Christmas was nearing, only five days away. During that time Dumbledore approached Harry with the proposition of joining the Weasleys for his summer break. The old man, believing he was to be praised for his offer, smiled at the Boy-Who-Lived when he profusely accepted with much joy. Feigned joy that is. Harry was biting his tongue and straining a smile during their entire interaction with the occasional eye and lip twitch caused by his extreme annoyance. The only reason he kept telling himself, was that he was spying on the most unfortunate child of the groups of seven.
When Ronald Weasley was informed by Dumbledore that the Harry Potter was going to be staying at his house, he leapt with great joy, both figuratively and literally. The great Harry Potter was to come to his home and his family would play host to him, to him it was an honor. Of course Dumbledore choose not to mention that any and all expenses the Weasleys incurred watching the Savior would not be covered. Ron during lunch had excitedly went over to Harry to discuss what they were going to do during the summer, of course their conversation was awkward for Harry, Ronald seemed completely oblivious to the fact that he was making the boy uncomfortable. The conversation also led to several hurtful and rude remarks for House Malfoy from the Scion of House Weasley. Harry of course just sat there me strained a smile and feigned interest.
The Court however were having the time of their lives. Silently laughing at Harry behind his back because of his predicament.
Harry promised himself that he would give the red-hired boy a chance. A chance and opportunity for the boy to befriend him, a chance Harry would watch as he mentally tested the boy to see if he could truly be his friend.
He would test the boy to see if he was kind, which was unlikely but possible. Of good intentions. Unbiased and only judged a person by their actions not origin. While he was skeptical, Harry did try to see the best in everyone. He truly wished to have Ron as a friend, but he feared that it'd be more trouble than it was worth.
"You ready for Christmas at my house?" Draco asked as he sat down at the Gryffindor table right next to Harry. Ron frowned at that, he and Harry were talking, couldn't the git see?
"Can't wait." Harry says to his friend, thankful that Draco gave him an escape from listening to the redhead. "Who else will be there?"
"The whole gang practically, save for the Puffs. Cedric doesn't want to be in a room with Gerrod and Susan's Aunt hates us." Draco answered casually, though Harry could have sworn he saw him smile at the mention of Cedric and Susan not being present. Draco grabbed a green apple from the Gryffindor table and took a bite out of it.
Ron finally had enough. "Snakes aren't allowed at Gryffindor's table, Malfoy." He coldly said to Draco, giving him a dirty look. "Get lost."
"Careful now, we wouldn't want another incident like the first week to happen again, do we?" Gerrod's voice asked as he walked to the scene in arrogant strides. The tables watched in anxious anticipation, dearly hoping a wand wouldn't be drawn. Thankfully one wasn't as gerrod came to speak with Draco. "Hermione wants to speak with you, Draco."
"She say why?" He asked.
"Nope." Gerrod answered popping the 'p' in nope. As an afterthought, he spoke what was on his mind. "Though it seems urgent, a letter from you Father has arrived, Hermione had a face which we all know could mean a variety of things." Draco sighed exasperatedly.
"I'll go see what's up, later Harry." Draco waved at Harry before leaving for Slytherin's table. Gerrod eyed Ron threateningly, the boy's face reddened with fright as the Heir of Grindelwald walked back to his Houses' table.
Harry just sighed and went back to eating his food. Before he knew it the days would pass and it was already December 20th, the night those would return home before Christmas. The night tingled with excitement and Magic. Christmas break was extended to go passed the end of the New Year, ending on the Twelfth Day of Christmas, so that meant they had a little more than half the entire month off. The students waited eagerly for their families to pick them up from the Great Hall.
Entering Hogwarts was Lord Lucius Malfoy and Lady Narcissa Malfoy nee Black of the Ancient and Most Noble House of Malfoy and Black, respectively. The walked with sense of purpose and confidence, heads held high as their expensive clothing brushed the air around them. The shoes clicked onto the ground while the cane Lucius carried swung in the air in guarded waves.
"Children," Lucius curtly said to the group. Draco smirked at his Father's public persona while Hermione walked up as hugged him. "Hello Daughter." A hint of emotion in his voice as he bent on his knees to be at eye-level with Hermione. Narcissa rolled her eyes at how strict looking Lucius was in public but when he saw Hermione he threw it away in a heartbeat. It honestly was quite funny to her.
