Chapter 15- Mother Hens and Harry Monster
"You have a visitor."
The cell door rattled open and the guard cleared his throat impatiently.
Draco looked over at him leisurely as if the guard had announced his afternoon tea. "Who is it?"
The guard gave a noisy snort. "It's the Queen, who do you think? Now get up off your arse."
Draco swung his feet down from the bed and smirked at the guard. "That was quite comedic of you. Do you have any more jokes?"
"Do you want to get out of this cell or not!" growled the guard. "I can just leave you in here to talk to the little voices in your head if you'd like."
When they got to the visitation room, Draco saw Pansy sitting primly behind one of the windows, dressed completely in black.
"I would prefer to go back to my cell and rot, please," Draco said sardonically to the guard.
"Sit down," said the guard shoving him into the chair.
Pansy studied Draco in exactly the same way she might have examined a spot of mold on a loaf of bread. "Orange doesn't suit you, Draco."
"And you're in mourning, I see," Draco replied with a sneer. "As much as you might wish it, I'm not dead. "
"You may as well be," Pansy said coldly. "Your life is as good as over. Potter will more than make sure of that."
"Potter won't kill me," snorted Draco. "Nor will he allow a judge to do so. You won't get your hands on my money that easily. You know Aidan is the heir."
"And have you taken your potion like a good boy?" said Pansy tapping on the glass with a plump finger, her fingernail was manicured in lavender. "We wouldn't want you to hear all those voices in your head during that little trial Potter's letting you have."
Draco swelled like a violated puffer fish and gritted his teeth.
Pansy's tone darkened, and she narrowed her eyes at Draco. "You're ruined," she hissed. "I told you to not meddle in that idiot's life, and what do you go and do? You ring up an old Death Eater pal and merrily go on your way. No one can catch the great Draco Malfoy. No one can challenge the great Draco Malfoy. No one can bring down the great Draco Malfoy. No one, except Harry Potter, that is." Pansy spit the last word and a flush had crept up her plump and pasty profile. "And now Potter has free run over anything he wants. The Malfoy fortune. The Manor. Your life."
"Is that in order of importance?" asked Draco, raising an indifferent eyebrow, "because I fail to see how any of this involves you, Pansy."
"You're crazier than I thought," Pansy snorted. "If you think I'm going to get a divorce and settle for measly child support payments while waiting for your son to come of age.you've got something else coming to you! I haven't put up with you for six years to get nothing in return. Your snot- faced little son is hardly the beginning of the reparations you owe me. That fortune belongs to me."
"You have just finished telling me that Harry Potter has free run over everything, Pansy."
"Not if we do this correctly," snapped Pansy. "It's about time someone intelligent does the planning. You're going to listen to me and do as you're told, because I'm not going to let you drag me down in the process."
"Oh, I feel so much better now that you have a plan," Draco said dryly.
"You're going to plead guilty and renounce your behavior."
"I will not."
"Oh yes you will, or Harry Potter and his Mudblood brat will get every last Knut of your fortune."
"I said, I will not. Potter can have every last bit, but he won't get so much as a word of an apology from me. Hell has a better chance of freezing over."
"Why am I not surprised? You and your moronic Malfoy honor."
"You have a duty as my wife to honor my wishes. Unless you want to talk about a divorce again.."
Pansy slammed a fist on the counter. "You listen to me, Draco. I have custody of your son. If you want the little idiot to grow up with even a glimmer of likeness to a Malfoy, you'd better start reconsidering my plan."
"Let me talk to him," Draco said immediately.
"Agree to my plan," Pansy said crossing her arms and smiling at him with self-assured smirk.
"You don't seem to realize that I've seen through your little plan. You think you're being cunning and clever, working it out so that it does nothing but benefit you. That's the last thing I ever want to do. I don't owe you anything," Draco responded.
Pansy's face lost the smirk. "Oh yes you do. "
"Even though you conveniently went on vacation during this entire ordeal, I believe that you might take care to remember that I know every delightful, sunny detail of your past. I could simply start talking, and you might just end up right here next to me.."
Pansy's laugh was forced and high. "You forget, Draco. They think you're absolutely crazy, which you are," she added scornfully.
"But what if they were to launch an investigation just for general interest in the accusations? That could certainly rattle the skeletons in your closets," said Draco smiling in his normal fashion now, extremely pleased with himself.
"Don't threaten me, you ba-"
"Do tread softly, Pansy." Draco leaned back in his chair and laughed softly. "Why don't you go fetch Aidan?"
~*~
Chloe selected a crayon from behind Harry's heel and gave an enormous sigh.
"Daddy?"
"Mmm?"
Chloe heard another page turn and waited for her father to respond with a 'Yes?'
"Daddy?" she repeated, a bit louder.
"What is it, Chloe?"
"Daddy!" She poked him in the top of the foot with the green crayon. "Daddy!"
The book thudded shut, and Harry sounded slightly irritated. "Chloe! Must you color under my desk!? What is it?"
Chloe crawled out from under his desk and glared at him. "I must color under your desk."
Harry's face suddenly turned a bit apologetic when he realized he was being mocked rather splendidly. "Why are you doing it then?"
"Because," Chloe said huffily, "I just might have a question, and I want to be by you."
"There's a perfectly nice table over there that you can color on, and you'll still be by me," Harry said shaking his head.
"Daddy, don't be silly. That isn't as nice as my cave."
Harry took a deep breath and then patiently continued. "You are only allowed to reside in your cave when you don't leave your crayons under my fe-"
"The hairy monsters," Chloe interrupted.
There was a short pause in which Harry took the time to glance down at his feet. "They most certainly are not!" he said defensively.
"Yes they are," Chloe said pointing. "But they're very friendly monsters, Daddy."
"That happens to be my ankle," Harry said smiling slightly. "It's supposed to be that way."
