Disclaimer: Harry Potter doesn't belong to me, J. owns the series.
Warning!: Boy with Boy love! Don't like then turn back.
A/N: Thanks everyone for the reviews!
X-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-X
Chapter 4: A While Since Last Time
X-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-X
Draco P.O.V.
I silently watch my father as his silver eyes gloomily look out the window. It has been three days since we were in the Zabini residence. One hour since my father told me of what had happened. He had tried to tell me a different story—one that didn't last long when I saw the tears in his eyes. Even though my father put up a front against the Zabini, I saw the anger behind his façade. This anger was so familiar though because beneath the anger was the helplessness and sorrow he'd seen before. The same helplessness that first appeared when we had been turned in by the very people we trusted. The same sorrow when the Malfoy family had been split up into different cells—denied communication and knowledge of each other's presence or wellbeing. The same helplessness and sorrow I hadn't seen since after mother.
I felt pathetic laying here on the bed watching my father worry. I just had to be strong for father like my grandfather had been strong for his only son. (1)
X-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-X
Blaise entered the room the Malfoy family was in that night with their dinner. Moving cautiously into the room he couldn't help but grow curious at why the younger blonde was staring at this father with so much concentration, as if his stare could break down his father's shield. Even though the Italian's father had said that the Malfoy family had "grown into paupers" he couldn't help but be intimated by Lucius Malfoy. When he set down the dinner on the table he slowly backed out being precarious as ever.
As soon as Blaise locked the door, Draco continued staring at his father until he gave in to talk with him. Seeing that he was not getting his father's attention what-so-ever, Draco rolled his eyes and gave a fake cough that erupted into a real coughing fit. Lucius had rushed to his side with a glass of water at hand. After gulping down the glass of water, Draco immediately grasped his father's hand so that he wouldn't escape. Lucius rolled his eyes to the door telling Draco to be careful of whatever he said.
"We need to get out of here dad." Draco saw all sorts of emotions rush into his father's dark grey eyes. Warmth and happiness for being called dad—that always happened when Draco called him "dad". The fear and concern that were directed right towards his health. "We both know that Zabini will never keep his word. He never did before so why do you think he would now?"
"Zabini is the ONLY person who could find a means to produce a cure Draco."
"That's bullshit and you know it." Lucius wanted to punish Draco for saying such things but he knew that Draco was right.
"Who else would hep Draco? Severus is gone. Potter is god-knows-where! The Wizarding World still holds grudges against us!"
"If you just trust—"
"Trust? I've trust people before Draco, and look at what happened. The people that offered protection didn't play their part. The people that you could find shelter from gave you away! It cost your mother's life!" Draco winced at Lucius' words. That was a sour topic that they both always danced about. Lucius stood up and walked over to the window. "I will not lose you like I did your mother. Not while I can prevent it."
"And you think I want to see you like this? Prancing around at Zabini's every command?" The older blonde turned back to look at his distressed son.
"If it gets you better son, I would." This time Lucius saw Draco's happiness at being called "son" before he reverted back to being angry.
"Stop sounding like a lovesick girl father! Zabini's playing you like a fool!"
"And what will you have me do? You're my trump card Draco, and he's holding it in his hands! I will not let him tear you up."
A moment of silence occurred between them as they both sneaked peaks at the door. Had they been convincing enough?
"Remember four fall seasons ago when Clarence left us to deal with how to haul in all the pumpkins?" Lucius started out slowly hoping that Draco caught his drift and got Draco's smile in return. (2)
"She tortured us that whole day." (What are we going to do?)
"She had only given us a cart and two sickles to get everything together." (I'm going to take the offer.)
"We didn't even know how the wagon worked after we got everything on it." (How are we going to do it?)
"She was planning on keep us there that whole day until we got back." (Everything will work out, I promise.)
"We sure surprised her when we met her halfway the road. She said she worried for no reason." (I know everything will. Don't worry about me.)
X-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-X
"Did they do anything suspicious Blaise?" The young Italian looked at his father, who was sitting behind his study desk filling out papers, still confused at what he heard from the Malfoys.
"No father. Like you said, after I delivered their dinner I stayed behind to hear what they talked about. I was amazed that you knew they would talk today." The older man just laughed.
"Lucius always did that after he told us something important. Waited three days until he would ever tell us what to do and how we will do it. What did they talk about?
"For starters they both know that you won't keep your word afterwards."
"Now why doesn't that surprise me. And then?"
"Lucius kept saying that you were the only one who would find a cure for Draco's illness and that you were holding his trump card."
"Hmmm…an interesting analogy that is. What else did they say?"
"They just talked about a farming experience they had afterwards." The older man laughed harder at that. He put down his pen, abandoning his work, and when to Blaise's side before throwing an arm around his shoulder.
"Do you see it now Blaise? How living in the Muggle World degrades a Wizard? See how even the Malfoy family have broken?" Blaise gave a fake smirk which his father bought.
