Harry glared at the parchment in front of him. The last three days had been nice. He hadn't gotten sick once, Lucius was being really nice, as was Draco. His workouts were going well and the new nutrient potions were tasty. But, he was now being tested for levels at his Papa's insistence. He glared some more, but started answering the questions. It didn't take him long to realize that there were 20 questions for each year, the tester had told him to answer each question as quickly as he could, and move on if he didn't know the answer. After he had had to skip at least 5 questions, he was to go back and try to answer the one's he'd skipped earlier then move on until he reached the end of the test. There was no time limit. He didn't have too much trouble up to year 6, then he slowed down considerably. This test was for Transfiguration so that wasn't too bad. He handed the test to the proctor and took the next one. He looked out the window wistfully, this was the first nice day in a long time, and he was stuck inside, taking tests. It took Harry all day to take the tests, with an hour break for lunch. The tests included Arithmancy, Ancient Runes, Transfigurations, Transfigurations Practical Applications, Defense Against the Dark Arts, Defense Against the Dark Arts Practical Applications, Charms, Charms Practical Applications, Potions, and Potions Practical Applications. History of the Wizarding World was ignored as was Muggle Studies and Care of Magical Creatures. By the end of the day Harry was so tired that he made his excuses and ate in his quarters. He was in bed and fast asleep by 10:30pm. Mimsey just put away his things without comment. She'd given Harry Dobby's message when she returned to Malfoy Manor, and been surprised at his reaction, which was to call Dumbledore a meddling old fart and Professor Snape something that she was sure he wasn't. Now she was sorry she'd brought it, Harry was planning something, and she was sure it was going to happen as soon as the testing was done. Mimsey finished her chores and checked to make sure the alarm spell was set. Harry was to be tested on his combat skills tomorrow, and she wanted to be sure he was up, dressed and ready for breakfast without having to rush. . Harry opened one eye and groaned. “Traitor. Evil, fucking ... How can it be bloody morning already?” Mimsey poked him in the small of the back with a long, sharp finger. “You is getting up, right now! You is not going back to sleep. If Master Harry does, he is going without breakfast ... and potions. Up!” Harry grumped and heaved himself out of bed, smacking his lips at his furry teeth. “Bleh! Where's my toothbrush?” Mimsey just pointed to it, right where it should be, in its glass by the sink. Harry picked it up, eyed it in disgust and smeared it with toothpaste. He stuck it in his mouth and brushed his teeth, froth dripping from his chin. Draco called his name from the bedroom so he stuck his head out the door to see what he wanted. Draco's horrified expression made him grin, take the toothbrush out of his mouth and wipe his chin. “What the devil are you doing?” Draco blinked twice. “Brushing my teeth. What? There's a spell?” Harry thought he was joking but Draco shook his head. “Your abysmal ignorance would be funny if it wasn't so pathetic.” He held up one hand. “And don't get your knickers in a twist. I know it's not your fault. It's Dumbledore's, bastard.” Harry wiped his mouth again then demanded. “Well? Are you going to teach me the charm or not?” Draco gave Harry a startled look then smiled, an easy, pleased expression. “I'll do better than that. I'll teach you every personal care charm and spell I know.” He laughed a bit. “And I know quite a few. Come on, father's waiting breakfast.” “Waiting?” Harry bit at his lip feeling unnerved, breakfast wasn't supposed to start for another 30 minutes at least. “I got up early so I wouldn't be late. What's going on?” He wondered briefly if it was a ploy, like the Dursleys used, to have an excuse to punish him. “I know, but father has some guests, some of the testers I think. Don't worry about it. He just sent me up to get you so the toast won't get cold.” Draco smiled slightly. “Come on, I'm hungry.” He paused, snarling to himself. “I almost forgot. Father said to cover your scar with that make up stuff and line your eyes.” Harry didn't ask questions, he just did as he was asked, carefully covering his scar and putting on kohl around his eyes. Draco took a moment to examine Harry, he didn't look anything like 'the boy who lived'. He looked more like a street punk; although he didn't know what to call the look. “Very nice. Slightly sexy, a little dangerous, but with a hint of innocence. Hurry now.” Harry hurried to follow Draco, wondering how the devil he managed to move so fast and still not look like he was running. He was trotting hard to keep up. “Father is going to have to arrange for you to have deportment lessons, I swear. You sound like a herd of hippogryphs.” Draco scowled, another set of lessons for Harry. He wondered when Harry was going to sleep. Draco went over the list of classes Harry was going to be taking and cringed. Deportment, Martial Arts, Potions, Arithmancy, and Ancient Runes, plus finishing his homework and learning to manage his properties. Draco didn't envy Harry anymore, being Head of The Most Ancient and Honorable House of Potter, Head of the Honorable House of Black and Foster of the Ancient and Honorable House of Malfoy, as well as The Boy Who Lived and having to learn so much in so little time. All Draco wanted to do every time he thought of it was crawl under a bed and hide. Harry truly had his sympathy. He completely forgot about Harry's training schedule, health issues and the fact that there was a homicidal dark wizard trying to kill him. It didn't take them long to get to the dining room. Harry went to his usual place and settled into his chair. He dropped his napkin into his lap and glanced at Lucius who was scowling at a piece of parchment and chewing ferociously on a mouthful of ham. Draco looked around and realized that he didn't know any of the people at the table besides his father and Harry. He also wondered