Winter Wonderland
By: Takanori Kawakami
Chapter Eight: Welcome Home
Disclaimer. Of course I do not own any of the Harry Potter characters, ideas, made up words or worlds. This story is set in the children's sixth year. Thanks J.K. for letting me play with your kiddos!
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Sorry my chapters have been few and far between, I'm going to try and be better about it. I went on a trip to Death Valley this weekend and I have Finals coming up the weekend after this! (Wish me luck.) I've been finding myself having to relate Harry Potter to School to get through the day because it's driving me nuts. LOL. Potions is Chemistry and English is Study of Muggles and uh, well anyway, it's pretty funny. I wish I had Draco in my classes though! Boo! Slytherin pride forever, I like my potions master! Kahaha!
Not that this has anything to do with anything but I've been reading Nicholas Nickleby so I hope it helps out my English! God bless Dickens! (That movie is so good too! Charlie Hunnam is to die for!)
Anyway, some notes on the story. I hope you enjoy this chapter and if you have Finals too, well, I wish you the best of luck. More Lucius action in this, sort of, man there's just something about him that I like, maybe it is because he's devastatingly evil! And Narcissa is in this as well, but I never imagine her mean, just caught up in being a "Malfoy." That's all.
Enjoy. Taka.
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The trip with Floo powder had made Draco more nauseous then usual. He felt as though he had left his stomach back in the Granger's living room after stating 'Malfoy Manor' clearly before being swallowed by the green flames. Normally he felt no ill effects when he used Floo powder. (Which he had had done quite often.) Not this time though, it felt like the first time he had ever used it when he was very young.
The fireplace spit him out and he slid across the tiles leaving a trail of soot on the well-waxed marble. He quickly got to his feet waiting for his father to emerge from the blackness of their fireplace. He tried desperately to clean himself up, smoothing out his own hair and flicking what soot he could, off of himself.
The green flames roared again and Lucius Malfoy stepped unnerved from the dark shadows of the chimney. There wasn't a fleck of dust or ash on his dark cloaks or in his silvery blonde hair. Draco knew he had to be a mess by the way his father was looking coldly down on him. Lucius had a tight grip on his snake cane, which concealed his wand as he bore down on his son.
"I leave you a few days in the care of Muggles and you've already forgotten how to travel properly by Floo powder. Who knows what else you've forgotten."
He scoffed then turned on him again.
"And look at you, you're a mess, your week and pathetic. Are you becoming a muggle yourself? I never thought it could be possible. I've worked hard to raise you properly, to see mudbloods for what they really are: Filthy and talent less. They muck up the idea of magic and wizardry. It's a fluke that they are in that school of yours, you should have been sent to Drumstang. I would have sent you there if you mother hadn't cried over you being so far away from her. I don't see why it matters, she doesn't see you all school year anyway. They could have shaped you into a fine young wizard but instead you've been turned soft by the softest of them all. Curse Dumbledore! You could have also been top in all of your classes but now you find yourself contending with a mudblood. A tainted mudblood, you're being beaten by a non-pureblood. You are a disgrace to the name of Malfoy"
Draco could feel tears prickling at the back of his eyes as each of his fathers words whipped into him.
"Father, I can explain-" Draco was cut off as his father began to rant more.
"Dumbledore, he's meddling in things he shouldn't. Damn him, he has no idea who he is dealing with." Lucius spat he was now almost nose-to-nose with his son, glaring hard into his eyes which were now watering.
"You aren't crying are you?" Lucius reached up and grabbed his son's jaw tightly pulling him closer to him.
"N-no, sir." Draco struggled to say as his father held onto him. He blinked back tears before they spilled over. Lucius looked sick for a moment as a look of disbelief washed over his face.
"No son of mine-" He stopped in the middle of his sentence and leered down on Draco, his grey eyes narrowed. "Forget it. Go make your self presentable then come and see me in my study. Be quick about it too, there are people of more importance then you waiting right now. This small meeting that involves you needs to get out of the way before I can get to them" Draco stared at him, he did everything he could to keep tears back in his eyes.
"Don't just stare at me! GO!" Lucius boomed then turned headed for his study, his cane thudded on the waxed marble floors in time with his steps as he disappeared from Draco's sight.
Draco's heart was pounding in his chest, he felt like he was going to be sick. He leaned against a stone snake that was preserved slithering its way around the hearth tears dripped down his cheeks and he took in shaky breaths.
"Don't cry you stupid git." Draco cursed at himself. He had prided himself oh being able to hold in his emotions well.
"Welcome home, dearest."
Draco's head shot up. He quickly wiped at his eyes smearing the salty tears on his face. It seemed as if Narcissa had just appeared out of nowhere, and she probably had. She held a whimsical air about her. As she took graceful steps towards him, it seemed almost as if she glided over the marble.
"Mother." Draco smiled at her; relief was in his eyes when he saw her coming towards him. Her silvery blonde hair was tied back neatly and she wore glittering green robes. She smiled lightly at him as she dabbed at the tears that continued to stream their way down his face.
There was undoubtedly some Vella in her bloodline. Narcissa was very different from Lucius Malfoy even though most people didn't think so. She was kind and generous, but, like Draco, feared her husband. She didn't dare utter a kind word about Muggles in his midst but when she had to she could match Lucius' prejudice any day. She wouldn't go out of her way to ridicule muggles or muggle borns or treat them to badly when she came across them (Unless of course Lucius was in earshot.) In fact when she could be she was nice to them and treated them like she would anyone else. So why would Lucius choose her? She was good about keeping quite about what went on within the walls of the Malfoy Manor, and those things could even make a number of the death eaters sick at the thought of it.
Narcissa tightly embraced her son, trying to make him feel better.
"I'm proud that you are a Malfoy." She kissed his forehead lightly. "If that means anything."
Draco nodded silently, collecting himself and his thoughts.
"Why am I here?" Draco whispered into her ear before she let him go.
"There is a meeting here, it is tonight, and your father felt it was important for you to be present as did the other participant. It is about-" Narcissa looked around the room as if looking for spies, her blonde hair swished back and forth as she turned her head. "It is about-"
"It's okay mother, you don't have to say. I can only imagine what father has in store for me. I suppose he's going to kill me. I-I've got to go." Draco rushed of towards his room.
Narcissa gave him a sympathetic smile as he hurried down the hall.
Draco reached for his doorknob when he heard a crash come from within. He leapt back from the door; he had been jumpy ever since he had returned to his rightful home. He relaxed when he heard the familiar sniffling of Poppy, one of their many house elves, inside.
