chapter five: Malfoy Manor

Scully blinked in surprise at the rather large mansion looming before her eyes. It belonged to an old acquaintance of Harry and Hermione's by the name of Draco Malfoy, who apparently had some sort of tie to the blonde man in her vision. Harry and Hermione had spent the last half-hour arguing over whether they should use something called 'floo powder'; they had finally opted to drive out to the Malfoy manor in the government-owned suburban that had been loaned out to the X-Files for their trip.

Beside her, Reyes let out a low whistle. "Not too shabby," she commented, looking visibly impressed.

"Sure," Mulder quipped, "if you like that whole wealth, glamour, and luxury thing."

Scully smiled at this and shook her head, meeting Mulder's gaze briefly. After the scare during her vision, they'd made up, and she was glad for it. She hated to be angry with Mulder, even for a short while. They had been through so much together, after all; it seemed trivial to bicker over things of little consequence.

Mulder moved past her up the elaborate steps leading up to the mansion, and Scully's gaze fell upon Doggett, who had been standing just behind him. Doggett held her gaze momentarily then ducked his head, moving up the steps. Scully felt a brief surge of guilt but pushed it aside; she didn't have time to worry about that now.

Harry was frowning as he climbed the steps; it was evident that he didn't much care for this Draco fellow. "Just to warn you," he said as they neared the door, "Malfoy isn't the friendliest of people. He'll probably be rude and a bit crass, but don't take it personally. He's very nondiscriminate about hating people."

Doggett made a face. "Sounds like a pleasant guy."

Hermione exchanged a rueful smile with him. "You have no idea. And since we gave him warning that we were coming, he's probably spent the entire time thinking of horrible things to say to us. Just a head's up."

With that delightful introduction, Harry stepped forward, raising his hand to knock on the elaborate, black-paneled door, featuring a gold-embossed knocker in the shape of a snake. There was a moment's pause, and then the door swung open to reveal a blonde, impeccably dressed man.

Scully felt herself take in an involuntary breath. There was no denying that this man– presumably Draco Malfoy– was an incredibly handsome individual. Something about him was inexplicably graceful; there was an almost tangible sensuality that pulsed beneath his skin.

He smiled at each of them in turn. "Hello, and welcome to Malfoy Manor. Harry, Hermione, it's so good to see you again. Everyone else, my name is Draco Malfoy and it's a pleasure to meet you."

Mulder exchanged an amused glance with Scully. "Completely indiscriminate," he murmured.

Draco raised an eyebrow. "Excuse me?"

"Nothing," Mulder said, feigning innocence. He extended his hand. "My name is Fox Mulder, and these are my associates– Dana Scully, Monica Reyes, and John Doggett."

Smiling, Draco shook each of their hands in turn. "Good to meet you all," he repeated. He opened the door wider. "Please, come in. I'm anxious to help in any way that I can."

Harry and Hermione exchanged a frown at this but obediently followed the others into the mansion. The interior was just as ornate and impressive as the exterior: marble floors, exquisite paintings, gold and chrystal chandeleirs. Draco led them into a sitting room and motioned toward the sofas.

"I admit that I was a little confused when I received your message," Draco informed Hermione. "I understand that Agent– Scully, was it?– is having some sort of vision, but I don't know how I could be of any help."

"For some reason, your father was in Agent Scully's vision," Harry explained. "We were wondering if you might know why."

Draco's face darkened, but only for a moment. "Well, I don't know of any ties between my father and your mother, do you?" Abruptly, he rose to his feet. "Forgive me– I'm being a bad host. Let me go into the kitchen and have the cook prepare something to snack on."

As soon as he was gone, Hermione turned to Harry. "Okay...what on Earth was that?"

Harry looked similarly baffled. "Did we enter the bizarro world, or something?"

Scully leaned back, trying not to let her amusement show. "He seems perfectly well-behaved to me. Are you sure you aren't misjudging him? People change from adolescence to adulthood. I myself used to be what some people would call reckless."

