Work Text
Pain was the first thing Harry registered.His head pounded like a drum into his ears, ringing reverberated through his skull. And his body ached like nothing he'd felt before, not even Dudly's beatings hurt this much.The second thing he registered was the cold ground. It didn't feel like the cold dungeons of Hogwarts at all, instead he could feel grass and smell soil.Opening his eyes he met the blurry world around him. Pushing the nauseous feeling to the back of his mind the 17 nearly 18 year old peered into the darkness. He fumbled around the floor before finding his glasses and quickly pushed them onto his nose, immediately he found the body of his brother heaped on the ground ten feet from him."Damian!" he scrambled up despite the pain and rushed over to the lump. rolling him over Harry met the porcelain, doll-like face of his younger twin, eyes closed and limp in his arms. He shook him gently, dark hair flying out around his head like a halo.The Potter twins didn't look alike at all. They had the same sharp cheekbones and pale skin but years of malnutrition could do that to anyone. Where Harry looked like his father people said Damian took his mothers looks, instead of the birds nest of hair he had sleek dark curls that hung to his shoulders and framed his face. Damian also didn't need glasses to cover his ice blue eyes.Said eyes blinked slowly up at him,"H-harry? What-did it? Did it work? When are we?" he asked. Looking around at the forest."By the looks of things we're in the forest of Dean, would you like to tell me what you were thinking?!" Harry demanded, Blue eyes filled with tears."I-I couldn't do it Harry! Living every day without him-I'm not-not brave like you, without Fred, I'm,I-can't!" Harry pulled his brother close to him, letting the younger boy burrow into his shoulder. He thought back to all his loved ones, James and Lilly, Sirius, Albus, Snape, Hedwig, Colin and Fred. Remus and his wife Tonks. Their little boy who now had no parents.
He could easily see why someone would want to bring them back, why Damian would want to bring Fred back. The two were so in love it hurt sometimes.
"It's okay, it's okay," he soothed, running his hand down his back. "Come on, we have to figure out when we are,"
"Well the potion and spell was only suppose to take me back a couple years, maybe back to our forth year. That was as far as I could get the translation to go, this seems a lot further than forth year though," the other boy said, pulling away from his brothers' shoulder and wiping his face."So we're in The Forrest of Dean, at some point in time. Okay, first things first. Gringotts, they should be able to give us some sort of idea of when we are," Harry said. The pair stood and hooked their arms together before turning on their foot and disappearing with a sharp
CRACK!
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
Harry and Damian appeared in Diagon ally to find it bustling and crowded. Walking forward towards the bank they avoided bumping into anyone and filed into the tall white building. Harry pulled his brother towards an open teller and spoke in hushed tones."Excuse me Master Goblin, but my brother and I would like a private meeting with the bank manager," the goblin sneered at the boy."And why, pray tell, should Gringotts comply with such a ridiculous demand?"Damian frowned, "My name is Damian Victor Potter, I was born July 31st 1980. My brother and I were apart of an experimental potions accident and have ended up sometime in the past so, I suggest Master Goblin you go and get your manager, now," The goblin looked nervous before jumping down from his seat and shuffling off quickly. Moments later the goblin returned and ushered the pair to follow him. Walking down twisting hallways until they reached a rather large, heavy door with two goblins in armour and long spears. Their guide opened the door and showed them into the office.