"Hello sir! Glad to see sir is back where he belongs. Poppy was most lost without having someone to take care of." She laughed nervously. Draco huffed and grabbed some clothing to get ready for his father's meeting as fast as possible. He was not in the mood to have Poppy crying over him and pestering.
Draco glared down at the sniffling little house elf with a look on his face that made you think he was about to lose his lunch. Dismissing the little elf he pulled open his door and made for his father's study. He heard Poppy give out a quick squeak and begin to work faster on unloading his things.
Draco passed through the family room again, his mother had gone somewhere. She was not lounging by the window in the sun like he usually would find her. He weaved his way down stairways and halls towards his father's study, locking and unlocking doors as he went. The darkness engulfed him as he went deeper into the manor. The only light came from the green flames of the torches that lined the damp halls. Generations of Malfoys gave him startled glances from their picture frames as he rushed by.
Finally he reached the heavy carved oak doors. The Malfoy crest stared back at him (or at least the snake that wrapped itself around it had.) Taking a shaky breath Draco pushed on the heavy doors, he would not have been surprised to find the Dark Lord, Voldemort, himself seated across from his father, Draco caught his father's face. Lucius was looking more pale then usual and the eerie green glow of the room gave his skin a sickly hue.
"Come sit Draco." Lucius motioned to the empty chair next to the one being occupied by a man Draco could still not identify. Draco could tell by the man's long silver hair that he was old. A knobby hand held loosely onto the chairs arms and his long magenta robes flowed out and down the chair. Draco squinted at the man, trying to place where he had seen him, if he had at all.
"Sit, Draco." His father's voice cracked at him. What Lucius had said to him was still in the back of his mind. He stumbled forward and took a quick seat clasping in the black leather covering the plush chair. He quickly glanced over at the man next to him, letting out a quick gasp.
"Oh hell." He mumbled into his hand, which had shot up to him mouth.
"I don't think an introduction is necessary." Lucius nodded to them both.
"How has your vacation been so far? I've been monitoring your progress." The man casually addressed him.
Draco's eyes shifted to his father. He was unsure if he should tell the truth about how nice it had been and that Muggle borns had just as much talent as any other witch or wizard but that Muggles still seemed hopeless (especially after the whole ordeal upstairs of Lucius tearing into him about, what he though was, Draco's new-found softness for the muggles.) or if he should say it was terrible. (What his father would want him to say.)
"It's been." Draco paused he could feel sweat gathering on his brow, not just from the stuffiness of the room but also from nervousness. "It's been interesting Professor Dumbledore. Thank you." Draco decided to leave it at that. It was something vague enough to satisfy both parties. All he really wanted to know is why he was finding the headmaster in the deepest layer of his father's dungeons.
"Why-"He was cut short.
"Why, young master Malfoy, am I here, a just question. The answer is simple enough, isn't that right Governor Malfoy?" Dumbledore's blue eyes flickered over to Lucius who shifted uncomfortably in his seat.
"Your father tells me you've been having an awful time on this project with the Grangers." Dumbledore watched Draco's eyes scan his father who returned the look with a threatening glare.
"I've decided a change will be made for you as a special case. Your father and I have worked out the small details already so if you'll just come with me." Dumbledore slowly stood placing his hat on his head.
"Your boy will be in good care, I can assure you." Dumbledore cracked a smile at him.
"I have complete faith in you headmaster." This was an obviously lie.
If Lucius had his way Dumbledore would be out of Hogwarts in no time and he would most likely convince the other Governors to elect himself as new headmaster. He returned Dumbledore's smile anyway. He never said a word to Draco who had a lost look spread on his face. His eyes looked back to his father for anything, an explanation, a direction. He had learnt to look to his father in times like this, even if Lucius was not the best person to turn to. He was still Draco's father and the bond Draco held to him could not be easily pushed aside. It was hard to go against someone who had raised you and 'cared' for you all your life, even when you had someone as powerful as Dumbledore backing you up.
"Come along Draco." Dumbledore made for the door.
Draco stood slowly, his eyes still locked on his father; he was confused and torn between two people trying to lead him in two directions. One he knew was good, and the other whom he had listened to all his life.
"If you should need to send anything to your son send it with Surnia. I've left her in the owllery of you manor. She'll be able to get it to Draco the fastest." Lucius nodded and reclined back into his desk chair.
"Goodbye Father." Draco nodded to him. Lucius turned in his chair staring at a painting behind his desk as if he never heard Draco speak.
Draco swallowed a hard lump in his throat then followed Dumbledore out of the manor's depths up to where he had first arrived back to his home. He felt a little emptiness inside of him. Why had his father ignored him?
"Professor-" Draco matched the old mans surprisingly fast pace out to a carriage in front of the huge home. He looked back at the house still not feeling that he had made the right choice.
"I'll tell you on the way home Mr. Malfoy." Dumbledore's voice was calm but strong as he sat comfortably in the carriage seat across from Draco who had climbed in before him. "Headmaster Dumbledore!" Draco heard his mothers delicate voice strain to call out in the night. Dumbledore turned and leaned out the window.
Draco watched in curiosity as the two exchanged a few whispers and Narcissa slipped Dumbledore a roll of parchment. Draco's intent interest peaked. Narcissa looked back into the carriage and beamed at Draco.
"You be careful and the best of luck. I'll help you as much as I can." She reached in and met his hand with hers giving it a reassuring squeeze, her eyes teared a little.
"Goodbye mother." Draco smiled lightly.
"Goodbye." She answered as the carriage began to pull away. She stood outside the manor watching it for as long as she could before the darkness claimed the swinging lanterns of either side of the cab.
'Everyone is acting as if I'm being taken to my death.' Draco put a hand to his forehead.
"There is a change in you." Dumbledore's eyes read happiness. "Though you may not realize it or even want to admit it, it's there. I'm proud of you Draco." Draco blinked, tearing his eyes away from watching the manor grow smaller in the distance. His eyes quickly locked on Dumbledore's.
"Thank you sir, but I don't understand. Where is it I'm going and how did you know that my father took me home?" Draco's brow furrowed.
"The second question I can answer now. The first you'll have to see for yourself." Dumbledore closed his eyes for a moment then opened them and continued.
"Your father is both predictable and impatient. I knew it would be a matter of time before he went off to fetch you. And sure enough this very night he hss made his move and with a little help from your beautiful mother I was able to make my own interventions as well." Dumbledore leaned forward.