"Why?" Chloe asked curiously.
"Because, I-" Harry looked down at his ankle. "Because, for Heaven's sake, Chloe Grace, I don't know."
"Are you mad at me?" Chloe questioned in the soft hurt voice that absolutely made Harry's stomach drop with guilt.
"No, Angel. I'm just very busy. Do you still have a question?"
She nodded and played with the shiny green ribbon in one of her pigtails.
"Go on, I'm listening."
"The man.." Her voice dropped off and she sidled closer to him, putting her hands on his knee.
"Mr. Malfoy," Harry said, placing a comforting hand on her back.
"He's in prison?"
Harry nodded. "Yes."
"Forever?"
Harry sighed. "I don't know, Chloe. That's why we have trials. A judge has to decide how long Mr. Malfoy has to stay in jail, or in a hospital, so he can get better."
"What about that boy?" she asked, after digesting his comments.
"Chloe, you know his name. What about Aidan?"
"He doesn't have to go to jail too, does he? Can they put kids in jail, Daddy?"
Harry pulled Chloe into his lap and hugged her tightly. "No. Aidan doesn't have to go to jail."
"But he won't have a daddy anymore if they put him in jail," Chloe said worriedly. "Shouldn't he have a daddy?"
"Aidan has a mum too," Harry said retying the green ribbon. "Are you worried about him?"
Chloe screwed up her face. "No. He doesn't like me at all. But I hope his daddy is nice to him after he gets better."
"Chloe, sometimes children can't be with their real parents. You know that," Harry stroked her pigtail and sighed. "Like how you live with me now, instead of with your Muggle parents."
"But Aidan's mum and dad aren't Muggles.."
"It's very complicated," Harry said hugging her. "I'll tell you when you're older."
~*~
Aidan swallowed hard and squirmed in the plastic chair.
Draco watched him a moment longer and spoke. "If you have a question, Aidan, ask it."
Aidan had a million questions. Each more puzzling than the next but he couldn't ask any of them. Not to that man. Whoever that man was behind the glass was certainly not his father. He had never seen the man behind the glass in his entire life. His father would never wear orange, and his father would certainly not allow the man behind him to stare at him so rudely.
"What," Aidan began slowly, "what are those things on your wrists?"
Draco glanced at down at the brass bands clamped firmly around his wrists. "They're Blocking Bands," he said simply.
"What do they do?" Aidan asked, glancing back at his mother. She had crossed her arms over her stomach and was glaring at the both of them.
"They keep me from doing magic," Draco said after a pause.
Aidan didn't want to look at him again. This was not his father. His father would never allow anyone to take away his magic. "Why?"
"Look at me when addressing me!" Draco snapped.
Aidan jerked his head up. Now that sounded more like his father. But he was still faced with.this.this.faker.
"Why did they take away your magic?"
"Because Harry Potter wanted them to," Draco said shortly. "Anything else?"
Aidan nodded. "Are they going to kill you, Father?"
"No!" Draco barked. "Where did you get an idiotic idea, such as that!"
"Mother."
"Your mother is nothing more than a foolish drunk. You are a Malfoy and it is your duty to behave as one while I'm gone."
"How long will you be gone, Father?" Aidan glanced back at his mother, who didn't seem to hear his father talk about her.
"That is not of importance. What did I tell you?"
Aidan drew a deep breath and kept his blue eyes on his father. "That I am a Malfoy."
~*~
"Harry?" Sirius entered the room cautiously.
"What?" Harry's voice was strained and he didn't turn to greet Sirius.
"Do you want something to eat?"
"Why do you feel obligated to feed me?"
"Don't be argumentative, Harry James."
Sirius set his hands on the back of the couch and looked down at Harry, who was lying perfectly still, staring at the ceiling. Harry's Auror robes were unclasped at the collar and he had managed to kick off one of his boots.
"Sorry."
"You look a wreck."
"I'm dead tired, Sirius," Harry said, finally letting his gaze rest on Sirius. "I just got home."
"Want to talk about it?"
"It's awfully late to get into it."
"Nine o' clock?" said Sirius, not falling for it. "Don't you dare make me read about the results in the Daily Prophet."
"Fine," sighed Harry, sitting up. "Can I get you something to drink?"
"No thank you. Just give it to me straight."
"Well, of course you know we won," Harry said flatly. "That's all over the news already.."
"Of course."
Harry sighed. "At least the judge had the sense to make it a non-public trial."
"What happened?" Sirius prodded.
"I was pardoned for breaking the restraining order. Percy took care of it."
"Good, good," Sirius said approvingly. "I knew there wouldn't be a problem."
Harry shrugged apathetically.
Sirius crossed his arms. "Harry, what's bothering you?"
"Do you know how long I've known Malfoy?" Harry said suddenly with definite anger in his voice. "Fourteen years. And did you know that in every moment in those fourteen years I wanted him to pay for all the foul things he's done. Then.for once, I knew I had the absolute advantage, and there wasn't any question of me winning or not."
Sirius didn't comment, but waited for Harry to continue.
"And now it's finally happened," Harry said bitterly. "I've destroyed the rest of his life and it seems that I'm not any better than he is."
"Harry, I understand you feel a bit guilty, but did Draco really have a fulfilling life? What exactly was he going to do, change mankind for the better? Kill off more Muggles? Go kidnap a few of Percy's kids next time? What he'd murdered one of us, would that convince you of his guilt?"
"No." Harry lifted his eyes from the carpet. "I know he deserves everything. Everything! To tell you the truth, later on I'll probably think it isn't harsh enough for what he did to Chloe! He's a monster...but it's not just him I'm hurting!"
Sirius' dark eyes showed compassion, but his mouth remained in a thin hard line. "Harry, I didn't attend the trial. You're going to have to tell me."
