A/N- Don't worry about Maggie being a Mary-Sue, unless she suddenly turns into a wise-crackin' 26 year old fanfic writer, you're safe ;-) Seriously, I've been writing fanfic for a long time and only do self-insertions in comedy pieces where I actually say it's me. I know the dangers of the dreaded Mary-Sue and have no fear this or any of my other fics will turn into them. And with out further ado, the fic -

In the Company of Snakes

By: Cousin Mary

Part5

Lucius did not return until late, the moon had risen and an eerie fog swirled over the lawn as he crossed to the towering front doors of Malfoy Manor. To most observers he would appear no different than always, his stride confident, his eyes steely and direct. But those who knew him best would note his slightly bent posture as he hurried up the walk, they'd take in how his eyes darted all over when given the cover of a blink. For those who knew what to look for it was utterly obvious Lucius Malfoy was anxious about something. And as the elegantly dressed wizard let himself into his fortress like home, Severus Snape stepped out from behind a tree with a thoughtful look. "Curious…"

As Lucius climbed the grand staircase he took off his robe and let it fall to the floor, knowing one of the house-elves would see it was cleaned and returned to his quarters. He loosened his cravat and rolled up his shirt sleeves as he reached the top of the stairs. He thought about summoning one of his servants, but dismissed the idea and took the hall to his son's room. It was late, dawn just a few hours away, but Lucius knew his son kept late hours, just as he himself did. Malfoys traditionally did most of their work while the world slept.

As he moved down the hall the heels of his boots clicked almost silently against the polished hard wood, he'd long ago cast silencing charms on most things he owned. He slowed as he approached Draco's chamber, smiling slightly at the candle light flickering beneath the door. He was still awake then, just as he'd suspected. He raised his hand to knock, but just as his knuckles grazed the wood he stopped and turned the knob.

Draco and Maggie lay on the rug before the empty hearth, heads bent together in whispered conversation. There were numerous plates of half eaten food around them, testament that the house elves hadn't let the children go without their suppers. Lucius watched a moment, struck at how well they looked together. His son's face was lit up with an open smile as Maggie told some story, her hands gesturing wildly. It looked as if they'd known one another their entire lives, certainly not from just this afternoon.

And they looked beautiful, Lucius thought, taking in his children. Both were perhaps a bit thin, but that would change with time. He himself had been a slender youth, but had filled out by graduation. Just then, Draco noticed his presence and looked up.

"Father," He said, climbing to his feet. "Maggie and I were waiting for you. Should I show her to the guest room or…" He trailed off, looking at his sister uncertainly.

"No, I will see to it the servants prepare the Blue Room." Lucius swept into the room, holding out his hand Maggie as she too rose from the floor.

Maggie put her hand gently atop her father's as she stood, still unused to such formal manners. "Uh, thank-you, sir." She mumbled, looking down at her feet.

"In the eye Margaret," Lucius instructed, "Always look whomever you are speaking to in the eye. It shows you think of yourself as an equal, looking away is a sign of submission."

Maggie's eyes lifted, "Yes, sir."

Draco smiled, "The Blue Room is the room right next to this one."

Maggie looked at her brother and grinned, "And let me guess, it's blue?"

"Oddly enough, no," Draco scrunched up his face in confusion.

"Smart arse," Lucius lightly cuffed his son on the back of his head. He shook his head and looked back at Maggie, "I will have Pony ready your room, it should only take a few minutes."

"Pony?" Maggie asked.

"One of the house elves," Draco explained, "Not the one who brought the food, that was Donkey."

"Pony and Donkey?" She raised a brow. "Why are they named that?"

"You'll see," Draco grinned.

As Lucius made his way down the hall he was still smiling at his children's antics, they could be quite charming when they tried. He stopped at one of the numerous bell pulls and tugged on the velvet cord, within seconds Pony appeared at his feet.

"Yesser, Meester Malfie sir?" The house elf squeaked, adjusting her crocheted tea cosy dress.

Lucius rolled his eyes, "Malfoy, Pony, it's Mal-foy."

"Malfoy, oh yesser Meester Malfie, Pony knows," The pink elf grinned widely around sparkling white bucked teeth.

Lucius closed his eyes and counted to ten, it wasn't worth getting upset about, it's not as if the creature meant to annoy him so. "Pony prepare the Blue Room please, my daughter will be staying with us from now on."

"Meester Malfie hassa daughter?" The house elf's large eyes widened to comical proportions.

"Yes I do," Lucius said simply, "Now prepare the Blue Room."

"Yesser, Meester Malfie sir," Pony nodded and raced off, the long copper colored pony-tail that gave her her name sweeping the floor behind her.

Lucius stood there a moment, before sighing loudly and heading towards his own chambers. It was nearly dawn now, but no doubt Narcissa would still be awake. He frowned as he crossed over to the North Hall, it was part of the original Malfoy Manor, the stone here dating back to the 1300's. It always seemed much colder in this part, darker too. He sighed again and wished he hadn't dropped his robe earlier. Sometimes he wished he could move his chambers to the South hall, where Draco, and now Maggie's, rooms were located, that part of the manor was only 200 years old and considerably warmer. But traditionally the lord of the manor stayed in the suite of rooms off the main hall, and tradition meant a lot to the Malfloys.

When he entered his chambers none of the candles or lamps were lit, but a fire roared in the hearth, even in July. He approached the two wing-chairs that faced the fire, not surprised to find his wife sitting in one, staring at the flames. "Narcissa," He said in greeting, leaning down to place a kiss against her cool cheek.

She didn't look at him, her blue eyes were locked on the fire, "Lucius, I trust your day was pleasant."

It was only through years of practice that Lucius could detect the fury behind her polite words. "Pleasant enough," He cautiously sank into the armchair opposite her. "I bring news."

"Oh?" Narcissa's cold eyes narrowed, but still she watched the flames, "Something to do with the girl you had Draco bring into our home?"

Lucius sat stalk still, there was little that escaped Narcissa Malfoy's attention. "As a matter of fact, yes, it is about her. Her name is Maggie…" He stared at his wife, he hadn't expected this kind of reaction. Fury was literally radiating off her like heat from the fire. He frowned, even if she had already figured out who Maggie was, what she was, that didn't explain her anger. Narcissa had to know he had never been a faithful man, just as he suspected his wife was not with out her own admirers… "She's my daughter."

Narcissa's fingers were digging into the armrests on her chair, her knuckles white, "How –dare- you." She whispered.

"My dear," Lucius began, shocked by the venom in his wife's voice. "The affair is long over, the girl's mother meant nothing to me. I-"

He was cut off by Narcissa's cold laugh. "Lucius, I don't –care- about your dalliances, your whores." She spat, "What I care about is being made a fool of by my husband. What I care about it the fact that you disgrace me by bring your bastard here, as if I would ever really consent to mothering some little slut-"

"Now see here Narcissa!" Lucius jumped to his feet, just as his wife did the same. Though he didn't pull his wand.

But she did.

"Incendio," She whispered, watching as the flames from the fireplace leapt up and over her husband.

Lucius fell to his knees, screaming as the flames practically devoured him. He heard a door slam as Narcissa left, then everything went black.

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