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The World Through Emerald Eyes

Chapter Ten

Harrison's family dropped him off in front of the Leaky Cauldron and he stepped out of the car. His father rolled down the window and looked around suspiciously. "Are you sure it's here, son?" he asked. His tone was derisive, probably because all he could see was an old, broken down building with signs warning about a faulty foundation.

He nodded. "Yeah, dad." He had hugged his family before they had gotten in the car, knowing that his dad wouldn't want to leave the car and the last thing they needed was to be closer to the freaks than possible. Harrison wouldn't wish that on any one of his family.

Still, he was surprised when the back door opened on the other side and Dudley ran around the car. His larger frame tackled Harrison in a tight hug. Harrison, choked up, hugged back just as tightly. "See you, Dudley."

His brother pulled back and punched his shoulder, his face red and blotchy as if he were fighting tears. "You better believe it, Harrison. We have games to play."

Harrison cracked a smile. "You mean you have games to lose."

"In your dreams," Dudley replied, voice wavering.

Swallowing thickly, Harrison nodded and waved one last time, smiling weakly at Dudley and his mother and father who were watching him through the windows. He turned on his heel and entered the establishment quickly, trying to make the goodbye less painful.

The door closed behind him, but not before he heard Dudley say, "Holy shit," when he seemingly disappeared.

Like before, Harrison rushed into the bathroom and exchanged his normal clothes for the freakish ones, happy that at least his robes weren't so constrictive on his wand arm. Almost reflexively, Harrison flicked his wrist once to ensure the transition still held his wand firmly in it's holder. He flicked it again and saw his wand disappear once more.

He glanced in the mirror to adjust his clothes but stopped dead when his eyes locked on his tearful form. He touched his face slowly, not believing it was him, but as his hands came away with wetness, he realized that he was indeed crying.

"Damnit," he growled out and gripped the sink as he bowed his head down. "Damnit!" he repeated, feeling his body lock up against the pain that erupted in his chest even as he shuddered.

He cursed the Headmaster, the Ministry, Voldemort, and his birth parents for bringing this upon him. He was happy damnit. He was normal – or as normal as he could pretend to be. Stupid wizards and barbaric laws, and evil douchebags, and unreliable parents…

He shook his head and grabbed a handkerchief to wipe his face. His mother would have his hide if she heard the way he was speaking about his mother as well as his dirty mouth. Too much telly, she would say.

Taking in a shuddering breath, Harrison splashed some water on his face and took a few minutes to gather himself and let his face return to it's normal color. A Dursley would never let their masks fall except in front of family.

Locking his jaw, Harrison nodded firmly at his reflection and exited the bathroom and made his way to the counter. He asked Tom for some floo power and made his way over to the fireplace.

He hesitated, staring at the jar of ash in his hand and then at the crackling flames. Reading about this way of travel was good and all, but who was crazy enough to actually step into a fireplace?

Magic using freaks, that's who.

Grabbing a handful and setting the jar aside, he threw the powder in and the flame rose and turned green just like the books said they would. Harrison closed his eyes tight and stepped into the flame quickly. Trying not to think of anything, he slowly and clearly said his destination.

"Malfoy Manner."

In a flash of green, he was gone.

Draco was suddenly before him and, unfortunately, there to witness as he fell out of the fireplace ungracefully in a roll and smash against a nearby table.

"Ow," was all he could say.

Draco ran to his side. "Harrison, are you okay?!"

Groaning, he got up slowly. "Yeah, perfect," he grunted. Sure he was. Bruised and covered in soot, he was just fricken peachy.

Draco helped him straighten up and then called out, "Dobby!"

Harrison started at the yell and then jumped at the soft crack that that sounded the arrival of a… creature of small stature. It was hideous, to be honest. Big eyes too big for it's face, drooping ears, a huge nose, and a pillowcase covering its thin body. Its head looked to big for it's body and Harrison wondered how it even held itself up.

Harrison recalled that it must be a house elf.

