Garron's mouth twisted into a version of a grin.
To anyone else, it would seem that he was overjoyed at the decision. But if one looked closely, they would begin to see things that didn't match up with their previous sentiment. His carefree grin became haunting as soon as you noticed how his eyes seemed numb and cold. The edges of his mouth curled upwards like they were coiled up snakes ready to strike. When he flashed his teeth, you couldn't help but feel like prey.
Garron felt like in that moment he could rule the world. He was positive that if someone would give him the chance to do so, he could do it as easily as breathing. But that was besides the point. He just been taken in by a prevalent family that obvious had a lot of sway in this world. Victory over the imbeciles felt sweeter than any treat he had ever tried. He wanted more. He looked at the people adopting him and made it his sole purpose to exceed their expectations. He'd always been good at that, but being able to smile prettily and being able to control it all with an iron fist were two very different things. Looking at Narcissa's cold stature, Garron felt a small burst of warmth come from somewhere deep inside him. Excitement. For the first time in his life and for the third time that day, Garron Darce (he supposed his last name should be Potter, but it would change soon anyways, so what did he care) was excited about his life. He had magic, he wasn't alone, and he had an entire world at his fingertips. There was something under his skin that ached to reach out and breathe the air around him. Garron ached with it.
The goblin nodded his head before the family in acquiescence, leaving to gather what was needed for the ritual. Garron could feel Lucius's eyes on him. The boy refused to acknowledge it though, he needed to plan all of his moves ten - twenty steps ahead. This was a chess game, and he couldn't afford to be put in check.
He took stock of what was in front of him. Each of these people fit into their allotted place in his chess game. Draco was a rook, almost useless but had the pull enough to be useful when used right. Narcissa was a bishop, she could manipulate the board in multiple directions but had limitations. If not played correctly, she could give up the king within five moves. And then there was Lucius. As of right now, Lucius was his Queen. Crucial, life saving, and able to knock down enemies left and right. Without a Queen the board and game were forfeit. It would not do well to lose one's Queen so early. Garron would need to play into Lucius' good side, he would show the man that he could be a proper heir more than his own son. He would make himself invaluable.
The goblin came in again, this time surrounded by more of his kind, as well as a wizard. The man's hair was a ball of pure fire but his face was boyish and his frame was lanky enough to dispel any thought of intimidation. Garron wondered what they needed him for. He was curious more than concerned really. The band of people and creatures moved towards him in an efficient manner, mumbling to each other - a quiet murmur humming into existence. Meanwhile, Lucius and Narcissa flanked Garron with Draco standing at his rear. They became a wall of impenetrable ice, cool, demeaning. Every single stare was an defense of their power and their reign. Even Draco, as young as he was, turned into the perfect pureblooded heir with an imperceptible shift in his posture. Crimson flames flickered into existence and the air crackled around where it formed along the high stone walls. Ancient tapestries hung from nothing and their contents moved every so often if one kept their eye fixed upon them. Large and imposing granite doors barricaded the only entrance into the large ritual room where they had been situated. The ceiling was high enough that it appeared to fade into nothingness, giving no hint of just stopping at a point. With each step closer, the floor made a loud resounding click of shoes on marble.
The redhead spoke, his voice deeper than Garron felt it should be, "Does the child's magical guardian knowingly and of their own will consent to these proceedings?"
"Lord Potter's magical guardian is his Godfather Sirius Black. Due to his imprisonment, the Black House passed to me, his cousin and last living and sane relative. Under these conditions, Lord Black's magical guardianship of Lord Potter has been transferred to me as there was no will written by the Potter's before their death." Narcissa's voice was crisp and clear, her proprietary and elegance ruled over her every action. "As his magical guardian, I do so give my consent to Blood Adopt this child and in doing so bind his magic to the Most Noble and Ancient Houses of Black and Malfoy."
"Do you, Lord Potter, knowingly and willingly consent to Blood Adoption performed with the intent of binding your magic to both the Most Noble and Ancient Houses of Black and Malfoy? In doing so, you knowingly content to your appearance and magic changing to those more common in the House of Black." Garron breathed, steadying himself for his reply.
"I do so consent to the binding of my appearance and magic to the Most Noble and Ancient Houses of Black and Malfoy." His voice grew louder and more confident as his speech went on. Garron's back straightened once more from the relaxed position it had gone into.
