First Meetings.
Hagrid departed for his "pick-me-up" at the Leaky Cauldron which left Harry to take a couple of steps into Madam Malkin's shop, all alone, honestly in a world that he did not understand.
"Hello dear. Hogwarts? Right this way, there's a young lady finishing up getting fitted for her robes as well. Take a seat and I'll be with you soon."
Harry sat and caught sight of a young blonde girl with her hair clipped back, with silvery eyes. She dressed in rather elegant clothes which were made out of the finest silk. Harry felt quite common in his Dudley hand-me downs indeed.
"Hello," she said. "Hogwarts, too?"
"Yes," Harry said.
"My mother's in the back seeing if a special order she made is sorted out and my father's conducting business down the street," she said. "After I'm done here, we're going to get my books and my wand. I can't wait to get a wand. I just wish I could get a broomstick. It's not fair that first years can't have their own. Maybe, I can find a way to sneak it in. I really want to be on the Quidditch team someday."
"Right," Harry said, wishing he knew what this girl was going on.
"Yes," she said. "Slytherin is the best house in all of Hogwarts, so naturally, I really hope I get sorted there. All of Daddy's family has been sorted there, most of my mother's as well. Ravenclaw wouldn't be the worst, I guess. But, imagine if I got sorted into Hufflepuff or worse Gryffindor. I think I would die of embarrassment if I got sorted into Gryffindor."
Harry just nodded, not sure what to say. This girl might as well have been speaking Greek to him. And she obviously picked up on his confusion?
"You really didn't understand a word I said, did you?" she asked. "Are you the first in your family to go to Hogwarts?"
"No, my parents went, but they're dead," Harry said. "Since I was one."
"Sorry, I didn't know," she said. "But, if your parents were magical, then you should have known. Shouldn't you? It's your birthright."
"I lived with my aunt and uncle, they don't…well they don't like magic," Harry said.
"Why would you be sent to live with them, if they didn't like magic?" she asked. "Didn't your parents have a will?"
Harry honestly did not have a clue.
"What's your name?" she asked.
"Harry," he said. "Harry Potter."
This caused the girl's eyes to go wide, almost in shock. She started to shake in excitement.
"Oh, you're…you're…him," she whispered in awe. "Wow, you're Harry Potter…I didn't…but that didn't…you didn't know anything about magic?"
The girl seemed rather annoyed, and Harry wondered why.
"Not until Hagrid visited me," Harry said.
"The Hogwarts Gamekeeper?" she asked.
"Yes," Harry replied.
"Why would he be the one to visit you?" she asked. "You're important!"
Harry felt annoyed how few answers he had and how this girl kept pushing the subject.
"You're Harry Potter," she murmured. "And they told you nothing about anything! For ten years! And they sent Hagrid, the Gamekeeper and not one of the teachers at Hogwarts. They're the ones who are supposed to inform those who…I know you're not….Muggleborn, but that's just…"
"All finished," Madam Malkin told the girl "Your mother will be out in a minute, dear."
"Yes, she will," the girl said. "Um, Potter…"
The girl looked like she was struggling to find the words and looked kind of embarrassed. Harry felt bad at her.
"Yes," Harry said. "I'm sorry, I didn't catch your name."
The girl bit down on her lip and looked flushed.
"Rude, that's poor form around someone of your status," she said. "Malfoy. Lyra Juliet Malfoy. The only daughter of Lucius Malfoy, the only son of Abraxas Malfoy, and Narcissa Black-Malfoy, the youngest daughter of Cygnus Black the third and Druella Rosier-Black, at your service."
Harry had never met someone who acted like this before. She was a bit snotty, for lack of a better term, until she found out he was Harry Potter. Then her entire tone changed. And Harry was not certain how he felt about it. Especially when Lyra took his hand and planted a light kiss upon it, where a ring might be.
"And I would like to apologize for offending you," Lyra said. "I'll go speak to Mother and let you get fitted for your robes."
Harry had no idea what to make of this girl. He just quietly had been fit for his robes. He noticed Hagrid outside, with a couple of ice creams, gesturing to them, indicating as to why he could not come in.
"So, it is you, Harry Potter."
Harry turned to a woman, Lyra's mother, who looked extremely beautiful, almost radiant. She was the type of woman who Aunt Petunia would both try and befriend and feel extremely insecure being around.
