Title: Vivica, Chapter Ten
Author: frkwerewolf
Fandom: Harry Potter
Pairing: Draco/Ron
Rating: R
Summary: Changes are in the air and Draco discovers something about himself that will change everything he knows.
Author Notes: I decided Crabbe and Goyle needed more storytime. And, besides, Draco needs someone on his side besides the werewolf and stick up his butt man (ie snape).
Chapter Ten
Yet, when Draco started sneaking around the school and attempting to hide behind statues, they both came to the conclusion that something was wrong with their friend. While Draco was always a little off, they had never seen him hum the Mission Impossible Theme. Especially since no one in their house would dream of watching a muggle movie. Except for Crabbe, who had a muggle step-cousin. This, of course, was the only reason they knew what the song title was. Otherwise, the whole situation had them in the dark.
They needed to help their friend. This was evident enough. So, they did the only thing they knew to do. And this was how Lucius Malfoy found himself taking a day off work to visit Hogwarts. Snape intercepted the frustrated Malfoy elder before he reached the Slytherin dungeons. Malfoy Senior looked like he always did, regal and in control. But, Snape had to give Draco credit. The boy was able to hide his emotions much easier than Malfoy was. One look into those steel eyes and Snape knew that Malfoy was angry.
"Lucius." Snape said in greeting, stepping in front of the blonde man. "How may I help you?"
"Ah, Severus." Malfoy smiled stiffly. "I need to speak with my son."
"Draco is at quidditch practice right now." Snape informed him. "Perhaps you would like to wait in Dumbledore's office for him?"
"...Thank you, Severus." Malfoy said through slightly gritted teeth. He turned in a swirl of his cloak and marched toward Dumbledore's office. Severus stiffled a snicker before following him upstairs. It was no suprise that Malfoy wanted his visit to be away from prying eyes. But if Snape knew Dumbledore, and that he did, the old man already knew Malfoy was there.
"Let me go announce your presence. I'll be right back, Lucius." Snape made a small bow before opening the stairway to Dumbledore's office. He quickly made his way up and knowcked on the door. After a faint 'come in', Snape stalked into the room, robes billowing.
"Severus! What may I do for you?" The old man twinkled from his perch.
"Lucius Malfoy has graced us with his presence, Headmaster." Severus told him. "He wishes to speak with Draco."
"Indeed. About what I wonder?" Dumbledore peered over his glasses.
"Probably about the whole Veela problem." Snape replied, honestly. "I dare say, the man will not be happy about it."
"I do believe Mister Malfoy already knows of Draco's condition. He is, after all, his father." Dumbledore said softly. "However, I will not disagree with your evaluation. Lucius Malfoy is not known for his kindness. Do you think one of us should be present when they speak?"
"No." Snape told him. "That will only make Lucius suspicious of us. Lucius might be cruel, but he's not abusive towards Draco. If anything, he ignores the boy. Shall I send him on up?"
"Yes, please do." Snape nodded and left the office. Moments later he returned with an irate Lucius Malfoy. The blonde sneered at the office, before sitting down in one of the chair, his nose pointed upwards.
"Severus, do retrieve Draco for us?" Dumbledore asked, digging in his desk drawer. Snape turned to leave, hearing Dumbledore offer Malfoy a lemon drop as the door shut behind him.
Draco Malfoy was fuming. The anger and aggitation running through his body was only amplified by his instincts of survival. He had just got back from meeting with his father. The event had started rather smoothly, if not comical in Draco's mind. He had actually expected meeting with his father to be like his first encounter with Lupin. His father was known for his dominance. Therefore Draco assumed he would feel the need to submit to him.
It was a huge shock to find his Veela side practically laughing at Lucius Malfoy's attempt of being scary. Draco could admit even to himself that he ignored his father throughout their meeting. He couldn't even remember what they talked about. Something about proper Malfoy behaivor, no doubt. The first sentence out of his father's mouth was what left him reeling. "I recieved an interesting letter from Vincent and Gregory yesterday evening."
How dare those idiots snitch on him like that! Draco burst through the Slytherin common room's doorway. Most eyes ignored him, but a few students glanced at him warily. Crabbe and Goyle sat on the couch, holding a large book between them. A snort interupted them and they both looked up to see Draco's angry face. Goyle closed the book, clearing his throat. "Uhh.. Hello, Draco."
"Crabbe. Goyle." Draco growled. "I have something to ask you."
"It was Goyle's idea." Crabbe immediately said. Draco snarled a respond. "Eep... We didn't mean any harm. We were worried about you."
"So you write my father, of all people?" Draco asked, his voice sounding like cold steel.
"We just didn't know how to approach you, is all." Goyle insisted, setting the book on the floor. Draco let his eyes follow the book, reading the title. 'The Guide to Humanoid Creatures.'
"What is that?" Draco asked, snatching the book up before either could protest. He let it fall open in his hands, the bookmark allowing him to see the page they were on. His eyes slowly looked back up at the duo. "So you know."
"We... Well..." Goyle stumbled.
"We saw those books in your dorm and..." Crabbe took over.
"We realized that..."
"It makes sense, you know?" They both were bouncing back and forth with each sentence. They almost sounded like the Weasley Twins, just more dumbfounded.
"Come with me." Draco said stiffly. He quickly led them out of the common room and to his own rooms. It was there that he told them the truth. That he was part-Veela. That his mate was Ron Weasley. And that he had been spending the past week gathering the nerve to talk to the boy.
"That explains the sneaking aorund." Goyle whispered to Crabbe. And once that was said, they shrugged at the news and patted him on the shoulder.
Draco was none the less stunned. He wasn't sure what he expected from the two. Or what he expected from society in general, once the word was out. Yet, there they were, accepting him. Draco smiled slightly to them. It was this small gesture that set the two grinning like idiots. It wasn't everyday they recieved praise from Draco Malfoy.
"So, what are you going to do about Weasley?" Crabbe asked.
"I don't know." Draco sighed and fell back onto his green couch. "He won't talk to me. Potter is always in the way, anyway. I need to get him away from those bloody Gryffindors. Then maybe I could sit him down and tell him. But how am I going to do that? 'Guess what, Weasley. I'm a Veela and your my mate. Better bend over and get to it.' Yeah, right."
"Well... We could get him alone for you." Goyle offered. Goyle and Crabbe shared a look then nodded in unison. Well, Draco mused, this was going to be interesting.