Beta'd by: Bombadilo Baby. Aka my sister (and a sometimes terrible speller) but her contributions are very much appreciated anyway. Thank you, oneechan!
As usual: I do not own Harry Potter, any of its character's, or ideas (….or gorgeous, should have been paired, gentlemen) - However my heartfelt thanks go out to J. K. Rowling for dreaming up the Harry Potter world. Me, myself, and my childhood are eternally grateful!
The green flames in the floo dimmed as Draco stepped gracefully out into the manor foyer, only to very nearly trip over Harry. The raven was currently being assisted up from the floor (where he was currently sprawled) and Draco was forced to flail ungracefully to avoid trampling the other boy.
"What happened? Are you alright Harry?" Draco asked, stepping closer to Harry. One quick glance over however assured Draco that, whilst the other boy was completely covered in soot, he was otherwise in good health.
Harry cheeks tinged pink, the colour half hidden beneath the layer of dust "The fire dumped me out on the ground as soon as I arrived on this end." He mumbled embarrassed.
Draco's Father flicked his wand and quickly put rights to the raven's appearance. "Next time remember to communicate the location less forcefully. The more force you put into the name, the quicker it transports you across." Lucius drawled "An unfortunate side effect of magic involved with transportation."
Narcissa stepped through, quickly taking note of the embarrassed flush on Harry's light olive skin.
"How did you travel, Mr. Potter?" she asked sympathetically, hoping it hadn't been anything too awful for the boy's first time using the Floo Network.
Harry turned, a small sheepish smile on his face as he met her gaze "Not too bad, Lady Malfoy. I just tripped over." Harry replied, the pink of his cheeks darkening under the Malfoy family's scrutiny "But I arrived alright other than that." He hastily added.
Narcissa hummed quietly "I thought you might have spoken a little too loudly. Never mind, I'm sure you'll get it right next time." She smiled softly to the raven.
Draco nodded, still standing in front of Harry "I can go first next time if you like Harry, and you can listen to me as well. Pansy was terrible at it too when we were learning." he said, a smirk tugging at his face as he remembered Pansy's affronted expression at being dumped on the floor.
Draco turned to his Father "If I go put my things away, can we get the brooms out Father?" Draco asked, his grey eyes bright and eager.
Lucius nodded his head, already reconciled to the fact that he would likely spend the rest of the afternoon trying to teach two overly eager boys how to fly. Hopefully safely. "Yes, but make sure you find some suitable clothing for Mr. Potter to wear. It's best not to fly in robes for the first time."
Draco was dragging Harry off up the stairs in a flash.
Narcissa softly brushed a hand against her Husband's arm as she also turned to sweep out of the room.
"I'll wait here for the Board's reply darling, you go out and set up the pitch. I'll be out to join you with the boys as soon as they send through the details for us to get Harry back home." Narcissa said.
"Make sure you enquire about the location of his Gringott's key and train ticket too. From what Harry told me in Diagon, that oaf neglected to actually give Harry either."
Harry walked fast to keep up with Draco's grip on his arm. He tried not to frustrate the blonde by falling behind, but with each stunningly spiralled opal staircase, each strikingly imposing portrait lined hallway (and Harry was sure that one of the patients had nodded their head as their gazes met), and each quietly beautiful and fascinating room they passed, the more Harry slowed. He didn't see Draco's annoyed glance back at him, a glance that quickly melted into a smile at the corner of the blonde's mouth as he took in Harry's wide eyes, before slowing his pace. Harry was trying to catch a longer glimpse of the bewitching sights he passed. The last room they'd gone by Harry had caught a brief glance of what looked like an actual meadow, with bright blue skies, soft sunshine, and a floor of rich green grass swaying in what looked like a breeze. As they passed the raven swore his nose was filled with the heady smell of sun-warmed grass and earth.
And that was to mention nothing of the magic that, Harry was growing more sure, he could feel imbued into every inch of the rooms around him. He could almost taste it, like a tingle in the back of his throat of something old and strong. He wondered how he's missed it when he first came in. It seemed so palpable that he was sure that if he looked from the right angle he would see it swirling around them, like dust particles in an air current.
They had just passed a stained glass window, the art showing the view from within a green tinted lake, beams of muted yellow sunshine cast down through, rippling slowly. Harry was given the first assurance that the art around him was indeed alive, as the shoal of fish towards the front of the scene swiftly retreated to the distance as the two boys approached.
