...Harry couldn't be happier. He smiled into the darkness and his eyes fell close on its own accord. As Draco noticed the deep calm breath of his sleeping brother he also allowed himself to fall back asleep.
Chapter 6 – A Little Bit Of Malfoy
That is how Lucius found his boys the next morning. Severus came through the floo with the eyesight-correction potion and Lucius wanted to know, if Harry was already awake. He smiled happily and was about to turn around as a sleepy voice stopped him, "G'mornig, Dad"
At that Lucius turned back and walked towards the bed. "Good morning, Dragon. I wondered why you would sleep so long but then, our night was a bit interrupted, wasn't it?"
Draco looked up with a small smile. "I've been awake for a hour by now but I didn't want to wake Harry."
Harry had his arm wrapped around Draco and had pinned the blond haired boy to the bed. "Obviously he mistook me for Mr. Paw," Draco whispered unconcerned.
"M' sorry," Harry mumbled in his sleep.
"Oh, shut up," Draco crumpled playfully which caused Harry to giggle.
Slowly the brilliant green eyes opened and Harry smiled shyly up at Lucius.
"Good morning, Phoenix. I take it the rest of the night was okay?"
Harry nodded blushing lightly. "Thanks to Draco."
"Severus came over. He is ready with the eyesight-correction potion. I wish you to be presentable in half an hour. Can you manage that?"
"Yeah, of course," Harry answered only to get corrected by Lucius, "It's 'yes' not 'yeah'."
Harry smiled apologetic, "Yes, of course."
With that Lucius nodded approvingly and left the room.
"Sometimes he can really be annoying with all that corrections," Draco muttered but Harry just shrugged his shoulders.
"He just wants us to speak properly," the black haired boy answered unconcerned.
Draco rolled his eyes. "I know that but it sucks when he does it even before you are fully awake."
"Maybe he wants us speaking properly even when we are asleep?" Harry wondered aloud.
At that Draco grimaced, "Yeah, as if anybody would hear us in the middle of the night."
"It's 'yes' not 'yeah', Draco," Harry said and got a pillow into the face as response. Before Harry could return the gesture the blond haired boy attacked Harry by tickling him all over the body. At that Harry squealed, "No. Stop, Draco, please."
As soon as Harry escaped Draco's tickling hands he bolted to the door and ran down the corridor. The other boy was at his heels.
"Noooo, Draco. Stop!" Harry yelled as he cast a look over his shoulder and saw the other approaching.
Harry was about to hurry down the steps but at the bottom of the stairs stood an angry looking Lucius with crossed arms. Harry stopped dead and all colour drained from his face as he realised his mistake. He swayed and stumbled backwards and was caught by Draco before he could fall onto his bottom.
"Oh, hi, Dad!" Draco grinned innocently but, as he felt the dead weight in his arms, he took in Harry's pale face and lowered his brother gently to the floor. "Harry? Are you okay?"
Harry was unresponsive, just starring into space. Worried Draco looked at his dad, only to realize that even his father was in a kind of shock. "Dad?"
Lucius stood there and stared at Harry. He couldn't believe the intense reaction of the boy. Harry was paralysed with fear because of him. It cut deep into Lucius' heart. He knew it was his own fault but he had hoped they were over that dreadful first week after all that happened since then.
Severus came up behind Lucius and took in the scene. He had heard Harry's joyful screams before and wondered what had caused the sudden silence.
"Uncle Severus," Draco called to his godfather in a desperate voice.
Taking two steps at a time Severus bound up the stairs to the two boys.
"He doesn't react," Draco explained worriedly.
Severus crouched down and took Harry's shaking hands into his own. "Harry," he called the boy while stroking his thumbs over the back of Harry's hands.
At first the boy didn't seem to hear him. At the second call he blinked but still stared into space.
"I'm sorry," the boy finally whispered close to tears.
"It's okay. Everything is okay. Just breathe," Severus reassured the panicking child.
"I ran. I'm not allowed to run inside the house. I will get a spanking," Harry still whispered without really focusing on anything.
"No, you will not," Severus contradicted in a strong but calm voice, "Lucius has learned from his mistake. He will not punish you for running the way he did before. He may scold you and remind you about the house rules but he will not spank you for that."
