Chapter 4: The Big House

There it was in front of her. It had taken most of the day to get here. She rode the train then took a cab as close as she dared. She had to walk the rest of the way. During the entire trip, Michelle tried to work out what she was going to say. You couldn't just walk up to a person and say "Hi, how are you? You're going to be dead in a few days." Problem was, she wasn't friends with Draco...not even in the strangest of circumstances. He had no reason to talk to her. She wasn't sure she'd even get past the front gate.

The gate was huge, but that seemed fitting since the estate itself was sprawled out on a large piece of land. There were flowing letters crafted out of the wrought iron at the seam of the gate, two big M's. Malfoy Manor? Malfoy Mansion? Meglomaniacal Malfoy? Mmmm...probably not.

Michelle took a deep breath and approached the gate. She came to within a few feet of it when a man apperated just behind the iron. Michelle couldn't help but yelp out in surprise.

"Who are you and what is your business here?" The man stood atleast 7' tall. He had dark hair and worn looking skin. He was strong, his body straining at the suit he seemed to have been forced into. His eyes narrowed as he looked her over.

Michelle clutched her backpack tightly with one hand, her free hand held her wand at the ready hidden behind her leg.

"My name is Michelle Larson. I'm here to see Draco Malfoy...please."

"And why would the young master have any need to see you?"

"I have some important information he would be interested in."

"You may give that information to me."

"I'm afraid that's not possible. I really need to see Draco in person."

"I will see if he is available to speak to you."

Then he was gone. Michelle let out her breath. Lurch was sorta freaky. He must do security for the Malfoy family. Their personality alone would keep people away, Michelle thought. The man reappeared in a matter of moments.

"Young Mr. Malfoy is waiting for you in the study...follow me..." He opened the gate and waited as she stepped inside.

Hearing the harsh clang of the gate closing behind her, Michelle felt like she'd just stepped into prison. There was no going back now.

Michelle had to walk quickly to keep up with her escort.

"I'm sorry, but I didn't catch your name..."

He gave her a sideways glance. "You may call me Mr. Worth."

"Mr. Worth. How ya doin'? So, are you head of security or a butler or what?"

"I'm the man who does whatever is needed."

"Okay then..." Michelle wondered how many Malfoy misdeeds had been covered up by this guy. She was going to ask more questions, but another look from Worth made her keep her mouth shut.

They made it into the main house after a few minutes. Michelle looked around her as Worth shut the door. She could see plenty of expensive items throughout the foyer. It was all on the verge of being garish. Michelle got the idea it was all there for show, that none of the pieces actually held any sentimental value. Michelle had just begun to notice the portraits in the hall when Worth spoke up.

"The young master is this way." He lead Michelle to a room not far from the entrance. He pushed open the door and announced her arrival. Michelle thanked him then took a good look at the place as he left. The room was massive with floor to ceiling bookshelves. Amongst the books were strange looking artifacts, apparently even wizards had the need to collect kitsch. There was a mahogany desk near the windows and a set of chairs and a leather couch by the fireplace.

Michelle finally spotted Draco. He was in the very opposite corner of the room. He seemed to be lurking in the darkness near the bookshelves. He smiled slowly, his white teeth appearing to glow as the few rays of light hit them.

"It really is you. I didn't believe Worth when he came to me. I thought someone was playing a joke."

"No joke. It's really me."

"You disappoint me Michelle."

"Disappoint you? I don't understand."

"I thought you were smarter. I'm surprised you came here alone...no precious Potter or his loser friends here to protect you."

"I can take care of myself. Besides, I have no reason to fear you or your family. I'd hate for us to have a misunderstanding that would taint your family's honor. And, I'm sure a Seer going missing while visiting the Malfoy's would count as a big misunderstanding."

Draco shrugged in moderate agreement. "So, why are you here?"

Michelle came over and motioned to the couch. "May I sit?"

"Sure." Malfoy took his place in one of the chairs.

Michelle slid her wand into her pocket and sat her backpack on the floor. Lifting her face to look at him, she tried to free her mind of all the negative thoughts she had in regards to Draco. If she was going to convince him she was telling the truth, she was going to have to keep her personal opinion out of the situation.

"I recently had a vision. In the vision, I see your death. If we do nothing to stop what may happen, you'll be dead by the end of the week." Michelle paused and waited for him to react.

Malfoy sat calmly, studying her face. His lower lip quivered till he burst out laughing, his mouth opening wide as his voice filled the room.