why they were under a silencing charm. He glanced at Lucius and sighed, that look boded no good for someone. “Harry, I'm frankly appalled. How Dumbledore expects you to beat Tom with this sort of education, I'm sure I don't know. Your grasp of Ancient Runes is spotty, at best. You only managed an A. Arithmancy, the same. Charms and Transfiguration, you did get O's in, as well as Defense. Consider me astonished. Potions, both theory and practical you ... Dismal truly describes it. What have you been doing at Hogwarts?” Harry furiously stabbed at a bit of ham. “Oh, I don't know. Killing trolls, keeping Voldemort from getting the Sorcerer's Stone, killing a basilisk, dodging Snape, teaching the DA, suffering under Umbitch. That sort of thing. Dumbledore doesn't care if I grow up ignorant as an ox.” Draco flinched when he first heard Harry's tone of voice, then he realized what he was saying and cringed. Lucius blinked, he kept forgetting that Harry was so much more than a 16 year old. “I see. Well... Today we're going to test your grasp of practical defense and offense. Magical and physical.” He nodded to a man on Harry's left, lifting the silencing charm with a flick of his wand. “This is Gregory Manoff, next to him is Patricia Grey and next to Draco is Professor Henderson. Mr. Manoff is to test your knowledge of Martial arts, Miss Grey, weapons, and Professor Henderson will begin teaching you Dueling Etiquette. I have also made arrangements for tutors to bring you up to appropriate levels in all your subjects, you've kept up quite well on your own, but you won't pass NEWTS without a great deal of help. Everything you learn in 6th year is included. So ... oh, and you'll be having deportment lessons. That includes dancing, proper use of dining utensils, how to pick clothing appropriate to the occasion, letter writing, penmanship, and so on.” Harry huffed in misery, he was never going to see the sun again. “Yes, sir.” Lucius knew exactly what Harry was thinking, his face was an open book. “I know it's a lot of work. But every bit of it is vital. You don't Occlude properly either. Severus didn't manage to teach you a thing. So ... we'll begin right after breakfast.” Harry nodded glumly then remarked, “And I need tutoring in potions and offensive and defensive magic. Who's going to do that.” “I'll take curses and hexes and Draco will tutor you in potions, I assure you that he's perfectly capable. A lady will come for deportment twice a week. Madam is quite strict, so do not offend her.” Harry just sat, staring at his plate while his hopes of a summer of relaxation and flying fluttered out a window. He knew he needed to do all the things Lucius had planned for him but still, he'd never had a summer where he got to do anything he wanted to do. All his summers had been filled with hard work, starvation and imprisonment for as long as he could remember. Mr. Manoff watched as Harry's expression saddened more and more. He finally felt that he had to speak up. “Mr. Malfoy, surely the boy can't manage all that. When is he to have any fun?” Lucius blinked at him for a split second then said, “He has to learn all this as soon as humanly possible. I'm depending on you all to see that it is as ... fun as possible. I'd really rather work him into the ground than see him murdered by ... Tom Riddle.” Harry snickered into his tea at the hesitation. “Tommy boy has been trying to kill me since I was one. Hasn't succeeded yet and I'd really like to keep it that way. I enjoy martial arts and weapons. It's all the studying and deportment lessons that have me worried. I'd really like some time to fly as well.” Lucius said softly. “Do you really think I wouldn't take into account that you need rest and amusements? I expect a great deal from both you and Draco, but I also reward excellence as it deserves. You'll have time for fun, I promise.” He leaned back in his chair. “Now, eat and we'll set about organizing an acceptable schedule for you. And no outside exercising.” Harry blinked then just nodded. “Yes, sir.” He slumped in a dejected posture that made Draco wince. Mr. Manoff cleared his throat. “As to that, if he has a routine that he's used to, I'd rather work within those parameters. It's not good to throw someone off a comfortable schedule. We'll see how things go if you don't mind.” Lucius just agreed easily, doing his best to seem congenial rather than freezing the man in his tracks. Harry smiled at him hesitantly then returned to his food. Draco noticed that Lucius was doing his best to be marginally polite to the men and woman seated at table. He also noticed that Harry noticed. Things were looking good for today, he hoped. . Lucius drew Harry aside as soon as breakfast was done and asked him if it was acceptable to him to use his dojo for testing. Harry stuttered a bit then said “But, sir, it's your house.” Lucius looked down his nose at Harry and drawled, “But it is your dojo.” the twinkle in his eye made Harry blush. “It's fine. It's probably where I'll be training anyway.” Lucius agreed with that and instructed Harry to go change into his gi, and come down for his tests. Harry nodded obediently but stopped after two steps. “Sir, can't Draco participate too?” Lucius knew Draco would be furious with him, but now was the time to tell Harry about his condition. “Only if you're very careful with him. I know that you've realized that something is wrong with him. You are not to tell anyone about this without his, or my, personal permission.” Harry nodded his agreement then bit his lip, this was not going to make him happy, he could tell. “Draco has a congenital condition called Sensatus Nervosa. The Latin is faulty but fairly accurate. He feels pain more intensely than others and the condition comes and goes. Some days he's normal as you or I; other's, the slightest touch can feel like a blow. He feels that it's a weakness that can be used against him, and he's right. Please be discrete.” Harry absorbed this with a frown. It explained a lot. “Isn't there a potion or something? There's always a potion.” “There is, but it is nearly impossible to brew. Severus has been trying for years. Even if all the ingredients are