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"It translates more to ‘they travel by stars, to the home of their divine kin,’ not ‘the stars carry them to their celestial home.’ It’s not about the afterlife, but more about the place where humans met with other species, such as the faeries or the now extinct elves. It’s said that the meeting place is merely a myth," Hermione added as an aside.
"Do you think it’s a myth?" Nalian asked absentmindedly as he corrected the translation on his homework. It was already Friday and he and Hermione were seated on his bed working on translating a copy of a 600-year-old script for Ancient Runes.
"I don’t know, it’s not something I’ve had much time to research." She shifted uncomfortably. "Nalian, are you sure I should be here?"
Nalian waved his hand around casually, "best place to study uninterrupted." He looked at her, "they won’t like it, Draco especially, but it’s not like we’re going through their trunks." Then he grinned mischievously, "unless you want to go through their-"
"No!" Hermione cried, throwing a pillow at him, "I don’t need them plotting revenge on me!"
Nalian gave a suffering sigh, "I suppose, if you really don’t want to."
The girl rolled her eyes in exasperation, "I don’t. Not much anyway."
"What’s the mudblood doing in here?" A voice asked coldly from the door.
Nalian gave Hermione a look that clearly said ‘here we go’. "Don’t be so rude to my guest, Draco." He said reproachfully, "we’re studying."
"She shouldn’t be in here." The blond snapped.
"She technically shouldn’t be in the Slytherin rooms at all," Nalian agreed cheerfully, "but I’m awful when it comes to following such rules."
"Would you stop talking like I’m not here?" Hermione huffed. "We’re just studying Malfoy, and it’s not like I don’t know the password. I am Head Girl."
"There, so that’s all settled!" Nalian clapped his hands. "I think we’re done anyway, unless there’s anything you wanted to discuss, Hermione?"
"No, and I have to do some more research for my Transfiguration homework. Goodnight, Nalian. Malfoy," she nodded curtly towards the boy as she passed him at the door.
When she was out of hearing Draco demanded, "what were you doing with her? Why in the seven hells did you even think of bringing the mudblood here?"
Nalian sighed, "don’t call her that, Draco, it’s horribly rude and common." He knew the ‘common’ bit would get to Draco.
"Don’t avoid my question," Draco snapped, looking ruffled.
"I told you, we were studying, for our Ancient Runes class. I brought Hermione here because it is the quietest and most comfortable place I could think of."
"And you couldn’t study with someone else for Runes?"
"I could've, but we just got on so well." He smiled cheekily before sighing. "Draco, I don’t care if you don’t like her, I’m going to stay friends with ‘Mione. Please respect that." He stood up. "It doesn’t mean you have to like her, or her you. It would be nice if you could be polite to her, or just refrain from talking at all if that’s what it takes to be civil."
Draco glared and halfheartedly muttered, "at least Granger doesn’t get along with the Weasel. Come on, or we’ll miss dinner."
"So you’ll behave around her?" Nalian prompted as they headed out of the Slytherin commons, Theo falling into place next to them.
"I’ll try to be civil, though I make no promises. On a more interesting topic, you’ll get to meet my father and Severus as my family tomorrow."
‘That is a more interesting topic.’ Nalian thought, recalling his first DADA classes.
---
Flashbacks
Tuesday:
Nalian took up a seat next to Draco, which was quickly becoming habit, this time in the middle of the row. It would be his first Defense Against the Dark Arts class, which Draco’s father taught.
So far Nalian had only seen Malfoy senior from a distance, a tall man with a pale complexion (though not as pale as Draco), long platinum hair always tied back by a black ribbon, and silver eyes even lighter than Draco’s. Besides their slightly different colors, the only difference between the two was age and that Draco was slighter in build, leaving no way for them not to be labeled father and son.
Nalian was intensely curious about Professor Malfoy, for the reasons that he was interested in how Draco developed such an aristocratic personality and his curiosity in their obviously not-exactly-human genes.
The elder Malfoy strode into the room, giving instructions as soon as he set foot past the door. "We’re studying crystals for the next couple weeks, possibly for the next month if you decide to be slow about things."
Nalian was, to put it mildly, overwhelmed by the man’s presence and it was nearly impossible to quell his instincts. Professor Malfoy was most definitely part Ice Demon, and Nalian’s elven instincts were to become companions with him. As quickly as possible.
What troubled Nalian was that he wasn’t attracted to Draco in any sexual manner. What was so drastically different between father and son that Nalian’s instincts acted on one and not the other? There was certainly more to learn about Draco’s heritage, like his mother’s side of the family.
