Abused

Disclaimer in Chapter 1.

Chapter 4: Education

By June all five young people were facing N.E.W.T.s… even Luna, who had been a year behind the others. The tutors Lucius had trusted, as well as the aristocrat himself, were proud of the way they productively used their time to study. Not only were they ready for the tests, but they had been working on some of the subject matter that the University would require for the A.P. test that they would take the first week of August.

When the exam results arrived, Lucius made arrangements to sneak the group’s allies in to celebrate. He understood that it would be hard on Harry, Neville, and Susan, but Lysander Lovegood deserved to be there for Luna. To his amazement, the other three accepted it with good grace, and claimed Kingsley and Tonks as their family.

That almost started a fight between Harry and Draco, but the rainbow-haired Auror was more than ready to deal with it. “Knock it off, both of you.” She gave them both a smirk, “I’m big enough for you to share.” The blush on Harry’s face sent the blonde into hysterical laughter. “You mean she’s never come onto you before?”

Hiding his face, Harry shook his head, “Either that, or I’ve just been that oblivious.” Tonks put her arms around both boys. “It’s all part of the fun, guys. I mean, Draco is my cousin, and I know Harry isn’t interested.” The last part caught Lucius’ attention, and he pulled Kingsley to the side, “What did she mean by that?” The elder Auror looked at him in shock, “You’ve been around him for a year, and still hadn’t found out that our Harry plays for the other team?” The blonde shook his head, “Sexuality options haven't been one of the curricula studied, so it wouldn’t have come up around me… and his friends are very good at keeping what they know inside their own heads.”

Shacklebolt nodded, “It made things very tough for Harry when he told the Weasleys. It seems they had plans of regaining their position in society by him marrying their daughter. Once he put his foot down, they stopped having anything to do with him.” The Auror sighed, “I know Harry was deeply hurt by the idea that that was the only reason they had for making friends with him. The Granger girl was just as bad, and they turned the rest of Gryffindor against him. Young Neville was the only one of Harry’s housemates to stick with him through that last year. He brought Susan and Luna into the picture even before Samhain, and the four have been together ever since.”

He chuckled, “According to my source, it was a strange sight. Where the ‘Golden Trio’ was always showing their irritation with the torment from Slytherin, the quartet couldn’t be rattled by anything. Draco’s usual actions went ignored, and Severus’ behavior… even to Neville, was met with a calm glance. The two girls brought in several of their housemates as back-up in dealing with the shite that the Gryffindors were pulling, and I know your former house elf found the two boys a room to stay in so that they wouldn’t risk having their things ruined by their dorm mates.”

Lucius’ eyes blazed, “And Dumbledore allowed all of this to happen?” Kingsley nodded, “Even I have to admit that once Voldemort was dead, the old man quit caring what happened to Harry.” He met Lucius’ gaze, “If I were a suspicious man, I’d say that Albus was only hoping that Harry would survive until August first last year. Then he could take control of both the Potter and the Black estates upon Harry’s demise.” He chuckled, “Fortunately, Neville’s instincts fouled that up by coming to you with his concerns.”

The aristocrat frowned, “I think that before we leave for America, I need to take Harry to Gringotts. He needs a goblin to oversee his own properties and make sure that even if Dumbledore bribes someone into releasing the accounts, he can’t get into them.” Kingsley nodded, “That would be wise. Eventually, he’ll think of doing just that. If they’re in the hands of a Goblin specialist, the old man won’t even be able to get a question answered regarding them.”
~*~
The end of June, well after their former classmates had finished with Hogwarts, Lucius sat down with the five young people and made a list of those whom they’d like to invite for a small get-together. The one prerequisite for invitation was that they were on Lisa Turpin’s list of the most rabid defenders of the missing quintet.

Soon invitations were in the air to a dozen of Hogwarts’ recent graduates.

July 14th brought a surprising group to Malfoy Manor.

Slytherins Millicent, Blaise, Dalton English, and Aramis Calder, joined with Ravenclaws Lisa, Morag, Su, and Davan Farrell; as well as Hufflepuffs Hannah, Megan, Anthony, and Summer Thurston.

