A Dinner at the Manor
The imposing gates of Malfoy Manor loomed before Harry, wrought iron twisted into menacing serpents. This is it, he thought, his heart pounding in his chest. Malfoy Manor. Home to… them. He took a deep breath, trying to calm his nerves. He had faced down Voldemort; surely, he could handle a dinner party. Or can I? a small voice whispered in the back of his mind. What if they don't really mean it? What if this is some kind of trap?
He walked through the gates and up the long, winding driveway. The Manor itself was even more impressive up close, a vast stone edifice that seemed to stretch on forever. Gargoyles perched on the roof, their eyes seeming to follow him as he walked. The gardens were perfectly manicured, not a single blade of grass out of place. It’s beautiful, Harry thought, but… intimidating. There was an air of cold grandeur about the place, a sense of history, both good and bad, that hung heavy in the air. It's like stepping back in time. Or into a museum. A very creepy museum.
He reached the front door, a massive oak affair that looked like it could withstand a dragon’s breath. He hesitated for a moment, his hand hovering over the ornate knocker. Just breathe, he told himself. It’s just dinner. With a family of reformed Death Eaters. He swallowed hard. Maybe I should have brought Ron and Hermione. At least they could have provided some… comedic relief.
Before he could knock, the door swung open, revealing Lucian. He was dressed impeccably in dark robes, his silver-blond hair catching the light. He looked… breathtaking. He’s even more handsome than I remember, Harry thought, his heart skipping a beat. And he looks… nervous. Is he as worried about this as I am?
"Harry," Lucian said, a warm smile gracing his lips. "Welcome. I'm so glad you could make it."
"Thank you for inviting me," Harry replied, returning the smile. He looks genuinely happy to see me. The thought gave him a small boost of confidence.
"Come in," Lucian said, gesturing inside. "Everyone's eager to meet you."
As Harry stepped into the Manor, he was immediately struck by the sheer scale of the place. The entrance hall was vast, with a soaring ceiling and a grand staircase that seemed to disappear into the shadows. Tapestries depicting scenes from wizarding history hung on the walls, and suits of armor stood guard at every corner. It’s like a museum, Harry thought, his eyes wide with wonder. But… colder. And much more… Malfoy-ish.
Lucian led him through the hall and into the grand drawing-room, where the rest of the Malfoy family was gathered. Harry’s breath caught in his throat. There were so many of them. He recognized Lucius and Narcissa immediately, but the others were unfamiliar faces. He saw Mandamus and Felix, Cecilia, Maximus and Vivian, Sebastian and Medona, Martin and Rosalind, and the twins, Livia and Roland. They all turned to look at him as he entered, their expressions a mixture of curiosity, anticipation, and something else… was it regret? They’re all staring at me, Harry thought, his cheeks flushing. What do they think? Do they believe I’ve really forgiven them? Or are they just waiting for me to slip up?
The twins, Livia and Roland, were the only ones who didn’t seem completely serious. They exchanged a quick glance and then Livia winked at Harry. He gave her a small, tentative smile in return. At least someone here seems relaxed, he thought.
"Harry," Lucian said, his voice cutting through the silence, "this is my family."
He introduced Harry to each of them in turn, and Harry mumbled polite greetings, feeling increasingly overwhelmed. Mandamus… Felix… Cecilia… it’s like a receiving line for royalty, he thought.
I’m going to forget everyone’s names.
After the introductions, Lucius stepped forward, his expression serious. "Harry," he said, his voice formal, "we… we wanted to apologize. For our past actions. For everything that happened during the war."
Narcissa nodded, her eyes filled with sincerity. "We were… under a great deal of pressure," she said. "We were not ourselves."
Harry looked at them, surprised. He hadn't expected this. "I understand," he said, his voice gentle. "You were… you were both under Voldemort's control. You did what you had to do." It’s not entirely true. They had a choice. But… I understand. I know what it’s like to be trapped.
"That doesn't excuse our actions," Lucius said, his voice heavy with regret. "We… we are truly sorry."
