Greater Inheritance
Chapter 3: Exploring Poulnabrone
"I would like to take a look around. We can start with the guest rooms." Harry answered the house elf's questions, at which the elf bowed and lead them away to the wing on the right of the grand mansion, through two corridors, one set of stairs, one more corridor and stopped at the forth door down. Tilin bowed as he opened the door and allowed first Snape, then Harry to enter.
Inside was a room that was furnished in more mahogany's and oak's than anything else. The bed itself was a dark mahogany four poster with maroon curtains and bed spread. Otherwise the room was decked out in dark earthy tones down to the plush carpet, as well as a table on which Severus' belongings had already been sorted, along with some books he'd brought with him to work from. Directly across from the bed was a simmering fire in a grand old fire place that in itself seemed to shimmer with magic. Away to the both left and right were identical doors: one off to an en suite bathroom near the fire; the other a walk in wardrobe near the bed that already had the professor's robes hung neatly.
Harry looked back over to Snape to find him nodding in appreciation at the effort that went into creating the room, as well as keeping the room up to such standards.
"Would you prefer to come exploring with me, professor, or would you like to settle in?" Harry moved back to the door.
"I'll catch you up, Potter."
"Okay. Tilin?"
"Yes Master?"
"Could you please assign one of the elves to help the professor and to find me when necessary."
"Yes Master. Tilin will assign Math to see to Mr Snape's needs." Tilin said as the elf appeared with a pop.
"Thankyou. Shall we move on, Tilin?"
"Of course, Master. This way." Tilin led the way back down the flight of stairs and through the corridors.
They passed through the foyer as they made their way through to the left wing and up several staircases to the point that perhaps he would be on the top level, considering the view he found from numerous windows. Finally they arrived at a grand set of double doors which were parted by Tilin. Inside, was more timber floors with rugs placed around the room. The room was massive, easily twice the size of the common room, as far away to the right was the big king-size four-poster bed. But, Harry found it to be somewhat cosy, as again the room was decked out in the dark earthy colours. In contrast however, Harry discovered that there were also some shades of forest green mixed in with the predominantly brown room. Closer in front of Harry, was a great big fire place that was grander than anything he'd ever seen at Hogwarts. Before the fire was placed a lounge setting of a very dark forest green, almost black that would seat three. Further away was a great big desk that already had his Hogwarts materials set out.
With the fire on one of the inside walls, Harry had five windows that looked out into the gardens and forest beyond. On the remaining walls were various tapestries and paintings, mainly of landscapes. Almost hidden amongst these wall hangings were two doors. Walking over to investigate, he again found an en suite bathroom and wardrobe with all his belongings in place.
Turning back around, he found Tilin again waiting patiently.
"Be everything to your liking, Master?" He inquired politely.
"Indeed. Very much so." Harry was still looking around.
"Would Master now like to see the library?"
"That's sounds excellent."
Tilin nodded and led the way out into the hallway. They walked in silence for ten minutes as Harry grew increasingly confused, as he'd lost his sense of direction.
"Tilin? Is it possible that some kind of map be made of the manor so that I can find my way around?"
"Of course Master. One has already been drawn up for you for all of the estates and is at present waiting for you on the desk in the drawing room, Master.
"Thankyou. Perhaps we should go there after the library." Harry suggested.
"If time permits, Master." Tilin inclined his head.
As time wore on and they still had not reached the library, Harry again asked, "Are there any shortcuts, like at Hogwarts?"
"Indeed. Many are used by the elves, however these are also included on the map, Master."
"Thankyou."
After another five minutes they finally arrived. Harry was immediately overcome by the sheer amount of knowledge retained within the 4 stories of shelving stacked full of books on just about any topic imaginable.
"Bloody Merlin!" Harry swore as he gazed up to the domed ceiling which portrayed the sky as it was outside.
"Master's forefathers have created this library over centuries of collection and own research. It is of course now at your disposal." Tilin put forward. Harry could only nod as he took everything all in. "You will find both potions and transfiguration topics on the ground floor; Charms on the first floor. Miscellaneous magics on the second floor; and muggle non- fiction and literature on the third floor."
