CHAPTER 8: The Malfoy Manor
Summer Holidays, 1st to 2nd year, 2018
It was just like Scorpius said, the manor was very big. Draco Malfoy had taken them both by side-along apparition and appeared before a grand black gate of the Malfoy Manor. Unlike the ward in the Potter's Meadow – the fidelius charm made Albus' house invisible even from the apparition-post – at here from the front gate, the majestic manor could be seen clearly as if to brag about its splendor to anyone who crossed the area, except for Muggles of course. However, only the family members or their guests could pass the gate.
It was a blood ward, Scorpius had explained it to Albus. Dark magic of course, but indeed was a very powerful protection ward, the only reason why Albus' father never used it. It was the same with their Grimmauld Place. But even though his father was the rightful heir of the place, the absence of the Black's blood never allowed him to fully control its ward. Therefore, they never occupied Grimmauld Place for long, only occasionally if they were of interest in London. Come to think of it, Scorpius and Teddy were the last Black bloodline; maybe someday he could discuss this with his father and Scorpius and Teddy – if he's interested.
Draco led them both in through a side door, next to the main door, which led them to the floo-network room. There were several waiting chairs and table there, while on the right side led to a stone-floored staircase below which there was a hallway leading to the house-elves apartments and kitchen. An old house-elf was ready to greet them when they entered.
"Master and young master have returned with guests, is there anything Mavis can serve you, sir?"
"Nothing for now Mavis," Draco said. "Just prepare the usual lunch, with of course the addition of Mr. Potter here."
After the elf bowed in compliance, he disappeared.
Scorpius then called his own elf, "Linky."
Pop!
While Mavis wore decent white and sage-green clothes before, Linky appeared still with her favorite tutu dress – purple this time. She looked surprised to see Albus there, but tried hard to act casual.
"Master Scorpius called Linky, what can she do to her master and his friend?" she squeaked nervously, a sight that didn't go unnoticed by Draco.
"You know Albus, Linky?"
Linky looked even more startled, struggling hard to find the right answers without breaking her oath.
Scorpius soothed the elf, "It's alright, Linky. Dad knows about the Chamber, you can tell him everything."
Looking relieved, Linky answered her grand Master, "Linky is meet the kind Mister Albus-sir once, Master Draco."
"I should've known," grumbled Draco.
Scorpius said to the elf again, "Albus would stay with us tonight, Linky. He doesn't bring anything though. Can you prepare everything for him?"
"Of course, Master Scorpius," Linky said eagerly. "Linky is preparing the room across from her young master's bedroom, and all for Mister Albus necessities in it," smiling, the elf disappeared.
The three of them climbed the stone-floored stairs, into a very long dining/meeting area – a stone fireplace was in the center wall of the room; through a long hallway, and arrived into a spacious and bright, high-roofed sitting room – several towering windows there gave the forest view outside. Albus noticed that the ceiling was full of beautiful paintings, magnificent chandeliers hanging in the middle of the ceiling – even though Albus knew it wasn't powered by electricity, only magic. At the far end of the room, from upstairs, Astoria Malfoy walked slowly down the stairs – her expression's level.
"Draco, Scorpius," she smiled. "I didn't know that we'd be expecting a guest today."
Scorpius' mother was a very beautiful woman, Albus thought. She had dark-brown hair, high cheekbones, with a slightly bigger distance of deep blue eyes. Albus noticed now where Scorpius had gotten his narrower nose and fuller lips then his father.
"Astoria," Draco reached out and kissed his wife slightly on the cheek– an affection that lightened Albus' heart. "The boy will stay with us tonight."
The matriarch raised her slender dark eyebrow, "Are we really?"
"Mum," Scorpius approached, Albus followed, "This is Albus Potter, my best friend."
This time Albus ventured to extend his right hand and said politely, "Mrs. Malfoy, it's a pleasure to meet you."
"Indeed," she smiled, grabbing Albus' hand delicately. "The pleasure is mine, Albus. Scorpius has mentioned your name too many times in this house." She amused, glancing at her husband, "In fact, I wonder, what did he say that managed to get his father's permission to bring you here?"
"Albus, here, and our son of course, have experienced a quiet adventure to the Chamber of Secrets last Christmas," Draco's frankness astounded his wife. "Am I right to presume you just like me want to hear all about that, dear?"
After a moment of interlude, she finally said, "I won't miss it."
