Runaway.html

IWhen Saturday came around, Lucius made sure that both Harry and Draco ate their breakfasts slowly. He wasn't about to have their day ruined by upset, or empty, stomachs.

After breakfast he gave each boy, young man actually, a purse with 100 galleons in it. “Here. There's enough in there for a nice shopping spree. Do not spend it on clothing or other necessities. You've worked very hard this week, Harry, so this is for fun.” Lucius smoothed a wrinkle out of Draco's sleeve then tweaked Harry’s robes so they settled over his shoulders better. “Harry, don't forget to go to La Crayon for your paints.”

Harry smiled at Lucius, this was the first fatherly fussing he'd ever experienced. “I won't. But ... Um ... what about Dumbledore? What if he shows up and tries to do something?”

“Yell blue murder and come home at once. Here is a port key, even though I'm sure you could make it back here without one. Draco? Take yours. The code word for yours, Harry, is 'Home, James.' And Draco, yours is 'Mason du Malfoy' with a very French accent. However, I doubt that Dumbledore is stupid enough to try to remove you from my care here in France. They're none too fond of him here.”

Harry grinned and Draco smirked.

Harry just remarked sarcastically, “I wonder why?”

Lucius just gave an elegant, French shrug and replied, “Something to do with interfering, old, and manipulative. The French are not much concerned with his 'Greater Good' as it is responsible for so many bad things happening to individuals. Now, go shopping. Don't leave the wizarding district.”

“Yes, sir!” Then both Harry and Draco laughed as they'd replied in chorus.

Harry nodded to Draco and they apparated to the zone in the shopping district reserved for that purpose.

Draco stepped out of the circle, dragging Harry with him. “The first thing we need to do is get your colours. La Crayon is just over here.” He stopped Harry with a hand on his shoulder. “If you see a lot of stuff you want, go ahead and get it. If it's too much and you run out of gold, I'll wheedle Father into giving you more.”

Harry put on and indignant look. “You will not!” Harry laughed at Draco's crestfallen look. “I'll do it myself. Prat!”

They both laughed again.

As they entered the store neither one noticed the man who glared at them with hatred. The London house wouldn't recognize its butler Chauncy now. He was ratty and dirty. His clothing worn and ragged.

Harry took one look at the store and his eyes lit up like candles in a dark room. “Oh, paper! And ... look, Draco. Look at the brushes. And ... pastels ... and ... Oh!” Harry disappeared into the depths of the store.

Draco just found a clerk and said, in his beautiful French. “See that young man?” The clerk nodded carefully. “He's Harry Potter and, not only my foster brother, but Head of Houses Potter and Black. Establish him an account and notify Msr. Malfoy. Thank you.” And with that he drifted off to find somewhere to sit down. He found a nice little seating arrangement in one front window and settled into a comfortable chair.

Meanwhile, Harry was going crazy in the watercolour department. He couldn't decide what he really needed and was trying to decide how much he could get for 93 galleons, seven being reserved for lunch. The clerk took one look and motioned to his manager.

“You better floo Msr. Malfoy. I believe that the young master is going to buy out the store. Or seriously dent it.”

The manager took one look at Harry's ecstatic expression and went to make his call. Lucius just told him to make sure that Harry only bought the best supplies, none of that student foolishness, and sent an owl to Gringotts Paris. He returned to his tea and paper, feeling pleased.

The manager himself decided to wait on Harry and returned to the floor to find that the clerk was looking harassed. Harry had already gone through the pan and tubes of watercolours and decided on one of each. He was now looking at pencils with a frown on his face.

“Don't you have any coloured ones? I like a fairly hard lead and my favourite colours are really short so I need an extension or three and new one's as well.”

“Pencils. We have a few graphite ones we get from the muggle world. But coloured ones. Do they really exist?”

Harry produced a stub of a green he'd brought along to try to match. “Yes, here. See?” He handed it to the manager who just gaped for a moment then he took the pencil carefully. The maker's mark was still visible, embossed on the end of the stub.

“I see. I'll copy this off and be right back. Shall I order you a complete set?” The manager managed not to look too hopeful.

Harry just nodded and headed for paper. He was using a cheap paper that was all he could afford at the time. Now, he was going to get really nice paper, sketch books and pads. He just pointed at a few things then exclaimed, “Hell, who am I kidding? Give me one of everything. And two of the books and pads.”

In just under an hour Harry swept through the store like a hurricane, buying everything that struck his fancy. He was just about to look at easels and travel boxes when he decided to check on Draco.

He went to the front of the store but Draco wasn't there. He was nowhere to be found and no one remembered noticing him leave. They had all been too interested in watching Harry buy out the store. Harry searched the seating area quickly and found only a few scraps of paper and a handkerchief, unfortunately it was Draco's port key.

Harry looked around, feeling helpless and angry. Just as he was about to do something he really shouldn't, a boy approached him.

“Excusez-moi!. My English is not good. Sorry. This given to me was. The man, he says to read and obey. He was not ... come il faou.” Then the boy scurried away.