Draco's room was apparently down the short arched hallway near the glass lake, because the door opened without assistance and the blonde stood off to the side of the smoothly polished chestnut door. He followed behind Harry as he entered, the door swinging softly closed behind them.
Draco's room reminded Harry of a picture he'd seen of a dragon's cave. The room was large, with an entire glass wall looking out over a tall forest that seemed to encase this side of the Malfoy manor, though Harry could see part of what had to be the garden off to the right corner of the window. Draco's bed rested against a wall in the middle of the room, and the unusual metal frame gleamed a mercurial silver colour in the afternoon light. His bedding was a mix of a calm deep emerald, with warm green highlights, and silver satin sheets. His shelving was brimming with different coloured leather bound books and strange shiny metal and glass objects that Harry had never seen before, some of them swirling and whizzing from their spot on the shelf. Around the high ceiling Harry saw what looked like an amethyst purple dragonfly darting to and fro; its intricate shimmering (metallic?) wings fluttering.
Harry looked back down from the ceiling in time to see Draco's blonde head disappear through a door that had suddenly appeared to their right. The raven walked closer, peering into the room, to see what appeared to be a huge walk in robe. Draco was swiftly sorting through one section of his clothes, pulling out what appeared to be a set of pants and a warm looking shirt.
As Draco walked back into the bedroom, the door behind him melted away, leaving a blank section of wall. The blonde walked up to Harry, an oddly eager look in his eyes as he passed the raven his neatly folded bundle.
….
Draco's smirk widened as he took in Harry cautious response to his own anticipation. He couldn't help it, not when he remembered how appalling Harry's previous outfit in the robe's shop had been. The blonde couldn't wait to see Harry's response when he compared his old, what appeared to be muggle clothing, to what he held now.
"Well, put them on." Draco said, waving his hand towards the bundle Harry was still holding.
A blush flamed on Harry's cheeks, as the raven shifted awkwardly, his gaze on his feet. Draco noted the obvious modesty and embarrassment and, withholding the chuckle that tickled the back of his throat, he smiled at the raven.
"I'll step out and wait for you in the hall" Draco told the embarrassed raven, not wanting to make the already shy boy uneasy when he was just getting comfortable with him and his parents "Come out when you're done."
Harry, blush still high on his cheeks, nodded quickly. Green eyes bright with embarrassment.
It didn't take long before Harry stepped out to meet Draco in the hallway, his small hands trailing curiously over the soft fabric of the deep green shirt and charcoal black pants.
"They fit me." Harry said, glancing up at Draco. The question was evident in his green eyes, made even brighter by the dark green fabric of the shirt.
Draco smiled, grabbing the raven's hand as he pulled him down a different hallway "They're charmed to fit the wearer. They're also charmed to keep clean, and keep you whatever temperature you set. Let me know if you want me to change it for you" Draco added, opening a side door off the hallway. Harry blinked in confusion as he realised they'd somehow made it outside, despite the fact they'd been two flights above the ground in Draco's room (and hadn't used any stairs).
"It's one of our emergency exits." Draco explained "The Malfoy's that build the house made it so several doors go straight outside."
Harry's face crinkled in confusion, but he followed Draco through the door onto a garden path. The path was lined by white bell-shaped flowers that chimed softly in the breeze "We were transported by the door?" Harry asked uncertainly, glancing back at the ordinary looking wooden door behind them.
"Yes," Draco answered, curious as to why Harry wouldn't already know this. Though he knew that Harry's parents had been murdered by Voldemort when he was young, how could he not know about such basic magic? "When we walked through the doorway. It's not like the Floo or apparation, it can only take us to the same locations. Though when we go back in we have to choose what level in the Manor we want to come out on."
Harry opened his mouth to ask another question, but stopped when they rounded the corner onto the large Quidditch pitch. Draco saw Harry looking around the pitch with interest, his green eyes trailing speculatively over the tall hoops at either end. Draco looked over to the pair waiting in front of them, his parents talking peacefully together. His Father checked over a couple of brooms whilst his mother tended to a nearby patch of snapdragon flowers, which were currently playing and puffing out bundles of mist.
Both parents glanced up as they heard the boys approach. Narcissa walked over, absently sweeping her wand over both her hands to return them to their usual spotless appearance. She carefully inspected both boys clothing, checking that they were warm enough for flying.
