Harry and Draco spent a significant amount of time together after their shopping trip and during the week and a half before their lessons started. Much of that time was spent playing out of doors, under the watchful eye of Narcissa or Tansy and Dobby.
Nearly the first thing the boys had done was gather their quidditch things and make straight for the pitch. Narcissa had supervised their first session. As they had come home from shopping and made their way straight into dinner, Harry and Draco had not had a chance to pester Narcissa for Harry's new broom. Since it came via owl after they had been dismissed to their rooms for the night, they never realized she had in fact purchased more than just a broom for Harry.
Therefore, when their first opportunity to fly came on Thursday after breakfast, they jumped at the chance. Narcissa dismissed them from the breakfast table to gather their things, and made her way to the family quidditch pitch. She called for Tansy and Dobby to bring her Draco and Harry's brooms. The boys arrived while she was instructing the elves, and so were there waiting when two identical boxes popped into being on the ground in front of them.
The boys looked at Narcissa with wide eyes and she nodded and gestured for them to open the packages.
Draco tore into his first, squealing when it revealed the box for the Nimbus 1700. Harry had watched his friend while slowly opening the wrapping on his own box. He was nearly overcome with tears when he saw that his package was also a Nimbus 1700. No one had ever bought him anything so nice before. He jumped up and ran to Narcissa, grasping around her waist tightly and he murmured a litany of thank you's into her robes. She wrapped her arms around him gently, knowing he was touch-starved, and hugged him back while rubbing his back and pressing the occasional kiss to his forehead while he slowly calmed down.
Once Harry was calm, Draco dashed over to his mother and had his turn at hugs and joyous thank you's. Both excited, and ready to be flying, they ripped open the boxes, and grabbed their brooms, jumping on, and soaring into the sky.
After a long morning of flying, and a quick, but yummy lunch, the boys retreated to their new playroom which Lucius had organized while they were flying. It connected magically to both boys' rooms and all their toys and playthings had been moved there. When Lucius led them to the main household entrance and opened the door, the boys entered, shocked. Draco's Hogwarts model had been set up on a table enchanted to look like the grounds, one corner had a pile of pillows and blankets with all their plush toys. All the other games and toys were slotted into shelves and drawers in scatter cabinets throughout the room.
The glory of the room was the art. Each wall had a different mural, and the ceiling had been enchanted with the same spell as Draco's room (which Harry had also requested the day after his arrival for his own room) and so the stars shone down on them from above. The long back wall had a mural of a quidditch pitch with Puddlemere United playing the Falmouth Falcons. Each time the snitch was caught, the game would reset. An updating scoreboard was set to record both the score of the current game, and the game win/loss record for the month. The current tally showed the Falmouth Falcons had won the first game, but Puddlemere was winning the current game. The wall to the right was a dragon preserve scene, similar to the one in Draco's room and with a door leading to that very place, but with different species of dragons. The left wall showed a forest with an abundance of wildlife and included the door to Harry's room. Lucius had elected to include a stag, grim, and wolf having seen Harry's plushies. Also knowing Peter Pettigrew, he knew what those animals represented to Harry, even if Harry didn't know yet, and had made them more prominent than the other animals. The long wall with the main entrance door showed a number of rooms in the manor along with painted occupants entering and exiting, or using the items painted within them. The room shown changed once every two hours and cycled between the kitchen, library, potions lab, sitting room, sun room, and dueling room. It was charmed to restart the cycle at midnight in a different room than the previous day so going into the playroom at the same time every day wouldn't show the same room. It was currently showing the library and Harry's mouth dropped open in awe, not having seen the library yet. Lucius slipped out of the room while they were distracted, intent on showing Narcissa their reaction in his pensieve.
After watching the murals for several minutes, both boys made their way to the blanket-and-pillows corner. Narcissa had charmed Harry's blanket to return to Harry's bed when he wasn't holding it, but Lucius had modified the charm to move the blanket to the soft corner when Harry was in it. As Harry sat, the blanket appeared in his lap and he immediately grabbed the corner with his initials and the lily on it to rub his thumb over the embroidery. Draco had a similar blanket appear in his lap, but it was navy blue with the constellation Draco embroidered in one corner. They each grabbed a plush (his dragon for Draco and the grim for Harry) and snuggled up with their blankets and a pillow for a nap.
Friday, August 19, 1988"Narcissa, dear," Lucius said as his wife joined him in his office. "Mr. Morgan has sent his letter with Harry's educational plan."