Lord Malfoy had requested the house elves to set up a picnic luncheon and games for their expected guests. The entire group knew that Neville, Luna, and Susan, were staying with Draco. But none of them expected to be facing an entirely new Harry Potter.

For the first time any of them remembered, he looked healthy… and happy.

To the Slytherins’ surprise, Harry went out of his way to be sociable. As they watched his association with Draco and the others, they realized that he hadn’t really changed. It was the way they were seeing him that made the difference.

It was Blaise who clarified what they were seeing. “If we hadn’t taken it in our heads to dislike Potter because he was a Gryffindor… and Dumbledore’s ‘Golden Boy’, we’d have had a friend all this time.”

Draco overheard him, and added his own comment. “And if I hadn’t acted like his snob cousin, he wouldn’t have refused my hand first year.” He met each pair of eyes. “It took Neville Longbottom to show me where I had erred in dealing with Harry… and he IS Harry to me now!”

At the end of the day, the group living in the Manor promised to keep in touch with the others wherever they were.
~*~
Just before Harry’s 18th birthday, and taking the Auror’s words to heart, Lucius and Harry met Kingsley at Gringotts so that the auror and Harry could release the seals but only for access by the Goblin they selected to manage the Potter and Black estates. Then they went to see about gaining a Goblin manager for the estates. Lucius own manager recommended a goblin named Grison Groote. Upon meeting the wizened being, Harry knew he could work with him.

“Mr. Groote, I am in need of a manager for my estates as I will be out of the country for several years. Lord Malfoy’s estate manager recommended you for the job.”

Grison Groote had been planning to retire as boredom was setting in. When he met Harry Potter, he changed plans. “Mr. Potter, I would be pleased to assist you. Can you tell me exactly what we’re working with?”

Harry grinned, “First of all, it’s Harry. ‘Mr. Potter’ makes me feel like I’m back in Potions class. As for what there is, I’m not exactly sure, but I’m certain that you can look it all up. There is my school vault; the Potter inheritance; and the Black inheritance from my godfather. Due to problems last year, I could not come in on my 17th birthday to look everything over. The only thing I am sure of is that I want Remus Lupin to make the Black house on Grimmauld Place his home… all expenses paid. I want someone to go in and change the wards so that Albus Dumbledore is unable to have access… unless Remus lets him in.”

Finding the young man more than reasonable, and friendly to boot, the goblin said that he would contact him through Lord Malfoy to let him know when everything was settled. With that, Harry surprisingly shook hands with Grison, and he and Lucius headed for Madame Malkin’s and some shopping for the trip.

Lucius had known that the young man needed a new wardrobe. The clothes he had purchased the summer before no longer fit the healthy teen that walked beside him. Watching Harry heal physically, emotionally, and spiritually, gave the blonde a large feeling of pride. It was sad to think Harry had been deprived for so long that, when he had thanked Lucius for a new pair of trousers and shirt, the aristocrat had to leave the room before he demeaned himself by floo’ing to Hogwarts to use an Unforgivable on the irritating Headmaster.

They returned to the Manor having purchased new clothes for Harry, as well as having picked up some things for the other teens. Everything would be delivered later. He had made one request of the older man, and Lucius could see no reason to deny him. Stopping into a small shop down the Alley from Madame Malkin’s. An hour later he walked out smiling.

Seeing the grin when the dark haired teen returned, Draco inquired, “Now what did you do?”

The sparkle in Harry’s eyes made everyone smiled anyway, and he asked, “Do you all want to know?”

The girls were anxious to find out, and Neville merely said, “If you want to tell us.”

Harry slipped out of the wizard’s robes he had worn to Diagon Alley then unbuttoned his shirt. Smiling, he shrugged the shirt off his shoulders. His friends gasped. Peering over his left shoulder was the head of a dragon. As Harry turned, they saw that the rest of the dragon trailed down his back to where the tail wrapped around his waist.

“Sweet Merlin, Potter,” Draco breathed. “I never imagined you’d do something like that.” The brunet chuckled,

“Any more than you would expect me to do this… right?” They looked up as he brushed his hair away from the right side of his head. In his ear was a gold earring in the form of an Ouroboros.

Draco smirked back at him, “You do know what the right ear means, don’t you?”

Lucius enjoyed Harry’s laugh. “Of course I do, Draco. I’m not afraid to admit that I prefer male companionship.”