"Lucius has just checked over the brooms, so you're all set to go boys. The usual rules still apply Draco dear, no higher than the hoops from the ground, nothing too difficult unless you check with us beforehand, and don't travel further than the length of the Quidditch pitch. Make sure you keep an eye on Harry whilst you're both out there, give him plenty of space for his first fly, unless he needs your help. We've already set up the safety charms." She turned to Harry "Don't worry too much about falling, particularly for your first time. There's slowing and cushioning charms active on the entire pitch." She explained, carefully.
"Yes, Mother." Draco said, rolling his eyes. As he pulled Harry over to the brooms beside his Father.
Harry's excitement dimmed slightly as nervous apprehension brewed in his stomach. "Can you tell me what to do?" Harry asked the blonde beside him quietly.
"Of course Harry, I told you I would." Draco said excitedly "And Father's brilliant at teaching, he was a chaser on the Slytherin Quidditch team for five years at Hogwarts." Draco said proudly, causing Lucius to raise an eyebrow at his son's unusual eagerness.
Though Lucius was surprised about how quickly his son had taken to the Potter boy he hid it discretely. It was rather amusing after all.
"Why don't you show him how to mount the broom Draco, before we discuss the semantics of actual flight." He said sardonically, making a blush cross his son's pale cheekbones, though it quickly disappeared again.
The younger Malfoy brought the brooms over and placed them carefully on the ground at both their feet. He looked over to Harry to make sure the raven was watching, before deliberately reaching out his hand over the broom.
"You need to want the broom to come to you, channel your magic to your hand and use it to summon the broom. Here, like this." Draco said, before focusing his attention on the polished handle of the Swedish broom below him.
"Up." He commanded; the broom pulled instantly into his waiting palm.
He looked over the dark haired boy, noticing the unusual hawk-like attention in his, currently sharp, green eyes.
He nodded to Harry, gesturing to the raven's broom. A silent invitation.
Harry looked down towards the broom at his feet, reached out his small hand, and in a voice as clear and precise as a bell, stated "Up."
As quickly as Draco's had moved, Harry's broom whisked into his hand. Draco would have thought that Harry had done it before had it not been the startled face that swiftly morphed into a glowing pleased smile.
The raven turned to Draco beaming.
Draco smiled, smug that the raven had caught on so quickly with his instructions.
Draco turned to his father, waiting eagerly as the elder Malfoy ran Harry through the essential instructions for flying on a broom. As soon as he was done, Draco kicked off from the ground, hovering close-by the raven expectantly.
"Come on Harry, get up here." He encouraged.
With a slightly nervous, but anticipatory smile, the raven mounted his broom and kicked off from the grass, rising to meet Draco.
Green eyes lit up, and a nervous giggle escaped Harry's mouth. Draco watched happily as the nerves melted from Harry's face only seconds later, replaced by a confident, happy smile. Draco knew in that instant that Harry would love Quidditch just as much as himself. The raven looked at home on a broom, already looking eagerly around, obviously wanting to move. To fly.
"It's comfy," Harry said, surprised, staring down at his broom.
The Malfoy's laughed at his bewildered expression.
"There's a cushion charm Harry, imbued into the wood where you sit. Long flights would be unbearable otherwise." Narcissa explained over the other's chuckling.
Harry blushed, feeling like an idiot for not realising.
Draco grinned, and, before either of his parents could protest, said "Let's go." before tilting his broom up and leaning forward, zipping off into the sky. He didn't need to wait for the raven, because Harry was right beside him the whole way, his face glowing with happiness and wonder.
Draco straightened off as they grew level with the hoops, sending a reassuring smile to his parents watching them both closely below, before leading Harry across to the hoops.
He circled around, laughing as he watched Harry easily weave between the three hoops, looking like he'd been born on a broom.
Harry trailed back over to him, his eyes on the view around them.
"It's so pretty up here…" He said quietly.
Both boys looked out towards the horizon, watching the orange tinted afternoon light cast upon the pitch and the birds playing over the trees. The breeze was stronger up here, crisp and fresh, it carried the scent of the pines surrounding the manor.
Draco smiled, turning back to Harry "You should try out for seeker!" he said excited, as he and Harry started to move across to the opposite end of the pitch, manoeuvring smoothly around each other along the way.
