Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter or any of the Harry Potter world. JK Rowling owns the Harry Potterverse anyone who doesn't know that should be exiled to Mars, I make exceptions only for poor penniless people in remote corners of third world countries, who cannot read and don't have the money to buy the overly priced one – thousand paged books. I take no credit for my work, it is all the work of the amazing author, this is just a fun re-write. I make no money from my poor attempt at fanfiction and will remove it should I be asked to do so.

For Every Star In The Sky

by AkashaWinters

Chapter 7

The Ugly Truth

It turned out the punishment I received from my teacher for being late was far less than the one I received from Mrs. Pendragon when I returned home.

"How could you be so hopelessly irresponsible!" She scolded. "Giving such a blatant display of magic in public, in front of the press no less! Have you any idea how fragile the relationship is between our two communities is at the moment? Not to mention making a disgrace of yourself by tripping over and managing to be caught on camera!" She shoved the Eos weekly at me, it's front page displaying a large picture of me falling towards the ground, Salto box flying through the air. "As of this moment all of your outdoor privileges are removed until after your Debut, unless me or Almus give your express permission to leave the house and you will do at least ten laps of the house everyday with the tablet on your head, and if you let it fall off, you will double it!"

I groaned. The tablet was a weighted rectangle the size and shape of a book and was a commonly used training aid for balance and elegance of gait, or in this case punishment for clumsiness. I knew it would do me no good to try and argue my case, the punishments were reasonably lenient considering. I knew of many House Mistresses who would still used canings on a regular basis. Mrs. Pendragon always said humiliation worked a thousand times better than pain. After I'd been forced to walk around the house naked for a week for accidentally managing to ruin a set of irreplaceable antique robes, I was inclined to agree.

"I am told that you were very polite to your elders and carried yourself very respectfully after the incident, so for that reason I will not punish you further." She looked me up and down briefly, then returned to her paperwork. "You may go, Harry. Please do not let it happen again."

"No, Mistress. Thank you." I bowed low, even though she was not looking at me, I didn't want to get in any further trouble and exited the office swiftly.

I entered the sun lounge, a light airy room filled with green leafy pot plants and soft comfortable chairs. I slumped down in one of the chairs, taking a deep breath to calm myself. Even after all these years, when I knew that no-one here would ever harm me, I sill half expected to be physically punished for my misdemeanour's or at least thoroughly belittled. Images of my Uncle Vernon flashed back at me, red-faced with rage and back-handing me as a child, or endlessly being called a freak, bad-blood, a faggot. It was silly really, Mrs. Pendragon was a cold person, but she was not deliberately mean, I knew she would never hurt me, at least as long as I didn't do something completely unforgivable. My mind flashed back to the night Ares had disappeared and the savage beating she'd given him. I couldn't help shuddering. Shaking my head I tried to pull myself together, that was never going to be me I promised myself. I looked up as someone joined me, sitting down in a chair next to mine.

"You know," Ardor gave me a considering look. "She's only angry because she's frustrated about this new bill and all the trouble its going to cause. She's not really angry at you."

I shrugged, "Yea, I know. Just can't help feeling guilty about everything and nervous I guess. The bill, making a fool of myself, not being ready..." I trailed off nervously.

Ardor, paused as through unsure what to say then finally opened his mouth to speak. "You know, I know everyone likes to make a big deal out of this and its the beginning of the rest of your life, etc. But really? It's not that bigger deal. Its just a performance, like the ones you did at the Academy, just a new name, new robes, more make up. It's not so much change really, it just means you have to wear your mask out in public from now on, speak to people, and attend parties, but when you come home, it'll all be the same as before. You've got a while yet until things really change, you should try and enjoy it."

I knew what he was talking about, he meant my private Debut, that was when things would change. I thought of Aphrodite, who was undoubtedly still in bed nursing his hangover, but who would soon have to get up and get ready for the his 'special' evening. Maybe Ardor was right, maybe I really wouldn't have to worry just yet about too much. Taking a deep breath I nodded. Apart from the mistress, Ardor was probably the member of our 'family' I knew least well. I knew him as my scary older brother who always argued with Alcedo and was often rude and grumpy, and mean to me as a child. I'd learned to avoid him, especially in the mornings after they'd have a long night out. In recent years he'd become more sober, especially after he'd appeared to come to terms with his mentoring failure with Ares. Ardor had become quieter, more guarded. This was the first time he'd every given me any kind or even useful advice.

"Thanks," I replied, surprised at how grateful I felt towards Ardor for attempting to calm my nerves.

"I know you're probably feeling a bit lost with Peter doing all those last minute practices, I felt the same when Alcedo was preparing for his Debut." He replied.

I nodded, he'd hit the nail on the head. I'd started to feel unexpected lonely this week without Peter's usual boisterous presence.

