Posted: Jan. 12, 2005

Chapter Fourteen: The Meaning of Life

Draco was out for the day, leaving Angelina at home with the baby. Rosalina was sleeping soundly in her playpen while Angelina was under the tree, like a child, shaking a present and wondering what was inside.

There soon came a knock at the door and Angelina went to open it. Whom she saw was someone she had not seen in months. "Hello, Lucius." She stood in front of the door way.

"Aren't you going to invite me in?" he asked in his aristocratic voice.

Wasn't thinking about it, Angelina thought. "Of course, come in." She stepped out of the way.

Lucius looked around as he took off his scarf and gloves then handed them to Angelina to hang up as if she were a servant girl. "Where is my boy?"

"He's out for the day," she said. "I'll tell him you came by." She was about to hand him back his things.

"No need, I'll wait." He made his way to the living room where he caught a glimpse of the playpen and walked towards it. He then looked upon Rosalina who was beginning to wake. Lucius shook his head. "I should have chosen for him. Parkinson would have given him an heir."

Angelina stepped passed Lucius and picked up her child. "I have given your son a strong, healthy daughter." She was offended by his comment. "And I would appreciate it if every time I saw you, you didn't mention Parkinson, or Moon, or whatever her damn name is now. If you disapprove so much of his decision, then maybe I shouldn't I have been a choice."

"In my research, it never occurred to me that-" he paused. "You'll break his heart you know," Lucius said out of nowhere.

"Excuse me?"

"No matter how much you think you love him, you will eventually leave him and break not only his heart, but his spirit," he said matter-of-factly.

Angelina was not pleased that Lucius had come into her home and had started criticizing her. "You are very well entitled to your opinions, but just so you know, I don't plan of leaving Draco."

"Of course not." Angelina watched as Lucius' bored silver eyes, which looked so much like her husband's, racked her standing form. "Are you hungry?" he suddenly asked.

Angelina looked at him oddly. "Actually, I was about to make lunch before you came." Then without thinking she asked, "Would you like to join me?"

A small smile rested on Lucius' lips. "You are far too kind for this family, Angelina."

"Thank you," she smiled.

He shook his head. "It wasn't a compliment. Now gather you and the child's things. We're going out for lunch."

"I think not. I don't want Draco to come home and wonder where we are."

Lucius gave a soft chuckle. "That would be a first, you doing something my son actually told you to do. Besides, my boy will do fine without his family for a few hours, trust me."

Angelina honestly didn't want to go, but she had to admit, she was still very young and longed for the father figure she once had. Angelina's parents had died on a trip to South America several years ago while visiting her sick aunt. In her years with Draco she had learn to deal with lost, especially after Montague, so when the news came of her parents, she was frightened with herself, because all she could manage were a few tears.

Besides, Angelina no longer wanted to have the strain relationship she had with Lucius. She didn't like disliking him, though he had given her plenty of reason to. So maybe going to lunch was the opportunity that they needed. "Fine," she answered. "I'll get Rosalina's things." She then went to put Rosalina back in the playpen.

"I'll hold her," Lucius told her. It took Angelina by surprise and she was hesitant, but she smiled and handed her daughter over. Lucius was a bit awkward with her at first, holding her out at arms length.

"No, no, you have to hold her closer and support her head." Angelina could plainly see that he had never held a baby in his life.

"Like this?" Lucius cradled his granddaughter in his arms. Angelina nodded as she took a step back, noting she had never seen Lucius look so angelic. The thought frighten her.

OoOoO

Ginny was walking towards her beloved's bedchamber to wait for him; as she walked, she hummed a nameless tune while smiling happily eating a bright red apple. Her hair and apple seemed to be the only spark of color around her in the dark, shadowy castle.

All of a sudden, the half eaten apple fell from Ginny's hand. I plan to destroy you, you and your Dark Lord. Ginny swiftly turned around to see where the distorted voice was coming from, but saw no one. "What in the world?" she spoke to herself as her eyes darted around suspiciously, but knew she was perfectly safe within the castle, so she shrugged it off and continued on her way.