"How are you dear?" She asked.
"Good, Mother." Hermione said with a bright and infectious smile.
"She was talking to me," Draco muttered under his breath. Hermione heard and turned, sticking her tongue at her Brother in triumph. Lucius scoffed in amusement of their childishness while Narcissa watched their bickering with a warm smile.
"Is this everyone whose coming over?" Lucius asked, eying the large group before him, which consisted of Harry Potter, Gerrod and Historia, Theo and Blaise, and Daphne and Pansy.
"Looks like it." Draco said, looking behind him.
"Merlin we should have had the House Elves prepare more rooms." Lucius told himself. He stood and walked over to the Boy-Who-Lived, staring at his light emerald colored eyes, he extended his hand. "Lord Malfoy, you are Harry Potter I presume?" Harry took the man's hand.
"Yes, I am Lord Heir Potter, it's a pleasure to meet you Lord Malfoy." Harry courteously, and correctly, said, as he remembered the proper way to greet a fellow Lord or Lady. "I thank you and your wife for having and hosting me, as well as the invitation I received from your Son and Daughter to host me at Malfoy Manor for the summer. I must, sadly, decline your offer as the Headmaster had already acquired me hosting at the Weasleys."
A Lord and or Lady would always address another by their title. A Lord Heir, and a Lady Heir, that was the title of an Heir who had no current living, or known Magical relatives, would do the same as well, though social hierarchy dictated that a Lord must be the one to initiate conversation at formal gatherings. Their title was received, only in two instances, when one, there were only females born into the line, like House Greengrass for instance, though they were a special case. Or when a House had a spare, which was common knowledge and practice for the patriarch to bestow the title onto the spare. It was also considered rude, though not unacceptable for an Heir of any kind to initiate talk amongst their social betters. Heir Apparents also had to follow these rules as well, their social ranking was actually lower in normal standards, with the patriarch in charge then the Lady, then Lord Heir and Lady Heir, with Heir Apparent being last. The reason was the Heir Apparent had to learn all the responsibilities and duties and the next head, and therefore could not hold power until they became of age or claim their birthright. The only time they would be of higher standing was during formal social gatherings in which the Heir Apparent and Lord or Lady Heirs would switch statuses of importance. For it was crucial for the next in line to mingle with other Heir Apparents in hopes that Lady Magic would bind them, for Pureblood Families did things in the traditional sense, if their Heir weren't Bonded to another by Lady Magic before they became of age, only then would they write up Marriage Contracts.
Oddly enough, Lady Magic almost always came through, pairing Heir Apparents with their Soulmates, though every once in a while she wouldn't and would let the patriarch, and rarely in some cases, matriarch, find the own partner.
In many cases when a Noble and Most Ancient House had no other heir, the closest person with ties to the Noble and Most Ancient House would be named Lord Heir or Lady Heir and Heir Apparent.
"I see." Lucius muttered at the answer, the hidden message did not go unnoticed also. Headmaster Dumbledore was having the boy live with the most ostracized Pureblood family in Wizarding Society. Most likely to have Harry become sympathetic to the Light Side and join him to save Wizarding kind for the 'Greater Good.' At least that's what Lucius theorized, which would nearly be correct had it not been for the fact, that Dumbledore has a different idea of what the 'Greater Good' is in mind. 'What rubbish is this Dumbledore? You would have the Boy-Who-Lived live with a Pureblood family who are on the verge of collapse, are you mad? You're sending a boy to do a man's job.' Lucius thought to himself. "Well, shall we get going?" The group nodded and they made their way to a carriage waiting at the entrance of Hogwarts, on the giant stone bridge which connected the ancient castle to and land. Lucius had decided on a more scenic route Malfoy Manor, flight by carriage. The wooden carriage was Enchanted to safeguard its passengers from any kind of, all, and most scenarios. The carts themselves were drawn by Thestrals.
Beautiful ebony-black, horses with the beaks of birds and wings like a dragon or bat. These 'Dark' Magical Creatures were a mystery, able to only be seen by those who witness death. Before their discovery, they were thought to be illusions of the mind, or the lose of sanity for others. A bad Omen that many thought, meant their death.
