"Now, shall we go inside for our tea? My wife has a fresh pot on the stove, as well as a bottle of excellent wine ready for the occasion." Vernon spoke with a polite tone as he gestured towards the door.
With a nod from Lucius, they approached the front door. Harry saw the wards of the house shimmer as his heart quickened. He had forgotten about the wards! His mind flashed with images of that wizard so long ago. Was Lord Malfoy going to suffer the same fate? Had he brought his friend to his death?
Harry's mouth opened to try to stop them, but the sound was caught in his throat as the only sound that came out was a light choking sound. The wards shined; Lucius winced suddenly as Harry's heart rushed to his throat. The magic was swirling around him, but Harry saw it didn't look hostile, as if it was searching through the Lord's magic and even deeper; into his soul.
Lucius clasped his left arm for a second, looking like he was in pain as Vernon turned around to get the door. The magic continued to swirl faster and faster, seeming to build into a higher furor the more Harry watched— and then it stopped with an eerie suddenness.
The wards calmed in an instant before returning to the glowing dome that was the wards' "normal" state. Harry let out a hitched breath as Lucius stepped inside of the house, removing his hand from his arm. Whatever was paining him seemed to have calmed down.
Harry's breath returned to normal as Draco followed. To Harry's relief, the energy didn't even take notice of him other than a light flicker of magic around him, unlike its reaction to Lord Malfoy. Whatever examination that Lucius had gone through was not required for his son.
"This way, my good man." Vernon said as he gestured at the coffee table as they entered the house. Harry noticed that Vernon seemed to have gone all out; many of the furniture seemed to be spic and span, with candles laid about that gave off a calm scent of lavender. "I assume that a wizard such as yourself would prefer against the harsh glare of electrical lighting, so I went out and got some more traditional light that is more to your tastes."
Lucius peered over the assortment of ornate candles, including a silver candelabra on a table nearby. "The candles are rather modern for my taste, but I do know of muggle electricity and would prefer not to deal with such at the moment." Harry could see some relief from the silver-haired lord as he spoke, as well as a bit of appreciation.
Vernon moved to take a seat. Harry noticed he left the largest chair, his uncle's personal favorite, for Lord Malfoy. Sitting beside Draco, Harry watched the silver-haired pureblood step up to the chair. "Quite an exceptional chair, for a muggle. It seems similar to one of the chairs at my manor." Lucius said, his gloved hand sliding over the top of it.
Vernon nodded. "Indeed, I got it at an estate sale on the other side of London. It was an old manor, whose family had passed away. I recall that there was a family member who came and wished for the entire estate and contents to be sold at auction."
Malfoy retracted his hand, looking over. "Might I ask what family this is? Do you perhaps know?"
"I believe it was the Prince family. An old family that seemed to have gone into hard times. I knew very little of them, but was attended due to an invitation sent by a friend of mine from University." Vernon said with a nod.
Lucius' eyebrow raised as he looked over. "There is a Noble House of Prince in the magical world. I thought this might be a similar design to one in my home, and more than likely I am correct. The Princes are from the same primogenitor family as the Malfoys, the Most Noble and Ancient House of Black." Lord Malfoy said.
Vernon seemed surprised. "I was always astounded at how well the chair kept, and how comfortable it was. I had no idea it was from a magical family, let alone a noble magical family. If that's the case, I would like to give it to you, Lord Malfoy, as a gift. While I was unable to purchase anything else from the estate sale, I believe that the Prince's belongings should have at least been offered to distant family first."
Malfoy froze, obviously surprised at thr sudden offer. Even though the surprise was evident on the Lord's face, Harry's face seemed to match him as his eyebrows shot up in amazement. Uncle Vernon adored that chair; he was always using it and relaxing in it. The chair had always been a staple in the room, and Uncle Vernon was just giving it away?
"Well, if you offer such a gift, there is no way I could refuse. I thank you, Mister Dursley." Lucius' eye twitched, as Harry couldn't help but inwardly chuckle. Harry's Uncle seemed to be dealing with the Pureblood quite well. But still, how could his Uncle give up his beloved chair?
"Now, with that out of the way; Pet? We're ready, if you wish to join us." Vernon called, as Harry saw his Aunt from the kitchen, and almost fell over at the sight.
The gaunt shape of his aunt was long gone, replaced with a far more healthy look around her body. She seemed to have a glow about her, a far more friendly one than when Harry had left for school. She wasn't as skeletal as before, and her face less skinny, with her bun pulled down into a loose cut. She looked twenty years younger, and rosy cheeks indicative of smiling far more than Harry ever thought she would be capable of.
"Of course, Vernon! I made us some biscuits as well. Freshly baked." Harry could see his aunt carrying a large tray, with a bottle of wine and a large teapot, with enough dishes and teacups for everyone. Setting it down on the coffee table, Aunt Petunia served up first Lucius, then Vernon, followed by the others, taking a seat on the loveseat next to her husband. Harry blinked, surprised. She had followed the etiquette books almost perfectly. Had she read a similar book?
As Petunia poured the wine into a small glass alongside Lucius' tea, Lucius sipped both. "So. Your charge and my son have become close friends. I understand that it must be difficult for people of your persuasion to raise a magical child, especially from a Most Noble and Ancient Family."
