Lucius was torn between kicking The Boy Who Cries and Look Stunning At The Same Time down the stairs and finding his son or, good gods, comforting the Child Who Pulled on Narcissa's (not his, because he was a mean, mean man) Heartstrings. He decided to do the latter, but in a nice dry way.

"Why have you spontaneously turned into the Boy Who Cried?" Lucius knelt next to the shaking body and placed his hand on the boy's head. He was momentarily distracted by the child's silky hair. "Potter?"

"G'way."

Lucius winced when he heard the butchered word.

"I have not heard you ever speak like that. Except for the time the Lord of The Rainbows left you in our care."

"G'way!"

"Dear god, you're losing your ability to speak. I shall have to tell Severus that Potter's lose what tiny wit they have as they grow older."

"Go away you foul harpy." Potter hissed. The effect was ruined by the sobs that peppered the statement.

"Why Potter, your insults are failing. Now tell me, what has brought you to this sad, sad state?" The Boy Who Had Snot Dripping From His Impeccably Cute Little Nose snorted and turned away. Silent sobs racked his body. "Was it Draco?" Lucius frowned. "The trial?" The boy's shoulders stiffened. The trial. Why had he not thought of it? The boy had lived with him for three years and never had he spoken of the Dursleys beyond his disquieting comment on their deaths. He had shown no one his scars and had bared them in front of the world. "You have nothing to be ashamed of Potter."

The boy sat up and turned away. He scrubbed angrily at his face and then stood.

"Whoever said I was ashamed?" He walked into the house. Lucius heard Narcissa's delighted voice. He bit his lip and stood. If it was not shame, what had led to the boy's break down? Laughter rang out in his manor. Lucius tilted his head to the side and thought. But he could not find anything but for the tears but shame.

------------

"You know, I don't understand why you are celebrating this solstice with me."

"'Tis to be a grand affair Potter. And it is the Winter Solstice, you will enjoy it. It falls mere days before Christmas. And the power boost for the hour after."

"I have gotten the boost before in my rooms Lucius. I do not see why you decide to bring me to this Solstice when you have refused to bring me to the others."

"The others were not at my home, with my protections. You would be subject to people and whatever their intentions were at another's home. Why, you could be tricked into marriage."

"Yes, because I'm not nine and very interested in the female form." Harry snorted as Lucius held up another dress robe for him to slip into.

"Ah, but you are the Lord of two Houses and the defeater of the mighty Dumbledore."

Harry's reply was muffled by his robes. He adjusted them idly before raising his eyes to his guardian.

"But I did not get that imbecile who thought I deserved my punishment thrown out. Money was nothing to me. I wanted to cause unrest." He pouted and turned towards the mirror. "Besides, D-Doof One knows that I have information on him that I will share at the slightest provocation. He also knows that he repaid everything he ever took from my vaults twice over. He should be satisfied I did not demand more."

Lucius let out a muffled squawk when a bundled robe smacked him in the face.

"Potter!"

"Can I not attempt to pick my own robes this time? Heaven knows I've picked up the fine art and skill in picking colors that match my skin and the occasion and all the robe styles and cuts in between." Harry reached up and redid his mangled ponytail. He heard Lucius snort in amusement. He rolled his eyes. He was well aware that he was too pretty for a boy and the ponytail made him even girlier than the norm.

"Let me see your skills then Potter." Lucius stood back and watched as the boy rummaged through the robe samples. He stood up and murmured something to the parchment he held in his hand. The parchment melted into whatever outfit he had made it.

"Turn. I want it to be a surprise."

Lucius spun away. There was the rustle of silk on skin and then silk on silk. Lucius wondered what the boy had picked. The boy hummed softly and whispered again. There was a small shift in power. Lucius shivered. He hated having his back to anyone. Especially the Boy Who Quite Accidentally Removed Mouths From Faces.

"May I look?"

"Hmm?" Harry murmured distractedly. His brain caught up with him. "Oh yes."

Lucius spun, a sneer already curling his lips only to stare in shock. Potter had found a perfect set of robes for himself; and the combination of his House colors was nothing short of genius. Lucius twitched and then smiled.