The carriage, though small looking, was anything but that. The inside had Undetectable Extension Charms casted everywhere, making the inside more than, at least, twenty times larger than it appeared. Thestral drawn carriages were expensive, not for a Malfoy of course, and the animals were hard to care for, requiring daily exercise and plenty of living space. The Malfoys had one of their many House Elves tend to the animals' needs. They even had one of their House Elves to drive the carriage as well, through only the most scenic and beautiful route back to Malfoy Manor, of course.
The ride was long, it'd take them the entire day to reach Malfoy Manor, yet none of them complained, mainly because they were too busying talking. Lord Malfoy had taken his daughter to the other side to discuss a private matter.
"You should be please to know that the the reporter is finally gone." He whispered quietly to Hermione.
"Finally." Hermione said with a breath of relief. "How come it took so long?"
"Planning, I had to make sure that nothing would be traced back to us," Lucius answered, as if the answer was supposed to be obvious. "Besides, you'd be surprised how hard it was to get rid of her, apparently she was an unregistered Animagus. They'll find her body in a couple of days." Hermione nodded. "Now, go and play with your friends."
The Court were discussing, surprisingly, Ginny Weasley as well as Nermaius' Cousin, Luna Lovegood. Apparently, Draco had asked his Father to send a House Elf to spy on the Weasleys, and the news the Elf brought back was very... appalling. Young Ginny Weasley was treated horribly by her family. The House Elf, Dobby, his name was, reported that during a trip to Diagon Alley, the young girl had asked for her own wand because she was sick and tired of being given the hand me downed, hand me downs.
Dobby stood there encircled by the Court as they listened on to his story. Apparently, Ginny's Mother, Molly Weasley, had berated her for asking for something she knew very much, that they could not afford. Of course, Dobby also mentioned that the Weasley's couldn't afford Ginny a wand because they foolishly spent their money on pointless trips, vacations, and visitation trips to see their eldest Son in Egypt. So, all in all, the Weasleys weren't really poor, rather they were horrible when it came to their own money management. Which they already knew.
As Dobby's tale went on, it seemingly, and somehow, got worse. When it was finished, the Courts almost all had the same idea, or thought, on their minds.
'We've got to help that girl.'
"Well, and I thought reading about my Family History was depressing." Gerrod shrugged. "That takes the cake by far. Does your Father know?"
"Yes, Father is planning on offering Ginny a sponsorship and money from House Malfoy the next time he see her." Draco told the others. "That being said, Harry, you should probably get someone to manage House Potter's wealth. Its just sitting there collecting dust."
"How do I do that?" Harry asked as he was still a novice when it came to his duties as Lord Heir of House Potter.
"Talk to my Father, I could explain it, but Father has better understanding." Draco replied. Harry nodded and got up from the floor, walking over to Lucius who was sitting next to his wife, talking of mundane things. "You mentioned your Cousin is coming to Hogwarts, Nermaius?"
"Yeah," he said. "She doesn't need any sponsoring, if you're wondering. Besides, Luna's only going to Hogwarts for Care of Magical Creatures."
"Her name's Luna?" Daphne asked innocently.
"Yes..." Nermaius said with hesitation. "Why?" He eyed the Greengrass Heiress suspiciously.
"No particular reason. Just a pretty name." Daphne muttered the last bit looked away, feigning interest with the carvings on the wall of the carriage which caused Nermaius to squint at her and the others to slowly back away.
"You will not send a House elf to spy on her." He stated menacingly, a truly scary sight, Nermaius rarely threatened as he was almost always the voice of reason within the group. "Am I, and do I make myself clear?"
"Fine." Daphne muttered bitterly. "She doesn't sound interesting anyways." She muttered back with a condescending tone.
"Why are you interested in Nermaius' Cousin?" Pansy asked her best friend quizzically.
"Hmm, did you say something?" Daphne asked, once again feigning ignorance to the questions she was being asked, and it would have worked had it not been for the fact that Pansy was a childhood friend. If looks could kill a person, Daphne would be dead ten times over from the cold stare Nermaius was giving her.
The rest of the trip went smoothly, save for the fact that Pansy kept pestering Daphne about Luna Lovegood and Nermaius was giving her his death stare. The tension around the area they sat upon was palpable. Nermaius was muttering softly under his breathe, cursing and talking to himself of ways to kill Daphne. Daphne was blushing at the questions Pansy was asking, taking care to avoid answering them. The onlookers, that is Gerrod and Draco, watched the scene unfold with unabated amusement. Of course, they realized why Daphne was acting the way she was, that is once they had figured out why, the same with Hermione who just smiled knowingly.