"Very good. That was very good. You have the serious look thing down. I almost believed you." Malfoy's laugh began to die down to a chuckle.

"I am being serious. I saw you die and it wasn't pretty."

"Okay, I'll bite. How did I die?" Malfoy continued to be amused.

"You were sneaking into a Death Eaters meeting. No one knew it was you and one of the Death Eaters killed you. Your father came over to your body and lifted the hood of the cloak to discover the sneak was his son."

Malfoy's laughter died down. "When did you say this happens?"

Michelle leaned forward anxious to convince him of the truth. "End of this week."

Malfoy didn't say anything else. He sat staring at her, his fingers tapping on the armrest. The tapping became faster and louder as though it were mimicking his attempt to understand the situation.

Michelle sensed he was on the verge of telling her something to confirm the likelihood of the vision. She watched as his mouth opened slowly.

"I want you to leave...now." His voice was cold.

Michelle sat back confused. "Leave? Wait, don't you want to know the specifics? You need to know what not to do. You can't go to this meeting."

"I don't know what you are talking about. Leave! Now!" Malfoy stood and bellowed at her.

"I can't. Not until you listen to me."

Malfoy was about to yell again, when the door to the room opened.

"Draco! I can hear you upstairs. I told you your mother needs quiet. How many times do I have to tell...." The woman's voice fell off as she noticed Michelle.

Draco's eyes widened for a split second, as though he were genuinely afraid. They went cold again as he regained his composure.

"Mother, this is Michelle Larson. We went to school together. She graduated last term."

The woman came over to Michelle, her robes flowing behind her creating the illusion that she was floating.

"Narcissa Malfoy..." Draco's mother introduced herself and waited.

Michelle was confused. What was she supposed to do? Kiss her ring? Curtsey? Michelle couldn't think so she raised her hand and waved weakly.

"Hey. Nice to meet you."

This was not quite the response Narcissa had wanted. She frowned before turning to her son.

"You should have told me we had guests. You know how much I enjoy entertaining visitors."

"I know Mother, I'm sorry." Draco looked down in deference to her.

This is almost the weirdest thing I've ever seen, Michelle thought. Narcissa contined to stare at the top of Draco's head as he held the position.

It took Michelle clearing her throat to break the moment. Narcissa switched her gaze back to Michelle and gave her a fake smile.

"Are you a friend of my son?"

Michelle thought the yelling from a few minutes before might have been a big clue to the answer, but she responded anyway.

"We weren't exactly close, but we did share some experiences at school." It was the best answer Michelle could come up with. She had to be able to stay and talk to Draco. Admitting she and Draco had fought on several occassions wouldn't help.

Narcissa looked to Draco to confirm the story and Draco nodded. Michelle was stunned.

"Draco doesn't have many visitors. You have to be so careful these days." Narcissa was cut off by the chiming of a clock. "How fortunate for you!"

"Fortunate?"

"Yes, it is time for tea." Narcissa was suddenly beside herself.

Michelle looked to Draco for an explanation.

"Mother is very fond of tea." Draco hesitated.

Narcissa gave him another strange look.

He sighed just enough for Michelle to hear, "Mother says tea with the Malfoy's is better than tea with the Queen."

Narcissa gave him an approving nod, like he were a trained dog. Michelle half expected her to pull a cookie out of her robe to toss to him.

"As I said, you are most fortunate to be able to join us for tea."

Draco's voice seemed to pop out of his head, "Join us?"

"Of course, it would be very impolite to not invite Miss Larson. Why don't you give her a tour of the house while I instruct the staff to set places for three. I will send Worth for you when I am ready." With that, Narcissa floated out of the room leaving Draco and Michelle standing near each other awkwardly.

Michelle turned to Draco carefully.

"So...your mom, she's..."

Another sigh escaped his lips, "Exactly."

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A/N Apologies for taking so long to put up another chapter. It's been a long couple of post holiday weeks. I haven't felt much like writing, but I didn't want to fall too far behind. I wrote this without much revision right before putting it up so I hope it doesn't suck. A brief mention that I checked out the HP Lexicon through The Leaky Cauldron to find out what I could on the Malfoy's place. There wasn't alot there because not alot has been written on it by JK. Most I just made up, but I may refer to its location, etc. and that info I got thru the Lexicon which is a great resource. Thanks for the reviews everyone--all 3 or so of you--I appreciate it immensely. Hopefully Ch. 5 will be up in a week or less.