Author's Note: I know it's been a while since I posted a chapter to thie piece, no I haven't forgotten, I just had to choose what I wanted to do. I wasn't sure if the party should be in this chapter or the next, so I chose the next chapter. For those who don't realize it, this is the original second half of Chapter 11, I had to cut it down a little.

Chapter 12: A House's Secrets

The Ophthalmologist finished his exam with the snap of his wrist and looked to Tom who was lounging in one of the other chairs. His red eyes never left them, watchful and filled with a hint of irritation. The wizard turned to Tom and asked, "May I speak with you alone?" Tom nodded as he walked toward the back of the shop with the other man. He could tell something was very wrong. The wizard before him crossed his arms and tipped his head to the side, his eyes were narrowed and accusing. "Why did you bring him to me with a glamour? I was under the impression I was treating a Hadrian Potter, formerly Harry Potter," seethed the Ophthalmologist.

The Dark Lord paused and looked at him, "He's wearing a minimal one to cover his scar, that won't interfere with his eyes," he replied tersely. The silver haired wizard pushed his glasses further up his nose, irritation was evident and Tom had a feeling this wasn't good. "No the full glamour placed on him, that one. Why is it even there?" he hissed, "I can't treat that which doesn't truly exist!" Tom was stunned it made no sense he knew the boy was Harry Potter, he had to be it all lined up, or at least according to the evidence it did.

Harry sat quietly waiting for them, he seemed nervous and from what Tom could tell was that the boy was frightened that he had somehow done something wrong. He really needed Severus' potion something like this, a glamour this strong was impossible. He had seen hundred of glamours and none of them were this thick, not even at Gringotts did it dissolve, that spoke in volumes on it's own. "Is there anything you can do in the mean time?" he asked slowly, "I know the prescription isn't right."

There was hesitation as the Ophthalmologist looked at the boy in the chair, "I can correct the prescription and give him new lenses, however I don't know if corrective procedures are remotely possible," he explained. Tom nodded as he began wondering how it hadn't been seen before, the glamour had to be powerful to go undetected for so long, in fact it had to be what many would consider impossible. That kind of work didn't exist, or at least it shouldn't.

Tom watched lazily as the Ophthalmologist handed Harry a pair of silver frames, they were platinum but strong and he could tell from the way Harry blinked that the world had somehow come in focus. Now he just had to figure out who the boy was, Harry was turning out to be even more mysterious than his own origins had once been. "Lord Gaunt, I have finished the prescription," announced the wizard. Tom nodded as he handed the man a small pouch, "For your trouble," he stated as he guided Harry out of the shop. He smiled warmly as he looked at the boy, the mystery could wait they had a party to attend.

"Now it's time for a haircut and then some robes," he mused, "We can't have you look as though you got dressed in the dark." Harry grinned and nodded as he scrambled to keep up with Tom's long strides. He knew full well that Narcissa was nearly finished with the mansion and he would be holding the party in a few days. A Lord's Party especially when he was being introduced to a society was a key event, it would show just what kind of Lord he was and his preferences in law. Everything from the very paper of the invitation to the grand menu would reflect his ideals.

Thankfully he had left it to Narcissa, she had been the one who introduced Lucius to their world and now she was more than happy to do such a thing for Tom. After all it wasn't often when a forgotten Lord claimed a title. There was one thing he wanted to see to personally and that was his entrance, usually the count was presented from the top of the stairs, however that wasn't his style. He wanted something grand, dramatic and radically different.

Tom hummed as he looked at the world around him, to think soon enough he was going to be one of the most famous Lords in England. He glanced over at Harry who was watching him intently. "Don't worry, I'm certain this will play in our favor, besides, we have the Malfoys, Blacks, and other families as our allies. I plan on making friends in France, Romania, Germany and a few in Italy as well," he stated. Harry stared at him with large green eyes in awe, obviously the boy hadn't realized just how important it was to make allies yet.

