Back to the Manor
Hogwarts School of Witchcraft & Wizardry, Somewhere in Scotland
In the days that followed the match Draco felt like there were many eyes on him, not just from Weasley, who very obviously didn’t trust Draco’s word. Nevermind the fact that Granger spoke for his actions and constantly reminded the Weasel that Draco was on their side.
No, the staring was also in the form of Pansy and Theo. Pansy stopped after a few days, seemingly shrugging it off and moving on rather quickly. Theo, however, seemed to keep a watchful eye on Draco at all times.
He would stare in class, at meals, in the dorm rooms, really any time they were together he would stare unblinkingly. It was rather daunting, if Draco was honest.
Soon, November turned to December and the staring came, mostly, to an end, thank Merlin. The cold winds turned freezing, and one day mid-December Hogwarts awoke to find itself covered in several feet of snow.
The lake froze solid and a few brave souls actually went skating out on it after classes or on the weekends.
The Weasley twins got detention for bewitching some snowballs so that they followed Quirrell around and pelted him with cold, hard balls of ice and snow, bouncing right off the back of his turban. Needless to say Draco was ecstatic when he heard. It seemed like not all the Weasley’s were awful.
Speaking of the snivelling, spineless, little- little toad, Draco had been keeping a closer eye on the professor. No matter how grating it was, Draco paid more attention in defence than he had ever before, even if he was paying more attention to the person who tried to murder an 11 year old than the actual subject.
Luckily it seemed like Quirrell had decided to lay low, which, when paired with the fact that few owls were able to brave the stormy sky to deliver mail, made the entire castle and its grounds very quiet.
No one could wait for the holidays to start. While the Great Hall had nice, roaring fires, much of the castle didn’t, especially in the dungeons. Draco could swear that his toes were about to freeze off, and if it wasn’t for the dozens upon dozens of warming charms he was sure that it would be true.
‘Thank Salazar Uncle Sev taught me them.’ Draco thought one day, as he casted another warming charm on his socks and gloves and scarves, really anything and everything, and bundled up tight.
But at least the Common Rooms and dorms had fires, unlike the deathly cold potions classroom. Breath turned to a white mist as it hit the air and many huddled close to the fires under their cauldrons.
Many accidents were caused because of this, namely because of Longbottom and another Gryffindor that seemed to have a flare with fire and explosions.
~1~
Hogwarts School of Witchcraft & Wizardry, Somewhere in Scotland, Dungeons - 21 December, 1991
On the last Friday before the winter holiday, a certain energy filled the castle. A bright yet equally anxious energy, and when Draco felt it he just knew that no work was going to be done.
The first class of that day was double potions with the Gryffindors, the next two hours were filled with grinding, measuring and preparing the perfect amount of ingredients for a Wiggenweld potion, which they would get to brew when they got back from the holidays.
Even though it was a very nice two hours, he still was equally excited to get through the day so he could finish packing and leave. Snape finally dismissed Draco and the rest of the class right on time, not a second before and not a second after, they all but ran for the door and into the corridor.
However, said corridor was immediately blocked and became an extremely claustrophobic space. “What in the world-” Draco spluttered, pushing against people.
None of the Slytherin’s had a response, though Draco wasn’t really expecting one, they all were too busy pushing against the crowd as well. So, determined to get to the bottom of it, Draco pushed past all of them. He elbowed and glared at each one until he finally made it to the end of the corridor, which led into the library annex. And when he finally did he found a large fir tree blocking the way, with Potter, Weasley, and Granger all standing in front of the tree.
“-want any help?” Draco caught the tail end of Weasley asking.
“Nah, I’m alrigh’, thanks, Ron.”
And just at that moment Bulstrode elbowed Draco in the side, probably not realizing who it was, making him stumble aside due to her strength. “Would you mind moving out of the way?” She huffed and glared at them from behind. “Are you trying to earn some extra money, Weasley? Hoping to be the gamekeeper yourself when you leave Hogwarts, I suppose — that oaf’s hut must seem like a palace compared to what your family’s used to.” Bulstrode snorted and smirked nastily.