"Yes, I'm Harry Potter," he said. "And you must be Mrs. Malfoy."
"Call me, Narcissa, you're practically family," she said with a smile and she copied her daughter's motion in taking Harry's hand and planting a kiss upon his ring finger. "Although, Lyra has told me something distressful regarding information that has been kept for you."
Harry still had no idea. Then again, he was still reeling from what Hagrid told him
"I didn't know I was a wizard until this morning," Harry informed her. "When Hagrid showed up after midnight and told me who I was…what I was."
It still was a lot to process.
"And he did inform you of the cause of your fame," Narcissa said. "Your defeat of He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named?"
"Voldemort?" Harry asked.
Narcissa shivered for a second at the casual way Harry spoke that name. But other than that, the woman gave no indication she was bothered.
"Yes, that particular individual,' Narcissa said darkly. "It appears there's been some misconceptions around where you have been spending your time. Albus Dumbledore has assured us all that you were well-taken care of and well-prepared until you came to Hogwarts. And yet Lyra informs me your relatives do not like magic. I hope you weren't mistreated under their care."
"They fed me…gave me a place to sleep…put a roof over my head…gave me clothes," Harry said.
Narcissa gazed upon Harry and took in his hand-me down clothes, heavily taped glasses, and scrawny, underfed appearance and just tutted.
"Lyra, you and Harry will stay in the shop, until I've had a chance to speak with Mr. Hagrid," Narcissa said.
"I think Hagrid wants me to come with him," Harry said.
"I'll speak with him," Narcissa said patiently.
Narcissa walked out of the shop and left Lyra and Harry alone in the shop.
"I've never seen her so upset," Lyra said quietly.
"I'm sorry," Harry said.
"Why would you be sorry?" Lyra asked. "You didn't do anything. You were kept in the dark. You were denied your heritage. I just can't believe anyone would treat you like this. You're Harry Potter."
Harry frowned at the implication he should be treated a special way because of who he is.
"Does it really matter?" Harry asked. "Should anyone be treated like this?"
Lyra shook her head.
"No, you shouldn't be forced to live amongst Muggles, if you have magic," Lyra said. "They're…not civilized. Look at your clothes. Are these even yours?"
"They belonged to my cousin," Harry said. "I should be grateful for them, they said."
"You can fit three of you in those," Lyra said while casually observing his shirt.
"It's fine," Harry said.
"It's not fine, Potter," Lyra said. "It's barbaric. Are those glasses held together by tape?"
Lyra closed her eyes and Harry heard a window shatter in the distance. She took a deep breath.
"I haven't lost control like that in a long time," Lyra told him. "But, it just upsets me that…you barely even have an idea how important you are to a lot of people. And how much we slept more soundly knowing that you were well-taken care of. And the fact you're not bothered about this, I don't understand."
"I guess I just learned to live with it," Harry said.
"You shouldn't," Lyra said. "No one should learn to live with this!"
Lyra looked out to the window, where her parents were talking to Hagrid. Hagrid did not look too happy about what they were talking about.
Harry wished he could hear through windows.
The door opened at Madam Malkin's robes for All Occasions and Narcissa Malfoy stepped out to face Rubeus Hagrid.
"Mr. Hagrid," Narcissa said. "I need to speak to you about your charge."
Hagrid's eyes fell upon Narcissa. He did not look too pleased to see her.
"With all due respect, Mrs. Malfoy, I don' see how tha''s any o' your business."
Narcissa just pursed her lip in annoyance.
"I find it rather troubling how someone of Harry's stature is ignorant to this world," Narcissa said. "But that's not the only disturbing thing. The fact that Harry's only protection is you, a man who has not completed his Hogwarts education and thus not legally able to perform magic, disturbs me. And the fact his only protection ran off to leave a child ignorant of this world to fend for himself is quite disturbing."
Hagrid looked rather flustered.
"He's perfectly fine. I don' know wht yeh're makin' a big deal out o' this, but he's fine. An' i can handle it. Dumbledore trusts me ter keep Harry safe an' tha''s wha' i'm goin' ter do. An' we have lots o' shopping ter do, so if yeh don' mind…"
"Is there a problem, Narcissa?"
Hagrid turned and came face to face with a stylish gentleman in elegant robes with a rather remarkable walking stick. His long blond hair flowed past his shoulders.
"Hagrid," Lucius said. "What are you doing here?"