The man took out a dagger yet again, this time accompanied by a handmade copper bowl that shone in the warm light. He placed both onto a pedestal that stood in the middle of the room. The man's wand waved over both of the items while whispering words that Garron strained to hear but couldn't. Suddenly, the items were incased within a bubble of bright cerulean light, shimmering with magic as the words continued above them. With a final slash downward of his wand, the bubble burst and rather than popping, it shattered into small jagged pieces of glass that glittered on the floor. Narcissa started moving and Garron moved along with her until both were on either side of the pedestal.The man motioned for their hands to be placed over the bowl. He grabbed the dagger and made a small cut, barely longer than an inch, on their wrists. As they slowly bled into the bowl the man's voice rung out once more.
"With their blood, they do so bind their magic to the Most Noble and Ancient Houses of Black and Malfoy. With his blood, Lord Potter binds his blood and loyalty to these Houses and will uphold their standards to the highest regard. With her blood, Lady Malfoy and Lady Black binds her life to protecting this child as her own and in doing so will uphold their standards to the highest regard. As it is spoken - So Mote It Be!"
All Garron knew was light, blindingly vibrant and white. The light turned to blackness as the darkest of night skies filled the boy's eyes. Millions of galaxies flashing into existence, every star and nebula shining brighter than the last. His skin prickled with a debilitating burn where Narcissa touched him. He was engulfed in the hottest part of a flame and couldn't escape. Garron felt his skin crinkle from the heat he knew was on him. Suddenly, water rushed over him, a wave and tide of cool over the sweltering heat. A release and refuge from the fire. It didn't last long. Instead, he was now encased in a frozen shell, every centimeter of his body was painfully numb from the ice. Unlike the fire, he couldn't move a single inch. It was inescapable. Even his breath was pained as the air he gasped in only hurt his airways more.
It stopped. He was free.
He opened his eyes once more to the world around him but quickly shut them again, feeling as if he'd been in a deep slumber for the past millennia.His mouth opened as he yawned leisurely, stretching himself like a cat on a warm summer's day. When he finally took stock of his surroundings he noticed how he was being regarded by the rest of his companions. Their eyes were all locked onto his form, scrutinizing his every move and reaction. Every single one of their faces were coated in shock. Was what just happened unusual? He would have to see how they behaved further. Before that though, his mind latched onto the ritual and what it had done. He was now bound to be loyal to these people. Though, they were now bound to him as well, so it couldn't be that heinous. Garron also was reminded of the vow to change his appearance and magical core to match that of his new family.
He wondered how he looked. He felt relaxed in his body for the first time in his life. Shouldn't it have always felt this way? Tilting his head down, Garron's hair brushed in front of his eyes and past his shoulders. That was new. Obviously his hair had grown, and upon closer inspection had become a pitch black shade and had gained a slight curl and cowlick to each strand's end. He chuckled and was shocked to find that even his voice was different. It was deeper, taken down an octave or maybe two. He briefly wondered what it would sound like once he was grown fully. He needed a mirror.
"Can I have a mirror please? I would like to see what all of the fuss is about." His voice shocked them into action. Lucius waved his wand and a full length mirror appeared before him. Garron could certainly see what everyone's reactions were for. He looked like a male version of Snow White. His hair was lengthened way passed his shoulders and was tinted to a deep black. It was also curled throughout, just slightly enough to make it look messy. He was taller he thought, his pants had ridden up to his calves and his shirt sleeves went up to his elbows. He was definitely taller. His face was sharper and his baby fat was lost. He was still pale, unfortunately. The most noticeable change however, came with his eyes. Gone was the deep emerald he had come to know. His eyes were now the palest grey he had ever seen, almost white. Yet the emerald showed itself in a few wayward flecks right near his iris, paired with specks of a light gold. He stood there watching the patterns in his own eyes shift as time went by. He liked this body, it felt more like him. It felt right.
"Is it possible for me to chose the name I wish to have?" Garron asked the room, raking over each of them with his eyes.
"Yes it is, though why would you Lord Potter? You're famous! The world would be devastated to hear your story! Why in the name of Merlin would you renounce yourself Harry!" The man who performed the ritual's voice rose with every sentence.
"And that is exactly why. I have been through enough, don't you think?" Garron's smile was cruel then. "I want to keep the name I was raised with for multiple reasons, and the title of Lord Potter will not assist me in living the life I have just been given."
The man gulped and nodded in agreement, reaching for the dagger yet again. What was it with these people and knives? Garron approved though, being at least a little bloodthirsty was good for ones soul. "Please state your newly given name after your wrist bears three drops." The dagger nicked the boys wrist and they all witnessed as one, two, three crimson drops, dripped down to the bowl.
