The Phoenix Court: Chapter Nine

Hermione felt like she was living in a dream, after all those days and weeks of hiding away, the prince had publicly declared for her. She had been convinced that he would not, that she was just a fleeting fancy. She felt she would burst with joy and had barely slept that night.

She woke just as the sun began to rise over the horizon. The sky was dyed in purples, pinks, and orange and she could hear the soft birdsong coming from outside. Her parents were not yet awake so she crept to the sitting room and lit a small fire in the hearth with her wand. She sat back in an armchair and watched as light from the flames flickered across the carved oak walls, making the shadows twist and dance.

She sighed again and thought about the future, the prince may have chosen her—for now—but his parents certainly had not. She imagined that Lord and Lady Malfoy would not be pleased with their son's choice, but hoped that they would be open to being convinced. She knew well their reputation for snobbery and preference for old blood, the Malfoy family had been old, even in the days before the founding of Alban. But she wasn't a fool, she would prove to them that she was worthy of their son, worthy of a prince.

The sound of her maidservant calling out for her broke her musings and she returned to her rooms to ready herself for the day. When she joined her parents for breakfast she found the two of them in deep conversation, their food completely forgotten. They both looked up when they heard her enter the room, her father called out to her, "Hermione, sweeting, come here."

She took her place by her father's side and he took her hand, "There has been an attempt on Prince Harry's life, child."

Hermione felt as if she had been dropped into the sea, her stomach fell and she looked at her father with disbelieving eyes. "No, that can't be. They didn't succeed, did they? Is he…?"

"The prince still lives."

"And the assassin?"

"He has been killed by his own hand. Jumped from the prince's window. But the King called an emergency meeting. I must go, child. I am needed."

"Yes, father."

"I understand you are his friend but do not be worried."

Lady Granger, who was silent until now spoke up, "How can we not worry? The killer may be dead but someone else was responsible for this."

The morning after the ball Draco paid his parents a visit in their apartments. A multitude of thoughts swirled around in his mind. What did his parents think of his actions last night? What would his parents say? After weeks of worrying about being careful, he had publicly declared his interest in Hermione. He had gambled and hoped that he would be able to make his parents see things his way. If his parents didn't accept his decision, he hoped his earlier investments in his research and victories in battle could see him through to win the position of heir. As he saw it, once he was the heir he wouldn't be beholden to his parents and could make any decisions he saw fit. He just needed to bide his time, keep going, and he would succeed.

Draco found his parents still seated for breakfast, enjoying rashers of bacon, smoked fish, and honeyed oatcakes with fresh cream and fruits. Lucius was seated at the head of the table with Narcissa seated to his right. Lucius leaned into his wife and whispered something in her ear which caused her to blush and laugh. She took her husband's face in her hands and gave him a lingering kiss.

Many people at court saw the Malfoy's as cold people trapped in a loveless marriage. The match between his parents had been political, but love had followed nonetheless. His parents' affection for each other still warmed Draco's heart and made him hopeful that he too could be lucky to find love.

As the servant announced his arrival, his parents broke apart and his mother called out to him with delight. She rose from her seat to greet him with a warm embrace. His mother felt thin in his arms, no doubt she was worried about her father and himself. He too worried that the stress of the Declaration was just as trying for his parents as it was for him. His parents were strong, they had carried him far in life and he would soon take up their burdens and his own. He joined them in their meal much to the enjoyment of his mother. She doted on him, insisting that he add extra bacon and bread to his already full plate. "You must keep up your strength in these trying times. You work too hard, my little dragon."

As he obediently ate from his overfilled plate, she smiled indulgently at him and reached over to smooth his hair. His father gave her a look to which she simply replied, "I have a right to dote on him. I'm his mother. And he so rarely visits because he is always working."

Lucius sighed but nodded in agreement, " Indeed, there is no finer Malfoy man."