"Ah, Mister Potter. Gornak here tells me the most interesting story," A goblin with greying whisps of hair and sharp fangs. His beady eyes took in the two boys in front of his desk. Gesturing to the chairs he told them to sit."Yes, Manager Ragnok. My Brother and I are in a bit of a pickle. You see, in 1999 I was working on an potion that would combine with a spell and transport a persons consious to their youngerself. We'd just fought a terrible war and many were lost, I wanted to go back far enough and mitigate the loss of life but something went wrong and My brother and I ended up here, what year is it,""The date is the 12th of August 1944. Alright, well first things first, you both need new identities for however long you stay here. The trouble with time magic is that the further back you go in time, the harder it is to realign yourselves into your own time, if what your saying is true then your fifty years out of time. I don't think it will be possible to return you both to 1999. If you could just prick your fingers and let three drops of blood fall onto the parchment," he hands Harry a silver ornate dagger and watched as he followed his instructions. As black ink spread across the parchment Harry passed Damian the dagger.
inheritance
test
Name: Harrison James Potter,
Born: 1st July 1980, aged 19 years
Parents: James Fleamont Potter, father
Lillian Rose Potter nee Evens, mother
Sirius Orion Black, Godfather - blood adopted father
Siblings: Damian Lucian Potter, twin brother.
Family lines: Potter, (blocked)
Black (Blocked)
Peverell (Lord)
Gryffindor (Lord)
Vaults:
Potter (Blocked)
Black (Blocked)
Peverell, 166,354,572,456,724,537 Galleons
Gryffindor, 183,968,737,485,372,198 Galleons
Properties:
Griffin lodge
Lions castle
Peverell Manor
Peverell town house
Contracts:
Weasly Wizards Wheezes - silent partner
Marriage contract to Malfoy family.
Harry looked over his test in awe. He was filthy rich! He hadn't really known much about his connection to the Peverell and Gryffindor families other than he was a descendant of both. He understood that the Black and Potter families wouldn't be open to them as the family was still very much alive at this point. The contract to marry Malfoy though was a throw.
"Does this mean I have to marry Malfoy?!" he asked, Damian was pale and swallowed.
"No, Harry.
You
don't," Harry took the parchment from his younger brother.inheritance
test
Name: ,
Damian Lucian Potter
Born: 1st July 19
80, aged 19 years
Parents: James Fleamont Potter, father
Lillian Rose Potter nee Evens, mother
Sirius Orion Black, Godfather - blood adopted father
Siblings:
Harrison James Potter
, twin brother.
Spouse: unknown
Children: Lucius Abraxas Malfoy
Family lines: Potter, (blocked)
Black (Blocked)
Peverell (Heir)
Gryffindor (Heir)
Vaults:
Potter (Blocked)
Black (Blocked)
Peverell Heir vault, 643,498,714,538 Galleons
Gryffindor Heir vault,737,485,372,198 Galleons
Properties:
Griffin lodge
Lions castle
Peverell Manor
Peverell town house
Contracts:
Marriage contract to Malfoy family.
"I don't understand,"
"You know how when you and Granger used that time turner in our third year? That you followed yourselves around till you over took their time? I think that's what's happening right now. We're walking the same path we took. I married Abraxas Malfoy, for some reason maybe this contract and gave birth to Lucius Malfoy,"
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
After that revelation Ragnok took charge pretty quickly.
"This isn't the first time someone has messed with time magic and has it all go horribly wrong. Lady Magic doesn't like it was people try to change things she's already set in motion. No doubt she's given you whole new lives, separate from your original ones to not affect the timeline too much when your original selves are born. For now, we'll activate the only blood line you have access to right now and that's the Peverell line. Which is a good thing, for you and the bank. The Peverell family is an old one, dating back to before the founders era. Which means they are one of the banks first customers and having their line return is a boon for Gringotts, which means anything we do to bring you into this time will be free of charge. Now, you need names, backstory, birth certificate, housing and schooling. Hogwarts will no doubt have a letter for you once you apply or we can do this for you. Your account manager is Dirk, he'll help manage any business shares and the like. We do ask that you not gamble on quidditch teams, as you are from the future. Any pressing questions?""Do we need to get in touch with the Malfoy family about the contract?" Damian asked.
