Disclaimer: I do not own anything of Harry Potter.
A/N: Hello all! In this chapter, we begin to see Harry's ideology, and his plans for the wizarding world.
As with the previous chapter, this is more of an introductory chapter, showing us Harry's early education and setting up the main plot line. It will also give an insight to the philosophy of the Malfoy family as a whole.
Thank you for the reviews I have been given. For the questions of 4nTr4x, many answers shall be found in this chapter. As for Voldemort, you will have to wait and see. Ships will also only come in at around book 3/4. Those have already been planned out, but you will not see them for quite some time.
I proudly present chapter 2 of Harry Potter-Malfoy. Enjoy!
Chapter 2: Concerning Purebloods
So it came to be that Harry narrowly escaped the abusive clutches of the Dursleys and came to live in the wealth and luxury of the Malfoy family, raised and tutored in the luxury of Malfoy Manor.
To begin with, Dumbledore had attempted to have a say in the raising of the young child, furious he was to be raised by a Death Eater, surely bent on revenge for the murder of his master. Yet, through what he could see despite the insistent refusals of help, the Malfoys had seemed to have absorbed the boy into the family proper, near enough equal to their own child, Draco.
His attempts at, well, less than legal contact with the boy had similarly been thwarted, for it seemed the Malfoys' expansive warded was keyed against him. He soon had to give up on any attempts to see the boy.
In the early stages of his adoption, there was a very different attitude. Draco, being too young to understand, simply screamed at having his parents' time taken, as was to be expected from a 10 month-old. Lucius was, for the first couple of months, extremely paranoid. What if his master came back? This was a terrible turn of events for Lucius. Narcissa, however, was merely resigned, unsure of what to do after this sudden turn of events.
In the end, however, they decided simply to accept him as an unexpected member of the family, indoctrinating him with pureblood ideas as he grew up. As such, Harry's early years were spent in peace and luxury, bonding with Draco much like real siblings, inseparable friends, with a healthy rivalry. He was treated just as a traditional family would be expected to treat an heir of an Ancient and Noble Family (Although this was an odd case, for it was not their own heir) - pampered and loved.
Yet it wasn't just love and attention he received, for as soon as he could understand those around him, his and Draco's tutoring began. At first, it was simply Narcissa, teaching them simplistic skills of reading and writing. Around age five, however, they began to be taught Mathematics, and simple economics, from Father. Mother also taught them the traditions of the pureblood families, the rules of etiquette and politics For that is how Harry grew to see Lucius, 'Father', who doted upon him and Draco, a respectful and powerful man.
Slowly, their education was expanded, such as the introduction of Blood Status. For it wasn't the ancestry itself that made Muggleborns inferior, Lucius explained. The fact that made them inferior was the lack of ancestral wisdom, and the inability for Magical Inheritance. He explained that ancestral wisdom was the wisdom compiled by your forefathers, the family spells being an example of the benefits. Since Muggleborns had no magical forefathers, that meant they could not receive ancestral knowledge, and thus were simply inferior.
'The biggest problem with Muggleborns,' he would say. 'Is that they think they know best. They come in, using our resources, trying to catch up with centuries of knowledge, and think they can simply overturn ancient traditions.'
He would explain the various ways that a lack of knowledge hindered a person, and thus the many ways a Muggleborn was both intellectually and politically inferior to a pureblood, or even a half-blood. 'Once,' Lucius said on one occasion. 'There was a man who tried to put a stop to this. He believed that Muggleborns should be removed from society, purifying the wizarding nation. His name was the Dark Lord, and he seemed to be a saviour for our kind. But there are many in our society who are tainted, corrupted, believing in equality with Muggleborns.
And so they opposed our Lord's plans, and a great war broke out. Where once it was just Muggleborns, now the so-called 'Light' wizards were targeted, for one cannot push forward an agenda with such opposition. But alas, the conflict grew too much, and our Lord twisted. While once it had been about removal, now it was about murder, and slavery, not just of Muggleborn's but of ordinary Muggles, too.