For the first time Harry had a mischievous sparkle in his eyes. "No point. This stuffy guy in a robe shop told me that first years are banned from the teams." The raven said, trying to keep his face straight and serious, though a laugh was tugging at his lips.
"Hey!" Draco said, mock affronted "Who are you calling stuffy? I was just trying to hold a civil conversation, not that you were much help." He sniffed, grey eyes dancing with laughter. The two boys wove around each other through the air, racing from one end of the pitch to the other several times, over the next hour.
Draco turned to Harry smiling, his face pink from the wind and his voice slightly breathless from their latest race (they still couldn't decide who'd won). "Let's head back down and grab the Quaffle. Who knows, maybe we can both get on the Slytherin team next year. Do you suppose they would let us in the seeker and chaser positions if we fly better than second years?" he mused, half serious.
Harry looked over in curiosity. "Slytherin?"
Draco looked at him speechless for a moment, before shaking his head slightly and pulling up his broom to focus on Harry. Harry paused beside him, delicate as a hummingbird.
"I keep forgetting you don't know this stuff." Draco murmured, mostly to himself, before explaining carefully. "Slytherin is one of the four house teams. Your guide in Diagon should have explained this to you." He said, a fleeting frown crossing his face "Hogwarts was created by four friends: Salazar Slytherin, Godric Gryffindor, Helga Hufflepuff and Rowena Ravenclaw. When they built the school they sorted the student so that similar people spent more time together. Father said it was to make moving to Hogwarts easier on the youngest children. Apparently the founders hoped to prevent arguments as well, not that it worked . . . Each of the houses stand for different things. Slytherin are known for ambition and cunning, and our house colours are silver and green. Gryffindor's were bravery, and have red and gold. The Hufflepuffs are yellow and black, and are loyalty. Ravenclaw's like learning and wisdom, and their house colours are blue and bronze. My Father told me that the houses can get pretty inaccurate because sometimes people have mixed personalities, but the hat usually places you where you need to be. Where you'll fit in most." Draco added "Almost my entire family have been Slytherin's." he said proudly before continuing down towards the ground the collect the Quaffle.
Harry flew quietly beside him, processing what he'd just been told.
"What do you mean? About the arguing? What happened?" Harry asked, green eyes innocently inquisitive.
Draco's grey eyes widened apprehensively, darting across to look at Harry.
"I'm. . . I'm not sure if I can explain it very well." Draco admitted "But Father would be able to tell you."
"Does," Harry paused "Does it have to do with Vol- You know who?" He quickly correct when he saw Draco flinch.
Draco shook his head slowly "No, not just him." He replied
"It started with a wizard called Grindlewald, he was the dark wizard before You Know Who." He explained, seeing Harry's confusion. "He had followers from Hogwarts, people from all four houses. But some of the worst ones came from Slytherin. Ever since then, every time something went wrong, Father says that the Auror's question people from Slytherin first. Everyone started thinking Slytherin's are dark wizards, even though heaps of really good witches and wizards are Slytherin's. Merlin himself was one!" Draco said loudly, obviously personally offended by what was happening. "I heard my parents saying it got worse when You Know Who rose. The dark lord was in the Slytherin house. It's pretty common now for the other three houses to avoid, even hate everyone from Slytherin, just because we're sorted there. Since they're all so nice and innocent." He grumbled sarcastically.
Draco looked nervously across to Harry. "I'm pretty sure both your parents were in Gryffindor." Draco admitted
Harry looked across at him "Is that bad?" He asked, wondering why Draco suddenly looked apprehensive.
"No. . . it's just that, Gryffindor's and Slytherin's don't really . . . if you go there - I mean. . We probably-" The blonde floundered, unable to meet Harry's eyes.
Harry paused before reaching out and resting his fingers on the back of Draco's palm tentatively. "I don't care what house we end up in, Draco." Harry told him, his green eyes earnest. Draco's wide grey eyes shot up to his in surprise "You're one the nicest person I've met in my whole life." Harry admitted, cheeks a light pink "I'll always be your friend." Harry said, looking nervously at Draco as though wary of how he would response.
Draco was silent for a moment, his wide grey eyes still on Harry's, before they softened and a smile was tucked in the corner of his mouth.
"Friends?" Draco said, holding out his hand.
Harry's small hand slipped into his "Friends." Harry confirmed, smiling shyly.