A/N
Thank you all for the feedback! I have never dealt with so many trolls before but my other story is a much less popular pairing so I'm assuming that is why. If you make me laugh your troll review can stay, though nastiness gets you nowhere :D I'm a mom of 5 little ones so you really can't bother me LOL. Especially after having twins. Anyway, I hope you enjoy the world building in this chapter, I tried to stick to canon as much as possible for the current reality but obviously some things you just have to make up.
Though Draco and Lucius did not seem as enthused to have him stay, they did not object after Narcissa offered Julian shelter at the Manor. Relieved, Julian breathed a sigh of relief and accepted a long, comforting hug from her. After the confusion and panic he experienced after finding himself unexpectedly in this very different world it was a welcome change and he could feel the tension actively leaving his body as she hugged him tightly.
"Now, when was the last time you had a proper meal? You can tell us exactly how we can assist you after you've rested and had dinner with us." Narcissa says, pulling back and giving him a warm smile. With a snap of her fingers, Mippy appears again with a small pop.
"Yes Mistress?"
"Mippy dear we'll be having an early dinner if you don't mind, and an extra portion for young Master Julian at all meals until further notice." With a nod Mippy bows and disappears again.
At the given title Julian's eyes widen and he and Draco exchange shocked looks before Draco quickly schools his expression again.
"You don't have to do that Mrs. Malfoy, I hope to not be underfoot very long." Julian attempts to explain but Narcissa waves him off quickly.
"Nonsense, you're here as long as you need. As you've learned, there aren't many of us and this manor was built for entire generations of Malfoy's to reside in. There's no reason to feel like you're intruding when this was the purpose intended for it. And please, call me Narcissa."
At this even Lucius nodded his head, seemingly agreeing with his wife.
"Now, where can we put you?" she muses, mostly to herself.
"If I may, Mrs- I mean Narcissa, ma'am, I know this may be strange but may I choose a room?" Julian asks, not comfortable calling the woman by her given name but also trying to follow her request. From what he could tell, this manor is nearly identical, at least in layout, as the one he knew. If it was open, he wanted the room he'd always known as his own even if it didn't look the same.
"Of course! What a splendid idea. Follow me and I'll show you around." Narcissa once again offers her arm to Julian, and he takes it without hesitation. He glances back at the two Malfoy men but they are deep in a quiet discussion already and turned away from him.
Narcissa leads him gracefully through the halls of the Manor and towards the heart of the home. The more Julian sees the more he's convinced it's the same manor he grew up in, though with drastically different décor and lacking the marks of decades of war he was used to seeing dotted throughout.
As he walks beside her Narcissa chats about various ancestors who's portraits he pauses to look at. Most of them he sees watching him pass are markedly different than the ones he knows. Only some of the oldest ones hold any recognition for him, like Armand Malfoy who hangs in the main hall who was the original builder of Malfoy Manor after receiving the land here in Wiltshire from King William I.
None of the stories besides that of Armand and one other ancestor, Lucius Malfoy I, whom it seems the modern Malfoy patriarch was named for, are familiar to him. Though he eagerly listens to Narcissa rattle off tales of past Malfoy heroics and the various deeds and wars they participated in.
As they near what Julian knows as his family's wing, he stops and looks down the hallway, hoping something he recognizes remains here in this world. Narcissa watches him, whatever story she was telling dying on her lips as she sees his interest pique.
"Have you seen something you wish to look at?" she asks when he continues to linger at the intersection of hallways, Julian can only nod as he disentangles his arm and slowly steps towards his, though not really his, bedroom. The only thing recognizable is the bust of Nicholas Malfoy that also resides at the entrance to this wing in his own manor.
The first door on the left would be a sitting room, where most of his early childhood days were spent playing with his siblings and cousins. The next also on the left would be his sister Marcella's room. First on the right would be the twin's, Regina and Sabina, who refused to be separated even in adolescence. Then Anthony second on the right and finally, the last door on the left would be his. Across the hall being his father's study as the last door on the right with his parent's bedroom between Anthony and the study.