"No, the Malfoy family keep all important contracts at their family estate. Once your accounts are active the magic will activate the contract and inform the head of house, they will probably insist on a meeting. Now, parentage,""It's probably best we keep as close to the truth as possible, less chance of us messing up the details that way," Harry said, "So, pure-blood father, muggle-born mother. Both died in the war against Grindlewald, left us with Mothers muggle family who kept us hidden from the world in fear of retaliation by him. They died in a car accident and Gringotts contacted us to receive our inheritance," Damian nodded along.
"Sounds good so far. That's almost exactly like our actual lives," They continued to plan well into the morning.
================================================================================================================================================================Abraxus sat staring at the marriage contract in front of him. He knew there was one to pair the Malfoy and Peverell families but most thought the line died out, he thought he was home free. Apparently not. The door to his study opened and Tom walked in. His back straight, and face passive."So, you are to be married," he drawled, stepping into the room without invite as he so often did. "To one of Britain's oldest wizarding families at that,"
"Yes, though the boy is a half-blood, his father married a muggle-born according to our investigators. He and his brother were living with Muggle relatives after the war killed their parents," Tom settled himself comfortably into the plush chair in front of the fire.
"Hmm, their parentage aside. The Peverell family is old, and holds much power, in and outside of Hogwarts and the Ministry. Make nice with this boy. There's a chance he'll want a proper marriage out of this, so you'll have to woo him. I want that family partnered with mine, the resources they have will be very beneficial to our plans," he smirked at the look on his friends face. No doubt Abraxus was hoping for a traditional pure-blood marriage, one-two children and affairs for both spouses. But a child raised by muggles wouldn't stand for their partner having a mistress.
"This will be painful, I can tell," Tom stood from his chair and looked over the report Abraxus's investigators had put together, it wasn't too detailed but they had managed to get a picture of the boy, with what looked to be his brother. Both were rather attractive, like porcelain dolls.
"I don't know, if nothing else he's pretty,"
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
Chapter four
.
Harry and Damian stood in awe. Looking up at their new home was daunting, yet a sense of nostalgia filled their hearts. As if this was the place they were meant to be, like all the homes they’d had over the years were place stops for this house. It might be an echo of their previous time travel selves and the house recognised their magic, or it could just be a family magic thing where the house resonated with their awakened Peverell blood.
It was big. Very big. Sprawling across 6000 square feet, with ten more acres of land. There was a large front garden with tall, lush hedges, a gravel pathway and delicately designed and cared for flower bushes. Large windows stretched across the front of the Manor.
Damian followed his brother up the long garden path and into their new home. He gasped softly as he passed the threshold, feeling the ancient magic of the home slide over his skin, running soft tendrils through his hair and wrapping him up in a warm hug and healing the ache in his chest that had been there for
so
long.
“Home,” he whispered. Entering the main entrance, he saw Harry sway slightly, obviously as affected by the magic as he was. The entrance hall was done in welcoming tones of creams and white with beautifully carved tables and chairs and a soft looking, red carpet lay over the floor. Through the archway came a staircase with a matching carpet to the one in the hallway.
“Wow,” Damian whistled drinking in the site of their new home. Harry nodded in agreement.
“Yep,” green eyes wide as he looked around. “I could get used to this,” Just then there was several pops and they were met with five house elves all looking incredibly excited.
“Masters has returned!” one squealed before launching themselves at the twins, wrapping its thin arms around Damian’s left leg and Harry’s right. “
You’s
here
you’s
here
you’s
here!” The elf was pulled away from the stunned pair by an older, stern looking elf who scolded the younger one quietly.
“Hello,” Harry
greeted
.
==================================================================================
Tom sat in his room in Malfoy manor contemplating. After learning of Abraxas’s betrothal to the Peverell boy he researched everything he could about that family in the Malfoy’s extensive library. He looked at genealogy, business contracts, marriages and anything else he could get his hands on, and he now knew that he was related to the
Peverells
. The Slytherin line descended from the Second Peverell line and the Gryffindor line descended from the third.