Weasley could do nothing but glare at her with the heat of a fiendfyre, clenching his fist and looking like he was about to say something very regrettable. “Oh yeah? Well you’re a nasty little troll–”
And just like that Weasley was cut off as Snape practically appeared from the crowd of first years, probably coming to investigate why the corridor was so backed up.
“ What is happening here?” Snape drawled silkily.
“Bulstrode was provokin’ Ron, Professor Snape,” The half-giant said, sticking his huge and hairy face out from behind the tree. “She was insultin’ his family.”
“Be that as it may, fighting is against the rules, Hagrid,” Snape huffed, glaring down at Weasley. “And since I only heard Weasley’s portion of the confrontation he will be the one losing points. 5 points from Gryffindor, Weasley, and be grateful it isn’t more. Move along, all of you.”
And just like that Snape went back to the potions classroom, the students barely parting to let him by as Bulstrode smirked victoriously.
She huffed, again, before pushing roughly past the Gryffindor’s and the tree, scattering needles everywhere.
“I’ll get her,” Weasley said through grinded teeth as Bulstrode’s back, “one of these days, I’ll get her-”
“Really, Weasley, did your mother not teach you that you shouldn’t threaten girls? No matter how pathetic they may or may not be.” Draco huffed slightly, finally stepping in.
Weasley glared at Draco in anger, but surprisingly didn’t say anything to him.
“C’mon, cheer up, it’s nearly Christmas-”
Draco just barely withheld a glower at the half-giant’s words, ‘Ugh, Muggle holidays.’
“-tell yeh what, come with me an’ see the Great Hall, looks a treat.” The half-giant finished, a grin prominent on his face.
The Gryffindor’s jumped at the opportunity and readily followed him and the tree, but Draco trailed behind them a bit more reluctantly.
They trailed after the half giant, making their way up the many staircases of the library annex until they finally exited through the very heavy wooden doors and into the viaduct courtyard.
A cold wind swelled and rushed past making the four first years burrow into their robes, Draco especially, pulling his puffskein fur lined robe closer.
The bridge that led to the actual courtyard was covered in snow, however the pyres were still lit with a magical fire that was meant to hold up against the freezing temperatures, however even they were looking a bit small against the biting wind.
When they finally got to the Great Hall they all found Professor McGonagall and Professor Flitwick were busy with Christmas decorations.
“Ah, Hagrid, the last tree– put it in the far corner, would you? Right by the door.”
As much as Draco was loath to admit it, the hall looked fantastic. Festoons of holly and mistletoe hung around the walls, and no less than seven, now eight, towering fir trees stood around the room with one giant one standing at attention at the very front of the hall. Some glittered with milk-white candles that floated around them, others had jarred balls of light. All of them, however, had beautifully painted baubles of many colours, reds and greens and golds.
Snow fell from the ceiling of the hall, icicles dripping from every surface, however the hall was incredibly, and thankfully, warm in contrast. Huge garlands and wreaths of greenery were hung from the wooden gargoyle posts and the many columns that lined the large hall.
“How many days you got left until yer holidays?” The gameskeeper asked.
“Just today,” Granger said. “And that reminds me, we’ve got about an hour before lunch because of Astronomy being cancelled–”
“You mean you do.” Draco pointed out as Flitwick began to climb down from his wooden step ladder, finally finishing the tree and seemingly about to head off to class. “I have charms in just a few minutes.”
“Yes, yes,” Granger waved him off. “But we–” she motioned to herself, Potter, and Weasley, “-have time to head off to the library.”
“Oh yeah, you’re right.” Weasley nodded.
“The library?” The gameskeeper said, following the four first years. “Jus’ before the hols? Bit keen, aren’t yeh?”