Harry saw Uncle Vernon and Aunt Petunia's faces go pale for a second before they collected themselves. "Most Noble and Ancient Family? We were told nothing of such a title. We've been raising the boy the same as our own son, Dudley, who is currently at his own boarding school similar to Hogwarts." Vernon said.
"Surely you were told of the boy's ancestry when you went to his parents' wedding?" Lucius seemed to enjoy the wine, but set it aside, a look of surprise on his face as he spoke.
"We—" Aunt Petunia winced, as she held her head. "I— don't remember Lily's wedding at all, beyond arriving. All I remember is returning home."
Lucius's eyebrow seemed stuck in its raised position. "Well then, surely you would have been told of the boy's duties as an Heir by his Magical Guardian? All muggleborn have one, assigned by the Ministry."
Vernon looked a bit uncomfortable, shifting in his seat. "No, we only received a letter from Hogwarts near the end of August of last year. That was the first we had ever heard from the wizarding world." Vernon reached up and tugged his mustache, thinking.
"That is simply not done. The Ministry has regulations, and laws that are set to protect witches and wizards, especially those from Noble lines. You should have been approached—"
Harry spoke up, knowing this was rude but wanting to assist with the conversation. "Lord Malfoy, my aunt and uncle mentioned that I was left at their doorstep with merely a letter a little over ten years ago."
Lucius frowned, rubbing his chin in contemplation. "Not even physical contact on that day? That is most unusual." The silver-haired pureblood grew quiet as he seemed deep in thought. Draco remained silent as well, sipping his tea every so often.
Harry looked at his nervous friend, and nudged him. Giving him a smile, Draco gave a nervous smirk back as Vernon and Lucius continued talking. It didn't take long before the two started to discuss different economies, with Lucius fascinated by the amount of money that flowed through the muggle economy.
"You cannot be serious. Even converting the muggle money to wizarding Galleons, that means that the company you work for manages tens of thousands of galleons a month."
"I'm unsure about the rate, but the company is international. There's even something coming down the pipeline that will change Britain forever." Vernon smiled, as Lucius's face was a mix of surprise and astonishment.
"And to think, Purebloods have been sitting on such an enormous amount of wealth. If any of us had been investing in muggles, we could see incredible returns." Lucius's eyes sparkled with greed. From what Harry knew of the Malfoy family, they were merchants and moneymakers at heart; the Black Family had taken notice and made them a Noble Family due to their skill with money.
"It astonishes me how closed off the magical world is. The world is quite different in the modern era, Lord Malfoy." Vernon responded as he stroked his mustache. This caused Lucius to sit up a bit, before looking at the large grandfather clock in the sitting room. "It appears that our time draws short. I have an appointment for Heir Potter and my son at the Ministry in an hour. I believe that it would be prudent to leave now, before the afternoon crowds arrive."
Vernon nodded. "Ah, time passes quickly when you speak with someone who knows what they are talking about. Your thoughts on the magical world have been quite fascinating. Don't forget the chair, Lord Malfoy; my gift to yourself."
Lucius stood up and tapped his cane on the chair. Almost instantly, the chair shrank into a tiny version of itself. However, this seemed to cause an issue as Harry saw a magical reaction to the spell as Lord Malfoy put the chair into his pocket. The reaction flickered, and then fluttered out of the house.
Seconds later, there was a sudden chime as a letter flew in through the open window and folded itself into a person's face as it started to speak.
Dear Mr Potter,
We have received intelligence that a Shrinking Charm was used at your place of residence this evening at twelve minutes past four.
As you know, underage wizards are not permitted to perform spells outside school, and further spellwork on your part may lead to expulsion from said school (Decree for the Reasonable Restriction of Underage Sorcery, 1875, Paragraph C).
We would also ask you to remember that any magical activity that risks notice by members of the non-magical community (Muggles) is a serious offense under section 13 of the International Statute of Wizarding Secrecy.
Have a happy Easter! Yours sincerely,
Mafalda Hopkirk
IMPROPER USE OF MAGIC OFFICE
Ministry of Magic
Harry gasped, as the letter unfolded itself in front of him. "B-but I didn't do anything!" Vernon frowned as he stepped up, looking at the letter before turning to Lucius.
"Pardon me, Lord Malfoy, but is that normal in the wizarding world? I assume that whatever organization that has done such a thing has made an error. After all, the spell was undoubtedly done by yourself."
Lucius's eye twitched as he glared at the letter that had floated to the ground. "It appears so, we will need to pay a visit to the Improper Use of Magic Office when we arrive, to set things straight. Heir Potter, please let me formally apologize for you on behalf of the Ministry, for which I am an advisor." Malfoy said with an icy tone as he flourished a bit.
Harry nodded, still stunned from the letter. He reached down, picking it up before moving to set it on the table before Lucius' cane rapped next to him. "Keep it, Potter. We will need to show it to Madame Hopkirk to get it stricken from your record."
Harry nodded before pocketing it, Draco already up and moving to his father's side as he walked to the door.
