Harry Potter and the Diary of Riddles
Chapter 2 - Malfoy Manor
Harry felt as the next thing he knew everything went black; he was pressed very hard from all directions; he could not breathe, there were iron bands tightening around his chest; his eyeballs were being forced back into his head; his ear-drums were being pushed deeper into his skull. With a sudden blast of reality again Harry founding himself at only what he could imagine being Malfoy Manor. He sudden felt his stomach shouting in protest. He doubled over in case he ended up vomiting. He was cautious to place Balthazar in his cage down gently.
Mr. Malfoy simply took a few steps away. "Understandable Harry. It's very common for one to vomit on their first apparation." Mr. Malfoy said adjusting his cuffs. He patiently waited for Harry to either vomit or not. Finally the moment passed. Harry was finally able to take in his surroundings.
The high hedge curved with them, running off into the distance beyond the pair of impressive wrought-iron gates barring the way. The yew hedges muffled the sound of water flowing. There was a rustle somewhere to their right. Harry jerked his head and found the source of the noise proved to be a pure-white peacock, stirring majestically along the top of the hedge.
Mr. Malfoy led Harry towards where Mrs. Malfoy and Draco had arrived. In the distance behind them was what appeared to be a stable of sorts. 'Could probably fit the Dursley's whole house in there' Harry thought with mirth and picked up Balthazar's cage.
"Home sweet Home" Draco said gesturing Harry towards the largest singular home he had ever seen. Draco smiled and started his way towards it. Mr. Malfoy, Mrs. Malfoy and Harry soon followed. As they approached Draco snapped his fingers. "Dobby!" and the elf appeared.
Draco sneered at him. "Have Harry's things been brought to his room and properly looked after?" Draco asked sharply.
Dobby bowed and nodded. "Young master Harry Potter's belongings were brought to the room Lady Mistress Malfoy made clear to Dobby. Special care was made for the Broom at your instructions young master." Dobby said quickly.
Draco nodded. "Good, off with you." he said as if he had suddenly grown bored.
"If it's alright, I'd like to let Balthazar out and spread his wings" Harry said gesturing to the cage. "He's been locked up for the whole summer cause the Durleys were afraid of him, or me sending him to their rooms at night. Either way they had him locked up all summer".
Mr. Malfoy nodded. "That wouldn't be a problem Harry, As long as he leaves the peacocks and owls alone".
Harry smiled and ran off towards a large patch of grass between several ornate statues and water features. Making sure he was out of earshot of the Malfoys, Harry bent down and opened Balthazar's cage. "Good news. You can fly all you want here Balthazar" Harry hissed and Balthazar climbed onto his arm. "Although you can't touch the Peacocks or the owls. Though I do seem to remember you mentioning owls being hard to digest" Harry finished with a little chortle.
Balthazar made no reply. He hoped out of his cage and onto Harry's waiting arm. "The Owls will go untouched, though I have no idea what a peacock is." Balthazar replied as if it was Harry's fault he didn't know what a peacock was.
Harry smirked. "Large birds, colorful tails, long necks. If you see them, leave them be" Harry said a bit sterner than before. Balthazar nodded before stretching his wings and leaping off Harry's arm. Harry ran back to the Malfoys as they started their way up a lane that lead to the main house.
Harry and the Malfoys entered the foyer and were greeted by a house elf not all too dissimilar to Dobby. She wore what seem to have once been a bed sheet wrapped around her little body like a roman toga. "Masters" she greeted with a bow. "Tea will be ready for you in the north wing sitting room, whenever Masters desire it".
Harry noticed the seemingly normal speaking habits this elf had. Harry had assumed that all house elves spoke like Dobby did.
Mr. Malfoy unfastened his jacket and threw it on top of the elf. "And what of Dinner?" He asked briskly. He turned and assisted Mrs. Malfoy with her outerwear.
Harry smiled. This was a wizarding home. This was a place that he belonged.
The Next Morning
Harry had woken up with the sunrise and was a bit out of sorts at first before he realized he wasn't at Privet Drive. It didn't take long for him to collect himself and relax. He quickly dressed himself in clothe left for him by Mrs. Malfoy the night before.
Harry eventually found his way to the sun room Draco had told him they enjoyed breakfast during the summer months. Inside was Mrs. Malfoy and Mr. Malfoy casually enjoying their breakfasts. Mr. Malfoy going over some letters while Mrs. Malfoy seemed to be reading through multiple ledge books all with the word Black written on the spine is fancy, swirling handwriting.