“Oh, we aren’t working—” Potter began brightly, and before he could continue and spoil everything Draco quickly elbowed him. Hard.
“Yes, they are, Granger thought it best if they both tried her new study schedule, right?” Draco asked pointedly, giving them all a long stare.
After a moment all of the Gryffindor’s mumbled a yes while shuffling their feet, it wasn’t even a moment later that the first years were left alone as the half-giant went to grab another tree.
“Ow.” Potter grumbled under his breath as he rubbed his arm.
“Oh shut it, you almost spoiled this entire operation.” Draco rolled his eyes before glaring at them. “Now don’t say another word to anyone about it, at least not until I’m with you three to make sure you three don’t spill all our secrets!” He hissed before turning to go back into the bloody blizzard that was going on outside.
~2~
Hogwarts School of Witchcraft & Wizardry, Somewhere in Scotland, Great Hall - 22 December, 1991
“Do you really need that many bags? How is the train even gonna have room for them? And you’re only going home for like- a week!” Weasley whined as Draco, him and Potter were all sitting at one of the tables in the great hall.
How he even ended up in this position, Draco could never tell you, or why he continued to torture himself by exposing himself to Weasley’s presence.
“For the last time, Weasley, that isn’t any of your business what I do or do not need. And it’s not even very many bags! You should see Pansy’s packing list.” It was only a trunk and 4 bags, really he was packing light, if anything. “Now focus on your little game!” He huffed and motioned to the chess board, which still hadn’t changed.
“I’m just waiting for Harry to play his turn.” Weasley grinned as he turned his eyes back to the board. “Getting ready to make this win number 7.”
“Don’t be so sure, Ron.” Potter grumbled, surveying the board.
“Oh really? How many times have you won?”
Potter had no rebuttal to that, since they all knew that he hadn’t even gotten close to winning once.
“Knight to E5.” Potter finally said, looking somewhat like he had eaten a flobberworm.
‘Welp, looks like Weasley is going to win again.’ Draco thought to himself as he watched the knight reluctantly slide across the board, glaring at Potter all the while. It was at that moment Draco heard the sound of wheels, making him glance away from the match to see Granger approaching.
“Queen to E5.” Weasley spoke, confident and smug after just a moment. Draco quickly looked back to the board as the queen moved forward just a few spaces, having a clear shot at the knight as she stood from her chair before hitting the poor knight with it.
“That’s barbaric!” Granger astonished, having come up beside Draco. When Draco glanced up at her, her eyes were wide as she stared at the board.
“That’s wizard’s chess,” Weasley said simply before looking at Granger’s bags. “I see that you’re all packed.”
“I see you haven’t.” She bit back, arching an eyebrow.
“Change of plans, my parents are going to go see my brother Charlie in Romania. So me, Fred, George, and Percy all get to stay here with Harry.” Weasley said as he nodded to Potter, who didn’t notice as he was too focused on the board.
“You two will keep looking while we are away, won’t you?” said Granger. “And send me an owl if you find anything.”
“And you could ask your parents if they know who Flammel is,” Weasley responded. “It’d be safe to ask them.”
“Very safe, they’re both dentists.”
“Dentists?” Weasley questioned as Draco gave her a strange look.
“They help people with their teeth, does the wizarding world not have that?”
“Definitely not,” Draco huffed before quickly going back on topic. “I’ll search the library at the manor.”
Weasley scoffed a bit but Granger quickly overshadowed it, brightening and leaning forward. “A library? How big?!”
“The primary library is two stories and there is a third that goes into a basement level that has older books and artefacts.”
Granger practically sparkled in joy, it was very irritating.
“You are telling me more on the train, but we should start heading down to the station, Draco, or else we might be late.” Granger said, giving him an intense look as she stood and grabbed her bags.
Draco sighed, already regretting his life choices before nodding and standing. “Sadly I believe you are, Granger.” He heaved all his bags onto his shoulders, wishing that Greg and Vince were here to take them, and grabbing his trunk’s handle.