Harry's whole body was trembling now and finally the tears started to fall. Draco wrapped his arms around his brother and rocked him slightly. "It's okay, Bro. Dad isn't angry any longer. I'm so sorry I chased you. I forgot about the not-running-rule myself. Dad may have been annoyed but he is not really angry. Not like back then. You have nothing to fear. Everything is okay."
Harry listened to Severus and Draco but he couldn't stop the scared feeling inside him. The look on Lucius' face just a few minutes before triggered all his bad memories from the first week at the Malfoys. He knew Lucius was different now but he had no idea what will lead him into a spanking and what not. And he wasn't sure if he would be able to take any spankings from Lucius anymore without breaking.
Unbeknown to him Lucius also realised that he will never be able to spank the boy again. He couldn't stand the fear in Harry's eyes. It hurt so deeply. While he watched his friend and his son talking to Harry he also realised that only he could take away Harry's fear of this kind of punishment.
Slowly he approached the small group and crouched down next to Severus. "I will not spank you, Harry," he said with a throaty voice, "I will never spank you again, I promise. I cannot."
Harry blinked at him in confusion. "But I broke the rules," Harry whispered.
"I know but I don't want you to fear me. It hurts me, because I love you so much", Lucius admitted.
Blinking back fresh tears Harry freed his hands from Severus' light grip, and wrapped his arms around Lucius.
"Come here," Lucius whispered and took the boy into his arms. They all stood and Lucius carried Harry back into his room while Draco went into his own room followed by Severus.
Harry still cried softly into Lucius' shoulder as the man sat with the boy onto the bed. Minutes of silence passed until Harry hic-upped, "But what... if I'm really... bad?"
"Don't take me wrong, Harry. If you misbehave there will be punishment," Lucius pointed out.
"But no spa... spankings?"
"No spankings, no beatings, no raised hand against you or Draco. I fear it will trigger to much bad memories not only for you but for me either. Maybe scolding, groundings and chores or losing privileges, will be more appropriate, for boys of your age."
"And what will be my punishment for running?" Harry asked in a very small voice.
Lucius sighed he really wished to forget this whole incident. Then he fixed the boy with a stern glare and said "This." After a few seconds he stopped glaring and smiled softly.
Harry looked at Lucius with a frown. "I don't understand."
"My angry glare was your punishment," Lucius explained and he was glad that this time Harry didn't panic at look.
Blinking once again in confusion Harry declared, "That's not a punishment."
"It is. Moments ago it was my impression that it is the worst kind of punishment I could give you."
A small smile stole itself into Harry's face, as the boy understood the meaning behind the words. Lucius thought that triggering bad memories was already Harry's punishment?
"I'm sorry, I caused you to glare at me," Harry replied and looked up at Lucius with a meaningful look.
Lucius smile grew and he said, "You are forgiven."
-oxo-
Meanwhile in Draco's room the boy paced angrily. "Why did he has to ruin a perfect moment of fun?"
"Don't be unfair, Draco. He had no idea Harry would react that badly. Haven't you seen your father's face?" Severus asked.
Draco sighed and sat down onto his bed. "Of course I have seen it and I know he didn't mean to scold us. Father often glares angrily in a playful manner but Harry still doesn't know this side of him."
"And Lucius wasn't aware that it would trigger a panic attack. He was so happy to hear Harry squeal in joy. All he wanted was to join the fun," Severus explained.
Draco looked sad. He could remember countless times where his father had playfully glared at him, only to chase him afterwards and tickle him until he gave up in defeat. Sighing deeply he wondered, "Will Harry ever be able to react like a normal kid? I mean, will he ever be able to talk back for example?"
Severus arched an eyebrow, "I doubt he will ever be as insolent as you are but with time he will learn to read Lucius' facial expressions and gestures and he will learn when to hide and when to talk back. He will become more carefree but it will be a slow process. Even Lucius needs to learn how to handle himself around Harry. You and Harry are two different boys and you need different approaches."
"So you think I will still get spankings and Harry will get scared away with angry looks?" Draco asked.
"No. It's my belief that the punishment will be the same for the two of you. It's more what he is going to say to make you listen."
"Oh."
-oxo-
More than a half hour later the boys and the adults had their breakfast. After breakfast Lucius asked Harry to take the eyesight-correction potion and informed him that they will need to go to Diagon Alley to an optician. Harry assumed that after the potion he may need less strong glasses.
