Reading Time:
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Chapter One:

When Draco awoke next, it was late morning. The burning sensation wasn’t the first thing that he thought of, but it did pop into his mind quickly.  Yawning as he pulled his night shirt over his head, Draco stumbled from bed, heading toward his room’s ensuite, and glanced at his arm to see what had happened.

Immediately, he froze in his tracks when he laid his eyes on the marking, an infinity mark with his own name in one loop and that of Herewald James Potter’s in the other. A soulmate mark. Not just any soulmate mark, but an infinity mark, meaning he and Harry had been bonded together for enough lifetimes that Grandmother Fate had stopped counting. Harry Potter. The Savior. The Chosen One. The Boy Who Lived was his soulmate, and Draco, whose magical name was interestingly listed as Draconis Abraxas Arcturus Black-Malfoy, had thrown a temper tantrum over a rejected handshake and spent nearly 5 years tormenting him and his best friends.

Draco was devastated. This was everything that he had ever wanted with someone that he couldn’t imagine wanting him back because of his own actions. Since he was a small boy, Draco had dreamed of having a soulmate. Someone who was made just for him and would love him no matter what. Being closer to adulthood, Draco understood that he had to work at it. It wasn’t some forced influence that made his mate want him forever, but he was willing to put in the work. “Apollo,” he croaked as his fingers traced the loop holding Harry’s name while his eyes started to mist over.

“Why is you big sad?” Apollo asked, trotting forward once he’d popped into the room. Seeing the mark, he bounced and clapped happily. “This is good thing. Why is you sad?” He asked again, reaching Draco so that he could better see the mark.

“This be great blessing from Lady Magic and The Fates. Great blessing.”

“I’ve ruined it,” Draco said angrily, then shook his head and muttered an apology for being sharp with his oldest friend. Apollo just waved a hand, feeling the panic and devastation coming from his master.

“You is putting cart before the thestral. No has even talked to Master Harry yet. Apollo thinks that Master Harry has a mark too, and that he saw it this morning as well, because he had Dobby bring the Dogfather to his room. Go take you shower. Apollo will get a private breakfast set up in here, and he will ask Master Harry to come have breakfast with you so that you can talk. Talk first and panic later if talk goes bad. You no is mind reader! Then Apollo will pull a book on soulmates for Mistress Grangy. Go shower! Master Draconis is stinky!”

Draco huffed at Apollo and shot him a mock glare. “Be careful, or it will be clothes for you.”

“You no would ever and uniform no is clothes! So there!” Apollo shot back, sticking out his tongue and popped out giggling. Draco, on the other hand, just shook his head and pushed himself up to standing, and pushed the sleeping pants over his hips as he wandered to the shower.

By the time Harry was knocking on the door, Draco was sitting at the breakfast table, hair air drying, water trickling on occasion down his back, and pouring tea. “Come in, Harry. The door is unlocked.”

“I guess that it’s time for that talk?” Harry asked with amusement that seemed tainted with mild panic.

“Among other things it seems. Soulmates aren’t the topic that I thought we would be discussing, but needs must. I know this isn’t how I should begin this talk, but I have to know. My mind is nothing but a whirlwind of panic and anxiety because by all rights, you should shun me and my advances. I am not unaware of how badly I have messed things up between us with my childish temper tantrum over a rejected handshake. I’m… Potter, this is everything that I have ever wanted, and I feel as if I have ruined our chances of a relationship that has spanned infinite lifetimes.”

“Well, I can’t say that you were my first choice. That doesn’t mean that it’s ruined, though. We’re children, Draco. I’m not sure how Ron will take this, but I honestly don’t care. Sirius explained things to me, and this sounds like everything I have ever wanted. I… I just want someone to put me first, and not even Sirius can say that he does that. If he did that, I would be going to him for the summer and not back to my relatives.”

“I don’t know what that means, but I do know that this place has officially been made a sanctuary safehouse. So, if you have a genuine need of a safe place, all you have to do is go to Gringotts and speak with the dragons.  Tell them that you are accepting sanctuary at Malfoy Cottage and you will be covered no matter what Dumbledore wants. Why does he want you to stay with your relatives, and why do you not want to go there?”

Draco listened as Harry explained his mother’s death and Dumbledore’s claims about the sacrifice powering blood wards. He then reluctantly explained how the Dursleys mistreated him. By the time he got done, Draco was irate, and his hands were shaking.