Learning these facts set the cogs turning inside Tom’s mind. For his plans to work he needed to get the prestige and notoriety being associated with high Pureblood families would give him. Before he could do that, he needed to make a connection with the boys. He would automatically have an in with the Younger brother because of his friendship with Abraxas.
When the house elf called him for dinner Tom already had several plans to implement which started with Abraxas inviting his betrothed to dinner.
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“Damian! Breakfast!” Harry shouted up the stairs at 8:30 a week after the two had settled into the manor. The house didn’t need much sprucing up, as the house-elves had been very diligent in keeping the estate fit for the Peverell family name. The gardens were large and neat also, with a maze that was avoided religiously, a lake that Harry refused to go near and a wooded area which, you guessed it, Harry never went into.Damian on the other hand explored the estate fanatically. He took stoke of everything, the books in the library, ingredients in the potion’s lab, plants in the greenhouses, animals in the stable and woods. Everything. In a few days, his brother had the house and grounds memorized.
When no answer was given Harry went up the stairs and knocked on his brother’s door. Despite the war being over it was never a good idea to charge into a room without warning, especially a room that had some of the front-line fighters in.A groan was heard, and Harry had to stifle a laugh. Damian was never an early riser, despite his Ravenclaw status. Opening the thick, wooden door Harry poked his head inside, the elves had already drawn the curtains and light spilled into the room. The lump on the bed was familiar and Harry was quick to cross the floor.“Up we get, sleepyhead,” he cajoled. Pulling at the blankets he laughed at Damian’s attempts to keep them and stay asleep.“Nooooo, go ‘way,” he whined.“The elves made breakfast and the mails here. Now up!”“It’s probably just from Gringotts. You open it,” Sleepy blue eyes glared up at him.“Nope, it's addressed to you, with monogrammed paper. From Malfoy,”
Damian was awake, dressed, and down the stairs within fifteen minutes of Harry’s proclamation. Holding the envelope with his name written in elegant cursive, and sealed with a deep, wine-rich wax seal.“What do you think they want?” Damian asked Harry, his brother looked up from his breakfast and shrugged.“They might be setting up a meeting. Makes sense for them to speak to us before any decisions are made,” he deduced. Damian tilted his head but had to concede the point, taking a butter knife he broke the seal and opened the flap. Pulling out the letter, written on very rich, very fine parchment in deep green, the color only slightly darker than Harry’s eyes, ink:
To Lord and Heir Peverell,
It pleases me greatly to know that your prestigious line has not died out. It is of even greater enthrallment that you have decided to honor your ancestors' word and join our two houses. This union can only bring great things to both our families as was the intention I am sure of our ancestors.
It is with equal pleasure that I extend the hand of comradery and friendship to you both, my wife has pressed upon me the importance of having you over for dinner so that we may fine press any worries or details you wish.
If this coming Friday at 6:30 pm is acceptable, then we await your owl.
Yours Sincerely,
Julius Malfoy, Lord of the Most Ancient and Most Nobel House of Malfoy.
Damian lowered the letter and looked at his brother. Trepidation sat in his stomach, churning like thick waves of bile. It was one thing to agree to an ancient marriage contract, but another thing entirely to meet with the family of the two men who’d had the most impact in his life.Lucius was a cold man, that was certain. He was also proud and cruel, his undying devotion to his linage would almost be aspiring if not for his bigoted righteousness. To Damian, there was nothing wrong with being proud of where you came from, whether you had a muggle background or came from a long line of powerful witches and wizards, whether you were born and bred English or came from a mix of creative cultures. It didn’t matter if you respected the people around you and in your life.Draco on the other hand was a softer version of his father, not that many people saw that. He tried so hard to emulate the man, to live up to his expectations, and then surpass them. Damian saw the struggles he faced, empathized with his attempts to be more than he was. Sometimes Damian was bitter about his brother’s ‘fame’, despite knowing how ridiculous it was to be jealous that people wanted to know Harry, to get on his good side.Knowing that he would be marrying the man that would cast a long shadow over his son and grandson turned the dread at meeting the family to a determination that at least if he had any say in it, the Malfoy family would not join the Dark Lord.