Before he drank the potion Severus warned him that he may feel a bit uncomfortable for a moment and if he felt nauseated he should tell him so.
Not at all looking forward to it but not wanting to disappoint anybody, Harry forced the potion down his throat with big gulps. Immediately he closed his eyes as a strange prickling started in his eyes. He wanted to rub the annoying sensation away but his hands got caught and Severus voice explained, "I know it's not a pleasant feeling but you should not rub your eyes right now. It will be over in a bit."
After a big sigh of relief Harry slowly opened his eyes again. The world was a blurry mess. He blinked a few times hoping to bring his surroundings back into focus but the blur didn't go away. Severus released Harry's hands and reached up to take down Harry's glasses.
"Better?" he asked studying Harry closely.
Harry's mouth fell open in astonishment. Without his glasses he could see better than before the potion with the glasses. "Wow," he whispered.
Only now Severus allowed himself to relax again. If Harry's face was any indication, then the potion had worked as it should have.
"I don't think I need any new glasses at all. I can see sharper than ever," Harry said happily.
"We will still see the optician today. Just because you see sharper doesn't mean you see perfectly. You will take an eyesight test there and then we will know for sure, okay?" Lucius explained.
"Okay. Thank you, Severus, for the potion. I really hated my glasses," Harry admitted with a sheepish smile.
"No problem at all," Severus answered. 'You have no idea how much I hated your glasses,' he thought to himself. It was astonishing what a difference it made to Harry's looks without these annoying metal frames on his nose. "Would you allow me to banish them for you?" he asked with a disgusted look at Harry's glasses.
Harry snickered and then nodded, "Of course. Will you accompany us to Diagon Alley?"
"I'm sorry but I have a lot of work till the next school year starts and besides that I will need to give some private lessons to a student of mine who is missing parts of basic knowledge of the fine art of potion brewing. For that I need to make lesson plans."
"Oh," Harry said realising that he too could use some private lessons but he didn't dare to ask Severus. He hung his head and missed the smiles of the others.
"By the way. How is your potion essay going?" Severus asked the child.
Harry blushed deeply and bit his lip. "Not as good as it should be," he whispered.
"And why is that?"
"Oh, will you stop," Draco shouted disgruntled and laid his arms protectively around Harry's shoulders.
At that, Harry carefully looked up. Not sure how Severus would react to such a show of disrespect. To his surprise Severus was smiling. His eyes wandered over to Lucius who was smiling, too. Harry frowned, had he missed something? Normally Lucius would be outraged at such an outburst, wouldn't he?
"Wasn't it you, who told me that Harry need time to adjust and learn how to read facial expressions? He has no clue what you are trying to hint, so spare him his confusion. He's had enough for one day, won't you agree?" Draco went on and Harry was surprised to see the adults exchanged a look of shame.
Not understanding what was going on Harry turned in his seat to look questioningly at Draco.
"Severus wanted to inform you, that he will give you private lessons to make up for the way he treated you in his class, so that you have the chance to catch up with the curriculum of the first year and are perfectly prepared for your second year potions," Draco explained but Harry still looked confused.
"Come on, Harry," Draco whined, "Surly you understood what I have said. Severus will give you private lessons. Therefore he needs to prepare himself and that's why he will not come with us to Diagon Alley."
"Really?" Harry turned back around to look at Severus.
"Really. I was informed that your summer essay was not to the Malfoy standard and I can blame nobody for that but myself. It wouldn't do my reputation as a potion master any good if I fail someone who may have the potential of an acceptable potion brewer. Would you like to sacrifice your free time to have some private lessons with me?" Severus asked.
"Well, I guess it wouldn't do my reputation as the saviour of the world any good, if I let an exceptional potion master down by making poor marks in his class, therefore it seems I'm in desperate need for some private lessons," Harry said with a cheeky grin.
"Brat," Severus scolded playfully.
And then Harry did something nobody in the room would have thought he would dare. He stuck out his tongue.
"Oh, is that how a Malfoy acts towards elders?" Severus asked and before Harry knew what was happening he found himself in a standing position both of his arms crossed over his stomach and held by his hands from behind.
"Well, Lucius. What do you think we should do with this rude brat of yours?" Severus asked, "Maybe some tickling is in order?"
