In the Company of Snakes
By: Cousin Mary
Lucius kept his face carefully blank as he examined the girl. High cheekbones, her hair was slightly darker than Draco's, her eyes a light green rather than his son's silver, but he'd known even before Peller had confirmed it, this was obviously his daughter.
He watched as she walked in the room, tall and thin, her hair hanging straight down her back to her waist. If Draco had been a girl he would have looked just like the one before him now. She was wearing what muggles called a 'sundress,' and over it a faded jean jacket. There were sunglasses perched on top of her ash blonde hair. She approached him cautiously and just looked at him. She appeared tired, like she hadn't slept in days. Dark circles shaded beneath eyes that he now saw we a yellow-green, like a nearly healed bruise. Suddenly she stuck out her hand.
"Pleased to meet you, sir," Her voice was almost toneless, and quiet, almost a sigh.
Lucius started, strangely surprised to hear an American accent, though he realized he should be. She was American, just like her mother… she just looked so much like himself and Draco… so much a Malfoy. He looked down at her hand and took it in his own and just held it for a moment. He watched her close her eyes and swallow, then she drew back her hand. She looked back over her shoulder at the Agent who was watching their exchange intently.
"Yes, I think this will work," She said, taking a step back and leaning against the wall. She stuck her hands deep into the pockets of her jacket and proceeded to stare at her feet.
Lucius frown, once again feeling such a sense of apprehension that he wanted nothing more than to leave, immediately. He looked to Peller, who cleared his throat before speaking.
"Well then," He walked back to his pile of paper work, handing Lucius a few sheets of paper and manila envelope. "Her birth certificate, school and medical records, all the odds and ends you might need."
Lucius looked down at the papers mutely, a tidal wave of thoughts crashing through him at once. He shook his head, "No, no, I…" He paused, mouth opening and closing a few time. He looked back at the girl the back at the Agent, "What do you think I'm… what-?"
"You should take the girl now," Peller scooped the remainder of his papers, as well as the muggle's photo, back into his briefcase, "In an emergency you are to contact me directly," Peller leaned down so his face mere inches from Lucius's, "Me and –only- me, we clear?"
"What? No," Lucius shook his head, "I can not simply-" His eyes were wide, his mind casting wildly about for a way out of this impossible situation. This simply could not be happening! "Wait! If her mother died several years ago, why contact me only now?!"
Peller stood, looking at the girl before simply saying, "There were… complications."
"Complications? What complications?!" Lucius was nearly yelling. He had a place in the community, this could –not- be happening!
Suddenly Peller lifted him from his chair with one thick arm and threw him against the wall. Lucius fumbled for his wand, but gave up as Peller's pressed his forearm across his throat. "You listen to me Malfoy," Peller's eyes were blazing with such emotion Lucius was literally stunned. "You will take your daughter home, you will watch out for her and you will contact me if there is any emergency. You take her in with open arms or else I will break your arms, got it?"
Lucius flicked his eyes to his daughter, she hadn't even looked up. He swallowed loudly, looking back at Peller, "Unhand me at once." He snarled. The Agent held him a moment longer before stepping back. Lucius continued, his voice strong and sure as he stared down the Agent, "I will take the girl because she is my daughter, but after I leave here our association will cease. "
"Agreed," Peller straightened his robes and jerked his head towards the door. "Take her now, her things will be delivered to your house soon."
Lucius sneered once more, but found himself taking the girl by the arm and leading her swiftly from the room and down the stairs. He didn't even glance at the desk as he strode angrily out of the building, his daughter in tow.
He kept a swift pace, but the girl didn't say a word as she worked to keep up. They were several blocks away and both were slightly winded when he finally slowed and looked at her. "What to do with you then?"
She shrugged, "You could take me into that alley over there and kill me."
Lucius was momentarily horrified before he realized she was joking, the corner of his lips quirked up, "Well, lets save that 'til after supper hmm?"
The girl's lips quirked up in an identical manner and Lucius knew that he'd never be able to pass her off as anything other than his daughter. Merlin, what would he tell people? The wheels turned, he'd have to profess his regret over ever having ever strayed from Narcissa, that was a given. One time thing, etcetera, etcetera, moment of weakness, so forth and so on, only thing he didn't regret was his lovely daughter… "Say there," He pulled her to a stop, frowning slightly as he watched her tense before looking up at him.
"Yes?" Her voice was still barely a husky whisper. She lifted a hand and pushed the sunglasses from her hair onto her nose.
"Peller never told me," He pulled off her glasses, looking into her strangely colored eyes. "Whatever –is- your name child?"
"Maggie," She whispered back, clearing her throat and reaching for the glasses in his hand.
"Maggie Malfoy?" Lucius frowned in distaste.
