A/N: I thank everyone for reading and reviewing . . . and proofreading. Hal is thinking again.

Chapter 31: Emotions Abound

"That's about it," Malcolm said as he completed his report. "There really isn't much. Nobody feels like talking."

"It is useful," Snape assured his young charge. "I admire the way his friends try to whitewash what Potter did. I know exactly what punishment to give him for tomorrow."

Malcolm smiled. "He's already upset that he can't play."

"It's a small matter to me," Snape said sadly. "Despite your brother's help, we have the worst team in a century. We couldn't win the cup this year is we hexed every other team out of existence."

"Dewey wasn't hurt badly in that last game," Malcolm pointed out.

Snape frowned. The team captain, who would forever remain unnamed, had decided to switch the players around to see if it made for a better match. The truth was, it didn't hurt. Except for the new seeker, this year's team was completely worthless. And Slytherin might still have won the match if that certain unnamed player did not hit the bludger directly at the Seeker's broom at close range, snapping it in half. To his credit, Dewey hung on to the tail end of the broom as it circled downward. He was only twenty feet from the ground when a second bludger, hit by the same player, struck the boy's wrist.

"Your brother might make a good captain next year," Severus finally said.

You should have heard him at the match. Everyone else did. When the bludger knocked Dewey to the ground. Snape yelled at the beater, "I've finally found a use for the word, NINNY."

"The team was that bad?"

"Do you remember Gryffindor and Hufflepuff? McLeggen was of more help to his team than any of our players would have been."

"That is bad."

"Enough of this. I still have one more piece of business with you. Draco is now out of the infirmary. For some reason, he's smiling. And he refuses to explain why. Dewey is watching him for me, but perhaps you would talk with him. I need to know how he is."

"Yes, Sir. I can always ask him what to expect next year. When I'm in a proper house."

Ginny stopped Malcolm as he passed through the common room. "Could we go for a walk? I need to talk to someone."

"Uh, sure." He turned around and they both walked out of the common room. "Don't you have class?"

"Probably. I didn't check the time."

Malcolm became wary. "And what did you want to talk to me about?"

"I might be losing you as a friend."

"Potter?" The question was asked without feeling.

"I think Draco was right. I think I do love him. Even in spite of what he did."

This could work out. If Ginny keeps talking to me, I could find out plenty on Potter. And all I have to do is what I'd want to do anyway.

"I guess I should wish you the best."

Ginny seemed surprised. "You're not angry?"

"At Potter? I'm furious. At you? I still remember you and Draco under the Mistletoe."

"We did that to get you upset."

"Yeah. I bet you two didn't even know I was watching."

Ginny smiled. Then frowned. "You did that deliberately. But it won't work. Draco told me too many times that I was using him as an excuse. And I'm not making any more excuses."

"And I wanted to remind you that I spent most of our time together, either covering up for you and Draco or watching the two of you ignore me." Malcolm made the effort to sound sad. "Now I don't have anything to do anymore. Promise me, this won't be the only time we talk. Even if you end up talking about He-Who-Should-Not-Be-Mentioned." This time, he blushed. "I don't want to lose you as a friend, just because . . . things happen."

"I promise, Malcolm. And I'll promise you this. I'll either prove to you that Harry really is a decent sort or I'll admit I was wrong. And I'll do one or the other by the end of the school year."

Malcolm grinned impishly. "Try your best. And then you can apologize."

Ginny laughed. "I've decided. I'm going to make the world perfect. I may even go so far as to force Harry to make Draco his best man. That would be fun?"

"Except for Harry and Draco," Malcolm added.

That went easier than I thought it would.

Lois was surprised, to say the least, when Narcissa Malfoy asked to visit. Surprise quickly became suspicion, but it also brought curiosity.

"I do apologize, Lois. This is not my usual behavior."

"If you're apologizing, then you must be right. How's Lucius?"

Narcissa huffed as she picked up the coffee that Lois had poured for her. "He tells me he's still waiting patiently for his rightful vindication. I ask you. How can I talk to a man like that? He's convinced that his side will win and won't accept any other argument."