“They sound like what my father always claimed muggles were, which is not helping my resolve to be more understanding there.”

“Well, just keep in mind that there is good and bad in anything, including muggles,” Harry suggested slowly as Ares came in with a tawny owl perched on his head.

A very familiar and pampered owl that belonged to his mother. Draco’s stomach clenched with grief and angst. He hesitated but eventually accepted the letter with shaking hands. His father was dead. His tormentor. His betrayer. The man who taught him to fly a broom and stressed to him the importance of family was dead. His father was dead because he’d decided that a son who thought for himself was unacceptable. He was dead, and Draco at fifteen was now the head of his House, responsible for not just himself but a whole host of other people, including the mother he was fairly certain was as corrupt as Lucius had been. What was he doing?

“Draco, breathe,” Harry said quietly, taking his hand. “Whatever you are panicking about, you aren’t alone, remember? You and me. Soulmates. It’s the two of us against the world forever.”

“You don’t have any adults who listen to you either,” Draco pointed out, and Harry snorted, amused, before shrugging.

“I have Sirius and so do you. We just have to clear his name. You gonna read that?”

“It’s from Mother. I don’t know if…”

“I get it,” Harry sympathized with an understanding nod. “Wouldn’t it be better to know now than stew over it and let the unknown eat you up?”

Draco knew Harry had a point and, with a hesitant nod, used his butter knife to open the letter. If there was any doubt in his mind about the kind of mother that Narcissa Malfoy was, it was made clear by the contents of her communication.

Draco Lucius Malfoy,

I have been fully informed about the events of last night, and I find your actions deplorable. I hold you solely responsible for your father’s death, and as such, no longer consider you my son.

I assume that you are at your grandfather’s cottage, and find it appropriate because that will be all that you ever inherit. I am taking 24 hours of solitude, and then I will be going to the bank to see you cast from the Malfoy line. 

You will not gain a knut from your father’s death. You are a stain on the name Malfoy, and I will see that stain erased. I will also be seeking to cast you from the Black line as well. 

Enjoy your rebellion. It is all you have left.

Dowager Lady Narcissa Malfoy

Draco froze, and his chest felt tight as the panic grew inside of him. This could not happen. He could not allow her to cast him out. He needed to… He needed….

“Apollo, Zeus, Kronos!” The three house elves popped in wearing all black. “We have an emergency. Kronos, I called you because I need Theodore. We must go to the Dragons immediately to see about my inheritance. I need Theo with me. Also, though, he is the closest to Potter’s size, and I am sure Harry has nothing appropriate to wear. So, could you ask Theo if Harry can borrow something of his?

“Zeus, I need you to go to Gringotts immediately and see if I can get an appointment today. Tell them that it’s an emergency, and I will pay whatever extra fees I must. Advise them that there will be four of us. That being myself, Theo, Harry, and my cousin Sirius Black. Has there been any news on the Peter Pettigrew front?”

Zeus nodded quickly, flicking one side of his cape over his shoulder. “Hades and Ares delivered him to Madame Bones when she arrived at her office this morning.”

“Good, I want you to get a list of my house elves who would be interested in being Sirius’ Personal Attendant Elf. I don’t know where his original elf went, or who it was, but he needs one, especially after everything that he has gone through.

“Apollo, my friend, I need my mourning clothes. I am not observing the 24 hours of solitude, but I will observe the rest of the traditions. Then, could you see if Blaise has anything that Sirius could wear to the bank? Also, tell Dobby that he needs to have that talk with Harry immediately. That’s all. I am going to write Lord Barrows a letter. Could you have someone hand-deliver it, please? That will be all.”

Draco then turned to Harry, who was watching him, looking half-amused and half-stunned. “I know I should have asked you first, and I apologize for not doing so. But would you go to Gringotts with me? I… Our bond is still forming, and I find I don’t want you out of my sight.”

“Of course, Draco. It will give me a chance to ask for sanctuary. What’s the deal with the clothes thing? And what should I expect from the dragons? Also, what? How do dragons run a bank?”

Draco’s lips twitched despite the seriousness of the moment. “Last question first. There is more to dragons than what you fought in the Tournament, and than they teach us in school. The one you are familiar with is a common dragon, which would be their equivalent of a Muggle. They have magic, but not like we know it. It’s more like green or elemental magic. They can’t talk or communicate.

