Chapter Text
Eternal
By Lavinia.
I own no rights to Harry Potter.
"Well Harry I'll just let ya go on in and get ya money on yer own in Gringotts. I have ta go fetch a few things and then I'll be back for ya." Hagrid said cheerfully looking down at Harry and then was about to turn away when he suddenly turned back around.
" Ah yes, almost forgot you'll be needing your key." Rummaging around in a very large pocket. "Aha, there's the little bugger." The big man held out his big beefy dirty hand. Harry promptly stuck out one of his small pale hands and Hagrid dropped a little, heavy golden key that had an inlaid G on the top, into his hand. Harry winced as the grimy key landed in his palm. Then without waiting for Harry to reply the big man turned on the spot and started walking down the Ally, carefully weaving through the many witches and wizards in his path.
Harry stared wide eyed after Hagrid for a few moments. How is it that Hagrid thought he would know what to do about getting wizard money and what to do in a bank when he had never been here before. That with the fact that Harry had only just discovered a few hours ago that he IS a wizard, left him very confused. Why would this supposedly amazing school have such a lack of guidance for new students, new eleven-year-old students.
But Harry is used to adults not helping him or caring. He minutely shakes his head in frustration and looks up at the signs of the buildings and then the window displays, figuring that was a better route for finding what he wanted, and quicker. He absolutely hated looking lost or dumb. Most of the store fronts are colorful and busy with people, lots of them. But one building up the ally stands out above the rest. A very tall white marble building that slanted just a bit to the right. Harry figured it fit right in with this whacky place, but he didn't mind it much. Harry slunk into the shadows of the buildings and quickly made his way towards the towering building.
He went quickly up the large steps and up to the glass double doors. Once inside the bank Harry had to force his jaw from dropping at the sight of all the little creatures walking around. Harry guessed them to be Goblins. He had only one object left from his mother and that is his story book, it told of magical beings with stories to go with them. His relatives hadn't taken and destroyed it only because they hadn't known he had it. It had been tucked under the lining of the basket he had been left in on their doorstep.
The marble theme continued on the inside with large pillars and high ceilings. A row of desks lined the hall on either side and lead up to a larger front desk in the center. Harry wondered if there were any guests here, it would bring him some comfort. He minutely looked around but to his disappointment he saw no guests. So, he put on his best confident face and walked down the aisle to the imposing front desk and arched his head back, looking up at the Goblin. Who spoke before he could, never raising his eyes from the paper he was writing on.
"Name and key, please." Harry nodded nervously and lifted his far too thin hand, placing the small key on the desk in front of him. "Harry Potter, Sir." At that name the Goblin did look up at him quite suddenly, ears flopping, and his large dark eyes were narrowing in on him.
"Well, well, well Mr. Potter. What a unexpected…surprise.” The Goblin gave him a speculative once over. “We have been waiting for your arrival for a very long time. My name is Gornhuk, and I will show you to a private room to speak with your appointed account manager, Dunhorn." Gornhuk came around the desk after sliding off of his seat. He motioned for Harry to follow him. "Right this way, Mr. Potter."
Harry nodded his understanding and followed the goblin named Gornhuk to the left past the desk and down a long white marble hallway. The hallway on both sides was lined with identical black doors. Halfway down the long hallway Gornhuk stopped at one of the many black doors and pulled it open wide for Harry to step in. The goblin did not join him but shut the door almost as soon as he had stepped in. Harry turned his nervous attention to face the goblin sitting behind another large desk.
"Hello, Mr. Potter. Welcome to Gringotts Bank, the bank for all Magical kind. I have been waiting for this visit for many years. We have some important business to discuss and your Lordship to instate." Harry nodded his head in confused, understanding as he took a seat in front of the desk before Dunhorn continued on.
"I will also be requiring the traditional blood line test today to make sure you are who you are and to make sure you don't have any unclaimed ancestry." Dunhorn finished as he was pulling some parchments from a desk drawer and laying them atop the desk.