in the appropriate condition, it still fails.” Harry scowled at the floor for a moment. “I still think Draco ought to take the classes in martial arts. At least he could learn how to fall. It might help keep him from getting hurt.” He looked up at Lucius. “Papa, you know I'll do everything I can to protect him.” “Thank you. Enough of this angst, don't worry about this, go get changed. I'll ask Draco if he wants to take classes with you.” Harry charged up the stairs, two at a time, worried that his new instructors would think him insolent for keeping them waiting. . Mimsey had his gi waiting for him so he tugged it on and thanked her. His trip to the dungeons and his dojo didn't take long, but all three of his testers were waiting for him as well as Lucius and Draco, both dressed in the wizarding equivalent of a gi. Harry spent the next two hours going through all his kata, with Mr. Manoff watching and taking notes. He was made to rest for fifteen minutes between his first sets of easy kata and intermediate and twenty between the intermediate set and the advanced. Then, when he said he usually warmed up with tai chi and cooled down with yoga, he had to demonstrate his yoga and tai chi. He spent, all in all, over four hours in review. Then Miss Grey wanted to review his expertise with weapons. Harry had to admit that he was only fairly good with a bo staff but that he could transfigure throwing pins from his bracelets. Of course, everyone wanted to see this, so Harry demonstrated, transfiguring a pin from his bracelet and throwing it at a target. Miss Grey admitted that she was impressed. She also had him go through his paces with the bo, she also took notes. Professor Henderson was the last to test him, Harry threw curses, hexes and spells as their names were called out. The professor just threw up his hands and announced that there wasn't much he could teach as Harry was already way beyond what would be expected of someone his age. Draco was called next but the second Mr. Manoff got a good look at him he asked Draco to wait and pulled Lucius aside. “Look, I don't want to offend you but if that boy isn't suffering from Sensatus Nervosa I don't know the signs. And I'm not taking him on. Not a chance. If something was to happen to him. Well, I'm really sorry, but not on my watch.” Lucius glowered at the man and snarled, “I am his father, do you think I would allow him to be hurt? Please absolve me. Harrison must learn, Draco wishes to. You disappoint me. I was given to understand that you would teach. I didn't know you were so squeamish. If I had, I wouldn't have bothered you.” Mr. Manoff didn't bother to be insulted. “Look, I don't know what the big deal is. That boy is really good. Give him some time to grow up a bit and he'll be something special. As to Draco, not teaching him. I don't have the skills necessary.” Harry wasn't sure what was going on but he knew that Lucius looked like he wanted to hex the man. Miss Grey attracted his attention by asking him if he knew how to use a sword. He turned to her, forcing himself to ignore the argument in the corner. “Not really, I've handled them, of course, but I ... at my stage of skill, it'd be easier for you to tell me what would suit. What do you think?” Miss Grey eyed Harry, frowned and admitted that she wasn't sure. She wanted to see Harry handle several different swords to see how he handled each. And Professor Henderson just announced that all Harry needed was to be taught proper Dueling procedures. While Harry was trying out swords, Lucius was quietly fuming. His plans were rapidly coming to naught. Harry was better than the teachers he had available. He was not happy. And when he wasn't happy he got sarcastic. Just now he was exercising that sarcasm on Mr. Manoff. It was working, but not in the way he'd hoped, Mr. Manoff finally just announced that he didn't care how much money the Malfoy's had, he quit. Harry watched as Mr. Manoff walked out. He wasn't much worried, he had an idea of his own. He wasn't stupid by any means, no matter what Snape said. He wasn't sure why Lucius was hiring people to do things that he, Lucius, could do himself. Possibly something to do with Pureblood Traditionalist sensitivities. Harry grumbled, “And what about the Ministry and Dumbledore?” Miss Grey over heard and asked, “What? I'm sorry, I didn't hear that.” Harry picked up another sword and said, “I talk to myself. Consequences of being on the streets.” He took the position Miss Grey showed him and swung the sword. “No, too heavy and its balance is too close to the point. My arm isn't long enough.” “I thought you didn't know anything about swords?” Miss Grey was beginning to wonder what this was all about. This boy seemed too knowledgeable in combat techniques for her taste. She knew some older Traditionalist families trained foster children as bodyguards for the heirs and she wasn't going to lend her skills to that particular abomination. She patted Harry on the shoulder and whispered, “If you don't want this, I'll help you leave.” Harry gave the woman a confused look then just shook his head. “I like it here. They're very nice to me. If you don't want to teach me, I'll find someone else. Just don't interfere.” Miss Grey was also of the opinion that she wouldn't be happy working at Malfoy Manner and politely took her leave. She went immediately to her best friend to tell her all about the horrible Malfoys and their poor foster. Professor Henderson also spoke to Lucius, simply telling him that the only thing he could teach was proper deportment during a duel. By the time noon rolled around, Lucius was on his last nerve. “I don't believe this. It is not acceptable.” Lucius settled stiffly behind his desk. Harry wandered around the library while his Papa fumed, finally he just remarked, “I don't really see the problem, just teach me yourself.” “It's just not done.” Harry raised an eyebrow. “People will get the impression that we can't afford the proper instructors.” “Well then, you'll just have to imply that no one was quiet up to scratch. A little sarcasm and tea. I'm sure you'll manage if you just think about it.” Lucius kept his jaw from dropping through a life