AN: Well, the last chapter went rather well, don't you think? *sigh* Okies,
this story is on its way to the end...but it won't end w/o a bang. ^_^
Thank you to all who have reviewed, and KEEP REVIEWING! Thanks once more! I
am so glad I haven't had any flames! HAHA!
Cozy: Once more, thank you!
And one more thing...I had to refer to Chamber of Secrets to remember what a certain room looked like...*doesn't want to spoil it for you*...so if some of this seems vaguely familiar...you now know why.
~¤Sheetula¤~
Chapter 7 Different Man
Harry and Draco were led down the hallways in silence, neither of them knowing where they were being led. McGonagall looked rather tense, and Snape had a smirk upon his face. It began to make Harry wonder what the Head of Gryffindor and the Head of Slytherin were doing together.
Draco glanced at Harry and, after finally and silently getting his attention, nodded towards the teachers in a silent question. Harry shrugged his shoulders in reply, his eyes wide.
McGonagall turned down a hallway and Harry suddenly knew at once where they were being taken: Dumbledore's. Draco noticed the look on Harry's face and waved silently to get Harry's attention once more. "Dumbledore," Harry mouthed, watching Draco pale in surprise. Both realized where they were being taken, and they were starting to realise why.
They all came to a stop in front of a large, ugly gargoyle. McGonagall glanced at Harry and said, "Lemon drop."
'That password, again?' Harry thought.
The gargoyle sprang to life, and out of the corner of his eye, Harry saw Draco jump in surprise. The wall behind the gargoyle split in two, and they all walked in. They came upon a spiral staircase that was moving upward, and all four of them stepped onto it as the wall closed behind them. They rose in circles, and they kept going up and up. And at the top, there was a large oak door with a brass knocker. Harry remembered all this as McGonagall walked forward and knocked on the door, making it open silently.
~*~*~*~
Aurora woke up spooned into Lucius' side. Judging from the way he was breathing, he was still asleep. She took a deep breath and stayed where she was, just like this. She had succeeded in doing her first job, making Lucius love. If she had failed, Lucius would not have been so gentle with her, she knew that deep inside. She knew what he was really like, and if he had acted that way with her, it would've ended before it even started.
Aurora felt a finger slide up her arm, making her skin tingle from the sudden touch. "Are you awake, Aurora?" Asked the cool voice of Lucius Malfoy. Aurora flipped over onto her other side so that she could face him and nodded, making hair fall forward into her face. Lucius reached down with one hand and tucked it behind her ear. "Thank you," he said, "thank you." Aurora smiled. "You have passed the second test," she whispered, looking into his steel grey eyes, "you have loved me."
Lucius nodded softly. "Yet, what was the first test?" He asked.
"To not resist, to trust, to give control to someone else," came the reply.
The ends of Lucius' mouth slowly curved upwards into a smile. "And what is the third test?" He purred. Aurora smiled as she reached over to cup the side of his face in her hand. "To love Draco," she replied, rubbing her thumb across his pale cheek. The smile faded slightly from Lucius' face as he took her hand in his, but he didn't say anything.
"I know you can do it," Aurora said, replying to Lucius' unspoke words, "you have gotten this far without any mistakes or hesitations. Don't hesitate now." Lucius continued to frown, however. "But how am I supposed to show him this...love?" He finally asked. Aurora smiled again. "You will know," she said, "trust me, you will know."
Lucius sighed as he moved forward and kissed Aurora's forehead. "I really do love you, you know," he said. "Now," Aurora said, pushing him gently away, "are you sure of that?" Confusion passed over Lucius' face. "What do you mean?" He asked. "Are you sure that you love me? Can you prove it?" The angel asked. Lucius blinked in surprise, anger beginning to show. "Yesterday wasn't proof enough?" He hissed.
Aurora sighed and closed her eyes. "You did well yesterday, and I am not saying that you didn't prove it, but can you prove it to me now?" She asked, reopening her eyes. Lucius finally realised what she was saying and nodded. "Help me find Draco," he said. Aurora nodded. "I'll help you find him, but the rest is up to you," she said.
