Thanks to the few reviewers on their inputs. It really helps my writing knowing I'm not just doing it to take up space on my computer.
Lucius woke early the next morning to two sets of wails. Groaning softly, he stood and, with a wave of his wand, he was dressed in a night robe. Moving quickly down the corridor, he entered the nursery to find a house elf peering up at the new crib in wonder.
"Get to the kitchens and prepare two bottles for the children," he commanded, and the house elf bowed low.
"Yes, Master, right away," and he popped out. Lucius moved over and picked Draco from his crib, then moved over to Harry's. The boys stared at each other for a moment before breaking down into cries once more. Narcissa entered smiling and pulled Harry from his crib. Together, they changed the boys' diapers just as the house elf returned with the bottles. After laying the boys back down, Lucius spelled both bottles to remain in a feeding position while he and Narcissa tended to their morning duties.
Once the Malfoys were properly dressed and fed, they retrieved the boys and set them to play in the day nursery. An elderly female house elf had been assigned to watch Draco during the day, and she was more than willing to accept another into her care. Narcissa set out to gather things that the Manor would need to accommodate both boys, while Lucius made a quick stop at the ministry to get more information on the attack and to handle any pending legalities.
Upon arriving at the ministry, he found it in chaos. Magical Law Enforcement officers were moving quickly up and down aisles, gathering information and documents. Lucius dodged several inter-office memos as he made his way to his department. The Records Office was in the same state, and the office secretary looked almost relieved to see him.
"Lucius, thank goodness – now we've accounted for you. Everyone's in an uproar. You-Know-Who attacked Godric's Hollow last night. Killed the Potters, I heard, but no one can find their son. Headmaster Dumbledore stopped by and left some documents on your desk; told me to hand deliver them to you if you didn't come in today."
"Thank You Cecilia. Where is Mark?" he tried to shut out the noise from the hallway, but succeeded in only giving himself a headache. Momentarily, he looked around for the Department Head, not surprised when he couldn't find him.
"He's at Azkaban. Apparently, a few of You-Know-Who's followers were caught last night, and he had to take their records over."
"Very good. I'll just retrieve the papers and go home."
"Home? You're not staying here?"
"No," he moved into his office and noted that Dumbledore had persuaded the Minister to give him leave owing to the fact that he was to arrange James and Lily's funeral. "Convalescent leave. My cousin recently passed away. I'm just here to pick up these papers." He spelled them to an inner pocket and made his way back out of the office, bidding farewell to Cecilia. His next stop was Hogwarts, where there was at least a semblance of peace. He was immediately admitted to Dumbledore's office and was surprised to find not only the Headmaster, but Professor McGonagall and Severus as well.
"Headmaster, Professor, Severus," he greeted each person in turn, nodding his head. "I have the papers you left, but why did you not come to the Manor?" He took the seat offered him and pulled the papers from his cloak.
"I wanted to ensure the ministry knew you would be out for a few days. How are things going?"
Lucius eyed McGonagall surreptitiously, but decided she probably already knew about their arrangement. "As well as can be expected, Albus. I suspect young Harry will go through an adjustment period, but once we weather that we will be fine. Draco seemed interested in him, at least, and they are together in the day nursery as we speak."
"Fine, fine. Since you are a Filing Supervisor in the Ministry, I'll forego the need to call for a clerk. Minerva and Severus have agreed to be witnesses for you, and I have called Ministry Arbitrator Gillian to come verify the adoption." As if on cue, a knock came upon the door and the headmaster admitted an aged wizard with big round glasses and robes that looked as if they would swallow him whole if he so much as sneezed.
"Alec, thank you for coming," Dumbledore greeted as he stood.
"Albus, how are you today?" the man asked in a wheezy voice, and Lucius fought the urge to take step back when the man turned to him. "And this is Lucius Malfoy. An honor to meet you, lad. I was a few years ahead of your father in school." They shook hands briefly before taking their respective seats. Lucius produced the documents and handed them to the headmaster. Alec cleared his throat violently before beginning.
"Let's get started then. Lucius Malfoy, do you, of your own free will, accept into your home and care the child Harold James Potter?"
"Yes."
"And will you, to the best of your ability, protect and provide for his long term care till such time he is of legal age to do so on his own?"
"Yes."
"Do the members of your household agree to this arrangement and will carry out their duties accordingly?"