time of training. “How very Slytherin of you.” “The sorting hat wanted to put me there at first. I managed to convince it to put me in Gryffindor instead. Draco has learned to curb his tongue better.” Harry settled in a chair. “You're going to be spending a huge amount of money on deportment lessons, tutoring in ... what?” Lucius curled his lip in an arrogant sneer that made Harry grin. “Absolutely nothing. I took an O in Ancient Runes and Arithmancy. Draco is more than competent to teach you potions. You're smart enough to manage Defense and Charms with just our help, all you have to do there is practice the hexes and charms from the last semester to catch up to your fellow students. This will not be a problem for you as you already practice several more complicated spells. The testing shows that you're more advanced than I thought.” Harry preened a bit at that. “I think we'll manage quiet well on our own. But ... I do have one concern. What if Dumbledore gets word of this? He'll be here in two seconds flat.” “Not one of those people would dare gossip about us. It's just not done. It'll be fine.” Suddenly both Harry and Lucius cried out. Harry slapped a hand to his forehead while Lucius grabbed his arm. Draco, who had been sitting at the partner's desk, quietly enjoying watching the byplay between his father and foster brother, called for an elf and demanded specific potions. He dumped two vials down his father's throat and one down Harry's. Neither one of them objected. Lucius recovered first and turned to check on Harry. Harry was flat out on a couch, hand pressed to his forehead. “Damn him! I hate him so much. I wish I could ... I will kill him... some day.” Harry sighed and tried to sit up. Lucius reached to help him. Harry glanced down at his arm and snarled. Lucius had managed to rip his sleeve somehow and his mark was showing, livid and ugly. “How the hell could you take that thing? It's not even a nice tat. Ugly, badly designed and ... and ... dumb. I could do better in my sleep.” “I know it's ugly. I plead temporary insanity. I wish I could remove it, but there's no way.” Harry reached out and took Lucius by the wrist. He pulled gently and Lucius let him examine the mark. It was raised, like a cicatrix, and rough. He reached out with his magic, trying to feel how it had been anchored. “Oh! Well, that's nasty. He's sealed it to your nervous system.” Harry rubbed his fingers over the mark for a moment. “I bet ...” Harry looked at Lucius with bright eyes. “If you really, really want that off, I think I can do it. Do you want to try?” Lucius gazed at Harry for a totally unguarded moment. “I have considered cutting off my arm. Yes, I want to try.” Harry paled a bit at that and Draco gasped softly. “Ok, here's what I want you to do. Repudiate him completely, refuse his service. Keep ... pushing him away, if that makes any sense.” Lucius bit his lip but nodded. He had a good idea of what Harry was talking about. He'd had to want the mark with all his heart, now he had to 'not want it' for lack of a better explanation. Harry concentrated on pushing the mark out and Lucius thought with all the force of a powerful Legilimens and Occlumens of how much he wanted it gone. Harry started to sweat while Lucius shivered as if he was freezing. The pain for both of them was incredible but they persevered. Finally, Harry grunted and half collapsed onto the Abuson carpet. “There! I ... ugh! I really, really need to wash my hands. That's just disgusting ... and slimy.” Draco called for service and Mimsey popped in, he told her what was needed and she left again, appearing within seconds with a wash basin and an ewer of warm water. She also had a towel over her arm and a small tablet of soap in one pocket. She just stood in front of Harry, holding the basin. Draco took the ewer and waited for Harry to hold his hands over the bowl. Harry glanced over his shoulder at Lucius who was just staring at his arm, stunned immobile. He sighed, took the soap from Mimsey's pocket at her instruction and washed his hands. The water quickly blackened and even smelled off. Harry washed again after banishing the water and instructing Mimsey to destroy the basin after he was done. When he was satisfied that his hands were clean he turned to check on Lucius. The process had been quite painful for him so he could imagine what his Papa had gone through. He flinched when he realized that Lucius had tears streaming down his face. “Papa! I'm so sorry. I'm sorry I hurt you. Please? Don't be mad at me.” Lucius grabbed Harry into a smothering hug. “Angry? How can I be angry. You've freed me. I don't have to worry about ... about ... so many things. Damn me for being a maudlin fool.” He wiped at his face with one hand. Draco sent Mimsey for more water and when it came, he dipped a wash cloth in the water. He handed the cloth to Lucius and waited while he wiped his face with it. It didn't do much good as Lucius seemed to be on the verge of a complete breakdown. Harry whispered to Draco, “We need to get him to bed, dose him with some calming potion and a sleeping draught. Come on.” They managed between them to get the task done and left a still weeping Lucius alone, at his demand. They'd tried to stay, but had been sent out. Draco managed to get another potion into Lucius, then told Harry that they were just upsetting him more, and should leave him to sleep if he could. In the hall, Draco flatly told Harry that he'd dosed Lucius with Dreamless Sleep. Harry finally relaxed. He nodded and followed Draco to their rooms. Before he entered his room Harry turned to Draco. “I'm not sure, but I think Papa might have made a mistake in bringing those people here. I know he wanted the best for me but ... he says they won't talk but ... I just feel really nervous.” Draco sighed and rubbed his face. “Father never ... he doesn't understand the absolute fascination people have with every damn thing you do. I think at least one of them recognized you. We'll just have to hold our collective breaths and hope.” Harry motioned Draco in and shut the door behind him. “We missed lunch, would you like something?” “Please. Sandwiches would be fine. And tea.” They