Taking a deep breath Julian opens the door to what would be his room. The air is stale, like it hasn't moved in the last century or longer. But the room is surprisingly clean, and is indeed a bedroom. Simply decorated it holds what looks to be a queen sized bed with matching elegantly carved wooden dresser, writing desk, and wardrobe. Just like in his room, there are two doors on the far wall, the left leading to a bathroom and the right to a large storage closet.
The wooden floors are the same as he remembers, if less worn and scuffed than in his own time. Likely due to himself and Anthony not thoroughly abusing them as children he thinks, chuckling to himself. Out of sheer curiosity he opens the various drawers and doors, inspecting similarities and differences. The bathroom may as well be his own, as so many charms keep the indoor bathrooms that were added to the manor when they came into fashion that they're nearly indestructible.
He turns back to the doorway to see Narcissa leaning against the frame, watching him move around the room. He smiles sheepishly and starts to open his mouth but she cuts him off before he can speak.
"You know this room." She states simply.
Julian nods, but hesitates to say more. There's no good way to explain how he knows it but there's no point to deny or lie to her, not when she has been the only one to believe his admittedly bizarre tale.
"Would you like to stay in here?" she asks softly, perhaps sensing his hesitation.
"Yes, please, if I may." he says.
"Of course dear, dinner should be ready soon. Call for Mippy to show you to the dining room when you've freshened up. I'll have her stock the bathroom and linens for you and air out the rooms in this wing." she gives him another warm smile before leaving him to his own devices.
Not knowing what to do Julian collapses on the bed. Though not the same as his own, the room is similarly laid out, though the wardrobe and desk are swapped here. And the walls here are a pale lavender. His own room is a deep burgundy though before that it was blue when it was his own father's room.
After catching his breath Julian decides to wander the hall, opening the various rooms and discovering that his father's study is just a storage closet but the rest of the rooms are indeed bedrooms and a sitting room, though they are obviously as disused as his own. Returning to his room he finds fresh linens, clothes, and towels waiting for him so he decides to make use of the shower before presenting himself at dinner.
He wonders what dinner will be like without a dozen various cousins and siblings arguing and chatting will be like and feels a sharp pang of loneliness at the thought. Dressing in the very expensive looking clothing set out for him he mentally prepares himself for the questioning he imagines the patriarch Lucius will have in store for him. He doesn't bother calling for Mippy as he knows the manor like his own hands and he doubts a central room like the dining room would be in a different location.
As he nears the large doors that lead to his destination he hears the quiet voices of his hosts and knows his assumption is correct. Though when he enters the room he is surprised by how dark the room is. In the center of the long wall he enters from is the same large marble fireplace as his own manor. The dark paneling is also the same, but instead of the pale yellow that makes the room open and inviting in his own manor a dark green dims the lighting and makes the room seem somber. Paired with heavy silver velvet draperies covering the windows of the far long wall the room could be underground with how little light is let in.
The voices stop as the Malfoy's notice Julian's entry. They look from Mippy, who appears to have been listening to something Narcissa was saying to Julian with questioning looks, though Narcissa herself smirks as if she knows his secret.
"It seems you've found your way to us." she says cheerfully, before quickly saying something Julian can't quite hear to Mippy before the elf disappears.
The dining table seems to be the same from his own manor, though he swears it seats more people than the current twelve chairs he sees at it. At one point his own might have been magically enhanced to be longer he guesses. Seated at the far head, furthest away from him, is Lucius, with Draco on his left and Narcissa across the table on the right.
"Sit next to Draco dear, dinner will be served shortly." Narcissa says, gesturing to the seat.
Julian hesitates, but when Draco shows no sign of objection he takes the indicated seat. Just as he begins to feel the silence turn awkward bowls of soup appear upon the table in front of them. Immediately he can't help but indulge in the aroma of what looks to be some kind of leek soup. Watching the others as to not be rude he receives an encouraging nod from Narcissa so he takes a bite. The warmth alone was amazing but flavor, especially when paired with the fresh bread that appeared alongside it was enough to remind him he hadn't eaten since dinner the night before.