"Yes."
"Very well, final question. By taking in this child, do you then accord him all the rights and privileges associated with your family, including inheritances, and duties thereof?"
"Yes." Lucius eyed the parchment as each question glowed golden before setting itself on the page.
"Very well, then. Please sign the parchment just above your printed name. Professor McGonagall, you next. Very good, now you Mr. Snape. Yes, yes, thank you. Lucius, here are two copies," he pulled his wand out and copied the parchment three times, "and one for you Albus. Mr. Malfoy, would you be sure one of those makes it to your department? I will not be returning to work today."
"Nor I, but I will ensure they get filed properly. Thank you." He rolled them up and placed them back in his cloak. They said their goodbyes, and the headmaster excused himself as he escorted his guest from the room. Lucius turned to talk to Severus quietly.
"Any more news on the attacks last night?"
"Three Death Eaters were captured: Michael Einer, Richard Travers, and Jaren Mulciber. And, of course, Sirius Black," he said the last with near-glee, and they both heard Minerva's breath hitch. "Peter Pettigrew, remember that lump of a boy? He confronted Black after he found out the Potters had been betrayed. But Black was quicker and blew him up, along with half the city block they were on. 13 Muggles were confirmed dead, and all they found of Pettigrew was a finger." Lucius pursed his lips together firmly at this news. "Black was apprehended cackling madly. He's in Azkaban, but they say he's mental."
"No more than he deserves," Lucius stated plainly. The headmaster re-entered and took his place behind his desk.
"Well, now that that is over with, I have some more wonderful news. Professor Slughorn has decided to retire from the potions teaching business." Lucius and Severus raised their brows simultaneously at this new information, and Lucius determined immediately where the headmaster was going. "And it seems I am in need of a potions master. Severus, would you be willing to take the position?" Severus stood then, his hands clasped behind his back – almost in instinct at being addressed.
"Professor? I have never taught children before, and I fear I would not – "
"Nonsense, my boy. You ran that tutoring group your sixth and seventh years here, and almost everyone in that group scored highly on their NEWTs. You have the ability, all you lack is the confidence. Fortunately, I have that in abundance." Albus stood and made his way around the desk to stand in front of Severus. He placed his hands on the younger man's shoulders. "Professor Slughorn has agreed to finish out this year, feeling he owes it to his seventh year NEWT class. However, I would like you to sit in with him, assisting him for now."
"But, Headmaster, I have not yet attained my Masters. It would be imprudent to hire someone less qualified for such a position." Severus glanced quickly back at Lucius, who seemed quite content to let Severus argue with the old wizard alone. McGonagall, too, seemed quite amused at the nonplussed man.
"Severus, you and I know you will be sitting the test this coming summer, well before the new term starts. And you and I also know you will pass the Masters; one of the youngest, I believe. You are only five years out of school yet, when it normally takes eight." Albus' eyes were shining with amusement, and Severus found himself cursing inwardly.
"I suppose I will be assuming Slytherin Housemaster duties as well?" he inquired.
"Perhaps in a few years. For now they will pass to Professor Hillcrest until she retires in a few years." Severus nodded, at least a little relieved he would be allowed to settle into a routine before assuming such demanding duties.
"Congratulations, Severus, I can think of no one better to intimidate young children," Lucius added mirthfully, earning him a glare from his friend. "Well, I should probably say Professor Snape, as odd as that sounds." Lucius couldn't help his chuckle at the thought, and Minerva was verging on full out laughing at Severus' horrified look.
"Merlin, I hadn't thought…Professor Snape? That just sounds awful, doesn't it?"
"I don't know," Minerva put in, her lips curved up in a grin, "it has certain assonance to it." Lucius actually snorted at this, and Severus resisted the urge to hex him in front of his new colleagues. Lucius checked the time and knew it was time to bid his companions farewell.
"I must be returning to the manor," he addressed the headmaster, "Who knows how much trouble those two boys have gotten into in just over an hour. Good day, professors." He smirked at Severus and nodded at McGonagall as the headmaster escorted him out the door. Before the door fully closed, he let out a laugh upon hearing McGonagall's request to her newest colleague.
"And Severus, since we are fellows now, please call me Minerva." He followed the headmaster down the stairs and through the gargoyle into the hallway. Albus escorted him all the way to the Entrance Hall, talking inanely about the students' week hiatus from classes due to the events of the previous evening. Once they reached the doors, Albus reached for Lucius' hand.
