Penny strode beside Lucius, her chin raised defiantly as she tried not to show how uncomfortable the tall man's pace was. He was dressed almost passable for a Muggle, his smart suit would have made him easy to mistake for a city business man if it weren't for the black cloak that trailed from his high shoulders all the way to the floor, plus the silver topped cane he seemed insistent on carrying with him everywhere. Passersbys stared as they walked causing Penny to scowl, before shooting a nasty look at her uncle's outfit.

He looks like an aristocrat from the 18th century, Penny thought bitterly, or a vampire, maybe both she mused. Rounding the corner to the orphanage Penny glanced to Lucius' face and as she predicted his nose wrinkled in distaste.

'Why you would choose this foul worthless place over the Manor I will never know Persephone' Lucius said with a sneer. Penny shot him a dark look but remained silent, despite her many internal retorts. She was aware of his influence at the ministry and knew she had to keep him onside if she ever hoped to get her wand back. As they turned to go up the stairs, Penny suddenly looked around sensing eyes on her. On the other side of the street a man in his early fifties stood having a cigarette, seemingly disinterested in the two of them. However something seemed unnatural in his casualness that made the hair on the back of Penny's neck raise.

'Is that the filth that tried to hurt you?' Lucius growled bringing Penny out of her trance as he followed her line of sight, his hand twitching on his cane.

'No.' Penny answered simply, turning her back on the Muggle and leading Lucius into the cramped reception. 'Just let me handle this will you?' Penny said 'Mrs Bradshaw?' Penny called out peering around the untidy reception. Penny cocked her head as she picked up on a slight shuffling noise, and walked towards the stationary cupboard at the rear of the reception, yanking the door open. Barely contained within stood an older teenage girl with a large bump, and a young black man with his trousers around his ankles.

'Morning Chantelle' Penny said with a Cheshire cat grin as the two of them yelped in surprise. The young man tried to bolt for it but his trousers tripped him and he landed in an unconscious heap at Lucius' feet with his bare backside exposed. Penny let out a cackle as Lucius viewed the scene with a disgusted sneer but as agreed, remained silent.

'Penny! What...wha cha doing here?' Chantelle stuttered, her face aflame as she tried to subtly hoist her underwear in place and ease her swollen belly out of the cupboard. Her eyes darted between Penny and Lucius with her typical gossip mind in overdrive.

'I live here' Penny sarcastically, although she thought, she spent as much time out the orphanage as in it. 'Where is Ms Bradshaw?' She asked.

'She took suma the boys to the war museum' Chantelle answered 'She won't be back until late this evening' Chantelle blushed as Penny scowled at the girl's thoughts.

'Your baby daddy?' Penny asked, shooting the heap on the floor a look of contempt. Chantelle shook her head her gold hoops swaying.

The young man came too, his head jerking up as he took in the scene. He leapt up, yanked his pants up and went to bolt away again. 'Stop.' Penny barked, the stern order stopping the guy in his tracks. He looked startled at his obedience before shooting the young girl a filthy look.

'Fuck you bitch' He spat before attempting once more to leave. A flash of silver and the man found himself flung back as the cane hit into his chest hard. Heaving he glared at Lucius, sizing the tall man up.

'Enough' Penny snapped. All three of them looked at her, two with fear, one with cold curiosity. 'I am moving out of the orphanage, at least temporarily.' She told Chantelle who looked between her and Lucius again, clearly desperate to ask a million questions but silenced by Penny's unamused stare. 'You will give Ms Bradshaw this letter' Penny reached out to Lucius who to her surprise passed her the letter without a word. Chantelle took it nervously as Penny went on 'I need to collect my things. You will help.' She finished beckoning the young lad off handily. The young man's face contorted in rage at the order as he squared up to the young girl, towering above her. Penny's eyes flickered to Lucius whose hand was gripped firmly on the handle of his cane.