"What can Dobby be doing for young Master Malfoy?" the creature squeaked in an annoying voice that grated Harrison's nerved immediately.

"Dobby, clean Harrison off and then tell mother and father than we are heading to the dining room."

The creature, Dobby, nodded and snapped his fingers before looking at Harrison. Harrison immediately felt his body covering in a squick scrubbing sensation that caused his eyes to widen. He looked down and he once more looked immaculate.

A gasp caused his head to snap up. The house elf was looking at him with eyes bigger than before. "Harry Potter," the elf said. "Such an honor it is." It bowed.

Harrison sneered at the creature before glancing at Draco only to see the other glaring confusedly at the elf. "What did I just say?" Draco demanded.

Dobby cowered. "Of course, young master. Dobby will punish himself after he informs Master." He snapped his fingers again and he was gone.

"What was that about?" Harrison demanded.

Draco shrugged. "I don't know. The elf is stupid. I keep telling father to kill him. He's too odd." He shook his head and turned around.

Harrison's eyes bugged out at the casual mention of the death of a living, talking creature, but he didn't respond to it. It was a common opinion that all creatures were below wizards of any sort, that despite how smart they may seem, they were useless. And, along with that information, Harrison learned how little creatures like Dobby were allowed to do. Many laws forbid rights for many creatures like Werewolves and Vampires.

Veela were an exception because they could mate with wizards and still have wizard children and have long since been considered part of pureblood lines.

Some creatures like dragons, pegasi, and unicorns were protected because of old laws, but mostly, everything was considered lowly.

Shaking his head, Harrison followed the other boy while looking around. The manner screamed wealth. Marble floors, walls, and ceilings. Beautiful, rare, and no doubt priceless objects littered the area in casual display like they meant nothing. Plush rugs, curtains, paintings, and dozens upon dozens of rooms passed by on their way and Harrison was taken aback by the obvious display of wealth.

They reached the dinning room, which in Harrison's opinion looked more like a ballroom with a long table in the middle. Draco's mother was already there, as was a man with the same hair as Draco and a regal air about him. This could only be the Malfoy head, Lucius Malfoy.

The awaiting pair turned at their entrance and rose. Narcissa wore a warm, but cautious smile. "Harrison, dear, it is good to see you again."

Like hell.

"It is a pleasure to see you once more, Aunt Narcissa," Harrison replied. He placed a kiss on her hand and turned to the head of house. "Lord Malfoy," he inclined his head.

"Lord Potter-Black, a pleasure to have you in our home."

"It is an honor to be invited," reiterated, having memorized hundreds of pureblood etiquette since picking up books in Diagon Alley.

Lucius smirked before gesturing to a seat opposite his wife. "Please, sit."

Draco took the seat next to the head of the table on his father's right, across from his mother. Harrison took the seat beside Draco.

He waited for the Lady of the house to sit before joining the other men in sitting. Food appeared on the table just as they settled in and Harrison bit his tongue to stop any sound from escaping.

Magic.

He withheld a shudder.

They began eating quietly and Harrison spotted the two adults watching his perfect breakfast etiquette before sharing a quick look. He smirked to himself.

"Lord Potter-Black," Lucius spoke, drawing the boy's attention. "My wife has told me you are looking into representatives for your estates."

It was a statement, but even Harrison could tell there was a question attached to it. Stupid nosey people.

"Yes, that is correct. I am, you could say, new to things in the magical world. Not of my own choice, of course," he added, acknowledging the twist in his words.

"I was placed with muggle relatives for my protection, I was told. I am only now aware of my holdings and do not know the people who watched over my estates. I wish to start fresh, with people I know and can trust."

"Indeed," Lucius commented softly, watching him in a light Harrison was unable to identify. "I have many retainers for my own estates. If you wish, I could give you some names. Not many can afford them, of course, but they are the best at what they do."

Harrison smiled childishly at the offer. "I would appreciate that, Lord Malfoy."

He nodded and they continued their meal, Harrison talking politely with the heads of house and more relaxed with Draco. The boy was very active and excited for Hogwarts. It was obvious in the way he moved more and spoke faster.

