An Acceptable Risk

Chapter Twenty-Eight

At the Manor

Draco stepped out of the fireplace and looked around. The manor was cold and dark, and felt completely empty.
"Hello?" he called out, not expecting an answer. Molly Weasley and Charlie suddenly appeared next to him.
"Hello dear," said Molly, looking around. "Oh, it is a bit dreary in here, isn't it?" she asked of nobody in particular. "Let's see to that first. Incendiate," she said, and a small fire appeared in the fireplace. "There, that's better," she said as a warm glow filled the room. "Charlie, be a dear and go down to the kitchen and put some water on for tea."
"There are house elves to see to that," said Draco, dully.
"Yes dear, I realize that, but this will get Charlie out of the way for a bit," she whispered. "Oh, and Charlie, see if you can find the house elves and have them fix us something to eat."
"Right-o Mum," shouted Charlie from the depths of the house.

"Now that Charlie's out of the way for a bit, I want to talk to you. I really don't like the thought of you staying here alone. I want to make sure you understand how much we want you to stay with us." Draco just stared at her, saying nothing, so she continued, "Well, just think about it dear. Now what is taking Charlie so long? I'm just going to pop down to the kitchen to see what's keeping him." Molly Weasley walked out of the room, surreptitiously looking at the ostentatious display of wealth.

After Molly left the room, Draco spun around in a slow circle, taking everything in, mentally comparing it to the homey shabbiness of the Burrow, and finding it lacking. A popping sound from the fireplace caught his attention, and he turned to see what had caused it. There he found, hovering in the flames, the visage of Lord Voldemort.
"Draco Malfoy," the Dark Lord intoned. "It will soon be time for you to join me; to take your rightful place at my side. The position once held by your father."
Draco swallowed his revulsion. The face in the fire was hideous. Most of his face was obscured by the hood of a cloak, but what Draco could see made him feel ill. The skin on his face was so white it appeared bloodless. His eyes were red orbs, and he had two slits for nostrils. He resembled a giant snake.
"You are prepared to assume your proper place at my side?" Voldemort asked again.
"Ye-yes, My Lord," stammered Draco.
"And the girl?"
"What girl?" Draco asked, trying to stall for time.
"Don't play stupid with me, boy. I expect far more from a Malfoy! Your father told me about the Weasley girl. I want her in my fold."

A small gasp alerted Draco that Mrs. Weasley had heard Voldemort.
"What was that?"
"Nobody, My Lord. Perhaps you heard one of the house elves?"
"That had better be what I heard. Now, the girl – there will be a gathering of my servants soon. You shall bring her to me at that time."
"You don't want her," said Draco, bravely. "She is firmly encroached in Potter's camp. As much as she professes to hate those not of pure blood, I don't think she will turn to our side."
"THINK?" roared Voldemort. "I don't want you to think. Your soul purpose is to simply do my bidding. IS THAT CLEAR?"
"Yes My Lord," said Draco, lowering his eyes to hide his fury.
"You will be contacted, and soon you shall wear my mark." There was an audible pop, and the head of the Dark Lord vanished from the flames.

