'Lucius?' Narcissa was tentatively touching his shoulder and he tensed
under her touch before he snapped out of his past and answered curtly,
'Tell Draco he is allowed but the Potter boy must be aware that no nonsense
is to be expected,' It was his usual brusque manner of giving orders. He
never dragged or beat around the bush if he wanted something done. Now, he
watched with slight satisfaction as the woman he was forced to marry looked
slightly hurt.
He fixed a sharp glare on her while she walked out and softly shut the door behind her.
When he was sure she was gone, he sighed in a melancholy manner and crissed- crossed his fingers together. He could sense the impending trouble and tried to figure out everything.
Ok, so Draco, that irresponsible brat of a son he had, had decided to bring his latest boyfriend to Malfoy Manor for the Christmas holidays, and the boyfriend happened to be Harry Potter, another little brat Lucius wished he could discipline. To make things worse, Potter happened to be the only son of Lucius' old lover. And the little troublemaker was a split image of James Potter. The first time Lucius had seen the boy as a teenage, Lucius had been stunned completely.
It had been like seeing James Potter when James was a second year at the Quidditch match for the first time. Lucius had almost lost control of himself but the emerald eyes which had looked at him with slightly concealed fear had reminded him bitterly that James was dead and this could only be his son. The baby Lucius had seen years ago.
Lucius had forced himself to act nastily towards the child who reminded him so much of the man he lost years ago.
And now, the boy would be at his manor for a period of around a few days. Not only would the manor obviously be noisier with two little nuisances running around and wrecking the manor, not to mention terrorizing house elves which was Draco's favorite hobby at the moment. You'd think that at seventeen, the boy would be more mature and lay off the poor house elves, Lucius momentarily sneered in disgust.
And to make matters worse, the boy would be near to Lucius and Lucius was afraid he couldn't control his own thoughts and feelings. So long as Lucius viewed Harry Potter as a menace, everything was under control but if he so much as looked at Harry for more than a second, he was sure he might be reminded of James again. That would lead to rather nasty consequences and lots of loose ends to tie up.
Altogether, he wished he had never allowed Draco to bring the boy but if he'd disallowed, he knew that Draco would go against his wishes all the same and the whole thing would be more unpleasant.
***************************
Hogwarts
'You are intending to WHAT?' Harry Potter looked in absolute horror at Draco. He wished his ears were currently malfunctioning and that the phrase 'invite you to the manor' were just a jumble of distorted words of his nightmare. He had known that if he agreed to be Draco's boyfriend, Draco would certainly try to make him meet his parents and Harry shuddered to think what Mr. Malfoy would say.
'Invite you to our manor, Harry. I know you have nowhere to go for the Christmas holidays so I asked Father and Mother. They allow you to come with me,' Draco assumed the horror was pleasant astonishment and that Harry was too happy to hear properly.
'But Draco, I've got homework to do,'
'I'll lend you mine to copy,' Draco brushed off the excuse Harry had vainly tried to think up. Harry felt as though someone had knocked him out - he was feeling extremely numb at the thought of being in the same house with Mr. Malfoy for days. He was sure Mr. Malfoy would not waste the chance and start picking on him from the very moment of his arrival.
'But - Draco, I don't like the idea of copying. I'll need to go to the library to research on a special Defense Against The Dark Arts project I agreed to do for extra credit,' he did not know that the library excuse was the worse he could ever have come up with for it backfired against him immediately.
'Ah hah, that's why you must come to the manor - Dad has got a real extensive library,' Draco happily told Harry.
'But - '
'No buts, Harry. Dad and Mom will be exceptionally happy to see you. It's eight in the morning by the main door, don't you forget,' Draco left the classroom thus saying so and missed Harry's appalled look.
**************************
Eve Of Departure
'I can't believe you like the idiot so much you are willing to undertake the risk of being hexed by his Father,' Ron was sprawled over his own bed, watching as Harry piled three pairs of jeans into the bag he was carrying there. Ron had nearly died of an apoplectic fit when Harry had tried to tactfully tell him that he had been willing in wearing the jade bracelet Draco had given with Draco's name on it.
'I know - I tried to dissuade Draco but he insisted - you know how he always is the stronger one,' Harry helplessly wringed his hands before sighing and then resuming his packing. It was true, much as Harry loved Draco, sometimes, he felt scared when Draco got either too possessive of him or got angered. Draco could get very intimidating like his Father.
