Chapter Thirteen: The Morning After

Just after dawn on Thursday morning Lucius Malfoy's eyes snapped open, the maid's voice and a cacophony of other sounds ringing in his ears. Indistinguishable at first, they quickly began to take shape as the fog of sleep drifted away. The maid, unusually irate, was cursing passionately and shouting at something to go away while his door was being assaulted with a distinct scratching sound and the occasional loud thump.

He could think only one thing: Malfoy Manor was under attack.

Gray eyes flashing, ready for anything, he snatched his wand from the side table and leaped from the enormous bed. With a violent incantation, he blew the door to splinters, more to startle the enemy than to cause any lasting damage.

Whatever his intention, he made quite an impression on the invaders: an enormous flock of owls who upon spotting the recipient of their respective missives, dove for the senior Malfoy and promptly buried him in a shower of letters and newspaper clippings.

Their task completed, they exited Malfoy manor in a noisy cluster of indignant hoots and screeches, and the house was silent once more.

The patriarch of the Malfoy line, clad only in gray silk pajama bottoms with his hair still tousled from slumber, stared at the pile of papers, as feathers drifted gracefully down on his fair head. For a moment, he simply stood there, assessing. The door was in shambles, but could be repaired or replaced, the feathers would be taken care of by-- he looked around for the maid and spotted her in a heap across the hall.

Rose groaned as her head cleared and her eyes began to regain their focus. A feathery trickle traced it's way down her face and she reached up to investigate. Drawing the hand away, feeling the sticky wetness, she knew that it was blood. It wasn't too bad, just a cut, but where had that explosion come from?

Her eyes came to rest on Lucius.

Ah, yes. The Lord of the manor, barely dressed and looking like a walking sin. Who could look that perfect just rolling out of bed? She almost chuckled at her own envy, but was stopped short by a horrifying realization: Lucius had hurt her. Despite the contract, he had blown her into a wall and cut open her head. By all rights, he should be dead.

Strange, this inexplicable relief that he was unharmed.

But, how could this be? There was only one viable explanation. He could hurt her because she wasn't technically Alex. She was Rose D'antoni, the maid of Malfoy Manor-- and she was in serious danger, just as Severus had warned her.

This was brought home by three things, fragments of the shattered door scattered on the hallway rug, the crackle of powerful magic still filling the air, and the uncharacteristic scowl on Malfoy's perfect face as he stared at the front page of an early edition of The Daily Prophet.

Ah.

He had counted on losing two Death Eaters to Alex Borgin, not four.

What's the matter, Lucius? Friends of yours? she thought mockingly.

Lucius dropped the paper in the pile at his feet.

Merlin and Mab, she'd done it.

He hadn't expected her to take out two Death Eaters, much less four. He had expected her to make the attempt and die at the hands of her intended victims. Luckily, that worked in his favor this time. She had destroyed Bellatrix and Dolohov, just as she intended, and beyond his wildest hopes, she had also eliminated two Death Eaters who had caused him no end of trouble: Rodolphus and Avery, who had no concept of thought before action.

"Rose!" he called sharply, his voice cutting through the haze of doubt in her mind. For now, she was a maid in the Malfoy home. She had to pull herself together and worry about getting the hell out of here later.

She was at his side in a moment, the sleeve of her uniform pressed to her temple, stemming the flow of blood. "Yes, sir?"

"Bring breakfast for two, a pot of tea, and a pot of coffee to my office, then wake my son and send him to me," he ordered. Turning on his heel, he stalked back to his room, casually, with a flick of his wand, fixing the door on the way in.

"Why yes, Mr. Malfoy, my head's fine," Rose mumbled sarcastically, well out of earshot. "Thanks for asking. No, no. Don't trouble yourself. I'll just go bleed to death all over the kitchen."

When he was gone, Rose shook her head briefly to clear the confusion. Lucius seemed almost-- pleased. Obviously, there was something she didn't know. Oh, well, with the listening devices she'd planted around the house, that would be remedied soon enough.

As she hastened to the kitchen and began preparing breakfast, Rose pondered the puzzle of Bellatrix who had also harmed Alex without affecting Lucius. Then again, she thought, checking the tea, Bellatrix had no idea that it was me. She even asked who I was. Maybe that's the key. Maybe they have to know that it's Alex Borgin they're hurting. Rose groaned heavily. Well, that's a hell of a loophole.

Oh well. There was no help for it at present. She'd simply have to listen carefully today, learn all she could, and get out of Malfoy Manor as quickly as possible.

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Two hours later, Lucius sat in intense conference with his son who was being as uncooperative as he dared under the circumstances.

"Father, I'm nearly sixteen. I can take care of myself."

"You are saying that you could have survived the attack last night, that you posses more skill and strength than four Death Eaters combined?"