Harry checked the dirty piece of parchment for spells, hexes and jinxes. The manager came over and asked Harry if anything was wrong and Harry just said, “I think so. Will, you please floo Msr. Malfoy and ask him to step through. Tell him to come armed.”

The manager eyed Harry's white furious face with some alarm and hurried to do as he asked.

Lucius stepped through, dressed in dragon hide armour that fit his slender frame perfectly. He was carrying another set over one arm. Harry recognised the design as war robes from his lessons with Lockheart, not that that idiot ever actually wore any.

“What's going on?” Lucius handed Harry the robes. “Put these on at once.”

Harry accepted the robes but draped them over one arm long enough to hand Lucius the dirty note. “Here. I checked it, best I could, for hexes and such. Read it while I get changed.” and with that he just shucked off his robes down to his 'singlet', pants, and socks. While Lucius read the note he dressed in a silk shirt, dragon hide jacket, boots and trousers, over that he wore a double robe and cloak of wool and acromantula silk, spelled to deflect minor curses of all kinds.

Lucius read the note and prickles of cold, like ants with icy feet, scurried up and down his spine.

The note said that 'he' had Draco and it would cost 300,000 galleons to get him back. It included a lock of Draco's hair. It also said that they would get another note, telling them how to pay the ransom tomorrow.

Harry took the note from Lucius' nerveless fingers and read it himself.

“Mother fuckers are dead! Really, truly, sincerely dead. I'll cut off their bollocks and feed them to ... cock sucking cowards. How the hell did they get their hands on him?” Harry's language devolved into profanity so foul that even Lucius blushed a bit.

“That is enough! Stop! I cannot think with you carrying on like that.” Lucius calmed himself forcefully. It wouldn't do anyone any good if he flew off the handle like Harry. He bit his lip, thinking furiously.

Harry nodded at that and forced himself to calm down, knowing that he was going to suffer for it later. Then Harry showed that marvellous talent he had for pulling a save from thin air. “Mimsey! I need you!”

Mimsey popped in at once. “How can Mimsey help?” She blinked once then stared around.

“I need to ask you a question. How did you find me?”

Mimsey just shrugged. “An elf always knows where it's master is.”

Harry nodded, then bit at a ragged cuticle as the thought quickly. “Ok. Mimsey, could you find Draco?”

Mimsey shook her head. “No, Mimsey is sorry. She cannot find him.” At Harry's look of dismay she asked, “Would Master Harry like Mimsey to get Master Draco's elf to find him?”

Harry nodded but told Mimsey, “Yes, please, but tell ... um...”

Mimsey helpfully interjected, “Corky, sir.”

“Thanks. Tell Corky to be sure not to be seen. And to remember everything he can. We need to know everything possible. Thank you.”

Mimsey popped out and was gone nearly twenty minutes, minutes during which Harry thought carefully about what needed to be done. Finally he turned to Lucius, who was watching him like a hawk.

“Ok, we need to find out what that fool really wants. No one kidnaps the son of an Inner Circle Death Eater unless he, or she, is nuts or desperate. So, which one is it. It's important.”

Lucius nodded. “You're right.” He took a deep breath. “I have to collect myself. We need to get out of this store. Or at least out of the front window.”

Harry eyed the huge window. “I would really like to know what Draco was thinking, sitting in that stage like that. I'm so gonna smack him.”

Lucius thought, 'Stage?' then said, “Excuse me?”

Harry gestured to the window. “It's like a stage, all stuck out in the street like that. I bet whoever it is just stunned him through the glass then walked in and carried him out. Everyone was trying to wait on me or at least see what I was doing. I'm really sorry. I should have taken better care of him.”

Harry felt twitchy and couldn't figure out why, until he realised that he had no weapons, just his wand. “I'm going ...” He looked out the huge window, remembering seeing a cutlery store but not remembering quite where. He saw it almost at once. “there. I'll be back in no more than ten minutes, if Mimsey comes back before I do, ask her to fetch me. Ok?”

“Yes. Do you know what ...” Lucius sighed and rubbed his face. “Plans? I don't seem to be able to think.”

“Not yet. I need to know more about where Draco's being held. And I do tend to plan best on the fly. Back in a flash.”

Lucius shook his head. “Best not to attract that kind of attention.”

Harry opened his mouth then shut it. “Ok.” Then he left.

He hurried across the street to the shop and entered to the jingle of a tiny bell over the door. He noticed that Lucius watched him through the huge bay window until he went into the shop, he was sure that he'd still be watching when he came out again.

“Can I help you?” The clerk was an older man with a stern expression.

“Yes, please. I'd like a ... not sure what to call it. Muggles would call it a combat knife. I know what I want. I think a quick look around would be a good idea.” Harry turned to look into the nearest case.

“I think I might be better able to help you if you told me what kind of fight you're getting into.”

Harry flicked his eyes over the man, suddenly wondering why the man had spoken to him in English.

“You are wondering why I address you in English? My name is Everard. Your robes are English cut. Now ... knife?”

“Down and dirty. I'm killing someone and I don't care who knows it. You don't mess with my family. And while I'm thinking of it, did you see someone carry a young man, blond hair, slender build out of the art store?”

