In the Phoenix's Eyes

I See Right Through To You

The latest issue of The Quibbler slammed down on the table before Lucius. He didn't move from behind his Daily Prophet, though. Maybe Narcissa had found another dress she just had to have and was hoping to go through her magazines with him again. If that was the case, she would simply have to wait. First he had to finish his the newspaper and his tea. If he read slowly enough, he might even be able to get out of it until after dinner because he had to get to work.

The man shot a look at the time, and realised, with a sinking feeling, just how slowly he would have to read for that to be a plausible excuse. Slow enough to be considered an idiot, he thought with distaste. Apparently there was no getting out of it. His wife had scheduled it just right.

With an exasperated sigh, he folded the Daily Prophet and looked up at someone who was most certainly not his wife. Instead, Tara stood a few feet away from him looking not so much angry as very disappointed. That wasn't saying she wasn't angry. The disappointment was simply much larger than anger. Lucius looked down at what he had thought was one of Narcissa's many fashion magazines, but now realised it was that annoying paper filled with more rubbish than should be possible, The Quibbler.

He briefly looked down at the front page and saw a picture of Harry Potter, before turning an inquiring look at his daughter, "I didn't know you took an interest in Hump Backed Fisly Demons."

"You're mentioned in that interview with Harry."

"Am I?"

"Yeah. It's just a passing comment, but it has to do with a certain Dark Lord and how you're a follower of his."

"Really."

"Yes," Tara tilted her head slightly. "What do you think of this?"

"They're very interesting accusations."

"I thought so, too."

"No one will believe him."

"They're true!"

"Tara–"

"Dad, there's a reason I left Sunnydale. It wasn't to come here and get mixed up in another war between people. When it comes down, to it though, maybe I shouldn't have left."

Lucius frowned, "It wasn't my decision, you know. It's rather hard to get out of something that was determined before birth."

"Trust me, I know. But just because it's hard, doesn't mean it's not possible. I don't really see you trying, either," she replied. The last she wanted was her father getting angry, but she had learned in Sunnydale that she couldn't be quiet about thinks she believed in. "I'm going back to Sunnydale, Dad. I don't know for how long but I got an e-mail–"

"– a what? –"

"A letter. When I was in London from a friend of mine and its not that they really need me, but I feel I should go and fix some things."

"Very well. When do you wish to leave?"

Her father's sudden cold response caught Tara off guard for a moment as she studied him. As it's been said, though, Malfoys are masters of disguise. She looked away, "This evening. I still need to go and tell Draco, so I'll probably be gone before dinner," she looked uncomfortable for a moment, then turned around and headed out the door.

Lucius watched her leave, then with a flick of his wrist, the door shut. He sat in silence and studied the copy of The Quibbler that still sat upside down in front of him. Slowly, he picked it up, turned it over and looked over that article, scanning for his name. A moment later he found it and stared at Potter's accusation.

A few minutes later, he continued to look over the article as Narcissa walked in and took a seat nearby, flipping through the latest issue of one of her magazines. A cup of tea appeared by her hand and she took it up, turning a page.

"Darling, I think we should take a short vacation."

"I'm here to see Draco," Tara said, somewhat uncomfortable in front of the unattractive lady. She added a moment later, "Malfoy."

Umbridge looked unamused, "Yes, I assumed as there is no other Draco in this school."

"Oh, right. It probably isn't that common of a name," Tara mumbled, looking at the ground.

The Headmistress sniffed, "And why do you wish to see Mr. Malfoy? You have given me no indication of who you are and I cannot read minds, so how am I supposed to allow you access to my students?"

"I–"

At that moment Draco ran into the Entrance Hall and grinned when he saw his sister, "Tara." He slipped something into his pocket and managed to fix his robes before anyone could see him looking slightly out of breath.

The girl jumped slightly and turned with a big smile at Draco. Umbridge also turned looking slightly put down that Tara hadn't been a threat.

