Italics alone = Merlin's book

Bold italics = parseltongue

Chapter 25

"Oh my..." The pages of Merlin's book fluttered in an invisible wind as the oldest living member of his bloodline fell to the floor. "I wonder... Dobby?"

The little elf appeared and looked around to see who had called him.

"Oh, good! You heard me!"

Dobby sighed heavily upon seeing the glowing book and his former master lying on the floor. "Master Merlin, what is you doing? Dobby is now having to get Master Harry's betrothed to be helping his father!"

"No, Dobby, get the other elves to assist you in waking my heir. Draco isn't ready to be burdened with the knowledge contained in my pages. I must only be introduced to the new Dragonlord after he has spoken to a dragon. Until then, I must convince Lucius to be kind and generous with the young elemental. The founders' heir is the only one who can stop the possessor of the elder wand and he can only do it with Draco's help."

Dobby sighed but snapped his fingers. Two Malfoy elves appeared and they set to work getting Lucius onto the nearby couch. "Sir? Mister Malfoy, sir?"

Lucius grimaced and blinked rapidly as he sat up. "What was that? What's going on?"

"Dobby is finding you on the floor, Mister Malfoy. Merlin's book is deciding it is time to communicate with you. Please to be listening to it?" With that, Dobby disappeared.

Lucius looked at the book. The symbol was still glowing. Merlin's book had spoken? He shook his head and suggested to himself that he had to have misunderstood the elf.

"No, Lucius. You haven't misunderstood. I am communicating with you because you are Merlin's heir... my heir."

"What are you?" Lucius asked in a hushed tone as his eyes widened.

The glow of the symbol on the book's cover pulsed with the voice that came out of it.

"My physical form is Merlin's personal grimoire. He wrote in this book throughout his life and, in his later years, added a light horcrux to give me his memories, mannerisms, and personality."

"How is this possible?" Lucius murmured as he pinched the bridge of his nose. "How did I not know about this?"

"No living being was told of it. The first generation was only informed of this tome's existence and that it must be passed from father to son to ensure that it reached the new Dragonlord. The spells embedded in the cover of this book detect when a member of the bloodline speaks certain words. I was only activated because you spoke of the new Dragonlord's developing abilities."

Lucius looked at the book. "Fascinating!"

"I also heard that you've finally made friendly contact with the heir of Hogwarts founders."

"Yes." Lucius muttered unhappily. "A little too friendly if you ask me."

"The boy will be an asset in more ways than one. It will behoove you to be kind."

As the book fell silent and the glow faded, Lucius sneered. What did it know? It was a book that hadn't interacted with a living person in centuries! He scoffed again and went to floocall the solicitor.

*

Harry wandered Draco's suite of rooms, shaking his head at the differences between his childhood and Draco's.

The blond in question returned from his ensuite restroom and beckoned to the young lord. "My collection of dragon figures are on this shelf."

"I saw them." Harry chuckled as he stood close enough to his betrothed for their arms to brush. "How did you get Viktor Krum's miniature from the tournament? I was sure the other champions would never part with something like that."

"It's just a replica." Draco smirked. "I'd like replicas of Diggory's and Delacour's dragons as well but Viktor's family has business connections with mine so Father simply asked."

Harry's gaze narrowed as he caught Draco's omission. "You don't want a replica of my horntail?"

Draco bit his lip with a wistful sigh. "I suppose I'd settle for a replica but I'd hoped that perhaps the real thing would someday sneak into my possession as a thoughtful gift."

Harry laughed and shook his head. "It might, at that."

Draco blushed but joined in the laughter. "Are you hungry? It's a bit late but we haven't eaten dinner yet."

Harry smirked but shook his head.

Draco called an elf and ordered a fruit and cheese platter for himself. "I'm going back to school in the morning."

"I expected that." Harry nodded sadly as they strolled over to the sofa where the elf was setting the platter. "What time?"

"I'll make it to Transfiguration." Draco told him, leaning back to get comfortable as he popped a grape into his mouth.

Harry thought for a moment and relaxed next to the blond. "Can you deliver a message to my cousins?"

"Won't that give away the fact that I saw you while I was gone?" Draco frowned at the other boy.

"Not if you give it to Luna. Lots of people know she's your cousin, too. They'll assume it's a family matter. She can give it to the others in the suite that night." Harry reasoned carefully. "Besides, it's just that I want them to know about Snape being the occlumency tutor. If I owl them directly, it might get unwanted attention from Dumbledore."

"Not if you owl it to Smith. You could be keeping him informed of Dudley's health as he's a mutual relation." Draco argued, pleasantly bumping their shoulders.

"I'll do that." Harry's lips curled into a grin and tilted his head toward the blond. "I like this..."

Draco's eyebrow rose. "What?"

"Our easy conversation." Harry shrugged and turned to face him. "The way you're able to help me plan... I hope to be able to help you in turn."

"That's what partners do." Draco shrugged it off.

"The only good partnerships I've seen are kind of strained lately. Molly and Arthur... Sirius and Remus." Harry looked sad. "You know, Sirius told me once that my mum and dad were like that. Playing off each other's ideas and taking their moods into account while working within each other's strengths."

