A/N: Wild Wolf Free 17 asked how confused would they be if they haven't read book six. I assure you. You will be no more confused than if you did read the book.

Also, Mandraco asked where I come up with this stuff. I'm inclined to say it's because I like to exercise my mental abilities every chance I get, but the doctor says it's probably because of my medication.

CHAPTER 4: HOUSE PARTY

Narcissa Malfoy fumed as Arthur Weasley and his men continued searching the manor. She was also agitated by the need to watch her least favorite nephew until he recovered from the severe burns he inflicted on himself. The only bright moment was when Reese berated Weasley for stealing all of her "stuff". As a result, when the Ministry agents left with the confiscated objects, they did not take Reese with them as well.

"I don't believe they did that," Reese said angrily.

"The law is on their side," Narcissa said philosophically.

"I'll tell Mrs, Weasley, Aunt Narcissa. She'll make sure he never does this again."

The woman couldn't help but smile at the useless gesture. "If only Draco had your attitude. Is he at your house by any chance?"

"I haven't seen him since we left school. He said he was going to the beach."

Narcissa sighed. "He said that last year as well. I never heard from him all summer until your father brought him home. That's when I found out he was at your house."

"He was at the beach last year. That's where we met him. He probably went back there."

A hopeful smile crossed Narcissa's lips. "Do you think you could find him again?"

Reese thought briefly. "Can I stay here if he doesn't come back?"

The hopeful smile became one of cunning. "Yes, Reese. That would be a wonderful idea. I'll discuss it with your mother." She noticed Reese's reaction. "I'll even explain that I asked you to come here . . . to help with the Weasels."

Reese smiled appreciatively.

Lois was incredulous at Narcissa Malfoy's remarks.

"You actually expect me to believe that Reese volunteered to help you? Or that you even asked Reese for help?"

"I'll be honest with you, Lois," Narcissa said from the fireplace. "I was hoping for anyone else, even Draco if he was there. But I was desperate. Weasley and his thugs were literally ransacking my house looking for anything and everything. Your family knows his family. I needed a witness. Fortunately, even Reese's presence was sufficient."

Lois arched an eyebrow. "Ransacking?"

Narcissa blushed, which was impressive considering her face appeared as flame. "After that stupidity of my husband, I expected a search, but orderly and thorough, not throwing everything about. After all, I wasn't even a suspect,"

Lois gave a knowing smile at the line she was receiving. "And why did Reese agree?"

"I bribed him. Why else would he agree to anything. But I will give you this. If you bribe him to do something, he does it and embellishes on it. I simply asked him to watch Weasley and his men as they searched the house and he even started to make a few choice remarks whenever they started to do something questionable. He was a surprise."

"And why isn't he back yet?"

Narcissa smiled. She knew she had won this round. "He forgot to use floo powder. His burns will be healed in another hour or so. You needn't worry."

Lois paused. Narcissa was describing Reese perfectly. "I'll want to talk to him first. HERE."

"Of course, dear. He needs to get a few things anyway. That is, if you let him stay for a few days. And Lois, if you see Draco, I do need to talk to him. It's important. What with everything that has been happening."

Lois agreed and the call ended. It nagged at her, though. Draco always said his mother didn't care, that she always treated him like he was a prize trophy. It seemed even if this were true, she was genuinely worried about that trophy being tarnished.

Malcolm was amused that Draco asked to stay at Dabney's house.

"Mom would make room for you. You know that. What did she say when you showed up."

"She wasn't there. At least I didn't see her. I heard a noise in your backyard and found Nob, um, 'mowing the lawn' I think he called it. And you can guess the rest. I decided to head for the park to find you. I think your mom saw me leaving because she called your name. And she did sound angry."

That's great. Now she'll ground me for ditching work twice. And for the same job.

"I'll tell my mom about the party, then, but I won't mention you."

Draco smiled. "I appreciate that, cousin. And if you will excuse me, I do believe the swimming pool is waiting for me."

"I'll bring my trunks when I come back," Malcolm told him

"Shhh," Johnny said, even though no one was paying attention. "I didn't tell any of the kids about Dabney's room, yet. I want to keep it in one piece."

Malcolm nodded. "It's my secret."

Johnny looked at his watch. "'scuse me, guys." He drained his beer and, tossing the can near the trash bin.

"Listen, dudes and dudettes. It's four o'clock. Time to bug off, like, right away."

Belinda and Lloyd waved goodbye to Malcolm as they left by the front door. Several of the others left the same way while a half dozen others used the fireplace. One boy, Eraserhead, waved to another boy who was about to step into the fireplace.

