Beta'd by: Bombadilo Baby. Aka my sister. Thank you, oneechan!
I know this is a slightly shorter chapter than the last ones. I'm sorry, and humbly request your forgiveness. But I'm really excited about the next one… Snape! Plus Malfoy's on a warpath. . . And just Slytherin's in general, hehehe . . . yeah, awesome.
As usual, feel free to ask any questions. I promise to try and answer them (unless they're spoilers, then you'll all have to suffer, wink* )
Also, thank you all for the great reviews! They were suuuuper appreciated.
Wishing you all a bewitched weekend.
-G
Now for the disclaimer: As usual, I do not own Harry Potter, any of its character's, or ideas, etc. - 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! Seriously (snicker* Sirius). . . Eternally. Grateful.
"Friends?" Draco said, holding out his hand.
Harry's small hand slipped into his "Friends." Harry confirmed, smiling shyly.
The two boys landed softly on the grass next to Draco's Father. Narcissa had just been called away by one of the house elves to answer a floo call.
"Could we get the Quaffle out Father?" Draco asked eagerly, dismounting from his broom. Harry followed suit.
Large grey and green eyes stared up hopefully towards the elder Malfoy, and he winced internally at his own negative response.
"I'm afraid that will have to wait for another time. The Hogwarts board of governors have already sent through Harry's address and instructed that he be returned home by five o'clock." Lucius informed the two boys. "We're running close to time as it is."
Draco pouted in disappointment. But Lucius was more interested in the way the happiness on Harry's face froze, suspended and false, his posture curling (almost unnoticeably) inwards. Lucius restrained his frown, his previous speculations about Harry's home life stirring uneasily again. Lucius could sense the waves of trepidation coming from Harry, and his own eyes hardened as he contemplated the upcoming meeting with Harry's muggle relatives. He already had several questions that he was determined to receive answers for. Harry's obviously underweight size and appallingly poor clothing only being the more obvious. He'd already notified the board of his suspicions soon after he removed the boy from the groundskeeper's care that morning. Their response had been swift, simple and expected: investigate. Currently, Professor Albus Dumbledore was labelled as the boy's official magical guardian. If the Headmaster was seen to fail in those appointed duties it would reflect horrendously on the Hogwarts board. Particularly with such a well-known, and young, figure in the public's eye. If there was something wrong with the young Potter's home-life the Board wanted it dealt with immediately and discretely. And Lucius was in the most currently appropriate position to do it.
"Surely he can stay, why on earth do they insist Harry goes back tonight?" Draco said, his voice alternating between persuasive and whining.
"Harry's Aunt and Uncle are his primary guardian's, Draco. They are expecting him back this afternoon, and we have no business meddling with those plans without their approval." Lucius said, his firm tone brooking no argument. "Best say your farewell's now. Draco, could you take Mr. Potter back to the foyer, and wait for me there? Narcissa should already be there to say farewell." Lucius instructed, before collecting the Quidditch gear with a swish of his wand and striding back towards the west entrance of the manor.
The blonde huffed at his father's back, pouting.
The shadow's temporarily left Harry's eyes as he saw Draco's obvious disappointment at his looming departure; the green in his eyes glowed with warmth.
Harry edged closer to Draco. The raven hesitated, shuffling as a nervous and uncertain expression crossed his face, before he leant forward and wrapped his small arms timidly around the blonde.
Draco startled in surprise. Harry, automatically assuming that he's annoyed the blonde, started to pull away. Draco, almost immediately overcoming his shock, quickly stopped the raven's retreat, wrapping his own arms around the smaller boy happily.
"Don't be sad Harry. I'll see you at the train station, yeah? We'll have a whole year to hang out." Draco murmured, burying his face curiously in the raven's unruly mop of ink black hair.
Harry flickered in surprise, still unaccustomed to people actually enjoying his company, before positively melting into the blonde's warm body. Wishing he didn't have to leave his new found friend so soon after finding him. Wishing he could stay with Draco rather than return to the hatred of his three relatives in Privet Drive.