“Then there are three more types: the first two, Dragonborn and Wizardborn, are basically the same. All three of these dragons have human forms and perform magic as we would recognize it. Dragonborn lean toward Dragonic magic, but can perform magic as we perform. They quite often end up retreating to the bank and working in the lower levels, taking care of the common dragons that guard the vaults. Some even choose to retreat fully and live on the preserves, like where Charlie Weasley works. He most likely works with many Dragonborn and could be one himself.

“Wizardborn are actually very common, even though people like my parents would never want to admit it. They lean toward human magic but do have some access to Draconic magic, although it is typically weaker than what a Dragonborn can perform. These two types, Dragonborn and Wizardborn, cannot shift into a dragon form. Most of those you see when you go to the bank are of these two categories, and one can have varying levels of strength among these two kinds. You, for instance, are most likely a wizardborn with more access to draconic magic than most.

“The last kind you will meet are Dragon Mages, and those also work at the bank. The difference is that they have equal access to both Wizarding Magic and Draconic Magic, as well as having dual forms. These mages have both human and dragon forms. Given they are born from humanoid mothers, they are born in their human form and do not have access to their dragon form until sometime between 15 and 25, depending on the strength of their magic. Merlin Emrys, my ancestor, was the most powerful Dragon Mage ever and came into his form at 15. Within Gringotts, the Accounts Managers are always Dragon Mages, as is their King, who currently is Ragnok Doomseed of Clan Junnarel. Before you ask, I don’t know why they don’t teach these latter three types of dragons anymore. I only know that those classes disappeared while Dippet was Headmaster.”

“Holy wow,” Harry breathed, shaking his head as he tried to keep all the information straight. “And the clothes thing?”

“You are Heir to the House of Potter, at the very least. It is a big deal. We are expected to look a certain way, and no offense intended, but your clothes are basically rags. I say this not to make you feel bad, but to lead into a plea for us to fix it. You really need a whole new wardrobe.”

“I don’t… Can I afford that?”

“Can you… Harry, do you not get statements from Gringotts about your vault? You do have a vault, do you not? I can’t imagine that the family vault doesn’t have thousands of galleons in it. You should be able to afford several wardrobes. The House of Potter is an Ancient and Noble House and should have more than enough wealth.”

“I’ve never gotten anything,” Harry said as Apollo cleared his throat, reminding the two wizards they were not alone and were on a time crunch.

“Yes, Apollo, sorry. Harry, I think we need to have question and answer sessions where you can ask whatever is on your mind, and I will try to educate you. Maybe we should invite Sirius and Lupin as well. I am going to go get ready now. I will meet you in the floo room when you are ready.”

Kronos popped back in at that point, and Draco only then realized that he and Zeus had left at some point to see to their orders. “Master Theo is happy to help both Master Draco and Master Harry. If Master Harry comes with me, Master Theo will help him select something to wear.”

“Thank you, Kronos,” Draco acknowledged before heading to the bathroom to take his second shower of the morning. It probably wasn’t needed, but it would make Draco feel better.

An hour later found Draco walking into the floo room in his best mourning clothing, which was all black except for the formal crests for both the House of Malfoy and the House of Black on it, representing both his parents’ Houses.

Harry was in a black robe that had green accents with a pair of black pants and an emerald green silk shirt. Theo was dressed in his own formal mourning robe that had both the House of Nott and House of Fawley crests on it. He had on a pair of grey slacks with a deep purple shirt that had a silver design on it on the cuffs.

Lastly was Sirius, and Draco could easily see Blaise’s influence over the man. Like Draco and Theo, Sirius was wearing a mourning robe in support of Draco due to his familial connection to the young heir. He had only the Black family crest on his. Underneath he had on a pair of black leather pants that Draco knew Blaise hated, with a maroon colored shirt that was open at the top and had a gold embroidered design along the buttons.

“Oh, Draconis,” Sirius said, coming over and wrapping him in a hug that Draco quickly sank into. “I’m so sorry. I know that your relationship with your father wasn’t great, but from personal experience, I know that it doesn’t matter. Even complicated relationships end in painful deaths. Harry said that you got a letter.”

Pulling back with a quietly spoken thanks, Draco nodded as he wiped off his eyes. “From mother, which is why we have to go to the bank immediately. Although I suppose I should have waited until I heard back from Zeus. I would like you to read it later, as I am not sure it is as straightforward as it seems.”

