About a week later Draco and Henry arrived at the Malfoy manor. "This is my house," said Draco.
"Obviously," replied Henry.
They walked inside and Henry looked around and commented on the delightful interior, "This interior is delightful."
"A bit dreary."
"But it's better that way."
"Oh I agree."
"So, where is everyone."
"I don't know. I expect Father's at work and Mother's off at a party."
"At this time of day?" It was about nine o'clock a.m.
"Well, maybe a morning garden tea knitting quilting party."
"Your mother knits and quilts?"
"Not well."
"I see." They stood around for a few moments until a house elf appeared to take their things. "Ahhh! What is that thing?" asked Henry when he saw the house elf.
"Haven't you ever seen a house elf?"
"No, I had heard about them but Mother and Father don't keep any and they aren't very popular in Liechtenstein so I never saw them at school either."
"Well, you should count yourself lucky, the only reason we have them is because Father is too miserly to pay proper humans. I don't think I'd mind house elves if it weren't for their terrible grammar, it can be quite grating."
"I don't know how you stand it. If there's one thing that makes me want to kill myself it's bad grammar."
"Yes. Follow me." Draco brought Henry to a guest bedroom and said, "You can sleep here."
"Wonderful." Henry walked over to the bed, sat down and then stood up again. "Excellent," he remarked.
"Would you like me to show you around?" asked Draco.
"No, last time you showed me around somewhere I ended up nearly passing out because of all the hallways."
"Well then, I'm going to take a shower."
"Have fun."
Draco walked out of the room and down an absurdly long hallway. Finally he reached his room and went inside. He looked about the room briefly and then walked into the adjoining bathroom. He took a long shower and then walked into his room, wearing only a towel, to find his father standing in the room. "Oh," he said, blinking, "Hello Father."
"Hello Draco. I just popped by to tell you that you'll never amount to anything, your grades are terrible, your quidditch team is losing far to often and you're basically a spectacular failure, in my eyes, that is…"
Draco thought he was finished but it was not to be.
"…And a Father's eyes are what should matter to a son who wants to achieve his full potential in life. You never know what challenge might appear and you want to be prepared for them. Failing constantly will not help this. Why, when I was your age I was top of my class and I never let anything stand in my way when trying to achieve, that's how I became the man I am today."
"And, Father," Draco interrupted, "You know how much I want to please you and become just like you."
"I don't like your tone. Don't be sarcastic with me, it might be amusing to speak like that to your friends but not me," and then just incase Draco had forgotten who was speaking to him he said, "Your father."
"I don't know what you're talking about. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have to get dressed."
"Yes…" Lucius left the room and began walking down that same old absurdly long hallway. 'Why did my ancestors make this hallway so long?' he thought to himself, 'It's not as if it serves some purpose, I think they were just trying to make the house look bigger on the outside and didn't think to just add more rooms.' He continued walking but his stroll was soon interrupted by a random teenager running into him. "And who are you?" he asked.
"I'm Henry," said Henry.
"What are you doing in my house," Lucius was becoming extremely put out.
"I'm here for Christmas holiday with Draco."
"Oh." Lucius walked away angrily.
