Disclaimer: Not mine, anything else you recognise probably isn't mine either but I never know for sure since I've read so many stories that I can't tell anymore whether or not it was my idea in the first place.
Author's Notes: See at the beginning of Chapter 05 since I posted the chapters 3, 4, and 5 together.
~...~ Parseltongue
/.../ Telepathy between Harry & Carya (in italics)
' ... ' thoughts
~*~*~ ... ~*~*~ Flashback or changing POV
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Chapter 04 - Reactions and Shopping or Surprise and Run-in with Malfoy
~*~*~ The same evening at Hogwarts ~*~*~
It had been just after dinner when the headmaster called Severus Snape into his office. The headmaster wanted to tell his Potions Professor what exactly had happened to his godson.
"Well, Severus, Draco is staying with his new guardians for a few weeks before he makes his final decision. He'll tell me until July 31st if he wants to stay or not. I know you're dying to know where he's staying and I promise that I will not lie to you.
You'll definitely hate it and tell me that I'm crazy for letting Draco go there," Albus paused for a few seconds before going on, "He is staying at Black Manor and if he decides to remain there he'll be living with Sirius Black, Remus Lupin and the Potter twins in the future."
That had the expected effect on Severus. He had known he wouldn't like the headmasters choice of guardian from their previous talks, but this?
"Are you sure you're alright Albus? Letting Draco stay with Black? Are you finally mad? Black hates the Malfoys just as he hates me or any other Slytherin for that matter ..." Snape ranted until Dumbledore interrupted him.
"I'm well aware of Sirius dislike for Draco's father and it's not unfounded. Just like the extreme dislike between the two of you. But be assured that Draco is perfectly safe and welcomed at Sirius' house. And you seem to forget that Harry and Carya are Slytherins too, as well as young Miss Weasley.
They will get along. It might take some time but everything will work out once they get to know each other. Sirius has changed a lot since school - Azkaban changed him. And Draco is definitely not his father," Dumbledore told the irate young potions professor.
Snape slowly managed to get his anger under control. He knew that it was impossible for him to care for Draco given the current situation but letting his godson stay with Black? He didn't know what scared him more, the thought of Draco being raised by the two canine Gryffindors or the fact that Dumbledore could be right about Black and Draco.
But it wasn't only that. He also feared that he would loose his godson forever. He knew he had to keep up appearances because Voldemort would most likely return in the future and he was needed. But he still hated it.
Without further comments Severus left the Headmasters office and stormed down to his dungeons to think about the whole affair. It surely would take him a while to accept the fact that Draco willingly went to Black and Lupin.
~*~*~ End the same evening at Hogwarts ~*~*~
~*~*~ Back at Black Manor ~*~*~
Draco slept well that night. For once he didn't have nightmares about his father and the Dark Lord. When he woke up he felt well rested and was rather hungry. It was only seven in the morning so he called for Mikie and asked if anyone was up yet.
"Mikie?" Draco said.
"Yes, Master Draco? What can Mikie do for you?" the elf inquired after appearing with a soft popping sound.
"Is anybody up yet? I'm rather hungry and don't want to cause any trouble," the blonde boy explained.
"Master Remus is awake and sitting in the kitchen for breakfast. Master Sirius is still resting though," she told him, "Do you wish to join Master Remus with breakfast?"
"Yes, I'd like that. Can you show me? I know where the dining room is but I haven't been in the kitchen," Draco replied and the small creature lead him downstairs.
Remus Lupin was sitting at the table, eating a delicious looking breakfast and reading the latest newspaper. He seemed to be in deep thought because he didn't notice the boy until he sat down opposite to him.
"Good morning, Draco, did you sleep well?" Remus inquired.
"Eh, ... yeah. I guess that's why I woke up early. A good night's rest can work wonders sometimes, can't it?" he told the older wizard a bit unsure what to reply.
Remus chuckled a bit and then told him why, "I only wished Sirius would think like that. He's definitely not a morning person. Always grumpy and getting up late," Remus said smirking slightly.
"Whazzup? Who's grumpy? Na' me, Remy. 'm jus' not a mornin' person at all ...," a very sleepy looking Sirius mumbled while stumbling into the kitchen.