"For muggles, your hospitality was excellent and the wine was an exquisite vintage. I must express my enjoyment of our discussion, Director Dursley. I shall be in touch about what we have discussed today; I may wish to invest in your company if the returns are as high as you mention."
Harry saw Uncle Vernon confused on whether the muggle comment was an insult or a compliment, and the man had a slight frown for a second before giving a polite smile. "Of course, Lord Malfoy. It was a pleasure to have you in my humble home."
Lucius nodded as he turned, heading outside as Draco and Harry followed. It took only a moment for Blackstone to walk up, the man frowning.
"Heir Potter, you are aware that there are no less than twenty-two wards on this property, with no less than six being blood-related in some way?"
Harry blinked. "N-no sir, I didn't know that."
"My investigation has concluded. I have discovered that one of the wards was a powerful incineration ward aimed at all mail not addressed from the Ministry or Hogwarts. As you know, such a ward is exceptionally illegal. Its magical signature is fragmented and it is impossible to know who cast it, but I was able to remove it without issue. Because of this, you should get letters from Gringotts once more. I shall be sending you a complete analysis of the wards, as well as informing Account Manager Stonetooth that the lack of communication was not due to any actions of your own. Heir Potter. I have already given a similar report to your Regent."
Blackstone gave a polite bow, as Harry nodded to him, speechless. Who had put wards on Number Four, Privet Drive? So many things didn't add up. Lucius and Draco peered at Harry, sharing a glance at each other, but they remained silent.
Moments later, the goblin vanished. Only the odor of metal and stone indicated he had been there previously. "He's gone!" Harry asked, looking around.
"Goblin Apparition. It's one of the few magics that they are allowed, but only Inquisitorians are allowed to perform it outside the bank and Goblin areas." Lucius said as he stepped forward. "Come along, Potter. We will be doing something similar ourselves."
Harry saw Lucius take him down the street, seeing the curious eyes of Mrs Figg as they passed her house. Harry waved to her, as Lucius took them down a side street where he felt magic surge around them. A loud POP echoed in his ears a moment later as the magic surrounded his vision.
The magic had an air of darkness, but at the same time of order and control. It was Lord Malfoy's magic, as Harry felt a tug around his navel; the surroundings suddenly warping as he felt like he was being pushed through the head of a needle.
Harry blinked, as moments later they were standing in a large room with several openings around it showing fireplaces and empty rooms. Harry could see another wizard appear in an empty room with a sharp crack, Harry blinking at the sudden appearance.
"Was that apparition? I think I like it better than Floo." Harry said as he saw Draco next to him.
"Father has a natural talent for Apparition. He was the best in his class when he took the test." Draco said, Lucius giving a bit of a self-important smirk.
"That's wicked. How far can he travel?" Harry grinned. Before Draco could answer, Lucius stepped forward.
"Come along, Potter, Draco. Luckily, the Improper Use of Magic Office is the same office that manages animagi. We will be able to deal with both things at once, and then I wish to introduce you to my close friend, Cornelius Fudge. The man is our current Minister of Magic."
Harry nodded, eager to meet the man at the top of the Ministry. He had read a lot about the position and even seen some of the greatest Ministers of all time in several books. It truly was an important position.
Heading through the large entry room, a grand entrance hall stretched before them. A huge statue of gold was in the center of the room, with Goblins, Centaurs, and what seemed to be some sort of gnomes looking at a witch and wizard with reverent eyes. The Witch and Wizard were holding up their wands, as water streamed from them into a fountain below.
Walking past it, Harry noticed that the wizard seemed to be placed higher than the witch, who was higher than the other three races.
"What is that, there?" Harry asked Draco as he pointed at the small gnome-like creature.
"A House-Elf. They're a species that are made to serve wizards. We have six of them that manage Malfoy Manor. One of ours is an absolute fool; he's erratic and crazy. But, I have to admit he is always a good elf when he is needed." Draco said, seeming to reminisce.
Harry nodded. "I'd love to see one sometime."
Draco laughed. "Not here, though. House elves can pop anywhere their Master is except for the Ministry and Hogwarts thanks to the wards. Only Ministry and Hogwarts House-Elves can enter those areas."
Hurrying to catch up with Lord Malfoy, Harry saw him step up to a table where a bored-looking wizard in red robes was sitting. Lucius took his cane and pulled at the serpent head to reveal his wand, surprising Harry. The red-robed man took the wand and tapped his own wand to it, leaving Harry to marvel.
"I thought the cane WAS his wand." Harry said in a surprised whisper to Draco. Leaning forward, Draco whispered back, "It's a special-made cane meant to allow his wand to channel through it. It cost a lot of money."
Lord Malfoy's imperious voice stopped their conversation, "Draco. Potter. Come and deliver your wands for the check." Before Lucius finished the statement, both boys hurried over to supply their wands.
The red-robed man looked at their wands, repeating the process that he had done to Lord Malfoy's with another tap of his wand. They glowed white, and the man handed them back.
"No traces of Dark Magic on any of them. You may enter." The man said, gesturing.
Lucius nodded, putting the wand back into his cane as he moved forward. Harry and Draco quickly grabbed their wands and hurried to follow.