"Sorry for speaking out of turn, Sir Dunhorn, but would you please explain what a blood line test is and what it is supposed to do?" Harry asked quietly, worried he may upset the Goblin with his questions. for asking questions wasn't something he was allowed to do. He wanted to shrink in his chair when Dunhorn looked at him with slightly alarmed surprise.
"Mr. Potter, how is it that you are unaware of such a simple process and custom in the wizarding world? Your magical Guardian should have taught you all of this." Harry shook his head quickly. More confused than ever.
"No Sir, I have never met a wizard before today. Hagrid was the one who told me I'm a wizard and that was just this morning." Harry wanted to flinch back at the scowl on Dunhorn's face as he finished speaking but he kept his back straight and his face impartial. Or so he tried.
"Should I have known, Sir?" Embarrassment flooded his cheeks, he felt so lied to, so confused and now he felt ashamed. He should have known. He could have connected those dots. Seeing his friends the guests, suddenly appearing on the school roof, vanishing the glass at the zoo, talking to snakes, amongst so many others. What else could he have possibly been but a wizard because he certainly wasn’t normal or ordinary. Much to his fake family’s dismay.
"Yes Mr. Potter, you should have been taught at the age of six the custom of a blood line test for children who are born into or are raised with muggles. Your magical guardian should have also been visiting you once a week since your placement to check on your health and to teach you all about Wizarding customs, traditions, about schooling and everything else that comes with being a wizard and living in the magical world." Harry simply stared at the goblin. His mind fuming, knowing now that he should have known he is a wizard this WHOLE time! He took a deep breath and closed his eyes just for a second to calm himself before he spoke.
"No one has ever visited me Sir Dunhorn. I knew nothing of this world until today. I even had to find this bank on my own when I was left just past the Leaky Cauldron entrance. May I ask Sir, who is supposed to be my magical guardian?" Dunhorn nodded sharply and shuffled through some of the parchments on his desk. He pulled one apart from the rest and then looked up at Harry.
"Albus Percival Dumbledore is assigned as your magical guardian. It seems he has failed you greatly, Mr. Potter. But we can speak more of this when we have finished the necessary tests and paperwork. Rest assured; action will be taken against this major transgression. What Mr. Dumbledore has done is highly illegal." Harry nodded his understanding, grateful that finally someone, a goblin of all things would finally care about his wellbeing.
"Firstly Mr. Potter, always answer verbally and not physically. With a yes Sir, or something along those lines. It is a show of respect and good manners. Now, would you like me to still explain what a blood line test is, what it will do and how I shall preform it?" Dunhorn looked to Harry for his answer.
"Yes please, Sir Dunhorn." Dunhorn nodded approvingly at his answer and pulled two new sheets of parchment from the stack on his desk. He put them both out in front of Harry and pointed to the first.
"This Mr. Potter is a paper you must sign when you fully understand what the test is and that you approve of it being done upon your person. This is for your safety, for if you are under a compulsion spell or such, your name will not appear when you sign. This is evidence of your approval and state of mind. We shall keep this in your file should anyone try to dispute your right to the test or your willingness to have it done." Dunhorn paused here to wait for a sign from Harry that he understood.
"Yes Sir." The goblin nodded and continued on, pointing to the second parchment, this one blank.
"This piece of parchment will show us the results of your Blood Line test whence it is completed." Dunhorn paused again and pulled open another drawer in his desk to pull out a small golden box, he set it upon his desk in full view on Mr. Potter and then opened the small golden box to reveal a little black thimble.
"This Mr. Potter will be put onto your right ring finger; a small bit of magic inside will prick your finger and draw out seven drops of your blood. Your finger will also heal immediately, also due to the small bit of magic in the thimble. Do you understand everything so far, Mr. Potter?" Harry caught himself almost nodding and chose to respond correctly.
"Yes, Sir Dunhorn. Please continue, what will happen next?" Dunhorn smiled a toothy little grin and pointed again to the blank parchment. Dorian thought it was rather disturbing, but he liked that about the Goblins. He smiled in interest, watching Dunhorn teach him.