"You can leave Blaise." With a pat on Blaise's back dismissing him, he left.
He knew that his father was taking things to the extreme
Taking slow steps towards his room he couldn't help but think of what this father just said of being degraded. Truthfully, he didn't see anything wrong with living in the Muggle World. He had heard the Malfoys conversation and heard their acknowledgement of each other as "dad" and "son". It was casual and showed how much they cared for one another. Over the past few days, he had seen the care and loyalty both Malfoys had towards each other. That made him, Blaise Zabini, son of the fourth richest man in the Wizarding World, grow envious of their close relationship.
'If that is what the Muggle World does to a person. Dad, I wouldn't have minded if you, mom, and I got a chance to live in their place. It would be nice just being a family.'
X-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-X
"Draco, I remember when you were so amazed by her oven." Lucius said as they both ate their dinner on Draco's bed.
"Not as much as you were by the telly." Draco retorted as he smiled at Lucius.
"That was a new experience, but don't forget you were amazed by it as well." They both continued eating until Draco remembered a happy time in their lives.
"Remember Thanksgiving? The food was amazing but the day after we rushed to the bathroom." And just like that, Lucius' face lighted up.
"We had to take turns which was a complete disaster." (We'll take turns going in there tomorrow.)
"Argh! The smell was awful." (Why?) At that moment Draco looked down at this food and wondered if he should continue eating.
"Clarence always found a way to freshen up the atmosphere with an old family trick. Which was amazing, it always smelled like flowers afterwards." (Zabini's old tradition no matter how many years go by. He'd never spy on us in the bathroom.)
"She was a very clever person. Shame she never taught us her trick though." (Okay. How will we do it though?)
"She always said burn ginger and olive oil together, but that didn't work." (The mirror and water vapor.)
"You tried that too? After that I swore that I wouldn't listen to her concerning the smell problem." (Alright.)
"Only you."
"What?"
"Shame she never taught you her trick."
"Wha—wait! You mean she taught you?" Lucius gave Draco a victory smile which only made his son gasp in disbelief.
"That's not fair!"
"Well I am older than you so she thought she'd pass it on to me." Draco seethed.
"So when will you teach me?"
"In due time Draco. In due time."
X-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-X
Lucius looked himself in the mirror one more time. He was wearing his typical clothing since before the war—black cape and clothing made from the most expensive tailors of all: Mitchell Victoré. It has been such a long time since he wore such a suit made in best quality of silk. He wasn't really used to wearing these sets of clothing anymore. He walked back into the room and had Draco look at his outfit.
"Hmmm…father, you've changed." Lucius was about to say something before Blaise entered the room.
Lucius just walked over to Draco and tucked in his son ignoring the Zabini kid.
"I've told the cook to give you plain soup with crackers. Just remember to not move around a lot either." Draco just nodded and smiled at the older blonde.
As Lucius looked at his only son he knew that he couldn't afford any mistakes what-so-ever, Draco's life depended on it. They had staged their plan days ago and thank heavens Draco's symptoms haven't occurred yet. Unbeknownst to Draco, Lucius had made a Plan B but he dearly hoped that there wouldn't be any need for it. Lucius then left Draco's bedside and followed the Zabini kid to their designated spot.
Today was his reappearance into the Wizarding World.
X-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-X
Mr. Zabini's POV
The crowd had been in a shock when Lucius stepped out of the automobile, his head held high with the same arrogance and power. Flashes had went off, people started to whisper, and oh, what a sight! The papers had been buzzing of words of outrage and curiosity. As I watch everyone cower away, making room for him to walk, I felt an emotion rise up from deep within me. It had always been like this before the War. People always gave Lucius the respect and attention he needed. That's why I immediately thought of him when we were closing in on the next Head of Ministry election. Only Lucius could get this reaction from the people. Only Lucius got the attention I want. Only Lucius could get me the fame and acknowledgement that I need to become the next Head of the Ministry. With Lucius Malfoy by my side, I will surely win this election.
Now all that's left, is to make sure that Lucius follows through…
X-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-X
Lucius looked out the huge window of the waiting room and watched the crowd below. His presence caused such an uproar that he felt a bit worried if there were people down there who still wanted to harm him. He couldn't afford to be taken down now. Biting his bottom lip he walked away from the window to ignore the possible harm coming his way. He needed to think of good thoughts. Clarence always did say that a troubled mind got nobody anywhere. After pacing around for a while Lucius gave up and decided to relax while he still could. The moment he sat down he bolted back up because the door had opened followed by Arthur Weasley and other "important" faces of the Ministry…along with Zabini.
"Why, I'll never thought I'd see the day when Lucius Malfoy entered the Ministry ever again, and yet, here he is before my eyes." Lucius rolled his eyes and swung his arms behind him before giving them a "likewise".
