The Contract

Chapter 131

The group made three different Floo trips to get to the celebration that was being hosted by the Malfoy family. Out of the group of students - who were good friends - the Malfoy's admittedly did have the biggest property and thus it was completely understandable that they would host it.

The others had naturally made their own contributions, bringing drink, furniture, food, and gifts and party bags. The whole thing was being catered to by everyone, and they were determined to make it especially memorable. Their children were soon to be adults, and this was one of the last things - except a graduation and a celebration when they reach seventeen, an adult - that they could for them.

The Malfoy's had gone overboard as they so often did when it concerned their son. Eager to get celebrating their sons passing of his O.W.L's. However, considering he was their only son, it was a given that they'd be excessive. They had nobody else to spoil, that and they genuinely were extremely happy with Draco's scores. He'd actually beaten both Lucius' and Narcissa's grades to their immense pride. Draco was their pride and joy, they would do anything for him, to see him thrive, to see him happy.

This didn't include the new subjects that Narcissa and Lucius didn't get to take while they attended Hogwarts. The group of friends had all taken different subjects, Harry was the only one of them that had taken Art.

"Good morning, Lord Potter, Master Lestrange it's good to see you again," Lucius was as always, very polite when Harry and Rabastan came through the Floo. The others had gone through first, the hierarchy of things. Lord Corvus Lestrange, then his eldest son with his husband and then his youngest son with his fiancé. Or as Rabastan liked to say "Oldest first!"

"Good morning, and just call me Rabastan, Lucius, it won't hurt, I promise," Rabastan teased, "This isn't an official event, let formality go just this once."

"Very well," Lucius stated, "Draco and the others are outside in the gardens if you'd like to join them, Harry." Finding it rather difficult to be informal with Harry. Yes, the boy was his son's age, but it had been made more than clear by the Dark Lord that this youth was his equal and from everything he was reading (from his son) and seeing he was very correct on that front. Thank Merlin Narcissa hadn't fully screwed it up for them. Although, it would hurt her more than him, she was a staunch social climber, had been while she still had the Black name in her youth. It's the only power pureblood witches had really.

"Thank you," Harry said politely, giving a nod goodbye, he left them all and eagerly made his way through the hall and outside. Oh, what a scene met his gaze, it was beautifully decorated. He noticed an area penned off right in the distance, with distinctive white feathers behind it. The peacocks were walled off from getting in the way or hurt. The urge to go to them and pet them was strong.

"Harry!" Draco called out, making a single gesture to come to them, a small smile on his face. Completely composed as he always was whenever there was a single adult about.

Harry grinned, before making his way over, the peacocks forgotten. He would see them before he left though, of that he was certain. Not like they could be forgotten; peacocks were rather loud when they wanted to be. The music that was being played by magic, charmed to play, almost drowned out the peacocks when they made a noise. It was a good job they had silencing spells or he reckoned they'd be much, much father from the manor. He couldn't see Narcissa enduring the noise for more than half a day. Less if she was as impatient as her son. Oh, Draco was so impatient sometimes it was funny to tease him so for it. Which Draco secretly liked, but complied to high heavens about.

"Daph!" Harry said, hugging her, "Did you enjoy your trip to France?" ruffling Daphne's younger sisters hair, who laughed and sorted her hair grinning, she had none of Daphne's serene decorum.