As one, the class pulled out parchment and quills. More often than not Professor Malfoy would discuss the subject before they even looked at their books. Sure enough, "who knows anything about using various crystals for magical purposes?" the teacher demanded.
Nalian put all is effort into not being noticed. He was not handling this new element of attraction very well. It was, however, a good sign that he hadn’t noticed Professor Malfoy earlier, from a distance; it meant that the man was mostly human, perhaps a fourth ice demon, and therefore the attraction could be ignored if Nalian concentrated. It was just very difficult to concentrate on anything at all.
He snapped back to attention. Where were they in the discussion? Nalian had missed at least ten minutes of class while he was thinking.
"Protection crystals are most common." Millicent Bulstrode said. "Scrying crystals are least common, because everyone uses water or mirrors these days."
"Correct on the first, wrong on the second. Mr. Morthen, the least used type of crystal?" Lucius Malfoy was as curious about this new, rather quiet boy as Nalian was about him. Why had his son befriended him so easily? Draco was not that trusting and Severus certainly didn’t like him, despite his extensive knowledge in plants for potions uses (Which the Potions Master quietly carried on about in a certain amount of irritation. People he didn’t like weren’t supposed to be intelligent!).
Nalian panicked slightly when Professor Malfoy concentrated on him. So much for not being noticed. "Er, the least used crystal would be renewal crystals."
Malfoy nodded. "Why? Zabini."
Blaise’s quill jerked to a halt. "Because...they...there are...more efficient ways today?"
"Almost, but not quite," Malfoy’s eyes dropped to the parchment Blaise had been writing on, but he didn’t say anything. "Crystals used for the sole purpose of renewal were used in the past as a means of healing or spiritual understanding. The practice is believed to be mere superstition. However," he motioned to a student.
"However, magic was performed quite differently not even two centuries back. While wands have been around for centuries, they have only recently come into fashion." The student said as if the words were imprinted on his brain.
"Therefore," the teacher prompted.
"Many other methods were used to focus and perform magic." Another student said. "Including the use of crystals for certain things which seem unconventional to us."
"Perhaps they had a way to make crystals work for healing that we aren’t aware of?" A third student ventured.
Professor Malfoy gave a half-smile. "Precisely." The bell rang. "Your homework is to write an essay on crystal magic, or a related topic. It must be two and a half feet at least."
Draco poked Nalian in the side. "Did you manage to keep up, Morthen?"
Nalian mock huffed and grabbed his bag. "I can keep pace with the best of them, Malfoy. Though I must admit he’s thorough if he’s teaching or at least talking about old magical methods as well as modern methods. Certainly one of our more interesting classes."
---
Thursday:
Nalian nervously scanned over his work as Draco piled food onto his plate with an ordered "eat."
Their first class was Defense, and he was nervous that his mental shields would fail in class. Nalian really did not need to let the whole school know he was attracted to Professor Malfoy; besides, he didn’t even know the man! Why couldn’t his familiars be with him? They could certainly knock some sense into him, or at least bite some sense into him.
"Why are you so nervous about your homework anyway?" Draco took the scroll and shoved into Nalian’s schoolbag. "Trying to impress my father? Get on his good side?" He smirked.
"Don’t be ridiculous." Nalian said calmly. "I just want to make sure I’ve got all the ways crystals can be used at least mentioned. There’s no need to go stealing my homework, I’m sure yours is nearly as good." He couldn’t help but tease.
Draco rolled his eyes, "mine is better, my father’s presence demands it. And I did not steal your work; I put it in your bag, idiot."
"That’s what you want me to think." He said. "Seriously, I have to do really well on this, Draco. This paper sets the standard for me in DADA, and will be one of your father’s first impressions of me. Your godfather already seems to dislike me, it’d be annoying if both of them
did."
Draco chuckled, "describing their mutual dislike as ‘annoying’ is what will make them like you in the end. From what I’ve seen of you I’d bet nearly anything that you can hold your own against them."
"Nearly?" Nalian raised an eyebrow.
Draco shrugged, "a Malfoy never risks everything."
End Flashbacks
-------
"I don’t want to meet him." Snape growled in annoyance.
Lucius sighed. "And complaining to me will really change anything? They’ll be here in ten minutes."
"There’s something wrong with him." Snape declared.
"Wrong?" Lucius raised an eyebrow as he got out two glasses from the liqueur cabinet. "He’s a puzzle certainly."
"Perhaps ‘wrong’ isn’t the appropriate word." Severus amended, ignoring his friend’s words. "I didn’t mention something I learned about him before."
Lucius pushed a glass of brandy into Severus’s hand. "What would that be?"