"Quite the little queen you are Potter."

"Ah, but I doubt I shall ever be unable to function without at least one layer of make up on my face."

"This is my natural face you brat!"

"Enhanced by beauty charms, I know. I watched you while you slept some time back."

"I'll have you kn- what?"

"It was around the time Draco was ill. I was wondering if you deserved him." Harry spun back to the mirror, signifying the end of the conversation. "Would you leave? I would like to change out of this ill fitting body suit that I wear under these robes."

"If you would just be fitted like the rest of the normal world. We have been over this before; I have seen your scars. There is no shame in bearing them."

"I have told you before Lucius; it is not shame that makes me hide my scars." Harry yanked the hair tie out and shook his head. He murmured something into the sleeve of the robe and it melted, slowly turning back into parchment. "I'll send this to Malkin's. When you figure out what makes me hide my scars, only then will I ever dream of showing them." Harry left the room, the body suit clinging to his form. He met Draco in his room.

"You took entirely too long Harry."

"Why the hell are you in here? You have a suite to yourself. Why must you always be in my rooms, on my bed?"

Draco flushed.

"I enjoy how your room smells." He stood, pushing the pillow he had his face buried in seconds earlier away. "I've told you that." He walked to Harry's wardrobe and pulled a shirt and pair of pants out. He handed them over to Harry and then sat on his bed. Harry smiled at him and murmured the spell for the black silk to let him go. It unwound itself from his body and dropped to the floor. Harry dressed in the clothes Draco had given him and stretched.

"Are you happy now that you will come to the Solstice Ball with me?"

"I thought it was you who begged your father. I couldn't be sure though." Harry shrugged. "I could care less." He ran his hand through his hair, smoothing any out of place strands. Fishing out his hair tie, he pulled it back and secured it. Draco sighed.

"I prefer it down."

"It gets in my way." Harry walked to his bed and shoved Draco over. The blond slid and yanked Harry onto the bed. He placed his head on Harry's back, listening to the heart beat of the younger boy.

"It's been three months. Has Father figured out why you detest showing your scars?"

"No, and neither have you." Harry propped his chin up on his palm. He sighed when he felt Draco breathed deeply. "That habit of yours is beginning to annoy me"

"I like how you smell. Maybe you should change whatever you bathe in."

"We have done that, many times. You, my friend, are just odd." Harry felt Draco's smile through his shirt. "I was going to invite the Zabini's to the Ball, but your father said he wanted us to meet on a more personal basis. After Christmas, the Zabini's will visit. Longbottom on the other hand is coming to the Ball."

Draco jerked away.

"Why!?"

Harry frowned and rolled over.

"Because I want allies. Do you think Dumbledore will stay away from me forever? I don't want to be tangled in another web."

"I am your ally!"

"You are nothing! You have nothing to back you Draco! The Malfoy name means nothing to me!"

Draco gasped. A sob caught in his throat. He fought with his emotions and smoothed his face into a blank mask.

"You are right. I do have nothing to back you with but myself." Gun metal gray darkened. "And I offer myself to you. I will back you in any way possible." Draco looked away from Harry. He clenched his fists, ignoring the stinging pain that it caused him. "I'll always help you Harry. You were my first friend. I hold you above all others but family." And then he fled, leaving a surprised boy behind. Harry blinked and then looked down at his bed. He dragged the pillow Draco had been laying on towards himself and lay on it, inhaling deeply. A smile curled his lips suddenly. He had gotten what he wanted. Harry knew without a doubt that Draco was his and would stay by his side. Draco was his first friend. He refused to let him go. Harry closed his eyes and drifted off to sleep.

He woke abruptly when someone touched his stomach. He snarled at the person and rolled to the end of his bed only to blink in surprise.

"Narci?"

"Draco was angry with you. It took two hours to calm my son. And then I found he has pledged his life to you."

"It isn't my fault Narci. It's his choice." Harry sat up and then stood, he walked around his bed.

Narcissa sat and pulled him down with her. Pushing his head gently, she combed her fingers through his hair as he relaxed against her.