Lucius smiled, “By the way, Happy Birthday, Harry.” His friends added to the chorus as they entered the dining room for dinner.
~*~
The morning of August 18th, everyone slept in, having finished packing the night before. Lucius told them all that their portkey would activate at 2:00 that afternoon, placing them in Salem at 9 a.m.

Draco shuddered at the idea of adjusting to the time change, but his father explained that that was why they would arrive in the morning. They could spend the day getting to know the school, and have an early night at the home the Malfoys leased for a minimum of 4 years.

When they appeared in front of the Victorian house on the outskirts of Salem, the blonde was astonished. It was graceful yet understated. On the front steps waited several house elves. One of them approached the group and bowed, “Lord Malfoy…?” Lucius nodded, and the elf bowed again. “We bid you welcome, and hope you will enjoy your stay. I am Simi.”

Lucius smiled, “Greetings, Simi. These are the University students in my care… My son, Draco; Miss Luna Lovegood; Miss Susan Bones; Mr. Neville Longbottom, and Mr. Harry Potter. Should there be any difficulties, I hope you will let me know. We are unaccustomed to the way things are done here.” The blonde was aware that if there were any problems, his son would be the culprit, as the other four were able to more easily adjust to situations.

The elf smiled, “I am certain there will be no difficulties, and the students will soon adapt. Please allow the staff to take your luggage to your rooms. I have refreshments waiting in the front parlor.
~*~
The five teenagers had all managed to gain spots in the Advanced Placement Program at the Wizarding University of Salem in America. By the time they were finished three years later, each had completed their Mastery in Defense, Occlumency, and Legilimency, as well as another subject. Luna had chosen Divination; Susan selected Charms; Draco had Potions; Neville went with his strength in Herbology; and, surprisingly, Harry's was in Healing.

Neville and the two girls had also gained enough knowledge to assist either Draco or Harry, if the need arose, for the Potions and medical efforts.

Lucius surprised them all by taking courses in Advanced Transfiguration to keep from dying of boredom, or so he said. Harry saw the sparkle in the steel-colored eyes as the older wizard delved into the University's texts on Transfiguration and Animagi. The young man figured it was only time before his mentor and love decided they should all become Animagi.
~*~
Just before Christmas of their second year, Draco had had enough. He stormed into the lounge where Neville and the two girls were sitting. “What is he waiting for? I know he loves Harry, why hasn’t he done anything about it?”

Luna replied easily to his rage, “Be easy, Draco. Perhaps your father hasn’t attempted to court our friend because he’s not certain how you would feel to have a step-parent your age. If you’re so hyped about the subject, take it up with him.”

Calming under the Ravenclaw’s logic, the blonde thought it through as the others remained silent. How would he feel if Harry bonded with his father? Admittedly, the relationship between him and the former golden boy had mellowed with understanding, but would it be enough to handle a stronger bond?

After a long while, he looked up. “Do you know where my father is?”

Neville nodded, I believe he’s in the practice room.”

Draco smiled, “Thanks.”

Strolling through the Victorian house, the young man entered the practice area where Lucius Malfoy was immersed in his martial arts routine. Draco stood along the wall watching the grace with which the older man moved. The time they were spending in America was doing his father a great deal of good, but not as much as the company of a certain Gryffindor.

Lucius noticed his offspring and eased out of the routine he was accomplishing. “Draco…?”

The blonde head nodded, “Father.” The older man waved him to a nearby bench and waited for his son to open whatever subject was on his mind.

Looking anywhere but his father’s face, Draco asked, “Why haven’t you done anything to change your relationship with Harry?”

Luc sat back, startled by Draco’s acknowledgement of what was going on. “I wasn’t certain that you would take it well, Draconis.”

The young man shrugged, “Father, if being with Harry makes you happy, who am I to argue?” He smiled, “Might I suggest courting him?”

At that, a smile appeared on Lucius’ face. “Do you think that he would like that?”

Draco chuckled, “Who wouldn’t, father? I’ll leave you to think about your first step.”