"I know," Harry said. "And I forgive you." It’s true. I do forgive them. They were victims too, in their own way. But a part of me will always be wary.
Draco then stepped forward, his gaze fixed on the floor. "Harry," he mumbled, his cheeks flushing crimson, "I… I wanted to apologize too. For… for how I treated you at Hogwarts."
Harry smiled. "It's in the past, Draco," he said. "We were kids. Besides," he added with a chuckle, "you never actually started any of those fights. It was always Crabbe and Goyle."
Draco looked up, a flicker of surprise in his eyes. "You remember that?"
"Of course," Harry said. "We were both just… caught up in it all." We were all just kids, trying to figure things out. And I was just as bad as he was, in some ways. "Let's just… move forward, shall we? Start fresh."
Draco nodded, a genuine smile gracing his lips. "Yeah," he said. "Let's do that."
The tension in the room seemed to dissipate, replaced by a sense of… relief. Harry looked around at the Malfoy family, their faces no longer filled with hostility, but with warmth and… was it hope? Maybe, he thought, maybe this isn’t so bad after all. Maybe they really have changed. But a small voice of caution still whispered in his ear. Don’t let your guard down, Harry. Not yet.
The grand dining hall of Malfoy Manor was a sight to behold. A long, polished table stretched the length of the room, laden with glittering silverware, crystal glasses, and platters piled high with delectable dishes. A delicate floral scent, something vaguely reminiscent of lilies and something subtly spicy, filled the air. Harry, seated between Lucian and Narcissa, felt a little overwhelmed by the sheer opulence of it all. This is definitely not the Burrow, he thought, a smile tugging at his lips. Though, surprisingly, this food is actually… better. He surveyed the table, his eyes widening at the sheer variety and artistry of the dishes.
There were platters of glistening sushi, each piece a miniature work of art, with vibrant slices of salmon, tuna, and yellowtail draped over perfectly molded rice. A tureen of steaming bouillabaisse, the rich aroma of saffron and seafood filling the air, sat beside a dish of perfectly roasted Peking duck, its skin crackling with crispness. A silver chafing dish held a fragrant biryani, the basmati rice studded with saffron, cashews, and plump raisins. There were bowls of creamy burrata drizzled with olive oil and sprinkled with fresh basil, platters of colorful antipasto with olives, artichoke hearts, and marinated peppers, and a magnificent Beef Wellington, its golden pastry crust crimped to perfection. And for dessert, a towering croquembouche, its delicate choux pastry puffs filled with vanilla cream and drizzled with caramel, stood beside a platter of pastel-colored macarons, their delicate shells filled with ganache and buttercream.
He eyed a particularly ornate dish with suspicion. Is that… pheasant? And is that… edible glitter? He thought back to the mountains of overcooked potatoes and slightly charred sausages he'd endured at the Burrow. Maybe Kreacher has a point about the Weasleys'… culinary limitations.
As the Malfoys took their seats, a comfortable chatter filled the air. The initial tension had dissipated, replaced by a sense of cautious curiosity.
"So, Harry," Mandamus began, his voice surprisingly gentle, "tell me, what are your plans now that the war is over?"
Harry hesitated, unsure how to answer. "I'm not sure, really," he admitted. "I'm thinking of taking some time off, maybe traveling a bit."
"Traveling?" Livia piped up from across the table, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "Where would you go?"
"I don't know," Harry said, his gaze drawn to the mischievous glint in her eyes. "Maybe… Italy? I've always wanted to see the Colosseum."
"Italy?" Roland scoffed, his voice laced with mock disdain. "How boring. If you want adventure, you should come to Russia with us. We have bears."
"And snow," Livia added, her eyes sparkling. "Lots and lots of snow. Perfect for snowball fights. And ice skating. And building snow golems!"
"And vodka," Sebastian chimed in, a grin spreading across his face. Medona elbowed him gently in the ribs. "Don't forget the banya! It's a traditional Russian sauna. Very… invigorating."
"And don't forget the palaces," Rosalind added. "They're absolutely breathtaking. Especially the Winter Palace in St. Petersburg. It's like something out of a fairy tale."