"I know you haven't seen it yet, Harry, but my parents have that kind of relationship." Draco laid a hand on Harry's knee. "We can too."

"I hope so." Harry sighed, barely noticing that their heads were tilted toward each other until their eyes met.

Draco blinked first but then he quickly closed the gap to place a gentle kiss on Harry's lips.

Harry was startled by the suddenness of the kiss but quickly recovered and took hold of Draco's hand. "I'm sorry I haven't really voiced my feelings, Draco. I'll try to be better about it."

"What do you mean?" Draco frowned.

"I'm not good at talking about feelings." Harry explained. "I like you. I like you a lot and I find you smart and funny and sexy and I know it's a little early but would you go to the Halloween ball with me?"

Draco grinned and accepted with a nod.

"I'm so glad I was able to show you Potter Grove." Harry sighed. "It's the first place since Hogwarts that's felt like home."

They fell into a comfortable silence until the curtain moved and a tiny snake poked its head out causing Harry to suddenly whirl toward the window.

Draco stared at the snake and knew Harry was about to speak parseltongue. He hurried to the door and called out for his uncle.

Harry watched the baby python with more fascination than he'd expected. "Hello, little one."

"Oh, is that where they got off to?" Tom asked with a sigh, coming to stand in the doorway. "Nagini!"

"They?" Draco asked, startled.

"I only see one." Harry commented. "He's under the curtain. Is he yours?"

"In a manner of speaking, yes." Tom confessed before answering Draco. "They haven't spoken to me yet so I'm not sure of their gender."

"Where did they come from?" Harry asked.

"They are one of Nagini's offspring." Tom admitted. "She told me in May that she wanted to breed so I facilitated it and they just hatched the day before Draco left for school."

"Will they hurt me if I reach out to them?" Harry asked.

"At this age their venom would only make you dizzy." Tom informed them.

"Venom? I thought they're a python?" Harry asked, drawing his hand back.

"Nagini is a python and basilisk hybrid." Tom explained experimentally. "You see, once hatched, a basilisk behaves like a normal snake."

Harry stared at his cousin.

"If it's female, it lays eggs but only another basilisk can fertilize them and not many wizards are willing or able to contain more than one basilisk." Tom went on. "If it's male and you give it the eggs of any compatible snake species, it will fertilize them but, as I'm sure you're aware, basilisks don't reproduce in the usual way. So when this happens the only trait that's passed on from the basilisk is venom and it's not as potent as the basilisk's. It probably won't even be as potent as Nagini's."

"So... you took eggs from a python and put them with a basilisk to make Nagini?" Draco asked, horrified.

"I didn't, but someone did." Tom admitted, lightly defensive. "While I was in school, I worked in a number of shops and one of them was the Magical Menagerie. Aurors from the ministry had killed a basilisk when they raided an illegal breeding operation but they thought the breeders hadn't had time to fertilize the eggs. They were wrong." Tom smiled at the memory. "She was the only hatchling from the clutch and the owner of the shop wasn't freaked out when he heard me speaking to her, so I convinced him that she'd bonded with me. By the end of that summer, I'd talked him into giving her to me and he thought it was his idea."

Harry recognized compassion and his heart softened to the older man. He chuckled and shook his head at Tom's sly grin.

"His only request was that I go to him if she ever wanted to breed so Lucius arranged a meeting." Tom continued. "Her little ones are about three fourths magical reticulated python and one fourth basilisk. They and one other survived our hatching - a female."

"Wow." Harry breathed. "I'd like to try talking to them."

Tom merely motioned for him to go ahead.

"Hello, little one." Harry said softly. "I'm Harry. What's your name?"

"I don't have one." A soft feminine voice answered.

Draco watched in fascination as Harry and Tom shared a look. "What?"

"It's another female." Harry grinned. "She doesn't have a name yet."

"Would you like the honor?" Tom asked, not looking at anyone in particular.

"Me?" Harry asked, hesitant but hopeful.

"Yesss, Harry Potter." Nagini hissed as she finally joined them, winding around Tom's legs. "In honor of your betrothal with the Dragonlord, we gift you my offssspring."

Harry turned to Draco. "They're offering her as a gift in honor of our betrothal."

"Not just her, boys." Tom switched to English. "I fully intended to give her sister to you for Yule, Draco, which is why I asked you to name her. Instead, they will be betrothal gifts."

"I see. Should we accept?" Draco narrowed his eyes at his uncle as the man left. "That man has a reason for everything he does."

Harry thought for a moment and nodded. "I'd like to think about the name though... maybe talk with her a bit before deciding on one... May I ask what you named her sister?"

"I chose a Japanese name - Shika." Draco told him. (Sh-ka - the i is silent)

"Sounds nice. What does it mean?" Harry asked.

"Deer." Draco confided, his cheeks coloring slightly.

"Hmmm." Harry smiled at Draco's blush, having misunderstood. "I'll have to see if my library has a Japanese dictionary. Maybe I can find a name that compliments that one."