ate lunch, talking about nothing much. When lunch was finished, Draco told Harry to rest and they parted ways amicably enough. . Dumbledore gathered the threads of gossip together and wove his cloth then he contacted the Ministry. Fudge agreed that it was worth the aggravation to check on the rumors. And so it was that Cornelius Fudge, Albus Dumbledore and two Aurors stepped out of the floo in the public reception room at Malfoy Manor at 9am the very next morning. Harry had just finished cleaning up after breakfast and was looking forward to discussing his lessons with Draco and Lucius. The sound of the floo brought the three Malfoys to the reception room. Lucius immediately put on his public face and Draco followed suit. Harry just did the best he could to mimic them. Lucius lowered his voice to that deadly purr that always brought people up short. “And to what do I owe this early morning visit?” Dumbledore ignored Lucius and tried to sidestep Draco, who moved easily to put himself between Dumbledore and Harry. “Harry, my boy, come to me. We'll get you back to the Dursleys safely. Come, come.” Harry noticed Dumbledore's face, his initial expression had been one of greed, quickly covered by grandfatherly concern. Harry clenched his fists in anger, he couldn't believe the old fool. He never even asked if he was well, or if he wanted to stay or not. Fudge got into the confrontation just then, and put his foot in it quite firmly. “Yes, I mean, no. He'll come to the Ministry and stay there. He'll be trained by the finest trainers we have. He'll stay there until he's ready to face you-know-who. Get over here, boy.” This pompous proclamation had the two Aurors rolling their eyes. They knew that Harry would go with his legal guardian, who ever that turned out to be. Their commander, Madam Bones, had made sure to impress this on them. She didn't care what Fudge or Dumbledore wanted, she wanted what was legal, and what she wanted was what counted. Harry glared from Lucius, who was looking like a man made of ice, to Fudge, who looked amazingly like a turkey, to Dumbledore who was twinkling at him genially. Draco looked like he couldn't decide whether to hex someone or burst into tears. One of the Aurors attempted to flank Lucius to get to Harry and found himself face to wand with Harry himself. “No! Stand right there. I'm not going anywhere with anyone. I'm staying right here. No one ever asks me if I'm ok. Or if I want to do whatever.” Dumbledore interrupted carefully, “Now, Harry, I'm sure you think you're happy here, but Malfoy ...” “Shut up. And stop whatever that is that you're doing. It won't work on me anymore. That twinkly eye thing might fool others but not me. Not anymore. You ... you.” Harry shut his mouth before he said too much. He glowered at Fudge who was still gobbling. Dumbledore started trying to convince the Aurors to just take Harry. Lucius demanded to see their warrant of arrest. Draco eased to where he could get the Auror confronting Harry in a cross fire and the other Auror demanded to see guardianship parchments from someone. Harry listened to all the shouting and threats for a few seconds then made his decision. “Papa! Papa!” Everyone turned to look at Harry. Lucius felt a moment of cold fear. Dumbledore raised his wand to do he wasn't quite sure what. The two Aurors froze, trying to decide what to do and Draco just cried out, “Harry!” Harry shook his head at all of them. “Shut up. I'm not going with any of you. You...” He turned to Dumbledore. “want to send me back to that hell hole, I'm not going. You..” He glared at Fudge, making him cower at the fury he saw. “I'm not some wand you can take out of a box, wave and put back. Arsehole.” He dismissed the Aurors with a snort. “Father, I feel the need for some strawberries.” With that he flicked his wand, snapped, “Apperio!!” And disappeared with a thunderous smack, right through the anti-apparation wards the Aurors had set up as well as the Malfoy Manor wards. Lucius turned so white the veins in his cheeks showed blue. Draco completely lost his temper and gave the nearest Auror not only a firm kick, but hexed him with boils. Fudge started yelling about kidnapping and Azkaban in an incoherent rant that no one paid any attention to. The lead Auror took charge, over Dumbledore's protests, telling him to shut up or go back to Hogwarts. He sent his hexed fellow back to the Ministry with a request for someone higher up to come help him sort out the mess. Madam Bones herself stepped through within moments. Moments in which Lucius glared at Dumbledore with considerable coldness. He was well aware exactly where Harry had gone as was Draco, but neither of them was about to tell anyone where he was until they got this mess straightened out. Lucius was also furious at himself, he couldn't believe that he'd been so careless as this. Harry had told him long ago that his arrogance was going to come back to bite him. “Now, I want to see all parchments pertaining to Harry's guardianship.” Madam Bones pinned Fudge, Dumbledore and Lucius with a pointed glare, held out her hand and waited. Draco took the opportunity to leave the room to calm himself. “I'll go get the parchments, shall I, Father?” “Please do.” Lucius never took his eyes off the remaining Auror, who shifted uncomfortably. Dumbledore offered sweets around, no one accepted. Fudge started to whisper in Madam Bones' ear, but she shrugged him off. Draco returned with the parchments which he offered to his father, keeping pointedly out of reach of anyone else in the room. He glowered at Dumbledore, who twinkled back, earning himself a sniff of disdain. Madam Bones accepted the parchments from Lucius and started to read, glancing sharply at Lucius or Draco from time to time. “Well, these are all in perfect order, signed, sealed and notarized. Dumbledore, you might want to read these.” She handed the bundle of parchment to him, then turned to Fudge. “You would do well to watch yourself. I know you're the Minister, but interfering in private business like this will not do you any good in the eyes of the population. You overstep your boundaries too much and you'll create a political situation. One