"So, you want to come help me get Aphrodite out of bed? We might have to throw water over him, he's been out for the count all day..." Ardor had that wicked look on his face that I hoped would never be aimed at me.

I smiled amused, "Sure!"

It took almost half an hour, a hangover potion, and two buckets of cold water to get Aphrodite out of bed and into a warm, clean bath. I then helped Tia lay out garments on the bed and refill the make up boxes on the dressing table until I was called downstairs to help Mrs. Pendragon. I waved to Peter as I walked passed the dance studio, where he was still practising with his private tutor. He gave me a week smile, trying not to loose the rhythm of his complex sequence. Almus was in the medicine pantry off the kitchen moving boxes of salves and potions around and consulting a long list.

"The bidding is about to start for Aphrodite, Mrs. Pendragon would like you to man the fireplace and take any bids through to her office. While you're waiting you can help me check through this list." I nodded. It was the sort of job that one of the house-elves could have done, but I figured his was part of my punishment for being so careless in public and I also suspected my older brothers wanted the privacy to talk. It was an unspoken rule than that certain information about an Artisan's life were not shared with students. I had also come to realise that a private debut was a really personal experience and I was beginning to suspect that I'd actually rather not know some of the details. All in all I was grateful to be doing something.

I used a never-ending pencil to make a note of the numbers of potions Almus counted and tried not to notice when he put aside a collection of potions for Aphrodite including a hangover cure, bruise slave, a minor internal healing potion and pot of unfamiliar clear salve, which I suspected to have no purpose other than lubrication. To my mortification I realised the medicine parlour seemed to have several boxes of said salve, as Almus hastily counted through them. He also put aside another potion labelled with a long latin name I didn't recognise, he then gave it to one of the elves to deliver to Aphrodite. Of course there were also many boxes of potions and salves I didn't recognise; skin toning potions, scar removal, hair shine and growth promoter, nail strengthener, teeth whitener, wrinkle reducer, and hair removal salves. I was familiar with most of these, although they were too expensive for me and Peter as students to use, except on special occasions. It wasn't uncommon to hear of Artisans hooked on beauty potions, many of which had nasty side effects when overdosed or used for too long a period.

Youth potions were especially dangerous and most had been outlawed now, although there were rumours of plenty on the black market. Illegal potion use was such a big problem that spot checks had been introduced by the S.C.A.R.A.B allowing for unannounced illegal potions testing at any given time. However, there were still a few legal minor beauty potions, such as the one I had been given as tradition when I'd first arrived at the house.

The potion I had been given had minutely changed the growth rate of the eyes and mouth, reduced skin ageing, and increased iris colour. It was a specially made one, licensed only for the Pendragon House and available from only one brewer. No-one other than Mrs. Pendragon and the brewer knew the ingredients. The difference was was barely noticeable, especially as a child, however as Peter and I grew into teenagers, more people commented on our 'beautiful large eyes' and 'delicate skin'. I sometimes had nightmares about the potion use, especially after taking a wrong turn down Knockturn Alley and seeing a male prostitute, his skin peeling and eyes misshapen. Almus had calmly explained to me that was what beauty potions did, made people addicted to the beauty and then blinded them to the truth until they could no longer see what they were doing to themselves. I shuddered at the thought. The potion I had been given when I first arrived was the only one I had ever taken and I didn't plan on touching such a potion again. I had even wondered for a while if my food was being drugged, but couldn't believe that Mrs. Pendragon would be willing to endanger her business by using illegal potions.

The flash of the fire bought my attention back to the room. A small white origami unicorn sprung out of the fire galloping through the air on an unseen wind. I plucked it out if from the air as though it were a snitch, careful not to damage its delicate folds and bought it to Mrs. Pendragon. In the next hour I retrieved twenty-one unicorns all made from the same delicate white parchment and wordlessly passed them to the Mistress, who said nothing as she unfolded them and placed them on a pile. When the clock struck nine Mrs. Pendragon came into the kitchen clutching a crumpled white piece of parchment.

"We have a winning bid." She announced. I watched as she scribbled something on a red piece of parchment and swiftly folded it in to a dragon, tossing a handful of floo powder into the fire and calling for the H.A.G. Office (House Auction Guild) in the S.C.A.R.A.B. The pre-spelled parchment became animated once folded and I watched in amazement as the minute dragon came to life, stretching its wings and taking flight into the fireplace. I couldn't help the flutter of excitement as I imagined what it might be like to learn to use magic to make an inanimate object come to life.

"Well?" Almus asked.

Mrs. Pendragon nodded, pleased. "3000G, a very good price indeed." She announced and clicked her fingers to summon an elf asking him to fetch Aphrodite.

