When he wasn't running, it seemed like finding his way to the family wing was easier. He strolled peacefully until he came upon Draco, who appeared to be a bit agitated.

"Draco, are you all right?" he said gently as Draco fixed his gaze on him.

"HARRY, MUM, I FOUND HIM," Draco exclaimed with a sigh of relief. He had worried when he couldn't find Harry as he looked around the hall. After an hour, they started looking. Despite the absence of the birthday boy, the party appeared to be running strong.

"Harry, I was so worried about you, my precious boy," Narcissa worriedly inquired as she examined her son for any damages.

"Voldemort wants to court me," there was a little pause before Draco exclaimed, "WHAT?"

"Draco, please be quiet; we'll meet in the tea room to discuss this," Narcissa said subdued

"I'll be there as well," Draco said imperiously.

"Alright, all right," he conceded. Draco has the capacity to evolve into a child at times. He was very certain if he responded no, Draco would scream, and he didn't have the fortitude to cope with something like that right now.

Narcissa muttered, "I'll call your father as well." As she swept out of the room, she walked faster than usual, as if resisting the temptation to run.

Draco and he began their trek to the tea room in quiet, meeting up with their parents midway.

As soon as they entered the chamber, Lucius locked the door and erected silencing charms.

"This had better be urgent since we've left guests in our house unattended."

"Father, you will not -," Draco began angrily.

"SHUT UP, DRACO," Harry said angrily. Draco's jaw slammed shut as he looked in disbelief at his brother. Harry had only screamed at him when he was actually furious, which was unusual in the Malfoy family.

Harry said, "the dark lord has offered me courtship." He felt awful about snapping at Draco, but he'd had a traumatic experience and didn't have time for his temper tantrums just now.

Lucius made a humming sound. "This would bring honor to our family, harry—" he began, but was cut off when harry grumbled, "I'm going to accept father."

"What?" Draco exclaimed, turning to face his brother. He couldn't believe what he was hearing. They have no right to do so.

"It's my decision, Draco," Harry hissed, "but of course, he'll grovel first."

"You're going to make the dark lord bow down in front of you?"

"A Malfoy must know their value," he remarked primly, struggling to keep a straight expression.

Narcissa laughed, Draco snorted, and even Lucius smiled grudgingly.

"Do as you desire, son, and I'll start drafting a contract."

"Thank you, Father," He said.

"Now that you're a man, remember that family always comes first."

"You better not lie to me Harrison Abarax Nova Malfoy," Narcissa said as Lucius went out, "now tell me what really happened "

Despite the fact that he cringed at the whole name, he gave her the entire thing while Draco sat there. Because he had never been chastised for revealing the truth by his mother, the words that came out of his mouth were natural. He faltered a little when talking about the voice, but he got through it. He found the strength to continue as he felt his mother grip his hand.

Draco snorted "I cannot believe you napped on the dark lord" after he concluded his account, and he softly shoved Draco as they tackled one other, with Narcissa giggling as they play wrestled.

As he sat at his study desk, Draco's mind was whirling. He couldn't believe his brother, and he trembled as he recalled the voice he had heard. He wasn't concerned since his mother had promised to look into it.

But he couldn't seem to get his mind off the fact that the dark lord was courting his brother. Draco never really had to put on the big brother act because Harry had never expressed an interest in anyone in Hogwarts; besides Theodore Nott, he supposed, despite Pansy's best efforts he didn't even glance her way.

He guffawed at the notion of intimidating the dark lord, but he knew what he needed to do.

He could rehearse if he wanted, but he didn't want to get caught. he wouldn't ever hear the end of it. Harry, in particular.

He sighed as he shuffled to his bathroom and stood in front of the mirror.

"OK, let's do this," he said, trying to portray an angry or threatening expression, but if he was being honest with himself, he merely looked constipated.

"Look, Lord Voldemort," Draco trailed off, "I hope you have good intentions towards my brot-"

This was a bad idea. dear god. Why didn't he appear to be able to resist the temptation to do it? What he went through for Harry's sake.

"Look, Lord Voldemort, I'm not sure what your game is, but you're going to regret it if you hurt my brother."