But as she entered the bedchamber, she put her hand to her head; it was pounding painfully. I will one day and one day soon, reign over not only the Wizarding world, but the Muggle world alike. It will be my name that you fear. . . "Those eyes," she whispered to herself and then gasped. "Malfoy."

She then broke into a run down the hall towards her beloved's meeting room, which you could not Apparate in or out of it. She pushed the door opened and panting heavily yelled, "It was Malfoy!"

Voldemort stood up from the head of the table he was sitting at with a small group of his Death Eaters. "My Lady, what do you mean?"

"Malfoy came into our home and attacked me. No one but their line has those cold silver eyes."

"I knew Lucius Malfoy could not be trusted. He has always been too hungry for power." He looked to his Death Eaters he was meeting with that week. "I want him found, but bring him to me alive. I will see to his demise myself." He could see Ginny's bright smile from the corner of his eye.

He then saw one of his Death Eaters lower his mask. "My Lord-" Draco began, but Voldemort held out his hand and Draco fell silent.

"I understand your situation. He is your father, but this is not the first time he has gone against me. Foolishly I forgave him before, because he is the best, but there will be no forgiveness for attacking my Queen," he paused. "Fear not, your father's betrayal will have no bearing on you or those who follow you in your line." Draco merely bowed his head. "Go now and remember, I want him alive."

Draco stood up and followed his fellow Death Eaters out of the room. As soon as it was clear, he apparated outside his home and walked through the doors. "Tulip!" he yelled. "I need you!" He ran up the stairs into the bedroom. Then with a swish of his wand clothes flew around the room folding and placing themselves into a suitcase. He cursed at himself for not sending them away the day he had gotten confirmation. He had been selfish wanting his family close to him.

Draco knew it would not be long before Ginny's memory became clear and she had a face to go along with those silver eyes. He also knew that Voldemort automatically thought that the act of betrayal was done by Malfoy Sr. because of past history. Besides, if he did think it was Draco, he would have thought Draco smart enough not to come back after committing such a high crime. Therefore, in Voldemort's mind, it could have only been Lucius.

"Tulip!" Draco yelled again when he realized she was not on her way. He then started down the staircase in search of his non-compliant wife. He stepped into the living room where he saw a house elf cleaning up Rosalina's toys off the floor. "You," he called. "Where is my wife?"

"Madam went out to lunch, Master," said the timid elf.

"With Grayson?" Which Draco found odd.

"No Master, your father," the House Elf informed him.

Draco's shoulders fell. "Where did they go?"

"Naru does not know, sir," he answered.

Draco growled angrily before heading out the door in his search of his family. He would not have them pay for his crimes, not even his father.

OoOoO

"You seem tired," Lucius remarked as he and Angelina took their seats at Lucius' favorite restaurant. Amazing enough to Angelina, it was a Muggle restaurant on the far side of town. She had wondered before why they had taken the Towncar.

Angelina gently set Rosalina's carrying seat on the chair as she smiled. "I'm fine, really. It's just the new baby and all."

Lucius picked up his menu and set it in front of himself. "You haven't told him, have you?"

"What do you mean?" Angelina asked him.

"You're still very ill, Angelina, and you have been so for over a year now. One may not be able to tell by looking at you -you see to that well- but you cannot hide the weariness in your voice. It doesn't go away," he spoke from behind his menu.

"The doctors say I'm fine," she told him. "I'm perfectly healthy." Angelina didn't like discussing her health, especially when she thought she was doing a good job of hiding it.

"What do Healers know?" he asked stressing the word 'Healer' as he laid down his menu. She had lived in the Muggle world far too long, using their terminology annoyed him. "Do you know why you're ill, Angelina?" She said nothing. "It's not because you're not strong. You are, that's why I chose you. But it seems you are not strong enough to endure my son. You see, Draco is like quicksand. He engulfs your entire being, bring you down into him, unaware that he's drowning you, and the more you struggle the more he pulls. Face it, you're sinking and no one is going to be able to pull you out." He licked his lips. "So I'll tell you what-"

"Stop right there," Angelina interrupted him and he looked put out. "Whatever you're going to say, whatever you're going to offer, save it because I don't want to hear it. I love your son, that is the honest truth, and no matter what you believe, I have, can, and will endure," Angelina explained calmly. "Now please, a change of subject."