Apollo stepped forward wearing his own version of mourning wear, which consisted of a pair of  black pants and a black shirt that looked to be made out of someone’s bedding. “Uncle Zeus came to me and reported that the dragons be willing to see you whenever you get there. He wanted to get started on the PA list for Master Dogfather and then see what they be doing with the house. Demeter insisted they start in the kitchens so she can cook a decent meal tonights. He wondered if you be wanting to do a bonfire tonight in honor, since you no will has the body to do a pyre?”

Draco considered the question and eventually nodded. It was tradition that those who could not attend the pyre burning would make their own bonfire and send the deceased well wishes on their journey to the afterlife. The idea was to try to influence their journey to Avalon, but Draco may not so secretly believe that his father deserved to go to Hel instead. Despite that, the part of him that had loved Lucius knew that he would regret it later if he didn’t perform the burning.

Before he could suggest they leave, Hera popped in and bowed low, wearing a pretty dress made of a black tea towel with little pink flowers on the bottom of the skirt. “Master Draco, before you leave, Zeus and I would like to ask what you be wanting when you return. Is you going to spend the rest of the day in solutide, or do you want something else?”

“Find out who needs long-term sanctuary. I plan to ask Gragin if he will come here and take the statements and requests. Those who wish to go back to Hogwarts can. The floo can be used without any fear of reverse trace. Just make sure they know they can leave, but can’t come back until I return. Do not pop anyone out. Apparition will only set off the wards without me here.

“As for me, I just want a quiet afternoon outside. So, maybe set something up near the cliffs. Make sure the wards are good there, as I don’t want to worry about someone going over the cliff. I just… I need time to be sad, and then tomorrow I will move on as much as I can. But first things first, let’s get to the bank. Hera you and Zeus are in charge for the rest of the day.”

With that, Draco strode to the floo and threw in some powder, calling out the name for the private floo entrance Gragin Gentleheart, his Gringotts accounts manager, had told him to use going forward. He then waved Theo to go first as the four men made their way to see the Dragons of Gringotts.

Stepping through the floo after Harry and before Sirius, Draco scanned the room and gave a half-bow to Gentleheart who was standing just inside the doorway with a black band wrapped around the arm of his shirt recognizing the death in one of his accounts’ families.

“Heir Malfoy, my sincere condolences on your loss. Know that we at Gringotts are here to help in any way that we can.”

Draco nodded his thanks and then gave the accounts manager a weak smile. “May your horde overflow with the treasures of your heart and your enemies perish at the sound of your name.”

“And the same to you,” Gentleheart offered before turning and motioning for the men to follow him. Walking through the halls, Draco considered what all he wanted to accomplish with this meeting.

There were plenty of things that he should discuss, but his wounded heart wasn’t up for it. This was going to be a bare minimum day, and hopefully, the Dragons would be willing to come to Malfoy Cottage within the next several days to see about the rest.

It didn’t occur to him that they were going deeper into the bank than normal until they got to a pair of ornate wooden doors. “Gragin?”

“Ragnok offered up his personal conference room on the advice of Vanzis, his personal seer. She had a vision suggesting that this would be no normal meeting. Come in, please, and be seated. Draco, I know that we already did a line test, but I would like to run another to see if something has changed. With your father’s death, it is possible that there are conditions that have now been met that were not met the first time we did one. Plus, if I recall correctly, you have had a birthday, and that can also make a big difference.”

“Whatever you think is best, Gragin,” Draco agreed, having long ago given the accounts manager permission to use his first name and receiving the same permission in return. Choosing a seat across from where Gragin had set down, Draco was pleased when Sirius sat down on his left with Harry on Sirius’s other side and Theodore on Draco’s right side.

Gentleheart slid a stone bowl across the table that had a piece of parchment in it already with Draconic scripture on it. Having just begun private lessons in the Draconic language, Draco could only read a few words. Fortunately, he knew from the prior visit when he set up the cottage as a sanctuary and performed a line test, what was written on it. Gragin had thoroughly educated him the first time.

Carefully, Gragin passed him a dagger, and Draco pricked his finger with the tip, letting the blood drip from his hand down to cover the parchment. He then watched as Gragin began chanting in Draconian, placing a new piece of parchment next to the bowl. He then blew a thin controlled stream of fire into the bowl, setting the contents, which included herbs underneath the parchment, ablaze.

