. I want Andromeda here, though her husband is unlikely to come."

"The Muggle-born," Lucius said with a sneer.

Narcissa said, "If he does come, you will treat him with utmost courtesy, of course."

"Of course. But do you think it wise to welcome too many people? People that are not in our circle?"

"This time, yes. And none of your former Death Eater friends, or none that are known or suspected, anyway. And we'll ask Cornelius, any of the 'Light' families we know well enough, the Greaves families, of course, we'll say children but specify only those over twelve. I don't want to be bothered with small children who don't know how to behave. Any of Draco's friends he wants, and he says Harry has become a friend, remember?"

"That's what we wanted. But it will be more of a party than a formal Naming Ceremony."

"Strategy. We already decided that Sirius Black is to be godfather since he is my cousin, also he is Harry's godfather, and possibly soon to be Vanie again, you told me."

"I've been wanting him to sire an heir before I push that."

"In time then. But mostly, we should do all that we can to ensure that Harry has a good time. I have heard he is besotted with Adele Greaves' baby, and it won't hurt if he falls for our little girl."

Lucius grinned at her, "And besides, you like a good party."

"Fireworks, decorations, and the formalities not very formal, just in front of the crowd."

"If that's what you think best."

"I do."

xxx

At the Greaves' place, Sonia checked the mail, and as was her custom, put aside the invitations to discuss with Brandon before answering. Some would be met with polite refusals, those that conflicted with another engagement, and some because they didn't choose to go. She frowned over the invitation from the Malfoy family. A Naming Ceremony was an important occasion, even that of a girl baby. It would be a breach of courtesy to refuse, bordering on insult. Themselves, plus Harry, plus Charlie. There was the formal invitation, formally phrased, Sirius Black named to be godfather, but there was also a hand-written note from Narcissa - 'We are making it more of a celebration this time, so there will be a large gathering. Children over twelve are invited, and there will be things they will enjoy, straight after the formalities, including dancing. I do hope you can come. Harry and Charlie will have a good time, I guarantee.'

Brandon arrived and she handed it to him. He studied it, and commented, "It appears they are wanting to demonstrate a change in their affiliations."

"I thought that."

"What do you think?"

"Lucius was said to be a Death Eater. Could he be wanting a chance to harm our boy?"

Brandon hesitated. Lucius had been a Death Eater; he was sure of that. Not just one who sympathised with the cause, but one who'd taken part in the murders and the terror. He said finally, "I will ask Lyall. He is close to some of the Vanie; they might have a better idea."

But when Brandon brought up the subject with his brother, Lyall said that with so many going, including himself and Adele, there was no chance that Harry would be in any danger, maybe aside from falling in love with another baby.

Brandon grinned, "He said he hopes he'll have a chance to see a bit of Sirius's baby when it comes."

"You will have to make sure he knows the procedure just in case he is wanted to be part of the formalities."

"There is no reason he should be."

"Unless Lucius is thinking of a future alliance? No better way than marrying his daughter to the Boy-Who-Lived to distance himself from the Dark Lord."

"I hadn't thought of that. But I suppose… Thirteen years age gap. It's feasible."

xxx

The invitations were discussed at dinner, as had become routine. Sonia said that she and Brandon would be out that evening, a formal dinner, and that Elle would be on hand if they needed anything they couldn't cope with by themselves. Elle was the housekeeper, and as she had a room within the home, was close at hand. She and the cook took turns being available for the children on occasions like this.

"Where's the dinner?" Annalise asked curiously.

"Van Jessem McLaggen," Sonia replied, and Annalise nodded. They all knew the names of each member of the Vanie, knew they were to be respected, and knew they were not to be offended. It was regarded as essential knowledge in pure-blood circles.

Sonia continued, "Also, we have an invitation from Van Lucius Malfoy to the Naming Ceremony for his new daughter. It's in a week's time, and your father and I are asked, also Harry and Charlie. Your Uncle Lyall and Aunt Adele will also be there."

"Why me?" Harry asked.