"Malfoy, do you know this person?"

Draco had a handful of witty comments on the tip of his tongue but instead nodded and walked forward, "Ah, yes, Professor. Surely you remember my father telling you of a visitor for me last week?"

She didn't. This was because he hadn't. Still, visitors could not simply come to Hogwarts and be allowed in without prior notice. Everyone knew this, and Umbridge wouldn't dare look like an old lady with memory problems in front of Lucius Malfoy's son. She simply waved a hand, shot a nasty look at Tara, and walked off.

Draco sent Tara a smirk and with a wave of his hand, led them off to an empty classroom.

"I'm sorry, but that Umbridge lady just bugs me," Tara commented as Draco shut the door behind them quietly.

The candles around the room lit up and cast shadows as Tara took a seat on a chair and Draco leaned on the wall lightly. He smiled slightly, "Yes, she bothers many people. I think this whole school, including the teachers, want to hex her into oblivion."

"Any reason why Albus is keeping her, then?"

This made the wizard raise an eyebrow, "He disappeared. Umbridge is the Headmistress. You honestly haven't heard?"

"Nope. Dad hasn't said anything, and I haven't recently read anything except for the Quibbler article. Did you see it?"

"I don't think there is one person in this school that hasn't read that blasted article. I hate Potter. You have no idea–"

Tara rolled her eyes, "Draco, you know yourself he wasn't lying."

"Doesn't give him right to–"

"What? Let the world know who to look out for?"

This left Draco speechless and he shot a glare at Tara, but slid down to sit on the floor, running a hand through his hair. Finally he shrugged, managing to look elegant doing so. With a slight tilt of his head, he asked, "So why did you stop by? Just to see me, talk about Lucius, or what?"

"Actually, I wanted to let you know that I'm going back to Sunnydale for a little while."

Draco nodded, "And you're coming back this time, right?"

"Of course! I'll even bring you back a present this time!" she winked at him and stood up. "I just thought it'd be good to let you know."

"Thoughtful. I have something for you, by the way. I was actually about to send it off by owl to you when I realised that you were here," he stood up again at this and pulled out a chain with a silver pendant on the end of it. He handed it to her and shoved his hands into his pockets. "I know, it's so cliché of me, but Father gave it to me when I turned thirteen."

"It's the Vita?" she smiled softly as she studied the pendant, a tiny sword with a glamour flame engulfing it.

"Yeah, you know how it works. The fire goes out when the life source of the other person vanishes. It becomes warm when the other person is in trouble, that whole thing."

Tara nodded and reached under her jacket, pulling out another chain and handing it to Draco. "Grandma gave me mine when I was thirteen, too. She probably went more depth than Dad, so chances are that I know more about it than anyone needs to."

Draco took the necklace, with a heart pendant engulfed in flame this time, put it around his neck and frowned slightly. "Okay, this is so much more cliché than I originally intended it to be."

The witch laughed, "Yeah, I know what you mean, but hey, what are you gonna do, you know?"

"Mhm. Well, I hope you get done whatever it is that you need to get done in Sunnydale. Send me an owl whenever you get the chance and...have fun?"

"Will do, Draco," Tara laughed and gave him a quick hug, "I have to go, though. I'm portkeying out of here and I only have about twenty minutes left for it to work. I still need to find it!"

"Good luck with that one," Draco walked to the door and turned back, "I actually have to get to the library before Pansy curses me. I'm late by almost an hour. Do you know the way out?"

"Yeah, I got it. Go to your girlfriend."

"She's not my girlfriend!"

Tara raised an eyebrow, "Mhm...not yet."

"Oh, bugger off!"

She laughed and walked down the hall leaving Draco smiling slightly, but half peeved at her last words.

Author's Note: I can't reply to reviews because I need to get to work! But thank you for all of them! I'm sorry for the update that took four months! Next one I'd like to have out before the year is over, though! So keep a watch for that!