To Lay A Dragon

All of the delectable characters belong to JK Rowling.

Chapter 10

A/N: Thank you to everyone who reviewed. Enjoy…

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Harry sat atop his blanket on the bed, a small frown playing about his features as he waited for Draco to speak.

When Draco said he'd something to tell Harry, the Gryffindor was certain that it had something to do with the Slytherin's earlier interview and that worried him a bit. He prayed Draco was not more involved in the whole poisonous chocolates business than he'd indicated in their previous conversation.

Draco's opening remark didn't help much, 'look Harry, what I am going to tell you is between you and me; if it gets out…well it can't get out, so you cannot tell anyone. And I mean anyone, alright?'

Harry nodded, his frown increasing as he watched Draco wipe a bit of moisture from his forehead.

However, Draco's next words took Harry completely by surprise.

'Several years ago I was bitten by a vampire,' the Slytherin remarked in a matter-of-fact tone, his worried frown dissipating.

'A vampire?' Harry questioned, his tone lilting with a bit of incredulity. That was possibly the last thing he had expected to hear.

Draco nodded curtly, then continued in a nonchalant tone, 'I was in Wales visiting a friend who was leaving the country and we'd done a bit of drinking before he departed. I was pretty tight by the time I left him and began walking back to the rooms where I was staying. It was late and one moment I was staring at the road ahead of me and the next I was staring at a bloke.'

Harry cocked a brow, 'the vampire?'

'Right. But he just looked like an ordinary bloke; I was pretty plastered and it was dark so I didn't notice anything distinctive about him at the time. He said something that I didn't catch and I remember looking at him questioningly and waiting for him to repeat what he'd said, but he just stared at me.'

Didn't you find that strange? I mean even plastered-'

'I didn't have time to find it strange or anything else, the next thing I knew I started to feel extremely lightheaded and the bloke grabbed a hold of me. I thought it might be the alcohol and that I had stumbled and he was steadying me. But then I noticed I couldn't seem to pull my eyes from his and I began to feel a strange and unnatural pull; like my soul was being sucked from my body or something.'

Draco paused and sat back in his chair. Harry remained silent; somewhat bemused. It wasn't the Slytherin's unemotional account of the event that left him feeling confused; quite a number of people had been bitten by vampires during the war without suffering any real consequence. But Draco's currently calm exterior during the retelling was at odds with his earlier distress.

'I began feeling frightened then,' Draco continued, 'that was when I noticed how pale he was and his gaunt features and I realized what I was up against. However, my fear didn't have time to fully materialize; vampires, just before they snack on your neck-'

A soft snort shot reflexively from Harry.

Draco paused again and met his eyes.

'Sorry, it's just the way you phrased that…go on.'

Draco smiled wryly, 'yes well, they send waves of power at you and it is very compelling and mesmerizing and then they bite. The worst part is that you want them to do it by the time they start biting you and the pain…well you feel it, but it is almost pleasurable. It…it's difficult to explain…'

'I know what you're referring to,' Harry said, 'I spoke with several people who were bitten during the war.'

Draco nodded, 'well afterward I think I passed out for a while because the next thing I recall, we were sitting on the ground in an alley and he was speaking to me. I was groggy, but I recall him saying that I was his and that he would return for me when the time was right, or if another sought me before then.'

'Classic evil vampire stuff,' opined Harry.

Draco narrowed his eyes a bit, 'yes, but it was odd; he spoke in a completely everyday tone of voice; it wasn't at all menacing. He babbled for a good while, but I was still pretty out of it and I don't recall what else he said.'

'You were probably a bit short on blood at that point; they generally take enough to leave you feeling faint. What happened then?'

'He left and I just sat there for who knows how long, leaning against the alley wall. Eventually I got up and managed to stumble back to my rooms where I promptly passed out again.'

'Merlin,' Harry murmured, 'but he only bit you the one time and it is obvious that you aren't-'

'A vampire? No. As you said, I was only bitten once and according to all of the lore the same vampire must drink twice and even then, he has to want to bring you into their world.'