"Children over twelve, it said," and Sonia read out the note from Narcissa, adding, "Sirius will be there, Harry, as he is to be named godfather."

Annalise said enviously, "I'd like to see a Naming Ceremony."

"No doubt you will one day."

Harry asked, "Formal?"

"With the Malfoys, it is always formal," Sonia said with a smile.

Brandon said, "The Naming Ceremony will be formal, and only a few will attend, but then the people will start mixing in a more casual fashion. Narcissa says there will be dancing."

"Dancing! I can't dance!"

Brandon looked at Sonia, who said, "More lessons then. Maybe in place of all the extra Defence training, as you are well advanced, and can spare the time."

Brandon nodded, but said, "All of you, especially Charlie. It is important to be able to dance."

Annalise asked, "Will you dance with me, Harry?"

"I doubt if I'll be going to any dances for a long time, sister-of-mine."

Annalise said crossly, "I am not your sister."

"Sorry, just that you feel like a sister to me."

Sonia and Brandon glanced at each other. Annalise might have set her heart on marrying Harry one day, but it did not sound like he was going to be interested.

Harry asked, "The actual ceremony; I won't be involved, will I?"

"Unlikely," said Brandon, and Sonia said, "Just in case, we'll cover that in the next etiquette lesson."

"Thank you," Harry said. He was grateful that they tried to ensure he knew all of the things that the Greaves children had known almost from birth. He never again wanted to find himself in a situation for which he was not prepared. He very well remembered the embarrassment when he'd refused to pledge allegiance to Lyall, Head of House Greaves. He might have done the right thing, but the memory was enough to make him blush, even now, almost a year later.

Harry thought he had mostly caught up with the others in knowledge of etiquette and traditions, but there were still things that caught him by surprise, such as when Sonia spoke of the Godfather Bond.

"An actual magical Bond?" he asked. "What does it do?"

"Not a great deal really, only that the child is more apt to like and trust his godfather, and the godfather is more apt to want to look after the child. It's a real honour to be named godfather."

"Does he have any power over the child?"

"He is normally named as the guardian if needed, though not always. Nothing else."

"So if Sirius pushed, he still might have a claim on me?"

"Not any more. It is finalised."

"That's good. Whatever the godfather bond, I prefer to be with you."

Annalise piped up, "My friend, Orla, said that when her baby sister had the ceremony, there was a flash of light when they made the Bond."

"Sometimes, and sometimes there doesn't seem to be."

"She said that only powerful witches can see it, and most can't see it."

Harry asked, "What about godmothers? If there is a godfather, is there also a godmother?"

"It is not in the Traditions, but some do. No Bond, but more like a courtesy. Some of us think that women are just as important as men."

"Or more so," Charlie laughed. "I was listening to some of the girls talking about the Traditions. They pointed out that women are actually more powerful than the men, and should be treated as such."

Harry asked, "Is that so, Aunt Sonia?"

"There is evidence that women are slightly more powerful than men, though there are always individual variations and a great deal of overlap. But all of the most powerful wards require women's input, and also, the average limit of apparation distance for women is a bit more than for men."

Charlie said, "It's a wizard who holds the record for length of time that a conjure lasts, though."

"So it is. The record is sixteen months, and that was in the seventeenth century, a wizard called Aquinistrum Evans."

Harry laughed. "A fancy name like Aquinistrum and the surname is just Evans? It doesn't match very well."

"It doesn't seem to, does it?"

But then Sonia went on to exactly what to expect during the Naming Ceremony, even though Harry was not expected to witness the actual ceremony, and she explained that few would be present, maybe just four men and four women. "Unlike most ceremonies, there are always as many women as men, and it will be a woman who presides over the formalities."

After all of the preparatory work, Harry was surprised to discover the Malfoy Mansion covered with gay decorations and with festive music. It didn't seem to fit with what he knew of the Malfoys at all. And the minute that the formal greetings to Mr. and Mrs. Malfoy were done, Draco grabbed his hand and told him to come and see his sister. "She's called Viola Patricia Malfoy, and she was born on the 31st July, the same as your birthday."