Lucius nodded his agreement, his expression becoming a smirk. "You're not sixteen, are you?" He asked. Aurora returned the smirk. "How'd you guess?"
~*~*~*~
Harry and Draco continued to follow Professor McGonagall and Professor Snape into a large, circular room with little noises emitting from various places. Silver instruments stood on spindle-legged tables, whirring and emitting little puffs of smoke. Draco and Harry glanced at each other in half-amusement, both of them still half nervous as to why they were here.
The walls were covered with pictures of people, soon to be recognised as old headmaster and headmistresses, most of them sleeping. There was also a large, very large, claw-footed desk, and, sitting on a shelf behind it, a shabby, tattered wizard's hat: the Sorting Hat.
Four chairs were already set before the large desk, making Harry realise that Dumbledore knew they were all coming. To him, that wasn't necessarily a good sign.
"Mr. Potter, Mr. Malfoy, please sit down," Professor McGonagall said in a rather stern voice, and both Draco and Harry realised that they shouldn't push their luck by disobeying, especially if Snape finally decided to say something. They sat down right next to each other, making Snape and McGonagall glance at each other in surprise. "Severus, I would appreciate it if you would stay with them while I go get Albus," McGonagall said, disappearing through the door before Snape could reply.
In disgust, he sat down in the farthest chair from Harry and Draco, glaring at both of them. "Professor," Draco tried, "may I ask why 'Potter' and I were brought here?" He asked, spitting out Harry's name, which Harry knew by now, was an act. Snape slowly turned his gaze upon the blonde Slytherin. "You will hold your tongue until you're spoken to, Mr. Malfoy," he snapped, making Draco's jaw drop in anger. "That's right, Mr. Malfoy," Snape continued, noticing Draco's disbelieving face, "you heard what I said."
Draco closed his mouth and sunk into his chair, glancing briefly at Harry, who was wearing almost the same expression. Snape turned his piercing gaze upon Harry, who quickly looked away.
At that moment, the door Professor McGonagall had disappeared through opened, revealing a tight-faced McGonagall and a calm Professor Dumbledore. They stepped into the room, Dumbledoor sitting behind his desk, and McGonagall sitting next to Snape.
"So," Dumbldore said calmly, looking at Draco and Harry, "you've been called to the office?" Draco and Harry glanced at each other, then nodded at the same time. "And you don't know why?" Dumbledore continued, making Draco and Harry nod again. Dumbledore looked over at Professor McGonagall. "And why not?" He asked her. McGonagall's mouth opened in surprise before she replied. "You didn't tell us to, Albus," she replied stiffly.
Dumbledore chuckled and looked back over at the two boys. "You're not in trouble, my dear boys," he said, "we just need to ask you a few questions about Aurora's attack." Harry saw Draco slip slightly in his chair, and he was glad he was the only one who noticed him doing so. "Yes, sir," Harry said, saving Draco as he regained his posture.
"Tell me what you do know, Harry," Dumbledore said, and Harry realised that he knew nothing. He glanced at Draco, who realised the same thing. "Sir, I don't know anything about her attack," he replied. "I only went to speak with her because I was concerned. She came up to me the other day to show her 'appreciation' for me, and I just wanted to make sure she was okay."
Dumbledore nodded, looking at McGonagall with an expression that Harry swore could've been an "I-told-you-so" look. "I see," he said, "and you, Mr. Malfoy?" Draco straightened his posture once more. "Sir, all I know, is that it was a Slytherin who attacked her," he answered, half-honestly. Dumbledore raised an eyebrow. "And how do you know this?" He asked. Draco blinked in surprise. "She was attacked in our common room," he replied. "And how do you know that?" Dumbledore continued. Draco paused. "She told me," he replied.
Dumbledore nodded. "I think you'd get more information out of her than us, sir," Harry said. "She was the one who got attacked, not us." Dumbledore smiled at Harry's remark. "How true," he said, still smiling and chuckling softly. This was when Snape finally decided to speak. "Clearly, sir, Harry is avoiding being questioned," he said. Harry's eyes widened, and so did Draco's.
