4. WAY TO GO
Harry slowly blinked his eyes open. He felt weird, not bad exactly, but weird. There was no pain. When had he last been without pain? It had been long ago for sure.
"Harry," a vaguely familiar voice greeted him, and Lucius' face moved into his line of sight; gentle fingers, so different than Draco's, caressed his cheek. "Welcome back. How are you feeling, little one?"
"Good?" Harry asked unsurely. "What happened? Why am I in the infirmary?"
"One question at a time." Lucius chuckled softly, a sound that still surprised Harry, and then carefully sat down on the bed beside Harry, allowing the elf to snuggle against his chest. "Madam Pomfrey gave you a potion to combat the pain and healed most of your injuries, but we'll talk about that later, alright?" He took a deep breath. "As it turned out my sonmistreated you and planned to take you to the Dark Lord. Do you remember?"
"Yes." Harry nodded shakily, and Lucius put an arm around his small shoulders. "I'm sorry."
"It is not your fault, Harry. I don't want you to believe a word of what he told you. You didn't deserve anything he put you through." Lucius scowled as his anger at what Draco had done once again welled up in his chest. "It is I who must apologise for not realising how much he hurt you, what my son had become. Albus was right: I do not know my own son. I thought him a child and I thought a new broom would be enough of an incentive to treat you right." Lucius' lips quirked in bitter amusement. "And maybe, a part of me also hoped that I had taught him better, that though maybe he would not treat you well for yourself, he would at least treat you well because you are a submissive. I would never have let him near you if I had known how corrupt he is."
Harry timidly reached up to touch the blond's cheek. "It is not your fault either. You are not him, he's an adult, and he makes his own decisions. Don't be angry at yourself, don't blame yourself... and sometimes, he was kind of nice." He smile wavered. "Then he got angry again."
"Thank you, Harry." Lucius gently rearranged the blankets so they covered Harry almost completely. "It seems he did not escape your charm completely. A small relief that the Dark Lord did not manage to make him indifferent to everything, that he still feels the pull of his veela side to protect you, at least sometimes... will you tell me what he did to you when he was angry? Miss Granger and Mr. Weasley were able to tell us the gist of everything after we countered the memory charm on them, but it would help us if you told us exactly what he did. You don't have to, of course."
"I wanted to tell you," Harry whispered barely audibly, "but he said I wasn't allowed. He took away my clothes and he hit me and..." He sniffed, angrily brushing away a few tears. "He touched me and he made me touch him. He said Voldemort would want a well-trained slave. I couldn't do anything, I didn't want it. I didn't. I didn't."
"Shh, I know." The veela tucked the unruly head of silky, black locks under his chin. "We should have taken better care of you."
"Why can't I take care of myself?" Harry sobbed. "I always took care of myself, and now I have to wait for your permission to speak or eat or sleep. He couldn't have taken away my freedom if I was like I was before. Now I'm weak and pathetic. He only took advantage of me. I was never afraid of him, Lucius, I was never afraid of anyone, and now that's all I feel: fear."
"I know it's hard." Harry snorted, but Lucius didn't let that distract him. "It's always hard when you come into your inheritance, Harry," Lucius consoled him, "for submissives more so than for dominants and for you even more because it came as a total surprise. But you will get used to it, like you became used to being a wizard, and it will all be worth it when you find your mate."
"Where is Narcissa?" Harry pulled back.
"She offered to let me take care of you for a while until you are feeling better." Lucius smiled gently down at him. "She's at Malfoy Manor, most certainly trying to distract herself by buying a lot of useless things. You need me more at the moment."
"Are you doing this because you are feeling guilty? Because you have a bad conscience?" Harry scowled at him. "I don't want pity. Please, leave me alone."
"No, little elf," Lucius hushed him, and Harry shut his mouth immediately. "I'm here to show you there's something good about being a creature. But first we have to make sure that you're healed completely."
"But I'm fine," Harry dared to protest. "Madam Pomfrey healed me."
"She did her best, yes," Lucius agreed, "but you retracted your wings before they could be healed. Can you call them back?"
Harry sighed. "I don't want to, Lucius, it will hurt again, and they never protected me, they only made Draco angrier. I hate them, they only make me more of a freak."
"You are not a freak, Harry," Lucius said forcefully, and Harry winced. "You are an elf, and your wings are a sign of that noble and pure race."
