The next morning, Lucius entered his breakfast room to find The Boy Whose Eyelashes Were Entirely Thick and Looked Like A Girl With His Hair in That Ridiculous Ponytail eating calmly.
"You were out late last night." Lucius said disapprovingly.
"Watch it Lucius, people would start to think you cared. Or, ye gods, you were getting parental." Potter slipped his glasses onto his head. His eyes shone with excitement as he ate his meal.
Lucius glared at him in suspicion. The child was entirely too happy with the world. It was almost like the day he found himself in a Nundu's den after biting into a muffin. Freaking portkeys. Stupid kids. Potter chortled, little freak he was, into his eggs evilly. When Narcissa walked into the room, she murmured a greeting before stopping short at the sight of the still snickering boy. Her eyes slid over the table worriedly and she sat in her seat daintily. Draco followed seconds later. He sketched the bow required of him to Harry even as he slid into his seat. The blond boy looked tired.
"Have you found the culprit yet?" Draco murmured after drinking his requisite cup of milk.
"Has your father taught you no manners? No business at the table."
"I apolo-."
The Malfoy family all but blinked in unison. Harry never chided anyone on manners. Hell, the Brat Who Broke The Rules only was polite when it suited his needs. They looked down at their plates and pushed them away simultaneously. Harry stared at them.
"The hell? I didn't hook a portkey into your food." The boy rolled his eyes. "It was only that one time, and it was because Lucius decided to get me a fiancée against my wishes."
Harry pouted when they pushed their chairs away from the table warily.
"You are so paranoid. Did you know that?"
Lucius and Narcissa were quick to stand. Draco followed their movement seconds later.
"Ye gods, you people need to not live in such a Slytherin way. Can't a boy be happy because he found who was stealing all his hard earned cash?"
"Dumbledore."
"You utter ass! 'Twas to be a surprise, with suspense!"
Lucius smirked.
Draco frowned.
Narcissa snickered into her delicate cup of tea,
"I resent that." Lucius muttered.
"He tried to sell the Potter Manor."
"What?"
"You know, the family manor. The one with all the shit that accumulates over trillions of years? Yep, tried and failed to sell it. He's turned Godric's Hollow into a historical landmark and tore that property away from me with me having no financial gain. Three other properties are being occupied. They believe they own it but they do not. Artifacts of my family are missing and I'm paying tuition at a school I do not even attend."
"Do not say shit. It isn't proper."
Harry rolled his eyes at Narcissa's statement.
"Do you know he puts my money into different people's accounts? And that he paid the Dursley's for my time there? And I wasn't even supposed to go to the Dursleys! There is a list of half the graduating class of Hogwarts on the will! And don't get me started on the wills! Or even worse Black!"
"Why not Black?"
"Dumbledore sent him to his death! He knew the truth!" Harry paused as a glass shattered. He waved his hand and it repaired itself. Lucius almost wept. The boy only managed effortless wandless magic when he was supremely angry. "He fucking knew it all and doomed me to the fucking Dursley's and their normal lives!"
Lucius found himself wondering what happened at the Muggle's house. Harry never talked about his time spent in that prison.
"Harry. Why aren't we presenting this to the Wizengamot?" Harry blinked at her and then fairly glowed. He knew there was some sort of upside to leaving with the Malfoy's!
Chapter four
A week later, the Wizengamot was called to order. Lucius sauntered in with his heir and ward. The trio moved to find seats where they would place their fates for the meeting. It was a lesser known secret that where you sat often helped determine the outcome of the trial that would occur, especially if you had a part in it. The blond man opened his mouth to direct the boy. Instead, he found himself surprised as the Boy Who Really Should Fall Down The Stairs led them smack dab in the center of the neutral section. And he meant center. On one side, sat the Longbottom matriarch and on the other sat the Zabini matriarch. He raised his eyebrow as he caught the tawny eyes of Longbottom on him. He nodded to her politely and noticed her tap her heirs shoulder. The boy looked up from where he sat on the low bench designated for heirs and bowed to him. Lucius hid his start of surprise and nodded at the child. How had the Wonderboy of Wonders stuck him in the middle of gray and beige? Harry turned to the Longbottoms.