After Draco left, Lucius had no problem knowing where to start. One evening months earlier he had overheard a conversation between the five young people about what would get their attentions toward a possible partner. This was going to be an interesting process.
~*~
Later that night, when Harry went to bed, he found a single long-stem, red rose on his pillow. Taking a sniff, he smiled dreamily, and conjured a vase to set on his bedside table. The brunet fell asleep looking at the beautiful flower, a peaceful smile on his face.

Lucius peeked in sometime after midnight then closed the door with a gentle smile on his own face. It appeared that his first gift was accepted.

Over the next few months, the gifts to the young brunet remained simple, but thoughtful… and Harry appreciated each and every one. A gold pendant of a lightning bolt embraced by a serpent; tickets for a professional figure skating performance (which to his amazement, Harry adored). A trip for six to Disney World… which had Lucius rolling his eyes in mirth as they dragged him onto the Jungle Cruise. There was also a weekend at Niagara Falls; A shopping trip to Edmonton, Canada; a Broadway play; and tickets to a Rolling Stones concert. The most special one… to Harry, was when Lucius took him on a muggle Whale Watch. They stood on the deck of the boat as the brunet leaned back against his companion, feeling the strong arms go around him, their eyes focused on the pod of whales breeching in the distance. It may have been cold out on the water, but Harry was kept warm by Lucius’ embrace.

Late one April afternoon, Harry disappeared, and Lucius was in a state. Gathering the rest of the young people together, he discovered that the emerald-eyed demon had exploded earlier in the day when he'd read something in the muggle paper. Luna said that she kept hearing him mutter 'damn fools' before he left the house.

Snatching the said paper, he glanced through it not seeing much of anything that should upset his love... until he noticed an article about figure skating. Skimming through it, he remembered back to the night they had gone to the performance in a small town in New York State.

flashback:
Lucius couldn't help but smile at the enthusiasm Harry was exhibiting over the various performances, until one. It was a pair, Larisa and Milos. The blonde couldn't see what had suddenly upset his companion, but he thought he might find out later. Harry didn't know it yet, but it was arranged for them to go backstage and meet the performers.

As they wandered around meeting the various people, the pair soon came upon Larisa and her partner. With an unnoticed wave of his hand, Harry surrounded the four with a silencing charm. "Did you know she's in pain?" he growled at the male skater.

Milos glanced at the girl, and could see that she was very pale. He hadn't thought much about it, just that Larisa might be coming down with a cold, and told the irate young man as much.

Harry knelt in front of her, "Why haven't you told him? He needs to know, to be able to protect you both."

Larisa shook her head. "We need to finish out the performances. It wouldn't look good if I had to leave before the end of the tour."

Harry shook his head at them, and Lucius could see him pour healing into the young girl. When he stood, he said, "Tell them, Larisa, before you lose the child."

She finally looked up, "What's your name?"

He grinned, "I'm Harry."

She nodded, "And I'm called Lari."
end flashback

Lucius shook his head. He'd better get there before all hell broke loose. If his young friend was that irate, there was something going on he didn't like the looks of.

Walking outside, he apparated to the arena where the show would take place. Hopefully he'd catch Harry before things got too out of control. Moving quietly through the performers, he had almost caught the young wizard before he got to the skating duo, but not quite. He heard him before he got there.

"Do the two of you have any idea what you're doing?" the dark haired wizard scolded them.

Larisa glanced up to see Harry glaring at her. "Harry, I explained that we needed to finish out the tour," she said gently.

He turned the glare on Milos. "And you're willing to go out there, and watch your wife's blood stain that pristine ice as she miscarries your child? You must be totally mad!"

Harry returned his gaze to Larisa, "Lari, you haven't seen a doctor about the pain, have you? Do you know just how close you are to losing this child? One wrong move, one misplaced hand when Milos is supporting you, and it will be all over the news for weeks, because who in the audience will ever be able to forget the crimson stain spreading across the ice."

Lari's hand went to her abdomen, and she went from pale to ghostly white. "H-H-Harry, I don't want to lose my baby." Then she broke. Sobbing with both the pain... and the fear that had consumed her for the past several weeks.

Stroking her hair back from her face as he held her, the wizard glanced at Milos. "Lead me to your dressing room. I'll do what I can to help... but you both have to start being reasonable." He lifted the fragile girl in his arms as her husband took them to the room they shared before the performance. Quietly Lucius followed them, if only to be there for the young man who meant so much to him.

