Note: Righto, for those of you who may not be able to count or what not, I
thought I'd inform you of this being the third chapter. There are still
plenty more to come, but only if you review. Please do review; I do so love
to here from both you pleasant and not so pleasant people. Even if you have
any ideas of how I might improve etc. By the way sorry for any people out
of character, any mistakes yadda yadda, and all that other stuff.
Disclaimer: I don't own anything you recognize. I do own Zell however. J.K Rowling is a champ and whilst I do wish to be a writer I am not her and like I said don't own anything you recognize.
.... Please enjoy the third chapter of ......... (Cough) .........
The Malfoy's Big Secret!!
Chapter 3!!
Draco woke up fairly early the next day, despite the fact that he had been so tired the night before. Deciding to get his unpacking out of the way he started on it straight away. He placed his books and other school things onto his large oak bookcase, his clothes and now empty trunk into his matching cupboard, then, after getting changed, he placed his wand in his jeans pocket and exited his room.
Even though his family was pure-blooded, they still wore muggle clothes when they were at home. All of them except Lucius of course, who would never be caught without his black robes and cane.
He followed the large open corridor, past his mother and fathers room, past the large bathroom, his brother's room, his father's office and their large library until he reached the large open lounge room and oak staircase.
He took one step towards the staircase when something hot flew past his ear. A badly aimed spell no doubt. He looked around quickly and found the source - his brother, poking up from behind one of their black leather lounges, eager to see if his spell got its target. Draco aimed his wand.
'Expelliarmus!' Draco drawled. His brother was too weak too fight his spell and soon Zell's wand was in Draco's hand. Zell let out a small moan and slinked out from behind the lounge.
'Don't you have anything better to do than wait around all day for me to walk past, just so you can curse me?' Draco asked his sulking brother.
'Of course I do, I'm just bored,' the small boy replied sticking out his hand for Draco to put the wand in. Draco didn't do it, he pocketed the wand instead.
'Just so I know you won't curse me any more. I might give it back latter, if I feel like it,' Draco said turning and walking down the stairs. He heard his brother quickly following behind.
When Draco stepped off the bottom step Zell jumped right in front of him.
'Wanna play a game of Quiditch,' he asked, totally forgetting about his wand. 'I've gotten a lot better since last time.'
Draco looked down at his brother. Zell looked very much like Narcissa, with the obvious flaws. His hair was the same blonde and his face held the same features; however his hair was not as neat as Narcissa's or his own - it was messy, giving him a slightly scruffy look - his skin was very lightly tanned and had the odd freckle here and there, unlike Draco and Narcissa's who both had pale skin. These feature differences were the main reason Lucius kept the boy quite. If anyone caught a sight of the boy they would know immediately he was not a Malfoy and Lucius' dignity would be completely lost.
The most obvious difference that Draco noticed in Zell was his eyes. They were not grey like Lucius' and he had; they were blue, but defiantly not the same blue as his mothers. His mother's eyes were pale, his brothers however were bright and clear, they were the one thing that stood out to Draco. He knew they were Zell's father's eyes, and Draco knew that he had seen them before, but he just couldn't think where.
'Well . are we going to play or not,' Zell asked, impatience in his voice.
'Alright,' Draco said, knowing that if he refused he would never here the end of it. 'But wait till after breakfast, okay.'
Zell nodded enthusiastically and ran back upstairs, taking two at a time - obviously he was going to wake up Plinky so that he could get breakfast over with.
Draco walked into the kitchen and opened up the window above the sink. No sooner had he done so when a large tawny owl flew in holding his father's usual copy of the Daily Prophet. He took the paper from the owl and paid the fee than, after watching the owl fly out the window, he sat at the table and started to read.
There was nothing of interest in their, as usual. All it had too do with was the return of Lord Voldamort and how much of a hero Potter was. There was one article that did catch Draco's eye, 'You Know Who's return at the Ministry'. It was all about the events that had happened before the end of term.