I didn't know what to say. I mean what exactly did one say? "Who...who was it?"

Almus smiled, teasingly, at my embarrassment, but answered my question. "We don't know yet. The lots only hold numbers and bidding price. The red dragon you saw was Mrs. Pendragon accepting the highest bidder."

Alcedo entered the room, followed by Ardor and Aphrodite all dressed up in his formal Debutee garb. "It's a formality of course, you obviously wouldn't except a lower bid." Alcedo joined in.

"When do we find out who it is?" I asked. The fire glowed green in answer and another little unicorn popped into being. This one was red. I held my breath as Mrs. Pendragon unfolded the parchment. Unless they were famous, it was probably a wizard I didn't know. I hoped it wasn't anyone I knew...I would feel weird if it was one of the shop-keepers in Diagon Alley or something.

"Mr. Lucius Malfoy." Mrs. Pendragon read. No one looked particularly surprised, Aphrodite looked a little white although I wasn't sure if that was just the make up.

"Well that's not surprising." Ardor confirmed. "He's a good customer and you're exactly his type Aphrodite."

Alcedo nodded in agreement. "He's paid you enough attention over the last year to make it obvious and all it took was a little push. If he has a good time tonight, you can almost defiantly guarantee regular custom from him for years."

Ardor gave a smirk, "If you're lucky you might even make it to his favourite list."

Aphrodite didn't seem to know how to respond to this and was looking more white by the second.

"Oh for God's sake, pull yourself together." Mrs. Pendragon snapped, a little harshly. "You're done very well so far, only a few more hours and this will all be over and done with and you'll be a fully licensed Artisan. A few more years and you might even have paid the House off."

Almus took sympathy on the young man, obviously fighting to hold it together. "Here," he said holding a potion vial out to him. "It's a calming draught."

Aphrodite took it with trembling hands and downed the lot and also took the mint sweet Alcedo offered.

"Now," Alcedo said, turning towards his debutee. "Remember everything we discussed earlier. Try to relax, I promise it won't be nearly as bad as I'm sure you're imagining. Malfoy is undoubtedly an evil bastard, but he's also a good customer and has a good relationship with the House. He's not about to do anything to endanger it. Knowing what a pompous ass he is he'll shower you with gifts, good food and alcohol and invite you back next week to show you off to the rest of the pompous brigade."

Aphrodite smiled weakly.

Alcedo gave Aphrodite's shoulder a reassuring squeeze."This is what we do; entertain the rich and in return enjoy the benefits. Go enjoy yourself. After this you can decide what parties you do and don't want to go to."

"Within reason." Mrs. Pendragon grumbled, but the reassurance seemed to work, or maybe it was the calming draught, either way Aphrodite was looking a lot happier.

"Thanks." He replied, taking a deep breath as he headed towards the fireplace.

Mrs. Pendragon took a pinch of floo powder and threw it into the flames, calling for Malfoy Manor. "Good Luck."

Alcedo, Ardor and Almus added their own sentiments. "You look stunning." I told him.

He stepped back into the fire and I watched as 'the mask' took over him and for a moment I saw that completely calm elegance that I'd witness the night before. Then he was gone in a flare of green flames.

HPSSHPSSHPSSHPSS

The next few days passed in a flurry of activity until finally, the evening of Peter's Debut arrived. After dinner, we dressed Peter in his new satin and silk robes, their fiery sunset colours gave his skin a health glow and the intricate golden thread embroidery depicted many suns and falling autumn leaves. His make-up was applied in shades of gold, bronze and browns and his arms were decorated with gold-coated maple leaves. The whole attire, while stunning, was less elaborate than Aphrodite's had been for his private debut. It was traditional to apply less make-up and jewellery to the younger students in order to keep their their appearance more youthful and innocent. I pinned the traditional bells to the end of his long plait and gave his shoulder a gentle squeeze. He looked back at me nervously and I felt a mixture of pity and envy in the knowledge that in two weeks I would be in exactly the same position.

We made our way down the the formal meeting room, where the whole Household were gathered including the maids and houselves. There was an elder from the temple waiting for us. She was a very old lady who reminded me vaguely of the one who'd spoken to me that night back at the Dursley's. She had a humped back and a walking cane, and her rich purple robes looked out of place on her wrinkled old body. She held a roll of parchment sealed with a purple ribbon and wax stamp and stood there waiting patiently, for what I wasn't sure. A moment later the fireplace crackled and flared green, and a man in a white robe with the unicorn's crest stepped into the room.

"Ah. Sorry I'm late." He said greeting Mrs. Pendragon with an enthusiastic handshake. "Last name-reading over-ran a bit I'm afraid. Awful business, poor mite just couldn't keep his food down. Nerves, I think."

The old lady cleared her throat.

"Ah yes, of course." The man nodded. "When you're ready."