"Miller," She corrected, slipping the glasses back on and shading her eyes with her hand as well. "Really Margaret, 'cause, well, you know." She shrugged again.
"It will be Malfoy from now on," He informed her haughtily, steering her towards Knockturn Alley. "And why Margaret?"
Maggie looked around, peering into a few windows. She didn't seem at all worried by the increasingly sinister merchandise the shops displayed, "In the middle-ages all illegitimate girls were named Margaret, 'cause you know, in honor of Mary Magdalene." She looked at Lucius and he swore her eyes twinkled, "Was supposed to protect our mortal souls, redeem us and keep us on the straight and narrow."
"Ah," Lucius nodded, wondering a bit at her near grin. They walked a bit further before stopping at a small pub, The Skull and Dagger. It was a small place who's clientele came to eat, but not be seen. It was policy not to go nosing in other's affairs here. Professional courtesy as it were. Besides, he was hungry and they might as well get better acquainted over a meal. He thought to himself he was taking this all very well, though he supposed the truth of the matter was that it hadn't really sunk in yet. Here was this stranger he was suddenly supposed to take into his life. How to even begin? "Will this do?" He asked, indicating the establishment.
Maggie looked up, it was all dark stone and thick glassed windows that let little light and no visuals through. She nodded and let Lucius lead her to a back table. He held her chair for her as she sat, she was oddly pleased by the gesture.
He sat across from her, "Forgive me, but I don't remember your mother as a religious person."
"She wasn't," Maggie nodded, her eyes darkening a bit, "A – a friend suggested it."
He knew there was more to it than that, the expression on her face told him that. But Lucius knew women well enough to know that that look also meant a change of subject was in order.
"Are you married?" She asked suddenly.
Lucius sat straighter, silencing Maggie with a look as a waitress came by and took there order. After the woman was gone, Lucius nodded, "Yes, my wife, Narcissa and I have been married for nearly twenty years."
Maggie nodded, digesting that. "How's she going to- to take to this?"
"Narcissa is an understanding woman," Lucius watched his daughter's face closely, looking for censure. He face was the same carefully blank mask he himself employed.
"Children?"
"A son," Lucius cautioned himself not to say too much. Yes this was his daughter, but he did not know her and it was not yet clear if she had any hidden agenda. The overbearing involvement of Agent Peller, an auror, not social worker, was a clear indication that something out of the ordinary was occurring. There were factors involved that were not yet clear. "His name is Draco, he's about your age."
"How's he going to take this?" She asked next.
Lucius frowned. How would the boy react? While yes, Narcissa's pride would sting a bit as the flurry of whispers descended, she could be appeased with jewelry until it all died down. Draco was another manner entirely. "I'm not sure." He said finally.
Maggie nodded, sitting back as the waitress appeared with their food. Once they were again alone, she sighed. "I hope it goes well," She pushed a hand though her hair, "I- I don't deal well with stress anymore."
"Anymore-?" Lucius prompted gently.
"Nevermind," She mumbled, looking down at her stew, frowning slightly.
Lucius ate in silence as he watched Maggie push her meal around her bowl with a piece of bread. She wasn't eating, but then again maybe she just wasn't hungry. What was he going to do about her? He obviously had to take her home with him, the auror had forced his hand on that. She was his daughter and if it got out Lucius Malfoy had stuck his child in an orphanage or anything of the like he'd never live it down. Well, at least school would start up again in a month, then he could at least ship her off to Hogwarts. He frowned, "What year are you?"
"Huh?" Maggie looked up.
"Don't say 'huh' makes you sound common," He told her, "What year are you in school? Salem was it?"
"Oh," Maggie looked uncomfortable, "I didn't exactly go to school." She paused again, "Well, I did the first year, after that I was privately tutored."
"Privately-?" Lucius frowned, "Why would you be privately tutored?" The horrible thought occurred to him that his daughter might be slow. She had been rather quiet…
"My, my powers," Maggie's voice grew quieter and quieter as she spoke, in the end Lucius was nearly leaning across the table to hear her, "They said I- I was too much of a distraction to have me around the other kids."
"What?!" Lucius's temper was beginning to stir. How –dare- they say such things about –his- daughter!
Maggie was staring intently at her bowl now, her eyes wide and unblinking, "My mind, it- I see things. Things I shouldn't." She whispered, "It's gotten me in trouble… in the past."
"What kind of things?" Lucius asked, adding, "What kind of trouble?"
"I- see, !-"
"Wait," Lucius cut her off, suddenly noticing half of the pub hanging on their every word. So much for the Skull and Dagger's fabled confidentiality. He threw down some coins and led the still upset Maggie from the pub. This conversation would have to wait, another thrill of apprehension shot down his spine. Just how many surprises did fate have in store for him today?
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