Immediately, the contents went up in fire, smoke and soot erupting into the air above the bowl in a manner that could only be magical. Slowly, the cloud moved slightly to hover over the blank parchment, and gradually the soot fell back down to the table, words forming from the ashes as it settled.

“Wow,” he heard Harry whisper, and Draco gave his soulmate a quick smirk before turning his attention back to the proceedings. Gradually, the air cleared, and the parchment was covered in ashes, which Gentlehart carefully picked up and blew at Draco with a loud, sharp chant, completing the ritual. Coughing softly, Draco watched as when the parchment was placed on the table top, words had formed. Many more words than had been there the first time, and with a very notable and ancient addition.

“Gragin?” Draco asked, staring at the words Earl of Avalon, Lord Emrys, that sat at the top of the list.

“I see it,” the accounts manager said, looking down at the paperwork. Immediately, he gave a low grumble in Draconian and shot a spell into the air, watching a cloud of smoke fly off through the wall. Draco found himself leaning toward his cousin who wrapped an arm around his shoulder.

“Something massive has changed. What has changed?” Gragin demanded, and while Lucius’s death could have done it, there was one other highly magical event that Draco suspected was the culprit.

Carefully, Draco removed his robe with help from Sirius and then carefully rolled up his wand arm sleeve to show the mark that had appeared during the battle that killed his father. “Well, that would certainly change things,” Gragin commented in awe as the door opened and the Western Dragon King strode into the room.

Immediately, Draco pushed back his chair and knelt with Sirius and Theodore very closely behind him. Harry followed somewhat clumsily after he was prompted by his Godfather. “Your highness, you honor us with your presence,” Draco started and felt something inside of him prompt him to go on.

“As Lord of the Houses of Emrys, Malfoy, and Black, I, Lord Draconis Abraxas Arcturus Black-Malfoy, Earl of Avalon, do offer my most sincere apologies for the insults given to you and all those within your care. This is not just on behalf of myself, but also all those within my care, be they family, allies, or my soulmate, Heir Herewald James Potter. It is abhorrent, the disgusting names that were forced upon you and I assure you, only the name Dragon will be used going forward by me and mine. So mote it be.”

“So mote it be,” Ragnok echoed, looking startled, “and please rise, young Lord. Know that me and mine grieve with you.  I accept your apology and swear that it will be known throughout the Western Kingdom what you have offered us here today.”

“Ragnok, come and see this,” Gentleheart called, beckoning the king and his friend over while Draco and the others got resettled in their seats. Once more, while he listened to his Accounts Manager explaining the whole situation, Draco’s eyes were drawn to the paper in front of them as he heard Sirius educating Harry on what was happening and why it was such a big deal.

There in magical writing, which was able to be read in the language of the reader, were the three Magical Lordships listed, which he had inherited. First listed was his birth House, the House of Malfoy, which was the most Junior of the three Houses despite its age. Listed second was that of the House of Black, not any more surprising than that of the Malfoy House, except for the fact that, in only a matter of months, the family magic had declared him mature enough to be Lord instead of Heir. Lastly and most importantly was the House of Emrys, Earl of Avalon, the title gifted to Merlin himself by King Arthur.

The Earl of Avalon. Draco didn’t even know what to do with that. He certainly wasn’t prepared for it. Only the House of Pendragon, Earl of Camelot, was a higher ranking within Britain than the Earl of Avalon. The Earl of Camelot came with a sword and a stone, though, neither of which Draco had heard Nimue returning.

“I don’t understand,” Draco said,  looking at Harry. “Can we… I know that this meeting is supposed to be about me, but can we do one for Harry right quick? I just need to know how serious this is.”

“Agreed,” Ragnok grumbled as Gragin reached into a bag that he’d been carrying with him and drew out more materials for the ritual.

“I had a feeling we might need these, so I brought another set just in case,” the accounts manager offered. “I already spoke with Dak Targarkus, who is the new Potter Accounts Manager, about this possibility. He gave his approval. So, let us see just how serious Lady Magic thinks that our current situation is.”

When Theo took his hand, Draco clenched it tightly, eyes glued to the new piece of parchment sitting on the table top. He didn’t think that it was his old ways coming forward, but there was a part of him that hoped Harry did not become the Earl of Camelot. Draco’s grandfather had told him that should the House of Pendragon ever return, it would signal a threat so big that Magic herself was threatened. In Draco’s opinion, they had enough to deal with, with Voldemort and Dumbledore trying to ruin Britain. While Daco felt they were both destroying Magical Britain, he didn’t believe either was big enough to be a threat to something that covered every magical being on the planet.