Harry was quickly past as Dobby ran past him with a bundle of letters. He bowed his head as he presented them to Mrs. Malfoy. She gestured to an empty place at the dining table next to her. Dobby placed the letters and left just as quickly has he came.
"Good morning." Harry said approaching the table. As friendly as Mr. Malfoy and Mrs. Malfoy had been to him he still felt a little out of place with them. He felt like someone more suited to serve them, not eat breakfast with them.
Mrs. Malfoy turned and smiled at him. "Oh, good morning Harry. Do come in." she said as she waved her wand causing a chair to slide out partially and the mess of letters and books in front of it to fold, stack, and neatly arrange themselves to the side. Harry took the seat as offered and no sooner had he sat down had Dobby been there next to him. It was a little jarring having the House Elf stare at him.
"Shall Dobby get young master Harry Potter breakfast?"
After one of the best breakfasts Harry had ever had he was skimming through the Daily Prophet. Most of it was boring and pointless to him, but he did enjoy reading up on the National Quidditch Leagues.
Mr. Malfoy scoffed lightly as he read one his letters. "Old fools" he said he threw the letter back down on the table. He looked through the other and took another out of the pile and started to read when he threw the rest down next to the first one. "They're all a bunch of fools".
Mrs. Malfoy walked around behind her husband and started gently rubbing his shoulders. "What seems to be the fuss my dear" she said as she starting rubbing the back of his neck. Harry was glad to see an actual loving relationship between the two of them. He had heard things, rumors mostly, about pureblood marriages and how loveless they were.
Mr. Malfoy sighed and leaned back in his chair, further into his loving wife's hands. "It's the damned board of governors. I have no idea who thought of it, but apparently Gilderoy Lockhart is going to teach at Hogwarts this year for Defense against the Dark Arts. Despite my best efforts" Mr. Malfoy said. His eyes were closed, he simply sat back and enjoyed Mrs. Malfoy's attention.
Harry had no idea who this Lockhart was, but he could tell by the way Mr. Malfoy talked about him and the way Mrs. Malfoy frowned and nodded that they thought very little of him. "You've been trying to get rid of him"? Harry asked as he slid his empty plate away.
Mr. Malfoy affectionately held his wife's hands as she stopped. He looked to Harry and nodded. "I knew the man from my time in the Ministry. I was in my fourth year as a seat Wizengamot Member. He was a constant bother to the Department of International Relations and the outrageous bills he would put forth that required a vote were numerous. He was no prodigy as he would like people to believe. But he had a rather unnatural talent for magics of a mental craft" Mr. Malfoy explained, but saw the slight look of confusion on Harry's face. "Meaning, he very talented at altering what people think, believe, or even remember"
Harry nodded. It wasn't long before Harry figured what Mr. Malfoy was alluding to. "So you mean to say, he's a fraud"? Harry asked as Dobby took his plate away and replace it with the second course. "Thanks Dobby" he said offhandedly as he shooed the house elf away gently.
Mr. Malfoy laughed slightly. "You know you spoil him" he said with a smile. "But yes, I think the man with no disposition in the Dark Arts or its defense, is a fraud". He picked up the letters from the Governors and put them aside. "I've been pensioning for a more experienced individual, perhaps someone with actual experience and not just tall tales".
Harry looked over the first letter. "Do you mind?" Harry asked as he reached for the stack of letters. Mr. Malfoy shrugged and continued reading his other letters. Harry flipped through the letters on the off chance he might recognize a name. After finding none, he read through them finding that they all said the same with little difference between them.
If Lucius Malfoy thought that this Lockhart character shouldn't be teaching at Hogwarts, then Harry agreed simply on principle. Harry having nothing better to do with his time started to think of ways he could help get the board of Governors to listen. He didn't have to think long. Mr. Malfoy had only finished one of his letter when the idea came to Harry.
Harry grinned an insidious grin. "I have an idea I think you may like" Harry said. He took a bite from his toast and gave the rest to Dobby who sniffed away tears and ran out of the room with his toast as if it was the only thing he'd ever eat in his life. "I think your right, got to be a bit more, strict with him". He said giving the empty space were Dobby had just been a befuddle gaze.
"This idea of your. What is it Harry?" asked Mr. Malfoy. He hand the rest of the unopened mail to another house elf, who hurried of to his study to place his mail.
Harry smiled and nodded. "What if I told them, that you were right" Harry said with a sort of confidence he'd seen Draco use on a regular basis.