As they walked up, Harry felt an odd, cold sensation from the wand he was holding. He shivered, looking down at it. Moments later, Draco placed a hand on his shoulder. "Wait, Potter, I have your wand. That one's mine." Draco said, before Harry noticed the mistake, quickly swapping the wands with a grin. With his wand back in his hand, the magic seemed to grow warm once again. Harry was fascinated with it, peering at his wand before putting it into his holster.
The three walked towards a dozen rather old lifts. As they approached, Harry could see glowing magical runes traced along the edge. Some of them he recognized as self-repair and slippage prevention, but many of them were far too advanced for him as he could see the magic swirling around them.
After all three of them were inside, Lucius tapped his cane on a button labelled, "Improper Use of Magic Office."
Harry could see other witches and wizards entering lifts around them. The lift suddenly shook, as Harry was reminded of the goblin carts in Gringotts as it shot downwards.
Draco held onto one of the sides of the lift, his knuckles going white as Mister Malfoy seemed to look nonchalant, standing in the middle with both hands on his cane. He merely smirked as he saw Harry hurriedly grab the edge as well.
Finally, the lift stopped with a pleasant chime. "Improper Use of Magic Office," A pleasant voice said as Lucius stepped off the lift just as the doors opened.
Draco and Harry unsteadily followed, as Draco spoke up. "Father, surely there's an easier way to get around the Ministry. That lift was horrid." Lord Malfoy merely grinned in response, and after a moment said, "You get used to it over time, Draco. Come, we shall go directly to Mafalda."
The large doors emblazoned with golden lettering bearing the name of the department overhead could be seen as Lucius led the boys. "Improper Use of Magic Office." Lucius tapped the door as it swung open, leading Harry and Draco within a large open area of desks and strange devices.
"This is where they monitor the usage of magic in the muggle world. If anyone casts a spell anywhere in Britain's muggle world and the location is not registered to a known wizard's home, then first they send out a warning. If it happens again, they impose a fine. In the case of a Hogwarts student, expulsion."
Harry gave a soft squeak at the mention of expulsion. "S-surely there's e-exceptions, sir?"
"Worry not, Potter. We will have this warning stricken from the record in no time at all. I can at least promise you that." The silver-haired man smirked at Harry's nervousness.
Heading past all the desks, the two boys were led to the back part of the room. A large single door was marked with more gold lettering.
MAFALDA HOPKIRK
Department Head of the Improper Use of Magic Office
Leaning forward, Lucius rapped his cane against the wood of the door, as a young woman's voice quickly responded. "Come in!"
As the three entered the room, Harry looked around to see an enormous amount of filing cabinets stacked at the side of the room, each of them marked with a single letter. In the middle of the room was a huge black oak desk strewn with papers. Behind it was a large shelf, with a series of odd brass devices that reminded Harry of the objects he had seen in the Headmaster's office.
"L-lord Malfoy! What brings you here today?" Madame Hopkirk sat up, the young woman fidgeting in a large leather seat when she saw who had entered.
"I came here today to inform you that the warning against Harry James Potter should be rescinded and stricken from the record. I was there at his home this afternoon before our appointment, and cast the Shrinking Charm myself. The only muggles located there are his guardians, who already know of and understand magic." Harry could see a twitch in the pureblood's eye.
To punctuate his statement, Malfoy took out the small shrunken chair from his pocket. "The muggle guardian of Heir Potter was remarkably helpful for a muggle, and even returned an object that should rightfully have gone to myself."
"O-Oh! O-Of course, sir, but—" Madame Hopkirk started, as Harry saw Lord Malfoy's eyebrow rise. The man's pose was that of someone who was ignored at your own peril; an imperiousness that Harry hoped to mimic one day.
"But?" Malfoy asked after a moment with a voice that threatened no mercy. Harry swore that the young woman seemed like she was going to pass out at any moment.
"B-but the minister would need to sign off on it." The sweating woman quickly explained.
"Well then. Go ahead and get the document written up and I shall take it to him myself. I will be taking my son and young Heir Potter to meet the Minister after our meeting."
That statement made the young witch almost keel over on its own. Harry could see the effect the rich and powerful Lord was having on her as she quickly grabbed a parchment from one of her desk drawers, writing on it and then passing it to the noble lord before her.
"Now, with that dealt with, let's go ahead to the reason for our scheduled meeting today, and the reason we arrived in person. My son and young Heir Potter have recently undergone the ritual to become Animagi. However, they have a rather unique animal attunement."
Madame Hopkirk looked over her desk at the two boys, surprise evident in her eyes as she saw their age. Harry could see she wanted to question them, but a glare from Lucius made any questions she may have had quickly die. "A-alright, let me grab the application for registration, and then I'll need to see their forms." Harry could see the color coming back to the woman as normality returned to her. Harry almost felt bad for her.
Almost.
Harry suddenly turned into his Cadmean Fox form, his triple tails twitching as he hopped in place before sitting down. Madame Hopkirk looked at Harry for a moment as her eyes went as wide as tea saucers.
"T-that's n-not a n-normal a-animal! T-that's a magical c-creature!" The woman stammered. With a smirk at Harry, Draco stepped forward and chose that moment to turn into his Drake Gryphon form.