"What? No!" Harry cried helplessly and tried to free himself.
"Yes, I agree some tickling would do the trick," Lucius said and came closer.
"Wait. No! Draco!" Harry turned to his brother for help.
"Well, Harry. You stuck out your tongue. Nobody can help you now. Nothing is as bad as sticking out your tongue," he said fighting hard to keep a straight face.
"I'm sorry. I won't do it again but please no tickling. Anything but tickling!"
"Hmm...," Lucius paused. "Anything?"
Harry nodded his head vigorously.
"Any suggestions?" Lucius asked Draco who made a very concentrating face for a while. "I know something but I would need you all for that," he said finally and Harry wondered what kind of cruelty he had come up with.
"Do enlighten us Master of Torture," Severus said.
"A group-hug!" the blond finally said and suddenly Harry was squeezed between three bodies. His arms were free again but he still couldn't move an inch. And he didn't want to move an inch. Here he was in the middle of his new family playing joke-fully around.
"Drac, Dad, Sev! I need to breathe," Harry finally exclaimed.
"Breathing is totally overrated," Lucius said, "Hugging is much more important."
At that Severus chuckled, "Well, maybe we are overdoing it a bit."
He stepped back with a smirk giving Harry a little bit more room. Lucius also finally let go, with just Draco still having his arms around his brother.
"Draco, you can let go of me," Harry said laughing.
With a pout the blond haired boy stepped back. "But only if you promise to laugh more often."
Harry smiled, "Well, it shouldn't be all so hard now."
"I'm on the way then. Harry, tomorrow at nine sharp, I expect you to be ready for your first private lesson."
Harry saluted and said "Yes, sir! Tomorrow at nine. I will be ready!"
With a shake of his head he tousled through the boy's hair and smiled.
-Oxo-
As Harry stumbled out of the floo Lucius steady hand on his upper arm was the only thing keeping him from falling flat on his face.
"I see, I will also have to teach you how to travel per floo without losing your grace," Lucius said with a small smile before he shoved Harry out of the way to give Draco room, who stepped out of the floo as gracefully as it was expected from a Malfoy.
Draco grinned proudly and Harry was about to stick out his tongue at him but Lucius seemed to know what he was about to do and hissed at him, "Not here."
Harry jerked as if slapped and looked fearfully up at the man. "I'm sorry," he whispered.
Lucius cringed inwardly. He realised that it will take a lot of patience to teach Harry how to behave as a Malfoy in public without frightening Harry. He wished nothing more than to take the boy into his arms and tell him that it was okay but a Malfoy doesn't show affection in public.
So Lucius just settled a hand on Harry's shoulder instead and explained in a low voice. "As much as I love your carefree and joyful behaviour it needs to be kept within the walls of Malfoy Manor, do you understand?"
Harry gulped and nodded but as Lucius kept looking at him, Harry answered verbally, "Yes, Sir."
"And you can cease your murderous glare, Draco. Or you can head back home," Lucius said in a stern voice.
"Sorry, Father!" Draco said and lowered his gaze.
"Well. Let's go. It's nearly time for Harry's appointment," with that Lucius led the boys through the Leaky Cauldron towards the passage that would allow them to enter Diagon Alley.
Harry was nervous. He wasn't sure if Lucius was angry with him. The man acted completely different now than Harry was used to in these last days. The caring fatherly look had vanished to give place to an arrogant nearly foreboding look. He really hoped he never had to act in such a way.
He also noticed the reactions to Lucius' aristocratic appearance. People tend to bend their heads in greeting as if they would bow to him. It made feel Harry uncomfortable but much worse were the reactions of people as they notice him in the company of Lucius. Their eyes would widen and then they would stare at his forehead to make sure if he was really Harry Potter or not.
As they finally reached their destination and left the busy street Harry sighed in relief.
"Are you okay?" Draco asked in a worried voice as he took in Harry's pale face.
Harry nodded and took some deep breaths to calm down his heartbeat.
"Good Morning!" a woman's voice greeted them warmly.
"Good Morning, Dr. Johnson," Lucius greeted back and then tapped Harry's and Draco's shoulder with his snake-shaped walking cane.
"Good Morning," the two boys greeted as one.
