Chapter Thirteen
As the month of September faded away, the leaves changed colors and at Hogwarts, the boys had found out a week after the event about Hermione's birthday had all made her cards to her bemusement. They were soon having issues with their new History of Magic teacher, whose entire class seemed to be spent praising Albus Dumbledore. As a result, they were as unhappy with her teachings as they were with Lockhart.
Oliver Wood, however, felt as if all of his dreams had come true. He had a seeker, one that had talent and even better he might have found himself a replacement in a second firstie for any member of his team that ended up in the infirmary.
He had not been sure about the Malfoy boy's request. Percy Weasley had almost had him convinced that the blond meant harm to Harry, but after a week of watching the two of them flying against one another and chasing after his practice snitch, he had soon realized just how much he owed that fraud Lockhart. Malfoy wasn't half bad and the two first years were amusing to watch. The only issue had been the overreaction of Ron Weasley when he had seen the broom that Harry had received in the mail as a gift.
Not that there hadn't been more than few envious from other Quidditch players as they looked at that Nimbus 2000 but the youngest Weasley had actually stormed out of the Great Hall when he had seen it. Oliver knew that it had come from McGonagall because he had seen her looking through the catalog when he had gone to speak to her about having the Malfoy boy practicing with Harry Potter.
She had put an end to all practices until the Potter boy had had his physical but on the day he had been given the call clear from Madam Pomfrey, she had requested a meeting with Draco Malfoy and then had agreed to speak to his father regarding his being allowed to bring a broom to school. Oliver who had been in the hallways speaking to Cedric Diggory, a fourth year Hufflepuff when he had heard the younger boy shouting yes and exiting the room while still thanking their head of house.
"Please tell me you don't have two firsties?" Diggory asked looking at Oliver, surprised he seemed thrilled when most would have loathed having such inexperienced players in the air. He was thinking that maybe this meant the Lions weren't up to winning this year.
"No, Malfoy is a backup." He replied with a slight smirk as he followed the first year to the Great Hall. He had arrived in time to see the younger brother of Percy Weasley storming off but he wasn't sure whether the boy was upset about the news regarding Malfoy or his by now regular complaints about the food.
Oliver himself had found the sudden changes in diet strange at first, but as the last two weeks had gone by, he found that he had more energy and felt less of desire to nap in the afternoon.
FROZEN
Lucius Malfoy was telling his business partner Nott about his son's very Slytherin method of getting his broom while still a first-year at Hogwarts. He found himself feeling very proud of Draco for maneuvering things so that he could do what he wanted.
"I heard about it already from Theodore," Nott replied with a nod of approval. "Theodore overheard the Flint boy saying that Potter was nothing to worry about and that the Slytherins would still destroy the Lions during their game next month."
Lucius was about to reply when something occurred to him. Groaning, he looked at the man and said: "I just realized, I am going to have to cheer for the Gryffindors at Quidditch."
Nott chuckled then looked at the crestfallen expression on Malfoy's face and began to laugh all over again. He might just have to attend the game himself, just to see that. "Back to business. We have had a profitable month."
"I have seen the figures. What I find very interesting is that Albus Dumbledore doesn't seem to realize that the more he tries to interfere with the second part of the law, the one regarding muggleborns, the more he gives us publicity." Lucius replied.
"I heard that two different seats in the Wizengamot now have been claimed," Nott replied.
Lucius cleared his throat and said "Yes, one by a pureblood who had no idea that he had any right to the Weingard seat and one by a half-blood who is now seated for the Dunbar family. That was rather unexpected, but it does remove the Dunbar seat from being voted by Chief Warlock."
"I am sure that is why he is protesting this new law. He is losing seats that he has been controlling for years." Nott replied.
FROZEN
Narcissa was pouting as her sister seemed to be agreeing with Lucius' sudden decision to share a bedroom with her. She had tried everything she could think of to convince her sister, but it was almost as if Andromeda was cheering her prat of a husband on.
Entering Hogwarts after being sent a note from the Deputy Headmistress, Narcissa was NOT in a good mood as she was escorted into a room she had rarely been in during her Hogwarts career.
Seated, across from her former Transfiguration professor she asked what was so important that she desired to speak with her without Lucius being there.