"Good morning." Harry smiled brightly. Lucius wondered what the Boy Who Was Acting Suspicious was planning to do. "This is my first time in the Wizengamot." He straightened his robes nervously. "Head of the Houses Potter and Black. I'm Harry Black-Potter." He dipped his head courteously. "May I have the pleasure of knowing your names?" Lucius watched as the Longbottom matriarch stared down her nose at the Brat Who Was About To Be Insulted. "Have I done something wrong ma'am?"
"I will not explain myself to you." She said in a patronizing tone. "I have naught to say to a scion of Dumbledore."
Harry and Lucius snorted. Disregarding all his hard learned lessons,Harry threw back his head and laughed. The bitter sound echoed through the room.
"Scion of Dumbledore? If he caught on fire I wouldn't out it. He is the reason we are here today, did you not know?" Harry snorted inelegantly again and turned from the surprised woman. "Scion of that fool? Hah!"
As if summoned, Albus Dumbledore strode in through the lower doors. He looked around the room, blue eyes twinkling madly as the unicorns romped around the edges of his robe.
"As asked, I am here. What are the accusations being brought against me? This farce has gone on long enough."
The trial began.
Harry stood.
"Head of House Black and Potter. I ask to be permitted to speak against this man."
"The Court recognizes you." The elderly judge all but wheezed.
Lucius decided he quite liked the evil light that shone in the Boy Who Was Dainty And Small's eyes. It made it seem more possible that the tiny chit had managed to kill Volder… the Dark Lord off.
"That man," Harry paused to sniff disdainfully. "Has wronged me and my godfather in ways that should never have occurred."
"And how has he done so?"
The wicked smile the flitted over the Boy Who Was About To Get What He Wanted's face would have been more suited to Voldemort .
"In my parent's will, it was clearly stated that I would not go to the Dursley's , muggles, ever. They preferred that I go to Azkaban over being sent to that house with the potentially abusive family. For the first six years of my life however, I lived with the Dursleys."
Lucius caught himself leaning forward, already entranced by the story. He had never heard the story behind the muggles.
"The Dursleys were everything my parents feared they would be. They were abusive, cold, cruel and a household unsuitable for a magical child."
"How so?" The wizened judge asked.
"When the household decides to beat the magic out of a magical child, 'twil never work. Do you know I have eidetic memory? I remember many things. At fifteen months and back my memory is blurred however courtesy of Voldemort and his merry wand." People flinched. Harry's lip curled into a not-quite sneer. "At two, I was taught how to garden. My bedroom was the cupboard under the stairs. Age three, I learned how to cook. Failure to complete any chore resulted in food being withheld from me. Needless to say," It was a wry grin that twisted those pink lips. "Most days I could not eat."
"Why is this?"
"I could not complete the chores." Harry motioned to himself. "I'm a victim of starvation. Irreversibly damaged because my magic rerouted itself so that I could survive with the scraps I was given. I could not mow the lawn, I could not use the shears, and I could not reach the stove. I was given a small dinner on Sundays so that I could begin my week anew with something to keep me alive."
"What was your dinner?"
"Disgusting."
"What was it?" The old man said. His wrinkles were pulled tight in anger. In the magical world, one did not damage a child's magic without retribution. While this child's magic had rerouted itself, not many children would be able to claim such a feat.
"Water and things best left to rats." The flat tone the boy's voice had taken warned them away from asking the exact food it was. "At age six, I was sent to the Malfoy family. Narcissa Lyra nee Black had become my legal guardian."
"What became of the Dursleys?"
Lucius watched as the boy's face went blank.
"I killed them." The words were spoken firmly. "Vernon, my uncle, was upping my punishment. Kicks and slaps and punches no longer sufficed. Belts and switches became normal."
"Many children are disciplined with a belt, Mr. Potter."
"Ah, yes, many children are hit with the metal pieces in the belt, I see. Many children are beaten til their blood pools around their body and are thrown into cupboards and left to die. I see." Harry sighed. "But that is not why he died. Vernon began to watch me shower. Petunia ignored this and Dudley learned from his father. When I turned six, he touched me, my magic killed them."
"But you have been beaten and never had your magic reacted."
"You misunderstand. He touched me. It was filthy and vile and he deserved the death he was granted. No one touches a six year old child the way he attempted and lives. And then Dumbledore came in to save the day and took me to the Malfoys. I found out about my godfather there."
"Who is this godfather and why did he not step forward to claim you?"