The Dark Lord smiled a little as he looked at the young man, "We can never have too many friends," he stated, winking after doing so and leading Harry to the barber shop. A smile curled his lips, no one could never have too many friends. He opened the door and watched the young man enter, "Shape it, but don't tame it," commanded Tom as he looked at Harry. He had to ensure Harry was still recognizable after all.

~~WL~~

Flowers, silk, velvet, tinsel, lights and charms, all elements required to take elevate the event from a simple gathering to a spectacle. A combination of witches and house elves moved through the house, each of them rushing to do as they were tasked, transform the once broken house of Gaunt and transform it into a lush estate. Crystal, gold leafing, copper, marble, and stained glass, all elements of the old world, all important to status according to the definition of wealth most had been supplied with. It wasn't simply the material that marked the owner's wealth but the uniqueness of a piece and the quality of these objects. Goose feather pillows, cashmere throws, and polished mahogany end tables were placed in sitting rooms.

The world was moving to the impeccable pace of one witch in particular. Her platinum blonde and black hair was tied up in a loose bun, a quill had been tucked behind her fingers as she looked at various items. Gone were the typical long robes of status, and the dresses of tradition. She was dressed in a pair of skin tight muggle jeans, with a baggy sweater which clearly belonged to Lucius, it hung off one of her shoulders and bunched around her waist. She was wearing a pair of heels and smiled, a long lock of her hair had fallen free of her bun as she pointed to an area where she wanted the new table placed.

With the flick of her fingers she had tables moved and entire floors rearranged, there was a reason why she was considered one of the best at what she did. Her keen blue eyes searched the scene for areas of the room that could be accentuated but weren't too cluttered. "I want that in the Dining Room," she stated as she pointed to a massive mahogany table with elegantly carved legs that looked like lions paws, "just make sure the chandelier is secure, I don't need it going through that table. It's 350 years old," she commanded over the shuffle. The house was nearly finished, they were simply adding the final pieces.

The doors from the gardens opened calling her attention to her son, Draco was smiling warmly as he looked at a gardener and stated, "Koi, not Carp, those will surely bring out the section," before walking over to his mother. His hair was loose, he hadn't bothered slicking it back, he was wearing a dress shirt and jeans with a pair of converses, his sleeves had been rolled up and he had managed to gain a slight tan. "The gardens are finished, except for the party elements which will arrive tomorrow," Draco stated as he stood before her. Narcissa smiled warmly as she ran her fingers through her son's soft blonde hair. "Thank you Dragon, I'm shocked Severus let you go," she remarked.

Draco shrugged and chuckled as she glared at an elf who was about to put the orchids in the wrong room. The small creature's eyes widened beyond their typical size of saucers, which was a bit startling, and popped into the right room, it wasn't surprising really, Narcissa was known as quite the woman. Her temper was legendary; in fact it was just as famous as her glare, which do this day still startled Lucius. "He said you would need help and that Lucius isn't what he would consider such," Draco quoted.

Narcissa chuckled and shook her head, Lucius had never been one for interior design, she had furnished all the houses, before she was even a Malfoy. She trembled at the thought of them before she got her hands on them, Lucius was indeed clueless when it came to something's. Draco looked at her sweater in confusion and asked, "Is that Dad's?" The Malfoy matriarch paused and looked at the charcoal gray sweater with a green collar and replied, "Maybe," with a small smirk. Draco straightened in alarm and looked at her as though she were insane. He pinched the bridge of his nose in a motion which reminded Narcissa eerily of Severus when he found something simply that frustrating. Apparently her son had been spending more time with the elegant potion's master than she thought.

The Malfoy scion sighed and slipped his hands on his lips rather defiantly, as though if they were there he would somehow gain the upper hand, "You do realize Dad's going to freak out when he comes out of his bath in Tom's house and realizes you've absconded with his shirt right?" he asked with a playful glare. A smile curled her lips as she looked over at the young man carrying in several arm full of boxes containing Depression glass and elegant crystal, "Honey, that's the point," she tutted as she walked over to the young man. An invoice hovered behind him, "Oh the Emerald Glass is here," she chirped as she whipped out her self-inking quill and signed the pages hovering before her, "Take that to the dining room, Mipsy will assist you from there," she directed as she pointed in the direction of the room.