At first Mr. Malfoy and Mrs. Malfoy looked confused. Harry knew his message had been received when Mr. Malfoy eyes went wide and a smile crept over his face. "Indeed. What a delightfully crass idea. If Harry Potter says he doesn't want someone to teach at Hogwarts, then who are they to say no" Mr. Malfoy laughed a hearty laugh, one that Harry didn't know he was capable of.
"What's so funny?" said a sleepy Draco entering the sun room.
Most of the remaining summer days Harry spent with Draco flying all over practising their maneuvers. Draco was adamant on getting a spot on the Slytherin Quidditch team this year. It was obvious that Harry was a natural fyler and his year on the Quidditch team did nurture his skills, Draco still had years of experience. He was simply put more comfortable on a broom, it was seemingly second nature to him.
The days seemed to peacefully drift into night and the nights into peaceful slumber. Before he knew it a week had come and passed. Harry had only just been getting comfortable with the routine at Malfoy Manor when Mrs. Malfoy had reminded Draco of his commitments to the Parkinson family.
It had been arranged that Draco would spend a portion of this summer with the Parkinson. Despite respecting the idea of love and marriage, many of the old Pureblood Families still would entertain arranged marriages from time to time, and due to the circumstances of two families having a boy and a girl in the same years at Hogwarts. Mrs. Malfoy had explained it would have been rude not to at the very least indulge the Parkinsons in the idea of marrying the heir to Malfoy and Black.
Harry had been confused and asked about Draco being heir to Black, but wasn't told a thing. "Perhaps another time Harry, I'm rather busy at the moment." Mrs. Malfoy said as she had several ledgers in front of her.
Harry spent the rest of the week before Draco left flying around the vast grounds of Malfoy Manor with him. Finally the day came and Draco flooed to the Parkinson Estate before joining Pansy on her vacation to Magical France.
Harry sat on a bench outside at one of the yards the Malfoys' owned. It wasn't proper to say that the Malfoys only had a front and a back yard. The Property itself was vast, expanding many acres.
It was a clear day plenty of sun, and Harry had the day to himself. At Harry suggestion Mr. Malfoy had been trying to arrange an emergency meeting with the other Governors to discuss Lockhart's appointment and a possible replacement.
Mr. Malfoy had explained that he was avoiding using Harry's name more than absolutely necessary. "We don't want the fame of Harry Potter to be a simple parlour trick to be used when we are impatient." Mr. Malfoy said as he reviewed more of Hogwarts' Codes of Conduct and regulations for hiring and dismissal.
Eventually the meeting was upon them. Mrs. Malfoy had managed to casually let slip during afternoon tea with her friends that Harry Potter was a guest in her home and a close personal friend to her son. It wasn't long before this had reached the ears of the Board. They had all replied before the week was out.
Harry stood in one on the studies in Malfoy Manor anxiously waiting for Mr. Malfoy and the other Governors. He checked his collar for the fifth time and paced back and forth. Harry knew that mostly the entire wizarding community saw him as their saviour against the Dark Lord, but he was a little apprehensive about using his name and reputation in such a manner.
At Mrs. Malfoy suggestion Harry had borrowed one of Draco's better looking suits. The colors didn't particularly work with Draco's blonde hair and grey eyes, but seem to work well with Harry dark head and emerald eyes.
There was a commotion outside the door and Harry knew that the Governors had just flooed in. He checked himself over in the mirror once last before turning towards the doors and stood ready to take a man's job away because someone he trust doesn't approve.
Mr. Malfoy slumped down into his large comfy chair. "Well, that went on much longer than I thought it would. I never thought the others would get so manic around you. Show you how well you know people" Mr. Malfoy said as he poured himself a rather large scotch. He pulled loose his ascot and undid his collar with a sigh.
Harry sitting in the across from Mr. Malfoy was in a similar state. The top three buttons were undone and his collar was half flipped up. "But we got what we wanted. Lockhart will get a lovely worded letter explaining that there was a clerical misshape and the position has been filled" Harry said waving his hand flippantly. "Now that it's over with, I realize a, side effect to this scheme."
Harry sighed. "What about Dumbledore" Harry said with a sudden strange tone. "I don't think he'll like the idea of the Board just up and getting rid of an employee only a month away from the start of the term". Harry sighed as he leaned back further into the chair.
Mr. Malfoy nodded. "That does seem to be something I can see him having issue with Harry. Just remember though. The Governors and I are there to make sure Dumbledore doesn't abuse his power within Hogwarts. Be it certain out date rules, or in this case, poorly chosen staff members".