“What does it mean?” Draco heard Theodore ask, echoing Draco’s own question from earlier. Shaking his head to pull his mind out of his thoughts and back to the present, Draco saw that the ritual was finished, and the Lordships were listed on the paper. Heir to the House of Gryffindor, Heir to the House of Peverell, Lord to the House of Potter. No mention of the House of Pendragon at all, which was odd because everyone knew that the Potters descended directly from Arthur. When Draco posed the question, it was the king who gave a shrug.

“It may be that there are conditions to the House’s inheritance rules that Mr. Potter does not meet. Or it could be that Magic herself does not want any possibility of something overshadowing the House of Emrys. The Western Dragon Kingdom believes that Dumbledore is more of a threat than the man you call Voldemort.”

“Riddle,” Draco said softly, making a decision. “Grandfather went to school with him and was, for a brief time, part of the Dark Lord’s inner circle as he transitioned from man to whatever he is now. After my grandfather Abraxas died, he left me a letter to be read when Voldemort returned. I opened it up at the end of last year.

“Voldemort’s real name is Tom Marvolo Riddle. He’s the product of one of the Gaunts and a Muggle man. Someone whom the last daughter of the House of Gaunt favored. Grandfather said even in school, he was sadistic and insane, whatever else he has done to himself since then certainly hasn’t helped his disposition.

“I need assistance in getting Sirius Black cleared. I need him, and he can’t do what I will need him to do if people are trying to get him kissed. I refuse to let the adults of this country just sit on the sidelines and expect us children to fix this shite for them. Some of them are going to have to step up and help!”

“We can do that,” Ragnok promised, glancing at Black and then back. “I will take care of that myself if he agrees to remain here at the bank for a handful of hours, so we can do some things officially. I believe that I can get this cleared up.”

Gentleheart nodded, making notes as he reinserted himself into the conversation. “What do we do about your mother? I believe she has already scheduled a meeting for tomorrow to disinherit you from both the Malfoy and Black houses.”

“She has no ability to do either if we finish this process and he takes up his rings now. She cannot disinherit the Lord of her birth House, and she has no right to disinherit Draco from the House of Malfoy at all. Only the former Lord Malfoy could have done that per their inheritance rules and structure. The second that Lucius Malfoy fell through the veil, his son and named heir became Lord Malfoy. All of this that we are doing today is just legal formalities to finish the process.” The king murmured with a look of disdain on his face.

“Let her come. If you are not comfortable with putting her in her place, then I can, Gragin.”

“Don’t get your scales in a bunch, I can do it, hothead,” Gentleheart told his longtime friend before turning his attention back to Draco.

“Anything else, m’lord?”

“I need sanctuary,” Harry blurted, and the two dragons froze for a moment. “Err, I think there was supposed to be something about Malfoy Cottage in there. Sorry.”

Gragin’s lips twitched and nodded. “Are you asking for official sanctuary at Malfoy Cottage with Lord Emrys Black Malfoy?”

“Oh, please, just one name will do,” Draco inserted. “I’ll even let you pick which one.”

With a smirk, Gentleheart said,” Lord Emrys then.”

“Umm, yes,” Harry said, listening to Sirius, who was whispering in his ear. “I wish to officially accept the sanctuary offered by Lord Emrys at Malfoy Cottage. My guardians are… are abusive. They starve me and lock me in my room all summer when I am with them. Given that Draco… err, Lord Emrys is my soulmate, I believe that Malfoy Cottage will be the best place. There will be at least one adult, sometimes two or more, to supervise us.”

“One of those is your Godfather, correct? Why not just live with him?” Gentleheart asked, and this time it was Sirius that spoke up.

“Eventually that will be our plan, but I need to get some healing before that, both for physical and mental ailments. Plus, I need to get my legal circumstances worked out. I understand that we are doing so today, but I do not feel that I am in a place for full guardianship without the mind healing. If it is an issue, then Remus Lupin has offered to act as Harry’s guardian in my stead.”

