Ok so I just wanted to remind everyone that this is a 31 word challenge. I was given 31 words and I had to encorporate them into my piece some how. Each word given is a Chapter Title. Thanks for understanding!
Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter, I do not have any rights to it and I do not make any money from writing these fics.
Chapter 4: Malfoy Manor
Harry didn't know what he expected from spending his last weeks of summer with the Malfoy's but it was a far more enjoyable experience than he had planned even once he had joined them back at the manor. They allowed him access to many things he could not have elsewhere; books on magic, potion, history, lore, and even childish things such as fairytales and myths where at his disposal. As a result Harry was found spending most of his time in a plush green chair, his nose in a book on one thing or another. Not having to fear his Aunt and Uncle or Ron's persistence to go play Quidditch he was able to absorb the knowledge he knew he lacked.
Most of the time he could see one or another Malfoy join him at the fire with a book or a glass of amber liquid of their own. What amused him most was the newest Malfoy'sinterest in magical creatures and how to care for them. Several times quiet conversation was shared on different types of creatures and if they were really as dangerous as the book claimed them to be. A few times even Draco would join in with some snide comment on how Hagrid should read the books better before bringing in a creature for the class and for some reason Harry was quick to agree.
When he wasn't reading and studying material he was hard at work learning to widdle wood and sow clothes together to make the puppets of his art. Even with the knowledge his mother had to give it was a difficult challenge to create his first doll from his magic and even harder when he built his second doll by hand. He felt his magic connected to each hand sized puppet. They were his and his alone and he felt connected to them like he never had felt connected to anything before. They felt like children born of his magic and soul. He couldn't part with them no matter the cost.
It wasn't till the night before the train to Hogwarts did Harry begin to fret about going back. Gathering the books he had borrowed from the Malfoy family he stacked them gently on the desk he had conjured before gathering his notes and placing them within his now multi-compartment trunk. Draco had shown him how to make compartments and then shrink things to fit into as little space as possible. It wasn't long before he had packed away his books, homework, and equipment before settling into folding and shrink his new wardrobe of clothes and more personal belongings. With a grim face he placed the invisibility cloak last, it still held so many memories.
Turning he saw a small black headed doll with shining green eyes and scarlet lips sitting on top of the stack of books he had to return. With a tisking noise he gently lifted the doll in the silver and green dress sitting it gently in a gold silk lined box of chestnut, next to it a doll with straw blonde hair and blue eyes that sat on its own pillow, dressed in a mini red suit with a mock lion etched over a broken heart. They were his dolls. The green and silver dressed one was created by his magic while the red suit was one he made by hand. Each told their own story of his past. Smiling he hummed gently to them as he slowly closed the dark wood lid and locked it with a flick of magic. Lifting the box he laid it to rest in its own compartment refusing to shrink it down as so much magic was already woven into the box and dolls.
A knock on the door had Harry lifting his head and he smiled as Hydrus walked in, two silvery wraiths draped about his neck.
"Sorry he wanted to come see you."
Harry nodded and slowly took the growing male ice wraith from the blonde's neck cooing gently, "Did you miss me Xes? I'm sorry sweetie, I was packing."
Hydrus laughed lightly and gazed down at the packing job, "I see Draco showed you the 'proper' way of packing."
Harry nodded and slowly moved Xes to the desk placing a thistle cube before the growing hatchling. Turning he smiled at Hydrus, "Thank you for watching him while I packed. He would have been bored."
The Malfoy shrugged before gesturing to the other room, "We are having a small family party to say goodbye. You are welcome to come. You will be safe, Uncle Luc has placed you under his protection so those who are Death Eaters can't touch you this eve."
Harry frowned a moment before slowly nodding, "Alright I will go. But I have nothing to wear."
A sly grin spread across the golden haired Malfoy and he pulled a hidden box from behind the dresser mirror, "Oh I knew you would say yes so I told Uncle that you said yes two weeks ago and I took the liberty of getting you something that befitted both your station and inheritance."
Harry frowned, "Why would it have to represent our inheritance?"