Minerva McGonagall said with a heavy sigh. "Thank you for attending to my request for a meeting so promptly, Mrs. Malfoy. Firstly, I would like to thank you for slowing down the care packages you have sent to Draco and his friends."
"I have not ceased the care packages, just the sweets contained within," Narcissa replied. "Instead I have been sending small games, various colored inks, and other trinkets."
"All of which is perfectly acceptable," Minerva replied. After another moment's hesitation, she said: "I don't know if you are aware of it, but the Headmaster hired Bathilda Bagshot to teach History of Magic this year."
"Yes, I was aware. I was informed of this after I turned the position down." Narcissa stated. "Is there a problem?"
"It seems that young Harry Potter and another first year, Hermione Granger found differences between our history books and those used elsewhere and they are not impressed with Professor Bagshot's teaching and have been regularly challenging the woman regarding her facts."
"I don't get what this has to do with myself. Unless Draco has been involved in this situation." She knew her husband was responsible for the books, he had informed her of the fact during one of their moment's of the armistice in their little war with each other. "Is he?"
"No, your son has been falling asleep. Only Ms. Granger and Mr. Potter have managed to stay awake." Minerva reluctantly admitted. "As you might recall, Ms. Bagshot wrote the text they use for their class. It has been rather awkward."
"Are their facts incorrect?" Narcissa asked knowing that they weren't and that the children also had received copies of an unauthorized biography of the headmaster. Lucius had told her that he had passed a copy on to the muggle girl by pretending to find it in a used bin at Flourish and Blotts.
Minerva seemed once again to hesitate before conceding "No, just written from a less accepting perspective of certain wizards which is the problem."
"Ah, so this has to do with the rather overwhelming infatuation that Madam Bagshot has for the Hogwart's Headmaster and these students are challenging her statements claiming he is the greatest and most powerful living wizard," Narcissa said with a slight lilt to her tone.
"Unfortunately yes. While I have prevented her from marking their tests and scores any lower for not agreeing by pointing out that this belief is an opinion and that she has no facts to back up her belief, but..." Narcissa watched as Minerva McGonagall drew a deep breath then finished "In truth, even Albus has doubts about her ability to teach. Her working here was the result of a compromise between the Board of Governor's member McFaddyn and himself. I was sincerely hoping you would consider changing your mind and taking up the position."
Narcissa almost considered it, after all, she would have to live at the castle, which would prevent Lucius from sleeping beside her every night, but there were the same issues as when she last turned the job down. Her son's feelings as having his mother as one of his professors, the fact that she really didn't want to teach and most importantly, that she really, really was sure she would be terrible at doing so.
"I am rather busy at the current time, Professor." She diplomatically replied. "If I could make a suggestion... while a student here and suffering under the tutelage of the late Professor Binns, I found a loophole that allows students to take History of Magic as an Independent study class. Maybe this should be suggested to those two students."
Minerva thanked her for the suggestion. Albus might agree that the Granger girl could do so, but he seemed very interested in Harry's grades and how he got along with others. Moving to her last topic of conversation, she explained the new rules in Gryffindor regarding nutrition and then asked if Draco had written home to complain.
"No, my son has not mentioned it, except to complain that he is rather tired of hearing Mr. Weasley whining that he dislikes the new menu," Narcissa replied. "From what Draco has implied, the young man is upset at all the vegetables and that the desserts are being curtailed.
Thanking her for her visit, Minerva escorted the witch out of the castle then went to speak to the Headmaster regarding the situation with Madam Bagshot and the two Gryffindors. To her surprise, it was almost as if the man wanted his biggest supporter gone.
FROZEN
A few days later, Draco was writing home to his parents in the common room, telling his father that the headmaster had agreed to students doing Independent study for History of Magic but that they had to take a test given by Griselda Marchbanks.
He along with Harry and Hermione, several Ravenclaws and two Slytherins had dropped out of the class, but the majority of the students couldn't agree with the rules that they would have to follow.
Noticing Neville writing to his grandmother, he hoped that their friend would soon be able to convince her to allow him to do the Independent study, but he had expressed doubt that she would do so.
Hearing Harry moaning and rubbing his writing hand, he asked: "What are you doing?"