'Merlin, Harry, you've got to go against him in something someway or another. He sounds like a control freak,' Ron said plainly and helped Harry pick up some underwear which had fallen on the floor.
'No, he isn't,' Harry insisted on being loyal to Draco and answered softly while he stuffed homework into it and answering glumly when he saw Ron's alarmed look, 'Not that I became Hermione's worshipper or something but I lied to Draco as an excuse and he'll be expecting me to do homework, besides, it'll be rather new an experience, won't it?' Harry sounded so falsely cheery that even he was revolted.
'You gotta stand on your own feet one of these days, you know,' Ron remarked and although Harry said nothing in response, he knew it was the truth.
They finally finished the packing which ended with Hermione entering and looking all pleased that Harry had finally 'seen some sense in my preaching' and that 'you better follow his example, Ron'.
*************************
'No, I can't, Draco, I promised Seamus I'd help him with that,' Harry tried to push back the nervousness in his voice and willing himself to hold the same confidence he used to speak to Draco with when they were still enemies. But somehow, Draco was always more dominant and fierce.
'Harry, you *cannot* - ' Draco insistently shoved Harry backwards a bit.
'But it was a promise!' Harry refused to back down and shoved Draco instead.
'You can always break a promise!'
'It's not right and besides, I won't!'
'Let me warn you - you are not going to leave my house!'
'I am and I won't return - god, Draco, where are your senses?! Why won't you just let me bloody go and help Seamus!'
'Because you like him and you'll run off with him!' Draco's pale face was even more pallid with obvious rage.
'You're mad, Draco! You're jealous. Why won't you believe me when I say that I am just friends with Seamus?!'
'Do I look like an idiot?' Draco left no time for protesting as he grabbed Harry wildly and dragged him into the kitchen. Harry flinched under the strong hold and jerked when he saw what Draco was carrying - a sharp 9-inch knife. Hell, was Draco crazy?
'I'm sorry, Harry. I won't ever let you leave me,' before Harry could even breathe, Draco brought the knife stabbing downwards to Harry. Harry could only see Draco's eyes, once grey, now a crazy red.
**************************
'Aaaaaaaahhhhhhhh,' Harry woke up to find himself thrashing in the bedsheets and screaming wildly. It was still dark outside and he vaguely heard Ron getting out of bed and speaking in undertones to the others to get them back to bed. Harry felt his heart drumming wildly against his ribcage as he recalled the maniacal expression on Draco's face in his dream.
'You okay, mate?' Ron lightly prodded Harry on the shoulder.
'Y-yeah, nightmare,' Harry forced his voice back to steadiness and replied.
'Is it about that git?' the silence that ensued was more than a confirmation. Ron sighed and said, 'You've been having nightmares about him for weeks - this must stop. You've got to either break off that relationship or you tell him straight out that you think that he is too protective of you and ask him to lay off a bit,'
'I'll be alright,' Harry stubbornly refused to touch on the subject and said dismissively while getting back into bed. But could he really forget that nightmare and the many ones which had led to the horrifying dream?
He tossed and turned in bed, hearing Ron's mutterings of spells in his sleep and wondered if Ron was right to some extent.
He got up hours later and absently checked all his clothes again. Then, he slung the bag over his shoulders and went down to meet Draco.
********************
4 Hours later
'Calm down, Harry. I'm sure dad and mom'll not be angry to see you,' Draco nudged Harry supportively as Harry stood motionless, not daring to get any closer to both Mr. and Mrs. Malfoy who were looking at them. Harry was especially intimidated by Mr. Malfoy's tall stature and Mrs. Malfoy's cold elegance. He walked forwards, following Draco who looked all the more pleased to see him following.
'Draco dear,' the coldness melted to warmth as Mrs. Malfoy kissed Draco lightly on the cheek and began talking to him, leaving Harry to face Mr. Malfoy. 'Good afternoon, sir,' Harry decided to be most polite and formal when talking to such an arrogant man. He felt Mr. Malfoy study him intently while he said, 'Potter, a pleasure to see you at last,'
'Narcissa, shall we return to the manor?' Mr. Malfoy curtly said.