Hydrus frowned, "Because this is the fair well party for those who have come to age. It's a newly adult wizard's chance to show not only his rank among society but also what his family line has gifted him with."
The boy who lived thought a moment before murmuring, "So it is a display of power disguised as a going away party. It gives pure blood's a chance to see who would be best suited to marry into which lines."
The older teen sighed and nodded, "Your taking this easier than I assumed."
Harry shrugged, "I have shirked to many duties as an heir, I need to take my responsibilities properly."
Hydrus blinked, "You're not an heir, you're a Lord. You became Lord with your inheritance. Didn't you receive your rings from the goblins?"
The teen blinked owlishly before blushing and rubbing the back of his head, "I never opened it. Honestly, I forgot about it."
"Oh for the love of Merlin get it out and open it!"
Harry shrank back before nodding and dug into his trunk till he pulled out a small shrunken case. Enlarging it till it rested in both hands. Once the size of a pea it now spanned the size of a wand box. Slowly opening it Harry opened the parchment slip.
Dear Mr. Potter,
We have heard word of your inheritance and as such we have deemed it necessary to bestow upon you the rings of your ancestors and the titles that come with it. Within this box contains the family crest and ring of each house you are now Lord of. However we are also aware that you are heir to another house and as such you have received a ring of the heir until such time as the current Lord passes.
May your vaults flow with gold,
Griphook.
Looking down at the case his eyes widened, there on the bed of black silk lay six rings. Each resonating their own sense of power. The one to the farthest right was smaller than the others and Harry instinctively knew that was the heir ring. Slowly he removed the first ring a smile splitting his face as he recognized the Potter crest. The second he also recognized as the La' Fae crest his mother's true blood line. The third was harder to guess but soon he noticed the intricate dark details and smiled, The Black Crest. The fourth was also new to him but with the help of his recent studies he knew it was the Gryffindor Crest. He was the Lord of a founder line. That was rare indeed. The fifth though surprised him even further. The silver and blue gemmed ring stood out against the other gold settings but the mark of the raven was unmistakable, the Ravenclaw Crest. He was descended of two founders. Finally he lifted the last ring. The heir ring and his heart clenched. It was the one ring he had feared to see, The Slytherin Crest, which meant that night Voldemort did more than marked him and equal, he marked him an heir.
Hydrus frowned, "Harry what's wrong? You seem to be in shock."
Harry sighed and set the heir ring down, "I was just surprised. I expected some of these but others, I am just overwhelmed."
The man nodded, "So want to fill me in? I can't see the crests from here but you have a lot which can be expected most Lords have at least three Lord titles. Well pureblood do. I myself am actually Hydrus Percival Trysus Malfoy. Three ancient houses. When announced you go from the youngest name to the oldest in time line."
Harry nodded, "Then I guess I would be Lord Harry James Potter Black Gryffindor Ravenclaw La'Fae, heir to Slytherin."
Hydrus looked up his face frozen, "I'm sorry did you say three founder names?"
Harry nodded.
"And La'Fae as in the line of Morgan La'Fae?"
Harry nodded once more.
"Holy Shit, Oh this is going to be fantastic! Half the pureblood can only claim one founder and they aren't strong enough blood to even be an heir! But where did the La'Fae line come from?"
Harry frowned, "My Mother, and I have to wear the rings tonight? And be introduced in my full title?"
Hydrus nodded his face cracked in a smile, "And the whole world will know just who you are. Wow, your mother."
The teen took a few deep breaths and prayed he would find some peace in all this chaos. Hours passed and soon he was dressed in a long formal robe of deep green with golden trim. He left it open draping around his thin form which he clad carefully in fitting leather pants held up by a green dragon skin belt and a golden silk thread sleeveless top. A gold chain wrapped from his left shoulder to his right hip with a jeweled crest of emerald and ruby with three symbols etched into the surface. It was the mark of his inheritance craft. The delicate swirls made him smile. It had been many years since one had needed to be crafted and now he wore it as a mark of honor.