'Yes, that's what I was told as well.'

Draco nodded, 'the thing is, I read lore from a variety of books, old and new, and all of them contradicted one another. However, most agreed that a vampire will take the second drink at his leisure; that is, it could be days, years or even decades before they attempt it.'

Harry nodded slowly.

'And the other thing most of them agreed on,' Draco continued in a business-like tone, 'was that if someone becomes attracted in an ongoing fashion to the person who was bitten, it might trigger the return of the vampire to claim their subject.'

Harry elevated his brows.

'And it is said that…they kill the competition – the person attracted to the subject.'

'Sweet,' commented Harry.

Draco met Harry's eyes for a moment before looking away again, 'yes, well I pretty much considered all of that hogwash; there have been several people attracted to me since I was bitten and nothing has happened…although their attraction wasn't particularly ongoing.'

Harry grinned, 'and mine is?' he supplied.

Draco flipped his hand out in a noncommittal gesture, 'your detective friend seemed to think so. He somehow figured it out…about me being bitten I mean. He started demanding that your godfather be told because of the possible danger to you, I presume, and I became anxious because the last thing I need is for people to find out about my being bitten. It was bad enough the detective knowing about it.'

'Nicolas is gifted, as I told you.'

'Yes I know, he told me as well, but I didn't realize what gifts he was talking about. I mean at one point during our interview I thought I was facing a vampire…I swear I felt the same pull from the man as I had from the bloke in Wales. Then I began remembering what the bloke had said…all that business about returning…and well in that moment I started thinking it might not be hogwash after all and I became frightened, even though the detective looked nothing like the vampire I'd met.'

'It was likely the centaur and vampire blood running through Nicolas' veins I mentioned earlier. I know that has something to do with his gifts. I'd imagine he carries out all of his interviews the same way and maybe people who have been bitten react as you did. I imagine that could be pretty terrifying.'

Draco nodded, 'yeah, I was fairly apprehensive until he stopped whatever it was he was doing and I realized he didn't have the look of a vampire at all. He did say he knew why I'd reacted as I had, so you are likely right and that is how he knew I'd been bitten.' The Slytherin fell silent for a few moments and then sighed, 'still, his worrying about your being attacked made me consider that there might be some truth to the lore.'

Harry ran a hand through his unruly locks, 'it is likely true if Nicolas feels it is; he knows an awful lot about dark creatures. We can ask him about it.' He narrowed his eyes a bit, 'you don't seem particularly traumatized by it all.'

Draco shrugged, 'well I'm not; at least not by the whole vampire-leaping-out-at-me-at-any-moment aspect of it all.'

Harry grinned, 'well as for the other part of the lore; I am attracted to you, but you don't have to worry on my account, Draco. I can handle vampires; I had to deal with a number of them during the war.'

A humorless gust of mirth fell from Draco's lips and he shook his head, 'I wasn't really very worried about that aspect of it either. In some ways you haven't changed at all.'

Harry's eyes narrowed slightly; that wasn't the response he had been looking for. 'I have no fear of dark creatures, if that is what you mean,' he commented, his tone a little acerbic. Draco, he thought, could have at least admitted to a little attraction as well rather than make it appear as if he were in this all alone. The arrogant git.

Draco nodded, 'I know you don't fear dark creatures.'

Harry frowned a little, 'so what aspect of all of this is bothering you? You looked pretty upset earlier…you were perspiring…'

Draco's arrogance seemed to swell at the notion that he might do anything so vulgar as sweat, but a moment later a worried frown reappeared on his brow, 'to my knowledge, you and the detective are the only two people that know I've been bitten and it is imperative that it stay that way.'

'Why is that? Many people were bitten during the war and there is no stigma attached to it that I know of.'

'It's not that; if it gets around that I've been bitten…well…it has to do with the Malfoy fortune.'

'With money?' Harry's voice was slightly incredulous.

'Not just money,' Draco retorted arrogantly, 'the Malfoy family legacy. It is a hell of a lot of money; it has been amassing for decades and I am in control of it. However, that can change if my family finds out I have been bitten; they can use that knowledge to declare me unfit to control the fortune.'

