6 Making "Friends"

'The rise of another dark lord?' this thought was on everyone's minds when the news was released of Malakai's new titles.

Once Bellatrix was imprisoned, many thought that would be the end for the Lestrange family... they were wrong.

Surprisingly, Lucius wasn't all that upset at his son for not making him regent, he was still in a state of euphoria that his heir had so much power.

One week, this was the time he had left until he left for Hogwarts, over the past two weeks since his return and getting his inheritance, he's made several appointments with several people.

--- The Minister's Office ---

In the minister's chair sit an overweight man, fidgeting with his pocket watch, he looks across from himself to see a well-dressed boy with a cold stare.

"Malakai, what can I do for you today?", he gulps as the boy scowls at him, he didn't want to upset the boy that now had enough power to cause him serious problems.

Kai taps his fingers on the wooden armrest of his chair, "you refer to me in a way as if I'm your friend... you will talk to me according to my station"

Minister Fudge nods several times, "Apologies, Heir Malfoy-Lestrange-Black"

This causes the boy to let out a single chuckle, "Heir Malfoy is fine, I came here today to see if you would like to become friends", he says with a smirk.

As if someone had just dropped a golden goose on his lap, he beams at the boy, "yes, I would like that too"

'Such an easy target', Kai thinks before giving the chubby man a tight-lipped smile, "I trust that I can count on you should I ever need the help of my best friend"

Before Fudge can answer, the boy pulls out a bank cheque and slides it across the table, "There will no doubt be people that will say awful things about me in the coming days and will want to discredit me"

Almost falling out of his chair, the fat man starts coughing violently at the amount of money on the banknote, "Y-yes, my friend, you can count on me to watch your back"

"Good, then I'll take my level, i have a meeting with Rita Skeeter, take care", he says before using the floo to exit the building.

--- The Daily Prophet, Rita Skeeter's Office ---

'Wow, she really is a woman with no shame' he thinks as he glances at the woman across from him wearing a skirt way too short and a shirt with several buttons undone.

"Do you know why i asked for this appointment?", he breaks the silence as the woman sits on the front of her desk with her legs dangling in front of him.

She nods with a sly smile, "I have been notified that you own the majority share of The Daily Prophet and my new boss"

He grimaces, "good, now button yourself up and sit in your seat before i fire you for child molestation"

Her smile vanishes as she nods and does as she's told.

"If you wish for a pay raise, a promotion, or even a bigger office then you will make sure to write lies and rumors about my enemies and nice things about me and those that follow me"

"You have a choice here, Rita, Prove yourself useful and be rewarded or keep acting like an airhead with zero talent and I'll have your body dumped at the bottom of the ocean... up to you", he says before apparating to Diagon Alley, leaving her to stew in her thought.

---Diagon Alley ---

Entering Madam Malkin's, he's greeted by a short, plump, cheery woman with a bright smile on her face, "Malakai, my dear, you just wait right there and I'll go get your things"

He can't help but smile slightly at the adorable old woman.

After a few minutes, she returns with several sets of clothing floating behind her, "Apologies that making these clothes took over a week, I've never put so many enchantments on clothes and robes before"

He dismisses her apologies with a wave, "nonsense, you have done wonderfully, "thank you, not just for the clothes but for the kindness, i don't get much of that these days"

He could see the sadness in the kind woman's eyes, "Oh dear, you are very welcome"

Leaving the store with his clothes and robes shrunk in his pocket, he heads into Ollivander's.

The older man looks up as he hears his door open, "Ahh, Malakai Malfoy, what can i do for you today?"

Kai takes out his wand and hands it to Ollivander, "what is my wand made of? i forgot to ask when i came in here to get it"

Taking a close inspection of the blood-red wand, he answers almost immediately, "Alder wood with a phoenix feather core, 10 ¾ inches, and unyielding flexibility"

After thanking the man, he leaves the store and heads home for the day.

Days began to pass, he spent time teaching his new personal house-elf that he bought from the ministry, Toga.

It took time for him to teach Toga to wear a nicely trimmed suit, speak properly, and have more confidence.

The first two were easy, the elf was a fast learner and eager to prove himself but it would take time to raise his confidence.

He spent the remaining two days re-reading his first-year material.

---September 1st, The Hogwarts Express ---

Standing on the platform with his suitcase shrunk in his pocket, he walks onto the visually stunning steam train.

Fining an empty compartment, he locks the door behind him, "Toga"

With a pop, a healthy and upright elf stands in a neat black suit with a cane in his right hand, "Master, I am at your service"

"Toga, please make the room bigger with all the amenities"

With a brisk nod, the house-elf stands changing the room.

The room expands to be five times its normal size, the seats change into black leather couches, the table is removed and the floor is enchanted to have self-heating.

A small chandelier replaces the horrible plain light and several bookshelves line the walls.

"Thank you, Toga", He says while patting the elf on the shoulder.

Admiration fills Toga's eyes, "Anything for you, master", he says before popping away.

Sitting on the comfy, well-padded couch, he picks up his personal journal.

After just a few minutes, he hears someone tugging at the locked door, when it doesn't open, he hears a knock.

Sighing to himself, he opens the compartment door, "Can i help you with something?", he says before noticing the person he's talking to is Cedric Diggory and a few of his friends behind him.

Cedric's eyes go wide, realizing not only who the boy is but the size of the room, "All the other rooms are full, can we sit in here?"

Malakai nods, "under one condition, no ruckus, I want to have a peaceful trip to Hogwarts"

Cedric is about to agree until a first-year student opens his mouth, "Who are you to tell us what to do? acting high and might- AHHHH", before he can finish his sentence, he's hit with a breaking curse that shatters his legs.

"You obviously haven't heard of me, ask yourself this, why didn't second-year Cedric Diggory try to challenge me?", Leaving the boy to cry in the hallway, he invites the rest of the group in.

The trip to Hogwarts from then onwards was peaceful with the odd whimper heard from outside the door.

When the train comes to a screeching halt, he finally smiles, "time to get started"

[Hope you enjoy it!]

[Please notify me of any spelling errors!]