"Oh, and how did he do?" Narcissa asked
"I will read it," Lucius said.
Dear Lord and Lady Malfoy,
I am writing today with the results of Heir Potter's assessments and to suggest a plan for his continued education. I must admit his results are rather astounding. I provided review questions for traditional muggle school through the 5th year, even with his not having started 4th, and he completed nearly all of it flawlessly. He made a few errors, which honestly seem more like the regular slips of memory in a child than any ignorance of the topic presented. Please see his specific results on the enclosed additional parchment with scores converted to the standard wixen rubric.
As previously discussed, he was not tested on any House or Family knowledge due to his muggle upbringing. His etiquette was astounding for a muggle raised child; I think we will have no difficulty polishing his manners and working with him to apply them in the appropriate setting. He should be ready to attend etiquette with Heir Malfoy, as the review won't hurt, and then they will be able to practice together. His other classes with Heir Malfoy will be Astronomy, French, Latin, and Politics. In fact, with Latin, I suspect he will be further along than Heir Malfoy, and may be able to assist in Heir Malfoy's progress. I suspect the reverse will be true for French.
My suggestion for his educational plan this year is as follows:
Apprenticeship: Twilfitt and Tatting's (if they accept)
Etiquette: General polishing, instruction on situational application
Family History: Malfoy family, general and up through 7 generations
House History: General overview, and current members of ranked houses
Languages: Latin, French, Italian
Wizarding Traditions: Education, Financial System, and Politics
Please let me know if this is acceptable so I may begin preparations as soon as possible. We will begin as usual on September 1st. I am pleased with Heir Potter's work so far, and am looking forward to assisting in his education.
Blessed Be,
Perseus Morgan
Lucius handed the second sheet over to Narcissa as he had looked over Harry's scores earlier.
Heir Potter's Educational Review
Muggle Studies
English
1st year: O
2nd year: O
3rd year: O
4th year: O
5th year: O
Spelling
1st year: O
2nd year: O
3rd year: O
4th year: O
5th year: O
Reading Comprehension
1st year: O
2nd year: O
3rd year: O
4th year: O
5th year: EE
Mathematics
1st year: O
2nd year: O
3rd year: O
4th year: EE
5th year: A
British History
1st year: O
2nd year: O
3rd year: O
4th year: EE
5th year: A
Science
1st year: O
2nd year: O
3rd year: O
4th year: EE
5th year: A
World Geography
5th year: EE
Wixen Studies
Astronomy: A
Etiquette: EE
French: A
German: P
Italian: A
Latin: O
Penmanship: O
Spanish: A
"Those scores are marvelous!" Narcissa exclaimed after taking them all in.
Lucius nodded. "In addition to this wonderful news, we also received a letter from Misters Twilfitt and Tatting," he continued.
Dear Lord and Lady Malfoy,
Pursuant to our conversation with Lady Malfoy on Tuesday, and your own letter of consent, Lord Malfoy, Thomas and I have agreed to accept Mister Rigel Black as our apprentice. We will require a binding magical contract stipulating the requirements of both parties as well as ensuring Mr. Black's silence regarding our techniques should he exit our service early. If you have any requests for the contract, we are willing to discuss options. If you are agreeable, we will set an appointment at Gringotts for Monday, August 29th at 10:00 am. If the time is not convenient, please select a time and we will do our best to be available for you.
Blessed Be,
Timothy Twilfitt
Thomas Tatting
"Oh, that's wonderful. I was so hopeful they would take him," said Narcissa. "I may have...nudged our dear Heir Potter to tell them about his sewing experience."
"And of course you are not at fault if they took it to mean he was likely a threadwizard," Lucius finished with a smirk.
"I would never imply such a thing," Narcissa said with a delighted laugh.
Her husband chuckled as he moved back to his desk to respond to both letters, "Of course not, my dear."
Week of August 22, 1988Over the course of the week, Draco and Harry's relationship grew. Their time spent flying kept them active, and their time spent in the playroom deepened their friendship and trust. As such, Draco worked up the courage, while they were snuggled in the soft cozy corner of their playroom, to discuss something with Harry which had been bothering him for some time.
"Harry?" Draco asked in a rather subdued tone.
"Yes?" Harry responded with a smile.
"I'm worried." Draco stated bluntly.
"Worried about what? What's wrong, Draco?" Harry scooted over closer to his friend.
