Master of Death

To Hogwarts we go and the Sorting!

~ *~* ~ *~* ~ *~* ~ *~* ~ *~* CHAPTER XVI *~* ~ *~* ~ *~* ~ *~* ~ *~* ~

As soon as the Malfoy's had arrived home, Narcissa went to put away the treats that Harry had gifted them. She was abuzz with excitement. Harry was not what she had expected. For years she had listened to the sheeple speaking about the young Potter Lord as if he were some divine warrior, but also damning him for 'abandoning' them. She had to listen to the idiocy that came from their mouths to the point that she ended up hating the poor child, which made her hate herself nearly twice as much.

She could not imagine what it was like to have lost everything before you could even utter your first word let alone walk. To have witnessed it all and not remember it except in nightmares late at night. To see the young man now, kind and intelligent, cunning, but not cruel or manipulative. He had this aura that pulled them in, he did not force or trick them with his words. They knew he was speaking half truths, but they were not so serious or grievous to call him out on it. He had been careful, testing them. She looked up from where she was storing the treats and blinked. She suddenly could not recall his home, not what it looked like nor where it was.

'Certainly a Slytherin to match his Gryffindor courage, Hufflepuff compassion and hard work, and his Ravenclaw intelligence. The boy- no that young man will led us to a better and brighter future if he sides with our Lord.' She thought, chuckling.

Meanwhile, Draco moved to the Owlry and called his personal owl, Ares, to him. He set the raptor on a perch near the writing desk as he pulled free some parchment and a quill to write with. He was penning his most trusted friends, his real friends, about his meeting with Harry Potter. He listed his traits, his qualities, admitted that his inner drake felt calm and at the same time wished to present him with the finest gems he could find. He lamented not remembering what Harry's home had looked like, a very good memory charm that removed every detail from the minds of those it affected.

Bloody damn brilliant it was! If someone were to try and get passed my Occlumency shields to learn of his location or a hint of where to find him, they would come up with nothing! Blaize, Greg, Theo, I am telling you this now. If I am forced to pick a side, I am siding with Potter. Damn the Light and Dark Sects, though the Dark Lord's sanity has recovered by leaps and bounds, or at least he's a convincing actor. If we should cross wands, my friends, know that I will stun first, but if you come at me a second time, I will kill you.

Signed Draco.

He rolled up the letters and sent them off to his friends after giving Ares some affection and a treat. He made his decision, if Potter went to the Light, he would follow, if he went Dark he would stay as he is now, but if he went Neutral, Draco would do all he could to protect him. Powerful Neutrals were always the first ones to be assassinated by either side so they did not become a threat later down the road.

While, mother and son had been busy, Lucius walked toward the large study and knocked on the door. When given permission to enter, he quickly crossed to where his master sat coiled up by the fire, his familiar lazing on his lap enjoying the roaring heat of the fireplace and the pets from her master. He knelt down and waited to be given permission to either stand or to report as is.

"How did it go, Lucius?" the sibilant tones of his master came forth not long after.

"He certainly is not what I had come to believe of him. He is certainly not weak minded nor is he easily manipulated. He stands firmly in the dead center of Light and Dark. As long as no one is foolish enough to harm him or his own, he will not cross wands with others. He's trained in physical combat as well, does not rely heavily on magic when he does not absolutely have to." Lucius stated.

"Ah, and how did the others take to him?" Tom chuckled, knowing this already but wanted to see how his most trusted follower found the young man.

"Lady Longbottom was cold for most of the visit, but softened when Lord Potter coaxed Heir Longbottom from his shell and let him flourish as he spoke of his projects and plants. Madam Bones has warmed up to him as well, seeing so much of Lord James Potter in him, but at the same time understanding he is his own man. Narcissa was smitten right away. As for the children, Draco seems to have finally picked a side. Heir Longbottom will most likely side with Lord Potter, Heiress Bones is still neutral for the moment and Ms. Granger seems to have been shaken from her Light propaganda and may ally with Lord Potter before long." Lucius told him.