Dr. Johnson smiled at them and then asked, "Which of you is my client today?"
"Me," Harry answered shyly.
"No need to look so afraid. Will you come with me?" she asked still smiling, then she turned to Lucius and said, "Mr. Malfoy, the test will take at least fifteen minutes, do you want to wait, or do you need to run any other errands in the mean while."
The close to panic look on Harry's face showed clearly what Harry thought of being left alone.
"We will wait," Lucius answered immediately.
"Okay. There are some refreshments in the waiting room. If you need something else just call Susi, my house elf."
Lucius inclined his head "Thank you."
While Draco and Lucius took their seats in the waiting room, Harry was led into a small room without any window. The light was dimmed down a bit but it was bright enough to find your way through the room.
"Here, take the seat over there, if you would," Dr. Johnson said and pointed to a chair on the wall, opposite the door.
"I will ask you some questions first, then we will test your eyesight both muggle way and magical. Just to be sure. If you have any questions, just ask them."
Harry shook his head and gulped nervously. He had no idea what to expect and he wished nothing more then to get this test over with.
"You have really beautiful eyes but I'm sure you know that already. Mr. Malfoy told me you had worn glasses until recently and now you took an eyesight-correction potion, is that correct?"
Harry nodded and bit his lip.
"Why did you wait so long to take the potion?"
"I... erm... I lived with my muggle relatives before."
"I see. So then you know the muggle procedure already," Dr. Johnson concluded while she took notes.
"Erm... actually... no. I never had been taken to an optician," Harry admitted while lowering his head.
"No? But... How did you got your glasses?"
Harry blushed and bit his lip again.
Dr. Johnson frowned, took some notes and then looked up again with her warm smile, "Well, I guess it doesn't matter as you are no longer in need of those glasses. Shall we start the test?"
At that Harry jerked his head in a nod.
Oxo
In the meanwhile Lucius and Draco had a heated conversation in the waiting room.
"Why did you have to be so mean to Harry?" Draco accused.
"Mean?" Lucius frowned angrily, "When have I been mean to Harry?"
Draco glared, "You know. Back in the Leaky Cauldron. You frightened him."
"It's really hard not to frighten him. I just warned him not to play around in public. Sticking out your tongue is nothing you can do in public places. Harry needs to learn how to behave and act when the whole wizarding world is watching his every step. It was bad enough that your little encounter made the front page of the Daily Prophet. Do you really want them to see Harry's tongue on the cover of the evening papers?"
Draco hung his head. "No. Of, course not. But-"
"There is no 'but', Draco. It's my task to prevent bad publicity for the Malfoys. Harry is one of us now and he needs to adapt. There is no gentle way around it. One wrong movement and you make it to the front page. Harry will soon realise that the change in behaviour in public has nothing to do with our feelings for each other."
This time Draco nodded and gave his father a small smile which Lucius returned.
oxo
Dr. Johnson confirmed that Harry no longer had to wear any glasses but she advised to a regular eye-check. With that the three of them were back in the busy street of Diagon Alley.
"I promised Severus to get some new ingredients for his potion lab. Would the two of you like to accompany me or is there a shop you want to go to instead?" Lucius asked.
While Harry looked surprised Draco answered, "I would like to go to the quidditch store with Harry, is that okay?"
"Yes, it is. We will meet each other in an hour in front of Madam Malkins. The two of you stick together and behave. I mean it. We don't need any more cover stories," Lucius warned the boys with a stern face.
"I will not let Harry out of my sight." Draco confirmed, "And no fights."
Harry was still too surprised that Lucius allowed them to go on their own that he didn't think about the comment with the cover story. He was unaware of the unwanted press his fight with Draco had caused. So many things had happened since then, that he had no time to follow the press.
"Harry?" Lucius voice brought Harry out of his thoughts.
"Yes?" the boy asked bewildered.
"Behave. At least try to act like a Malfoy. Can you do that for me?" the man asked.
Harry gulped and then nodded but again Lucius waited until Harry answered, "Yes, Sir."
With that they parted ways.
"You know, we should do something for your look. This wild hair of yours needs some taming," Draco said suddenly.
"But you told that we will go to the quidditch store. Wouldn't your father expect us to go there? He will know that we didn't, if I change the look of my hair."