Pleased but still slightly nervous, Draco began eating again. An easy conversation continued until talk of the previous night's ball came up. Lucius couldn't help but disparage the Potter boy and marvel at the stupidity of the courtiers for being so easily drawn in by an idiot. Narcissa hummed in agreement, nodding along at the appropriate times, but Draco could tell she wasn't truly paying attention. She had heard this speech many times before. Both were drawn back to attention by the mention of someone new, "who was that girl you were dancing with, Draco. Everyone was talking about how you paid her so much attention."

Draco choked on his oatcakes and began to cough. His father frowned. Draco tried to ignore his parents' piercing gaze and took a calming breath, "She-She's the daughter of Lord Granger," Draco said, trying to sound nonchalant. She was the one who saved Potter and his idiot friend from being eaten by the acromantula.

"Indeed? It appears that she is quite a capable young woman."

Lucius took a bite of his food, chewing carefully and thinking over his son's words. "You know it is unwise to be seen favoring her. Her birth is too low. You need to set your sights on a more advantageous match. "

Draco could hardly contain himself, "Her father is in good standing with the King. She is being taught by the Earl of Estermont's closest friend and ally, and she is a close friend of the house of Longbottom and Abbot."

Narcissa placed her hand on her son's arm, trying to soothe him. "Draco, darling, calm yourself."

Lucius snorted in disbelief and said, "You don't have to list her accomplishments to me. She is a fine young woman, but she is from a minor house and a house that supports your rival, might I add. If you must have her, she will make a fine mistress, but I know you too well to believe you see her in that light. Draco, you need to be realistic. Don't throw away all your hard work."

"I am being realistic. We have powerful allies on our side, Parkinson, Nott, Zabini, Riddle. Plus half of the scholars employed by castle Hogwarts. You have the ear of the King."

"Yes, and McGonagall and Potter have the other. You know as well as I that the King favors Potter. He favored the boy's father, James, before him. But you have the chance to turn the King's favor and to do so we need the right allies."

"But if the King should choose me as heir, it will be because I have worked hard in my role as the prince, not just because I am a Malfoy and have the right connections and allies. Don't doubt my abilities, father."

"I never doubted you, son. You are more than I ever hoped for. I am proud to call you my son. Which is why I don't want to see you fall, not like this and not for her."

"Slughorn, Snape, and I are close to success with the draught of invulnerability. I will become heir through my means, not just because of your backing."

"But if your plans fail. We need a fallback. A powerful ally created through marriage can elevate you even further."

"Who would you have me marry then?"

"Perhaps Lord Bulstrode's daughter or one of the Greengrass sisters? Even better if we could broker a marriage alliance with Mordurm. Grindlewald's niece is quite comely and an alliance would mean peace. The King would place the crown on your head the day of your marriage."

Draco could tell he was getting nowhere, convincing his father would be a feat of its own. He had hoped that things would fall into place and once he was heir, once he was King, he could have it all. It would make his path easier and he could avoid any fighting with his parents.

"...which is why son, be realistic. The girl is beautiful, yes, enjoy her beauty to your heart's content. But know that I will never accept her as a daughter."

Lucius stood from his seat and made for the door, "Now if you will excuse me, I need to prepare for my meeting with ambassador Zabini." With those words, Lord Malfoy stood up, kissed his wife, and left the room.

Narcissa placed a comforting hand on her son's shoulder

"You know that everything your father—everything we do, we do for you. All our advice, all our hard work is so you can succeed."

"I understand that but your way isn't the only way."

"It may not be, but it's the proven way to power. You are young, but wisdom comes with age. Listen and learn. You will have other women and if you like her so much keep her by your side and out of sight."

For the moment Draco was cowed. He hadn't been able to convince his parents and felt like he never would. For now, he thought, this would be a secret he would keep from Hermione.

Just as Draco and his mother were finishing up their morning meal, they could hear shouting from the anterior room. Lucius emerged from his office, clearly annoyed, "By the Gods, what is all that shouting about? Can't we have peace in our own quarters?" A servant burst into the dining room, red-faced, and breathing heavily. "Your Grace, Lord Malfoy, the King summons you immediately to his chambers. I am to escort you both there now."

