Chapter 3 – The Ministry House
The days of summer sped past in a sultry manner at the Malfoy house, and the end of August arrived sooner than anyone expected. Lazy days spent outside for Pallas soon turned to excitement at the prospect of going to school to learn her craft with others of her own age. Up until now, Pallas had been tutored by a procession of witch governesses who had schooled her on such matters as broomstick control, primary charms, the use of quill and various inks as well as music and watercolours. Few of the tutors stayed long in the Malfoy house, often leaving suddenly. Pallas was also nervous at the thought of leaving the relative safety of home but at the same time eager to venture out for the first time in the real wizard world.
Unlike the morning when Pallas first received her letter from Hogwarts, she and Draco were now both frantically packing their Hogwarts trunks in earnest in anticipation of the long journey ahead. Pallas opened her dragon skin notebook and found the place where she had written the list of what she wanted to take. She laid the book open on her dressing table where Moonstar sat on its edge, his feet tucked under him, reading the neat writing. Pallas' trunk sat squarely on the floor. First she placed her boots and shoes in the case and then the books that she wanted to take with her. Tebster's Guide went in, along with Hogwarts, a History, Quidditch through the Ages and her favourite storybook, Wizard in the Moor by Marcroft Leigh. Next were her clothes. She opened her wardrobe door; her mother had already been there for certain items had been selected and placed nearer the front. A long, black dress robe with delicate gold embroidery around the high neck and draped sleeves stood out amongst the other items. It was beautiful. Pallas caressed the deep velvet touching it to her cheek; maybe her mother was right some fabrics were better than others. Pallas carefully packed the items her mother had chosen. She then delved into the back of the wardrobe and pulled out her favourite dress, the floral one she had been wearing the day her Hogwarts letter had arrived and packed it with fond care.
Moonstar was making a nuisance of himself, darting around at the bottom of the wardrobe. Pallas bent down, pulling the folds of the hanging garments back to reveal him. Moonstar was trying to tug a wooden box out of the wardrobe but without much success. He fluttered around moving a couple of shoes out of the way. This enabled him to finally drag the box to the front of the wardrobe where it tumbled onto the floor, its lid facing the carpet. Pallas turned the box over and read the inscription: The Wizard Ttoffis - Potion Set One
"I won't need this!" she said to the Changeling and put the box back in the wardrobe. "Father will buy me all the equipment I need in Diagon Alley tomorrow." The trunk was now packed and Pallas closed the lid. There was still plenty of room left for all the new supplies and uniform that she was going to purchase in Diagon Alley the following day. Pallas was pleased with herself.
Narcissa knocked gently on the door and entered the room.
"Pallas dear, we're ready to go now." Pallas looked down her list one last time and looked around the room, she wouldn't be seeing it for a long time. She wondered what the dormitory would be like and about the other girls that she would now need to share with.
"Coming." She replied. Pallas closed her notebook and picked up her travelling cloak, placing the book inside one of the deep pockets. Moonstar had a similar idea and flew into her top pocket where he could peer out unnoticed.
All the Malfoys were waiting in the hall. The whole family were to travel to London to transact business and buy supplies for school before seeing Pallas and Draco off on the train to Hogwarts. The Malfoys kept their own carriage, and it was waiting outside on the gravel drive. No horse could be seen, but the stays stood out straight as if four invisible beasts pulled the carriage. Two small steps led up to the covered black carriage, and as the family stepped inside the door, the steps folded up behind them. On the roof, already secured, were Pallas' and Draco's trunks, along with Narcissa and Lucius' travelling bags. When they were all seated, Lucius tapped on the roof of the carriage with his silver topped cane, and the carriage lurched forward, the heavy metal rimmed wheels crunching the gravel below them. The carriage circled out from the front of the house and around the ornamental statue of Zeus and started down the tree-lined drive towards the main gates and the Muggle road beyond.
As they approached the gates, there was a flash of white light and a hollow boom that rocked the carriage. The smooth rumble of tarmac replaced the sound of the gravel underneath the wheels. Pallas peered out below the blind that covered the window and looked back towards the Malfoy Manor house, but instead she saw a triumphant arch with a large statue of a woman driving four horses on top of it. All around was the bustle, noise and bright colours of Muggle cars, obviously oblivious to them. Their carriage continued on its straight course across the lines of traffic that came at it from all directions like swarms of angry bees and passed through the heavy wooden gates that stood in the wall before them. The high wall reached in both directions for a far as the eye could see. The gates opened before them, and Pallas found herself in a great landscaped garden in the centre of the city. The carriage continued on its journey across the neatly manicured lawn. Gardeners continued with their work, not taking any notice of the Malfoys or their carriage. They passed a great lake, and Pallas saw a little old lady in a tweed skirt and headscarf walking a pack of short tan dogs, which yapped at her heels amongst the shrubbery. But still the coach continued through the archway of the giant house to which the garden belonged and out across the gravel entrance on the other side, past red uniformed soldiers standing to attention. The journey continued through the Muggle streets of London with no one taking any notice of them.
Eventually they stopped outside a large five-story town house with tiled steps and ornamental railings leading up to its polished black front door. A liveried servant opened the door of the carriage and Lucius stepped out. Narcissa ushered the two children out after him before stepping out herself. The four of them climbed the steps and followed the footman into the grand drawing room. Narcissa sat down on a large sofa in front of the large window and indicated to Pallas to sit next to her. The footman left; Lucius stood at he fireplace looking at the large painting above the mantelpiece that looked back at him just as intently. Pallas could see that the brass plate under the picture said 'Tom Marvolo Riddle'. Suddenly the door burst open and in stumbled two large boys of Draco's age. Pallas recognised them, for they had often been to her own house.
"Crabbe, Goyle!" Draco smirked; slapping them on the backs and thinking of the tasks he had planned for them. Crabbe and Goyle grinned back.
"Hello, Draco," they responded in chorus. They then moved as one towards the other end of the drawing room, which stretched the length of the house, and out into the garden where they could whisper furtively amongst the plants. Next Mr Goyle arrived and shook Lucius' hand.
"Goyle, glad you could meet us here. Is Crabbe around?" asked Lucius.
"He's upstairs with…" Lucius silenced him with a stern look and a touch of his silver cane on Goyle's full lips. Lucius nodded towards the sofa where Narcissa sat with Pallas. Goyle moved across to Narcissa and shook her hand.
"Mrs Malfoy, good morning. Are you enjoying your trip to London?"
"This is Pallas, Mr Goyle," Narcissa indicated. Goyle turned to Pallas. She thought that he recoiled slightly, but with a glance to Lucius for vindication he wished her a good trip to Hogwarts and assured her that his son would come to her assistance if ever she required it. Narcissa now took her leave, as it was clear that Lucius wished to start discussing business. The four children were gathered in the hall. Lucius kissed Narcissa tenderly on the cheek.
"I'll meet you later at Boyd's at about two o'clock," he confirmed, pulling a heavy gold timepiece from his watch pocket. The five of them then left and got back into the carriage. Draco, Crabbe and Goyle sat on one side while Narcissa and Pallas sat on he other.