"He tells me he still cannot get you to tell him why you so detest your scars."

"It seems only you understand what drives me."

Narcissa smiled sadly. She closed her eyes and pulled him into a hug. Harry stiffened at the contact. Narcissa held him until he relaxed in her arms again.

"You are angry, and you do not want that anger to overflow."

Harry smiled.

"Correct." He murmured against her side softly. "Why is it only you who can find the answer?"

"Because I can feel how angry you are. No child should ever have such rage." Narcissa shivered. "The Muggles ruined you."

"I object to that. They didn't ruin me. They only made me stronger." When Harry smiled, it was not nice. Narcissa patted his head. She tipped her head to the side and her violet eyes traced his form.

"Ah, but how strong does a child need to be?" Narcissa smiled crookedly. She put her hand to the side and picked up a small, thin box Harry had not seen. Harry peered at it curiously. "This is yours to wear. You are my Head of House and I should have long given it to you. But I feared you would not be strong enough to carry the burden of the Grim. But now I know your strength far surpasses that." Narcissa opened the box and pulled out something black. Harry stared at it curiously, wondering what the gelatinous blob was. He leaned in, staring as the blob pulsed and writhed in Narcissa's palm. It shot out suddenly and he let out a yelp of surprise. The yelp gave way to a scream as whatever the blob was wove its way into the cartilage of his ear. When it was done, Harry could feel something warm on the shell of his ear. He reached up to touch it only for Narcissa to pull his hand down.

"What did you do!?"

"Don't touch it, not yet. It needs your blood to fully acclimate itself to you." Narcissa stared at his ear and then smiled. "I only gave you what the Black Head wears. I do not know how the Potters display their Head, but what I did is only formal."

"You gave me something that ate its way into my ear to mark me as Head!?" Harry stared at her incredulously.

"No need to act so. It is tradition. Toujours Pur and all that."

Harry stared at her some more. At her questioning quirk of eyebrow, he spoke.

"And you call me mad."

Narcissa beamed.

"You fit in well with us then, don't you?" Harry snorted and pushed himself to his feet. He wandered over to his wardrobe and tapped a rune. The doors melted into mirrors. Harry stared at his ear. The mutant gelatinous blob had transformed into black steel. Like it had felt, it had wound its way into the cartilage of his ear and a black fang dangled from the newly pierced cartilage at the bottom. He could see tiny runes and words etched into the metal. "The fang is a grim's."

"The hell?"

"Language dear. You are my Head of House no matter who I marry. It was my duty as a Childe of Black to present that to you. I am the only one of my generation with the ability to do so. Everyone else has gone." There was a touch of sadness in Narcissa's voice. She smiled softly at him.

"Then I thank you for this." Harry walked back to her and hugged her. He inhaled deeply, unwillingly to admit that he enjoyed her hugs far more than he would ever voice. He felt her smile into his hair.

"Really, you are a whiny brat. I heard you picked out your robes for the Solstice."

"In wonderful matching colors and I shocked Lucius."

"I have something else for you." Narcissa reached behind her and pulled out a newspaper. Harry scowled. "It has good news, this I promise you."

Harry sighed and opened it to the marked section. He tilted his head to the side as he skimmed the words.

"So they finally kicked him out."

"Yes. I firecalled the Court. This does not count as one of your reparations. Apparently, that one in question would never be granted. They say he was accepting bribes and that is why he has been removed."

Harry touched a finger to his lips.

"So I have four reparations left then?"

"Yes."

A cruel smile crossed Harry's lips.

"Good." He tossed the paper onto his bed and stood. "I think I'll visit the Goblins today. We were having some fun with Muggle ballroom dancing. The salsa and tango are fun to see performed."

Narcissa shivered. The boy had a twisted sense of humor. She had been privy to the lessons the Goblins were teaching him. She never wanted to see Goblins all but fornicate on hardwood ever again. Ever. Harry shot her a sly grin as he walked across the room. Opening his overlarge closet that held none of his daily clothes, he vanished into it. He reappeared seconds later with a fresh set of clothes and dangling shoes on his fingers. Grinning at Narcissa, he changed his clothes. Peering at himself in the mirror, he stowed his wand in his sleeve and the holster that hid there. Narcissa smiled at the motion. He would own an illegal wand….mind you, it was only illegal because of what it was made out of…but then so was Draco's…

"Shall I see you at dinner then?"