"Why Sirius Black was my godfather, can you not tell after I was sent to live with his cousin?" The room exploded in chaos. Harry continued speaking as if no one else was in the room. "Did you know he was innocent and never given a trial? There was a document that stated their grand plan in fooling the Dark, signed in blood with Dumbledore's signature itself on it."
"What was this plan?"
"Peter Pettigrew was the true secret keeper. Who would suspect him as it? Sirius was always the best candidate. But they kept it secret from anyone else. Except Dumbledore. He knew. And he spoke not a word as Sirius Black was thrown into a place hardened criminals feared. And now he's dead."
The court was silent.
"What is it that you wish from us?" The old man whispered.
"Reparations for Black's unfair imprisonment that ended in his death. Reparations for not giving an innocent man his trial. Reparations from Dumbledore for putting me in such a home."
"He could not have known how bad that family would be."
"He'd no right to place me there. After my godfather major, I should have been placed with the godfather minor."
"But these people were blood."
"And the will explicitly said that my parents would rather me go to Azkaban and be a ward of theirs. They were never to be considered. And this very courtroom gave him the power to place me there." This time the Boy Who Sneered Like Pro did sneer. "What right did you have to go against my dead parent's will?"
"We thought it was for the best."
"Did you not think my parents knew what was for the best? You went against them, illegally. Technically, you kidnapped me."
"And what of you living with the Malfoy's? Is that not against the rules?"
The Boy Who Sneered smiled a smile eerily reminiscent to the Goblins when people attempted to cheat them of gold.
"Black died. I went to his next of kin. Not against the rules at all."
"What does a child know of legalities?" Dumbledore interrupted. "Why are we listening to a eight year old boy?"
"Nine actually. And haven't you heard? I'm the Boy Who Lived. Of course people will listen to me. But if that doesn't work, it could be because I'm speaking the truth. I want reparations from the Ministry for letting this man place me in an abusive home, for kidnapping me, for depriving me of a normal childhood."
"We have no proof for your claims." The elderly man stated. Sweat beaded his brow as he thought of the sheer amount of wealth the boy would accumulate through this trial alone.
"Would you like some?" Harry idly began unbuttoning his robes. The dark brown material crumpled to the floor. Draco pulled it onto the bench beside him. A soft wine red shirt followed and then Harry spun. "Are scars enough proof? May haps you need to see more? Lucius."
Lucius snapped his horrified gaze from the boy's stomach. He had wondered over the boy's overwhelming modesty and now he had found the reason. Scars littered the boy's body in random intervals. Each scar was tiny really, and Lucius felt sick when he realized that a belt buckle was what had scarred the boy's skin.
"Yes?" He murmured, his eyes still drinking in the scars. Beside his knee, his son squirmed, visibly restraining himself from clothing his friend and dragging him away from the courtroom.
"Is there another way to prove myself?"
"Pensieve." Lucius blinked when his eyes met green. Potter patted his cheek softly and spun to face the court again. A strangled sound escaped his son's throat. There was a peculiar crescent shaped pattern of scars on the fragile child's waist. Lucius held his hand up and twisted it just so and he knew where the scars came from. Someone had gripped the boy's waist so hard that their nails had dug into his skin and scarred his body.
"May I have one?"
The wizened man looked nervous.
"You may not. It was not asked for before the trial and will not be gran-."
"Get the pensieve. I will not have the Ministry sidestep this case. Abuse in children is punishable by death, and this you well know. Our children are sacred and never to be harmed." Lucius started when he heard Augusta Longbottom speak. The old man glowered at her even as he motioned for the item.
Draco stood and moved to Harry's side. Tenderly, ignoring the fact that the Wizengamot was staring at him, he dressed Harry in his shirt, buttoning it and smoothing his palms over the red fabric. Then he sat on the bench by his father's knee. His gunmetal gray eyes were hooded, but anyone could see the tic that was developing as he grit his teeth.