Rose felt, rather than heard Draco's heavy sigh. "No, Father. I don't. But--"

"No more debate, son. You are not to leave this house without me. Is that understood?"

"Yes, Father," the response was barely more than a dejected whisper.

"Son, look at me," Lucius ordered sternly. "Now, answer the question. I will likely be summoned tonight, and I want no misunderstandings between us."

Draco's affirmative was more decisive this time, and laced with a healthy dose of anger. Rose's heart broke for the boy. Stuck in the house all summer? He'd go nuts! And, as it was a necessary side-effect of Alex's task, she couldn't help but blame herself. Somehow, she'd have to make it up to him.

A few minutes later, she passed Draco in the hall. He seemed to not even notice her, staring dejectedly ahead as he dragged himself to his room. That was too much to bear. She'd simply have to talk some sense into Lucius.

Entering the office, she spotted him at his desk, deeply involved with a letter he was penning and totally oblivious to how perfectly sweet he looked with his hair falling over his shoulders and onto the desk as he wrote. As Rose freshened his tea, she subtly read over his shoulder and sucked in her breath at what she saw. It was a letter to Severus, ordering him to floo directly to Malfoy manor to discuss the Death Eater gathering he was certain would be taking place tonight.

Rolling the parchment and sealing it with a deadly curse for prying eyes, he sent it speeding away with his owl.

After this, he spent a few hours in the hearth conversing with shaken Death Eaters, much to Rose's delight. They were like frightened children, most of them, and she could tell that it took all of Lucius Malfoy's patience to placate them, assuring them that it had been a lucky strike, that they were still safe, that Alex Borgin was no threat.

"But, the letter she wrote to the Prophet said that she was coming for the rest of us," whined one enormous, pathetically thick-headed wizard.

"Calm yourself, Crabbe," Lucius snapped, obviously irritated at his associate's weakness. "I know this woman. She's clever," Rose smiled at that, "and she has the occasional bit of luck, but she's weak. Surprise is her weapon of choice and she will suffer from the lack of it. You have nothing to fear from her. The Dark Lord will likely call us together tonight, so stop whining and prepare yourself."

Rose glanced over her shoulder for just a moment to see the man hang his head in shame as he stepped back from the flames and disappeared. She nearly laughed aloud at the sight. That was one Death Eater who would be an easy target. What self-respecting dark lord would induct such an oaf into his ranks?

"Rose!" Lucius barked.

She turned again, sharply, to face a very angry Malfoy standing directly behind her, so close in fact that she almost stepped into him as she turned. Momentarily, she wondered what he was glaring at. Then she realized that she had been so interested in hearing what this "Crabbe" character said to Lucius that she had completely forgotten the listening devices and had eavesdropped as she pretended to arrange fresh roses in a vase.

She'd been staring at that vase for at least five minutes.

"Yes, Mr. Malfoy?" she answered quickly, her face stinging from the rapid heat building in her cheeks.

Roughly, he took her chin in his hand and situated her gaze on him. "That was none of your business, Rose. You are a maid and a cook. Are you cleaning or cooking right now?"

"No, sir," she whispered, truly afraid. "I was just-- worried about you, sir," she added, hoping to soften his anger.

Instead his face hardened into an impassive mask, and when he released her, she didn't dare avert her eyes. "You're worried for me?" He smiled wolfishly. "Of course you are. The maid is concerned for my welfare, so she relieves herself of her usual responsibilities to overhear my private conversations."

He took a step forward and she couldn't stop herself from retreating one step from him, maintaining the distance.

"You are not worried for anyone but yourself," he whispered acidly, narrowing his eyes dangerously. "You are no fool. I'm sure that you now understand what I am."

Rose threw out the first argument that came to mind. "I'm sworn to silence, sir. You have nothing to fear from my knowledge."

Lucius was no longer smiling, and his eyes had gone bitterly cold.

"But, you have much to fear to from me. I am Lucius Malfoy, a true Death Eater," he declared regally, "the right hand of the Dark Lord himself. Will you run like the others, or will you stay and serve me?"

Rose hesitated. This was her chance to get out of this place without undue suspicion. Of course, if she left, he'd alter memory. He was not one to take chances.

"I'll stay, Lord Malfoy, if you'll still have me," she answered as steadily as she could. It had been a very long time since she'd seen him so angry, and she'd forgotten how intimidating the man could be.

His face relaxed slightly. "I am relieved to hear it, but--" Rose held her breath. "I cannot allow your disrespect to go unpunished." His wand was out before she could react, indeed her mind seemed to have gone blank. She stood there dumbly listening to her heart hammering, and bracing herself for whatever was to come. "You will learn your place," he promised as he raised the wicked, snake-headed wand.

"Lucius," a velvety voice interrupted. "Have I come at an inconvenient time?"