Harry nodded, though not fully agreed with Mr. Malfoy about Dumbledore abusing power within Hogwarts. To Harry Hogwarts and Dumbledore went hand in hand. He couldn't imagine one without the other.
Mr. Malfoy put his empty glass down and looked to the fire. "Now we the board are stuck with the dilemma of finding a suitable replacement within the next eleven days" Mr. Malfoy said as he was rubbing his temple. "Although I suppose I could call in a favor with Scrimgeour".
Harry knew remembering names would a particular skill he would have to learn if he was to continue playing this game. "Who's he"? he asked leaning forward in his chair.
Mr. Malfoy perked up a little. "Rufus Scrimgeour is the Head of Auror Office. It's the Aurors who protect good upstanding wizard from the dangerous elements of our population. I've know Rufus for many years now. We've never considered each other friends, but a working relationship at best. So he's asked for a few favors when it came to more questionable method the Auror office employed back in the day and I asked him to turn a blind eye to some old acquaintances I no longer associate with." Mr. Malfoy went on.
"But never mind that. It's late and we both need our sleep. So off to bed with you. I just need to finish off a few letters thanking some of the other Governors and make a draft of a letter to Rufus" Mr. Malfoy said, guiding Harry out of the study and taking a seat at the desk.
"Goodnight Mr. Malfoy" Harry as he reach for the door handle.
"Goodnight Harry" Mr. Malfoy looking back at Harry.
The next day came and went, then the day after that. Without Draco around Malfoy Manor seemed a bit bigger, a bit more empty. Sure there was plenty to do, but it just didn't feel the same without him. Eventually Harry settled into a routine of breakfast with Mr. and Mrs. Malfoy, they'd go over the morning news and Harry would ask questions about things that he very much thought he should already know. Mr. Malfoy usually simply didn't have the time to indulge Harry's question before needing to be off. Thought Mrs. Malfoy had a bit more time in the mornings to answer most of Harry's questions before she needed to attend to her ledgers.
Over time, Harry had learned that, while Mr. Malfoy worked at the Ministry, he was not employed by it. Mrs. Malfoy managed most of the finances of the Malfoy and Black families, both of which were quite vast. But not only the Malfoy finances, but the Black Finances as well. Harry then found out that before marrying into the Malfoy family, her name was Narcissa Black. She was even related to Harry in some fashion. Once she started on her daily accounts and consolidating numbers Harry would find a book he found interesting in the Malfoy Library and settle into a particularly comfortable bench in the east garden.
Harry turned the page of his book when the back gate swung open. "I'm Back" Draco said confidently and full of vigor. "Miss me much"?
Harry smiled and bound to his feet. He ran over and took Draco into a bone crushing hug. "How was it? I mean, it's France, and not even Muggle France at that. It's the real Magic France.
"It was nice. Pansy was starting to get on my last nerve by the time we got there. So it was interesting. I think she just likes me more for telling her off so much" Draco said a confused look. "They're all insane you know. The lot of them. All girls are just insane".
Harry and Draco shared a long laugh together before calming down. "So what are you doing out here. Father said that you had taken Dobby for something" Draco inquired.
Harry smirked. "Well I got quite bored inside and decided that it was far too nice of a day to waste it inside. So Dobby has been keeping me entertained, whenever I'm not reading" Harry explained almost giggly.
Draco looked around the almost clear land. It was nothing but green grass, and waist high bushes everywhere. "Well where is the little Troll pie?" Draco sneered. As if one queue, Dobby's oddly shape head bobbed up for a far bush and looked around.
Dobby came bounding out of the bush and run straight for Harry. Draco took half a step back when Dobby neared them, whereas Harry knelt down to greet him. "Good job Dobby, that must be a new record" Harry said a he scratched behind Dobby's ear.
Dobby had a very large smile on his face. He nodded and handed Harry a something Draco couldn't make out. "Ok are you ready this time" Harry asked as he took a step back and pivoted himself. Dobby nodded. "Ok go get it" Harry yelled as he threw a red rubber ball into the bushes as hard and as far as he could.
As soon as Harry had released the ball Dobby ran after it as fast as he could, disappearing into the bushes. Draco seemed stunned by this. "Harry?"
Harry turned his head looked to Draco. "What"?
Draco tilted his head and scratched his neck. "Are, are you playing fetch with the house elf?" Draco asked as if he was missing some crucial piece of information.
Harry had a good night sleep, a few good relaxing days just flying with Draco or learning about the Wizarding titles with Draco and Mrs. Malfoy, he even was enjoying a proper breakfast, and he was surrounded by people who cared about his well being. Harry was actually happy.
