I Might be a Fake Wizard

7 Advanced chapters on Patreon: Fiction Haven

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"Draco, My Dear. Can I enter?"

Narcissa knocked on her son's door. She only got a response after a minute of silence. Her son's dishevelled look greeted her when she entered the room. Draco had always looked after himself. Seeing him so lifeless made Narcissa's heart ache. Unfortunately, what she would say to him might ruin his mood further.

"Have you been eating well, My Dear?" Narcissa asked, glancing at the cutleries strewn across the room.

"Mother…" It was soft, but Narcissa could hear the resentment. "I am fine, so just leave me alone."

"Are you still blaming me for your father's utter failure, dear?" Narcissa asked softly.

Draco looked up sharply, eyes fiery. "I am not stupid enough to think your help would change the result, but…you should have stood by his side. You betrayed Father—the family!"

"Your father brought the family down, My Dear," Narcissa corrected kindly. "In a way, your father was the traitor. I only did my best to save you from suffering the same fate."

"Just…get out. Get out! Don't contest—"

Crack!

Narcissa calmly slapped Draco, stunning the raging teenager to silence. Draco was so shocked and angry that he didn't know what to do. A moment later, he sat back down and cried. It was the first time he cried after his two-week-long isolation. Narcissa's heart twisted, but she put up an indifferent façade.

"You need to get your head out of your arse, Draco, My Dear. You have seen what Lord Peverell is capable of. Be thankful that you are alive." Narcissa sat beside Draco and rubbed his back comfortingly. "I know how much you adore your father. However, your father was not perfect. He had shortcomings and one of them brought the family down. If you want to preserve his legacy, be a better man than he could have never been."

Five minutes of silence later, Draco spoke, "…I need to meet with Pansy, Mother. I need comfort and I don't think I will get it from you."

"Sure…" Narcissa reluctantly agreed, knowing what Draco would do with the Parkinson heir. "But before you leave, I have some news that might cheer you up. Lord Peverell decided to give you Malfoy Manor and a tenth of Malfoy's liquidised assets. That is enough for you to rebuild the family."

"Harry doesn't show mercy to his enemies. He has never been benevolent—all Slytherins know that. Before he was known to the world, he always found a way to make those crossed with him suffer from Quidditch injuries," Draco said darkly. "What did he ask you to do?"

"He only asked me to be his assistant. He needs a competent person to manage his business," Narcissa revealed.

Draco looked at his mother hesitantly before saying, "Just…be careful, all right? Harry is a true Slytherin."

After Draco made himself more presentable, the mother and son exited the room. They passed the living room and saw bare-chested Harry playing with his beloved bearded dragon whom he named Lizzie. The bloody lizard had gotten plumper recently, so Harry often called her Lizzo. For reasons no one knew, Harry always said his pet was the only Lizzo he liked.

"What do you think of Stardenburdenhardenbart? Oh, you like it? Then, that should be your new name. Huh? Where is your smile earlier, you little bugger?"

"Is he mental?" Draco blurted out.

Harry rose from the sofa and walked to Draco. Towering over Draco, he looked down at the pale heir and Lizzo mimicked him.

"Going on a date, Draco?" Harry asked with a quirked eyebrow.

"Y- Yeah," Draco answered nervously.

"Heh. Good for you." Harry clapped Draco's back a couple of times with a smirk. "Go get some snatch, you pansy bastard!" Narcissa hissed, causing Harry to wince slightly. "Uh, yeah. Sorry for that, Cissy. I promise not to be crass…around you, at least." Harry winked at Draco, earning a startled blink from him. "Anyway, off you go!"

Harry shooed Draco and returned to the sofa. He resumed his name-searching session for Lizzo. Narcissa ended up watching Harry in amusement after seeing Draco off. She couldn't believe such a dangerous man could behave like that. The gap in his persona made him more appealing.

When Narcissa made a coffee, Harry stood behind her. Her heart jumped out of her chest when Harry breathed on her neck.

"What are you doing?" she hissed, masking her blush with indignation.

"I have been calling for you." He didn't. "I want the coffee too."

"Can't you make it yourself?" she snorted, wincing inwardly at how harsh it sounded.

"That's what I am going to do, but you are hogging the counter."