Slowly he debated whether to hook a few of his miniature dolls to his belt. He had made them as messenger dolls, only to activate when he required them. They weren't connected to him as his two other dolls where. He would feel nothing if one was to be destroyed. Sighing gently he lifted the doll box from his trunk and opened it once more to show his two lovely dolls, reclosing the lid he tapped a blue symbol along the edge of the lid and opened it to reveal six small dolls that looked much like mini voodoo dolls made of thread and yarns. Each was its own unique color: green, blue, purple, orange, red, and brown. Removing them he clipped them on to the belt gently. Taking a deep breath he looked into the mirror and let out the breath he had been holding. He looked like a true pureblood.
A soft knock on the door and Harry turned as the door opened to reveal Lucius in a deep silver and green suit his black dress robe flared open neatly. The elder Malfoy gave a soft look that Harry had become accustomed to over the past few weeks it was never a smile, but it was more than Harry received from his relatives.
"You look magnificent Harry, better than Draco in some ways. Don't worry I won't tell him. I come bearing a small gift before the party begins. I hope you don't mind. It is customary for the child to receive a token from their father or mother before going to the Ball, and as they are unable to I have decided to help them in this matter."
Harry smiled and walked toward the elder wizard, "You did not have to Lord Malfoy."
The man shook his head, "Nonsense it is a custom that I rather like. I am doing the same for Hydrus though he is only my nephew. Just open it and see."
Harry took the silver wrapped package and slowly began to open it. His hands slowly met something soft and green eyes widened as a pure white doll fell into his hands, the paper falling to the floor. It was shaped to take the form of a dragon. Each scale was a carefully cut feather, the wings made to look like a doves wings. The eyes looked to be carved of jade. He slowly trailed his fingers till the feathers gave away to white snake skin along the legs ending in sharp jade talons. Turning it Harry bit his lip at the serpentine white scaled tail that ended in a fanned feather at the tip.
Smiling Harry looked up at Malfoy, "He is beautiful."
Lucius nodded, "The feathers are from Draco and me. The scales from Hyrus's animagus form. Take it as a token of not only adulthood but as a welcome to the family."
Harry slowly set it down on the bed before hugging the Malfoy tightly his lips splitting into a large smile.
Lucius looked down at the child his eyes wide before a small smile slid onto his face and he wrapped his arms around the thin form, his lips brushing the soft black strands, "Your welcome."
Breaking apart the two hooked arms and Lucius led Harry to the alcove where the other two Malfoy's stood waiting. Smiling at the young Potter waved his face blushing as the blonds stared at him.
With a small laugh Lucius grabbed the scroll and held it up, "All three of you filled this out with your full status correct? I have to give it to Severus so he can announce you with the others. I will be in the room waiting. Good luck and remember you're a pureblood."
The three nodded and Lucius walked into the room handing the scroll to Severus who stood at the door before the steps they had to go down to enter the ball room. They waited a few moments before they were joined by a few others to be announced and they shook hands but no one talked much. Excitement and nervousness took over most of their teenage urges to talk and gossip.
"Young Lady Agatha Cornelius Percival Black, Song Witch, Dominant," Severus's voice carrying through the closed door.
Harry watched a girl in bright orange and green robes head toward the door and through them and watched as others where called one after the other.
"Young Lord Blaise Tyberius Heir of Zabini, Charm Wizard, Submissive."
"Young Lady Lilinana Bell Black Heir of Lestrange, Elemental Witch, Dominant."
"Young Lady Pancy Abigail Ravenclaw Heir of Parkinson, Necromancer, Dominant."
"Young Lord Typhus Lestrange Heir of Paravell, Elemental Wizard, Submissive."
"Young Lord Draco Lucius Slytherin Black, Heir of Malfoy, Silver Tip Veela, Dominant."
"Young Lord Hydrus Percival Trysus Malfoy, Gold Tip Veela Siren Hybrid, Dominant."
Finally only Harry was left standing and he look at the double doors taking a large breath. He heard Severus begin his name before falling silent. A clearing of the throat and he resumed.
"Lord Harry James Potter Black Gryffindor Ravenclaw La'Fae heir to Slytherin, Puppet Conjurer, Submissive."
To Be Continued...