Draco read each line carefully, but ended up throwing the paper towards the other end of the table in disgust when he found the Prophets report to be quite uninformative. It didn't tell him anything he hadn't already known about the matter, and he didn't know a lot.
He sat at the table, alone, for only a few minutes thinking over the past term's events. It wasn't long before his brother came sprinting into the room, dodging in and out of chairs and benches as if someone was trying to curse him from behind, and he had to dodge continuously so that they couldn't get a good shot at him.
'What are you doing, idiot,' Draco shouted over his brothers screams.
'I was racing Plinky down to breakfast,' stated Zell, as if it was the most obvious thing in the world.
Draco rolled his eyes and sunk lower into his chair. House elves could move very fast, but he couldn't imagine one actually racing his brother around the house, let alone their pathetic elf. He let out a long sigh. His brother was so happy and full of energy; it just didn't fit in this particular house hold. Nevertheless, Draco didn't tell him to stop - like he would usually do if Lucius was there - because Zell never actually got a chance to be his usual happy self, usually he had to be a Malfoy, and that was something that he was most certainly not.
His brother continued running around the kitchen, slowing down slightly as he began to get a little tired. Finally in came Plinky, looking severely harassed. His old, yellowing pillow case that he wore was way too big for his small, scrawny build and his face seemed to show pre-mature aging. He was not what you would call a good looking house elf (if there was such a thing), his nose was far too small for a normal house elf, his eyes were far too big and his mouth was long and almost took up his entire face. He set about to make breakfast straight away, not even acknowledging anyone's presence.
'I want cereal, Stinky,' squealed Zell happily. He always referred to Plinky as, Stinky - not just because it rhymed, Plinky actually did smell, like a wet dog or some other animal.
'I will too then,' Draco added, not bothered to wait for the usual bacon and eggs if only he was going to eat them. The elf stopped half-way through what he was doing (getting the bacon out of the freezer and the eggs out of the fridge), and went for the bowls and then the cereal.
'I wanna make it - I wanna make it,' Zell started screaming whilst jumping up and down on the spot. He quickly rushed over to where the elf was about to pour the cereal, shoved in front of him and reached for the cereal box.
'You can pour me a bowl whilst your at it then,' Draco called, watching the scene from a distance, he could tell disaster was about to happen.
Any other house elf would have slumped off in frustration at being out of a job, but not Plinky, he knew the young, fake Malfoy only too well - so he stayed back and watched, waiting eagerly.
The fact that Draco's younger brother wanted to make his own breakfast rather than let the elf do it was just another sign of how un- Malfoyish he really was. Any other Malfoy would have let the elf do it no matter how much they would want to make it on their own, but not Zell.
He watched from the table as Zell tilted his messy blonde head, stuck his tongue between his teeth and poured the cereal into the first bowl. Too much, half of it went onto the floor. His brother looked at the floor, sniffed, and then poured the other bowl. He had poured too much again, more cereal for the floor.
Draco continued to watch, by now the elf was itching to clean up the mess, but they both knew that the worst was yet to come. Zell got down off the stool he had been using to reach the bench and walked towards the fridge, his bare feet making crunching noises as he trod on the cereal. He took out the milk, than with more crunching noises headed back to his stool, stood on it and began to pour. There was of course already too much in the bowls and once the milk got added there was far too much. The bench was now flooded with milk and bits of cereal.
Zell, obviously pleased with his results, grabbed one bowl with both hands and took it over to Draco - walking very slowly so as not to spill a single drop; little did he know the bottom was dripping from the spill he had already performed. He than went back got his own bowl and headed for the table. After that deed was performed he rushed over to the drawer - stepping on more cereal as he went, as well as the milk - and got them both a spoon. The elf couldn't contain himself any longer; as soon as Zell had sat down he bolted for the mess and began to clean it up. Draco looked on, disgusted at the pathetic creature.
Him and his brother sat at the table eating their breakfast, the silence only interrupted by Zell's small sniffs.
