Alternate Universe - brothers Draco & Harry

Chapter 21 - the 3rd Summer

Summer vacation was finally here. Year 3 had passed, it was finally over. But the students felt like it passed by a lot quicker than anything they would have expected. Everyone had gone home, the halls of Hogwarts quiet and empty, lonely without the cheers and laughter of students.

Draco and Hercules arrived home, both happy to see their parents. Their mother ran to greet them, enveloping the two in a deep and tight hug. "Ah, my boys," she uttered, happy.

"Mom!" both boys spoke at the same time again, mostly this just happened when they were at home. "We missed you." 

Turning to face their father, they shook Lucius's hand, and he gave them a small smile. "I saw that both of your grades have gone up. Your mother and I are proud. But you've set the bar high and that means that next year you must achieve even more. Oh, and congratulations on beating Hufflepuff in Quidditch, though I wasn't surprised your team won. You are the best Hogwarts has to offer."

"Thank you, father," again, they spoke at the same time, it almost felt practiced. But it amused their parents greatly.

"Now," Lucius spoke. "Go upstairs and unpack. We'll call you once it's time for dinner. There are matters to discuss."

"Yes, father."

Once the boys came down for dinner, Bellatrix was sitting at the table, her usual smile even larger than before. "Ah," their aunt spoke, sending a shiver down their spines. "Our two golden boys, how wonderful to see you."

"Bella, not now," Lucius said. "We have guests coming today."

"Guests?" Draco asked, earning a glare from his father, telling him to shut up. After about ten minutes, whilst the house elves ran around and prepared the table, they heard someone enter their home, using the fire place. Lucius immediately stood up, urging the boys to do the same. The guests walked in, following behind Dobby, the house elf, and the two bothers almost fell to the floor, once they saw who had arrived. It was the Petrov family.

"Ah," Lucius greeted the guests, first squeezing the mans hand. "Oleg, how wonderful to see you. And your lovely wife, Katya. And your two lovely daughters, even more beautiful than in the photographs. Please, come in." He turned to his family, saying, "I know you two have already met my wife, Narcissa. These are my sons, your daughters classmates, Draco and Hercules."

The boys were stunned, they had not expected such company. Saskia and Aurelia, wearing their fakest smiles, did everything they could to avoid the eyes of Draco and Hercules, feeling too awkward to speak. The girls mother, Katya, went to hug Narcissa and the two women soon began talking, discussing their own matters. Meanwhile, Oleg took a seat right next to Lucius as the two men discussed business, the economy, and the Ministry. Draco and Hercules were instructed to entertain the guests's daughters. 

"I cannot believe you're here," Hercules spoke in a low tone, his attention directed towards Saskia. "Our parents didn't tell us you were coming."

"Us too," she replied, adjusting her long brown locks. "It was a complete surprise. They told us to get ready and not to ask questions. We only realized where we were going once we heard father say your Manors name in the fireplace."

"I see," Hercules chuckled before the pair broke out in giggles. 

Meanwhile, Draco and Aurelia were talking, both completely flabbergasted by this whole situation. Aurelia tried to maintain her attention on Draco, but his aunt's, Bellatrixe's, eyes kept making her feel more nervous than she'd like to admit. After dinner, the five adults went to Lucius's study. There they drank and discussed more private matters, matters they'd like to keep away from the ears of elves and children. So the four children went to do their own thing, all of them hanging out in Draco's bedroom.