"Taking a student ter do his shopping, Malfoy."
Lucius just gazed upon Hagrid like he was something nasty that he had to scrap off of the bottom of his shoe.
"Dumbledore must be short-handed if he's sending the Gameskeeper to guide a student," Lucius said. "Especially given you stick out like a sore thumb. I thought this would normally be a job for the likes of Professor Flitwick or Professor McGonagall."
"It's Harry Potter," Narcissa said. "Our daughter met him at Madam Malkin's and she's told me quite the disturbing story."
Narcissa told Lucius the story and he looked rather grim. Hagrid tried to protest, but Narcissa talked over him.
"Interesting that Harry Potter's first exposure to this world in nearly a decade is someone like you, Rubeus Hagrid," Lucius said. "I find that quite curious. And rather disturbing. Especially when learning you left the Boy-Who-Lived alone so you could go to a pub. And there are so many people who would do anything to get their hands on him, to either kill or to collect. And you left him alone to his own devices. When he barely knows anything about the world and is just getting used to the fact he's well known."
Lucius sniffed the air.
"Your breath tells me how irresponsible you are," Lucius said. "This is a disgrace. The Board will be informed of this, I can assure you."
Hagrid curled his fists in anger.
"Harry needs ter do his shopping before Hogwarts. So if yeh excuse me…"
"Oh, I think that Harry will get to finish his shopping, but as a member of the Hogwarts Board of Governors, it is my sworn duty to ensure that such a high-profile student will be able to navigate Diagon Alley safely," Lucius said. "So, thank you Hagrid, I'm certain you meant well, but I wouldn't be doing my duty…."
"I can' let yeh take Harry, Dumbledore wouldn' like tha'. A Death Eater like yeh..."
"Careful, Hagrid," Lucius drawled. "You wouldn't want to make allegations like that. Dangerous ones to make. Slanderous, even, given that I have been cleared of wrongdoing. I'm a member of the Hogwarts Board of Governors, my daughter will be attending Hogwarts next term. Any harm coming to Harry Potter would not reflect well on me."
Lucius dropped his voice low.
"My wife and I are both qualified to defend against any harm that comes upon Harry when he does his school shopping," Lucius said. "A third-year magical education won't get you that far if someone willingly wishes to cause harm to the Boy-Who-Lived. And given that you managed to ensure that everyone in Diagon Alley knows that Harry Potter is here with your spectacle at the Leaky Cauldron when you arrived, well word spreads fast."
"We're going to be taking over Harry's shopping trip," Narcissa said.
"Yeh can'!"
"We will," Narcissa said. "Don't cause a scene Hagrid."
Hagrid's eyes narrowed when he fell upon Lucius.
"An' i suppose yeh think Harry will go along with yeh. If he knew who yeh are, Malfoy, he wouldn' be so willing."
"Merely hearsay," Lucius drawled in a bored voice. "I've done less to harm Harry than Dumbledore has at any rate. Given Dumbledore arranged to have Harry sent to live with his magic hating relatives. For your sake, I hope that they did not place a finger on him. Keeping someone of Harry Potter's stature ignorant of his world is the highest crime and I'm certain the Ministry will like to hear of that, along with the Board of Governors."
"Dumbledore has…."
"His reasons?" Narcissa asked. "Yes, they always do. Now, Hagrid, we can do this the easy way or the hard way. You can walk away like an adult or we can have you dragged off by Ministry Aurors, who might not be so permissive. It's your choice."
Hagrid looked confused, with the ice cream he had completely melted, like his chances of winning this battle.
"Dumbledore won' like this," Hagrid said. "This isn' over, Malfoy."
Lucius Malfoy just waved off Hagrid. Hagrid handed an envelope along with a golden key to Narcissa without looking at her.
"Make sure Harry gets thes. 's his Gringotts key an' his ticket ter the Hogwarts Express."
Narcissa took them and just responded with a nod. She shooed Hagrid off.
"He's going to rush back to tell Dumbledore," Narcissa told her husband.
"Yes, he doesn't know any other way," Lucius said. "It's only right that I introduce myself to young Mr. Potter before I report this matter to the Board and the Ministry."
Harry watched as Hagrid left from inside Madam Malkin's. Harry took a step forward to walk after that, but the door opened, and Narcissa, and the man who he assumed was Lyra's father, stepped into the shop.