The other boy tossed down his quill then said "I am writing that essay for Lockhart. It's complete and total rubbish."
"It's for Lockhart, how could it be otherwise. Where is Hermione?" He pointed out the missing member of their group. "I thought she was going to work on her assignment."
"She had detention, remember?" Neville pointed out. "Lockhart gave her detention this evening. "
"Did anyone tell Wood?" Seamus asked from his spot nearby where he was watching the Weasel and Dean playing wizard's chess. They were required to inform the fifth year prefect if any of them have been assigned detention.
"No, he was still on the pitch with the chasers," Harry replied then saw Weasley glaring at him. He knew the other boy resented that he had been given a spot on the Quidditch team, that the other boy lived and breathed the game, but it wasn't like he had ASKED to play.
"I have to send this to my parents. I will walk by Lockhart's classroom and see if she is still there." Draco said. When Harry closed his book and offered to go with him, he said: "I have to go visit my godfather first."
"Wait a minute," Harry said as he rushed up to the tower with his bag and grabbing the letter he had been sent, went to join Draco. As he listened to Weasley comment that there was no way he would ever go to Slytherin territory that the Snakes were all liars and cheats, he shook his head at the blatant prejudice of the other boy.
Down in the dungeons, Draco and he arrived at the potion master's door and after a knock was invited in. Finding several older students including the Weasley twins washing cauldrons and scrubbing workstations, they followed Draco's godfather to his office.
When Draco explained about writing to his parents, Snape offered to deliver it that evening as he was going to be visiting his father. When he asked if there was another else, Harry hesitated and said "Sir, I got a strange letter in the mail today. I was hoping you might know something about this."
Handing over the letter, they watched as Severus read what was inside then turned to Harry and asked: "Have you shown this to anyone else?"
"Just Hermione. She was the one who wanted me to show it to a professor, and not throw it out like I wished to." Harry replied.
"I will look into this if you should get anything similar, let me know," Severus said and when the two boys had left, added this to his list of thing to speak to Lucius about.
Going to find Minerva to let her know he would be out of the castle and that Sinestra would overseeing his Snakes that evening, he found her speaking to Oliver Wood. "I will speak to him. Thank you, Mr. Wood."
When the fifth year had returned towards his tower, she explained to Severus the issue. "Are you aware that Lockhart has his students answering his fan mail when he gives them detention?"
"I spoke to Albus about it, but he feels that it is not against the rules," Severus replied with a shake of his head. "Lockhart's teaching skills leave a lot to be desired."
FROZEN
Hermione heard her name being called and turned to greet Harry and Draco. "Where have you two been?"
"I went to speak to my godfather and Harry took him that strange letter that owl delivered this morning," Draco replied. Noticing the purple ink on her hands, he asked: "Did you spend the entire two hours answering his fan mail?"
"Yes." She replied sounding disgusted. "I can't believe I am talking bad about a professor, but he is terrible. How are we supposed to learn anything from him?"
"I still can't believe he gave you detention for refusing to help act out his little scenario," Draco replied sounding disgusted. Seeing the odd expression on Harry's face, he asked "What?"
"It's just not all teachers are good, Draco." He replied thinking of the ones he had had in Primary school that had believed the lies told by the Dursleys. "I think we need to study that class as an independent study, just like we do History."
"This is terrible," Hermione replied as they hurried towards the stairs to return to their tower. "Anyhow, Harry, what did Professor Snape say about your letter?"
"He took it and said he would look into it and to let him know if I get any more like it," Harry replied with a shrug.
"I still think that it is fake," Draco said. "I mean who goes around just giving total strangers their entire estate in their will."
About to turn the corner on the third-floor corridor, Harry noticed that oddly girlie scent that he associated with Lockhart. Pulling Hermione and Draco back and motioning for them to be quiet, they listened as Professor Flitwick inquired why the other man was in that particular banned corridor.
Looking around, Hermione realized that they were in the third-floor corridor that the Headmaster had announced was out of bounds at the beginning of the school year. Pointing this out as silently as possible, the three pre-teens backed up and were returning the way they came when they heard a meow.
Looking down at the cursed cat of the groundskeeper Mr. Filch, the kids saw the cat's back arch and his tail stand straight up just before he began to meow loudly.