A half-hour later, Lari was napping on the sofa, and an exhausted Harry rested on his knees beside her. The circles under his eyes told Lucius just how much healing energy he'd poured into the girl. He reached out to stroke the dark head, "Alright, Harry?"

The brunet nodded. "Just tired. I'd much prefer that she didn't go on tonight, but I know she will."

He looked up at Milos, "It was even closer than I expected. If I hadn't come here, Lari would have definitely lost the child at tonight's performance."

"Why didn't you tell me Lari was pregnant, Milos?" A gentle voice came from the doorway, and they turned to see a petite, bald man with a smile that could light up an audience. As the skater searched for words, the man held up his hands, "Never mind, I don't think I really want to know." He smiled at the strangers, "I'm Scott."

Harry stood, "I'm Harry, and this is Luc. I'm actually thrilled to meet you. Perhaps you can get them to see reason why Lari shouldn't perform."

As Larisa woke, the other man smiled again, "I think I can make you both happy. Lari, you're grounded until the team doctors say otherwise. If they clear you to perform, there will be no lifts or tosses. Your blades remain on the ice at all times." He went to kneel beside the girl. "This is a family, Lari, you know that. Don't you think it would hurt all of us if you lost your baby?"

He returned to Harry, "I thank you for revealing this to me. We've lost others over the years, but this would have torn the figure skating family apart at the seams. We have contingency plans in effect for such situations, and they're written into the performers' contracts, but it seems that not everyone reads their contract.

Harry smiled, remembering many things he'd read about the man in front of him. "The family will stick together. Your own experience proves that in truth."

Scott nodded, "It does indeed. I thank you for helping Larisa, healer."

Harry nodded, "The effort is its own reward... as long as she does what she's supposed to." With that, Harry led Lucius from the room and apparated back to their Victorian home.

Inside, Lucius led the younger man to his room, gently changing Harry into pajamas and tucking the exhausted healer-in-training into bed. He knew the brunet had drained his energy helping the girl, but didn’t have the heart to scold him. It was what healers did, after all.

Harry woke late the next morning, his empty stomach growling. Hearing a chuckle, he turned to see Lucius in a chair near the window. “It’s amazing how well your stomach knows when there’s food available.”

The young wizard stretched, “How long have I slept?”

Luc smiled, “About 18 hours. After ten, I had one of your instructors come to check, and he said you would sleep for about another eight due to the massive amount of energy you used yesterday… and that you would be starving when you woke.”

Harry crawled out of bed and headed for the bathroom, telling the blonde in passing, “I’ll be right out, but I desperately need a shower and a toothbrush.”

Luc waved him away, and sat with his eyes closed, enjoying the sun coming through the window. Hearing a tap, he looked toward the window, seeing an owl on the ledge. Rising to let the avian in, he found a message attached.

Taking a seat at the table, Lucius removed the letter, and fed the bird a bit of Harry’s bacon, knowing that the wizard would insist on it. Seeing it was addressed to the younger wizard, the blonde took the delivery owl back to the window and let him out to return to his master.

Harry popped out of the bathroom in a dressing gown, a towel around his neck to absorb the water dripping from his hair. “What’s going on?”

Luc joined him at the table. “There was an owl for you. The parchment is right there.”

Harry picked up the scroll, opening it.

Healer,

I thank you for your timely interference in Larisa’s situation. It would have deeply hurt the entire group had we unknowingly attributed to the loss of her child.

The team doctors have banned her from performing until they are convinced the risk of miscarriage is over. At that point, she will be allowed to return, keeping her feet firmly on the ice. She has been told that any breaking of that rule will sideline her for the rest of the season - if not the next.

Again, my profound gratitude for your help.

Scott.

The brunet handed the letter to his companion, who read it, startled. When he raised his eyes to Harry’s he inquired, “When did you find out the gentleman was a wizard?”

Harry laughed, “Right then. When we were discussing Lari, he called me ‘Healer’. Only a wizard would do that. A muggle would have referred to me as ‘Doctor’. However, I doubt that very many in the Wizarding world… even the muggleborn, know that an Olympic gold medallist in figure skating is actually a wizard. It would simply never occur to them.”