Adult-FanFiction.org : Harry Potter

Can You Keep a Secret?	By : KusanoSaku Category: Harry Potter > Slash - Male/Male > Harry/Draco Views: 28185 -:- Recommendations : 1 -:- Currently Reading : 6
Disclaimer: The Harry Potter francise does not belong to me. I own only the plot and I make no money off of this.

Chapter List
- 46
- 47
- 48
Title: Can you keep a Secret?
Authors: kusanobabe05 [kusanosakura] and socia0307
Pairing: DracoxHarry, implied RonxHermione,
Fandom: HP
Notes: Compatible up to the bathroom scene between Draco and Harry in Half-blood Prince- minus the Ginny interest. After that is completely AU…
Warning: drarry gets rather aggressive so be warned.
Chapter 42

Being the last true Queen of Slytherin and a birth healer had its benefits…

Andromeda had persons who owed her favors in many places but especially among those who were on the Board of Governors or the Wizengamot. She had spent much of her time in Hogwarts with Lucius Malfoy, Tiberius Pucey and Chadwick Montague rather than witches her own age much to her Aunt Walpurga’s displeasure.

She was godmother to Tiberius’ second heir Gaheris and Tiberius served as godfather to her Nymphadora. It was a tragic name; Andromeda had been cursed into labour by Bellatrix or her cronies, and had been on heavy potions when she was asked to name her daughter by a well-meaning medi-witch.

By the time Andromeda was sobered up, ‘Dora’ had stuck and Nymphadora was her daughter’s registered name.

A fact that her daughter despised, thus insisted on being called ‘Tonks’ instead…

Since she was friends with Tiberius, Andromeda had a plan to ensure that Severus was bonded to someone of true prominence.

Tiberius was a Hit Wizard, one year Emelia’s junior and partnered with Chad who was his godbrother.

While the Puceys didn’t mind being treated as the Kings of Slytherin, they were called to service careers over politics so they really had no use for retaining the Slytherin inheritance.

This didn’t mean that a Pucey didn’t wield their Wizengamot seat; just that it wasn’t their first call.

During her lunch hour the day following the Dark Lord’s revelation of Severus’ pregnancy, Andromeda flooed to the Ministry and walked into Tiberius’ office.

Her old friend frowned, “Andromeda, this is a surprise. Is something wrong? If anything had happened to Faith or our children I’m sure an elf would come.”

“No, this is in regard to a future patient of mine; their consort is related to a lesser branch of the Gaunt family. You have no need for Elektra Gaunt’s dowry anymore; while they are soulbonded and expecting a child. I was hoping that you’d consider giving up the inheritance so that you might distance yourself further from Slytherin’s personal beliefs since they are said to be in conflict with the Pucey code of honour.” Andromeda said smugly.

“Future patient?” Tiberius mused.

Andromeda shrugged, “Let’s just say that his house elves are more aware as to his current state of health that he is.”

“I have no need for that inheritance and neither of my sons fail to have our code of honour inborn. Giving it up will be no hardship…”

“Of course all the income the dowry has resulted in since the House of Pucey took possession would be retained. All that ought to revert would be the properties, they can merely accumulate galleons for the Prince heirs instead.”

Tiberius shrugged, “Although, we would need something in return.”

Andromeda smirked, “Why of course, surely being named godparent would be a suitable return for a Pucey.”

Tiberius coughed, “Of course.”

Andromeda waited for Tiberius to send off a note to Gringotts regarding the former Gaunt Estate before biding her old friend good day.

That should make things less awkward on Alaric’s side, after all he still believed himself practically penniless.

XooooooX

The newly dubbed Alaric arrived via Gringotts portkey a few days after requesting an appointment, to a private office where he was received by a vaguely familiar goblin.

"You are the new Lord Consort of the House of Prince?"

Alaric nodded, "Soulmate bond, it was a surprise to be sure but not in wanted. Severus is away and I wish to ensure that when he returns that I am no longer someone he might be ashamed of consorting with. I would like to file a name change to something appropriate as well as request a Gringotts bonding contract. I am determined to prove my worth, I have spent more time among the upper crust of Wizarding society and if he wishes to avoid such duty, as his consort I could deal with them and free him to focus on his brewing. It would be his choice of course."

"What name might be worthy of a Lord Consort?" The goblin sneered.

"Lord Consort Alaricus Thuban."