Harry automatically took to the first floor in the hopes of finding new defensive and offensive tactics he could learn in his ongoing battle.
In what seemed only ten minutes, but which had been more than three hours, Harry was interrupted by Tilin who announced that lunch was ready. Quickly putting the books back in their proper spot, he followed Tilin out to the foyer and then up the grand stair case opposite the door.
On the second floor, he was confronted with another corridor stretching away to the left and right. Right in front of him however was another set of oak doors. Tilin opened one of the doors and allowed Harry to pass through into another grand, spacious room except the roof was not nearly as high up. One other difference was that he stepped out onto what could possibly be some sort of ballroom that extended out to the right, whilst a little way to the left was a wall with another set of doors. Tilin led the way over to these and into another grand room that was lit by candles in the main, and had more tapestries and paintings. The main feature of this room was a grand, long table with high backed chairs, the one at the head of the table was intricately carved with dragons and leprechauns. He was led to this chair and he sat down. Immediately to his right was Snape who sat back, arms folded, as he watched the young heir.
"So Potter. What have you found to amuse yourself for the morning?" Snape smirked.
"The library." Harry grinned back around the goblet of pumpkin juice that had appeared as he'd sat down. "It's rather impressive."
After a sumptuous lunch put up by the catering elves, Snape inquired about the afternoon's activities.
"I believe I need to take care of some paperwork."
"Is my presence required?"
"Nay, Mr Snape." Tilin spoke on behalf of Harry.
"Good. Now if you'll excuse me, I'm going to take a look at this library myself." Snape quickly strode from the room quickly followed by the house elf, Math.
Harry soon finished up too and made his way through the ballroom and back into the corridor. Tilin led him down to the left through the corridor, decorated with more paintings and tapestries. This is a little odd. Harry thought, there's nowhere near as many paintings and tapestries at Hogwarts.
Harry decided to enquire.
"Perhaps that will be answered when you see the maps." Tilin answered slyly, a small smirk on his face as he looked back up to Harry.
Harry quirked an eyebrow as he followed Tilin through a door he held open. Inside was another earth toned room, except it was more clustered. The room had another fire roaring in the grate and had another lounge setting set before it. There was only one window in this room that looked straight out over the forest. The feature of the room was the large oak table with another high-backed chair with the same dragon and leprechaun carvings. Set around the walls this time was bookshelves.
"This be the drawing room, where all the business and manor affairs are reviewed." Harry was led over to the chair where Tilin jumped up on top of the table and proceeded to present Harry with various documents. Harry was put through a crash course on the Potter family business dealings, which thoroughly bored the young heir. Lastly they came to the house keeping matters and Harry was finally presented with the maps.
"This is the map for Poulnabrone castle. As you can see, we're in the drawing room." Tilin pointed to the dot that bore his name. Glancing around the map that was incredibly similar to the Marauder's Map (considering one of the Marauder's probably once lived here) he found the dot bearing the name of S.Snape, still sitting in the library. Still looking, his eyes drifted to the foyer, where a new dot had just appeared, labelled D.Malfoy.
"What's Malfoy doing here?"
"Tilin will find out. Should I bring him here?"
"Sure." Harry said distractedly as he continued to watch Malfoy's dot. Ten minutes later, Harry quickly made himself busy as Tilin led the young Malfoy into the room.
"Mr Malfoy, Master." Tilin announced, as Harry looked up.
"So Potter. You're not just famous, but incredibly rich too." Draco casually strolled in and made himself comfortable in a chair on the opposite side of the table.
"What brings you here, Malfoy?" Harry looked bored as he sat back in his chair.
"Do you know how impossible your owl is? It took the house elves days to get her down, let alone getting the letter off her!" Draco ignored the question.
"Then you should have seen the look on her face when I told her who to send it to." Harry smirked. "Now. Why are you here?"
"Chill, Potter. Just came to welcome you to Ireland."
"What's with you and being civil all of a sudden?"
