Chapter Seven

"Harrumph, Harry Potter, well it is an honour to have one already so great in our household," said Abraxas Malfoy, peering at Harry through bleary eyes the following day.

"Thank you sir," said Harry timidly. It was the following morning and the Malfoys had taken Harry to visit Abraxas, the owner of the Malfoy properties, in his private quarters. They were visiting him in his private study, but at this moment, the place was very dingy and reeked of liquor. The ancient wizard was nearly bald, with just a few wisps of white hair adhering to his head. He had a wispy white beard and a sanguine complexion. His watery blue eyes raked Harry's forehead, settling on the scar.

"Mmm a good boy aren't you?" Rumbled Abraxas. He grasped the cobra headed shaped handle of his silver walking cane and staggered towards Lucius. "I expect Harry Potter is a better boy than you are sir," he said, sounding suddenly stern; glaring at Lucius who stood impassively and without flinching.

"Dad-" said Narcissa tentatively laying a gentle arm on Abraxas' shoulder. "Mm good gel-" mumbled Abraxas. "And Harry," he said, raising his voice again. "You better be in Slytherin, you hear? It is the best house... the best house..."

"Abraxas isn't so bad Draco," said Harry an hour later as they were following Narcissa to the picnic spot in the Malfoy gardens.

"Like I said, he has gone a little bit funny these days," said Draco.

"Here we are boys," said Narcissa brightly. They were in a picturesque glade surrounded by brightly coloured flowers. A still pool of water lay beside them. It may have been some property of the rocks beneath the surface, but the water appeared bright pink. "What a pretty pond," said Harry.

"It is one of the rainbow ponds Harry," said Narcissa beaming. "There are others in glades nearby. Now, for our picnic. Dobby!" She called. There was a crack and Dobby appeared, staggering under the weight of a huge basket. "Leave the basket here and then go back to your duties," commanded Narcissa. Dobby laid the basket on the grass, bowed low and then disappeared again with another crack. Narcissa opened the basket and handed out exotic fruit and bottles of butterbeer to the boys. As the three of them began to eat Harry noticed a little splash coming from the pond. "Oh that'll be a sprite," said Draco casually. Harry's eye was caught by a large yellow flower the petals of which opened to reveal a long red stamen, like a tongue.

"It's a snap dragon," said Narcissa, throwing it a piece of cake. The flowers tongue snaked round the piece of cake and the plant withdrew. Suddenly a little silver face framed with lank, weed coloured hair emerged from the pink coloured water. "Oh ho there Harry Potter," it squeaked.

"How do you know my name?" Asked Harry.

"I wonder; I really didn't think sprites to be all that intelligent," said Narcissa.

"Shall I tell you how I make everyone happy?" Asked the sprite. "I fill the world with frogs." And suddenly the sprite threw what looked like a tiny black frog at Narcissa's head. She gave a little cry, but Harry leapt up and caught the frog in the palm of his hand. It croaked as it sat in his palm, Harry could feel its tiny heart ticking and then it vanished. So to did the sprite.

"Thank you Harry dear," said Narcissa.

"Something must be done about the sprite infestation!" said Draco.

"Look at this flower," said Harry, kneeling down and taking a bright blue flower from the side of the pool. "This is a very rare flower – just like you," said Harry, handing the plant to Narcissa who gave a silvery laugh and placed the flower neatly behind one ear. The sun rose in the sky and from that day, the summer unfolded to be the best one in Harry's living memory.