'Why? You are not a vampire.'

True, but my being bitten and in danger of becoming a vampire would likely be enough.

'How would they do that? I mean who would decide whether you are fit or not?'

'The Malfoy family legacy itself decides. The fortune, though passed from father to son, has always come with a codicil; if the current family member controlling the fortune is deemed unfit, any family member may enact magic that will cause the Gringotts accounts and all of the holdings to be turned over to a new family member.'

'It is turned over to the member who enacts the magic?'

'No. The selection of the new member is a part of the magic itself. The magic will only function under specific circumstances that were decided long ago by the founder of the legacy. But you can bet that when the legacy was founded, the possibility of becoming a vampire was at the top of the list of things that would trigger the magic to work.'

'Well it isn't like you need the money; you make a hell of a lot.'

Draco scowled a little, 'you don't understand. Since the fortune fell under my control after the war, I have made a lot of changes. The money was invested in…well rather less than noble causes. But now all of the investments are reputable and I can tell you, there are a number of family members that are none to happy about it.'

'I see.'

'Right, I have no intention of allowing the money to be used for dark purposes any longer. Voldemort is gone, but there have always been, and will always be dark forces and they require financial support, but it won't be with the assistance of the legacy during my lifetime if I can help it.'

Harry nodded with understanding, 'well I won't say anything to anyone and,' Harry's eyes suddenly flashed to meet Draco's, 'did Nicolas say he was going to tell my godfather?'

'No, he promised he would keep it to himself for now as long as I told you.'

'Well then you needn't be concerned. I will talk to Nicolas; he likely only wanted to warn Sirius and Remus because he wanted me to be aware of a possible attack. I am sure he knows that I can deal with vampires, but it is always good to be prepared.'

Draco nodded, still looking a bit stressed.

'Don't worry, we won't let the Malfoy fortune get into the hands of your scheming relatives,' Harry said lightly.

Draco looked up shaking his head a bit, 'we? Just like that, you take on other people's problems – Mondays, Tuesdays and Fridays after 8pm?'

'Comes with the title of hero,' Harry responded, amusement in his tone.

'I guess if we both get bitten to death it won't much matter,' Draco grumbled half under his breath.

Harry laughed, 'many can't deal with vampires, but I know exactly how to cope with them, Draco and I will show you. They won't cause us any trouble.'

Draco sighed, but he didn't respond.

After a few long moments of silence, Harry called out softly, 'Draco.'

The Slytherin lifted his eyes quickly to meet the emerald green orbs.

'Come 'ere,' Harry patted the bed beside him.

Draco quirked an eyebrow, but then slowly stood and made his way to the bed, sitting next to Harry.

Harry began regarding Draco's neck, 'where were you bitten?'

Draco sat up a little straighter, his posture rather haughty, 'on the neck.'

Harry chuckled lightly, 'I imagined. Where? I don't see any mark…has it healed?'

Draco sighed, 'it has scarred over.'

'I don't see any scar,' Harry said looking more closely.

'That is another thing about you that hasn't changed, Potter.'

'Umm?' Harry asked vaguely, still regarding the Slytherin's pale skin.

'You are a nosey git.'

Harry sat back a little and began laughing, 'temper, temper,' he sputtered.

Draco reached up to touch the side of his neck near the base, 'it is here, but you can't see it because I have charmed it.'

Harry chuckled again, 'I should have guessed; you are still a vain little wanker.'

Draco smiled smugly, 'it isn't vanity Potts; I'm just that damn good looking. Occasionally I'm walking along and I'll see a very attractive bloke and get the hots for him. Then I realize I am staring at my own reflection.'

Harry burst out laughing and a moment later Draco joined him.

When their laughter died down Draco continued, 'actually if you used your brain material for once it might occur to you that the mark would be a dead giveaway if anyone saw it. I can't have this getting out, as I told you.'

Harry nodded and after a few moments he sighed a little, 'you know, I hate being here in the hospital; I feel absolutely fine.'