Voldemort, for that was his name, grew insane, and his plots lost coherency. He targeted purebloods stronger than himself, and got himself murdered, or at least, a close semblance of murder. And so when he returns again, we will have turned our backs upon him, focussing our strength upon a being worthy of our loyalty. Of course, the weaker members of our faction may return, cowards, fearful of revenge.
But not us, the Noble House of Malfoy, for we shall stand strong.' His words, full of honour and pride, entranced the two boys, eagerly hanging off his tales, regretting the decline of the magical world, hoping for the strengthening of Purebloods, like in the ancient days.
On another occasion, Lucius taught them about Magical Inheritance, yet another factor contributing to the vast superiority of the Pureblood families.
'When a magical family has existed for centuries, or longer,' he explained, 'their magic tends to gain some quirks, Gifts. These Gifts are passed down through lineage, not reliably, for they often skip several generations, but strengthening the lineage nonetheless.
Some, such as Seers and Benders, are weaker, and thus far more common, appearing more often in a family possessing such abilities. Others, such as Parseltongue and Metamorphmagi, are far rarer, and potentially stronger, occurring only a couple of times a century. And yet others, such as Animorphmagi and Omnibenders, are so rare and powerful that none have been seen for many generations, many not seen since the days of the Founders.
But Gifts are not the only quirks, however, for Blood Curses have formed too. Far less common, and in less lines, they include natural Lycanthropy, and Maledicti.
Some gain full access to their gifts, available since birth, but not always obvious. Many remain hidden until the age of maturity, when they grow in strength. Other wizards may only inherit 'potential' or a half-gift. These are Gifts that require a Ritual, or Potion to reveal.
The Malfoy family has one such Ritual, though only available after the second year at Hogwarts, when you shall both undergo it, to see if you have carried any of your bloodline Gifts. Harry, in particular, for in Relocation, your magic was linked to the Malfoy line, and so you may receive potential for certain gifts of the Malfoy family on top of those you would naturally have inherited.
It is incredibly unlikely, and Draco, a natural born Malfoy, is more likely to inherit those gifts, although still unlikely. No, Harry, you are more likely to inherit from the Potters, the Ancient and Noble House you are set to Inherit at the Age of Majority.' Yet again, the two Malfoy children sat engrossed, soaking in the information, prideful, superior. For the two boys were taught one thing above all else: Knowledge is the key to Power, and Power should never be refused.
There were many similar lessons on Pureblood customs and history, detailing the many ways they were superior to their lesser born kin. They were also taught the ranking of families, separate from Blood Status.
'There are three types of titled family,' Lucius explained. 'There are the Noble Families, who were part of the founding Wizengamot at the start of the Tudor reign.
There are Ancient Families, who can date their British lineage back to Arthurian times. Many Ancient Families are also Noble. The Malfoy Family, while old enough, is not Ancient, due to our roots in France.' He sniffed here. He clearly disapproved of this distinction.
'The final type of Family are the Regal Families, higher even than the Minister of Magic themselves. The Regal Families are the five families directly descended from King Arthur Pendragon himself, with the five children families being Ambrosius, Gryffindor, Slytherin, Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff.'
By the age of seven, Harry was an eloquent young man, with an aptitude for flying, and by age eight, he held a strong grasp upon magical theory and Latin, taught by his Mother.
One of Father's friends, Severus Snape (who happened to be Draco's godfather), also came in to teach, focussing upon the noble art of Potions. Such lessons began under an extremely tense environment, due to a general animosity aimed towards Harry.
Such hatred, a result of the rivalry with his deceased father, was soon abolished, as a result of his mannerisms - they were a Malfoy's mannerisms. The boy may have been born a Potter, Snape conceded, but he was raised a Malfoy. Though it did help that the boy was a prodigy with the cauldron. He was skilled at memorisation, and had an instinctual knowledge of his way round brewing.
By age nine, he had memorised the basic magical laws and learnt French, and by age ten he was secure in custom, etiquette and magical history, as well as adding Greek to his repertoire of languages. By this point, both Harry and Draco were extremely proficient with a broom, both enormous fans of Quidditch, like many other purebloods.