Mulder blinked at her, looking visibly disturbed. "You mean, you didn't come out of the womb wearing pantsuits and sensible shoes? My world is shattered."

"I know that people can change," Harry interrupted, still looking confused, "but not Malfoy. I mean, this kid used to make fun of me for being an orphan...He told Hermione she deserved to die because her parents were Muggles. Things like that don't just go away."

Hermione frowned. "Harry's right. Draco's problems were more than that of an annoying teenager. There was real cruelty in him."

Doggett shrugged, spreading out his hands. "Listen, I get what you're saying, but we can't rule out the possibility that he just matured over the years. That sort of thing can happen."

Reyes cleared her throat. "Actually..." Suddenly all eyes were swiveled toward her. She shifted uncomfortably. "I'm getting a weird vibe from him. There's something strange about this place...dark. Secretive. He's hiding something."

Scarcely had the words come out of her mouth when Draco re-entered the room, bearing a tray full of food. "Hope this'll tide you over until dinner." he said.

Scully raised an eyebrow. "Dinner?"

Draco blinked at them. "You'll all be staying here while you investigate, won't you?"

Harry looked visibly uncomfortable. "Well, we wouldn't want to impose..."

"It wouldn't be an imposition." Draco said. "I mean, we do have all of my father's files in the library, and those could prove to be infinitely helpful. And it would be ridiculous for you to have to drive back and forth every day. Besides, Harry's house is fine but it's not nearly big enough to house six people for an extended time. There's more than enough room here at the Manor."

Harry glanced over at Hermione. She gave a half-hearted shrug. "It would be nice to have access to the Malfoy's library."

Draco smiled. "Then it's settled. I'll send some people for your things. Until then," he rose to his feet, "let me show you to your rooms."

Too dumbfounded to do much else, the others followed behind them as he led them toward a twisting staircase, passing by a human-sized fireplace as he went. "You'll be staying upstairs, unless there are any objections..."

He stopped, his gaze resting upon Reyes. She was standing in front of the fireplace, a troubled expression on her face. "Something's wrong with this place," she said, motioning to the hearth. "Something happened here. I hear screaming."

In an instant, Draco was at her side, his face pallid. "Come away from there," he commanded. Remembering himself, he glanced around at the others and forced a smile. "This house has been in the family for generations. It's possible that something happened there a long time ago, but there's no point in worrying about it...And I wouldn't want Agent Reyes to catch a cold from the draft."

But as they headed toward the stairs again, Reyes continued to look troubled, and Draco's darted glances toward her seemed less than benevolent in nature.

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"I should have known Draco would demand a dress-code at his dinners," Hermione grumbled as she stood in front of the bathroom mirror beside Reyes and Scully. She leaned forward, fidgeting with her strap. "Honestly, I can't remember the last time I dressed up. No, scratch that. It was Ron and Luna's wedding, three years ago."

Scully smiled sympathetically. "I'm not one for dressing up, either. Of course, you don't get too much call for it living in a Motel 6."

Reyes, on the other hand, seemed to be enjoying herself quite thoroughly. "But it is fun to dress up every now and then, don't you think? I'll take any excuse I can get to wear a little lipstick."

Scully glanced over at her sideways. "How are you feeling? Have you had any other strange feelings about this place?"

"Not really," Reyes said with a shrug. "I'm beginning to think that fireplace thing was a fluke."

Hermione took a step back, analyzing their reflections. "Well, for three people who are so out of practice in getting 'dolled up', we're definitely doing pretty well, don't you think?"

Reyes smiled, running one last brush through her hair. "Definitely. And now we better head downstairs so we get to the dining hall on time. Otherwise, that Draco fellow might paddle us."

"Paddle?" Hermione repeated, raising an eyebrow.

Reyes merely grinned. "Sure– isn't that what you do here in Britain for punishment? Paddle people and throw scones at them?"

Hermione frowned. "Americans really have no clue what other cultures are like, do they?"

They headed toward the door, pausing as they realized Scully wasn't behind them. Reyes turned back questioningly. "Coming?"