“Having trouble there, Malfoy?” Draco could just hear the smug smirk in Weasley’s voice.
“Shut it, Weasel.” He shot back before storming off, or well- tried to storm off.
~3~
Hogsmeade Station, Hogsmead - 22 December, 1991
“So how many books are in your library? How old are they? What’s the oldest? Are they-”
“Granger, will you shut it already?” Draco finally snapped at her as they waited for the train at the station, having been dealing with her incessant questioning since they began their trek to the station.
She huffed in response, crossing her arms, but otherwise she didn’t comment.
Now that Draco could finally focus on something other than her questioning he finally began looking around the platform for the other Slytherins. The train platform was full of students, not just first years but also many older students as well.
As the scarlet red train pulled to a stop he had to accept that he probably wasn’t going to be able to sit with them, seeing as he still hadn't spotted any of the Slytherin’s. He hadn’t even been able to spot Greg, who was easily the tallest and easiest to pick out of a crowd.
“Hey do you guys need help?” A voice called, making Draco and Granger turn to see an older boy approaching them with a friendly smile.
“Oh! Yes, thank you!” Granger quickly responded.
Draco didn’t recognise him, and he felt like he definitely would have if he knew him. He was tall and well-built, which was greatly appreciated when he took the load off of Draco by grabbing his trunk and one of his bags as well as grabbing Granger’s bag from her.
He helped them find a compartment, setting the bags onto the seats first before lifting the trunks into the overhead bin carefully. Then the boy was able to also fit some of the bags up there, although Draco still had to keep two of his with him.
“There we go, looks like you two are all set!” The helpful boy observed with a bright smile.
‘Ugh, definitely a Hufflepuff.’ Draco thought in disgust, although he couldn’t complain too much.
Granger quickly thanked the boy profusely, and Draco did throw out a quick thank you as well. Even if the boy was of lower status Draco still was raised with manners.
“It was no problem, I know how hard it can be getting those trunks and bags up the stairs, you two have a nice ride!” The student said, waving his hand as a goodbye and leaving to go find a seat.
Draco settled into his seat comfortably and pulled his two bags close, one of them being a book bag. He opened it and began to look for something to read on the long journey, knowing that he had packed at least a few things. As he did this Granger plopped into the seat across from him, although he didn’t look up from his searching.
In fact it took him a few minutes to finally glance up from his searching, noticing the intense silence, only to find Granger staring at him intently.
He sighed, already knowing her intentions, even if she took his advice and shut up about wanting to know about the Malfoy library he should have known better than to think that she would actually leave it alone.
“There are over 20 million books in the Malfoy family library, all catalogued and organised alphabetically and separated by genre,” he rolled his eyes. “It’s not the largest library in the Malfoy estates, but it is relatively sizable.”
“So your family has more than one library?” Granger asked quickly, scooting to the edge of her seat.
“Yes, technically we have more than one library, each estate has one but they all vary in sizes. The smallest one is at our summer manor in Turkey, it’s only 20,000 but we never visit. Our largest one is in France and has about 150 million books, give or take a few 100,000.”
“Wow.” Granger said in awe, whispering it and staring with wide eyes. “How did your family get so many?”
“From around, the Mafloy family has been established since the 4th century, although it wasn’t until the 11th that we came to England. After being around so long we’ve just purchased and collected so many. Practically all of the well established pureblood families have libraries that large.”
“Since the 4th century?! I didn't know it was possible to be able to date your ancestors back that far.”
“Yes, well, family lineages are extremely important in Pureblood circles. We have enough records to fill the libraries that we build, and we do.”
Before Granger could continue to question the door to the compartment slid open, making both of the kids look up.
“Bones?” Draco questioned.
In the doorway stood Bones and another girl, who had a pink face and long blond hair that was put up into two pigtails.
“Hi Malfoy, me and Hannah were wondering if we could sit with you, all of the other compartments are practically full.” Bones explained before noticing Granger. “Oh, hello Granger.”
