Disclaimer: Still belongs to J.K Rowling
A/N: Sorry this took so long guys, I was busy with work.
A/N: For those curious about Adrian's illness, you'll just have to keep waiting, I don't intend to give that away just yet.
R/R!
Chapter Ten: A New Year
The morning of the Thirty-First was dull, the sky was grey and there was a fresh pile of unappreciated snow on the ground outside the Manor. The Malfoy family had returned from France in the previous days and were now preparing for the biggest party of the year, besides the Yule Ball of course. Any event hosted by the Malfoys was legendary and only the best of the best were invited.
Narcissa Malfoy was downstairs, orchestrating an army of house elves as they cleaned, scrubbed, polished and decorated the main ball room of the castle. In the kitchens, another massive group of elves were busily preparing what would be an amazing feast, their squeaky voices ringing loudly through out the massive kitchen.
Lucius Malfoy was upstairs, making sure any unsavory objects, left over from his Death Eater days were well hidden and out of sight, in case someone felt the need to explore the manor. Though pardoned for his so-called crimes, the man knew better then to simply leave 'dark' artifacts lying around. As he preformed wards around the room holding the objects, his mind wandered for a moment to his twin boys. He wasn't sure what they were up to, but he was worried. Draco had been acting normally lately, though more protective of his brother then he usually was. Adrian on the other hand was even more quiet and withdrawn, seemingly drawing into himself and not bothering to talk to anyone except his twin. Lucius wasn't sure what had happened to force his son's reaction, but he had a feeling it had to do with the owl post that had arrived the previous morning. He knew Adrian had gotten post, they all had, but after opening a normal looking envelope, his son had promptly fled from the table and had hid in his room for the remainder of the day. He still didn't know what the note said, though he assumed Draco did because he hadn't left Adrian's side once.
He frowned, he would find out what was bother his son, and what that letter had said, especially if it had to do with Adrian's health. He finished warding the room, rubbing a hand over his face as he walked down the hall heading towards the ball room to see what Narcissa had done.
"Dray..." Adrian trailed off, before shaking his head firmly and looking away.
"Adrian, you have to tell Dad" Draco said, looking frustrated, this obviously wasn't the first time they'd had this conversation.
"He'll just flip out" Adrian muttered, "And overreact and try to pull me out of school or something" He said, looking pleadingly at his twin. "I don't want to be stuck here again Dray, it sucks"
Draco sighed, "Weasley threatened you though, and not just his normal pointless threats. This is serious" He said, looking his younger brother pointedly in the eye. Adrian let out a huff of air, looking torn. On one hand, he hated lying to his parents, or at least with holding the truth from the, but on the other hand, if they found out about Weasley's letter, they really would freak out.
"Its not like he can really do anything to me Dray" He said, looking down at the bed sheets in order to avoid making eye contact with his twin.
"I mean, we'll be at school or here, and its not like he's stupid enough to do anything at school and he'll never, ever come over to the house" He added, grey-blue eyes sliding up to meet his twin's.
"I still think you should tell" Draco said, "Weasley's stupid enough to try something at school, and I'd rather Dad knew so that he can take the proper precautions in making sure you're safe Adrian" He growled, causing his younger brother to flinch.
"Tell me what?" A familiar voice drawled from the doorway, causing both teenagers to whirl around and gape.
"Dad" Draco gasped, rubbing a hand over his chest and looking at his twin.
"Does this have to do with that letter you received at breakfast yesterday?" Lucius asked his youngest son, his grey eyes flashing.
"Yea' Adrian mumbled, looking down again, not wanting to meet his father's worry filled eyes.
"Adrian...' Lucius sighed, holding his hand out. Reluctantly, knowing he didn't have any other choices, Adrian handed the letter over. He risked a glance at his father's face as he read the parchment, watching his eyebrows slowly draw higher and higher up until he was almost worried they'd disappear into his hair line.
"How long has he been threatening you?" Lucius finally asked, looking at his son curiously.
"Well, Halloween sort of" Adrian said as Lucius made his way over to the bed, letter crumpled in one hand. He shifted as his Dad sat down and allowed himself to be pulled into a hug.
"He's more annoyed with Drake then with me though" Adrian said, "He just knows the best way to get to Drake is through me"
Nodding, Lucius kept his arms wrapped around Adrian as he looked at Draco thoughtfully.
"I'm not going to pull you out of school, though I want to" Lucius said, "When dealing with people like Ronald Weasley it is best to act as if they haven't gotten to you" He explained as Draco opened his mouth to protest.