Harry just shook his head in denial, making Lucius sigh. "I'm here to protect you, Harry, and I will never allow him near you again. I'll get Madam Pomfrey, and she will give you a pain killing potion and afterwards I will show you something that I'm sure you will like. I'll stay with you, all right?"
"Okay," Harry whispered, earning himself an encouraging smile from Lucius, who then went to fetch the nurse.
Madam Pomfrey tutted disapprovingly at Harry, and he wasn't sure if it was in general annoyance that he had once more landed himself in the hospital wing or a more specific one because he had done something she didn't approve of. She brusquely handed him a potions vial. After a prompting gesture from Lucius, Harry downed it in one go, coughing as it burned down his throat and left an ashy taste in his mouth.
"Show me your wings, Harry," Lucius commanded softly, and Harry scrunched his eyes shut as his wings ripped out of his back.
It didn't hurt as much as he had expected, just a dull throbbing pain. He was also grateful that his wings seemed to go right through his thin pyjama top without tearing it. They gave a nervous flutter as Madam Pomfrey tried to spread some gooey liquid over the wounds to disinfect them, and Lucius took his hand, ordering him in a stern voice to keep still. Harry whimpered, eying Madam Pomfrey nervously. The stuff covered the tears like a transparent hard bandage, which kept him from moving too much. After Madam Pomfrey had also healed the broken bone in his right wing, she allowed him to retreat them again.
"Now, Mr. Malfoy, I don't want you to tire him out. He is to be back within an hour, have I made myself clear?" she told the blond wizard sternly, totally ignoring Harry.
Lucius glared at her, clearly displeased at being told what to do, and then held out his hand for Harry. "Come, little sub, let us flee these inhospitable accommodations."
"Mr. Malfoy," Madam Pomfrey shouted after them, "bring him back at once. We haven't talked about the safety regulations-"
Harry chuckled as he noted Lucius' mask slip briefly to reveal an amused smirk playing about his lips. "Thank you."
"It is quite all right," Lucius assured him, seeming to know exactly what Harry was referring to. "Just because you are a sub doesn't mean you can't make your own decisions. Tell me when you are getting tired, yes?"
"Okay," Harry mumbled, bowing his head.
Lucius glanced at the little elf out of the corner of his eye, trying to find out what Harry was thinking. Was he afraid of all dominants after what his bastard of a son had done to him? He didn't actually know why he cared about Harry as much as he did. It wasn't only that it had been drilled into him from a young age that all submissives were to be respected and treated with the utmost care. It was one of the few things the Malfoy family prided themselves on. They were not known to be very idealistic, rather the opposite: cruel, cold-hearted and opportunistic were the words most commonly used in context with their name. But everyone would consent that a Malfoy knew how to treat a submissive, that no matter their personal feeling they would always, under all circumstances, be the perfect dominants.
Well, that reputation was ruined, Lucius thought bitterly. Maybe he should have been angry with Harry for bringing out this side of his son, but if he was honest - and he made a point of being brutally honest at least with himself - then it wasn't Harry's fault. His own parenting had failed somewhere. It could be that he had so long kept his true allegiances a secret and had played the role of the loyal Death Eater so perfectly their son had thought this was also his future. Still, it was hard to believe his only son and heir would betray their family like this. It wasn't that Draco had tortured Harry, which could have been dutifully excused, but that he was willing to go so completely against Lucius' decision?
"It was not your fault." Harry looked up pleadingly, feeling Lucius' depressed mood weigh him down and guilt seize his heart. "You are thinking about him, aren't you? I'm sorry I destroyed your family..."
"I think my family was already previously lacking, as I didn't realise when my son changed sides and turned into such a cold-hearted idiot," Lucius murmured, absently tracing Harry's spine with his finger. "I really hoped the responsibility to care for you would make you grow up. Obviously I was wrong."
"Aren't Malfoys allowed to be wrong?" Harry asked softly, and Lucius chuckled appreciatively.
"They are not supposed to admit it."
"Oh," the black-haired boy said by way of response and followed Lucius out of the castle. "Where are we going?"
"I'm going to show you what normal humans miss." Lucius smirked, feeling unusually playful as he lifted Harry up into his arms. "Close your eyes, Harry, it's a surprise."
Harry obediently did as told and felt Lucius pick up speed, no longer forced to be considerate of Harry's shorter legs. The rhythmic motion of his steps lulled Harry into a light sleep, and he swayed when Lucius set him down.