"As the only legal offspring of the Riddle family, you inherit that estate. We had it exchanged to Wizarding money decades ago. Also, imbeciles that they are, the Pucey agreed to return the dowry of Elektra Ariadne Gaunt. You can claim the properties but they retain the profits received since they received then."

"What do I owe them in return?" Alaric frowned.

"Being named godparents to your first heir, a paltry payment by goblin standards." The goblin snorted.

A very weak payment for so large a gift...

Alaric filled out all of the requisite forms to claim everything he was entitled to but requested that his entire inheritance be placed under the authority of the House of Prince.

This was not meant to degrade the Puceys but rather to ensure that only Severus' children could inherit from him. Severus would never treat him badly because of how terrible their childhoods’ had been; they had both been starved and beaten but Alaric doubted that Severus had ever been sexually abused. At least he hoped not, that was not a burden anyone deserved.

XooooooX
Alaric left Gringotts after finishing such business and making a withdrawal as well as receiving the Slytherin seal to pay his bills.

Alaric stopped at Madam Malkin's to open an account in his own name.

"Welcome, how might I assist you?"

"My name is Alaric Slytherin-Peverell and I am a distant relation of Elektra Pucey. I have only just returned and was hoping to open an account here for myself and my Lord."

"Your Lord...?"

"Consort Prince as your service. I hope that does not displease you, if so I am sure Lady Malfoy can introduce me to Twilfitt and Tatting..." Alaric said stiffly.

"No I am quite flattered you chose to make my shop your first choice. How might I serve the House of Prince?"

"First I am in need of a new wardrobe, my clothes are quite worn. While they are acceptable for an impoverished descendant of a pureblood family, they are unacceptable for a Lord Consort. I don't know what is appropriate; perhaps I can rely on your assistance?"

"A full wardrobe?" The proprietress gasped.

"Not all at once of course, a few everyday robes, two dress robes and robes appropriate for attending both Governors and Wizengamot meetings. Oh and some light weight but durable brewing robes."

"Brewing robes for you sir?"

Alaric chuckled, "Perhaps, two if I chose to assist my Lord but most of them are for him. I suppose you have Severus' measurements..."

Madam Malkin gaped at him, "Severus? Snape?"

"He is Lord Prince and I am responsible as a Consort to see to his comfort. I hope my order is not unwelcome; I have no intention of buying anything less than appropriate. Something Titus Greengrass might wear at my age, although I am quite a few years his senior. After all, I am of an age with Titus Greengrass' parents..."

Alaric wasn't ashamed of his age or Severus' either...

It wasn't unheard of Oran; his former Housemate in Slytherin had also been bonded to someone of a similar age difference.

Alaric submitted to being magically measured and picked through the available fabric choices to give Malkin some insight into his taste. Before leaving, Alaric paid for the first order even as he opened an account there.

Next was Slug and Jiggers, there he chose a selection of ingredients for his own brewing of course. While he was a fair brewer, he was no Salazar or Severus. Satisfied with his own selection, he approached the proprietor.

“Sir, I was asked to make an order for Professor Snape while I was in Diagon alley yet I somehow lost the list. Would it be possible to reorder his most recent ones to be sent onto Merrivale?”

“Who are you?”

“Lord Alaric Slytherin-Peverell, I have only lately come into the titles. My acquaintance with Professor Snape is one of many years and I would hate to make him upset with me.”

Jigger hemmed and hawed but accepted Alaric’s request to reorder Severus’ last few orders and to put the current order on an account. The Slytherin seal or the Prince one would allow them to sign bills to obtain receipts.

Alaric’s next stop was Potage’s, where he invested in a series of brand new cauldrons of varies types, being bonded meant that the cauldrons were for mutual use. Although they were bought so that Alaric wouldn’t complicate Severus’ orders by using one of his cauldrons.

Across the street from Potage’s were Scribblus and a Wiseacre’s, since Alaric was in need of appropriate stationary as well as new quills, potions vials and a new silver knife he had to stop there as well.

A bibliophile and a man of means, Alaric dithered around in Flourish and Blotts were he found books on a few of his favourite subjects even if they were a bit too nice.

Alaric stepped into Knockturn Alley after that, he ignored his former employed Borgin and Burke’s choosing to step into its neighbouring establishment Alexandria’s Inferno.

He was surprised when he was greeted by Geoffery’s eldest daughter Giselle rather than Rabastan Lestrange and Malcolm Bulstrode’s only child Millicent.

“My Lord,” the eldest Goyle witch curtseyed.

“I had a few books that I was interested in copies of.” Alaric mused, surprised that she recognized him.