Abraxas found himself pouring over the details of the dinner on Friday with vapid interest. His father had pressed upon him the importance of making a good impression on the Peverell boys, despite their half-blood heritage. He knew Tom had been invited, Abraxas’s mother adored his housemate and wouldn’t hear of him not attending.They didn’t know Peverell’s preferences so decided to go with some traditional and more foreign dishes to keep them interested, paired with a sweet white wine. After dinner, they would retire to the study and discuss the contract. His father was sure they’d be able to slip some loopholes into the documents to give Abraxas some leeway.“This dinner party should be interesting,” a cool voice spoke from behind him.“I don’t see how,”“From what I’ve learned the Peverells haven’t been seen since they left Gringotts. And the estate is said to be heavily warded now. It isn’t just important to have this marriage for you and your family Abraxas, but it’s imperative to have them side with me if I am to make a clear statement to the Wizengamont and pureblood families,” Tom intoned.“What are you getting at Tom?”“As we already said the other day, the boy will most definitely want a proper marriage. You messing around on him could spell dangerous tidings for my standing, and if that happens Abraxas I will be most displeased,” it was said in a tone that conveyed nonchalance but Abraxas felt the threat shiver down his spine. He knew first-hand what happened when Tom was displeased.“I will endeavor to not let that happen then,”
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
The days leading up to the Dinner at the Malfoys was filled with panic, annoyance, dread, and no little amount of petulance on Harry’s part. Damian had to nag, prod, cajole and even threaten his brother to make him attend his robe fitting. Harry couldn’t for the life of him figure out why Damian was so adamant they work so hard to make the Malfoy’s like them.What Harry didn’t know was Damian’s ultimate goal.He didn’t know the Draco Malfoy that Damian knew. He didn’t know how eager Draco was to make friends with people, but the only way he knew how to make friends was by belittling other people, he wasn’t used to people who didn’t automatically cow-tow to his every thought or whim so Harry’s good-hearted nature confused him.He didn’t know the Draco Malfoy who longed for the approval of a cold father and distant mother. Didn’t know the Draco who was groomed for a life of subservient superiority.Didn’t know the Draco who never had someone on his side who didn’t want something in return. Didn’t know the Draco who never had a choice, who never stood a chance. For Draco, who was somehow Damian’s grandson, to have that chance, Damian needed to start with the man who would shape Lucius Malfoy; Abraxas.And he’d do it. By Merlin, he would, even if he had to drag the blond through hellfire he’d do it, and find out how he could allow someone to treat any child of his so coldly. And Harry wasn’t going to ruin his plan.“Harry James Potter, so help me, if you aren’t dressed in the next ten minutes, I’m going to do terrible, horrible, no-good things to you,” Damian growled through Harry’s door. He raised his fist to pound again on his terrible brothers’ door, but the handle turned, and Harry stood with an eyebrow raised on the other side. The lovely black dress robes coupled nicely with the red trim, and there was an obvious attempt to tame the boy’s hair.Damian was wearing robes of midnight blue with silver trim, close to the Malfoy family colours but not too obvious. His hair was tied up into a high ponytail, with a dark blue ribbon, his icy eyes were shadowed by dark powder and a little rouge coloured his cheeks. He wasn’t leaving anything to chance here.“Finally, now come on we’re going to be late at this rate,” Damian ordered, checking his wand was still strapped to his wrist he lead the way to the floo room. Throwing the powder he called out,“Malfoy Manor!” it flared green and the Brothers stepped through. Fireplaces raced past them at a rapid pace before settling on a pale receiving room with cream walls, marble floors and dark furniture to offset. A beautiful woman was stood waiting for them, she had the obvious pale blonde hair of a Malfoy with a pointed face and icy blue eyes. The tall man by her side balanced her beauty with dark hair and eyes, with a goatee, while two boys stood slightly behind them, one with pale blond hair and the other with dark. Abraxas and Tom Riddle.Damian bit back a curse and cast a quick glance at Harry who was gritting his teeth at the site of the most dangerous man either of them had ever met. Lady Malfoy welcomed the brothers into the foyer.