Knowing that his Father would be waiting, Draco gently pulled away, staring down at Harry. "Come on. Father will be waiting. Besides, we can keep on owling each other until Hogwart's starts." The blonde smiled, his grey eyes brightening. He started to lead Harry back down the garden path towards the front of the Manor; the door there opened out into the foyer.
"Owl? Like the ones that tried to deliver my letter for school?" Harry asked, and Draco noted the hesitant tone in his voice. The blonde started to ask what Harry meant about, what sounded like multiple owl's, trying(?) to deliver his letter, when Harry continued. "I . . don't know how to send them." The raven said "And, my . . . Aunt and Uncle didn't like the owl's that came last time. . ." Harry's voice trailed off quietly.
Draco held the door open for Harry as they stepped through into the house. "What do you me-"
"There you are boy's." Narcissa said, smiling as she came around the corner and walked over to them. Unknowingly interrupting Draco's question. "Come along Harry, Lucius just arrived, he's waiting for us in the foyer." Both boys followed behind Lady Malfoy to the foyer.
The raven's anxiety was swiftly returned as he contemplated floo'ing in through the Dursley's fireplace. His Uncle would be livid. "Are we taking the floo?" Harry asked with trepidation, unable to meet anyone's eyes. Still staring down, the raven's eyes then widened in horror as he realised he was still wearing Draco's clothes, and not Dudley's cast-offs. And he had no time to ask to change! There was no way the Dursley's wouldn't notice. . .
Harry barely heard Lord Malfoy's reply, his thoughts were whirling so anxiously now through his head.
"Actually Mr. Potter, I will apparate us to a nearby location. We'll walk from there." He said, standing gracefully from the settee. "I have your purchase's wrapped and shrunk with me, I'll resize and give them to you once we arrive." The elder Malfoy explained before walking across to stand beside Narcissa, leaving the boy's as they talked together quietly.
Lucius turned to his wife. "I take it Professor Dumbledore was unable to attain Harry's ticket and Gringott's key?" He asked, mindful of the nearby boy's as he tried to moderate the sardonic tone of his voice.
"They were apparently . . . unable to retrieve them from Mr. Hagrid on such short notice." Narcissa said delicately, with a meaningful look to her husband. "Professor Dumbledore assured me that he would send someone to deliver them to Mr. Potter as soon as possible. After I notified the Board of the Headmaster's response, and suggested that it might be best handled by ourselves, they concurred wholeheartedly." Narcissa said. Both Harry and Draco had turned to listen curiously.
Lucius nodded in acceptance, understanding perfectly what his wife left unsaid. The board had become wary of Dumbledore's handling of the young Mr. Potter, and essentially delegated Lucius to keep them apprised of the situation.
"Mr Hagrid is currently still in possession of your ticket for the Hogwart's express, and Gringott's account key" Lucius explained to Harry "However I will return them to you at the soonest possible convenience."
The raven's eyes widened in understanding, before nodding his head.
"Do not worry, Harry dear." Narcissa reassured the raven, with a calm smile "You will receive both long before you board the Hogwart's express. In fact, I'm quite sure if we asked the Hogwart's board of governors, we could be the ones to come deliver you to the station. So long as your Aunt and Uncle, do not wish to bring you themselves, of course." She added.
Harry smiled shyly up at her, trying valiantly to ignore the voice in his head saying that the chances of the Dursley's doing anything kind for Harry were slim to none.
Narcissa smiled warmly at Harry, her hand reaching up to brush back a lock of his unruly hair "In any case, I'll wish you farewell for now Harry. Though I do hope you will come greet us at King's Cross Station, if it happens that we don't see you until then." She requested, before enveloping him in a short warm embrace.
"Thank you for helping me today." Harry said after Narcissa pulled back, his green eyes earnest and bright. "I . . . I had a really great day."
It was the truth. Harry could hardly comprehend the past several hours. It had been wonderful, and he wished that he didn't have to return to the Dursley's so soon.