The old lady squinted at us dubiously. "Where's the boy?"

Mrs. Pendragon pushed Peter forward and he stood tall and still before the lady as she inspected him. Then shakily pulled the roll of parchment open.

"What is your name boy?" She said without glancing up.

"Peter Brown." He replied. I was startled. I never heard Peter use his second name, he was always Peter Pendragon at the Academy.

"Peter Brown, you have been payed for, provided for, and educated by the House of Pendragon. You now request to become an Artisan and become a student of this House. To do this you must agree to the title of Debutee and foresake your name, to train under the watchful eye of your mentor." The old lady recited, her voice surprisingly strong. "Who is your mentor?"

Alcedo stepped forward. "I Alcedo Pendragon, agree to mentor Peter Brown, until such time as he gains his Artisan mastership." He nudged Peter out of his trance.

"I Peter Brown agree to the title Debutee and foresake my name, to train under Alcedo Pengradon...until such time as I gain my mastership?"

The old lady nodded, satisfied with Peter's recital. "You shall no longer hold claim to Peter Brown" She told him sternly, "Instead you shall claim the name of Apollo Pendragon. Congratulations boy. Here." She thrust the parchment at the man from the authority and hobbled over to the fireplace and grumbled something before limping into the green flames.

The man in the white robes produced a quill from his pocket and handed it to Mrs. Pendragon, who signed the parchment along with two witnesses: Ardor and Aphrodite (who'd been usually quiet since his meeting with Malfoy). Alcedo also signed as his chosen mentor, then the quill was passed to Peter.

"Mr. Pendragon by signing here you recognise that you are removing yourself from any legal entitlement to the name 'Peter Brown'. You will from now on be legally acknowledged as Apollo Pendragon, until such a time as you become independent of your House or should chose to retire from your Artisan status. Should you break your contract you will be legally entitled to neither name. Do you understand?"

Peter, nodded and signed his old name and then his new name below it. The contract glowed bright red for a moment then vanished from sight.

"Congratulations and good luck to you." The man nodded to Peter, who bowed back quickly, and then he turned and the nodded to Mrs. Pendragon. "Good evening."

With the name reading over there was a mad rush to get to the theatre for Peter's performance. Mrs Pendragon had paid a fine price to secure the last slot of the evening and there was a more than reasonable turnout. I watched in awe as Peter performed his sunset piece flawlessly with both strength and grace as the cello played next to him, unhindered by a human intervention.

I rushed backstage as soon as the performance was over, barely waiting for the cheers to die down. Peter was sitting at a dressing table panting slightly and very flushed. He looked ridiculously happy.

I pounced on him, giving him a firm hug. "Congratulations! I can't believe it! You were completely perfect and the crowd loved it!"

He grinned back enthusiastically, still out of breath.

"What are you talking about? Your whole performance was completely amateurish!"

We spun around in surprise. Behind us stood a slim boy with light blonde-brown hair and blue eyes. He was smaller in height than Peter, more equal with me, and unfortunately, I recognised him all too well. His name was Lelan Galahad, a fellow student from the Academy who'd become a Debutee a few months ago. He was probably here to support his younger brother.

"What do they teach at your House?" Lelan asked, mockingly. "Your synchronisation was appalling, don't even get me started on fluidity, and have you even heard of flexibility? I bet you can't even touch your toes! If you were trying imitate a battle massacrer with those clashing shades of orange and red, then congratulations!"

Peter flushed bright red and looked both thoroughly mortified and angry. I grabbed his arm in comfort. "His performance was really good, the crowd thought so and as potential clients they're the only ones that matter!"

The boy just smiled cruelly in a way that reminded me of Ardor. "Well, that's because your so called 'potenial clients' would have been satisfied with anything! No class at all...not like the turnout I received."

He didn't give me time to reply as he glided off into the bustling changing room.

"Was it really that bad? You have to tell me the truth, as brothers. I don't want you to just say it was good to make me feel better." Peter demanded.

I groaned. "For merlin's sake, Lelan's just trying to get to you and apparently its working! You did really well and it WAS a good performance. So what if you're not as flexible as him? You danced with much more emotion and that's what counts. Just forget about what he said about the audience too. It was a great turnout and I think I even saw a few ministry officials."

"Really?" Peter asked, perking up a bit.

I rolled my eyes. "Yes! Now can we please get out of here and go home?"

Peter nodded, grabbing his Salto box and I followed behind as we went to find Mrs. Pendragon. I took one last glance back at the dressing room before we left and tried to imagine myself there in two weeks time. I felt a fluttering of excitement in the stomach and took a deep breath before following Peter out.

AN/: You didn't think I'd let Draco be the only one to making Harry's life a misery, did you? Poor Harry...troubles coming...