**********************
The journey was mostly silence-filled with the exceptions of Harry being asked a few questions about himself and his school work by Mrs. Malfoy. Harry could tell that Draco was also intimidated by his own father who was obvious in his disapproval of Draco's school work.
'Draco, take Potter up to the guest rooms and fill him in with what he needs to know for tonight,' Mr. Malfoy gave Draco a slight push and then disappeared into a maze of corridors. Mrs. Malfoy followed him and Harry was left alone with Draco.
Draco led the way up and in turned out that Draco's room was just a few rooms away and that Harry was not expected to stay like a good boy in his own rooms.
*********************
3 Hours later
'Dra - sorry, Mr. Malfoy,' Harry was giving one of the nastiest surprises when he found not Draco but Mr. Malfoy in the dining room. There was only the two of them and Harry awkwardly took a step backwards in his shock. He watched as Mr. Malfoy regally set down the papers he had been reading and surveyed him.
'Sit, Potter,'
Harry gulped slightly in his nervousness as Mr. Malfoy indicated the seat opposite him.
'Potter, have you ever learnt how to place yourself on a chair without toppling over and with grace?' Mr. Malfoy seemed vaguely annoyed and coolly gestured once against to the seat. Harry decided that much as he was sure that he would be hexed to death if he sat near Mr. Malfoy, there was no other option.
Harry felt like squirming under Mr. Malfoy's intense stare. He forced himself to take up every inch of pride he had and glare back rudely. He hazily felt Lucius Malfoy's displeasure at his insolence and knew he was right when the man tsked and then spoke.
'Surely you've learnt that those of good upbringing never glare at people, Potter?' It was meant as an insult and speech of great despise and Harry did take offence. 'I was well brought up,' he muttered resentfully as Lucius Malfoy beckoned him imperiously. Harry sullenly stood up and in doing so, glanced at the clock, it was time for dinner already but where was Draco?
'My son had to, at the last minute, stay in his room for disciplinary purposes,' the man offered as an explanation while he himself also stood up. If they ever fought, Harry was well aware that he would come off worse, if he did not die. Draco's father towered over him at a good six feet while Harry was simply only five feet six. He was even shorter than some sixth- years.
'Now, I wish to make this clear - you do know that there is a reasonably high chance that you might marry into the Malfoy family,' Lucius Malfoy stated simply while his eyes swept up and down Harry's smaller frame. Harry was captivated with the man's eyes. They seemed to radiate power and command. Compared to his father, Draco was like a baby. Hurry involuntarily shuddered - was it the fact that he was being scrutinized so closely by his lover's father or was it because of the way those grey eyes made him *feel*?
'Potter?'
'Yeah, right,' Harry was caught off-guard.
'Then, I suppose we should begin with the expected code of conduct,' Harry gaped inwardly, he should have known that Draco grew up in a place where conduct was deemed most important. He nodded mutely, disagreeing would mean unpleasant things.
'Good - then we shall start off now with the simplest of all - how one should behave at the dining table - I'm sure you won't want to suffer my displeasure if at any ministry dinners, you behave in a too wild manner,' Harry was counting all the curses he knew to see if they were enough to save him from Lucius Malfoy. Apparently, they weren't quite enough.
'Show me how you seat yourself,' Mr. Malfoy was sending slight shivers of fear and - Harry hoped he was wrong - pleasure down his spine with the smooth, silky voice.
Harry nervously approached his seat, trying to remember if he ever heard of a most proper manner to seat oneself at the dinning table. He decided the best way was to be noiseless and discreet as much as possible. So, he simply slid into the seat like he normally did except he tried to minimize the noise he caused. He heard a soft noise of derision and sighed inwardly - nothing he did would ever please this possible future father-in-law.
'Potter, you do not seat yourself as if you want to be ignored. One - especially if you are from an illustrious family like ours - sits like this, watch carefully,' Lucius Malfoy got out of his seat - he could even make a simple act like getting out one's chair so dignified and graceful.
He rose, keeping his movements fluid and elegant, and then fixed his grey eyes coolly on Harry before deliberately walking away from the table to show Harry all the steps involved. He assumed the most arrogant smirk Harry had ever seen and walked towards the table again.
He needn't have worried that Harry would not look, in fact, Lucius Malfoy was sure the boy would be spellbound and he was right.
