For 16 Galleons

Chapter 9

Harry still whined when he had to be the girl during dance. He would never admit to anyone that he had discovered a secret love for weaving the intricate patterns across the dance floor with a partner. Governess had commented many times on how well both boys danced. Over the past couple of years various members of the staff had peeked in to watch the lessons. Master and Mistress Malfoy had come to watch one day and ended up joining them, whirling and twirling across the floor. It had become a regular ritual now for the elder Malfoys to join the boys. With two couples, they were better able to understand some of the more complicated patterns. Mistress Malfoy smiled at Harry and always complimented him on his technique. Harry had even seen Master Malfoy look at him with slightly friendlier eyes than when he had first been purchased.

Harry had realized that there was a softer side to the Malfoys. They were wealthy, arrogant and powerful, but still capable of feeling for their son and their staff. As he got older he noticed that they both, especially Master Malfoy, had a deep affection for Mrs. Carter. They respected and trusted Mr. Arieta. They knew all their servants by their first names. He supposed that you really had to know them well to see how much they cared. He figured that, when he first got here, they hadn't expected him to last. The longer he was here, the more they showed him. That thought made Harry feel warm inside.

Even better, though, was how close he and Master Draco had become. Granted, he was still a slave, but Draco hadn't been lying when he said Harry was going to be his best friend. They did everything together. It had taken Harry a month to figure out that Draco had wanted Harry to share his classes because he liked Harry's company. The two boys were inseparable. They played, studied and wreaked havoc together. Their favorite time, though, was in the evenings, when they would curl up together on the couch to read a book. One or the other of them would read out loud until neither of them could keep their eyes open. Many nights, Governess would have to go get one of the men to carry the sleeping boys to their beds.

A month before Draco's 11^th birthday, an owl came for him at breakfast. Harry looked over his master's shoulder to see. Sure enough, there was the Hogwarts seal on the envelope. Master Draco had been anxiously awaiting this letter for a month. Harry was also anxious but for a different reason. He was afraid he would be left behind while Draco went off to school. He loved the Manor but he would be lost without his best friend. He watched intently as Draco ripped the letter open.

//Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry

Headmistress: Minerva McGonagall

(Order of Merlin, Third Class.)

Dear Mr. Malfoy,

We are pleased to inform you that you have been accepted at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Please find enclosed a list of all necessary books and equipment.

Term begins 1 September. We await your owl by no later than 31 July.

Yours sincerely,

Severus Snape

Deputy Headmaster

Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry//

There was also a list of supplies and books included. At the end of this page was a note that read:

PARENTS ARE REMINDED THAT STUDENTS ARE ONLY ALLOWED TO BRING ONE SLAVE.

Master Draco was smiling. He had got quite good at keeping control over his emotional expression, but Harry could tell the boy was ecstatic. Looking up he saw pride in the eyes of Draco's parents. He carefully schooled his own features to not show the anxiety he felt.

"Well, Draco," prompted Master Malfoy. "Is that the letter you have been waiting for?"

"Yes, Father. I've been accepted to Hogwarts."

In a rare show of emotion, Mistress Malfoy beamed at her son. Harry was always amazed at how her smiles transformed her from a cold aristocrat into a warm mother. "I'm so proud of you, Draco."

Harry secretly nudged Draco and gave him a questioning look. They had both been wondering about whether or not Harry would get to go with Draco to school.

"Father," Draco said.

"Yes, Draco?"

"Will I be allowed to take Harry to school with me? The letter says I can take one slave."

Master Malfoy seemed to consider for a few moments. "I have to admit that I had my doubts that you would keep Harry for this long. I want you to know that I am impressed with your judgment, Draco. It does look like you are going to be keeping him for many years. I think it would be a good idea for Harry to accompany you. I will notify Professor Snape and he will send a supply list for Harry. You will have to wait until then to go to Diagon Alley."

"Won't his list be just like mine, Father?"

"No, Son. Slaves have their own classes. They only learn the things they will need to know in order to serve their masters."

Harry and Draco exchanged surprised glances. "Can you send the letter to Professor Snape today? I want to go to Diagon Alley soon."

"I'll send it right after breakfast."

"Thank you, Father."

"Thank you, Master Malfoy," Harry said with a slight bow.