"You can open your eyes now, little one," Lucius murmured in amusement, stabilising Harry by gently resting his hands on the fine hips.
The seemingly bottom-less green eyes fluttered open and widened in surprise as they took in the scenery around them. There were in the middle of the Forbidden Forest, standing in a small clearing. The huge trees surrounding them only seldom allowing a ray of sunlight to hit the moss-covered ground beneath their feet. A small, happily whispering well fed the little creek, which disappeared between two lean oaks. They were surrounded by the apparently untouched nature and beauty of the clearing, and the air was filled by the merry chatting of several birds, who were building a nest in the dense branches of a bush, multicoloured little butterflies and the intense humming of bees and bumblebees, feasting on the many flowers decorating the ground.
"It is beautiful," Harry whispered in awe, following the quick jumps of an auburn-haired squirrel with his eyes.
"I thought you would like it," Lucius answered quietly, taking a deep breath himself. "This is where I used to go when being a veela became too much; taking care of Narcissa and trying not to snap at her when she became jealous for no reason."
"And you share it with me?" Harry asked in surprise, craning his neck to look in the older Malfoy's face.
"I'm passing it onto you because I have a feeling you need it more than I ever did." Lucius nodded lightly, smirking as Harry's eyes got even wider. "Veelas are creatures of the skies and love, elves are creatures of the earth and nature in general. You have more right to be here than I, Harry. I want you to come here when you feel like life is getting to be too much. The wild animals won't attack you, nor will they shy away. This is your kingdom, little prince."
"Thank you." Harry snuggled gratefully into his arms, soaking up the warmth and security Lucius' embrace so freely provided. "Thank you so much. Can we stay here a bit longer?"
"As long as you like, Harry," the blond returned and walked over to a big, flat rock and sat down on it, watching Harry as he strolled over the little clearing; Harry was whistling in tune with the birds' songs and scooping up the clear water with his hands, letting it run through his fingers, before he put his wet fingertips against his face.
A childlike smile spread over his face as one of the butterflies landed on his nose, tickling him with its tiny legs.
Finally, Harry had tired himself out, and he sat down near Lucius' feet leaning against him as he closed his eyes. "What happens now, Lucius?"
The older man sighed and, gripping Harry's upper-arms, lifted the petite youth into his lap. Harry didn't protest, though the thought passed through his head that two weeks ago he would never have sat in another person's lap.
"This is actually what I wanted to talk to you about. There are no more dominant creatures around, least of all your own age. We would likely be able to find someone within a few months, but after what happened with my son, I'm reluctant to hand you over to just anyone. We would need to test his loyalties and keep you under a close watch for a longer period of time, which wouldn't allow you to get comfortable as soon.
"One option would be for you to stay with Narcissa and me, but I have to tell you this would only be a temporary solution as Narcissa might get very jealous.
"Or you could try your luck with the Weasleys. They don't have much creature blood, but maybe, as there are so many of them, it would be enough for the time being; also considering how fond you seem to be of them."
"There is something else, isn't there?" Harry asked, searching Lucius' silver eyes.
"Yes, there's one last option Albus came up with," Lucius answered, choosing his words carefully. "We could send you back in time to your parents' and my last year at Hogwarts. Your father would be able to take care of you like he was supposed to, as could I seeing as I hadn't been bonded to Narcissa then. Meanwhile we would look for a suitable dominant and test him."
"Send me back in time?" Harry asked in a whisper. "Are you serious? Isn't that risky? I might change everything, that's just insane!"
"Albus assured me that it is completely safe," Lucius answered, and Harry rolled his eyes. "Your return to the present would be combined with a memory spell that would delete your stay from everyone's mind. And at the first sign of trouble you we would come and get you."
"You're serious." Harry stared at Lucius in surprise. "You'd really be willing to send me to another time, just so I'll get over my fear. Why? What do you care if I'm afraid? It hardly makes a difference if I hide from Voldemort here or in the past."
"It is essential that you learn to control your abilities as soon as possible," Lucius answered evenly. "And you cannot learn to control your abilities as long as you're afraid. In the past, you would be surrounded by dominants who would help you to realise that being an elf is not a curse."
"But their influence wouldn't last," Harry protested uncertainly. "It never does with you."
"That's because we've hardly spend time together," Lucius clarified. "You haven't had the opportunity to build up your trust in me."
"But I trust you!" Harry exclaimed, feeling foolish when Lucius chuckled. "I do, though I don't know why."
