Sensing Magic
by Teddylonglong
Please refer to chapter 1 for my disclaimer and warnings. Thank you.
Severus gracefully stepped out of the fireplace at Malfoy Manor, noticing that a seemingly hyper elf was standing there waiting for him.
"Lord Prince, sir, Master Lucius and Mistress Narcissa are waiting for yous."
"Please lead the way," Severus replied, causing the elf to stare at him, wide-eyed, before he bowed deeply and hurried to guide him into the garden, where Lucius and Narcissa were gathered around a table drinking some kind of icy-looking beverage.
"Severus!" Lucius was the first to notice him. "Come and join us. Would you like some lemon ice punch?"
"Yes please." Severus lowered himself into a seat, which allowed a fantastic view over the manor's beautiful garden. An instant later, the elf returned and placed a glass of the delicious looking beverage in front of him.
"Thank you." Severus did not even consider talking to the elf; his words just automatically left his words.
"Dobby, now leave." Lucius' voice was slightly harsh, and Severus realised immediately that the other wizard seemed upset. "Since when do we thank mere house-elves for doing their work?" he then enquired.
"I am sorry," Severus apologized in spite of not feeling any remorse at all. "I am so used to the free elves at Hogwarts that I didn't even think about it."
"You have free elves at Hogwarts?" Narcissa enquired in apparent disbelief.
"Yes, several. Most of them are elves of my colleagues. Our own elves are free elves as well," Severus admitted, deciding that he would not try to hide the fact. "Marvolo even employs two free elves."
"He what?" Both Malfoys stared at him in obvious disbelief.
"Speaking of the Dark Lord," Lucius then changed the topic, "he called me a fortnight ago together with a few others and asked us to do some research about Squibs who are living in the muggle world and muggleborns to check if they possibly have magical ancestors."
Severus nodded in understanding. "He told me that he wants to work on researching if some of the old families that are believed to be extinct have non-magical descendants. If these are Squibs, it might be possible to give them magic and revive their family."
Lucius shook his head. "That sounds intriguing; however, the Dark Lord is an absolute mystery to me."
"Are you not going to work for him in the future?" Severus decided to use the direct approach.
"I am not sure. On the one hand, yes, I wish to remain his follower, but on the other hand, I am not one hundred percent sure about his goals. Well, we'll see. I am not in a hurry to decide anything right now."
Severus nodded his agreement. "By the way, Harry asks if Draco may come to visit again. He and the Longbottom boy apparently wish to have another soon-to-be first-year to discuss their possible Sorting."
"And why would that be?" Narcissa stared at him, incredulously. "Draco won't be sorted anywhere but Slytherin anyway."
Severus quirked an eyebrow in silent question. "Well, considering that the Sorting Hat placed the Weasley twins in Slytherin, I wonder if the Hat has gone nuts."
"He won't dare placing Draco anywhere but Slytherin." Lucius' expression was grim.
"Well, we'll see." Narcissa smiled, before she changed the topic. "As to Draco's visit, of course, he'd love to spend some time with you and Harry at Hogwarts. You're his godfather after all. When would it suit you?"
Severus remained pensive for a moment, before he replied. "The Dark Lord intends to hold a ritual on Harry's birthday, which is August 18, to where he allowed Harry to invite his friends. Perhaps, it would be good if Draco could come on the Sunday before Harry's birthday and stay for a week or even two."
All three of them agreed, and Severus felt relieved that the purpose of his visit to the Malfoys had been achieved, before they changed the topic and talked about several unimportant matters.
HP
During the following weeks, Harry, Neville and Teddy spent the mornings helping all the teachers with their preparations for the beginning of the new school year. Frank needed the most assistance, as it was his first time to teach Arithmancy.
Remus was now going back to teaching Defence Against the Dark Arts, and Miranda was going to look after Felix and James together with Regina and Alice, who was also expecting a baby.
During the afternoons, the trio thoroughly explored Hogwarts including the corridors, which were not used anymore.
One day, they almost stumbled over a large painting of two wizards and two witches. "The founders," Harry said in disbelief, as he recognised Salazar.
"What?" Neville asked.
"Over there." Teddy almost shouted in apparent excitement.
"Harry, only you and your bonded ones can see our painting. We can't have the whole school know where our quarters are now, can we?" Salazar sounded extremely grumpy. "It's about time that you come and visit our quarters anyway."
"Too bad." Harry shook his head in annoyance. "We're just exploring Hogwarts. This is Neville, my good friend, and if he can't see your quarters, I won't be able to visit them now either."
"Hello Harry, hello Neville." The slightly plump witch with brown hair sounded much friendlier than Salazar. "My husband is not always the nicest person on earth. Of course, Neville will be able to visit our rooms together with you."
A mere instant later, Neville said, "Thank you, Professor."
"I am Helga," the witch replied. "Helga Hufflepuff, and these are my colleagues Rowena and Godric. I trust that you have heard about us?"
Harry and Neville nodded, while Teddy beat them to a response. "Of course, you're the four founders of Hogwarts, and Harry is the heir of all four of you."
"That is absolutely correct, and I must congratulate you, Teddy, for being the first elf ever to attend Hogwarts." This time, Godric spoke, whom Harry only then recognised.
"Godric," he addressed the ancient wizard. "Thank you so very much for your help in the headmaster's office the other day."
"You're welcome, and it was very well done. I was very proud of you, grandson. That was a true Gryffindor speaking to the headmaster then."
Harry smiled, feeling very happy at the unexpected praise.
"Teddy." Salazar cast the elf a beseeching look. "See to it that you're going to be sorted into Slytherin."
"Ahh, Salazar." Rowena playfully slapped her colleague's arm. "Isn't it obvious that Teddy is going to be sorted into my house?"
"No, Madam Know-it-all, it's not." With that, Salazar abruptly left the painting only to return an instant later with an immensely large snake in tow.
tbc tomorrow...
Thank you so very much for the kind reviews for the previous chapter. I appreciate it very much, and my muse really needs the feedback. Thank you.