Chapter 8: Meetings in the Dark

Disclaimer: The usual. I don't own Harry Potter JKR does, BLAH BLAH!

Thanks: Krissy, Draco-Is-A-Sex-Bunny, Anarchy Star, Callisto Star, Draco-
luver, pupulupk, and dunkmoonX

A/N: WHEE! I am on a creative role here!!! So here is the next chapter! ^_^
I hope you enjoy it! This one is for: Draco-Is-A-Sex-Bunny (Love you,
Brandi!), and Krissy (I updated early for you ^_^)

Draco shut the door behind him, and stared at everyone. The adults had
shunned them, but that wasn't going to stop them from thinking about their
horrible problems. Draco looked attentively around the room. Harry was
still looking shocked, and Ron looked simply terrible. Harry looked at the
floor, and muttered, "What are we going to do?"

Draco sighed, and thought **This really sucks. Poor Ginny. I can only
imagine what she is going through.**

Hermione was crying silently, but she wasn't the only one. Pansy was
absolutely bawling and her face was stained with tears, "I wish I would
have used my head. I c-c-could've prevented all of this from happening."

Ron said to her gently, "Remember what I said. You probably could've done
nothing against Tom Riddle. It is not your fault. Okay?"

Pansy wiped away her tears and nodded, "But Ron, what are we going to do
now? WHAT ARE WE GOING TO DO?"

Draco glared at Pansy, "Would you calm the fuck down! We will do something,
and soon. Here's what I think we should do."

Draco was about to talk, but was interrupted by Harry,"How do you guys
think he came back?"

Hermione shrugged, "Your guess is as good as mine. But who cares about
'how.' More importantly 'why.' You Know Who had everything going for him at
Hogwarts. Dumbledore was out of the way. There were hardly any Aurors there
to stop him. What more did he need? Why did Tom come back?"

Draco thought carefully and said slowly, "This reminds me of a letter that
my father sent me way back in September. I remember all through August he
was bragging about me being the 'Dark Lord's' heir. Well, I turned it down,
and obviously Lucius wasn't happy, because the bastard killed my sister."

Draco was silent for a moment. They all knew what he was thinking. There
was no need for words. "We have to work to find Ginny as fast as we can. If
we would have found Jewel sooner, maybe things would be different now.
Let's think."

~*~

Severus was ready, and his disguise was in place. The red hair certainly
helped that's for sure. No one would have the slightest clue who he was.
Severus walked in the dark alleyways nervously as he muttered to himself.
"Lucius better not try anything funny or I swear I will kill him." Severus
had his wand concealed so he could attack when necessary. He looked in the
distance and saw it. **Well, there is no turning back now.**

Rabety Lane was the nicer section of the town. The old fashion buildings
were very well kept, and the people around Severus were very well dressed
in the latest fashions. **Snobs** Severus thought bitterly. The door to
one of the restaurants was open, and Severus could hear the piano playing
jazzy tunes. A warm light from the open door poured into the street. The
site seemed so welcoming. **How ironic** Severus thought.

Then Severus looked across the street, and saw Lucius standing beside the
huge sign that said: Rabety Lane. He had his back turned to Severus and was
staring in the distance. The section of Rabety Lane looked over a huge
lake, and Lucius seemed mesmerized by it. Severus took a deep breath and
walked over.

"Excuse me sir," Severus said loudly, "You said you wanted to meet me!"

Lucius spun and actually grinned when he saw Severus walking toward him,
"You are here! Great! You don't know how many lies I told to meet you
here."

Severus thought to himself **He seems to be in an overly good mood. I
wonder if it has something to do with Miss Weasley.** But he said to
Lucius, "Lies? Did you have problems with that insane guy? Umm what was his
name?"

"Avery." Lucius shook his head, "Sometimes I really wonder what is going
through that mind of his."

Severus chuckled, "Yeah, I know. Is he mentally stable?"

"Who knows, or wants to know for that matter. Anyway, we can't stand around
out here. Come on."

Lucius turned toward the restaurant, and beckoned Severus to follow him.
Severus glared, and wondered **What is he playing at? I swear if he tries
to attack me- **

Severus followed Lucius inside, and Severus took in his surroundings. The
place was really nice. There was a very gifted pianist playing, and from
what Severus saw the food looked extremely good. There were shiny wooden
floors that looked perfectly clean. The waiters smiled broadly, and
welcomed Lucius and Severus inside right away. It seemed like a low-key
place, but elegant at the same time. Lucius noticed Severus was looking
around, "Oh! Whatever you are getting, I will pay. Don't worry about it."

"That very generous of you." Severus said through gritted teeth.