Harry admired the way Lucius Malfoy walked - not too fast and not too slow, perfect. The way Lucius carried himself forwards was proud and intimidating. With a soft flick of his long blond hair, Lucius Malfoy allowed a cold smile to grace his lips for a second, then he slowly drew out his chair and laid his cane against the side of the table before he gracefully sat down and then raised a cultured eyebrow at Harry.
Shit, Harry swore never to step into the Malfoy house if he could avoid.
He left his seat, not before pushing the chair in again, then strode forwards, trying his best to imitate Draco's father and then when he reached the table, he jerked the chair out of its place and sat down, wishing the man could just accept that as a pass. He was in luck, Lucius Malfoy merely fixed him with a very contemplating glance then nodded.
'Very well, as inept as I hear you are at Potions, you have proven at least capable of understanding the art of imitating. Next, you learn how to eat properly,' Lucius Malfoy clapped his hands and silver plates with food appeared. Harry had been hungry but now, he felt slightly queasy eating with Lucius Malfoy criticizing him.
'Look,' Lucius Malfoy wrapped his fingers delicately around a fork and a knife and then began cutting up the steak he had been presented with. He made sure Harry could see exactly the arrangement his fingers were wrapped in.
**********************
30 mins later
Harry had never spent a more agonizing half hour. Lucius Malfoy had criticized everything - his way of eating, holding a wineglass and folding a napkin. Harry was now meticulously folding his napkin.
'You have certainly gained a lot of proper knowledge,' Lucius Malfoy seemed to be insulting his intelligence and Harry glared at him furiously, wishing he could just get out of here.
'Your glare reminds me of your expected conduct with me. You are not to make any noise around the manor - Draco might try to get you to but remember my warning. I want you polite and well-mannered not to mention displaying great etiquette. While you may be tempted to run around the manor, should I catch you doing that, Potter, you shall suffer indeed. . .now, you may leave,'
Lucius Malfoy's words were a welcome to Harry and he bolted from the room at first opportunity.
*******************************************
Ok, that was the second chapter. I hope you enjoy this chapter. Another thing, for those who detest this story, I beg you either not to read or keep your very crude reviews to yourself as I'm sure you would not want anyone to gave you such reviews.
Thanks to others who support this story. I have no idea why Severus Snape is such a popular figure but I'll try to squeeze him into the story. What importance do you think he should play in this story then? Since some of you wanted him in.
Thanks,
Ice And Fire Vanessa
He fixed a sharp glare on her while she walked out and softly shut the door behind her.
When he was sure she was gone, he sighed in a melancholy manner and crissed- crossed his fingers together. He could sense the impending trouble and tried to figure out everything.
Ok, so Draco, that irresponsible brat of a son he had, had decided to bring his latest boyfriend to Malfoy Manor for the Christmas holidays, and the boyfriend happened to be Harry Potter, another little brat Lucius wished he could discipline. To make things worse, Potter happened to be the only son of Lucius' old lover. And the little troublemaker was a split image of James Potter. The first time Lucius had seen the boy as a teenage, Lucius had been stunned completely.
It had been like seeing James Potter when James was a second year at the Quidditch match for the first time. Lucius had almost lost control of himself but the emerald eyes which had looked at him with slightly concealed fear had reminded him bitterly that James was dead and this could only be his son. The baby Lucius had seen years ago.
Lucius had forced himself to act nastily towards the child who reminded him so much of the man he lost years ago.
And now, the boy would be at his manor for a period of around a few days. Not only would the manor obviously be noisier with two little nuisances running around and wrecking the manor, not to mention terrorizing house elves which was Draco's favorite hobby at the moment. You'd think that at seventeen, the boy would be more mature and lay off the poor house elves, Lucius momentarily sneered in disgust.
And to make matters worse, the boy would be near to Lucius and Lucius was afraid he couldn't control his own thoughts and feelings. So long as Lucius viewed Harry Potter as a menace, everything was under control but if he so much as looked at Harry for more than a second, he was sure he might be reminded of James again. That would lead to rather nasty consequences and lots of loose ends to tie up.
Altogether, he wished he had never allowed Draco to bring the boy but if he'd disallowed, he knew that Draco would go against his wishes all the same and the whole thing would be more unpleasant.