Master Malfoy didn't reply, but nodded his head slightly and Harry caught the hint of a smile on the man's lips. Relief washed over him. He was going to Hogwarts!

The boys spent the day talking excitedly about Hogwarts and wondering what it would be like. What classes would they each take? Would Harry be sorted into a House like Draco? What if he was sorted into a different House than his master? Would they get to share a room? What animal was Master Draco going to take with him? What kind of wands would they get?

**********

The next morning found the boys bounding down the stairs, much to the consternation of Mr. Arieta. They raced past him, but came to a screeching halt in front of the morning room doors. They looked at each other and straightened their robes and hair before Harry opened the doors allowing Draco to enter sedately. He followed his master to the table, barely keeping himself from bouncing. The response from Hogwarts with his supply list was due this morning. He could hardly stand it.

Partway through Master Draco's breakfast a brown owl swooped in and landed just in front of his plate. Harry watched excitedly as his master opened the letter.

//Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry

Headmistress: Minerva McGonagall

(Order of Merlin, Third Class.)

Dear Mr. Malfoy,

We are pleased to learn that you wish for your slave to be educated at our school. We have one of the finest Professors in England teaching our slave classes. We are confident that you will be pleased with your slave's education. Please find enclosed a list of all necessary books and equipment.

Term begins September 1.

Yours sincerely,

Severus Snape

Deputy Headmaster

Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry//

The attached list of supplies Harry would need was similar to, but shorter than his master's. He really didn't care at the moment. He and Draco fought to keep from breaking into huge grins.

After Draco finished his breakfast Harry went to the kitchens for his own. Mrs. Carter and the rest of the staff congratulated him on getting to go to Hogwarts. He wolfed down his breakfast and ran to Draco's room. They waited impatiently for the time to go buy their supplies.

Just before lunch they met Mistress Narcissa in the entry way. They each grabbed hold of the portkey and almost immediately arrived in the back of the Leaky Cauldron. Mistress Narcissa tapped the bricks in the wall with her wand. Harry was still amazed every time he watched the wall open.

First they went to Madam Malkin's Robes for All Occasions for their school robes while Mistress Narcissa and her slave went to Flourish and Blotts for their books. They picked up quills and parchment on their way to the cauldron shop. They stared in awe at the solid gold cauldrons but had to be satisfied with pewter ones. They were both fascinated by the disgusting and intriguing things found in the Apothecary, but Draco's mother wouldn't allow them to buy anything that wasn't on their lists. Finally they stood inside Ollivander's, waiting to be matched to their wands.

Mr. Ollivander and his dark, dusty store were extremely creepy. The man seemed to remember every wand he'd ever sold. The tape measure that seemed to have a mind of its own didn't help any. It really didn't take very long before Master Draco had been matched with a wand. It was English Walnut and unicorn hair. Then it was Harry's turn.

After what seemed like a hundred wands, Harry finally found his match. He took hold of the holly and phoenix feather wand and felt warmth in his fingers. When he swished it through the air, a stream of red and gold sparks shot out from the end. Mr. Ollivander put the wand back in its box and wrapped it up.

"Well, that is most interesting," mumbled the proprietor.

"What is that, Mr. Ollivander?" inquired Mistress Narcissa.

"It so happens that the phoenix whose tail feather is in your slave's wand gave only one other. The wand that other feather is in belongs to the Great Lord himself."

Mistress Narcissa raised her elegant eyebrow, "Really? That is interesting." She smiled down at the boys. "You should feel very privileged, Harry, to be matched with the brother wand of Lord Voldemort."

Harry stared in awe at the box in his hands. "I do, Mistress. I really do." He couldn't believe that he had just been matched to a wand that had connections to the greatest wizard in the world. That was just too cool.

They paid for their wands and left. The last thing they had to do was pick up an owl for Draco. It didn't take long. Mistress Narcissa gave in to the pleadings of her son and they all had ice cream at Florean Fortesque's Ice Cream Parlor before heading home. Harry thought privately that she had given in rather easily. She certainly seemed to have enjoyed her own sundae.

The boys spent the rest of the day going through their supplies and thinking longingly of their wands. They weren't allowed to touch them until September 1^st. It was going to take forever for the rest of the summer to go by.

To be continued.