Draco walked to his bookcase and pulled out his own. "You can use mine and return it when you're done."

"Draco, why Japanese?" Harry wanted to know as he began opening the book at random pages.

"This summer, I did a lot of research on dragons. There are many legends from the Orient involving dragons but when I finished with that I was drawn to other legends and the symbolism in the Asian cultures is fascinating." Draco explained. "There's one legend that depicts a Buddhist monk finding a white stag in a forest clearing and deciding to build a temple there."

As the true meaning of the snake's name hit Harry, he flipped through the pages of the dictionary to find something specific. "She can be named Suki."

"Why?" Draco took the book and found the word.

"My patronus is a white stag because my dad's animagus form was a stag." Harry explained gently. "Lily is my mother's name."

Draco smiled softly. "I'll tell my uncle."

"Ah, there you are, boys." Lucius abruptly walked in with a wide smile and a thick scroll in hand, disrupting the intimate conversation and startling the young men. "Here is the contract, Potter. I shall expect it before you return to school tomorrow."

"Thank you, Malfoy." Harry stood up and accepted the scroll with a formal bow. "How does this work, then? If my solicitor has any chance of understanding this, they'll have to be let in on your secret."

"Indeed, Potter." Lucius smiled. "Have them contact me."

Harry nodded once before facing his future spouse. "Draco, I wish I could spend more time with you here, but I appear to have some important paperwork to look over."

"I'll see you to the floo." Draco reluctantly got to his feet and placed his hand on Harry's elbow leaving Lucius to watch them stroll away.

"Perhaps someday soon we can go on a date." Harry smiled at the blond. "Are there any suitable places in Hogsmeade or will I have to search the bylaws for a way to take my betrothed out to eat?"

Draco smirked. "I actually did happen upon an advertisement in the Daily Prophet for a new restaurant in Hogsmeade."

"Oh?" Harry allowed his eyebrows to rise in surprise. "And what might they serve at this new restaurant?"

"Not sure." Draco shrugged coyly. "The name was Giardini Pensili, but it was described as Mediterranean cuisine so I'm hopeful that there's at least a couple of Italian dishes. I've sent a letter asking for a full menu."

"I'll be looking forward to it." Harry chuckled as he stepped into the fireplace. "See you tomorrow night."

*

As Harry disappeared from Draco's sight, he heard a delicate clearing of a throat and turned around to find his mother smiling at him. He blushed. "What?"

"Walk with me, my darling?" Narcissa asked lightly, holding out her hand.

He nodded and, as he tucked it into his elbow, he realized his own hand had been in a similar position just moments ago.

"You did very well today, Draco." She said softly. "I am proud of the way you ran that meeting."

"Thanks, mum." He murmured. "You helped a lot."

"Well, when you rushed in and announced that the meeting had to be moved up, I knew whatever had riled you was important." She told him as they came to a stop. "Draco, to a certain extent, we've been quite strict with you but you're getting to the age where you need to have enough confidence in yourself to make choices and follow through on them."

"I don't understand what you're saying, Mother." Draco asked, frowning at her. "I'm confident."

"Perhaps I'm mistaken, then, but you seemed unsure of yourself in the face of Harry's betrothal idea." Narcissa watched her son's face closely.

He sighed. "Oh, that."

"Yes, that." She teased. "Want to talk about it?"

He sighed again. "Can we go to the garden?"

"Of course, dear, come." Narcissa quietly encouraged him to join her and he followed because he knew the garden's atmosphere relaxed him.

"Oh, Mother, I promise, I have plenty of confidence in class and on the quidditch pitch, but when it comes to Harry?" Draco bit his lip.

Narcissa gave him a sad smile.

"I wasn't like this with Roger last year. I don't know what's wrong with me." Draco lamented as he plopped down onto the bench.

"I think the difference is that you know Harry is the one." She told him gently. "Harry is the one that kickstarted your Dragonlord abilities and now your succubus dreamwalking. He's your mate... the one who will eventually be the father of your children."

"If anything, that sounds like it should make me more confident." Draco protested.

"Yes, but your body knew before your mind, darling." Narcissa pointed out. "You and your father and I - we are Slytherins. We tend to think of our bodies as tools and use our minds before our hearts, while Gryffindors like my cousin, and I think Harry too... they go with their instincts and then think about it later."

Draco pouted. "So, you're saying that my body and heart are ready but my mind needs to catch up?

"Exactly." She grinned. "Your mind had certain expectations and Harry hasn't met them yet."

"Like how I didn't realize I was jealous until you pointed it out to me?" Draco frowned.

"Yes, darling." Narcissa nodded once. "Your instincts told you that Harry's friend was competition, so you felt jealousy. Now you've thought about it and you realize that they're only friends and much more like family than romantic competition. So you don't feel like that anymore."

Draco nodded slowly as he reasoned things out. "And Harry's a little ahead of me because he started thinking before I did."

"What do you mean?" Narcissa asked.

"I really only started thinking about Harry as a possible romantic partner after I saw the dreams." Draco told her honestly. "Before that I thought we'd go on a date or two, only to end up allies or maybe close friends. Mum, he saw me through the wards this summer. I was in my bathing suit and he saw me and realized he was attracted..."