which will not show you in a good light. Mr. Malfoy, my apologies.” She bowed slightly and started to leave, considering her business there finished. Fudge had other ideas. “I demand that you arrest that man for kidnapping The Boy Who Lived. He's a Death Eater and a scoundrel.” Lucius sneered at Fudge and shook his head, braid swishing against the elegant silk of his at home robes. “Prove it.” “Prove what? That you're a Death Eater? Imperioused, my arse. You're as guilty as sin and as dirty as that mark on your arm.” Lucius raised his eyebrows in astonishment. “What mark? I bear no mark.” Draco managed a very credible expression of puzzlement and pointed it at Dumbledore who was glancing between the guardianship parchment and the confrontation. He didn't look happy with either. Madam Bones turned from the floo and remarked softly, “It would be easy enough to confirm or deny. Simply show us.” Lucius had always refused to show his arm, knowing quite well that his mark, while faded in the absence of Voldemort, still showed. Now he objected, rather feebly, because he always had. “It's outrageous, I'm not some common criminal, to submit to being pawed by ...” Draco interrupted, hoping he was helping, drawling in his best bored voice, “Oh, for Merlin's sake, just show them and be done with it.” Lucius gave him a cool glance, visually promising a talking to later. “Very well, to please you, my spoiled son.” He pulled up his sleeve, showing a pristine white forearm, bare of any mark. He flicked a bored glance from Bones to Fudge, then on to Dumbledore. “Satisfied?” Nods and grunts greeted this so he pushed his sleeve down again. “Now, I have to go find my other son, whom you have frightened into flight to who knows where. Excuse me.” He bowed slightly, and started to leave the room, ushering Draco before him. Dumbledore stopped him, offering help in finding Harry. Madam Bones offered her help as well, spurred by Fudge. “No, I thank you, I do believe you've done quite enough for one day.” He quirked one eyebrow in that supercilious way that irritated almost everyone. “And I was just beginning to get him settled, too. Shame, that. Now it's all to be done again.” With that parting shot, he implied with a sharp glance at the floo, that everyone needed to leave. Madam Bones and the Aurors snagged Fudge and left in a group, Dumbledore hung on for a moment to make a copy of the pertinent documents for his records and left as well. He wasn't finished yet, but he needed to make sure that he was on firm ground before putting his foot in it again. The second Dumbledore was gone, Draco threw a complete fit, swearing and kicking furniture. Lucius waited out the tantrum, vaguely wishing he could throw one of his own. Finally he drawled, “If you're finished, we'll go collect Harry.” Draco calmed himself immediately. . Harry realized the second he saw Dumbledore that there was going to be more trouble than he wanted to deal with. He remembered something Johnny had told him, and decided that retreat was the better part of valor in this case. All he had to do was figure out where to retreat to. The second Dumbledore opened his mouth and said he was returning Harry to the Dursleys', he knew he had to get away quickly. The only place he could go that he was sure he could hint about without anyone else figuring it out was the Isle du Frazies. He dropped the hint and apparated. His landing left a great deal to be desired as he materialized about two feet above ground level and dropped hard. His resulting yelp brought several elves to see what was going on. Harry just told them that there was a problem at Malfoy Manor and he'd come here to await his father. The elves accepted this easily as they were field elves and not knowledgeable of house affairs. Instead of questioning him, the elves set up a small shelter, inside it was like a large summer house. Harry settled on the comfortable lounge and tried to relax. He'd been sitting for only a few minutes when he heard a voice outside call, “Hello? Who's there, please?” He realized that it was Narcissa. “It's Harry Potter, ma'am. I'm waiting for ... for.” Harry paused, trying to decide what to tell her. He wasn't sure what Lucius would want him to tell her. Narcissa entered the tidy room and eyed Harry with some disfavor. He was, as the French say, in deshabille, or not properly dressed. He was still in his morning robes, with his pajamas underneath. She decided to take care with Harry, she wasn't sure that he even knew that he wasn't dressed properly to be outside. “Mister Potter, while I don't wish to seem inhospitable, I do think that you should have dressed more appropriately for visiting.” She eased into a chair near the door and folded her hands in her lap. Harry flushed heavily realizing for the first time that he was wearing inside robes with his gi underneath, he could well imagine what Narcissa thought of that. “I'm so sorry. But ... Dumbledore ... and ... and Fudge. They showed up out of the blue with two Aurors and ... they ... I don't want ...” He stumbled to a halt and Narcissa felt her heart contract. She'd been steeling her heart against this boy but he looked so young and so fragile. “I don't know what's going on, but you can trust Lucius to handle it. Just wait here. I'm not talking to him right now so I'll go. If you need anything, ask for it.” She called a house elf then left. The elf just blinked at Harry for a moment then announced, “I will bring tea.” and left, returning in a few moments with tea and croissants. Harry had just poured himself a cup when he heard the crack of apparition then a softer pop, Draco and Lucius, in that order. Harry sighed and asked the elf for more tea. Lucius hurried into the shelter and dragged Harry to his feet. “Are you alright? Did you stop at Dover? Damn it!” Harry sighed, he was in for it now. “No, I didn't. I was afraid that either Fudge or Dumbledore had set some kind of trap for me there so I came straight through.” Lucius grabbed Harry and gave him a sharp shake. “Harrison James Potter. If the situation hadn't been so ... so desperate, I'd blister you.” He dragged Harry into a hard hug. “As it is, I'm glad you ran. They'd