Draco glanced up swiftly at the abrupt change of topic, 'well you have to stay until the poison is totally gone from your system I guess.'

Harry nodded, 'I do, but it's rather miserable.'

'Not for much longer though.'

'I was thinking,' Harry said his tone dropping significantly in cadence, 'that you might help me get rid of a bit of the misery.'

Draco grinned and shook his head; the reason for the topic change now evident. 'You are amazing. I tell you all of this and now you want to snog?'

'What should we do? Fucking sit here and shiver awaiting your vampire friend to show up?' Harry's no-nonsense tone had returned.

Draco laughed his eyes half closed, 'I can't believe that at one time I thought getting you into my bed would prove somewhat difficult.'

'I'm easy.'

'You're barmy.'

'Completely barmy,' Harry murmured, pressing two fingers to the Slytherin's cheek and moving them slowly along his jaw.

The soft stroking about his was comforting. Draco felt the tension he'd been feeling start to ease from his body and he tilted his face into the fingers a little.

'And you know what else I think?' Harry said huskily.

'What?'

'I think,' Harry said, allowing his finger to trace Draco's lips, 'that you are a bit more attracted to me than you are letting on.'

Draco's lips curved upward, 'maybe you are confusing us? I had an idea that you might want more out of this than me.'

'I don't think so,' Harry said gruffly, 'I didn't know what I wanted exactly, still don't. But I know I am attracted to you. I have been sitting here bored between visits and I spent a lot of time thinking about it.'

Harry's hand had drifted to his neck and was softly massaging. Draco sighed a little, 'thinking is rarely good.'

'Oh I beg to differ; I have found thinking to be very helpful. For example, earlier today I came to the conclusion that I really enjoyed being with you.'

'Well it was all new for you,' Draco said ruggedly.

'Yes, but I am still enjoying it.'

'Um.'

'And I suppose you aren't attracted to me at all?' Harry spoke softly, but sarcasm swam through his tone nonetheless.

'I didn't say…that,' Draco murmured.

'You don't say much of anything.' Harry said contemplatively, 'I wonder why that might be?'

Harry's hand had moved to the top of Draco's shoulder, and his other joined on the other side, kneading the muscles and loosening the knots beneath them.

'This is vastly unfair,' Draco murmured.

'What?' softly.

'Asking me all of these questions while doing what you're doing.'

Harry chuckled lightly, 'just getting you to own up to the fact that you enjoy all of this as much as I do.'

'Yes, the sex is great.'

'Yes, it is.'

'Well I have never said it wasn't, ooh-' Draco broke off as Harry rubbed a particularly tight spot. 'But that doesn't mean that I want anything beyond sex,' Draco finished. He closed his eyes and twisted his head against the strong hands working his muscles.

'What is beyond sex?'

'What do you think?' Draco whispered, totally enveloped in the massage.

'More sex?' Harry asked, his tone gruff and full of innuendo. His leaned forward after uttering the words and captured Draco's lips in an open mouthed kiss.

Draco's chuckle was swallowed up by the Gryffindor's mouth as his lips parted in acceptance. He began tasting the delicious flavor of Harry's mouth; it was slightly sweet as if he'd been eating candy. That scent was again filling his nostrils, a scent that was all Harry. Warm hands were cupping his face and he began feeling a pull on his soul for the second time that evening.

Only this pull was gentle and asked permission. Permission was granted.

Harry groaned and pressed forward, directing the kiss like a seasoned conductor and leaving Draco gasping at the air they were sharing.

Draco reached out and ran his fingers along Harry's arms and the Gryffindor shivered lightly under his touch. He had forgotten the tremendous affect his fingers always seemed to generate and the memories further incited his fervor. His hands moved down to grapple with Harry's shirt, lifting it until his fingers accessed the smooth skin beneath.

Harry moaned into Draco's mouth at the touch, arching against the warm hands moving over his back. His suddenly fevered imagination began picturing every flicker of those long, elegant fingers causing small prickles of heat to leach along his sensitive skin. The hungry desire to devour that crawled through him whenever this particular human was near had returned, converting him into a carnal creature. His hands, still gripping the Slytherin's shoulders, tightened and he began leaning backward, pulling them downward.

