Harry Malfoy's Trials | Book One

| The Proposal

The Dursleys were slightly confused. Harry Potter was nowhere to be found. The boy was on the swing and now he was simply gone. They've looked around the park for an entire hour before frowning. "Where did that boy think he ran off to?" Uncle Vernon grumbled.

"I told you dad! Harry fell from the swings and was gone!" Dudley said.

Uncle Vernon looked crossed. "Freakish magic," he grumbled. He turned to his wife and shrugged. "Well Petunia, we've done all we could, honestly. The boy could be anywhere. And it's doubtful he's coming back."

"You're right," Aunt Petunia said. She looked at Dudley and said, "Get in the car Duddles, we're going home and I'll make whatever you want."

"I want chocolate cake. With fudge!" Dudley demanded. His parents chuckled and agreed, sharing a smiling look at they looked at each other. The boy was out of their hair!

Harry ran after Draco down the staircase of the manor and into the drawing room. Harry stopped and stared at the tall man standing in front of him. He had straight long platinum hair that fell to his shoulders, the same silver eyes that Draco had, and a long aristocratic face. He was wearing a black suit with a robe over it; and was holding a cane with a silver handle. "Hello Harry Potter, my name is Lucius Malfoy," the man said, bowing slightly. "My wife has informed me that you are a bit away from your house."

"H-Hello Mr. Malfoy," Harry said. "My name is Harry Potter, I live on Number 4 Private Drive and I am four years old."

"Hmm. Well, Harry, can I ask you a couple of questions about your relatives? If you don't mind?" Mr. Malfoy asked

"Umm... okay," Harry said.

"Have a seat," Mr. Malfoy said, pointing his cane to a sofa. Harry and Draco moved to the sofa and sat down. Mr. Malfoy and Mrs. Malfoy returned to their seats, Mr. Malfoy leaning forward as he looked at Harry. "Harry, would you tell us about how the muggles treated you?"

Harry frowned. "Badly I think. They made me do all these chores like vacuuming, cleaning dishes, gardening—when I do bad they punish me by sending me to my bed which is a cupboard under the stairs. Sometimes they've kept me there for days, sometimes more."

"Do you know the longest time you've been in the cupboard?" Mr. Malfoy asked.

Harry thought for a moment and looked at his fingers, counting silently. "Umm... I can't count that high," he said.

Lucius and Narcissa frowned and looked at each other before turning back to Harry. "Do they feed you during these times?"

"No they don't," Harry said.

"How about when you are not being punished?"

"Small plates, not as much as Dudley who gets loads," Harry said.

"And your clothing?"

"All Dudley's first," Harry said.

"And Dumbledore would allow this horrible—Harry, did your Aunt and Uncle every showed you any type of love or caring?" Lucius asked.

Harry's face fell as big welts of tears watered his emerald eyes, making the green shimmer. "No they don't."

The Malfoys all frowned. "Harry... I have a proposal for you, you can think of it for a couple of days, but I will need an answer as soon as possible, understand?"

Harry frowned and shook his head. "What's a pro-po-sal?" he asked, separating the word into its syllables to correctly pronounce it.

"A deal, an agreement. I'm going to tell you about something that my wife and I want to happen, and it is up to you to say yes or no," Mr. Malfoy said. "Do you understand?"