"Mr. Potter, it's an honor to welcome you back," the man said. "My name is Lucius Malfoy. I am Lyra's father."
"Nice to meet you, Mr. Malfoy," Harry said.
Lucius took Harry's hand with a formal handshake. Harry felt like this was the sort of man he should pay attention to at all times. He did seem overly formal and stiff.
"I would like to say how disgraceful it was that you were kept from the world you belong with, for ten years," Lucius said. "Mr. Hagrid has agreed that my wife will be taking over his responsibilities to ensure that your Hogwarts shopping is completed. She will ensure you will be safely returned home after you are done today."
"Hagrid agreed to that?" Harry asked.
"He argued, but conceded that it might be for the best," Lucius said.
Harry had a feeling there was more to this story. But he nodded. Hagrid did leave in a hurry.
"I have urgent matters to attend to with both the Hogwarts Board of Governors and the Ministry of Magic," Lucius said. "I trust I will be seeing you in the future, Mr. Potter. I hope for great things from you in the future."
Harry, not knowing how to react, just nodded. Lucius turned and made his way towards the exit.
"That's not going to be a problem, is it?" Harry asked Narcissa.
"No problem at all," Narcissa said. "We've got quite a bit to do. And I believe that we can start with your everyday clothes. They don't look like they fit you, at all. Along with your glasses."
Harry felt a bit flustered.
"You don't have to…."
"I don't have to, but you will feel a lot better if you have clothes that fit you and are your own," Narcissa said. "Trust me, Harry, it will be fine."
"Mum will make sure you get some good clothes for a change," Lyra said. "You said all of those clothes belong to your cousin, right?"
Harry nodded, uncertain if he should be sharing this information. Narcissa just frowned and walked over to Madam Malkin, and started to make an order with her.
"Even the underwear?" Lyra asked.
Harry nodded and Lyra pulled a disgusted face.
"No friend of mine should have to wear someone else's underwear," Lyra said.
"Wait, we're friends?" Harry asked.
Lyra looked a bit embarrassed and started to stammer a little bit.
"If…if you want to be," Lyra said. "I mean, I'm not sure how to really make a friend. Never really had one. Just the children of Father's…associates. And a lot of them were older than me. And nice to me because of how rich Father is."
"I've never had any friends either, Dudley made sure of that," Harry said.
"Dudley?" Lyra asked.
"My cousin," Harry said. "Big, oafish, stupid. Eats way too much."
"Sounds like a Crabbe or a Goyle without magic," Lyra said in disgust. "So, he's the one you get the clothes from."
"Only when they don't fit him anymore," Harry admitted. "That happens about three or four times a year and he just keeps eating and keeps getting wider. And my aunt thinks that he doesn't get enough."
Lyra just shook her head in disgust.
"And you get his underwear as well?" Lyra asked.
"I try not to think about that," Harry said.
"I wouldn't either," Lyra said. "So…do you want to be friends?"
Lyra almost murmured this, her pale cheeks going pink.
"If you want to," Harry said. "I'd like to be your friend."
Lyra looked rather pleased about this.
"I'll be the best friend you ever had," Lyra said.
"You're the only friend I've ever had," Harry said.
"Which shouldn't be," Lyra said. "And it won't be for long."
Narcissa watched the interplay between her daughter and Harry, with a small smile. Her daughter always did not have the best people skills, and Lucius did pressure her to act like a proper lady of a pureblood family. Hopefully, Harry would let Lyra be more comfortable.
Harry was a lot like Lily, his mother. He had a good heart. And unfortunately, some people would take advantage of it. Lily Evans was one of the good ones.
The shopping trip went really well. Harry got some clothes that were his own and got a new pair of glasses that fit his eyes better and were not held together by tape. Narcissa recommended a lot of books that would get Harry up to speed about what he should know, knowledge that a lot of magical children.
They also spent some time at Quality Quidditch supplies, with Lyra excitedly telling Harry everything she knew about Quidditch, her favorite team the Holyhead Harpies, and how the Chudley Cannons were the worst, and their fanbase was the most toxic in the League.
"Nimbus 2000 is the best," Lyra said. "Although, they're coming out with a 2001 model next summer. And I want one…maybe we can both be on the Slytherin Quidditch team together…that is if you're in Slytherin? Hope you are."
"You mentioned the Hogwarts houses," Harry said. "And you think Slytherin is the best?"
