A.N. Okay, here's the next chapter. Thanks for reading and all of the reviews so far.

Draco landed in the foyer right outside of the Great Hall at Hogwarts. It was the only place within the inner campus into which only a trusted few, as with the Headmaster's password, were given the privilege, to apparate. He walked quickly to the main staircase and started to sprint upwards to the Hospital Wing.

He entered the little child's room, a little winded. His parents were nowhere in sight. Only Ginny remained, making sure the child was comfortable as she checked her vitals again.

"Hey," she said, giving him a weak smile.

Draco walked over to where she stood as he looked at his sleeping daughter. "How is she doing?"

"She's fine, Draco, a little tired. Your parents had to leave. Things were getting a bit overwhelming. I told them to go get some lunch or something to get their minds off of things," Ginny said as she patted the little child's head. "They said they'll be back in a half hour; that was fifteen minutes ago."

Draco nodded. Ginny looked into his face. She hugged him. Draco froze for a moment; then leaned into the hug. "Everything is going to be fine, Draco."

Draco nodded into her cheek. Ginny stepped back. "Hermione's come this far. Death Eaters won't get the best of her."

Draco smiled at her. She squeezed his hand before leaving the room.

Draco removed his robe and hung it on the back of the chair on the right side of Lois's bed where he took a seat. He loosened his tie and rolled up his sleeves as he watched the rise and fall of her chest. The Hospital Wing was usually full of sick students ill from the autumn weather, injured Quidditch players, or first years suffering from Potions mishaps. It was fairly quiet, even as Lois's room was a private one. He stooped over, clasping his hands together as if in silent prayer. He shut his eyes for quite a while.

He looked up as he saw her toss and turn, still with her eyes shut. He placed his left hand on her head, stroking her hair. Lois's eyes fluttered.

She saw the snake and reared backward, screaming. Draco quickly cast a silencing spell on the room as he watched her cower at the head of the bed.

"Lois," he said as he sat quickly on the bed to get closer to her. "It's me, Daddy."

Lois whimpered. She looked at the Dark Mark again. "Are you a bad guy, too?" she asked softly, her cloudy grey eyes grew like saucers.

Draco took a breath. He looked at her, "Lois, not everybody who has this is a bad guy anymore."

"Like Grandpa?" Lois said as she came a little forward.

"Yeah," Draco said. "I made a lot of mistakes in the past, kiddo. A lot of us believed what made people different made them not belong in the Wizarding World. We did a lot of bad things, Lois."

Lois looked at her father. "I know. Grandpa told me when you and Mommy got married again. It's okay, Daddy."

Draco laughed. She rushed into his arms, burying her face into his shoulder for a moment as she hugged her father.

"I bit his arm, Daddy," Lois said, pulling back to look up at him. "Corey."

"How do you know his name?" Draco asked, his eyes just as wide as hers were a minute ago.

"Mom called him that," Lois said as a tear rolled down her cheek.

"Lois," the young father said as he wiped her tear away. "Mum's going to be okay."

"There's blood, Daddy," Lois said frightened. "Mom's on the floor."

Draco looked down at the floor, wondering what she was talking about for a moment. He looked back up at Lois who was trembling now. Draco pulled her in for a hug, trying to comfort her.

"He shot the gun again," she said continuing sleepily as she laid her head on his shoulder. "The snake swallowed the bullet and spat it back out.

"Corey, he fell down," Lois said looking at her father as her eyes fluttered shut. Draco pulled her into his arms again. He heard her softly breathe, falling back asleep.

He turned to see his parents enter the room, looking at him questioningly. Mrs. Malfoy took the child and repositioned her on the hospital bed as Draco stood up, a little shakily. Draco waved his wand, releasing the silencing spell over the room.

"What happened, Draco?" Mr. Malfoy asked.

"Lois woke up," was all Draco could say. "I have to get back to the Ministry."

Draco pulled on his robe as he left the room. He reached the staircase when he heard his father call after him.

"What news, Draco?" the older Malfoy looked his son in his eyes.

"We're trying to acquire a warrant. Blaise was able to get a DNA match," the younger Malfoy said. "Corey Reimers."

"I'm going to rip him apart," Mr. Malfoy growled.

"Take a number," Draco said as he took in a deep breath.

Mr. Malfoy took a step towards the staircase, about to head down to the foyer. Draco grabbed onto his robe sleeve. Mr. Malfoy looked up at his son questioningly.

"Dad," Draco said informally. He couldn't bare the potential of losing two people that he cared about. "I need you to stay here and keep watch over Mum and Lois."

Lucius studied the look on his son's face. He took in a breath. He nodded as he allowed his son a pathway. Draco nodded back as he ran down the stairs.

"Clock that arrogant son of a bitch a couple of times for me, Draco," Mr. Malfoy shouted after his son. Draco nodded, not looking back as he flew down the eleven flights.

He pulled his wand as he hit the ground floor. For a split second, he hesitated as he looked at his forearm. He clutched at his wand, his hand trembling for a moment before he apparated.

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