"Eric, till tomorrow."

"Keep cool, Kyle," the other kid called back and then stepped into the green flames.

Kyle? I never even knew Eraserhead had a real name.

"Johnny, those kids are witches and wizards?"

"Yeah. Friends of Belinda."

"But the Krelboynes and the others that left, they're not supposed to know about magic."

Johnny looked confused. "Yeah?"

"But those kids were using the fireplace while the other kids were still here."

"Yeah. Like, Belinda's the only one being punished. That's why she always has to leave first. Don't want to tempt her. You know."

Malcolm tried to control his exasperation. "But muggles aren't supposed to know about the wizarding world."

Johnny gave Malcolm a blank stare. "Yeah. I told them. They know."

Stevie interrupted as he rolled over. "We know . . . not to . . . tell."

Stevie's in on this?

"It's . . . simple, " Stevie explained. "Dabney . . . doesn't have . . . to live . . . with his mom."

"I know," Malcolm admitted, "that's a plus."

"We . . . have a . . . place . . . to hang out . . . without . . . our parents . . . being around."

Draco nodded. "He's making sense, Malcolm."

Stevie reached into his pocket and pulled out a wand. "We all carry . . . these . . . in case the . . . Aurors come . . . to check. If . . . you have . . . a wand . . . you . . . must be . . . a wizard."

"I get it," Malcolm said. "And if the cops show up, nobody knows about magic."

"And . . . no one . . . tells." Stevie smiled. "Why ruin . . . a good . . . thing."

Hey, I can relate to that.

"It's real simple, Mom," Reese explained, "Because of what happened to Draco's dad, they want to know where he is all the time. So I'm gonna take his place."

"I don't care how. I want to know why?"

"Let's see? Private bedroom. A closet bigger than my current bedroom. Servants in case I want anything. They've even got season tickets to Puddlemere. That's a Quiditch team. A mom who doesn't yell all the time . . ."

"YOU MADE YOUR POINT," Lois yelled. "Now, how are you going to do this?"

"Nob," Reese said proudly.

"Nob?"

"Yeah. I'll get Malcolm in trouble for telling you this, but you remember when Nob turned Draco into Malcolm that time at dinner?"

"I do?"

"Well, I asked Nob how he did it and he said he didn't know." Reese smiled proudly. "And this is where Malcolm gets into trouble. Draco took some potion to make him look like Malcolm so Malcolm could run off somewhere. Nob stopped him from changing when the potion began to wear off."

"I know all about that," Lois said with a smile. "Malcolm isn't in trouble."

"Oh, Man," Reese said in disgust. "You already know everything."

"It does take the mystery out of life, but what can you do." Lois sighed with disgust. "What I want to know is how you can thing up such a devious plan when you can't even do your homework. So you're going to take the potion and have Nob keep you from changing when it wears off?"

Reese looked stunned. "You already knew my plan, too? No wonder I can't ever win."

"Yes, you can do it."

Reese looked even more stunned. "You're saying yes?"

Lois smiled. "Look at it from my point of view. I don't have to deal with a whiny kid who never listens . . ."

Reese scowled. "Why do I have to take Dewey with me? It's not fair."

"REESE. You don't have to take Dewey with you."

"Wow. Thanks, Mom. You never give in these easy."

Lois shook her head in dismay. She would never have an intelligent conversation with her son. "It's your lucky day."

"Cool. In that case . . ."

"Don't push it, mister. Take that potion and I'll get Nob."

Reese drank the vial of Polyjuice Potion he had brought back from Malfoy Manor and he immediately doubled over in pain. Smiling in satisfaction, Lois went to the backyard.

"NOB?" she called out when she didn't see anyone.

"HERE," Nob called out as he ran out of a tall patch of weeds. He hugged his mother gratefully as he tried to stop crying.

"What happened, honey?"

"There's big things back there," Nob explained though his sobs.

"They're called trees."

"But they were moving . . . and going 'HOOM,' like they were talking to each other."

Lois laughed lightly. "It was just the wind and your overactive imagination. I need to ask a favor from you."

"Is it another lawn?"

"Not this time. Remember when Draco was being Malcolm and you stopped him from becoming Not-Malcolm."

"But I don't know how I did that."

I know. But Reese is pretending to be Draco, and when he begins to change, I'd like you to try and keep him from becoming Not-Draco."

Nob smiled. "I can do that. All I have to do is not want him to become Reese again. It'll be easy."

Lois was yelling into the phone. "MALCOLM, WHERE ARE YOU? WHY DID YOU RUN OFF LIKE THAT."