Narcissa smiled inwardly at the blush across her son's cheeks. "So his thinking spanned many topics - not just Dumbledore and your uncles."

"Yes." Draco reasoned with a smirk. "He came to Hogwarts with a plan and I'm just one part of it. What kind of Slytherin am I?"

"Now, I wouldn't go that far. Like I said, you just need to catch up." She reminded him. "I would advise you to take some time to yourself to get your bearings and go back with a plan of your own."

"That should be easy. I know both sides of this." Draco whispered as he stood up.

"Draco, is there something you're not telling us?" Narcissa asked, slightly alarmed.

"I've promised not to say. Father knows but he's under a secrecy spell. Uncle Tom can't know yet." Draco told her fervently. "Once he's released another horcrux or two I'll ask Harry to tell him but until then, it's too risky."

"Is it something that's dangerous for me or for him?" Tom asked, stepping out of the shadows.

With a gasp, Draco whirled around to face his uncle. "No! I can't! Please don't make me betray him?"

"I believe that answers my question." Tom hummed thoughtfully. "Since my intentions regarding young Potter have changed, I will not force you to divulge his secrets. Your betrothal gift stands and both snakes have been instructed to refrain from biting anyone without a command."

"Thank you." Draco took a shuddering breath and tried to calm down. "He named her Suki, by the way."

"For his mother." Narcissa murmured.

Draco nodded, wondering how she knew what it meant without looking it up. "I also think they should stay here until Yule or until we reveal our betrothal."

Tom nodded in agreement before making his way into the house.

"That was worrying." Draco sighed with relief.

"Draco, Harry is your mate and is therefore family. I hope this calms your fears." Narcissa took her son in her arms. "Try to remember - a Dragonlord need not be fearless but he should be able to make decisions for himself and sometimes others."

"So I'll have more freedom, now?" He asked.

"Yes, Draco." Lucius came out the door his uncle had exited from. "We will be here to advise you should you require assistance but you will now be making some of the upcoming decisions."

"So if I'd come to you this afternoon, having agreed to Harry's idea..." Draco posed.

"I would not likely have reacted well." Lucius reluctantly admitted. "My agreement with your mother's assessment began during the meeting, when she suggested that you take the leadership role."

"What changed your mind?" Draco asked thoughtfully.

"It was more a realization than a change of mind since I've always wanted you to be a strong leader among your peers. I heard her suggestion and thought 'why should he lead this meeting? Why not me? I am Merlin's heir, after all' ... and the answer came to me instantly." Lucius looked at his son. "I may be Merlin's heir but so are you... and as the next Dragonlord, you're even more his heir because you have his magic in addition to his blood."

The weight of his father's words seemed to settle on Draco's shoulders.

"From here on out, your age only matters to the outside world, Draco." Narcissa told him quietly. "Legally, your father and I must conduct the family business until you turn seventeen, but you now have a say."

"Thank you." Draco nodded solemnly. "If you don't mind, I think I'll retire for the night in order to fully consider the day's events."

As he walked back to his room, Draco couldn't stop his thoughts from wandering over the entire summer. The responsibilities he now shouldered were boggling his mind and he suddenly wished he'd known that walking into the hospital wing to speak with Potter that night would change his life forever ...not that it would've stopped him.

Over the course of three months, he'd gone from being one of his uncle's staunchest supporters to protecting his mate and future husband from that same beloved uncle. He'd gone from being considered a child to having a say in the inner workings of his family.

He had agreed to a betrothal with Harry Potter who was not just The Boy Who Lived, but an elemental wizard whose powers were just emerging from the cocoon Dumbledore had forced them into. Harry needed his help to heal whatever damage the old fool had caused to Hogwarts. He was also an earl and had political power he likely didn't know what to do with, so he would need Draco to guide him.

On top of all that, Draco was the next Dragonlord. As a child, he'd been shocked to find that he could sense dragon presence and, when his father told him what that meant, he'd decided that he had a responsibility to the dragons to be their voice because they and humans couldn't understand each other. Feeling their emotions was even more surprising, though he'd been warned of the stages his abilities would manifest in. The next stage was supposed to be speaking to one of the ancient species and he honestly couldn't wait. He'd have to find a way to get near a dragon before his next birthday or visit a sanctuary soon after.

"One problem at a time, Draco." Draco murmured to himself as he entered his bedroom. "First thing to tackle is helping Harry. How do I help Harry?" He sat at his desk and pulled two sheets of parchment from the drawer. Then he wrote a title at the top of each one and began to think.

'What Harry Needs' and 'What Harry wants'

"He needs his cousins safe..." Draco sighed softly. "He needs my cousin Sirius free... He needs Remus Lupin cleansed of Dumble's magic. He also needs the puzzle pieces."

