Harry Potter and the Silent Dead: Book 2

Chapter 1: A wonderful holiday

The year drew to a close, too quickly for Harry, although his friends moaned and groaned as if it had been a life time. As they boarded the train, he looked back at the large castle that had freed him this last year. And an interesting year it had been. "Are you ready Harry?" He smiled at Draco, taking his seat in the compartment as the train began to move. "Yes. I think I am."

Miles away, Sally Elder sat on a gravestone, grimacing at the other ghosts that drifted through the graveyard, sobbing their woes. Oh she was so tired of this! She missed the boy, young Harrison had brought life back into her existence, and when he'd left, he had taken it away. He would not return, he couldn't. Not to those muggles. She had begun to wonder if she would ever see the quiet necromancer again. Sighing, she turned back towards the tree which those awful muggles had trapped her under all those years ago, and she was shocked by what she saw. Instead of the small ring Harrison had gifted her as a child, a small piece of parchment lay, with neat handwriting that she recognised so very easily. I'll see you soon. As she read, the words blurred, and the graveyard fell away into pieces. It felt as though her soul was once again being ripped from the mortal realm, and for the first time in a long time, fear consumed her thoughts. Finally, the swirling blinding lights settled into a picturesque view. She stood in a long beautiful hall, grey stone with shadows cast by portraits of generations of necromancers. Outside the windows, miles of rolling green stretched as far as her eyes could see, split only by lakes and forests. She wandered through the halls, exploring each room filled with ornate and exquisite furnishings. She recognised the crest that was carved into the pillars of the entrance hall. The Peverell crest. But that could only mean... "I promised that I'd find a way to get you Sally. Surely you didn't doubt me?" She spun around to see her young protégé behind her, with the ring resting in his palm. A large smile spread across her face as he embraced her. She'd deny the croak in her voice as she replied. "Respect your Elder sonny. Of course I believed you."

*Exactly one month and two weeks later*
The break had been short, but fruitful, and Harry had never been happier. Until he turned thirteen, he legally couldn't live on his own in Peverall Castle but Lucius had of course fixed that. Thanks to the new guardianship, he had enjoyed a wonderful month at Malfoy Manor. They had quickly learnt that his love of learning could lure him away from his books. Narcissa had been eager to teach him about her many different flowers and plants in her beloved garden, as well as basic pureblood etiquette as they took afternoon tea together. She admitted to wanting another child. "I understand I most likely cannot replace your mother, but I certainly hope we can become a family to you."

It had created a new closeness between them, one Draco seemed quite happy with. "I always wanted a brother, and now I don't have to have those tea parties with mother anymore. I know she likes them, but I find them dreadfully tedious." The younger Malfoy had been eager to teach Harry everything about quidditch... Which the little necromancer didn't find particularly interesting. They had, however, found a shared liking for Potions, which Severus would regularly visit to practice with his godson, and now also with Harry. This became a daily routine, interspersed with lessons from Lucius on his position and responsibilities as the Potter Black Peverell heir, and visits to Sally. His dear Elder didn't seem to mind his absence, too busy exploring the vast halls and rooms of the castle. At least now he knew she wouldn't be so melancholy when he returned to Hogwarts.

The best moment by far was his birthday! It was the first happy one he could remember, and truly he hadn't expected anything. He wasn't even sure if they knew when it was, until he'd gone down the stairs that morning to find an array of his favourite foods. "What's all this?" Draco had looked at him, wearing an expression of pure disbelief. Apparantely the idea that he wasn't thrumming with excitement at the thought of his birthday was simply insane. He'd simply smiled and taken a seat, enjoying the day. Luckily they'd decided on a small event, spending the sunny day with his friends out in the garden. Even Lucius had taken the day off from working at the Ministry to spend time with Harry. It meant so much more than a large party. He had never felt so much like he belonged.