"Oh, sorry…"

"If you are sorry, then make me a coffee. Ah, just a reminder, you won't kill me with poison."

"I won't poison you," Narcissa exclaimed, offended.

Harry shrugged and returned to the sofa. Narcissa spent more time than she was willing to admit looking at Harry's defined back. After making their coffee, Narcissa brought it to Harry and sat across from him. Drinking her coffee, she discreetly enjoyed Harry's chiselled naked torso. She idly noted that he could become a model.

Poof!

Someone came out of the fireplace, attracting the attention of the people in the living room. Harry scurried over as soon as he saw Lily crying while walking to him. He hugged her tenderly and asked her about what happened. What she revealed stunned the occupants to silence.

"His heart stopped, Harry. James…James is dead."

"…I see. Let's go there. We will take care of the funeral."

…

Three days later, wizards and witches from outstanding backgrounds gathered at the Potter's private burial ground where all Potters were buried. They came to honour the youngest and most brilliant Minister of Magic Britain had ever had for the last time.

James' death shocked a lot of people. The public had been informed that he was slowly recuperating, so they had expected him to return to the office soon. The mood was glum. Everyone conversed in hushed whispers, respecting the grieving family. The news about James and Lily's separation was already well-known, but no one talked about that.

Charlus and Harry stood at the forefront. The former was staring at James' rigid, pale body as if expecting him to wake up and the latter stared at the body solemnly. Lily was sobbing behind them, hugged by Bella who was comforting them. Even though Lily no longer saw James as her romantic partner, she still considered him her best friend. Even Bella cried for James.

"Do you think without that bloody prophecy, all of this wouldn't have happened?" Charlus asked softly.

"Of course, Charlus," Harry answered curtly.

"Why is it always our family?"

"Hoh? Finally accepting us as your family?"

"Shut up! I won't call you Father," Charlus glared, earning a chuckle from Harry.

"I won't call you Son either."

Silence descended between the two. Charlus sobbed not long after and Harry respectfully pretended not to notice. The funeral proceeded. Close friends delivered their speech, a son praised his amazing father and an outstanding ex-wife had nothing but good things to say about her ex-husband despite their disagreement.

Harry remained rooted to his spot when everyone turned their heads to him. He was not being disrespectful. He didn't have anything to say about James. He didn't feel like throwing around flowery words. That would be an insult. His genuine opinion of James was that the man was a twit. He didn't have an emotional bond with the man that many others did.

"Let the world speak for me."

Harry graciously waved his wand in the air. The sunny rare sunny day instantly turned dark. The sky rumbled. Harry's hands rested in the air like a conductor as the rain fell. Other attendees quickly conjured an umbrella, but Harry didn't bother. He let the rain soak him, representing the tears he could never shed for James. It was his last show of respect for the man.

Daily Prophet, whose journalist caught the tear-jerking and impressive moment, published an article about the funeral a few hours later. The article highlighted James' achievements and the changes he brought to the Wizarding World. It covered the speeches that everyone delivered but highlighted Harry's words.

Let the World Speak for Me: One Last Respect to the Father Who Have Never Been.

Harry's quote even became the headline. Harry would have demolished the Daily Prophet's headquarters if they had talked badly about their family's awkward situation. Thankfully, the article talked about how harmonious their family was despite James and Lily's separation. It still irked Harry, however, since the Daily Prophet still found a way to make it about him.

"I want to give Harry the Family Head position, but the cheeky bugger no longer belongs to the Potter, so he is no longer eligible for the position. I am sorry if I make you feel put aside, Charlus. Giving Harry the position is the most logical decision I can think of. Now that he can't, the responsibility rests upon your shoulders. Please, give him at least a quarter of our assets. I need him to remember that he is still my son even though our blood relation is almost nonexistent."

Everyone laughed at James' will reading. James was still a Marauder despite his years of hardships. At the end of the reading, Charlus and Harry became the sole members of two of the wealthiest Houses in the Magical world. There was a lot to take care of, but the two wanted nothing more but a vacation.

"Lord Peverell, Lord Potter, this is a formal invitation to join the Wizengamot. We are to discuss who will replace Minister James tomorrow."

Which was why they wanted to burn the world when the letter from the court came.