Symbiosis 6

Author's Note: I have done some research in hopes of making the Malfoy Manor accurate in decoration and architecture detail. The home of the Malfoys has never been described in the novels and I didn't just want to make it up. Therefore I'll be basing it on a real mansion that was built in 1890 and in its heyday was the grandest manor in my city. The owner spared no expense in building it and it's incredibly beautiful. Although this may be more 'modern' than a home the Malfoys have lived in for centuries; I still think it should work perfectly fine. To most reading this, 1890 is still the distant past when horse-drawn carriages were used along with candles: sounds like HP? The architecture style is also a revival of the style that was popular across Europe in the 1600s so that gives us some leeway I think. Also note that Lucius Malfoy's hairstyle and clothing would fit right into Regency England (1800s). I only hope I'll be able to convey the grandeur of the manor across in the story. The research has caused a delay in writing this chapter; sorry for that. I also know nothing of Narcissa so I'll be making her up.

Harry gaped open-mouthed at the house before him. Even though the sky was darkening he could still see enough of the house to be amazed. He had known all along that Draco lived in a mansion but until now he never really truly understood what a mansion was. To him it had simply meant a big house, one much larger than the one his uncle owned. But this was incredible! The first thing his eyes fell on was the huge porch and stairs that led up to the front door. The steps were made of a smooth dark gray stone that sparkled in the fading light, wide enough for a dozen adults to climb them side-by-side without crowding. They were lined on both sides by fine stone railings, these the same light brown as the house itself. The roofed porch, or portico as it was more commonly called, was dark arched openings supported by tall columns. Behind this rose the house itself made of large squared off blocks. Although Harry didn't know it, Malfoy Manner was built in the Flemish Renaissance Revival style with the house being equal on both sides. Towering chimneys rose up from the bright red clay tiled roof. Elaborate molded frames surrounded the windows and rusticated masonry surrounded the front door, the deep grooves in the stone framing the door as one would a painting. Wrought iron decoration jutted up from the top of the house, giving it a slightly sinister look and Harry thought it suited the Malfoys quite well. The many windows reflected the sunset and glowed an eerie red. Dressed stones, called quoins, were located on the corners of the house. Pale cream, they were laid so their faces were alternately large and then small. And the upper windows even had their own tiny triangular roofs called pediments to keep the sun at bay or to protect from rain. A mansion, Harry was discovering, was far more than a big house. It was all the little details that added up to create a stunning masterpiece that people actually lived inside of. Wealth usually did not impress him but even he had to admit the house was something special. And he hadn't even discovered the glass conservatory that was in the back yet. Or the separate carriage house and stables that were also tucked away in the back on the huge expanse of land the Malfoys owned.

"Impressed, Potter?" Draco asked, a smile on his pointed face as he watched the other boy gawk at the house.

Harry nodded, forgetting for the moment he was about to enter his enemy's house like a willing fly into a spider's web. Dumbly he followed the blonde boy up the excessively wide stairs to the front door. Even the door itself was a work of art. It sported a fancy knocker in the shape of a gargoyle, the fierce creature gripping the heavy curved piece of metal in its mouth. The doorknob was carved, too, and the dark-haired boy could only stare in wonder. He had know the Malfoys were rich but why would anyone bother decorating a doorknob? Lucius opened the door and he followed the others in.

Lucius paused in the reception hall to remove his cloak and hang it up on one of the hooks on the wall, Draco copying his father automatically. The small room, Harry noted glumly, was larger than his bedroom at the Dursleys and it was nothing but a cloakroom! The floor shone under his scuffed athletic shoes and the walls were rich with smooth reddish-brown woodwork. Harry glanced at Hermoine and saw she too was looking around in wonder and that made him feel slightly better.

"Welcome home, Master!" A house elf hurried over, the tiny creature dressed in the usual tea towel. It stared up at Lucius with large dark eyes. "Mistress is in the lady's parlor."

Then the house elf's eyes fell on Harry and Hermoine. "Master has guests!"

"Go and prepare dinner." Lucius ordered the house elf. "And prepare two bedrooms for our guests."

"Yes, Master." The house elf bowed and scurried off.

Harry gripped Hermoine by the elbow and dragged her close so he could hiss in her ear. "Don't start anything! I almost got killed when I freed that first one!"