Madame Hopkirk didn't even say anything. There was around three seconds of complete and utter silence in the room before her eyes rolled back into her head and she collapsed to the ground with a loud THUMP.
Harry and Draco turned back into their human forms, laughing together hard enough to make stitches in their sides. "Oh Merlin. The expression on her face." Harry laughed, using his friend for support.
"I knew she was going to either faint, or wet herself! She was already terrified of Father and she just—" Draco couldn't even continue his statement due to laughing so hard.
Lucius Malfoy looked at his son and his friend with a bit of a smirk. This young boy was definitely something else. Seeing his animagus form and the form of his son only solidified the thought he had at the start of the year. Draco must remain friends with this boy at all costs. Lucius had some apprehension in the back of his mind. At all costs. Even if he had to give up some of his own morals for it. The thought made him wince a little, an act that Harry and Draco thankfully missed.
After a moment more of laughter, Lord Malfoy's cane rapped harshly against the floor. "If the two of you are done traumatizing the poor Office Head, we can finish this up."
"Yes, Father." Draco said, immediately reining in his laughter, though Harry could see the cracks in his stoic demeanor as the boy struggled to contain the mirth. Harry did the same as Lucius stepped over to the woman, tapping her with his cane. "Innervate."
The magic slid around the woman and then pressed into her, making her sit up with a start. "Oh! I-i'm very sorry, Lord Malfoy. I-I don't know what came over me. B-but these two— these two are the first known magical animagi since the time of Merlin himself! T-this is going to be a front-page story in the Prophet; it w-will be global headlines!"
The magic seemed to have had a calming effect on her, especially as the woman headed to her desk and took out a small potion vial. Downing the contents faster than Harry's Mage Sight could even see the liquid, she took a deep breath as calm slid across her features.
"Now, Heir Potter, Heir Malfoy, please fill out these documents. I will register your animagus forms with the Ministry, and you will be able to use them whenever and however you wish. However, due to the fact they are magical forms, I highly recommend that you do not use them in the muggle world. If you did, this would be a breach of the Statute of Secrecy, and could see you spend time in Azkaban regardless of your age."
Harry shuddered a bit as he recognized the name of the dark castle that was used in several magical books as a horror story. He wondered if the fabled 'Demons of Fear and Despair' were real.
Draco and Harry moved up to the desk, taking the papers and a quill, before filling out the documents carefully. As they finished, the parchment rolled itself up and disappeared. Behind Madame Hopkirk, one of the filing cabinets opened and closed quickly. "There. Now both of you are registered. Keep what I said in mind, but feel free to enjoy your new forms." Madame Hopkirk said as she smiled.
"Thank you for your time, Madame Hopkirk. A bit of a thank you for the rush appointment. Young Heir Potter wished to have it done before Easter's end." Harry nodded quickly as Lucius gestured towards him. Harry saw Lord Malfoy reach into his pocket, taking out a small pouch and dropping it onto Madame Hopkirk's desk. She happily accepted it as Harry heard the jingle of coins from within it.
"I guess that's one way to get a faster appointment." Harry muttered under his breath. With that finished, Harry had a feeling that the young witch was happy to see them out of her office. Passing through the rest of the Improper Use of Magic Office, the three soon returned to the lift with a groan from Draco as he realized they'd have to use it once again.
Lucius led Harry and Draco through the Ministry with practiced ease, his robes seeming to billow around him at all the perfect times. Harry saw the gazes of several people as they went by, some surprised, others terrified and quickly moving out of the way.
It wasn't long, however, before they reached the highest floor of the Ministry. Harry could see silver filigree in the walls charged with magic that flowed around it. At the top of a large arch, he saw in huge words:
Minister of Magic
CORNELIUS FUDGE
Harry could see other such arches along the hallway, each one seeing to be for a different person. Deputy Minister, Undersecretary, and then three rooms for Advisors. There seemed to be a huge oaken table in the center of the hall, obviously for meetings; and at the end was a grand silver door bearing the Minister's name once more.
Lucius made his way around the table and to the Minister's office, rapping at the door with his cane. There was the sound of movement, as the door opened, revealing a short, heavyset man with a green bowler hat.
"Lucius! I was wondering when you'd arrive. Come in, come in. I see you brought your son; and— My word, is that Harry Potter?"
Lucius nodded, as Fudge moved past him, offering his hand to Harry. "A pleasure to meet you, Harry Potter. I am Cornelius Fudge, currently the Minister of Magic. I wish to give you personal thanks for ridding the world of the Dark Lord a decade ago."
Harry took the man's offered hand as Fudge clasped it happily. The man had a cheery and peppy attitude; not what Harry imagined for someone so high in the magical government.
"And Draco, good to see you. Has school been going well?" Draco gave a quiet nod from where he stood, but didn't move. Fudge gestured towards his office as he moved to sit down behind a magnificent gold-inlaid desk. The very desk seemed to flicker with magic, as Harry looked it over. The ornaments on Fudge's desk all seemed simple as well, all except for a small statue of a bat near the corner of the desk.