“No, I usually stay in the back until the bell rings. This doesn't sound good.” Everard kept his face bland. He wasn't mixing in someone else's troubles.

“It's not.” Harry looked into a case and saw an SP-1 Marine combat knife. “That one.”

“It's expensive. Imported from America, muggle made. I have no idea why the boss bought them.”

Harry just pulled his purse out of his pocket and handed it to Everard. “If this isn't enough, you're cheating me.”

Everard weighed the pouch in his hand then opened it. He blinked for a moment. “This is enough to buy eight or nine of those.”

“Ok. Give.” Harry just held out a hand.

“I've only got three. Here, let me wrap them up.”

Harry just held out his hand again. “I'm going to be using one soon.”

Everard just put all three on the counter top, counted out his pay and gave Harry back his pouch. Harry tucked it away. Then he used the straps on the sheaths to strap one knife to each leg and slipped his belt through the last one stowing it in the small of his back. His long robes covered all three.

Harry walked back across the street and entered the shop just as Mimsey and Corky popped in. He heard the pop and found that Lucius had moved into the manager’s office.

“Ok, what do we have? Corky?” Harry looked at Corky who just blinked for a moment then shrugged. Harry didn't put up with that for a moment. “Look, I don't care if you hate Draco with a purple passion. You tell me what I want to know and I'll give you a sock.” Lucius made a strange noise but held his tongue.

Corky talked. Draco had been, as Harry assumed, stunned through the window and easily taken right out the door. No one even looked twice. Lucius made a note to talk to someone about that later.

Corky stunned Lucius by declaring, “Corky never saw Mr Chauncy so nasty. All dirt and rags. He is taking Young Master Draco to a hut by the sea. They is there now.” He went on to describe a three room hut on a cliff by the sea. Harry wasn't sure where it was exactly, and didn't really care. All he cared about was the internal arrangement of the rooms and the layout of the terrain around it.

While Harry was quizzing Corky, Lucius was doing his best to control his fury. He had fired Chauncy for being a fool, it seemed he should have made more permanent arrangements. He intended to rectify his omission as soon as he got his hands on the fool.

“Ok, here's how it's going to go.” Lucius snapped his attention to Harry. “Corky says that there's only this Chauncy there. He's in the front room and Draco is in the back, a storage area. Mimsey, can you take me into that room?”

Mimsey nodded, “Yes, Mimsey can do that. Corky can take Master Lucius.”

Harry nodded. “Great, thank you. So, here's what we do. Corky will take you to the front and Mimsey will take me right to Draco. You distract Chump while I get Draco. Then he's all yours. What do you think?”

Lucius nodded. “It's not what I would have done but I would never have thought of having his elf find him.”

Harry shrugged, which looked a bit funny as he was checking his knives at that moment. “Think outside the box. I'm set. You armed?”

Lucius just raised his cane. “Wand and sword. I'm ready.”

Harry settled his robes thanking Lucius for their protection. “Ok, ready as I'll ever be. Let's go.” He held out his hand to Mimsey who took it and popped him into the back room of the hut. Unfortunately, Lucius was still arguing with Corky and Mimsey couldn't control the popping sound as well as she'd thought.

Harry took one look at Draco's black eye, swollen cheek and split lip and freaked out. He had just turned around when Chauncy rushed in.

“You! You little punk, you're the one responsible for me getting fired!” Chauncy got his wand up to cast a hex at Harry but Mimsey summoned it to her. All he managed was a scattered, weak Bombarda which bounced off Harry's war robes.

Harry snarled, “You hurt my brother. You fucking asshole. I'm gonna cut you twice. Deep and bad.” Magic crackled across his body like static. He felt himself speed up into the same state he used to extend his exercise time.

There was a loud bang outside and Lucius rushed inside just in time to see Harry pull a knife from behind his back and another from somewhere on his leg. He moved so fast that Lucius nearly missed everything. Harry jabbed at Chauncy with one knife then cut him across the torso with the other. He was just spinning to finish the job when Lucius froze him. He released him at once, drawling, “Take Draco to Le Isle du Fraises, I'll finish here. Go!”

Harry gently gathered a moaning Draco into his arms, cast a Feather Light charm and went. The bang rattled the windows.

Harry apparated to the small gazebo, small by Malfoy standards at least, then wondered where he was supposed to take Draco. This gazebo wasn't appropriate.

An elf took one look at them, made an eeping noise and disappeared. Harry panicked for a moment but Narcissa appeared before he could do more than groan.

Narcissa took one look at Draco and had her wand out. “What happened to my son? Who do I kill?”

“No one, Papa is taking care of what I left. We need to get Draco inside and get a healer. Now!”

Harry's words shook Narcissa out of her fury. She took hold of Harry's arm and he felt the unpleasant squashing feeling of being side-alonged. He looked up from Draco's bloody face to see the Chateau Malfoy. A fairy castle built in the late 1700's by that Head of family to amuse his pregnant young wife. She had hated it but Lucius and Narcissa both loved it.