“Welcome Lord Peverel and Heir Peverell. We are glad to see you made it safely, ah, if you’ll just allow me,” the woman flicked her wand at the pair noting the way they both tensed and reached for their wands slightly, and the small amounts of soot on their robes disappeared. Damian relaxed slightly and smiled.“Thank you Lady Malfoy, you have a beautiful home,” he complimented, gently taking the blonde's hand when offered and brushing a quick kiss to her knuckles.Not many people were aware, back when Damian and Harry were at school, that the Malfoy head was Aurelia Malfoy, not her husband. Her parents only had one child at before they died and her father, not wanting the family to fall to other pureblood families, made provisions in the family charter to allow female heads if there were no direct male heirs.Aurelia Malfoy steered the boys to her husband and son.“May I introduce, Actause Malfoy nee Fawley my husband, my son and heir, Abraxas and his school friend, Thomas Riddle,” Riddle made no motion that he disliked the name, instead he smiled charmingly at the pair and bowed slightly in greeting.Abraxas was…to put it mildly, startled. The Peverell brothers were indeed beautiful, more so than their pictures suggested. Harrison was obviously the older brother, slightly bigger than his brother with a more mature set to his face. Damian on the other hand, his face was on the more feminine edge, with a thinner jaw and cupid bow lips. His body was strong that much was obvious even through the cut of his dress robes, but there was a sinuous curve to his stance that belied grace.Despite their muggle upbringing, Abraxas could see the pureblood lineage running through the brothers.He wondered, whose eyes their children would inherit. A part of him wished for it to be Damian's.Damian on the other hand was instantly intrigued by the Malfoy heir. He’d seen portraits of the man when he was older but nothing of his teenage years. He was handsome, like all Malfoys it seemed and it was obvious Lucius took more like his father than Damian.Harry could feel Riddle’s eyes on him, staring him down like a lion would his prey. Or a snake would a mouse. Locking eyes with the other boy and giving him a subtle glare seemed only to amuse him, Riddle smirked and when Lady Malfoy directed them to the dining room he offered Harry his arm and Damian gave his brother a glare of his own when it looked like he might refuse. The bespectacled boy laid his hand through Riddles elbow cruck but did not make eye contact. Instead, he stared at his brother who blushed ever so slightly when Malfoy offered his own arm.‘Let the games begin’ several thoughts aligned.
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
Dinner wasn’t as awkward an affair as Damian had feared it would be. Lady Malfoy made engaging small talk about the Twins settling into the magical world. She asked them how they were acclimating to the change, if they needed any help, and if they did they were instructed to contact her immediately. She asked if they’d had the chance to venture into the shopping districts yet?“Well, we’ve been to Gringotts at Diagon Alley but then went straight home. Most of what we need is bought by the House Elves or grown in the greenhouses on the estate,” Damian replied, cutting into a succulent piece of fish.“We shall have to show you around properly then. Diagon Alley is perfect for everyday items at a good price but for more exclusive items you simply must visit Starlight Square,” Lady Malfoy exclaimed. “Its just off Trafalgar Square and is mostly frequented by the more aristocratic circles but its absolutely divine. From books stores, to apothecaries and the Tailors you’d be spoilt for choice. We should make a day of it, what say you dear?” she asked Abraxus who swallowed his mouthful and wiped his lips free of any remains before answering.“Sounds agreeable mother,” he looked at Damian and met his gaze head on. “I shall look forward to such an excursion,” Damian raised an eyebrow at the polite language but decided not to comment. Instead, he kicked at Harry underneath the table when he caught him sending glares Riddles way.Harry jumped slightly but returned his eyes to his own plate. He didn’t like sitting so close to Riddle. He kept looking at him and leering.The House-elves had produced a gorgeous meal, with an appetizer of scallops and salad. A main of mouth watering duck, with steaming greens and creamy potatoes. And a dessert of rich homemade tiramisu that had Damian employing every practise he knew to keep himself from moaning at the dinner table. Though Aurelia seemed to know exactly what he thought of the meal if the knowing twinkle in her eye was anything to go by.Once dinner was over Aurelia guided the group to the study where the marriage contract drafts where already set up and waiting.