The Shadows Solace Book I: The Growing Years Prequel

Chapter V: Dire Discussions at Malfoy Manor

Returning to the Wizard Bank and ensuring to Ragnok that all had gone off as planned was an ordeal to the non-magical woman. The goblin war-chief hadn't liked that Petunia decided to do this plan without informing him of it first. That she was going to Lucius's home with only Augusta with her, nor did he like what he had heard in the parchment the Dark Lord apparently wrote using magic from Harry somehow.

But there was little he could do about this.

Petunia had made up her mind and was not going to be convinced otherwise. She had told Ragnok to inform Adrianna of some of this, after the fact she made plans to guarantee she could go without his input, and to ask of her to stay a little while longer than originally intended. And to assure her husband that she was well; and they now had full guardianship of their nephew.

He definitely had not and still did not like that Petunia was going to omit several pieces of sensitive information to Lucius in the effort to garner his help in her plans. The Dark Lord had, after all, given him permission to accept the alliance...but whether or not he would comply? That was another issue in and of itself.

She then told the goblin that she had chosen to live with her family in the Potter Mansion that resided here in England. She wanted the wards there checked and updated to provide maximum security for them all, and any updates to the house needed would be coming from the Potter vaults.

Ragnok had decided to forgive her since he then looked like goblin Christmas had come a month early.

He had her sign some papers before giving her the keys to Harry's vaults and a card for when in the muggle world. One for her and her husband. She then stood and left as Ragnok's eyes followed her out and wondered how this would change the world they knew.

--

Arriving in the foyer of Malfoy Mansion was a breathtaking sight to Petunia. She knew of the wealth and grandeur the Noble Houses lived in and had seen it on one or two occasions, but it still took her breath away.

A pop was heard as Petunia turned and a small creature with large and bulbous green eyes appeared before them.

"Master Lucius awaits the newly arrived guests in his study and has asked of Dobby to show the good ladies there." He said softly

Augusta nodded and began to walk while Petunia followed her quietly, "Dobby, what sort of creature are you?"

The creature kept moving but answered her.

"I is being a House elf. We tend to all the chores that require us doing and ensure the estate runs smoothly. Our magic is connected to the family we serve and without it; the house elves would have died out long ago."

Tom hadn't known that. House elves needed the connection of a magical family to keep their magic stable? How was it then that so many treated them so bad; himself included at one time, when they were an integral part of a peacefully run estate?

Petunia nodded, "And you are treated well? Given food, clothing, shelter, and wages?"

Dobby and Augusta paused to that while the little elf eyed her in horror.

"Dobby could never accept wages or clothes, good lady. Giving clothes, proper clothes of any kind to a house elf; it is a sign that the master or mistress is displeased and is releasing the house elf from its bond to find a new one.

Master and Mistress provide good work for all us elves and see to it that we are sheltered and cared for. If one of us does wrongly; punishments can be severe, but only if deserved. Some outsiders see this as cruel; but it is the way it has always been. Without our magic, house elves die."