“Hi.” Granger greeted, waving slightly.
“So, can we?” Bones looked back at Draco curiously.
“Do I really have a choice?”
“Not really.” Bones snarked back, smirking a little before moving in the compartment and beginning to put her’s and the other girl’s bags up into the overhead shelves.
When they were finally done they both sat down, Bone beside Draco and the blonde girl beside Granger, the train began to move.
“So are you going to introduce us or are you going to be rude?” Draco questioned, nodding to the girl who he had never met before.
“Oh, right, this is Hannah Abbott, she’s in Hufflepuff with me.” The red haired girl introduced, motioning to Abbott.
“Nice to meet you, Malfoy.” Abbott greeted, smiling a bit shyly and beginning to play with her hair in a nervous manner.
“Charmed.” Draco drawled.
“So, Malfoy, what are your Yule plans? Your family celebrates it, right?” Bones questioned, which seemed to catch Granger’s attention.
“Indeed we do, although Mother is having to throw her Yule ball tomorrow and not today, due to us not arriving back until late. We are supposed to have a family dinner together tonight, though.”
“Fascinating, do you celebrate Yule, Susan? Do all wizards? Ronald didn’t say anything about it.” Granger questioned curiously, jumping into the conversation.
“I do, although we don’t throw a ball like the Malfoy’s. We just have a simple family dinner, burn the Yule Log and a few offerings, and then exchange gifts. Pretty simple and typical. But not all wizards do, some celebrate Christmas or other holidays, really it depends on if they are traditional and what they believe.” Bones shrugged.
“My family celebrates both Yule and Christmas,” Abbott offered. “My mum's a witch while my dad is a muggle, so when they got married they decided to celebrate both.”
“How does that work?”
“Oh, well we do basically the same thing as Susan for Yule, and on Christmas we don’t do presents, instead we go carolling and do charity.” Abbott explained to Granger.
“It’s pretty fun! My little brother and I go with them sometimes.” Susan cuts in. “Lewie loves all the carolling, his absolute favourite is Jingle Bells.”
The girls all laughed, although Granger still seemed curious.
“If so many wizards celebrate Yule in some capacity, why does Hogwarts only decorate for Christmas? Or is Yule and Christmas really that similar?”
‘Now I have to step in.’ Draco decided before butting into their conversation. “Hogwarts doesn’t celebrate it for the same reason they don’t let us celebrate Samhain in public, or any of our other holidays. Dumbledore all but bans it and any other holidays that aren’t Muggle.
“It’s not just our holidays that are shunned, Malfoy, they only decorate for the Christian winter holiday. There are many winter holidays from other cultures, muggles and otherwise, that aren’t accounted for at Hogwarts.
‘Like there was that Ravenclaw boy and a few others who were complaining about not being able to properly celebrate Hanukkah at Hogwarts, or that transfer student from Ilvermorny that can’t celebrate Kwanzaa.” Bones explained.
“That’s awful, why would Dumbledore not allow them to celebrate their traditions?” Granger questioned, looking positively dreadful.
Before Draco could butt in again, give her a real talking to about the hypocrisy of Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore, Bones spoke in a far more neutral tone than Draco ever could when speaking on the subject.
“Well.. the man is a hero, no one can deny that, but being a hero doesn’t mean he is a good person or that he doesn’t have his own bigoted thoughts.”
“It’s the same reason so many Professors are against Slytherin, they think we all end up evil and so they are justified in thinking that we did something wrong or that we deserve a detention just for existing.” Draco growled, glaring out the window.
There was a pause of conversation, the three other occupants of the carriage going quiet as an awkward silence filled the compartment.
“What about you, Hermione? What does your family do for Christmas?” Abbott asks curiously after a moment of letting the silence sit.
“Oh! We um, just do typical Christmas stuff, sometimes we go on holiday or go skiing, but when it comes to stockings my parents usually put floss and toothbrushes in them instead of candy.” Granger responds, a bit hesitant at first before adding, “they’re dentists, so they are super conscious of teeth health.
