DISCLAIMER: I OWN NOTHING!
A/N: OK guys here's you next installment of my story. I hope you like it. P.S. This chapter has gone up a little earlier than I wanted it to because I would like to know your thoughts on the question at the bottom. So please be generous and leave me a review with your answer. Thanks in advance MWAH!!!
A/N 2: Big hugs all around for those of you who reviewed.
Chapter Warnings: Ron ignoring in this chappie.
Chapter Nine: The List
Enjoy!
The next day went almost exactly like the first one. Draco got up and sorted Elloisa out, then he himself got dressed and ready to go. Then, as a family, the Malfoy's made their way to breakfast. Here came the first change. Instead of wanting to hide like yesterday, Elloisa took off down the aisle between the Gryffindor and Ravenclaw tables, making a bee line for Harry.
"Mowning, Hawwy!" she said cheerfully to Harry's back.
Turning around Harry spotted the small girl and gave off a huge grin as he pushed his chair back and knelt down in front of her. "Good morning oh pretty one, and how did you sleep last night?" Harry said in a rather exaggerated kind of way, but it made Elloisa blush all the same. Behind Harry he could hear Hermione saying to Ron how cute she was and laughing at Harry's antics.
"Oh, Hawwy. I slept fine thank you. And you? Did you sleep OK?" she said while moving forwards into his open arms for a hug. Draco's jaw almost dropped when he saw this. It had taken her nearly two weeks before she had initiated their first cuddle and along comes Harry Potter and she's hugging him after only a day! Though he did smile when Harry picked her up and swung her around, but only because she was laughing, not because he thought Harry looked great with her on his hip.
"I slept like a log knowing that I'd get to see you this morning, sweet." he said, smiling sweetly at her. Little did Harry know that behind them Hermione was aaahing and Ron was scowling like he'd lost a Quidditch match to the Slytherin's. Harry, blissfully unaware, walked with her back towards Draco who was stood at the very end of the table. His parents had already gone to the head table.
"I think this little monkey belongs to you." Harry said lightly as he handed her over to Draco.
"Yes, I believe she does," he agreed just as lightly.
"Listen Ma... Draco, I was talking to Hermione about what you told me yesterday and she has some really interesting ideas that I think you'd find rather good. I know she's a Muggleborn and all that but..."
But Draco cut him off this time. "Say this evening after dinner in my quarters. That way I can eat in the hall with this little madam and you can come back with us." Draco said calmly, as if it was the most natural thing in the world to invite two Gryffindor's to venture down into the snake pit with him.
"Oh... um, yeah. Sounds great. We'll see you then. Bye Elloisa." Harry said smiling again at the now totally confused Elloisa and waving idiotically when he got back to his seat, which made her laugh again.
Draco took them over to the Slytherin table and took his usual seat. "Hey Draco, hey Elloisa. What do you fancy for breakfast today?" Pansy asked in an almost sickly sweat voice.
"Um... please can I have... oh, are those pancakes?" she asked pointing to a plate next to Crabbe's elbow.
"They sure are, how many would you like?" Pansy said snatching the plate away as Crabbe made to pick them up. He scowled at her briefly before he saw them being put on Elloisa's plate and smiled at her before turning to take the ones in between the fifth years sat next to him.
As Elloisa tucked into her breakfast Pansy turned to Draco and asked, "What was all that about with Potter just now?"
"Oh, that. Elloisa is rather fond of him that's all."
"But that's Potter!" she said as if sure Draco was looking at the wrong person or had gone temporarily blind.
"I know, he's great with Elloisa though so leave it." he said giving her his best Malfoy scowl.
After breakfast things went back to normal and after they had all finished their dinner Draco walked over to the doors of the Great Hall and, sure enough, stood just the other side was a happy Harry and an almost bouncing Hermione. Draco was vaguely reminded of what Ella had looked like at Christmas. Wanting to open her presents but knowing she had to wait.
"Hi ya Hawwy." Elloisa said running over to him. Harry scooped her up and gave her a quick hug before putting her back down and introducing her to Hermione. "Elloisa this is Hermione. Hermione this little angel is Elloisa."