***************************
Hogwarts
'You are intending to WHAT?' Harry Potter looked in absolute horror at Draco. He wished his ears were currently malfunctioning and that the phrase 'invite you to the manor' were just a jumble of distorted words of his nightmare. He had known that if he agreed to be Draco's boyfriend, Draco would certainly try to make him meet his parents and Harry shuddered to think what Mr. Malfoy would say.
'Invite you to our manor, Harry. I know you have nowhere to go for the Christmas holidays so I asked Father and Mother. They allow you to come with me,' Draco assumed the horror was pleasant astonishment and that Harry was too happy to hear properly.
'But Draco, I've got homework to do,'
'I'll lend you mine to copy,' Draco brushed off the excuse Harry had vainly tried to think up. Harry felt as though someone had knocked him out - he was feeling extremely numb at the thought of being in the same house with Mr. Malfoy for days. He was sure Mr. Malfoy would not waste the chance and start picking on him from the very moment of his arrival.
'But - Draco, I don't like the idea of copying. I'll need to go to the library to research on a special Defense Against The Dark Arts project I agreed to do for extra credit,' he did not know that the library excuse was the worse he could ever have come up with for it backfired against him immediately.
'Ah hah, that's why you must come to the manor - Dad has got a real extensive library,' Draco happily told Harry.
'But - '
'No buts, Harry. Dad and Mom will be exceptionally happy to see you. It's eight in the morning by the main door, don't you forget,' Draco left the classroom thus saying so and missed Harry's appalled look.
**************************
Eve Of Departure
'I can't believe you like the idiot so much you are willing to undertake the risk of being hexed by his Father,' Ron was sprawled over his own bed, watching as Harry piled three pairs of jeans into the bag he was carrying there. Ron had nearly died of an apoplectic fit when Harry had tried to tactfully tell him that he had been willing in wearing the jade bracelet Draco had given with Draco's name on it.
'I know - I tried to dissuade Draco but he insisted - you know how he always is the stronger one,' Harry helplessly wringed his hands before sighing and then resuming his packing. It was true, much as Harry loved Draco, sometimes, he felt scared when Draco got either too possessive of him or got angered. Draco could get very intimidating like his Father.
'Merlin, Harry, you've got to go against him in something someway or another. He sounds like a control freak,' Ron said plainly and helped Harry pick up some underwear which had fallen on the floor.
'No, he isn't,' Harry insisted on being loyal to Draco and answered softly while he stuffed homework into it and answering glumly when he saw Ron's alarmed look, 'Not that I became Hermione's worshipper or something but I lied to Draco as an excuse and he'll be expecting me to do homework, besides, it'll be rather new an experience, won't it?' Harry sounded so falsely cheery that even he was revolted.
'You gotta stand on your own feet one of these days, you know,' Ron remarked and although Harry said nothing in response, he knew it was the truth.
They finally finished the packing which ended with Hermione entering and looking all pleased that Harry had finally 'seen some sense in my preaching' and that 'you better follow his example, Ron'.
*************************
'No, I can't, Draco, I promised Seamus I'd help him with that,' Harry tried to push back the nervousness in his voice and willing himself to hold the same confidence he used to speak to Draco with when they were still enemies. But somehow, Draco was always more dominant and fierce.
'Harry, you *cannot* - ' Draco insistently shoved Harry backwards a bit.
'But it was a promise!' Harry refused to back down and shoved Draco instead.
'You can always break a promise!'
'It's not right and besides, I won't!'
'Let me warn you - you are not going to leave my house!'
'I am and I won't return - god, Draco, where are your senses?! Why won't you just let me bloody go and help Seamus!'
'Because you like him and you'll run off with him!' Draco's pale face was even more pallid with obvious rage.
'You're mad, Draco! You're jealous. Why won't you believe me when I say that I am just friends with Seamus?!'
'Do I look like an idiot?' Draco left no time for protesting as he grabbed Harry wildly and dragged him into the kitchen. Harry flinched under the strong hold and jerked when he saw what Draco was carrying - a sharp 9-inch knife. Hell, was Draco crazy?
'I'm sorry, Harry. I won't ever let you leave me,' before Harry could even breathe, Draco brought the knife stabbing downwards to Harry. Harry could only see Draco's eyes, once grey, now a crazy red.