"Once the black thimble has taken the required seven drops of your blood, I shall release the blood onto this piece of parchment and the results will begin to appear in writing. Once that is done, the thimble will be destroyed so there is no chance that someone will get a sample of your blood. Do you understand, Mr. Potter?"
"Yes Sir, Dunhorn. I sign the form, then I shall place the thimble upon my ring finger on my right hand, it will prick my finger and draw out seven drops of my blood. You will place it on the blank parchment, and it will release my blood unto the parchment. The results will appear shortly after." Dunhorn slid the first parchment towards Mr. Potter and placed a quill and ink well in front of him.
"Very good, Mr. Potter. If you will sign this, we can get started." Harry looked from Dunhorn to the offered quill and simply stared at the strange, feathered writing tool in front of him. Dunhorn sighed sharply in realization and irritation. He sneered internally, so as not to frighten the young wizard. Goblins normally do not care for Wizards in the slightest, but Mr. Potter seems to have gotten on his good side, this day.
"I take it from your severe lack of guidance that you do not know how to use a quill or even what a quill is?" Dunhorn asked quickly.
"Yes Sir." Dunhorn picked the quill up and held it out to Mr. Potter.
"Please take the quill, Mr. Potter. Dip it just lightly into the ink well and hold it at a slight angle in your hand so that the tip of the quill touches the parchment without pressure. This way the ink will not spill out onto the parchment. The innate magic in the parchment will understand your signature even if it is illegible to anyone else." Harry took the quill from Dunhorn and did as instructed, his hand cramping painfully due to his previously broken thumb. He slowly wrote or he decided scratched it is better described as, his signature onto the parchment which promptly glowed for a second and then vanished before his eyes. Harry could not stop the shocked inhale from leaving his mouth at the first sign of magic since his debacle with Hagrid earlier.
"Very good Mr. Potter. Now, if you will kindly take the thimble from its golden box and place it upon your right ring finger as previously discussed." Harry picked the small black thimble up from the box and took it into his left hand. He slid it onto his right ring finger and easily ignored the painful little prick it was nothing compared to what he already felt. Once the pain vanished, Harry removed the thimble and placed it upon the blank parchment.
Dunhorn nodded approvingly and passed his dark, wrinkled hand once over the black thimble on the parchment. Not even a second later the parchment glowed with red magic and words began to appear in quick succession. It lasted a whole thirty seconds before the magical glow faded away and the words stopped appearing. Dunhorn picked up the parchment and slowly read it over. His eyes widened comically, and Harry became even more intrigued as to what is written on the paper.
"Mr. Potter, the test revealed much more then I had an anticipated. The first thing I must tell you is that your given name is not Harry, it is in fact Dorian. Someone has been lying to you all your life." Dorian sat up straighter and his mouth did drop open.
"What?" That is not possible. It simply cant be.
"Yes, young Lord, you heard me correctly. You're Dorian Potter, not Harry Potter."
"How is that bloody possible? How could I not remember that my name is NOT Harry!" Dorian jumped up out of his chair and paced around it. He didn't even know what to do with this information. He had so much confusion, so much anger and nowhere to aim it. Dunhorn continued when it appeared that the young Lord would say nothing else.
"Next, it appears that not only are you Lord Potter, but you are also-
Heir Apparent to the Noble and Ancient house of Black.
Lord to the Old and Noble house of Cromwell.
Heir apparent to the Most Powerful, Noble, and Ancient house of Slytherin.
High Lord to the Founding Family of Top Royalty, Most Ancient, and Noble house of Peverell.
The most surprising though young Mr. Potter is the fifth title. You are found to be, a Peverell." Dorian stopped pacing and faced Dunhorn.
"Pardon my confusion Sir Dunhorn, but how can I be Lord of three such old families and heir to two others? And what do those titles mean?" The Goblin smiled kindly, which on his face looked rather odd, gnarled, and filled with sharp little teeth.