"And that is exactly the point, Harry," Lucius told him, rubbing Harry's arms. "Your elf side cannot but trust me, but your human side knows that you have no real reason to do so."
"Oh," Harry murmured. "So,I will feel better once there's a dominant I trust entirely? And then I'll feel better, even if he isn't around?"
"Yes, Harry." Lucius nodded. "Albus hopes that you might trust your father more readily than another dominant."
"But you don't like that option very much, do you?" Harry inquired and Lucius shook his head. "Why not?"
"I like none of the options very much, Harry. I realise this is most likely the only chance for you to get used to your new situation and be relatively safe from Voldemort, but on the other hand you will be around people you don't know at all, and though the presence of your father could certainly help you, I'm not sure if so many unknown people won't upset you even more. It is a rather huge, let alone drastic step."
"There's an extremity to this?" Harry raised an eyebrow skeptically. "It's like I don't know anyone here, anyway. The first thing my senses tell me is if the person across from me is a dominant or a submissive and then if they are a creature or not. Of course, I know the people here, but that doesn't really help me to feel more comfortable in their presence."
"So you want to go?" Lucius clarified.
"Not if it makes you angry."
"Harry, I won't be angry. This is your decision, and since we don't have a better plan, we'll just have to hope it will turn out well." The silver-eyed wizard sighed and then urged Harry to stand up. "The Headmaster asked us to come to him after you made your decision. If you are lucky, Miss Granger and Mr. Weasley might still be there so you can say your good-byes."
"Lucius?" Harry asked as they passed the double doors leading to the Great Hall. "Can I ask you something?" The blond raised an eyebrow expectantly, and Harry's question burst out of him. "Do you have wings?"
The blond looked surprised for a split second before he smirked down at Harry's blushing face. "As a matter of fact I do, but if you were wondering if I also get a beak when I'm furious, the answer is no. Narcissa does, though. It all depends on which creature genes are dormant and which are active."
"So that means I don't have all characteristics of an elf?" Harry asked hopefully, still blushing.
"I don't know, Harry." Lucius shrugged gracefully. "You have the ears, the skin colour and the wings. As far as I know, those are all characteristics concerning your outward appearance. There really is no way to tell how many elfish character traits and skills you have inherited. We'll have to wait and see, though I know you don't like to hear that. As for Narcissa and I, there's a difference between common veelas like you saw at the Quidditch World Cup and royal veelas, as we are called. You could say we are more human. You have to understand that when one of your parents is a creature you receive all those genes and pass them onto your children. Sometimes those genes stay dormant all your life and you might not even know about them until one of your children comes into his or her inheritance."
"So I have both human genes and elf genes?" Harry asked and Lucius nodded. "And if an elf and a veela have children, they have human, veela and elf genes, though they could still be normal wizards or witches, or squibs?"
"Yes." Lucius nodded once more. "That was also why Dumbledore didn't deem it necessary to inform you of this possibility beforehand. Meddling old wizard, sometimes he should really stop thinking he knows everything best."
Harry chanced a quick look at the blond, but since he couldn't find any trace of real anger directed at him, he relaxed again and followed Lucius up the revolving staircase.
"Oh, Harry, my dear boy, I'm glad you have recovered so quickly." Dumbledore twinkled at him, motioning them into his office, where Ron and Hermione were sipping tea, waiting for Harry. "I trust you are feeling better?"
Harry nodded dutifully, leaving Lucius to scowl at the old wizard before pulling Harry over to one of the armchairs, making him sit down in his lap.
Ron gasped audibly, and Harry blushed, but didn't protest, realising it made him feel quite safe to be seated like that, with a dominant surrounding and protecting him.
"Has Lucius informed you of your options?" Dumbledore continued merrily.
"Yes, and I would like to go to the past," Harry said softly but with determination.
"Excellent! I thought you would decide on that." The white-bearded wizard beamed. "Why don't you say your good-byes while Lucius and I settle the details."
Harry hesitated briefly, but then made to get up.
However, Lucius seemed to have noticed that Harry had a question, and so he grabbed him around the waist once more. "Ask your question."
"May I know how I'll get into the past? And how long I'll stay there?"
"The Unspeakables were so kind as to lend us one of their time-jumpers, which is, as you undoubtedly know," Dumbledore said with a conspirational smile, "a device similar to a time-turner, which can be used to travel over long periods of time. As to the duration of your stay, I think one year at the most, though if there should be any problems or if we find a suitable candidate earlier we will take you back sooner."