"Mom, I was trying to find Reese, and I ran into Dabney. He needed my help and . . . I got involved."

"What kind of help?" The voice showed clear suspicion.

Yeah. Mom suspects I'm up to something. And I am.

"Have you met his legal guardian? "

"Right. I bet there's nothing legal about him."

"Mom, he's an architect, and he's having a business meeting at the house. He wanted to know if me and Dabney could help with the presentation."

"Why can't Dabney help him on his own?"

"Are you kidding? You met Dabney. He arrested cellular mitosis as his project for the Krelboyne circus."

Lois was surprised. "Him? That Dabney. He couldn't find his way through an open door without help."

"Yeah. Johnny asked him if he could do it on his own. Dabney's still shaking. Not that he's answered, yet."

"Honey?" Hal whispered from behind. "Where are the kids?"

"Stop kissing my neck."

Huh?

"Mom?" Malcolm asked into the phone.

"Sure, have fun," Lois said as she hung up the phone. "Hal, I told you to stop kissing my neck."

"I can't," Hal said passionately. "You haven't turned around yet. Um, where are the kids."

"Hold on." Lois went to the boy's bedroom. "Dewey, do you know where Malcolm's friend, Dabney, lives?"

Dewey and Nob looked up. "Yeah?"

"Good, take Nob with you and tell him you're supposed to help with the presentation. He'll explain it to you." A slight pause. "Go."

As the boys quickly left, Lois returned to Hal. "The kids are gone."

"Great."

"It's your Aunt Bella," Narcissa whispered to the transformed Reese. Reese brushed his long blond hair from his pale face and smiled.

"Good Afternoon, Aunt Bellatrix. You look ravishing, as usual."

Bellatrix Lestrange sneered at Draco. "Don't patronize me, Draco. I would hate it if I had to hurt you."

Reese/Draco laughed politely as if he had been told a joke.

"Cissy, the Master wants you to come. And he wants you to bring Draco."

Narcissa Malfoy's features paled slightly. "We can come any time he wants to."

Bellatrix smiled. "That's good. Because he wants you to come now."

Narcissa smiled at Reese. "Draco, darling. I want you to take hold of my hand tightly and do not let go. We are going to see someone very important."

"Him?" Reese asked with ignorance and expectation.

"Exactly."

Reese grabbed her hand, and the three promptly apparated to a place known to only the most loyal followers.

Malcolm, wearing dress robes. opened the door when he heard the knock. He was surprised to see who was standing there.

"Dewey?"

"Mom told me and Nob to come watch you. What are you doing?"

"Do you see all those wizards and witches?"

Dewey looked into the living room, empty of furniture with only a fireplace blazing merrily. Almost two dozen figures in robes were standing around with drinks in their hands.

"Yeah."

"Johnny's going to give them a tour of Dabney's bedroom."

"That's stupid. How long is the tour going to take? Twenty seconds?"

"You better come in. We're about to start. You'll see. Johnny's a genius."

Dewey held his look of disbelief. "Malcolm, everyone knows if you're going to be a genius, you have to have a brain. It's a requirement."

"Well, Johnny has a brain. And yeah, he used it mostly to hid stuff from his folks, but he got really good at it. C'mon in. You'll see. It's about to start."

Dewey and Nob walked in while Malcolm stepped out of the house. Johnny was making small talk with one of the guests, who was obviously becoming impatient. Dabney was standing by the kitchen doorway.

Dabney was actually hiding behind the door. While he could easily accept one wizard who didn't do much except take him shopping for clothes at weird stores, Dabney was not prepared for two dozen of them coming into the house by jumping out of the fireplace or just popping into existence in the middle of his house. Then a tawny owl flew into the open window and everyone watch with expectation.

Dewey grinned as Johnny froze with a smile on his face that made him look sillier then he normally did. It was just like that deadhead to get stage fright.

"What's going on?" Nob asked in a whisper.

"Nothing," Dewey smirked. Then he noticed Dabney. The Krelboyne was horrified. He knew something that Dewey didn't. If Johnny goofed this presentation, the house would be lost. And worst, the authorities would know how Johnny got the money to do the work he did. Johnny would get free room and board for years, but Dabney . . . An orphanage? Foster home? With wizards?"

"What's that?" Dabney said suddenly as he stepped out of the kitchen and held up his arm. The wizards and witches stared in surprise at the pudgy boy in shorts and t-shirt as Malcolm, as an owl, landed on Dabney's arm.

"It's a message," Dabney said in mock surprise. "It says . . . um . . . Wishes come true. Your bedroom is ready for you."