"I wasn't going to say anything!" Hermoine protested weakly, her chocolate eyes following the elf until it vanished from sight. Her gaze shifted to her best friend and she smiled. "Really, Harry, I wasn't! We have much bigger issues to handle and I promise I won't start up with S.P.E.W. while we're here."

"We'll be lucky if we don't end up locked in the dungeon!" Harry grumbled under his breath.

"The dungeon? Really, Harry!" Lucius smiled at the boy who was now in his charge. "I think we can find a better room than that, don't you think? Surely you don't think I lock my guests up in the dungeon? I assure you I'm not that horrible."

Harry bravely stared the older man in the eyes. "Why are you being so nice? Your act may fool Hermoine but it doesn't fool me. You're planning on handing me over to Voldemort, aren't you? Well, I'm not going without a fight."

Lucius sighed. That old fool had dropped a huge mess in his hands and now he had to deal with it. But he was a Malfoy and Malfoys didn't shirk duties no matter how difficult or unpleasant. Of course, part of it was his fault and now he was forced to deal with it. "No, I'm not going to hand you over. We're going to have dinner. And I'm going to keep my end of the bargain no matter how odd that may seem. Now come along."

Lucius led them into the next room and Harry found himself looking around. He told himself it was always good to know where all the exits to a room were located but he couldn't help admiring the room itself. A rich red and gold Persian carpet decorated the floor, the kind he had only seen in pictures. Candelabra in elaborately decorated gold rested atop side tables and the room's mantelpiece, the softly glowing candles giving the room warmth. Moving paintings of Malfoy ancestors glared down at him from the walls, some no doubt shocked and outraged that wizards of dirty blood were actually inside the house. But without question the main feature of the room was the grand staircase. Every mansion had a grand staircase and Malfoy Manor was no different. The staircase was made of light-colored wood and highly polished until it shone. The wood was ornately carved in the shape of fantastic beasts: dragons, unicorns and manticores. And although it didn't move as the ones at Hogwarts did, somehow it was far more impressive. His green eyes followed it up and up until he spotted a stained glass skylight high above set into the roof. On a sunny day rainbow colored light would fill the staircase and it would be beautiful.

A lovely woman with the same white hair as Lucius and Draco emerged from one of the other doorways, a pleasant smile on her face. She wore a long dark green gown and diamonds sparkled around her neck and in her earlobes. She moved to stand next to Lucius and placed a hand on his arm. "My dear, you're home. You've been gone all day. I was worried. I didn't think it would take so long to study those awful Muggles."

"There have been a few new developments." Lucius replied, still unsure how to explain it all to his wife. "Narcissa, I'd like you to meet our guests."

Narcissa shifted her eyes off her husband and son, first now spotting the other two teens gawking at the grand staircase. There was a girl with bushy brown hair and a dark-haired boy with glasses. Both were dressed in Muggle clothing, the boy's looking especially ragged and too large for him. The boy was looking the other way and he moved cautiously towards the next doorway. He peered through the beautifully carved doorway into the dining room, the delicious aromas of dinner no doubt attracting him. "Isn't that…?"

"Yes, it's Potter. I'll explain it to you in a moment." Lucius stated. Raising his voice, he called out to the two teens. "Harry, Hermoine. I'd like you to meet my wife, Narcissa."

Harry turned around and walked back to the Malfoys, Hermoine following him. Deciding it was best to be polite, he held out his hand. Truthfully he knew nothing of Draco's mother and could only hope she was better than her husband. She apparently sent Draco home baked goodies every day at school and how bad could such a doting mother be? Of course, his Aunt Marge dotted on Dudley and was an utterly horrible woman. Still Harry hoped for the best and decided not to judge her by who she lived with. His luck was bound to change sooner or later, wasn't it? He shook her hand, smiling politely. "I'm Harry, Harry Potter. And this is Hermoine Granger. We're very pleased to meet you."

"You have a beautiful home!" Hermoine added.

"Thank you." Narcissa said as smiled at them, still slightly puzzled what the famous Harry Potter was doing in their home. "I'm very glad you like it."

