It's My Life
Harry had no words while he walked up the entrance to the manor. His home. The Malfoy's and Severus walked behind him, and said nothing to let Harry take it all in. Harry had expected a house that belonged to his mom or dad, not a mansion that his family on his father's side had owned for centuries, it seemed. Harry took in the stone path, the beautiful arrangements of flowers and trees along the sides, the fountain in the middle. Harry loved it and he hadn't even been inside yet. Reaching the main door, Harry reached his hand forward to open the main entry door, but pulled back when the doors opened on their own as Harry stepped back to see female house-elf.
"Young Master Potter," The elf bowed and stepped aside using her hand to motion for Harry to come in. "Welcome home."
"Thank you," Harry walked into the house slowly, seeing all the elves present in the main foyer and bowing their heads.
"Welcome home, Master Potter," The elves said together.
Harry just looked around at everything he could see from where he stood. The high ceilings, doors, light fixtures, the massive double-spiral staircase; it was so much to take in and accept that this was his.
"Go on, Severus…" Narcissa whispered for Severus to ensure Harry hadn't overloaded himself at everything.
"Right," Severus approached Harry, setting a careful hand on his shoulder. "Taking it all in?"
"Trying to accept that it's mine…" Harry breathed out. "It's huge, I don't even know where to start."
"Maybe we should have had Black come along…" Severus muttered; it was a lot, even for him considering his home was considerably smaller in comparison. "He would be better to lead you around this place, seeing as he knows it."
"Can I call him over?" Harry asked.
"It's your house and he's your godfather. You don't need my permission," Severus said.
"But you're my guardian, so I can't just do whatever I want." Harry reminded.
"I appreciate asking first, so yes…You may call Sirius, but he shouldn't stay too long." Severus agreed.
"Okay," Harry paused. He had to find the fireplaces first.
"Harry," Draco stood beside him. "Use your elves, they can help. It took me forever to get used to Malfoy Manor as a child. There are times I still get lost." He offered.
"I don't know who they are. I have a list of names, but not pictures to know." Harry informed, holding the list in his hand. "And it's rude to just point or demand…"
Draco rolled his eyes as he approached the elf who closed the door. "What's your name?" Draco asked.
"This elf's name is Rissy," The elf replied.
"Are you the head elf of the Potter elves?" Lucius inquired.
"No, sir. The Potter elves do not have a head elf; he left this world ten years ago." Rissy responded. "It is up to the master of the home to select who is in charge of the rest. We've not had a master since Master James,"
"My father, and they've been gone since I was a year old." Harry mentioned.
"Will Master Harry be selecting a new head elf?" Rissy questioned.
"I might already have someone in mind," Harry stated. If Dobby wanted to remain in Harry's service, maybe he was the best option. "Rissy, can you show me where the main fireplace is in the house? The one my father might have used the most?"
"Rissy does not know where the active floo fireplaces are. The house has been under lockdown since Master James left with his wife and the unborn young master."
"Meaning the fireplaces have been closed since your parents went under the Fidelius charm in Godric's Hollow, when your mother was pregnant with you." Severus stated.
Harry sighed. "Dobby!" He called.
There was a pop as Dobby appeared before Harry. "Harry Potter has called for Dobby?" Then he saw the Malfoy's and went to protect Harry. "Dobby will not allow you to harm Harry Potter again."
"Dobby, no," Harry said. "They're not going to hurt me, they helped me when I was in trouble. They're…Friends."
"Friends of Harry Potter are safe from Dobby's wrath." Dobby nodded.
"Dobby, can you find Sirius Black? Tell him his godson needs him at Potter Manor, and yes, Remus Lupin may come too." Harry asked.
"Dobby can do whatever Harry Potter asks of him." Dobby smiled and left with a pop.
"He's quite fond of you, isn't he?" Narcissa giggled.
"Definitely bonded to you," Severus remarked. "If not, he wouldn't have come when you called."
Harry shrugged and waited, still looking around at everything until a whooshing sound was heard and Dobby reappeared with Sirius and Remus on either side of him.
"Needed me again so soon?" Sirius joked. "I knew you would when you mentioned coming here."