"Lord Potter-Peverell, it is possible because of your parentage. It appears that your mother is the great, great granddaughter to Lord Antioch Peverell. Lord Peverell had just one child before he was murdered, Artemis Peverell. Artemis Peverell went on to have one son as well, for his Husband, Eldred Cromwell became barren after the birth of their son Adamier Peverell. Adamier Peverell and his wife, Annabel Devereux, had your mother. Adamier and his wife Annabel died in Germany during the Incendiary bombing raid in 1945. The Peverell name has not been known here in Britain since the original three Peverell brothers passed away. Meaning Lord Potter-Peverell that you are the first known Peverell in over six hundred years."
Dorian could think of nothing to say except. "Blimey!" He sat back in his chair and stared at the piece of parchment on the desk, his eyes wanting to go unfocused with tears. This was so much for him to understand, and he didn't know how to deal with it.
“Your ranking titles in order are as follows, High Lord, Lord, Heir Apparent. High Lord is the given rank when an heir of top royalty becomes the ruling Lord of the house. Lord rank is the title given to the Leader of a Noble house hold. A magical house becomes noble when the name has transcended through five generations and has done work for the ministry.” Dunhorn took a moment to gather a piece of parchment.
"How did my mother end up in a muggle family?” He hissed out the word muggle as though it sickened him to the core to say it. “Is my aunt even my aunt? Also, what about the two Heir apparent titles to the houses of Black and Slytherin?" He fired off the questions in quick succession, too eager to learn this new information to remember his manners. Dunhorn quirked his thick eyebrow and looked back down at the parchment before talking.
"In order of your questions, your mother was placed in the custody of a family that were looking to adopt just a few days after your Grandparents were killed. You aunt is not biologically your family. Nor legally since it states here in your mother’s record that she disowned herself from her parents when she got married to one Vernon Pussilton Dursley." Dunhorn paused here for a moment, allowing the young Lord to gather his thoughts.
Dorian just wanted to be sick. He had been living with monsters who had had him illegally. Who ever was responsible for this, would pay dearly. He closed his eyes and gestured for Dunhorn to continue explaining the information.
“You are Heir Apparent to the houses, Black and Slytherin because the current Lords of those two houses are still alive. As of the date of Lord Black’s incarceration, you are Heir Apparent with Lordship duties. You have rule over the house until your father is released.” Which neither Dunhorn nor Dorian saw happening soon, if ever. Dorian wasn’t sure he would ever meet his living father. He would need to find a lawyer. At least that was one thing he had learned about extensively.
Vernon had sued people monthly. When Dorian had learned to read and write, the fat man had started making him do most of the paperwork. He had received many, many beatings before he had learned enough to not make mistakes in the paperwork. His back itched and burned anew at the thought.
“You became Heir Apparent to the house of Black when your Godfather/Paternal Father Sirius Orion Black performed a ritualistic blood adoption on you when you were but seven hours old with the help of your birth parents. It is written here that your mother and father's marriage also included Lord Black. Making you High Lord, Dorian James Orion Potter-Black-Cromwell-Peverell the first in line to inherit the title of Lord Black” Dunhorn finished, wondering if he should mention the next in line for the title should something happen to Dorian. He decided against it.
"Finally, you are heir apparent to the house of Slytherin because your father's great grandfather is in fact the dead Lord Tom Marvolo Slytherin. Which in turn means that your Grand Fathers are Thomas Marvolo Riddle and Fleamont Abelson Potter." At this point, Dorian had to close his eyes. He knew none of the names that the Goblin was telling him, and he didn't understand how his father could have TWO fathers instead of a mother and a father. His body was starting to hurt past its normal threshold due to the stress of it all. He squeezed his eyes shut as the world started to spin around him before it darkened all together and he slid out of his chair.
Seeing this happen all too quickly, Dunhorn hurried out of his chair, around his desk and to the little Lord's side immediately. He waved a slow hand over the little Lord, running a quick medical scan. His large eyes darkened to near black, and he rose to his feet to call for help. He would have this done in secret, at great risk for himself.
However, this Little Lord holds much greater power then he had anticipated. So much so that he has no fear of any severe repercussions coming his way. Ever again.