"Well I still think your barney for it" Draco said reaching for the strawberry jam. "You treat him like he's a dog or something. I mean I get that he not real person, but it's just so odd".
Harry and Mr. Malfoy laughed. Even Mrs. Malfoy indulged in a giggle. "I think it's adorable. When you boys told me Harry was playing fetch with Dobby I almost thought you had named a dog after him" Mrs. Malfoy said with a fresh pot of tea in hand. "But low and behold. Harry Potter plays fetch with a house elf who worships the ground he walks on".
Mr. Malfoy set down his coffee and smiled. "Well, if you're so fond of him, why not have him yourself Harry?"
Harry was about to ask what he meant when a loud, bass filled, crack filled the room. Standing in the doorway was an old grey house elf. As far as House elves went, this was the nice 'dressed' elf Harry had ever seen. He was wearing what looked like a very expensive window curtain that was held together with a brass pin on his shoulder.
Mr. Malfoy was in total shock to see the aged house elf. "Gornim. What are doing in my home?" Mr. Malfoy asked as he stood abruptly almost knocking his chair over. "You and your master are not longer welcome in Malfoy Manor". He reached a hand inside his robe, clearly taking a hand on his wand.
The old house elf, clearly named Gornim bowed to Mr. Malfoy. "My most humble apologies High Lord Malfoy. I come with most dire news" Gornim said not taking his eyes off the ground in front of him.
Mr. Malfoy scoffed. "I have no interest in anything my uncle has to say anymore" he said with an intense spite. It was very clear to Harry that there was bad blood even in the Malfoy family.
Gornim looked up to Mr. Malfoy but bowed even further when he saw a wand drawn. "That is what I mean to inform you of, Lord Malfoy" Gornim said with an extremely gravely voice. "You uncle Fairfax Malfoy. He is dead".
As Harry and Draco were ushered upstairs by Mrs. Malfoy, Harry scrambled to think of what had just happened. Gornim the aged house elf had given Mr. Malfoy news of his uncle's passing. Mr. Malfoy had told Gornim to wait for him in a sitting room down the hall. Mr. Malfoy had whispered something to his wife before briskly walking off to join the house elf.
Mrs. Malfoy had told the boys not to concern themselves and if Mr. Malfoy was to tell them anything he would when he felt the time was right. Surprising to Harry and less so to Draco, was the tone she used. No room for questions.
Harry and Draco quickly finished sandwiches Dobby have delivered when they entered one of Draco's spare rooms. They stood in silence for a few moment, not entirely sure what had just happened. Finally Harry broke the silence.
"Well? What was that"? He asked taking a seat at a toy potion table. Clear even at a young age Draco had an affinity for Potions.
Draco nodded but didn't respond right away. He seem to be trying to think of something or remember something. "I know that house elf. He belongs to my great-uncle Fairfax. I don't know a whole lot, but" Draco went on only to pause and swallow.
"Long time ago either before or right after I was born, there was a big fallout between the Lords of the Malfoy family. I've never been able to figure out what happened, but I do know that Father was on one side and Fairfax was on the other" Draco explained. Harry hung on his every word.
"From what I cared to look into it at the time, it seemed that Fairfax was in charge of the entire Malfoy family back in the day. Not just here in England. But France, and Belgium, and even some relations in Germany" Draco continued waving his arms emphatically
"While my grandfather, Fairfax's younger brother, Abraxas had little claim to the title of Lord Malfoy, most of the Malfoy family saw fit to name him the next head of the family" Draco went on absentmindedly filling small colorful tubes with equal colorful liquids.
"These kinds of things never go over well with proper Pure Blood Families" Draco explained as he mixed several toy potions together. "So there was a great big something, I never could find out. But by the end of it Father was Head of the Family and Fairfax was given a cushy exile in the only Malfoy home in Finnland"
Harry nodded slowly. "So obviously that house elf was his and now he dead" Harry said aloud. "You think that means anything to your dad. I'm not entirely sure how he was going to react when he saw the House Elf" Harry offered up.
Draco shrugged. "Her reasoning might have been different, but Mother telling us to stay out is just what I'm gonna do" Draco said bored. "It doesn't really concern us, and I'm not all that interested. If anything Father will just re-inherit what was given to Fairfax". Draco added a few pinches of a pink powder into the vial in his hand before briskly walking to a window and throwing it out.
Harry watched as it exploded with a sharp whistle. "Should have seen Mother's face when I figured that one out" Draco said with a cheerful grin. Harry couldn't help but laugh.
