The Child's Atrocity 5
A/N: Well, here we go again. I'm back, I suppose, for the story. I don't know where I'm going, I don't know what to write, any ideas would be appreciated and don't worry I'll give you credit. But here's my attempt to steel myself into writing something. Two and a half months have to account for something…
Draco fumed in his favorite arm chair, waiting patiently for Ivy to come home from a friend's house. The things he did for his child! He had just signed himself up for a vacation with a woman that he detested and a sure to be annoying little boy. Finally Ivy burst through the door and made a beeline for her father.
"Did you do it?" she demanded impatiently. "Can Chase come with us to Spain?"
Draco clenched his fist and sent his daughter a stern look. "Perhaps."
"Daddy," Ivy continued. "That's so vague. Could you get any vaguer? Honestly. I want to know if Chase can come or not!"
"Ivy," Draco began grudgingly, "Chase is a boy of your age… thirteen. Boys at thirteen are dangerous sex-crazed animals. The only reason he's your friend is so he can take advantage of an opportunity like this! He's going to wait to get you alone and then he'll take advantage of you! I refuse to let that happen."
Ivy rolled her eyes. "Please, Dad, and Grandpa's handing out lollipops now, too."
Draco did have to chuckle. To imagine Lucius giving lollies to little wizards on the streets of Hogsmeade was comic, indeed. Lucius, who was under house-arrest for the rest of his life? Not that he minded. Malfoy Senior's mansion was a wonderful place to live anyhow. "All right, all right, so I did invite Chase and his… mother… along to Spain. But I didn't get a definite yes. Now go away, I'm trying to read my paper."
Ivy laughed. "I knew you would. You've never been able to properly say no to me!" And with that she skipped off to her room.
Draco felt his blood boiling. Maybe he was too lenient… bugger. He'd have to work on that.
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Hermione had frantically been trying to contact Viktor for the last half-hour, since that scum Malfoy had left her house. Unfortunately he didn't seem to be at home. Probably had taken Chase out for a night out with the Quidditch team…
What was she doing, wanting to take Chase out of Bulgaria? She was putting friendship in front of his family! Chase loved Bulgaria, loved Viktor, loved Quidditch… and she was trying to get him out so he could come spend some time with a schoolmate? A schoolmate he saw most months of the year?
And a schoolmate with an awful father, to boot!
Then again… she remembered how much Chase would love this, too. And he could visit Bulgaria later in the summer; perhaps… and perhaps she could have some bonding moments with Chase over in Spain…and ignore Malfoy completely…
Oh, dear. She really had to make up her mind. She couldn't shilly-shally in either direction; she had to be decisive. Damn it! Where was Viktor when she needed him? In desperation Hermione sighed and called him up on a muggle phone she'd insisted on when they were still married. She doubted he'd even answer… after four rings she was ready to hang up but right before she did she heard a click and a gruff, "Hello?"
"Viktor?" Hermione asked unnecessarily. Of course it was Viktor.
"Herm-own-ninny? Do you need something?" he asked in his thick Bulgarian accent.
"I… look, Viktor, I need to speak with you and Chase, in person. Can I Floo over?"
Viktor sighed. "Of course."
The line went dead and Hermione smiled bitterly. She'd forgotten to teach her pureblooded ex-husband how to use the phone properly, including telephone manners. Oh well. Minutes later she found herself in Viktor's spacious home in Bulgaria. She smiled as she remembered many happy memories here and some not-so-pleasing ones as well. Pulling her mind out of the past, she turned into the living room and was relieved to see Chase and Viktor waiting for her.
"Mum, what is it?" Chase asked anxiously. "Don't tell me you missed me that much!"
Hermione gave her son a warm smile. "Viktor, I'd like to speak with you for a bit before I involve Chase." She motioned for her son to leave the room and grumbling, he headed up to his room. "And no eavesdropping!" she called after him.