Harry's eyes widened. "Wow," he said, intrigued. "That sounds amazing."
"It is," Martin confirmed. "Though, be warned, the winters are harsh. One time, I got lost in a blizzard and ended up spending the night in a snowdrift. Luckily, a friendly pack of wolves found me and kept me warm until morning."
Harry stared at him, unsure if he was joking. Martin just winked.
"If you're looking for something a bit warmer," Maximus suggested, "you could always visit Egypt. The pyramids are incredible. And the Sphinx… well, let's just say it's even more impressive in person."
"Just be careful of the mummies," Vivian cautioned. "They have a nasty habit of coming to life when you least expect it. One time, I was exploring a tomb and a mummy popped out and tried to steal my handbag. I had to fight it off with my umbrella."
Harry blinked. "Really?"
Vivian just smiled mysteriously.
"If you're looking for something truly magical," Narcissa said, her voice soft, "you should visit Japan. The wizarding world there is… extraordinary. They have floating castles, enchanted gardens, and creatures you wouldn't believe."
"And the food is incredible," Lucius added. "They have these things called… ramen noodles. Absolutely delicious."
"Just be careful of the kappa," Narcissa warned. "They're mischievous water spirits that like to pull people into rivers. One time, Lucius almost lost his shoes to a particularly persistent kappa. He had to bribe it with a cucumber to get them back."
Lucius blushed slightly. "It was a very valuable cucumber," he mumbled.
Harry laughed, feeling a warmth spreading through him. He had never been surrounded by such… eccentric and interesting people. Maybe traveling with the Malfoys wouldn’t be so bad, he thought.
The conversation continued, flowing easily from one topic to the next. Harry found himself sharing stories about his own adventures, his friends, and his life at Hogwarts. He even confided in them about his doubts about the Weasleys, their disapproval of his friendship with Lucian, and their seemingly insatiable desire for his money.
The Malfoys listened patiently, offering words of comfort and support. They didn’t judge him, they didn’t criticize him, and they didn’t try to tell him what to do. They simply… listened. And for the first time in a long time, Harry felt truly heard.
As the evening drew to a close, Harry found himself feeling a warmth he hadn't expected. He had come to Malfoy Manor with trepidation, expecting hostility and judgment. Instead, he had found laughter, acceptance, and a sense of… belonging. It’s almost like… they actually like me, he thought, surprised. For me. Not for who my parents were, or what I did.
He’s actually… comfortable, Lucius thought, watching Harry laugh at one of Livia’s jokes. He’s not the stiff, awkward boy I expected. He’s… charming. And surprisingly… easy to talk to.
He’s… kind, Narcissa thought, her gaze softening as she watched Harry interact with the twins. And he’s forgiven us. Truly forgiven us. He’s seen the worst of us, and he still… accepts us.
He’s… brave, Draco thought, a flicker of admiration in his eyes. He came here. To our home. Knowing… everything. Knowing what we were. What my father… was.
He’s… intriguing, Lucian thought, his gaze lingering on Harry. He’s so much more than I expected. He’s… captivating.
As Harry bid farewell to the Malfoys, he couldn't help but feel a sense of anticipation for what the future held. He had a feeling that this was just the beginning of a very unexpected… and very promising… journey.
Lucian walked him to the door, a soft smile playing on his lips. "Thank you for coming, Harry," he said, his voice low and warm. "It means a lot to me."
"Thank you for inviting me," Harry replied, his gaze meeting Lucian's. "I had a… wonderful time."
Lucian's smile deepened. "Me too," he said, his voice barely a whisper.
As Harry Apparated back to Grimmauld Place, he couldn't help but feel a sense of anticipation for what the future held. He had a feeling that this was just the beginning of a very unexpected… and very promising… journey. I wonder what will happen next, he thought, a thrill of excitement coursing through him. And I wonder… what the Weasleys will say when they find out I’ve been spending time with the Malfoys. A small, mischievous smile played on his lips. He had a feeling they wouldn’t approve. And for the first time in a long time, he didn’t really care.