"Thank you for having the time to meet us today, Cornelius. I was under the assumption that you'd want to see why I came myself today with Potter and my son."
"Of course, of course. I wasn't wanting to impose, however, Lucius." Fudge said as he sat at his desk. "It is quite surprising to see you here, when it's not a meeting week for the Wizengamot."
Harry saw the magic flicker a bit on the bat statue, his curiosity getting the better of him. "Pardon me, Minister?" Harry asked politely.
"Of course, Harry— may I call you Harry? What do you need?" Fudge asked, looking at the boy.
"I don't mind if you call me Harry, sir, but what's that small statue there?" Harry asked, pointing out the small bat statue.
Fudge blinked, and looked at the statue. As if seeing it for the first time, he put a hand to his chin with a troubled look. "I— can't say I know, Harry. I don't think I ever noticed it on my desk before today."
Harry blinked. "How can you not notice something on your own desk, sir? It seems obvious to me."
Fudge looked like a peacock whose feathers had just been plucked, before Lucius raised a hand between the minister and Harry. "Minister, I do not believe the boy meant a slight against you. He was raised by muggles, you see, and doesn't realize things that magic can do. I believe that you should have the statue checked; I have not seen it before now, leading me to believe it may have a notice-me-not charm upon it."
Harry seemed surprised. "That's a thing?" Harry's mind went to how the Inquisitorian seemed to not be noticed as he walked through Diagon Alley.
"Yes, Potter. But this is now something beyond us. We should allow the Minister to handle it." Malfoy stated. Fudge seemed to huff for a moment, but as Lucius spoke his face went pale.
"As always, you make an excellent suggestion, Lucius." The Minister reached over and tapped a small orb that was in a slot at the top of the desk. It shone gently, and seconds later two red-robed wizards rushed into the room with their wands drawn, followed by a tall, older witch with brown hair.
"Minister, You pressed the emergency orb?" The older woman seemed to be slightly annoyed, an eye twitch starting. "Is this another instance of your tea being the wrong flavor?"
"No, Director Bones." Fudge said, as Harry could see a bit of sheepishness on his face that was quickly wiped away. "We have an issue. Tell me, do you see anything on the right-front corner of my desk?" Fudge asked, Lucius, Draco and Harry forgotten by the Minister and the Director. Harry was curious; Director of what?
"I see nothing of any interest, Minister." Director Bones said with an exasperated sigh and a shake of her head.
"Look again. Right here." Fudge reached forward and pointed out the bat.
Director Bones blinked for a second, and then frowned. "I— see your problem, Minister. It appears this small statue has a notice-me-not charm upon it." Director Bones reached out with her wand and tapped the statue. As she did it was frozen in a small bubble, moving and floating to a place beside her.
Fudge cleared his throat, giving a sagelike nod. "I believe we should carefully examine the other Directors' desks for similar bespelled objects. I do not know who put these there, but this is a serious security breach. Young Harry Potter was the one who called attention to it for myself. Who knows how long it's been there."
Director Bones peered at the statue in the bubble. "Quite. I shall get on this immediately, Cornelius." Without another word, the older woman walked out, followed by the two wizards in red robes.
"Who was she?" Harry couldn't help but ask after she left, before any conversation could be renewed.
"Why, Harry, that was Amelia Bones, Director of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement. She manages all of the Aurors in the country." Fudge said. "I can see what Lord Malfoy meant when he said you were raised by muggles. But how would someone like you get placed in a muggle home?"
Lucius nodded. "That's actually something I wished to talk about, Cornelius. I spoke with the boy's guardians, and they said they were never approached, nor even given an explanation of Harry's role in society."
Draco frowned, and rubbed his chin. "At Madame Malkin's, he didn't even think he was a member of the Ancient and Noble House of Potter, let alone the Heir. Sorry, Potter, but it's true. Someone kept you in the dark about your heritage."
"And of course muggles can't be expected to know anything about such. The poor, misguided fools seemed quite confused. In fact, I believe his aunt might have been obliviated and waylaid on the way to her sister's wedding with the way she held her head during the conversation about the event." Lucius nodded sagely.
Fudge paled slightly. "This is a travesty! The Boy Who Lived, ignorant of the magical community at large! You poor boy." He looked at Harry with sympathy. Harry wasn't sure he liked that.
"I-It's okay, Minister. Whoever my magical guardian was, I bet they were simply busy." Harry stammered out. "It was probably a simple mistake."
"A simple mistake wouldn't have placed incineration wards around a muggle property that burned all correspondence not from the Ministry or Hogwarts." Malfoy sneered, reminding Harry of Professor Snape.
"By Merlin. This sounds more and more like a conspiracy!" Fudge hissed. "What more can you tell me, lad?"
Harry sat down and started to explain about the situation. For the first time he told anyone about the research he had done about mental magics and how his Aunt had been under a spell. He explained being left on the doorstep, and even how Hagrid and Dumbledore had been obliviated. By the time he was finished, even Lucius looked a bit pale.
"Cornelius… I believe you are right. Whatever happened that night sounds like a conspiracy. A conspiracy to place young Heir Potter into a muggle home and keep him ignorant. Spells, Obliviations, and more. How far does this go?"