“Come! Bring him inside. I'll summon Mw. Thomas. You!” Narcissa pointed to an elf imperiously ordering, “Take them to Draco's usual rooms. And, you ... who are you? Never mind, find Lucius and tell him I want him.”

Mimsey just rolled her eyes at Harry and popped out.

Harry obediently followed the elf a little way down a hall then stopped. “Just pop us please. He's in a lot of pain, mostly because I'm pressing on fresh bruises.” the elf nodded then hesitantly took Harry's sleeve in his hand and popped them to Draco's quarters. “Thanks. Turn down the bed will you? And help me get him undressed please.”

Harry carefully put Draco on the bed when the elf was done turning it down. He then helped the elf move Draco around to get his ripped and dirty robes off and put him in pyjamas.

“There. Now, I'm going to find Papa. You stay here with him. If Lady Narcissa comes in, just hide. I want to know what the Medi-Wizard says as soon as you know. Ok?”

“Yes, Master, I is hiding as soon as Madam tells me to go. I is coming to find you when the Medi-Wizard is done.”

Harry called, “Mimsey!”

Mimsey popped in with a sour expression on her face. “Mimsey is here. Master Lucius is on his way. He is making a great mess. Mimsey is not cleaning that. No, she is not.”

“Mimsey, your English is slipping. What mess?” Harry knew that, if Mimsey was complaining about cleaning, everything was fine.

“Chauncy. Not cleaning, no. He is on his way. Mimsey delivered Madam's message. Is you wanting your things?” Mimsey fixed Harry with a calm look and waited for orders.

“I don't know. I'll have to find out what we're going to do.”

Harry fidgeted a bit. He wanted Lucius and the medi-wizard to show up now. It was only seconds before Lucius walked in followed closely by Mw. Thomas and Narcissa.

Lucius nodded to Harry then turned to the medi-wizard. “Here he is. I see that someone has put him in bed but not cleaned him up. Harry?”

“It was me. I was afraid to do much more for fear of breaking a scab. Are we staying here?”

Narcissa narrowed her eyes at Harry but Lucius actually snapped his fingers at her. “He saved Draco and he is my ward. You will notice that I neglected to say our. Be polite to him. He will be the saving of the Malfoy name, to say the least.”

Mw. Thomas cleared his throat just then so all three of them turned to him. “Master Draco was rather badly beaten. Broken ribs, abrasions, contusions, facial damage. But he'll be fine. I'll send you some potions. The only thing that had me concerned was his condition, but his heart has held up well. I have a Dreamless Sleep potion I'd like to give him. Healing potions and a nutrient potion to hold him over until he wakes hungry.”

Lucius nodded and the medi-wizard turned to give Draco the potions. Harry watched closely. Draco allowed the wizard to lift his head enough to swallow the potions then lay back with a moan. Harry flinched. He should have been watching more closely.

Lucius gave Harry a steady measuring look. What was wrong with him now? Lucius dismissed the slight flinch as not as important as Draco's health.

“We will be staying here. I do not want to move Draco until day after tomorrow at the earliest.” Mw. Thomas nodded at that then quietly left the room. He knew where the floo was so he just went back home. “Madam will be told to come here for your lessons. Tell your elf, 'well done'. Have her bring whatever you need here. Draco's elf is ... it will be necessary to replace it. I gave it clothing. As a ...” He made a face. “reward for its help. Worthless as it was in the end. I had to... persuade it to bring me to the hut. Enough. Narcissa, stay with Draco, please. I have some ... business to attend to.”

Narcissa just nodded her head and settled into a chair by Draco's bed.

Harry looked at Lucius for a moment then asked, “Need my help?” Lucius shook his head. “No, thank you. I'll clean my own mess. You just started it, I finished it.”

Harry gave Lucius a startlingly feral curl of his lip. “He hurt Draco. He's lucky I didn't disembowel him. I trust we don't have to worry about him.”

“No, we do not. And, I did.” Harry just looked at him for a moment. “Disembowel him. You cut him fairly deeply, I just finished the job. I need to go check on him. Excuse me.” And with that Lucius apparated away with a crack of displaced air.

Harry sighed and seemed to deflate like a punctured tire. Narcissa watched this with some surprise.

“Mr. Potter, are you alright?”

“Yeh, just really tired. And ... oh, excuse me.” Harry rushed to the bathroom and threw up. Mimsey popped in with a potion and handed it to him. Harry rinsed his mouth then took it.

Narcissa looked on in astonishment as Harry was vilely ill then tended with tender care by a house elf dressed in a neat uniform of blouse and skirt, covered by a starched pinner apron.

She made a quick decision, hoping she was right. “You. Take your master into the room across the hall and tend to him. If he needs medical attention, come back to me. Go.”

Mimsey just grasped Harry by the arm and apparated them into the room. She called for some help from the local elves, who showed up with ill grace.

Mimsey showed her loyal courage immediately. “You will bring me nice clean sheets and put them on the bed, without wrinkles. I go to Paris to fetch master's things. He is to be in bed, in pyjamas when Mimsey is back. Take his robes and clean them. And that knife too.”