Despite himself Draco giggled a bit because Sirius looked anything but rested. His hair was a real mess and his clothes were in absolute disarray. It was an odd sight to the boy and suddenly he knew why.
His parents would've cursed anyone who appeared like that at breakfast. Draco definitely liked it.
"Siri, you're a mess. What happened? You're usually not up this early, are you?" Moony wanted to know.
"Bloody raven woke me up. Bet it's Carya's. Just as bad a temper as it's owner ...," the dark haired wizard grumbled and again the other two started snickering.
"Here's your coffee, Master Sirius!" said Mikie suddenly and handed Sirius a cup of the brew.
After drinking this he was much more awake and grinned when Draco looked at him oddly. The boy was definitely not used to this kind of behaviour from either adult or house-elf.
"Sorry, Draco. I don't like mornings that much, you know? Are you and Mikie getting along? She's a pretty nice friend to have. Looked after me when I was little because my parents didn't have the time," Sirius told them while getting a far away look in his eyes.
"Yes, she's really nice. Not as annoying as most of Lucius elves. And she's using proper language too, I like that. And about the other thing, well, I'm just not used to people behaving like that, sorry for laughing about you," the boy answered.
"You've nothing to be sorry for. I do look ridiculous with all messed up hair and clothes and without the first cup of coffee," Sirius replied grinning broadly.
Draco returned this with a small smile. They had just confirmed his first impression about the two men. He already did like them and staying with them seemed to have been a good decision. That was a fact but he still had time to really get to know them.
"Well, do you two want to know what my devious little goddaughter has written?" Sirius asked and told the two nodding males, "She says that they almost have everything packed and can't wait to get here.
It's official now that Hermione and Ginny will come over around the 15th of July and they'll stay with us until school starts on September 1st. Oh, and Petunia is pregnant, it's supposed to be a little girl. They are all very excited about that. Carya's really happy for her aunt.
One would never guess that there's a heart under her cold and calm exterior if you don't know her well. You might think she's only capable of anger as an emotion and sarcastic comments on first sight but that's not true!"
"Yeah, you're right. She's more than that. And damned smart too. She figured out what was wrong with me last year without me telling. I wonder where she got those clues," Draco thought aloud and blushed when he realised what exactly he'd said.
"Don't worry Draco, I won't tell. And if you ask Sirius nicely he might keep his mouth shut for once as well. If not I can always make him ...," Remus remarked smirking very Slytherin-like and Sirius looked uncomfortable now.
"You've been around Slytherin's too often, Remy. That's outright scary. ... Okay, okay, I'll keep this a secret, promise!" Siri said sighing in defeat and they all started laughing softly, even Draco.
It was a warm Sunday and after breakfast Draco excused himself. He went exploring the house and grounds. They had been right this wasn't Malfoy Manor but somehow Draco liked it better. Black Manor radiated warmth and light were his old home had been cold, dark and dreary.
This is how he spent most of the day, until he found the Quidditch pitch hidden in the small forest that belonged to the estate and was still protected by the wards. The boy went back into the house, fetched his broom, a 'Nimbus Two-Thousand' and flew for hours until Remus called him in for dinner.
'Tomorrow,' he thought, 'tomorrow the twins will arrive here. I wonder if they know about me. Perhaps I should ask Remus and Sirius about that? Yes, that's what I'll do!'
"Eh, Remus?" he asked and continued when he had the older mans attention, "Do Harry and Carya know that I'm here? I mean, the headmaster hinted that they'd have nothing against me being here but do they know that I'll probably live here?"
"No, they don't know that you're here at the moment. We wanted it as a surprise for them. But we do know for sure that they don't have anything against that.
To be honest, they wrote a letter earlier in the holidays that stated they wanted to have you back as their friend. They said that sometimes they wished you were with them, Draco. They like you and I doubt they would object to your staying here," Remus answered seriously.
Draco felt relieved and allowed a true smile to grace his usually calm face. He still had his friends, at least two of them even when he had treated them like dirt for the whole year. The remaining day passed by uneventful and the boy as well as Sirius and Remus went to bed earlier than usual. The next day the twins would come 'home' to them.
Despite himself Sirius was up around eight the next morning. Although Draco and Remus were already having breakfast when he stormed into the kitchen. This time he did look quite presentable. He was to apparate towards Privet Drive No.4 around half past ten.