"First of all. It is our father and I want to surprise him. You know why we are meeting at Madam Malkin, do you?"
"No, why?" Harry frowned.
"To get you new clothes of course. You may not have a problem running around in my old things but a real Malfoy has his own clothes," Draco explained.
"These are yours?" Harry asked pulling at his summer robe. He never asked himself what clothes he was wearing. He was glad that they fit so he never wondered before.
"Those were mine. A year or two ago," the blond haired pointed out.
"They look new enough to me," Harry said while he tried to ignore the pain Draco's words caused him. Was he really that small?
"Of course. I take good care of my clothes."
At that Harry hung his head. He never had the chance to prolong the working life of any of his clothes as they were already torn or shabby as he got them from Dudley.
"Hey. I didn't mean to hurt you. I... well... I thought you know that they were mine. Just forget what I said. Soon you will have your own clothes."
Harry nodded and looked up with a half smile.
"And now let's go," Draco said determined, "If Father really has a problem with your look I will take the blame."
A few moments later they sat in the waiting room of the hairdresser Draco had picked out. They were looking through a catalogue with pictures of different haircuts.
"Look, how about that?" Draco asked and pointed to a picture with a boy's haircut.
"No!" Harry said horrified.
"Why not? What's wrong with it? It is cool, stylish and it would suit you, I'm sure."
"It will not hide my scar with all the hairs out of my forehead," Harry pointed out. Then he tapped with his finger to a different haircut. "I thought more of something like that."
Draco shook his head, "You should not hide your scar."
"But people will stare at it," Harry explained.
At that Draco scoffed, "People will stare at it nonetheless. If you make it hard to get a glance at your forehead they will stare longer, because they will try to get a look no matter what. If you don't hide it, they will just cast a short glance and then look away again."
That got Harry thinking. "You think?"
"I do. Besides you should be proud to have it."
"Proud? Why should I be proud of an ugly scar that reminded me of the death of my parents?" Harry asked confused.
"Because you survived, you defied death. This symbol on your forehead resembles 'soliwo' the rune of sun. The sun is powerful. She is light, warm, a source of energy and it also stands for health and victory. You may be marked, Harry, but that is no reason to hide it. Not, when you are marked with such a powerful symbol."
Harry was speechless. Never before had he thought about his scar as a powerful symbol.
"If you don't like the short haircut, then what about that?" Draco said after some time.
"He looks like Orlando Bloom," Harry said.
Draco rolled his eyes. "I don't know who this guy is. I'm just talking about his hair."
"I'm not Orlando Bloom besides my hair is not long enough to look like that."
"Some would think, you never before learned about magic. Why would it matter how long your hair is right now? You can have it falling over you back until it reach your bottom in less than a minute. You are aware of hair-growing potions, aren't you?"
"Erm... right." Harry said to cover his ignorance. After a while he asked, "Do you think Dumbledore used a hair-growing potion on his beard?"
"No. I believe it is naturally grown. Some wizards tend to believe the natural length of hair is a sign of power," Draco explained.
"Oh?"
"It's rubbish if you ask me. I cannot image that the power of a wizard would lessen when he cut his hair."
"Hey what about this one?" Harry shouted. It was a haircut with some red strands of hair. "Do you think Dad would agree with something like that?"
Draco's eyes lit up. "Oh wow. I'm sure it would look cool on you."
"Isn't it too... erm... wild? I mean...red?"
"What if you take blond instead of red?" Draco asked after some thinking.
If Harry's sparkling eyes were any indication then Harry was really thrilled about Draco's suggestion. "Yes. I can be me and still have some Malfoy hair streaks. Brilliant!"
oxo
As Harry stepped into to waiting room a few minutes later Draco gaped in a very un-Malfoy way.
Harry's hair was combed from back to the front and stood up from his forehead. Blond strands stood in complete contrast to Harry's black hair combined with these brilliant green eyes Harry just looked stunning.
"Maybe that wasn't such a good idea," Draco suddenly said, "The girls will freak out if they see you."
"I fear your... erm... I mean, our dad will freak out. It's not exactly inconspicuously."
"No. He will not. You will see. He will just be surprised, that's all."
oxo
Well. That wasn't all, of course. As Lucius met with Draco and Harry his perfect look of indifference crumbled. "What have you done?" he asked shocked.