"Okay." Harry smiled gratefully at the blond wizard and walked over to Ron and Hermione.
"I'm so sorry, Harry. I should have known he wouldn't treat you right and that you weren't okay and that he wouldn't let us go like this." Harry found himself with an armful of Hermione.
"Mione, it's okay, really." Harry uncomfortably patted her shoulder, trying to get Ron to help him, but the red-head only smirked and shook his head lightly.
"It's not okay!" Hermione protested. "He could have done anything to you. He could have killed you. You were so helpless against him."
"Gee, thanks for reminding me, Hermione." Harry finally managed to free himself, rolling his eyes. "I'm fine."
"It's just..."
"You're the youngest, mate." Ron looked earnestly at him. "That means we are a tad bit protective of you. Take good care of you for us, 'kay?"
"Okay." Harry laughed, also hugging Ron. "I feel so much better now you're here."
"Sure you don't want to stay with us?" Ron offered. "Mum would be happy, and my brothers all like you. We could work something out, couldn't we?"
Harry shifted uncomfortably, staring down on his feet. The truth was he wanted to go to the past, meet his parents. He didn't care much about the reasoning that would allow him to finally meet them. Maybe he could get something good out of this unfortunate situation, after all.
But Ron wasn't his best friend for nothing and grinned wryly at him. "I understand. Just a pity we can't come with you on this adventure."
"Yeah," Harry agreed. "I'll miss you two, but-"
"This is so exciting!" Hermione exclaimed. "Not only are you an elf - I've read about them, you know, but there's not much information, it's all really obscure and ancient - but you'll also travel back in time. Think about all the possibilities! You'll be there when the law for the regulation of flying carpets was revised and when the double nomination for both the Wizengamot and the Department of Mysteries was made and then of course the Centaur Equality Act..."
Harry tuned her out, chuckling as he saw Ron rolling his eyes. He was startled as Hermione thrust three thick books in his arms.
"Have you been listening, Harry?" She scowled lightly. "I found these books for you. This one consists mostly of speculations." She demonstratively held up one of the books, which was bound in shiny blue covers. "But since everything is more or less based on speculations, I thought it still might be helpful. This one only has a really small paragraph about elves." She pointed at the thickest and dustiest book, and Harry didn't doubt this 'really small paragraph' would at least spread over several pages. "And this one gives you an overview over all known creatures, both dominant and submissive. After all, you might be bonded to one very soon."
"Thanks, Mione," Harry mumbled, balancing the load of books.
"Oh, just read them, Harry," Hermione ordered him, "and try to keep out of trouble, please?"
"That would indeed be very much appreciated, Miss Granger." Lucius motioned Harry closer again, after he had placed Harry's shrunken possessions in his robe pocket. "Harry, if you are ready we will go."
"Are you coming with me?" Harry asked, surprised.
"I'll take you there, and I will come to fetch you should it become necessary," the blond explained and tucked Harry into his arms. "Now, close your eyes, little elf."
Harry felt Lucius' arms tighten around his waist before the worst swirling and swishing he had ever experienced took control over his body. He whimpered quietly and clung to the veela's strong body as his feet connected hard with the equally as hard ground.
"You can open your eyes now," Lucius' voice sounded much too amused for Harry's liking, and so instead of obeying at once, he buried his head in the immaculate black robes, groaning piteously.
"Not feeling good?" Lucius chuckled, and Harry shook his head in risponse, which did nothing to ease his dizziness and nausea. "And I guess, you don't feel up to walking to Hogwarts, hm?" Harry shook his head again, and Lucius sighed, scooping the slight elf up. "Then try to sleep, Harry. I'll wake you up when we are there."
"Thank you." Harry happily snuggled into the blond, breathing in the familiar and calming scent he had by now become accustomed to.
The Great Hall was filled with the clattering and chattering of eager students, trying to fill their mouths both with food and with words, exchanging the latest news and juiciest gossip.
But all the noise stopped immediately as the great double doors swung open to admit entrance to a tall figure, clad from head to toe in black robes, a black hood casting shadows over his face and concealing his hair. An undoubtedly much smaller body was gathered in his arms, also hidden by black robes and a hood. Lucius knew how to make an entrance and he smirked to himself at the open-mouthed stares he received. Harry was still blissfully asleep, either from exhaustion or the order Lucius had given him.
