Draco wished his father were his stepfather, that way his loathing of Lucius would be better
justified. Draco was pulling on his cloak and shoes, preparing for the walk through the forest to
his grandfather's poky cottage when Lucius strode into the foyer.
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"Son," his attempt at familiarity went unnoticed by Draco who had become jittery and nervous
at the sight of his father. "May I enquire as to your destination?" Lucius asked his voice cloaked
amiably. Draco could hear the steel underneath.
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Draco froze. Could his father possibly know his itinerary? "I'm going for a walk in the forest,
sir," Draco prevaricated, hoping the partial truth would be enough to cloak the full truth and
satisfy his father.
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"Would this walk be for any, hmm, particular reason?" Lucius questioned emphasising the word
'particular'. While speaking he had strode across the floor to close the distance between himself
and Draco. His son was forced to tilt his head backward to look into Lucius' cold, grey eyes.
--------------------
"He knows," thought Draco. Aloud he said, "Care of Magical Creatures. That stupid, half-
blood Hagrid wants us to try and find magical beasts while we're away from school and report
on how they live in their natural environments. He's probably just too lazy to catch them himself.
Or too oafish, the great, blubbering clod," Malfoy spat out.
--------------------
Lucius smiled sardonically. "Well that sounds wonderful, doesn't it? Have fun and try to find a
two-headed Polyp." Lucius' grin increased in width as he saw relief cross his son's face.
Draco's brows ceased to be furrowed and the tiny lines that had etched themselves onto his
forehead straightened leaving Draco's visage pale and smooth once again. "Why, my fool of a
son believes me," mused Lucius, "I should educate him in legilimency."
----------------------
Draco's fears assuaged, he turned towards the immense oaken doors carved with the Malfoy's
coat of arms and stepped onto the granite stairs. His knees still quivered slightly from the close
encounter he had just had with his father so he clasped his hand around the wrought-iron
banister. With his head held high Draco, like many of his forebears, walked proudly down the
stairs, showing no indication that he was entering the forest to meet a girl of muggle origins.
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A/N Hey everybody, hope you're enjoying the story so far. The next chapter is my favourite chapter as well as chapter 10. Please read and review thx.