Disclaimer: I own nothing, please don't sue.
Authors Note: Is anyone even reading this? Please review!
Ok, I admit that I am little cheap here, but we do have very little Canon about Malfoys' origins and blond people usually have some northern ancestors. I had decided to use some 'family power source or centralization' and somehow I'm more comfortable with a stone or a rock or a single tree being this central than grove, which probably would be more Western European way. Also Malfoy Castle is on a meagre island so grove would be quite unbelievable. So in my story Malfoy Power is centralized to a piece of rock. I used word 'Seita' because that it what that kind of 'stone idols' (=this is straight translation even if seita's are not always stones) are called here. And I also think that seita is very beautiful word and I'm a author, so I can basically call my creations in this story as I please.
Tale of the Great Ferret, Part One
Malfoy's Heir, Chapter 5
War continued as before. Death Eaters made some attacks and Ministry and Order tried to prevent them and do counterattacks. Still nothing major happened. Summer was soon over and children were in train back to school. Also Draco was present. His summer was not as bad he had been afraid of in spring. He was still Voldemort's sex toy and sometimes it was difficult and painful but Dark Lord treated him now little better and Draco also got some satisfaction from his traitorousness. His revenge was far from complete but it was going on just fine.
It was also good thing that his father didn't dare to touch him any more so he was safe from his abuse and so was his mother. Unfortunately it didn't seem to help his mother anymore. She had sunk even lower to her dreamland with potions, liquor and drugs. She also missed Lucius. Draco couldn't understand how his mother could still love his father after all those terrible years of abuse. But she did and awfully missed her husband who seldom visited in Malfoy Manor. Lucius hided in same places as Voldemort and occasionally in old Malfoy Mansion or Malfoy Castle as it was often called. In a newer Malfoy Manor where Narcissa and Draco lived Lucius only visited in rare nights because of Aurors who kept an eye on it.
Lucius and Draco's relationship was little awkward. Lucius understood that Draco's current situation was his fault so he couldn't blame Draco. He wasn't pleased with state of affairs and he was worried for his heir. Still there was nothing he could do and he was not going to apologize about circumstances he had caused. Malfoy's simply didn't do apologizing not even from their owns. And after all apologizes changed nothing. He had done his decisions and now he would bear the consequence and so would his son even if he had no part to those decisions. That was life so it was time his son to learn to deal with it.
Draco got bored just sitting and listening other last year Slytherins blabbering and he got up and started wandering through the train. Train seemed same as always. There were nervous first years, stuck up second years and pleased older children. It was always nice to come back to Hogwarts. Even if it meant schoolwork and strict rules and professors it also meant friends, quidditch and more fun. It would be Draco's last year. He was already older than his years and some glamour had dropped off from school life. Still he was pleased to be back. Hogwarts was still his sanctuary and place he could breathe little more freely, place he could rest at.
Draco ran into the Dream Team in corridor. He noticed right away that Potter and Granger wore headboy and headgirl badges. What a surprise, he thought and smirked, Golden Boy and the Mudblood are new Headboy and Headgirl, who had guessed? Granger probably deserved her badge but Potter wasn't certainly best boy in academics and he had been in almost as many detentions as Draco. And that was many. But he was Golden Gryffindor Hero so of course he was Headboy.
"Do you notice that Hermione and Harry are Headboy and -girl? Now you can't do what you want without consequences. Step one toe out of a line and you are in detention." Weasley taunted.
Draco didn't bother to answer. He only gave a sardonic smile and turned his back to the Gryffindors and continued his journey towards front of a train.
Gryffindor trio watched after a Slytherin little confused.
"What has changed him?" Hermione asked. "That was not the usual Malfoy's behaviour."
"Maybe he is scared at you two. You are now Headgirl and -boy and maybe he doesn't want troubles. Or maybe he couldn't figure out any wicked response." Ron romped.
"Don't be ridiculous. Malfoy sat last year dozens of detentions and most of them he took intentionally. He is not afraid of them. Detentions have near to none weight for him." Hermione snorted.
"And he is so wicked from the birth that he will always have at least dozen wicked replies ready." Harry confirmed.
"Maybe he had something else in his mind or maybe he has even grew up a tiny little bit." Hermione suggested.
"Difficult to believe. But why are we talking about Malfoy? I'm sure we have something better to discuss. What did think about last quidditch season?" Ron answered.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Soon after the autumn term had begun, Headmaster asked Draco to his office. Also Snape was there.
"Nice to see you Mr Malfoy. How has your school started? I noticed with great pleasure that you haven't got even one detention this far." Old Headmaster said eyes twinkling.
