Draco stared slack-jawed at his father. "What do you mean, she's arrived??"
Lucius ignored his son's question and turned back to his desk, reaching for a small green-tinged goblet and stirring the contents. "Is she awake?" Lucius asked absently, removing the tiny spoon. He leaned forward and lightly smelled the goblet. Apparently satisfied, he tossed the spoon beside a pile of scrolls on his desk.
Draco watched what he was doing in confusion. "No," he finally answered, a bewildered look on his face. "She's just a great pile of mudblood lying on the floor."
"Well," Lucius began, facing Draco as he raised the goblet and held it out to his son. "Wake her up and have her drink this."
Draco regarded his father as if he were deranged. "What is going on??" he demanded. "What is Granger doing here??"
"You'll find out soon enough," Lucius answered. "But for now I need you to give this to Miss Granger to drink." He shoved the goblet into Draco's hand with a firm look. "And I need you to be," he seemed to be searching for the right word, "cordial to her."
Draco was speechless.
"I do assume you know what that word means?" Lucius drawled condescendingly.
Draco glared at his father before resentfully answering, "Yes."
Lucius sighed. "That's quite enough of that tone, Draco," he said, standing up from his desk and moving to tower over his son. "I suggest that you do as you're told without question. Miss Granger is to drink that, and she is not to leave your room. Do you understand?"
Draco stared up at him and answered, "Yes, father," through the slightest hint of clenched teeth.
"Good."
Lucius nodded his head toward the door. Draco scowled at his father for a moment, then finally turned without a word and exited the room, slamming the door behind him. Lucius watched him go, the satisfied smirk once again coming over his face.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Author's note: Thank you for the reviews. You guys are sweet, and I really appreciate them. Sorry about the short chapters, but I can't write any other way! I'd rather write a bit then post, it's just works for me, or inspires me to write more.