My Verdict

I stand in shock at my Uncle Alphard's home. Southern France is lovely this time of year, even more so when over looking these grounds in full bloom.

"Dragon?"

I turn at the voice, an older man with salt and pepper hair in dark blue robes stands before me. His eyes are kind, a gentle light hazel that seems to calm my nervs.

"Great Uncle Alphard?"

His laugh is deep and peacefull. "Oh dear Dragon your mother has told me much about you. I have asked your cousins to stay the next few days away, until you get settled. The help, Marc will show you to your room."

At the sound of his name a young man steps out onto the balcony. "Sir Alphard be calling us?"

"Marc, take our young Dragon to the Silver Room."

"A pleasure, Sir. We understand. This way young Dragon."

I pause, looking once more at my disowned uncle. I guess now we are similar in one way. "I have shown you no kindness, no aknowledgement all these years, and yet you still welcome me with open arms. Why is that? What do you want that I could possibly give you? I have nothing."

"Do not speak of yourself as such, Dragon. The only thing I ask in return is that you take this time to know yourself."

"I am Draco Malfoy, no matter what the Ministry now holds on record." I say, nose up turned, and I follow Marc.

The inside is just as grand as the gardens outside. Lovely earth shaded marble covers the short corridor, select paintings of the country side are scattered along the walls. It is peacefull here. Sadly, this one stretch was all I am to see. Marc stops shortly after entering, opening a door to my right.

"This be the Silver Room. Sir be having this made up just for you." Marc's smile is truely a sight to behold, his white teeth gleaming in the morning sun filtering from the room. "The Silver Room over looks the East Gardens. Sir thinks it would do young Dragon good."

I can't help but be impressed with the room. It is not on scale with what I am used to but it calms me in a way the Manor never did. The room has high ceilings with windows covering most of the two walls facing the gardens, though the whicker style blinds block all but the double doors opening onto the terrace. "Why is this the Silver Room if it is finished in rich browns?" I ask.

"Ah, but you see, young Dragon, Sir used to have wolves. This room, the Silver Room, was the only one they could not enter. Silver is not for color but protection."

"Why are you calling me Dragon? My name is Draco."

"Are they not one in the same?"

"Yes but it is not my name."

"We mean no direspect, young Draco. Dragon is the name your mother sent when you were born. It is understood that Dragon was an endearment among your family, we only wish to make this change easier upon yourself."

"You are the help, correct? Then do as I say and leave me be."

Marc steps up to me, his warm brown eyes locked on mine. "I am here of my own free will. I serve the Master of this villa, not you."

I stare in shock as Marc turns away and closes me in my new room. The man confusses me, I have never met anyone quite like him before. True he was merely the help but he was also stunning. His brown eyes and caramel skin were as lovely as his rich black hair. I am not sure why I felt the need to place him lower then myself, only that he unnerved me.

***

Sitting on my terrace, watching the peacocks was fast becoming a favored pass time. Though the Manor had peacocks, ours were white. These were vibrant blues and greens and golds. I wish I were back at home. I wonder what has become of mother, has she been taken off to Azkaban as well?

"Dragon, I have brought you lunch. I have fresh guava and provolone cheese. I was not sure how hungry you would be after your travels."

I watch as he sits down beside me, the platter on the table between us. "Thank you, Uncle." I say as I pick up a delicate looking fruit. "Guava?"

"I understand that you had a small dissagreement with Marc." Uncle says in place of my question.

"Yes. The freedom you allow your help confusses me. He takes far too many liberties with his Master."

"Non, Dragon. He may be under employment here but he is also human. We have no servents in my villa."

I stare at the ground, reaching for another of the tender fruits. This place is so different from home, I feel as if I'm in over my head. "This place..." I pause to get my thoughts together. "I wish I were home and yet this place feels safe to me. So much safer then the Manor ever was."

"Ah. That would be the Cheering Charm woven into the Wards." Uncles smiles. "I wanted everyone to feel welcome in my home."

"Do you ever miss it, the Balck home?"

"I miss my family but not the house. I loved my family so much I gave my fortune to my run away nefew so he could have a happier life. In turn I was disowned and forced to leave my homeland. On the bright side I have lived longer then any other Black in history, we Black's tend to not live very long lives you know."

"I've noticed. Doesn't bode well for myself."

"It's the Black Madness, for most it doesnt show until the mid to late 20's. For others, like my dear niece Bellatrix, the madness takes over during childhood."

"Aunt Bellatrix was killed during the war, I thought it was her time in Azkaban that made her so crazy. Mother seems to have fought off the Madness, does that mean it will skip me?"

"There is no way to tell yet, Dragon. We shall see."

***

The next few weeks pass in a blurr of afternoon snacks on my terrace and evening swims. Everything is going wonderfully, mother has sent me letters, she has yet to be taken to Azkaban though she has had to pay a hefty fine to help rebuild Hogwarts. Yes, Everything is going fine.

"You have yet to apologize to me, Draco."

"You were taking liberties you were not given, Marc. I feel that we are even on that matter."

Marc's laugh is deep and kind. He truely is a gentle man. "That is why I like you, Draco. You stand your ground, you do not bow just because someone expresses a different idea."

We are in the south Tea Garden, a simple court yard filled with lush greens. I have come to feel at home here. It's a beautiful place. I stare around as I sip my tea, the bloosming roses and ivy climbing the iron gate, the stunning white villa just outside.

"Who owns the villa across the way?"

"The Delacour's. Madam Apolline gave it to her daughter Fluer as a wedding present. The Weasley family has been staying there for the summer."

I am shocked inot silence by the answer. The Weasley's? That meant Potter as well!