The three turned and ran towards the long empty hallway, ducking into an alcove then realizing that the cat was following them tried to hide behind the nearby door. Finding it locked, all three quietly said alahamora and then ducked into the room.
Standing near the doorway, their ears pressed against the solid wood door, they listened as Filch spoke Flitwick and Lockhart claiming that his cat Mrs. Norris had seen students out of bed.
"It's only seven-thirty, which is an hour before curfew. Now, let's see if we can locate them since they shouldn't be in this corridor." Flitwick announced.
Draco breathed a sigh of relief, not wanting to get caught in the forbidden corridor. Turning to Harry and Hermione, he started to say that they should return to their common room when he noticed the odd look on their faces. "It's not that big of a deal, it's not like they would expel us for..."
Harry pointed behind the other boy and an annoyed Draco turned and found his heart stopping as he noticed the very large monster behind him. A monster with three very large heads that were all turned towards the three of them and growling.
Reaching for the door and yanking it open, the blonde shouted at the other two as he ran towards his common room with the intent of hiding under his covers until the shaking stopped.
Hearing Hermione and Harry's footsteps behind him as they ran the entire way, he waited until they were behind the relative safety of the portrait of the Fat Lady to ask the others "What the heck was that and why on earth is it in a school?"
"Maybe it is something Lockhart is going to bring into class for us to see?" Harry said doubtfully.
"Hopefully not, otherwise it might eat up most of the students before someone came along to rescue us," Hermione replied with a slight giggle as she calmed down enough to let go of fear. With a slight frown she said "Still, Draco is right. Why on earth would they have something like that inside the school? It's against the rules written out in Hogwarts a History."
"My question is what is it?" Harry asked.
"It if is like the muggle mythological beast with three heads it's called Cerberus," Hermione replied. "Still what was it protecting?"
Noticing the way Harry and Draco were looking at her, she said: "Didn't you notice, it was standing on a trapdoor."
"No, I was too busy looking at its mouths, all three of them." Harry replied then with a slight frown said: "I wonder how it's fed?"
"Wayward students," Draco replied. When he noticed Harry wasn't laughing, he said: "I sort of thought that it was funny."
"It's not that. It's just that room is really dark and while it seemed large to us, if that creature is being kept locked in there it must seem pretty small to it. In the muggle world, it is against the law to be cruel to animals like that. I mean, how does it relieve itself?" Harry asked and then he told the others he was heading to bed.
Hermione went to her own tower, leaving Draco standing by himself in the corridor, his mind on writing a letter to his father. Hearing the Weasel complaining about some fruit the twins had once again brought back from the kitchens, he heard his brother say that if wanted something different to write their mother.
FROZEN
Severus got control of himself and looked at Lucius who didn't seem as amused as he was by his sense of humor. "I had not thought about that."
"My son is a Gryffindor. He is going to be playing on the enemy's quidditch team." Lucius moaned then shaking his head said: "This is beyond humiliating."
Severus poured himself a glass of whiskey and looked at the other wizard. "What's worse is that Potter and he are a formidable duo. Flint snuck down to watch their practice and is no longer certain of beating the Lions. It makes me want to hex Lockhart even more."
"Draco has settled right in with his house," Lucius replied. "I was a bit worried about him, but he seems to have found himself."
"Even with my snakes. Nott and Zabini have a rather friendly rivalry going with Potter and him. In truth, McGonagall and I were discussing how few disciplinary issues there have been this year."
"What about Parkinson?" Lucius asked. "Her father wanted a betrothal, I told him that Draco is free to make his own choice. I was expecting trouble from them."
"You haven't heard? Marcus Flint with the death of his father stepped up as Head of the family, the Parkinsons are a minor relation to them. He used that to stop the man from trying to marry Pansy off. Speaking of old acquaintances, ours are dying rather young." Severus pointed out. "Yaxley, Goyle, Crabbe, Flint, and MacNair plus Rookwood committed suicide in Azkaban."
"When did this happen?" Lucius asked. "Rookwood, I mean?"
"Early this morning, the Headmaster was called immediately after lunch." Severus said. "Is someone after us?"