"Spoke to Snape again-"
"I'll kill him." Harry muttered vehemently.
"-And he said that I might be interested in getting to know you."
"What did he tell you exactly?"
"I've a new house mate, which will be a relief from the usual idiots of my house. Also that we could definitely help each other this year."
"Is that so?" Harry raised an eyebrow.
"Yeah. It is."
"So what are you planning?"
"Shall we try again?" Harry just looked at him. Malfoy stood and held out his hand. After a few more minutes, Harry stood too and took the pale hand in his own. "Good. Now then; what's happened to you?"
"Aren't we nosy!" Harry smirked at him. "Well, I got to King's Cross Station at the end of last term to find my Uncle Vernon, the muggle I used to live with, telling me that they're moving and not taking me with them. I owled Dumbledore and I stayed Hogwarts for a few weeks. Then one day I get pulled into his office to tell me that I have Grandparents. Few days later I found out, via a newspaper, that they'd died and left me as their heir. Now I'm here with Snape."
"And what's with the sudden intelligence increase?"
"I was able to work in good conditions. No Ron. No you. No Dursleys."
"I'm offended!"
"That's nice." Harry showed he didn't care.
Draco smirked. "Yes, well I guess so. As at the end of last term, we weren't at our current agreement." Harry only nodded. "So, what subjects are you taking then?"
"The usual advanced ones: transfiguration, potions, charms, but I've dropped divination for arithmancy. And I've been thinking about ancient runes. And talking to Snape about taking Occlumency again."
"So you're planning on being busy this year. Thought about Quidditch?"
"No actually. Now that I'm in Slytherin I guess I'm not on a team."
"Cos you're not doing me out of the spot!"
"Well. Maybe I can train with you. You definitely need the help." Harry smirked.
"Shut it!" Draco glared back.
"What about you? What are you taking?"
"Same, though not the Occlumency. I'm not the one with the sideshow freak in my head."
"Aren't we the lucky one!" Harry shot back.
"No, he just pops in for coffee and cake."
"Nasty."
"You're telling me. No Potter. I have no wish to be a Death Eater."
"We'll, I'll be able to sleep easy tonight! That's one less friend I'll have to kill."
"Which friend are you killing?"
"One Ronald Weasley. He's being an insufferable prick again. According to Hermione, he's again jealous because of my new inheritance. The latest news is that I have been told to stay away from Hermione."
"How petty of him." Draco scowled.
"That's exactly what Snape said."
"Well its true. And he's the one that has been dragging your marks down?"
"Yeah. Him always interrupting me, both when teachers go through it and when I'm doing homework. Always going on about something incredibly petty and asking stupid questions. Then I had to watch out for you, being the evil mastermind that you are, and always trying to distract."
"I'm flattered," Draco held a hand over his heart. "I tried my best."
Harry glared. "So what is to happen this year?"
"We'll be in seventh year."
"No shit." Sherlock Harry was tempted to add, but he doubted the blond would understand.
"We'll I suggest that we work together."
"Do you?"
Draco gave a wide smirk. "Where is Snape?"
"Library."
"Shall we?"
They stood and made their way to the door, then followed Tilin through the corridors, finally arriving into the grand domed room. Snape looked up from his position at one of the tables, surrounded in books and parchment.
Draco was still staring up and around the grand four-story library. "Incredible."
"I thought the same when I first saw it."
"I'm staying with you." Draco said eager to get into the endless tomes of knowledge.
"And just how do you believe you will convince your father to allow you to stay with young Mr Potter?"
"I can say I'm staying with you, Uncle Sev." Draco said, his eyes never straying from the books.
"Perhaps." Snape returned to his books.
"Shall we have a slumber party?" Harry did an excellent impression of Lavender from Gryffindor.
Draco looked at him incredulously. "Pardon?"
"Joking Drake. I'm joking. Do you mean to say I have to educate you?"
"No. I think it's the other way around. It would seem I will have to purge you of your Gryffindor tendencies, and Gryffindor humour."
"Oh, I do look forward to that!" Harry smirked back.