"However, I will be speaking to Professor Dumbledore and to Severus, you will be protected Adrian and you will tolerate that protection, regardless of the form it is in" He added as his youngest son glanced up at him.
"Fine" Adrian caved, seeing the look on his Dad's face.
"You will keep me posted once you return to school, regardless of the trip your mother and I will be on" Lucius added, looking at Draco with blazing eyes. Once his eldest confirmed his agreement with a nod, Lucius relaxed, "We will deal with this threat Adrian, it seems to be the Weasleys have forgotten just how far reaching the Malfoy arms are" He smiled, his face malicious before he relaxed.
"I don't want you to worry anymore about Ronald Weasley" He added, hugging his son tightly for a moment before releasing him.
"I'm off, must help your mother with the preparations for tonight, when I left her to check on you two she was throttling a house elf" Sniggering both boys watched their father leave before returning their attention to one another.
"Fancy a game of chess?" Draco asked Adrian who nodded and sighed, "Chess it is" Draco grinned hoping to take Adrian's mind off of everything that had just happened.
"You did WHAT?" Hermione raged, staring at a cowering Ron Weasley with anger filled eyes.
"I owled Adrian..." Ron said, trailing off as Hermione seethed, he hadn't seen her this angry in quiet some time. Harry sighed, sitting cross legged on the couch and staring at his two best friends. They were currently relaxing at his house in Godric's Hollow before everyone arrived for the party that evening. It was a small party compared to the Malfoy's party, just all their friends, good food and drink, but Harry loved it.
"You threatened Adrian Malfoy Ron? After everything that's happened? You threatened him" Hermione whispered, her voice going low as she fought to control her anger.
"Git deserved it, besides its the best way to piss off the Ferret" Ron defended himself.
"The Malfoys have already gotten your Father fired from the Ministry Ron. Do you really think they'll stop at that if you keep harassing their family? I don't think Lucius Malfoy cares if he destroys your life or the lives of those you care about" She said, shaking her head at her friend.
"The Malfoys might be powerful 'Mione, but they aren't that powerful" Ron said, rolling his eyes at what he thought were her exaggerations.
"Not that powerful? Ron they're more wealthy then any pureblood family in Britain, not only that but they have the Minister of Magic in their pockets, not to mention a wealth of knowledge stemming for Lucius Malfoy's Death Eater days" She sighed, "And they know how to exact revenge Ron, they aren't going to let this slide. I thought you realized that, after Fred and George and your Dad" She shook her head, as if disgusted.
"She's right mate" Harry piped up, "Lucius Malfoy's not going to take kindly to you threatening Adrian. I doubt he'll let this go" He sighed, "But what's done is done" He added as Hermione opened her mouth to say something else.
"Lets just relax and have fun before the party tonight" He smiled at his friends, trying to change the topic of conversation.
"Oh right the party" Hermione said, eyes going wide, "I had almost forgotten" She said, disappearing up the stairs.
"Where's she going?" Ron asked, shaking his head as he watched the bushy haired girl practically race up the spiral staircase.
"Probably to get ready. She's a girl, they always seem to dress up for parties" Harry said, thinking of the parties they had in the common room at school. The girls always spent hours getting ready.
"Women are insane" Ron said feverently, "Fancy a game of Quidditch before we get ready?" He asked Harry, who nodded eagerly, "Let's go then" Ron said, grabbing his broom and heading outside to the small Quidditch Pitch.
The Malfoy New Years Party was in full swing when Adrian and Draco entered the room. They had a habit of being late to these things, especially Draco.
"Took you two bloody long enough" Blaise said in a haughty voice as he approached his two best friends.
"Bugger of Zabini" Draco said, smirking at his friend before signaling a house elf for something to drink.
"Hair acting up again Dray?" Blaise asked in mock horror, giggling as Adrian nodded and rolled his eyes behind his twin's back.
"Perfection takes time Blaise dear, I thought you knew that" Draco said, arching a perfect eyebrow at his laughing friend.
"You take more time to get ready then a girl Draco" Pansy said as she joined the conversation. She was closely followed by Theo Nott as well as Vincent Crabbe and Gregory Goyle.
"Theo, Vince, Greg how are you?" Blaise asked, turning as Pansy spoke.
"Fine, lovely party Dray" Theo added as Vince and Greg nodded.
"You have a good holiday?" Adrian was asking Greg and Vince, having not seen them since the Yule Ball.