"And also with a little help from Cornelius Fudge of course, whom I know you are familiar with. He has visited your house on many occasions if I'm not mistaken." Draco nodded to him in response.
"And why is it so important for you to be returned, well we shall have time that for later." Dumbledore answered questions that kept popping up into Draco's mind as if Draco had been asking the questions out loud.
"After all this is just an assignment, am I correct?" Dumbledore said with a hint of mystery. Draco nodded dumbly at him.
Silence has passed between headmaster and student after that and Draco was beginning to get frustrated.
"Why cant he just come out with it?!! Everything always has to be so bloody mysterious. I'm surprised there wasn't a story with a lesson about all of this that he told." Draco blew air upward from his mouth in boredom. "Where in the hell is he taking me. I should have protested and stayed with father. That's what I should have done. Father would have preferred it if I did that and mother would be happy that I was home for the holidays." Draco looked lazily out the window.
"Patience Mr. Malfoy, you'll soon find out." Dumbledore stated as if Draco had be talking out loud the whole time. Draco was taken aback and found himself feeling a little vulnerable. Had Dumbledore been able to read his thoughts or was he just going off of Draco's confused expression. He tried not to think because thinking either led to a string of curse words or a question he did not want to have Dumbledore know he wanted the answer to.
"Don't stress yourself out Mr. Malfoy. If it is bothering you to no end I suppose I can begin explaining things to you a little further. You have made the right decision to come with me if that makes you feel any better to know." Dumbledore smiled.
"Well, let's start then. Nothing overly extraordinary has happened to you, but you are doing well in all your classes. You and Miss Granger are in fact tied for first in some of them, with the exception of potions. So far your winter break program has been a success, until now that is." Dumbledore paused looking out the window to check their progress. "Sometimes, though they don't want to admit it or give into it, people find they need each other."
"If you are referring to myself and Gran-"Dumbledore held up a hand to silence Draco's outburst.
"Miss Granger is in dire need of your protection. How to get you together without a fight was difficult. I'm aware of your old feelings towards each other. With Winter break coming and nothing being done to help you to see that you needed to work together, I, along with Professor McGonagall, came up with this wonderful idea. The idea was the program. An inner school program had never been done before so we knew all the students would be excited about it including Miss Granger. Your father would have no grounds on which to object if it was a school-wide program and Miss Granger would be oblivious to it all." Dumbledore smiled happily to himself.
"Her good friends, Harry Potter and Ronald Weasley, had been furious at the thought of me pairing you two together and protested. I had expected this from them. Mr. Weasley, however, decided to take matters into his own hands and let us just say he's home now, but that's not a good thing."
Draco perked up at the fact Ron had gotten in trouble.
"You must be asking yourself: What sort of danger could she be facing and why am I the one who needs to protect her?" Dumbledore continued.
"Answers that I still cannot reveal for the fact that I myself am still not completely sure."
Draco looked at him blankly. This was so confusing. There had been no sign of any danger while he was at the Grangers house or when he was just with Hermione on small trips. Why would they be so quick to protect her anyway? It seemed as though the only one the Ministry seemed to ever want to protect had been Harry Potter. Who would be after Hermione anyway?
Sure, the Dark Lord would be a sufficient answer but he was after everyone who did not have pure blood pumping though his or her veins. The Dark Lord's threat was unavoidable and Draco knew there was more to this than just Voldemort. The carriage creaked to a halt.
"Don't leave her side. Don't let your father take you back and most importantly don't let Hermione know that she is in any danger. Send Pseudo* if you have any questions and if anything out of the ordinary happens you must owl me at once." Dumbledore said sternly. He was rushing instructions now that they had finally arrived.
"Do you understand?" His blue eyes bore into Draco's cool grey ones. Draco nodded hastily and reached for the door. He was shocked to open it and find the Gangers guest bedroom before him. He had just looked out the window and seen snow covered trees of some forests that resembled the Forbidden one near their school.
He looked back to Dumbledore, "Oh yes. Today I should tell you is the Twenty-sixth day of December, the day after Christmas."
"I've missed Christmas?!" Draco interrupted.
"You have worse things to worry about now." Dumbledore thrust forward a roll of parchment. "This is from your mother, and there is a note in there from me as well with further instructions. Perhaps they will both be of some help." Draco took the parchment from his ancient hands.
"Sir, I don't understand. What am I going to do? Who should I look for, I mean how can I protect Hermione if I don't know what is out to get her? Who, or even what, do I look for?" Draco's voice was panicked.
"You'll know. Now go and read that as soon as possible." Dumbledore closed the door after Draco stepped out. He ran to the window surprised to see light spilling into his room.
There was no sign of the carriage that had brought him there and when he looked around the room there was no sign that he had even left in the first place. Would the Grangers have noticed that he was gone? They would have had to miss him. How could they not realize that someone they had under their care had been missing a whole day. Draco was beginning to doubt Dumbledore's abilities to think plans though. Draco decided to make his way down to breakfast. The house was silent. He reached the doorframe for the kitchen surprised to see Hermione sitting at the kitchen table, a book propped open in front of her as she ate her breakfast
She looked up and caught sight of Draco. "Well there you are! I was afraid we tired you out with all of the Christmas celebration yesterday. It was such a wonderful Christmas." she sighed then snapped back into reality.
"Come and sit, I'll get you some food." She put down her book and made her way over to the stove where more breakfast was waiting.
Draco looked at her funny. Didn't she realize that he was not around for the whole of yesterday?
"Hermione." Draco stopped short. He had wanted to ask if she had noticed he was gone but Dumbledore's warning that she must not know rang in his ears.
"I want to thank you for being so kind yesterday. It was like there was a whole new Draco in our midst." Hermione sat a plate in front of him.
"Oh, uh.your welcome." Draco forced himself to sound convincing. Dumbledore must have made some sort of body double for him so that the Grangers would not notice his absence. He assumed that there would be some explanation in the letter he had received when he got back to Hermione's house.
"I was really worried that you would blow your top when Mother gave you that scarf with the Gryffindor colors. She didn't realized there were other house teams at our school. It was funny to see you wearing Gold and Scarlet rather then your Green and Silver. I wish I'd taken a picture." Hermione stopped, catching sight of the parchment still clutched in Draco's right fist.
"Where did you get that? The owls always bring the mail into the kitchen before they take it anywhere else in the house." She grabbed the letters from his hands. "Oh! This one is from Dumbledore!" She eyed him quickly. "You aren't in any sort of trouble are you?"
