Disclaimer: If this chapter has mistakes, I'm sorry. I didn't have time to recheck it this morning, and I wanted it up before school. Anyway, Everything you like in this story belongs to JKR, EXCEPT the ENTIRE Whize family. They're mine. But everything else? Yours. Or Hers. Someone other than me.



CHAPTER TWENTY: Minions at Malfoy Manor

"Draco! I'm so glad you decided to come!" she said and hugged him in a very motherly way. Hermione couldn't help but smile and the woman's eyes fell upon Hermione as she released her son. The older woman looked between the two teenagers with a smile.

"Ah, right," Draco said as he noticed what his mother was implying. "Mother, this is the friend I told you about; Hermione. Hermione, my mother." Narcissa smiled and held out her hand.

"It's nice to finally meet you, Hermione. How are you this evening?" she asked. Hermione slipped her hand into the older woman's and managed to keep her composure.

"Very well, thank you Mrs. Malfoy," she replied respectively. Mrs. Malfoy's eye made the slightest twitch as her name was spoken and Hermione bit her tongue.

"Well," Narcissa started, releasing Hermione. "Now that we're all acquainted, come into the parlor and we shall have some tea." Draco flinched at the word and Hermione wasn't the only one to notice. "Draco? Is there something wrong, dear?" Mrs. Malfoy asked, sounding concerned. Hermione looked at Draco, also concerned and a bit uneasy.

"No, Mum. I'm fine." Mrs. Malfoy didn't look convinced, but let it slide.

"Alright... come in then, and have a seat," she said and turned to enter the room for herself. Hermione saw the room for the first time, then and was astounded. It was a very cheery room; white walls with a deep red carpet and matching drapes. There was a sitting area with white couches and red pillows directly in front of them, then farther down Hermione could see a bar-like area with a red and white tiled floor, classic kitchen checks, a breakfast bar, and a small stove and refrigerator.

Hermione was briefly surprised that there were muggle appliances, but dismissed it quickly as she gaped at all of the portraits and artifacts. The whole thing reminded her of a candy cane, and she suddenly remember how close Christmas was; only about 2 weeks away. Hermione felt Draco's hand brush hers and she smiled at him.

Draco smiled too and motioned for her to sit down. She did, and he sat next to her while Mrs. Malfoy went to the bar to get the tea. Hermione sat strait and stiff, too nervous to do anything else. While Narcissa's back was turned, Draco kissed her quickly on the cheek.

"Relax," he whispered and she took a deep breath. Draco smiled and kissed her again, "It's okay." She nodded, even though nothing felt okay. Narcissa came back, carrying a tray much like Mrs. Weasley's, but made of pure silver and not of tin. Hermione smiled as she accepted the cup and thanked her hostess, but Draco said nothing, accepting the tea, but staring at it as if it were poison.

"Draco, are you sure you're all right? You're acting rather oddly," Narcissa asked, gently lifting her cup to her mouth.

"Yes, Mother. I'm fine," he said and almost hastily brought the cup to his lips, sipping away her suspicion. Narcissa, again, did not look convinced, but let it slide. Hermione wondered how much this happened; Draco claiming to be fine and his mother brushing it off, even when she knew something was wrong. The Malfoy woman turned to Hermione with a warm smile.

"Well! Hermione, tell me more about yourself. Have you attended Hogwarts long?" she asked, smiling genuinely.

So it began; the feared inquisition of the parental figures. The next two hours consisted of Mrs. Narcissa Malfoy asking petty questions of Hermione, Hermione answering them, and Draco only speaking when spoken to or to be outraged at one of his mother's questions.

Draco kept looking at his watch, annoyed at having to convert the numbers in his head for lack of a small pointed object with which to reset it. After an acceptable amount of unintelligent conversation and nervous looks at questions about the two of them, Draco decided to speak up. Once again, he waited for a break in conversation.

"Mother, I hate to interrupt, but we are due back at the castle soon and I'd like to see Lucifer before we leave. May we be excused?" Draco asked, having moments of both pride and timid accent in his speech. Narcissa looked surprised for a moment then nodded.