Harry strode over to his desk and snatched a folder off of it. He handed it to Sirius like it was a particularly slimy thing he never wanted to touch again. "It's all in here. Whether you judge it just or not, it's over."
"Harry, I don't question your judgment," Sirius argued.
That got a small half-smile from Harry. "Yes you do."
"Oh?" smiled Sirius, "You think it's so easy being me? These conversations get harder as you get older! It was easier when you were thirteen or fourteen. Now the only response I get is that I'm the old geezer that questions your judgment! "
"Come on, Sirius, you're not an old geezer. Just read it," Harry said taking his seat again.
Sirius squinted at the papers, snorted, and disobligingly took out a pair of reading glasses. "Old geezer," he muttered half to himself, half to Harry.
Harry rolled his eyes behind his own glasses and pointed to the title of a paper. "I have complete ownership of Malfoy Manor," he said simply. "The judge wanted me to compose my own list of compensation, and I must say, my lawyers are nothing short of frightening geniuses."
Sirius raised his eyebrows in an expression of surprise. "What are you going to do with that property?"
"I'll get into that in a moment. I'm sure you're much more interested to find out what is going to happen to Draco."
"Very much so."
"He's been diagnosed as legally insane. He's under a heavy regimen of potions and medicines right now, and that helps him function almost normally, but the doctors don't know what will happen if he ever builds up an immunity to the medicine."
"So whether he was found guilty or not, he would have been locked up?"
"Yes," Harry said nodding his head. "This only moved it on a bit sooner. He, of course, thinks he's perfectly normal."
"Where is he going?"
"Raveneux Mental Institution. In solitary confinement until he stops this 'I am Lord Voldemort' rubbish. He's also had his right to do magic completely abolished."
"Raveneux," said Sirius thoughtfully, "that's not exactly Azkaban, but I think it's fitting. Jail with padded walls."
"What's this here with the.house elves? Have you been talking to Hermione?" Sirius held up a piece of paper and skimmed it over with a smile.
"All house elves have been released from the Malfoy's supervision. They are welcome to go to other houses. However, I would imagine that a few will stay due to the renovation of Malfoy Manor."
"Go on.."
"I'm not taking away Pansy and Aidan's home because of something Draco did. Technically, they can live there under my conditions," said Harry.
"Pansy isn't going to take very kindly to your charity," Sirius said with a smile.
"I'm not doing this for Pansy. I'm doing this for the little boy. He lost his father...and everything in his world is going to be turned upside down," said Harry quietly. "Malfoy Manor will be changed into a free boarding house for all witches and wizards that are Muggle born and don't have anyone to turn to in time of need. Also, any Hogwarts students can stay there for holidays if they live in a bad environment outside of school."
Sirius looked utterly delighted. "Pansy Parkinson using her own home to cater to the Muggle-born. You're right, Harry. Your lawyers are frightening geniuses."
"Pansy won't be in charge of it all, but she'll work there. The Malfoy fortune will pay for everything. Only the best bedding, best food, and anything else will be provided for the residents. Pity it wasn't around when I had to live with the Dursleys."
"What goes around comes around," Sirius said wisely. "But I have to tell you, if it were left up to me, I would have just kicked the Malfoys out on their arses and made it into a playhouse for Chloe. The Daily Prophet is going to love this, though."
Harry groaned, "Don't remind me...."
"Daddy?" Chloe padded into the room, rubbing her eyes. "Are you finished with the trial now?"
"I am," said Harry picking her up. "Did we wake you?"
Chloe shook her head no and sleepily laid her head on Harry's shoulder. "I forgot," she said simply.
"You forgot what?" asked Harry.
"I forgot to ask Mr. Charlie about the letter Ms. Ginny and I wrote him."
Sirius chuckled, "About the dragons sneezing...or something like that?"
Chloe yawned, "Uh-huh. Ms. Ginny said he wrote back and added a little note on the bottom saying he would tell me when he came and visited next. Then I forgot to ask him."
"That woke you up?" laughed Harry.
"My head thought it was important that I remembered," explained Chloe, closing her eyes.
"We'll remember next time. Okay?" said Harry.
"Okay," sighed Chloe, already half-asleep again.
"I'll go take her back to her bed," whispered Sirius taking Chloe from Harry and leaving the room.
Harry settled back down onto the couch and sighed. He wondered if Ginny had heard anything about the trial yet. Surely she would have stopped by to see him.
"Did you talk to Ginny today?" Harry asked when he heard Sirius' footsteps enter the study again.
"I didn't. Did you?" responded a very clear articulate voice.
Harry bolted up. "Remus! Don't do that!"
"Don't answer your questions?" Remus asked, warming up by the fire.
"I thought you were Sirius.sorry."
"If I'd turned into Sirius," Remus said with a mischievous smile, "I'd be very concerned for the welfare of myself."
"I'm guessing you heard about the trial, then," Harry said.
"I did. I came by to see how you were."
"You know, you and Sirius should start a psychiatric office, you seem to be awfully interested in my well being as of late."
"As of late?"
"Oh, that's right. You two have always listened to my griping about everything since I was, in what, in fourth year?"
"Third," corrected Remus automatically, "and I also don't think it's griping."
"I'm fine. And don't get me wrong, I'm very grateful for the pair of mother hens that I've had the good fortune to be landed with."
"I resent that comment." Sirius smiled good-naturedly at Harry as he walked back into the room. "I am not a mother hen."
"He sounds cranky, don't you think so, Sirius?"
"I agree, Remus. Maybe he's not getting enough iron in his diet."
"Or maybe a lack of Ginny Weasley," suggested Remus.
"Okay, enough," Harry said moodily. "And no, I haven't seen Ginny this week."
"So, why don't you go to Ginny's house, and you two go do something together?" said Remus. "It's very simple."
