Harry came out of the floo to see Draco standing there.
"Where have you been?" Whispered Draco fiercely. He had been waiting for Harry much of the evening.
Harry calmly replied as he came over to Draco, "We solved Neville's magic problem. He now has a wand, his wand instead of his fathers. It took more time than I anticipated."
Draco worriedly replied, "Mother is furious. I don't think I can protect you from this."
Harry took a deep breath and let it out. He turned to Draco and replied, "It's OK, brother. What happens, happens. I wont apologize for helping Neville."
Draco just shook his head. "She is likely in her sitting room. I would not wait as that will definitely make things worse."
Harry nodded, went to Aunt Cissa's sitting room. She was sitting there reading a book. She didn't look up.
After a second she said, indifferently "So…you return safely. I had expected you for dinner. When you didn't arrive, I floo'd Longbottom Hall. I was told none of you were there, and the elves wouldn't tell me where you had gone."
Harry standing in front of her replied calmly, "We went to get Neville a wand. Using his father's made him look like a squib. His magic is near magus level, now."
Narcissa looked up at him. She then asked, "Why didn't you send a letter or floo me about the change of plans?"
Harry shrugged, "I honestly forgot. Convincing Dowager Countess Longbottom to replace Neville's wand was a dangerous and taxing endeavor. However, she is very happy now."
Narcissa looked back to her book, "I was worried about you."
Harry, obviously saddened by hurting her, apologized "I'm sorry Aunt Cissa. I never meant to hurt you."
Narcissa looked up at Harry again, she said calmly, "Thank you for the apology. Go ask Draco where I keep my hair brush, and bring it to me."
Harry snapped to attention, and bowed, "As you command, Baroness Malfoy."
Draco was waiting outside. He took Harry to Narcissa's bathroom, and showed Harry where mum kept that hair brush. "I told you not to test mum." Draco said with concern.
Harry looked at Draco, while he examined the hair brush. It was a heavy wooden brush which would be very effective as a paddle. It was going to hurt. "I didn't do it on purpose. I expect she is going to attempt to keep me from doing it again." Harry said as he smacked his hand lightly with the brush.
Draco glanced down at the brush and replied, "That she will. I will see you in the morning, brother." He then went to bed.
Harry returned to Baroness Malfoy and handed her the brush with a half-bow. He then stripped off his clothes and asked, "Where do you want me?"
She looked at him, "Over my lap with you bottom on my right. You may scream and beg me to stop. Do not try to get away. Do not guard your bottom with your hands."
Harry got into position, and she adjusted him until she had his bottom where she wanted it. Narcissa then gave him 20 strokes. She rapidly increased the force when Harry didn't respond to the strikes. Soon, she was swinging as hard as she could. Harry never moved, or made a sound.
Once completed, Narcissa put down her brush and said "You can get up now and dress."
Harry moved off her lap in obvious discomfort, but still pull clothes on over his very bruised bottom.
While getting dressed, Narcissa watched him. She asked, "Why did you strip? I did not ask for it."
Harry looked up from pulling up his slacks, "I honestly figured you would demand bare."
Narcissa shook her head, "Do not strip for paddling at school, unless you have been expressly given strokes bare. It is inappropriate, and will be seen as a challenge. A very unnecessary and stupid challenge every professor would do their utmost to convince you to never repeat."
Harry nodded after hissing at pulling his slacks over his bruised bottom. He answered, "Yes Aunt Cissa"
Narcissa then asked, "Do you know why I paddled you?"
Harry working with his shirt, stopped. He looked at Narcissa and said "Because you care about me, and I scared you by not being where you expected me to be. You are attempting to keep me from making the same mistake again."
Narcissa looked shocked. She eventually said, "That…was a very unexpected answer. "
Harry quietly asked, "Do…you care about me?" His voice cracked, "Was I correct?"
Narcissa held out her arms and Harry moved closer. She then pulled him into a hug, "Of course I care about you! I think of you as a son!"
Harry holding tight to her asked with a whisper, "Then why are you… giving me away?" while tears poured from his eyes.
Narcissa with evident sadness in her voice replied, "Harry…you can't live here. There are…complications…which we mitigated for the duration of these 'hols. Any amount of time longer would place the Malfoy house in too much risk."
Harry's eyes got big, "Oooh, like with your two daughters?"
Narcissa winced but replied, "Not quite, but close enough. I love them very much, like you. I will expect to see you regularly when you live there, and I expect regular letters when you are at Hogwarts."
Harry still holding her, said to her neck, "Yes Aunty"
Narcissa hugged him tighter, "Scamp"
The next morning Harry was at breakfast and Draco was looking at him with a questioning look.
Harry looked at Draco and said, "Yes Draco?"
Draco looked at Harry confused. He eventually asked, "Didn't my mother paddle you last night?"
