The Centaur's Shrine

Chapter 4 - Grimauld

12, Grimauld Place,

The Ministry had provided several limousines for their transport. The cars whizzed through the London streets with an ease that muggle drivers could only fantasize about. They were invisible to non wizards, and they changed size to accommodate the smallest openings in the traffic. It was not unlike the Knight Bus, but much more comfortable. Upon arriving at Grimauld Place, Silena and Draco were shown a piece of paper written by Dumbledore. As they read it, the house sprung into shape before their eyes, and the paper disintegrated. A few minutes later, the exhausted students slumped in the first available chairs in the living room.

"The next days won't be as bad," said Arthur, grinning at the sight despite his resentment toward Fudge. "We'll get the word out that you should be allowed to move around peacefully. Of course you won't escape individual fans, but it should be bearable." He chuckled. "Your favorite House elves have already arrived and they'll take good care of you."

He made ready to leave, but stopped as he remembered one last thing.

"Oh by the way, Molly and I would be very happy to have you for dinner tomorrow night at the Burrow. No special calling time, just come when you feel like it."

With that final invitation, he bid them farewell and left the house.

Nobody said a word for a while. They were still reordering their thoughts, Silena looked around the large room, and Draco followed her gaze. He remembered what they had told him. This was the ancestral home of the Black Family. He'd never been there, but his mother had, and the few things he could recall of her descriptions didn't match what he saw. The Blacks had been an old, traditional, Slytherin line. There was no way that their house would have had pastel colored walls and orange brown leather chairs.

They evidently redecorated it in the Gryffindor tradition.

He thought that it was not very dignified, and that the lights were too bright. His distaste must have shown because Harry and Hermione chuckled at him.

"What's the matter Draco? Don't you like your new house?"

He grimaced and made an effort to be polite.

"No, no. It's ... not too bad."

Even Luna laughed. Ginny shot them an annoyed look.

"I don't see what's funny," she said, "and maybe we should discuss the decoration. There were some nice ideas in the Slytherin common room." Draco gave her a nod of thanks.

Harry turned serious and he exchanged a glance with Hermione.

"You've got a point there. We haven't really given this a lot of attention, but if we'll going to be living here together, then the shared rooms should reflect all our personalities."

"I wouldn't presume ..." started Draco with a hint of mockery.

"No, I'm serious," interrupted Harry. "I know that it's officially my house, but I didn't choose it. You talked of us being blood brothers now, and I'm taking you at your word. If we decide to stay together, then I vote that it becomes our common property, and that we adjust the furnishings accordingly."

They looked at each other. None of them had really thought as far as that.

"It's very generous of you Harry," said Ginny with gratitude. She turned toward Draco. "I'd like us to live here together, at least for a while," she murmured.

"It would certainly be practical while we're still at school," affirmed Hermione.

Draco wasn't opposed to it, but that kind of community life was too far from his experience. He had a lot of money, or at least he should have, once the inheritance of his parents would be resolved, and he had been thinking about rebuilding Malfoy Manor, and living there with Ginny and Silena.

"Hum," he said.

"We don't have to decide anything now," said Harry. "Why don't we show you around first?"

Draco nodded, thankful for the respite, and Ginny took his arm. They visited the rest of the house. Aside from the main reception rooms, the lower floor had another suite for Remus and Tonks, some storage space and the kitchen. Most living quarters were on the second floor and the need for some changes there was quickly identified. The single bathroom had already been insufficient for five, it was even more so for seven.

"We could arrange to have three suites with attendant bathrooms," proposed Hermione. "And Silena could have a smaller room for herself." The girls were evidently taken with the idea of redecorating, and several suggestions starting flying back and forth.

"Not too small," interrupted the little girl. "I promised Alicia and Richard that they could come and visit me." She realized that it wouldn't be her decision to make. "Er, if you'll agree of course." She added demurely.

Harry grinned and raised an eyebrow at Ginny and Draco. She didn't say anything, but he finally gave a wry smile and nodded.

"All right then," he concluded. "We'll set aside two rooms for you and any visiting friends." Silena beamed and clapped her hands.

They moved on to the next floor and Hermione became more demonstrative as she went toward the part she liked best: the library. They already had an impressive collection, and she planned on adding more to it. Draco saw that it also had some attendant office space, as well as a small laboratory.

"We only used that last summer for potion practice, but I'd like to enlarge it so that we could also do some Transfiguration and Charms magic," said Hermione. "And I'd also like to reserve a room for the association, maybe with a separate floo access."

When they came back to the kitchen, Winky and Dobby welcomed them effusively. Silena exclaimed her delight at seeing the Malfoy's former House Elf. Dobby was very happy to see the little girl again, but he was markedly wary of her brother. Draco's reaction was surprise, followed by unease.

