Chapter 9

They followed Tippy down the impressive corridors of Malfoy Manor. Dudley stared wide-eyed at all the gold and silver gilt on the furniture of the halls and rooms they passed. He noticed that almost all the people look the same, blonde with grey eyes. He figured that they were relatives to the blonde man who came for Harry and saved his mom and himself. He stopped when one of the paintings moved, then spoke.

"Who are you, boy? How did you get into the Manor?"

"My name is Dudley Dursley. Lord Malfoy saved mum and me."

but the painting sneered at Dudley, "A Mudblood, and one who can't speak the Kings English properly."

Dudley scowled at the rude man. "Well, who are you?" at this time, his mother and the funny little elf notice he had stopped.

"Little master, yous need to go rest. Masters fiancé says so," she said to Dudley wringing her hands.

"Quiet elf! I am Lord Armand Malfoy, the patriarch of the family. The first Lord Malfoy." Armand said, nose in the air.

Dudley frowned at how he talked to Tippy. He realized that he could have ended up like his dad and this guy, a bully. "Hey, you can't talk to her like that, you great bully!" Dudley yelled before grabbing Tippy and his mom by their hands and storming off.

He scowled when he saw the snooty Lord following them down the Hall, just great they had a stalker. He heaved a sigh and stopped dragging his mom and Tippy. He turned to scowl at the painting. He noticed the grumpy grumbling and dark looks Lord Malfoy was receiving from the woman he was crowding in her painting. "Is there a reason you're following us?"

Armand sniffed, "This is my home; I can go where I please."

"Nosy old fool," they heard the woman in the painting grumble.

"Well, we are trying to go to the rooms Lord Malfoy gave us. My mom needs to rest!"

Armand raised a brow. He had to admit the child was amusing and not afraid of the family name. "And what pray tell is wrong with your mother?"

"Not that it's any of your business, but my dad hit her and broke her jaw. Lord Malfoy and Professor Snape saved us and helped mum."

"Well run along then, I won't hold you up any longer period." And with that, he withdrew from the portrait.

Dudley was confused but turned to follow the little elf to their rooms. His mouth fell open in shock when he entered his room after his mother went into hers. It was huge; he thought it was as big as his house. He walked around and found the door to the bathroom that was impressive and the doors to the attached balcony. He hopped up onto the bed and sighed in pleasure at how comfy it was. He felt drowsy, and even though he wanted to explore the room some more, he drifted off to sleep. He didn't even stir when Tippy popped in and covered him with a light blanket.

Down in the family wing of the Manor, Severus and Draco were tucking an exhausted Harry in for a nap. Draco couldn't believe how tiny he looked in his bed, Dumbledore and those Muggles sure did a number on him. He watched his soon to be dad fuss over his future brother. The more he thought about it, the more he liked the idea. He had always wanted a brother, but his father and mother said that as much as they'd love to give him one, they couldn't. As he grew older, he realized why his father didn't like girls, and his mom didn't like his father in that way. He did find it funny that his father had a crush on his godfather, but due to the Ministry and the contract his grandfather made with his mother's family, he couldn't do anything about it.

He had worried when he had heard that the Dark Lord was back because he was afraid for his father. From what he learned before the Dark Lords defeat, he'd send them out on raids and would harshly punish his followers for failure. But everything had changed when the Dark Lord returned. He had overheard his parents talking about how they could legally change their contract to a one-child contract and be free to marry someone of their choosing. While he was sad, he was also excited, especially when Uncle Sev and his father had returned from the Dark Lords ball. They had woken him as they had headed towards his father's rooms. He had peeked out to see them kissing and his father slipping on the Malfoy engagement ring as his Uncle said yes. He had gone back to bed, happy for them, and grateful to the Dark Lord.

To say he had been shocked when Severus had arrived with Harry and family by portkey had been an understatement. To see their condition had been horrifying. While they had been seen to by the family healer, Uncle Sev told him what happened, and he had made peace with Harry. He couldn't wait for the Headmaster to be removed. The old fool sending that oaf Hagrid to get him, giving his cousin of pig's tail over his father's words against Dumbledore and poisoning his mind against the Slytherin's. That man will rue the day he started all of this!

He looked up when Sev grabbed his hand to lead him from the room. "So, let's go make those potions. We will need to do an extra-strength flush for young Mr. Dursley due to the buildup of his magic."

"Um…would that be why he's…err…so big?" Draco tries to ask respectfully.

Severus chuckled, "Yes, in part, I think his parents also had a hand in it."

"Ah, spoiled then," Draco said with a firm nod.

Severus smirked at that, "Exactly."

THEY headed back down the Hall and were met by Lucius. After a quick greeting, he handed Severus a letter with a ministry seal. Lucius smirked at his raised brow. "It seems things have moved more quickly than anticipated," he said.

"Really," Severus remarked as he opened it. Both brows rose at finding a summons to appear at Dumbledore's and Dursley's trials as witnesses for the prosecution.

"Mrs. Dursley has one as well," Lucius told him, snapping his fingers. "Dobby!"

THE little elf appeared looking dejected still over his punishment, "Please take this to Mrs. Dursley, then you are to keep watch over Harry and alert Severus once he has awoken or becomes distressed. I have decided that your punishment is over. Remember, your loyalty is to the family." He finished and handed him the letter.

The little elf took the letter with a joyous smile. "Yes, master!" and he popped away.

"Hufflepuff," Severus snarked.

"Oh, hush you," Lucius said with a small smile. "Now, I have called an emergency Board of Governors meeting. I shall return later on," he kissed them goodbye and apparated to Hogsmeade and walked to the school.

"Come along, let's go make those potions." And they headed down to the lab.