'Can't you blow your nose or something,' Draco snapped, finally getting annoyed at his brother's habit.
'I can't,' stated Zell, again as if it was the most obvious thing. 'It's blocked, so if I blow it nothing would come out.' Draco hated that stupid excuse and, not bothered to get in an argument with his younger brother, didn't say any more.
The rest of breakfast went uninterrupted, apart from Zell constantly sticking his head around the corner of the kitchen, watching the stairs, looking for any sign of their mother. Draco knew however that she would be in her room still, perhaps enjoying her time without Lucius, or perhaps not enjoying it, he had no idea.
When breakfast was finally over Draco and Zell headed outside with their broomsticks and a Snitch, to play a quick game of Quiditch, just like Draco had promised. It was good weather for it. They each mounted their brooms - Draco's slightly better than Zell's, as his father gave him the best and his brother whatever was left over. When they were in the air Draco let the Snitch go. Zell was extremely wobbly on his broom, even though Draco had taught him how to fly and had constantly practiced with him; there was only so much a six year old could do.
Both of them looked around, desperately searching for a glint of gold.
'There it is . nope that's not it, wait . that's gotta be it . nope not it either,' Zell flew from side to side, chasing the Snitch that his mind constantly seemed to see.
Draco flew above the massive grounds that were the back yard of their mansion, searching for the Snitch. He ignored his brothers excited cry's and looked around for the real glint of gold. Suddenly he saw it, but his brother had spotted it first and he was already over half way there.
With a great boost of speed Draco took off after the small streak of blonde in the distance, his brother would reach it first if he didn't hurry. They were neck and neck, but Zell was not about to give up, wobbling furiously he stuck out one tiny little arm, desperately trying to catch the golden object inches in front of him. Draco was not going to loose, not even to his younger brother - he never let his brother win, no matter how young and helpless he was. Draco stuck out his longer arm and closed his fingers around the golden ball. He landed gracefully with barely a thud and grinned at his capture.
His brother fell off his broom inches from the ground and landed next to him, far less graceful.
'No fair, I had that one,' Zell said disappointment in his voice.
Draco barely had time to enjoy his victory because at that exact moment it began to pour. They had been so busy searching for the Snitch that they hadn't noticed the sun's disappearance.
By the time the two boys had gotten back to the house they were both drenched. Zell looked up at Draco and smiled happily. It was funny how just a simple game of Quiditch could make his day. Draco looked down at his brother's soaked blonde hair, freakily nose and bright blue eyes. It was on the tip of his tongue now, he knew those eyes and who they belonged to, he finally had it. Nevertheless the moment Draco thought he knew, his brother had turned away and gone upstairs. Draco let out a sigh, so close that time. There was a sudden knock on the front door right behind him. He jumped in surprise - it wasn't often that the Malfoy's had a visitor; Draco only hoped that it wasn't the people from the ministry that his mother had informed him about yesterday.
He walked towards the front door, slightly dryer now, broom still in hand, and turned the handle. He knew immediately who belonged to the black cloaked back and greasy black hair that faced him.
'Professor Snape' Draco said unsure of whether he had heard the door open or not.
Obviously Snape hadn't heard over the rain because he turned around quickly as if startled by something. His pale face, pointed nose, greasy black hair and tall, thin, black cloaked body was drenched from the rain.
'Come in Professor,' Draco said opening up the door further for him, unable to keep the surprise from his voice.
Snape entered his house and turned towards Draco.
'Hello Draco, I need to speak with your mother. Is she home?' Snape asked in his usual harsh tone.
Snape was looking around, as if to take everything in, than finally settled his eyes on Draco. Draco took note of his eyes - they were dark eyes, too dark, almost black. He had been stupid to even suspect Snape.
Severus Snape and his mother had been good friends since the moment that they had began their first year at Hogwarts. They told each other everything and always trusted one another; however he knew that Narcissa had never told Snape about Zell, he was a complete secret. Draco did suspect that Snape knew something was wrong; he had powers that Draco barely knew off and often suspected that the Potions Master could read minds. Was he perhaps doing it right now?