That meant he still had some time to spare and eat something. The three of them were plotting how to introduce Draco. In the end it was decided that Draco and Remus would stay behind while Sirius fetched the twins and their stuff.
"Listen, we'll do it this way... Remus, you and Draco stay here. You two can supervise the work the house-elves still have left and come up with some funny scheme to surprise the twins while I'll be going to the Dursley's to get them.
I'll apparate around half past ten and stay there over lunch so you'll have plenty of time to figure something out, okay?" he explained and after he got two reassuring nods he continued, "We'll be back around two in the afternoon I guess.
By the way, Remus I'll make sure to let you know we're back. We'll be back with a portkey since I don't want to apparate three people and four animals by myself. You'll hear us coming back, I'm positive about that."
"Okay Siri, we'll do as you said. What do you think Draco? Something interesting for surprising the twins?" Remus said and asked Draco about his ideas.
The boy was surprised once again and after a second or two he told them what he'd been thinking,
"Well, we could make it look as if you just stayed here Remus and that I'm not here at all and when they're back and I'll come out of the study door to greet them too saying something in response to their homecoming comments," he replied.
"Excellent idea young man!" Sirius all but shouted while grinning mischievously, "I've got to go now. Want to fetch something for Petunia on the way. Bye you two, see you later," he said and left the house.
Remus and Draco went to work and with their help the house-elves soon had set up everything to Remus and the boys satisfaction. Sirius had apparated to 'Diagon Alley' and fetched some harmless wizard candy for Dudley (A/N: Carya once told him which ones Dudley liked best ^_^).
He then bought some bottles of Butterbeer for Vernon and in Muggle London he got some pretty flowers for Petunia. He then apparated to Magnolia Crescent with ten minutes to spare. He couldn't apparate closer because of the protective wards around the Dursley's house.
Meanwhile Harry and Carya had once again checked their room for anything they might have forgotten there but naturally, after doing this for the umpteenth time, they didn't find anything at all.
Their trunks were already downstairs, packed, stuffed and waited to be spelled with a featherweight and shrinking charm. The whole Dursley family was sitting in the living room and waited for the arrival of their guardians.
Vernon and Dudley looked a bit uncomfortable while Petunia was almost crying now. She had grown to love the twins as her own and it hurt to see them go. Even if they'd probably come back every summer for a couple of weeks it still was painful.
At half past ten someone rang the doorbell. Carya got up and opened the door. In front of her stood Sirius. He wore cotton trousers, a black t-shirt and something that looked like worn out sneakers but he still was quite presentable even in the Dursley's opinion.
"Hi, Padfoot! Where's Remus?" asked the girl while letting him in.
"Remy stayed home and we'll meet him there. Where's you brother and your relatives?" Sirius wanted to know.
"They're in the sitting room. Lunch will be taken in a restaurant today so Aunt Petunia didn't cook. She's still upset about us leaving but it'll be alright. Come in, Sirius," she replied.
He was greeted by the family and gave them the gifts. Dudley 's mood lightened a bit and Vernon was curious about the butterbeer. He would try some in the evening. Petunia liked the flowers too. In the middle of the bouquet was a single white lily.
The adults were talking about business and life in general and the kids found that somewhat boring so they went upstairs to entertain themselves in Dudley's room. Around twelve thirty they were called downstairs.
It was time for lunch and they would go and eat at a superb little restaurant nearby. While they ate they were talking and at some point Sirius invited all of them for the twins birthday on July 31st. Dudley instantly said yes even if it meant staying with only wizard folk for a whole day.
Vernon and his wife were a bit reluctant but promised to think about it and probably visit too. Soon it was time to go back to Privet Drive to collect the twins belongings and take the portkey to Black Manor.
Vernon looked sad, Dudley quickly said goodbye and left the house and Petunia looked like she was about to cry any second. That was exactly what happened then. Her mood swings were getting worse every day and even without that side effect of pregnancy she would've cried.
She did love the twins and seeing them leave was hard. Another set of hugs and good bye's was given and the Potter children gathered around Sirius. The took the portkey which was a small piece of rope in one hand and their luggage into the other.
