Things Fall Apart, But Then You Build Again

Chapter 12: The Vote

On Boxing Day everyone in the Potter family was busy outside the home. The children all had play-dates, even Albus, who was not the most popular boy in his class. Ginny had lunch that would take all afternoon with some of the wives she met in the homes of the Wizengamot members. Harry, therefore, was free to visit Malfoy Manor once more. He could once again enjoy the walk up to the house, and he took great delight in the Malfoy gardens shrouded in white snow. Among the trees, he spotted a filled feeder for the deer. The warming charms did a great service to him once more as the sun was hiding behind a thick layer of clouds. To his amazement, he saw a white horse approaching from among the woods, with a rider clad in black sitting on top. It came at a trot, and as it neared him, he could see Lucius Malfoy on the steed. His long hair rose and fell behind him and he wore an uncharacteristic smile on his face. Harry hadn’t talked to the elder Malfoy for a long time as he seemed to stay away whenever Harry visited. The horse stopped next to the dark-haired man and the blond got off the saddle.

“Good day, Mr. Potter!” he said in a jovial tone and it took all of Harry’s willpower not to gape at the man. He had never heard two pleasant words from him.

“Good day to you as well, Mr. Malfoy,” he greeted.

“Your family is doing well, I hope.”

“Oh, eh, yes.” It all felt rather surreal to Harry, and he even considered that he had been transported into another universe. Lucius Malfoy was making small talk and still smiling. It was rather unnerving.

“I spotted you while enjoying a ride. Do you ride as well?”

“Horses? No. I’ve only sat on the back of a Thestral once, if that counts.”

“It’s not the same, but it must have been an interesting experience,” Lucius said, while Harry tried to avoid remembering the circumstances of that ride. “It’s a long way to the Manor. How about I take you there?” The older man offered.

Harry looked up at the tall horse and the lone saddle on it. For a brief moment, he considered that Lucius would somehow cause him to fall and break his neck, but since they were no longer enemies, he doubted the man would resort to such a scheme.

“All right.”

Lucius got back on his horse and held an arm down for the younger man. Harry wasn’t sure how to mount a horse, so Lucius instructed him to put his foot into the stirrup and hoist himself behind the blond with his help. He placed his arm around the slim hips of Lucius Malfoy and held on as the horse went into a gallop. At first, Harry was scared of the speed and being jostled about, but he soon started to enjoy himself even though he got a face full of silky blond strands.

In a matter of minutes, they reached the Manor and Harry grudgingly dismounted. He was surprised to find that he rather liked riding and considered that it may be something he would get into in the future.

“Go on inside, Mr. Potter. I’m going to take Snowflake back to the stables,” Lucius informed him.

Harry did as he was told and entered the Manor. He didn't see anyone in the foyer and considered that he should have sent a message that he was coming, but in his haste he forgot. As he was wondering where to search for one of the inhabitants of the house, he heard steps approach from the left and he looked down the corridor. The small figure who made his way towards him was Scorpius Malfoy. He was glad to see the child as all their interactions had been pleasant, and the boy was always knowledgeable about the whereabouts of the members of his family.

"Good morning, Mr. Potter," greeted the boy in a cordial manner.

"Good morning to you as well, Scorpius, and a Merry Christmas."