Lessons On Humility
Goodbyes and First Nights
Chapter 2: Goodbyes and First Nights
In the room, behind closed doors, the aloof and proud Lucius Abraxas Malfoy broke down in tears for the first time since he was four. At that time, it was for the death of his father. But now, it was out of heartbreak. In less than a week he lost it all in one swoop. His wife, his family, his wand, and his wealth. He was reduced to a nobody. He no longer had social standing, he was no longer one to be feared. He was even lower than the Weasley's. He was down right poor. Luckily he had an Heir and they were easier on him. Lucius was spared as well but not by much."Mr. Malfoy?" A soft baritone asked from the door. "Can I come in?" Lucius hastily wiped away his tears and composed himself. He may not be Lord anymore but he'd be damned if anyone saw him cry and be defeated.
"Enter," He said, proud of himself for not breaking down again. Harry entered and looked at the patriarch.
"If you're ready, I'll escort you and Draco to Diagon Alley. I've already cleared it with the Chief Warlock. There's no media or trouble I made sure of that." Lucius smirked and stood to his full height of 6'2". He was tall but he was a bit curvier than Harry and more lithe.
"Thank you for that Mr. Potter but what's in it for you?"
"Nothing, I was going there anyway myself and I offered my services." Harry said casually, not phased in the least with Lucius' tone. He was used to it, for having had plenty of practice with Snape. Lucius was impressed at the younger man's demeanor. No one stood toe to toe with him without pissing their pants.
"Very well Mr. Potter since you insist." Harry opened the door and offered the older blond his arm and a grin. Lucius held his head high and walked past him, leaving the dark man blinking, looking over his shoulder smirking. "Well, let's be off you cheeky brat. I'm not getting any younger."
"Nope, you're just getting better." Harry countered with a smirk of his own, this time leaving the elder blinking before smirking again. Well played. He thought. This could prove to be interesting...
The trio made their way through the busy streets, with Draco and his father walking side by side and Harry taking the lead. Draco noticed his father watching the ravenette and shook his head. His father was a piece of work. He was beautiful, powerful and could have anyone. But he wanted Harry.
"Father, aren't you worried about this?"
"My sentence, I'm terrified." Lucius admitted. "But I expected much worse. If I can deal with the Dark Lord, I can deal with those ruffians."
"Mr. Malfoy, may I remind you that you're one of those 'ruffians' now?" Harry asked evenly, causing the older blond to blush a pretty rose pink. He didn't mean for Harry to hear that.
"My apologies Mr. Potter, old habit."
"It's fine Mr. Malfoy but that habit has to die or you won't last long." Harry cautioned. "And you can scoff all you want, I'm telling you the truth." Lucius sighed and walked into Ollivander's. The aged wizard was there to greet them.
"Ah, Mr. Malfoy," He said in that soft calm tone that Harry remembered when he got his first wand, regarding Lucius with powdered blue eyes. "13 inches, Oak*, Dragon Heart String. A strong wand indeed. I understand you need another. You remember how this goes," Lucius rolled his eyes while Draco bit back a laugh as the wand maker measured Lucius's wand arm and then presented him with a wand. " 12 and a half inches Willow, Unicorn Hair." Lucius felt awkward with it and the wand sensed that, causing vases and boxes to burst open. Lucius gulped and put down the wand quickly. Draco and Harry snickered, smiling sheepishly as the older blond glared. The wand maker sighed and raparioed everything and handed Lucius another wand. "13 inches, Maple* Dragon Heart String." Lucius waved and ver little happened.
"Well that's out." Harry said. "Mr. Ollivander we don't have a lot of time...."
"I wonder...." The wand maker said softly, holding a royal blue velvet box. "This wand, is of rare making and it is indeed one of its kind. It has not one, but two cores. Dragon Heart String and Phoenix Feather. The Phoenix that gave the feather in this wand, was the ancestor to the Phoenix whose feather resides in your wand Lord Potter Black. It was an early design of mine and a very prestigious wizard approached me approached me about it and wished it commissioned. The identity of the wizard who ordered its commission is for you to figure out Mr. Malfoy, if the wand chooses you. This wand, is 15 inches, Juniper* with Dragon Heart String and Phoenix Feather." Lucius picked up the wand gently and gasped as he felt the warm welcome emitting from it. Green and Gold Sparks burst forth and the group blinked.