Sonia glanced at Brandon and Charlie, and then followed Draco and Harry. Draco's apparently impulsive action was unexpected for a thirteen-year-old, especially for one who'd been schooled all his life in correct behaviour. Brandon stood indecisive, and Lucius said, half-laughing, "Draco says that Harry adores babies. It seems he just can't wait to show her off."

Brandon said, "Of course," and guessed that Draco's action had been planned, probably because the Malfoys were thinking of a future alliance, just as Lyall had suggested. They were not about to harm Harry. In any case, Sonia had gone with them.

In the nursery, the tiny baby was sleeping, but the nanny had had her orders, and when Draco brought Harry into the nursery, she instructed him to sit in the chair, and then gently picked up the baby and gave her to him. Sonia watched from close to the door.

Harry studied the tiny face that blinked at him. She seemed so pale and so little. He glanced at Draco with his white-blond hair, and thought that little Viola could easily have the same hair - when she grew some hair. He touched the soft cheek and almost whispered, "She's beautiful."

Sonia walked over, irresistibly attracted, and she, too, touched the baby and said that there was nothing quite like a new baby.

Narcissa appeared, smiled with satisfaction, and then took the baby, and said, "Out now please boys. It's time she had a pre-ceremony feed."

Sonia said, "So beautiful, Narcissa. But I guess I'd best leave you to it."

"We're having a public ceremony this time, so as soon as everyone is here, and as long as she's not screaming."

"Colic?"

"Not very often, thank the gods, but sometimes."

Harry had already left. It would certainly be unsuitable to stay. But one day he would have a wife, and when she fed the baby, she might let him watch. How could there be anything more beautiful?

Draco said to him, "Most mothers don't feed their own babies, but Mother does. It's a bit embarrassing."

Harry said definitely, "It's the most wonderful thing. It almost makes me wish I was a woman, to be able to do that."

Draco looked at him incredulously, but then shook his head, "That's ridiculous!"

Harry shrugged. It was not at all ridiculous to his mind. Women might not be Vanie, they might not have equal rights to inherit, but they could have babies. No man could have a baby and no man could feed a baby as nature intended. Women had their own privileges.

But then Draco said that Cornelius Fudge had arrived, Minister for Magic, and his father had told him he'd want to talk to the famous Harry Potter.

"The famous Harry Potter!" Harry said, annoyed.

Draco shrugged, "Get used to it."

Harry said crossly, "It's twelve years ago, I don't remember it, and the so-called Prophecy was probably invented by Dumbledore."

But Draco hissed at him to stop talking, and then Harry had to be courteous to Minister Fudge, who was dressed in robes remarkable for being more ornate, though not as colourful as those that Dumbledore had liked to wear. And then there were several others that Draco introduced him to, most of them men, and with the private explanation of who they were, and if in the Ministry, what they did.

Charlie was still with his father, and said to him, "They certainly seem to be concentrating on Harry."

"Political reasons, I think. We'll talk about it properly once we are home."

"So you think it significant?"

"I do."

There was a waiter, who pressed glasses of drink on them, different ones for Brandon and Charlie, with the explanation that the youngsters were getting a less alcoholic version of the ceremonial drink. The liquid looked the same, but the glasses were of slightly different designs.

Brandon accepted his, and glanced around at the room. Many waiters, all of them with trays of drinks. He noted Harry there, now standing with two boys who looked around fifteen. Draco had joined his father, and for the first time, he noticed Sirius Black there. Each of them had a drink in hand and were looking expectantly at the dais. So instead of using their Ceremonial Room, Lucius and Narcissa had opted for a public ceremony. And that, he thought, was significant also.

Narcissa's sister, Andromeda, stood next to her. Even that was unexpected. Andromeda had been disowned by her parents for marrying a Muggle-born and as far as he knew, had not been received at either the Blacks or the Malfoys since. He scanned the room, wondering if her husband was there. If he was, it would probably be the first time that he had ever been admitted to Malfoy Manor.