When the pensieve appeared in front Harry, he handed it to Lucius. The blonde man quietly instructed him on its usage before he pulled the offered memories from the boy's mind. The pensieve appeared in the center of the room. Its contents were spilled suddenly, flooding into the basin below it. The wizards and witches held their breath as the memory grew and expanded I n the center of the room. Like a three dimensional movie, they saw Harry's tale of horror unfold. It sped by in flashes that were disjointed, but even the stupidest and most naïve person saw what was unfolding before them. The final scene played, clear and concise. They saw the tiny boy taking his shower. They saw his uncle reach forward. They witnessed his uncle touching him. And then came the explosion of power that the Wizengamot swore they could feel. They felt no pity for the fat muggle as cut upon cut appeared on his skin. They felt no amount of sympathy for his horse faced wife when she was suddenly turned inside out. They felt not an ounce of sadness for the fat child when he exploded in a shower of blood and gore. They did feel fear when they saw how powerful the little boy was.
"Oh gee whiz, however could I have lied about my treatment?" The quiet statement drew the Wizengamot from their horrified reverie. "Look at how your hero was treated because of your foolishness. You betrayed me to an elderly man who had no right to do anything he did. How…sad." The pensieve reappeared in front of him, filled with its memories. Lucius placed them back into the boy's head.
"Why money?"
"What else have you to offer to me?" Harry snapped. "What can you do for me?"
Silence filled the room.
"Exactly. I killed the muggles, you can't execute them yourselves. I have a house, home to stay in, you cannot make me a ward of the Ministry. I have a life now, and you could not grant me one then. Money is the only thing you have that is of use to me."
"Your parents would be deeply ashamed of you." The wizened old man stated. Potter blinked.
"Excuse me?"
"Your parents would be ashamed of you. You ask us for money instead of keeping your dignity and pride intact."
Potter snarled and his power rose.
"My dignity and pride? I had none. I am slowly gaining it back you insolent worm. Had you not placed me with those monsters I would have never asked for money. As for my parents." Harry paused and his power shrunk back into his body. "Well, they're dead." He gave a careless elegant shrug with one shoulder. "They have nothing to offer me and I'm afraid self-preservation is fairly ingrained into my being. Gold is power, and power is something I do not wish to lack after living that way for years of my life."
The man slumped in his seat.
"Those who find Lord Black-Potter deserving?" There were few hands that were not raised. Gulping, the man continued. "And those who do not?" Only five people raised their hands, and these people were quickly cowed by the majority of the Wizengamot. "Then you will receive your payment Black-Potter, I ho-."
"Lord Black-Potter."
"Excuse me."
"I am a Lord. You will address me as such."
"You shouldn't even be allowed in this room brat."
Harry spun to face the speaker.
"And you are?"
"Cornelius Fudge, Minister of Magic."
"I demand that he be removed from office as one of my reparations."
"What!?" The judge yelped. "You, you cannot do th-."
"He spoke as if I deserve everything I have gotten."
"You did." The Minister spoke petulantly. "Why should we have to give you gold?"
The dangerous grin on Harry's face would have sent Lucius running…in an elegant and controlled way.
"What kind of man are you when you could see what I went through and tell me I deserved it?" Murmurs filled the chamber and the Minister saw his fatal mistake.
"We shall grant you that as reparation."
"Good, you have five more to complete." Harry smiled at the man brightly. "And Dumbledore will pay me for what he has done as well."
The Winzengamot winced collectively as they realized just how much money the boy would get for their unthinking actions.
"We will contact you with your payment. You will see the impeachment in the papers."
"Wonderful." Harry all but purred.
"This session is dismissed." The room emptied slowly, many of the Wizengamot waiting to talk to the Boy Who Lived. The Boy Who Lived To Be An Asshole ignored anyone who approached him. He looked up at the Longbottom matriarch when she placed a gentle hand on his shoulder.
"I did not want my grandson to associate with a boy who was under Dumbledore's thumb. He destroyed my family during He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named's time. I could not bear it if I lost him to the Light side as well." She stepped back and curtsied. "I am Augusta Longbottom, matriarch to the Longbottom line until my grandson is able to take his rightful place. I am willing to be your ally."
Harry smiled as he bowed.
"I am Harry Black Potter, ruling lord and last of my line, directly. It will be a pleasure to work alongside your family shall I ever need to."
Augusta pushed her heir forward. The round faced boy gulped and bowed deeply.
"I-I am N-Neville Longbottom, heir to the Longbottom line. It will be a pleasure to grow with you at my side."
"It will be a pleasure and an honor to grow with you at my side." Harry smiled softly. "But to match me in growth, you must be proud."
Neville stared at him in shock and nodded.
"I shall try to not disappoint you, my lord."
"I am your age, I cannot take the my lord thing as of yet. For now, Harry, Black or Potter will do."