"Congratulations Mr. Malfoy, you have found your new wand. To be honest, this wand is more suited for you. You have a second chance, although you may not see it right now. I wish you luck and be well."
"How much?" Draco asked and the wand maker smiled.
"Young Lord, it was already paid for. I just kept it safe for its rightful owner." Lucius blinked. He didn't remember having a wand commissioned. But here it was. It was beautifully crafted, well balanced and flawless with a blue lace agate* handle. Lucius absolutely fell in love with it and was pleased that it was his.
"Thank you Wand Maker,' Lucius said graciously. The wand maker looked at him and smiled, his powder blue eyes twinkling.
"No, thank you Mr. Malfoy. I've held that wand for quite a while I dare say. In fact, this wand, is older than you. Although, its not as old as the Elder Wand." He looked at Harry pointedly, who looked around clearing his throat. Both Malfoys looked at the younger wizard who didn't dare meet their gazes. Lucius knew there was a story behind it.
"Well, we must be off." Harry said, checking his watch. "Are we ready, thank you Mr. Ollivander."
"Thank you Lord Potter Black, take care of yourselves and each other." With that said, he left the three men alone to puzzle that out while he tended to another customer who had just entered the shop. Harry led the two blondes out of the shop and went to the meeting point, which was the airport, where two Aurors were waiting. One stood up to stand next to Draco while the other, who was dressed in a suit like uniform, went to stand beside Lucius and extended his hand to Harry.
"Lord Potter Black, thank you for meeting us. That is Auror DeVane and I'm Auror Shale of the American Division. Im here to collect Mr. Lucius Malfoy. Sir, if you would be so kind, step this way when you're ready." The two Aurors went to the side, allowing the father and son time to say goodbye. Draco tried to hold back from crying, so was Lucius. The older man removed the Lord's ring from his right ring finger, the same place it had been since he was 16 and looked at his son.
"My Dragon, I know that you will do well and remember that I'll always be an owl away if you need me. We will see each other again. This isn't goodbye, think of this as 'see you later'. Hold your head up, you're Lord Malfoy now and you will act accordingly." He handed the ring to Draco, who took it with shaking fingers and slipped it on. Once it resized and accepted him, the two blonds embraced.
"I love you Father."
"I love you too my Dragon." Lucius whispered. After a moment of silence the older man looked to the Aurors and nodded. DeVane gently took Draco by the arm and led him back to Malfoy Manor. Harry and Auror Shale were left.
"Mr. Potter, look after my son will you?" Lucius asked calmly. "He will need a friend who's level headed and strong."
"But...."
"Don't worry about me, I will be fine. For all you've done, for this world, my family and myself I thank you. Maybe one day our paths will cross." With that, the blond allowed himself to be escorted to the airplane with Auror Shale who would contact the Chief Warlock once they've reached America. Harry didn't leave until Lucius' plane was out of sight.
Draco entered the cold empty halls of his ancestral home, leaving his escort at the gates. He was in shock and alone. His mother would never grace the halls, and now his father was gone, although he would be an entire continent away. He was now the one thing he always teased Potter on, an orphan. He walked through the halls, his new Lordship bittersweet. Yes he was his own man now but who was there to share it with him? His so called friends were either gone into Azkaban, hiding, or dead, (Some of them having been Death Eaters). He didn't want dinner, too sad to even sit at the table. Never again will he and his parents sit at the table for a meal, or share holidays. His mother would never see him get married, her grandchildren....his father wasn't welcomed in the Wizarding World for four years, maybe more. He went to the Lord's suite and cried himself to sleep.
Despite the situation, Lucius enjoyed the flight and seeing the sights. The plane landed in LaGuardia airport. Auror Shale explained that they were in New York City and that they were going to what was called "The Village."
"Why there?" Lucius asked. Auror Shale regarded him patiently.
"The Village is most accepting of witches and wizards. And the neighborhood is nice." The two men walked toward what Auror Shale explained was the "subway" and they rode to Astor Place and got off. They walked to a nice white stone building and went inside, going into the elevator and pressing ten.
"I'm sure the Chief Warlock mentioned that you are to have a job, a stipend and a liaison visiting I believe every month?" Lucius nodded and Auror Shale looked over his file. "Well according to your credentials, you could work in a law firm, business or surprisingly, a hospital. You will need extra schooling you're aware of this?"
"How so?"