Lucius sat down at the table closest to the fireplace. Severus sighed, and
had no to choice but to sit down with him. It was silent for a few minutes,
and then Lucius said quietly, "I suppose you are wondering why I am making
you meet me here?"

Severus glared right back into those gray eyes. **Cold blooded murderer**
Severus thought furiously, but he said, "Yes, I would like to know what
your favor is?"

Lucius sighed, and stared into the fireplace, "An old friend of mine,
Desdemona Entraila, lives nearby this town. Here address is Fifth Heartful
Street. She owns a huge mansion, you can't miss it if you tried. Well,
Desdemona and I knew each other at school, but eventually drifted apart.
You know how it is I'm sure. Well, I would be extremely grateful if you
delivered this letter to her."

Severus raised an eyebrow skeptically. This was not what he was expecting.
He thought that the favor would be something much more harsh then a mere
letter, "Is that so? Why can't you just use an owl?"

Lucius smirked, "I would use an owl, but I would feel much better if this
letter was given to her in person. Owls aren't really my number one choice.
It is very important, and she must get it. Please, just do it! I trust that
you will give it to her."

"Why should I?"

"How much do I need to pay you?" Lucius retorted, "I will give as much
money as you wish if you would just give her the letter."

Severus suddenly snapped, "Is there something in this letter that will kill
the person! Is that it?"

The people sitting close to them looked over and glared. They didn't seem
too happy that their dinner was being disturbed. Severus continued, "You
didn't hex this letter, did you?"

Lucius's eyes flashed dangerously, "Very cute of you to say so, but no.
That is not the reason. I have no intention whatsoever of killing Ms.
Desdemona."

Severus looked over at the people glaring and put on a fake smile, "Sorry!
I just ummm-"

Lucius rolled his eyes, and said, "I will ask you one more time! Will you
give this letter to Desdemona? Please?"

Severus was longing to reach for his wand, but he mumbled, "Yeah, why not.
Hand it over."

Lucius's angry expression vanished almost at once, and he seemed thrilled,
"Excellent! I cannot tell you how happy I am! You have just done me a great
favor by agreeing. I would have done it myself, but that would be
impossible."

**Oh wonderful** Severus thought sarcastically, **There is probably some
curse in that letter that will kill us all.**

The letter looked fairly normal. It was in a white envelope that said: To
Ms. Desdemona Entraila. Nothing that seemed threatening to the eye.
Severus took it from Lucius and placed it inside his cloak. **Now, maybe I
could try to get some information..**

Lucius was staring listlessly into the fire again. Severus wasn't sure what
to say, so he decided to see what would happen if he brought Nilam up
again. "So, Nilam, how old would he be now?"

Lucius's eyes flashed again, "You seem overly interested in matters that
don't concern you. Nilam is really none of your business, and I really
don't like talking about him."

Severus didn't want Lucius to kill him in the middle of the restaurant so
he decided to steer clear of that topic, "Oh, I am sorry. I was just
curious. Forgive a little curiosity!"

Lucius smirked, "Curiosity killed the cat, you know."

Severus frowned, and thought cynically **Geez, he needs help. Is there
anything he likes other then killing?**

Lucius looked over at the clock and scowled, "I am going to be in so much
trouble when I get back. I took way too long."

"Why is that?" Severus asked before he could stop himself.

Lucius glared at him again, but said, "Well, I have a very tight schedule
you know. That was why it was so hard for me to meet you here. I took the
first chance I had."

"Really? Wow, that's ummm nice."

"Yes, I suppose."

Severus looked back over the pianist, and also occasionally glanced at all
of the people. They were chatting away happily, and no idea they were in
the same room as a convicted murderer was. Severus remembered that Lucius
killed Jewel, and Nilam. He had to get some sort of answer out of him
before he left.

"You know," Severus said, making an effort to be casual, "I heard that a
young woman was kidnapped today."

Lucius gaped at Severus in shock, "No! Are you serious? I didn't hear that?
What happened to her?"

Severus was stunned, and disappointed. He could've sworn that Lucius would
have some idea about Ginny's kidnapping. "Well," Severus started trying to
hide his disappointment, "She was apparently kidnapped by a another young
man. He is tall, and dark. That is what I heard."

Lucius averted his eyes to the other side of the restaurant, and suddenly
became very interested in the music that was playing. Severus was pissed,
and he clenched his fists angrily. How dare he change the subject like
that! Severus then made a very brash choice. He was going to be careless!
He didn't care anymore. Why not have a little fun? "So" Severus began
saying with a smirk playing on his lips, "Do you have any children?"