"It was a pleasure, Lucius, as always. Please feel free to visit with the boys anytime. I'm sure Severus would appreciate seeing a familiar face in his adjustment period." Lucius smiled graciously and shook the proffered hand.
"Thank you, Headmaster, kind as always. I'll be sure to call upon you at some point in the future. And I will owl you should I decide to visit." And with that, Lucius swept through the grand doors and out onto the grounds. Once he had passed the Anti-Apparation wards, he popped out only to reappear seconds later just outside Malfoy Manor.
Upon entering, he was accosted by one of his kitchen elves, who claimed Vindi was in need of assistance in the nursery. After handing off his cloak, Lucius glided quickly up the stairs and into the nursery, where Draco had laid claim to a number of toys, and Harry was busy crawling around and throwing everything he could pick up. Vindi, the Malfoy family's oldest elf, was more than pleased at seeing her Master's arrival.
"Master Malfoy! Vindi is trying to control the boys, but young Master Harry is demanding to see his mother sir. And young Master Draco is not liking his things being thrown."
"Thank you, Vindi. Go make lunch." The elf bowed and popped out, the loud crack momentarily startling Harry, causing him to look up and see his company. His tantrum increased ten-fold when he recognized a person who would perhaps be affected by it. Lucius ignored him and pulled his wand, spelling the toys back to their rightful places.
"I will not tolerate this childish behavior!" he scolded, and both boys froze instantly at his tone. "Harry," he looked directly at his newest charge and knelt down, "There are things you can't quite comprehend, so I will not bother explaining. But you cannot return to your parents. They cannot care for you any longer, and as such you will be staying here. Draco," Lucius stood and moved to his son and scooped him up only to drop him beside Harry and kneel down again. "This is Harry. Harry, this is Draco." He pointed to each boy as he said his name, hoping the boys would work out their troubles. Lucius knew Harry was just acting out of fear, not knowing where he was or where his parents were. But he also knew he could not indulge that type of behavior too long. Draco seemed to assess Harry instantly, and pulled one of his many stuffed animals from the pile behind him to hand to the still-sniffling boy. Harry accepted the brown, floppy dog readily, clutching it to his chest as Draco grabbed a stuffed white dragon, doing the same.
After some straining and rearranging, Lucius managed to pick up both boys at once, still holding their respective toys, and walked out of the room. He heard the Floo flare up and knew his wife was home, so he made his way downstairs to the sitting room. Narcissa laughed merrily at the sight of her husband holding both boys, complete with stuffed toys, and looking slightly worse for wear.
"Trouble dear?" she mocked, and he leveled a mock glare back at her.
"Hardly. Harry here was just showing me his throwing arm," he returned, "It seems he's looking for his parents." Narcissa made a cooing noise and pulled Harry into her arms, cradling him like a baby.
"He's got a lot to adjust to," she said as she rocked the stirring child from side to side. Harry seemed to calm down a little at the motion, and Narcissa made note to use it later. Draco wrapped his arms around his father's neck, the white dragon hanging precariously over Lucius' shoulders. Draco laid his head down when he felt his father tighten his grip a little.
"I think they wore themselves out. I say we give them bottles and put them down for naps before we get lunch." Narcissa nodded and they both moved to the kitchens. The elves readily supplied two bottles and they made their way back up to the boys' room. After transfiguring another rocking chair, they both sat down to feed and rock. Soon, the boys were asleep and placed in their respective cribs, each still clutching his toy like a lifeline.
"What did you buy?" Lucius asked once they were seated to their own lunch.
"A second changing table, another entire set of baby clothes – I got several colors different from Draco's – and another keepsake book. I'd like to put a copy of the adoption papers in there; do you have them?"
"Yes," Lucius replied, "they're in my cloak in my study."
"Very good. And we will need to collect some of his old things from Godric's Hollow. I feel he'll adjust easier if he had some things he recognized around him." Narcissa took a long pull from her tea cup, her eyes still on her husband.
"I shall talk to Dumbledore about it. I am sure he will not have a problem." He was about to relay Severus' new job when a cry pierced the air; one that did not sound frustrated, or tired, or even scared. It was a cry of pain. Almost as one, Lucius and Narcissa were out of their seats and racing up the stairs.