“Now, this is the Marriage contract signed by our Ancestors so many years ago. The basics are generally agreeable on our end, The Malfoy family is to provide the Peverell Bride/Groom with a vault of their own with enough contents to keep them living comfortably with a monthly allowance. The Peverell Bride/Groom is to provide at least one Heir to the Malfoy Family, accompany the Malfoy Bride/Groom to social events, is not required to obtain work but may do so after discussions with Malfoy Bride/Groom. The Malfoy Bride/Groom is not to use the Peverell Dowry, and vice versa,” Aurelia read from the Original Contract and laid the document down in front of Damian and Harry. Damian picked it up and read it silently before handing it to Harry.“Now the Malfoy contract is basically the same, with a few added clauses. Both parties are to achieve above average school grades and attempt a Mastery in their chosen subject. The Malfoy family has never failed at their endeavours, and I expect the same of my son and his future spouse. Both parties are welcome to seek outside partners after the birth of the Malfoy Heir, any child produced after this shall be tested for their lineage,”Damian felt his cheeks heat slightly at the thought of carrying out a marital affair with his Husbands blessing. Most definitely not something he would do himself.“This is added to all Pureblood Marriage contracts, we must protect our family magics and heritage. Both of you may have a small army of mistresses or gentlemen callers but only a Malfoy of Blood and Magic may be the heir,” Aurelia gave both Abraxas and Damian a hard look at that. “Actause and I don’t have that kind of marriage, our betrothal contract was signed only after we had been courting for several years, and neither of us has ever sought comfort from outside each other,”Seemed Aurelius was against that kind of arrangement just as much as Damian, if not more.“The Main Malfoy vaults will be used for child rearing, all Malfoy properties shall be available to the Bride/Groom for their usage, and all major family decisions shall be made by the Malfoy Bride/Groom,”Damian read through the second contract and handed it over to his brother. Personally, he didn’t really find much wrong with the contracts. He’d heard some horrific stories of the Betrothal Contracts signed by pureblood families back when he was in school, but it calmed him to see he would have quite a bit of freedom in this. He knew he’d have to provide an heir for the Malfoy family, seeing Lucius’ name on his family line wasn’t the only factor at play here.He was happy that he’d still get to pursue his academic career, it seemed the Malfoys actively encouraged such a thing. And any professional outlet or personal hobby he wanted to do he could. Which just highlighted the fact that Damian had no idea what he wanted to do with his life. And now he’s depressed. Great.“Everything seems agreeable Lady Malfoy, neither myself nor Damian have any complaints. Though I will stipulate that as Damian my Heir until I marry and have children of my own, the second child born to him will be named as the Heir until that happens,” Harry informed the group. Aurelia produced a quill and made a notation at the bottom of the Malfoy contract adding the clause.“That sounds agreeable to me, dear?” She asked her husband who nodded solemnly and Abraxas who saw no reason to disagree with such a statement. If Harry failed to produce an heir than both Malfoy and Peverell lines would combine into his and Damian second child, making them even more powerful and wealthy. It was hardly something he would argue against.“Well, if we are all agreed? Then I can have this sent to Gringotts to have it officiated and then we can begin planning the courting period and announcement to the press,” Aurelia smiled beautifully and Damian immediately saw where Draco got his good looks from. “Now, I wish to hear more about you both so we shall retire to the games room and play a round or two of bridge,”
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