--
Nearly an hour later Dorian's eyes slowly opened, and he became aware to the feeling of lying on a soft bed and he felt rather warm. But the strangest thing is that he felt no pain. For the first time in almost eight years, he felt no pain. Wanting to make sure this feeling wasn't a dream, he looked around his surroundings and pinched his arm. Feeling the real pain, seeing the real office he lay in, he couldn't help but laugh with joy. The Goblin Dunhorn hearing Dorian's laugh came ambling into the room, his large ears perked up in hope. Seeing the young Lord sitting up in bed he nodded his gratitude to Lady and Father magic.
"It is a blessing that you are awake Lord Potter-Cromwell-Peverell. I discovered you to be near death when you collapsed to the floor. Out of respect to your great name and titles, and your many kindnesses I took it upon myself to have you fully healed with our personal Goblin magic.” Dunhorn settled a resigned, heavy look on him.
“Upon doing so I discovered that a magical constriction block had been placed not only upon your magical core but upon your appearance and memory as well.” Now, Dunhorn did sneer ever so slightly. “Lastly, a thick, blanketing compulsion was in place on your mind to befriend certain young wizards and hate others.”
Dorian imagined the thick, blanketing compulsion in his mind as a large, sticky, slime-like blanket being slowly peeled off of him. “I have taken it upon myself to remove the bindings and the compulsion. I do all of this with faith in you, Lord Dorian Potter-Peverell." Dorian grinned widely and surprising himself and Dunhorn he pulled the little Goblin in to a tight embrace.
"Thank you so very much Sir Dunhorn. I have hurt for so long. I will do my utmost to honor the great risk you have taken today." Sir Dunhorn stood frozen in the young Lord's embrace; no wizard has shown such warmth to a Goblin in centuries. But he couldn't let this young Lord go out into the world like this. A Wizard Lord needs to be strong to survive.
"Be careful with showing this much real emotion to others, my young Lord. Others will use your heart and play you a fool." Dorian smiled and decided he would start making his life better right at this moment. "Sir Dunhorn, you may address me as Dorian, thank you for you many services. You may help yourself to one hundred galleons from the main Potter vault."
Five minutes later Dorian and Dunhorn were sitting in a transport cart and gliding down the tracks to Dorian's vaults. They stopped at five vaults, the main Potter vault, the Black heir vault, the Slytherin heir vault, the only Cromwell vault and lastly the main Peverell vault. In each vault, Dunhorn walked him through the security measures on each, the dates and names of each member of the separate households who entered and exited the vaults. Dunhorn gave him sheafs of assessments, the value overall of everything within each vault. He gave him several sheets per vault, solely containing lists for every item in each vault.
Including lists of past transactions, all the way to the beginning of each vault purchase. But most importantly, Dorian had collected his rings. Two Lordship rings and two Heir Apparent rings. The Cromwell ring had been lost sometime in the last two centuries. Dorian would have to get a new one made at some point. Which Dunhorn had assured him when he was ready, they the Goblins would be more then honored to take care of this job for him.
--
Leaving Dunhorn's office several minutes later, two lord ship rings on his right ring finger and two heir apparent rings on his right index finger. Dorian spotted Hagrid waiting by the large twin glass doors and walked quickly with a happy bounce in his step, up to him.
"Sorry Sir Hagrid. I took much longer then I thought I would." Dorian said normally, at least he had sounded normal but the way that Hagrid looked at him all confused like had him in serious doubt.
"Sir Hagrid?" Which made the giant blink several times before his eyes widened in extreme confusion.
"Blimey it's you Mr. Potter!" Hagrid exclaimed loudly, causing it to echo across the room. All the eyes turning in their direction caused anger to rise rapidly in Dorian. He with great difficulty withheld a sneer.
"Yes Sir. I'm s-sorry if I did something wrong, please don't hit me, Sir." Dorian fell into a cowering, pleading bow." Please, Sir!" Hagrid took a nervous step back, shaking his head.
"That's enough fer now young lad. Come along." Hagrid took one nervous look around at all the other Wizard and Witches in the bank who stood staring. However, he did not see all the sneers coming from the many Goblins working behind their desks.