Harry protested weakly that he was perfectly capable of taking care of himself. He was just shaken up by the state Draco was in and the violence of his vomiting. Mimsey just looked at him for a moment then snapped, “Stay.” and apparated back to Paris.

While Lucius and Harry had been rescuing Draco, La Crayon had delivered Harry's purchases. Mimsey just got another elf to take the boxes straight to Chateau Malfoy while she packed everything belonging to Harry and Draco. She also told Lucius' elf to pack for him.

This done, she returned to Harry's side.

She found that Harry was asleep with a strange elf sitting on the foot of his bed. She nodded to the elf who announced, “La Ma�tresse l'a command�.”

“Fine, you may go now. See that all Master's things are put away.” Mimsey looked at Harry for a moment then plopped down in a chair. The other elf gave her a dirty look and popped away with a sharp crack.

Mimsey snarled as Harry woke with a start and looked around fuzzily. “Draco?”

“He is in his bed. You is not to get up. Mimsey will go see about him for you. Stay.”

Harry just grinned at her, saying, “Bossy elf.”

Mimsey just gave one short nod, went 'humph' and disappeared to check on Draco. She returned with the information that Draco was still sleeping but would be fine when he woke up in about six hours. She announced that she was going to check on the unpacking and disappeared again.

Harry flopped back on the bed with a bounce. He sighed and listened as his stomach grumbled loudly. He snickered a bit then called, “Service, please.” The elf that popped in wasn't Mimsey and; either couldn't, or refused to, understand that he was hungry and wanted something to eat. He rubbed his face in frustration then just announced, “Fine, marchon, go, shoo. Whatever, I won't starve before the next meal. But I'd have thought that you'd be polite to a guest no matter what.” The elf just gave a very gaelic shrug and left.

About ten minutes later, Harry was feeling a bit sorry for himself as he was now thirsty too, when Narcissa came in.

“Hello, Harry. I may call you by your given name?” Harry just propped himself up to nod and smile. “Thank you. Draco is still sleeping but my last diagnostic spell tells me he will be fine when he wakes. Now, I need to see what's wrong with you. You shouldn't have been ... um ... ill like that.”

Harry just lay back down, saying, “Too much excitement and upset. My stomach just can't take it. I'll be fine with some food in me. And tea. Can I have a cup of tea, please?”

Narcissa cast her spell, read the results which appeared in the air over Harry, then said, “Of course. Why didn't you ask one of the elves. Yours isn't here?”

Harry sighed. “Mimsey is busy, so I called for service and that elf ... seems it doesn't speak English. Ne parley pas.” Narcissa grimaced at Harry's mangling of the language. “Anyway, I couldn't get it to bring me anything.”

“I'll send for some tea. I apologise, all our elves are difficult. Especially the French household ones.” Narcissa snapped her fingers and the same elf popped in. She spoke to it in French then waved her hand. “Tea will come at once and you may ask me for something and I'll translate for you.”

Harry thanked Narcissa, wondering if he was treating her appropriately. He wanted to get along with her so that Lucius wouldn't be embarrassed with him. Narcissa gave him an odd look but asked again what he'd like to eat.

Harry decided on poached chicken breast with asparagus vinaigrette and a fruit tart. Narcissa translated for him then said she was returning to Draco's side. Harry just nodded and went back to worrying about Lucius.

Lucius arrived with a cup of tea in his hand. “Well, young sir, what's this I hear about you being sick again?” Lucius handed Harry the tea with a small smile.

“Sorry, I was just so upset about Draco that I couldn't help myself.” Harry took a sip of his tea. “And how's Chauncy?”

Lucius assumed a mournful expression. “He passed away. So sad. Very messy too. Your elf, Mimsey, was not pleased until I told her she didn't have to clean up after it. Let the mess remain as an example to anyone who harms a Malfoy...” He gave Harry a speaking look. “Any Malfoy.”

Harry smiled and nodded. “Good.” He was distracted from the conversation by Mimsey popping in with a tray.

She put the tray on Harry's lap with a, “There. You eat.” She then turned to Lucius and announced, “We is going back to Paris. This place is no good. Your elveses is rude, stupid and not nice.”

Lucius started to bridle but backed off as he realised what she'd said. “I see, and in what way, exactly, are they rude?”

Mimsey enumerated on her fingers her complaints. “They is not responding to direct orders from heads of household. They is pretending they is not understanding English. They is doing their best to run us away, and they is succeeding, not because we do not belong here but because we is not putting up with them. They is wanting respect but is not earning it. We go back to Paris.” She crossed her arms over her chest and nodded her head once, as if that ended all argument.

Lucius nodded. “I see.” He glanced at Harry who looked back with his fork halfway to his mouth. “We'll be staying at least three days. I'm not allowing you to return to Paris by yourself.” He glared at Mimsey. “You will just have to cope until Draco is well enough to return. Harry, eat that don't brandish it about.” And with that, he turned on his heel to go express his disappointment to Narcissa and the head house elf.

.

Harry finished his food and decided to go see Draco for himself. “Mimsey!” Mimsey popped in with a small smile. “Yes? Mimsey is here.”