Lucius turned to Draco and raised a brow in disbelief, "Do you know anything about this?"

Draco for his part was just as confused. "No, father," Draco shook his head and turned to address the servant, "Is this about Mordurm? Has there been an attack?"

The servant gave Draco an odd look, one that belied nervousness and deep distrust, "The King did not give me leave to say, my prince. Only that you and Lord Malfoy must meet him at once."

Seeing that they wouldn't get any answers to their questions, the two men left to see the King. All three of the men were silent, Draco and his father walked side by side following the servant, who kept sneaking glances back at the two of them. They passed a cluster of courtiers who were loitering in the hallway, Draco caught a few of their whispers "Did you hear…? By the gods!…. Who would do such a terrible thing?…." Their whispers died as the two Malfoy men passed. The courtiers bowed respectfully, but the feeling of their eyes on him left Draco with a bad impression. Something felt wrong. Draco shook his head and tried to push the feeling away, he was surely being silly!

When they arrived at the King's apartments, the servant led them to the King's solar, the servant then asked them to wait before taking a knife from his breast pocket. He carefully pricked his finger with the tip of the blade and pressed his blood into a brick by the hearth. It took a few moments but everyone heard a "click" and the wall began to recede to reveal an empty passage. The servant then ushered them down the passage to a hidden chamber where the King was seated at the head of a table flanked on either side by other members of the advisory council. Lucius's usual seat to the left of the King was empty, but when he moved to sit the King held up his hand to stop him, "I'm afraid that this is not a meeting you are accustomed to Lord Malfoy."

"I beg your pardon, my King, but I do not understand."

Dumbledore looked weary, he gave both men a long searching look. He took in Lucius's defiance and confusion and Draco's unease. The King continued, "There was…an attack this morning, an assassination attempt was made against Prince Harry in his own apartments. Did you hear of this Lord Malfoy?"

Lucius's face was one of disbelief and outrage, "Assassins? Surely they were unsuccessful? But who would dare? The harvest celebration has barely passed, it is an affront to the Gods to harm one another during this time."

"Who indeed," Dumbledore said thoughtfully and he signaled for his servant to step forward. The servant placed a long object wrapped in silk before the King.

Dumbledore carefully unwrapped the object, a silver dagger with a hilt shaped like a serpent. Two emeralds glimmered from its eyes. The King lifted the dagger so everyone could see it clearly, "Fortunately for the people of Alban, the prince survived, the assassin was not so lucky. Before he could be apprehended he jumped from the prince's window. This dagger was on his person. Do you recognize it, Lord Malfoy?"

"Surely you don't mean to imply that I am the one behind this assassination attempt. That dagger could belong to anyone. Why would you believe it to be mine?"

A balding man with fiery red hair spoke up, "Well if not you then perhaps it belongs to your son? Snakes are on your coat of arms are they not?"

"How dare you!" Lucius cried with outrage, "That is your prince you are speaking about. You have no proof and no right to speak such slander against him or me!"

"The dagger isn't the proof, Lord Malfoy," Dumbledore said with a grave look, "There was also a letter found on the assassin."

Dumbledore took the letter from his robes and held it up again for all to see. "This letter charges the assassin with murdering Prince Harry for a sum of 1000 galleons to be paid in full on the news of the prince's death. There is no signature but the seal bears the Malfoy crest."

The room was silent, Lucius paled. Draco was in disbelief, this couldn't be right. His father may be cruel and calculating, but he would never be so sloppy as to hire an assassin and leave a trail that so easily pointed to a culprit. This seemed like it was staged, he was convinced someone had set them up.

King Albus's eyes shone bright with conviction, though he spoke softly his voice felt like a slap, "What do you say, Lord Malfoy? Prince Draco?"

A/N: Thank you for reading!