"I didn't think it would be this big…" Harry admitted then went over to the man's waiting arms for a hug, which Harry gave him. "One of the elves has said the house has been in lockdown since my parents went into hiding, so I sent Dobby to get you for help or maybe a tour since you probably know everything." He pulled away.
"That I do, pup," Sirius smiled, throwing his arm around Harry's shoulders. "Come." He invited. "The rest of you, back to your work until your master calls for you."
The house elves quickly rushed off. "I felt weird about ordering them around."
"I'll help you with introductions. For now, let's show you around." Sirius informed.
As Harry was about to walk away with Sirius; Narcissa, Severus, and Lucius grabbed their left forearms. "What's wrong?" Harry asked them.
"He's calling, isn't he?" Remus asked. The three adults nodded. "Go. Harry will be fine with us."
"Can Draco stay too?" Narcissa asked.
"Of course," Remus nodded.
Severus, Lucius, and Narcissa headed back outside and beyond the gates before apparating away.
"He's calling? As in Voldemort?" Harry questioned.
"Mother and Father have the dark mark, Harry," Draco stated. "You've not to worry, they won't sell you out to him. They're going to protect you."
"Snape left too," Harry remarked.
"He's…A double agent. He changed sides years ago before you were born, became Dumbledore's spy." Remus informed. "Severus works for the Order of the Phoenix now. Sirius, your parents, and myself were part of it too for the first wizarding world. When Voldemort returned a couple months ago, Harry, Dumbledore got the Order back together in preparation for a second war to take place. Severus only goes when Voldemort calls for the sake of gathering information to report to the Order."
"And my parents have changed. They're marked, and go when called, but they don't want to be part of things anymore. Unfortunately, they're branded until Voldemort dies. That's when the mark will disappear." Draco said.
"There's no other way to remove the mark? A spell or something?" Harry asked.
"Nothing so far," Remus replied. "Even curse-breakers have tried."
"I trust what you both say, but it's still dangerous and can get messy quickly if Voldemort suspects any of them of not being truly loyal to him." Harry reminded.
"They've been doing this a long time, Harry. It'll be fine." Sirius told him. "Come on. Let me show you around…" He offered, hoping to take Harry's mind off things.
Harry nodded and stayed next to Sirius while Remus and Draco were also walking with them.
. . .
Sirius showed Harry every inch of Potter Manor that he could. It started in the foyer and Sirius just took him through everything on the main level. Harry found the den, library, formal dining room, and breakfast nook. There was also the conservatory, which was more or less a greenhouse. There was a ballroom and two guest rooms. Then up to the second floor where a majority of the bedrooms were set and the house elf quarters. The last thing they saw was the potions lab down in the basement, which Harry was sure Severus would probably adore. It was chuck full of ingredients, despite all the time passed. It was as if there was a spell to maintain everything as brand new. The lab had everything you could need, even a fireplace, but Sirius said it wasn't used for travel, only calling to other fireplaces in the home. Sirius mentioned there were a couple fireplaces that didn't do travel, but also showed Harry where the ones that did both could be found. Harry did enjoy the backyard too; there was a pool. There was a place for several cars too, but Sirius said that it was mostly used as storage and above it on the second floor were the staff quarters.
"It's going to take me a while to get used to things," Harry admitted after they got back to the main room. Harry had been in the master bedroom, dropping his things off and Remus un-shrunk them for Harry, who said he'd unpack later. "How do I open the fireplaces up to use again?"
"With magic," Sirius said. "I assume Snape doesn't want you using that here?"
"He said it would be wise to wait until we figured out if the ministry is going to be able to track my wand here." Harry replied.
"Oh, no-no…You're safe here, Harry." Remus chuckled.
"What do you mean?" Harry inquired.
"The Potter's, up until your father married a muggle-born, were a pure-blood line." Draco informed. "In pure-blood homes, the wards don't allow for the ministry to track your wand. I can use magic whenever as long as it's in my own house, or surrounded by other strong wizards." He explained. "They don't track your wand; they only wish to ensure you aren't using magic around muggles. Your golem is at the Dursley's and it can't use magic while also giving off your signature. Here, though, you can use magic freely beyond Hogwarts and never be caught. The ministry can't track you behind these wards; they think you're still at you aunt and uncle's."
