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Mollywood – Thank you sooo much! I love hearing comments like that! Hope this next chapter is still as enjoyable! X

Elven at Heart – Thank you for your review once again! You're one rare reviewer who has not left me from the very beginning! I love you sooo much for that! I wonder if you're back from the beach yet? It must be so nice over there...sighs...anyway, check out the hot guys, don't get sun burnt but get a nice tan, don't drink the sea water, play volleyball, run around on the sand, make sure no one pulls on your bikini strings etc. and generally, just have lots of fun!! xxxxxxxx

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Snowyangel83 – Hey! I never knew John Grisham was a real life author! What books has he written? Anway, thank you for your comments! I'll take them into account...I hope the conversations weren't too rushed in this chapter...they're a bit OOC coz I'm trying to develop their feelings for each other...xxxx

Chapter 9: Grumbling Stomachs

"It's quite alright, Draco." Mr Grisham smiled warmly. "Tea?"

"No, thank you. Mr and Mrs Grisham, I'm pretty sure you're already aware about this, but your son, John..."

"We know Draco. But how do you...?" Mrs Grisham asked softly.

"Well, you see I'm a graduate of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry." Draco paused for a moment for the shocking news to register and then continued. "If you're conscious of the information about the past events in the wizarding world, you'll be aware with The Dark Lord."

Mr and Mrs Grisham both nodded gravely.

"Then, you'll also be aware that there are remaining Death Eaters who are wanting to follow in The Dark Lord's footsteps and that their leader is Lucius Malfoy. Yes, my father. I want you to know that everything you did to help me settle when I first moved in..." Draco halted briefly for a mere second, before taking a deep breath. "...was accepted with my greatest gratitude and that I, in turn, will do everything I can to help bring back your son."

I ran back outside and bit my lip as I observed my surroundings on the landing. Where on earth could he have gone? I slapped my forehead and sighed heavily. I was being so stupid these days...people could even mistake me for Ron!! Distressed, I made my way back down the stairs. And Dumbledore had relied on me so much!

Draco slid his key through his lock and rotated it until he heard a click. He opened his door, trudged into the kitchen, pulled out a chair and sat down at the small table he used to eat meals. Positioning his head between his hands, he closed his eyes and thought deeply. The Grishams had been so much of a help to him when he had first moved in as an amateur muggle. Then, he had no idea that their son was to be a future wizard and he had told them that he was a foreigner, to make up for his ignorance. It had been a believable lie as by then, he had one year experience in the muggle world...

Draco hugged his long legs tightly as he huddled in front of a closed shop. It had been ten months since he had moved out of The Leaky Cauldron with no money and no place to go. After two months in hiding, his father had somehow managed to close down his bank account and since then, Draco had been earning and saving his own money by working at a nearby muggle café.

However, his weekly wages were little and Draco still had months left before he had enough to buy or rent a proper place where he could stay. Meanwhile, he ate whatever was left after the day's sales at the café and nestled inside his only blanket outside various shops during the night. He sighed and shook his head. He was living a hard life – something he had never done before. If he had wanted, he could have contacted his mother, or even Dumbledore for help...but he was not going to. He was going to prove to himself that he could do it alone. That he could live without others providing what he needed. Draco closed his eyes. Although he never admitted it, he wanted so much to see his mother...

A sniffle in the corner made Draco lift his head from his knees. A young, quite chubby boy with auburn hair was standing in the opposite corner of the shop, rubbing his eyes with his fists.

"Hello there," Draco spoke out.

The boy looked around, his eyes round and fearful, his face streaked with tears.

Draco smiled. "What's your name?"

The boy sniffed again. "Mummy and daddy told me never to talk to strangers."

"My mum told me that too, when I was a small boy. It's very dangerous to be out here all by yourself this late at night."

"Really? Then, why are you out here?" The boy asked.

"I'm an old boy now though, not like you. How old are you?"

"Seven. And I'm an old boy too."

Draco laughed. "I'm sure you are. Where are your parents? They're probably getting worried sick about you."

"They're at home." The boy wiped his nose with the back of his hand and snorted loudly. "But I'm not going back to them."

Draco handed him a tissue from inside his pocket. "Look, you'll flatten your nose by doing that. You don't want that – you want to end up looking like me don't you?"

The boy hooted.

"Why don't you want to go back home? Are your parents not very nice to you?"

"Mummy and daddy love me, but they won't allow to me get a new computer. They think I already play enough games on my gameboy already. It's really unfair. I want to find new mummy and daddy who will buy me a new computer. And until then, I'm going to stay out here with you." The boy said grudgingly. "But why aren't you at home?"

"This is my home. You're welcome to stay with me for as long as you want, but let me first tell you some things about my home. Here, it's cold and always raining and there won't be nice meals waiting for you on the table and no presents to be opened on your birthday, no friends to play with and I'll be away for most of the day and not able to talk to you. Are you still sure you want to stay with me?"

The boy wrinkled his nose. "Well, going back home sounds better."

