He'd opted to do the cleansing ritual in the master bath. The giant porcelain tub was able to hold all the many things necessary, and the giant stained-glass window of a seascape gave him something to look at amidst the hours-long process. Every time he found something new in the moving glass - a piece of seaweed or a fish that he hadn't seen before. Once in his childhood he'd seen a ship on the horizon, and he'd never seen it since.
The cleansing ritual was discomforting, though not painful like it had been before. The pain had come from dark magic cleansing. Now the discomfort was from being able to understand what the cleansing ritual was doing. He could feel it in his magic, in fact it felt like the cleansing almost amplified the sense he got from doing old magic. The intensity of the manor, he could feel.
It was aware of what he was up to. Interestingly, it wasn't intending to go back to sleep yet.
Even the very fibers of Vega's magic he could feel, and he could even feel the way Vega's magic brushed at the manor, as if keeping it inline and preventing its anger.
He sneezed, the smell of the herbs in the bath getting to him. His hair on his neck rose, feeling the magic in the herbs. He looked up and to the right, feeling the presence right before Jiffy appeared. How nerve wracking, he could tell when the elf was going to apparate. The elf's right ear tilted down at the immediate attention. In its hand was a wicker basket full of buttercups.
He was more than halfway through. But if he got any more magic sensitivity - he wondered if he'd be able to break the runes of the Sethcoria ritual. He'd literally feel the seal and binding at this point.
"Is all well, master?"
No longer young master. Draco gave a nod. "Just different than before."
"Master hasn't casted dark magic in a very long time, that is expected."
"No, but the lack of pain isn't the difference I expected." He wasn't quite sure how to explain it. "I feel magic, the intricacies of it."
The elf's right ear lowered even more, and its head tilted sideways.
"I knew where you were going to appear before you did so. I could feel it."
"Jiffy will try to not draw attention to himself in the future."
"That wasn't the point." Draco cut him off, "That is the oddity. I feel the manor and Vega's magic pushing at each other. Do you feel it too?"
The ear went back up. "Jiffy does not know such things."
"Crafter magic." Vega rose from the other side of the bathtub to look at Jiffy. "Master is commenting that his crafter magic is amplified, and he is feeling intricacies of other magics - including your own."
Master? Draco gently scratched Vega's head in concern. He didn't like how quiet Vega was, how unexcited. He missed the childlike creature. As he had feared, the event had caused a change in Vega - he had grown in leaps in bounds in intelligence, but… The cost Draco feared. He kissed the top of Vega's head in affection. "You do not need to call me master, Vega."
The dragon looked between Draco and the elf. "Why does he?"
"Jiffy does not need to call me master, if he does not choose to."
Immediately Jiffy became agitated. "Jiffy would never call a master anything but a master."
The dragon's eyes went back to Draco.
Draco hid a chuckle. "He chooses to call me master."
The dragon's eyes flicked back to Jiffy, and then back to Draco. "I choose to call you master as well."
Draco scratched the dragon and kissed the top of its head again before sitting back into the tub. Jiffy began scattering the buttercups in the water. Another heightening of senses accompanied the flowers. He wondered at what point it would end.
And then he felt it ring throughout the manor. The floo. Closing his eyes, Draco could feel them. Severus, acidity, and lavender - a potion that required lavender, dreamless sleep? Was he addicted? McGonagall, cat hair and smoke. Smoke of fire whiskey - quite the expensive habit. Flitwick, chocolate, feathers, and raspberries. Potter, paper and coffee. Greg, just coffee. They must have used Greg's floo to get here. Odd, why go through him? Why not bother to knock? Ah and then another, he could barely feel. Lilac and fear. Who? Obviously not Pomfrey, she came next - clean linen.
"Jiffy. We've guests. Silence my grandfather's painting and make sure that they are led around to the sitting room via the east wing. Don't take them through the ballroom. You can attempt to tell them I'm preoccupied for the next hour, but I doubt they will leave. Find out who all the guests are as well."
He'd be damned if he needed to start the ritual over just because people stopped by for a visit without notice. The strangeness around his magic was disturbing, stopping this ritual shouldn't cause an issue normally. However, no one else had ever listed the side-effects he was observing. Also, while the cleansing ritual would last another hour, he fully intended to start taking blood afterwards. He'd already had an approximation of how much he needed, and he only had several days to get it all ready.
The visitors were walking down the east wing hallway when they then paused. Odd. The door to a guest room opened. Even stranger. It was just a guest room, what were they doing snooping in his house?