As he skimmed the words on the page, he grew frustrated. "I suppose Gringott's has Lupin's problem in hand. Uncle Tom is dealing with the puzzle pieces. Dudley is living in a warded home where the old fool can't reach him and the others are wizards attending Hogwarts. I can't help with any of those things..." He sighed and considered the one thing he might be able to help with. "Can I do anything for cousin Sirius? The only thing he needs is a trial and I can't get him that, but Harry can and that means he's likely got a plan in motion."

As Draco huffed impatiently, he saw something he hadn't before. "Dudley, Sirius, Remus... his cousins ... friends and allies... in all houses. He needs Granger back onside. I can work with that!"

Draco wrote fervently on his parchment trying to remember everyone Harry had told him was helpful during the search for the founder's quarters. There had been Diggory, Longbottom, and Draco's own friends - Zabini and Parkinson. What stood out on the list was the distinct lack of Ravenclaws.

"Hmmm... I doubt it's a coincidence that the Ravenclaws were unhelpful and Harry's friends are being bullied." Draco muttered to himself. "I'll have to see who can be approached in that house. Obviously not Davies or Macmillan. Perhaps Diggory's girlfriend Chang... and what about Granger?"

A few moments of thought made him realize that the runes class they shared would have him working with a partner in the next session. "I know! I'll apologize to her for my use of the racist slur during the past few years and try to get out of her what caused her change of heart toward Harry."

The other parchment sat empty. What did Harry want? That question wasn't as easy to answer. Beyond Draco himself, the Malfoy heir realized he didn't really know enough about the young lord to make a guess. He resolved to do the appropriate research and with those things decided, Draco knew he could relax for the night so he called for Dainty and requested a cup of hot chocolate while he got ready for bed.

*

Harry paced the hallway outside his bedroom.

He'd been bombarded as soon as he returned to Potter Grove. Everyone wanted to know what happened after Sirius left. So he gave a short summary of the discussion they'd had with Draco's parents and held up the scroll, proudly stating that he was about to be betrothed. Then Harry opened the scroll, noticed the seals on the top and realized he hadn't contacted his solicitor or estate manager.

Remus took care of that while Sirius filled him in on the law firm that handled things for them both. There were apparently two partners - a junior and a senior. The junior partner was the one who'd been Harry's correspondent so far and his name was Hiram Sweet. Birtha Shorten was the senior partner and would be taking care of the betrothal.

Harry had a chuckle as he realized that made the name of the law firm Shorten-Sweet solicitors of London.

Upon Harry's request, a full inventory of his vaults was hand delivered by Korlag's assistant just in time for Ms. Shorten's arrival.

When she finally came through, he'd been introduced to a woman in her mid fifties with a kind voice and curly hair who gave off an air of confidence. She and Harry discussed everything freely due to an Unbreakable Vow she'd made to Lucius.

Now he had to think not only about how a man could put a price on his child but also whether or not he could bear to part with any of his family's treasures. He wondered how Lucius had known of their presence in his vaults in the first place.

Impulsively, Harry cast a tempus charm and rushed to the floo room. Even though it was nearing midnight, Harry wanted the matter settled so he threw the powder and rushed headlong into the fire calling out his destination.

An elf met Harry in the foyer and hurried to fetch Lucius to attend him.

"Potter!" Lucius called as he descended the staircase fully dressed in the same robes he'd worn to the meeting. "How lovely to see you again! Is there something we forgot to discuss this afternoon?"

"You know it's nothing to do with the meeting, Malfoy." Harry fumed, trying to hold his temper and control his elemental powers but the ground threatened to shake. "You've asked for things in that contract that I didn't even know I had! How did you know they were there? What made you think that I'd be willing to give them up when I haven't even explored my vaults yet?"

"I knew the artifacts were there because members of my family bid for them when they appeared at auction and your grandfather was the one who took them home." Lucius' eyes showed some amusement as he smirked at the younger man, beckoning for him to follow. "Public auctions list that, you know."

"It's been a long time since those items were acquired. He might've sold them!" Harry challenged as he came to stand on the opposite side of Lucius' desk. "You don't know!"

"I do know, Potter. You've just told me..." He grinned, even as the air disturbed the younger man's hair. "If you said you didn't have them, I would have no choice but to take your word ...but, instead, you rushed in here to find out how I got information on the contents of your vaults."

"Father, what's going on?" Draco's voice echoed from the upstairs hallway. "I thought I felt Harry's magic a moment ago and Dainty just confirmed that he's here..."

"A question about the contract, Draco." The older man silently dared Harry to contradict him.

Harry debated which tactic would be better for his plans and knew he couldn't hide his ire for long either way. "Sure. A question." He snorted in derision.

After tying the belt of his robe, Draco looked at Harry as he entered the room in his elegant black and green silk pyjamas. "Oh, Father, what have you done?"

"I simply requested a few items from his vaults as part of the contract." Lucius smirked devilishly.

"Yes... and he thinks to make me choose between having you as my spouse and keeping several fairly expensive trinkets that my grandfather apparently outbid your family members for at auction." Harry growled. "No matter how I choose he wins and I come off as a wanker!"

Draco frowned, taking note of the breezy room and barely-there rumble behind his partner's words. "How are you the bad guy if you give him what he wants?"