"You know," Sirius said wickedly. "Like a date."
"The Potter men never seem to catch on how these things work," said Remus. "Took James years.."
"Wasn't my father married?" Harry began. "Which is more than either of you ca-"
"That's different," Sirius said waving his hand distractedly.
"How?"
"We were discussing how you were going to go take Ginny somewhere this evening," Remus interrupted succinctly.
"I would, but I need a responsible babysitter," retorted Harry.
"Ouch," said Sirius.
"I think that both of us can handle a sleeping little girl," reassured Remus, "Especially a really sweet one like Chloe."
"Is that the theory that two half responsible people make one whole responsible person?"
"Would you just go!" Sirius shoved Harry's cloak into his arms.
"You'll get in touch with me if Chloe has another night terror?" asked Harry anxiously.
"Yes! Leave already! We're going to call up our lady friends and have wild party in your house!" explained Sirius.
"Oh? I wasn't aware the nursing home's visiting hours were this late," grinned Harry.
"Watch it!"
"Go have fun," ordered Lupin, "We've got everything under control."
"Go profess your undying love to Ginny."
Harry shook his head and laughed just before he Apparated out of the room.
"Nursing home..." grumbled Sirius, "if I didn't know better, I'd say Harry called us a pair of old coots!"
"Your hair is grayer than mine."
"That's wisdom, dear Moony, not gray hair..."
~*~
Ginny opened her front door and gave a muffled noise of surprise. "Harry! I'm in my pajamas!"
"They're very nice pajamas" commented Harry with a grin, "I mean...sorry to wake you."
"It's okay, I wasn't asleep. Is everything okay?"
"May I come in?"
Ginny let him in, "Sorry. Where are my manners?"
"Same place mine are, for coming to your house late at night," grinned Harry.
"Well, I'm always looking for someone to show off my favorite pair of Chudley Cannons pajamas. Since Ron is such a thoughtful gift buyer...it's only fair I show them to everyone that doesn't have the good fortune to own a pair. Would you like a cup of tea?"
Harry laughed. "No thanks. I think Hermione is really trying to wean him off that horrible orange, I doubt it's working though."
"Well we all know, Ron's best color is really-"
"Maroon," they said together and laughed.
"So what brings you to my humble abode?" Ginny asked. "I have some shapes you can help me cut out for the shape unit after Christmas break."
"I was kicked out of my own house," said Harry shaking his head sadly.
"What?!" laughed Ginny. "Have you not been paying for it?"
"Sirius and Remus barged into my house and ordered me to go have fun."
"They told you to go have fun...and you came here? You don't listen well, Harry," said Ginny cutting out a purple diamond. "Unless you're really interested in an enchanted game of Scrabble that Hermione decided I needed."
He grinned. "How about you go get changed, and I'll take you for a night out on the town?" he suggested.
"Sold," Ginny said setting down her shapes. "You're ten times more fun than yellow squares anyway."
~*~
Ginny threw open her wardrobe hastily and shoved robe after robe aside. No! These wouldn't do at all! Why did everything look so "Nursery School Teacher" suddenly.
"Because you are a nursery school teacher, Ginny," she reminded herself out loud with a groan.
~
Harry paced around downstairs in Ginny's living room. Sure...that had sounded really great. 'A night on the town'...but now that he had said it...he had no idea where he was going to take her.
"That was a really stupid thing to say, Harry," he told himself aloud. "Now you're going to look like an idiot because you don't know what you're going to do..."
London? No...too many Muggles. A romantic walk by Hogwarts' lake? No...too hokey. He had specifically said, 'Night on the town.'
"I am such an idiot," Harry said wracking his brain for any ideas.
~
There was a crash as Ginny knocked over a few bottles on her vanity table. She was trying to brush her hair and apply make-up at the same time.
"You okay, Gin?" came Harry's voice from downstairs.
"Yes! Thank you!" she yelled as she pointed her wand at the mess and did a quick cleaning spell.
~
Harry looked at his watch. Why did girls take so long to get ready? No matter, he thought to himself, I'm still the one who doesn't know where we're going.
He ran a hand through his hair and rested his elbows on his knees as he waited on the couch and tried to think of something. Just before he was about to admit his situation to her when she came downstairs, his gaze fell on a book resting on Ginny's coffee table.
Harry grinned. Now that was a good place, regardless of the Muggles.
~
Ginny glanced at her clock. Fifteen minutes. That was a new record for her. She probably shouldn't let Harry think that it only took her that small amount of time to get ready. She slipped on her shoes and took a deep breath to calm herself before she went downstairs.
Harry turned around, "Wow! You look lovely," he said.
"Thank you," said Ginny smoothing her robes, deep midnight blue with silver trim on the hems.
"We're going to Paris," he announced.
A smile traced Ginny's lips, "That sounds wonderful," she said. Of course it sounded wonderful...Harry could have well said 'South Pole' and she would have been perfectly content to go.
He buttoned up his cloak and helped her with hers. "We're not exactly in Muggle clothing, but I think we can get by. Don't you think?"
Ginny took his offered arm. "I think so."
~*~
Disclaimer: Draco's "Blocking Bands" aren't of my invention. A very talented writer named Terra came up with them. I'm only borrowing them for the sake of being rude to Draco. Great cause, isn't it? Chloe's shiny green hair ribbon appears courtesy of me, due to me actually owning one. The same ribbon actually appears in different fic of mine for those of you who are creepily over-observant and pay attention to kooky details. (Fifty points to Gryffindor to whoever can name who wore the ribbon.)
Special thanks to Anne, who is a hilarious beta reader. Her commentary makes me laugh at my stupid mistakes. Thank you! And no, I'm really sorry Harry and Ginny don't go to the Moulin Rouge. (This is the part where the author starts laughing evilly.)