Chapter 3: Exploring Poulnabrone
"I would like to take a look around. We can start with the guest rooms." Harry answered the house elf's questions, at which the elf bowed and lead them away to the wing on the right of the grand mansion, through two corridors, one set of stairs, one more corridor and stopped at the forth door down. Tilin bowed as he opened the door and allowed first Snape, then Harry to enter.
Inside was a room that was furnished in more mahogany's and oak's than anything else. The bed itself was a dark mahogany four poster with maroon curtains and bed spread. Otherwise the room was decked out in dark earthy tones down to the plush carpet, as well as a table on which Severus' belongings had already been sorted, along with some books he'd brought with him to work from. Directly across from the bed was a simmering fire in a grand old fire place that in itself seemed to shimmer with magic. Away to the both left and right were identical doors: one off to an en suite bathroom near the fire; the other a walk in wardrobe near the bed that already had the professor's robes hung neatly.
Harry looked back over to Snape to find him nodding in appreciation at the effort that went into creating the room, as well as keeping the room up to such standards.
"Would you prefer to come exploring with me, professor, or would you like to settle in?" Harry moved back to the door.
"I'll catch you up, Potter."
"Okay. Tilin?"
"Yes Master?"
"Could you please assign one of the elves to help the professor and to find me when necessary."
"Yes Master. Tilin will assign Math to see to Mr Snape's needs." Tilin said as the elf appeared with a pop.
"Thankyou. Shall we move on, Tilin?"
"Of course, Master. This way." Tilin led the way back down the flight of stairs and through the corridors.
They passed through the foyer as they made their way through to the left wing and up several staircases to the point that perhaps he would be on the top level, considering the view he found from numerous windows. Finally they arrived at a grand set of double doors which were parted by Tilin. Inside, was more timber floors with rugs placed around the room. The room was massive, easily twice the size of the common room, as far away to the right was the big king-size four-poster bed. But, Harry found it to be somewhat cosy, as again the room was decked out in the dark earthy colours. In contrast however, Harry discovered that there were also some shades of forest green mixed in with the predominantly brown room. Closer in front of Harry, was a great big fire place that was grander than anything he'd ever seen at Hogwarts. Before the fire was placed a lounge setting of a very dark forest green, almost black that would seat three. Further away was a great big desk that already had his Hogwarts materials set out.
With the fire on one of the inside walls, Harry had five windows that looked out into the gardens and forest beyond. On the remaining walls were various tapestries and paintings, mainly of landscapes. Almost hidden amongst these wall hangings were two doors. Walking over to investigate, he again found an en suite bathroom and wardrobe with all his belongings in place.
Turning back around, he found Tilin again waiting patiently.
"Be everything to your liking, Master?" He inquired politely.
"Indeed. Very much so." Harry was still looking around.
"Would Master now like to see the library?"
"That's sounds excellent."
Tilin nodded and led the way out into the hallway. They walked in silence for ten minutes as Harry grew increasingly confused, as he'd lost his sense of direction.
"Tilin? Is it possible that some kind of map be made of the manor so that I can find my way around?"
"Of course Master. One has already been drawn up for you for all of the estates and is at present waiting for you on the desk in the drawing room, Master.
"Thankyou. Perhaps we should go there after the library." Harry suggested.
"If time permits, Master." Tilin inclined his head.
As time wore on and they still had not reached the library, Harry again asked, "Are there any shortcuts, like at Hogwarts?"
"Indeed. Many are used by the elves, however these are also included on the map, Master."
"Thankyou."
After another five minutes they finally arrived. Harry was immediately overcome by the sheer amount of knowledge retained within the 4 stories of shelving stacked full of books on just about any topic imaginable.
"Bloody Merlin!" Harry swore as he gazed up to the domed ceiling which portrayed the sky as it was outside.
"Master's forefathers have created this library over centuries of collection and own research. It is of course now at your disposal." Tilin put forward. Harry could only nod as he took everything all in. "You will find both potions and transfiguration topics on the ground floor; Charms on the first floor. Miscellaneous magics on the second floor; and muggle non- fiction and literature on the third floor."
