"Accepted, Arthur," said Harry. "Just... keep those two away from me."
"They have been ordered to," he said. "I just hope they recognise the consequences of not obeying that order."
"As do we, Mister Weasley," said Hermione. "If they, ever again, act against us..." "Understood," he sighed.
After wishing them the best... and his belated congratulations... he took his reduced brood off so they could board the train, sending the twins on board as he took the youngest two aside for another talk about their behaviour.
When they boarded the train and found a compartment, Daphne said, "I thought the Weasleys stayed at the castle for Easter."
"As did I," said Harry. "I don't remember them being on the train back to London two weeks ago."
"They weren't," said watching for them."
Hermione.
"I was "Then they must have been either sent home or Mister Weasley picked them up, after the train left," said Daphne. "It could have been just for that meeting, on the platform."
"Yeah, but I doubt it. Mister Weasley doesn't have a Slytherin bone in his body," sighed Harry. "I can see him wanting to spend time with his kids, though; now that The Burrow is empty of everyone but himself while school is in session. He could have even wanted to check up on his two youngest to see how they're faring. We just don't know."
"Father informs me that Percy has returned to The Burrow," said Daphne. "Apparently, it was more Molly's nagging that drove him away. And he also now has a house elf to take care of the place. It was something the oldest two bought for their father to make sure he was looked after soon after Molly was incarcerated." "As long as 'Ronnikins' doesn't abuse it, I have no problem with that," said Harry. "Arthur's nice. He'd treat him, or her, well."
They were just talking when the door opened and Malfoy stuck his head in. Again, there was nary a human bookend in sight.
"Potter," he sniffed.
"Malfoy," Harry sniffed back in an almost perfect mimic of the blonde boy.
Malfoy stood there for a moment before he obviously reached a decision. He quickly looked both directions down the corridor and stepped fully within the compartment before closing the door shut behind him. Then he just stood there for a few moments.
Finally, Harry asked, "Something on your mind, Malfoy?"
Again, Malfoy just seemed to stand there for a few moments; neither looking at Harry and not. Clearly, something was whirring about in his mind. Eventually, he reached another decision and said, "You need to watch your arse, Potter. There's something in the wind."
'Curious,' thought Harry. When he glanced at his wives he could see they thought the same thing.
"Care to elaborate?" he asked.
"I'm... unable to," the blond boy admitted.
"Fair enough," replied Harry. "Then, perhaps you could tell me what's led you to this conclusion?"
"A few things," replied Malfoy. "During the break, father was acting quite... I must ask that what I am about to tell you is not spoken about with other ears. I understand that your... wives... will be privy. However, your word on your and their behalf shall suffice."
Harry thought about that for a few moments. This was something that did not happen in the previous timeline. It was something that had a clear profound effect on the boy who thought himself his arch-nemesis.
He quickly glanced to his two wives, who were also showing confusion but acceptance.
He turned back and said, "As long as what you tell me does not cause harm to me or mine, including my friends, then I will keep your confidence. However, if it does warn of possible harm to me or mine or my friends, I will do my best to ensure your identity is kept out of it if I feel the need to warn or protect them."
Malfoy gave a little snort and said, "You really should have gone into Slytherin." He paused for a moment and then said, "During the break, father was acting quite perturbed and showing not a little anxiety. It is not like him to display emotion; especially emotion that could be deemed a weakness. For father, this is quite out of the ordinary. It means he was very worried. I saw as he often rubbed the Dark Mark on his arm; almost unconsciously. He would also meet with some of his... colleagues from those days. They, too, displayed anxiety.
"And father has also been meeting with the goblins. From the snippets of information I garnered, I suspect it was to move funds out of wizarding Britain. Not a lot, but significant amounts. "From this, I have reached the conclusion that father and his colleagues believe the Dark Lord will soon return. Hence, my warning."
Malfoy paused again for a few moments before his voice, still soft, firmed. He said, "Now that I know the truth about the identity of the Dark Lord... Riddle... I have no wish to be forced to take his Mark. I was taught that 'A Malfoy bows to no one'. However, my father abases himself by kissing the robes of a... bastard half-blood.
"It was not difficult to determine Riddle is only caring of his own self interests. To align oneself with him is foolishness in the extreme. I do not consider myself a fool." He then held himself up straight and his tone and manner took on a more formal air. "As it is apparent you are the Heir of Black, I ask you to act as intermediary between myself and The Black, to see if he'd be willing to offer myself... and, hopefully, my mother... sanctuary in House Black."
Daphne gasped a little as Harry just stared back, stupefied. It took him a moment to get his mind going again.
"Bloody Hell, Malfoy!" he near gasped. "Of all the things I could have guessed you might want to say to me, that was not even on my 'highly unlikely' mental list."
Malfoy clearly thought that through for a moment before he clearly and honestly said, "I admit, until this break, it would not have been something I could ever envision asking of you; let alone, asking of you anything."
Harry sighed and looked at his wives. Both nodded back. Turning back he said, "Alright, Malfoy. I will ask Sirius... The Black... as soon as I am able to. I may not like you; but, you are family; even if it is as distant cousins, once removed. And I understand my responsibilities as the Heir of Black to a son of Black."
"Then you have my thanks, Heir of Black," replied Malfoy. "However, until this matter is... resolved. I'm afraid I must keep up appearances. Forgive me, but I must still comport myself as if I consider you my personal enemy."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Ready to lose yourself in an epic tale? Download the full PDF now and start reading from page one!"
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
https://fictiontopia.tiendup.com/