have snatched you, I'm sure. Since you weren't there to wrangle over, they listened, or rather, read. Fudge can be handled, Dumbledore subverted, but Bones is her own woman and untouchable. But those parchments are legal and binding. She'll actually prevent anyone from removing you from my custody.” Harry sighed. “Great. But how the hell did they all just floo into the reception room like that. I'd have thought the wards would at least warn us that someone was flooing in.” Lucius accepted the cup of tea Harry had poured as he was speaking and took a sip, trying to decide how to answer that. Draco took the problem out of his hands by just snarking, “As possible Death Eaters we have no right to privacy of any kind, including the humiliation of having our floo accessible to Aurors at any time, day or night.” Harry grimaced, he didn't want to think of what had put that expression on Draco's face. The Aurors could be especially vicious, his desire to become an Auror was decreasing by the day. Lucius visibly brightened, Harry was beginning to understand that both Lucius and Draco had public faces, cold, collected, Pureblood; and private faces where their emotions were more open. “Well, since you have damaged the wards enough that I'm going to be spending quite a bit of time over the next three days repairing them, I believe that small problem can be disposed of.” Harry flushed heavily. “I'm sorry, sir, I never thought of that. Can I help you repair the damage?” Lucius shook his head, accepted the offered croissant and replied, “No, thank you. Only Draco can do that.” Draco smirked at Harry, who stuck his tongue out back. Harry jumped as Draco let out a yelp. Lucius raised an eyebrow at both of them. “Are you six or sixteen?” Draco flushed and mumbled, “Sorry, Father.” Harry looked from one to the other but Draco's red face made him decide to let it drop. Lucius finished his tea and croissant, putting the cup and plate aside he rose and announced, “Well, that is that. Shall we return?” His tone implied that they would. “No, sir, I'm very sorry to cause trouble but I'm not going back to England until I have a promise, in writing, from both Fudge and Dumbledore not to interfere with me again. I'm sick of it. I'm not a person to them, I'm just a weapon. I saw Dumbledore's face, he looked like he was about to have the best piece of cake ever.” Draco looked shocked but Lucius just sat back down. “I see. You do realize that, if you don't return, He will prevail.” “Don't care. He's going to come after me sooner or later, no matter what. So, why should I return there? I can fight him just as well here in France. And with a lot less interference from the Ministry and ... and ... just everyone. You saw my schedule, does that look like the timetable of someone who's supposed to be a warrior?” Lucius shook his head. “Didn't think so. So, can I stay here for a while? At least until I can find someplace of my own?” Lucius laughed softly. “You do know that you're going to give Dumbledore and Fudge some sort of attack, don't you?” Harry's face hardened. “I told you, I don't care. I really, really don't. So can I stay?” “If I asked you to, would you return?” Lucius' sharp look told Harry that this was more important than just a request for information. “Yes, I would. If you could convince me it was for the best.” Draco erupted, “But it's not! He's safer here in France. Father!” “Yes, he is. Unfortunately, part of the demands of the guardianship contract are that Harry go to school at Hogwarts, otherwise, I assure you he would be enrolled in Beauxbaxtons. But we can reside at the Hotel du Malfoy until after his birthday.” Lucius smiled at Draco. “How's that my impetuous dragon?” Harry's smile of delight lit up his face. Draco just announced, “Brilliant.” So Lucius took Draco and Harry to Paris, in two jumps, he was very firm with Harry about that. Malfoy House was in the heart of an old neighborhood of Paris, one of the few that had escaped the ravages of the Revolution. It was flanked by other magical homes, and the whole neighborhood was charmed with notice me not spells and other magical effects. Lucius remarked that the only reason the whole area hadn't been burned to the ground was because it was owned entirely by wizards. Harry was glad that Lucius had given him coordinates that brought him to the park in the middle of the square, right in front of the house. “Oh, my god. That's so beautiful.” Harry goggled at the large house. La Hotel du Malfoy had been built in 1590, replacing a house built in 1129 which had burned during a plague purification. It was of pink granite, four stories and encompassed the entire block on which it was situated. The house took up a third and walled gardens took up the other two thirds, excluding the pavilion situated in the middle of them. Harry could only stare. “Well, come on. Let us go in. I want to show Harry my rooms and his. Which rooms are you going to give him?” Lucius led the way into the house. The entry way was huge and had four fireplaces, two on each side of the room; at the back a staircase rose from each side of the room to join halfway up, creating a landing behind which an arched doorway could be seen. An identical door was situated between the staircases. The entire room was of white marble with black veins flecked with gold. They walked up one flight of stairs and entered the corridor behind them. Lucius explained that these were the public rooms, the next floor up contained all the family quarters and the top floor was a mixture of rooms, from sitting rooms and an herbarium to a very nice studio. The library was there as well as a small ballroom, the main ballroom and public dining room took up the whole of the ground floor while kitchens and such were underground. Harry couldn't really absorb the beauty of the house all at once. His impression was of a palace, all white and gold, with touches of green and violet. Draco showed him rooms which were even larger than his rooms in Malfoy Manor, again, he was across the hall from Draco with Lucius' rooms at the end. Harry sighed his pleasure at his rooms. Visitors entered through a private sitting room, at the back of this