'She's upstairs,' he replied.
'Could you tell her that I want a word - it's rather important that she know.' Snape looked at Draco again and he knew immediately that it was something real important.
'Okay,' he replied quickly, 'I'll go get her,' and with that he headed up the stairs at a light jog.
He walked along the upstairs corridor until he reached his parents room. He opened it slowly and stuck his head in.
'Mother, Snape's here to see you,' he informed the room. When he received no reply he knew immediately that she was not in there.
Draco searched the Library, his father's office, the lounge room - when he couldn't find her in any of these places he began to get worried and went in search of his brother to ask if he knew where she was.
He reached the door of his brother's room and opened it. His mother was walking around the room cleaning away the mess that the boy had made of his clothes and toys, whilst Zell followed her happily around the room telling her a story of very little importance. At the sound of Draco opening the door to its full extent, both of them turned to look at him.
'. ah . Professor Snape is here to talk to you mother, he says it's important.'
When he had finished saying this, his mother put down the pile of clothes she was holding and exited the room without a word. He watched her walking downstairs and then listened to her cheery voice greet Snape. He would have liked to here what Snape had too say but they left the entrance hall for the kitchen where his mother shut the door.
Draco let out a sigh and turned around to see his little brother looking eagerly up at him.
'Who was at the door Draco,' he asked with too much enthusiasm.
'I told you already, Severus Snape.' Zell was satisfied with this comment. Draco knew that his younger brother had always watched the people that came in and out of their house, hoping one day he would meet one of them. Draco knew that he was a people person and loved to be around loads of individuals, the problem was he rarely was around a lot people so he instead just had to always hang around with someone else in the house. He always needed company. Afraid that Zell might run downstairs and burst into the kitchen - he looked like he was in a crazy mood and just might be stupid enough to do such a thing - Draco decided to suggest something to occupy his tiny mind. 'Were going to play a game of Wizard's Chess,' Draco stated rather than asked. Zell smiled at his older brother with great admiration and ran ahead of him to the library to set up a game, his mind completely blank of their visitor.
Disclaimer: I don't own anything you recognize. I do own Zell however. J.K Rowling is a champ and whilst I do wish to be a writer I am not her and like I said don't own anything you recognize.
.... Please enjoy the third chapter of ......... (Cough) .........
The Malfoy's Big Secret!!
Chapter 3!!
Draco woke up fairly early the next day, despite the fact that he had been so tired the night before. Deciding to get his unpacking out of the way he started on it straight away. He placed his books and other school things onto his large oak bookcase, his clothes and now empty trunk into his matching cupboard, then, after getting changed, he placed his wand in his jeans pocket and exited his room.
Even though his family was pure-blooded, they still wore muggle clothes when they were at home. All of them except Lucius of course, who would never be caught without his black robes and cane.
He followed the large open corridor, past his mother and fathers room, past the large bathroom, his brother's room, his father's office and their large library until he reached the large open lounge room and oak staircase.
He took one step towards the staircase when something hot flew past his ear. A badly aimed spell no doubt. He looked around quickly and found the source - his brother, poking up from behind one of their black leather lounges, eager to see if his spell got its target. Draco aimed his wand.
'Expelliarmus!' Draco drawled. His brother was too weak too fight his spell and soon Zell's wand was in Draco's hand. Zell let out a small moan and slinked out from behind the lounge.
'Don't you have anything better to do than wait around all day for me to walk past, just so you can curse me?' Draco asked his sulking brother.
'Of course I do, I'm just bored,' the small boy replied sticking out his hand for Draco to put the wand in. Draco didn't do it, he pocketed the wand instead.
'Just so I know you won't curse me any more. I might give it back latter, if I feel like it,' Draco said turning and walking down the stairs. He heard his brother quickly following behind.
When Draco stepped off the bottom step Zell jumped right in front of him.