"Because it means I've accepted that you're something that can be bought." Harry's lips twisted in disgust as he glared at his future father in law.

Lucius' eyes widened. If he hadn't witnessed the young lord's annoyance at the secret knowledge of his vaults and the angry fire now flashing in Harry's eyes, he'd have thought that to be a calculated strike. He waited to see what his son would say.

"Harry..." Draco breathed, his jaw wanted to drop but he knew better than to show that sort of weakness to his father. He closed his eyes and drew a breath before answering. "I can honestly say that I'm touched. This more than anything proves that you weren't raised in a pureblood household. As you know from our chat with Pansy, pureblood children grow up knowing that a betrothal contract is part of their future and that includes a spousal price. No matter what objects he has asked for... Harry, look at me - not him." Draco walked between them, turning his back to his father and taking his partner's hand in his. "No matter what you decide, I can assure you that I would not believe you capable of such a thought."

Harry sighed, somewhat relieved. He still didn't like the practice and wished that Dumbledore hadn't pushed him into such a desperate measure.

"Go home and rest now Harry." Draco urged softly. "Look over the contract in the morning with new eyes."

Harry nodded once, kissed Draco's cheek, and left as swiftly as he'd arrived.

Once the floo activated Draco whirled on his father. "What were you thinking?! We've just barely begun our relationship and you know how he is!"

"He's passionate and emotional and reckless." Lucius muttered.

"He's a Gryffindor!" Draco snapped.

"He's an elemental wizard." Tom deadpanned from the doorway.

Draco froze, swallowed, and slowly turned around.

Tom smirked wickedly as he turned to leave the room. "What an ally to have!"

Draco sighed. "Was this stunt meant to reveal Harry's secret?"

"Don't be absurd... that's merely a happy coincidence..." Lucius said stoically, as it still rankled that his son had loyalty to this boy.

"I will choose to believe that, as I'm quite tired but I'm curious about the objects you asked for." Draco told him.

"They're just a couple of interesting items that your maternal grandfather tried to acquire a few decades ago and one that I just think your mother will enjoy." Lucius answered vaguely.

Draco sat down and waited.

With a sigh Lucius passed over the ledger and pointed out the correct page.

"The coronet of Llywelyn Gruffudd... He holds a missing piece of the crown jewels?!" Draco whispered aghast.

"The coronet was stolen by magicals at the time because it was imbued with Fae magic and doesn't belong with muggles." Lucius pursed his lips. "There's more. Keep going."

"The three brothers?" Draco was in awe. "He has, in his possession, two pieces that have been missing from Britain's crown jewels for centuries."

"Yes." Lucius nodded once. "The muggle king, Charles I, married a French princess and, when they became mired in debt, her secretary - a Black family member - helped her sell some treasures. Apparently, she realised one of the gems on the three brothers was cursed and, because she fancied herself in love with the Queen Consort, she created a replica for the sale and broke the curse on the original but it was stolen from her on the voyage back to England."

"The Florentine diamond..." Draco glanced up at his father.

"Your mother likes yellow jewels." Lucius reminded him innocently.

"Harry will want to give them back to the queen if he finds out about their muggle history." Draco sighed. "I'll write to him now and convince him not to. Good night, Father."

Lucius sighed as his son left him alone in his study. He truly hadn't known the young lord's temper would get the better of him and reveal his elemental abilities to their houseguest. It was a good thing the boy would be learning Occlumency as it would be helpful in the political arena if he knew how to hide his emotions.

*

Harry woke up to a letter from Draco explaining about the items Lucius had requested. He sighed and got dressed for the day. The dining room was already occupied when he arrived.

He and Dudley chatted while they ate and when Harry mentioned wanting to see the items before possibly giving them up, Remus spoke. "I'll go with you to Gringotts, Harry, if you'd like." He offered. "I don't have anything else going on and Sirius left already. He wanted to get over to the Granger house early."

Harry nodded his acceptance and asked about Dudley's plans.

"I'm almost finished with my last assignment and then I want to go for a run." Dudley told him.

Harry grinned as he suggested jogging together so Dudley agreed to wait until Harry came home for his exercise and they went on about their day.

Harry's next move was to put a floo-call in to Bill at the Burrow and invite him on a trip to the Gringotts vault where his family artifacts were held. Bill was happy to help and quickly made his way to Potter Grove, where the three men used a portkey to arrive in Korlag's office.

Korlag greeted them and drove their cart to a vault Harry had never seen before. As they entered, the young lord asked his cousin to let him know if there were any cursed items.

"Didn't they tell you?" Bill laughed. "Since we're related and in good standing with each other, I was the one assigned to check over all the artifacts when your vaults were pooled this summer. There were a few cursed objects but the curses were meant to punish thieves, not the owner of the object. It's all safe."

Harry sighed in relief. "Brilliant. Is it organized in any particular way?"

"I had a feeling you'd want to know what artifacts came from where so I did make my team arrange it in a specific pattern." Bill told Harry. "I put any portraits we found along the walls and items from each collection are displayed on the shelving units or inside multi compartment chests next to relevant portraits to allow for instant information gathering."