Much too quickly his soup is finished and he realizes he probably seemed like a barbarian wolfing down his first meal in a month but only finds a gentle smile from Narcissa and the Malfoy men acting as if nothing is amiss as they politely eat their meal. Julian relaxes a bit, some food in his stomach easing some of the anxiety he had been feeling.
Just as Narcissa finishes her last dainty bite of soup another plate of food appears in front of Julian, replacing his empty bowl. This time it's a portion of roasted duck with vegetables and potatoes. He nearly groans at the sight of the hearty meal and wastes no time digging into it.
A while later, fully satisfied and leaning back in his chair he feels the eyes of the elder Malfoy's on him. Wordlessly they seem to have come to the decision now is the time for answers. Taking a deep breath Julian decides to face the problem head on, as bravely as possible.
"Thank you, that is possibly the most delicious meal I have ever had. Though don't tell that to my Aunt Cheryl." he chuckles attempting to break the ice.
"I suppose I owe you answers, though again I'm not sure how much you will believe or where to start."
At this Lucius inclines his head, indicating that he may continue and Narcissa smiles encouragingly.
"Why don't you tell us how you knew where the dining room was." she says, smirking again.
"Because I grew up in Malfoy Manor, I've lived here my whole life." he says confidently.
Draco scoffs beside him. "What do you mean you grew up here?" he turns to Julian incredulously.
"I mean I grew up here, with all my many cousins and family members. Eating here in this same dining room, though it looks much different here than I am used to. So of course I would know where it is." he says, looking directly at Draco.
When Draco continues to look at him as if he'd grown another head he looks to Narcissa and Lucius. Narcissa is smiling and Lucius looks unreadable so he decides to just plow forward.
"Look, I know it sounds crazy. If I was listening to me I'd be calling St. Mungo's. And I'll prove it if you want, I can show you secret passageways, where the dungeons are, how to access the wards, and anything else you may ask as proof. I'm not here to interrupt your life, but I can't stay here. I have to get back home as quickly as I can and you are the only ones that can help me."
At this Narcissa frowns and looks to Lucius who nods and then she focuses on Julian once again.
"Assume we believe you Julian, what is it you would have us do?" she asks.
"I need to find a Malfoy heirloom. Specifically, a necklace that was once the property of Armand Malfoy's wife, Celine Malfoy, that I believe was enchanted and used as a cornerstone protection charm when the Manor was originally built." Julian explains.
"And how would this heirloom help you, and why would we risk the protection of the manor by giving it to you?" Lucius asks, calmly but with no sense of what he was thinking.
"I don't want to risk you or the Manor, I don't need you to give it to me at all. I only hope to study it and possibly use it to send myself back but the necklace should remain here. I don't know if it will even help me but the last thing I remember is picking up that necklace because I recognized it from Celine's portrait that hangs in the hall just outside this room"
"Back where?" Draco asks, from his left.
At this Julian pauses. He had thought it to himself many times throughout this very strange day, but saying it out loud seemed ridiculous and laughable.
"Honestly I'm not certain, but the more I learn the more I'm nearly certain that this is an entirely different reality than I call home." he says sadly, waiting for the questions to turn angry.
Instead silence follows and when he raises his eyes he sees Draco openly confused, Lucius still calmly unreadable and Narcissa thinking with her head tilted slightly to the right.
"You say you can prove all of this?" Draco asks, breaking the tense silence.
"As much as I can, yes." Julian says.
"Where is the entrance to the kitchens?" questions Draco.
"Servants stairs down, two hallways to the east of us, though they are directly under us here in the dining hall." Julian answers promptly.
"And the wards?" Draco again asks.
"Behind a large portrait I would assume is of whoever your grandfather is in the main study of the West wing." Julian again answers easily.
At this Draco falls silent and Julian looks back to Draco's parents. Narcissa seems to hesitate before quietly speaking to him.