Draco crossed his arms and arched a brow, looking remarkably like a miniature version of Lucius only making the conversation even more comical in her opinion, "Mom, you're incorrigible, you're in the Dark Lord's house," he stated stiffly. Narcissa glanced at him and chuckled as she walked through the house, her hips swaying as she went thanks to the very tall heels she had chosen. The young wizard quickly dashed after her, as she turned the corner, "Mom, seriously," he griped only to be silence by her harsh glare. She was about to chastise him when she noticed a crooked frame. "Why is it the elves can never do as I ask?" she asked with irritation as she swept past Draco, "Darling do me a favor and make sure I get this straight," she said over her shoulder as she slipped her fingers up the side of the frame.

"Of course," he stated watching his mother as she put her hands in place, her long fingers wrapped around the edges of the frame, which was oddly empty. She began to tip it left when the young wizard noticed a serpent slithering into it. He was about to say something when the snake looked at him and winked. His jaw dropped, it was the same snake from the day the man had told them where to run. His head was spinning as he remembered the serpent's master, it even had the same startling silver eyes. Narcissa tipped the frame even more only for a click to be heard from behind. She jumped back as the wall loosened and swung open, a cloud of dust followed it. She coughed violently; Draco watched her shoulders shake and noticed her eyes tearing from the dust.

He quickly walked over to her and placed a hand on her shoulder, "Mom?" he asked softly as he rubbed circles into her back. She held up a hand for pause as she slowly straightened and looked at the new hallways before them. "That's not on the blueprints," she stated as she glared at the passage in the wall. Draco slowly looked at the painting and noticed the serpent had once again vanished, and shook his head, clearly his mind was playing tricks on him. Narcissa snapped her wrist causing her wand to slip out of her sleeve, the familiar piece of black wood stood out starkly against her jeans.

With an elegant wave white light poured from it's tip and she looked at the hallway, "Shall we?" she asked curiously. Draco stared at the passage and then to his mother, part of him was telling him to shout no and look for Tom while the other part simply couldn't resist an adventure. After weighing his options and decided to join her, there had to be a reason the same snake had appeared at that moment. "Of course," he stated with a grin, after all it would give him something to do. Slowly and with an air of caution, Narcissa entered the tunnel, her wand giving her an ample amount of light to go by.

~~WL~~

There is an old language, one that was once as widely spoken as English, the Language of Flowers also known as Fluorography. Every single elegant flower has a meaning all her own, for example the Gardenia means a mysterious love, or infatuation. While the Orchid is a compliment it means love, luxury and strength due to the flower's exotic nature. It wasn't uncommon for a vase of such flowers to appear before a suitor as a gift from one another. While it was impossible to express what they felt verbally for fear it would damage the delicate union being attempted between the families, flowers were used. For it was the flowers that could whisper to a woman all they knew, every secret could roll of their leaves and caress their skins.

The lily, a flower that takes on a number of meanings depending on it's hue, is as versatile as a woman's mood. White lilies were symbols of chastity, purity and virtue, while the tiger lily means pride and prosperity. Yet a pure orange lily means hatred, even if the tiger was pride. Even the red lily holds a special meaning, passion, love, desire and warmth. Even though in flowers these special meanings were reserved based on color, there was one lily that defied this. His Lily.

Severus sighed as he looked at the red lily on the table, a smile curled his lips as he thought about how red in the face Lily would get before lecturing an unfortunate soul. It was ironic that the flower meant passion, but it's orange color meant hatred. His potion stained fingers swept over one of the supple red petals, it was softer than silk and just as smooth. It was strange the more time he spent around Tom and Harry, the more he thought of her. He wondered how she would look at him if she learned he was gay, with the only exception being her.