The teachers rose, drawing their wands. The Heads of Houses performed a make-shift protection spell on their respective houses, but Lucius barely took note of that. Light wizards wouldn't attack without provocation, they would ask questions first.
"To what do we owe the pleasure of your visit? And who might you and your companion be?" Dumbledore's voice was pleasant as always, but the twinkle was curiously absent from his eyes.
"Who I am is hardly of your concern." Lucius strode haughtily up to the Head table. "Judging by this unfriendly welcome, my owl must have been delayed. A word in private, if you please."
"Of course, if you would accompany me." Dumbledore held open the door behind the teacher's table, motioning for Lucius to proceed. "I'm sure we will be able to sort this out."
As the door slid closed, the chattering reached new heights, the clattering just as curiously absent as the Headmaster's twinkle had been.
"What was that?" Sirius leaned over Peter to his best friend James. "Did you also get that feeling?"
James nodded, pushing his peas from one side of his nearly empty plate to the other. He turned to look at the door through which Dumbledore had disappeared with the two strangers.
"I don't know, but I think it was coming from the smaller one, the one who was being carried, right?" James asked. "It's like a pull... Why are you glaring at me, Siri?"
"I'm not glaring," Sirius protested, quickly looking away. He hadn't been glaring, he didn't think so, at least. "What about you, Remy? You felt something? Or you know, smelled something?"
"I felt something, but-" Remus cautiously sniffed the air, but then shook his head. "There is something strange about these two travellers."
"I don't feel anything," Peter piped up. "And to me the smaller one looked pretty much dead. Maybe it wasn't even a person, just a bundle, a dead bundle. What's wrong, Sirius?" Peter pressed back into his seat in a futile attempt to escape Sirius' glare.
"Nothing," Sirius said curtly, taking a hasty gulp of his pumpkin juice. "But it was a person, I saw a hand."
"I was just saying..." Peter muttered. "Maybe they are Death Eaters, wearing all black like that. Maybe it was a dead body that guy was carrying."
James rolled his eyes. "I think if he was a Death Eaters he'd have better things to do than to bring corpses to Hogwarts. And I didn't get a bad vibe from them."
"No, me neither," Sirius agreed. "So what do we do?"
"We wait till Dumbledore comes back," Remus said at once, cutting James short and sending them a stern look. "I'm sure he'll tell us who that was. Besides, it would be much too obvious if we disappeared right now."
"Spoilsport!" Sirius grumbled, but began to devour his second helping of rice pudding. "Dumbledore won't tell us a thing, if they really are interesting."
Remus' reply was interrupted by the Headmaster's reappearance and the clearing of his throat.
"If Mr. Black, Mr. Malfoy and Mr. Potter would be so kind as to accompany me to my office?" The twinkle had returned to his eyes. "Provided you have finished your dinner, after all growing boys need a good bit of nutrition..."
"We didn't do anything, we're completely innocent," Sirius exclaimed as he and James jumped up.
"As always, Mr. Black, I'm sure." Dumbledore chuckled. "If you would now accompany me?"
"We'll tell you later," James whispered to Remus and quickly caught up with Sirius, who was already halfway to the Headmaster, grinning and waving at people as if he was a star and the other students his fans.
James fell into step beside him, mimicking Sirius' behaviour and trying in vain to catch the eye of one Lily Evans, Head-Girl, and until that year apparently completely immune to the infamous Potter-charm. But even though Lily had finally given in to James and had agreed on a date - and soon after to a second and third one - she now ignored him in favour of a thick book on Experimental Magic. As much as she loved James, his sense of humour was something she could not love twenty-four/seven.
Meanwhile, Lucius regally pushed back his own chair from the Slytherin table, kissed his girl-friend and fiancée Narcissa Black on the cheek and followed the two black-haired boys up to the Headmaster's office, catching up to them and the Headmaster before they reached the gargoyle.
"Lemon drops," the Headmaster stated the password and the gargoyle slid to the side, revealing the spiralled staircase that led up to Dumbledore's office. "There's nothing quite like them, is there? Would you care for one?"
The three boys shook their heads and absently stepped onto the staircase that carried them upstairs, much too preoccupied trying to decipher the unique and quite delicious scent coming from the office.
"Oh, well, let us go in then. I always find these corridors to be quite chilly," Dumbledore mused, opening his door. "Take a seat, boys, and I'll explain the situation to you. Unless you would like to guess? No? Very well, as it is, our visitor here has brought us a new student who will join us for this year, mostly because of you." He paused dramatically, smiling benevolently the three students. "Our new student is a submissive elf and will need your protection and guidance. Any questions?"