"Was that a reason you wanted to see me, Sir? If it bothers you, I can easily change it. I have got double transfiguration tomorrow morning. I'm sure I can earn at least two or three detentions if I put my mind in to it." Draco joked back only slightly irritated.
"No. No need to do that, my dear boy. I can handle without Minerva nagging about your conduct." Dumpledore chuckled.
"Real reason you are here is that Ministry and Order have decided that it's crucial to arrest your father." Snape went to business. "You probably know that he has fled to the old Malfoy Castle. Now Order wants to know how we can get him from there."
"We know it's one of the most protected place in whole Britain probably safer than Hogwarts. We are worried that your father will offer it to Voldemort's headquarters. It would be almost impossible to beat Voldemort if he had that kind of safe place." Dumpledore continued
"No, it's not possible. My father will not offer the Castle to Voldemort." Draco answered without doubt.
"Maybe he wouldn't offer it but Voldemort may take it with force." Dumpledore commented.
"No. Malfoy Castle is no one's to take. And Voldemort wouldn't want it even if he could take it." Draco assured. "How much do you know about the Castle?"
"Not much", Dumpledore confessed, "Only that it is one of the oldest and most powerful magical places in Britain. It's unmapped and seldom knows where it is. It's also said that only someone who has Malfoy Blood in his veins can go there safely and it protects its Masters fiercely. Some also say that Malfoys are invincible in there. There are little solid knowledge about it but only much old tales and legends. I don't know what is true and what's not."
"Your information is basically true. Castle's location is concealed and people who have no Malfoy Blood in their veins can only enter to the Castle Grounds if invited. The Castle obeys it's Lord and if he says that someone or no one is welcome only those who are Malfoy themselves can enter and even they can't get to place where Lord is if he don't approve it. The Castle is living and it has essence and its purpose is to protect Malfoys. There is no way to take Lucius from there by force if he doesn't want to come." Draco told. "But you don't have to worry about Voldemort getting the Castle to his control. My Father would never give it freely and even if he wanted he couldn't. The Castle is no one's to give. It serves Malfoy line and I'm a legitimate heir and my Father has introduced me to the Castle and most importantly to Seita. Seita and the Castle don't let Lucius to give away something that is mine. However Voldemort wouldn't even want the Malfoy Castle. He couldn't be safe there. Seita makes every Malfoy's magic multiple and we really are practically invincible there."
"What is this Seita you are talking about?" Headmaster asked.
"It's a core of whole Malfoy Magic and of course the Castle. But it's much older than the Castle. First Malfoys brought it with them when they came to Britain from France. No one knows sure but it's family legend that our family is originally from far north. Our traditional looks are from there and so is Seita, which we had brought with us. It's name, Seita, is probably some ancient language they spoke there. Every Malfoy child is introduced to it and it makes Castle so magical and safe place." Draco told little evasive. After all those were old family secrets that were not revealed easily.
"Where is the Castle? And how you get there?"
"It's on the small island somewhere in the coast. And there are many entrances that lead to there but none of them is open to hostile visitor. Most of them are only existing to those with Malfoy Blood." Draco replied little smugly.
"So you are saying that there is no way we can get Lucius if he remains in the Malfoy Castle?" Summarized Snape.
"Yes, that is basically what I'm saying. And if you still want to try, I will not help you anyway. I'm a Malfoy after all. I will not attack against our own safe place." Draco confirmed.
"OK. I think that is that then. Now we just need to get Fudge to understand that." Dumpledore sighed. "Would you want a Lemon Drop, my boy?" Headmaster then asked from Draco.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
New year and war that claimed new casualties whole time and approaching adulthood changed some politics among seventh year Slytherins. Until now it had always been easy to behave and talk as was expected from them as 'junior Death Eaters.' But now they knew they really would have to choose their sides in the near future. It had been easy to talk in benefit for Voldemort then they still were protected by Hogwarts and Dumpledore. But after school would end in next summer they would be in their owns in the cruel world. They also knew that opposite to other Houses' students all of them had to choose and however they would choose it would have some serious consequences. It was rare that young Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw or even Gryffindor had to really choose. They were automatically on the Light Side and probably no one would ever demand them to act their choose or threaten them to deny it. It was easy to them to choose between 'right and easy' because those were usually same to them. But every single Slytherin knew that their pick would matter and however they choose they would also pay for it.