Harry had an obvious upper hand, and seemed to be born to fly, but Draco was no slouch in that department, either. In fact, Harry himself flew like a boy five years older, seeming to have an instinct for the fine details of the art. The Malfoys fully expected them both to flourish in the sport they loved so much.
On his tenth Birthday, he and Draco, born a couple of weeks later, were allowed to venture into the nearby Muggle village, to witness their inferiority. Indeed, the boys could see how far more advanced they were, with the Muggles resorting to Iron and Steel for ordinary things. Yet they were also humbled, as while yes, they were inferior, they were not animals, and thus shouldn't be treated as such. Just as inferiors.
While out, however, the two chanced upon the local library. Harry, slightly more impulsive than his adopted sibling, had ventured in immediately, deaf to the complaints of Draco.
'Father would not want us going in here,' Draco sneered. 'What can we learn from them?'
'Draaa-coooo,' Harry whined. 'Remember what Father said, do not refuse knowledge. Maybe we can find out some Muggle History.'
Begrudgingly, Draco agreed, finding them a medium sized tome on muggle empires to spend the remaining part of the trip looking at. He looked at Caesar. He looked at Napoleon. He looked at the British empire. He looked at Mussolini. He looked at Hitler. He looked at Lenin and Stalin.
They had been amazed by the similarities between all these dictators and the Dark Lord. Both had wanted to save their society from 'inferiors', though the dictators all seemed to have a skewed view as to who was inferior, and went mad in the end - though, Harry thought, so did Voldemort. Yet many of these Muggle had succeeded at conquering their nations, at least for a while.
'Look, Draco,' Harry whispered, excited. 'Here's how the muggles did it! Most did not use violence - they used politics! They tricked them, made them think they wanted them, and then BAM! They conquered.' Draco agreed, that plan sounded much smarter than the Dark Lord's, who simply tried to scare people into following him
Harry remained looking at the book for quite some time. He took the effort to memorise the failings and successes of each emperor, and how they could be applied to the Wizarding World. He translated the Roman political stage to the Wizengamot, and then came up with imaginary plots to conquer.
By the time they were leaving, Harry had made up his mind. He was to do what Voldemort could not. He would learn from his predecessors, and succeed. And it would be glorious.
The boys soon returned back to the manor, and an excited Harry had relayed his findings. 'You see Father, a lot of muggles have succeeded at taking over their countries, because they were tricky, and used politics, not fear! Do you think that would work here?'
'And where,' Lucius drawled. 'Did you find this out.'
Harry's grin failed, and he looked embarrassed. 'In the muggle library,' he mumbled. A little louder, he said, 'But it's knowledge, right? And you said never to refuse knowledge.'
Lucius blinked, staring at his adopted son. 'I suppose that is true,' he said eventually. 'And I do suppose the theory is sound. But no-one would follow me, or even Draco, for we are former Death Eaters.'
Harry's grin quickly returned. 'Ooh, Father! I could do it. I could be tricky too, they all like me as 'The-Boy-Who-Lived', including your smart friends, the ones who realise Voldy went mad! I will trick them, at Hogwarts and in public, and I WILL SAVE BRITAIN!' Harry was grinning broadly, and Draco was rolling his eyes.
'Yes,' Lucius said coolly. 'I suppose that is something to aspire to. A noble goal, fitting of a pureblood, and you have the means. I look forward to your success next year at Hogwarts.' Turning to Draco, who had started to look a little glum. 'And I shall also look forward to your Quidditch prowess, too, Draco.' That did the job, his face lighting up immediately. Lucius chuckled. They were so predictable.
A/N: There you have it, guys! Chappy number 2!
As always, please leave a review. Reviews help me improve my writing style, and tailor the story to my audience.
Bonus points for anyone who can guess what the title is based off of. :)
At the moment this is how long my chapters are going to be, on average. Is this a good length, or is a longer chappy more ideal?
Next Chapter up on Monday!