Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter or any of the characters, locations or prior storylines associated with it. That is all the intellectual property of the wonderful JK Rowling. No copyright infringement is intended, nor am I making any money from this story. I am just playing in her world.

Thank you so much to RachelDJack and Aphina for the beta! Any mistakes left are mine and mine alone.

The Four Horsemen © The Sexy Muggle Librarian

Chapter 14: Dinner in the Lair of Snakes

29 November 2002

Hermione dressed carefully for her dinner with the Malfoys. She pulled out a pair of formal cobalt blue robes and carefully fixed her hair and applied her makeup. Finally, at seven p.m. she Apparated to Malfoy Manor. She stared at the imposing dark wood doors with intricate carvings of snakes gracing them. With some trepidation she pulled on the green cord placed on the right hand side and tinkling of music was heard playing through the house. She smiled as she recognized Mozart's Piano Concerto Number 20 in D-Minor.

Within a few seconds, a familiar House Elf opened the door. "Healer Granger!" Willa said excitedly as she opened the door. "Please follow me."

Hermione followed her into the house, fighting the memories of her last trip into the manor. She shuddered as she passed the room that Bellatrix had tortured her in and prayed that they did not enter that space. She did not know if she would be able to contain herself if they did. Thankfully, Willa directed her to a small sitting room, decorated in creams and roses. Narcissa Malfoy was standing in front of the fireplace with a glass of sherry in hand.

"Healer Granger. Thank you for joining us," she said politely. "May I get you a drink?"

"A sherry would be nice," Hermione murmured, feeling nervous.

Narcissa smiled softly as she poured the drink.

"Thank you."

Narcissa settled into one of the wingback chairs and Hermione followed. "I am sure that you are wondering why I chose to invite you to dine with us," Narcissa started.

"I was extremely curious, Mrs. Malfoy," Hermione acknowledged.

"Narcissa, please."

"Then I insist that you call me Hermione."

"Hermione, I am aware of what befell you in this house, and I wanted somehow to make amends," Narcissa said. "I can see that you are still confused by this and I will admit to a small ulterior motive."

Hermione settled back into her chair. "Whilst I appreciate the gesture, Narcissa. You made amends to all of us when you saved Harry's life by lying to Voldemort."

"I thought you might say that, thus my ulterior motive. Draco is slipping away from me as each day passes without word on Scorpius. I truly fear for his life. He has not left the Manor since the Halloween Ball, and for that I must confess that I threatened him into attending. He barely eats and I don't believe that he is sleeping either."

Hermione studied the woman, sensing the underlying fear the woman was trying to hide. "Do you want me to examine him?" she queried.

Narcissa nodded. "Yes, but without him knowing."

Hermione smiled. "Thus the dinner invitation. I can see him, yet it won't raise any questions since I am a guest and not here officially. Very Slytherin of you."

Narcissa smiled. "It's a family trait, I'm afraid."

"I will do it," Hermione agreed.

"Thank you, Hermione," Narcissa said sincerely. "Now, I do believe it is time for dinner," she said as Willa entered the room.

Hermione followed the pair to an elegant, yet intimate dining room. She found a small round table, just big enough for four people. She had just settled into her seat across from Narcissa, when Lucius and Draco entered room. Draco was not looking at her, so she was able to study him and did not like what she was seeing. His pale skin had a sallow undertone to it and his normally silky hair was lank. She could see dark circles underneath his eyes and realized that Narcissa was correct. He was not eating nor sleeping properly.

Lucius did not seem surprised to see her, so she hazarded a guess that he was aware of Narcissa's plans, but from the shock in Draco's eyes when he noticed her, he was not. She watched the emotions flick across his face quickly before the familiar shutter fell across his eyes. "Granger," he drawled.

Hermione lifted an eyebrow. "Malfoy. How are you?" she questioned.

"Fine," he returned shortly as he sat down.

"Good evening, Healer Granger," Lucius said graciously. "I apologize for my son's lack of manners."

Hermione suppressed a smirk. "Not a problem, Mr. Malfoy. I did go to school with him for six years." Lucius' eyes twinkled at her comment. "And please, do call me Hermione."