room there were three doors, one into a small but well appointed office, the second led into his bedchamber and the third into a salon du podre. A room for powdering wigs. It was now just an empty space, more a hall into the bathroom behind it than anything else. Harry had to laugh at his bedroom. It was huge with a gigantic curtained four poster bed, several seating arrangements, a door into the bathroom and another door leading into a walk in closet that was bigger than Dudley's bedroom at Privet Drive. Harry glanced at his cheap watch and realized that it wasn't even noon yet. He also realized that he really needed a bath and fresh robes. Lucius noticed Harry's expression and read it correctly. “Draco, you and I will make our arrangements then meet in the family dining room for lunch. Harry, just summon Mimsey and tell her to pack for you. She'll know what to do.” Draco mumbled something about Harry having all the luck with help. He knew that both he and his father would have to give explicit orders while all Harry would have to do was ask Mimsey to pack. He sighed, wishing he could do the same. Harry called Mimsey, who danced happily at the knowledge that her Harry was well. Harry asked her to pack for him but when she asked how long they were staying Harry couldn't tell her. She sighed and disapparated. She reappeared at Lucius' side. “Excusing me, sir. How long is you wishing to stay?” Lucius controlled his flinch and his hex. “Until the first of September at least.” Mimsey politely thanked him and left again, ignoring the cringing elf Lucius had been berating. If they wanted to act like heathens, they would be treated like heathens. Her Harry was much nicer than any Malfoy. She popped back to England to pack Harry's things for him. It took her half an hour, in which Harry explored his quarters, examining the office carefully. He decided that he was going to set it up so that he could get all his home work done quickly and still have a place to work on his translations and whatever else he was assigned. He would work hard and learn everything he needed to, he would make his Papa proud of him. When Mimsey returned she was carrying a huge box. She put the box on the floor in the salon du podre and enlarged it to fill most of the room, only leaving a narrow corridor down one side of the room. She told Harry to go down to lunch while she got him unpacked. Harry called for service and one of the French elves popped in. “How long until lunch is served?” The elf opened his mouth but was interrupted by Mimsey. “No, stupid not speak English, you. Is nice boy unless you is insolent, then Mimsey is twisting your ears for you nasty frog that you are.” Harry was a bit shocked at that. “Mimsey! Don't call him a frog, that's not nice at all.” He turned to the other elf and apologized, making the poor thing nearly faint. “Now, how long?” “Another half of an hour, Master Sir.” The elf cringed, expecting a blow. “Oh, great! That just gives me enough time for a quick shower. Mimsey, put out something appropriate, please.” Word got around the house at once that not only was Mimsey very protective of her Harry, but that Harry was a nice master. Harry showered quickly and felt much better, he was still a bit more shaken up than he wanted to admit and he hid it out of habit. If the Dursleys, or the Slytherins, thought him weak, they'd take all the advantage they could. He was also really hungry, the distance he'd apparated and the upset had all conspired to drain him thoroughly. He made it to the dining room, guided by another French elf, just as Lucius and Draco arrived. They entered the dining room, beautifully decorated in Louis XVI style of green and gold. It wasn't a very large room as it was the family dining room. The table only held about 20 people when it had all its leaves in. Right now it was situated in the middle of the room with room for six comfortably. Lucius settled at the head of the table with Draco on his right and Harry on his left. He rang a small crystal hand bell and lunch began. They ate in silence for a few moments then Lucius commented, as if he was speaking of the weather, “You remember that I said, if you apparated again without intermediary stops that I would cane you?” Harry, who had forgotten, gulped but said, “Yes, sir?” “In this case, as it was definitely an emergency, I'll forgive it. But don't do it again. Do you understand?” Harry glanced from his plate to Lucius' face. “Yes, sir. But ... I was afraid that, if I didn't go at once, they'd take me away and I'd never get back to you. I'm sorry I worried you.” Draco couldn't help but gape from Lucius to Harry and back. Harry looked scared half to death and Lucius hadn't caught it. Draco realized that, from years of studying Harry closely, he could see things that his father could not. “Father, you're scaring Harry.” Lucius gave Harry a sharp look, realized that Draco was right and sighed. “Harry, I swear that I will not brutalize you. But I will punish you. Now, eat your lunch, you look peaky.” Harry realized that, while he was feeling a bit worried about disappointing Lucius, he really wasn't scared of him. His reactions were mostly remnants of his 'Dursley Days' as he'd begun to think of them. He picked at his food for a moment then suddenly realized, “Oh! Now that Dumbledore and the Ministry know where I am, does that mean that I can have Ron over again? And Hermione?” Draco choked on a leaf of lettuce, then moaned, “Oh, Merlin, not the know-it-all. Weasley I can actually stand but her ... she sets my teeth on edge.” Harry nodded his understanding. “Well, she can be a bit of a nag.” He turned to Lucius. “Is Hedwig here? If she is, is it alright for me to owl Ron and Hermione? Please?” Lucius found that there was no resisting those pleading green eyes. “Oh, very well. Owl your friends. But that does spoil all my fun in sneaking young Ronald away from Molly.” He pouted dramatically, looking very much like Draco in a sulk. Harry snorted then burst into merry laughter, his father and foster brother joined him and lunch continued with all of them much satisfied with themselves. |
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