"Hullo." Elloisa said smiling slightly up at the girl with nice hair.
Hermione smiled back before saying hello as well.
"Shall we move this down stairs? We've got some not too happy people up here." Draco suggested wearily. Pansy was glaring daggers at him from the Slytherin Table and Weasley was doing to same to Harry and Hermione from the Gryffindor Table.
They all agreed and made their way down to the dungeons. Once at the portrait Draco paused and looked back at Hermione and Harry. They both covered their ears and started singing as loud as they could. Hermione was singing her rendition of The Eye of the Tiger and Harry was singing his version of Super Trooper. It was hilarious to watch and Ella was beside herself, rolling on the floor laughing so hard she had tears streaming down her face.
Draco managed to keep it together long enough to open the portrait by say the password "Adder-nuf" and somehow managed to get them all in before he bent over at the waist holding his ribs and laughing so hard it hurt. Harry and Hermione soon joined in and it wasn't long before they were all on the floor in hysterics. Unbeknownst to them because of the tears in their eyes, Lucius, Narcissa and Severus Snape were all sat in the lounge drinking tea. Lucius stood up and moved over to them, lightly he nudged Draco with his foot and cleared his throat as loudly as he could. "Excuse me!"
At once the four younger people in the room sobered up and wiped at their eyes while they made to stand up. "Much better," Lucius commented. Then he looked at Draco and realised who he had stumbled through the door with. "Mr Potter, Miss Granger. What prey tell are you two doing in our quarters, and rolling around on the floor with my son and granddaughter no less?"
"I invited them, Father. I'm sorry I know I should have asked first." Draco said bowing his head to show that he would take the punishment Lucius would give him.
"There is no need to be sorry, Draco. I was just curious. I haven't seen you laugh like that since you were Ella's age and I have never seen her laughing so hard she's cried." Lucius said, smiling slightly when Draco looked shocked, Elloisa started laughing again and Granger and Potter were stood stock still, too scared, it seemed, to move at all.
"Oh Granddad you should have heard it. We were outside the portrait and Daddy didn't want Herminnone and Hawwy to hear the password so they covered their ears and started singing these songs. And they was so so so funny that we couldn't stop laughing." Elloisa said finally catching a breath long enough to explain.
"Yeah but I have to say that Hermninone was much louder than me. I could hear her over my own singing, and I sorry darling but you were terribly out of key."
"Hey, Hawwy if you think you were better than me you've got another think coming. You're just tone deaf is all. I had the most perfect pitch."
And that was all it took Draco was roaring with laughter again and Elloisa not quite understanding what was wrong this time just laughed with him anyway, and then when she had started the Gryffindor's joined in as well. Soon the floor of the Malfoy quarters found itself being rolled on by the three young students and Elloisa.
After another ten minutes of laughing Draco, Harry, Hermione and Elloisa managed to stop laughing, stood up and brushed their clothes off. "Come on we can go to my room and talk. You want to come as well, Ella?" Draco said finally.
"Can I stay out here with Granddad for a bit? He said he wants to introduce his bestest friend in whole world ever to me." She said looking over at Granddad who nodded in confirmation.
"Of course it's OK, honey." Draco said giving her a quick hug before leading the Gryffindor's to his room.
Once they were all inside the door (both of them) were soundproofed, and they were all settled comfortably in front of the fire, Draco turned to Hermione. "So Harry said that you've had some ideas about the werewolf shelter. Anything you can do to help would be great Hermione."
Hermione just sat there with her mouth open for a minute before she was able to pull herself together. Harry hadn't been joking when he'd said Draco Malfoy had changed. Not only had he called Harry by his first name but he'd called her by hers as well. Shocking! "Yes," small cough, "Yes I have but before I start please let me tell you that I think the idea on a whole is brilliant," she smiled shyly at him and then continued, "and if there is everything I can do that I'm not doing already just ask me OK?"
Draco nodded his head and sat back as she launched into full lecture mode.