Then again, Harrison supposed it could just be that he is at home, protected by family.

After the plates were cleared and Harrison has, despairingly, enjoyed every bite, Lucius pulled out his wand. He flicked his wrist and spoke the incantation, "Accio."

The summoning charm? Not that it was covered until seventh year. Too much reading, Harrison thought to himself. Though, he through they needed to specify the object they were summoning? Then again, maybe not. More power and experience could allow for a different form of focus, he guessed.

Into the room flew a box and a folder that landed gently in front of Lucius. With the levitation charm, Lucius passed the folder to Harrison who took it hesitantly and reluctantly while trying to hide the second reaction.

The Malfoy sigil was on the cover, and when he flipped it open, the top of the first page read Riftal Representatives. Harrison arched an eyebrow at the paperwork.

"Inside the file you will find the general information about what Riftal offers and their fees. If you wish to meet with them, own me and I will make it happen."

Harrison shot him a curious look.

Lord Malfoy answered his silent question. "The Malfoys have been their patrons for generations. There is a lot our name can do."

Harrison glanced back at the file, trying to ignore Draco's sudden superior air. Yeah, eat it up, he thought. He would have more power than the Malfoy family soon enough. He already had standing. Actually, he probably could get a meeting with just his own name. But if he had questions, he could invite the older man with him. No point in pissing the man off.

Harrison nodded finally and laid the file on the table. "Thank you, Lord Malfoy. This is wonderful."

Lucius nodded back.

Conversation was light and Harrison felt himself relaxing as time passed.

Eventually, Narcissa told them they were leaving for the train soon.

Draco left to call for his trunk to be delivered by the fireplace, but Harrison was stopped from joining him with a call from Lucius.

The man stood tall by his wife and held the box out to him.

Taking it gently, Harrison was confused. A gift?

Lucius spoke. "Lord Potter-Black, you are close with my son and are related to my wife. A young boy like you needs family, and I would be honored if you would allow me to call you Harrison, and you to call my Uncle."

Harrison gaped at the suddenness of the offer. He was already tied to the Malfoys by Narcissa, but Lucius had just officially made a request in the Malfoy name as the head of house. It would not be long before people of all families knew of their connection.

"There would be nothing I would like more, Uncle." He could not officially offer ties until he was the head of house on his seventeenth birthday, but the acceptance would tie him to the Malfoy name and influence.

And my, my, the connections that would bring.

Harrison opened the beautifully crafted wooden box and laid in the middle of velvet was an entrancing sight. Beautiful silver shone along with diamonds and crystals almost blinding him at first. At the very least, it took his breath away. "What is it?" he asked.

"It's an Occamy egg," Lucius told him, causing his head to snap up. Occamy Egg? The purchasing and selling of creatures was strictly forbidden by the ministry. Any offense caught would be punished with no less than 15 years in Azkaban.

And Occamy's eggs were highly sought after as their shell casings were with tens of thousands of galleons. The animal itself was a four X beast considered to be extremely dangerous.

What in the bloody hell was he supposed to do with it?

"An unborn Occamy has the rare chance of becoming a familiar to a wizard," Narcissa told him, clearly seeing his confusion and distress. "A powerful wizard who can feed magic into an Occamy Egg will give an Occamy more power and strength to survive when it hatches even if it won't become a familiar."

"Take it," Lucius told him. "A gift from my family to my new Nephew."

Harrison didn't know what to do with it. But he knew that the shells were impenetrable, so he removed it from its box and slowly slid it into a pocket of his robes. "Thank you. Your gift will be cherished." Even if he had care for an egg until it was born. He could probably give it to the giant of a man who tried to take him shopping when it hatched. A beast for a beast.

The family and Harrison walked to the fireplace once more where Draco stood waiting impatiently. "Let's go," He happily exclaimed.

Narcissa smiled. "Of course, my little Dragon."

Wit ha couple handfuls of floo poweder and calls to Platform 9 ¾, they were off.