"No." He said quickly and took them back. "These are mine if you don't mind and an owl didn't bring them to me. I've had them."
"You should open the one from the headmaster! It could be important." Hermione seemed anxious.
"Lay off Ganger." Draco shoved the letters out of her sight.
"Sorry." She looked down. "I was just trying to look out for you." Draco sunk into his chair when she said this.
"Hermione, you don't need to look out for me. I can do that myself. Just worry about yourself and don't get your nose into things, will you?" She looked up at him as he spoke. Draco sighed.
"Look, if I open it will that make you feel better?" Draco pulled out Dumbledore's note. Hermione nodded at him.
"You should be more responsible about that sort of thing." Draco blocked her voice out as he began to read:
Mr. Malfoy,
I knew I would not have time to explain everything to you on our trip back to the Grangers home. I understand that you have many questions about what is going on that I have not yet answered. All the answers that I can give you are in the letter from your mother.
Draco stopped reading and quickly untied the scroll his mother gave him. It was blank. Draco turned it in many different directions trying to see if there was some sort of trick to getting it to reveal what was written on it. Just when he began to give up, green ink began to take the shape of words spread over the paper. My Dearest Son, Draco
Turn to this in time of need. It has all the answers. You just need to ask.
Lovingly, Your Mother.
Draco stared as the ink glittered away. "Just ask?" He ran a hand back through his hair. "What is it?" Hermione leaned forward trying to get a glimpse of what was on either one of the letters addressed to him. Draco had to think quickly. "It was about Poppy. You know how I wasn't supposed to use magic?" Hermione nodded to him. "Basically it said the same thing as the one Surnia brought us that night. It's over now. No big deal." Draco shrugged. Hermione eyed him; she could tell it was a lie.
"And what did that one say?" Hermione pointed to the re-rolled parchment.
"Well nothing really. Yet. My mother likes to send me puzzle sort of things, you know to keep me thinking. I still haven't figured it out yet." Draco stuffed it into his back pocket.
"Do you want any help with it? I'm a wiz at puzzles!" Hermione lit up at the idea of a brain challenge.
"No, that's okay." Draco wanted to change the subject. "So what are we doing today? We've still got a couple of things to do for our project, right?" He crumpled Dumbledore's letter in his hands absentmindedly.
Hermione opened her mouth to answer him but an unusually loud crash in the opposite room stopped her. Draco reacted quicker then Hermione. The thought of the danger that had now been brought to his attention pounded in the back of his head.
"Stay near me Hermione." Draco reached back for her.
"It could be nothing." Hermione tried to keep an optimistic view. "Maybe it was just Crookshanks?" she grabbed onto his shoulders peering over him into the next room on her toes. "Crookshanks?" She began to call.
"Shut up!" Draco hissed. He strained to listen for anything. His mother's parchment flickered into his mind.
"Just ask?" He mumbled to himself.
"What?" Hermione whispered.
"Keep quiet, I'm thinking." He unrolled the blank paper.
"Draco, if you think we're in danger, this is no time to start trying to solve your mothers riddles." Hermione stared at him wide eyed. "I'm sure it's just Crookshanks."
"All I have to do is ask?" He ran his hand over the empty spaces on the paper.
"Who is in the other room? What do they want with us?"
* Pseudo: Draco's Eagle Owl. I pronounce it Say-dough. It's actually the first Latin term in the genus and species name for a daffodil. (Ha-ha!)
Thank you so much for all of your review. It really keeps me going! And why you review and I find out how much you all enjoy the stories plot line I find that I myself get even more joy out of writing it for you. Keep Reviewing please! I Must also give a big thank you to WormmonABC, as I accidentally left out her thank you last time (I'm so sorry) so you get a extra special thank you here and there will be one below as well! It is a joy to talk to you and read the stories you send to me! YAY! Okay!
As always. To those who reviewed:
Dreaming One: Yeah, It's sometimes hard because you want to get to the good stuff! LOL Thank you for your review!
jo_zii: Right now, and thank your for Reviewing and saying that you like my story, I really appreciate it!
Molly and Co: Stunned? Wow! Well I just wanted to say thank you (as always) for your review!!
Lina: I love his father and his creepiness! LOL Good ol' Lucius! Thank you for your review!!
Alexis: Yeah! I try to update as much as I can when I can. Sometimes it's short and sometimes it's a long time (I hate the long times!) I try to get them out as fast as I can without them being bad. Anyway Thank you for this review and all the other ones too!
Hedwig7up: Thank you! I was going though some of your stories and I liked them a lot! Thank you for your review!!
Hobbit Shortness: Yes! That's why I now have a beta reader to pick it up for me when I leave it off. But I know it's easier to read now, I went through and like the first few chapters are AWFUL with the punctuation!! Thank you for all of your reviews!!
Risquer: And even more! Sorry that I'm taking so long lately! (Just keep checking back or e-mail me TakaEnna@MSN.com if you want me to mail you when I put stuff up!)
Karly: HA-HA! Yeah, I know I was just rambling to myself while I was responding back to what you said in the review. LOL Sorry 'bout that! Thanks for the review!
Couch-Potato: OMG! Lol, thank you for your review!!
Space Efficient Girl: Because he oh so good at doing that, that's why! He- he. Well thank you for your review!!
WormmonABC: I know! I know!! SORRY! And thanks for your review and helping me out with this chapter. God knows its hard to do it all on your own.
PaperStar: FWEE!! Thank you so much, where would I be without you?! With less reviews and angry readers mad a me for my punctuation. Lol Thanks for your LOTR related review, it cracked me up.
Kai Shikaido: Thank you so much! And uh.LA espera vale la pena to you too! Thanks for the review!!!!
Girldevil: Yup, you just can't help but love the little devil, huh? I loveth Draco!! Thanks for the review!!
TriGemini: Thanks a lot! Lucius is of course known for trouble though, isn't he. Ke-hehe. Thanks for the review!!
Plastic: Sorry sorry! I know you've got it in for me because there was another cliffhanger on this chapter too! GAH! Well thank you for your review!!
Pudmuffin: Like I said to plastic, SORRY SORRY SORRY that you have to go though a double cliff. Thank you for your review just the same though!
Broken-Hermione: That's the ticket! Can I help out! Together we'll all join forces with Lucius then have an all out brawl over Dracie!!
Apllo21: Thank you I have! Sorry It took so long though!! Thanks for the review as well!