~*~*~*~
Lucius led Aurora out of the shower, after taking a nice, long, warm one together. He was beginning to see her maturity, and he could also see that she was not sixteen. Her looks were becoming more obvious, and more beautiful, almost like his remark about her age had caused them to change.
Gently and slowly, Lucius helped Aurora change into yet, another beautiful robe, and she wondered why he hadn't given her school robes to wear. "Am I not going to class?" She teased. Lucius grinned as he lifted her chin with the tip of his finger. "Do you really want to waste your time with those children?" He asked with a kiss. Aurora smiled and sighed. "I guess not," she replied, tracing her finger around Lucius' bare chest.
"I suppose we should find Draco now," Lucius said as he put on a new pair of clothes, similar to the ones he wore the previous day. As he clasped his cloak together, put on his gloves, and picked up his serpant staff, Aurora walked over to him and hooked one arm with hers. "Shall we?" She asked. Lucius nodded and led her out through a well-secluded door, which opened to an empty Potions dungeon. "Why hasn't class started?" Aurora asked. Lucius stiffened. "Oh no," he whispered softly, getting a vague idea.
~*~*~*~
Harry stood up in anger. "What?" He cried, outraged by the accusation. "Like Draco said, Professor, she was attacked in the Slytherin common room, I don't think I can go in there!" He cried. Dumbledore raised his hands to calm down Harry, but Snape stood up in reply. "Well, Mr. Potter, why are you being so quick to defend yourself?!" He roared.
Harry glared up at the enraged Professor, and just as he was about to reply, McGonagall stopped him. "Mr. Potter, you do not speak to Professor Snape like that!" She said, forcing Harry to sit down.
"I know someone who could probably tell you who did it," Draco said softly from his seat, making everyone look down at him. With all eyes on him, he grew more nervous and he drew a breath to speak the name. He was afraid of what his father would say when he told the group that his father would have the answer. "My father," he finally said.
Dumbledore grew serious as McGonagall blinked in utter surprise. Snape paled and sat rather harshly down in his chair. Harry's eyes shut in regret. This could turn ugly. "What do you mean, your father could tell us who did it?" McGonagall asked. She was the only one in the room who didn't know that Lucius was at Hogwarts. Draco glanced at Dumbledore. "I think I know what he means, Minerva," he said, "please show Mr. Potter to his next class. Severus, you stay here."
Professor McGonagall stood up, nodding at Harry to follow her out of Dumbledore's room. Harry glanced down at Draco as he stood up and gave him a "good-luck" glance. A corner of Draco's mouth twitched in response as Harry left the room completely.
"So, Mr. Malfoy, you claim your father will have the answer?" Dumbledore probed. Draco nodded nervously. "Yes, sir," he responded, glancing at Professor Snape. Dumbledore sighed. "Well then," he said, leaning back in his chair, "I guess we get to call your father to the office."
~*~*~*~
Harry inched himself away from Professor McGonagall as they left Dumbledore's room and headed to the Gryffindor dorms to get his things. He was slightly angry with her for embarrassing him in front of Snape. How could she let him say those things to him?
Okay, not slightly angry, enraged.
He clenched his fists as they rounded a corner, nearly knocking over Lucius Malfoy and Aurora. Lucius and Aurora had had their arms hooked together, but removed them at once before Professor McGonagall noticed. "Lucius!" McGonagall exclaimed. Lucius pushed Aurora in front of him, winking at her to show that he was acting. Harry caught the wink. "Yes, Minerva?" Lucius sneered. "What are you doing with Miss Malile?" McGonagall snapped.
"Is it really so important?" Lucius replied, glaring down at Harry. Harry returned the glare. "Yes it is, Lucius," McGonagall replied stiffly, "it seems like you have been dealing with our new student quite a lot." Lucius stiffened. "And what's that supposed to mean?" He sneered. "Has Mr. Potter been telling you things?"
McGonagall placed a hand on Harry's shoulder. "No, your son has been telling us things," she said, making Lucius inhale sharply. Aurora looked up at him and touched his arm to remind him of her presence. "Please, Professor," she said, "I was only conversing with Mr. Malfoy about Draco."
Harry also caught the smirk that flashed across Lucius' face.