"And in your world, there are many Malfoy's?" she asks, almost so quietly he doesn't hear her. Upon hearing her question Lucius and Draco immediately turn to her with expressions he doesn't quite understand.
"Yes ma'am. Like I said, I have three sisters and a brother. My father had three siblings, two brothers and one sister, and my grandfather had six siblings, three brothers and three sisters. While never at full capacity, many of the various wings and halls are filled with aunts, cousins, and various relations. Even my mother's family, though muggle, reside in the hallway above our own for their own safety." he explains as thoroughly as he can.
At this Draco scoffs next to him, "Your mother is a muggle?"
Julian is confused by his reaction though he understands aversion to most muggles it's not uncommon for wizards to pair with them, at least in his own world.
"Do wizards and muggles not marry here?" he asks looking at the three Malfoy's in front of him.
"Malfoy's do not." Lucius states stiffly.
This stuns Julian even more as he is sure he saw this Lucius's namesake in one of the hallways he passed with Narcissa. Famously he became King Consort of England by marrying Queen Elizabeth I.
"Sir, if I may, what about Lucius Malfoy I?" he asks the patriarch.
At this one brow of Lucius Malfoy II arches dramatically. "What about him?" he asks, not angry but possibly interested Julian thinks.
"Did he not marry Queen Elizabeth I, a muggle?" he asks, daring to sound stupid by stating the obvious.
At this Draco scoffs again, "The rumor is he aspired to her hand, not that he married her. If you're going to spout nonsense at least get the details right. He cursed her to remain single after she refused him blah blah, nothing has ever been proven." Draco rolls his eyes, obviously deciding that Julian is playing at something.
Immediately Julian realizes how this reality is so different than his own.
"She refused him?" he asks, excitedly.
"Of course she didn't, he never asked her in the first place." Draco states simply.
"But no that's it! Don't you see? Queen Elizabeth is my grandmother, though many generations back. And of course our line gave up our claim to the throne generations ago to avoid conflict with the muggles but what's important is now we know why this world is so different!" Julian continues, gaining enthusiasm.
"And why is it important we know why it is different?" Narcissa asks.
"Well I suppose it isn't very important, at least for what we need. But if that's where the divergence happened then at least we know that Armand still laid the protection charm in the cornerstone, as that was nearly 5 centuries before Elizabeth's time. And if it wasn't the necklace that sent me here at least we have a starting point to figure something else out."
"You really think you're from a different reality?" Draco asks him.
"What other explanation is there?" Julian counters.
"St. Mungo's could probably figure it out." Draco says quietly, nearly mumbling to himself. Narcissa shoots him a glare and he immediately closes his mouth though.
"Which cornerstone would it be?" she asks Julian.
Thinking back to the hectic events of yesterday's attack Julian takes a moment to think about what he last remembers. He was outside, tending to the thestrals when the alarms sounded, and then the next thing he remembers is following his father and uncle to the north side of the house to investigate. After that he only has flashes but then he clearly remembers seeing the heirloom in the rubble near the greenhouse. He smiles, knowing at least where to start.
"I believe the northwest corner, but it could also be the northeast." he says earnestly.
Narcissa nods, "It's settled then, tomorrow we dig up a cornerstone. That's enough discussion for tonight. Desert anyone?" Suddenly a beautiful pear and berry pie appears in the center of the table. Distracted by the sweets everyone grabs a slice and enjoys the treat amicably.
After Julian finishes his pie he excuses himself from the table and wanders slowly towards his room. Though it's still early in the evening he is weary to the bone. He'd been trying not to think of yesterday's attack in light of his circumstances but he was worried for his family. As one of the adults now he was responsible for helping keeping the family safe, and while attacks on the manor weren't unheard of, they were rare and usually followed by more aggressive attempts. Knowing this didn't do anything to ease his worries but there wasn't much he could do a world away from them.
Eventually he reached his room and from growing up in a war he knew to take rest when it was available because you never know when it won't be. Hoping tomorrow they'd find the necklace and he'd be back home shortly before his family worried too much. With that thought in mind he drifted off into a fitful sleep.