Draco resisted and edged his lips away, 'your godfather,' he murmured into Harry's cheek.

'I've no desire to kiss him,' Harry whispered attempting to pull Draco down again.

'They are returning you said,' Draco managed.

'They can't come in, until I say they can.'

'I've got a game tomorrow…' Draco mumbled as he gave in to Harry's gentle tugging and found himself lying half on top of the Gryffindor, their bodies gyrating together and their mouths meeting once again in a heated kiss.

The Slytherin shifted his body and his hand began slithering downward between them and wandered about Harry's loose pajama bottoms until it uncovered the hardness it sought.

Harry gasped at the feel of that hand touching him just there and moved to return the favor, sliding his own hand downward. He edged his fingers along the rough material of Draco's jeans and cupped his palm around the heated groin of the not-so-very-attracted-to-him Slytherin who began gasping his name against Harry's lips as if he were his personal savior and using his free hand to grip the Gryffindor's unruly locks in the heat of emotion.

A button, a zipper and a bit of elastic were minor obstructions to be conquered and within seconds their hands were moving freely in an almost synchronized rhythm; giving and receiving pleasure and causing the bed to shake rather ferociously.

They were in fact making quite a racket, but neither seemed to care and Harry didn't even attempt to keep his voice to minimum levels when Draco suddenly began increasing the pace with that beautiful hand.

'Damn Draco, that feels so bloody good,' was Harry's opinion about that.

Draco grunted in agreement as Harry met his swiftness of motion and he felt himself climbing toward the familiar peak of satiation.

The words he would have uttered were lost on hot dancing tongues as their mouths crashed together while they rode out their passion.

Groans and gasps together with the merciless creak of the hospital bed controlled the ambiance and became so deafening that the healer in charge, silenced the listening wards, shaken with lust from the wanton sounds being emitted from Harry's sickbed.

But the lovers were oblivious. Harry and Draco lay in the decadent aftermath of their heated activity, nursing bruised lips and panting a little, but completely sated. Draco leaned in and began planting small kisses near Harry's ear.

'Not very attracted,' Draco murmured breathlessly.

They both chuckled softly and Harry slid an arm around Draco in a loose embrace, his hand moving softly along the thin shirt his lover still wore. It was the hand that had just captured the Slytherin's excitement and the moisture seeped through the light material.

Draco grimaced.

Harry chuckled again.

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Sirius and Remus were putting the things they had gathered for Harry into a small valise. They had spoken with Nicolas Benet and he had assured them that Draco had not poisoned the Chocolates. Nicolas also told them that he had found Snape to be a rather tough suspect to question and that he would have to meet with the man a second time before reaching any conclusions.

Sirius assured Nicolas that Snape was guilty as hell and that they should just kill him rather than bothering with more interviews.

Nicolas had chuckled and promised to get back with them shortly with more information.

Sirius and Remus had rushed to the pit after speaking with him, wanting to get Harry's things and get back to the hospital to visit for a short while before coming back home.

'I am glad that Nicolas determined Draco is not involved in all of this,' Remus mused as he packed.

'Harry would have been pretty devastated I think. Did you notice that he brought him up in conversations a few times during the day?'

'Did I notice? Of course, and it wasn't a few. He managed to find a reason to talk about Draco with nearly everyone who showed up.'

Sirius nodded, 'I suppose he thought he was being inconspicuous about it, always speaking in terms of Quidditch and such.'

'I noticed that too, except when that Zabini boy, what was his name?'

'Blaise.'

'Yes, Blaise. When he called Draco a prat, Harry went into that nice little rant about how Draco had probably saved his life getting him to the hospital and all.'

'Well that was likely true.'

'I know that and I am very grateful to the lad,' Remus said, smiling, 'but I am speaking of the manner in which Harry went about defending him. He looked as if he might curse Blaise if he said another word against Draco.'