'Wanna play a game of Quiditch,' he asked, totally forgetting about his wand. 'I've gotten a lot better since last time.'
Draco looked down at his brother. Zell looked very much like Narcissa, with the obvious flaws. His hair was the same blonde and his face held the same features; however his hair was not as neat as Narcissa's or his own - it was messy, giving him a slightly scruffy look - his skin was very lightly tanned and had the odd freckle here and there, unlike Draco and Narcissa's who both had pale skin. These feature differences were the main reason Lucius kept the boy quite. If anyone caught a sight of the boy they would know immediately he was not a Malfoy and Lucius' dignity would be completely lost.
The most obvious difference that Draco noticed in Zell was his eyes. They were not grey like Lucius' and he had; they were blue, but defiantly not the same blue as his mothers. His mother's eyes were pale, his brothers however were bright and clear, they were the one thing that stood out to Draco. He knew they were Zell's father's eyes, and Draco knew that he had seen them before, but he just couldn't think where.
'Well . are we going to play or not,' Zell asked, impatience in his voice.
'Alright,' Draco said, knowing that if he refused he would never here the end of it. 'But wait till after breakfast, okay.'
Zell nodded enthusiastically and ran back upstairs, taking two at a time - obviously he was going to wake up Plinky so that he could get breakfast over with.
Draco walked into the kitchen and opened up the window above the sink. No sooner had he done so when a large tawny owl flew in holding his father's usual copy of the Daily Prophet. He took the paper from the owl and paid the fee than, after watching the owl fly out the window, he sat at the table and started to read.
There was nothing of interest in their, as usual. All it had too do with was the return of Lord Voldamort and how much of a hero Potter was. There was one article that did catch Draco's eye, 'You Know Who's return at the Ministry'. It was all about the events that had happened before the end of term.
Draco read each line carefully, but ended up throwing the paper towards the other end of the table in disgust when he found the Prophets report to be quite uninformative. It didn't tell him anything he hadn't already known about the matter, and he didn't know a lot.
He sat at the table, alone, for only a few minutes thinking over the past term's events. It wasn't long before his brother came sprinting into the room, dodging in and out of chairs and benches as if someone was trying to curse him from behind, and he had to dodge continuously so that they couldn't get a good shot at him.
'What are you doing, idiot,' Draco shouted over his brothers screams.
'I was racing Plinky down to breakfast,' stated Zell, as if it was the most obvious thing in the world.
Draco rolled his eyes and sunk lower into his chair. House elves could move very fast, but he couldn't imagine one actually racing his brother around the house, let alone their pathetic elf. He let out a long sigh. His brother was so happy and full of energy; it just didn't fit in this particular house hold. Nevertheless, Draco didn't tell him to stop - like he would usually do if Lucius was there - because Zell never actually got a chance to be his usual happy self, usually he had to be a Malfoy, and that was something that he was most certainly not.
His brother continued running around the kitchen, slowing down slightly as he began to get a little tired. Finally in came Plinky, looking severely harassed. His old, yellowing pillow case that he wore was way too big for his small, scrawny build and his face seemed to show pre-mature aging. He was not what you would call a good looking house elf (if there was such a thing), his nose was far too small for a normal house elf, his eyes were far too big and his mouth was long and almost took up his entire face. He set about to make breakfast straight away, not even acknowledging anyone's presence.
'I want cereal, Stinky,' squealed Zell happily. He always referred to Plinky as, Stinky - not just because it rhymed, Plinky actually did smell, like a wet dog or some other animal.
'I will too then,' Draco added, not bothered to wait for the usual bacon and eggs if only he was going to eat them. The elf stopped half-way through what he was doing (getting the bacon out of the freezer and the eggs out of the fridge), and went for the bowls and then the cereal.
'I wanna make it - I wanna make it,' Zell started screaming whilst jumping up and down on the spot. He quickly rushed over to where the elf was about to pour the cereal, shoved in front of him and reached for the cereal box.
