~4 Home sweet home~

The house, or manor as Lucius called it, was quite impressive in a gloomy sort of way. It would make a wonderful home for Heathcliff or count Dracula, if one could forget about the beautiful garden and the elegant interior. And the elves. And the portraits.

It was creepy. Despite my new mantra I was unable to reply verbally to Lucius's remarks (´I'm sure your memory will return soon, now that you are back in your own surroundings. Would you like to freshen up before seeing Draco? He's waiting in the Green Room.´).

I knew it was real. But it helped me relax picturing a director to have cried "Puppet master ready? Cartoon ready? Actors ready? Action!"

I smiled at a portrait who bore a striking resemblance to Lucius though judging by the gentleman's outfit they'd been born centuries apart.

´Do you remember him?´

I shook my head.

´Lord Henry,´ Lucius addressed the portrait, ´you've heard that my lady had a concussion.´

´I have indeed.´

Addressing me Henry continued: ´We all hope that your head will be healed ma'am.´

From a distance I heard other voices approve of Henry's words. I looked around and saw several painted Malfoys nodding at me.

I took a deep breath. Play the part play the part play the part.

´Thank you sir. We will have to get acquainted again... I hope you will be so kind as to help me find my way here.´

Henry cast a glance at Lucius and promised me that he would assist me any time. We greeted each other and Lucius took me by my elbow (which for some reason is a very sensual gesture to me; I thought it better not to shrug the wizard off). While escorting me further into the house he promised me that it would all work out just fine.

I told myself that I should be glad I had not ended up in Jurassic Park: they're back! Having a T-Rex think you were dinner was far worse than being a wealthy lady in a comfortable mansion.

OoOoO

Admittedly, the first seconds after entering the room where Draco was waiting for us were awkward enough for me to think that one could at least hide from a dinosaur. Lucius's son, who I had expected to be an arrogant brat, proved to be a kind, concerned boy and it didn't take long before I found myself chatting about the injuries of some of the patients I'd seen, after which Draco shared horror stories from Hogwarts's infirmary.

When tea was served, I thanked the elf. Father and son seemed to be used to this.

´I rather like this room,´ I said.

´You decorated it Narcissa.´

I poured father and son tea. When I reached for the honey Lucius waved his wand and the small pot flew toward me. I couldn't hide being startled. Draco quickly started talking about Quidditch. I was grateful for his response and searched my brain for something to contribute.

My nephew Davy had lent me his Harry Potter books but I'd skipped the pages describing the matches: I'm not into ball games and I had too much to read in too little time as it was. Davy loved Quidditch and he had attempted to teach me the rules. I had actually remembered some things. There was this thing with wings that had to be caught. There were two players who could knock people off their brooms by throwing big balls at them. There were also field players who tried to score with another ball and there was a goalie.

Draco said that he would try to become a seeker.

Oh yes, the seeker. How could I for- Become a seeker?

I looked at him. He was a boy. He'd start his second year at school!

Lucius told Draco that it would be wonderful if he'd manage to do so.

´Mother?´

´Narcissa?´

´Mother you look very pale, are you all right?´

´Darling, I think it's best if you took a rest,´ Lucius said, rising.

Draco got to his feet as well.

´No no, I'm fine,´ I lied with a smile. I didn't want to be alone. A second-year pupil! I needed someone to play opposite to or I would scream. Why hadn't I thought of it before? Lucius should be in Azkaban!

´I'm really fine,´ I insisted.

Free as a bird Lucius didn't press me. He and Draco sat down again and Draco told us about his reading list. Lucius commented the number of Lockhart's books. I smiled and nodded and I am afraid I would also have done that had he scolded elves or said that cows have eight legs.

In my mind's eye I was back at the hotel. Until the project is completed, the contracting party should be present on the set. What bloody project was that? And how long would it take? A year? Until the end of Draco's seventh year at Hogwarts? Until Harry Potter had defeated Voldemort?

I started tapping the arm rest of my chair. And there I was thinking that I'd have more screen time as a corpse in an episode of Daziel and Pascoe than I would have as a speaking witch in The Half-Blood Prince.

I made a throatily sound and looked at Draco, who tried not to glance at me, and at his father, who focused on the boy. I had to make a plan of action. What happened? Who got me here and why? Were there more actors trapped? Company in distress makes sorrow less.

The Malfoys were both enjoying their tea.

´Lucius?´

´Yes?´

´I wonder whether there are more reports about people showing up in muggle outfits with the same symptoms as I have.´

His expression showed surprise and approval.

´You're right. The healers didn't think of that. I will contact them.´

´Thank you.´

Until the project is completed, the contracting party should be present on the set.

The thing about T-Rexes: it's over before you know it.