With a great deal of care he picked the flower up and cradled it in his hands as though it would shatter if he moved wrong. Lily, the only woman he could ever love, and even though he hated James, he found himself loving Harry like a son. He smiled to himself as he thought of this, knowing full well Harry wasn't his, the boy never could be. That young man he was watching grow before him would never be his son, but for now, he could enjoy the image of being a father, even if he wasn't the best.

There was a tap on the door causing the Potion's Master to jump to attention. Lucius was standing shirtless, his hair was still wet but that wasn't the alarming part, his face was twisted in pure terror. Severus dropped the flower and dashed over to the door, his gut twisted as he did so. That expression was the same one Lucius wore when the boys were caught with dementors. "What's wrong?" asked Severus as he opened the glass doors of his lab. Lucius was standing before him barefoot and in a pair of slacks. "Narcissa and Draco are missing! The elves don't know where they are and can't see them," he panicked.

Severus blanched at those words, he didn't think Dumbledore would be able to penetrate the heavily warded walls of the Gaunt Estate. In fact, it seemed impossible with just how well woven they were, even Tom was impressed by the ancient work. "We have to find them," Severus stated as he slipped out of the room, "I'll go this way," he stated as he ran off in one direction. His mind was reeling as he thought about his godson, he couldn't lose the young blonde, he loved him too much. "Damn it Draco, just what did you get yourself into?" he seethed as he rounded another corner. There was no way he would allow harm to fall upon the Malfoys, they had given him so much and he owed them a great deal. They were his family.

~~WL~~

It was dark, dank and oddly narrow in this small hallway, it was as though the rest of the house had been built around it. Draco noticed the spider webs hanging like silk from the ceiling and the lack of fear in his mother's movements as she continued through the rather small corridor. Their footsteps echoed off the stone walls as loudly as their heart beats. With each step they drifter further into the darkness, "Where does this go?" asked Draco curiously. Narcissa didn't respond, she merely kept her wand before her and pressed forward until she reached what looked like a glass door. "Odd," marveled the Lady as she gently placed her hand against it.

Her fingers left a trail in the dust in their wake, "Glass?" Draco inquired as he watched his mother nod. It was a solid piece that clearly hadn't been cleaned in a while since it was impossible to see through, at the top of the door was a pair of "S" entwined. It was strange to see such an elegant etching in a place where it clearly wasn't meant to be enjoyed. "Salazar Slytherin? He wasn't a Gaunt, was he?" he asked. The glass door vanished at the sound of Salazar's name, "Maybe he is," she replied slowly. Narcissa's eyes widened as she lowered her wand.

Sprawled out before them was a massive room, it was filled with warm browns and natural greens. The walls were lined with books from the floor to the ceiling. Candelabras stood resolute around the room, however they weren't lit, the light they were witnessing fell from a beautiful glass dome up above. Hovering above them was a miraculous stained glass dome, it depicted the sun and the moon in the center of a massive chart. On the ring just outside of the center piece were the phases of the moon, another band was each and every zodiac, after that the constellations were on display. The sun and moon were done in bright yellows and oranges while the outer bands were done in green and dark blue. Each zodiac was done in it's corresponding elemental colors and upon closer inspection Draco noticed a thin band of runes around the rim of the piece.

The floor was an elegant Compass Rose done in black and green marble with silver accents, again runes had been placed around the piece. Sitting directly in the center was a pedestal with a large glass orb, "Where are we?" asked Draco curiously as he stepped into the room. It amazed him the amount of light spilling into it through the ceiling, he absently began to wonder if it was enchanted since the bands seemed to slowly be shifting to mark the time, it was truly a work of art. The room was warm and vaguely familiar, it was as though he had been in it before, yet hadn't. Narcissa stepped in after Draco and followed him closely behind. "So many books," mused Draco as he looked at the shelves, this room had more books than the entire Malfoy collection and he had a feeling there were even more in the house.