There was a shocked silence before Lucius asked, "Where is she?"
"Actually, he is sleeping on the sofa," the tall, still mummed man fluidly stood from his armchair and walked over to where Harry was lying in a cocoon of black wings and robes. "Harry, it's time for you to wake up."
Sirius craned his neck to get a good look at the little creature, whose scent he had smelled as soon as he had passed the gargoyle. The small bundle shifted, a pale face peeking out from under inky feathers and brilliant green eyes fluttered open. A meek whimper rose from Harry's chest and he curled up tighter as all the dominant creatures registered in his mind. Damnit, Potter, muck up some courage, he told himself sternly, taking a deep breath, when Lucius gently touched his shoulder.
"Hush, you are safe." The older Lucius helped Harry to his feet, turning him towards the three dominant creatures. "These students are Lucius Malfoy..."
Harry sniggered at this point before looking apologetically up at the other wizard. "Sorry, I didn't mean to interrupt you. It's just, you know..."
"May I continue?" Amusement swung in the older wizard's voice. "James Potter and Sirius Black, and this is Harry Parker."
"It's nice to meet you," Harry mumbled, shuffling his feet nervously before chancing a look at them.
"Quite the same here." Sirius gave the enticing little elf in front of him a roguish smile and then kissed his hand, making Harry blush even harder.
"Not so fast, Mr. Black." Lucius' voice had an edge to it as he pulled Harry back to his chest, who looked confused up at him. "Harry is here for one sole reason: To get used to his new situation and to be safe. That also entails you will not take advantage of him in any way."
"Ah, yes, that brings us back to the point, doesn't it?" Dumbledore intervened. "I expect the three of you to look out for Harry and to keep him safe from the other students. I trust you know how to treat a submissive, Mr. Malfoy?"
"Of course, Headmaster." Lucius inclined his blond head, looking haughty. "But you should know Narcissa is my priority."
"Of course, Mr. Malfoy, very praiseworthy. Mr. Black?"
"I will make sure Harry feels right at home in Hogwarts." The grey-eyed boy winked at the little elf.
"I trust the same goes for you, Mr. Potter?" Dumbledore asked again.
"What if he's sorted into another house?" James challenged and Harry pressed closer to his Lucius. "He could spy us out."
"That's something you would do, isn't it, Potter?" the Slytherin seventh year sneered. "Use him to get information so you can pull your supposedly funny pranks."
"Neither of you will use Harry for anything," the hooded wizard interrupted. "Harry will keep all your secrets, and if you dare to give him a contradicting order, he will be out of here in less time than I'll need to kill you, understood?"
The three younger creatures nodded mutely while Harry trembled in the blond's arms. "I'm sorry. I'm sorry I made you angry. I didn't mean to cause you trouble. Please, don't hurt me."
"Harry, no-one has the right to hurt you." Lucius sighed. "It's not your fault, is that clear?"
"I shouldn't have made you angry," Harry whispered, barely audible.
"I'm not angry, little elf," Lucius tried to reassure him. "Least of all at you. Believe me."
Harry took a deep breath, looking up at him, trying to penetrate the shadows cast over his face. "You are angry, I can feel it. I'm sorry."
"I'll try to better myself, Harry," the blond relented, bedding Harry's head on his chest. "If we could proceed, Headmaster? I'm a busy man, and I'm sure Harry would like to settle in."
"Oh, yes, of course, where was I?" Dumbledore intertwined his fingers in thought before a bright thrill from Fawkes brought him back on track. "Of course, you need to be sorted, Mr. Parker. I'm afraid you missed the traditional Sorting of the first years at the beginning of the year by a few weeks, so we'll just have a private one right here." Dumbledore smiled and summoned the Sorting Hat to himself. "If you would put this hat on?"
Lucius reluctantly loosened his hold on the small elf as Harry pushed lightly against his arms, allowing him to slip from his grasp to sit in the armchair Dumbledore indicated. The dingy-looking hat still slid over Harry's eyes, a feeling he didn't particularly like.