Harry replied calmly, "She gave me 20 bare. Why?"
Draco replied, "You sit there without a care in the world. No shifting at all. I would swear you weren't paddled."
Harry put down his silverware and looked at Draco, "Draco, I heal completely, every night. My jailers often beat me bloody, unconscious, and with broken bones. I would wake up the next day without any signs I had been injured. It allowed them to brutalize me without any consequences, every day."
Continuing as he picked his silverware back up, "What Aunt Cissi did to me last night is nothing to what I experienced most every day, for my entire life."
Draco looked at him with horror. "It was that bad?"
Harry looked back at Draco and answered simply, "Yes"
Draco with sadness in his eyes replied, "I'm so sorry brother."
Harry frowned. He then stated, "Draco, I appreciate compassion and sympathy. Please don't pity me, I have been made stronger that you can imagine. I'm not sure if this was Dumbledore's plan or just serendipitous, but I will make him pay for ruining my childhood. The Black pay their debts, but we collect them too."
During the conversation, Narcissa pretended she didn't hear anything, other than a small smile at that last line. He was going to be a fine Earl. Inside she continued making plans.
After breakfast, one of the elves brought the morning post, including the Daily Prophet. Narcissa sorted the mail, sending some to Lucius, and setting aside others to deal with herself. She then picked up the Prophet and snorted.
Draco asked "What is it mother?"
Narcissa replied with some amusement, "It appears the Black of Black has given an interview to Rita Skeeter. He talks about his new Heir and what he suffered under the care of Dumbledore and his child-abusing muggles….who live at 4 Privet Drive, Little Whinging, Surrey. "
Quickly reading the whole article. "Not bad, it talks about how you killed a troll to save other students, and have been accepted by the family magic and now wear the Heir Ring. He goes on to warn people that you are a burgeoning Magus and combined with the Black Family magic, pressing you will have grave consequences…outside of just angering the Black."
Aunt Cissa called for an elf, "Lock down the Floo, and bring up the wards. We won't be taking calls today."
Shortly Lucius came into the dining room. "Dear? The wards?" She just handed him the paper. After scanning the article.
Lucius sighed. He then said, "Ah…very well, I will just go into the ministry to get some work done. Stay safe. Draco. Heir Black." Nodding to each before leaving to apparate away.
Narcissa then spent much of the day working the two boys through their responsibilities and obligations as active heirs. 14 years old wasn't that far away.
The next day a Gringotts owl arrived for Harry. It had the results of the audit. Evidently, a significant sum of money was paid to the Dursleys for childcare. As it is obvious they didn't spend it on him, the money is being collected with penalties and interest.
Money was also given to the Weasleys for a, yet, unknown reason. It was being investigated and a letter has been sent to their Head for an explanation.
The invisibility cloak had been returned, and is currently being stripped of trackers, bugs, and other noxious charms which do not belong. It will be returned to the young lord once cleaned. Dumbledore is being charged for the cleaning.
Shortly thereafter Narcissa took Draco and Harry to the train. She hugged them both goodbye, but waited noticing a bushy-haired young girl making a bee line for them with obvious intent. Hermione came running up, saw Narcissa, and came to a sudden stop.
Glancing at Cissa, she curtseyed to Harry, "Heir Black, may I congratulate you on your ascension?"
Harry groaned, but at a cough from Narcissa, straightened up and bowed, "Miss Granger, your congratulations are appreciated. How was your vacation?"
Hermione politely responded, "Fine thank you. And yours?
Harry also using appropriate voice, "Very informative. May I present to you Baroness Narcissa Malfoy nee Black, Member of House Black, my aunt?" Harry then turned back to Hermione, "and this is Hermione Granger of new house Granger."
Hermione turned to Narcissa, and curtseyed, "A pleasure to meet you Baroness Malfoy. Please call me Hermione."
Cissa just looked at her for a minute. "I do remember your name coming up many times during the 'hols. I believe I would like to get to know someone who dominates so much of Heir Black's attention. Call me Lady Malfoy for now. Something tells me you will get a more familiar address in time."
Hermione blushing furiously, curtseyed again. "Thank you, Lady Malfoy."
Narcissa with a smile said, "Now the formalities are over. I will leave you to a more casual interaction. Good bye boys. Hermione."
She left seeing Hermione launch herself into Harry's arms. Fiercely hugging him and kissing him on the cheek. She shook her head, young love.
Draco shook his head, "I wonder at your age, I've seen 3rd years with less maturity than you two. Hermione, have you received a letter from Dowager Countess Longbottom, yet?"
Hermione looked concerned, "How did you know about that?"
Draco continued, "Harry told me he requested Lady Longbottom open a discourse with you about becoming your magical guardian. A really good idea, in my poor opinion."