Once out of the bank Hagrid led Dorian to get his new trunk before all things, that way they would have somewhere to put all of his new things. Which led the odd pair to Trimptun's Trunks and Expansion Charms. Dorian turned the knob and pushed the heavy green door open, stepping inside he was greeted with a mixture of smells including, wood polish, fresh leather, and incense. Dorian walked straight up to the counter, not waiting for Hagrid, due to him leaving him earlier Dorian had grown a wee bit more in confidence.
At the counter Dorian lightly tapped the little golden service bell and soon a gentle, elderly looking wizard with fluffy white hair and short beard. He made his way, walking to the desk from the back of the store. The old wizard smiled kindly down at Dorian.
"Hello young man, what can I do for you today? We have a wide variety of trunks on selection, and they can be ordered in almost any color with any number of expansion charms, theft protection charms, and I've just started selling a new variety of locking charms." Dorian smiled in delight at all the options.
"I am High Lord Peverell, and I would like a school trunk made in your darkest black with emerald, green detailing and a dark grey interior. I would like at least six different compartments with large expansions on each. One compartment with a variety of your strongest locking charms. I would like my full title inscribed on the front in the center, Dorian James Orion Potter-Black-Cromwell-Slytherin-Peverell, written in silver." By the end of Dorian's order, the old and greying shopkeeper was owl eyed and gawking. He figured it was probably due to all of his last names. Plus, he knew he still looked a right mess in his disgusting fake cousin's clothes. Finally, the man cleared his throat, regaining his senses and he nodded vigorously.
"Yes, High Lord Peverell, I will have that done for you in just ten minutes. If you would like to browse the store while I get your order done?" Dorian smiled triumphantly and gave his assent. He walked around the shop and browsed the trunks on sale while he waited.
A bit later Dorian and an oddly silent Hagrid left the shop with Dorian's trunk in tow. The shop keep had added a feather light charm free of charge due to Dorian's large order and his title. The more magic that Dorian learned about, the more excited he became. He would have to get a journal to write down and add notes about the spells he learns. Their next stop was Dorian's school supplies, books, rolls of parchment, several bottles of ink, and a multitude of quills.
Dorian selected many simple quills for the length of time it took him to master writing with them and then a two more expensive ones, all from Flourish and Blott’s. All his potion making supplies from Slug and Jigger's apothecary. He rather liked the last shop; it was very intriguing. He selected a few extra cauldrons and the supplies for brewing on his own time. Next on the list was his robes, but Dorian already knew he would be buying more than just his school robes.
He knows that what he wants to wear now, because he has a new name and life, he can wear what he chooses now. Dorian had always been ridiculously interested in clothes. But his situation with the Dursleys just never allowed for it. The only thing he could ever steal from his aunt were the fashion magazines she kept in the loo. He would nick it out of the bin early in the morning when he had to bring the trash out. She never knew he took them all.
He never wanted to wear his fake cousin's clothes again. He would ask for them to be burned. Now that he knows he has lots and lots of money, any money for the first time ever, he wouldn't ever live like he had for the past ten years. He wasn’t fighting to live anymore, now he is fighting to become someone strong and brilliant.
Hagrid stopped him with a giant hand on his shoulder, Dorian shrank down and out from under the touch, his stomach rolling. He shot and angry look up at the giant man but he wasn’t paying attention. He focused on his surroundings instead. They stood in front of a small, aged purple store front that read, Madam Malkin’s, School and Formal wear. Dorian peered into the shop through the shabby display and saw loads of other students roaming about inside. He would really rather not go into such a crowded place.
"Well Harry, I've got a few more things ter do so if ya don't mind going in on yer own to get cha robes and what not, then go on across the ally to Olivander's and he'll help ya to find yer wand." Hagrid said a good bit less cheerful then earlier and again didn't wait for Dorian to confirm he would be fine. Also, Dorian knew he should inform Hagrid that his name is NOT Harry, nor has it ever been but he liked that the giant man did not know, it meant he could not tell others. With Hagrid out of sight Dorian looked once more inside the crowded shop and winced, he really didn't want to go in there.