"Tell me Lucius, what business do you have here?" the Head Minister of Defense asked.
"Hasn't Zabini explained it all to you?" Lucius said trying to sound dignified.
"He has, but we would like to hear it out from your mouth." Lucius could feel the fear and caution they all had towards him, almost as if trying to intimidate him—to break him.
"Ever so the same. If you must now, I've grown tired of hiding behind brick walls that were built to keep me away. Zabini here, offered me a job, a job I couldn't resist. I don't see the harm in intermingling with the Wizarding World seeing that my magic has been locked away, unless you are." That got some of the members to bluff and scoff at what was said.
"Now there you have it. The man has said what he wanted to be said. Let's go back and discuss about his partnership again." Zabini guided the members out of the door and back into the hallway talking of his political ideas. The only person who stayed behind was the Head of the Ministry.
"It's been a long time Lucius." Even though Lucius knew he should have made a good impression on the red-head, all that he felt was bitterness towards the man—this man who had the power to decide who lived and who died.
"Long time indeed…Head Minister." The blonde saw that the man wanted to ask him something, but saw the uselessness of it.
"It's good…seeing you again." And with that the Minister left leaving the blonde to dwell in his own thoughts.
X-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-X
Arthur Weasly's POV
When Mr. Zabini had came into my office to ask me to announce a Board of Discussions, my mind had already begun to wander off—thinking of the Muggle drink called "soda", a VERY interesting invention. Then at the mention of "Lucius" my attention came back full force. Was he in some kind of trouble?
"—he has really changed Mr. Weasley. I can guarantee that he wouldn't go anything suspicious, not while I'm around."
"Why a Board of Discussions?" I had asked, hoping that he would explain why he wanted a Board of Discussions and why Lucius played a part in it.
"I'm trying to do it the proper way. I want the Head of Ministry to allow Lucius Malfoy to work under me." And with that, the meeting had taken place right away. My mind wasn't with the meeting though, and I was not thinking of any Muggle inventions either.
If Lucius was here, does that mean Harry was too?
"Can we see him? Isn't it better to hear it from himself in the first place?" I said cutting off anything else from being said. Of course everyone agreed, except maybe Mr. Zabini.
When I opened that door, there stood Lucius Malfoy. He didn't look like he had changed one bit. He still wore black and still carried that cane around. I had almost believed that he hadn't changed until I heard him speak. Although his voice still carried the same arrogant sound and power, there was no pride put into it. I had kept quiet that whole encounter. I didn't know what to say to this man. This changed man—what should I do? When I felt Zabini's arms usher us out of the room I had stayed behind.
"It's been a long time Lucius."
"Long time indeed…Head Minister." At that moment I felt small. Head Minister. Not Weasley. I wanted to ignore this feeling and ask him if Harry had been with him the whole time. I couldn't find the courage to though. Guilt began to seep through me again.
"It's good…seeing you again." I left with that said and I truly did mean it. It was nice seeing a survivor of that Death Bed years ago.
When I got back to the Board of Discussions, everyone had asked me questions, demanding my input.
"Will you let Lucius back into the Wizarding World?"
"Yes." I answered a few seconds later. Maybe this will give me the opportunity to make it up to him.
When I got back to my desk, I sat down, thinking of what was going to happen now. I knew that I had a lot to atone for. I gave a small smile at the bottle of soda on my desk, Hermione must have been here. That was when I remembered about "it". Quickly, I rolled my chair back and opened the bottom drawer. I lifted up a cardboard and saw the urn still there. Slowly, I went for it and carefully picked it up.
This was my ONLY chance to return this.
And with that I felt the guilt gnaw my soul—and regret conquer my mind.
I had to return this.
It'll be the only way, I'll ever find peace.
TBC
X-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-X
(1) Just a reminder that Draco's grandfather had Dragon Pox, and in my story, Draco's granddaddy fought Dragon Pox to see his grandson and for the sake of his son (He waited for the perfect moment when Lucius needed to devote himself to so that Lucius wouldn't be lonely when he left).
(2) Lucius' drift - This is the SECRET LANGUAGE between the Malfoy family that they picked up during their stay on the farm. XD I wanted to do something that still held what the Malfoys were taught when young (stay true to their heritage or whatever) and I thought of this. They stay cunning, intelligent, and sly; but also shows their innocence when learning from the Muggle World. Language talked in plain English but having a deeper meaning in it. Then I was reminded of Austin Powers and his SECRET LANGUAGE with his father! XD That was hilarious. So I guess that the idea goes to the movie!!
****An important note, Lucius and Draco need a topic that happened to them in order for their secret language to happen though. Just think of it has a hidden message within the sentences.
--
Seems like not all the Zabini family members are bad people, but will Blaise see the light before he falls into his father's steps.
And there will be no Lucius/Arthur pairing…if you think that way
Review please!!
~3 arenha