"Draco, go and show your friends to the dining room." Lucius instructed and watched the three teens disappear through the doorway. He then turned to his wife. "I'm afraid they're going to be staying here awhile…"

"Here?" Narcissa repeated, surprised. "I know you wanted to kill the boy but surely you'd do that elsewhere? Besides, the Ministry must be looking for both you and the boy. By now they must have noticed he's gone from wherever he's supposed to be! You're in enough trouble as it is. It's a miracle you escaped from that awful place and I don't want to see them haul you away again. Once was bad enough. And it would be worse now that Draco is home. Surely you don't want our son to see you arrested and hauled out in cuffs, do you? What were you thinking, snatching the boy like that?"

"Calm down, Narcissa! No one is going to haul me away." Lucius assured her, his hands on her shoulders. "I ran into that great fool, Dumbledore. He is apparently looking for a new guardian for the Potter boy and has given us the job."

Narcissa's mouth dropped open. "What? You can't be serious!"

"Unfortunately Dumbledore is." Lucius remarked dryly. "We're apparently related to him through Sirius Black. He was Potter's Godfather and now I've apparently inherited the job. Dumbledore said as long as we care for the boy I don't have to go back to prison."

"But what good will that do if You Know Who kills us for harboring the boy?" Narcissa asked fearfully. She certainly didn't want Voldemort to kill them!

"Well, so far he doesn't know. We'll have to think of something." Lucius stated.

"Lucius, where have you been all day anyway?" Narcissa asked.

"The London Zoo." He admitted.

"You took our poor son to a Muggle zoo?" She said, shocked. "The experience must have traumatized him! All those awful Muggles and their weird contraptions! They have those horrid metal boxes that move and who knows what else? Surely he's too young to see such terrible things!"

Lucius sighed. "Narcissa, he's almost sixteen! I think he's quite old enough to learn about Muggles. That was the whole point to our trip today. And I'm afraid the trip will continue all weekend as I made a deal with Miss Granger. She wishes to educate us on Muggles and how wonderful they truly are. Her parents are Muggles."

Narcissa covered her mouth with a slender hand, truly shocked. A Muggle-born in their house! "How terrible for the poor girl."

"She apparently doesn't see anything wrong with them. She even dragged us to the movies." Lucius admitted as he steered his wife towards the dining room. "Now don't say anything to the kids about us being Potter's Godfather. They don't know yet."

Narcissa nodded.

Zunno the house elf returned. "Master, I have done as you requested. Dinner is ready and the rooms for the guest are ready as well. Is there anything else I may do for you, Master?"

Lucius paused, thinking. Then he remembered the Muggle drink can in his cloak and he quickly retrieved it. He handed the can to the house elf. "See if you can purchase more of these, Zunno."

The house elf accepted the empty soda can and studied it. "Zunno has never seen one of these, Master. Where might one look for these red containers?"

"It's a Muggle drink. I'm sure their stores have lots of them. I understand they are quite common."

"Lucius!" Narcissa exclaimed. "You're not addicted to some Muggle drink, are you?"

"Of course not!" Lucius shook his head in denial. "It's just a useful energy potion is all. Really, Narcissa! What harm can a little Muggle drink do? We do use a few other Muggle items, the plumbing system and Hogwarts Express come to mind."

"That's true." Narcissa had to admit. Some Muggle inventions were useful. "But it's not like you to take so readily to Muggle things."

"True." Lucius admitted, and then shifted his attention back to the elf. "When you have the drinks, keep them cold."

"Yes, Master. Zunno will try very hard to find Master the drinks!" The house elf scurried away once again and vanished from sight.

"Well, let us join our guests for dinner." Lucius held out his arm and Narcissa took it, then together they entered the dining room.

Harry followed Draco into the dining room. It was, without doubt, one of the most impressive rooms he had seen. And odd as it might be, the room seemed to be decorated in Gryffindor colors! There were two red Persian runners on the polished floor, one on each side of the long dinner table. The table and matching chairs were clearly antique; the thin, carved legs pointed to that. A short white tablecloth covered the table, the fabric obviously fine and expensive. A pair of gold candelabra, each with five tall white candles, rested on each end of the long table. Directly above the table hung a breathtaking golden chandelier that held more of the long white candles. Like the candelabra, the chandelier was made of gold and a gold chain attached it to the ceiling, right in the center of a ceiling medallion. The elaborate ceiling medallion was done in shades of red, gold and cream; a snake-like design running through it. The Boy Who Lived glanced up and was surprised to see yet more designs on the ceiling. They didn't seem to be painted on nor were they magic but three-dimensional. The wavy designs, at regular intervals, ran across the entire ceiling almost like a border. More of the three-dimensional designs repeated on the walls, just below the ceiling.