"I heard him talking to someone at Madam Malkin’s." He admitted. "Tell me, why would a seventeen-year-old exchange student be getting a sealed letter from the head of Gringotts?"
Lucius looked sharply at him, "sealed? From the head, you’re sure?"
Snape gave him an irritated look, "positive."
"That’s," he paused, "interesting."
"Exactly. Interesting. Not impossible, but not probable or plausible, yet not incriminating either."
"Did you hear anything else?"
"Mr. Morthen is a new client, though I suppose it could be he’s merely a new client for the British branch." Snape’s tone conveyed how little he believed that idea. "And he had said something along the lines of ‘do they always give out sealed letters or is Darian known here?’"
"I wonder who Darian is?" Lucius murmured thoughtfully.
"As do I." Snape scowled. "I will be looking into matters further, of course. Will you assist me?"
"I’m here if you need anything." Lucius motioned towards the clock. "They’ve arrived. For now act as if you know nothing. It possibly is nothing."
Severus snorted, "you really believe that?"
"No." Lucius smiled as Draco opened the door. "But it remains a possibility."
"Father, Severus," Draco smiled as he pulled his reluctant friend through the door. "You all know each other already, but call him Nalian, and I swear if I hear even one ‘professor’ I’ll do something drastic."
Nalian raised an eyebrow, "what am I supposed to call them: Malfoy, Snape? Perhaps ‘Hey you over there?’"
"Call them Severus and Lucius, idiot." Draco said.
"I wouldn’t take the liberty." He smiled hesitantly at the teachers, "it’s nice to meet you, again," and he couldn’t resist adding, "Professors." Draco growled while Nalian smiled unrepentantly.
"It’s a pleasure to meet you, Nalian." Lucius offered his hand.
Nalian nearly had a heart failure. He mentally cursed his body as he shook the man’s and then Snape’s hand. Nalian noted that Snape didn’t seem at all pleased about their little get together. Or perhaps he was being paranoid and Snape merely always looked so dour.
"There’s some sandwiches on the table if you two are hungry." Severus told them as he settled into an armchair, watching the new student closely.
"Thanks," Draco said absently. "Do you mind if we open a bottle of wine?" He had already pulled out two glasses.
"You drink?" Snape asked Nalian sharply.
"Occasionally." Nalian sat carefully on the plush, brown leather couch in front of the fireplace. "My father introduced me to several kinds of alcohol at a young age."
"You two must talk quite often if Draco has already learned such an odd bit of information." Lucius noted casually.
"Yes, we talk all the time, and no, Draco, I’m not trying out for Quidditch so give it up." Nalian said.
"But the tryouts are today before dinner!" He handed a glass of red wine to his friend. "You have to try out now or you’ll miss your chance."
"I’ve already decided." He said, brushing a lock of auburn hair behind his ear.
"I take it you don’t like Quidditch?" Severus inquired.
"It’s just a sport." Nalian shrugged, ignoring Draco’s scandalized expression. Draco was quite mature, but when it came to his sport the boy went nuts.
"How are classes going?" Lucius asked quickly before his son went off on a rant.
Draco sat down on the couch. "He’s befriended Granger, Care of Magical Creatures is impossible with that wretched teacher, and I finally have a suitable partner for lessons in Battle in the Air, even if Nalian is a bit rusty on a broom. And he’s taking Ritual Magic, also with Granger."
"Granger from Ravenclaw?" Severus asked. "A peculiar friendship."
Nalian smiled, "I’m not completely used to house rivalries. She’s a very nice person."
"Yes, well, if you like nice." Draco sneered.
"We study together. I don’t know why you’re acting as if it’s the end of the world. Frankly, you two would actually enjoy each other’s company, yes I said enjoy, if you tried to get along for five minutes."
"I would not enjoy that know-it-all’s company." Draco said indignantly.
"Would too."
"Would not."
"Would too."
"I would not."
"Would-"
"Not."
"As interesting as this argument is," Lucius interrupted, "I’m sure we can find something else to discuss."
"Draco has detention." Nalian supplied helpfully.
"In Care of Magical Creatures." Draco explained quickly. "Weasel and I got into a small debate."
"Debate?" Severus asked.
At the same time Lucius said, "about what?"
"A debate about basilisks, which caused us to nearly lose one of the baby runespoors we were working with. Professor Weasley gave us both three detentions working with is animals." Draco said, inserting innocently, "Nalian’s volunteered to keep me company and help if
Weasley allows it."
"Of course I did," Nalian added, "because I am after all such a giving and caring soul, and you did promise to work with me and Hermione on charms extra credit work." He smirked as Draco choked on the wine.
-------
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