'You can pour me a bowl whilst your at it then,' Draco called, watching the scene from a distance, he could tell disaster was about to happen.
Any other house elf would have slumped off in frustration at being out of a job, but not Plinky, he knew the young, fake Malfoy only too well - so he stayed back and watched, waiting eagerly.
The fact that Draco's younger brother wanted to make his own breakfast rather than let the elf do it was just another sign of how un- Malfoyish he really was. Any other Malfoy would have let the elf do it no matter how much they would want to make it on their own, but not Zell.
He watched from the table as Zell tilted his messy blonde head, stuck his tongue between his teeth and poured the cereal into the first bowl. Too much, half of it went onto the floor. His brother looked at the floor, sniffed, and then poured the other bowl. He had poured too much again, more cereal for the floor.
Draco continued to watch, by now the elf was itching to clean up the mess, but they both knew that the worst was yet to come. Zell got down off the stool he had been using to reach the bench and walked towards the fridge, his bare feet making crunching noises as he trod on the cereal. He took out the milk, than with more crunching noises headed back to his stool, stood on it and began to pour. There was of course already too much in the bowls and once the milk got added there was far too much. The bench was now flooded with milk and bits of cereal.
Zell, obviously pleased with his results, grabbed one bowl with both hands and took it over to Draco - walking very slowly so as not to spill a single drop; little did he know the bottom was dripping from the spill he had already performed. He than went back got his own bowl and headed for the table. After that deed was performed he rushed over to the drawer - stepping on more cereal as he went, as well as the milk - and got them both a spoon. The elf couldn't contain himself any longer; as soon as Zell had sat down he bolted for the mess and began to clean it up. Draco looked on, disgusted at the pathetic creature.
Him and his brother sat at the table eating their breakfast, the silence only interrupted by Zell's small sniffs.
'Can't you blow your nose or something,' Draco snapped, finally getting annoyed at his brother's habit.
'I can't,' stated Zell, again as if it was the most obvious thing. 'It's blocked, so if I blow it nothing would come out.' Draco hated that stupid excuse and, not bothered to get in an argument with his younger brother, didn't say any more.
The rest of breakfast went uninterrupted, apart from Zell constantly sticking his head around the corner of the kitchen, watching the stairs, looking for any sign of their mother. Draco knew however that she would be in her room still, perhaps enjoying her time without Lucius, or perhaps not enjoying it, he had no idea.
When breakfast was finally over Draco and Zell headed outside with their broomsticks and a Snitch, to play a quick game of Quiditch, just like Draco had promised. It was good weather for it. They each mounted their brooms - Draco's slightly better than Zell's, as his father gave him the best and his brother whatever was left over. When they were in the air Draco let the Snitch go. Zell was extremely wobbly on his broom, even though Draco had taught him how to fly and had constantly practiced with him; there was only so much a six year old could do.
Both of them looked around, desperately searching for a glint of gold.
'There it is . nope that's not it, wait . that's gotta be it . nope not it either,' Zell flew from side to side, chasing the Snitch that his mind constantly seemed to see.
Draco flew above the massive grounds that were the back yard of their mansion, searching for the Snitch. He ignored his brothers excited cry's and looked around for the real glint of gold. Suddenly he saw it, but his brother had spotted it first and he was already over half way there.
With a great boost of speed Draco took off after the small streak of blonde in the distance, his brother would reach it first if he didn't hurry. They were neck and neck, but Zell was not about to give up, wobbling furiously he stuck out one tiny little arm, desperately trying to catch the golden object inches in front of him. Draco was not going to loose, not even to his younger brother - he never let his brother win, no matter how young and helpless he was. Draco stuck out his longer arm and closed his fingers around the golden ball. He landed gracefully with barely a thud and grinned at his capture.
His brother fell off his broom inches from the ground and landed next to him, far less graceful.
'No fair, I had that one,' Zell said disappointment in his voice.