"OK, so Harry told me that you wanted him involved so he could help you drum up support so the Ministry would approve the idea, yes?" she looked expectantly over at Draco and again he nodded in agreement. "Right, well, even with Harry backing you, your going to have to come up with a catch, something that will make people sit up and pay attention when you are talking to them. So I would suggest a presentation be prepared before you even start thinking about get the support you need to get this thing off the ground."
"That sounds like a great idea. But I may need a little help with it. I'm not entirely sure what it would entail." Draco said sitting up and giving Hermione his undivided attention now that he knew her ideas were more than valid to his cause.
"That's fine. It's is something that we can work on together. I would also strongly suggest getting Professor Dumbledore on side as he still has a lot of pull over the Ministry itself. But that shouldn't be a problem as it sounds like something he'd do anyway. And besides once he's on side you can pretty much count on the rest of the staff here coming round to the idea as well."
Draco and Harry were both nodding their heads in agreement.
"By that point we would already have quite a bit of influential support. The only other thing I can say for sure would befit you to do very soon, is tell your mother and father and possibly Professor Snape too. Your mother and father have the means and the experience to get an audience and know how to handle it properly. And Professor Snape's opinion is valued quite highly in certain parts of the Ministry and Saint Mungo's. Oh and Harry told me that there was a nurse at the hospital that fully supports your way of thinking. Perhaps it would prove to be beneficial to get in contact with her. If she is speaking out against the Ministries treatment of children werewolves then the chances are that there are a lot of other nurses and doctors who agree with her. I think that's all the things you should be getting on with for now and I know it's a lot to take in so I've taken the liberty of writing a list of things to do. The lower the number next to the more important it is."
As Hermione said this she pulled a rolled up piece of parchment out of her bag and passed it to Draco before pulling out two more, one each for Harry and herself.
Draco uncurled the parchment and looked it over quickly.
1. Talk to your parents
2. Talk to Professor Dumbledore
3. Make public presentation about the Shelter
4. Talk to Professor Snape
5. Contact the nurse from Saint Mungo's
Draco skimmed past the rest because he knew that the first five would take some time to do as it was. If he was honest with himself he was a tad disappointed that it was going to take so long to sort everything out. He hadn't realised just how much there would be to do.
"Don't look so disheartened, Draco," Hermione said softly. "If we rush into this and fall flat on our faces we'll never get the support up to try again and I can see how important it is to you. If we take it slow, day by day, we're covering our ourselves and guaranteeing that this plan of your will work. Besides Harry and I are here to help as well, and once the others on the list know they'll help as well. I'm sure of it."
Harry nodded his head in agreement yet again, "this really is far too important to mess up, and before you know it the shelter will be open and ready to go, you'll see."
"Thanks you two, for the support and the list," he said making a puking gesture as he held up the list Hermione had made for him. Hermione looked ready to jump to the list's defense but Harry got there first surprising Hermione into silence.
"Don't knock it, Draco, because when things are starting to get onto of you and your not sure what the hell you're supposed to be doing, I garentee that that list is going to turn out being your best friend. Trust me I know from experience." Harry said looking ondly at the piece of rolled parchment in his hands.
Hermione beamed at Harry before standing up and stretching her legs out. "Right, we had better be off. Don't want to be out after curfew. Good luck with your parents, Draco and sleep well."
"Yeah, night Draco see you in the morning." Harry added as he also got up and he and Hermione left Draco's room and walked back into the sitting area to find the two eldest Malfoy's plus the youngest Malfoy and Professor Snape still there. "Good night Elloisa, I'll see you in the morning at breakfast."
"Oh nun-night Hawwy. Nun-night Herminnone," she said tiredly walking up to Harry and giving him a hug good night.
"Good night Professor Snape, Mr Malfoy, Mrs Malfoy," Harry said lightly giving a slight incline of his head at each person as he said their names.
"Good night Mr Potter, Miss Granger," they all parroted back as the portrait closed behind them.
Draco came out of his room shortly after and looked around the room before seeing Ella yawning like mad. "Come on Missy, it's bed time for you." he said gently. "Why don't you say goodnight to everyone."