Eventually however, the holiday was coming to an end, and the small family took a visit to Diagon, to collect their school supplies. It was a very different experience from his first, the Malfoys being cold and efficient in public. After a short visit to Gringotts so Harry could pick up some money before speeding through each of the shops. This was what had brought them to the chaos of Flourish and Blotts. "Dad, what's going on?" Subtly, Lucius rolled his eyes, drawing a smirk from Harry. "The fawning of the masses, drawn in by the gravity of one man's ego." Harry tugged at the sleeve of a still confused Draco, pointing at a poster of a smiling polished man, who looked like a typical fake Hollywood idiot. Carefully they walked through the packed crowd, making their way upstairs to collect the books for that year.

As they made their way to the counter, a commotion drew Harry's attention, and Narcissa grabbed Harry's wrist, drawing him close. Apparantely one of the Weasley children had walked into Draco. "Oh it's you. I'm surprised to see Harry here, you Death Eaters haven't killed him yet?" Draco glared, and Harry wasn't surprised. Since they now lived together, the blonde had become very protective. "Not as surprised as I am to see you in a shop, Weasley." The last word was spat as if an insult, and he heard Narcissa huff at her son's manners. Not that Ron was any better. The red headed boy opened his mouth to return an insult, when he was interrupted by Arthur Weasley. "Ron! What are you doing? It's mad in here, let's go outside." Lucius stepped forward, snearing at the man, and subtly putting Draco and Harry behind him. "Well, well, well- Arthur Weasley."

"Lucius." He narrowed his eyes at the informal address, he could hardly believe they were supposed to be purebloods. Such poor manners. "Busy time at the ministry I hear. All those raids... I hope they're paying you over time?" He glanced down at the children, their tattered clothes and second hand books. "Obviously not. Dear me, what's the use of being a disgrace to the name of wizard if they don't even pay well for it." The man flushed a bright red, brighter than his hair, glaring at Lucius. "We have a very different idea of what disgraces the name of wizard, Malfoy." He didn't miss the slight glance at his forearm, and was distinctly aware of it's darkened state, now that his Lord had returned to full strength. "Clearly." He glanced at the mudblood girl that accompanied them, but decided against mentioning her. He had after all, adopted a half-blood. "That can be seen by your eagerness to mix with dirty Muggle blood."

In all honesty, Harry hadn't really been paying attention, with little patience for petty insults, but a loud clanging drew his attention. The youngest girl had dropped her cauldron as the father lunged at Lucius, knocking him backwards into the bookcase. Draco flushed red, and Narcissa frowned slightly, the entire shop turning to watch the scuffle. "That's enough!" The flaming words above his head drew everyone's attention, and he threw a book at Weasley's head. The ginger looked over him, giving Lucius enough time to cast a disarming spell at the man, throwing him to the other side of the shop. "I think it's clear Mr Weasley, who the better wizard is in this situation. Do not attack my family again." As he'd hoped, the shop burst into applause for 'the boy who lived', and the Weasley's left in disgrace.

Lucius quickly stood, righting himself and joining his wife and son, ensuring they were okay. His face showed nothing, but anger and embarrassment was thrumming through him. To be bested, in such a Muggle way. It was humiliating. He was lucky Harry's position in society had painted Arthur as the fool. Speaking of... Concerned, he looked around for his young charge, who had disappeared out of sight. "Lucius." His wife gestured over to the corner of the shop, where Lockhart and a photographer were surrounding Harry like vultures. His fury increased, and he stormed over to his child. "Stay away Lockhart." The man smiled at him, clearly hoping to charm, but froze at the glare on his face. "Come now Harry, I believe we have all we need."

Finally they reached the manor, where the small family promptly recuperated in the sitting room. Draco was quick to order tea from the elves, as Narcissa fussed over her husband, and his developing black eye. Harry sat himself on the floor by Lucius' chair, worried about the man. The blonde glanced down at him, placing a hand on his shoulder and squeezing lightly. "I'll be just fine Harry, thank you for you concern, and for your aid." He understood the dismissal for what it was, even if the gratitude was real, and ushered Draco out to their rooms. Besides, they needed to pack anyway. After all, they were going back to Hogwarts soon. It was certainly going to be an interesting year.