"Yes of course; wait until you see him, he's adorable." She said, looking to Hermione and speaking as if they had know each other for years. "It was nice meeting you, Hermione. I hope to see both of you back to visit me soon," she said expectantly as they stood.

"Yes mother," Draco said, smiling. He took Hermione's hand and led her to the door, but Narcissa met them half-way and pulled her son into another embrace. This one, however, she ended with a large kiss on his cheek. Hermione had to stifle a laugh as she saw the look of disgust on his face. When Narcissa let go, Draco grabbed Hermione's hand and made a break for the door.

Hermione managed a quick wave before he pulled her through. Draco closed the door behind them and Hermione backed up against the wall next to it, letting gout a deep sigh. She laughed as she looked at Draco, who still looked disgusted, and was now trying to wipe away his mother's lipstick. He smiled a little and took a step closer to her.

"Do you do that after I kiss you?" she asked, raising an eyebrow. Draco smirked and moved a little closer, pressing his hands against the wall on either side of her. The two were wonderfully close to each other.

"As soon as you turn around," he said and she hit him playfully, faking outrage. Then she smiled and ran a hand through his blonde hair, keeping the other on his shoulder. Draco laughed, leaned in, and kissed her gently, letting her melt into it. Hermione barely had time to do so, however, as they were disrupted by the sound of a shriek, then small running feet, and a far-away sob. Both turned their heads in the direction of the sound just in time to see a small figure scurry around the corner.

"Fristy?" Draco asked quietly, speaking to no one. Hermione looked to him, but he kept his eyes on the corner.

"Oh Draco, I'm sorry," she said and his head spun immediately to look at her.

"What? Why?" he asked, not seeing the reasoning behind her statement. Hermione looked at him as if he were crazy. She spoke a little slowly, using simple sentences, as if talking to a five year old.

"Fristy likes you. You kissed me. Fristy saw us, ran away crying. Very angry, probably hates you, not to mention me." Draco smiled at her attitude toward the situation.

"Well, yes, I gathered that much, Hermione," he said and she smiled a little. "You shouldn't be sorry, I kissed you. Besides, I love Fristy about as much as you love Ron, and in the same context. I care about her, I mean, I care that she's upset and I don't want her to be mad at me, but that doesn't mean I love her like I love you," he said and kissed her again. Hermione smiled as it ended.

"Well, I think you should at least go talk to her," she said and twisted a piece of his hair between her fingers. Draco nodded and took a bit of a step back, taking his hands off the wall. Hermione's hands slid from his shoulders and hung once again at her sides.

"Yes, I agree. I will after we see the baby. You'll love him, Hermione, I know you will," he said and took her hand. Draco seemed very happy and Hermione couldn't help but smile. He led her back down the hall to the entry room they had first come in to, then headed up a large staircase which branched off from it. At the top, there was a small landing and a simple redwood door, complete with a low peephole, mail slot, and a crystal knob.

Draco knocked one of the two knockers, a smaller version of the one outside. The knocker Draco had chosen was about eye level to Hermione, while the other knocker was much lower; about to her waist. It didn't take her long to figure out where this door would lead; the home of Fristy, Clara, Penny, Blandon and Lucifer. She smiled; how quaint.

The door was opened by a small female elf, clad in muggle jeans and a sweatshirt, whom Hermione had almost mistaken as Fristy. This elf, however, had long straight hair, as opposed to Fristy's short and curly style. She looked almost identical to Fristy, however, and seemed about the same age. **This must be Clara,** she concluded, ** They're twins, how...cool, for lack of a better word.** The house elf seemed to smirk at Draco as she recognized him and spoke sarcastically. One sentence and Hermione knew she was nothing like her sister.

"Why Draco, fancy meeting you here. I was beginning to think you wouldn't return until summer," she sighed and shrugged, "...one can dream, I suppose."

"It's good to see you again as well, Clara. Did Fristy happen to come up here just now?" Draco asked and smiled at the tiny elf.