"Jiffy."
The elf was there in a moment. "What is going on, why are they going through rooms of the house without permission?"
"Lady Malfoy has returned and noticed the door has changed. She is remarking on the renovation master has done."
His mother was home. Draco almost stood from the bath but froze - it would end the ritual. "Tch. Let her snoop through the east wing if she pleases - anywhere but the ballroom. Actually." He closed his eyes, feeling the manor. He shut the doors leading to the ballroom, locking them.
"Let her do as she pleases; I've locked the ballroom. Misdirect them if they attempt to go there. I've made many renovations besides there - in fact, make sure to show her the gazebo if she attempts to preview the ballroom. Let them sit and have tea out there."
Jiffy bowed low to the request and raised his fingers to apparate away.
"Before you go to them, would you bring in the other baskets? I will have Vega help me."
"Of course, master."
Jiffy returned quickly, placing the baskets upon the white tiled floor; in the order they were to be given. Before he left, he turned back to Draco. "Would the master like a potion?"
Draco sighed. He'd half hoped he'd be able to get away with not even talking to them or sending them away immediately. He might have stood a chance had they come on their own. Maybe that is why they brought his mother. He hadn't eaten in the last two days in preparation for the cleansing. And who knew how impactful the potion would be after the cleansing since it appeared to be amplifying his magic. It could go either way. Not affect him at all or increase the effects on him.
"Yes, but I'm not sure it is the best idea with the cleansing. And if I intended to take a blood replenisher, it would be out of the question."
The elf gave a nod.
Vega piped in, "The alternative of not taking the potion is not pleasant for me. I will not leave your side."
There went taking blood, well at least too much.
The dragon held Draco's gaze before Draco returned him to the house elf. "Very well, remove the blood replenishers, I'll take the other instead. A low dose."
The elf delivered one homemade brew, before asking one last question. "What is Jiffy to say you are doing if they ask? Lady Malfoy has asked Jiffy to summon you."
"I am busy with Vega. But will be available to greet them in an hour. Warn Granger that she and Antares are not to say anything about performing the ritual without them."
"Jiffy has already warned the ghost. Jiffy is sorry to have performed such an action on the master's behalf before master had ordered -"
Before the creature could go into fits or threaten to punish itself. "Thank you."
The elf's eyes grew wide, its body shook.
"I tend to forget that you are the best kind of house elf, Jiffy." He also knew that Jiffy's loyalty did have a limit though, the limit on his life. "Don't say a word about the ritual, and make sure Porridge does not either."
He could see the lips of the elf go together; it had planned to bring it up slyly to the others.
"In the worst-case scenario and my daughter is a Sethcoria - it would likely kill those who attempt to aid me. I won't have someone putting their lives on the line for me. I significantly doubt she will be one."
"Jiffy does not think the young lady will harm the master." Jiffy moved from side to side, shuffling its feet. "Jiffy knows the ritual is taxing and is concerned with the master finishing."
"I'll finish it." Draco leaned back into the tub, letting his head rest against the curve. "You're worrying over nothing."
The elf looked like it wanted to say more but dipped his head instead. "Jiffy will check on the master in an hour." The elf left.
"Would you grab the basket over on the left, Vega?"
The dragon left his side and returned with the basket. Foxgloves. He took the basket from Vega and sprinkled the flowers around him. Again, he could feel it, the heightening of his senses. He could feel the murmuring of the guests' magic from here, his mother's felt dampened. He could feel a seal of some sort. So that is how she got out of prison early. She agreed to have her magic blocked.
He let his body soak and breathed deeply. He couldn't rush the ritual, as much as he would like to.
Vega returned to his former location at the head of the tub but didn't lay back down. Instead, the dragon rested its head next to Draco's and allowed Draco to pet him.
"Are you alright, Vega?" Draco asked.
The creature poked its snout over the rail of the tub. "I am fine." Its tongue came out and licked Draco's left hand. The one which was heavily scarred from their fight.
Draco's mother was going to throw a fit. He'd barely looked in a mirror since the incident. And speaking of scars, she'd likely see his face first. It didn't hurt or feel tight like normal scar tissue, but it looked like he'd gone through a duel and not made it out the winner. Or perhaps, it did look like he made it out the winner.
He had scars before, but none so visible. Greg hadn't even seen him, it would be sure to give him a scare as well. Greg would ask a lot of questions before he let Madeline over again. In fact, he may not let Vega near her - maybe not even Antares. Possibly he'd reject any future gifts too. It wouldn't stop him from making them, but now they would just be his. Perhaps that was how it was meant to be.