“Millie’s in the reading room.”

“I see. Where are Malcolm and Myron?”

“Book hunting trips separately.”

“I see. You’re here?”

“To mind the store and keep me out of trouble.” Lady Giselle said quietly.

A partial truth…

“I’ll just leave a note; I would like copies of some books if possible. Let the Bulstrodes know that I can be reached at Merrivale Manor.”

Lady Giselle offered him paper and a quill for his note.

Alaric scribbled the titles down as well as his current location for contact before leaving.

His last stop was part of the returned inheritance from the Pucey’s, Salazar’s Pythons.

Alaric slipped in and spoke in parseltongue, “I have a seven and a half meters Anthrax morph Reticulated female who would quite like a mate.”

“I am Helios, Sunfire Motley.”

“Hades, silver Burmese Labyrinth.”

“Leopold, Ivory Leopard Burmese.”

“Hermes, Golden Child Motley.”

“Tartarus, Golden Child Tiger.”

“Titian, Silver-sided Butterscotch Burmese.”

“Can Burmese breed with a Reticulated?” Alaric frowned.

“Of course. Silly human. Bred by a wizard intentionally and we have stronger, more viable eggs meaning larger clutches.”

Alaric flinched at being called a silly human, “Would you be interested Hades?”

“If she is, then I will be. We are not allowed to breed here and the cages are too small.”

“Nagini has an entire room, I believe filled with large rocks and reclaimed logs from the grounds.”

“How large?”

“About the size of this shop’s room, maybe larger. I have found my own mate and I thought perhaps, Nagini deserves the same chance.”

“I would like to be free of this case. I hope that your Nagini and I fit. If not, then might I still have similar freedom to her?”

“Yes.”

“Then pay the wizard.”

Alaric nodded, he headed over to the surprised shop keeper, “I am Alaric Slytherin-Peverell, you should have received a notice of a change of ownership.”

“Yes sir, I mean my lord…my apologies I did not expect a parseltongue.”

“No matter, my familiar is in need of a mate and the silver labyrinth Burmese has consented to the possibility.”

“Are you that you wish for a Burmese? What is your familiar?”

“A reticulated python, I believe that she was described as an Anthrax?”

“You wish to mate a Burm to rect? They are huge and such matings aren’t always successful…” the man blurted out.

Alaric snorted, “I asked Hades and he assured me it was possible. If they do not suit, I have promised he might retain the same level of freedom as my Nagini.”

“Large snakes are difficult to care for…”

“I am a parseltongue, if they are displeased they would discuss it with me. I have a greater degree of trust by comparison. Now how much does Hades cost?”

“He is a rare snake to be sure, being a silver labyrinth and all. How do you wish to pay?”

“If we can come to an agreement on price, I would be willing to allow a bill to be sent to Gringrotts.”

“With you being the new owner and all, that Burmese is worth a 105 Galleons. Can we consider him a deduction from rent?”

“How much is your usual rent?”

“Five hundred and thirty galleons my lord.”

“So I get Hades now and you pay four hundred, twenty for July?” Alaric mused.

“Yes sir.”

“That will do.” Alaric signed a bill with that notation and stamped it with the Slytherin seal.

A flick of his hand and Hades’ cage was undone.

The silver Burmese was half the size of Nagini but that wasn’t too unusual, Recticulated pythons could get quite large.

Alaric’s last stop was at The Spiny Serpent where he put his name down as interest in joining its membership before using the floo to get them both home.

Nagini seemed impatient when he arrived and she rose menacingly when Hades exited the floo.

Alaric scowled, “Really Nagini is that anyway to greet a suitor?”

Nagini peered at them both, her tongue darting in and out of her mouth as if in thought. “Suitor master?”

“A prospective mate, I now own a shop full of snakes. I decided you needed a mate. Hades seemed interested, he’s apparently quite rare.”

“Mistress Nagini, I am Hades a two-meter silver labyrinth Burmese.”

Nagini glowered, “Why did you not let me pick master?”

“If you know my mind Nagini, might I not know yours?” Alaric retorted.

Nagini slithered towards the door, “come Hades, I suppose my room we may share for now…”

Alaric was a bit proud of himself.

He would have to focus on his courtship now that he was worthy of Severus on paper…

What do you think? Outstanding? Exceeds Expectations? Acceptable? Poor? Dreadful? Troll?
- 46
- 47
- 48
You need to be logged in to leave a review for this story.You need to be logged in to leave a review for this story.
Report Story

Can You Keep a Secret?