Now was a time they could ponder their decision and which pick would be easier to pay for. Few of them believed 'right' or 'truth' or 'light and dark.' Those were only children stories in their minds. They believed in power, consequences, victory and benefits. If they could have chose freely most of them would have been passive and chose neither side but that was no option. They had to choose and consequences of that select would be heavy to bear. Few have any great desire to kill other people. Most have some prejudice against muggles and mudbloods but rarely it was big deal to them. At least it wasn't reason good enough to follow Dark Lord. Of course there were some devoted Dark Lord supporters but they were few. Most of the older Slytherins were not yet committed to anyone.
There were some very good reasons to choose Dark Side. First of all it was expected from them. Their families usually wanted them to choose it. It would also be difficult to make Light Side to believe that they hadn't chosen Dark. Secondly they would probably live longer if they wouldn't defy Dark Lord. Dark Lord wasn't really very nice to those who refused him and also some families would maybe manifest their disappointment to wrong choice quite concrete way. Thirdly if the Dark Side would win they would have great chances to power. If the Light Side would win and they were in its side they still would be outcast. It would be Gryffindors' World and there would be no place to Slytherins. And if you were in the loosing side your doom would be terrible in spite of which side would be the winner.
Most of the Slytherins thought that situation wasn't entirely fair to them but that was something they had used to. Even those whose early childhood had been just and light had used to unfairness at the least in Hogwarts where Gryffindors were the Golden Children and Slytherins the Scum. And those were rare. Most of the Slytherins had lost their innocence long before age 11 then they came to Hogwarts. Happy childhood was uncommon gift in this House especially in these dark times.
Even if many rational arguments suggested joining to Dark Side some still pondered the alternative. Draco was seen the leader of those who would choose Dark Lord and Blaise Zabini was rising to lead to other way. Draco didn't put all his effort to battle for Slytherin souls but on the contrary was secretly satisfied then so many listened to Zabini. Of course he had to put some attempt to the matter or he would had been danger to be uncovered. Few times Draco even feared that he had been too plain in his unwillingness to promote Dark Lord to his peers then Zabini sometimes looked him little curiously. So he made it very clear that he thought that Dark Lord didn't need so weak servants, which would consider other options.
It was obvious that young Slytherins decisions would not be taken personally inside Slytherin House. This time both decisions were accepted between last years and no one wanted to make any personal takeoffs from those individuals who had chose otherwise. As long as they would still be in Hogwarts, Slytherin House would be united towards outsiders. What would happen after that; only time could tell.
Authors Note: Is anyone even reading this? Please review!
Ok, I admit that I am little cheap here, but we do have very little Canon about Malfoys' origins and blond people usually have some northern ancestors. I had decided to use some 'family power source or centralization' and somehow I'm more comfortable with a stone or a rock or a single tree being this central than grove, which probably would be more Western European way. Also Malfoy Castle is on a meagre island so grove would be quite unbelievable. So in my story Malfoy Power is centralized to a piece of rock. I used word 'Seita' because that it what that kind of 'stone idols' (=this is straight translation even if seita's are not always stones) are called here. And I also think that seita is very beautiful word and I'm a author, so I can basically call my creations in this story as I please.
Tale of the Great Ferret, Part One
Malfoy's Heir, Chapter 5
War continued as before. Death Eaters made some attacks and Ministry and Order tried to prevent them and do counterattacks. Still nothing major happened. Summer was soon over and children were in train back to school. Also Draco was present. His summer was not as bad he had been afraid of in spring. He was still Voldemort's sex toy and sometimes it was difficult and painful but Dark Lord treated him now little better and Draco also got some satisfaction from his traitorousness. His revenge was far from complete but it was going on just fine.
It was also good thing that his father didn't dare to touch him any more so he was safe from his abuse and so was his mother. Unfortunately it didn't seem to help his mother anymore. She had sunk even lower to her dreamland with potions, liquor and drugs. She also missed Lucius. Draco couldn't understand how his mother could still love his father after all those terrible years of abuse. But she did and awfully missed her husband who seldom visited in Malfoy Manor. Lucius hided in same places as Voldemort and occasionally in old Malfoy Mansion or Malfoy Castle as it was often called. In a newer Malfoy Manor where Narcissa and Draco lived Lucius only visited in rare nights because of Aurors who kept an eye on it.
Lucius and Draco's relationship was little awkward. Lucius understood that Draco's current situation was his fault so he couldn't blame Draco. He wasn't pleased with state of affairs and he was worried for his heir. Still there was nothing he could do and he was not going to apologize about circumstances he had caused. Malfoy's simply didn't do apologizing not even from their owns. And after all apologizes changed nothing. He had done his decisions and now he would bear the consequence and so would his son even if he had no part to those decisions. That was life so it was time his son to learn to deal with it.