Gragin considered the request, conferring with Ragnok before answering. “Because official sanctuary sites are run through us instead of the ministry, we have final say in the matter. That being said, if you were anyone else, I would not be so concerned about public opinion. However, in this instance, and because you are who you are, I think it would be better say if you and your guardian sought sanctuary. That being said, there is a third option.

“Because underaged sanctuary often means that there is no qualified adult in the child’s life, then  we require an adult Dragon guardian be assigned to the sanctuary.”

“I forgot about that part,” Draco muttered to himself, and Gragin just waved his concern away.

“You have a lot going on. Draco, how many people do you expect to need sanctuary?”

Considering the question, Draco counted through his friends as needing immediate help. Vince, Greg, Theo, Harry, Daphne, and possibly Pansy. “Possibly six to start and then maybe more from there. I don’t know. I have considered making other properties sanctuary safehouses if there is a need. Theo and Daphne are both Heirs with two Houses in Theo’s future. Greg and Vince believe they will be disowned shortly. Daphne’s sanctuary was something worked out between her and her father. Her stepmother is the problem in that family. Harry, we have already discussed.”

“So, let’s do this. We will assign you two guardians off the bat. I have two elders who have already volunteered, Irtheas Brenvroth of the Clan Dairruth and Cindississ Sterra of the Clan Roseglade. We prefer choosing elders who are not case managers so that there is no conflict of interest. Both are heads of their Clans and therefore can advise those with Heirships or Lordships. They are both also available to be on-site so that there are two more adults present and on your side, Lord Emrys.

“Since I feel as if the Earl…”

“For the love of Merlin, Gentleheart, call me Draco!”

Gragin chuckled before continuing. “Since I feel as if Draco is wanting to wind things down, let’s do this. We will fill out Heir Potter’s sanctuary paperwork now. Then, when you are ready I can come to you with both Irtheas and Cindississ to do assessments. I would recommend you do this quickly before someone reports the children missing, though.”

“Let’s plan for tomorrow or the day after, whenever it fits in your schedule. I don’t want this to drag on either. Vince and Greg are very anxious about how their father’s will react, and any help I can offer is a priority to me right now. That just leaves getting the three rings, then, correct?”

“Other than what we will be doing for Mr. Black, yes,” Gragin confirmed, taking three wooden ring boxes out of his bag and slid them to Draco one at a time. “Put them on in the order I give them to you. Let me know when that family’s magic has settled and I will then give you the next one.”

Draco nodded and opened the first box given to him, realizing that it held the Malfoy Lordship ring. Briefly, he wondered how they got it back since it went through the veil with Lucius when he fell. Eventually, he just slid it on his right ring finger and chalked it up to the wonders of magic. The Malfoy family magic felt sticky and ill, and Draco made note of it to discuss with Gragin later. He suspected that it had something to do with Lucius and, before him, Roman Malfoy, Lucius’ grandfather and Lord. Once settled, the magic itself felt slimy and shadowed while almost screaming for help as if it knew that it wasn’t right and needed healing.

The second ring was that of the House of Black, and while it also had something of a dark tint, it wasn’t as tainted as his Malfoy magic felt. Instead, it felt more like something that the magic was accustomed to, not something it had been tainted with. Cool, and it felt like thunderstorms and pride as if it knew it was to be at the top of the heap and wouldn’t allow any other house to forget.

Lastly, there was the ring for the House of Emrys, and while the other two were somewhat unsettling, this ring felt like home. It was heat and fire, comfort and cuddles. It was protective and in-your-face. It was love and expected love in return. This was everything Draco had ever sought and never received.

“Drake, you’re glowing,” Theo pointed out, and when Draco looked toward his friend and brother, he could see that he was wide-eyed. When he turned his sight to the King, he could see the man looked almost animalistic, as if he was witnessing something he had waited all his lifetime to see.

“Mage,” Gragin breathed while Ragnok nearly growled at the same time.

“True heir. Merlin has finally come back to us. I thought that the Earldom was what Vanzis wanted me to see, but that was just the thing that drew me here. This, this moment is the thing I needed to see. The return of Merlin has been prophesied within our kingdom since he died. Just like Arthur, but for different reasons. You, you are his heir, and the first true heir since his death. There have been others who were able to claim the ring, but you are the first to share his magical soul. The time has come for a shift in power, and you, Dragonis Abraxas Arcturus Black Malfoy Emrys, are the one who is going to lead the way.

“I am barely sixteen,” Draco breathed and immediately forgot how to breathe.