"Have you hugged your stuffed dragon today?" Join Chloe's Bookshelf
"You have a visitor."
The cell door rattled open and the guard cleared his throat impatiently.
Draco looked over at him leisurely as if the guard had announced his afternoon tea. "Who is it?"
The guard gave a noisy snort. "It's the Queen, who do you think? Now get up off your arse."
Draco swung his feet down from the bed and smirked at the guard. "That was quite comedic of you. Do you have any more jokes?"
"Do you want to get out of this cell or not!" growled the guard. "I can just leave you in here to talk to the little voices in your head if you'd like."
When they got to the visitation room, Draco saw Pansy sitting primly behind one of the windows, dressed completely in black.
"I would prefer to go back to my cell and rot, please," Draco said sardonically to the guard.
"Sit down," said the guard shoving him into the chair.
Pansy studied Draco in exactly the same way she might have examined a spot of mold on a loaf of bread. "Orange doesn't suit you, Draco."
"And you're in mourning, I see," Draco replied with a sneer. "As much as you might wish it, I'm not dead. "
"You may as well be," Pansy said coldly. "Your life is as good as over. Potter will more than make sure of that."
"Potter won't kill me," snorted Draco. "Nor will he allow a judge to do so. You won't get your hands on my money that easily. You know Aidan is the heir."
"And have you taken your potion like a good boy?" said Pansy tapping on the glass with a plump finger, her fingernail was manicured in lavender. "We wouldn't want you to hear all those voices in your head during that little trial Potter's letting you have."
Draco swelled like a violated puffer fish and gritted his teeth.
Pansy's tone darkened, and she narrowed her eyes at Draco. "You're ruined," she hissed. "I told you to not meddle in that idiot's life, and what do you go and do? You ring up an old Death Eater pal and merrily go on your way. No one can catch the great Draco Malfoy. No one can challenge the great Draco Malfoy. No one can bring down the great Draco Malfoy. No one, except Harry Potter, that is." Pansy spit the last word and a flush had crept up her plump and pasty profile. "And now Potter has free run over anything he wants. The Malfoy fortune. The Manor. Your life."
"Is that in order of importance?" asked Draco, raising an indifferent eyebrow, "because I fail to see how any of this involves you, Pansy."
"You're crazier than I thought," Pansy snorted. "If you think I'm going to get a divorce and settle for measly child support payments while waiting for your son to come of age.you've got something else coming to you! I haven't put up with you for six years to get nothing in return. Your snot- faced little son is hardly the beginning of the reparations you owe me. That fortune belongs to me."
"You have just finished telling me that Harry Potter has free run over everything, Pansy."
"Not if we do this correctly," snapped Pansy. "It's about time someone intelligent does the planning. You're going to listen to me and do as you're told, because I'm not going to let you drag me down in the process."
"Oh, I feel so much better now that you have a plan," Draco said dryly.
"You're going to plead guilty and renounce your behavior."
"I will not."
"Oh yes you will, or Harry Potter and his Mudblood brat will get every last Knut of your fortune."
"I said, I will not. Potter can have every last bit, but he won't get so much as a word of an apology from me. Hell has a better chance of freezing over."
"Why am I not surprised? You and your moronic Malfoy honor."
"You have a duty as my wife to honor my wishes. Unless you want to talk about a divorce again.."
Pansy slammed a fist on the counter. "You listen to me, Draco. I have custody of your son. If you want the little idiot to grow up with even a glimmer of likeness to a Malfoy, you'd better start reconsidering my plan."
"Let me talk to him," Draco said immediately.
"Agree to my plan," Pansy said crossing her arms and smiling at him with self-assured smirk.
"You don't seem to realize that I've seen through your little plan. You think you're being cunning and clever, working it out so that it does nothing but benefit you. That's the last thing I ever want to do. I don't owe you anything," Draco responded.
Pansy's face lost the smirk. "Oh yes you do. "
"Even though you conveniently went on vacation during this entire ordeal, I believe that you might take care to remember that I know every delightful, sunny detail of your past. I could simply start talking, and you might just end up right here next to me.."
Pansy's laugh was forced and high. "You forget, Draco. They think you're absolutely crazy, which you are," she added scornfully.
"But what if they were to launch an investigation just for general interest in the accusations? That could certainly rattle the skeletons in your closets," said Draco smiling in his normal fashion now, extremely pleased with himself.
"Don't threaten me, you ba-"
"Do tread softly, Pansy." Draco leaned back in his chair and laughed softly. "Why don't you go fetch Aidan?"
~*~
Chloe selected a crayon from behind Harry's heel and gave an enormous sigh.
"Daddy?"
"Mmm?"
Chloe heard another page turn and waited for her father to respond with a 'Yes?'
"Daddy?" she repeated, a bit louder.
"What is it, Chloe?"
"Daddy!" She poked him in the top of the foot with the green crayon. "Daddy!"
The book thudded shut, and Harry sounded slightly irritated. "Chloe! Must you color under my desk!? What is it?"
Chloe crawled out from under his desk and glared at him. "I must color under your desk."
Harry's face suddenly turned a bit apologetic when he realized he was being mocked rather splendidly. "Why are you doing it then?"
"Because," Chloe said huffily, "I just might have a question, and I want to be by you."
"There's a perfectly nice table over there that you can color on, and you'll still be by me," Harry said shaking his head.
"Daddy, don't be silly. That isn't as nice as my cave."
Harry took a deep breath and then patiently continued. "You are only allowed to reside in your cave when you don't leave your crayons under my fe-"
"The hairy monsters," Chloe interrupted.
There was a short pause in which Harry took the time to glance down at his feet. "They most certainly are not!" he said defensively.
"Yes they are," Chloe said pointing. "But they're very friendly monsters, Daddy."
"That happens to be my ankle," Harry said smiling slightly. "It's supposed to be that way."