Viktor grabbed his wand and performed a simple spell to prevent their son from doing just that. "I hope this is not anything serious," Viktor said, giving her a pointed look.
"No, no, I know I've made it out to be a huge deal. I'm sorry. It's just… I was hoping I could take Chase back for the next few weeks. I'll send him in another three or four weeks, I promise," she rushed quickly through the words, not daring to see Viktor's reaction.
Of course he was terribly confused. "But why?" he kept asking. "Why would you want this?"
"I have to take him to Spain. One of his classmates is going and she's invited him along and… I'm going too simply because I don't trust him to be safe without me," she responded feeling really rather uncomfortable.
Viktor looked bewildered. "I don't know," he finally said. "I am not so sure, not sure that you take Chase from me and bring him back."
Hermione sighed. "Of course I'll bring him back. He's just as much your child as mine. Do you expect me capable of one of those kidnappings done by one of the parents?"
Viktor smiled uneasily. "No, of course not. Very well, take him."
With a small leap Hermione threw her arms around her ex-husband and pulled away looking pleased. Then she remembered she was now set for a three-week trip to Spain with her old … ugh. "Thank you so much, Viktor. I'll call Chase down."
Chase bounded down before his mother could even call. "I didn't hear a thing," he moaned in disappointment.
"That's because your father put an anti-eavesdropping spell on the upper ward of the house," Hermione smirked. "Anyhow… listen. I hope you don't mind, but is it okay if you come home for a bit?"
Chase, too, looked bewildered. "But why?"
"We're going to Spain with Ivy and her father," Hermione sighed.
Chase's look of confusion melted into that of jubilance. "Really? Wow! Yes I'd love to, Mum! But wait… what about Dad?" Hermione looked over to Viktor who shrugged.
"It's fine. You can come back after your trip," Viktor explained.
Ten minutes later, after Chase had packed (or, rather, his wand had) and said goodbye to his father, Hermione and her son were back at home. "Well," Hermione groaned, "I suppose I'll have to inform her father that we are indeed going to go with them."
Chase barely took notice. "I'm owling Ivy, Mum," he called back and soon disappeared.
Hermione was owling Malfoy in the kitchen. After much hesitation she decided to write him a polite little note. It was difficult, but she tried to manage, nonetheless.
Malfoy- she began… or was that too reminiscent of schooldays? Should she say Mr. Malfoy? No, too formal. How about D. Malfoy, then. It would have to do.
D. Malfoy-
I am writing to inform you that my son Chase and I will be able to accompany you and your daughter to Spain for the next three weeks. Please inform me of the details of the visit.
Thank you
- Hermione Granger
There. That was quick and to-the-point, not to mention slightly impersonal. Just the way she liked anything concerning Malfoy.
With a last deep breath she called in the family owl and sent off the letter, wondering if and when the spiteful man would reply.
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"Ivy! Start packing right now! You know we're leaving soon!" Draco called up to his daughter, remembering numerous occasions on which she would forget that 'cute blue dress that I bought last week' or 'those shoes that simply match with everything!' and make him buy her new ones.
"We're not leaving for a week!" she hollered back. "And I'm not packing a thing unless you tell me whether Chase is coming or not!"
"You and your damned Chase," he muttered to himself. "If Granger's son is anything like Granger…"
Ivy, who had been coming down the stairs at that instant, happened to have impeccable hearing. "I heard that," she chided her father. "Chase is just spiffy and I don't understand for words why you are so dead set against his mum! You just met the lady a few days ago; honestly, she can't have sent off such bad vibes in such little time, could she?"
Draco sighed. "No, of course not. I'm sure she's a…er, lovely, woman."
Ivy grinned. "She's quite pretty… she could be gorgeous if she tried, no? Go buy her some sexy clothes from one of the many stores your company owns! Ooh, why don't you date her? You need someone around. Aren't you tired of being single?"
Draco's expression hardened. "You are grounded," he managed to choke out. "Go. Room. Right now. Weepy, activate grounding charm!" The doleful looking house-elf followed a steaming mad Ivy upstairs and Draco watched them with unwavering anger.