"Actually, she did, and she did seem rather upset," she paused and raised an eyebrow, "What did you do to her? Wait..." Clara said and looked to Hermione as if just noticing she was there.

Her gaze followed down Hermione's arm to her hand, which was still linked with Draco's. A large grin broke across Clara's face and she nodded, over exaggerating each bob.

"I see what's going on here. Well, well, well; Draco Malfoy finally going out with someone other than Pansy Pork-n-Beans or whatever. Oh wait, did Fristy see you kiss? Oh my god, this is priceless!" Clara said, laughing. Draco semi-blushed and his hand tightened on Hermione's.

"That's quite enough, Clara. Would you kindly tell your mother than I am here; we are on a bit of a schedule," Draco asked, trying to sound superior. Hermione was a little surprised at this but got over it when Clara spoke again.

"Now, now. I'll be damned if I'm going to let a stranger into my quarters. Introduce me to your friend and I shall see to it that mother is informed of your presence," she said, gesturing to Hermione. Draco sighed and Hermione wasn't sure if he was sick of introducing her to people, or simply sick of the elf's attitude.

"Clara, this is Hermione. Hermione, Clara," he said, unenthusiastically. And paused while Clara sized Hermione up. "Now, may we enter?" he asked impatiently. Clara shrugged and turned to walk away.

"Mother!" she yelled as she receded into her domicile, leaving the door open for them to enter. Draco rolled his eyes and shook his head. Hermione laughed and he smiled; he loved it when she laughed.

"I thought twins were supposed to be at least a little like each other," Hermione thought out loud. Draco smiled.

"Well, not those two. How did you know they were twins; I don't think I told you," he asked, stepping through the doorway and pulling Hermione behind him. She shrugged.

"I'm observant," she managed to say before a pudgy little elf of a woman bustled in, smiling.

"Draco, dear, It's nice to see you home again," she said and Draco bent down to hug her.

"Good evening Mrs. Whize," he said and stood. Hermione smiled, if Harry and Ron could see him now, on last name basis with a house elf. Mrs. Whize turned her head and smiled warmly at Hermione then brought her eyes back to Draco.

"A girl? How unexpected," she said eyes shining. Draco looked a little annoyed, but none-the-less introduced her.

"Yes, that seems to be popular belief. This is my good friend, Hermione. Hermione, Mrs. Whize." The house elf smiled and held up her hand. Hermione leaned a bit down to take it and shook it lightly, smiling politely.

"Hello my good friend Hermione, won't you both come in? We shall have tea," the woman said and turned away. As expected, Draco flinched. He decided he could not go through this again.

"That won't be necessary, Mrs. Whize. We can not stay long; Mother's visit took up most of our time, but I was hoping to see Lucifer before we must be off." The woman smiled.

"Yes. I sent Fristy to tell you he had awoken and to save you from your mother; I don't know what happened, but she did not seem happy when she returned. Come," she said and turned into another small room.

Draco took Hermione's hand and led her to follow Mrs. Whize. The room was what seemed like a nursery, but with a seating area. Clara was curled up in one of the large chairs, a smirk on her face.

A tiny crib was placed in the corner, obviously occupied with not other than Lucifer. Hermione was excited; she loved children and had never before seen a baby house elf. Draco, too, was excited, but seemed more able to hid it.

"Hello again, Clara," he said and she waved sarcastically. Draco turned and smiled at Hermione, then dragged her over to the crib. Lucifer was the tiniest house elf she had ever seen and she melted over him. He was adorable; so small and innocent, reaching up to the new faces with tiny arms. Hermione placed a hand over her mouth, overcome by the sight. Mrs. Whize noticed this and placed a chubby hand on Hermione's arm. Hermione looked down at her and the elfin woman smiled.

"Go on dear, pick him up. You know you want to," she said and Hermione turned to Draco. He was smiling and nodded to her. Hermione looked back to say she couldn't, but Mrs. Whize insisted. Hermione wanted desperately to hold the little being, but was a bit unsure of herself. She picked up the bundle, not able to say no again, and held him in her arms. Lucifer laughed as she did so and Hermione smiled. "I believe he likes you, Hermione," the elf said and turned to seat herself on one of the couches.