Sirius laughed, 'yeah, and then when Blaise left he promptly told us that his affair with Draco was just a casual thing.'

Remus joined in his laughter, 'he is just not ready to admit to us how attracted he is.'

Sirius nodded, 'not really like Harry though. He is generally straight forward; has been for years.'

'Well he hasn't fallen in love before and I don't think he knows how Draco feels either. He probably just doesn't want us to think he is getting in over his head, but I imagine he would be more straight forward with Draco about it all.'

Sirius narrowed his eyes, 'who said anything about love?'

'He is falling in love, I can tell.'

Sirius narrowed his eyes, 'that little Malfoy lad had better not cause Harry any pain or he will have to deal with me.'

Remus looked up and his deep, masculine laughter rang out, 'that is exactly why Harry isn't straight forward.'

Sirius had the grace to smile wryly and nod.

Remus tossed the last of the shirts into the suitcase and then moved to hug his boyfriend, 'you remember how reluctant we were when we were younger. Neither of us wanted to show our feelings for one another either.' He shook his head a little, 'all of that time wasted.'

'Well that was different. We weren't shagging.'

'We could have been.'

Sirius' warm smile appeared, 'yes we could have been, but I think we have managed to make up for lost time.'

'And more.'

Sirius' eyes grew a bit intense as he stared down into Remus' eyes. Remus looked younger than his age these days what with his scars having all but faded away thanks to a new potion, and much of the graying gone from his hair. Sirius was keenly reminded of the boy he'd known so many years before, only stronger and healthier…so distinct from the wreck of a man who'd been at his side fighting when he'd fallen through the veil. He too had been a bit of a mess back then; he had a lot to be thankful for and so happy that he hadn't missed this…

'I am so glad I wasn't shuffled off into the after-world,' Sirius murmured, his voice low and sexy.

'Me too,' Remus agreed smiling lightly, 'although when I believed you to be there, I was laying plans to shag you silly once I arrived.'

Sirius gave a bark of laughter, 'that would have been a very long wait,' his tone grew husky, 'this is much better.'

'This is perfect,' Remus agreed and found his mate's lips.

Their kiss turned frantic as was customary, but Remus managed to break away after a few long moments, 'we have to go back to the hospital; Harry is waiting.'

'I am thinking that Harry won't mind waiting an extra ten minutes.' 'He (kiss) is (kiss) a (kiss) real trooper.' The final kiss turned into something quite dangerous.

Remus found himself agreeing that Harry was indeed a trooper and ten minutes was really not very long at all.

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Despite the advanced hour, Nicolas Benet had returned to Azkaban. He advised the Aurors that he wanted to interview some of the other prisoners located in Snape's prison block and that he wished to conduct one that very evening.

There were six prisoners in the block, one of whom was Lucius Malfoy and he asked to see him first.

Lucius had been in prison for over ten years and his concurrent sentences meant he would spend another twenty years vacationing in Azkaban. He was a bitter man and prone to fits of dementia, but some of the latter had been tempered; first when the Dementors had been ousted shortly after his arrival and later when his wife had joined him.

Lucius looked at the detective with utter disgust when he was brought into the visitor's room and seated before him.

'Lucius Malfoy, I am Nicolas Benet,' Nicolas said pleasantly.

Lucius narrowed his eyes at the man, 'Benet,' he repeated sourly.

Nicolas nodded, 'I merely wanted to ask you a couple of questions.'

'How can you disgrace yourself as a wizard detective? Your family must be humiliated by your shameful conduct.'

'I'm sorry?' Nicolas looked at Lucius with an expression that was a mixture of sarcasm and question.

'I know of your family line. Certainly even purebloods in France look askance upon one of its members drudging around dungeons and prisons, digging in muck for clues and mingling with common thieves.'

Nicolas smiled, 'but as you can see, Mr. Malfoy, I often deal with purebloods like yourself when they have landed themselves in a…prison, a dungeon or muck.'

Lucius scowled, 'I shouldn't be here.'

'Falsely charged where you?'

'The Ministry has no idea what they are doing, or what they are up against for that matter.'