Hesitantly, Draco walked over to the orb resting on a pedestal in the middle of the room. He had seen prophesies his father had sketched an image and showed it to him, this wasn't one of those ghastly blue hued orbs, this one was green. At first he thought it was a large piece of emerald only to realize that it wasn't, it was green smoke trapped inside of the glass orb, moving, shifting and folding over itself. "What is it?" asked Draco curiously as he watched the orb slowly shift. With a flash of light the same man from the painting was sitting before him, Alcester Gaunt.

Narcissa gasped in the background but Draco ignored it and watched the young man flash a lopsided grin. His legs were crossed, right over left, his right foot bobbed a little as he leaned back on the large pedestal and looked at Draco. "I had a feeling you would find this room, it's funny, no matter how many years pass every Malfoy finds it. Although it did skip Lucius, he never came to this mansion though," said Alcester. This version knew a great deal more than the portrait had. His ocean blue eyes sparkled with mirth as he watched Draco piece the crumbs that had been left for him together.

Alcester was dressed in a long scholars robe, this one was radically different from the one in the painting, it was black velvet with a beautiful silk emerald green lining. Resting across his collarbone was a beautiful silver chord with a pair of clasps. What made this robe radically different was the beautiful Gaunt Crest embroidered on the chest and the snakes circling his sleeves. His chocolate brown hair fell in his eyes as he shifted. "You're a descendant of Salazar Slytherin, an heir," said Draco slowly. Alcester flashed a smiled, it was warm and encouraging, the opposite of what many would expect of Slytherin's heir.

"I am, but I'll let you in on a little secret, it's important that you keep this to yourself until the time is right," Alcester began, "No matter how hard we try, we can't wipe out that which we care about the most. Even if the thought is gone, the emotions will remain." Draco listened intently, this had to do with mind magic, but he had no idea why the man would be telling him of such a thing. "It's funny, nothing is ever lost, but simply misplaced and it's often in the most obvious of places," he mused.

A cold wind blew through the room, it ruffled Draco's hair as it did so making him pause, slowly he turned and looked at the open door. Just beyond another glass door was the night sky, and just under it was a beautiful cottage. It was covered in vines on one side, with a thatch roof and chimneys; he stared at it and noticed a small gate with a garden before it. "Even the most horrible of things aren't easily forgotten or erased," Alcester stated. Subconsciously Draco began to edge toward the door, only for the image to shift once more.

The young Malfoy came to a pause at the door, the images stopped entirely, "What are you?" asked Draco with fascination. Obviously Alcester wasn't something similar to a painting, he wouldn't be able to influence the world around him. Alcester hummed as he held out his hand causing Amar to sweep into the room. He looked as he had in the portrait only this time he was dressed in red. His hair was combed and his stride was wide but strong, his striking green eyes fell on Draco and he smiled. It wasn't the same smile Draco had seen on the man when they met in the painting, it was a little more like a friend than a rather irate lover.

Narcissa suddenly snapped to life at the appearance of the olive toned man dressed in a bright red Sherwani, only this time it was paired with black and had silver scrolls. He was wearing a pair of black pants and was barefoot. "Who are you?" she asked as she quickly put herself between Draco and the man in question, her wand was drawn. Alcester chuckled at the confused expression on Amar's face.

He pointed to himself and looked to Alcester in confusion, "Who is she?" he asked as he nodded his head toward her. Draco chuckled as he gently tugged on the sweater, causing her to look over her shoulder at her son. "Don't, he's a friend, and Alcester's lover," he added sheepishly at the end, a faint blush working it's way to his cheeks. He still wasn't accustomed to the concept of two men loving one another, it made him wonder just what he was feeling for Harry.