Sirius touched the rope with his wand and a second later they all were gone. Vernon took Petunia out and they went shopping a bit and Dudley sat at his computer and wrote emails to his friends.
~*~*~ At Black Manor ~*~*~
Remus and Draco had managed to get everything ready in time. The boy quickly hid inside the study when the clock showed Sirius, Harry and Carya coming home. Remus stayed in the hall to greet them properly first.
Suddenly three humans materialised out if thin air and stumbled. Since they were holding onto each other they went falling into a heap on the floor. None of them had time to get angry when they heard Moony laughing heartily at this.
"Oh, stop it Moony, as if you never fell after travelling by portkey!" Padfoot shouted through his own laughter.
The twins got up first and helped Sirius up. He looked around and then at the twins, "Welcome home, Harry and Carya!" he said and hugged both children.
"Thank you Sirius, Remus. This is great. We really loved Vernon and Petunia but Privet Drive isn't the magical world, is it?" Carya said smiling and then noticed Remus twinkling eyes.
"What are you up to Remus? You're hiding something from us and Sirius is in this too!" she demanded an explanation when Harry interrupted.
"I only wished all of our friends could be here for our birthday. I'm sure you read Carya's letter earlier the summer? Well, Ginny and Hermione are coming over soon but , well, ... it would be nice if Draco somehow could visit too. But that's wishful thinking I fear..." Harry told them.
"I wouldn't bet on that Potter! Be careful what you wish for. Sometimes it might come true, you know!" Draco drawled from the doorframe he had been standing in for a bit now.
"D ... Draco? Wha ... what are ...," the Potter boy began.
"... how come you're here, Draco? How's that possible. You told me you couldn't be with us ever again. What happened?" Carya asked as confused as her brother but more coherent at the moment.
"Quite simple. I left my parents for good ... No, don't ask me now why or how. I'll tell you sometime later if I'm ready for that, okay?" Draco asked and after they all nodded he broke into a sly grin, "Guess you'll have a guest more on your birthday now, eh?"
This sent all five of them into laughing fits. Trust Draco to make something serious as his leaving his parents become funny in the end. Just that moment Carya thought about what Ronald Weasley had said about the young Malfoy on the train.
He had been right somehow. Draco was an ass if you were his enemy but she doubted that any Gryffindor or Hufflepuff would be a more loyal friend than Draco Malfoy. He was a true friend. Even when he hadn't been allowed to be with them he had kept their secrets just that - secret!
The twins decided they would give him all the time he needed to tell them his reasons but they really wanted to know how long he'd stay.
"How long are you staying here, Draco?" Harry asked curiously.
Draco paled a bit and the two adults went silent. This was the most crucial moment in the whole affair and they all knew it.
"Eh, for now until your birthday. The headmaster awaits my final decision about staying here by then. Right now I'd like to stay until I'm out of school but ... You don't mind me staying with your family, or do you?" he asked but didn't get any further.
Carya was shocked about him being that afraid and quickly told him what she thought, "Of course not you silly twit! Sorry Draco, but we won't let you go again! You're our friend and nothing's gonna stop us from keeping it this way.
Not this time. We missed you terribly during last year. Don't you remember what I told you the other day in the library?" the girl explained beaming at her brother, guardians and friend.
Draco did remember what she'd said and nodded. This was enough for Carya to hug him like she would her brother. Draco's face became beet red and he weakly mumbled,
"Mm, Carya, geroff!"
But he didn't really mean that. He had to admit that it was nice to be treated like this although he was deeply embarrassed by this unfamiliar display of affection towards him. Carya didn't let go though.
She just asked, "Hm, what if I like it here and want to stay where I am?"
By now she was grinning at Draco and he couldn't help but laugh like the others did by now. He was adopted as her brother now and the other three pitied those who tried to hurt him. Carya wouldn't tolerate someone harassing her family. In those matters she was just like Lily had been.
"Well then, I think it's time to show you two your rooms, okay?" Sirius said and they went upstairs.
"You might want to keep your wands ready. I'm almost sure Sirius decorated your rooms in red and gold despite Remus and my protests," Draco told them quietly.
"If he did, then he'll be in big trouble. I have learned a huge amount of new hexes for occasions like that," Carya replied in a whisper and smirked at Draco while Harry just smirked at them both.