"Well then," McGonagall said, inhaling sharply, "Dumbledore wishes to see you, Lucius. I trust you know the way?" And without another word, she rushed off with Harry.
"Oh, Professor?" Aurora called, making McGonagall stop in agitation, half yanking Harry to a halt. "Yes, Miss Malile?" "Could I speak with Harry?" McGonagall sighed. "Why not?" She replied, releasing her hold on Harry and rushing off in complete anger.
~*~*~*~
Lucius and Aurora watched Minerva McGonagall storm off, and then their gazes dropped down to Harry, standing before them in confusion. Lucius glared at Harry still, but when he saw the look Aurora was now giving him, he forced himself to stop. "You go on ahead, Lucius, I would like to speak with Potter," she said. Lucius pursed his lips. "Fine," he replied, heading off in the other direction, his black cloak swirling around him.
Aurora turned to Harry as they approached each other, and she placed her hands on his shoulders. "Harry, you've got to listen to me," she said urgently, making Harry forget everything else on his mind to give her his attention. He nodded. "I think the truth is revealing itself to the fact the Draco did in fact attack me," Aurora continued. "And I assume you know why too?" Harry nodded.
"That's why I am here, Harry, to fix that," Aurora explained. "Fix what?" Harry asked, not quite following Aurora's explanation. "I'm here to fix their relationship between them as father and son, and it's worked, Lucius is a different man," she replied. "He still hates me," Harry muttered. "That's something I cannot change, Harry, I'm here for him and Draco only," Aurora replied.
~*~*~*~
Lucius entered Dumbledore's office rather loudly, seeing his son, Severus, and Albus all looking at him expectingly. "What?" He hissed, moving forward to sit down by his son.
"Draco claims that you can tell us what we wish to hear about Aurora's attack," Dumbledore explained. Lucius looked at Draco sharply, and noticed how Draco was shrinking under his intense gaze, and it immediately softened. "Yes," he whispered, "yes I can tell you what you wish to know."
Snape and Draco looked at him at the same time, both wearing an expression of utter surprise, and just as Lucius was about to give Dumbledore the answer, the door to his room opened yet again, revealing Aurora and Harry.
~¤Sheetula¤~
Cozy: Once more, thank you!
And one more thing...I had to refer to Chamber of Secrets to remember what a certain room looked like...*doesn't want to spoil it for you*...so if some of this seems vaguely familiar...you now know why.
~¤Sheetula¤~
Chapter 7 Different Man
Harry and Draco were led down the hallways in silence, neither of them knowing where they were being led. McGonagall looked rather tense, and Snape had a smirk upon his face. It began to make Harry wonder what the Head of Gryffindor and the Head of Slytherin were doing together.
Draco glanced at Harry and, after finally and silently getting his attention, nodded towards the teachers in a silent question. Harry shrugged his shoulders in reply, his eyes wide.
McGonagall turned down a hallway and Harry suddenly knew at once where they were being taken: Dumbledore's. Draco noticed the look on Harry's face and waved silently to get Harry's attention once more. "Dumbledore," Harry mouthed, watching Draco pale in surprise. Both realized where they were being taken, and they were starting to realise why.
They all came to a stop in front of a large, ugly gargoyle. McGonagall glanced at Harry and said, "Lemon drop."
'That password, again?' Harry thought.
The gargoyle sprang to life, and out of the corner of his eye, Harry saw Draco jump in surprise. The wall behind the gargoyle split in two, and they all walked in. They came upon a spiral staircase that was moving upward, and all four of them stepped onto it as the wall closed behind them. They rose in circles, and they kept going up and up. And at the top, there was a large oak door with a brass knocker. Harry remembered all this as McGonagall walked forward and knocked on the door, making it open silently.
~*~*~*~
Aurora woke up spooned into Lucius' side. Judging from the way he was breathing, he was still asleep. She took a deep breath and stayed where she was, just like this. She had succeeded in doing her first job, making Lucius love. If she had failed, Lucius would not have been so gentle with her, she knew that deep inside. She knew what he was really like, and if he had acted that way with her, it would've ended before it even started.
