Disclaimer: JKR owns it all
Timeline: Alternate universe, the story will approx. spans 1980 to 1995
Rating: This chapter G
Chapter: 1/10
Summary: The Malfoys have to keep their promise.
Author's note: The chapters will get longer soon, but frankly I didn't knew what to write in this chapter else without telling too much already.
The Debt
By Artemis (Artemis1000@gmx.net)
Chapter one: All Hallow's Eve
A thick layer of snow and ice covered Lucius Malfoy as he apparated back into his office.
Annoyed that Voldemort had developed a for Lucius very unhealthy fondness of icy coldness and the thawing snow was wetting his new runner, but happy that another hard working day was over as soon as the debriefing was done and his report written, the blonde Auror muttered a drying spell first for himself, then for the abused carpet.
Lucius was just hanging his cloak, winter jacket and robes up when he's called. This bureaucrats, he wasn't even defrosted and they're already whining about his report being late…! "Sir, is there a problem?"
The Chief Auror's face was grave, "yes, Mister Malfoy, there is indeed. Gather your team for another mission. You won't have to worry about finishing time today, you'll be working overtime until tomorrow if the informations I got are any indication…"
"Another hideout? Sir, we're all tired and some of us are injured…"
"I'm sorry, but most Aurors are either dead, wounded or on a mission. You'll meet with team five and apparate together to… I should've found the address by the time you've gathered."
"Aye, sir", sighed Lucius resigned. If only someone had warned him that
being an Auror meant you had to work 24/7…
It's indeed a big case with much investigation work for the Aurors.
And two of the victims were Lily and James Potter…
Lucius was securing the few traces they'd gotten - Death Eaters were pros after all - in a muggle house. This was work a trainee could've done, but it helped keeping his mind off things. Namely off the Potters.
"Mister Malfoy, you're going to break your wand if you grab it this tightly", Dumbledore warned suddenly.
Wand drawn, Lucius whirled around. Recognizing his old Headmaster he blushed slightly. "Sir? What are you doing here?"
"I'm here because of little Harry. As soon as I was informed about… about what happened here I came."
"Oh. And what are you doing *here*? I don't want to be rude, but I'm working. Harry Potter was brought into the house next to the Potters, an Auror who's mother of two children is looking after him at the moment."
"Very well. Would you like me to call your lovely wife now that she picks Harry up?"
"Huh? Oh, of course, I was so absorbed in my work…"
"After four missions without break it's only natural that you're tired, Mister Malfoy. I'll handle your superior. And try to take tomorrow off, will you? In the two months you are an Auror you became already the best Auror since the Longbottoms. You deserve a day off. Especially now that you're having to take care of Harry as well."
Lucius shook his head slowly and went to the next piece of evidence, "Narcissa is the one who has to take care of two infants and our big house, being worried all the time about me… I'm so rarely at home, I doubt I would even notice if Draco turned suddenly into a girl", he added wryly.
"And that's why you should take occasionally a day off. You, your wife
and Miss Bower are the only Aurors who've children, everyone would understand
it. … Anyway, I'm going to inform your wife now."
Narcissa had been awakened by a scared house elf that downstairs was a call for her and the man said it's urgent.
Three minutes later, only clad in her nightdress, a robe and long cloak that hopefully would conceal her half-dressed state, she apparated into the house Headmaster Dumbledore had told her.
A couple of minutes later she left the scene of death and destruction,
buzzing with investigating Aurors and them disturbing officials, again.
This time she's cradling a sleeping baby with lightning bolt scar on his
forehead in her arms…
Harry felt all-consuming hate for apparating, so much Narcissa had found out about him when they appeared in the foyer of Malfoy Manor. The baby was screaming loudly, glaring obviously displeased at her. "Calm down, sweet, we won't apparate more than necessary. Promised. Draco doesn't likes it either and while I can handle one baby bawling two are a bit too much load for my eardrums…"
"Mistress Malfoy wanting Dobby makes nursing flasks for baby?", asked Dobby, who'd been alarmed by the noise.
"Prepare a nursing flasks - but be careful that the milk isn't too hot - fetch me another baby blanket and bring both into my bedroom, then you go and get the second cradle ready." Luckily they'd fetched everything Harry would need directly after they sent Potter their agreement letter. She just had to transform one of the little baby pyjamas into the right size and they're ready for the night.
…and change Harry's nappies, when had anyone done that the last time?
Lucius returned to the manor in the late morning. He'd gotten the rest of the week off, a luxury in this times, but it's mostly because of Harry. They wanted him and Narcissa to have some time to get used to the new family member.
The picture that awaited him in the bedroom brought a smile onto his face. In two baby beds at the sides of the bed slept Harry and Draco, Narcissa was drowsing between the children.
"Good morning, love. Did you had another mission?"
"No, we just had to get the investigations done and then write our reports. We'd to be finished till dawn because of the Muggles. But now I don't have to go for the rest of the week."
"Really?"
"Yes, really. How is Harry doing?"
"Oh, he cried a lot, seemed to be scared - no wonder after everything he went through. But he's sleeping now already for several hours, I believe he's calmed down."
"Good. We have to push the adoption tomorrow through like planned, we can't let anyone become suspicious. Headmaster Dumbledore will help us."
"It pains me to take Harry his identity away after he's lost already everything else, but it seems to be the only way."
"It is, Cis, it is…"
tbc…
Lucius as Auror? I know, it sounds strange. But really, isn't that where a deserted Death Eater, a great dark wizard is most useful? Besides, it always bugged me that there're no plausible reasons why the Malfoys don't get into trouble, although everyone knows they're Death Eaters. Lucius is very influential, but even his money can't help him if there is an official investigation. But when he's an Auror, a hero for his department, you can't expect his own people to turn against him.