**************************
'Aaaaaaaahhhhhhhh,' Harry woke up to find himself thrashing in the bedsheets and screaming wildly. It was still dark outside and he vaguely heard Ron getting out of bed and speaking in undertones to the others to get them back to bed. Harry felt his heart drumming wildly against his ribcage as he recalled the maniacal expression on Draco's face in his dream.
'You okay, mate?' Ron lightly prodded Harry on the shoulder.
'Y-yeah, nightmare,' Harry forced his voice back to steadiness and replied.
'Is it about that git?' the silence that ensued was more than a confirmation. Ron sighed and said, 'You've been having nightmares about him for weeks - this must stop. You've got to either break off that relationship or you tell him straight out that you think that he is too protective of you and ask him to lay off a bit,'
'I'll be alright,' Harry stubbornly refused to touch on the subject and said dismissively while getting back into bed. But could he really forget that nightmare and the many ones which had led to the horrifying dream?
He tossed and turned in bed, hearing Ron's mutterings of spells in his sleep and wondered if Ron was right to some extent.
He got up hours later and absently checked all his clothes again. Then, he slung the bag over his shoulders and went down to meet Draco.
********************
4 Hours later
'Calm down, Harry. I'm sure dad and mom'll not be angry to see you,' Draco nudged Harry supportively as Harry stood motionless, not daring to get any closer to both Mr. and Mrs. Malfoy who were looking at them. Harry was especially intimidated by Mr. Malfoy's tall stature and Mrs. Malfoy's cold elegance. He walked forwards, following Draco who looked all the more pleased to see him following.
'Draco dear,' the coldness melted to warmth as Mrs. Malfoy kissed Draco lightly on the cheek and began talking to him, leaving Harry to face Mr. Malfoy. 'Good afternoon, sir,' Harry decided to be most polite and formal when talking to such an arrogant man. He felt Mr. Malfoy study him intently while he said, 'Potter, a pleasure to see you at last,'
'Narcissa, shall we return to the manor?' Mr. Malfoy curtly said.
**********************
The journey was mostly silence-filled with the exceptions of Harry being asked a few questions about himself and his school work by Mrs. Malfoy. Harry could tell that Draco was also intimidated by his own father who was obvious in his disapproval of Draco's school work.
'Draco, take Potter up to the guest rooms and fill him in with what he needs to know for tonight,' Mr. Malfoy gave Draco a slight push and then disappeared into a maze of corridors. Mrs. Malfoy followed him and Harry was left alone with Draco.
Draco led the way up and in turned out that Draco's room was just a few rooms away and that Harry was not expected to stay like a good boy in his own rooms.
*********************
3 Hours later
'Dra - sorry, Mr. Malfoy,' Harry was giving one of the nastiest surprises when he found not Draco but Mr. Malfoy in the dining room. There was only the two of them and Harry awkwardly took a step backwards in his shock. He watched as Mr. Malfoy regally set down the papers he had been reading and surveyed him.
'Sit, Potter,'
Harry gulped slightly in his nervousness as Mr. Malfoy indicated the seat opposite him.
'Potter, have you ever learnt how to place yourself on a chair without toppling over and with grace?' Mr. Malfoy seemed vaguely annoyed and coolly gestured once against to the seat. Harry decided that much as he was sure that he would be hexed to death if he sat near Mr. Malfoy, there was no other option.
Harry felt like squirming under Mr. Malfoy's intense stare. He forced himself to take up every inch of pride he had and glare back rudely. He hazily felt Lucius Malfoy's displeasure at his insolence and knew he was right when the man tsked and then spoke.
'Surely you've learnt that those of good upbringing never glare at people, Potter?' It was meant as an insult and speech of great despise and Harry did take offence. 'I was well brought up,' he muttered resentfully as Lucius Malfoy beckoned him imperiously. Harry sullenly stood up and in doing so, glanced at the clock, it was time for dinner already but where was Draco?
'My son had to, at the last minute, stay in his room for disciplinary purposes,' the man offered as an explanation while he himself also stood up. If they ever fought, Harry was well aware that he would come off worse, if he did not die. Draco's father towered over him at a good six feet while Harry was simply only five feet six. He was even shorter than some sixth- years.
'Now, I wish to make this clear - you do know that there is a reasonably high chance that you might marry into the Malfoy family,' Lucius Malfoy stated simply while his eyes swept up and down Harry's smaller frame. Harry was captivated with the man's eyes. They seemed to radiate power and command. Compared to his father, Draco was like a baby. Hurry involuntarily shuddered - was it the fact that he was being scrutinized so closely by his lover's father or was it because of the way those grey eyes made him *feel*?