"Muggle medicine is not like ours. They have different sciences. Potions to us, is Chemistry for them. Healing for us, is Medicine for them. We do things by magic, they do them by hand and technology. If you are interested in this, you will need additional education. I warn you though, the schooling will not be cheap and it will take years and can be quite challenging."
"I don't mind a challenge." Lucius admitted. "In fact, I welcome it."
"I'm really not supposed to do this, but I'll search around for schools and fields. Have you decided on which line of work you want?"
"I'll stick to what I know both business and law, for I'm adept in both. I will use the money I get from my wages to invest in my education."
"Mr. Malfoy, I warn you, don't bite off more than you can chew." Auror Shale warned. "Believe me this is not England. The rules are very different here. For example, people drive on the left side of the street. The steering wheel is to the left side of the car. These are but some differences." He handed Lucius the keys to his new apartment. "I'll make your job arrangements and I will be back with your court liaison next month. I wish you luck Mr. Malfoy." He bid him goodnight and let himself out. Lucius locked his door and looked around the two bedroom apartment. It was warmly decorated, simple yet elegant. He sighed as he went for the trunk in his room at the foot of his bed and opened it. Thankfully the Chief Warlock allowed him to take his personal possessions. He pulled out a picture of his family and placed it gently on his desk.
He still had nightmares about his late wife's murder and he missed his son. He ran his hand over the empty space on his right hand and sighed. He had lost so much and yet, he wasn't too broken about it. He knew that Draco would do well. He just felt so alone. He hugged himself and with a sad sigh, after showering and slipping into pajamas, retired for the night.
"So what happened?" She asked. She had been busy with helping the Headmistress with the plans for the school and Ron was called to work at the Auror department.
"Draco was sentenced to house arrest for two years, aid the reconstruction of Hogwarts as well as pay for it. After the two years, he was given an additional two years of community service in St. Mungos. As for Lucius, he's been stripped of his title and Lordship, his assess frozen, his first wand was snapped. He was also sent to America, New York City to be exact and he is to have a job, a home and a stipend. He's not allowed to return until Draco's retrial and his own a week after that." Ron and Hermione gasped at that. Lucius was basically back to square one. He would have earn his keep and his place once again.
"Blimey, that's hell for someone his age."
"It wouldn't be so bad if he really wants it Ronald." Hermione said. "How old is Lucius anyway?"
"Late thirties early forties I think." Ron said. "He and Dad went to school together. As well as Professor Snape, the Marauders, Harry's mum and my Mum, and You Know Who and Hagrid."
"Ok that doesn't narrow it down." Hermione said. "Harry, what's going to happen now?"
"There's nothing we can do, except make sure they're all right." Harry said. "Hermoine, can you write to the Chief Warlock and set up an appointment for me to see him?"
"Sure but why Harry?"
"Because I promised Narcissa that I would look after Draco. Also, Draco asked me to look after his father and I said that I would." Hermione sighed but nodded.
"Give me two days. We'll be off. Goodnight Harry, hope you know what you're doing." She said as she hugged him while Ron snuck a Butterbeer out of Harry's fridge and took a swig. "What are you going to do for the rest of the time?"
"You guys are not going to believe me. I...I'm going for Potions Mastery." Ron choked on his Butterbeer and Hermione blinked.
"What I scored high on my NEWTS, obviously bloomed in my mother's knack for Potions and Professor Slughorn vouched for me."
"Oh Merlin," Ron wheezed. "Now I can't do the greasy bat jokes!"
"Oh I'm sure if he were alive that Snape would go into cardiac arrest." Harry said with a chuckle. "And Ron don't worry, if it'll make you happy you can still do your greasy bat jokes."
"And walking tube of lube?"
"Now you're pushing it."
"Sorry Harry." Ron said. "So who's going to train you?"
"The very same Potions Master who trained Professor Snape. He's from Fleur's school."
"Wow, that's big Harry, when do you start?"
"I'm hoping after my first visit with Draco and his father. Don't say anything about this."
"You got it mate. Goodnight Harry, be careful."
"I will Ron. Goodnight guys." Once they left, Harry prepped up on what he was going to take to his apprenticeship with Potions Master Dumond. He was told the man was a strict man, who booked no nonsense and had a low tolerance for mistakes. Oh Merlin I'm going up another Snape. Why didn't I refuse? Because that's not me. I never quit anything. He sighed and closed the trunk when he was satisfied and settled in for the night. Times were changing and it was time for him to do so too.
Who saw that coming?