Harry paled immediately. He had known this wouldn't end well.
"Father," Draco stepped in between his dad and Harry. "It was my idea. I though Harry needed a new look. He looks stunning. Don't you agree?"
"That is not the point, Draco. We agreed that you go to the quidditch store. Why, in Merlin's name, did you decide on such a drastic change without consulting me first?"
"I wanted to surprise you," Draco stood his ground.
"Surprise me? What are you going to surprise me with next? A tattoo? A piercing?" Lucius asked completely out of his depth.
"It's just a haircut, Dad. And well, we added a little bit of Malfoy into his look. It's the same blond."
Lucius closed his eyes and took some deep breaths. It wouldn't do if he lost his patience in public. "In what way does that excuse your disobedience? We-"
"Disobedience?" Draco interrupted his dad. "In what way did we disobey?"
"You were supposed to go to the quidditch store. I agreed on that but I cannot remember you asking me about going to see a hairdresser. Is my mind lacking of any information?" Lucius said in a dangerously low voice.
Draco crossed his arms and looked defiant. That was so unfair. It was just a stupid haircut.
"Is my mind lacking of any information, Draco?" Lucius repeated himself in such a furious tone of voice that Draco jumped.
"No," he finally said, ashamed as he noticed people starting to stare. "I'm sorry, Father."
"Let's get inside!" Lucius finally said and ushered the two boys inside the shop.
Harry was barely able to move. He was white as a sheet and trembling from head to toe. He fought hard not to break down and cry.
"Okay boys. In order to get done here as smoothly as possible we will forget for the moment what has happened. We will discuss it at home. Am I clear?" Lucius said and both boys nodded.
"And Harry?"
The boy in question looked up.
"Don't forget to breathe. It's easier to smile if you have enough oxygen in your lungs."
"Smile?" Harry whispered confused and fearful.
"Yes. One of the hardest tasks of being a Malfoy is to smile in a public place even when you feel like doing the opposite. I know you are worried right now but nothing else will happen until we are home, so for now you can relax."
"Mr. Malfoy!" Madam Malkin greeted friendly without realising that she was interrupting something, "How can I help you?"
"I need a whole new wardrobe for this young gentleman here." Lucius said and shoved Harry to his front while placing both his hands on Harry's shoulder, squeezing them lightly.
As Harry looked up with a shy smile, Madam Malkin gasped in surprise. "Mr. Potter?" Then she cleared her throat and went all business.
Harry felt very uncomfortable. He smiled, or at least tried to smile during the whole process of measuring and dressing but he was overwhelmed. He just couldn't forget Lucius' reaction to his haircut and the sheer amount of robes, shirts and trousers that Lucius insisted that Harry needs was too much for the boy. He just concentrated on smiling and nodding and wasn't really aware of his surroundings any longer. 'Just hold on. Just smile and hold on' he repeated in his mind like a mantra.
As Lucius noticed Harry's condition he swore inwardly. 'What have I done now? I should have flooed home with the boys to speak about their misbehaviour and not force them to wait. What a disaster. Why was everything suddenly so complicated. Draco hadn't done such a stunt like this one today ever before and Harry... he has so much to learn about society and public behaviour.' Lucius sighed to himself. There was nothing he could do now.
Oxo
Draco went first and Harry and Lucius followed him through the floo together. Lucius kept his arms firmly wrapped around the black haired boy, that now held some blond streaks. The child was exhausted and trembling. Lucius just hoped Harry would have enough energy left to eat some lunch.
"I wish you to freshen yourselves up and then meet with me in ten minutes in the dining room. We will have lunch first and then we will speak of today," Lucius told the boys.
Both boys whispered a 'Yes, sir' and left the library with low heads but ten minutes later both boys were still absent. Taking a calming breath, Lucius went up to the boy's rooms. He heard voices coming from Harry's room and knocked but the boy either didn't hear or ignored him.
"Let me through," Harry pleaded.
"No, Harry. There is nothing wrong with your hair," answered Draco.
"He hates it. I have to try to wash it out," Harry tried again.
"No. He is not angry with your hairstyle just with the way we did it. I'm sorry. Sometimes my ideas aren't that brilliant," Draco apologized.
"You can say that again," Lucius said upon entering Harry's room.