Aurora felt a finger slide up her arm, making her skin tingle from the sudden touch. "Are you awake, Aurora?" Asked the cool voice of Lucius Malfoy. Aurora flipped over onto her other side so that she could face him and nodded, making hair fall forward into her face. Lucius reached down with one hand and tucked it behind her ear. "Thank you," he said, "thank you." Aurora smiled. "You have passed the second test," she whispered, looking into his steel grey eyes, "you have loved me."
Lucius nodded softly. "Yet, what was the first test?" He asked.
"To not resist, to trust, to give control to someone else," came the reply.
The ends of Lucius' mouth slowly curved upwards into a smile. "And what is the third test?" He purred. Aurora smiled as she reached over to cup the side of his face in her hand. "To love Draco," she replied, rubbing her thumb across his pale cheek. The smile faded slightly from Lucius' face as he took her hand in his, but he didn't say anything.
"I know you can do it," Aurora said, replying to Lucius' unspoke words, "you have gotten this far without any mistakes or hesitations. Don't hesitate now." Lucius continued to frown, however. "But how am I supposed to show him this...love?" He finally asked. Aurora smiled again. "You will know," she said, "trust me, you will know."
Lucius sighed as he moved forward and kissed Aurora's forehead. "I really do love you, you know," he said. "Now," Aurora said, pushing him gently away, "are you sure of that?" Confusion passed over Lucius' face. "What do you mean?" He asked. "Are you sure that you love me? Can you prove it?" The angel asked. Lucius blinked in surprise, anger beginning to show. "Yesterday wasn't proof enough?" He hissed.
Aurora sighed and closed her eyes. "You did well yesterday, and I am not saying that you didn't prove it, but can you prove it to me now?" She asked, reopening her eyes. Lucius finally realised what she was saying and nodded. "Help me find Draco," he said. Aurora nodded. "I'll help you find him, but the rest is up to you," she said.
Lucius nodded his agreement, his expression becoming a smirk. "You're not sixteen, are you?" He asked. Aurora returned the smirk. "How'd you guess?"
~*~*~*~
Harry and Draco continued to follow Professor McGonagall and Professor Snape into a large, circular room with little noises emitting from various places. Silver instruments stood on spindle-legged tables, whirring and emitting little puffs of smoke. Draco and Harry glanced at each other in half-amusement, both of them still half nervous as to why they were here.
The walls were covered with pictures of people, soon to be recognised as old headmaster and headmistresses, most of them sleeping. There was also a large, very large, claw-footed desk, and, sitting on a shelf behind it, a shabby, tattered wizard's hat: the Sorting Hat.
Four chairs were already set before the large desk, making Harry realise that Dumbledore knew they were all coming. To him, that wasn't necessarily a good sign.
"Mr. Potter, Mr. Malfoy, please sit down," Professor McGonagall said in a rather stern voice, and both Draco and Harry realised that they shouldn't push their luck by disobeying, especially if Snape finally decided to say something. They sat down right next to each other, making Snape and McGonagall glance at each other in surprise. "Severus, I would appreciate it if you would stay with them while I go get Albus," McGonagall said, disappearing through the door before Snape could reply.
In disgust, he sat down in the farthest chair from Harry and Draco, glaring at both of them. "Professor," Draco tried, "may I ask why 'Potter' and I were brought here?" He asked, spitting out Harry's name, which Harry knew by now, was an act. Snape slowly turned his gaze upon the blonde Slytherin. "You will hold your tongue until you're spoken to, Mr. Malfoy," he snapped, making Draco's jaw drop in anger. "That's right, Mr. Malfoy," Snape continued, noticing Draco's disbelieving face, "you heard what I said."
Draco closed his mouth and sunk into his chair, glancing briefly at Harry, who was wearing almost the same expression. Snape turned his piercing gaze upon Harry, who quickly looked away.
At that moment, the door Professor McGonagall had disappeared through opened, revealing a tight-faced McGonagall and a calm Professor Dumbledore. They stepped into the room, Dumbledoor sitting behind his desk, and McGonagall sitting next to Snape.