"Well, a lot of people think that it's full of nothing but dark wizards," Lyra said nervously. "But, that's not fair. Because, bad witches and wizards, they can come from anywhere. Look at Sirius Black….he killed thirteen people with one curse, and he was a Gryffindor. Barty Crouch Junior, he was a Ravenclaw, and he was one of You-Know-Who's Death Eaters. I'm sure there's been some rotten Hufflepuffs as well. Yeah, You-Know-Who was a Slytherin or so everyone claims, but really does anyone know his original name? So, that's just hearsay, isn't it?"
"I guess," Harry said.
Harry had been learning a lot for the first time, yet it was knowledge that Lyra took for granted.
"Slytherin just has a lot of people who want to be left alone," Lyra said. "And yes, there's a lot of them who end up turning bad. I think you'll do well in any house though. But, you really should be Slytherin. Or Ravenclaw. Just anything but Gryffindor. Please, I don't think I can stand it if my first friend was in the house of reckless idiots. But…I'll try and keep an open mind. Daddy would be furious if I was anything but Slytherin."
"Where do you want to go?" Harry asked.
"I don't know," Lyra admitted. "But, I think it's Slytherin or maybe Ravenclaw."
"I'm sure both of you will do great," Narcissa said. "Now, we just have your wand…and also, happy birthday, Harry."
Narcissa presented Harry with a cage, with a beautiful snowy owl inside of it. Harry felt a warm feeling.
"Snowy owls, they're so beautiful and rare," Lyra cooed. "You're really lucky."
"Your mother always loved snowy owls," Narcissa said to Harry.
"You knew my mother?" Harry asked.
"We were acquainted," Narcissa said. "She was a Gryffindor, although I feel that she would have fit in with Slytherin or Ravenclaw better. And I was a Slytherin, a couple of years ahead of her. The Potions teacher during that time, Horace Slughorn, had a group of students who he felt were the best and the brightest, called the Slug Club. I know, I didn't name it."
Narcissa smiled fondly at the memories.
"But, yes, we knew each other, not well, but we talked quite a bit," Narcissa said. "At least for a few years."
"Do you have….can you…." Harry asked.
"I can tell you what I know about Lily," Narcissa said. "I'm guessing her sister didn't have fond things to say about her."
Harry shook his head. Narcissa just sniffed in disgust.
"Let's go get your wand," Narcissa said. "And then we'll be discussing where you'll be spending the rest of the summer."
Harry frowned, having gotten his wand. A wand which shared a core with the man who killed his parents. Lyra stepped out of the wand shop and put her hand on Harry's shoulder.
"I share a wand core with Voldemort," Harry murmured.
"Well, I don't like him anymore than you do," Lyra said. "But, he was a powerful wizard. And even Ollivander said he did great things. Terrible, but great things."
Harry did not feel too appeased.
"The wand chooses the wizard," Harry said. "And this wand chooses me."
"You're not going to be like him," Lyra said. "Father…doesn't like talking about it. But, he was forced to serve You-Know-Who at one time. The things my father was forced to do were unspeakable. That's why so many people celebrated you when he fell. Because, you defeating him, means that they were free. Finally, free."
"Hagrid doesn't think he's completely dead," Harry said.
"Well, that's Hagrid's opinion, but he has to be gone," Lyra said. "Because someone like that would have come back before now. It was a constant nightmare, day after day. People lived in fear. My father said that if You-Know-Who wanted them to do something, they had no choice. They would be controlled, or blackmailed, or if he could not do either, they would be destroyed. He's gone. He's gone."
"Are you sure?" Harry asked.
"He has to be," Lyra said. "And you're not going to be like him."
"How do you know?" Harry asked.
"Because, you would have killed those idiots you call relatives by this point if you were."
Harry just frowned and Lyra brushed a strand of hair away from her face.
"I don't know what to say," Lyra said. "I'm not good at making people feel good."
And now Harry felt bad that he made Lyra frustrated about her inability to appease Harry.
"Harry?"
Narcissa walked out and motioned for Harry to follow her.
"Ignore what Ollivander told you," Narcissa said. "The man takes pride in his work. An almost obsessive amount of pride. He should have never told you about the fact that your wand shared a similar origin to…him. I told him that he should keep his mouth shut about it in the future."
"Thank you," Harry said.