"Mmm? Yes. I'll be home for dinner. Stehk and Grinhg won't want me over after their dance lessons. They'll be looking for a new way to torture me and my two left feet into co-operating. You know, me being graceful and all."

Narcissa snickered. She couldn't understand how the boy could be so graceful in daily life but on the dance floor be completely graceless.

"And the animagus triplet?"

"Oh, well, Shelksie, Raviet and Marcurt are debating if it is wise for me to have an animagus form at this age. On one hand, when I get older, it will be already mastered, but on the other it could cause damage to my body to morph at my age."

Narcissa tapped her lip with her finger and then smiled.

"Luc has a book that I think you will appreciate. It talks about the dangers and benefits of being animagi."

"Title?"

Narcissa snorted.

"The Dangers and Benefits of Being an Amimagi by Luff von Roke."

"I don't even want to know where his name came from."

"It was originally Thomas Darby. I don't know why he changed it." Narcissa shrugged.

"I'll be going now Narci. Remember I'll be back at dinner."

"Luc and my child will search for you." Harry rolled his eyes. He bit his lip and studied Narcissa. The blond woman stopped breathing for a second when he focused his eyes on hers. "What is it?"

"If Dark-D two is raised, will you go back to him?"

Narcissa shifted uncomfortably. This topic was one they all agreed to skirt around.

"Do you think we could?"

"Don't play games Narc. I want an answer."

Narcissa's eyes blazed in anger.

"Even if I wanted to I cannot! You hold all our funds in your hands!"

Power slammed into her, toppling her backwards onto the bed.

"Tis still not the answer you know I want." Narcissa choked as heavy magic coated her two fold. Once for disobeying such a powerful person and twice for disobeying her Head of House. Her vision was graying around the edges and the pressure was not letting up.

"No! No! We would not! You are dear to me! To my son! I could not cause you harm!" She gasped in air, swallowing it greedily even though she knew it would not help.

"And Lucius?"

"I do not know. But he would not willingly turn his back on us." The magic rolled off of her, allowing her own magic to regain its course throughout her body. Her skin glowed softly as her magic fell back into place. She sat up and watched Harry's magic dance around his body as it settled back into him. His skin shone and his eyes blazed. Her breath caught as she stared at him. Faintly, she was disgusted with herself for answering him, but his beauty was undeniably overwhelming. Sharp pains flew through her arm and she gasped, choking on her breath. He had let out far more power than she could comfortably dwell in. Harry stopped glowing as the last of his magic settled into the reservoir he rarely touched. He glanced at Narcissa and smiled.

"Thank you." And then the child left the room.

Narcissa fell back unto the bed and the world went black around her.

-------------

Lucius brushed his wife's cheek tenderly with his fingers. He had come to her to complain about the Brat Who Was Campy and his many scars; instead he had found his wife glowing faintly as she slept on the Potter's bed. He knew what the glow meant. He had seen it more times during the Dark Dork's reign than any time in his life. His fine wife had gone against her Head of House and had lost. Lucius sighed softly and backed out of the room. The child's ambient energy would heal his wife. He scowled as he made his way down to the Receiving Room. The boy had gone far too far. Lucius opened the door to the Room and walked in, seating himself on a plush chair. He settled himself in to wait until the boy came back from where ever he had gone.

Four hours later, Lucius was fuming. He sprawled elegantly in his seat, leg splayed over an arm rest. A soft bell rang out seconds before the fire turned green. Potter stepped in quietly, shoes in hand. The nine year old stretched. He had no time to scan the room before he found himself sliding across the floor. His nails scraped the floor for purchase before he stood.

"Lucius?" Another stinging blow, another meeting with the floor. Harry hissed when his back slammed into a chair leg. He tumbled away from Lucius as the cane descended where his hand once was. "The hell is wrong with you!?" The green eyed boy dived out of the way inelegantly, rolling under a table. There was a gasp of pain when the table collapsed on him.

