I want to thank all of my reviewers! You guys rock! This is my first Harry Potter fanfic and I'm glad I'm getting it somewhat right :)
In the Company of Snakes
By: Cousin Mary
Part3
Lucius pulled his daughter out of the pub and back out onto Knockturn Alley, the hairs on the back of his neck were rising as he became certain someone was following them. He led Maggie first down one turn then another, weaving in between the tall, narrow buildings that made up the most dangerous areas of Wizarding London.
While his natural instincts were always to head towards the darker shadows well behind the apothecary shops, he realized he'd made a mistake when he saw the flash of a silver mask out of the corner of his eye. He'd just played right into their trap, moved away from the protection of the crowds and isolated himself, and his daughter, in an area that where even if someone saw something… they wouldn't say a word.
"Oh bloody hell, what do they want now?" He mumbled, grabbing Maggie and shoving her through the nearest door. He looked around, it was Bumbles and Katch, a store specializing in exotic potion ingredients that were, for the most part, completely illegal. Maggie was frowning at him, silently asking for answers, but he ignored her as he once again took her arm, this time leading her up the far aisle of ceiling high shelves, past the tiny glittering vials and small sinister canisters of ingredients, heading for the back entrance.
He pushed himself past a black robed customer before realizing that he recognized him, "Draco?!" He spun around, hauling Maggie to his side.
The boy quickly set down whichever substance he'd been holding, pushing it towards the back of the shelf so his father couldn't know for certain just –which- vial he'd been eyeing. "Father?" He stared for a moment, opened his mouth to give some sort of explanation… then he spotted the girl who was literally his double, his eyes widened.
"No time," Lucius thrust Maggie at her brother and pulled his wand, pushing both children behind him. "Take her home Draco, take the long route."
Draco just stared at his father, jumping when he felt the girl take his hand. He looked at the girl, shaking his head slightly at what he was seeing.
"Now boy." Lucius hissed as he heard the front door to the shop open.
Draco nodded, leading the girl towards the back. He opened the door without a sound and slipped out, pulling the girl with him. The door shut on well-oiled hinges with just a muted click. His mouth was a thin line as he looked around him, trying to get his bearings. "This way," He mumbled, drawing her into yet another shop, straight through it, out the side door and into another alley. He next took them through the kitchen of a greasy little pub that made the tiny Skull and Dagger look absolutely palatial.
This went on for a while, darting down alleys, through shops, across vacant lots and even through a pipe Maggie would swear was once used for sewage. They moved in silence, quickly and rarely looking back. Familiar territory for them both. Finally Draco pulled her through one last grate-like door and they stumbled into the late afternoon sun flooding Diagon Alley.
Draco sat down on a bench outside Gringott, facing the grate they'd just exited, his back to the thick stone wall. He scooted over and without saying anything, invited her to sit next to him, "We'll stay here awhile, see if anyone follows."
Maggie nodded, trying to relax a bit. She slid her sunglasses back on and pushed a hand through her hair, lifting it off her neck. They sat there a full quarter hour in complete silence.
Draco flicked his eyes away from the grate and to the girl sitting next to him. She had to be a Malfoy, she looked like every painting that lined the halls of his family's home. He studied her, as far as he knew he was the only fifteen year old, all of his cousins were either much older or barely toddlers. So… who was she?
Maggie tried to pretend she didn't notice her brother staring at her. What was she supposed to tell him? She thought it might be necessary to use her 'extra powers,' as her tutors always called them, but if at all possible she wanted to avoid that. She always felt dirty when she used them, especially the intrusive ones. She frowned, she should say something. But what? Hi, I'm your bastard sister! Seemed somehow inappropriate.
Draco noticed her expression and was about to say something, when he happened to look up and see who was approaching. "Dammit."
Maggie looked up to see three boys coming right at them. She felt her brother straighten next to her, it was clear he did not like them. She tensed, hopefully they hadn't seen them and would pass right by. No such luck.
"Malfoy," The younger of the three walked up to them, two identical boys right behind him. All had bright red hair and none looked to pleased to see them.
"Weasels," Draco sneered, "You do realize this is a bank don't you? Where wizards keep money… no reason for you to be hanging around."
As the boys all glared at her brother, Maggie glared back. They all obviously had a history together, but she was automatically siding with Draco. He'd taken her and protected her without question, giving him a little back up was the least she could do. She lifted her chin, her eyes narrowing, "Why don't you guys get lost? The circus doesn't need anymore clowns today."
"Say, little Malfoy got himself a girlfriend?" One of the twins stepped forwards, "How much you have to pay for her?"
"You bastard," Draco jumped up and sent a fist flying into the red head's face. Almost as soon as he'd made contact, the other two boys jumped into the fray.
"Stop it! Stop it!" Maggie stood back, her eyes wide, as the red heads quickly took control and started beating her brother. The boys ignored her, and while Draco –was- getting a few good punches, with three against one, he was taking a lot more than he was giving. Maggie shook her head, she couldn't just stand by and watch this happen. With that decided, she tossed aside her sunglasses and dove toward the pile of boys.
She managed to get a hold of the collar of one of the twins and, throwing all her weight into it, managed to haul him out of the fight. She put her hand over his forehead and got a good look at him, he was freckled faced and cute. There was a bruise already rising on his jaw and the corner of his lip was bleeding. Maggie frowned, as she looked at him, he didn't seem like he could be such a bad guy. But then again, she could hear the other two behind her still beating the living snot out of Draco. Knowing the boy couldn't move as long as she held him like this, Maggie took quick look around to make sure no one was watching, then she leaned forward and whispered in his ear.
George shook his head slightly as the girl drew back from him. Something had just happened but he wasn't sure what. He looked past her at the fight. "All right, all right," He yelled, climbing to his feet a bit unsteadily. "That's enough. Fred, Ron, get off him!"
As the two boys stood, Ron gave Draco one last kick for good measure. The blonde boy's foot shot out and knocked him down again before delivering one last punch to his gut.
"I said that's enough!" George bellowed, grabbing Ron just as his brother was about to start in again. "We told mum we'd pick up those herbs and we don't have time to mess around with Malfoy."
"But George-!" Ron started, but was cut off as George grabbed his ear and hauled him down the street, a confused Fred trailing behind.
Draco stayed there on his hands and knees a minute, getting his breath back. He spit onto the sidewalk, a combination of spit and blood. After a moment, he climbed to his feet, straightened his robes and looked at Maggie. "We'd best head to my house now."
Maggie nodded slowly, following as Draco tried not limp too much as he marched home.
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