"Why?" Chloe asked curiously.
"Because, I-" Harry looked down at his ankle. "Because, for Heaven's sake, Chloe Grace, I don't know."
"Are you mad at me?" Chloe questioned in the soft hurt voice that absolutely made Harry's stomach drop with guilt.
"No, Angel. I'm just very busy. Do you still have a question?"
She nodded and played with the shiny green ribbon in one of her pigtails.
"Go on, I'm listening."
"The man.." Her voice dropped off and she sidled closer to him, putting her hands on his knee.
"Mr. Malfoy," Harry said, placing a comforting hand on her back.
"He's in prison?"
Harry nodded. "Yes."
"Forever?"
Harry sighed. "I don't know, Chloe. That's why we have trials. A judge has to decide how long Mr. Malfoy has to stay in jail, or in a hospital, so he can get better."
"What about that boy?" she asked, after digesting his comments.
"Chloe, you know his name. What about Aidan?"
"He doesn't have to go to jail too, does he? Can they put kids in jail, Daddy?"
Harry pulled Chloe into his lap and hugged her tightly. "No. Aidan doesn't have to go to jail."
"But he won't have a daddy anymore if they put him in jail," Chloe said worriedly. "Shouldn't he have a daddy?"
"Aidan has a mum too," Harry said retying the green ribbon. "Are you worried about him?"
Chloe screwed up her face. "No. He doesn't like me at all. But I hope his daddy is nice to him after he gets better."
"Chloe, sometimes children can't be with their real parents. You know that," Harry stroked her pigtail and sighed. "Like how you live with me now, instead of with your Muggle parents."
"But Aidan's mum and dad aren't Muggles.."
"It's very complicated," Harry said hugging her. "I'll tell you when you're older."
~*~
Aidan swallowed hard and squirmed in the plastic chair.
Draco watched him a moment longer and spoke. "If you have a question, Aidan, ask it."
Aidan had a million questions. Each more puzzling than the next but he couldn't ask any of them. Not to that man. Whoever that man was behind the glass was certainly not his father. He had never seen the man behind the glass in his entire life. His father would never wear orange, and his father would certainly not allow the man behind him to stare at him so rudely.
"What," Aidan began slowly, "what are those things on your wrists?"
Draco glanced at down at the brass bands clamped firmly around his wrists. "They're Blocking Bands," he said simply.
"What do they do?" Aidan asked, glancing back at his mother. She had crossed her arms over her stomach and was glaring at the both of them.
"They keep me from doing magic," Draco said after a pause.
Aidan didn't want to look at him again. This was not his father. His father would never allow anyone to take away his magic. "Why?"
"Look at me when addressing me!" Draco snapped.
Aidan jerked his head up. Now that sounded more like his father. But he was still faced with.this.this.faker.
"Why did they take away your magic?"
"Because Harry Potter wanted them to," Draco said shortly. "Anything else?"
Aidan nodded. "Are they going to kill you, Father?"
"No!" Draco barked. "Where did you get an idiotic idea, such as that!"
"Mother."
"Your mother is nothing more than a foolish drunk. You are a Malfoy and it is your duty to behave as one while I'm gone."
"How long will you be gone, Father?" Aidan glanced back at his mother, who didn't seem to hear his father talk about her.
"That is not of importance. What did I tell you?"
Aidan drew a deep breath and kept his blue eyes on his father. "That I am a Malfoy."
~*~
"Harry?" Sirius entered the room cautiously.
"What?" Harry's voice was strained and he didn't turn to greet Sirius.
"Do you want something to eat?"
"Why do you feel obligated to feed me?"
"Don't be argumentative, Harry James."
Sirius set his hands on the back of the couch and looked down at Harry, who was lying perfectly still, staring at the ceiling. Harry's Auror robes were unclasped at the collar and he had managed to kick off one of his boots.
"Sorry."
"You look a wreck."
"I'm dead tired, Sirius," Harry said, finally letting his gaze rest on Sirius. "I just got home."
"Want to talk about it?"
"It's awfully late to get into it."
"Nine o' clock?" said Sirius, not falling for it. "Don't you dare make me read about the results in the Daily Prophet."
"Fine," sighed Harry, sitting up. "Can I get you something to drink?"
"No thank you. Just give it to me straight."
"Well, of course you know we won," Harry said flatly. "That's all over the news already.."
"Of course."
Harry sighed. "At least the judge had the sense to make it a non-public trial."
"What happened?" Sirius prodded.
"I was pardoned for breaking the restraining order. Percy took care of it."
"Good, good," Sirius said approvingly. "I knew there wouldn't be a problem."
Harry shrugged apathetically.
Sirius crossed his arms. "Harry, what's bothering you?"
"Do you know how long I've known Malfoy?" Harry said suddenly with definite anger in his voice. "Fourteen years. And did you know that in every moment in those fourteen years I wanted him to pay for all the foul things he's done. Then.for once, I knew I had the absolute advantage, and there wasn't any question of me winning or not."
Sirius didn't comment, but waited for Harry to continue.
"And now it's finally happened," Harry said bitterly. "I've destroyed the rest of his life and it seems that I'm not any better than he is."
"Harry, I understand you feel a bit guilty, but did Draco really have a fulfilling life? What exactly was he going to do, change mankind for the better? Kill off more Muggles? Go kidnap a few of Percy's kids next time? What he'd murdered one of us, would that convince you of his guilt?"
"No." Harry lifted his eyes from the carpet. "I know he deserves everything. Everything! To tell you the truth, later on I'll probably think it isn't harsh enough for what he did to Chloe! He's a monster...but it's not just him I'm hurting!"
Sirius' dark eyes showed compassion, but his mouth remained in a thin hard line. "Harry, I didn't attend the trial. You're going to have to tell me."
