In the Snake Hole
Chapter 2
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Hermione felt a sudden jolt and suddenly people seemed to move in a high-speed blur. It was like everything was on fast-forward. The room darkened then lightened cyclically, as every day and night passed. Blurs left and entered the room: maids, house elves, Draco, friends, and his parents. And over all the chaotic confusion was the ever-speaking voice of Draco Malfoy. His voice was in Hermione's head, filling her ears. But it too was indistinguishable, the words melding together.
Hermione was about to scream in confusion, when abruptly, it all stopped. The world seemed miraculously still and quiet. Looking around, Hermione found that she was no longer in Draco's bedroom. She seemed to be in a large lush sitting room. And on lying on fancy sofa was another young Draco, and though it was hard to tell when he was reclining, he looked a good year or so older.
The blonde boy pulled that ever-present violet sphere from one of his robe pockets. "Hello again, orb," said Draco to his orb. "Today, July 1st, is my birthday. I'm eleven, and in a couple of months I'll be going to Hogwarts. I'm sure I'll be a Slytherin, just like everyone else in my family has been. That should be exciting. I hope Vincent and Gregory get into Slytherin too. Well mostly Gregory. I like Vincent too, but he's sort of stupid."
At this point Narcissa Malfoy walked in. "Happy birthday, Draco," she said, bending down to kiss both his cheeks. "The Goyles and the Crabbes will be here soon for you birthday dinner. Oh and you father also got Minister Fudge to come as well as some other friends. Go change into your dress robes. And for goodness sake Draco, do you always have to carry around that journal orb Bellatrix gave you? Why, you must record a dozen times a week."
"I'll go change, mother," said Draco coldly, and walked off. Hermione followed him, because of curiosity, as well as fear of getting lost in the manor. They wove through some more sitting rooms and up a grand double staircase. They navigated through a couple lavish hallways, before returning to his bedroom.
Draco slid back a mirror to reveal a walk-in closet. The eleven year-old diva (divo?) took a long time before finally selecting an elegant emerald green dress robe. He stripped off the black robes he'd been wearing, and Hermione turned away, though she wasn't sure why. It's not like he knows I'm here. And besides, this kid is only eleven, even if he is Draco Malfoy. Draco dressed then went to his adjoining marble bathroom. He pulled out a comb. Hermione leaned through the young boy to read the label. "Self-gelling comb. Stays for hours!"
Draco only had to run the comb through his hair twice to achieve his usual slicked back look. The boy took an additional five minutes to tame flyaways and simply admire himself in the mirror. Hermione rolled her eyes. Nope, he hadn't changed much. When Draco finally seemed satisfied with his appearance, he put his "journal orb", as Narcissa had called, into his pocket and went back downstairs.
Downstairs, Lucius Malfoy was talking to a much younger Cornelius Fudge, complete with the ever-present bowler hat. Nearby were a few other witches and wizards Hermione recognized as current ministry employees. Vincent Crabbe and his family were shown into the room by a house elf a few moments later. Hermione saw eight year-old Terri Crabbe bend down and say something to the Malfoys' house elf.
It must've been something nice, because the elf seemed to become uncomfortable and began bowing excessively. When the little elf scurried away to answer another ring of the doorbell, Hermione recognized the elf as Dobby.
Draco went over to talk to Vincent, and the pair whispered conspicuously, glancing around every so often. A couple minutes later, Dobby scurried back leading Gregory Goyle, and who Hermione assumed were his parents, as well as a moody but younger Severus Snape.
A few other witches and wizards joined the party. Dobby scurried back into the room timidly and tugged at the hem of Narcissa's robes. Narcissa bent down and spoke with her house elf. Dobby scurried away again. "Lunch is served!" she announced to her houseguests, gesturing to the impressive double French doors behind her. Everyone drifted into the large formal dining room.
The elegant table was quite large and had several empty places. Hermione slid into an empty seat next to Vincent Crabbe. Hermione noticed that among all the prestigious guests, Lucius Malfoy himself was nowhere to be seen.
Dobby entered, levitating a salad for each guest above him. He snapped his fingers, and each bowl sat itself in front of a guest. A bowl landed in front of Hermione as well, and, forgetting her insubstantiality, she attempted to pick up her fork and eat. Her hand passed through the silverware and she was reminded of her unique state.
Hermione noticed that there was another ownerless salad across from her. That's odd. I wonder who these are for.
Narcissa made small talk over salad. "So Minister- "
"Please," interrupted Cornelius Fudge, "call me Cornelius."
"Well," Narcissa continued smiling slyly. "Cornelius. I hear you've got big plans for education this year."
"Certainly. No longer will Durmstang beat Hogwarts in test scores. Me and my best boys at the Ministry are devising a whole new education plan," said Fudge enthusiastically.