It was like they had feared. Both bedrooms were decorated in Gryffindor colours. Sirius wasn't fast enough to escape his godchildren. A couple of minutes later he had been hit with a tickling charm, a ear twitching hex the same colour-spell they'd used on the Weasleys and various other spells.
Their godfather solemnly promised not to do anything like that again and they quickly changed the colouring of the rooms. Soon everything was done in black, dark-blue, green and silver. The adults left and the kids stayed alone.
Draco told them about the grounds and what they could do outside and inside the house. He then called for Mikie and asked her about the place where Sirius and Remus currently were. Mikie told them.
"Masters Sirius and Remus are currently in the library, Master Draco," the elf explained and the kids set off to find them.
Sirius and Remus introduced them to the house-elves and gave out the same rules to them as they had to Draco. The rest of their day was spent unpacking everything. Draco helped with that and it was Carya who brought up a devious little plan for Ginny and Hermione.
"You know, we shouldn't let them know just yet that Draco is living with us now. Think about how they'll look when they find out on July15th! I swear that will be fun. Ginny will probably hex us but I don't mind that too much," the girl outlined her plan. Both boys agreed and they went back to their work.
Soon all three of them had settled into the routines of Black Manor. They all got up early and found something to occupy themselves with. The boys mostly would play Quidditch when they got bored and Carya read during those times.
They often wrote letters towards the Burrow and therefore Hermione and Ginny who were staying there. Dudley had sent some too. At first he had felt a bit awkward using the ravens Phobos or Deimos for sending mail but he quickly got used to it.
The twins snakes were happy too. Salazar and Niamh were residing in the garden and rid them of any rodent problem they might have had. Being able to speak Parsel was the one thing Draco would envy them for. He would love to be able to do that but it wasn't possible for him, unfortunately.
The days passed and the three children enjoyed themselves. They had agreed to do their homework together with the other two when they'd finally arrived so it had to wait a few more days since it was already July 11th. Little did they know that this year had already started to get very exciting.
~*~*~ Those days at the Burrow ~*~*~
Ginny had just woken up. It was the 30th of June and Hermione was coming today. They would meet up in 'Diagon Alley' where they would buy a birthday present for the twins. Her parents would accompany her there.
'Life has definitely been better since the start of the holidays. Ron is a tiny little bit more tolerable now after Bill and Charlie had lectured him about being an ass, Percy just ignores me and Fred and George have a new respect for me after the incident with the little colour hex Sirius taught us.
I do hope this'll last once we're back to school. Only two more weeks and I'll stay with all my friends ... well not all, Draco's missing but then again, it's not really his fault, is it?' she thought and got ready for departure.
It was around ten when she met Hermione in the 'Leaky Cauldron'. The two girls were really happy to see each other and immediately launched into conversation about school, homework and naturally - about boys and clothes.
They almost forgot Mister and Mrs. Weasley as well as Hermione's parents who were accompanying their daughter for the first time to the magical world. The first time she had been taken there by Hagrid and last year the girl had already been with the Potter twins when it was time to go for a shopping trip.
David and Marilyn Granger were currently interrogated by Arthur Weasley whose hobby was collecting Muggle stuff. Molly was watching them and just shook her head at her husband obsession with Muggle technology. The next thing she noticed were the two girls talking lively a bit away from them.
"Hermione, dear, why don't you, Ginny and I go to Gringotts already? After that you can start your little shopping trip and I'll try to get Arthur and your parents interested in shopping as well, okay?" Molly asked the girl.
"Sure, Mrs. Weasley, why not. I'll just tell my parents that I'm going," Hermione answered and did just that.
Since every try to talk with the Grangers and her husband failed, Molly went with the two girls. Soon the three females headed towards Gringotts and got out some money. As always the Weasley's didn't have much.
What Hermione had exchanged still seemed more than Ginny would ever dream of having. The situation had become better last christmas when Arthur Weasley had been promoted to 'Head of the Department for Muggle Protection'.
It still wasn't much but it was a start. At least Ginny didn't need everything as hand-me-downs now. She got better books and new robes too if she outgrew hers. When they stepped out of the white marble building Mister Weasley and the Granger's were waiting for them.
