"I came to visit the house of my ancestors."
"Oh young master," Kreacher wailed, hitting his head repeatedly.
"Kreacher is sorry. The house is used by blood-traitors and mudbloods, and Kreacher wasn't able to keep them out. They even stole the treasures of the Black Family."
"Stop," I ordered him. While I didn't have any magical authority over him, I hoped that the respect he had for my position would be enough to make him follow my orders.
My expectations turned out to be accurate. He froze for a moment, then returned to a waiting position.
"I understand it's the order of the previous owner of the house, and it wasn't something you could have stopped. You are a house-elf worthy to be a part of the Black Family."
His expression brightened like a Christmas tree, and his mouth opened to say something, only to close without any sound.
"Good, now tell me, what did they take?"
"They stole Master Regulus' amulet," Kreacher said, only to stiffen instantly, realizing it was something he should have kept hidden.
I didn't allow him any time to gather himself. "Describe it to me, and why it's important." Just like before, Kreacher acted like my orders were legitimate, proving that habits could be as strong as magic.
He explained the story of Regulus Black, losing his life in an attempt to steal Voldemort's amulet.
It surprised me that he opened to me that easily, but he must have been feeling truly hopeless without it.
"Don't worry," I said to Kreacher, reaching to my magic.
"I promise on the honor of the Black and Malfoy families that I will bring that amulet back and destroy it." The magic flared around me, sealing the promise.
"Thank you, master," Kreacher said, his voice hitched.
I could understand, it was probably the first time since Regulus that someone Kreacher deemed consequential did something for Kreacher, and a magic backed promise was nothing to be underestimated even between the wizards.
Still, it was a very small price to receive an obsessively loyal servant in return, especially since it required nothing I didn't already have from my side.
"Good," I said. "I know you belong to another master, for now, so I want you to never mention my presence in the house to him. I know you cannot deny if directly asked without hurting, but he has no reason to suspect I came here, so he shouldn't remember to ask as long as you don't hint anything." Kreacher nodded.
"Now, show me the library." I wanted to examine the knowledge treasures of the Black family while Potter was away.
After all, there was a reason for Blacks to be feared across Britain, even when they were whittled to the point of extinction. I was enthusiastic about discovering these reasons.
My plan was to spend the next two months in a deep study, until the 1st of August. The date where everything would change.
….
I was back in the Malfoy Manor, now pest-free, because Voldemort decided to move the house of his new favorite family, Notts. 'Fucking squatter,' I thought.
It was ridiculous just how easily those so-called proud purebloods bent knees to a fucking homeless creature.
Just like that, two weeks passed since I visited the Grimmauld Place, and I was studying deep in my room, when I heard a knock on the door.
"Come in," I said, without even bothering to raise my head.
I heard a door opening and closing. "Hello, Draco," Narcissa said with a tender tone, one that could be mixed with a familial closeness, except the undertone of the lust, detectable only because I knew what to look for.
"Hi mom," I said, raising my head. I could see that she was wearing a night robe, and little else.
The fabric was woefully inadequate for hiding anything, after all.
"What brought you to my humble room?"
"I wanted to check how you were. You were a bit distracted last week."
She was right, I wasn't paying attention to her during the last few days.
A change from the previous weeks, where I made sure to have an intimate contact with her, whether a full massage or just a casual, fleeting touch.
What she didn't know, however, was that the lack of attention was intentional, because I wanted to force her to seek me.
I knew that after getting used to regular massages -massages that were much more sensual than what was appropriate for the family- she was going to feel the effects of the withdrawal.
"Sorry, mom," I said. "I wasn't intending to vanish like that, but I was busy with my studies." I turned my head to her, and acted like I just had an idea.
"How about I give you another massage as an apology. It has been a while since we had any mother-son time."
"If that's not a bother," Narcissa murmured, but her twitching hands betrayed her excitement.
Assisted by Draco's memories, she was very easy to read. Still, I was impressed by the ease I was able to break most of her taboos.
Apparently, Lucius was even more distant than I assumed, neglecting such a spectacular example of womanhood.
Of course, I was glad, with the breach provided by Lucius, it was almost trivial for me to invade her mind and soul.
I smiled, a smile that was carefully crafted to tell that, yes, it was a bit of a bother, but I was happy to suffer for her sake.
Narcissa shed her robe almost instantly. Under it, she was wearing another nightwear, its fabric even poorer than the robe, its semi-transparent texture not up to the task of hiding anything.
This time, she was wearing underwear, but it was a lacy set that managed to exude sexiness better than nakedness.
She lay on my bed without the slightest concern, burying her face in my pillow.