Harry and Draco had already said goodbye, so after a brief shared smile, Harry turned back to Lucius.
The elder Malfoy offered Harry his elbow. Harry, his eyes flickering uncertainly up to Lucius' face, reached out and curled his hand around the offered arm.
"Hold on tightly." Lucius instructed "When I disapparate us, you're going to feel as though we're being pulled and spun quite quickly; it's important that you don't let go." He carefully explained to Harry, who was listening intently, nervous anticipation bubbling in his chest "Try to relax. Don't resist against the pull of the magic, otherwise you'll find the experience quite disorientating." He cautioned, his voice calm and authoritative.
Draco and Narcissa stepped back slightly, from where they stood in front of the two about to depart. Harry watched wistfully, trying to absorb every last detail around him. He wanted to remember every single moment of today, and the time he'd spent with these people. Lady Malfoy was smiling at him, whilst Draco slightly waved slightly in goodbye. The blonde's grey eyes were still disappointed at Harry's departure, and it made Harry swell with a happiness to see, despite his own disappointment.
Harry suddenly felt a pull, the sensation building into a strong tug to his stomach. He grasped tightly to Lucius, his heart fluttering nervously. What happened if he lost hold of the Lord Malfoy? Would it hurt? Would he be left somewhere alone with no idea how to get back to Little Whinging? He started to panic. He wished he'd asked the questions before, but there was no way he'd ask now. What if he distracted Mr. Malfoy . . .
Just before they spun away, Harry heard Draco's voice call.
"Harry! I'll see you soon." And the flash of a smile, before he was lurched from the room.
The air was sucked from Harry's lungs, and he felt compressed, spinning out of control in a black tunnel. He automatically started to struggle, before suddenly remembering Lord Malfoy's advice. Holding tightly to the arm on his right, Harry tried desperately to relax. The violent pulling sensation eased somewhat, and it seemed like only seconds later that they were thrust back out of the vortex. Harry's head reeled, and he staggered forward slightly, before he felt a large hand reach out to steadily grasp his shoulder.
One shaky inhaled breath later, and a sheepish grin crossed Harry's face as he looked up to meet the amused expression of Lucius' face.
"Hmmm." Mused the man, lips twitching "Well, that certainly could have gone better. But I believe you almost had the hang of it in the end." He congratulated the raven, who blushed in embarrassment.
Lucius gestured for Harry to start walking towards their left. Harry, remembering where they were headed, looking around curiously. It took him a moment to drag out the memory of the sheltered corner in small park they'd appeared in. It was a short walk from here to the Dursley's. Not that he was able to come here often, given the large list of chores he was typically given each day. . .
"Sorry, Mister Malfoy." Harry said, a blush on his face as he stared down towards their feet. They stepped out of the park onto one of the sidewalks, walking towards number 4 Privet Drive. "I did try to relax." Harry said earnestly, not wanting Lucius to think he deliberately ignored his advice.
"No matter." Lucius waved off Harry's apology. "It's always difficult the first time, particularly being side-alonged rather than initiating the apparition. You'll find, when you're old enough to attend the lessons held at Hogwarts, that it's far less disorientating without passengers." Lucius reassured him.
Harry listened with interest, hoping that Lord Malfoy was indeed correct. Otherwise Harry was beginning to think he would dislike all modes of magical transportation, bar flying of course.
Harry and Lucius both paused for a moment at the edge of number 4 Privet Drive. Lucius' expression, Harry noted, had smoothed out into an expressionless mask. Harry watched as the blonde's grey eyes passed around the perimeter of the property.
The blonde turned back to Harry, pulling out the packages from his pockets and passing them carefully over to Harry.
"When you need to enlarge you purchases, just tap them with your wand." Lucius told Harry, "Don't worry about the magical restriction, this is low enough usage that it won't register on their monitors at the Ministry." He reassured, his eyes glancing back over in the direction of the house. Harry quickly pocketed his purchases.