"Only if you will call me Lucius," the older man returned smoothly as he settled into his seat. He turned his attention to Willa for a moment. "Willa, will you please bring the first course?"

"Right away, Master Lucius," the Elf responded.

Hermione could not help but be amazed at the treatment of their House Elf. She remembered all too well Dobby's descriptions of his treatment at their hands. It seemed that the Malfoys had truly changed after the war. Only a few minutes had passed when Willa and another Elf appeared, bearing bowls of soup. Hermione remembered her parent's lessons for a formal dinner and was grateful for them.

As she took her first sip of the soup, Hermione's eyes fluttered in pleasure. "I must complement you, Narcissa. This is the most divine soup that I have ever tasted. Tomato basil?"

Narcissa smiled. "Yes. Years ago, we acquired a House Elf from France name Marie. She is the most marvellous cook."

Hermione smiled as she continued to eat and exchange pleasant conversation. She noticed that Draco essentially picked at his food, only eating three or four bites of soup before his parents had rested their spoons in the bowl, signalling the end of the course. The two Elves returned and cleared the used dishes from the table. Willa shot a concerned glance at Narcissa as the amount of soup still left in Draco's bowl.

The appetizer course had just been served, when the classical music rang through the house. Lucius excused himself to receive the visitors, whilst Hermione and Narcissa exchanged a look. In only a few moments, Lucius had returned with Harry and Ron in tow.

Both men looked surprised to see Hermione in the Malfoy's dining room, but Harry managed to contain it a little better. Lucius led them in and then nodded to the two men. "Aurors Potter and Weasley have some information in regards to Scorpius. Perhaps we should retire to the library for now."

"Of course," Narcissa agreed as she stood.

Hermione and Draco followed them quickly, Draco becoming more animated and jittery as they walked. Once everyone was seated in the library, attention turned to Harry, who cleared his throat uncomfortably. "I do apologize for interrupting your dinner, but we have some rather interesting news and that we could use your help."

Lucius nodded. "Please continue."

Harry sighed, wondering how the news was going to be received. "For the majority of the month, Ron and myself have been following a lead and we believe that we have uncovered Astoria Greengrass's accomplice in the kidnapping."

Hermione looked at her best friends in shock. She had not seen them much in the previous weeks, but she was impressed that they had managed to keep their findings under wraps. She shot both of them a quick look and then nodded. "What have you found?" she asked.

It was Ron who sighed and rubbed the back of his neck in discomfort. "We believe that it was Blaise Zabini."

Draco snorted. "You are truly delusional, Weasley. Blaise has been searching for Scorpius."

Harry shook his head as he held up his hand. "Please, let us present the evidence to you," he asked calmly.

Lucius nodded. "As this is my house and has to do with my grandson, please continue."

Harry nodded once. "We have uncovered evidence that Blaise was financing Astoria during the divorce. She was seen shopping in many high end Muggle stores, spending more money than she would have access to. Some of these Muggle stores have video surveillance and she was captured on film with Zabini accompanying her. After an intensive investigation, we have discovered the source of the money." He turned an apologetic glance at Draco. "It was Blaise, Draco. We have a money trail. It was from an account that one of his deceased stepfather's set up for him. He was using the alias Donatien François."

Draco still raised an eyebrow. "And the reason that you are here and not arresting him?"

Ron winced. "Unfortunately, all we have is suspicion right now. We have no hard evidence that him or Astoria actually kidnapped Scorpius."

Lucius grew thoughtful. "So you came here in hopes that we could drop by for a surprise visit and try to catch them, correct?"

"Yes, sir," Harry responded.

"We shall go now," Lucius said as he arose from his chair. "I believe for propriety, I must ask both of you to Disillusion yourselves or Blaise will know something is amiss."

Harry and Ron nodded and quickly muttered before becoming invisible, except for a slight shimmer.

"Narcissa, will you and Hermione please stay here?"

Both women looked to protest, but with the hard look on both Lucius and Draco's faces, they quieted themselves. "I will stay, but only if you promise if something goes wrong to come immediately here so I can treat you," Hermione said with steel underlying her voice.

"Of course."