"Macnair and Yaxley, there was a rivalry there and I think that in spite of Delores Umbridge's delusions, I am well aware that Macnair was sleeping with Yaxley's wife. I would be willing to bet that that was over her. I am sure that Quirrell was collateral damage."
"The auror report on the Carrows stated that the two of them were fighting over who was going to get to torment some muggle girl that they kidnapped. Alectro killed his sister when she attacked the girl out of jealousy. He then took his own life." Snape said. "It does raise questions though."
"I was in Paris when that one happened. I didn't know the specifics. You're right, it is strange, but then from what I recall, they did share everything and I mean everything." Lucius stated after all he had been the one to encourage the two to attack one another. "As for Crabbe and Goyle, I am not surprised that they ended up dead. Barely a brain cell between them and they were never careful."
"Albus thinks that they were killed by someone wanting to cover up something." Severus opened up and let the other wizard know that he was a suspect.
"As for Flint, what happened there?" Lucius asked. He had been unaware of his death and was now a bit worried that someone else was using his plans. Noticing that Severus seemed surprised, he said "I have been busy with a small project of my own and was unaware of his death. Nor Rookwood's."
"Flint had the dragon pox and covered it up. It was natural causes. Rookwood somehow managed to hang himself in his cell." Severus begrudgingly stated. He had been sent to get information not give it.
"Still, you are correct, we are losing too many of us at the same time." Lucius stated with a frown on his face as he pretended to be worried.
Lucius read his son's note after Severus had left and placed it on his desk then went to begin the next step in his plan to win over his wife. She had gone to a meeting with her fellow pureblood wives and would not return for an hour and he wanted to have everything set up before she returned.
FROZEN
It was ten o'clock when Narcissa arrived home via the floo. She had gone to visit her sister after her meeting and was carrying a small shopping bag filled with books. The sort of books her sister herself often read. Narcissa had dutifully read the instruction books on marital relations but her sister had suggested that she read the romance novels as well to her surprise.
Arriving home, she asked the house elf who took her cloak if her husband was home already only to be told that he had gone up to bed earlier. Frowning, and debating sleeping in another bedroom, Narcissa stiffened her spine and refused to let that arrogant prat chase her out of her rightful bedroom.
Sweeping into the bedroom with the intent of acting as if it didn't bother her a bit, she was flouncing past the bed when something had her stopping. Turning to look, she realized that Lucius was not there.
Torn between elation at winning, certain he had FINALLY gotten the hint and an all over ache that didn't make any sense; Narcissa sat the shopping bag down on her dressing table and let her hair out of it's elaborate do.
Shaking off her feeling of doom, she went to her closet, changed into one of her silk robes with the intent of having a shower and headed straight to the en-suite. Noticing how warm it was, thinking that Dobby had pre-warmed the room since she often took a shower when she returned from her meetings, Narcissa had dropped her robe and was heading towards the nearby shower naked when she heard.
"Your skin is glistening in the candlelight."
Narcissa screamed at the sound of her husband's voice. Turning away from the shower door, she stood trembling as she took in the sight in front of her. Lucius was lounging in her bathtub, lavender bubbles floating in the air while he drank a glass of what looked like elf wine. "What do you think you are doing?"
"Taking a bath." He replied in a tone that's evenness had her wanting to scream at him. "Would you care to join me?"
"No, get out of my bathroom, Lucius." She snapped.
"Right now?" He asked with an amused tone.
"No, on Draco's birthday. Yes now!" She retorted.
"Are you sure you want me to get out of this tub?" He asked.
"Of course I am sure." She volleyed back.
"Well if you are sure." He answered then started to stand. To Narcissa's dismay, it was rather clear that her husband didn't have anything on.
"Stop." She said then covering her eyes asked: "Why are you naked?"
"Oddly enough, that is how I usually bathe, my dear." He replied. "From the looks of things that is your preferred method too."
Narcissa tensed then muttered an oath as she realized that she was standing there completely undressed. Hastily reaching for her silk robe, she soon had it tied around her waist.
"Don't get dressed on my account." He stated.
Narcissa looked up and glared at her husband, annoyed with herself when she realized that her eyes were following a particularly interesting bubble as it slid down her husband's torso and... "Sit back down."
