Chapter 18

Lucius Malfoy waited patiently. After five years he'd found his wayward son and the parasite. The boy had been clever. Lucius wondered how long Draco had hidden as a Muggle. He'd thought Draco would've given up and come home after a month, but he hadn't. Narcissa had asked questions, but he'd never given her a straight answer. She thought her son was studying in Germany, a convenient lie. After six months Lucius realized that the boy had meant what he'd said, so he'd sent spies to find him.

It'd taken some convincing on his part before Voldemort allowed the usage of other Death Eaters on this quest. In the end though, Lucius had made some large promises and given of himself before being bestowed aid.

After a thorough search of all the wizarding communities in Europe, Lucius moved to Africa, North America, Asia, Australia and finally South America. No luck. Then it occurred to him to try Muggle communities. Since there were more Muggles than magic folk, it'd taken almost three times as long. He'd stuck with the same pattern, figuring that if he couldn't find his son in this first sweep, he'd start the whole process over. He needed to find his son, his status as a Death Eater counted on it. They'd almost missed Draco and the parasite when they'd searched New Zealand. Concentrating most of his efforts in the outskirts of Muggle society, it hadn't occurred to Lucius that his son would take up residence in a suburb of a major city. It'd been luck that one of his spies had seen Draco performing menial labor for a Muggle. Draco was clever to blend in with them, Lucius had to admit, but it was low for a Malfoy. Once Lucius knew where his son was, he'd instructed his lackeys to retrieve the parasite first. The child was to be bait to lure his son back to England. The young father would come, knowing at last defeat. Then he'd finally give in to Lucius' wishes and join the Death Eaters or the parasite would die.

Turning as he heard the door to his study open, Lucius smiled. Three people in black robes and white porcelain masks entered. One carried a shrouded figure over their shoulder.

"Put that in the chair," Lucius ordered, waving his hand at the high- backed chair before his desk. The Death Eater did as he was told. As he placed the figure in the chair he pulled off the blanket to reveal a little girl with black hair bound in two braids. She was dressed in a long sleeved shirt, a warm coat, baggy pants that had pockets everywhere and sneakers. Her eyes remained closed from the sleeping charm that had been placed on her.

Moving closer, Lucius thought that they'd made a mistake. This child didn't look like a Malfoy. She certainly didn't take after a Weasley either. Maybe it hadn't been Ron Weasley that Draco had had sex with. He wasn't even sure she was a Malfoy at the moment though, could his men have somehow mistaken her for the actual child? He'd have to wake her up and ask.

"Take the sleeping spell off," Lucius commanded.

"Are you sure you want to do that sir?" asked the Death Eater that had been carrying her. Lucius glared hard at him; the man jumped to obey. Cassie's eyes blinked open and Lucius drew in a sharp breath. They were gray, like his, like Draco's. This was Draco's child, his granddaughter; there was no mistaking those eyes.

Remembering the last thing that happened, Cassie quickly took in her surroundings. This wasn't home. People in black robes and white masks had stolen her. They'd grabbed her and threw a spell at Gran. She'd kicked, screamed and bitten them, until one spoke a spell and she'd fallen asleep. She knew what the people in black were; her father had always warned her that someday they might come. So he'd taught her to recognize them.

"They wear black robes with hoods and white masks so you don't know who they are. If you see them or are taken by them, curse them and run." Cassie remembered Daddy's words of warning. If Daddy thought it was important, then it was and Cassie wouldn't argue with him. Looking around now, she saw three people that matched the description and one that didn't. The person who didn't, looked like Daddy only he had a few creases around his eyes.

"Hello," Lucius said softly. Cassie stared at him. "What is your name?" No answer. "You don't have to be afraid of me, what is your name?" Still there was silence. Lucius thought a moment then turned to the Death Eaters. "Leave us."

They did as instructed, leaving grandfather and granddaughter to their own devices. Once they were alone, Lucius tried again.

"What is your name?" Cassie shook her head. "Child, it's important that I know who you are." Lucius paused and smiled. "I can't help you get home if you don't." She shook her head again. "I know your father's name is Draco. He's my son, which makes me your grandfather. Now why don't you tell me your name?"

Cassie thought about it for a moment. Her brow furrowed as she pondered over what to do. Daddy had said never to talk to strangers, but this man said he was Daddy's father. Was it all right to talk to him? But he commanded the bad men in the masks; Cassie wasn't sure what to do.

Seeing the child's resolve beginning to break down, Lucius asked her one more time.

"What's your name?" He gave her a cajoling smile.

"I can only give you my name, rank and serial number." The child said at last. The men in the old war movies Gran liked to watch always said that to these sorts of people.

"And what is your name, rank and serial number?" He inquired not quite understanding the reference.

"Cassie Malfoy, five-and-a-half-year-old, and one bowl of Frosted Sugar Bombs." She thrust her hands into her front pants pockets like the men in the movies and glared at him. "What's yours?"

Lucius was baffled, what were Frosted Sugar Bombs? What did it have to do with a serial number?

Quickly recomposing himself, Lucius gazed down at the child. Impertinent brat, he thought.

"Lucius Malfoy. My rank is wizard and I don't have a serial number." Cassie's eyes grew wide as he spoke. Had Draco taught her to fear wizards? No, Draco wouldn't do something that extreme. Although he had hid amongst Muggles, Lucius reminded himself.

Cassie slowly drew her hands out of her pants pockets.

"Daddy says you're a bad man," she said clearly, her eyes still large as saucers. Lucius arched one elegant eyebrow.

"Did he now?" Cassie nodded. "And what did he tell you if you ever met me?"

"To do this!" She pulled out a short wand from her pocket, snapped it in front of her as she spoke words in a language he didn't understand. Suddenly a powerful force sent him flying into the air. Slamming against the far wall, he let out a cry as the little girl bolted for the door. She threw it open and raced down the hall before he could call for help.