"Like the ceiling, do you?" Draco drawled as he watched Harry staring upward. "It's what you call a tin ceiling. All the better mansions have them, you know."

"I never saw one before." Harry admitted. "It's beautiful."

Hermoine also gazed upward at the ceiling high above, but not as high up as the one in the Great Hall. "It really is beautiful. Are those snakes?"

"Of course." Draco rolled his eyes and then pulled out one of the chairs. Seating himself, he leaned back in the chair and relaxed. "I suppose this ceiling is impressive. Of course, I'm quite used to it you realize. The one in Father's study is much more unique and interesting; although it doesn't have all the glint and glamour."

Harry glanced around the rest of the dining room. The walls were done in a pale cream color and went quite well with the dark reddish woodwork. A few landscape paintings in gilded frames hung on the walls. A small serving table, also covered in a fine tablecloth, stood against one wall. Rich cream draperies framed the doorway where they had entered. He briefly wondered where Lucius and Narcissa were and then realized they were no doubt talking about him. Deciding the room was safe enough; he shifted his gaze to Draco. "What is your father really up to?"

"How would I know?" Draco answered, shrugging. "As far as I know, Father keeps his word. Maybe if you're lucky, he'll let you spend the summer here."

Harry was quite taken aback by this. In fact, it was the last thing he had expected the blonde to say. "Do you mean that?"

"Why not?" Draco replied, relaxed. "It can be quite dull you know."

"Living here is dull?" Harry asked, shocked.

"Of course it is!" Draco waved a cultured hand about. "You're seeing all the glitz and glamour for the first time so you're impressed. But it's actually very boring living here. Father has his Dark Art items but he doesn't let me touch those. And we do have our own Quidditch pitch so that can be entertaining, but its no fun playing alone. And although I may associate with Crabbe and Goyle at school, I certainly don't invite them over. Those two wouldn't know how to appreciate this and they'd no doubt break a Ming vase or something. Don't you think?"

Harry nodded. He only had a very vague idea of what a Ming vase was.

"Anyway," Draco continued in his drawl. "It would be nice to have someone spend the summer. We have agreed to be friends, have we not? And I wouldn't mind going on a little adventure with you two. Merlin knows this place is boring enough!"

"And what about Voldemort?" Harry asked. "Doesn't your father work for him? Or are you conveniently forgetting that little detail?"

"That idiot?" Draco snorted. "The guy has a one-track brain. He's a bit obsessed with killing you."

"I KNOW that!" Harry cried. "Isn't that a bit of a problem?"

"So? All you have to do is kill him first." Draco suggested.

"I'm not a murderer." Harry stated. He stared at the other boy and realized Draco was just repeating things his father had said. "You don't even understand what you just said, do you?"

"Of course I do!" Draco insisted. "I'm not stupid, Potter."

"You know the definition of the word, not what it really means to do it." Harry explained as he pointed first to his head and then to his chest. "You understand it up here, but not here. I've seen people die … murdered … and it haunts you here. I wish I could forget it but I can't. It's not what you think it is; it's far worst. Trust me, you don't want to ever see anything like that."

Draco noted the haunted look in Harry's green eyes and for the first time was thankful that Hermoine had punched him Third Year. Maybe he really hadn't wanted to see the hippogriff killed. Maybe he couldn't really stomach such a sight. In a way Harry was right. Listening to his Father's stories and being there were two totally different things. "So, if you can't kill him what will you do?"

"I don't know." Harry shrugged. The prophecy had said that one must kill the other, so either he must kill Voldemort or Voldemort will kill him. "We certainly can't let him going around killing innocent people."

Hermoine sat down at the table and Harry joined her. A few moments later Lucius and Narcissa came in and joined them.

Dinner appeared on the table like magic and they all settled down to eat. Harry was quite relieved to see it was all normal looking food like roast turkey and vegetables instead of strange stuff with names he couldn't pronounce. Wealthy people were known for eating bizarre stuff, like caviar, and Harry had half feared that he'd be forced to consume who-knows-what. Unless Lucius had ordered the house elves to serve more normal stuff just for him, but no, the man surely wouldn't do that. He was a horrid Death Eater after all…

"So," Lucius said as he deftly cut the turkey slice on his plate. "Where are we going tomorrow? Any ideas? I'm sure by now you have thought up an appropriately horrible Muggle place to drag us!"