"That's wonderful. You know Draco here will be starting school this fall. Lucius and I have been seriously considering sending him to Durmstang, but perhaps we shall choose Hogwarts after all," Narcissa replied, eating her salad daintily.
"Splendid," said Fudge beaming. In his lap was his custom bowler hat, but Hermione was shocked to see that it was a quite ordinary color of black, not green. "That is if Dumbledore would cooperate," he muttered darkly.
The salads, including the two untouched ones, vanished to be replaced with clean plates. Dobby reentered bearing several large platters including steak, potatoes, sausage, vegetables, veal, pasta, and bread. The dinner guests eagerly began helping themselves to the delicacies.
A few minutes into the meal, Lucius Malfoy entered the room. He was followed by a man Hermione hadn't seen in nearly 6 years. A former Professor by the name of Quirrel.
Hermione felt slightly nauseous as Lucius Malfoy sat on top of—and in—her. Quirrel took his place across from Lucius. Hermione got up quickly and moved to stand behind Draco. Draco was talking to a dark burly man Hermione remembered vaguely as being a Deatheater who posed as an auror.
"So Draco. Will you be following the footsteps of your father?" the man asked, raising his eyebrows and making it clear what he was talking about.
"No, it appears that we won't be needing any more people like that. After all, our main employer seems to be gone," Draco replied smoothly, making it equally clear what he meant.
"Is that so?" the man said with a less than friendly tone. Severus Snape cut in and steered the awkward conversation away from treacherous grounds.
"So Draco. Any thoughts about which house you'll be sorted into?"
Draco smirked his trademark smirk. "Slytherin, obviously. Just like Mother and Father and everyone else in the family."
"Excellent," said Snape. "My house could use some fresh talent."
The conversation lasted comfortably through pudding. Hermione noticed Quirrel and Lucius would occasionally talk suspiciously in hushed tones.
Eventually all the guests wandered from the Dining room back to the sitting room, where a large heap of presents were waiting for the birthday boy.
Hermione watched the youngest Malfoy eagerly open his presents. He unwrapped candy, wizarding board games, a set of solid gold gobstones, moving miniatures of the entire British Quidditch team, a jewel cloak clasp, a set of large peacock feather quills, and several other objects that Hermione, being muggle-born, couldn't identify, as well as some robes and a few books, which were greeted with somewhat less enthusiasm.
Presently, after wishing Draco happy birthday, the guests departed leaving only the three Malfoys and Dobby, who was cleaning up the mess of wrapping paper and ribbons.
"Draco," said Lucius, his voice as icy cold as ever. "You will be departing to Hogwarts soon, and I must be certain you understand the conduct expected from a Malfoy.
"Yes Father," said Draco, almost automatically.
"At Hogwarts," Lucius continued, "you will meet a variety of witches and wizards from all manners of families. Hopefully everyone you meet in Slytherin will be pureblood, but other houses will have half-bloods, as well as…" He paused, allowing a note of disdain to enter his voice. "Muggle-borns.
"Muggle-borns are flukes, freak accidents among muggle families. Hardly better than muggles themselves, really. At Hogwarts you must be a leader, and a role-model of superiority."
"I understand Father," said Draco.
"Also, young Mr. Potter will be at Hogwarts as well this year," said Lucius, running his fingers over the polished snakehead on his cane as he spoke.
"Harry Potter…" echoed Draco.
"Yes, and considering our family's past… ahem… alliances, I think it would be beneficial for you to befriend the boy-who-lived, provided he doesn't become a little Gryffindor."
"Yes father," said Draco. "I'll try my best."
"Good," Lucius Malfoy left the room, his long robes swishing as he walked.
Hermione shuddered. That was awful. It's like brainwashing. Still, Draco could've chosen not to be a jerk like his father.
Narcissa, who Hermione had almost forgotten was present as well, came forward, a small parcel in her hands.
"This is from your Aunt Bellatrix. She arranged for it to be sent to you," said Narcissa, dropping the parcel into his hands.
Hermione saw the eager look of anticipation on his face. He slowly pulled off the plain brown paper to reveal a long thin box.
Narcissa gasped. "How did she get you one of those?" she said in wonder.
Draco lifted the lid to reveal a long, thin, black wand. Draco touched it, and as he did, a ripple of silver light came from it, illuminating the entire room. "Wow," said Draco softly as he picked it up, examining it from all angles.
"That's not just any wand," said Narcissa. "That's one made by Gregorovitch. He's a great wandmaker. Some even say he's better than Ollivander. That wand seems like it's suiting you nicely," Narcisa commented as Draco fondly fingered the wand, creating a cloud of multi-colored smoke.
The room slid out of focus again as Hermione stood alone, waiting for the next memory of Draco's she would experience.
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A/N- Well, there's chapter 2. Sorry it took so long!!! I've been taking way too many vacations…. Well anyways, here's chapter 2, love it or hate it. Hopefully there won't be such a gap waiting for the next chapter.