Damian sighed when the morning edition of the Daily Prophet opened up on the breakfast table. It seems the Malfoy’s were taking full advantage of the betrothal contract and their wealth by having the announcement on the front page.It wasn’t written too badly, the editors obviously not wanting to upset the Malfoy’s. They gave a short introduction of Damian and Harry, the Peverell Family History and its mysterious disappearance from British society. A slightly blurry photo of the twins entering and then exiting Gringotts together that didn’t really show their faces very well but the article didn’t seem to mind very much.It would make Damian and Abraxas’ outing that afternoon a little more hectic, with people watching their every move but there wasn’t much Damian could do about that now. He was used to being watched, this should be nothing new to him.Harry was still sleeping so Damian didn’t really have anyone to speak to about this, not that Damian thought it would be a good idea to talk to Harry about it. He was straight against all of it. Harry would always believe in true love and choosing who you marry. Damian had hung that notion up the minute Fred had died, he’d never marry for love, because the only person he had every, would ever, love was gone. Damian could handle an arranged marriage easily.“Master Damian?” came a small voice by his elbow. Looking down he met the large blue eyes of Bluebell, one of the house elves.“What’s the matter Bluebell?” he asked, Bluebell was normally a very shy elf. She did her work and quickly and quietly as possible without drawing any attention to herself, obviously a response to her previous families.“Well, this came with the Owls,” she handed him a package before popping out before he could thank her.The package was wrapped in a lustrous, glossy silver paper with a solid blue silk ribbon. A letter was tucked under the ribbon. Taking the envelope Damian traced his name, written in sapphire blue ink with delicate cursive letters. The blue wax seal on the back of the envelope boasted a large, proud ‘M’. Damian gently broke the seal and withdrew the letter inside.
Dear Heir Peverel,
I hope you can forgive my forwardness with this letter but I came across these gifts during an outing with my mother and thought of you. The quill is made from a Black Swans flight feather, wrapped in thin bands of mithrall. All Lords and Heirs must have writing utensils that reflect their status, I hope you gain much use from this.
The necklace is a simple Moonstone and silver combination, it is my hope that you might wear it this afternoon during our outing and might consider it the first of my courting gifts to you, though I know I am supposed to present it to you under our chaperones watchful eye.
I find myself much anticipating our outing, I wish to know you better.
Yours faithfully,
Abraxus Septimus Malfoy,
Heir to the Most Ancient and Most Nobel House of Malfoy.
Damian felt his cheeks heat slightly, ending a letter with ‘Yours faithfully’ was awfully promising between two Heirs of Pureblood houses. He returned the letter to its envelope carefully, not wanting to tear the parchment. Pulling the package closer to him he undid the ribbon and wrapped it gently before putting it inside the envelope, gently he unwrapped the silver paper to reveal a dark red wooden box with silver hinges and clasp. Opening the lid Damian gasped softly. The quill was indeed lovely, long and black with a red rose stamped on the front with a long red metal stem and a sharp point. Damian took out the quill and ran a thumb over the soft edge of the feather. Placing the quill down he reached for the black velvet box also inside the box.Upon lifting the lid Damian practically choked. On a blue satin bed lay the most beautiful necklace he’d ever seen, a long silver chain wore a large pendant of pale moonstone. From the little he knew about stones, Moonstone was considered very lucky in certain cultures. Indians believed them to be sacred stones.Damian undid the clasp with only a slight tremble to his fingers, and reclasped it around his neck, the pendant settled slightly below his clavicle.“Master Damian?” Another small voice called, making Damian jump. Dandelion, Damian’s personal house-elf, was standing by his elbow this time looking expectantly at him. “It’s almost time to get ready for your courting walk,” she informed. “Master Harry is still sleeping, Jackie will wake him shortly, but you should be bathing now,” she poked and prodded at the teenager with long fingers.“A-alright Dandy, I’m going I’m going,”