"Ummm," Harry shrugged and turned to look at Hermoine.

"I assure you money is no object." Lucius grandly offered. "I'll gladly pay for it."

Everyone at the table stared at Lucius.

"You will?" Hermoine asked, quite surprised.

"Of course. It would be grossly unfair to expect you to pay for it." Lucius explained as he carefully stabbed a piece of the turkey with his fork. "You are, after all, still a child and attending school. And today was quite educational. It's a simple matter to have gold exchanged into your Muggle currency."

Hermoine chewed a mouthful of corn and thought of the possibilities. She really didn't think they'd be interested in any of the historical places, not when they were living in one! So it would have to be somewhere very Muggle with technology, yet somewhere that would be fun.

"Yes Hermoine," Draco encouraged. "Do tell us where we're going to go tomorrow. This place is too dull. I don't suppose Muggles have anything exciting, do they? I mean, they don't have flying brooms or Quidditch…"

"So you want excitement, do you?" Hermoine asked the blonde Slytherin across the table from her, an innocent expression on her face.

Draco nodded.

"Are you sure?" She asked, teasing him.

"Of course! I said I did, didn't I?" Draco narrowed his gray eyes as he stared at her. "I'm not scared of any of your Muggle things! And you couldn't possibly have anything as exciting as playing Quidditch anyway!"

Hermoine smirked. "Well, I think we do!"

"Do not!" Draco insisted. "And in case you forgot, I'm the Slytherin Seeker so I'm very good at zooming around on a broom! It'll take quite a lot to beat that."

Assured he had won, Draco leaned back in his chair and smirked at her.

Hermoine, though, didn't look worried at all. Her chocolate eyes had a sparkle to them and she seemed more hyper then before. "Well, I know the perfect place! And you'll spend the day screaming your head off!"

Harry actually looked worried as he glanced at his friend. "Now Hermoine, surely you're not thinking of that place you once told me and Ron about? It sounded, well….."

"Harry!" Hermoine exclaimed. "Don't tell me you're a coward!"

"I'm not!" Harry quickly interjected. "It's just that, well, I already have one guy trying to kill me and I don't need some dangerous contraption that goes at break-neck speed…"

"They're not dangerous!" Hermoine insisted. "They're FUN!"

Harry groaned and glared at Draco. "Now you did it! She's going to get us all killed!"

Excited, Hermoine started to bounce up and down on her chair. "We'll have to go to bed early so we can get up early! It's best to beat the crowds…"

Harry groaned louder.

The Malfoys exchanged confused glances with each other.

"Exactly where are we going?" Lucius finally asked.

"The amusement park!" Hermoine cried happily.

All three Malfoys stared at the girl.

"What exactly is an amusement park?" Draco asked, a crease in the center of his forehead as he tried to puzzle it out. The way Harry had blabbered on about it, the place sounded dangerous. "And why in the world will I spend the day screaming? I'm not daft, you know!"

"Roller coasters!" Hermoine cried with excitement and grew more hyper.

"And what, pray tell, is a roller coaster?" Draco asked more confused then ever.

"It's exciting! Swoosh!" She motioned with her hand.

"Potter, what exactly is she blabbing on about?" Draco demanded.

Harry shook his head. "I don't want to spoil the surprise. You'll find out tomorrow."

"Ah, come on, Harry!" Draco pleaded. "Tell us!"

"All right," Harry agreed. "It's a train that goes up a hill and then down the hill. Satisfied?"

Draco frowned. "You're getting excited over a TRAIN? How dumb is that?"

Hermoine only laughed. The annoyed expression on Draco's face only caused her to laugh harder.

"Poor Purebloods. You'll be sorry tomorrow." Harry stated as he continued to clean his plate. He knew with the rough rides his bushy-haired friend would no doubt drag them on tomorrow that he'd better eat now while his stomach was where it belonged and not half way up his throat. When his plate was clean and he could eat no more, he glanced at Lucius hopefully. "Are you sure you don't have a dungeon? Now would be a good time to get lost in it…"

"Surely this Muggle roller coaster thing can't be all that bad." Lucius asked. Truthfully, Harry's reaction was making him more curious than ever.

