Father

Year Four

Deep in the dark woods of Albania, the Dark Lord lurks among the shadows. But he has no servant to bring him back home. His loyal servants are all in Azkaban. There's not even a frightened rat for him to control. So he must wait with his dark plots and dark plans, he must wait.

Lucius is trapped now, at the mercy of an old enemy. He has no thoughts for phantom lords in Albania. It is Sirius Black who threatens his family now, not as a murderer or mad man but as Harry's godfather. The will of Lily and James was clear; Sirius was their chosen guardian for Harry. Sirius has the stronger legal claim on the boy, and Lucius is at his mercy.

Harry likes having a godfather, particularly one that can turn into a dog, but he doesn't want a new home. He likes his room and his yard and the garden and the library and the white peacocks, and he likes having his brother close. They're best friends again and full of exciting stories. But Sirius wants him for a week or two, and Lucius dare not refuse. But he worries. What will Black tell Harry? Twelve years in Azkaban could warp the kindest mind and clearest conscience, and Black had never been the kindest man. Harry a Slytherin, and Snape says Black had no love for Slytherins.

And Lucius wants to tell his worries to the Ministry, but they're too embarrassed about imprisoning the wrong man. The papers paint Sirius Black as a martyr, a tragic, romantic figure. And this worries at Lucius too. He raised his boys to behave as gentlemen, to never hit girls, to always open doors, to observe the etiquettes of courtship. He wants them to be as well matched as he is with Narcissa. While he still cringes and shudders at the thought of his son with that Muggle-born, he must admire his consistency. But Black had a reputation of cycling through girls like socks, and Lucius knows Harry's fame could make that a temptation. Yes, Lucius worries what Black will teach him.

Narcissa sooths and smiles. Give him two weeks, she says. Birthday weeks. Let Sirius throw the parties. Let him pay the expense, let him invite the guests, let him meet Harry's friends. Let Draco go too if Sirius will have him. Don't forget, my love, the man is my cousin. Let the papers think we are all open arms and families reunited. It will go easier for us, easier for the boys if we do.

The plan is proposed, and Harry jumps at it. He is intrigued by his godfather, but the thought of a week alone in that Black house with this near-stranger had worried him too. Better to have his brother with him. Draco is game. He's had his fill of big parties, and he's curious to see London. Sirius agrees because Harry wants it.

To Grimmauld Place they go. Next to Malfoy Manor it's small and dark, littered with remnants of dark magic, out for all to see rather than hidden away like it ought to be. Sirius hates it, but he's glad to have Harry there. He's not so sure about Draco, but still, Lucius' son a Gryffindor and James' son a Slytherin, a good joke on them both.

The three of them make war on the house, cleaning out drawers and fighting boggarts and doxies, sweeping dead puffskeins out from under the sofa, and tossing cursed dressing gowns into the bin. Draco wins Sirius over by removing the portion of the wall to which the portrait of his mother was permanently stuck. Harry is allowed to keep the shiny gold locket he found with an S in green stones. "For Slytherin," he says.

Sirius doesn't care, so he let's Harry pick the new wall colors and soon finds himself in a green house. "Cheery spring green at least." He's happy now to host Draco's party, but Draco doesn't want a big birthday, just Neville and Hermione, and Ron and Ginny too, and a night in Muggle London. But Gran still won't let Neville come, and Ron doesn't trust Sirius. The girls can make it though and that suits Draco and Harry just fine.

Sirius has no problem with faking IDs, and Draco drags them into a karaoke bar. While he and Ginny take the stage, Draco singing well and Ginny badly, Harry and Hermione huddle with a highly amused Sirius in the safety of their booth. Harry coughs from the smell of smoke while Hermione resists Draco's attempts to get her to sing. No, no, a thousand times no. At length, Sirius indulges in a rock anthem, before they head out for Indian food and a movie.

They return to the Malfoy manor in high spirits and a mutual agreement not to tell Father and Mother about the bar. Lucius is relieved to have them back. Sirius is sated. There'll be no battle for Harry, just as long as he gets them on Harry's birthday too. And Harry's birthday is in Diagon Alley, with ice cream, Pansy, Theodore, Crabbe and Goyle, the Patils, Blaise Zabini, Neville's invited (and finally allowed to come). Yes, Draco, Hermione can come too. And Ginny of course, Ron would rather stay home.

Not to be out done, Lucius takes the boys to the World Cup, the Minister's Box, and a handshake with Viktor Krum after the game. Juicy gossip, a tournament at Hogwarts this year and a dance. Dress robes must be bought. A dancing instructor is hired. It has certainly been an exciting summer.

Back to school and everything's fine, except Hermione now has a bee in her bonnet about house-elves. Draco, who normally drinks in her every word, is slow to swallow this one. Everyone's distracted by the announcement of the Triwizard Tournament and the arrival of Mad-Eye Moody.

With Voldemort still in Alabania and Bertha Jorkins safely back from her vacation and Barty Crouch Junior still Imperiused in his father's kitchen, there's no one to slip Harry's name in the Goblet of Fire. So three students chosen from three schools, Cedric, Fleur, Krum, and Harry free to watch with the rest of the audience.

Moody gives Draco a little trouble, but only at first and soon leaves him be. The greatest plight our heroes face is who to ask to the Yule Ball. Ron hasn't taken his eyes off Fleur Delacour since term started, so Draco encourages him. "Go on, ask her. What harm can it do?" And Ron's nervous, so Draco coaches him. He's had a girlfriend since second year, and seems to be the expert on these things. Ron gives it a shot, and Fleur laughs but not unkindly. "I have zee date already", but since he's so polite and his blue eyes so hopeful, "I vill zave vu a dance, no?"

Oh YES! Ron couldn't be happier. Neville's quite brave enough to ask Ginny without coaching, though Draco makes sure he can dance properly. He almost forgets to ask Hermione. It's just assumed right? But Krum does, and Draco's horrified, but Hermione tells him she's already got someone and that is that. Harry takes Pansy, because it's easier than not taking her.

Everyone stays over Christmas. Time for the party. Time to get dressed. Merlin, Ron, you can't dance with a Champion in those robes!

It's all I got. Mum, couldn't afford...

Nevermind, switch robes with me. A few quick spells to make them fit. Now Ron's in black velvet with a high collar. Draco's in high fashion for the eighteen-nineties. Hm...Hermione deserves better than frayed sleeves. A quick trip to the library, some subtle transfiguration to brighten the lace, mend the fray, an adjustment to the color. Perfect. He's determined to bring this back in style.

Hermione meets him with a periwinkle blue dress and a magically perfect smile. She's decided she's done with her braces. She doesn't mind Draco in lace, and despite the giggles, none of the other girls do either.

Harry's in green with Pansy on his arm, but his eyes keep getting drawn to his flamboyant brother and the girl in blue. Draco looks so happy, the robes having gained him attention (Draco loves nothing more than attention), and Harry can finally see what he sees in Hermione. But he wouldn't dream of cutting in for a dance. No one would like it. Not Draco. Not Hermione. Not Pansy. And most of all, not Lucius.

So Harry nurses and hides a budding crush on his best friend's girl, while Cedric wins the Triwizard tournament. But otherwise, Harry has a normal year.