"I'm afraid I cannot come in with you." Lucius said, nodding towards the front door. "So I'll bid you farewell now. However Narcissa will return later this week to drop off your train tickets and key." He said, holding out one of his large palms for Harry to shake.
Harry gave the older man a small smile, reaching his small hand forward to complete the gesture.
"Thank you Lord Malfoy." Harry said, shyly smiling up at the blonde.
Lucius' serious grey eyes looked down at Harry "If you need anything Harry, send a message with Draco's owl."
Harry shuffled uneasily under the scrutiny of Mr. Malfoy's gaze, only able to briefly make eye contact before dipping his head in a nod.
"Yes, sir." Harry stuttered awkwardly.
Lucius watched him for another moment, his eyes cast out over to the house again with a slight frown, before he continued "You might as well call me Lucius, Mr. Potter. I have a feeling that Draco will be very insistent upon you visiting us at the Manor over the school holidays." Lucius said dryly, a slight appearance of crinkles appearing in the corners of his eyes.
Harry inhaled quietly in surprised shock, before beaming up at the man. "You can call me Harry, Mr - Lucius" Harry stumbled midsentence, shuffling bashfully on his small feet.
"Until next time, Harry." Lucius said, then turned seriously towards the house. Drawing out his wand he cast a brief spell in the direction of number four, before he nodded once in Harry's direction, and disapperated away.
Harry stood happily on the sidewalk for a moment, before his smile drained from his face, and he glanced warily towards the door of number 4 Privet Drive. With a shaky inhale, Harry shuffled up the paved path towards the front door, tugging self-consciously at his new clothes.
With trepidation, Harry raised his small hand to knock on the wooden door. He shrank back as he heard heavy footfalls approaching down the hallway.
Harry watched as his Uncle's face morphed into brittle fury upon seeing him "Get in here boy!" Vernon snarled darkly, reaching out a beefy hand to gasp Harry by the scruff of his neck, as he yanked him inside. Harry sucked in the quiet cry of pain as Vernon's hand ripped out some of his hair along the way. Harry crashed against the side of the hallway, his head colliding painfully with the wall.
Vernon didn't let go of his new shirt collar as he all but dragged Harry down the hallway. Harry stumbled behind, his vision blurry, as he struggled to walk straight. He felt the trickle of blood run down the side of his face from where he'd collided with the wall, with disassociated resignation.
"Get in, and keep quiet!" Vernon snarled, beads of sweat rolling down his ruddy face before he shoved Harry into the small dark cupboard under the stairs. "The sooner you disappear off to that freak school of yours the better." He spat, slamming the door closed with a loud crack.
Harry's heart fell as he heard the sliding of locks on the outside of his bedroom door.
Fine tremors coursed through the raven's limbs, as he stared blankly towards the door in his pitch black cupboard under the stairs, blood dripping down his face. His shoulder started to shake, as silent tears joined the red droplets falling down his chin. Harry's legs fell out from beneath him as a wave of loneliness engulfed him. As Harry's shuddering mind replayed the earlier events of the afternoon, desperate for any source of comfort, he wished he was back at the Malfoy's. Wished Draco's hand was still tightly clasping his.
Lucius Malfoy's grey eyes were dark with barely restrained fury as he looked over the new data from the monitoring charms he'd placed around number four Privet Drive earlier that night. With a snap of his robes, he strode sharply from his personal office towards one of the lounges his wife currently occupied. Draco had already disappeared to his rooms a few hours earlier to sleep, a fact for which he was immensely grateful.
As he stalked across the Manor and through the lounge doorway, his wife glanced up from one of the small desks.
It only took one glimpse of her Husband's face for her own to change, darkening like an oncoming storm. She stood up gracefully from her desk, stepping precisely across the room. They walked silently side by side towards the fireplace, Narcissa casting a fistful of Floo powder into the flames, with a sharp flick of his wrist.
As they knelt gracefully down on the cushions that had been placed before the bright green flames, Lucius called out the address.
Dumbledore would pay for his decisions. And if the Malfoy's had any say in it, he would pay for them dearly.