Skullfarmer: Hey, thank you! Thanks a lot for the review!!
Disclaimer. Of course I do not own any of the Harry Potter characters, ideas, made up words or worlds. This story is set in the children's sixth year. Thanks J.K. for letting me play with your kiddos!
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Sorry my chapters have been few and far between, I'm going to try and be better about it. I went on a trip to Death Valley this weekend and I have Finals coming up the weekend after this! (Wish me luck.) I've been finding myself having to relate Harry Potter to School to get through the day because it's driving me nuts. LOL. Potions is Chemistry and English is Study of Muggles and uh, well anyway, it's pretty funny. I wish I had Draco in my classes though! Boo! Slytherin pride forever, I like my potions master! Kahaha!
Not that this has anything to do with anything but I've been reading Nicholas Nickleby so I hope it helps out my English! God bless Dickens! (That movie is so good too! Charlie Hunnam is to die for!)
Anyway, some notes on the story. I hope you enjoy this chapter and if you have Finals too, well, I wish you the best of luck. More Lucius action in this, sort of, man there's just something about him that I like, maybe it is because he's devastatingly evil! And Narcissa is in this as well, but I never imagine her mean, just caught up in being a "Malfoy." That's all.
Enjoy. Taka.
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The trip with Floo powder had made Draco more nauseous then usual. He felt as though he had left his stomach back in the Granger's living room after stating 'Malfoy Manor' clearly before being swallowed by the green flames. Normally he felt no ill effects when he used Floo powder. (Which he had had done quite often.) Not this time though, it felt like the first time he had ever used it when he was very young.
The fireplace spit him out and he slid across the tiles leaving a trail of soot on the well-waxed marble. He quickly got to his feet waiting for his father to emerge from the blackness of their fireplace. He tried desperately to clean himself up, smoothing out his own hair and flicking what soot he could, off of himself.
The green flames roared again and Lucius Malfoy stepped unnerved from the dark shadows of the chimney. There wasn't a fleck of dust or ash on his dark cloaks or in his silvery blonde hair. Draco knew he had to be a mess by the way his father was looking coldly down on him. Lucius had a tight grip on his snake cane, which concealed his wand as he bore down on his son.
"I leave you a few days in the care of Muggles and you've already forgotten how to travel properly by Floo powder. Who knows what else you've forgotten."
He scoffed then turned on him again.
"And look at you, you're a mess, your week and pathetic. Are you becoming a muggle yourself? I never thought it could be possible. I've worked hard to raise you properly, to see mudbloods for what they really are: Filthy and talent less. They muck up the idea of magic and wizardry. It's a fluke that they are in that school of yours, you should have been sent to Drumstang. I would have sent you there if you mother hadn't cried over you being so far away from her. I don't see why it matters, she doesn't see you all school year anyway. They could have shaped you into a fine young wizard but instead you've been turned soft by the softest of them all. Curse Dumbledore! You could have also been top in all of your classes but now you find yourself contending with a mudblood. A tainted mudblood, you're being beaten by a non-pureblood. You are a disgrace to the name of Malfoy"
Draco could feel tears prickling at the back of his eyes as each of his fathers words whipped into him.
"Father, I can explain-" Draco was cut off as his father began to rant more.
"Dumbledore, he's meddling in things he shouldn't. Damn him, he has no idea who he is dealing with." Lucius spat he was now almost nose-to-nose with his son, glaring hard into his eyes which were now watering.
"You aren't crying are you?" Lucius reached up and grabbed his son's jaw tightly pulling him closer to him.
"N-no, sir." Draco struggled to say as his father held onto him. He blinked back tears before they spilled over. Lucius looked sick for a moment as a look of disbelief washed over his face.
"No son of mine-" He stopped in the middle of his sentence and leered down on Draco, his grey eyes narrowed. "Forget it. Go make your self presentable then come and see me in my study. Be quick about it too, there are people of more importance then you waiting right now. This small meeting that involves you needs to get out of the way before I can get to them" Draco stared at him, he did everything he could to keep tears back in his eyes.
"Don't just stare at me! GO!" Lucius boomed then turned headed for his study, his cane thudded on the waxed marble floors in time with his steps as he disappeared from Draco's sight.
Draco's heart was pounding in his chest, he felt like he was going to be sick. He leaned against a stone snake that was preserved slithering its way around the hearth tears dripped down his cheeks and he took in shaky breaths.
"Don't cry you stupid git." Draco cursed at himself. He had prided himself oh being able to hold in his emotions well.
"Welcome home, dearest."
Draco's head shot up. He quickly wiped at his eyes smearing the salty tears on his face. It seemed as if Narcissa had just appeared out of nowhere, and she probably had. She held a whimsical air about her. As she took graceful steps towards him, it seemed almost as if she glided over the marble.
"Mother." Draco smiled at her; relief was in his eyes when he saw her coming towards him. Her silvery blonde hair was tied back neatly and she wore glittering green robes. She smiled lightly at him as she dabbed at the tears that continued to stream their way down his face.
There was undoubtedly some Vella in her bloodline. Narcissa was very different from Lucius Malfoy even though most people didn't think so. She was kind and generous, but, like Draco, feared her husband. She didn't dare utter a kind word about Muggles in his midst but when she had to she could match Lucius' prejudice any day. She wouldn't go out of her way to ridicule muggles or muggle borns or treat them to badly when she came across them (Unless of course Lucius was in earshot.) In fact when she could be she was nice to them and treated them like she would anyone else. So why would Lucius choose her? She was good about keeping quite about what went on within the walls of the Malfoy Manor, and those things could even make a number of the death eaters sick at the thought of it.
Narcissa tightly embraced her son, trying to make him feel better.
"I'm proud that you are a Malfoy." She kissed his forehead lightly. "If that means anything."
Draco nodded silently, collecting himself and his thoughts.
"Why am I here?" Draco whispered into her ear before she let him go.
"There is a meeting here, it is tonight, and your father felt it was important for you to be present as did the other participant. It is about-" Narcissa looked around the room as if looking for spies, her blonde hair swished back and forth as she turned her head. "It is about-"
"It's okay mother, you don't have to say. I can only imagine what father has in store for me. I suppose he's going to kill me. I-I've got to go." Draco rushed of towards his room.
Narcissa gave him a sympathetic smile as he hurried down the hall.
Draco reached for his doorknob when he heard a crash come from within. He leapt back from the door; he had been jumpy ever since he had returned to his rightful home. He relaxed when he heard the familiar sniffling of Poppy, one of their many house elves, inside.
