7/10/09
Oh. My. God. This chapter was difficult. Not to write, writing is quite easy for me, but I had a lot of bad luck with it. At one point, I had it almost done, and then my comp shut down and lost my data so I had to type the second half of the chapter over from memory. But before I could finish it, I fell ill and had to force myself to keep awake enough to finish. I'm finding it very hard to focus. I'm so exhausted… I'm going to need bed rest before I can write anymore. But I hope this will be enough to sustain you until I'm feeling better. Enjoy.
Disclaimer: Rich, no. British, I wish. JK Rowling, no way in Hell. Don't own it.
XxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxX
Life at the Malfoy's was interesting. While there, Harry and I were meant to follow a schedule. Every morning we awoke at seven, showered, dressed, breakfast at eight, then work for the adults and play for the kids, lunch, more work and play, dinner at six, then bath time, and bed time at eight. Both Harry and Draco liked play time the best. Draco had spent the first week avoiding Harry, which the raven-haired boy didn't seem to mind at all, but eventually curiosity got the better of him. While Harry was playing pretend with a toy boat in the backyard pond, Draco cautiously made his way beside the boy and watched. Harry looked up at Draco and smiled, lifting the boat out of the water and handing the toy to the blonde. "Share?" Draco blinked, confused by the unfamiliar word, but took the boat nonetheless and began playing with it. Harry sat patiently and watched, waiting for it to be his turn again. After a few minutes Draco looked back at him, then at his toy. "…Share." He handed it off to Harry. From then on, the two played nicely with each other and Draco (miraculously) learned to stop hoarding his possessions. This change in behaviour both confused and pleased Narcissa, who stated, "Having the boy around isn't so bad." It had taken a while for Lady Malfoy to accept Harry and I living in her home, but after a while, she grew accustomed to us. And the effect Harry seemed to be having on her son's behaviour was an added bonus she greatly enjoyed.
Meanwhile, all the paperwork was filled out and being filed at the Ministry, which, as usual, had no idea what was going on in their own offices. Renovations were going well at Spinner's End and we would soon be able to go home. In his spare time, Lucius would help me search for a second job, but it was very difficult. Despite the announcement of the Dark Lord's defeat and the reassurance that the threat was, for now, over, the Wizarding World was on edge. People were paranoid and weary of hiring anyone they didn't know. Each night, as Lucius and I were returning to the manor, he would pat me on the back and speak words of encouragement. He knew there was no way I would give up; I was determined to make this work.
About a month into our stay, I received a letter from the headmaster of Hogwarts and leader of the secret society, the Order of the Phoenix, Albus Dumbledore; he requested an audience with me the next morning. Fear gripped me. Was he going to try and take Harry? Had he somehow found out about the adoption papers and stopped them from going through? This and many different scenarios entered my mind. In the end I concluded that I would have to go see the man; I couldn't very well deny his request. I sent a reply using the same owl that delivered the letter, telling the headmaster I would be there at the allotted time. I sighed, wondering what I was getting myself into.
That night I stayed up later than usual, reading to and playing with Harry. The child seemed to notice something was up, but didn't complain about the extra attention I was giving him. Later, I watched as Harry fell asleep. I stroked his back, feeling the soft inhale and exhale of breath. I hated thinking that this may be the last night we had together, but I had to think realistically. Whatever happened would happen. I was just glad I had gotten to be with him for this long. Quietly, I leaned down and kissed Harry's cheek, whispering goodnight and wishing him the sweetest of dreams.