"I didn't know you'd decided to own him," he said to Harry. Hermione bristled.

"We don't own them. Dobby and Winky are free Elves," she said pointedly. "They can choose who they work for, but we have an agreement with them, and with professor Dumbledore, so that they spend part of their time here, and part at Hogwarts."

Draco grimaced. He saw that the creatures were wearing clothes. Winky had a discrete white robe, while Dobby was smothered in several layers of socks, shirts and whatnot. He even had a pair of short over his pants. Draco didn't know whether to be disgusted at the ridiculous display, or annoyed at the unwanted reminder of his former life.

First that jerk of a Minister, then I have to live in this circus house, and now this.

He made a heroic effort to cover up his feelings and moved around, pretending to examine the kitchen facilities. Ginny and Luna weren't fooled and they exchanged a silent look of concern. Ginny gestured at her friend to let her resolve that issue. Luna shrugged, and they moved on, finishing the tour of the house, including the garden which was completely covered in snow. Coming back to the main room, Draco's mood had infected them, and a sense of awkwardness was palpable. Silena asked if she could return to the kitchen for a snack. Hermione gave her the permission, and then Luna suggested that the couples retire for their rooms to unpack and freshen up. The others readily agreed, except Draco who was still keeping silent. Ginny led him to their room. He looked at the two single beds, and his frown deepened.

Ginny closed the door, looked at him and took a deep breath.

"Don't fret about Dobby," she said. "I'll have a talk with him, and it'll be okay."

He went to sit on one of the beds without responding. He examined the walls and the furniture, his closed face like a lid on his thoughts. He sighed, stretched out on his back and closed his eyes, shutting out the world around him. He missed the Slytherin dungeons of Hogwarts, the old traditional fixtures and colors. He missed his home. Thinking about Malfoy Manor, after his first contact with this house, made him nostalgic and unhappy.

Maybe I'm just tired.

He knew it wasn't the only reason. He felt out of place here. It was still Harry's home. The others might be comfortable in this house, but he couldn't. Ginny had told him how Dumbledore and Hermione had transformed it. She'd been there from the start, almost part of their family, but he wasn't.

I don't belong.

He sighed again, opened his eyes, and just stared at the white ceiling. Ginny frowned, but she resolved to try and reach out to him even so.

"We don't have to unpack right now. Why don't we discuss how you'd like the room to look like? Or even the house. We could just let our imagination go."

He snorted, but said nothing.

Okay, let's try it one more time, she thought.

"I know you're upset but really, it's just been a long day. I can go and get something from the kitchen. We'll eat here, just the two of us, and go to bed early."

Once again he stayed silent. What's the hell's the matter with him? she thought with growing irritation. Ginny had a kind and generous nature but her patience with the whims of others was severely limited.

"Hey you!" she finally snapped. "Am I a potted plant or what? If you want to brood like a spoiled brat then fine, do it, but the least you could do is be honest with yourself and tell me to buzz off."

His head jerked up and anger blazed in his eyes.

"I am not a spoiled brat!"

"Well in that case, you're doing a remarkable imitation of one. Everybody is being nice to you, and all you do is sulk. Talk about a good example for Silena."

He jumped up and moved up to her

"Don't talk to me about Silena!" he whispered furiously. "She's lost our mother. We've lost our home! And in case you don't remember, it was for your sake!"

Ginny hadn't cringed when he'd jumped at her, but she blanched at those last words. A terrible cold seized her guts. She took a step backwards. They stared at each other for a moment, and Draco realized he'd said something very wrong.

"Fine," she replied with an icy voice which sounded worse than any yelling could. "I understand that you miss your nice family and your sweet little home. I guess I made a mistake thinking that I could compete with them."

"Ginny-" he said, horrified. She raised her hand and interrupted him.

"I'll leave you alone. No need to pile on more painful reminders." She walked toward her personal chest and levitated it. With her free had, she took her other bag. "Good bye, and thanks for everything. It wasn't bad while it lasted."

"Ginny! I'm sorry! Please." He tried to touch her but she dodged and evaded him. He grabbed her arm and pulled her so she would look at him. "Ginny!"

"Let me go! I know I can't fight you. Do I have to scream for help?" she said furiously. Her face was set and hard. Anyone who knew her could be certain that she would do it.

He released her. "Damn it. I said I was sorry!"

She glared at him, saying nothing.

"Please Ginny," he pleaded. "I apologize. I was tired, upset and grumpy, and I said something I didn't mean. I knew it was wrong as soon as I opened my mouth."

Her expression softened ever so slightly, but the anger and hurt were still there.

"Ginny I love you. I'm sorry I hurt you." He tried to put all his conviction into his voice. "You mean more to me than any home or family, and that's the truth."