Molly Weasley rushed into the room, a look of panic on her face.
"Draco? Was that the – was it him?
"I, uh,yes, it was, but I won't…"
"What did he want?" questioned Molly, interrupting him. "I could see his head reflecting in that mirror in the dining room, but I couldn't hear what he was saying," lied Molly.
"Nothing," said Draco, his face showing relief that she hadn't heard Voldemort's request. "He just wanted to inform me about my parents. Mrs. Weasley, you should leave. I don't know when, or if he'll be back, but you shouldn't be here. It isn't safe."
"And it isn't safe for you either. You're coming home with us!"
"I can't," said Draco. "He may come looking for me. You're in danger, I'm putting you in danger!"
Molly nodded as if she approved of something that he had said.
"Stuff and nonsense," she said. "No march yourself upstairs and get anything you think you'll need. We'll eat and head back home. Tomorrow, Arthur will take you to see your mother if you'd like."
After a small meal, Charlie, Mrs. Weasley and Draco prepared to leave Malfoy Manor. Molly helped Draco instruct the elves as to their duties while he was at school. Using the Floo Powder once again, Draco allowed himself to be transported back to the Weasleys home. Molly and Charlie apparated and arrived home right after Draco.
"Welcome back Draco," said Mrs. Weasley brushing the soot off of him. "Arthur, where is everybody?"
Arthur Weasley turned to look at the clock that stood in the kitchen. The clock was not your typical clock. It had a great many hands on it. In fact, it had one hand for each member of the Weasley family.
"Let me see," said Mr. Weasley. "Percy's upstairs working, and Fred and George are down below, working on something or other." A loud explosion came from the bowels of the house, confirming his explanation. "Bill went to visit some friends," continued Mr. Weasley, unfazed by the explosion. "Ron and Hermione are walking down by the stream, Harry is in the paddock flying, and Ginny is in her room, studying," he finished. "Welcome back Draco," he added, belatedly. "I'm glad you came back to stay with us."

"You really mean that, don't you?" asked Draco, incredulously.
"Well of course we mean it Draco," said Mrs. Weasley. "Why wouldn't we?"
"It's been my experience that most people don't do anything without some ulterior motive."
"Well, that isn't the case here," said Mrs. Weasley. "Now why don't you and Charlie take your trunk upstairs, and then you can go do whatever you want for a few hours before we eat."
Draco nodded, and hefted one end of the trunk while Charlie grabbed the other.
"Yeah, come on upstairs, I can show you some of my dragon stuff if you'd like," said Charlie.
"Sure," said Draco, still puzzled by the treatment he was receiving. "That would be terrific."

Molly Weasley waited until the two boys were out of earshot before she turned to her husband.
"Oh Arthur, that poor child, wanting to stay by himself in that cold empty house."
"Now Molly, I hardly think one could call Draco Malfoy a poor boy."
"Well he is. All alone in that house, and You-Know-Who appearing, it was just terrible."
"What!" shouted Arthur. "Molly, are you and Charlie all right?"
"I'm fine, Charlie's fine, we're both fine," said Molly. "But the pressure he put on that poor child."
"Molly," said Mr. Weasley in exasperation. That child is the son of one of the most viscous Death Eaters there ever was."
"Yes, well, be that as it may, I don't think that Draco is like that."
"Well then, you haven't listened to anything that Ron or Harry has said for the past six years."
"Oh pish tosh," said Molly. "Now do me a favor and go round up Ron, Hermione and Harry please. I'm going to want some help with dinner."

Arthur Weasley gave his wife one last exasperated look before he grabbed his cloak and walked out the door. Molly waited until she could see him walking towards the stream. Grabbing some powder out of the jar on the mantle, she tossed it into the fire.
"Albus, Albus Dumbledore, are you there?"
"I am here Molly?" said the Headmaster, his face bobbing in the flames. "Do you have some news?"
"I'm assuming you've heard about the attack on the Ministry?" she asked the Headmaster.
"Yes, yes -- tragic thing indeed. How is Mr. Malfoy handling the news?"
"Not well, he wanted to go back to Malfoy Manor. We actually took him, but while we were there, You-Know-Who,"
"Voldemort, Molly. Call him Voldemort."
"Fine, Voldemort appeared and told Draco he wanted Ginny. My baby, Albus, he wants my baby girl!" she cried.
"Relax Molly," said Dumbledore. "That will never happen. Tell me, how did Mr. Malfoy react?"
"He tried to convince Voldemort that Ginny would never turn to the him, and then he tried to make us leave because he feared we were in danger. In fact, he refused to come back home with us because he wanted us to be safe."
"Excellent," said Dumbledore. "That is most excellent news indeed. Please send the children back to Hogwarts as soon as possible, Molly. After the attack on the Ministry, I feel it is the safest place for them."
"We'll have them there tomorrow, Albus. Thank you."
"No Molly, thank you for your role in this deception," said the Headmaster just before his head disappeared from the flames.