"I will remember that Potter." Neville and Augusta left the room. Harry turned to see Lucius waiting for him next to the woman he had sat beside.
"Harry?"
"Yes sir?"
"I would like to introduce you to Aida Zabini and her son Blaise."
"It is a pleasure to meet you both." Harry smiled at the pair. Blaise smiled brightly and stepped forward.
"It will be a pleasure to age with you at my side."
"It will be wonderful to have you at mine." Harry paused and tipped his head to the side. Something urged him to say more to the caramel colored boy. "You can call me Harry." A smile lit up the other boy's face.
Lucius made a disapproving sound. Harry felt the urge to stick his tongue out at the man. He frowned.
"I do not appreciate being manipulated."
Blaise frowned.
"What?"
"Stop it! I do not like not being in control of my actions!"
"You can feel it?" Aida murmured. Lucius shot her a look and she stepped forward. "I apologize my lord. 'Tis not that we wish for you to feel it. It is in our blood to lure people to us. Never have we found someone who could resist the pull."
"The pull of what?"
Aida Zabini blinked and bit her lip. Her hazel eyes studied him intently. She curtsied deeply.
"Accept my deepest apologies. Our blood, our lineage has lured many to their demise. We do not wish this on you in the least. Please do not reject my family because of what our blood is."
"And what is it?" Harry grit his teeth as the urge to take his question back hit him. He reached forward to her bowed head and yanked on a braid, coiling it around his wrist. A soft scream escaped her.
"Siren! 'Tis Siren blood that flows through us!"
Harry twisted his fist sharply and the braid fell free. He reached forward and tucked it behind her ear.
"Apology accepted. Do not do it again. I give you a chance, do not abuse it." She stepped back, hazel eyes calculating.
"I shall not." She murmured tightly. "A pleasure to meet you."
"And you as well."
"I've always wanted to meet the Boy Who Lived." Sharp green eyes focused on Blaise.
"Ah, I do not like that name nor the fame that goes with it. Shall you refer to me as such again, except with the utmost disdain and sarcasm, I will cause you pain."
Blaise agreed hurriedly.
"Harry?" The caramel skin boy began.
"Black or Potter. You stole the right to use my name before it was given."
"Potter?"
"Yes?"
"May we play quidditch together one day? With Lord Malfoy's acceptance of course."
"I suppose. Farewell." Draco made an annoyed sound at the response. Harry turned to see gunmetal grey visually murdering the other boy. Filing away that reaction, he smiled and walked away. Lucius followed hi ward and heir out of the chamber.
"Do you really wish to bring that…boy to our house?"
"What is wrong with him? He is an heir, is neutral, and is interesting because of his heritage. He is new, a challenge to me."
"Why do you need him!? You have me!"
Harry's gaze slid sideways.
"You must not be so possessive Dragon. I am not yours to hide away."
Draco stiffened and fell into a thoughtful silence.
"Be that as it may Harry, you were mine first."
Lucius frowned at his son's words. Since the day the pair had been taken by the vampires, Draco had been oddly possessive about the Brat Who Lived to Drag People Into Paparazzi. One look at Lucius's face in its I'm Fucking Better Than You Cause My Last Name Is Malfoy And I'll Sue If One Of You Touches Me mode had the media clearing a wide path around the trio. They piled into the carriage. The driver waited until they were situated and then flicked the horses' reigns. The horses took one step and they vanished away with the pull magic dragging them home. They reappeared minutes later outside the Manor. Draco slammed the door open and fled the carriage Harry followed the boy with his eyes.
"You have distressed my son."
"It is past time for him to get over this odd possessive mode he has fallen into." Harry rubbed his eyes tiredly; his glasses already back to their normal perch atop his head. "You know I would never cause him undue pain."
Lucius nodded and the duo left the carriage.
"Are you sure you have told me all you know about the time you were kidnapped."
"I'm sure! I've told you all I could remember about those days. But I was not always with him and he with me. The vampires took my blood and I know not what they did with it. He was returned to me one day and looked as if he had been force fed blood. He says he do not know exactly whose blood it was he consumed because the vampires had gotten a goblet and bled into it."
Lucius sighed tiredly as they walked up the stairs. He did not expect the Boy Who Could Angst And Give Teenagers A Run For Their Gold to crumple at the top of the stairs and cry.