Disclaimer... Not mine. Need I say more? *Sigh* ok, they all belong to JK Rowling. And I wouldn't really want to steal them from her as she does a much better job than I ever could!

Dedication... To everyone! I love you all! *Does air kisses*

Randomness... Did you know that Phrenology is the science of detailing someone's personality from the shape of their skull? Also, did you know that the most likely place in the Solar System for life to exist other than Earth is one of the moons of Jupiter, Europa?

~ Chapter 2 ~

Bill was oblivious to the stare of recognition between Lucius and myself. He continued to pour a drink and make introductions.

"Luke, this is Russ. He's started coming regularly just this summer. Russ, this is Luke." I reached out to shake hands. I noticed that the palm in my own hand was smooth and dry, despite the weather, and that the grip was firm. There was not really much I knew about this Slytherin a year above me, but an innate distrust of those in that house and a desire for anonymity made me wary. I could see similar emotions mirrored in Lucius' eyes.

Bill had finished pulling the pint and placed it on the bar in front of Lucius. He glanced down at my pint and spoke to me for the first time.

"It looks like we're drinking the same thing." I nodded and took a swig from my glass. His voice was rich and even, totally different to what I had expected, having only seen him from afar. Its sound made me relax. Evidently he was not going to acknowledge our mutual recognition and I felt easier about that. I leaned forward on the bar and threw a couple of salted peanuts from the bowl on the bar into my mouth. I had always known that Malfoy Manor was somewhere nearby, hidden by various spells, but having never seen any of them in or around the village I had assumed they did not mix with the muggle element. But here it seemed that I was not the only one fond of muggle pubs.

I listened as Lucius told Bill about his activities over the summer so far and wondered mildly what he had really been doing. I occasionally asked a question but mainly just enjoyed listening to the deep intonations of his voice. Soon the conversation turned to more everyday subjects and I joined in more and more, Bill saying less and less. The pints were kept supplied and the night passed quickly. I could see my shock mirrored in Lucius' face when Bill informed us that he would have to close up. Lucius stood as I reached into my back pocket to pay my evening's bar tab. He stopped me.

"Put them all on my tab Bill." Lucius stated. I raised an eyebrow. "Good company is worth a few drinks." He continued and smiled. "I hope I'll see you here again." It was more a question than a statement.

"I'm here most nights." I confessed as he pulled his overcoat back on. We shook hands again before he turned and swept out of the door. I said my goodnights to Bill, pulling on my own battered, dark brown, long leather coat. As I walked out into the torrential rain I pulled up the collar and hunched my shoulders. The night had definitely not turned out as expected.

*

I lay in my bed with the duvet pulled up over my clothes. The rain was still battering at the windows, lending a cosy feeling as I read the thick volume I had selected off the library shelf. We Lupins were not as rich as, for example, the Malfoys, but we did live in a large, rambling house, made more extensive on the inside than apparent by various charms. I could hear the occasional clang and batter of my father cooking dinner. My mother was in the drawing room, the occasional Bach or Chopin drifting up from the piano.

I had spent much of the summer so far buried in my bed reading, but this had been the first day that I had actually enjoyed it. I would read great passages, occasionally stopping and finding myself thinking about Lucius. My stomach flipped a little every time I thought about going to the pub that night. I watched the time, waiting for the hours to pass. Finally I could not deny what I had been trying to ignore since the previous night. I was desperately looking forward to seeing Lucius Malfoy again.

*

I finished eating and complimented my father. My parents took turns in cooking, I myself occasionally taking a turn, but I never had the heart to tell my father that my mother's cooking was far superior.

As usual after dinner, at 7pm, I collected my leather coat and walked down to the pub. My parents had known something was wrong but knew better that to question their private son. Today, however, I fought the urge to rush. I almost ran to the cloakroom for my coat and was out of the door in minutes. I wondered if it was right to be interested in someone so soon after Sirius, especially as the person was a Slytherin and the fact that I had only spoken to him the night before, but at that moment I could not care.

I strode into the bar ten minutes earlier than I would usually arrive. I was surprised and gratified to see one of the stools already occupied by the unmistakable form of Lucius. He looked up as I walked in and smiled. I grinned back in response. "Nice to see you again Luke." I commented, taking my customary seat at the bar, knowing Bill would already be pulling my drink.

"Definitely." Lucius responded. "I was hoping you would be back tonight." My smile grew. This was going to be interesting.