They parted and the two girls went on alone while the adults did the same. First stop was the candy-shop. Hermione and Ginny bought some sweets for themselves and a bit for the combined birthday presents they wanted to give to the twins.
After that they went to Madam Malkins to have a look at the new robes of the season. They didn't buy them though because they were too expensive. This was what they envied their friends for. Although Hermione's parents were by no means poor, they weren't spoiling their daughter.
If she wanted something out of the ordinary she had to work for that. She always thought that this was the main reason for her being in Ravenclaw. She often had been given a reward for good marks in school so she'd been studying much and with success because she wasn't stupid either.
The twins had been spoiled since they'd been left with the Dursley's but they really weren't behaving like that. The two of them still valued money and knew exactly what they'd been given. Harry and Carya weren't snobby or arrogant like many of the rich pureblood's in school.
They were just horribly spoiled to no end. Next stop was the apothecary. Ginny and Hermione needed a few ingredients for a potion that would help them with the birthday present for the twins. One gift would be two muggle-style diaries with never ending pages.
For the pages-part they needed the potion. The most time the two girls were just window shopping instead of actually going inside to look at things they couldn't afford now. About two hours later they met with their parents at 'Florean Fortescue's'.
Ginny ordered a hot strawberry pancake with vanilla ice-cream while Hermione was having peppermint and chocolate ice-cream. Their last stop after that would be 'Flourish & Blotts'. Molly and Arthur had surprised their daughter when they'd given her money to buy herself a book.
They'd made it clear that she should spend the money for herself and no one else so that was what she did. After thirty minutes of searching the back of the library she found a lovely Charms book that was labelled 'Charms of the 21st century - enchanting your friends and fooling your foes' by Elsbeth Engelbrook.
With the book in her hands she went back to the front of the store where Hermione was standing. On her way there she saw her parents and the Grangers coming in and talk to Hermione. Suddenly she fell and crashed into someone.
The people behind her had pushed the girl forward and she then bumped into another person. At first she was only mumbling an apology and was embarrassed because she had fallen but when she saw who she'd bumped into she paled many shades.
It was one of those persons she didn't want to meet at all. Ginny had crashed right into Lucius Malfoy and he looked disgusted and angry!
"Watch were you're going, Weasley!" Lucius growled.
Arthur was angry now. It hadn't been his daughters fault. She had been shoved from behind her.
"Don't talk to my daughter like that, Malfoy! It wasn't her fault. You know that. You must have noticed she's been pushed towards you from behind her," he said furiously.
"I see you've sunken into new depth, Weasley. Really, allowing those 'people' to come here. I thought you knew better. You're a disgrace to all wizards. And your daughter ... being friends with a mudblood?
I wonder how she got into Slytherin. Probably bribed the Sorting Hat. By now the whole house must be contaminated ..." Lucius sneered but Arthur had enough and interrupted him by physically attacking the other man.
It was quite a sight. Lucius Malfoy and Arthur Weasley fighting in the bookstore. Molly desperately tried to get them to calm down but it was to no avail. They didn't stop until Hagrid interfered and pulled the two apart.
"Ye' shouldn' fight in a place like this. Actually ye' shouldn' fight at all. You're adults, Mister Weasley, Mister Malfoy!" Hagrid said sternly and the two men checked themselves for injuries.
Arthur had a bleeding lip and Malfoy squeezed his left eye shut. A book had hit him into it and it was apparently hurting quite much. Was as much dignity as he could muster the elder Malfoy walked over to Ginny and handed her the Charms book back which had fallen to the ground when she'd collided with him.
"Your book," he said icily, "It'll be all your parents ever can afford apart from trash." Malfoy spoke in a scathing tone and then left the shop.
Arthur was still arguing with Molly and Hagrid about his behaviour but Ginny was furious now.
'How dare that man question me being a Slytherin? And then he's insulting Hermione and her parents. I wish I could hex him ...' she thought fuming and glared at the spot where Malfoy had been standing.
Hermione, sensing the line of thought her friend was having, interrupted Ginny, smiled at her and dragged her to the counter to pay for her book. Once everyone had calmed down they floo-ed back to the Burrow where the girls locked themselves in Ginny's room.
They still had to work on that potion they were making and they really didn't need the twins or anyone else interrupting them. The Charms book lay on the table untouched for now.
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