The gang arrived at Malfoy Manor some time around noon. They slept for nearly the entire trip until the last remaining hours, during that time they surveyed the rapidly diminishing countryside, building becoming more and more scarce as the flew over and deeper into the forest where Malfoy Manor resided. The property Malfoy Manor was built upon was enormous, a beautiful well-kept lawn, trimmed hedges of different shapes and Magical Creatures, a stoned roadway for the carriage, and as they got closer, the home bond Hogwarts students saw that the outside of the manor was decorated with a variety of Christmas ornaments.
The gang also saw that the Malfoys owned a rather large lake as well as half a Quidditch field, a field where several Magical Creatures resided, Bicorns, Crups, small Fairies, Gnomes, Griffons, and even a Hippogriff. All in all, the Malfoy estate was a beautiful and near majestic place.
Harry, being the only one who hadn't been to Malfoy Manor was in awe, the others had either lived at the house or attended the formal balls the Malfoy's hosted. Lucius had commanded his Son and Daughter, being the host, to show them the courtesies and hospitalities befitting of their Noble House. Which they did to an impressive extent. The tour of the house lasted nearly an hour and a half due to the number of rooms, secret entrances, and passages in the house. Though it was mostly done for Harry. It wasn't uncommon for a Lord, or Lady, to renovate their home every few years, changing the tapestry, or carpets, sometimes even destroying some rooms to add an extension or another wing.
The days passed with an overwhelming aura of joy, Harry himself had never felt happier. This was to be his first ever Christmas and the Boy-Who-Lived insisted on buying presents for everyone, so Narcissa took him to Diagon Alley, making a quick stop at Gringotts before going on their shopping spree. For Draco, Harry bought a Broom customizing kit, for Hermione, a special version of Hogwarts; A History which had two hundred blank pages that would self-update and could be added upon through a quick order, for Gerrod, he bought a wand polishing and maintenance kit, Historia, a beautiful serpent shaped, emerald necklace. Nermaius, he got an ever-changing puzzle board. For Daphne a memory book and Pansy a nail kit. For Theo his own Quidditch Jersey which had his name on it.
And for Blaise, who was vain in all things which related to himself, Harry bought for him, a mirror.
Narcissa certainly laughed at Harry's choice of gift for Blaise, but most certainly approved of it. Their Christmas was joyous and filled with laughter, gifts were opened, and thanks were exchanged, with Historia kissing Harry on the cheek, much to the disproval of her Brother who glared at Harry the rest of the day. Surprises did not stop there as Professor Snape had visited to see his Godchildren, though he carried a somber face and an opened letter.
"Harry." Snape said with hesitance, how odd was what Lucius and Narcissa thought as they stared at their long-time friend. "A word in private?" The Boy-Who-Lived looked to the others, specifically Draco and Hermione. They nodded him to do as their Godfather said, knowing full well that Snape never called a person by their first name unless he knew them well or if it was a serious matter. The wo walked out of the living room to a private hallway. Turning to the green-eyed boy, he asked, "How much do you know of Wizarding Law, specifically of guardians?"
"Not much sir." Harry meekly told him.
"I see." Snape drawled quietly. Looking at Harry directly in the eyes, making the boy very uncomfortable. "Read this." He handed Harry the opened letter and the boy took it, reading with ever-growing widening eyes.
Severus,
My dearest friend, long-time companion, and most trusted confidant,
I write to you because I fear for my Son, you have always looked out for me and protected me when I thought I needn't your protection, and for that, I will always be grateful.
I write to you with tears in my eyes, knowing that I shall die, I have seen it, a vision of my future came to me in my dreams. In my dream. We were betrayed by our Secret Keeper, Peter Pettigrew, who to us, had known him as Wormtail and one of the Four Marauders. He betrayed the Fidelius to his Master, Voldemort.