"Hello sir! Glad to see sir is back where he belongs. Poppy was most lost without having someone to take care of." She laughed nervously. Draco huffed and grabbed some clothing to get ready for his father's meeting as fast as possible. He was not in the mood to have Poppy crying over him and pestering.
Draco glared down at the sniffling little house elf with a look on his face that made you think he was about to lose his lunch. Dismissing the little elf he pulled open his door and made for his father's study. He heard Poppy give out a quick squeak and begin to work faster on unloading his things.
Draco passed through the family room again, his mother had gone somewhere. She was not lounging by the window in the sun like he usually would find her. He weaved his way down stairways and halls towards his father's study, locking and unlocking doors as he went. The darkness engulfed him as he went deeper into the manor. The only light came from the green flames of the torches that lined the damp halls. Generations of Malfoys gave him startled glances from their picture frames as he rushed by.
Finally he reached the heavy carved oak doors. The Malfoy crest stared back at him (or at least the snake that wrapped itself around it had.) Taking a shaky breath Draco pushed on the heavy doors, he would not have been surprised to find the Dark Lord, Voldemort, himself seated across from his father, Draco caught his father's face. Lucius was looking more pale then usual and the eerie green glow of the room gave his skin a sickly hue.
"Come sit Draco." Lucius motioned to the empty chair next to the one being occupied by a man Draco could still not identify. Draco could tell by the man's long silver hair that he was old. A knobby hand held loosely onto the chairs arms and his long magenta robes flowed out and down the chair. Draco squinted at the man, trying to place where he had seen him, if he had at all.
"Sit, Draco." His father's voice cracked at him. What Lucius had said to him was still in the back of his mind. He stumbled forward and took a quick seat clasping in the black leather covering the plush chair. He quickly glanced over at the man next to him, letting out a quick gasp.
"Oh hell." He mumbled into his hand, which had shot up to him mouth.
"I don't think an introduction is necessary." Lucius nodded to them both.
"How has your vacation been so far? I've been monitoring your progress." The man casually addressed him.
Draco's eyes shifted to his father. He was unsure if he should tell the truth about how nice it had been and that Muggle borns had just as much talent as any other witch or wizard but that Muggles still seemed hopeless (especially after the whole ordeal upstairs of Lucius tearing into him about, what he though was, Draco's new-found softness for the muggles.) or if he should say it was terrible. (What his father would want him to say.)
"It's been." Draco paused he could feel sweat gathering on his brow, not just from the stuffiness of the room but also from nervousness. "It's been interesting Professor Dumbledore. Thank you." Draco decided to leave it at that. It was something vague enough to satisfy both parties. All he really wanted to know is why he was finding the headmaster in the deepest layer of his father's dungeons.
"Why-"He was cut short.
"Why, young master Malfoy, am I here, a just question. The answer is simple enough, isn't that right Governor Malfoy?" Dumbledore's blue eyes flickered over to Lucius who shifted uncomfortably in his seat.
"Your father tells me you've been having an awful time on this project with the Grangers." Dumbledore watched Draco's eyes scan his father who returned the look with a threatening glare.
"I've decided a change will be made for you as a special case. Your father and I have worked out the small details already so if you'll just come with me." Dumbledore slowly stood placing his hat on his head.
"Your boy will be in good care, I can assure you." Dumbledore cracked a smile at him.
"I have complete faith in you headmaster." This was an obviously lie.
If Lucius had his way Dumbledore would be out of Hogwarts in no time and he would most likely convince the other Governors to elect himself as new headmaster. He returned Dumbledore's smile anyway. He never said a word to Draco who had a lost look spread on his face. His eyes looked back to his father for anything, an explanation, a direction. He had learnt to look to his father in times like this, even if Lucius was not the best person to turn to. He was still Draco's father and the bond Draco held to him could not be easily pushed aside. It was hard to go against someone who had raised you and 'cared' for you all your life, even when you had someone as powerful as Dumbledore backing you up.
"Come along Draco." Dumbledore made for the door.
Draco stood slowly, his eyes still locked on his father; he was confused and torn between two people trying to lead him in two directions. One he knew was good, and the other whom he had listened to all his life.
"If you should need to send anything to your son send it with Surnia. I've left her in the owllery of you manor. She'll be able to get it to Draco the fastest." Lucius nodded and reclined back into his desk chair.
"Goodbye Father." Draco nodded to him. Lucius turned in his chair staring at a painting behind his desk as if he never heard Draco speak.
Draco swallowed a hard lump in his throat then followed Dumbledore out of the manor's depths up to where he had first arrived back to his home. He felt a little emptiness inside of him. Why had his father ignored him?
"Professor-" Draco matched the old mans surprisingly fast pace out to a carriage in front of the huge home. He looked back at the house still not feeling that he had made the right choice.
"I'll tell you on the way home Mr. Malfoy." Dumbledore's voice was calm but strong as he sat comfortably in the carriage seat across from Draco who had climbed in before him. "Headmaster Dumbledore!" Draco heard his mothers delicate voice strain to call out in the night. Dumbledore turned and leaned out the window.
Draco watched in curiosity as the two exchanged a few whispers and Narcissa slipped Dumbledore a roll of parchment. Draco's intent interest peaked. Narcissa looked back into the carriage and beamed at Draco.
"You be careful and the best of luck. I'll help you as much as I can." She reached in and met his hand with hers giving it a reassuring squeeze, her eyes teared a little.
"Goodbye mother." Draco smiled lightly.
"Goodbye." She answered as the carriage began to pull away. She stood outside the manor watching it for as long as she could before the darkness claimed the swinging lanterns of either side of the cab.
'Everyone is acting as if I'm being taken to my death.' Draco put a hand to his forehead.
"There is a change in you." Dumbledore's eyes read happiness. "Though you may not realize it or even want to admit it, it's there. I'm proud of you Draco." Draco blinked, tearing his eyes away from watching the manor grow smaller in the distance. His eyes quickly locked on Dumbledore's.
"Thank you sir, but I don't understand. Where is it I'm going and how did you know that my father took me home?" Draco's brow furrowed.
"The second question I can answer now. The first you'll have to see for yourself." Dumbledore closed his eyes for a moment then opened them and continued.
"Your father is both predictable and impatient. I knew it would be a matter of time before he went off to fetch you. And sure enough this very night he hss made his move and with a little help from your beautiful mother I was able to make my own interventions as well." Dumbledore leaned forward.