‘Speaking of, what do you guys do for that? If you don’t have dentists to look at your teeth then how do you know everything is ok” She looked at Draco now.
“We just swish around a potion in our mouths.” Draco says, his anger having abated slightly and instead being replaced by a creeping confusion.
“I brush and floss my teeth.” Abbott says, “My dad had a super hard time with the idea of basically using just mouthwash.”
‘Brush? Like hair? And mouthwash?’ All these terms were so confusing for Draco.
The girls continued on talking, asking each other questions and answering with things that just confused Draco some more.
Before long he grew pretty bored and finally pulled out the book he had originally been planning on reading, settling in for a long ride back to London.
~4~
Kings Cross Station, Platform 9 ¾ , Euston Rd, London, England - 22 December, 1991
The Hogwarts Express slowly pulled into the station after a very long and very boring train ride. The train platform very quickly became a sea of students as many rushed from the train and into the waiting arms of family members who missed them dearly.
Students parted from their friends, throwing goodbyes over their shoulders and giving well wishes. Granger, Bones, and Abbott were among these people, rushing off with their bags and barely sparing each other another glance.
Draco quickly pushed his own way through the crowd, knowing that his mother would likely be on the outskirts rather than in the middle of the chaos.
He was right, of course, finding her near a more empty area with her hands folded in front of her and waiting patiently. “Mother.” Draco greeted, nodding to her despite wanting to throw himself and get a hug after not seeing his mother in months.
“My dragon,” Mother greeted back, laying a delicate hand on his shoulder and squeezing slightly. “Your father and I have missed you greatly, we’re very happy that you are home.”
There wasn’t much else to say after that so they both went to the floo channels, and after waiting for a bit they were finally able to step through the floo and into the Grand Hall in the Manor.
The Hall was as grand as ever, with tall walls and golden candle chandeliers. The floor was made of marble and practically sparkled with how clean it was. The entire room was decorated to the nines, beautiful garlands of greenery hung on the walls, rich green and white rugs with designs of snowflakes were laid out.
At the very center of the hall was a ginormous elm tree, similar in size to the primary one in the Great Hall. However unlike the trees at Hogwarts this one was decorated with a mix of opulence and tradition woven into it.
All around the tree there were floating white candles, hanging on the branches were dried orange slices that filled the air with their smell, radiant glass baubles that reflected the light perfectly.
This was what Draco had been missing, the tradition, the feeling of warmth that filled him at the smell of orange and fresh cut pine.
They were greeted by Pep and Don, standing at attention near the fireplace, ready and waiting. Pep took Draco’s bags and his trunk while Don took their coats, both quickly bowing and popping away to unpack the bags and put away the coats.
After they were gone Draco was overcome by a feeling, not the feeling of wrongness or even that extremely compelling feeling that yelled at him to do something. No, this feeling was one of longing.
“Mother..?” Draco questioned softly, glancing at Mother.
“Yes, Draco?”
“Do you think we could… have tea? Maybe take a walk in the greenhouse?”
“Oh Draco, I can’t, I must finish the preparations for tomorrow’s ball. If you’d like some tea I’m sure the elves will be happy to provide it.” She waved him off, not even glancing down at him before walking off towards the drawing room, her heels clicking against the floor.
And there Draco was, once again alone in the large and quiet manor.
He sighed and looked down, both disheartened and unsurprised by the rebuff. ‘ I should have known better, Mother is probably so busy getting everything perfect.’
Draco allowed himself to feel this way for only a moment before he shook himself out of it, determined to put his mind onto something else.
Namely, Nicolas Flamel.
He knew that he had found that name before, and had heard it from uncle Sev. So the mention of him and his inventions had to be in the Malfoy family library somewhere.
It was with that thought that he walked out of the grand hall, through the billiards room, and into the library.