Draco got bored just sitting and listening other last year Slytherins blabbering and he got up and started wandering through the train. Train seemed same as always. There were nervous first years, stuck up second years and pleased older children. It was always nice to come back to Hogwarts. Even if it meant schoolwork and strict rules and professors it also meant friends, quidditch and more fun. It would be Draco's last year. He was already older than his years and some glamour had dropped off from school life. Still he was pleased to be back. Hogwarts was still his sanctuary and place he could breathe little more freely, place he could rest at.
Draco ran into the Dream Team in corridor. He noticed right away that Potter and Granger wore headboy and headgirl badges. What a surprise, he thought and smirked, Golden Boy and the Mudblood are new Headboy and Headgirl, who had guessed? Granger probably deserved her badge but Potter wasn't certainly best boy in academics and he had been in almost as many detentions as Draco. And that was many. But he was Golden Gryffindor Hero so of course he was Headboy.
"Do you notice that Hermione and Harry are Headboy and -girl? Now you can't do what you want without consequences. Step one toe out of a line and you are in detention." Weasley taunted.
Draco didn't bother to answer. He only gave a sardonic smile and turned his back to the Gryffindors and continued his journey towards front of a train.
Gryffindor trio watched after a Slytherin little confused.
"What has changed him?" Hermione asked. "That was not the usual Malfoy's behaviour."
"Maybe he is scared at you two. You are now Headgirl and -boy and maybe he doesn't want troubles. Or maybe he couldn't figure out any wicked response." Ron romped.
"Don't be ridiculous. Malfoy sat last year dozens of detentions and most of them he took intentionally. He is not afraid of them. Detentions have near to none weight for him." Hermione snorted.
"And he is so wicked from the birth that he will always have at least dozen wicked replies ready." Harry confirmed.
"Maybe he had something else in his mind or maybe he has even grew up a tiny little bit." Hermione suggested.
"Difficult to believe. But why are we talking about Malfoy? I'm sure we have something better to discuss. What did think about last quidditch season?" Ron answered.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Soon after the autumn term had begun, Headmaster asked Draco to his office. Also Snape was there.
"Nice to see you Mr Malfoy. How has your school started? I noticed with great pleasure that you haven't got even one detention this far." Old Headmaster said eyes twinkling.
"Was that a reason you wanted to see me, Sir? If it bothers you, I can easily change it. I have got double transfiguration tomorrow morning. I'm sure I can earn at least two or three detentions if I put my mind in to it." Draco joked back only slightly irritated.
"No. No need to do that, my dear boy. I can handle without Minerva nagging about your conduct." Dumpledore chuckled.
"Real reason you are here is that Ministry and Order have decided that it's crucial to arrest your father." Snape went to business. "You probably know that he has fled to the old Malfoy Castle. Now Order wants to know how we can get him from there."
"We know it's one of the most protected place in whole Britain probably safer than Hogwarts. We are worried that your father will offer it to Voldemort's headquarters. It would be almost impossible to beat Voldemort if he had that kind of safe place." Dumpledore continued
"No, it's not possible. My father will not offer the Castle to Voldemort." Draco answered without doubt.
"Maybe he wouldn't offer it but Voldemort may take it with force." Dumpledore commented.
"No. Malfoy Castle is no one's to take. And Voldemort wouldn't want it even if he could take it." Draco assured. "How much do you know about the Castle?"
"Not much", Dumpledore confessed, "Only that it is one of the oldest and most powerful magical places in Britain. It's unmapped and seldom knows where it is. It's also said that only someone who has Malfoy Blood in his veins can go there safely and it protects its Masters fiercely. Some also say that Malfoys are invincible in there. There are little solid knowledge about it but only much old tales and legends. I don't know what is true and what's not."
"Your information is basically true. Castle's location is concealed and people who have no Malfoy Blood in their veins can only enter to the Castle Grounds if invited. The Castle obeys it's Lord and if he says that someone or no one is welcome only those who are Malfoy themselves can enter and even they can't get to place where Lord is if he don't approve it. The Castle is living and it has essence and its purpose is to protect Malfoys. There is no way to take Lucius from there by force if he doesn't want to come." Draco told. "But you don't have to worry about Voldemort getting the Castle to his control. My Father would never give it freely and even if he wanted he couldn't. The Castle is no one's to give. It serves Malfoy line and I'm a legitimate heir and my Father has introduced me to the Castle and most importantly to Seita. Seita and the Castle don't let Lucius to give away something that is mine. However Voldemort wouldn't even want the Malfoy Castle. He couldn't be safe there. Seita makes every Malfoy's magic multiple and we really are practically invincible there."