"You harmed my wife, boy." Lucius flicked his wand and the table flew away. Another flick sent Harry crashing into the splinters. The boy cried out and then went silent. Lucius walked towards him, noting how tense the small body was. A flick of his wand sent Harry onto his back. A choked gasp escaped the child as he rolled to his side. Green eyes stared up at him from the cover of black hair. Lucius paused at the resignation in those green, green eyes. "Shit." He took an involuntary step back and his cane dropped to the floor, only habit kept his wand in hand. Harry, because he could not call him anything else, stood slowly. Blood peppered his shirt and his hair fell in total disarray. A flick of wrist sent his wand into his palm. There was a whispered spell and suddenly the child was spotless. The boy raised his hands and pulled his hair back. The wand vanished back up his sleeve. Harry scooped up his shoes as he left the room. Lucius crumpled to his knees. How could he have raised his hand, his wand against a child? He swallowed back bile as he glanced around the room. Even under Voldemort, he had never harmed a child, how had he come to this?

--------
Dinner found the Malfoy's seated at their table. The door opened suddenly and Harry walked in. The green eyed boy considered the table and chose the seat next to Draco. Narcissa and Draco glanced at each other and then Lucius. Harry had taken to sitting near Lucius to tutor him in all things financial. What had prompted this change?

"How was your dance lesson Harry?"

"Stehk and Grinhg said that there is a chance in the world for me and my two left feet. Shelksie, Raviet and Marcurt thank you for the book recommendation."

"Hmm." Narcissa glanced between her husband and the black haired child. Harry spooned a small amount of food unto his plate. "Surely you are eating more than that."

"I'm not that hungry today Narci." The table fell silent. Harry stood when his meal was done. "I'll be in my room shall you need me."

"Harry!" Draco launched himself at the smaller boy's waist. He dragged him bodily back to the table. "Did Stehk do something?"

"No Draco. But I really am tired." Harry stood again and walked away. A sharp gasp from the table and a hand on his shoulder stopped him.

"What happened?" There was a cool steel in Narcissa's voice. Harry shrugged and resumed his walk. He frowned when his shirt was vanished. "Harry! These will scar!" Narcissa touched his shoulder softly. "Who has done this to you my lord?"
"Don't bother." Harry left the room, without glancing back. Narcissa blinked and then turned to the table. Her husband was abnormally pale and his breath hissed out from between clenched teeth. Narcissa's violet eyes flashed.

"What have you done!?" Her palm connected with her husband's face before she was even aware of crossing the room to his side. "Why Lucius!? Have you not already seen his scars? Why did you gift him more?" Narcissa let out a strangled sound. There was a soft sound as the door shut behind her son.

"I saw you after he left."

"And you did not think to ask what put me in that state!?"

"You should never be that weak!"

"He asked if you would go to the Dark Lord if he returned! He wanted to know he could trust us!"

"How was I to know?"

"You harmed him for naught!" Narcissa grabbed the front of his robes and pulled him close. "Luc, you are a damn fool." She shoved him back into his seat and stalked out of the room. Lucius sighed and looked down at the table.

-------------

"Harry?" Draco walked into Harry's room. He caught sight of Harry as he slipped a pad covered with something over his back. Draco caught his hand and pulled the pad back. He winced when he saw the deep scratches and bruises on Harry's back. He rubbed the mixture into the small wounds. When he was done, he handed the pad back to Harry and scooped up the shirt. Blood peered up at him through the white fabric. Draco licked his lips as the desire to lick the shirt flowed through him. He put his finger in his mouth instead; eyes closing in delight when the heady flavor something filled him. He opened his eyes when Harry came back into the room, pulling his finger from his mouth.

"Are you okay?"

"Splinter." Draco didn't know why the lie fell from his lips. He realized that there was something very wrong with him because he had just enjoyed the taste of his friend's blood. Belatedly, he wiped his fingers on his pants, smearing blood on the fabric. He had never done anything like that before. He would have to search the library for this.