“I want to see Draco, where is he?” Harry started throwing his covers off. He was really fine, a nap and some food had seen him back in perfect shape.

“Mimsey will take you. Then you is to see the studio and be shown around the island. Master Lucius' orders. Come.”

So Harry got up and redressed in the war robes that had just been hung on a silent butler at the foot of his bed. Mimsey offered him something cleaner but Harry just announced that they were clean enough. Mimsey smirked and shrugged.

Harry was happy to realise that he was just across the hall from Draco and so he didn't have to wait long to find out how he was doing.

Narcissa told him that Draco was fine, should wake up in an hour or so and sent him out to get some fresh air. Harry insisted on seeing Draco before he would leave so Narcissa let him. One look at Draco's unblemished face and Harry agreed to go, tears in his eyes. He was so relieved that he didn't even try to hide them from her.

“There, there, now. He will be fine. You go out and get some air. I shall send for you and Lucius both when he wakes.”

“Thank you, ma'am.” Harry kept his voice soft so as not to wake Draco before time. He felt a heavy weight lifted off his shoulders as he told Mimsey, “Ok, I'm ready to go outside.” He bowed to Narcissa with respectable grace and left the room.

Narcissa, who had been ready to be offended by Harry on general principles, decided to just stay out of it completely. She looked at Draco, who was still sleeping quietly, and went to find Lucius.

.

Lucius looked up from his contemplation of the orchards. Narcissa put her hand on his arm.

“Do you want a divorce?”

Lucius shook his head. “We do not need the disgrace, either of us. I won't bother you, you won't annoy me. You will leave the raising of Draco and Harry to me. Be polite to the boy, if you cannot do that, avoid him. I'll give you a generous allowance.”

“Very well. That is acceptable to me. Do not flaunt your lovers in my face and I will be discrete as well.”

Lucius glanced down at her then looked back into the orchards. “I do like you, you know. I never loved you but I am fond of you. I am sorry that our parents had the bad taste to force us on each other.”

Narcissa felt compelled to say, “You were always quite nice as a husband. I'm sorry I couldn't give you more children. I've always regretted that.”

Lucius sighed. “I really think ... never mind. We carried on well enough, don't you think?”

“I do. I'll retire to the Dower House here until you and the boys leave. I'd like Chateau Malfoy as my primary residence, if you don't mind. I will be glad to allow you use of it as needed, with a bit of warning.”

“Very well. Thank you.” He turned and walked into the study behind them.

And with that, a marriage made by their parents was ended. They never would get a divorce.

Narcissa quietly removed to the Dower House to wait until Lucius, Draco and Harry left.

.

Lucius couldn't believe that it had actually been that easy. He and Narcissa got along tolerably well, but neither had a real passion for the other. If anyone had insulted Narcissa Lucius would have gladly killed him, but he didn't like living with her. He wasn't a breast man, as the euphemism went.

He started slightly as an owl flew into the room bearing a parchment. It descended to the convenient perch and waited while Lucius took the letter, gave it a treat and checked that the water in the bowl was fresh. Contrary to popular belief, Lucius was always kind to animals.

The letter was from Dumbledore, of course. He demanded that Lucius return Harry to England at once and turn him over to his proper, magical guardian, one Albus Percivale etc. Dumbledore. Lucius sneered. Dumbledore had always had a common touch, insisting on using all his names, even though it was in the worst possible taste.

He wrote a letter back saying that he would be happy to return Harry to England as soon as Dumbledore swore a magical oath not to interfere in his guardianship in any way.

The owl was soon on its way with Lucius' letter. He wondered, idly, how Dumbledore was going to take this. He hoped Dumbledore appealed to the Wizengamot. That might actually take him down a notch or two.

While all this was going on, Harry was wandering along a narrow path in the general direction of the orchards. He stopped once in a while to look at something he found interesting. He was looking for the strawberry fields but not in a great hurry to find them.

“Excuse me, sir, is you lost?”

Harry looked down at the elf, then realised one thing that had been bothering him. All the field elves were polite and helpful, the house elves were arrogant, stubborn and as unhelpful as they could manage. He wondered why. So he asked.

The elf just looked at him for a moment, surprised by Harry's question.

“Sir is very observant. The field elveses is not ... proud of their status. We is just field hands. The house elveses is higher status than us as they is house servants. They is annoyed that the English mistress is here, instead of allowing them to do as they please in the house. They is trying to drive the English back across the channel. All elveses speak any language needed to serve. Now, sir, is you lost?”

Harry laughed at the elf. “No ... or, yes, I wanted to find the strawberry fields but I'm not in a big hurry. I need to get some air, walk around a bit. Show me around?”

“Yes, Gerard will do that.” Harry blinked, this elf had a normal name.

The elf noticed and remarked, “Wizards is always giving their elveses stupid names. We is not bothered by wizards much so we is giving our children names ourselves.”

Harry nodded. “Oh. I see.”