Harry strode over to his desk and snatched a folder off of it. He handed it to Sirius like it was a particularly slimy thing he never wanted to touch again. "It's all in here. Whether you judge it just or not, it's over."
"Harry, I don't question your judgment," Sirius argued.
That got a small half-smile from Harry. "Yes you do."
"Oh?" smiled Sirius, "You think it's so easy being me? These conversations get harder as you get older! It was easier when you were thirteen or fourteen. Now the only response I get is that I'm the old geezer that questions your judgment! "
"Come on, Sirius, you're not an old geezer. Just read it," Harry said taking his seat again.
Sirius squinted at the papers, snorted, and disobligingly took out a pair of reading glasses. "Old geezer," he muttered half to himself, half to Harry.
Harry rolled his eyes behind his own glasses and pointed to the title of a paper. "I have complete ownership of Malfoy Manor," he said simply. "The judge wanted me to compose my own list of compensation, and I must say, my lawyers are nothing short of frightening geniuses."
Sirius raised his eyebrows in an expression of surprise. "What are you going to do with that property?"
"I'll get into that in a moment. I'm sure you're much more interested to find out what is going to happen to Draco."
"Very much so."
"He's been diagnosed as legally insane. He's under a heavy regimen of potions and medicines right now, and that helps him function almost normally, but the doctors don't know what will happen if he ever builds up an immunity to the medicine."
"So whether he was found guilty or not, he would have been locked up?"
"Yes," Harry said nodding his head. "This only moved it on a bit sooner. He, of course, thinks he's perfectly normal."
"Where is he going?"
"Raveneux Mental Institution. In solitary confinement until he stops this 'I am Lord Voldemort' rubbish. He's also had his right to do magic completely abolished."
"Raveneux," said Sirius thoughtfully, "that's not exactly Azkaban, but I think it's fitting. Jail with padded walls."
"What's this here with the.house elves? Have you been talking to Hermione?" Sirius held up a piece of paper and skimmed it over with a smile.
"All house elves have been released from the Malfoy's supervision. They are welcome to go to other houses. However, I would imagine that a few will stay due to the renovation of Malfoy Manor."
"Go on.."
"I'm not taking away Pansy and Aidan's home because of something Draco did. Technically, they can live there under my conditions," said Harry.
"Pansy isn't going to take very kindly to your charity," Sirius said with a smile.
"I'm not doing this for Pansy. I'm doing this for the little boy. He lost his father...and everything in his world is going to be turned upside down," said Harry quietly. "Malfoy Manor will be changed into a free boarding house for all witches and wizards that are Muggle born and don't have anyone to turn to in time of need. Also, any Hogwarts students can stay there for holidays if they live in a bad environment outside of school."
Sirius looked utterly delighted. "Pansy Parkinson using her own home to cater to the Muggle-born. You're right, Harry. Your lawyers are frightening geniuses."
"Pansy won't be in charge of it all, but she'll work there. The Malfoy fortune will pay for everything. Only the best bedding, best food, and anything else will be provided for the residents. Pity it wasn't around when I had to live with the Dursleys."
"What goes around comes around," Sirius said wisely. "But I have to tell you, if it were left up to me, I would have just kicked the Malfoys out on their arses and made it into a playhouse for Chloe. The Daily Prophet is going to love this, though."
Harry groaned, "Don't remind me...."
"Daddy?" Chloe padded into the room, rubbing her eyes. "Are you finished with the trial now?"
"I am," said Harry picking her up. "Did we wake you?"
Chloe shook her head no and sleepily laid her head on Harry's shoulder. "I forgot," she said simply.
"You forgot what?" asked Harry.
"I forgot to ask Mr. Charlie about the letter Ms. Ginny and I wrote him."
Sirius chuckled, "About the dragons sneezing...or something like that?"
Chloe yawned, "Uh-huh. Ms. Ginny said he wrote back and added a little note on the bottom saying he would tell me when he came and visited next. Then I forgot to ask him."
"That woke you up?" laughed Harry.
"My head thought it was important that I remembered," explained Chloe, closing her eyes.
"We'll remember next time. Okay?" said Harry.
"Okay," sighed Chloe, already half-asleep again.
"I'll go take her back to her bed," whispered Sirius taking Chloe from Harry and leaving the room.
Harry settled back down onto the couch and sighed. He wondered if Ginny had heard anything about the trial yet. Surely she would have stopped by to see him.
"Did you talk to Ginny today?" Harry asked when he heard Sirius' footsteps enter the study again.
"I didn't. Did you?" responded a very clear articulate voice.
Harry bolted up. "Remus! Don't do that!"
"Don't answer your questions?" Remus asked, warming up by the fire.
"I thought you were Sirius.sorry."
"If I'd turned into Sirius," Remus said with a mischievous smile, "I'd be very concerned for the welfare of myself."
"I'm guessing you heard about the trial, then," Harry said.
"I did. I came by to see how you were."
"You know, you and Sirius should start a psychiatric office, you seem to be awfully interested in my well being as of late."
"As of late?"
"Oh, that's right. You two have always listened to my griping about everything since I was, in what, in fourth year?"
"Third," corrected Remus automatically, "and I also don't think it's griping."
"I'm fine. And don't get me wrong, I'm very grateful for the pair of mother hens that I've had the good fortune to be landed with."
"I resent that comment." Sirius smiled good-naturedly at Harry as he walked back into the room. "I am not a mother hen."
"He sounds cranky, don't you think so, Sirius?"
"I agree, Remus. Maybe he's not getting enough iron in his diet."
"Or maybe a lack of Ginny Weasley," suggested Remus.
"Okay, enough," Harry said moodily. "And no, I haven't seen Ginny this week."
"So, why don't you go to Ginny's house, and you two go do something together?" said Remus. "It's very simple."
