For 16 Galleons

Chapter 8

The previous Winter, Harry had been to busy with his training to really pay much attention to the fact that Draco had lessons of his own. This year was to be different. He was to join his master in his classes with Governess to improve his own Reading, Writing and Math abilities. He was also to learn Wizarding History.

Master Draco's lessons were more intense and varied than Harry's. While Harry was expected to understand his subjects and do passably well in them, Draco was expected to master them. In addition to Reading, Writing, Math and History, Draco also had to learn how to dance, proper etiquette, French and Latin and was being introduced to Politics.

Harry was sitting on the floor out of the way, supposedly practicing his numbers. Master Draco was in the middle of the floor attempting to lead Governess in a dance. Harry thought they looked extremely silly. He was glad he didn't have to do something as stupid as learn how to dance and tried to hide his giggling behind his hand.

Draco dropped Governess' hands and whirled around to face Harry. "That's it!" he yelled as he stomped over. He reached down and grabbed Harry by the arm, pulling him up. Harry was expecting a punch or a shove. Instead, Draco pulled him out into the middle of the floor and into the position Governess had just been in. "If you think it's so funny, you can just be the girl."

Harry just stood there with his mouth hanging open for a minute. "Why do I have to be the girl?" he whined.

Draco shoved his hip, trying to get him to move. "Because I have to learn to dance with girls and you don't. Now move your feet." Draco looked really mad. Harry thought it best to just go along for now, even it meant being the girl.

Out of the corner of his eye Harry saw Governess hiding a grin behind her hand. He glared at Draco, who glared right back. Governess then started the music again and the two boys stumbled around.

Slowly but surely Harry found himself involved in all of Master Draco's lessons. Next came the languages. Draco was practicing French with Governess when he paused and asked, "Governess, wouldn't it be easier for me to learn if I had someone to practice with when you aren't here?"

"What do you have in mind, Master Draco?"

"I was thinking that Harry should learn French and Latin, too. That way I have someone to practice with and when I go to Hogwarts, I'll have a servant that knows more than just English."

"I'll see what your father says."

The next day Harry found himself learning what verbs were and how to 'roll his Rs'. The next week, Master Draco suggested Harry join him for etiquette lessons. His reasoning was that Harry hadn't grown up in a slave crèche so he didn't already know and Malfoys would never have anything less than the best. Again, Draco got his way.

Last came politics. This was where Harry learned that Master Draco wasn't lying when he had told him about the Great Lord. Governess told the boys about the night Lord Voldemort was drawn into battle with his mortal enemy, James Potter. She explained that Potter had been trying to put together a rebellion. The Great Lord had gone to destroy Potter and his entire family as a warning to any other rebels. She told them that Corina's slave had set a trap for the Great Lord at last minute, so that when he killed the last child, his body was destroyed. But the Great Lord was more powerful than the slave had realized and his soul survived and now resided in one of his servants. That servant, Wormtail, had gone from being a lowly slave to one of the most revered persons in the Ministry for his sacrifice.

That afternoon the boys created a new game. "Okay, I'll be the Great Lord and you be Potter."

Harry huffed, "I don't want to be Potter. Why do I have to be the bad guy?"

"Well, there wasn't anyone else there. Who could you be?"

"I know!" Harry said brightly. "Let's pretend that he took his best Death Eater with him because he knew it was a trap. You be Lord Voldemort and I'll be your father. We can hunt down the traitors together."

They spent the afternoon racing around the grounds terrorizing the staff, shooting sparks out of their practice wands.

That evening before dinner, Draco told his father about the new game. Master Malfoy looked startled at first, then laughed. Mistress Narcissa looked like she might laugh, too. Harry was surprised when Master Malfoy actually turned to him and smiled saying, "Well, Harry, make sure you play me well. Make me strong and cunning so the Potters don't get the Great Lord." Harry looked wide-eyed and nodded.

That night Harry dreamed of being a hero and saving the Great Lord by destroying the evil Potters and Lily before they could set the trap.

To be continued