Draco barely had time to enjoy his victory because at that exact moment it began to pour. They had been so busy searching for the Snitch that they hadn't noticed the sun's disappearance.
By the time the two boys had gotten back to the house they were both drenched. Zell looked up at Draco and smiled happily. It was funny how just a simple game of Quiditch could make his day. Draco looked down at his brother's soaked blonde hair, freakily nose and bright blue eyes. It was on the tip of his tongue now, he knew those eyes and who they belonged to, he finally had it. Nevertheless the moment Draco thought he knew, his brother had turned away and gone upstairs. Draco let out a sigh, so close that time. There was a sudden knock on the front door right behind him. He jumped in surprise - it wasn't often that the Malfoy's had a visitor; Draco only hoped that it wasn't the people from the ministry that his mother had informed him about yesterday.
He walked towards the front door, slightly dryer now, broom still in hand, and turned the handle. He knew immediately who belonged to the black cloaked back and greasy black hair that faced him.
'Professor Snape' Draco said unsure of whether he had heard the door open or not.
Obviously Snape hadn't heard over the rain because he turned around quickly as if startled by something. His pale face, pointed nose, greasy black hair and tall, thin, black cloaked body was drenched from the rain.
'Come in Professor,' Draco said opening up the door further for him, unable to keep the surprise from his voice.
Snape entered his house and turned towards Draco.
'Hello Draco, I need to speak with your mother. Is she home?' Snape asked in his usual harsh tone.
Snape was looking around, as if to take everything in, than finally settled his eyes on Draco. Draco took note of his eyes - they were dark eyes, too dark, almost black. He had been stupid to even suspect Snape.
Severus Snape and his mother had been good friends since the moment that they had began their first year at Hogwarts. They told each other everything and always trusted one another; however he knew that Narcissa had never told Snape about Zell, he was a complete secret. Draco did suspect that Snape knew something was wrong; he had powers that Draco barely knew off and often suspected that the Potions Master could read minds. Was he perhaps doing it right now?
'She's upstairs,' he replied.
'Could you tell her that I want a word - it's rather important that she know.' Snape looked at Draco again and he knew immediately that it was something real important.
'Okay,' he replied quickly, 'I'll go get her,' and with that he headed up the stairs at a light jog.
He walked along the upstairs corridor until he reached his parents room. He opened it slowly and stuck his head in.
'Mother, Snape's here to see you,' he informed the room. When he received no reply he knew immediately that she was not in there.
Draco searched the Library, his father's office, the lounge room - when he couldn't find her in any of these places he began to get worried and went in search of his brother to ask if he knew where she was.
He reached the door of his brother's room and opened it. His mother was walking around the room cleaning away the mess that the boy had made of his clothes and toys, whilst Zell followed her happily around the room telling her a story of very little importance. At the sound of Draco opening the door to its full extent, both of them turned to look at him.
'. ah . Professor Snape is here to talk to you mother, he says it's important.'
When he had finished saying this, his mother put down the pile of clothes she was holding and exited the room without a word. He watched her walking downstairs and then listened to her cheery voice greet Snape. He would have liked to here what Snape had too say but they left the entrance hall for the kitchen where his mother shut the door.
Draco let out a sigh and turned around to see his little brother looking eagerly up at him.
'Who was at the door Draco,' he asked with too much enthusiasm.
'I told you already, Severus Snape.' Zell was satisfied with this comment. Draco knew that his younger brother had always watched the people that came in and out of their house, hoping one day he would meet one of them. Draco knew that he was a people person and loved to be around loads of individuals, the problem was he rarely was around a lot people so he instead just had to always hang around with someone else in the house. He always needed company. Afraid that Zell might run downstairs and burst into the kitchen - he looked like he was in a crazy mood and just might be stupid enough to do such a thing - Draco decided to suggest something to occupy his tiny mind. 'Were going to play a game of Wizard's Chess,' Draco stated rather than asked. Zell smiled at his older brother with great admiration and ran ahead of him to the library to set up a game, his mind completely blank of their visitor.