The long table in that sitting room was occupied by afternoon tea now. The three Malfoys and Albus were seen engaged in a serious conversation. Both Scorpius and Albus told the full chronology of last year's Christmas adventure to Draco and Astoria. Albus actually never planned this, but if this was what it took to win Scorpius parents' hearts, well, he'd do it.
"Good Salazar," Astoria heaved. "And what if you both got trapped in the Basilisk's nest?"
"We had Linky, Mum," Scorpius said, "We're aware that she could always help us."
"Yeah, but from what you told me, you two were not sure if Linky could be summoned. What if the house-elves' magic couldn't work there?"
"I can always call my Dad any time, Mrs. Malfoy," Albus cut off whatever Scorpius was about to say, "I have my way." He had the mirror and of course the emergency-portkey, even though the said portkey could only take him, but he sure could come up with some ideas with those two heirlooms if needed. "So, really you don't have to worry," Albus said again soothingly, "We, Slytherins, are always full of preparation and consideration."
"Indeed," Astoria smiled, impressed.
Draco sneered, "And you think your father can just show up and save you?"
"I never doubt it, Mr. Malfoy," politely Albus answered. "My Dad always knows when or what to do to help and protect us, his children."
Draco nodded, "I won't argue with that." He stood up and then slowly paced, "So, you said you have Basilisk's hides, fangs, and horns; and planning to show them to Ollivander, and not for money but only for knowledge, am I correct?"
Albus and Scorpius nodded.
Draco was silent for a moment, looking directly at his son. "Tell me about Salazar's diary."
Albus had already discussed this with Scorpius. They had studied the book for half a year. Now, he would let Scorpius tell everything they had learned to the Malfoys. If there was something Albus wanted, it'd be Scorpius' Mum and Dad were the first to know what was on Salazar Slytherin's mind.
"He wrote all about Hogwarts," Scorpius began, "Well, it's similar with the Hogwarts History; the tenth century was a dangerous time for witches and wizards, who were being persecuted by Muggles hostile to magic – he wrote lots of awful things what Muggle did to wizards, and how deep his hatred towards them was. Therefore, Hogwarts was isolated, built somewhere in the Scottish Highlands, and concealed with numerous charms and spells to make it impossible for Muggles to trespass. But, he also wrote of his relationship with Helga, Rowena, and Godric – they were best friends, closer than brothers," Scorpius said contemplating.
"We obviously know, their feud was rooted in the Muggle-born," he continued. "But what we didn't know, and what Hogwarts History doesn't tell us, is that what Salazar really hated was the non-magical family of the Muggle-born, not the Muggle-born themselves. He admitted in his diary – all his hurt and resentment towards Muggles, and this was what made him against accepting Muggle-born children to Hogwarts, unless they're willing to cut ties with their non-magical families. He wrote that Helga was too kind for herself to not be able to tell which compassion led to danger, Godric was too naive - always acting as a peacemaker but not realizing that his indecision was also putting them all in destruction, and Rowena was too indifferent – like she's always."
"So, he created the chamber, put his own Basilisk there in case it was needed as a weapon if the Muggles infiltrated and attacked Hogwarts. Then he traveled all over England, looking for Muggle-born and making sure they were orphaned by cold-handedly killing their families. He wrote that if his brothers insisted on educating the Muggle-born, he himself would make sure they didn't pose a threat to the wizarding world. And I just got there," Scorpius sighed, and added, "But I read some fact in the last pages, said that he did come back to his best friends, to Hogwarts, but he never told them about the Chamber of Secret which would be his hope and prevention that in the future if needed it would be the weapon against Muggle atrocities."
No one made a sound after Scorpius finished. Albus observed how stiff Draco's face was, Astoria though looked lost in her thoughts.
"So," Albus ventured to speak – he after all was almost a Gryffindor, "Salazar never hated the Muggle-born. He feared they would bring danger and destruction through their non-magical family, and that was it."
"We are not going to discuss it at this very moment," Draco drawled emotionlessly.
"Why not?" Scorpius asked hastily, "Let's discuss it now, Dad." And without waiting for his father's response, he continued. "It's clear now, Salazar Slytherin never hated Muggle-born. It gives us no reason to hate them at all."
"And I will remain and will always be with my conviction that they, let alone their family, won't be able to cherish the Magic heritage, unlike the wizards who were born directly into the wizarding families," Draco said firmly.