"That's fantastic! Thanks!" Harry grinned at his cousin. "Now, these three items are being asked for as part of a betrothal contract with Draco Malfoy. Do you remember them?"

Bill looked over the list and walked over to the Potter collection. He opened the chest and cast Accio three times. The yellow diamond was wrapped in velvet inside a box just bigger than his fist. Harry lifted it to feel the weight as Bill described it to him. "It weighs one hundred and thirty seven point twenty seven carats. It was stolen from the Austrian empire somewhere around the time of its fall. There is a remnant of magic but it's not clear whether it was harmful or not. It likely had to be renewed and wasn't because of being in muggle hands."

"And the others? Does the story Draco was told match up?" Harry asked intently.

"Well, let's see." Bill murmured as he used several charms to detect what he could. "I do detect Fae magic from this coronet and the one called the three brothers resonates with a curse that causes the diminishment of riches over time. I can't be sure who broke the curse but it is broken."

Harry was relieved that the story was mostly verifiable. "Alright, then, box these up for Malfoy."

"There's another artifact from a slightly later time period if you're interested." Bill said, casting another Accio. He pulled out a scepter.

Harry looked at it speculatively. He reached out and took it in his hands as he heard a slight hiss. "Parselmagic!"

"It's called the Scepter of Dagobert. It was created in the seventh century, stored in a French basilica with many other treasures from the French regalia and stolen in the late seventeen hundreds by an unknown perpetrator." Bill explained. "According to my research, its maker, Eloi - Dagobert's treasurer, was a wizard who specialized in goldsmithing. He imbued it with several magical abilities via runes. Parselmagic is among them as shown by this rune meaning serpent. It's called iar."

"What else is there?" Harry wanted to know as he turned it in his hands and gave it back.

"Well, Dagobert was known as a good and wise man. There are several runes on the scepter which enhance a person's ability to see fact versus fiction and make moral decisions." Bill told them as he turned the scepter to show the symbols. "This one is ansuz which looks like an F but the forks are bent down. It means truth and wisdom. The other one is shaped like an arrow pointing up. It's called Tiwaz and means justice and sacrifice. There are others all over it and I'm sure the throne and crown Eloi made for Good King Dagobert had runes as well."

"Interesting!" Remus smiled.

Harry was impressed as well. "I wonder why he put parselmagic into it. I'd like to keep it with me in case it becomes useful."

Bill nodded and handed it back to his cousin.

"Now, then...two more things have been on my mind... I'd really like to give Draco a gift for our betrothal but I'm not sure what would be best." Harry murmured to himself before abruptly turning to his cousin. "Is there anything in here related to dragons?"

With a nod, Bill led the way to another nearby chest. "This trunk contains the artifacts you've inherited from the Ravenclaw vaults. I happened to see a few things that looked interesting including this." He cast an Accio and handed Harry a small flat box. "It's a silver Celtic style cloak pin of two intertwined dragons."

"It's perfect." Harry grinned. "So that box goes to the Malfoys and the scepter and cloak pin come with me. Now I think I remember Korlag saying there was a chest from Sabelina Slytherin?"

Bill motioned to the nearby corner. "This small chest is the one you're talking about. I tried to open it but had no luck."

Harry nodded thoughtfully. "It probably opens to parseltongue or blood."

Remus frowned. "Perhaps you ought to open it and then let Bill look at the items."

"She knew this chest would be going to the descendant of her love child, Moony. I don't think it will be cursed." Harry looked at him skeptically.

"Just humor me?" Remus smirked. "I'll hold the items you're taking home."

Harry sighed but nodded to Bill and handed the scepter and pin to his uncle who placed the smaller item in his pocket. He faced the chest and looked for any sign of a snake on the wood. Finding it on the lock itself, Harry smirked and whispered the word open in the sibilant language.

The lock fell open and the lid flipped back to reveal a small leatherbound book.

"That's it?" Remus frowned. "I thought you said you'd need parseltongue?"

Harry looked at his uncle and frowned. "I used parseltongue, Moony."

"No. I clearly heard you say 'open'." Remus replied.

Bill looked at the older man and realized he was holding the scepter in his bare hand. He quickly took it and asked Harry to speak parseltongue again.

Harry complied and smiled as he figured out what Bill had suspected. "The parselmagic in the scepter lets someone communicate with snakes if they weren't born with the ability! That's brilliant!" Harry gestured for Bill to inspect the contents of the chest.

He cast a few spells and reported. "There's a portkey inside that book. It's not an instant portkey, but one that has a password activation."

"As long as it won't transport me without my knowledge, I'll take it with me." Harry grinned at his companions and placed the book, scepter and cloak pin into the small chest to carry out. Then he thanked his cousin and invited him back to Potter Grove for lunch on the way back to Korlag's office.

"Thanks, Harry, but I actually have a date this afternoon." Bill replied.

"That's great!" Harry said with a grin.

"Actually, you know her." Bill told the young lord. "Do you remember Fleur Delacour?"

Harry laughed. "Of course! Tell her hello from me."