Harry automatically took to the first floor in the hopes of finding new defensive and offensive tactics he could learn in his ongoing battle.
In what seemed only ten minutes, but which had been more than three hours, Harry was interrupted by Tilin who announced that lunch was ready. Quickly putting the books back in their proper spot, he followed Tilin out to the foyer and then up the grand stair case opposite the door.
On the second floor, he was confronted with another corridor stretching away to the left and right. Right in front of him however was another set of oak doors. Tilin opened one of the doors and allowed Harry to pass through into another grand, spacious room except the roof was not nearly as high up. One other difference was that he stepped out onto what could possibly be some sort of ballroom that extended out to the right, whilst a little way to the left was a wall with another set of doors. Tilin led the way over to these and into another grand room that was lit by candles in the main, and had more tapestries and paintings. The main feature of this room was a grand, long table with high backed chairs, the one at the head of the table was intricately carved with dragons and leprechauns. He was led to this chair and he sat down. Immediately to his right was Snape who sat back, arms folded, as he watched the young heir.
"So Potter. What have you found to amuse yourself for the morning?" Snape smirked.
"The library." Harry grinned back around the goblet of pumpkin juice that had appeared as he'd sat down. "It's rather impressive."
After a sumptuous lunch put up by the catering elves, Snape inquired about the afternoon's activities.
"I believe I need to take care of some paperwork."
"Is my presence required?"
"Nay, Mr Snape." Tilin spoke on behalf of Harry.
"Good. Now if you'll excuse me, I'm going to take a look at this library myself." Snape quickly strode from the room quickly followed by the house elf, Math.
Harry soon finished up too and made his way through the ballroom and back into the corridor. Tilin led him down to the left through the corridor, decorated with more paintings and tapestries. This is a little odd. Harry thought, there's nowhere near as many paintings and tapestries at Hogwarts.
Harry decided to enquire.
"Perhaps that will be answered when you see the maps." Tilin answered slyly, a small smirk on his face as he looked back up to Harry.
Harry quirked an eyebrow as he followed Tilin through a door he held open. Inside was another earth toned room, except it was more clustered. The room had another fire roaring in the grate and had another lounge setting set before it. There was only one window in this room that looked straight out over the forest. The feature of the room was the large oak table with another high-backed chair with the same dragon and leprechaun carvings. Set around the walls this time was bookshelves.
"This be the drawing room, where all the business and manor affairs are reviewed." Harry was led over to the chair where Tilin jumped up on top of the table and proceeded to present Harry with various documents. Harry was put through a crash course on the Potter family business dealings, which thoroughly bored the young heir. Lastly they came to the house keeping matters and Harry was finally presented with the maps.
"This is the map for Poulnabrone castle. As you can see, we're in the drawing room." Tilin pointed to the dot that bore his name. Glancing around the map that was incredibly similar to the Marauder's Map (considering one of the Marauder's probably once lived here) he found the dot bearing the name of S.Snape, still sitting in the library. Still looking, his eyes drifted to the foyer, where a new dot had just appeared, labelled D.Malfoy.
"What's Malfoy doing here?"
"Tilin will find out. Should I bring him here?"
"Sure." Harry said distractedly as he continued to watch Malfoy's dot. Ten minutes later, Harry quickly made himself busy as Tilin led the young Malfoy into the room.
"Mr Malfoy, Master." Tilin announced, as Harry looked up.
"So Potter. You're not just famous, but incredibly rich too." Draco casually strolled in and made himself comfortable in a chair on the opposite side of the table.
"What brings you here, Malfoy?" Harry looked bored as he sat back in his chair.
"Do you know how impossible your owl is? It took the house elves days to get her down, let alone getting the letter off her!" Draco ignored the question.
"Then you should have seen the look on her face when I told her who to send it to." Harry smirked. "Now. Why are you here?"
"Chill, Potter. Just came to welcome you to Ireland."
"What's with you and being civil all of a sudden?"