Draco smiled and held out his hand. This time, the boy shuffled forward and took hold of it. "I'm sure your parents will buy you that computer soon enough. Parents always do."

"Really? Will you come with me and ask them to then?"

"Alright." Draco stood up and with the small child holding his hand by his side, allowed him to be leaded away.

"I want to grow up just like you." The boy announced.

Draco hoisted him up onto his shoulders. "You do? You still haven't told me your name though."

"It's John."

"Well, John, I think that what you really mean is you want to become a man that everyone will like. And to do that, you will, of course, have to look like me, but you must also be able to love even your greatest enemies and understand that having what you want isn't everything. Not everyone in this world is as lucky as you are, you know that?

John nodded. "Yes."

"I never knew that at your age, and I regret that. I had so many enemies back at school, you know." Draco smiled and the pair continued walking until John pointed at a small, graying building. "My house is just up there."

"Good." Draco lifted John down from his shoulders and knelt down to look him in the eyes. "Now remember that nowhere in this world will bring you as much joy as your own home with your loving parents. Now, off you go to them."

Giving John a small push, Draco stood up and waited as John ran as fast as his petite legs would carry him, to the entrance of the building.

"And don't forget to apologise!" After John disappeared, Draco remained standing where he was for a little while longer. How he had prayed everyday ever since he was about John's age for a happy family.

He had just turned away to head back to his shop front when the sound of shoes rang loudly behind him. "Excuse me, young man!"

Draco swiveled around. A fairly short man was running towards him, his glasses sliding halfway down his nose. "Did you bring my son back?"

Draco waited for the man to approach him, flicking away the blonde streaks of hair that fell over his eyes, as he did so. "Yes, sir, I did. I saw him crying in the corner, so I managed to persuade him to come back home."

The man beamed. "Well, my wife and I are so glad he met someone like you – there are so many dodgy people nowadays. You cannot imagine how worried we were, we were just about to call the police. Will you give me your name and contact details? How will we ever be able to repay you?"

Draco remained serious as he replied. "My name is Tom Steel. However, I apologise as I am unable to give you any contact details. I am currently homeless and sleep under various shelters during the night. The only way to pay me back is by not allowing John to grow up like I did. Well, then." Draco bowed his head slightly and then turned again.

He knew what was going to happen next if he looked any longer upon the man's face. The man's bright expression would change to one of horror, then disgust as the prejudice took its place in the man's mind. It had happened to him many times before, and every time this happened, he felt not an anger at that person, but at himself for ridiculing Weasley so much during the school years.

But the man called once more. "Oh, but we can help you! I work at an Estate Agent's. There's a small flat currently on the market next door to us, and I try to see if I can get it for you. Do you have any idea where you'll be sleeping tomorrow evening?"

Draco looked back at the man and opened his mouth to refuse, but one look at the man's genuine, accepting face, made something entirely different tumble from his mouth. "I do work as a waiter at Café Nero nearby. If you need to speak to me, just drop by any time during the opening hours and ask for me."

Draco shook his head and the images dissolved. That was how everything had started between him and the Grishams, and since then, Mr Grisham had got him the flat he now lived in, bought John a computer and Draco had told them about why he was living on the streets and his family troubles – and therefore, they knew his real name. Draco lost communication with John over the years as John began to attend a boarding school and only came home for the holidays – they only greeted each other if they ever met on the stairs. He had started repaying them bit by bit for the house, but never, in his entire years of knowing them, did he ever suspect John was a wizard nor did they know he was one too – until now.

And now that trouble had started, he couldn't just leave John to be tortured by his father. Not when he remembered how much they had done for him.

Hurrying into his room, he threw open the doors of his cupboard and delved inside. Pulling out a few furrowed pieces of parchment and a rather ruffled quill from a dark corner, he sat down at his small writing desk.

Pansy rolled over from her bed in The Leaky Cauldron and replaced the strap of her nightgown back upon her shoulder as she went to the window to let in an owl, tapping on the window. Pulling the parchment from its leg, she smeared away any smudged mascara from beneath her eyes, as she teared the parchment open. This had better be important. She thought. Waking me up from my afternoon nap.

Pansy, she read.

I never wanted to ever see the horrible sight of your face again, but unfortunately, matters now force me to do so.

Where can I meet you?

D.M

Pansy simpered, as she quickly scribbled a reply on the back of the parchment, and shooed the owl back on its way. This was very important indeed.

Firmly setting a cold expression on his face, Draco climbed the steps to the posh, muggle Italian Restaurant 'Capri' that Pansy had asked him to meet her at. The automatic glass doors slid open as he neared, and a waiter dressed in a black bowtie and waistcoat bowed by the entrance.

"Have you made your reservations, sir?"

Draco glanced at him. "I'm here to meet , of mine, by the name of Pansy."

The waiter slid his finger down the list of names written in a thick black book, picked up a pen, crossed a name off and smiled. "Pansy Malfoy, I presume? Table of two at seven o'clock?"

