Harry Potter and the Berserker

Chapter 34

Disclaimer- Harry Potter is owned by J.K. Rowling and Berserk is owned by Kentaro Miura. I own nothing.

Malfoy Manor

To say that things at Hogwarts had been hectic as of late would be a gross understatement. Draco was glad to have been getting a letter from home expressing how his presence was requested back at the manor during this Hogsmeade Weekend. Let it never be said that Draco Malfoy didn't enjoy watching the drama unfold, but even he had his limits, although he would certainly never admit it to anyone not of Slytherin House, of course.

The Triwizard Tournament was a large part of it to be sure, but not for the obvious reasons. Ever since the drawing of the champions and Rita Skeeter's following article, all talk had been about Potter. Potter this and Potter that, where is Potter? Other champions, who are they? We want answers, and we want Potter. Honestly, what do they expect? A few idiotic Hufflepuffs and Gryffindors were entirely convinced Potter had snuck into the school in the middle of the night, put his name in the goblet, and then disappeared just to cause a scene.

Morons, Draco thought disdainfully. There's no point in slandering a person if they aren't there to hear it. If Potter was present, that would be a different story. Would Draco praise Potter, or call him a cheat like a small portion of the school? Hard to say, that would depend on what house Potter would be sorted in.

Then there was the teaching situation. Professor Moody, or, the "real" Moody was found locked in his own trunk, his imposter long gone. While Moody was being treated at St. Mungo's, a temporary replacement had been called back; the werewolf, Remus Lupin.

The old fool was really starting to slip, calling a half-breed back after he got sacked. The place really is going to the dogs. And that, of course, led to the action every student of every house, and even some of the visiting students seemed to hate. Minister Fudge saw fit to appoint his undersecretary to Hogwarts.

She monitored every class, took note of everything, and Fudge had even managed to convince (bribe) Ludo Bagman into letting her become a judge for the tournament. Umbridge was a Ministry lackie through and through, and given Draco's father's standing within the Ministry, she was civil towards Draco and most other Slytherins, but that didn't mean that he enjoyed her presence. So, yes, visiting the manor for a weekend would be a good way to get away from the toad of a woman.

Dobby the House Elf greeted him in the main foyer upon his arrival. "Young Master Draco, may Dobby take your luggage?" his large green eyes stared up at Draco.

"Bring them to my room," Draco ordered. "I'll be up there shortly."

"Mistress Cissa asked Dobby to tell young Master Draco that she would like to talk to you in the dining room." The elf fidgeted on his feet, rocking back and forth on the ball of his heels.

"What for?" Draco asked. "She can talk to me in the study or my room. It isn't time for dinner yet."

"She did not say, Master Draco. She just told Dobby that it was urgent. Master Lucius is with her as well."

Father too? I thought he'd still be at the Ministry. "Bring my luggage up, Dobby," Draco reaffirmed his order. "I'll be up after I see what this about."

Dobby bowed his head, his large floppy ears bent with his head. He grabbed Draco's bags and disapparated with a pop! He was fidgety today, Dobby usually walked when carrying out an order, something had seriously spooked the elf.

Draco made his way through the manor, spotting his mother, Narcissa Malfoy nee Black, outside of the dining room, the doors closed behind her. For some reason she seemed a bit off as well, not looking as comfortable in her own home as she should.