Harry was confused. "Why do you all seem so surprised about Obliviations?"
Fudge looked at Harry with pity, as Harry's eye twitched lightly in annoyance. "Poor lad. You wouldn't know, of course. Obliviations are illegal for wizards and witches to perform. Only members of the Department of Magical Accidents and Catastrophes' Obliviation Squad are allowed to use the spell, and the Improper Use of Magic office monitors specifically for magic in the muggle world to inform them of such misuse."
Harry seemed surprised. "Obliviation is illegal?"
Fudge nodded morosely, "Punished by a stiff fine of one thousand galleons, tripling for each illegal use. The seventh time is an Azkaban sentence."
"I see… why seven?"
"Because, dear boy, sometimes wizards must use the charm in true emergencies to stop Magic from being spread to the wider world. Such events are carefully reviewed, but even if they are not rescinded the wizard in question should be given the benefit of the doubt, and thus the leniency."
Harry nodded, finishing with his questions as Fudge and Malfoy started to speak to each other. As they did, Draco gestured. "Father is going to be here for a while it sounds like. We're allowed to go out and wait at the meeting table. Want to see it?"
Harry nodded, grinning as Draco took him out of the office. Heading to the large meeting table, Harry hopped into one of the large chairs, looking around. Draco sat in the one meant for the Minister, and grinned as he puffed out his chest and spoke. "I, Minister Draco Malfoy, now declare that Sugar Quills will be mandatory for all new Hogwarts students, as well as a weekly allotment of the candies until the end of their first year. What say you, Department of Candy and Foods Director Potter?"
Harry laughed. "I say it is a wonderful idea, Minister! I second the motion made by your esteemed self!"
Harry and Draco started to play around, the two eleven-year-old boys pretending to be high members of the government, passing new regulations. Neither of them cared that neither the Minister nor the Department Heads brought the laws to the Wizengamot; all that mattered was having fun.
As they messed around, a few secretaries walked past, some of them smirking, and one with a large pink cardigan giving a frown. However, none of them seemed to comment about the boys' game of pretend.
After some time, Lucius walked out of the Minister's office. Fudge's voice came from within, "It truly was a pleasure seeing you here today, Lord Malfoy. Now, I believe we got sidetracked, and your charges have found ways to entertain themselves."
"Indeed. Draco, Potter, come back inside. It's time to show the Minister your skills." Lucius stated, as Draco was up so fast that Harry wondered if the seat he had been in had a spring hidden inside of it.
The two hurried back into the Minister's Office, where the Malfoy Lord closed the door behind them. Using his wand, Fudge moved the chairs and desk to the side at Malfoy's suggestion.
"Now, my son and Potter are quite unique. They have recently gone beyond their years and skill level and become Animagi. Draco, of course, being the first in the family in centuries, if ever."
Draco puffed his chest out, pride clear on his face as Lucius gestured. "Draco, go ahead."
Draco stepped forward and turned into his Drake Gryphon form. The small pony-sized creature spread its wings, as Minister Fudge's eye had a sparkle quite reminiscent of the Headmaster's.
"Magnificent! A dragon, it seems? No, something else, it looks almost like a gryphon but with dragon instead of lion." Fudge said, curiously.
"I have been told that it is a Drake Gryphon. An extinct variation of the Gryphon, and stated to be far more powerful than their more common counterpart." Lucius said with pride.
Draco strutted in his Drake Gryphon form a bit, before reverting to his human form. "I believe I attuned more to the draconic portion than the gryphon portion. I believe the black scales are reminiscent of the black dragons of the Malfoy coat of arms." Draco explained.
Fudge nodded. "Absolutely stunning, Heir Malfoy. And now you, Heir Potter?" Fudge asked, looking at him.
Harry turned into his Cadmean Fox form, his three tails flicking behind him. He didn't strut like Draco had done, but instead sat down regally, giving a foxlike huff.
"Mister Potter is a Cadmean Fox, the only European fox magical creature. It is also extinct, hunted by magicals long ago using a variant of Crups." Lucius explained.
"Not one, but two magical animagi. This will be front page news, Lord Malfoy!" Harry remained in his fox form, hopping onto Draco's lap as the silver-haired boy sat down.
"Indeed, Cornelius. I believe that it would bring international attention to Britain, but I wished to inform you before the Prophet sent out reporters about it."
"Very good, very good." Fudged moved his desk back with a flick of his wand, sitting back down behind it.
Harry hopped off Draco's lap as the chairs were moved back, turning back into his human self. "Minister? Can I request something?"
"Of course you can, Harry. We're friends, after all!" Minister Fudge beamed.
"Well, I was hoping that I could ask for permission to keep some of the wards on my muggle guardians' home. They seem to be powerful, and I'd hate to have to remove them all. One of them seems to have been made with the blood of my family, according to Gringotts, and would protect them. I don't want to have to remove that protection."
Fudge considered, as he stood up and paced, Lucius looked at Harry with a bit of respect. The boy seemed to have a good head on his shoulders to think about such things.
"If you help me with this, Minister, I'd gladly do a public announcement with you about my animagus form."