He followed Gerard around for a while longer, admiring the trees and neat paths. Gerard told him that none of the field elves really wanted to go to the house, no elf had gone up in more years than any of them could remember. He did say that a few elves had been sent down to the fields for one reason or another.

Harry sighed. “My brother, Draco needs a new elf, his old one risked his life just to be stubborn. Would you like the job? I think ... no, I know that you'd be good for him.”

Gerard thought about that for a moment then nodded. “Gerard will think about it. Can he meet Master Draco?”

“Yes, do you know how to get me back to the chateau?”

“Of course. Gerard will take master to the main hall.”

Harry looked around the main hall with interest. He hadn't noticed much about it the first time around, he'd been too worried about Draco. Now he took the time to admire the d�cor. Louis XVI and very beautiful. He sighed.

“It's beautiful.”

“Thank you. I was just coming to find you. I called Mimsey but she didn't come.”

Harry frowned, that wasn't like her. “I'll have a word with her, sir.”

“Don't bother. Sometimes a truly dedicated elf can't hear anyone else call them.” Lucius nodded once then waited for Harry to explain the presence of a field elf in the house.

Harry caught on quickly. “This is Gerard, I thought he'd make a good elf for Draco. How is he? I assume that the reason you wanted Mimsey is to get a message to me.”

“Yes. Draco is fine. Fussing about his dinner. And he wants to see you.” They turned in the direction of one of the fine staircases. Harry smiled, that information made him feel very good. “I thought I would send for Ronald Weasley and Neville Longbottom to come visit us in Paris. Would you like that?”

Harry nodded so hard his bangs slapped him in the eye. “Ow. Oh, yes, sir. I'd like that very much. But what about my education. I don't want to skimp on that.”

“I had thought to make it a nice luncheon. You would practice your manners, as well as having some time with your friends.”

“Ok. That would be wonderful. And ... um ... I want to run in the morning.”

“That is fine. I shall have an elf place a marker at half a mile, a mile and a mile and a half. You do run three miles, yes?”

“Yes, sir. And someplace to work out?”

“The small ballroom should do. Mats?”

“Please.”

By now they'd reached Draco's room. Lucius tapped at the door and walked in with Harry nearly treading on his heels.

Harry grinned like his face would split when he saw Draco sitting up in bed, eyeing a fork of mash with some disfavour.

“Draco, you're alright! Merlin, I'm so glad.”

Draco gave Harry the sweetest smile he could manage. “Of course I'm alright. You rescued me, didn't you?” He held out a fork full of potatoes. “Want some?”

Harry burst into tears and hugged Draco hard.

“Off! Off! I can't breathe.” Harry released Draco. “You silly prat. Calm down.”

“Damnit, Draco. I was so fucking scared that arsehole would really hurt you. Fuck.”

Draco just waved the fork at Harry. “Calm down, I said. Tell me all about it while I eat this abomination someone chooses to call mash.”

Lucius leaned against the door frame and watched his two sons act their age. It was very nice.

.

After the story was told Draco announced that he wanted dragon hide war robes too. Lucius just nodded, saying, “I'll get you some when you begin to duel. Harry already needs his as I'm going to be duelling him regularly now. He is quite vicious when he needs to be. Technique wise, he has a long way to go.”

Lucius conjured a chair and settled into it. Harry got off the bed and did the same, waiting until Lucius checked it for safety.

Draco finished his food then pushed the tray away. “You have something to say to me, Father, so just say it. I'm still feeling tired and don't feel like dancing around.”

“Very well, but you do realise that I enjoy the social dance. However, I am inviting Ronald Weasley and Neville Longbottom to visit with Harry for the weekend. I do not want an incident with either one of them. Understand?”

Draco just nodded. “Of course, Father. I will not start anything, I promise. I'll even write the letters, if you like.”

“You will. I will write to Augusta Longbottom and Molly Weasley. Harry?”

Harry was just sitting with a huge grin on his face. “Yes, Papa?”

“I do so like to see you smile like that.”

Draco seconded that with a hearty, “Me too.”

.

Molly Weasley read the letter from Draco with a puzzled expression, and the one from Lucius. She didn't know what to think so she called Arthur to read them.

He picked up the letter from Draco and, after reading it, said, “It seems innocuous enough. But ...” He read the letter from Lucius, which was straight forward to the point of being blunt. “Well, I never. He says that we'll never like each other but for the sake of Harry, he's inviting Ron to France. He's also declared that he's invoking the Rite of Safe Passage. Molly? Do you think?”

“I think we ought to speak to Ronald at once.” Molly got up and went to the door, calling Ron in a voice that carried all over the property.

Ron ran into the kitchen. “You shrieked?”

Molly aimed a swat at him, which missed as she'd intended. “Yes. Here.” She handed the letters to Ron, who frowned when he realised that she'd opened his mail. “I know. I opened your mail, but I'm not letting any of my family open something from a Malfoy without making sure it's safe.”

Ron read both letters then looked at his parents. “Ok, now tell me what's stuck in your throat.”

Molly sighed. “You've seen Harry at least once and not told us. Why?”