She slowly lowered her wand and replied, "Narcissa Malfoy nee Black," her tone was cool and clipped, a clear indication that she had snapped into protective mode, one Draco was accustomed to thanks to his aunt being a bit insane. Amar glanced between Draco and the woman before him before smiling, "You are a good mother, quite clearly. I'm Amar, Amar Hashsi," he introduced before bowing slightly at the waist. Alcester coughed into his hand, something that sounded akin to, 'Brown Noser,' but Draco could have been mistaken. Narcissa smiled simply, well accustomed to the charming acts of high society, since Lucius held a number of them in his own arsenal. "I see I lack effectiveness on you, then again you are wed to a Malfoy," mused Amar as he looked at Alcester who was lounging on the pedestal.

His green eyes were glowing as they glided over the lithe form of the Gaunt Lord, Draco honestly thought it was possible to undress an individual with his eyes alone with such a hot gaze. Narcissa and Lucius had been very open about sex, Draco wasn't a stranger to his parents show affection for one another, and had read plenty of books with it mentioned, but he had to admit he had never seen something that intense. Amar looked like a tiger ready to strike while Alcester was merely grinning like a snake.

Alcester lifted a slender arm and beckoned the Indian Potion's Master forward. "We are something very rare, the same magic infused in the Archives," stated Alcester as Amar took his place beside him. Together they looked as beautiful as they had in the painting, only this time Amar wasn't trying to strip the man. Draco tipped his head in confusion and noticed his mother looked just as baffled. Narcissa was well known for her charms work, to learn that there was something beyond her was unsettling.

Narcissa took a step forward after regaining her cool composure and asked, "Why are you here?" the question rang in the room as though it were a bell. Alcester slipped of the pedestal like a cat and replied simply, "To ensure that the line survives, right now it's heirs are in danger." The Malfoy matriarch paused and looked at him, her eyes narrowed as she asked, "Why the plural?" Draco looked at her, he hadn't even picked up on the fact that he had suggested there were multiple heirs. Alcester grinned before responding, "Because there are two of them, now you must hurry I do believe your husband is looking for you."

The room was quiet as Draco watched them slip back into the orb, only this time it was green and red, obviously Amar had joined him once again. He looked over at his mother who was already looking for a way back when Draco called, "Dobby?" he had no idea if the elf could hear him but prayed it would. Dobby popped into existence and asked, "What's master be needing?"

Draco smiled as he looked to his mother and said, "We need to get back to the foyer," as he held out his hand. The House Elf simply grinned and took both their hands before taking them back to the foyer. All Draco could think about was the cottage he had seen through the doorway, it looked very real and he had a feeling if he went looking hard enough he would be able to find it.

~~WL~~

Lucius rounded another corner and found himself back in the foyer, "WHY DOES THIS HOUSE HAVE TO BE A MAZE!" he shouted with irritation as he pulled at his hair. He couldn't lose them, they had been there for him when no one else was. Narcissa had been his anchor, his best friend, his lover and his wife, she would always be the one woman who stole his heart all those years ago. "Please be alright," he whimpered as he heard a crack behind him, he didn't move, Narcissa had elves running frantically looking for her and setting up the house.

His heart was pounding in his ears, as he attempted to think of another place she may have been. Just as he did so a warm hand wrapped around his shoulder, the touch was light and gentle. The Malfoy patriarch jumped slightly before turning rapidly, standing before him, in his sweater was a very dusty Narcissa. Her smile faded as Lucius launched himself at her and brought her into a tight embrace, he nuzzled her neck affectionately before whispering, "Don't ever do that again. I thought you were gone."

Slender arms wrapped around him as well as a smaller pair, he felt Narcissa and Draco's warmth envelope him, making all those cold and crushing thoughts vanish from his mind. Not a word was spoken as the three embraced, they meant the world to him, and he didn't know what he would do if something happened to them.

Albus' threat to kill them was too fresh, he didn't know if he would be the same if the elderly wizard managed such a feat. One thing was certain however, if Albus did manage to harm them, he would kill the Headmaster where he stood, not caring how many years he would be in prison. It would be well worth it after seeing the hell Harry endured and the fact that the man had the gall to harm his family.