Dorian took a few steps back to look down the street, spying one shop a little further down the Ally that housed a display of what Dorian supposed looked like kid mannequins in black robes with multiple different types of colorings on the colors and ties. His sharp eyes narrowed in on a pair of black robes with silver and dark but vibrant green trim with a matching tie. Seeking the object of his need he slipped to the side of the ally, making his presence small, a bit unseen. Dorian made his way to the shop without anyone spotting him, he wished to go without another scene like the one in the Leaky Cauldron or Gringotts when Hagrid had boomed his name across the place. He still didn't understand why everyone knew his fake name or why they all seemed to want to know him.
Stepping inside the shop that had a sign naming it, Twilfitt and Tatting’s, Dorian looked around and only saw one other boy in the entire shop, yes this would do perfectly. He walked up to the service counter and waited a few moments for an attendant to come help him. While waiting he took a look at the other boy, very light blond hair, slicked back, getting fitted in what looked like very nice fabric. At least it did from this distance. He turned to the counter when an attendant finally came through the curtain from the back. A male attendant with splendid silver robes. Dorian looked up to make confident eye contact. He watched the Attendant give him a slow once over, a smug look of disgust appearing, Dorian assumed because of his baggy grey, tattered clothes.
"Good day young Sir, are you sure you are in the correct shop? Madam Malkin's is just down the alley a trot." Dorian's eyes glinted sharply, and he held up a pale hand, showing the attendant his lordship rings.
"I am High Lord Peverell, please do use your common decency and address me with my correct title." Dorian said smoothly, all the while hoping he was using proper grammar, befitting of his new status, Dunhorn had given him a few tips during their meeting. Dorian watched as the attendant's eyes went wide in bewilderment. He couldn't help but let a satisfied grin spread across his mouth.
"Very well, yes of course, High Lord Peverell. Right this way, what would you like to order today?" Dorian stepped up on to a platform next to the other boy with nice hair and the attendant went to start taking his measurements. His heart started racing when the attendants hand neared enough to actually touch him.
“Please Stop! Do not place a hand on me. Please.” Dorian added the please after remembering the manners he must maintain.
“My apologies High Lord Peverell, it will not happen again." Dorian let out a short, relieved sigh and his heart started to settle. Once he was calm, he started his order.
“I would like a full wardrobe with all the accessories and of course school robes. I need one full set of robes to leave in today, as well as four sets to wear while I wait for the rest of the order. After you have finished the first order I would like a second full wardrobe, of course with all the accessories again but two sizes up. I shall be growing a good bit this year and I would like to not have to return until next year for my next wardrobe. Make sure you use your finest durable materials. Also include in both orders five sets of pajamas in black, dark green, silver and dark blue." The attendant had stopped moving and was simply staring at Harrison in irritation. Clearly doubting Dorian could pay for all he was ordering. Dorian withheld an irritated sigh, a sharp gleam in his eyes, and reached into his baggy pants pocket to withdraw the simple black wallet that held a good amount of coins and also his premium membership card from Gringotts. He slipped the card out with deft fingers and held it up in front of the attendant's face, whose eyes widened at the sight. Only very, very wealthy clients were given such cards. The attendant carefully took the card, keeping in mind not to touch the young Lord.
"Now if you would kindly stop patronizing my appearance and actually work on fixing it, I would greatly appreciate it." Dorian had spoken with kind words but his growing anger from today had made his tone bitter. The attendant rushed his apologies and went off to gather fabrics. Dorian froze at the sight of himself in the full-length mirror across from him. He nearly stopped breathing at the sight of himself, but also a stranger.
His forever unruly hair was simply, gone. Replaced with long, lose, small, fine, black curls. His rounded face had turned narrower with a sharp chin and high rounded cheeks. His eyes freaked him out a bit though. One of his eyes had turned from brilliant green to striking grey. He had also grown two inches! He had not thought of the appearance block or how it might have affected him when it was removed until now. He thought he looked a bit like a girl, but it isn't a bad look he decided.