"I'm not done yet," he told her. "There's also one other. . . variable to your illness."

Angelina narrowed her eyes and studied his face closely; she then felt her stomach drop. "You know, don't you?" she asked.

Lucius smiled. "You mean about your. . . how do I put it delicately? Your 'complication' when you were younger?"

"How do know about that?" she whispered. "Nobody knew, nobody but. . ." she took an unsteady breath.

"Don't worry yourself, child, it's not good for you. Besides, I know what lengths you went through to keep it all quiet. It was quite impressive, even if I do say so myself."

"Are you trying to blackmail me?" she inquired angrily. "Because know, if I have to, I'll tell Draco myself. I won't let you hang this over my head."

"Do you really think he'll want to keep you then?" His question, made Angelina look down at her daughter as she realized she didn't have the answer. "I know what you have promised him and you know very well you can't deliver. And because of your lies he thinks he can break the curse." Lucius stated as he signaled the waiter over.

"Curse? What curse?" Lucius' statement had rattled her a bit.

"Yes, I will have the shrimp and crab pasta along with the veal. The lady will have the same. We'll also have that with a bottle of white wine," Lucius ignored Angelina's question. "And for the appetizer we will have the calamari," but then continued as if never interrupted as he shooed the waiter. "And because he thinks he can, he has given you everything right down to his very soul and that has left him vulnerable."

"Are you telling me, I'm Draco's weakness?"

Lucius made eye contact. "Yes," and then looked down at his grandchild. "And her, of course."

"Well, then you're wrong. Your son's love for me, for his family, which includes you, isn't a weakness, but a strength," Angelina said, not for Lucius, but for herself.

Lucius smirked. "Must be blissful to be that naive."

Angelina sighed in agitation. Maybe lunch with Lucius wasn't a good idea. "Excuse me, will you?" She rose from her seat and headed towards the restroom.

Lucius turned Rosalina towards him and chuckled. "You're not what I expected," he told her. "But you will do. . . for now." The waiter then appeared by Lucius' side and placed the bottle of chilled white wine on the table. When the waiter was gone, Lucius poured himself and Angelina a glass.

He then checked to make sure Angelina was not coming back. He snapped his fingers below the table and a vial was soon in his hand. "The doctors say I'm fine. I'm perfectly healthy," Lucius said to himself with a smile and then looked to Rosalina as he poured a portion of the vial's content into Angelina's glass. "First lesson, child: if you want something done right, never rely on your father to do it."

He closed the bottle. "Half a vial, once a year, so not to be detected by any known charm." He then sighed. "I fear, either way this goes, it will not turn out well." He confided in Rosalina as he looked at her. "You, your mother's ghost child," he shook his head as he looked at the vial in his hand. "It's only a matter of time."

With the vial being small, it was easy for Lucius to slip it into his pocket as he saw Angelina approach the table and sit down. He then picked up his glass of wine and sipped it with a satisfied expression on his face as he watched Angelina drank her own.

They continued to speak and disagree as they waited for their food. When it did arrived Angelina found herself on her third glass of wine. "Quite a drinker, aren't we?" Lucius commented.

She smiled. "Just trying to suppress my urge to stab you with my fork."

"Then by all means," he filled her glass, "have another." The waiter then walked away, but not without thinking the pair dysfunctional.

A few minutes later, Draco came through the doors of the restaurant. "Excuse me, sir, do you have a reservation?" asked the host behind the podium.

"Get out of my way." Draco shoved the host to the floor when he spotted his father and Angelina across the restaurant.

"Draco." Angelina looked up from her meal, which she had barely touched, as she saw her husband approach.

"Hello, son," Lucius drawled.

"Angelina, take Rose and go home now," he demanded loudly. People were starting to look at the young man that had pushed his way in. "You know where to go. Don't wait for me. The Portkey is in the dresser."

"Draco surely you don't mean-"

"Yes, now go." Angelina gathered her daughter and started to walk out of the restaurant. "Damn woman, what are you doing? I meant right now."