With this letter, which you shall surely receive years after it is written, I ask that you protect my Son, Harry, and do whatever it takes to ensure that he is cared for by the right people. I trust your judgement, even if James doesn't, I know, Severus, that Sirius shall end up in Azkaban, he is reckless, but he is also Harry's Godfather. But Grimmauld 12 is no place for a child and I therefore give you my consent and permission to place him where you deem is the most appropriate place to live. I also ask of you to become his Vowed Guardian, if not, choose someone who you believe is able to uphold the task I have given, or have Harry choose, if he so wishes to make the choice.
I know I ask a lot of you, my friend. But I would not do it had I no choice, you yourself know of this. Please protect my Son.
Your forever companion, and friend,
Lily Evans.
Below this is my Enchanted Unbreakable Vow, do not read it for you will activate it.
Harry was speechless, his hands shook, and his head was light. "H-have you read the Unbreakable Vow?" He shakingly asks.
"No." Snape says with a tired look to his already old face. "What do you wish to do?" A somber silence hung in the air, a crashing weight hit Harry on the shoulders.
"Why now?" Harry asked quietly.
Snape looked at him impassively. "I don't know, perhaps Lady Magic has a greater plan in place, and this is but the beginning of it." He told the boy, who nodded understandingly, though more from shock as he was barely registering anything properly. "Whatever the case is, Harry, I am named as your caretaker, well, protector in a sense until a Vowed Guardian is chosen."
"How well did you know my Mother? She said you were her dearest friend," Harry questioned, he was now determined to learn about Snape's involvement relating to his Mother. But it seemed Snape wasn't going to budge any information, that, or he couldn't. "The other's need to see this. Well, Lord and lady Malfoy at least, maybe they can advise me on what to do next." Harry said, which received a nod from Snape.
"I suggest only Lord and Lady Malfoy." Snape told him. "Best not have everyone reading over your shoulders, we don't want one of them to accidently invoke the Enchantment." And so, they did just that, after Lord and Lady Malfoy dismissed the others. This was done much to the displeasure of those wanting to stay and listen to what Harry and Severus were going to talk to the Lord and Lady of House Malfoy. Their surprise was anticipated, their response however, wasn't. The patriarch and matriarch both looked at each other, silently nodding a message between them, then Narcissa opened her mouth and spoke.
"Lord Heir," she said, gaining the boy's attentions, and Snape's as well, "would you like us to be your Vowed Guardians?" Harry recoiled in shock, that was not what he was trying to convey, he only wanted advice. Snape, his mouth was slightly open in surprise, but his face looked as impassive as ever.
"I wouldn't want to impose," Harry honestly said, "plus I'm supposed to be staying with the Weasleys for the summer, Dumbledore's orders." The two Malfoys sneered at the mention of the old Wizard.
"I see," Narcissa said, disappointed, while she and Lucius knew of this, they still hoped to change Harry's mind. Not that they hated the Weasleys, which they did, but rather to educate him properly, so when he becomes of age, he doesn't embarrass himself as a Lord in front of others from not knowing proper procedure. "Well, just know that the offer is long standing, so if you ever change your mind, you may tell us any time."
"Thank you, Lady Malfoy," Harry said.
"Please, call me Narcissa, or Cissy." Narcissa answered.
"Alright, then call me Harry, I don't really like honorifics, especially mine." The Boy-Who-Lived said. Narcissa nodded with a smile, the two shook on it. Of course, Snape decide that it was now the best time to interrupt.
"Now that that's settled," Snape abruptly said, "whatever it was, what are we to do with the letter and the fact that you still need a Vowed Guardian? I am still honor bound to see to my duty as your protector, to find you a suitable caretaker until you are of age, Harry."
"Well, why don't we have the Malfoys hold onto the letter and I'll think of it over the summer?" Harry suggested.
"Are you sure?" Narcissa asked.
"I would have thought you'd put it in your Gringotts Account," Lucius commented, agreeing to his wife. "Why with us?"
"Well, I have a feeling I'll be visiting your Manor often." Harry truthfully said. "That, and I trust you guys, Professor Snape does, at least I think he does. Anyways, I believe you guys will keep it safe in my stead." And so Harry Potter handed the letter, which contained the Unbreakable Vow and dying wishes of his Mother to Lady Malfoy.
To be continued...
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A/N; I'm skipping First Year, cause I fucking hate it, it's all pointless, save for character introduction. Second Year will begin with the summer with the Weasleys as well as the first of many third-person view POV characters. Hint, its a Weasely.
[Edited 05/25/21]