"You know," Sirius said wickedly. "Like a date."
"The Potter men never seem to catch on how these things work," said Remus. "Took James years.."
"Wasn't my father married?" Harry began. "Which is more than either of you ca-"
"That's different," Sirius said waving his hand distractedly.
"How?"
"We were discussing how you were going to go take Ginny somewhere this evening," Remus interrupted succinctly.
"I would, but I need a responsible babysitter," retorted Harry.
"Ouch," said Sirius.
"I think that both of us can handle a sleeping little girl," reassured Remus, "Especially a really sweet one like Chloe."
"Is that the theory that two half responsible people make one whole responsible person?"
"Would you just go!" Sirius shoved Harry's cloak into his arms.
"You'll get in touch with me if Chloe has another night terror?" asked Harry anxiously.
"Yes! Leave already! We're going to call up our lady friends and have wild party in your house!" explained Sirius.
"Oh? I wasn't aware the nursing home's visiting hours were this late," grinned Harry.
"Watch it!"
"Go have fun," ordered Lupin, "We've got everything under control."
"Go profess your undying love to Ginny."
Harry shook his head and laughed just before he Apparated out of the room.
"Nursing home..." grumbled Sirius, "if I didn't know better, I'd say Harry called us a pair of old coots!"
"Your hair is grayer than mine."
"That's wisdom, dear Moony, not gray hair..."
~*~
Ginny opened her front door and gave a muffled noise of surprise. "Harry! I'm in my pajamas!"
"They're very nice pajamas" commented Harry with a grin, "I mean...sorry to wake you."
"It's okay, I wasn't asleep. Is everything okay?"
"May I come in?"
Ginny let him in, "Sorry. Where are my manners?"
"Same place mine are, for coming to your house late at night," grinned Harry.
"Well, I'm always looking for someone to show off my favorite pair of Chudley Cannons pajamas. Since Ron is such a thoughtful gift buyer...it's only fair I show them to everyone that doesn't have the good fortune to own a pair. Would you like a cup of tea?"
Harry laughed. "No thanks. I think Hermione is really trying to wean him off that horrible orange, I doubt it's working though."
"Well we all know, Ron's best color is really-"
"Maroon," they said together and laughed.
"So what brings you to my humble abode?" Ginny asked. "I have some shapes you can help me cut out for the shape unit after Christmas break."
"I was kicked out of my own house," said Harry shaking his head sadly.
"What?!" laughed Ginny. "Have you not been paying for it?"
"Sirius and Remus barged into my house and ordered me to go have fun."
"They told you to go have fun...and you came here? You don't listen well, Harry," said Ginny cutting out a purple diamond. "Unless you're really interested in an enchanted game of Scrabble that Hermione decided I needed."
He grinned. "How about you go get changed, and I'll take you for a night out on the town?" he suggested.
"Sold," Ginny said setting down her shapes. "You're ten times more fun than yellow squares anyway."
~*~
Ginny threw open her wardrobe hastily and shoved robe after robe aside. No! These wouldn't do at all! Why did everything look so "Nursery School Teacher" suddenly.
"Because you are a nursery school teacher, Ginny," she reminded herself out loud with a groan.
~
Harry paced around downstairs in Ginny's living room. Sure...that had sounded really great. 'A night on the town'...but now that he had said it...he had no idea where he was going to take her.
"That was a really stupid thing to say, Harry," he told himself aloud. "Now you're going to look like an idiot because you don't know what you're going to do..."
London? No...too many Muggles. A romantic walk by Hogwarts' lake? No...too hokey. He had specifically said, 'Night on the town.'
"I am such an idiot," Harry said wracking his brain for any ideas.
~
There was a crash as Ginny knocked over a few bottles on her vanity table. She was trying to brush her hair and apply make-up at the same time.
"You okay, Gin?" came Harry's voice from downstairs.
"Yes! Thank you!" she yelled as she pointed her wand at the mess and did a quick cleaning spell.
~
Harry looked at his watch. Why did girls take so long to get ready? No matter, he thought to himself, I'm still the one who doesn't know where we're going.
He ran a hand through his hair and rested his elbows on his knees as he waited on the couch and tried to think of something. Just before he was about to admit his situation to her when she came downstairs, his gaze fell on a book resting on Ginny's coffee table.
Harry grinned. Now that was a good place, regardless of the Muggles.
~
Ginny glanced at her clock. Fifteen minutes. That was a new record for her. She probably shouldn't let Harry think that it only took her that small amount of time to get ready. She slipped on her shoes and took a deep breath to calm herself before she went downstairs.
Harry turned around, "Wow! You look lovely," he said.
"Thank you," said Ginny smoothing her robes, deep midnight blue with silver trim on the hems.
"We're going to Paris," he announced.
A smile traced Ginny's lips, "That sounds wonderful," she said. Of course it sounded wonderful...Harry could have well said 'South Pole' and she would have been perfectly content to go.
He buttoned up his cloak and helped her with hers. "We're not exactly in Muggle clothing, but I think we can get by. Don't you think?"
Ginny took his offered arm. "I think so."
~*~
Disclaimer: Draco's "Blocking Bands" aren't of my invention. A very talented writer named Terra came up with them. I'm only borrowing them for the sake of being rude to Draco. Great cause, isn't it? Chloe's shiny green hair ribbon appears courtesy of me, due to me actually owning one. The same ribbon actually appears in different fic of mine for those of you who are creepily over-observant and pay attention to kooky details. (Fifty points to Gryffindor to whoever can name who wore the ribbon.)
Special thanks to Anne, who is a hilarious beta reader. Her commentary makes me laugh at my stupid mistakes. Thank you! And no, I'm really sorry Harry and Ginny don't go to the Moulin Rouge. (This is the part where the author starts laughing evilly.)
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