"I did not know that." Harry blinked. "Thank you for the information, Draco."
"You're quite welcome, Potter," Draco said.
Harry had met the elves, and placed Dobby as head elf, since he said he would always serve Harry loyally. The only reason for there being so many was because there was a set group of elves for different things in the house. Some cooked, others cleaned, some tended the gardens and lawncare. Others were just set to just answer the door, take coats from guests, or help out during parties. In all, Harry must have met nine elves in Potter Manor, but adding Dobby made ten.
"So, how do I open the fireplaces. What spell?" Harry asked.
"Simply tap the fire place and use the unlocking charm." Sirius told him. "But remember that-,"
"The only fireplaces that are connected to the floo are the ones in the family room, master bedroom, and den. The ones in the library and basement can only be used to call." Harry repeated. "But I can get them activated, right?"
"That's right. Good boy," Sirius chuckled. "I'll teach you another time. Remus and I must be getting back to Grimmauld."
"And connecting fireplaces only takes speaking the address clearly, and when coming through, speak the password into the other person's floo." Remus added. "Say you're connecting to Grimmauld Place, we'd give you the password before you tried to come through. Once it's open, you don't need the password again."
"Right," Harry nodded. "Is the apparition location right outside the gates?"
"Outside the wards." Sirius told him as he stood up. "I hate to leave you and the Malfoy boy alone with no adults here, but taking too much time would alert Dumbledore or another member of the Order that something is up." He informed.
"Alright," Harry replied, hugging Remus first and then turning to hug Sirius.
"First Floor Lounge at Grimmauld, password is Grimwolf. That's the main floo, There's one more in the kitchen, but you don't need to worry about it. We're always on the first floor during the day." Sirius whispered to Harry.
"Noted. I'd connect us later, but I don't know when it'll be safe to do so without the Order knowing." Harry informed.
"I'll come to you. I know the password for the fireplaces here. It's Mischief Managed," Sirius said.
"The same thing as the-," Harry's eyes widened.
"Yes, who do you think the Marauders were, my boy?" Remus laughed. "Moony, myself. Padfoot is Sirius. Prongs was your father, and Wormtail was Pettigrew."
"Learn something new every day. No, I didn't know it was you four, but I cherish that map more knowing my dad and his two friends made it. Sorry, not including the rat."
"No need to be sorry," Sirius reassured. "I'll call later on when it's safe."
"Okay. Be safe getting back," Harry told them.
"We will. We're taking the floo in the family room." Remus chuckled.
Harry and Draco followed them into the room as Remus easily dropped the barrier over it with the tap of his wand. Sirius and Remus stepped in, throwing down the powder and calling their destination. Moments later, they were gone and Harry assumed through to Grimmauld, or it would have thrown them back out.
"Guess it's just us," Draco shrugged.
"Yeah, guess so." Harry agreed.
The silence was awkward between them. What were they supposed to say to each other? There had been a rivalry for four years between them.
"Listen, Potter…" Draco started. "I feel we should call a truce on our rivalry."
"I didn't start it, Malfoy," Harry reminded. "You got mad that I wouldn't take your friendship."
"You need to understand that I come from a very proud line," Draco said.
"And why would you taint that by trying to be friends with a half-blood?" Harry asked.
"I would like to be honest with you, if I may?" Draco looked at Harry, who motioned for him to continue. "I'm sure you know that there wasn't a witch or wizard alive after the first war ended who didn't know of you, Harry Potter, the boy who lived. My father wanted to send me to Durmstrang, but my mother refused, not wanting me far from home. Father told me that while attending Hogwarts, I may come across you and he wanted me to become your friend. There was…Rumor going around that you may become the next dark lord, and father wanted in on your good graces, to ensure our survival." He explained. Harry listened, never having gotten in-depth with Draco before. "So when I came to Hogwarts, and found you before the sorting ceremony, I was doing what my father asked…But there was also the part of me that wanted to be friends with you too. Even if you weren't becoming the next dark lord…"
"But it doesn't change my question, Malfoy. You're a pure blood with all of their ideals, why befriend a half-blood?" Harry asked.