"Spoke to Snape again-"
"I'll kill him." Harry muttered vehemently.
"-And he said that I might be interested in getting to know you."
"What did he tell you exactly?"
"I've a new house mate, which will be a relief from the usual idiots of my house. Also that we could definitely help each other this year."
"Is that so?" Harry raised an eyebrow.
"Yeah. It is."
"So what are you planning?"
"Shall we try again?" Harry just looked at him. Malfoy stood and held out his hand. After a few more minutes, Harry stood too and took the pale hand in his own. "Good. Now then; what's happened to you?"
"Aren't we nosy!" Harry smirked at him. "Well, I got to King's Cross Station at the end of last term to find my Uncle Vernon, the muggle I used to live with, telling me that they're moving and not taking me with them. I owled Dumbledore and I stayed Hogwarts for a few weeks. Then one day I get pulled into his office to tell me that I have Grandparents. Few days later I found out, via a newspaper, that they'd died and left me as their heir. Now I'm here with Snape."
"And what's with the sudden intelligence increase?"
"I was able to work in good conditions. No Ron. No you. No Dursleys."
"I'm offended!"
"That's nice." Harry showed he didn't care.
Draco smirked. "Yes, well I guess so. As at the end of last term, we weren't at our current agreement." Harry only nodded. "So, what subjects are you taking then?"
"The usual advanced ones: transfiguration, potions, charms, but I've dropped divination for arithmancy. And I've been thinking about ancient runes. And talking to Snape about taking Occlumency again."
"So you're planning on being busy this year. Thought about Quidditch?"
"No actually. Now that I'm in Slytherin I guess I'm not on a team."
"Cos you're not doing me out of the spot!"
"Well. Maybe I can train with you. You definitely need the help." Harry smirked.
"Shut it!" Draco glared back.
"What about you? What are you taking?"
"Same, though not the Occlumency. I'm not the one with the sideshow freak in my head."
"Aren't we the lucky one!" Harry shot back.
"No, he just pops in for coffee and cake."
"Nasty."
"You're telling me. No Potter. I have no wish to be a Death Eater."
"We'll, I'll be able to sleep easy tonight! That's one less friend I'll have to kill."
"Which friend are you killing?"
"One Ronald Weasley. He's being an insufferable prick again. According to Hermione, he's again jealous because of my new inheritance. The latest news is that I have been told to stay away from Hermione."
"How petty of him." Draco scowled.
"That's exactly what Snape said."
"Well its true. And he's the one that has been dragging your marks down?"
"Yeah. Him always interrupting me, both when teachers go through it and when I'm doing homework. Always going on about something incredibly petty and asking stupid questions. Then I had to watch out for you, being the evil mastermind that you are, and always trying to distract."
"I'm flattered," Draco held a hand over his heart. "I tried my best."
Harry glared. "So what is to happen this year?"
"We'll be in seventh year."
"No shit." Sherlock Harry was tempted to add, but he doubted the blond would understand.
"We'll I suggest that we work together."
"Do you?"
Draco gave a wide smirk. "Where is Snape?"
"Library."
"Shall we?"
They stood and made their way to the door, then followed Tilin through the corridors, finally arriving into the grand domed room. Snape looked up from his position at one of the tables, surrounded in books and parchment.
Draco was still staring up and around the grand four-story library. "Incredible."
"I thought the same when I first saw it."
"I'm staying with you." Draco said eager to get into the endless tomes of knowledge.
"And just how do you believe you will convince your father to allow you to stay with young Mr Potter?"
"I can say I'm staying with you, Uncle Sev." Draco said, his eyes never straying from the books.
"Perhaps." Snape returned to his books.
"Shall we have a slumber party?" Harry did an excellent impression of Lavender from Gryffindor.
Draco looked at him incredulously. "Pardon?"
"Joking Drake. I'm joking. Do you mean to say I have to educate you?"
"No. I think it's the other way around. It would seem I will have to purge you of your Gryffindor tendencies, and Gryffindor humour."
"Oh, I do look forward to that!" Harry smirked back.