Harry cast him a panicky look. While Draco still held his place in front of Harry's bathroom. "Please, Dad, tell him that you do not hate his haircut."
"I will talk with Harry, be sure of it, but I want to have a word with him in private. If you are ready please go to lunch," Lucius said.
"Yes, Dad." With these words Draco left the room.
Lucius sighed as he watched his son leaving, then he turn to Harry. The boy's face was tear-stricken and pale.
"What a disastrous day," Lucius said more to himself, "Come here, Harry. Let's sit down a bit."
Lucius sat down on Harry's bed and waited for the child to follow his example.
"Are you still mad?" Harry whispered in a weak voice not moving an inch.
"Harry, no matter what happened today. My feelings for you haven't change. I still love you the same."
"But you are angry, aren't you?" he asked.
"What do you expect me to feel? If I arrange something with you and Draco, I expect that you stick to the plan. I need to trust you or I cannot let you go on your own any more. You do understand that, don't you?"
"Yes, Sir," Harry said and hung his head.
"Now, you can leave out the 'Sir' when we are at home. Come here, Harry, please," Lucius said in a soft voice.
If possible Harry paled even more. "Are you...?"
Lucius huffed frustrated. "I believe it was just this morning that I promised you, that I will never spank you again. All I wish to do is to finally give you a hug. May I hug you, please?"
With wide eyes Harry carefully stepped closer. As he got within arms reach Lucius pulled the boy closer and than wrapped his arms around him. He placed the boy on his lap and then tightened his arms a bit more.
Harry released a shuddered breath of relief and snuggled closer into the warm embrace and so they sat in silence for a while.
"Against your belief I really like your hairstyle. The blond strands suits you excellently. Whose idea was that?" Lucius wanted to know after a while.
"I found a similar haircut in that catalogue but it had red streaks. Then Draco suggested to take blond instead of red," Harry admitted.
"I also noticed that your scar is no longer hidden behind you bangs. I'm surprised."
Harry smiled to himself. He was surprised, too. "I didn't want to at first because people will stare at it but Draco said they will stare nonetheless. He also said that it is in the shape of a rune."
"He said that?" Lucius was surprised and then cast a glance at Harry's scar. "Hmm, he may be right. It does look similar to soliwo. I never noticed before but then, I do not share Draco's fascination with runes."
"Do you think I'm going to be powerful?" Harry asked in a shy voice.
"I would say, you are already powerful. Life didn't go easy on you but you survived and got stronger."
Harry sighed unhappily. "I'm so afraid of the future. I'm afraid he will come back soon. I don't want to lose you."
Lucius heart clenched painfully. No twelve year-old should have to think about these things. "I don't know how to take away your worry but we are in it together. Together we are stronger. The first time around you were a baby. There was nothing you could have done but this time around you are a wizard student. You are no longer as helpless as a baby. We can train you and Draco in dueling. Severus and I are both very adept in the Dark Arts and in Defence. Do you like that idea?"
Harry smiled and nodded.
"But first you have a lot of schoolwork to do and not much time for it."
At that Harry hung his head in shame.
Lucius sighed and with two fingers he guided Harry's head up again, "I'm not angry with you. I know you didn't have the chance at your relatives but if you plan your days carefully there should be no problem with catching up. I have faith in you."
With that Harry returned the hug and whispered, "Thank you."
"How about lunch? Do you think we can join Draco downstairs? I'm sure he hasn't started with his meal yet, as he will be too worried about you."
Harry nodded and reluctantly stood up. He was very tired and the urge to just crawl into bed was nearly overwhelming.
"Tired?" Lucius asked knowingly.
Again Harry nodded and suppressed a yawn that wanted to escape him.
"You can take a nap after lunch but I want you to start on your homework in the afternoon. Starting by tomorrow Severus will give you remedial Potions each morning. So you can wait with this subject until you have a hang of the material. Is there any other subject you struggle with?"
Harry blushed at that and answered in a low voice, "History of Magic."
"I see. It's a shame that you were still taught by that ghost. History of Magic can be so interesting but Professor Binns fails completely in attracting the attention of his students with his monotonous voice. I can help you with that if you wish."
"Okay," Harry agreed with a meek voice. He hated History but he guessed Lucius will not accept poor marks just because he hated a subject.
With that they left Harry's room for lunch.