'No lil' bitch orders me around' He snapped, glaring down at the witch.

'Touch me, I fucking dare ya!' Penny spat back, her formality suddenly replaced in an aggressive south London accent, though her heart raced in her chest 'I'll cut ya fucking balls off, love, and make ya fucking gag on them!' She roared with venom, causing the guy to shrink back from her, even as she fought to control her magic. Chantelle touched his arm whispering desperately in his ear, her eyes wide and fearful as they stared at Penny.

'Please Ricky, just do as she says, you don't know the things they say about her. She's not right in the head' Penny heard Chantelle whisper 'Please Rick, I need this job when bab comes, please.' Ricky shook her off his arm and folded his arms in defeat watching Penny moodily. Sensing victory, Penny smiled her Chesire cat grin and pretty much skipped out the reception and up to her room. The guy followed reluctantly, and glared silently as she loaded him up with her possessions. On returning to the reception Chantelle was leaning across the desk towards Lucius fluttering her eyelashes at his cold hard stare. Rolling her eyes Penny lead the way out with Lucius taking over from the young man.

'Pleasure doing business with you' Penny goaded over her shoulder as her and Lucius rounded the corner and Disapparated.

Walking into the Manor Penny looked up to see Lucius watching her contemplatively.

'What?' Penny asked, still on a high from her success.

'When did you start speaking with such a common accent? Lucius asked her as he pushed open the oak front door.

'It's the orphanage's local accent' Penny said shrugging as they stepped into the entrance hall.

'You do not usually speak like that' Lucius pressed as he flicked his wand causing her possessions to leviate. Penny scowled, her internal glow extinguished.

'I wasn't born in the orphanage' Penny said evasively folding her arms and leaning on her back foot.

'The….. muggle lived elsewhere?' Lucius enquired, a note of contempt in his voice, causing Penny to nod jerkily.

'I was raised around that accent, it's not hard to mimic, but it gets the point across well I think' Penny said, smirking as she recalled Ricky recoiling.

'I suppose it does'. Lucius said with a hint of admiration in his voice as Narcissa entered the hallway with Draco in toll.

'Penny' Narcissa said, a reserved smile forming. 'Welcome home.' Draco nodded curtly behind her back. Penny half smiled in response, not wanting to meet her aunt's eyes, loathing the pity in them. 'Your room is ready for you. I imagine you are tired.' Narcissa said, giving Penny the excuse she needed to leave, her stuff following her up the stairs and to the left into her room. Penny sighed as her stuff placed itself down as she closed the door. Sinking onto the edge of the bed she contemplated her situation. Her trial was next week, two days after the World Cup final. Lucius was going to stand for her at court and defend her, and hopefully get her wand back and her unsuspended from Hogwarts. She hoped. She dared not think of the alternative. Digging into her trunk she fished out the crumpled letter from Sirius.

'Dear Penny,

Unfortunately no, being on the run does not allow for much partying, how many bar tenders would serve a giant dog after all? That said I have managed to steal the odd Firewhiskey from inattentive drunks. I hope you are up to plenty of mischief, just stay shy of Azkaban, we both know no adventure is worth that! Are you positive I cannot tempt you with a ride on my motorbike? She is such a sweet ride, I promise to only go just above the cloud line….or so… Anyway, hope your Mischief is Managed!

Your favourite cousin

Sirius'

Penny smiled at the letter. It was hard to say who was the bad influence out of the two of them. They had discovered they both shared an appreciation for pranks and a certain disregard for rules or authority. What would he say about her latest 'mischief' she wondered? She knew she couldn't use the Malfoy's various owls without too many questions. But how was she going to get to an Owlery now her aunt was bound to be watching her every move? She could wait to use the one at school when she got back.

If she got back. The thought hit her in the gut like a punch, her insides clenching tightly. Throwing herself on the bed she wept as she cursed her situation, cursed herself, cursed the muggle.

Damn filthy muggle!