"So," Dumbldore said calmly, looking at Draco and Harry, "you've been called to the office?" Draco and Harry glanced at each other, then nodded at the same time. "And you don't know why?" Dumbledore continued, making Draco and Harry nod again. Dumbledore looked over at Professor McGonagall. "And why not?" He asked her. McGonagall's mouth opened in surprise before she replied. "You didn't tell us to, Albus," she replied stiffly.
Dumbledore chuckled and looked back over at the two boys. "You're not in trouble, my dear boys," he said, "we just need to ask you a few questions about Aurora's attack." Harry saw Draco slip slightly in his chair, and he was glad he was the only one who noticed him doing so. "Yes, sir," Harry said, saving Draco as he regained his posture.
"Tell me what you do know, Harry," Dumbledore said, and Harry realised that he knew nothing. He glanced at Draco, who realised the same thing. "Sir, I don't know anything about her attack," he replied. "I only went to speak with her because I was concerned. She came up to me the other day to show her 'appreciation' for me, and I just wanted to make sure she was okay."
Dumbledore nodded, looking at McGonagall with an expression that Harry swore could've been an "I-told-you-so" look. "I see," he said, "and you, Mr. Malfoy?" Draco straightened his posture once more. "Sir, all I know, is that it was a Slytherin who attacked her," he answered, half-honestly. Dumbledore raised an eyebrow. "And how do you know this?" He asked. Draco blinked in surprise. "She was attacked in our common room," he replied. "And how do you know that?" Dumbledore continued. Draco paused. "She told me," he replied.
Dumbledore nodded. "I think you'd get more information out of her than us, sir," Harry said. "She was the one who got attacked, not us." Dumbledore smiled at Harry's remark. "How true," he said, still smiling and chuckling softly. This was when Snape finally decided to speak. "Clearly, sir, Harry is avoiding being questioned," he said. Harry's eyes widened, and so did Draco's.
~*~*~*~
Lucius led Aurora out of the shower, after taking a nice, long, warm one together. He was beginning to see her maturity, and he could also see that she was not sixteen. Her looks were becoming more obvious, and more beautiful, almost like his remark about her age had caused them to change.
Gently and slowly, Lucius helped Aurora change into yet, another beautiful robe, and she wondered why he hadn't given her school robes to wear. "Am I not going to class?" She teased. Lucius grinned as he lifted her chin with the tip of his finger. "Do you really want to waste your time with those children?" He asked with a kiss. Aurora smiled and sighed. "I guess not," she replied, tracing her finger around Lucius' bare chest.
"I suppose we should find Draco now," Lucius said as he put on a new pair of clothes, similar to the ones he wore the previous day. As he clasped his cloak together, put on his gloves, and picked up his serpant staff, Aurora walked over to him and hooked one arm with hers. "Shall we?" She asked. Lucius nodded and led her out through a well-secluded door, which opened to an empty Potions dungeon. "Why hasn't class started?" Aurora asked. Lucius stiffened. "Oh no," he whispered softly, getting a vague idea.
~*~*~*~
Harry stood up in anger. "What?" He cried, outraged by the accusation. "Like Draco said, Professor, she was attacked in the Slytherin common room, I don't think I can go in there!" He cried. Dumbledore raised his hands to calm down Harry, but Snape stood up in reply. "Well, Mr. Potter, why are you being so quick to defend yourself?!" He roared.
Harry glared up at the enraged Professor, and just as he was about to reply, McGonagall stopped him. "Mr. Potter, you do not speak to Professor Snape like that!" She said, forcing Harry to sit down.
"I know someone who could probably tell you who did it," Draco said softly from his seat, making everyone look down at him. With all eyes on him, he grew more nervous and he drew a breath to speak the name. He was afraid of what his father would say when he told the group that his father would have the answer. "My father," he finally said.
Dumbledore grew serious as McGonagall blinked in utter surprise. Snape paled and sat rather harshly down in his chair. Harry's eyes shut in regret. This could turn ugly. "What do you mean, your father could tell us who did it?" McGonagall asked. She was the only one in the room who didn't know that Lucius was at Hogwarts. Draco glanced at Dumbledore. "I think I know what he means, Minerva," he said, "please show Mr. Potter to his next class. Severus, you stay here."