Silly little girl! Quite pretty! Granger? Ha! As if! As pretty as a mountain troll with damned bushy hair! How dare his daughter suggest he go… canoodling round with Hermione Granger?
Well he had certainly taught her. Now who was calling him lenient?
At that very instant an unfamiliar owl swooped down into his living room and he pursed his lips in displeasure when it hooted and nipped his hands gently. "Trixie," he called out to another house-elf, "take care of this owl please."
Turning his attention to the letter he scanned the contents. Well then, he'd managed to convince the woman in question. She wanted to know details, eh? He hastily scribbled out a response, not even bothering to get the niceties of his stationary. Wasted on her, they were.
H. Granger-
We are leaving a week from today the 30th of June. I will be traveling by port-key because it is easier than Floo in this case. Please arrive at my house promptly at 3:00 p.m. I have the port-key scheduled for 3:15. Do not be late. I will not wait for you.
Draco Malfoy
There. That sounded…well, a bit harsh. Just the way he liked things concerning Granger. He wrinkled his nose at the thought of willingly inviting her into his home; something he wouldn't have dreamed of as a teenager.
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"I hope you've got everything, Chase," Hermione snapped. Her mood was a bit off at this whole prospect of actually vacationing with an old nemesis. "Because I'm sure as hell not coming back here for a thing. Good Merlin, it's already 2:49! We'll never make it to the Malfoys' on time!"
Chase rolled his eyes. "Oh, yes, since flooing takes so long! Anyway calm down mum, I've got everything."
Hermione checked her own suitcase and sighed at the contents. She had nothing nice and pretty to wear, only stiff work clothes or workout clothing. No sexy summer dresses or heels, no cute purses or fancy makeup… and truth be told, Hermione was missing such things. She'd experimented of course in her early twenties but for the last twelve years her life had just been so darned practical!
What wouldn't she give for a little 'fun in the sun'? Perhaps this little vacation was a needed one. She could go shopping and enjoy the luxuries of Spain. Perhaps she'd even go visit Morocco for a day or so. Then again she wasn't entirely sure she trusted Chase alone with Ivy and her despicable father.
"All right then, let's go," she said, and stepped into the fire first, shouting Malfoy Mansion at the top of her lungs, wondering what to expect.
The fire led to one of the Malfoy foyers and of course Hermione was swept away at the magnificence. Refusing herself to be wooed by a building she turned a blind eye and searched for Malfoy. Ah, there he was, leaning against a wonderful wood carving. "You're here," he stated blandly.
"Astute observation," she remarked coolly. "Where is this port-key of yours?"
"Where is that son of yours?" he asked nonchalantly. "I'm sorry but he's your ticket to Spain. There's no way I'm dragging you along just for the fun of it. If you thought that way, I'm sorry, I do have that effect on many women, but I just detest you too much to take you on my vacation."
Not even noticing his insults, Hermione spun around and was dismayed to find that Chase wasn't there. "He'll be here," she replied confidently and sure enough he popped out of the fire a few minutes later.
"Sorry, choked on the ashes," he muttered, looking embarrassed.
Draco rolled his eyes and Hermione moved towards him menacingly. As if on cue, Ivy bounced into the room, a plastic cup in hand. "Well, here you go, Dad," she said, handing it to him.
"That is your Port-key?" Hermione asked unbelievingly. "How…plain."
"Just like you," Draco mouthed so that the children wouldn't hear. Of course they picked up on it anyway, but neither adult noticed. "Gather around it," he commanded, and the four of them touched it and were soon yanked by their navels to the exciting country.
Oh, well, Hermione thought nervously, here goes nothing…
A/N: I hate this chapter! I'm not even kidding. It's short and boring but hopefully it got me back on track. I am going on vacation soon so I won't be able to update for a bit but please tell me what you thought! Thanks!