A hush fell as the brief ceremony commenced, the ancient lady holding the baby, crooning to it for a moment, and then handed it over to Sirius, who held the little girl with tenderness. The old lady then made a brief speech about the obligations of a godfather, a few brief words in Aniragi, and then she raised her voice a little more, and proclaimed, "This is Viola Patricia Malfoy, protected by Sirius Black as godfather."

Lucius raised the glass he held in his hand, the congregation all raised their glasses, Lucius said, 'Ve Varadi Sear Sah,' followed by everyone else saying the same words, and then taking a sip from their glasses.

The formalities were over. The baby was still in the arms of Sirius, but the nanny appeared and reached out for her, not quite in time to stop the eruption of second-hand milk that spilled over Sirius's robes. Sirius looked down at himself, and chuckled. "That's my god-daughter! She knows not to take things too seriously!"

There was music coming from outside, and word spread that there was to be dancing. Brandon saw more people it would be impolite to ignore, and before turning to them, asked Charlie to keep an eye on Harry.

Charlie said, "Certainly, Father, but he's in safe enough company. Vayden Carlyle and Trevor Lyons."

Brandon was fully occupied for the next hour, meeting and greeting, exchanging civil and often meaningless chitchat, and feeling for the undercurrents of politics that were never far from any pure-blood function. Lyall was there, doing the same thing, though those of the women not cooing over the baby, were talking about their own children.

Lyall arrived at the side of Brandon, and said that both Charlie and Harry were surrounded by a dozen pretty young women and appeared to be having a wonderful time.

Brandon asked curiously, "Any of the girls you know?"

"The Caruthers girl, also Daphne Greengrass – she's about the youngest, and that raving beauty of Carlyle's, about sixteen. A few others, and Draco is also there."

"Well, if Lucius is trying to position House Malfoy closer to Harry, and incidentally, to us, he's managing nicely."

"Go and have a look?"

They strolled out, the brothers together, and stood surveying the scene – a large group of youngsters, some dancing, and three attractive girls apparently taking turns trying to teach Harry the steps of a new dance.

Brandon looked around for Charlie, who noticed, said something to the girl he was with, and crossed to his father and uncle. He greeted his uncle with the expected formality and then grinned to his father, "He's having a wonderful time, and the girls have all cast protective charms on their feet."

Lyall laughed, "Is he that bad a dancer?"

"Not that bad really, Uncle Lyall. He did squash Stephanie's toes once, and then they made a big thing of doing protective charms, but it's just a joke."

Brandon asked, "Who's the girl waiting for you?"

"Her name's Phyllis Whitehead. She's a year above me."

Brandon nodded. He knew her parents, but said amiably, "You should bring her over and introduce us."

"Of course. Just that I knew you would ask me about Harry first," and he turned to signal to the girl, who quickly walked over for the formal introduction she'd been expecting.

After a few minutes of amiable chitchat, they separated, and Charlie went off with the one he was already thinking of calling 'girlfriend.' Phyllis Whitehead, Slytherin while Charlie was in Gryffindor. But school houses were viewed as less important than they had been only a year earlier.

Not long later, Brandon Greaves found a moment to spend some time with her parents. No liaison was casual in their world, and the Whiteheads had also taken note of the beginning relationship.

xxx

There were only a few days left before school resumed, and the lessons for both Harry and Charlie were consumed with talk of the Vanie, the status of various Pure-blood Houses, and then into the intricacies of political alliances and rivalries.

At one point, Harry asked, "So you think my sudden popularity at the Malfoys was more to do with shifting alliances than anything else?"

"I'm afraid so."

Harry heaved a theatrical sigh and said, "And I thought it was my scintillating personality."

He reflected afterwards that he could be annoyed about the obvious and totally accepted class consciousness of this world. But it was his world, thanks to the Greaves family taking him in. It was up to him to learn to live in his world. He would not try and make changes in things he did not fully understand. He wasn't even sure if changes were needed.

But then it was time for last minute packing, and it was back to Hogwarts for Harry's third year and Connor's and Anton's first year.

xxx

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