Harry took note of how blindingly fast Minister Fudge's reaction came with the mention of such a promise. The Minister beamed and quickly said, "I believe I could easily get correct documents filled out for your guardians, Heir Potter. After all, the protections of an Heir of an Ancient and Noble House should be top notch. Since you'd be willing to have a public appearance with me, I believe I may even be able to get you permission to raise new wards and get the property listed as a magical one."
Harry could see the excitement in the Minister's eyes. The man reminded Harry of a few boys he had met in Primary school; kids who had gone out of their way to seem like the most important people in the school.
Lucius admired the boy's skill at manipulating the Minister. It was like he was an adult, knowing exactly what buttons to press. The boy certainly was a Slytherin but with Ravenclaw intelligence; it was just as Draco had mentioned in his letters home. All this did was cement his own thoughts on the boy.
"Now, if that will be all, Minister, I believe Draco and Potter have had a long day. I shall bring them home to my Manor; they will be with me for Easter. I assume that you have our invitations for the Easter Ball?"
"Oh, of course, of course, Lord Malfoy. And one for you as well, Heir Potter." Fudge reached into his desk and quickly took out two pieces of parchment, writing on them. "One for yourself and your family, Lord Malfoy, and one for you as well, Heir Potter, and your family." As he spoke, he suddenly realized what he had said. "Oh. I apologize, Heir Potter. I wasn't thinking—" Fudge said quickly, worried he had insulted the boy by mentioning his deceased family.
Harry, however, took it in stride. He nodded back to the Minister and asked, "Will my uncle and aunt be allowed to come?" As he finished his question, he graciously accepted the invitation.
Fudge seemed to have mixed feelings on it, Harry noticed his hesitance as he spoke, "I'm unsure if it would be wise. Muggles normally are not seen or accepted at the Ministry's formal events."
Harry deflated a bit, as he nodded. "I understand, sir."
Lucius's eye twitched, as he thought about the chair currently in his pocket. The man had done him a favor, and here was the chance to even the slate. Owing a muggle, after all, would be improper for a Pureblood's pride.
"Perhaps an exception could be made, Cornelius. The boy's guardians are, loathe as I am to say it, the best sort of muggles. They are quite polite and treated me with a great deal of respect, even going so far as to give back an heirloom that they had purchased from a magical family that had somehow appeared in the muggle world all at no cost to myself. They respected our customs far better than any other muggles I have met in the past."
Minister Fudge rubbed his chin, thinking on the man's words as Lucius continued, "Perhaps, if the boy's guardians were gifted a pair of robes and instructed in basic etiquette, they would not embarrass themselves, or the Ministry, during the Ball. In fact, they could even be a useful figurehead for the press, being the guardians of the Boy Who Lived."
Fudge seemed to consider Lucius' statements, after he wiped the look of shock off his face. "You make a valid point, Lord Malfoy, though I never thought that would be something I'd hear from you. I believe I would be able to give them an exception. Harry, would your guardians be averse to acquiring a pair of formal robes for the event?"
Harry's eyes sparkled. "No sir, I'd love to be able to take them to Diagon Alley and get them a pair! They also wouldn't embarrass the Ministry at all. My Aunt is quite skilled with etiquette, and was one of the reasons I learned so much of it before coming into the magical world." It technically wasn't a lie; even when he was a kid Aunt Petunia had drilled etiquette into him. Harry simply forgot to mention that it was so that he would "be polite to his betters". The thought made Harry frown, before he pushed it from his mind.
"Indeed? It seems your guardians are a rare sort, Harry. Very well then, if you can make sure they are wearing appropriate attire and do not embarrass the Ministry, I believe that they would be welcome, at the very least, by the Light faction of the Wizengamot and the four of us." Fudge nodded.
Harry wasn't too sure about the last comment, but he didn't quite care, nodding enthusiastically. He couldn't wait to tell Uncle Vernon and Aunt Petunia!
"Of course, Potter, this means we'll have to return to your home within the next few days. Gringotts will also be wishing to do the same, to make the adjustments to your wards." Lucius said. The man privately wondered what he was doing defending muggles, but the feeling of the shrunken chair in his pocket reminded him of his honor.
Harry nodded quickly, as Lucius turned. "Now, we shall be on our way; Mister Potter will be gracing us with his presence at our manor this week. Thank you for your time, Minister." Lucius said as he opened the door.
"Anytime, Lord Malfoy." Fudge stated as the three left his office.
-Author's Notes-
I'm really proud of the scene with Draco and Harry being simple children. It was one of the few parts of the fic I wanted to really drive in; these are 11 year old kids in book 1. Let them have fun! I remember messing around when I was a kid and my parents took me to important places, I genuinely think Draco and Harry would have amused themselves in such a manner.
We're getting closer and closer to the end of this Book. It's a little more than double the wordcount of the canon Sorcerer's Stone. I hope you guys enjoyed the extra content. I can't promise double the wordcount for every book, but I'll strive to give a good, fleshed-out story, regardless of how many scenes that takes.
If you're interested in joining the beta team to check for inconsistencies and corrections, then hit me up in a PM!
Beta read by Kaminton and Angie.
Harry Potter is owned by JK Rowling, not me.