"Ah, another student," the whispering, high voice greeted Harry. "Mr. Parker? Suit yourself, Harry Potter. I see I have sorted you into Gryffindor before - a wise decision, indeed - though, I also gave you the option to go to Slytherin. Not much has changed since then, has it? Oh, of course your situation is completely different, but in your heart you are still the same, Mr. Potter. Let's see, there's bravery and a tendency to act first and ask questions later. There's loyalty as well; I see you already miss your friends. But not to despair, Mr. Potter, you'll find new friends here. Yes, yes, you can never have enough friends. I, myself, only have the respective Headmaster as company, it's quite boring... but I digress, you must understand I seldom have the chance to talk to someone other than myself. Monologues are not very stimulating, even if they are led with a genius such as myself... the need to help others, a very altruistic person, you are, Mr. Potter. Even a certain love for books I can find here, though you hide it well, of course. And quite a lot of intelligence. My, you are an interesting one, Mr. Potter. There's also the ability to hide behind a mask of cheerfulness and an offhand disregard for rules. Where ever shall I put you? Given the situation, I think either Gryffindor or Slytherin... no objections this time? Very well, though I feel a slight reluctance to anger your father should if I sort you into Slytherin. Not completely unreasonable, I must admit. So go to GRYFFINDOR!"
Sirius and James high-fived, and Lucius merely rolled his eyes.
"Now that that is out of the way," Dumbledore said, seeming even more cheerful if possible, "why don't you go back down so Mr. Parker can grab some dinner as well? Great, and Mr. Malfoy, I would appreciate it if you could give him the password to the Slytherin common room."
"Of course, Headmaster." The younger Lucius said and gave Harry an encouraging nod.
"You remember what I told you, Harry?" The hooded veela leaned down to hug Harry, though it wasn't a move he was particularly familiar with.
"I'm not stupid," Harry dared to roll his eyes. "I'll be fine, you said so yourself. Now go, your wife is already waiting for you."
"Here, take this." Lucius fastened a small necklace with a finely crafted silver rose around Harry's neck. "I want you to take a hold of this and think of me if you are in trouble, and I will come to check on you and take you home if necessary. It won't come off unless I unfasten it, so no need to worry about losing it."
"Thank you, it's beautiful." Harry briefly buried his head in the older man's chest. "Thank you for doing all this for me. Thank your wife from me as well."
"It's the least we could do after-"
"Please, don't blame yourself," Harry pleaded. "You couldn't have known. And who cares anyway. I'm still alive, no permanent harm done."
"I care, and I should have known, Harry," Lucius said before swiftly turning around, "and I will make it up to you."
He left the office without a backward glance, and Harry knew the man would return to the future shortly, leaving him alone in a time that wasn't his, with people he knew only as adults or from photos, and with three dominants, who were staring at him in curiosity. Harry timidly looked up at them, not sure what he should to do now.
"Let us show you to the Great Hall," Sirius broke the silence, offering his arm to the newest addition to their house and led him through the door like a gentleman, which James had opened for them. "You'll like Hogwarts, I'm sure, and Jamie and I'll teach you how to properly prank someone. Pranking is an art, don't you agree?"
"I never did much pranking," Harry admitted sheepishly, trying to remember if he knew Sirius Black from somewhere.
"We'll remedy that soon enough," James interrupted. "After all, school's only half as much fun without getting into trouble."
"Trouble always had a way of finding me. Like now, I guess." Harry laughed, and Sirius was briefly mesmerised by the beautiful sound coming from the beautiful creature.
"You don't understand the concept, Harry dear. It should be you who finds the trouble, that's the thrill," he stated wisely, earning another laugh.
"I'll try to remember that," Harry promised, smiling at the grey-eyed Marauder.
"Very well, Harry, I think we can work with that." Sirius sighed dramatically, and James rolled his eyes.
"You mustn't take him too seriously, his parents dropped him quite a lot when he was little-"
"Hey." Sirius reached around the submissive elf between them and tried to swat James over the head. "That surely didn't meddle with my indubitable intelligence and brain capacity as much as all those Bludgers meddled with you. Tell me, Jamie, what is two plus seven?"
"Nine, you dork." James rolled his eyes. "Now, Harry. The second most important thing after pranking is obviously Quidditch. Do you play?"
"I played Seeker in my old school," mumbled Harry, feeling strange talking to his father like this, like they were strangers making polite conversation.
"Excellent," James exclaimed. "We have tryouts this weekend, and I've been playing with the thought of changing positions, provided we find a good Seeker. Are you any good?"
"I am good," Harry muttered with a hint of defiance. "I've been Seeker since my first year."
The hazel-eyed boy gaped for a full split second before he said as casually as possible. "We'll see then."