Lucius went paler then usual, and Severus was pleased. **Yes, I got the
bastard where I want him.**

Lucius then stood up and pounded the table with his fist, "WHAT KIND OF
FUCKING QUESTION IS THAT?"

Everyone in the restaurant went silent, and looked over to the table. The
pianist began to chuckle as though she was used to this, and continued
playing. Severus was ready to bust up laughing himself. The look on
Lucius's face was too much.

Severus sneered, "It was just a simple question. There is no need to get
angry. Do you though? I would love to meet your children sometime!"

Lucius flushed, and glared at Severus harshly, "How dare you!"

"How dare I what?" Severus replied his smirk broadening, "Again, I didn't
mean to offend you. What are your children dead or something?"

Severus then knew he went too far. Lucius's bottom lip trembled in rage,
and his eyes grew wide. Severus gasped. He hadn't seen Lucius that upset,
since Nilam was made Captain of the Quidditch Team. Severus was about to
apologize, but Lucius cut him off violently, "If you want to KNOW yes! One
of my children IS dead! And believe what you like, I really don't care!
Make sure the murdering bitch gets that letter!" And then he stormed out.

~*~

"So," Hermione snapped, "This conversation got nowhere. I hope we would
figure something out! Yet, we are basically clueless."

Draco grimaced, "Well, we are in the dark aren't we? I only hope that Tom,
if that who it was, didn't leave with Ginny yet. If he goes back to
England, well, that is trouble."

"No shit, Malfoy." Harry snarled.

"HEY" Draco retorted, "Can I try to think!"

Pansy sighed, and wiped away her tears. She walked over to the window, and
pointed, "Look. The carriage is back. It took Severus forever to get back
here. I wonder what he had to do?"

"Snape was probably out drinking or something." Ron snickered.

"Ron!" Hermione berated, "This is serious! Ginny is your sister! We have to
focus on finding her! Who knows what Tom will do to her?"

Pansy began to cry again and moan about how it was all her fault. Harry
lost his patience with Draco, and threw a book at his head. And Ron didn't
help the matters any. He was looking at the floor, and felt overly ashamed
that Ginny was gone.

Hermione was furious, "GUYS! STOP! This is the kind of nonsense that is
going to prevent us from getting anywhere! Do you want Ginny to be found or
not?"

"WHAT IS ALL OF THIS NOISE?"

"Shit." Draco muttered, "It is the wicked witch herself."

Desdemona burst in the room, and she was not too happy. Her green eyes were
sparkling with rage "What is this? Draco, I told you to go to bed! And the
rest of you! You are all making so much racket! This is ridiculous! GO TO
BED! NOW!"

With that said, Desdemona slammed the door, and marched away. Hermione let
out a frustrated sigh, "We better all go to bed, because now we have
Desdemona on our ass, because we can't behave mature enough for her! Just
leave everyone! This was waste of time!"

Pansy, Harry, and Ron left immediately, but Hermione stayed with Draco.
"Draco, I can't believe this! We have more problems then any other sixteen
year olds on the planet!"

Draco wrapped his arm around her, "Tell me about it. Ginny is missing. My
sister was murdered at age eleven. There are psycho killers out there who
want us dead. And I am not allowed to leave this room."

Hermione felt the tears well up in her eyes. She was wondering if the
doctor was right. Was Draco going to die, and leave her? Hermione laid her
head against Draco's chest, and whispered, "I really wish everything was
easier, but it isn't. We have burdens ahead of us, and we have to make the
best of them."

"Yeah," Draco muttered.

Hermione continued to snuggle against Draco, but she was suddenly overcome
with a fit of giggles. **Stop giggling** Hermione thought **Why are you
laughing! Everything is horrible right now**

Draco raised an eyebrow, "I don't see what is so funny, Hermione."

Hermione's brown eyes twinkled, "Remember when we would fight all the time?
At school?"

Draco snickered, "Of course. How could I forget! Potter and Weasley were
constantly following you around. I was so jealous."

"That's what it was?" Hermione said, laughing even harder.

"Ergh."

Hermione kissed Draco on the cheek, "You don't have to lie to me. I like to
know what's going on through that head of yours!"

"Really?" Draco replied, "Maybe that's not a good thing."

"GO TO BED!" Desdemona shouted from the hall.

Draco smirked, "You better go. I don't think the 'Mistress' would be too
happy to see you here, in my room, at night."

Hermione chuckled, "Okay. Goodnight. I love you."

"I love you too."

Hermione leaned forward, and kissed Draco sweetly. Draco pulled her close
to him, and ran his fingers through her hair. For that one moment, they
felt that their troubles had melted away.

I know. I know. Well, I hoped you enjoyed, and remember to review for me!

~*Sophiebabe