"You tell me that when we're up on the hill looking down…" Harry remarked mysteriously.

"You're a genius, Harry!" Hermoine hugged her friend tightly. "You have them all curious and dying to go! You're brilliant!"

"I am?" Harry asked.

"Yes!" Hermoine repeated happily.

Lucius stood and motioned them to follow him. "Your rooms are ready. If you'll follow me…"

Harry and Hermoine followed him out of the dining room and up the grand staircase to the second floor. The mansion was a bit plainer up here but the beautiful woodwork was still everywhere. It surrounded every door and ran along the bottom part of the walls. The wooden floor shone and Harry could almost see his reflection in it. Candelabra attached to the walls at regular intervals provided light, the candles ensorcered never to burn out or needing replacing. After showing each one where their guest room was, he pointed out the guest bathroom.

"I'm looking forward to tomorrow." Lucius assured them and with his snake-headed cane in hand, he disappeared through the intricately carved double doors at the end of the hall.

"Come on." Harry dragged Hermoine into his bedroom and quickly closed the door. He heard a soft hoot and turned to find Hedwig resting on top of the richly decorated wardrobe. His trunk of belongings rested near the foot of the immense canopy bed, Hedwig's cage sitting on an antique side table. "What do you think is really going on here? I mean, is he being straight forward or is he up to something?"

"Well, he hasn't done anything yet." Hermoine admitted as she glanced around the room. "He seems to be keeping his word."

"But he's a Slytherin! You can't trust them." Harry pointed out and he started to stalk around the bedroom, the nervous energy bubbling in his stomach. He stopped and turned to face her. "Maybe he'll wait until we fall asleep and then he'll try to kill us!"

"Oh, Harry!" Hermoine cried and shook her head sadly, her bushy hair flying about. "I'm sure he won't do that! If he wanted us dead he'd have tried it already I'm sure."

"Unless he wants us to trust him first." Harry pointed out. "He's a Death Eater, Hermoine! He works for Voldemort! And now suddenly he's all nice and taking us in, giving us dinner? There's a lot wrong with that picture, you know. It's very, very odd!"

"And I told you it's a great opportunity to change them!" Hermoine sighed. "Harry, you're going to have to give them a chance! Maybe they never were as bad as you thought. Or maybe they were and they want to change if you give them the chance. Your real conflict is with You Know Who, not Lucius or Draco."

"What about the diary Second Year?"

"Well," Hermoine said as she idly walked around the room, thinking. "Maybe Riddle was controlling him just as he controlled Ginny. Or maybe he sent the diary into the school full-well knowing you'd defeat and kill the basilisk! It was a menace to the school and needed to be destroyed, but no one could find the hidden chamber. Or he really wanted to kill Muggle-borns that year and now he's learned more and doesn't like what Voldemort is doing. You never really know. I think Slytherins keep a lot to themselves, as they really don't like trusting others very much. They're very secretive. But I think a lot of them are quite clever. Why do you think Draco was turned into a ferret Fourth Year?"

"Because of Mad Eye Moody…"

"Yes, Mad Eye did it, but think Harry! A ferret represents cunning! And if you're going to defeat You Know Who you better have some cunning on your side." Hermoine pointed out. "And I do believe Lucius is quite clever."

"Which is why I don't trust him!" Harry repeated. He sighed and collapsed onto the bed. The bed shook with his weight and settled down. It really was a nice bed, the mattress not too hard or too soft. "We're not getting anywhere. We're just going around in circles."

"We really should get some sleep…" Hermoine suggested.

"Like I'm really going to be able to sleep." Harry sat up and his green eyes darted to his trunk. "I suppose I could go snooping around, get my Dad's old cloak out."

"Harry! That's a very bad idea!" Hermoine quickly said as she shook her head. "There may be certain rooms he doesn't want people in. You may set off some booby trap or alarm!"

"Well, I don't care. I'm here so I'm going to go snoop!" Harry jumped off the bed and hurried to his trunk. Pulling it open, he quickly sorted through the various books and pieces of clothing until he found the invisibility cloak. "If there's nasty Dark Art stuff he doesn't want us to see, that's exactly what I'm going to go look at!"