"And also with a little help from Cornelius Fudge of course, whom I know you are familiar with. He has visited your house on many occasions if I'm not mistaken." Draco nodded to him in response.
"And why is it so important for you to be returned, well we shall have time that for later." Dumbledore answered questions that kept popping up into Draco's mind as if Draco had been asking the questions out loud.
"After all this is just an assignment, am I correct?" Dumbledore said with a hint of mystery. Draco nodded dumbly at him.
Silence has passed between headmaster and student after that and Draco was beginning to get frustrated.
"Why cant he just come out with it?!! Everything always has to be so bloody mysterious. I'm surprised there wasn't a story with a lesson about all of this that he told." Draco blew air upward from his mouth in boredom. "Where in the hell is he taking me. I should have protested and stayed with father. That's what I should have done. Father would have preferred it if I did that and mother would be happy that I was home for the holidays." Draco looked lazily out the window.
"Patience Mr. Malfoy, you'll soon find out." Dumbledore stated as if Draco had be talking out loud the whole time. Draco was taken aback and found himself feeling a little vulnerable. Had Dumbledore been able to read his thoughts or was he just going off of Draco's confused expression. He tried not to think because thinking either led to a string of curse words or a question he did not want to have Dumbledore know he wanted the answer to.
"Don't stress yourself out Mr. Malfoy. If it is bothering you to no end I suppose I can begin explaining things to you a little further. You have made the right decision to come with me if that makes you feel any better to know." Dumbledore smiled.
"Well, let's start then. Nothing overly extraordinary has happened to you, but you are doing well in all your classes. You and Miss Granger are in fact tied for first in some of them, with the exception of potions. So far your winter break program has been a success, until now that is." Dumbledore paused looking out the window to check their progress. "Sometimes, though they don't want to admit it or give into it, people find they need each other."
"If you are referring to myself and Gran-"Dumbledore held up a hand to silence Draco's outburst.
"Miss Granger is in dire need of your protection. How to get you together without a fight was difficult. I'm aware of your old feelings towards each other. With Winter break coming and nothing being done to help you to see that you needed to work together, I, along with Professor McGonagall, came up with this wonderful idea. The idea was the program. An inner school program had never been done before so we knew all the students would be excited about it including Miss Granger. Your father would have no grounds on which to object if it was a school-wide program and Miss Granger would be oblivious to it all." Dumbledore smiled happily to himself.
"Her good friends, Harry Potter and Ronald Weasley, had been furious at the thought of me pairing you two together and protested. I had expected this from them. Mr. Weasley, however, decided to take matters into his own hands and let us just say he's home now, but that's not a good thing."
Draco perked up at the fact Ron had gotten in trouble.
"You must be asking yourself: What sort of danger could she be facing and why am I the one who needs to protect her?" Dumbledore continued.
"Answers that I still cannot reveal for the fact that I myself am still not completely sure."
Draco looked at him blankly. This was so confusing. There had been no sign of any danger while he was at the Grangers house or when he was just with Hermione on small trips. Why would they be so quick to protect her anyway? It seemed as though the only one the Ministry seemed to ever want to protect had been Harry Potter. Who would be after Hermione anyway?
Sure, the Dark Lord would be a sufficient answer but he was after everyone who did not have pure blood pumping though his or her veins. The Dark Lord's threat was unavoidable and Draco knew there was more to this than just Voldemort. The carriage creaked to a halt.
"Don't leave her side. Don't let your father take you back and most importantly don't let Hermione know that she is in any danger. Send Pseudo* if you have any questions and if anything out of the ordinary happens you must owl me at once." Dumbledore said sternly. He was rushing instructions now that they had finally arrived.
"Do you understand?" His blue eyes bore into Draco's cool grey ones. Draco nodded hastily and reached for the door. He was shocked to open it and find the Gangers guest bedroom before him. He had just looked out the window and seen snow covered trees of some forests that resembled the Forbidden one near their school.
He looked back to Dumbledore, "Oh yes. Today I should tell you is the Twenty-sixth day of December, the day after Christmas."
"I've missed Christmas?!" Draco interrupted.
"You have worse things to worry about now." Dumbledore thrust forward a roll of parchment. "This is from your mother, and there is a note in there from me as well with further instructions. Perhaps they will both be of some help." Draco took the parchment from his ancient hands.
"Sir, I don't understand. What am I going to do? Who should I look for, I mean how can I protect Hermione if I don't know what is out to get her? Who, or even what, do I look for?" Draco's voice was panicked.
"You'll know. Now go and read that as soon as possible." Dumbledore closed the door after Draco stepped out. He ran to the window surprised to see light spilling into his room.
There was no sign of the carriage that had brought him there and when he looked around the room there was no sign that he had even left in the first place. Would the Grangers have noticed that he was gone? They would have had to miss him. How could they not realize that someone they had under their care had been missing a whole day. Draco was beginning to doubt Dumbledore's abilities to think plans though. Draco decided to make his way down to breakfast. The house was silent. He reached the doorframe for the kitchen surprised to see Hermione sitting at the kitchen table, a book propped open in front of her as she ate her breakfast
She looked up and caught sight of Draco. "Well there you are! I was afraid we tired you out with all of the Christmas celebration yesterday. It was such a wonderful Christmas." she sighed then snapped back into reality.
"Come and sit, I'll get you some food." She put down her book and made her way over to the stove where more breakfast was waiting.
Draco looked at her funny. Didn't she realize that he was not around for the whole of yesterday?
"Hermione." Draco stopped short. He had wanted to ask if she had noticed he was gone but Dumbledore's warning that she must not know rang in his ears.
"I want to thank you for being so kind yesterday. It was like there was a whole new Draco in our midst." Hermione sat a plate in front of him.
"Oh, uh.your welcome." Draco forced himself to sound convincing. Dumbledore must have made some sort of body double for him so that the Grangers would not notice his absence. He assumed that there would be some explanation in the letter he had received when he got back to Hermione's house.
"I was really worried that you would blow your top when Mother gave you that scarf with the Gryffindor colors. She didn't realized there were other house teams at our school. It was funny to see you wearing Gold and Scarlet rather then your Green and Silver. I wish I'd taken a picture." Hermione stopped, catching sight of the parchment still clutched in Draco's right fist.
"Where did you get that? The owls always bring the mail into the kitchen before they take it anywhere else in the house." She grabbed the letters from his hands. "Oh! This one is from Dumbledore!" She eyed him quickly. "You aren't in any sort of trouble are you?"