Hermione shook her head and said with a wince, "My parents are still discussing it. They are concerned with losing parenting rights. They are rather angry that they don't actually have any! They were furious, a Hogwarts professor could arbitrarily make decisions like marrying me off!"
Harry then interjected, "That is why you need to accept the offer. Dowager Countess Longbottom has promised me, that she will consider your concerns before mine own."
Hermione then turned to Harry and asked with an arched eyebrow, "And what concerns do you have?"
...Harry just looked down, not answering.
"Harry..." she said with an ominous undertone.
Harry then looked in Hermione's eyes and blurted out, "I am considering Betrothing you as Lady Potter."
"And what reasons do you have for this Heir Black?" with some chill in her words.
Nervously, Harry exclaimed "I want to protect you! You are my best friend and I don't want to see you hurt. I have also been told that as one of the 3 Earls, I am highly desired. You would protect me from countless attempts by women to become my countess. I really like you more than any of them, anyway."
Harry continued, "You don't have to decide now. You asked what my interests might be, and I told you. Honesty, I don't think I am ready to have a lady. I haven't even had the TALK yet!"
Blushing a bit, Hermione asked, "You haven't had the TALK yet? Aren't you a healer's apprentice? How can you not have had the talk abo"
Blushing furiously, Harry cut her off, "Yes! That talk! I understand the medical anatomy and physiology of a witch, but don't know how to pleasure her, or avoid hurting her."
Hermione looked at Harry with warmth and a smile, "Oh Harry. We can talk later; my mother was most thorough with her explanations and I have reference material."
Draco grinned furiously, "And on that note, I will take my leave."
Harry angrily whispered, "You won't tell anyone, ANYONE about this conversation!"
"Yes brother...hahahahahahahahaha." Laughing as he walked away.
Attempting to enter the train, there were numerous parents and ladies who wished to have a 'quiet word.' Hermione realized that Harry's concerns were definitely appropriate.
After finding a car with Neville, Susan, and Hanna in it, they requested to join after appropriate greetings.
Susan and Hanna greeted the new Earl to be, but since they knew Neville, another future Earl, it wasn't such a problem.
After the formal greeting, Harry asked, "Please, treat me as any other student."
Hanna just snorted, "Yeah, any student who kills trolls and flies like a barn swallow. Sure…giggle."
Harry just sighed, and grabbed Hermione's hand placing it in his lap. She scooted over to place her head on his shoulder and sighed too.
Susan looked at them, "Merlin, you two are too much! I've seen bonded couples less clingy."
Harry holding her hand tightly replied a bit grouchy, "Well sorry, I haven't seen Mine in over 2 weeks. I missed her."
Susan looked at Hanna mouthing 'Mine.'
Hanna shook her head, "I hope you two realize what you're in for. There are some ladies who will not appreciate any witch, much less a first-gen, getting in their way. Without a house to protect her, she will be at the complete mercy of the professors. Be very proper outside Hufflepuff classrooms and always travel in a group."
Neville shook his head realizing what Harry was likely to do if his witch was abused. He stood up. "Miss Hermione Jane Granger of New House Granger, please kneel before me."
Harry just looked at Neville with a fierce look of pride. Susan said, "oh!", and Hanna gasped. Hermione rose and after Harry nodded to her, knelt before Heir Longbottom.
Neville released his magic and had her clasp her hands together in front of her face. He then grabbed her hands in his. "I Heir Neville Longbottom heir apparent of Earl Longbottom offer Hermione Jane Granger of New House Granger the protection of my house. Do you accept?"
Susan immediately went behind Hermione and started whispering in her ear.
In a shaky voice, Hermione answered, "I Hermione Jane Granger of new House Granger accept the protection of House Longbottom, my Lord."
Neville then forced his magic, and tapped her on the arm near the right shoulder, "So mote it be!" A flash and the Longbottom crest surrounded in white appeared on her arm. "That is temporary, we will have the elves stitch the actual crests on your robes and dresses so people know you are my protectee."
Neville stated confidently, "Welcome to the protection of House Longbottom, Miss Granger. As I'm under the age of 14, that wasn't entirely legal. I expect you to write Dowager Countess Longbottom forthwith so you can make it official. Do you understand your instructions?"
Still kneeling with her hands clasped in front of her face, Hermione replied, "Yes, my Lord. How will this effect having her become my magical guardian?"
"Once the paper work is approved, it will become as easy as signing one document for her to become your guardian. Also, any reprobates who start sniffing around you and asking for your time will have to talk to me, then her. Be sure to let your paramour, Heir Black know that."
She smiled and stood up then curtseyed, "I will inform him, my Lord." As they heard a low growl from Harry to the side. It would have been terrifying if they didn't know Harry was Neville's brother.
Neville exhaled sharply, "Now that that is done. Hermione, please call me Neville in casual conversation"
Hermione quipped "Of course, my Lord." Neville groaned as everyone laughed.