"Yes dear." He replied cheerfully. "Would you care to join me?"
Glaring at him, she said, "No, now get out of my bathtub."
Lucius stood up again and moved to step out of the tub only for his wife to throw a nearby towel at him. Instead of using it to wrap around his waist, Lucius began to briskly rub his chest and then his arms before moving to use it to dry his back... sure enough, he soon found himself buried under another towel which his wife had thrown at him.
Suddenly he had another idea and said: "Well if you want to take a bath, I guess I could simply take a shower, after all, I need to wash the bubbles out of my hair."
Narcissa wanted to scream, Lucius had simply laid the second towel down on the edge of the tub, standing there exposing his naked rear to her as if it was an everyday common occurrence. When he turned around, she refused to look down, her eyes focused on his chest, at least that was what she was telling herself, even as she noticed how full and at the ready a certain another part of his was.
"I am taking a shower, I don't care what you do." She snapped as she turned to start the water flowing. Getting control of the trembling of her hands, she pretended he wasn't there and then untied her robe and letting it fall to the floor stepped into the shower.
Lucius watched as his wife ignored him in a grand manner, his lips twitching as he saw her tense shoulders when she realized he hadn't left the room. Stepping forward, he edged around the glass only to hear her holding her breath.
"You said you didn't care what I did." He replied then turned on the extra shower heads then proceeded to use them to cleanse his hair, acting as if the two of them using the shower together was an everyday occurrence.
When he was finished, in spite of the fact that Narcissa was still showering, he went around the glass again, dried off and went to what was now their marriage bed. Slipping on a pair of boxers and a t-shirt, but no actual pajamas, Lucius pulled the covers up and began to read the book he had brought into the room with him.
Narcissa entered the room and if looks could kill, he would be dead. She ignored him and was soon lifting the covers on her side of the bed and getting comfortable. Lucius noted out of the corner of his eye that she had removed one of the pillows and placed it as a barrier between the two of them and he had to fight the urge to snicker.
For the last month, every single morning, his wife had accused him of moving her to sleep against him, but the truth was, that it was her herself that moved during the night until she was curled up against him. It was what gave him hope that he was on the right path.
Turning off the light, knowing Narcissa would struggle to stay awake until he was asleep, Lucius drifted off, listening to Narcissa give herself a pep talk, he grinned into his pillow as she ordered herself to stay on her own side of the bed.
When he woke, Lucius' face was covered in a mass of long hair that wasn't his own. Staying as still as possible, he lay there waiting for his wife to wake up while pretending to still be asleep.
Soon enough, he felt Narcissa's body tense and heard her muttering words that made it clear she was annoyed to find that her right leg was sprawled over his hip and that her hand was resting on his chest.
Like every single other morning, he felt her knee come into contact with his morning arousal and heard his wife gasp then ease away from her spot snuggling against his hip, but her hand was always the last thing she removed from its spot resting on his heart.
Pretending to wake up just then, he acted like he was still unconscious as his hands reached out to clasp hers, Lucius opened his eyes and saw that she was looking trapped. "Good morning."
"Lucius, you have to stop doing this to me. I just can't...it's not fair." She replied. "We have slept in separate bedrooms for all this time, why are you changing this?"
Lifting her hand, he pressed a kiss against the warmth of her palm and said "We belong here, together. You might not want to admit it, but your subconscious clearly agrees with me."
"Lucius..." To her shock, Lucius leaned over and gently pressed a kiss to her parted lips then pulled back without deepening the kiss, knowing he had to take small steps. "Please, please stop pretending Lucius, stop pretending that you care about my feelings, about us."
"See the thing is, I have never pretended." He replied as he released her hand and slid out from under the covers. Standing he looked over and said "I have always wanted a real marriage, a strong physical, emotional and mental connection. It's you that has had doubts. I am just done with hiding how I feel."
With that, Lucius entered the closet to dress for the day. When he exited the small dressing room, he saw she was still in the same spot she had been before he had gotten out of bed and decided to press his luck. Bending down, being sure to protect his 'assets', Lucius pressed yet another kiss to her now unresponsive lips and said "I have to go and play nice with the Minister now. Will you be home for dinner this evening?"
To Be Continued