H~P

The four men arrived at the sprawling Zabini estate within moments. Making sure to conceal themselves, Harry and Ron watched as Lucius and Draco rang the bell at the front door. A few moments later, a small, skittish looking Elf answered the door.

"Hello, Cassie," Lucius said. "Draco and I are here to see Blaise."

"Cassie is sorry, Mr. Malfoy, Master Zabini is not here," the Elf replied in a childlike voice.

"And where might I find him?" Draco said, trying to control his anger.

"Cassie is sorry, but Cassie can not tell you that."

Draco narrowed his eyes. Blaise had always left instructions prior of where he could be reached. Not caring if he was rude, he pushed his way past the Elf as Harry and Ron made themselves visible again.

"So much for being discreet," Ron muttered under his breath as Draco stormed into the building. The other three men followed with an apologetic glance to the Elf.

Harry shrugged. "Since we have access, let's split up. For temper's sake, why don't you and Lucius look around and I'll see if I can get Draco to do the same thing."

Ron nodded gratefully. "As long as I don't have to baby-sit the git," he responded.

Harry just followed Draco, who seemed to be looking in random rooms of the mansion. "Oi, Malfoy! If you are going to search then we need to do it in a logical manner. In what part of the house does Blaise have his rooms?"

"South wing," Draco replied absently.

"Then let's you and I search that. Your father and Ron can search one of the other wings," Harry reasoned as he led the man to the staircase. "Since you know your way around, please lead on."

Draco didn't say anything as he took the stairs two at a time. Harry was thankful that they were similar heights; otherwise he would have never been able to keep up with the blond. A moment later, he shuddered as the artwork on the walls became decidedly darker, in both visible tones and the subject material. Draco, on the other hand, did not spare the artwork of people being tortured a second glance as he came to a pair of imposing black doors. "This is his main sitting room and it leads to all the other rooms in his suite," he said.

Harry nodded as he withdrew his wand. "Do you know his wards? Are you able to disarm them if necessary?"

Draco nodded absently as he withdrew his own wand. "Of course." He quickly disabled the wards and they entered the sitting room.

Harry looked around, feeling the darkness surround him even though lamps were lit. "Check his bedroom," he ordered as he looked at the doors. When Draco moved to his left, Harry went to the opposite door. When Harry opened the door, he found a hallway. "Do you know where this leads?"

"No," Draco responded shortly.

Hearing Mad-Eye Moody in his head chanting constant vigilance, Harry proceeded with caution. The first door he tried had a simple locking spell open that he disabled with a quick Alohomora. When he entered, the coppery smell of blood lingered in the air. Pointing his wand at a dried pool of blood, he murmured another spell and the image of a blonde woman appeared before him. Astoria, he thought. He quickly exited the room, as the chains covered in blood angered him.

He moved to the door across the hall and went into what appeared to be a bedroom. There were two other doors attached to the room. The first he opened revealed a luxuriously appointed bedroom, which he ignored. The second made his heart leap. It looked to be a child's bedroom, with a small bed and toys spread about. They were here and Scorpius was alive. Damn it all to hell, he was under Malfoy's nose the entire time. At least it looks like they were caring for the child.

With those thoughts in mind, Harry chose not to investigate the hallway further. He had proof that the child had been there and was being kept alive. Now he just needed to find out the reason behind the abduction. He turned to leave the bedroom when he noticed Draco standing in the doorway, a look of absolute pain twisting his face as he came to the same realization.

Draco sank to the floor, his legs unable to support his weight. "Merlin. I've been in the sitting room dozens of times since the kidnapping. He was here the whole time."

Harry watched in sympathy as the iron will of Draco Malfoy finally broke and he dissolved into sobs. Not knowing how to comfort the man, he just stood by and murmured, "We'll find them, Draco. If it's the last thing I do."

H~P

AN: Okay. I've noticed that I'm getting over 100 hits per chapter, but only averaging 2 reviews. To those of you who do review and on a regular basis, bless you, you are the best people in the world. Please, please review! They make my day and make writing easier.

Dianne – I'm so glad that you are able to review and I hope that you do keep reviewing after each chapter! If you ever create a penname (even just to review), let me know and I will be willing to answer any questions you have (I might even give spoilers. :p)