'Ah,' Nicolas mused, 'Voldemort planning another come back then?' Nicolas asked brightly.

Lucius flinched, 'you dare speak the master's name!'

'I dare, Mr. Malfoy, I dare.'

Lucius bristled for a moment then he abruptly broke out in maniacal laughter, 'you will all suffer at his hands. You are as big a fool as the rest of them.'

'Be that as it may, I am not here to talk about your dead master, but rather-'

'He is not dead,' Lucius cut him off, 'he is lying in wait for the right time, just as he did before and just as he will do every time he temporarily goes underground.'

Nicolas nodded his head in agreement. There was no point in arguing with the man. He clearly refused to accept the plain truth.

'The reason I have come is to ask if you have had any association whatsoever with Severus Snape since his arrival here at Azkaban.'

A deep rumble escaped Lucius' throat, 'if I so much as see that traitor again, I'll kill him with my bare hands,' he spat, 'the Aurors won't even allow us in the passageway together; they know better.'

'So the two of you are no longer friends then, I take it?'

Lucius' eyes filled with wrath, 'friends with that half-blood, foul, piece of waste? He too will die, if not by my hands then by the master's when he returns. One doesn't-'

Nicolas cut in smoothly, breaking off what was clearly going to be a long diatribe on the woes of defying the non-existent dark lord. 'I understand. Tell me Mr. Malfoy,' Nicolas said slowly, his tone hypnotic, 'are you comfortable here?'

Lucius opened his mouth to speak, but no words came out. His eyes rounded and he found himself becoming lost in the detective's eyes. Something deep in his soul sent a warning to his brain, but it was lost in the heavenly waves that seemed to be swelling about his consciousness.

Nicolas continued exuding power toward Malfoy until he felt the man come under his power; he encountered none of the resistance he'd had from Snape and Draco. Azkaban had clearly weakened the man to some degree. The detective began speaking softly, 'have you practiced any magic whatsoever since you arrived at Azkaban?'

'No,' Lucius murmured, clearly entranced.

'Why won't you visit with your son?'

'He's not my son. He is a traitor.'

'Your blood runs through his veins.'

'He belongs to another now!' Lucius spat out the words, haltingly.

Nicolas narrowed his eyes, 'why do you say that?'

Lucius laughed, but the sound was hallow and barely audible; the waves about him were inhibiting his free will.

'Why did you say that Draco belongs to another, Mr. Malfoy?'

'Because I ensured he'd be taken. If he wants to be a traitor, he can live among the dark creatures. That is his due…that is what he deserves.'

'You arranged for him to be taken?'

Lucius laughed again, 'I arrange everything; some are still loyal. No one defies me…and…gets…away…with…'

Lucius' head collapsed onto the table and his eyes snapped shut.

Nicolas closed his eyes a moment and allowed his body to relax and then opened them once more to gaze at the man before him who was just regaining consciousness.

A few moments later Lucius raised his head and shook it harshly. He stared at the man before him, his eyes filled with hatred, 'what do you want?'

'Nothing, Mr. Malfoy. I don't believe you will be able to help me,' Nicolas said quietly.

'You brought me here merely to ask me about Snape?' Lucius sounded livid.

Nicolas stood, 'yes. Thank you for your time.'

Nicolas turned and quickly left the room, ignoring the muttering of Malfoy behind him. Lucius wouldn't recall what he'd revealed concerning his son – the detective was practiced enough to know how his skills worked. But the information had left him astounded.

How could a man hate his own flesh and blood so much that he would arrange to have his soul taken by vampires? The man was truly crazy and though he'd not had anything to do with the poison, Nicolas had ascertained that, the interview had not been a total loss.

He had to speak with Draco Malfoy; this put a new spin on the situation and he might just be able to assist the young lad after all. At least with a portion of his prospective troubles.

Nicolas was escorted to the Auror's offices where he asked to see the records of all of those who had visited Malfoy during the last five years. The list was far shorter than he had imagined and his eyes were shining with triumph when he finally returned the list to the Aurors.