"He gets over excited, but you shouldn't be worried," Narcissa said. "He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named did terrible things. Many of us thought he was the answer to our problems for a long time. And many learned the hard way that he was not interested in any cause, other than expanding his own power. You shouldn't concern yourself with what he was."
"He sounds terrible," Harry said.
"He was a monster," Narcissa said. "You lost your parents. I lost my sister to him as well."
"Your sister is dead?" Harry asked before he realized how insensitive that sounds. "Sorry."
"No, not dead," Narcissa said. "She's in Azkaban, the wizard prison, refusing to denounce him even after the bitter end. And…I've had a falling out with my other sister,Andromeda, not unlike the one between your mother and your aunt."
"Sorry to hear about that," Harry said.
"I am as well," Narcissa said. "The wand doesn't matter. I wouldn't tell anyone about it. Lyra, that means you as well."
"Yes, Mother," Lyra said. "I know what people will make of that."
"Excellent," Narcissa said. "We have time for dinner before I pay a visit to Harry's…family."
Narcissa almost spat that word out like it was pure bile. Harry did not dare hope he was leaving the Dursleys forever. He knew nothing good could come in getting his hopes up.
Lucius Malfoy considered the events of today. The fact that his daughter could just happen to come across Harry Potter was quite the stroke of fortune. The fact Harry Potter was kept in darkness for so long, had surprised Lucius, but perhaps he should not be surprised.
It all added up. Dumbledore put Harry Potter in an environment that Harry Potter would be grateful to be rescued from. Dumbledore set one of his most devoted disciples, Rubeus Hagrid, to retrieve the boy and to give him his earliest impressions of the Wizarding World. Hagrid did not have a single thought in his simple mind that Albus Dumbledore did not put there and Lucius knew that Hagrid would just spit Dumbledore's rhetoric back at Potter like an oversized parrot.
Lucius respected what Dumbledore was doing, in a sense. Game respected the game and Lucius applauded Dumbledore for the steps he took in making sure Harry Potter's destiny would be guided by the Hogwarts Headmaster.
Some people saw Dumbledore as a benevolent figure of the light. Some saw him a senile old fool who should have been put out to pasture a long time ago. Lucius saw Dumbledore as something far different. One of the most dangerous wizards in the world, who casually disregarded everyone around him and played games to achieve his own goals.
Dumbledore and the Dark Lord were not dissimilar at all. They presented themselves for an agenda, but in reality, they were only for themselves and holding on for power.
Lucius spent countless time and resources denouncing the Dark Lord. Truth be told, Lucius made a huge mistake joining up with the Dark Lord. He joined up willingly at first. Because, like many, Lucius believed the Dark Lord's agenda aligned with his own. He was not about ready to start hugging Mudbloods or dine with Weasleys, far from it. But, the Dark Lord cared little about presenting a magic-first agenda. He cared about fear and power. The bloodlust only appeased the most fanatical of the Dark Lord's supporters, like his sister-in-law, Bellatrix.
Lucius thought himself above Muggles, but he was not ignorant to the fact that they were advancing and their culture polluted their world, slowly killing out the old lines. Unless something was done soon, Lucius feared that magical society as they knew it would be defunct. Having some fanatical nutcase murdering everyone who disagreed with him, regardless of their blood, did not serve to help their society. It fractured them further and demonized the old families even further.
Harry Potter presented a unique opportunity. Lucius had no problem with a Muggleborn like Lily Evans who learned about their world and did things the right way. It was a pity she found herself at odds with the Dark Lord. He did have a problem with Mudbloods who never wanted to learn about their world, that they had been so graciously invited to explore the gifts of magic. Instead, they forced their values and tried to change their world. And fewer fought those changes with each generation.
Lucius understood how to play the game. It would be a worthwhile investment to encourage his daughter's friendship with Harry Potter, even if Lucius had little use for friends himself. And should the Dark Lord return, then Lucius could be shielded from the worst of his wrath. A union between House Potter and House Malfoy would be historic and would pretty much cripple all opposition on both sides.
He would tread lightly and carefully. Narcissa seemed fond of the boy already, and Lucius knew better than to incur his wife's wrath. She was a Black. And would not hesitate to pull a Lady Zabini on him if Lucius upset her. Lucius understood this.
One could not survive playing the game without understanding all of the risks of it.
"This is the place. They should be home."
Narcissa noticed that Harry did not seem too pleased to be back here. And given what he learned, she could hardly fault him. Perhaps it was best she already sent Lyra ahead through the Floo before heading over here.