"But things are going so nice!" Hermoine pleaded, worried that Harry may goof it all up. "He may get angry!"

"I'm not scared of him." Harry vowed and quickly tossed the rest of his belongings back into his trunk. He wanted to be ready to leave in a hurry if the need arose. "I wasn't scared of him Second Year and I'm not now."

"I really hope you know what you're doing!" Hermoine said as she followed him to the door.

Harry reached out and cautiously tried the doorknob sure it would be locked. But to his utter surprise the door swung open unheeded and on silent hinges. He stuck his head out into the hall and peered up and down the hall. Nothing. The coast was clear and he quickly motioned with his arm for her to follow him. He threw the cloak over the both of them and they slowly moved towards the grand staircase. The numerous candelabra in the hall were still lit and provided ample light, but Harry had his wand out just in case. He had no idea what horrible things a Death Eater would keep in his house but he was sure there were lots of them.

"We should search his office." Harry whispered.

"I don't know if I want to do this. It's not like sneaking around at school." Hermoine nervously pointed out.

"We have to know what sort of stuff he has hidden." Harry replied, his voice firm.

"But we don't even know where his office is!"

"We'll keep looking until we find it. I mean, how big can this house really be?" Harry asked as they carefully made their way back down the stairs. Upon reaching the bottom of the staircase, Harry decided they should go in the other direction. He remembered Narcissa coming out of another room, one opposite of the dining room. Leading, Harry boldly passed through the doorway. Holding his wand aloft for light, he peered around.

"Oh, it's beautiful!" Hermoine exclaimed as her eyes fell on the red and gold room. The large room had cream-colored walls that were decorated with three-dimensional plaster decorations, the decorations painted the same color as the walls. Four windows, two on each outer wall, were hung in brilliant red draperies. Many soft and inviting cushioned chairs were around the walls of the room, the chairs done up in the same exact red as the draperies. Like the furniture in the dining room, the chairs had the same skinny and curved legs of antiques; with the exception of the legs and frames being gold-colored. All together the room had twelve chairs. A large fireplace filled one wall, a golden screen sitting before it. Twin candelabra rested on the mantelpiece above the fireplace, an ornate curved topped mirror between the two. The other two walls had giant rectangular mirrors on them as well. Green potted plants rested in two corners, as did the busts of the senior Malfoys. The very center of the room was occupied by another huge Persian carpet along with a golden-colored antique coffee table. Anyway, Harry presumed it was a coffee table. The ceiling had a ceiling medallion and a gold chandelier with tall white candles.

"What kind of room is this?" Harry asked in a whisper.

"Ummm, I think it's the lady's parlor." Hermoine replied, her keen eyes falling on the whicker basket of sewing materials and the partly embroidered cloth resting on a chair.

"The what?" Harry asked, confused.

"It's where Narcissa entertains her guests." Hermoine explained. "I'm sure Lucius has his own room for entertaining his guests."

"Yeah, the dungeon!"

"Oh, Harry! You're so funny!"

"I was being serious!" Harry protested in a whisper. "Well, this is a dead-end. Let's go back the other way."

They headed back and in short order passed through the dining room. Here they found a hallway going in two directions and Harry decided to go to the right for no particular reason. At the far end they came upon a set of double doors and Harry carefully tried one of the knobs. To his delight, the door opened easily and he entered. He held his wand high and grimaced at what he saw.

Hermoine, however, was delighted. "Look at all the books!"

Harry sighed as he watched his friend dart out from under the invisibility cloak and hurry towards the nearest bookshelf. "Now I'll never get her out of this house!"

Holding her lit wand aloft, Hermoine eagerly scanned the titles. To her utter pleasure she hadn't read any of them. Quickly she started to pull books from the nearest shelf and pile them onto her other arm. "These are all kept in the Forbidden Section I'm sure!"

The dark-haired boy groaned.

"You can go look for his office if you want, Harry. I'd like to take these books back to my room. If you don't mind, that is? Do you?"

"No, that's OK." Harry assured her. "I probably won't find anything anyway. The Ministry was probably already through the house. I just want to poke around is all; go on a self-guided tour."

"See you later!" Hermoine staggered out of the library with a towering pile of Dark Art books.

Harry couldn't help but laugh. Lucius would have a hard time getting his books back from Hermoine!

To be continued…