"But Daddy, it's only eight o'clock," she said giving Draco her best puppy dog eyes.
"Yes but you've had a couple of late nights already. And besides you've got to get your beauty sleep if you want to be all pretty for Harry tomorrow." he said gently, kneeling down beside her.
"I guess you'we wite," Ella said moving over to the couch her Grandparents were sat on. "Nun-night Granddad, nun-night Nanna." They each gave her a hug before she turned round and walked towards Professor Snape. She climbed up onto his lap quickly and gave him and hug say "nun-night Sev" into his robes. After about a minute she climbed back down and Draco picked her up and carried her to her room.
Draco helped her change into her pajamas before pulling back the white bedding covered duvet, then he picked her back up and placed her gently onto the bed. She curled herself up into her favourite position and Draco carefully tucked the duvet back in around her. "Good night my little princess." he said softly kissing her on the forehead before turning to head back to the lounge.
Elloisa let out a small sigh and whispered, "Nun-night daddy." Before Draco had even closed the door the little five year old was sound asleep.
Draco walked back to the lounge and flumped down into the remaining free armchair. Sighing he closed his eyes and lent his forehead against his fist, his elbow on the armrest.
"So?" Narcissa asked. "Why were they here?"
"We had things to we needed to talk about and people were giving us a hard time in the Great Hall so I suggest we come down here. I'm sorry, but I genuinely didn't think you'd mind or I would have asked first." Draco replied not looking up or even opening his eyes.
"You know that's not what I meant. What were you all talking about? Come on Draco, you shouldn't keep secrets from your own mother." Narcissa all but whined.
"Fine, I was going to tell you tomorrow but I suppose if I tell you know I won't have to worry about Ella overhearing." Draco said lifting his head and opening his eyes.
"Would you like me to leave?" Severus inquired already half out of the chair he'd been sat in.
"No it's fine you all might as well hear about it now and then I haven't got to repeat myself quite so often," Draco half joked, before clearing his throat and sitting up a little straighter in his chair.
Over the next hour and half Draco told his parents and Severus all about his idea of the shelter and how he had gone to Harry Potter who in turn had put his case to Hermione Granger who came back to him with a list of things he needed to seriously consider before he even got to choose the location of the place.
His parents were glowing with pride for the son by the time he'd finished his explanation, and were wondering how Miss Granger knew so much about starting the whole thing, after they had been shown her list. Severus had asked some questions all of which were answered and he left after the hour and a half stating that if there was anything Draco wanted him to do or if he needed an opinion on something to simply let him know. Draco took this to mean Professor Snape approved with the idea.
After Severus had gone, he turned to his parents. "Well? What do you really think? Am I in over my head on this one?"
"Actually son," Lucius said standing up and pulling Draco out of his seat to stand in front of him. "I think it is an amazing idea, and Miss Granger and Mr Potter have pretty much got your back covered for this one. I am very proud to call you my son, Draco, because I am very proud of you." Lucius then shocked Draco and gave him and small and very brief hug before he turned and made for his bedroom.
Narcissa took this as her cue to go to bed and stood up from the couch. She too pulled Draco into a hug, although this one lasted a lot long and was the kind that is described as a rib cracking hug. Draco hugged her back.
"Everything your father said is the same for me. I am so proud of you Draco. You can guarantee your father's and my support in this and as Severus said, anything you need from us, just ask. Good night sweetheart, I'll see you in the morning." that said she too turned and disappeared into her bedroom, and Draco heard the door close softly behind her.
Draco took himself to bed and thought about how wonderful the Shelter would be when it was finished. And it would be finished, if it was the last thing Draco did, the shelter for the werewolf children would be opening.
A/N: OK guys I need your help for this bit. Is anyone missing Ron? If you are and you'd like to see more of him in this fic you need to leave me a little note about it. If you don't then... well, you can tell me that too (hehe) if no one is missing him I may well bash him a little though. You have been warned to I guess I should say: START VOTING – KEEP RON IN or KICK RON OUT you decide.