“Because you'd have told Dumbledore and he'd have taken Harry back to the Dursleys. They're terrible people. We've told you several times but you wouldn't listen to kids because Dumbledore said he was fine where he was. But he's not been. So I didn't tell you.”

Arthur couldn't decide what upset him more; the fact that Ron hadn't told them about where Harry was, or the fact that he was now sure that Ron had been right.

Molly on the other hand seemed to have her priorities straight. “Well, that's neither here nor there now. I'm afraid of the way Lucius will treat him. What do we do?”

Ron sat down at the table and rubbed his face. “Nothing, Mum. I've read his guardianship contract. It's brilliant. He's even got a rule of thumb. Appendix C is a bit worrisome but I really do think that Mr. Malfoy has Harry's best interests at heart. But he's shit at chess.”

Arthur decided with his heart instead of his head, “I hope I'm not making the wrong decision. You can go. Remember that our family is just as old as the Malfoys, mind your manners and tell Harry that he's welcome here anytime.”

“Ok, Dad. I will.” Molly put a mug of tea in front of Ron. “Thanks, Mum.” He took a sip then asked, “Do you have any idea what I can expect?”

So Molly and Arthur tried their best to explain to Ron all the in's and out's of a house party hosted by Traditionalist Purebloods.

.

Augusta Longbottom read the letter from Lucius at the same time Neville read the one from Draco.

Neville folded his letter and put it beside his plate. He ate a few bites then asked, “I think I'd like to go. What do you think, Gran?”

“I think you will comport yourself as the Head of House Longbottom ought.”

“Gran?”

Augusta nodded. “You are going to be head upon your seventeenth birthday. I have decided, now, eat your lunch.”

Neville smiled into his soup. Trust his Gran to dump something like that on him then just go on like it was nothing. He ate his soup.

.

Dumbledore stared at his own letter with a sour stomach. The goblins had reminded him that his first payment on the debt he owed to Harry Potter, Head of House Potter, Black and LeStrange, Ward Singular of House Malfoy, Baron Poitier was due and owing. He sighed, he had to get that boy back under his control, for the greater good.

He sat down to compose a letter to the Wizengamot. He was not happy at all and he let them know it. He couldn't head the proceedings as he was the plaintiff but he could point them in the right way. He hoped.

.

Madam read her own letter with a smile. She just loved things like this. Just a small dancing party with her in attendance, providing the partners to three pure blood boys. She began to try to decide which of her ladies to bring with her.

She settled down to write to several of her girls and to Lucius to enquire how many young men would be there and how long he would require her services.

.

Frankie and Johnny were surprised to receive a letter from Mr. Malfoy, until they read it.

He wanted them to come to France to visit with Harry. He explained all about Dumbledore's attempt to remove Harry from his custody and the rescue of Draco.

The minute Frankie was done reading the letter he started packing for both of them while Johnny wrote his reply and attached it to the owl, who had waited happily on the perch in the corner.

.

The next day Lucius read his mail over breakfast, noting that Harry was looking well. Draco too looked good.

Harry contemplated his plate with a scowl. “Take this back and tell that little shit that I don't eat rich sauces. Go!” The elf just made a rude noise and took the plate back. “And tell him if he spits in it he'll have to answer to Mimsey. Mimsey!” Mimsey popped in. “Go make sure that the cook makes my breakfast without additions I won't like.” Mimsey just nodded. “Thank you.”

Lucius raised an eyebrow, his only indication of surprise. Draco smirked.

Harry looked at both of them then just said, “What? I'm not a nice person, no matter what anyone says. I'm tired of being a doormat for everyone, including house-elves. All I ask is a modicum, yes I do know big words, of respect. I had bad dreams all night last night and I woke up too late to do my routine before breakfast. Sorry.” He sighed.

“Oh, don't apologise. I understand completely. But maybe this will put you in a better mood. The invitations were all accepted, so we will be having a very small house party, starting tomorrow.”

Draco smiled slightly, he loved house parties. They were small, intimate, and great fun. He wondered if there would be dancing or only some games.

Harry sighed. “That's really nice. Do I know any of the guests.” He blew out a breath, making his fringe flop. “I'm sorry. I really am in a bad mood. I didn't get to exercise, bad dreams and I fucked up yesterday and I'm pissed about that.”

Lucius gazed at Harry for a moment. “How did you, as you say, fuck up?”

“One, I let someone get to Draco. I kept watch over the other kids in my gang, both of them. How could I not watch over Draco. And two, I didn't gut the creep, I missed my aim and only wounded him. My timing is way off. I need to workout with you a lot. Please?”

Lucius readily agreed to work out with Harry and to provide him with other partners at need.

Harry settled back to his meal, satisfied.

Draco just gave his father a look that demanded answers, Lucius mouthed, 'Later.' over Harry's head and Draco had to be satisfied with that.

.

Before everyone loses it. Dancing parties were popular well into the 20th century. I remember stories my Grandmother told me about attending them when she was a young lady. And my Mother attended them too. Nobility and upper middle class people hired young people to come and help the teachers by partnering the young men and women, giving them experienced partners to dance with. And that's all they did, dance. They were heavily chaperoned at all times.

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