"I think I'm going to present as an omega," he whispered.
"An omega? What does that matter?" Harry asked.
"Do you remember mother, father, and uncle Severus telling you about how their relationship works?" Draco questioned.
Harry nodded, "Your mum and dad aren't really suited because he's an alpha and she's a beta. She and Severus are together, and they're both betas. Your dad hasn't found his omega yet or something like that, I'm not exactly sure, I was pretty tired then."
"That's good enough for now," Draco replied. "Alphas are supposed to be with omegas and betas are supposed to be with other betas, though they can be with anyone if necessary. It's just…" Draco trailed off.
"You can tell me, I won't be mad or anything, you know," Harry promised.
"I know…" Draco stopped to collect his thoughts. "Father has been teaching me the family business. And I love it, really I do! But I like spending time with Mother, and shopping, and baths, and my stuffed animals," Draco got out a bit choppily. He heaved a breath and continued, "I like quidditch and business, and playing outside and other things like that too, but I really like being at home."
"I don't understand why you think that's a problem, Draco," Harry said with a confused frown.
"Omegas aren't supposed to work," he managed to choke out. "What if Father decides not to pass on the family business to me? What if he gives it to someone else if I am an omega? What if he doesn't love me anymore because he's an alpha and was supposed to produce a strong heir?" He was becoming distraught.
"Draco!" Harry almost shouted, breaking Draco's now incoherent babbling. "He's your father, and he loves you. I've seen you two together. He likes showing you the business and having you with him. He doesn't mind when you spend time with your mother or play with plushies. He comes and plays with us sometimes!"
"But," Draco started to almost whine, "none of my friends like shopping with their mothers or playing with plushies. I don't like clothes shopping with my mother," both boys exchanged a grimace at that thought, "but everything else is fine," Draco stated. "And Blaise and Theo take showers, and don't want the house elves to help them get ready, and tease me about my dragon and my blanket."
"Well, if you're going to be an omega, I'm going to be one too," Harry stated confidently.
"You can't just decide to become an omega, Harry," Draco interjected.
"I know that," Harry said. "But I like all those things, too. I'd rather have a bath and relax, and shopping is fine, and even fun for some things. And I have more stuffed animals than you. Come on, Draco, I'm going to be apprenticing to sew!" Harry exclaimed. "That's way more girly than you going into business!"
"I know, I just get so scared sometimes," Draco confided. "I mean, now it's ok for omegas to work outside the home, but it's really new, and some of the old people don't like it."
"Draco Malfoy," Harry started, "Your father loves you, and I'm sure he's going to pass you the family business whether you are an omega or not!"
"Thanks, Harry," Draco said with a wobbly smile.
"Any time," Harry responded, pushing up from the blankets to grab Draco for a hug.
Draco hugged him back, and with a small sniff said, "Will you be my brother?"
Harry pulled back abruptly. "Be your brother?" he asked, tilting his head in confusion.
"Yeah, like, do the brother bonding ritual with me." Draco said as sort of a question.
"There's a brother bonding ritual?" Harry asked.
"Of course!" Draco replied. He grabbed Harry's hand and pulled him up, grabbing both their blankets. He handed Harry his, and pulled him from the playroom saying, "Come on, we're going to the library."
Draco knew about sibling bonds because his father and Severus had done one when he was a baby and had told him about it a few years ago. He couldn't remember exactly what had to be done, but he knew it was a bond that could be done anywhere, and didn't require the goblins like most rituals. He wanted his friend to be his brother and for them to protect each other and love each other forever. He thought this was an excellent way to have what he wanted. He pulled Harry towards the section of the library on bonds and started searching for the book he knew it was in.
"Aha! Found it!" he exclaimed, dropping Harry's hand at last to pull the book off the shelf.
"Common Bonding Rituals," Harry read off the spine of the book. Draco headed over to one of the tables and opened the book, focused on finding the correct page for the Magical Sibling ritual. His finger ran down the table of contents and when he found the page, flipped to it quickly. He started reading silently while Harry was trying to decipher the text upside down.
"Okay," Draco began after reading the entire section. "It's pretty simple. We have to link our pinkies and recite our brother vows, and then cut our palms and shake hands while we say 'Frater Meus Esse Mecum," three times, once just me, once just you, and once together. We don't even have to use a ritual circle or anything like that if we don't want to."