He took another deep breath and let all the air escape him before taking another deep breath. Attempting to keep his thoughts clear of the pressure he felt around him. Part of the cleansing ritual was more than just magical and physical - there was a mental aspect to it as well.
"The next basket, if you don't mind."
The dragon retrieved it as well. Thyme. The smell swept over him before he sprinkled it in. When the leaves touched the water, he began to feel slightly nauseous. The intensity was increasing. It was like he could feel footsteps in his bones. He shifted in discomfort. It wasn't painful. But it was like the door knocker, an amplified vibration.
He took another deep breath; panicking would cause a problem. He should have thought ahead to block the floo, even to Greg's home. He would never be so foolish again. However, who knew what it would be like if they used the door knocker. Knowing Potter, the man would likely stand there all night and hammer upon it.
His mother was still inspecting every room with scrutiny. He was thankful for it. It meant he had more time.
"The next."
Pine needles. The flowers and herbs were weak in comparison to the pine needles. It felt as if every pressure increased upon his body and magic. At this point, he could hear his mother's voice conversing with Severus - although he could only make out every other word. Something about the floorboards here, the dresser there. The design of the carving on this door versus another. Her voice was rougher than he remembered - perhaps raw was a better description. He could hear it more clearly now that he was paying attention. It was as if seeing all the changes was causing her pain. Of course, it would. She probably didn't recognize her home. That had been the goal. Part of him was happy with the success - even though the other half was disappointed at the pain it caused.
He hated that she was hurt. She rarely showed emotion. She was so strong most of the time, it stung when she wasn't. It was always him that seemed to break it. Even when her husband was tortured in front of her, she hadn't batted an eye. Him though. She'd broken down, sobbing after his first cruciatus.
She hadn't touched him, but she'd stayed with him that night. And then Bellatrix had asked Narcissa's permission to train him and make him stronger. She'd agreed, with little hesitation. Part of the agreement was that his mother couldn't be seen near him, that he had to learn to stand on his own.
If his mother ever knew what transpired… it would kill her. He was certain that the pain of betrayal and sorrow would crush her. Hopefully Severus had not told her about the Sethcoria, or if he had, she believed it was one of the lesser minions of the Dark Lord.
"Next."
Rose petals. The impact was small. However, next were maple seeds. He had a strange feeling that it was going to be miserable. He called for them and yes, it was. He arched his back in semi-pain. Everyone's voices were speaking at once. They were all just having different conversations, even in different rooms. His hands gripped the rim of the tub tightly and he grit his teeth. Their footsteps were just as loud as their talking and all seemed to come at once. It was almost as if he could feel their heartbeats. Vega brushed at his hands and licked at them with concern.
"Just the amplification is discomforting."
"Point me, Draco Malfoy." Greg's voice came out louder than the others.
It was then Draco realized who he hadn't been hearing.
Greg was in the outside hallway and was on his way in.
Two more baskets, neither to be rushed and not this soon. He forced himself fully back into the water. He let his neck rest against the rim. He loosened his grip, forcing himself to relax. It didn't do much good, but neither did gripping the rails until his knuckles turned pale. He needed to gather his wits before he continued with the others.
"Are you alright, Vega?" Draco asked again.
He could see guilt in Vega's eyes and feel the hurt in their connection. "Yes, I am in control."
Draco gave it a sad smile. "That was not my concern. If I am causing you pain, please leave."
It looked more hurt at those words than before. "Your pain is my pain."
He raised a hand and touched its face. "I am sorry." He was still weak. No doubt every worry was being given to the creature. The cleansing ritual was setting him on edge and increasing his stress. The visitors and his mother were not helping matters. The pain in her voice was even clearer now.
"There used to be a settee there, a bed there. The room seems so empty. What do you think he did with the furniture? My grandmother's dresser was in this room. And, doesn't this room seem bigger to you, Severus?" Bella's room - she'd be upset when she learned he burned it all.
Greg opened the door to the bathroom. "Your mother is here, and the only think you can do is take a b-" His sentence stopped when he took in the baskets.
"I'd appreciate it if you didn't let people into my house so easily. I'll block your floo if you do it again." Draco didn't turn around to look at Greg. He didn't need to; he could feel his restless shifting.
At several moments of silence, Draco felt the need to talk. "Don't think too hard about it, it's just a cleansing ritual."
"I know what it is. I'm more concerned about why you'd be doing one. Planning something big without me?"