Harry's voice echoed into the bathroom, "Draco, what are you doing mate?" Draco stumbled over his bathroom's soft rug and fell down near the sink, striking his head and tumbling backward as he flailed his arms in an attempt to regain his footing.

Harry was really only privy to a succession of thunks and a murmured "bloody hell."

"Do you think this is a good time for you?" "Also, why were you threatening Lord Voldemort in your mirror?" Harry snickered.

Draco moaned yet again. He snarled back, "You weren't supposed to know okay, and get out of my room."

The ward on Voldemort's fireplace flickered as he sat in his study, pondering exactly what he wanted from this courtship. He approached it, crouched on a strategically placed cushion, and lowered his head into the flames.

"Good evening, my lord," Lucius said, "what can I do for you, Lucius?"

"My lord, my son has informed me of your desire to court him," Lucius whispered.

"I didn't expect news to reach you so quickly," Voldemort murmured.

"He's pretty adamant about his choice," Lucius said amusingly.

Voldemort raised an eyebrow in surprise, but Lucius gently shook his head.

"I'll begin drafting the contract and deliver it to you as soon as possible," Voldemort answered with a little nod.

"Harry adores dark chocolate and sugar quills, my lord," Lucius suggests.

"Goodbye, my lord," Lucius murmured hurriedly, and the fire was swiftly put out. Marvalo gazed at the wall blankly for a few seconds before snorting, Harry's father was on his side, he'd be a treasure of knowledge, but not as much as Narcissa Malfoy, who adored both of her children. She'd be more difficult to please. He was, nonetheless, the dark lord. What's the worst that might happen?

He was debating his next action. He'd have to find out a little more about Harry, but he'd already plotted his next step. He approached his desk and dipped his quill into the inkpot. He was certain the present was excellent.

After all, nothing but perfect would do for his, harry

Narcissa Malfoy took comfort in the knowledge of all there is to know about her household and her family. She had contingency strategies in place and, as a result of her forethought, was capable of resolving any crisis. What she was unprepared for was this courtship offer.

Harry seemed pleased with it, but she was soothed when she noticed the glint of mischief in his eyes. Her Harry was safe, content, and capable of self-defense, just as his mother had taught him all those years before.

But why did it feel like he was growing so quickly? As she proceeded to his room, she considered how she might have him all to herself if she so desired, but she brushed that notion aside. Harry has already given her a lot of freedom; allowing her much more will just drive him away.

She shouted, "Harry dear?". Since Lucius had punished them out of Draco a few years back, she had made it a practice of playing juvenile pranks with Harry. She hadn't forgiven him for removing her child and replacing him with an unhappy man.

He knew that if he did that to Harry, he'd be barred from her rooms for all time, so he wisely left him alone.

Draco's stiff manner had been slowly undone by her and Harry, and now they were back to usual, as thick as thieves.

Lucius despised their conspiring, but when he saw Narcissa's delight as she ran around the manor with her two sons, he dropped his objection and sighed. No matter how many vases they shattered, he would endure another day since he never had the fortitude to stop them.

And it was for this reason that she had slowly and reluctantly fallen in love with his quiet recluse yet ferocious attitude, his unwavering protection for her and his children.

"I want you to know that if I have to arrange the murder of the dark lord at any time during this courting, I would." she sat on the sette at the end of Harry's bed. "But I'll tease you about it," she, says, knowing that she wouldn't always be there to put up with his antics. As a solution, she vowed to teach him everything she learned.

"I know, mother," he said, "teasing the dark lord is OK, but-" she didn't finish her statement.

"Yes, mum, I am aware of the circumstances, I swear I'm won't go too far". He said firmly as he brushed his multi-coloured hair, Harry murmured, "Your safety is far more essential than a joke." After the adoption, his hair became a distinct part of him. Because magic couldn't determine which hair color would suit him best, Harry was given Narcissa golden brown locks with a streak of Malfoy blonde hair.

She offered a little smile and nodded before sweeping out of the room with ease. If Harry needed her, she knew he'd come to her.

Now she had to decide if Voldemort deserved one of her beloved children.

So, after a substantial amount of time, she entered a long-forgotten area of the house and opened a dark black book.