Chapter Five
November 30, 1986- Malfoy Manor
Harry and Draco were having a mock sword fight on the plains that surrounded the Manor. Hermione sat on a blanket reading one of the many tomes from the Malfoy library. She could care less that the two boys were acting as far from what Narcissa had taught them, as long as they didn't interrupt her she would be perfectly happy.
"Hey Hermione." Harry sat next to her. "Wha'cha readin?"
"A book."
"About what?"
"People."
What are the people doing?" Harry was getting frustrated.
"Things." Hermione flipped the page and let the words sink in as she ignored Harry's huff of irritation.
Harry stood and went back to where Draco was resting. He leaned and whispered conspiratorially. "She's a nightmare! She's been here for two days and not once has she done anything but read!"
"Maybe because I don't like playing stupid games!" Hermione's voice floated over to them. She stood grabbed the blanket and headed for the Manor. "I'll be in the library."
They stared after her. "Stupid girl." Draco muttered.
Lucius and Narcissa watched the two boys begin playing again. It was good for Draco to have someone there to keep him occupied, rather than doing nothing in his room. They kneeled when Tom entered the room.
"Oh, get up." Tom said. "I will be staying here for an indeterminable length of time. It will get very tiresome for me to have you both bowing every time I enter a room. Leave that for meetings once I have called everyone."
"Yes, my Lord." Lucius and Narcissa said. They glanced out the window to watch the boys for a moment before turning to Tom.
"I have finished the wards on the estate." Tom said moving to look out the window as well, he saw that Hermione had left the boys. She had probably gotten tired of their game and had decided to go to the library. "We will be getting them all wands so that they may do practical work, as much as theory will help them, Harry and Draco would learn better if they could do the spells. Hermione wants to practice on her own, I know." Tom smiled, he remembered how much he had wanted to do all the spells he had found after he had gotten his wand. Hermione was so similar to him at that age.
"Of course, my Lord." Lucius said distracted by the antics of the two boys. Hopefully neither of them acted this freely in public. He was more worried about Harry than Draco as Harry hadn't been told on how to act properly in the public eye.
"When will we go?" Narcissa asked.
"Tomorrow. We will have to disguise Harry, Hermione, and myself, of course. Drawing attention to ourselves w-" He was interrupted by Hermione entering the room She had a large book tucked under her arm and a slightly curious look on her face.
"Tom is Harry important?" She asked laying the book open on the table nearest Tom, she pointed to a section on the page.
"Hermione, Harry is very powerful-"
"Like me." She said.
Tom smiled. "Yes, like you, Draco as well." Hermione nodded. "A few years ago I went after Harry's parents. Understand that I am the last of Salazar Slytherin's line, and Harry's father, James Potter, was the descendant of Godric Gryffindor; our families have fought each other for generations. When I tried to destroy Harry, he is now the last of Gryffindor's line, he was able to absorb some of my power and then the curse I used on him turned on me. I was left as little more than a wandering spirit, many thought I had been destroyed, and those who had been against me rejoiced."
Hermione followed the story, it made sense, it went along with some of what she had read, but… "It says that you were evil, that you killed lots of people, wizards and muggles."
"We were at war, love. People die in war." He closed the book and placed a hand on her head. "Don't believe everything that the books say. They are written by the victors and sometimes they don't tell the entire truth."
Hermione frowned. "Alright." She sat down in one of the chairs then opening the book again.
Draco lunged at Harry again and hit him on the hand that was holding the "sword." Harry dropped the stick and held his hand to his chest.
"Harry! I'm sorry, I didn't mean to hit you." Draco hurried to his friend's side.
Harry picked the stick up with his other hand and flexed his right hand. "It's okay, doesn't hurt too much." He looked up at the darkening sky and then to the Manor.
The sun had set barely an hour before and dark clouds were stirring to the west. Draco looked to the clouds and closed his eyes. The winds movements hinted that the storm would be headed strait towards the Manor, he opened his eyes to see Harry looking at him uncomfortably.
Even though it had been four months since he had arrived at the Manor, Harry was still uncomfortable when magic was used around him. The Dursleys had said that it was unnatural and he had started to believe them. Now with magic everywhere he knew that magic was as natural as breathing. He knew that some of the magic that Draco and Narcissa used was not wizarding magic, but veela magic. He still wasn't quite sure what a veela was though.
Draco spoke then to get Harry's attention away from what was making him frown. "Come on, the storm will be here soon. We don't want to get caught outside when it hits."
Harry looked at him and then grinned. "Race you." He started running before Draco could answer.
Next. Just for futher notice: I will try toupdate the story either every 20 or so reviews. Thank you for reading.