Bill nodded slightly and went his own way, leaving Harry and Remus with Korlag.

"Now then, Lord Potter, our records have updated themselves to include the acquisition of two new elves." Korlag mentioned as they all sat down. "Is that correct?"

"Please, call me Harry...but yes, Winky and Dobby joined my family in August." Harry nodded. "The Potter elves have welcomed them warmly along with the Ravenclaw elf, Roody."

"Wonderful!" Korlag replied cheerfully. "And were you able to look over the information I sent about Hearthstone Manor?"

"No. I'm sorry." Harry explained. "I was distracted when I received the package and put it off for a few days but then I was called away from the school and forgot about it."

Korlag just laughed it off. "No matter! I have a copy here. You asked about the elves, if I recall."

"Yes. I want to see if they have a similar story to Roody." Harry said carefully. "If they work at Hogwarts during the school year I might be able to begin bonding with them."

"That's an efficient plan, Harry." Korlag nodded thoughtfully. "They can also transport you to the estate without a portkey."

Harry accepted this news with a calm smile but, inside, he was almost dancing for joy because this bit of information meant that he might be able to see the estate at Halloween instead of Christmas.

"There are four elves at Hearthstone and their names are Milly, Corky, Podree and Maddy." Korlag said as he pulled the file from a drawer.

Harry looked it over and noted with joy that it was a fairly large manor house. He'd be able to host his family and his betrothed there for the holidays, though Tom would be excluded from their number. "Thank you, Korlag. I'll be in touch."

Remus caught the hint and stood up. As soon as they reached the front steps of the bank, Remus aparated both of them to Potter Grove and Harry knew what he had to do.

He drew in a breath and opened the door calling out Roody's name.

The elf appeared and bowed while Remus led the way into a sitting room.

"Do you know any of the elves from other houses?" Harry asked.

"From which house would Master Harry like to find an elf?" Roody replied curiously.

"Are there any Hogwarts elves who seem to be very close to one another?" Harry asked.

Remus caught his line of questioning and figured it might make sense. "And maybe they don't talk to anyone on Hogwarts regular staff?"

"Roody can think of perhaps two groups of elves that be fitting this description, Master Harry."

Harry grinned. "What are their names and where do they work?"

"One group is five elves who all serve the Headmaster." Roody began.

"No. I think these elves would be like you and not have much contact with Dumbles." Harry told him. "Is the other group in Hufflepuff house?"

Roody nodded his head enthusiastically.

Harry quickly moved forward with his other question since it hadn't been answered. "Are their names Milly, Maddy, Corky and..."

"Podree!" Roody supplied excitedly.

Harry decisively called the names aloud and watched in wonder as they appeared before him and bowed. Two of the elves looked identical to each other while the third was tall enough to reach his elbows and the fourth was shorter than Dobby.

"Milly was wondering if the Master would be calling soon." One of them stepped forward and squeaked.

"Maddy is being skeptical of this one. How do we be trusting so quickly?"

"Podree and Corky are happy to have a new Master!" The tallest gestured to himself and then the littlest one.

Harry smiled kindly at them and tried to address all of their comments. "I'm sorry I haven't called sooner but I've been quite busy. My inheritance has made me a lord and I wasn't ready for that. I understand that you don't know me well but you know several of the elves who are bonded with my family, if you work at Hogwarts."

"We does, Master!" The littlest elf cried out.

"Well, then, you know Dobby and Winky and Roody and Ziva." Harry told them with a grin.

"Dobby and Winky bonded with the master according to the old ways! Ziva and Roody came to him by family bonds." Roody proudly testified.

"They sang the song?" Maddy murmured.

Harry nodded solemnly. "Winky?"

When she appeared, Winky was bombarded with questions from the Hufflepuff elves. She told them how her former family failed her and how happy she was that Harry had given her the chance to be part of a new one.

Milly seemed to take the lead in the conversation though Maddy had her own opinions and the other two went along with their decisions. "Why is Master calling us?"

"I want to begin the bond with you. I'd also like to visit Hearthstone Manor near Samhain." Harry divulged. "I want to bring my family for the holidays."

Maddy suddenly became sad. "It's been ever so long since we hosted a family! Not since Missy Edith left to marry!"

"Milly and Maddy were wee ones at the time, but we be old enough to remember!" Milly patted her sister's hand comfortingly.

"At Hogwarts, you have to pretend we never met and we're nothing to each other but sometimes I'll call you to help me." Harry tried to explain. "Dobby and Ziva can explain it fully. Dumbledore is not to be trusted. Do you understand?"

They all nodded and hurried back to their posts just in time for Sirius to burst into the front hall.

"Remus! Harry! Good!" Sirius paused to catch his breath. "Felt familiar magic! Inside Hermione's house!"

Harry frowned.

"Not Hermione's magic!" Sirius panted.

Harry looked at Remus and then back to Sirius. "Whose was it then?"

Sirius called for a glass of water and confirmed what they were all thinking. "I think you know... Dumbledore."

The historical artifacts spoken about in this chapter are real and lost to time. You can Google them.