"It was good. Our families went to Spain" Greg responded, smiling at his small charge. That was how he and Vince had been conditioned to think about the Malfoy boys, since their fathers played a similar role with Lucius Malfoy.
"We were in France for a few days' Adrian said, listening curiously as the boys began to tell him stories of Spain.
"Get anything good?" Pansy asked Draco as the group of teens slowly made their way over to a table in order to sit, drink and eat before taking over the dance floor.
"Got a new broom thanks to Adrian" Draco said, "Potter wont know what hit him" He said gleefully.
"Nice, it'd be awesome to win a few Quidditch matches against Gryffindor" Blaise drawled as he grabbed a pastry from a passing elf.
"Did you hear that the Potters tried to buy Harry a Quidditch team?" Pansy asked, causing Theo to almost spit his drink up as he laughed.
"Which team?" He finally asked, having finished his coughing fit.
"Falcons, of course father wouldn't sell them" Pansy said, giggling lightly. "Oh look, the Greengrasses are here" She waved to her girlfriends, signaling for them to come over.
"Happy New Years" Daphne called out as she approached the table, closely followed by her younger sister Astoria.
"Same to you" The seated group responded as the two girls took their own seats.
"Have a good holiday?" Theo asked Daphne as Adrian and Astoria immediately started a conversation.
"Yea, we went to Italy, it was lovely" Daphne responded with a small grin at the boy.
"Come on Draco I want to dance" Pansy exclaimed, pulling an obviously reluctant Draco Malfoy to his feet.
"Fine, but only if the others come" Draco whined, tugging on Blaise's arm.
"Fine, fine" Blaise said airily as he looked around at the others.
Shrugging, the rest of the group rose and followed Pansy and Draco to the dance floor.
"I can't believe your Dad got this band Dray" Theo said as he offered his hand to Daphne who gracefully accepted. The band, better known as the Blood Suckers was actually a band comprised of real vampires, and one of Draco's favorite bands.
"It was part of my christmas present" Draco said, smirking, "As well as tickets for their next big show"
"Who are you gonna take?" Blaise asked, arching an eyebrow at Draco.
"You all of course, I have ten tickets"
"Merlin that was a fun party" Adrian said, collapsing on his bed after seeing the last of the guests off.
"Long though" Draco said, walking out of the washroom, already changed into his sleeping clothes.
"Yea" Adrian agreed, he was already changed into his own sleeping clothes. He sighed rubbing his eyes tiredly, "Are you gonna sleep in here? Or go back to yours?" He asked curiously.
"Here" Draco said, Adrian had been having nightmares since Weasley's letter and he didn't like leaving his twin alone at the moment.
"Thanks Dray" Adrian muttered, burrowing under the blankets and promptly falling asleep. Draco smiled, "No problem little brother" He murmured, before slipping into bed next to him and allowing himself to drift off. They would be returning to school tomorrow and he was not looking forward to dealing with Weasley.
"G'd Night, see you on the platform tomorrow yea?" Harry called as Ron and his family walked down the walkway.
"Yea, see you then" Ron called back, before his older brother Charlie grabbed him for side-long apparition.
"You staying 'Mione?" Harry asked, since Hermione was the only person still there, besides Remus and a very drunk Sirius.
"Yea, figured it'd be easiest" Hermione said with a small smile. "Your Mum offered" She added.
"Wicked" Harry said, closing the door and heading into the living room. Flopping down, 'Mione sitting daintily next to him, the two watched as Lily, James and Remus tried to persuade Sirius into the guest room.
"Siri c'mon it's bed time" Remus pleaded with his husband.
"I'm not tired Remmy" The dog animagus giggled before falling over, James being the only thing that prevented him from hitting the floor.
"I'm going to go get a hangover potion, he'll need one tomorrow" Lily said, rolling her eyes at her friend affectionately.
"Thanks Lils" Remus muttered as he and James manhandled Sirius into the spare room by the kitchen.
"Shouldn't you two be getting ready for bed?" Lily asked as she returned with a potion, eyeing the two teens with motherly exasperation.
"We're going" Harry said quickly, "Just wanted to see you guys deal with Siri, he's always the best part of New Years"
Lily sighed, though she did giggle in spite of herself, "I know, but you should be in bed. We have to leave for the station pretty early tomorrow"
"Okay Mum" Harry said, getting up and heading upstairs, closely followed by Hermione.
"Good Night" Lily called up, echoed by James, Remus and even Sirius, although it was hard to understand what the man had said.
"Night" Harry called down, "Thank you" Hermione added before going off to the other guest room where she usually stayed when she visited Godric's Hollow.