'Potter?'
'Yeah, right,' Harry was caught off-guard.
'Then, I suppose we should begin with the expected code of conduct,' Harry gaped inwardly, he should have known that Draco grew up in a place where conduct was deemed most important. He nodded mutely, disagreeing would mean unpleasant things.
'Good - then we shall start off now with the simplest of all - how one should behave at the dining table - I'm sure you won't want to suffer my displeasure if at any ministry dinners, you behave in a too wild manner,' Harry was counting all the curses he knew to see if they were enough to save him from Lucius Malfoy. Apparently, they weren't quite enough.
'Show me how you seat yourself,' Mr. Malfoy was sending slight shivers of fear and - Harry hoped he was wrong - pleasure down his spine with the smooth, silky voice.
Harry nervously approached his seat, trying to remember if he ever heard of a most proper manner to seat oneself at the dinning table. He decided the best way was to be noiseless and discreet as much as possible. So, he simply slid into the seat like he normally did except he tried to minimize the noise he caused. He heard a soft noise of derision and sighed inwardly - nothing he did would ever please this possible future father-in-law.
'Potter, you do not seat yourself as if you want to be ignored. One - especially if you are from an illustrious family like ours - sits like this, watch carefully,' Lucius Malfoy got out of his seat - he could even make a simple act like getting out one's chair so dignified and graceful.
He rose, keeping his movements fluid and elegant, and then fixed his grey eyes coolly on Harry before deliberately walking away from the table to show Harry all the steps involved. He assumed the most arrogant smirk Harry had ever seen and walked towards the table again.
He needn't have worried that Harry would not look, in fact, Lucius Malfoy was sure the boy would be spellbound and he was right.
Harry admired the way Lucius Malfoy walked - not too fast and not too slow, perfect. The way Lucius carried himself forwards was proud and intimidating. With a soft flick of his long blond hair, Lucius Malfoy allowed a cold smile to grace his lips for a second, then he slowly drew out his chair and laid his cane against the side of the table before he gracefully sat down and then raised a cultured eyebrow at Harry.
Shit, Harry swore never to step into the Malfoy house if he could avoid.
He left his seat, not before pushing the chair in again, then strode forwards, trying his best to imitate Draco's father and then when he reached the table, he jerked the chair out of its place and sat down, wishing the man could just accept that as a pass. He was in luck, Lucius Malfoy merely fixed him with a very contemplating glance then nodded.
'Very well, as inept as I hear you are at Potions, you have proven at least capable of understanding the art of imitating. Next, you learn how to eat properly,' Lucius Malfoy clapped his hands and silver plates with food appeared. Harry had been hungry but now, he felt slightly queasy eating with Lucius Malfoy criticizing him.
'Look,' Lucius Malfoy wrapped his fingers delicately around a fork and a knife and then began cutting up the steak he had been presented with. He made sure Harry could see exactly the arrangement his fingers were wrapped in.
**********************
30 mins later
Harry had never spent a more agonizing half hour. Lucius Malfoy had criticized everything - his way of eating, holding a wineglass and folding a napkin. Harry was now meticulously folding his napkin.
'You have certainly gained a lot of proper knowledge,' Lucius Malfoy seemed to be insulting his intelligence and Harry glared at him furiously, wishing he could just get out of here.
'Your glare reminds me of your expected conduct with me. You are not to make any noise around the manor - Draco might try to get you to but remember my warning. I want you polite and well-mannered not to mention displaying great etiquette. While you may be tempted to run around the manor, should I catch you doing that, Potter, you shall suffer indeed. . .now, you may leave,'
Lucius Malfoy's words were a welcome to Harry and he bolted from the room at first opportunity.
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Ok, that was the second chapter. I hope you enjoy this chapter. Another thing, for those who detest this story, I beg you either not to read or keep your very crude reviews to yourself as I'm sure you would not want anyone to gave you such reviews.
Thanks to others who support this story. I have no idea why Severus Snape is such a popular figure but I'll try to squeeze him into the story. What importance do you think he should play in this story then? Since some of you wanted him in.
Thanks,
Ice And Fire Vanessa