"Garron James Malfoy Black." Another wave of magic came over him and this time it felt like coming home. His magic settled into his skin and glowed hard enough for everyone to see it. He smiled, truly smiled, for what felt like ages.He loved magic, and magic loved him. He knew then that he was only truly loyal to one being in this world. Magic herself. I promise you, magic before all else. I pledge my life to you. A voice in his head added one more phrase, So Mote It Be.
"A champion." A woman's soft voice crooned to him from inside his mind. He could feel her warmth and her smile. He wondered briefly if this is what having a mother felt like. Garron didn't dwell on that thought long, prioritizing the voice in his mind that was not his own.
"Hello?"
"You were the one who summoned me my child, not the other way around." Her laughter felt like springtime. He could picture her in his mind's eye, a woman who was sheathed in night but radiated light like the sun. Her smile was warm and her eyes were kind. "I am Lady Magic, but you my dear child may call me Hecate."
"Thank you." He whispered. It was the only thing he could think to say. He was so thankful to her for everything she had given him. For she had given him everything, his power, this new world, a family.
"You are welcome, my dear. You will make a truly exceptional champion. I have not had one in such a long long time, and she did not hold strong as she should have. This will not happen with you. You, Garron, my child, are a bastion of magic and of my light. I have no doubt you will change this mortal world for the better." She chuckled lightly, "How you change it is up to you." She rested her palm on his face, brushing his hair back with a faint touch. "You are destined for great things my child. You will need to surround yourself with people who will help you achieve them. You will restore the balance of magic.I know that this seems a lot. You are only a mere boy, but you are aged far beyond your years."
Garron looked at her with rapture in his pale eyes. He would do anything for her, if only to make her smile at him like that. Was this what being loved felt like? He would very much like to know more. He understood what she was telling him, really, he did. He was just so transfixed by her. All of his worries melted away when he looked at her. He coughed and collected himself, straightened to his full height, leaning on her every utterance.
"As my champion, magic will come much easier for you than those around you. These silly mortals need a conduit to access my gifts, but you my child are the conduit yourself. Creatures will flock to you, they can see the blessing I bestow now upon you. You must take them in, treat them with respect. They are as much my children as you are.I have one request for you my child. You must restore balance. Far too long have my children suffered for their creed. Darkness can not exist without light and vice versa, and light has suffocated the dark. This disruption can be felt, if you pay close enough attention to the hum of magic all around you. It is restless. It must be righted, Garron. You are the one to right it." She sighed with a hum. "I am sorry for the burden you must bear, my child, my son. You will be the champion this world needs, and you will do just swimmingly! You have the power, the drive, the ambition to make it all so." Hecate leaned in and gave him the gentlest of kisses upon his forehead. "Go forth my child. You are a blessed one now, in my name So Mote It Be."
He was in the bank again, left feeling happy but also so very disappointed he had to leave her side. Garron felt a small tingle on his forehead and looked into the mirror to watch as a small crescent moon glittered itself into his forehead. In the exact spot where she had kissed him. The mark was a pale gold and shone on his pale skin in the bare lighting of the ritual room. The goblins, upon seeing the mark, knelt before him in respect.
"Her Lady has chosen."
"She has, yes. This is to remain between us." With the last word, Garron's eyes flashed more golden than human.The goblins righted themselves and the rest of the room looked to the interaction with shock. It was silent for a long time before Lucius moved closer to Garron. With the man's long strides, it didn't take long for Lucius to be standing a mere foot from Garron. The man looked at Garron with a look the boy couldn't decipher and after a while nodded his head as well.
"Now that my son has chosen his name, my wife and I will be taking him back to our estate to let our children acquaint themselves in a more welcoming environment." Narcissa and Draco were standing behind Lucius and Garron now as the man gave one final cold stare to the room before making another remark. "I trust that this meeting will remain confidential as will my son's true identity? If it does come out somehow, there will be prices to pay I assure you."
With those words the family left Gringott's bank and exited with one more person with the Malfoy name than they entered with. They walked further and further from the bank until they reached a small alleyway. Lucius grabbed a hold of Garron's arm and Narcissa grabbed Draco's. In a flash the family was no where to be seen in the alley, and Garron was in the countryside, face to face with the largest and most opulent manor he had ever seen.
"Welcome to Malfoy Manor, Garron. Narcissa, if you could please take Draco to the drawing room, Garron and I need to have a discussion." Lucius eye's pierced him, like a predator to prey. Garron felt no fear however, he had the world's largest ace up his sleeve. Though, he refused to let anyone know that. He could play any game Lucius decided to play with him. Garron raised his eyebrow and his lip curled up in intrigue.
"Well, what do you have to tell me Mr. Malfoy?"