"What is this Seita you are talking about?" Headmaster asked.
"It's a core of whole Malfoy Magic and of course the Castle. But it's much older than the Castle. First Malfoys brought it with them when they came to Britain from France. No one knows sure but it's family legend that our family is originally from far north. Our traditional looks are from there and so is Seita, which we had brought with us. It's name, Seita, is probably some ancient language they spoke there. Every Malfoy child is introduced to it and it makes Castle so magical and safe place." Draco told little evasive. After all those were old family secrets that were not revealed easily.
"Where is the Castle? And how you get there?"
"It's on the small island somewhere in the coast. And there are many entrances that lead to there but none of them is open to hostile visitor. Most of them are only existing to those with Malfoy Blood." Draco replied little smugly.
"So you are saying that there is no way we can get Lucius if he remains in the Malfoy Castle?" Summarized Snape.
"Yes, that is basically what I'm saying. And if you still want to try, I will not help you anyway. I'm a Malfoy after all. I will not attack against our own safe place." Draco confirmed.
"OK. I think that is that then. Now we just need to get Fudge to understand that." Dumpledore sighed. "Would you want a Lemon Drop, my boy?" Headmaster then asked from Draco.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
New year and war that claimed new casualties whole time and approaching adulthood changed some politics among seventh year Slytherins. Until now it had always been easy to behave and talk as was expected from them as 'junior Death Eaters.' But now they knew they really would have to choose their sides in the near future. It had been easy to talk in benefit for Voldemort then they still were protected by Hogwarts and Dumpledore. But after school would end in next summer they would be in their owns in the cruel world. They also knew that opposite to other Houses' students all of them had to choose and however they would choose it would have some serious consequences. It was rare that young Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw or even Gryffindor had to really choose. They were automatically on the Light Side and probably no one would ever demand them to act their choose or threaten them to deny it. It was easy to them to choose between 'right and easy' because those were usually same to them. But every single Slytherin knew that their pick would matter and however they choose they would also pay for it.
Now was a time they could ponder their decision and which pick would be easier to pay for. Few of them believed 'right' or 'truth' or 'light and dark.' Those were only children stories in their minds. They believed in power, consequences, victory and benefits. If they could have chose freely most of them would have been passive and chose neither side but that was no option. They had to choose and consequences of that select would be heavy to bear. Few have any great desire to kill other people. Most have some prejudice against muggles and mudbloods but rarely it was big deal to them. At least it wasn't reason good enough to follow Dark Lord. Of course there were some devoted Dark Lord supporters but they were few. Most of the older Slytherins were not yet committed to anyone.
There were some very good reasons to choose Dark Side. First of all it was expected from them. Their families usually wanted them to choose it. It would also be difficult to make Light Side to believe that they hadn't chosen Dark. Secondly they would probably live longer if they wouldn't defy Dark Lord. Dark Lord wasn't really very nice to those who refused him and also some families would maybe manifest their disappointment to wrong choice quite concrete way. Thirdly if the Dark Side would win they would have great chances to power. If the Light Side would win and they were in its side they still would be outcast. It would be Gryffindors' World and there would be no place to Slytherins. And if you were in the loosing side your doom would be terrible in spite of which side would be the winner.
Most of the Slytherins thought that situation wasn't entirely fair to them but that was something they had used to. Even those whose early childhood had been just and light had used to unfairness at the least in Hogwarts where Gryffindors were the Golden Children and Slytherins the Scum. And those were rare. Most of the Slytherins had lost their innocence long before age 11 then they came to Hogwarts. Happy childhood was uncommon gift in this House especially in these dark times.
Even if many rational arguments suggested joining to Dark Side some still pondered the alternative. Draco was seen the leader of those who would choose Dark Lord and Blaise Zabini was rising to lead to other way. Draco didn't put all his effort to battle for Slytherin souls but on the contrary was secretly satisfied then so many listened to Zabini. Of course he had to put some attempt to the matter or he would had been danger to be uncovered. Few times Draco even feared that he had been too plain in his unwillingness to promote Dark Lord to his peers then Zabini sometimes looked him little curiously. So he made it very clear that he thought that Dark Lord didn't need so weak servants, which would consider other options.
It was obvious that young Slytherins decisions would not be taken personally inside Slytherin House. This time both decisions were accepted between last years and no one wanted to make any personal takeoffs from those individuals who had chose otherwise. As long as they would still be in Hogwarts, Slytherin House would be united towards outsiders. What would happen after that; only time could tell.