Hermione felt a tear slide down her cheek; holding the fragile life in her hands was like nothing she had ever felt before. Not necessarily better than anything else, but still wonderful and different.

She held the baby for about a half an hour, continuing to become more confident. She didn't take her eyes off of him and was barely listening to the slowly progressing conversation. Hermione forced herself to pass of the little bundle to Draco then, seeing his yearning eyes. Mrs. Whize chatted meaninglessly with Hermione while Draco held the baby.

She asked many of the same questions Mrs. Malfoy had asked, and Hermione repeated her answers politely. All together, the teenage couple visited with the older elf woman and her daughter for about an hour. For the third time that day, Draco waited for a break in conversation.

"Hermione, what time is it?" he asked, not able to look at his watch, for fear of waking the now asleep baby Lucifer. Hermione smiled at the adorable scene, then checked her own watch and answered him.

"Almost eight thirty," she said and he sighed. Draco gave the baby back to Hermione, careful not to wake him, and stood.

"I should go talk to Fristy. Stay here, I'll be back in a few minutes," he told her, placing a hand on her face, not wanting to kiss her in front of the elfin woman he considered his superior. Hermione smiled and nodded. Draco turned to his hostess and nodded to her. "Mrs. Whize," then looked at the younger elf, who was giggling as she realized WHY he had to talk with her sister. "Clara," he said warningly. The little elf simply laughed harder. Draco smiled at Hermione and exited the nursery, off to talk with his admirer. Hermione stayed where he asked her to and chatted quietly with the elves; mostly about the boy who was no longer there.

Draco made his way through the second story to the door he knew belonged to Fristy. He walked up to it and took a deep breath; Fristy was his friend and he was a little nervous. Gently, he knocked on the plain brown door.

"Fristy? It's Draco," he said quietly, opening the door a crack. The full force of a teenage house-elf slammed it back shut.

"I know who you are, now go away!" she yelled, sobbing quietly.

"Fristy, why are you mad at me?" he asked as if he didn't know.

"Don't ask stupid questions, Draco! Go back to your little girlfriend, I'm sure she misses you." Draco decided to play dumb; it seemed easier that way.

"Is that what this is about; you're jealous of Hermione?" he asked, no answer. He sighed; this was going no where. "Fine, if you're not going to talk to me about this, we'll just leave. Classes start again after Christmas so I guess I won't see you until June..."

As he expected, the door opened to show the tear stained face of Fristy Whize. Draco smirked, **I thought that might work.** He dropped his smirk quickly and sighed before sitting down on the floor of the hallway.

"Why are you so upset about this, Fristy? You never got like that when I was with Pansy." He said the name as if it were an object and not a person. Fristy sat next to him in the doorway.

"Yeah, well... you hated Pansy. And you never brought her home, and I never saw you kiss her. She came over without asking and hung all over you, but I knew you didn't like her at all." Draco nodded, she was right, of course.

"Why don't you want me to have a girlfriend, Fristy?" he asked, emotionless.

"You know why, Draco. Isn't it obvious?" she said, tears still falling.

" I want to hear you say it," he said, not looking at her. Fristy took a deep, stuttering breath.

"I like you Draco, you know that. I've liked you forever; I just don't want to lose you to someone else," she said, blushing. Draco couldn't help but smile; he didn't think she was going to actually say that to him. He turned to look at her.

"Fristy, I like you too...but a relationship like that would never work out between us, even if there was no Hermione, god forbid," he said and she dropped her head.

"Is it because I'm a house-elf and you're human?" she asked, believing that was the reason. Draco was surprised at her question and took her hand in his.

"No, of course not. It's because you're like a sister to me; it would be very odd, don't you think?" he asked, serious. "I could never feel for you that way, Fristy. I love you, but not like that. I'm sorry," he said and kissed her cheek before standing. She smiled up ant him and he held out a hand to help her up. "Will you come and see us off? Hermione thinks you're upset with her. You shouldn't be, you know; she didn't do anything." Fristy nodded and took his hand, walking slowly beside him toward the nursery.