Astoria frowned, while Scorpius looked like he's about to explode.
In polite manner, Albus said calmly to the Malfoy patriarch, "And us, Potter and Weasley, are families that are no less old than Malfoy or Greengrass in living our ancestors, Mr. Malfoy. However, if you must put my Aunt Hermione, or my late grandmother Lily, sure you can forbid Scorpius to interact with them. But it is me and my cousins and my brother who Scorpius will associate with. And for that, is there any aggravating reason, sir?"
Draco stayed silent, considering. Scorpius couldn't hide his smirk. But it was Astoria who spoke.
"Well, I can't see any reason for that," she smiled. "The point is Albus is very welcome in our Manor."
"And no objection if I also plan to play at Albus' house, Mum?" Scorpius hurriedly questioned Albus and his other hope.
"And that is too," Astoria answered without hesitation. "Right Draco, dear?" Astoria asked her husband.
Draco sighed heavily, and simply replied, "Sure." When he saw the wide smile on the two Slytherin boys' faces, he added, "But let's schedule it for the next Christmas break, shall we? You already have Basilisk's matter for this summer."
"Of course, Dad!" Scorpius hastily grasped.
"Thank you, Mr. Malfoy, Mrs. Malfoy," Albus genuinely smiled.
They then continued their conversation about the Basilisk's parts.
"So," Draco spoke slowly, "A wand made from the core of Basilisk's horn, was a Salazar Slytherin's wand only – so that's absolutely a special case. Giving it to Ollivander would be a waste. He'd be making just another wand after all, which would be a powerful one I assure you – we're indeed talking about hundreds year old Basilisk horns. And what if another dark lord fit in with it one day? Creating those dangerous opportunities is something we should avoid."
Scorpius and Albus agreed.
"The fangs will be useful for destroying some very-very dark objects, which because you're still very young, I won't explain it to you right now, unless when you're ready in the future – your father actually knows better about this, Albus. Although, I don't really know a Magizoologist who can extract it well, but I can try to find one."
"Oh," Albus gaped, "I know a Magizoologist," remembering his Aunt Luna's husband, Rolf Scamander. "He's my sister's godfather and the best in England at least."
Draco raised his eyebrow, "Okay, then," he drawled. "You can take the fangs to him if you want. Leaving things like this to the people we trust is always the best way."
Albus nodded, planning to discuss this with Rolf after returning from here.
"The hides, as you say, can be used as a very high-quality armor. With this much, we can make a lot of armors, arm & leg protectors, and even protective cloaks. Now, I know a good maker in France who can create it well. If you agree, I can make the call."
Instantly they both nodded.
"What about the horns?" Scorpius asked, "And is none of these useful in Potions?"
"Not in Potions, because it's a pure deathly poison. But, it might be in Alchemy," Draco said thoughtfully, "the venom and the horns. There aren't many Alchemists in the world now, it's none in England. I actually want to do some research about its use in this field, so my advice is just to keep the horns for now."
And in the end they both agreed with Draco's view on those issues.
"Good," Astoria joined in, "Now that the heavy talk is over, can we move to the dining room for lunch?"
"Of course, dear," Draco answered.
"Do you have plans for this evening, Scorpius?" Astoria asked kindly. The four of them walked into the private dining room located between the east and west wings of the Manor.
"We will hear the semi-final match of England versus Egypt tonight."
"Oh, how I forget about it," Astoria shook his head regretfully. She turned to her husband, "Didn't you say you want to hear it with Scorpius too, dear?"
Draco raised his eyebrow at his wife. "Yeah, I said that," he responded slowly.
"What if we do it together in our drawing room?" She smiled, "With some desserts for the boys and we can enjoy the Bungbarrel Spiced Mead I bought last week, or even some Elf-made wine?"
Draco smirked, "If you said so."
"What do you say, boys?" Astoria turned to the dumbfounded young Slytherin.
Glancing at each other, then both said at the same time, "We'd love to."
'Well, after all today went a lot better than what I planned or expected', inside his heart Albus was smiling.
A/N: I know that this chapter is way too short. I wrote the Chapter 8&9 in one actually, but it became too long, so I decided to divide it in two chapters. So, don't worry I'll post the next chap ASAP :)
Thanks again for all who've been reading, followed, and even reviewed. Please enjoy it! -M.E.
Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter - this all belong to the wonderful and brilliant J.K. Rowling