"You're telling me we have to PINKIE PROMISE we're going to be brothers!?" Harry exclaimed, shocked that something so muggle was present in a wizarding ritual.
"Pinkie promise?" Draco asked, confused.
"The whole linking pinkies and swearing we're going to be brothers?" Harry gestured randomly with his hands, unsure how to explain any better.
"Yeah, I guess so," Draco shrugged. "Well, we can't do it alone… Mother and Father would kill both of us if we took one of the ritual knives to use without supervision."
"Draco, I know how to cook. I haven't cut myself with a knife since I was five," Harry said with a scoff.
"Doesn't matter, they'll be mad," Draco said.
"Whatever," Harry said.
"We'll ask them at dinner," Draco decided with an emphatic nod.
"Okay," Harry agreed. He was getting excited at the thought of having a real, actual family!
Later, when they arrived at dinner, they found Severus was joining them as he would be headed back to school on the 29th to prepare for the students. Once they were seated and eating, Draco began the conversation rather abruptly.
"Father?" Draco asked.
"Yes, son," Lucius replied, looking up from his meal.
"Harry and I would like to brother bond," he stated calmly.
Lucius' eyebrow rose at his son's statement. He exchanged a look with Narcissa and Severus, receiving nearly imperceptible nods from both.
"I see," he commented neutrally.
"We got the book from the library, and we can do it here," Draco continued, wanting to get their agreement so he could have a brother soon.
"It's just a pinkie promise," Harry mumbled quietly. Not quietly enough though as Severus heard him and chuckled.
"It does seem like a pinkie promise, doesn't it?" he asked, smiling at Harry.
"Why is there a pinkie promise in a wizarding ritual?" Harry asked him plaintively.
"The pinkie promise came from wizards first, Harry," Severus answered. "Before the Statute of Secrecy, muggles saw many things wixen did, and pinkie promising was something easy enough a muggle could do."
"Oh," Harry said, finally understanding.
Lucius and Narcissa had watched the exchange somewhat confused. As they were both of wixen lines and had little to no contact with muggles, the concept of a pinkie promise was entirely new to them, having only been exposed to the wixen usage previously.
"Well, I'm glad somebody knew what he meant," Draco put in. "He was talking about a pinkie promise in the library and I didn't have any idea what he was talking about. So can we?"
"May we," Narcissa corrected.
"May we, father?" Draco asked again.
"Harry, you are willing?" Lucius checked with the newest member of his household. "You won't be true blood related siblings, so Narcissa and I won't be your blood or adoptive parents, but you and Draco will share a magical brother bond, and depending on the strength of that bond, may possibly be able to tap into each other's power, or develop some telepathic communication, or location sensing abilities. There really is no way to know what may develop beforehand."
"I am," Harry responded confidently. "I always wanted a friend, and Dudley never treated me like family. Seems like this gets me both," He finished with a shrug. "It feels...right."
"Narcissa, Severus?" Lucius continued.
The both nodded.
"Very well then," Lucius stated, "we'll go to the ritual room after dinner."
Once dinner was over, they made their way to the ritual room. A simple ritual circle was inlaid on the floor in witch hazel, similar to the ritual rooms at Gringotts. Narcissa burned cedar and white sage for cleansing and protection before they began. Severus set up four black candles for protection at the cardinal points. Lucius handed each boy two tumbling stones, one amethyst for protection and cleansing, and one apatite for love and acceptance, instructing them to hold them in their non-dominant hand. None of this was required for the brother bond, but they wanted their boys to have the best bond possible. Lucius summoned a silver ritual knife and instructed them to begin.
The boys linked pinkies and said their brotherhood vow. Draco went first as he was older, and Harry followed.
"My brother, to be with me through all the joys and sorrows of my life. My brother, to guide and protect me, love and accept me. My brother, in family, and in magic. So mote it be."
Once they had both recited their vow, Lucius handed the knife to Draco. He cut his palm carefully, sucking in air on a quiet wince, and then handed the knife to Harry. Harry did the same, but barely felt the sting of the blade as he had far worse from the Dursleys. He handed the knife back to Lucius. Draco and Harry clasped their cut hands together and said "Frater Meus Esse Mecum," three times - once just Draco, once just Harry, and once together. There was a faint flash of orange light as they completed the final repetition, sealing the bond and ending the ritual. Draco and Harry were now brothers in Magic.
Chapter 10 NotesFrater Meus Esse Mecum: (Latin) My brother to be with me