"Draco," she looked around; she was already being stared at. "Do you see where we are?"

"I. Don't. Care. Home now!" he growled.

Angelina huffed loudly and then Apparated. "My God, did you see that?" yelled some man.

"Check please," said a woman.

"Father," Draco turned to Lucius. "The Dark Lord thinks you have attacked Gin- the Queen. He has sent a group after you. We have to put you in hiding."

"Nonsense boy. I have done no such thing."

"I know," Draco cast his eyes away, "because it was me."

"You attacked the Queen and she's still alive?" Lucius was astonished. "Can you do nothing right?" He stood and scowled. But had time to say no more as they heard a scream and the sound of shattering dishes. Death Eaters seem to emerge from every corner of the restaurant.

Draco and Lucius pulled out their wands and stood back to back in a defense position. "Only twelve of them?" Lucius asked. "Hardly seems fair."

"For us?"

"No boy, for them." Draco couldn't help but smile at his father's cockiness. He then noticed the muggles exiting the building.

"Step down, Draco," said one of the Death Eaters. "We are only here to retrieve your father."

Draco shook his head. "Sorry, can't allow you to do that."

"Step down now or be known as a traitor," the Death Eater continued.

"Then so be it," Draco said with narrowed eyes and swung this wand toward the man. "Avada Kedavra!"

At the murder of their fellow Death Eater, the others readied their wands, but it was already too late, because if they were going to go after a pair of Malfoys their attacks should have been twice as powerful and three times the speed of light.

So by the time their wands were pointed towards the Malfoys, only four of them remained. "Maxima Expelliarmus!" yelled one quickly and both Lucius and Draco's wands went flying out of their hands. "Let's see what you can do without your wands!" He spat.

Lucius and his son simultaneously pulled out a dagger from their holster located above the boots that they wore. "Always liked the sight of blood." Lucius' eyes sparkled with delight. He then took off with a cheetah like speed and slit the throat of the closest Death Eater, spattering blood as he did so. As he was doing that, Draco threw his blade at the one aiming his wand towards his father.

"My hand!" The blade was protruding out of it.

Draco made his way towards him and yanked it out unforgivingly. "I'll see you in hell." He then stabbed the man in the chest with more force than necessary.

"Stupefy!" Draco heard behind him, but it wasn't his father's voice. He whipped his head around to see that his father had been seized by the remaining two men. "Drop it, Malfoy."

"You won't kill him," Draco stated, his blade still firmly in hand. "You have orders."

"Yes, but we can always say there was an 'accident' trying to bring him in." The other Death Eater catching the hint, pointed his wand towards Lucius. Draco sighed and dropped the soiled blade to the ground. "And since you are a traitor to our Dark Lord, killing you will bring us an even greater reward." Draco could sense that the man was smiling underneath his mask as he aimed his wand towards Draco's chest.

Draco's brow furrowed as a dark figure slid behind where his father was being held. "Avada Kedavra!" came the spell and Draco immediately dropped to one knee, grabbed his blade, and threw it into the heart of the Death Eater aiming his wand towards his father. He then watched as both men crumbled to the floor.

"I thought I told you to stay home!" Draco yelled at Angelina as he walked over, pulled his dagger out of the man, wiped it on the his robe, and placed it back into its holster. Angelina stood, with her hand over her mouth, over the fallen man she had just attacked. Draco's anger slipped away as he saw the horrid look on his wife's face. He realized it was the first time she had ever killed anyone. "It's okay, Tulip." He pulled her into his arms and comforted her. "You did well. You did very well."

To Be Continued. . .

Preview of Next Chapter:

And as the door opened she couldn't believe who she saw. She would have been sure that of all the people on Draco's list, that he could have sent her too, he would have been one of the last.

As their eyes met he pushed his vibrant red hair out of his face. Angelina smiled as she stared into his calm, ocean deep, blue orbs. She meant to say 'hi' but what she said was, "You still have the most beautiful blue eyes."

A/N: I know what you guys are thinking when it comes to that preview and the answer is: No. (Hehehe, I'm so evil)