"I know she didn't know, but I can't shake the feeling she's taking you away form me," she said sadly, looking to the floor. Draco wasn't exactly sure how to feel about that.

"I'm not going anywhere; you can always come and talk to me Fristy, you know that. But, for my sake and hers, be nice to Hermione, okay? We've been through more than you'll ever know recently, and she's very emotionally fragile. I found that out the hard way," he said and smiled, thinking of his previous conversation with Hermione. It seemed so much longer than a few hours ago; a lot had happened that day. He looked to the little elf, now standing outside the nursery door. "Promise?" he asked and she nodded.

"Anything for you, Draco," she said and he gently rustled her hair.

"Thanks, that means a lot to me," he said and opened the door.

Draco felt himself draw a sharp breath as he saw Hermione on the couch. Lucifer was awake now, sitting on her lap and pulling gently on her hair. Hermione, who hadn't noticed Draco enter, was sitting there laughing, letting the little being laugh and play along with her. She looked so beautiful to him, Draco couldn't speak. He felt his stomach flip and his pulse jump . Then, she turned to him and his heart skipped a beat. He couldn't breathe; Draco was almost scared, he had no idea what was happening to him.

"Draco?" a small voice beside him sounded. Draco forced himself to tear his eyes away from the girl and look to the elf at his side. She looked bewildered and he smiled at her, sweat forming on his brow. The elf looked concerned for a moment, but Draco's smile was genuinely reassuring and extremely contented and she was reassured that everything was perfectly fine. Fristy smiled back and Draco turned again to Hermione, feeling a pang in his heart as she crossed his eyes again. Struggling for breath, he managed to speak to her. Hermione noticed that something was different; not wrong, just different.

"Are we ready?" he asked, looking as if the world had become suddenly brighter. Hermione smiled sweetly and nodded before turning back to her new little friend.

"Bye-bye," she said in a high voice to the baby, lifting him off her lap and placing him in his mother's arms. Lucifer looked sad for a moment, then wrapped his arms around his mother's neck, burying his head into her chest sleepily. Hermione stood and moved closer to Draco, noticing Fristy and keeping a bit of distance from him. Draco was almost glad; his heart beat faster with every step she took, the feeling wonderfully unbearable. Hermione looked to the curly haired elf and held out a hand. Fristy took it and smiled.

"No hard feelings, okay Hermione?" she said and saw Draco smile out of the corner of her eye. Hermione looked surprised for a moment, then smiled, big and beautiful.

"Of course not, Fristy," she said and was glad to see Fristy smile wider. She released her hand and stood straighter. "Good evening Mrs. Whize, Clara. Bye, bye Lucifer," she said and turned to Draco. A deep blush seemed to be collecting at his cheeks and Hermione felt a fierce yearn to get him outside and ask what was wrong.

"Goodbye dears, be sure to come back and visit again, won't you?" Mrs. Whize asked from behind her infant son.

"Of course Mrs. Whize," Draco said and Hermione slid her hand into his out of habit. Draco felt a tingling sensation start in his hand and spread through out his body, but Hermione seemed to realize what she had done and dropped his hand, looking apologetically at Fristy. The little elf looked near tears but was still smiling. Draco was not as accepting of the hand drop as either of the two girls. He wanted that heavenly tingle back as soon as possible. "Come on, Hermione. We're already late."

Draco grabbed her hand again, looking instantly soothed, and made for the exit. Hermione waved to her family of new friends as he pulled her out the nursery door and back through the entry room. Draco paused only slightly before passing through the redwood portal.

The couple walked back out to the garden and were near their original spot of arrival before Draco turned to her. Hermione spoke before he could.

"Draco, what's wrong?" she asked, holding his hands in hers. He smiled a little, and even in the dim light, Hermione could tell that he was blushing.