Draco gritted his teeth. Pansy Malfoy?! "Yes."

"Please follow me this way, sir." The waiter hurried along a row of tables and gestured to the end, where Pansy sat, smiling sickeningly, behind a candlelight.

Draco heaved a deep breath and sat down. "What the hell was up with your name?"

Pansy's smile thickened as she leaned forward, her entire cleavage showing in the tight, ruby red dress she was wearing. "Oh Drakey, it's so that people don't recognize me, see? Although I'm sure that people all over the world will be envying that name sooner or later."

Draco rolled his eyes. "I'm not here to be playing along with your stupid romances. I know that..."

"Would you like something to drink?"

Pansy smiled at the waiter, then leaned even further in so that Draco could count every little shimmering sparkle on her eyelids. "Drakey, could you choose for me? I know you have an excellent taste in wine."

Draco leaned back. "Er, two glasses of the Amuse Bouche please."

As soon as the waiter had retreated from view, Draco continued. "As I was saying, don't get the wrong idea about this meeting Pansy. I'm only doing this for John."

Pansy shrieked in laughter. "For John, huh! Poor little Drakey Poo, who's in love with a little, sniveling mudblood boy! Next, you'll be saying you're going to marry The Mudblood, Granger!"

Draco didn't move a muscle and continued to stare straight ahead. "Well, I'll never be saying I'm going to marry you. So, just tell me how to get to him."

Pansy's eyelashes flashed dangerously. "I'm not going to tell you how to get to him. You have to figure that out yourself when you visit your father."

"I'm never going to visit him." Draco growled, standing up and hurling his chair back in the process.

"That's your choice. But just remember that your choice determines the mudblood boy's life."

Draco began to storm away, his arms trembling in anger.

"Your wine, sir?" the confused waiter asked from the distance.

He was ignored.

I stared at the clock ticking on the wall of my office. After I had left Malfoy's flat, I had headed over to the café where he worked, but that having been in vain, I had returned to the office in order to wait for him. He had, after all, told me he'd meet me back here.

But he was taking so long! I placed two fingers at my temples and rotated them in a slow, circular motion. I was becoming so careless, what would Dumbledore think of me!

I stood up immediately and pulled the door open when I nearly bumped into the chest of a tall male trying to come into the office. I gazed up and saw the familiar stormy eyes staring down at me.

"Malfoy!"

"Yes, Granger. That's my name." He pushed past me into the office and seated himself on the couch.

Frowning, I followed him in. Greeaat, he was no longer in a good mood. I was desperate for some civility here, when I had stressed about him for the whole afternoon! My stomach growled noisily.

Malfoy smirked. "Hungry Granger?"

I looked fiercely at him. "I wouldn't be if you hadn't disappeared for so long. Harry, Ginny and Ron went out to The Three Broomsticks for dinner and I would have gone as well, but no, I had to wait for you."

"Oh, what a shame."

Arriving back at St Mungo's we hurried back to Malfoy's ward.

"Checkmate!"

"When does dinner come here?" I asked the elderly men playing wizard's chess again.

"Dinner's already been and gone, young lady. You're an hour too late."

"What!" I turned, frustrated, to look at Malfoy, as if it was his fault. It was, really. "Now what are we supposed to do?"

"There's a restaurant on the lower floor." The other old man suggested.

Malfoy and I hurried downstairs and I felt my stomach grumble loudly again as I looked at the menu. "Gosh, all the stuff here is expensive. See look, five galleons for just a small salad."

I looked beside me, expecting to find Malfoy's sneering face, but was instead greeted by empty space. I was gripped by the thought that he had disappeared again, but then his voice drawled from somewhere behind me. "Come on, hurry up!"

"What?"

"Just shut up and come here."

"Why should I listen to you?" I snapped angrily.

"Why shouldn't you listen to me? I thought you were hungry."

"Me being hungry has nothing to do with me listening to you."

"You never know until you try."

"What?"

"Just shut up. Talking makes you more hungry you know."

I glared at him and then cautiously went towards him, my arms folded defensively across my chest. There was no harm in trying, or so I had been told.

A darkly cloaked man leered down at the note he had just received from Pansy. Draco had indeed met with Pansy and everything was going to plan. Draco was not the kind of boy to forget the kindness the Grishams had shown him – no, he was too soft for that. Draco would come to find him now, in his hope of becoming a hero. The man flicked his long blonde ponytail away from his shoulder as he teared the parchment up. He was very happy that he would soon meet his son again. And this time, he wasn't going to fail in bringing Draco to his side.

Author's notes: I've just arrived back from holiday and am suffering from jetlag. Yawn I'm soo tired, it's ridiculous, but I do have energy to write and read fanfiction, lol. Anway, the last two chapters have been quite long haven't they? Hopefully that's good news. PLEASE REVIEW! I'm not getting as many reviews as I had been getting...tell me, all my wonderful reviewers, what gorgeous place you guys are on holiday...that's probably the reason why you've forgotten me! LOL. Happy reading! xx