"You're a half-blood with a lot of power, Harry," Draco stated. "I realize how it sounds, so let me explain," He paused as Harry waited for him to go on. "My father told me how he had been in Voldemort's inner circle and that even after his defeat when you were a baby; the dark mark on his and my mother's arms hadn't disappeared. Which meant, he had been beaten, but not destroyed; he wasn't gone. We knew he'd come back, and thus has happened at the end of fourth year," Draco took a breath. "Harry, I wanted to become your friend because you're powerful and if anyone can save my parents from Voldemort…It's you. I saw how you stuck up for Weasley when first year started. I know you'd do anything for your friends…And I wanted to be one of them. I knew you weren't going to be the next dark lord, but you've got the power to destroy the current one. I want my parents to be safe. I know if they are found out by Voldemort, he will kill them."
Harry continued to listen. It still sounded like Draco wanted his friendship as a means to an end, but oddly enough, Harry understood. "My pure-blood ideals don't mean anything when it's been proven that a half-blood…That you are as strong as we are." Draco continued after a moment. "At the same time of all that, I wanted to be your friend because I don't really have any. Crabbe, Nott, and Goyle, we're friends because our fathers all work for Voldemort; we were set up to hang around each other. I've got a couple others like Pansy and Blaise. I'd hoped to find a friend in you."
"If you hadn't come off so strong and arrogant that day, I might have accepted your hand." Harry informed. "It's fine to have the beliefs you do, Malfoy, but don't look down on others because of their blood status. I'd made friends with Ron on the train, so I didn't like you insulting him. And how could you, Ron's a pure blood too. Why give him a hard time? Sure, maybe his family isn't rich like yours, or even myself…But they're a good family. They're good people." He explained. "I understand you have your views, and what you believe…But just because others don't see things the way you do doesn't make those people wrong." He mentioned. "It's fine to believe what you do, but don't knock on others for not feeling the same."
"I have come to see over the years that the pure-blood views are…Well, they're kind of stupid." Draco admitted.
"Yes, they are. And redundant. How can you believe the pure bloods are the best and they're the type of people to be around when you and your father wanted to befriend me and I'm only a half-blood." Harry told him.
Draco laughed. "Yeah, I see your point."
Severus, Narcissa, and Lucius returned to Potter Manor. Narcissa was fine, but Lucius and Severus both ended up getting some anger from Voldemort, which meant they had the Cruciatus Curse used on them. It hurt, but they managed and now back to see the boys. Of course, the three didn't expect to just be let in by house-elf Rissy, then taken right to where Harry and Draco were talking. Of course, they decided not to interrupt.
"I meant what I said about a week ago now, Harry. I'm sorry I've been a prat to you the last four years. I shouldn't have, I was foolish not to see things the way you do sooner. Can you ever forgive me?" Draco asked. "I was a dumb kid trying to do what I had to for my parents to be safe…I'm still trying, but there isn't much I can do. I want to be your friend, though. Not for any other reason than wanting to try again with a new understanding."
"I'll make you a deal," Harry said. "You stop being a jerk to my friends, and me…And I'll forgive you and we'll work on developing a friendship. At that…I'll do what I can to stop Voldemort and free your parents, Snape too."
"You'd do that for me?" Draco asked.
"If you stop giving me a hard time at school, my friends too. Then yes, I will. No one deserves servitude with risk to their life every day. I won't let anyone else suffer Voldemort's tyranny or the pain I feel with my parents dead because of him." Harry offered his hand.
"You got yourself a deal, Potter," Draco smirked and shook his hand. "I might still have a little teasing fun with you, though. It's a riot on both sides, you have to admit that. People love the rivalry,"
"They do," Harry said after they released hands. "Alright, fine…You can have some fun, but don't overdo it. As long as I get to take some jabs back."
"It wouldn't be us if we didn't do it to each other," Draco chuckled.
"That be true," Harry agreed.
Harry felt good about everything and he couldn't wait to see how it all played out.