"Hermione, I'm falling in love," Draco said in a calm and steady voice. Hermione dropped his hands and placed hers over her mouth, face white with shock. She shook her head slowly and took a step back from him. Draco looked confused, not understanding her behavior.

"Fristy?" she asked in a whisper, shock and disbelief showing through. **How can this be happening?** she wondered. Draco paled a considerable amount, eyes wide in shock. He now understood what she must be thinking and stepped toward her. To his horror, Hermione took another step back.

"No, Hermione! Oh my god, no! You! I'm falling in love with...you," he said, separating the last word as if he himself had just realized it's meaning. Hermione dropped her hands from her mouth and stared at her boyfriend, searching his face for emotion. Relief came to her as she saw the endless amounts of the burning fleck termed love, but also a clash of fear. "I. Love. You," he repeated, making each word a sentence. This time, the words held more meaning than ever before and Hermione noticed, but pretended not to.

"What? Draco, I know you love me..." she began but he cut her off.

"I knew I did too, but I've just done it all over again; and this time I've fallen harder," he said, smiling almost sheepishly. Hermione began breathing strangely, almost hyperventilation. She took the needed steps forward and embraced him hard. The wonderful tingle came back to Draco, this time hard enough to take his breath away. Draco tried to regain himself and wrapped his arms around her, hugging her close to him.

"You scared the hell out of me, Draco. I thought... I thought that..." Hermione started, sobbing now. She wouldn't have been able to say anything more even if Draco hadn't cut her off.

"Never, Hermione. I'm sorry, I didn't think...." Draco said, then paused, "I'm sorry," he whispered. Hermione managed to compose herself, but did not let go.

A/N as I said before, broke up the chapters. That's why the ending sucks. Flame if you wish, it'll be my first one, and I fear that I'm getting a big head. Go on, FLAME ME DAMMIT!!!

First one to guess why Mrs. Whize's name is funny gets a nickle!

PRF

Cristabel- Wow. That's a lot of reviews, you're awesome! I'll answer them in chronological order.

-They have a Heads Dormitory. Because they're Head Boy and Girl and whatnot. I'm not exactly sure if that's true, but it's popular beielf, so I went with it. I know he's a little overly nice, and I know this chapter sucked, but it WAS my VERY first chapter EVER so cut me, would ya?

-They have, sort of. I just went directly into the 'I like you' thing. I know it's moving fast, but I wanted to get past all that and straight to the good stuff. The snow and names thing you already know.

-Exactly.

-If Headwig is a girl, I could care less. If I want my owls to have sex changes, my owls will have sex changes.

-It was like; gliding up really fast, but still not like shaky. That's what I meant. Only YOU would point that out. Lol. And of course McGonnagal had to knock. How else would I EVER have broken them apart after THAT?

- I know, she cries too much. Popular belief once again. But, I don't care about the alarm clocks thing. Maybe they got special permission since they have to stay so long by themselves.... or maybe they charmed it or magiked up a look-alike. Whatever. And they said I Love You because I Like You sounds stupid. That's all.

-He wears muggle clothing because he's a teenager. Teenagers, I'm assuming, wouldn't really enjoy wearing robes all the time. I wouldn't.

-Well, pretty worried is an understatement. This guy was like, hysterically worried. He was a little too preoccupied with looking in her window to bother taking in the scenery outside before walking to it. About the alarm clock? I DON'T CARE. And No way in hell would our Draco EVER do that. EVER.

Karly- Send me your chapter! I'm excited! Hehe

Lily Rainwater- I don't know, but I wish she would enlighten me as well! I must say he's incredible! And that's sweet of you to say; thanks! I must apologize though.... got some stuff coming up that won't exactly make you smile. But its all good, in the same...

Carla- No, probably not. I just did that last one so that I could have something to bring them closer. Nothing like savage fear to bring two people together. And no, I've never been anywhere near Seattle. That's why there's not a lot of detail about the Needle. Sorry; but I just HAD to make them go there... its kinda romantic... and now I'm jealous. Of my own fictional materialization. Niiiiiice.