While eating the breakfast so lovingly prepared for them by Dobby, the Malfoy family cast furtive glances at one another. The lord of the manor was at the head of the table smiling. Lucius Malfoy doesn't just smile, and all in attendance were equal parts curious and afraid.

Narcissa daintily cut her sausage, remembering the last time she had seen Lucius smile. It had been six months ago, when Dumbledore had failed for the umpteenth time to remove Harry from their care. She glanced at her husband, and saw him staring at the boy.

Lucius had taken a liking to Harry, as had she. He was a kind child, brave, honest, but full of mischief. And while her husband had never outwardly shown it in a large way, she knew he cared for Harry as much as he did Draco. Narcissa lowered her eyes as her husband's attention refocused on the others at the table. She brought her fork to her mouth, carefully eating the sausage piece so as to not smudge her lipstick.

Ahem.

Every set of eyes in the room swiveled to Lucius as he cleared his throat. He appraised everyone, taking in their appearance as he folded his napkin, placing it on his plate.

"Today is a special day." His voice was clear, yet somehow void of emotion. Like a robot. "Today is the anniversary of the day Harry joined our family. As you all know, we will be holding a ball starting promptly at 7pm." With that Lucius stood, striding away from the table towards the doorway. He was not a man of many words, and it almost seemed as though speaking made me irritated. After all, people should be able to anticipate his every thought, or so he wished.

As he left them he paused at the doorway, turning his body to look over his shoulder. With one hand resting on the door frame he rested his eyes on the crow's nest that was Harry's hair.

"Harry, come." And with that, he turned and began walking once again.

Harry looked wide eyed at Narcissa and Draco. Narcissa nodded her head in approval. Harry placed his napkin in his plate, got up and began to follow. As he walked be Draco he couldn't help but notice the slight tinge of pink on his cheeks. The blond was mashing his fork into his hot cakes, and had a frown on his face. Harry quickly said his goodbyes and tried to catch up to Lucius without running.

He down the long hallway that laid next to the staircase, ducking behind the bust of some great-great-great-great Malfoy, to follow his Father. He saw him enter his office, and hurried to catch up to him. He stopped inches from the door and tried to smooth his hair. His palms were slightly sweaty, and he let out a deep breath.

The last time he had been in this office with permission he had been five. Lucius had told him about his past and all that he was, and all that he would be. It was a lot for a five year old, and it changed his life. He would never forget his parents, who died so bravely for him. And as he entered the door way, he couldn't help but wonder what would change next.

"Shut the door." His Father's command was hard, and Harry hurriedly shut the door. He slowly walked over to the desk. He sat when Lucius told him to, and he kept his hands folded in his lap.

"Do you know why you're here?" Harry shifted nervously.

"No, sir." Lucius said nothing, his eyes staring into Harry's.

"You're here because I want you to be. But not only that, you're here because I found this-" Lucius held up the head of a chocolate frog, and upon seeing it Harry instantly paled "in my desk drawer. What do you have to say about it?" Harry felt as if he were going to throw up, and knew he had been had.

"I… I don't know." Harry stared at the floor, trying to stop the tears welling in his eyes. Lucius cocked an eyebrow.

"You don't know? So this frog head just happened to land in my top drawer, smudging my financial report from last quarter?" Harry quickly glanced up at his Father and saw the blackness swirling in his eyes.

"Well… perhaps it got lost?" Harry's voice was small as he fiddled with his fingers.

"You're a terrible liar, Harry. It's one of the qualities you possess that amuses me to no end." And with that, Lucius let out a guffaw and popped the head into his mouth. Harry sat wide-eyed as Lucius chewed. He had a grin on his face that he was not used to seeing and it scared him.

"A-actually, I think I'm a good liar. You just happen to be perceptive." And with that, Harry beamed at him. Lucius inclined his head, taking the compliment and swallowing the chocolate.

"The real reason you are here is because I have something for you." Lucius opened a drawer in his desk and took out a small box wrapped in Quidditch birthday paper. He placed it on the desk and folded his hands as he watched the emotions flash over Harry's face.

"Take it." Harry tentatively reached out a hand and snatched up the gift. He held it to his chest in wonder, not because he has never received gifts before, but because he had never received on in his Father's office. This had to be a special gift, especially if he did not want to give it to him in front of Draco.

"Open." And with that Harry tore off the paper and stared in wonder at the box. He opened the lid and was shocked to see a silver ring. It was a dragon, whose tail curved around to form the hole for his finger. The dragon had emeralds for eyes, and looked fierce. He picked it up out of the box and held it in the palm of his hand. He had never seen anything so beautiful.

"There's an inscription." Harry looked on the inside of the ring and saw some writing on the tail. The words 'Sanctimonia Vincet Semper' were engraved on it. Tears welled in his eyes as he looked up at his Father.

"Some like to think that the words of our family has to do with blood status. And as you know, the Malfoy's have never been… of pure Wizarding lineage." Harry's gaze was stuck on the ring, his thumb caressing one of the wings of the dragon. "Purity Always Conquers. Those are our words, Harry. The purity of the mind, the purity of the soul, the purity of your actions… it matters not. What matters is that as a Malfoy, you have to live up to the standards that have been set before you." Lucius let the words hang in the air.

"This time next year you will be in Hogwarts. I would have waited until then to give you this gift, but I felt that seeing your face would be more pertinent then following tradition. As each Malfoy enters their first year of Wizarding school they are given a token. Something to remind them of their heritage, so they know that while their parents might not be there to correct their actions they are still expected to behave in a dignified manner. Wear it with pride… son."

Harry sniffled as he put the ring on his right index finger. He looked up at his Father and smiled.

"I will do my best, sir." Lucius nodded.

"You're dismissed then." Harry stood, nodded and turned to leave.

"Oh, and Harry?" Harry stopped and faced his Father. Lucius looked him straight in the eyes and said, "Try not to lose it." Harry smiled as Lucius waved him away. He exited the study, shut the door, and marveled at the ring on his finger.

He grinned, looking like a demon in the dark hallway.

Draco was going to be SO jealous!

Well… I'm not saying I'm back for good. I might just be visiting. But… I don't know, what do you think?