She relaxed a little and lowered her head. He took her into his arms, and she pressed herself again him.

"I'm sorry," he repeated. He felt tears flowing from her face, moistening his neck.

"It's okay," she sniffed. "I didn't really meant what I said either, well almost."

"Don't say that!"

"No, of course not. I love you too." She gripped him strongly, almost painfully, and she raised her face to stare at him. "But don't ever push me away again."

"It was stupid. You really scared me."

"Sorry," she said softly. He lowered his head slowly until his lips touched hers. He tasted the salty tang of her crying.

"You know you had a pretty good idea a few minutes ago."

"Which one?"

"Getting something from the kitchen and spending the evening here."

She smiled wickedly.

"Eating?"

"Well, you also mentioned something about the decoration."

"Yes." Her eyes twinkled.

"And, hum, maybe we could also find some other ... things to do."

"Yes." They were very bright now.

"And of course getting a good night's sleep."

"That's all?"

"Well, if you get bored, I'm sure we'll find other ideas."

She chuckled.

"Okay. I'll go down and fill some plates. You start thinking about all that."

She left the room and Draco reflected that he was both a great git, and very lucky. Okay so he didn't have everything brought to him on a plate, except maybe the forthcoming dinner, but overall he didn't have it so bad.

I don't want my life on a plate. I want to be able to do things.

He realized now that what grated him the most was Dumbledore's insistence that they stay out of the forthcoming events until they'd finished their studies. On the one hand, he could understand the reasoning behind this, but on the other, his instinct told him that they would much more effective now than in two year's time. Had he been alone in this, he would have seriously considered dropping out of school and trying it alone, but of course the others would never agree to that.

Draco sighed. He was part of a group and that was both a restraint and a great thing. The six of them, seven with Silena, were not really a family, but something precious nonetheless. Harry's friendship was important to him. They treated each other as equals, and they both knew that the other would always be there in case of need. For someone like him, born and bred to the cold inhumanity of Slytherin parody that the Malfoy home had been, it was a strange dependency. The simple fact that Draco craved Harry's approval, tempered his ambition, and his desire for power. In a flash of intuition he saw this as the greatest difference between Voldemort and Salazar Slytherin. The Dark Lord had suffered no friends, and therefore no one had been able to preserve him from descending into evil madness.

Godric had been there for Salazar, just as Harry was there for him. Ginny was his love, but she wouldn't be able to check him like he could. He suddenly understood that, if he ever gave in to the lure of the Dark Arts, Ginny could very well damn herself with him, but going down that way would first break his friendship with Harry, and that alone could save him. It was a sobering thought. Not even Severus had that much importance in his life.

For an instant, Draco considered going to see his friend. Maybe not to say these things explicitly, but merely to let him know how he felt. Harry would not need words to intuit what he meant. He checked himself when he realized that he and Hermione would probably like a quiet moment together. A slow grin showed on his face as he thought of a better idea.

Taking out his wand, he transfigured the two single beds into a double. That was easy enough to do. Turning toward the nearest wall, he concentrated on colors.

- - -

Ginny descended the stairs and went to the kitchen. Winky was more than happy to help her fill a large tray with some cold cuts, salads, bread and other simple snacks. The Elves had even baked a cake, and two slices were added to the mix, as well some juice and beer. Coming back with the platter floating before her, she saw Luna reading tranquilly in the living room.

"Are you all by yourself?" asked Ginny.

"Yes," replied Luna, looking up. "Ron's sleeping," she added with an amused smile.

Oh.

"And he didn't even raid the kitchen before?" she mocked. "I won't ask what you've been doing to my brother."

"He'll be down in a moment." She indicated the tray. "I guess we don't need to wait for you for dinner?"

"Er, No."

"Well then, have a nice evening," said Luna, showing her calm soothing smile. "I don't think Harry and Hermione will be coming down either."

Right.

"See you tomorrow then," said Ginny, grinning.

"Good night."

When she returned to their room, Draco was unpacking and she took in the differences. Aside from the beds, he had changed the wallpaper color to a rich shade of green. The rest of the furniture still showed brown orange tones but the metal fittings were now silver and gold, with some red or green inlays.

"Whoa!"

"Do you like it? I was just playing around. We can improve on this together, and develop some ideas to use in the other rooms." He looked at her expectantly, a touch defensive.

She rushed to embrace him fiercely.

"It's beautiful. I love it!" He hugged her back, and she whispered in his ear. "And I love you."

He grunted and indicated the tray which had glided to rest on the table.

"Anything in there that can't wait?"

She shook her head, her eyes shining brightly. They forgot about the food for a while.

Grimauld Ch4 - 7