"Your first year at Hogwarts as well, I assume?" The boy next to him asked, his voice young but also well-mannered and Dorian looked over at him. The white/blond haired boy was giving him a once with silver eyes that reminded Dorian of Aunt Petunia's shiny solid silverware set, one that he had had to shine too many times to count.
"Yes, that is correct. I am High Lord Peverell, and you are?" The boy smiled, wide. "Heir Malfoy, Heir Draco Malfoy. I've never met a Lord our age, it must be great. “Draco exclaimed, wonder alight in his eyes. His father would be proud he had befriended such a boy.
“You chose right when you came here to get robes. Twilfitt and Tatting have the very best." Draco finished with a swish of his hand. Dorian couldn't help but smile at the accomplishment of choosing this store. If only his fake family could see him now. "Thank you, Heir Malfoy. You may call me Dorian." Dorian turned his attention back to his attendant when he reappeared with an armful of fabric and began holding them up close to him to see how each looked on him.
He could feel Draco watching him from his right side, but it wasn't until several minutes later when Dorian had been dressed into slick black robes that barely touched the tops of his feet. A thin interwoven emerald, green lace at his collar and the tips of his sleeves. He more than loved these robes and made sure to order them to be in his next wardrobe as well.
The attendant had also taken a band of emerald, green leather and had had Dorian tie his long curly hair back in an elegant bow. Dorian had also noticed when he tied his hair back that his scar he'd had for as long as he could remember had gone as well with his fake appearance. He turned to his right when he heard Draco start to speak to him again.
"Those robes are fantastic Dorian. By the way you can call me Draco. Why don't we sit together on the train?" Draco asked smoothly, even as his own attendant accidentally poked him with a needle and he yelped, becoming quite red in the face. Dorian couldn't help but laugh aloud. His laugh coming out as whimsical and breathy. Draco flushed further but suddenly stood straighter and stared past Dorian.
"Father. This is my new friend, Lord Peverell." Dorian turned his curly haired head to look at Draco's father, to find him staring straight at him. He had a heartbroken, faraway look on his face that had Dorian spellbound for a moment, but only for a moment before the look vanished and was replaced by kind indifference. He walked gracefully over to them and stopped beside Dorian. He held out a sophisticated hand to Dorian.
"I am Lord Lucius Malfoy, it is a pleasure to make your acquaintance, High Lord Peverell." Dorian as though in a trance raised his hand to put it in Lord Malfoy's before he could stop himself and with a little surprise at the use of his proper title and before he could move to shake it or remove it, he didn't know, Lord Malfoy was bringing it to his lips. Where he ghosted a single kiss across his knuckles.
Dorian promptly blushed bright pink and found himself at a loss for words. Normally Dorian could not stand to be touched or to touch ANYONE. Luckily Lucius didn't wait for the boy to respond, he gently released Dorian's hand and smirked.
"My Son was right; these robes look splendid on you. I am grateful Draco has finally found a friend who knows what he looks good in." Lucius gave Dorian one last, lingering look before turning to his son.
"Let’s go Draco, your mother will be waiting for us. Good day and goodbye, High Lord Peverell." He watched his son step down and walk over to him, just as he was to turn away Dorian spoke.
"It was a pleasure meeting you as well, Lord Malfoy. I will look for you on the train Draco." With that said Dorian turned away from them and stopped moving so his attendant could actually work with him on selecting other fabric choices, styles of robes, and choosing a variety of underpants that he thought looked rather adorable. He never noticed that Lord Malfoy's eyes didn't leave his person until he had left the shop, and that same look had returned from whence he had entered.
He looked himself over once more, thinking about how he would never have to go back to that wretched place. He would never have to sleep in the cramped boot cupboard again. He laughed bitterly, still finding it hard to believe that it is real. He never had to be the broken boy he woke up as today. He twirled on the pedestal, his luxurious robes fanning out around him. He laughed happily, watching himself in the wall of mirrors. Yes, he rather liked his feminine looks, he rather loved them.