"Give me another minute," Scully returned. "I just realized there's a run in my pantyhose."

Hermione and Reyes obediently exited, and Scully frowned as she removed the offending pantyhose. "Who needs 'em anyway," she muttered, tossing them into the little garbage tin next to the toilet.

There was a brief knock at the door, and then Doggett entered the room. "Monica?" He stopped at the sight of Scully, looking vaguely embarrassed. "Agent Scully. Sorry. Is, um, is Reyes around?"

Feeling suddenly nervous herself, Scully folded her arms. "She already headed down to dinner. Is there something I can help you with?"

Flushing slightly, Doggett motioned to his tie. "I'm not good with bowties. I haven't had to wear one since before the divorce, and...well, my wife used to always do it for me."

Wordlessly, Scully stepped forward and adjusted his tie for him. When she was done, he stepped away quickly. "Thanks."

Scully sighed and watched him leave, silently berating herself. If she had only told him goodbye when she and Mulder left the X-Files, then things could have been the way they used to be. But maybe it wasn't too late. Maybe she could still set things right.

No, a voice countered in her head, things can't ever go back.

Not when he looks at you like that.

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Harry waited impatiently for the others at the bottom of the staircase. Mulder was already there with him, but there was no sign of the women yet. Which meant no sign of Hermione. And as she was the only one who understood Malfoy's true nature, he was none too keen on heading into the dining room without her. Besides, he wasn't entirely convinced that Malfoy didn't have some ulterior motive, and Harry would much rather have Hermione by his side so that he could be certain she was safe.

Beside him, Mulder let out a low whistle as he looked up at the stairs. "Well, aren't you ladies looking lovely?" he teased.

Harry turned to see Reyes first, and then Hermione. She was wearing a simple but elegant black dress, and her thick, curly hair was twisted attractively at the back of her head. His mind wandered back to the Yule Ball when she'd shown up with Viktor Krum and been the talk of the school. He had forgotten how very stunning she could be.

"Where's Dana?" Mulder inquired, looking past them.

"She'll be down in a minute." Hermione returned. She glanced over at Harry and met his gaze, flushing slightly. "Harry?"

"What?" Harry returned, still slightly dazed.

"You're staring."

It was Harry's turn to blush. "Am I?"

Reyes and Mulder exchanged an amused smile but wisely refrained from commenting. Doggett came down the stairs a moment later, followed shortly by Scully.

Scarcely had Scully stepped into the foyer than Draco appeared, looking predictably dashing in his suit. He smiled approvingly at everyone. "Nice to see everyone looking so dapper. Especially you, Potter. Didn't know you had it in you."

Harry opened his mouth to reply, but Hermione placed a restraining hand on his arm. He reluctantly clamped his mouth shut and forced a smile.

"The food is waiting for us in the dining room," Draco informed them, motioning to a nearby maid. "If you'll just follow Christine..."

Everyone obediently trailed after the maid. Draco lingered behind, tapping Reyes on the shoulder. "Can I have a word, Agent Reyes?"

Reyes glanced at the others but obligingly remained behind with Draco. When they were out of earshot, he whirled on her, his eyes blazing. "What kind of a game are you trying to play, anyway? What do you know about my family?"

She blinked at him in surprise. "I don't know anything about you. I just have feelings sometimes, intuitions– "

Draco ignored her. "How much will it cost to keep you quiet? A hundred? A thousand?"

"I don't know what you're talking about," Reyes insisted. "I just had a bad feeling when I walked past your fireplace. I sensed pain there, and fear..." She trailed off, her eyes widening. "It has something to do with your father, doesn't it? Your father and...your mother."

Draco was positively livid now. "I don't know who you are or what you're hoping to accomplish, but if you tell a living soul, I will destroy you. No matter where you run, I will hunt you down and crush your very soul. Understood?"

He turned and stormed down the hallway. Reyes watched after him in shock, shaking her head. "Wow," she said finally, "teenage Draco makes a sudden and stunning comeback..."