"It's alright, I'll knock on the door," Narcissa said.
Narcissa knocked firmly on the door. A thin blonde woman with a horse-like face answered the door.
"Mrs. Dursley," Narcissa said. "I'm Narcissa Black-Malfoy. My daughter has befriended your nephew. I'm not going to waste time assuming you have any manners, so I'll invite myself in."
"Now listen here…."
Narcissa stepped into the room and she waved Petunia aside, like she was nothing. Her husband exited the kitchen. He looked like a heart attack risk waiting to happen.
"Who is this?" Vernon asked. "Boy, what is going on? Who the devil are you?"
"Manners," Narcissa said. "Sit down."
"You can't…"
"Sit down!" Narcissa snapped.
Narcissa spoke so firmly, and she did have her wand out. The Dursleys backed up.
"I won't have one of them…"
"Silence," Narcissa said. "I'll make this quick. And I'll make this discreet. The less time I have to spend here, the better. Your nephew, Harry, will be spending the rest of the summer with my family and he will not be returning."
"Dumbledore said he had to stay here," Petunia said.
"I will have that matter looked into," Narcissa said. "Harry, please get your belongings and meet me back here in five minutes."
Harry nodded. Narcissa took note that he instinctively went for the cupboard underneath the stairs briefly before correcting himself.
"He's not coming back?" Vernon asked quickly.
"No," Narcissa said. "He won't be. And for your sake, you better not have mistreated him in any way. Or you will regret it."
"You can't threaten us like that," Petunia said. "We had no choice. We had to take him in."
Narcissa did not doubt that for a second. More red flags had been raised the more she talked with them.
"Dumbledore spoke to you about Harry's living arrangements?" Narcissa asked. "Personally?"
"No, that old bastard dropped the boy on our doorstep with a note," Vernon said. "And he suggested it would be in our best interest to take care of the boy. He guilt-tripped us into doing so and said that he would be in touch."
"He must have people watching us," Petunia said.
Narcissa just nodded. November. Dumbledore left a child on the doorstep. In November. With a note. Just a note. She did not have much sympathy to prepare for ignorant and uncivilized Muggles like these Dursleys. Still, Dumbledore did not give them a choice.
Because the old bastard knew they would refuse to take Harry in, unless their hand was forced.
Out of the corner of her eye, Narcissa noticed a rather rotund boy with a pig's tail poking out from the other side of his trousers.
"What's this?" Narcissa asked.
"That's my son, Dudley," Petunia said.
"Your son has a pig's tail," Narcissa said dryly.
"That's because of that giant who tore down the door," Vernon said. "He barged in, no regard for anything. And he attacked my son for no reason."
Narcissa doubted it was for no reason. Likely something stupid the parents did, which was unfair against the child, no matter how oafish he was.
"Stay still," Narcissa told Dudley. "This will hurt more if you fidget."
Narcissa flicked her wand and Petunia screamed. And Dudley let out a yelp as the pig's tail vanished.
"I told you not to move," Narcissa said.
"What the devil did you do?" Vernon asked.
"The words you're looking for is, "Thank you, Lady Malfoy, for removing my son's embarrassment." The fact Harry's well mannered as he is is a miracle. He obviously learned nothing from you barbarians. And I am thankful for it."
Vernon looked about ready to pop a blood vessel in his head.
"Now listen here, you just can't…"
"And you should also thank me for not turning you into donkeys," Narcissa said. "By the looks of things, I doubt very much it's a difficult transfiguration to put off."
Narcissa turned to Harry, who was standing at the doorway.
"That's all?" Narcissa asked.
"Yes, that's everything," Harry said. "Is everything alright?"
Narcissa nodded in response. She looked at Harry's meager possessions to the Dursleys, who trembled.
"We don't have to let him leave," Petunia said.
"But, you will," Narcissa said curtly. "And with any luck, you'll never see each other again. And you never have to see a constant reminder about how Lily is superior to you in every way. Good day and may we never cross paths again."
Petunia made an indignant noise, but Narcissa cared little in offending this awful woman. Narcissa had a very important owl to send when she had Harry settle in.
"Take my arm," Narcissa said. "Hold on tight."
Harry did as he was told. Narcissa and Harry disappeared with a pop, leaving the Dursleys behind. For good.
To Be Continued.