Hearing his cue, Malcolm flew away, leaving Dabney standing alone. Dabney stood still, forgetting Johnny's script. He looked at Johnny then decided to forget him as well.

"I know I'm just a muggle boy and this is a muggle house but could all of you follow me to see what this message means."

"How cute," One of the witches said to the wizard next to her, then called out, "We'll follow, just to see what your game is."

Dabney led the group down the short hall and opened his bedroom door. He held the door open and ushered everyone into the foyer. The portraits on either side called out greetings as the guests marveled at the clever introduction. Last to enter were Malcolm and his brothers.

"Where's Johnny?" Dabney asked in a hurried whisper.

"He panicked," Malcolm whispered back. "I think he's going to split."

Dabney shrugged. "It's up to me then." In a flash, he smiled. "Malcolm, can you fly up to my room and get my robes? And don't let anyone see you leave."

What's he up to? Dabney's supposed to be the one who's afraid of everything.

Dabney followed everyone into the den, looking around and marveling at everything as though it was his first time seeing all of this.

"This is wonderful. This is amazing. This must be magic." He turned to the crowd and spoke in his most innocent voice, which made him sound cutely pitiful. "Is this real? Is magic real?" He took their laughter for a yes. "Then I must be magic, too." He called up to the ceiling. "I'm not dressed for magic."

Everyone looked up as Malcolm came flying from the fourth floor balcony. He circled the air as he came down and everyone could see what he carried. In his claws were robes of as good a quality as most of the guests were wearing, and in his beak was a wand.

Dabney grabbed the robes with surprising skill and donned them quickly. He then took his wand and stuck it into his wand pocket. As the owl transformed, the crowd cheered the show.

"Thank you, Malcolm," Dabney said loudly and led a round of applause for his friend. Malcolm smiled, took a short bow, and stepped aside to watch a Dabney he had never known existed.

Dabney bowed to the crowd. "Welcome to the showcase of J&D Associates, Architecture and Home Furnishings. I am Dabney, and I will be your guide for this tour. Feel free to interrupt at anytime for questions. No contracts or purchases will be negotiated, however, until after the tour is completed."

A wizard called out. "The stained glass ceiling . . . "

" . . . can be any pattern you wish," Dabney answered easily. "We can even make it a changing pattern, abstracts, portraits, whatever. Your imagination is the only limitation." He paused. "And your purse."

Laughter answered his remark, and Dabney began his tour, pointing out prices, and always noting higher qualities for an additional albeit modest charge. After he led everyone up the staircase, Malcolm went back to the living room where Johnny was moaning to himself.

"Oh, man, oh, man, oh, man , oh, man . . ."

"Johnny?"

"Dude? Are they gone?"

"Naw. Dabney just took them up to the second floor."

Even Johnny was amazed. "But he's scared of his own shadow?"

Yeah, but he even more scared of his mom and what she'd do if she came back and found out she didn't have a house.

"Right," Malcolm said snidely. "That's why you set this whole thing up. You knew he had it in him, and all he needed was a push. I'm smart enough to see what you did."

I love lying to people.

Johnny nodded. 'Oh, uh, yeah. People like kids."

"And Dabney's cute when he tries to show off."

"Yeah, cute," Johnny said as he understood his life hadn't fallen apart after all. "I knew he had it in him all the time. Great Salesman." Johnny looked at Malcolm. "Thanks, man. What spell did you use?"

Dang. He knew it was a lie.

Malcolm shrugged. "Let's watch the rest of the tour."

"Honey," Piama called from the kitchen window. "What's that noise."

"Pete's up on the roof again. Do we have any carrots? Or apples?"

"Stupid horse," Piama muttered as she went to get a couple of carrots out of the coldbox. "Why can't we have any normal problems."

Malcolm went to sleep that night feeling happy with himself. Somehow, he avoided getting into trouble for anything. He slept soundly dreaming about anything and everything. Then his dream seemed to become real again. He opened his eyes and everything was dark.

Somebody closed all the curtains.

Malcolm felt his way across the floor until he stubbed his toe on a chair leg.

"OW."

A door could be heard opening, and a familiar voice called out, "Who's there."

There was a shuffling sound and the same voice called out, "Lumos."

As the tip of his wand lit up, Dabney said, "Oh. It's you, Malcolm."

Malcolm sat up in his bed in a cold sweat.

What was that all about. It seemed so real.

He looked around, the pale moon lighting the bedroom faintly. Dewey and Nob were sound asleep. Reese's bed was empty. Mom had said he went to visit one of his friends for a few days. They were going to a Quidditch game.

Lucky stiff.

Deciding to forget his bad dream, Malcolm turned over and went back to sleep.