Professor McGonagall stood up, nodding at Harry to follow her out of Dumbledore's room. Harry glanced down at Draco as he stood up and gave him a "good-luck" glance. A corner of Draco's mouth twitched in response as Harry left the room completely.
"So, Mr. Malfoy, you claim your father will have the answer?" Dumbledore probed. Draco nodded nervously. "Yes, sir," he responded, glancing at Professor Snape. Dumbledore sighed. "Well then," he said, leaning back in his chair, "I guess we get to call your father to the office."
~*~*~*~
Harry inched himself away from Professor McGonagall as they left Dumbledore's room and headed to the Gryffindor dorms to get his things. He was slightly angry with her for embarrassing him in front of Snape. How could she let him say those things to him?
Okay, not slightly angry, enraged.
He clenched his fists as they rounded a corner, nearly knocking over Lucius Malfoy and Aurora. Lucius and Aurora had had their arms hooked together, but removed them at once before Professor McGonagall noticed. "Lucius!" McGonagall exclaimed. Lucius pushed Aurora in front of him, winking at her to show that he was acting. Harry caught the wink. "Yes, Minerva?" Lucius sneered. "What are you doing with Miss Malile?" McGonagall snapped.
"Is it really so important?" Lucius replied, glaring down at Harry. Harry returned the glare. "Yes it is, Lucius," McGonagall replied stiffly, "it seems like you have been dealing with our new student quite a lot." Lucius stiffened. "And what's that supposed to mean?" He sneered. "Has Mr. Potter been telling you things?"
McGonagall placed a hand on Harry's shoulder. "No, your son has been telling us things," she said, making Lucius inhale sharply. Aurora looked up at him and touched his arm to remind him of her presence. "Please, Professor," she said, "I was only conversing with Mr. Malfoy about Draco."
Harry also caught the smirk that flashed across Lucius' face.
"Well then," McGonagall said, inhaling sharply, "Dumbledore wishes to see you, Lucius. I trust you know the way?" And without another word, she rushed off with Harry.
"Oh, Professor?" Aurora called, making McGonagall stop in agitation, half yanking Harry to a halt. "Yes, Miss Malile?" "Could I speak with Harry?" McGonagall sighed. "Why not?" She replied, releasing her hold on Harry and rushing off in complete anger.
~*~*~*~
Lucius and Aurora watched Minerva McGonagall storm off, and then their gazes dropped down to Harry, standing before them in confusion. Lucius glared at Harry still, but when he saw the look Aurora was now giving him, he forced himself to stop. "You go on ahead, Lucius, I would like to speak with Potter," she said. Lucius pursed his lips. "Fine," he replied, heading off in the other direction, his black cloak swirling around him.
Aurora turned to Harry as they approached each other, and she placed her hands on his shoulders. "Harry, you've got to listen to me," she said urgently, making Harry forget everything else on his mind to give her his attention. He nodded. "I think the truth is revealing itself to the fact the Draco did in fact attack me," Aurora continued. "And I assume you know why too?" Harry nodded.
"That's why I am here, Harry, to fix that," Aurora explained. "Fix what?" Harry asked, not quite following Aurora's explanation. "I'm here to fix their relationship between them as father and son, and it's worked, Lucius is a different man," she replied. "He still hates me," Harry muttered. "That's something I cannot change, Harry, I'm here for him and Draco only," Aurora replied.
~*~*~*~
Lucius entered Dumbledore's office rather loudly, seeing his son, Severus, and Albus all looking at him expectingly. "What?" He hissed, moving forward to sit down by his son.
"Draco claims that you can tell us what we wish to hear about Aurora's attack," Dumbledore explained. Lucius looked at Draco sharply, and noticed how Draco was shrinking under his intense gaze, and it immediately softened. "Yes," he whispered, "yes I can tell you what you wish to know."
Snape and Draco looked at him at the same time, both wearing an expression of utter surprise, and just as Lucius was about to give Dumbledore the answer, the door to his room opened yet again, revealing Aurora and Harry.
~¤Sheetula¤~