Rose and Lucius turned in unison to face the newcomer in the doorway. Rose stared in silence, her heart breaking all over again. Lucius stepped forward, sheathing his wand.

"No time could be inconvenient today, Severus," he responded heavily. "Have a seat. My maid will bring us a bottle of wine and some food." He turned to level a dark look at Rose, promising that their business, while postponed, was not concluded. Rose lowered her head briefly.

"Right away, sir." She practically ran for the door.

She activated the listening device quickly, dying to know whether Severus would even mention saving her from Merlin-knew-what punishment to which Malfoy would have subjected her.

"--having trouble with your help, Lucius?" he asked.

"I caught her eavesdropping on my conversation with Crabbe."

"She knows of your allegiance, then?"

"She's a bright girl, Severus. I'm certain that she's realized that and a great deal more."

"But, she's only a maid," Severus countered, obvious contempt in his tone. "You have silenced her, have you not?"

"Yes. Of course. I'm not concerned about her talking to others."

"Then what is your concern?"

There was a pause and Rose froze over the brie she was slicing.

"I have no idea," Lucius chuckled. "Our beloved Miss Borgin murdered four Death Eaters last night and I'm worried about my maid. What has gotten into me?"

Rose smiled as she placed everything neatly on the tray. "Thanks, Sev. You saved the day again!" Her smile dissolved as she contemplated never getting a chance to make it up to him. Sighing, she levitated the tray and escorted it to the office where the two men were speculating on the nature of the meeting they would no doubt have that evening.

She tried to be as unobtrusive as possible as she served the two wizards while listening to every word. Severus was expressing his concern, for her sake, she knew, that Voldemort would mobilize his entire army to search for Alex. Lucius did not think that it would go that far.

"Alexandria was a bit player in this production. They will assume that her role is over now. The Dark Lord will feel that his followers have nothing to fear from her."

"Don't they?" Severus asked quietly. "She swore in her letter that she'd kill every one of us, one by one."

"Surely you're not concerned for yourself, old friend. The woman absolutely adores you."

Snape's hand clenched involuntarily as he stole a quick glance at Rose. "I'm not so certain that's true any longer, Lucius."

Malfoy's face went rigid. "What do you mean?"

Rose, finding no excuse to stay, left the room and activated the receiver. It was just as well. Severus would speak more freely in her absence.

"I should have told you sooner, but we did not part on friendly terms when I saw her last. I'm not certain she will ever return to me."

Lucius drew a hand to his head, lightly pinching his temples between his fingers. "Severus, you idiot," he said with a sigh. "You are an unbelievably intelligent pure-blood wizard. Alexandria was in love with you. How could you ruin this opportunity?"

"Opportunity for what?" Severus snapped. "She is our enemy."

Malfoy sat forward in his chair, suddenly quite intense. "No, Severus. If anything, Alexandria is out greatest ally. It never occurred to me until this morning, but with her prowess and our cunning, we could be an unstoppable force."

Severus' voice was wary when he responded. "You're suggesting that we try and recruit her to our cause?"

"Of course! She would be perfect! I admit that I felt she was too weak, but she has proven me wrong. She could be of great service to us."

"Ah, you see, there we have a problem. Alex serves no one. Her allegiance is not for sale, nor do I feel she is thick enough to be manipulated."

"Therein lies your mistake, Severus," Lucius said heatedly. "She is a passionate creature. Her passion for you could have been our greatest weapon, our greatest means of persuasion."

Snape's voice was laced with irritation when he responded. "What's done is done. She will not return to me. You claimed to be in love with the woman. You find her."

Rose, unsure of her legs at this point, leaned against the wall and concentrated on finding her breath. This was an unexpected revelation. Lucius Malfoy, capable of love, and in love with Alex Borgin at that?

The world was ending.

"You release her, then?" Lucius asked silkily.

Severus sighed. "I never possessed her, and neither will you, old friend."

"You should know better than to challenge me, Severus. Give me a month and Alexandria will be mine."

He finished the statement with a sharp hiss.

"It's time," Severus whispered, his voice thick with dread.

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I seem to have lost some of my reviewers and that makes me sad. Hugs to all of you who have hung on! I love you guys!

PPP: I suppose of all the things one could call Alex, determined is at the top of the list. She's pretty aggressive about accomplishing her goals. I'm so envious!

Rycca: This scene gave me more trouble than any scene I've written thus far, and your review alleviated so many fears about it. Thank you! I'm still squirming in my seat waiting for the next chapter of your story. Hurry, hurry, hurry! I'm going bananas!

Jenilyn: As I said to Rycca, this scene was agonizing to write, so thank you! I'm ok. Thanks for hoping for me. My personal life, like anyone else's I suppose, can get pretty ugly sometimes. I hope you're happy with Lucius' reaction, as you were interested in seeing it. I tried to inject a bit of humor as the last chapter was pretty dark.