XxXxX
The next morning I showered and put on my best robes and boots, reserved for special occasions, given to me by Lucius as a birthday present the year previous. They were black with a forest green trim, silver patterns snaking around the cuff of the sleeves and neckline. And the nearly black, dark green dragonhide served to compliment the outfit. The whole ensemble was truly lovely. After a quick breakfast and a pep talk from Lucius, I was on my way. Flooing from the fireplace in the downstairs parlor directly to the headmaster's office, I was taken by surprise as a strong fist connected straight on my nose, throwing me back and hitting my head against the mantel. "Auck!" I fell hard on my arse. After a few seconds of disorientation, I looked up and immediately realized what had happened. Standing above me was an irate Sirius Black. He was poised for attack, his fists balled and his face livid. He was like an angry god and it was a spectacular sight. Of course, his voice ruined the effect. "You bloody bastard!" He grabbed the front of my shirt, pulling me up to his eye level roughly. "What have you done to Harry? Where is my godson?!" He began to shake me, rattling my already addled brain. Needless to say I found it very difficult to respond.
"Calm yourself, Sirius," I heard an old yet energetic voice say.
Black's head snapped towards the voice. "Calm myself? Calm myself?!"
"Sirius…" The voice warned.
"No, I will not 'calm myself'! He kidnapped Harry!!"
At this I looked at him. "If you call saving him from a burning house and carrying him to safety 'kidnapping,' then yes, I did."
That seemed to shut him up.
"Sirius, why don't you help Mr. Snape into a chair."
"But-!" He quieted rather quickly and I can only guess that the other man had silenced him with some sort of reprimanding look.
Soon I was hoisted up and practically shoved onto a chair in front of the headmaster's desk.
"Why hello there!" he said cheerfully as though I had just walked in.
I paused for a moment before asking the obviously loopy man as politely as possible, "May I ask why you've called me here, headmaster?"
"You may, but before we start, would you like a lemon drop?"
I blinked. The headmaster of one of the most prestigious wizarding schools in the world was offering me a muggle sweet? "No, thank you."
"Tea then?" he asked, producing a tea set out of thin air, along with teacakes and tarts.
I sighed, nodding, and watched him pour my tea into a china cup.
Becoming annoyed by his slow pace, I began the conversation myself. "I assume we are here to discuss Harry."
Black glared at me while the headmaster simply smiled. "You are correct."
"You stole him!" Black exploded, no longer able to hold his tongue.
I sighed and looked at him, bored by his predicable reaction. "Firstly, the correct term is 'kidnapped.' Secondly, I did not kidnap him, I rescued him."
"But I-!"
"Would not have made it in time. The ceiling collapsed moments after I got him out."
I smirked internally as his jaw snapped shut.
"And you didn't think to take him to the proper authorities?" asked the headmaster.
I looked at him and frowned. "You and I both know how that scene would play out."
Dumbledore frowned in return. "Yes. You and your friends aren't very popular with the Ministry right now."
Black stood. "So you didn't take him to the authorities because you were afraid of being arrested?!" he fumed.
I had no answer for that. He wouldn't understand…
"Now Sirius, calm down. You had the same fear. That is why you came to me, correct?"
My brows furrowed in confusion. What was the old man talking about? Whatever it was, it sure seemed to shut Black up.
"That's different…" he mumbled out, looking at his shoes.
"If I may, what are you speaking of?" I asked Dumbledore.
The old man frowned again. "It would appear that young Sirius here is a fugitive of the law. He was mistakenly accused of murdering the Potters."
I winced. I knew that was not what had happened…
"Why would they think him responsible?"
"Wormtail framed me," Black ground out, fists clenched.
"Wormtail? You mean Pettigrew?"
He nodded. "The little rat ran off and left me to take the blame when the aurors arrived."
"I never trusted the rodent. His loyalties are too easily swayed. Coming to the Dark Lord for fear of dying fighting for the Light. A coward."
"Finally, something we can agree on," Sirius said reluctantly.
I nodded to him. 'Something indeed.'
From the corner of my eye I noticed a smile creeping onto the old man's face.
"My boys," he beamed. "I believe I may just have a solution."
One look at Black and I could tell we were both thinking the same thing.
'Oh shit.'
XxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxX
There, chapter three. Ugh… I'm stressed, ill, and utterly exhausted. Any complaints will go in one ear and out the other. Hope you enjoyed.
Any grammatical errors will be fixed later. I'm honestly too bloody tired to care right now.
