The Dragon's Treasure

The Heiress of Slytherin

Holly had never had so much fun before. When she woke every morning, Lady Malfoy braided her hair and helped her pick out an outfit. Then they would join Draco and Lord Malfoy for breakfast.

Draco watched her closely to make sure she was eating enough, and taking her nutrient potions. If he happened to load up her plate with an extra helping of fruit when no one was looking, well, he was just trying to help.

Theo and Blaise had been invited to stay at the manor until school started, to make their lessons easier. They both had rooms in what Lady Malfoy had dubbed "the children's wing" near Holly and Draco's adjoining rooms.

Their parents were often at the manor to consult with Lord Malfoy, so they saw them regularly despite the arrangement.

The lessons included the usual teachings about The Olde Ways their families followed, though it was new information to Holly.

"Who exactly is Mother Magic?" Holly asked during their first lesson.

Lady Malfoy paused, thinking deeply about how to explain.

"Mother Magic is both a person and a force of nature. It is said that it was she that gave magic to Merlin. He honored her in return, and we honor her still today. All who have been blessed with magic. The Olde Ways honor Mother Magic, and honor the natural cycles of the year. There is life and death, dark and light, in everything. We must acknowledge that."

Holly learned about Samhain, Yule, Beltane, and all the other many holidays. She learned how slowly the muggle holidays had subsumed their own, dishonoring Mother Magic. As the muggles' traditions took over, the observance of the Olde Ways lost favor.

Traditions that had once been observed, such as witches wearing their hair up, or wearing gloves, became a popular custom instead of an homage to Mother Magic. It disseminated through the culture so thoroughly that now almost every witch wore their hair up, regardless of if their families observed the Olde Ways or not.

Lady Malfoy assured them that the decline of the Olde Ways and the decline in the birth rate of magical children was no coincidence. As the Olde Ways began to die out, Mother Magic ceased to bless many with large families.

Holly didn't want to dishonor Mother Magic. She wanted to be a traditional witch, like Lady

Malfoy. She was grateful for her gift of magic. So she made sure to put her hair up, as a tribute to Mother Magic, every day. She chose to wear gloves as well, like Lady Malfoy. It was just a small token of her appreciation for her magic.

The study of occlumency was unusual, but not unheard of, for pureblood children to learn. Lady Malfoy informed them that it had risen in popularity in recent years. Families learned the hard way during The War that mental protection was invaluable, especially the Malfoys.

The etiquette lessons were highly unusual, though. All the boys had attended etiquette lessons their entire childhood, but this was something new. Lady Malfoy was teaching them oligarchy etiquette, something that had not been adhered to for ages, since the Founders families were still prominent.

They, along with a few other families, had formed a higher class that led magical society.

Theo, Blaise, and Draco may have been young boys, but they weren't daft. They knew there was a reason that Lady Malfoy was being so particular about this. Holly had to be more than just Lady Potter. There was no other reason for them to suddenly be taught oligarchy etiquette. The day they found Holly speaking to a snake in the gardens, confirmed their suspicions. Holly must be the Heiress of Slytherin. Lady Malfoy stumbled upon them, still looking dumbfounded at Holly and Draco, who knelt near a garden snake as Holly hissed back and forth with it. Lady Malfoy called them all into the library, along with their parents and Lord Malfoy. Everyone sat in seats around a long table Lady Malfoy had laid scrolls out on. Lord Malfoy stood at her side. It was time to tell them the truth.