"No." He said quickly and took them back. "These are mine if you don't mind and an owl didn't bring them to me. I've had them."
"You should open the one from the headmaster! It could be important." Hermione seemed anxious.
"Lay off Ganger." Draco shoved the letters out of her sight.
"Sorry." She looked down. "I was just trying to look out for you." Draco sunk into his chair when she said this.
"Hermione, you don't need to look out for me. I can do that myself. Just worry about yourself and don't get your nose into things, will you?" She looked up at him as he spoke. Draco sighed.
"Look, if I open it will that make you feel better?" Draco pulled out Dumbledore's note. Hermione nodded at him.
"You should be more responsible about that sort of thing." Draco blocked her voice out as he began to read:
Mr. Malfoy,
I knew I would not have time to explain everything to you on our trip back to the Grangers home. I understand that you have many questions about what is going on that I have not yet answered. All the answers that I can give you are in the letter from your mother.
Draco stopped reading and quickly untied the scroll his mother gave him. It was blank. Draco turned it in many different directions trying to see if there was some sort of trick to getting it to reveal what was written on it. Just when he began to give up, green ink began to take the shape of words spread over the paper. My Dearest Son, Draco
Turn to this in time of need. It has all the answers. You just need to ask.
Lovingly, Your Mother.
Draco stared as the ink glittered away. "Just ask?" He ran a hand back through his hair. "What is it?" Hermione leaned forward trying to get a glimpse of what was on either one of the letters addressed to him. Draco had to think quickly. "It was about Poppy. You know how I wasn't supposed to use magic?" Hermione nodded to him. "Basically it said the same thing as the one Surnia brought us that night. It's over now. No big deal." Draco shrugged. Hermione eyed him; she could tell it was a lie.
"And what did that one say?" Hermione pointed to the re-rolled parchment.
"Well nothing really. Yet. My mother likes to send me puzzle sort of things, you know to keep me thinking. I still haven't figured it out yet." Draco stuffed it into his back pocket.
"Do you want any help with it? I'm a wiz at puzzles!" Hermione lit up at the idea of a brain challenge.
"No, that's okay." Draco wanted to change the subject. "So what are we doing today? We've still got a couple of things to do for our project, right?" He crumpled Dumbledore's letter in his hands absentmindedly.
Hermione opened her mouth to answer him but an unusually loud crash in the opposite room stopped her. Draco reacted quicker then Hermione. The thought of the danger that had now been brought to his attention pounded in the back of his head.
"Stay near me Hermione." Draco reached back for her.
"It could be nothing." Hermione tried to keep an optimistic view. "Maybe it was just Crookshanks?" she grabbed onto his shoulders peering over him into the next room on her toes. "Crookshanks?" She began to call.
"Shut up!" Draco hissed. He strained to listen for anything. His mother's parchment flickered into his mind.
"Just ask?" He mumbled to himself.
"What?" Hermione whispered.
"Keep quiet, I'm thinking." He unrolled the blank paper.
"Draco, if you think we're in danger, this is no time to start trying to solve your mothers riddles." Hermione stared at him wide eyed. "I'm sure it's just Crookshanks."
"All I have to do is ask?" He ran his hand over the empty spaces on the paper.
"Who is in the other room? What do they want with us?"
* Pseudo: Draco's Eagle Owl. I pronounce it Say-dough. It's actually the first Latin term in the genus and species name for a daffodil. (Ha-ha!)
Thank you so much for all of your review. It really keeps me going! And why you review and I find out how much you all enjoy the stories plot line I find that I myself get even more joy out of writing it for you. Keep Reviewing please! I Must also give a big thank you to WormmonABC, as I accidentally left out her thank you last time (I'm so sorry) so you get a extra special thank you here and there will be one below as well! It is a joy to talk to you and read the stories you send to me! YAY! Okay!
As always. To those who reviewed:
Dreaming One: Yeah, It's sometimes hard because you want to get to the good stuff! LOL Thank you for your review!
jo_zii: Right now, and thank your for Reviewing and saying that you like my story, I really appreciate it!
Molly and Co: Stunned? Wow! Well I just wanted to say thank you (as always) for your review!!
Lina: I love his father and his creepiness! LOL Good ol' Lucius! Thank you for your review!!
Alexis: Yeah! I try to update as much as I can when I can. Sometimes it's short and sometimes it's a long time (I hate the long times!) I try to get them out as fast as I can without them being bad. Anyway Thank you for this review and all the other ones too!
Hedwig7up: Thank you! I was going though some of your stories and I liked them a lot! Thank you for your review!!
Hobbit Shortness: Yes! That's why I now have a beta reader to pick it up for me when I leave it off. But I know it's easier to read now, I went through and like the first few chapters are AWFUL with the punctuation!! Thank you for all of your reviews!!
Risquer: And even more! Sorry that I'm taking so long lately! (Just keep checking back or e-mail me TakaEnna@MSN.com if you want me to mail you when I put stuff up!)
Karly: HA-HA! Yeah, I know I was just rambling to myself while I was responding back to what you said in the review. LOL Sorry 'bout that! Thanks for the review!
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Space Efficient Girl: Because he oh so good at doing that, that's why! He- he. Well thank you for your review!!
WormmonABC: I know! I know!! SORRY! And thanks for your review and helping me out with this chapter. God knows its hard to do it all on your own.
PaperStar: FWEE!! Thank you so much, where would I be without you?! With less reviews and angry readers mad a me for my punctuation. Lol Thanks for your LOTR related review, it cracked me up.
Kai Shikaido: Thank you so much! And uh.LA espera vale la pena to you too! Thanks for the review!!!!
Girldevil: Yup, you just can't help but love the little devil, huh? I loveth Draco!! Thanks for the review!!
TriGemini: Thanks a lot! Lucius is of course known for trouble though, isn't he. Ke-hehe. Thanks for the review!!
Plastic: Sorry sorry! I know you've got it in for me because there was another cliffhanger on this chapter too! GAH! Well thank you for your review!!
Pudmuffin: Like I said to plastic, SORRY SORRY SORRY that you have to go though a double cliff. Thank you for your review just the same though!
Broken-Hermione: That's the ticket! Can I help out! Together we'll all join forces with Lucius then have an all out brawl over Dracie!!
Apllo21: Thank you I have! Sorry It took so long though!! Thanks for the review as well!
Skullfarmer: Hey, thank you! Thanks a lot for the review!!