"And you're not convinced?"

This time, Narcissa laughed. "I love your distrust. It is so refreshingly honest. And I will be honest as well. My side consists of me. That's why I loved Lucius so much. I was always able to get whatever I wanted from him."

Lois took a casual attitude. "Too bad you couldn't train him while you were at it."

"I should have, but I didn't think of it until after Draco was born. It was the first time in my life I was forced to consider other people. If I had Draco before Lucius and I married, I doubt we would ever have had the wedding."

Lois laughed. "That I can relate to. Do you know, the shock of actually getting married sent me into labor with Francis. And I've had a lot of regrets because I married Hal, but marrying him has never been one of them."

Narcissa grabbed Lois's hand in a sign of friendship. "Thank you for telling me that. It doesn't make me feel less foolish for the things I've done, but at least I know I'm not the only one. But I can assure you, I've done things that were more foolish than you could imagine."

"Such as visiting your lowlife relatives for coffee in the afternoon?"

Narcissa pursed her lips. Lois was excellent at making pointed statements. "Perhaps. However, I was thinking of this." Narcissa set down her cup and began to unbutton the sleeve on the robe she was wearing. She rolled up her sleeve to show her sister-in-law the tattoo. It was a snake crawling out of a skull. "Have you ever seen this before?"

"I've heard stories." Lois's eyes moved from the tattoo to Narcissa' face. "Let me guess. You're going to tell me another one."

"I can't tell you everything. I've sworn not to. But Lucius and I were young. He said he loved me, and I obviously loved his money. We were both purebloods as well. We were the perfect couple. And then we began to hear things.

"There was a new force rising in the world, anxious to restore those of us of ancient heritage to positions of power. And we had the chance to, what was that charming phrase Malcolm used, to get in on the ground floor."

"Let me guess. It's the type of deal where you can't change your mind later and ask for a refund."

"Some tried to leave. They left in a manner that insured they would never go anywhere else. But then, the Chosen One appeared. We've only started calling him that. But because of him, I spent a decade believing it was over, and a few more years trying to hold on to that belief." Narcissa sighed sadly. "And now it has come to this."

"And this is the part I won't like?"

Narcissa's voice held all of Lois's scorn. "If I don't like it, how could I ever expect you to?"

"Then tell me."

"Draco's involved with a 'project'. And someone thinks it is taking too long. That someone thinks that an incentive is in order. Preferably one in the form of a threat."

"Are you threatening me?"

"No," Narcissa said in a small voice. "I'm supposed to be threatening Norbert."

Lois looked at Narcissa with steely eyes. "How?"

"The Dark Lord wants a hostage to ensure Draco's devotion to duty. Norbert is the only wizard in the family who does not have complete protection. He's the obvious target. I told the Dark Lord that Draco was loyal, and that his cousins are supporting his efforts. I assured him that if I simply explained the matter to you, you would willingly offer to let me take care of your son until the end of the school year. Having come late into the knowledge of your heritage, you are more than willing to take advantage of it."

"Let me get this straight." Lois was incredulous. "This Dark Lord, the same one that tried to kill Malcolm, wants to take Nob as a hostage to force Draco to do something you can't tell me anything about. And you told him there was no need because I would go along with it?"

"I also told him how proud you were that your pure blood resurfaced in the new generation. You forgot that part."

"Geez. Sorry, lady. I didn't know I was such a bitch."

Narcissa couldn't help but grin. "I could have told you, but you never asked."

Lois laughed as well. "This situation is crazy. This all started because of Malcolm. More coffee?"

"Please. It's surprisingly good."

As Lois poured out another cup, she dared to ask. "What would happen if I told you to take a hike?"

Narcissa shuddered. Lois frowned. That wasn't the response she wanted.

"Could you give me a general description?"

"For my part, I will be punished. But I will survive. For your part. You and your husband have no real protections. You would be considered an inconvenience. You might not be harmed right away. As for Norbert, he would be taken, forcefully, by whomever the Dark Lord decided would be most effective. He would be returned to England and handed over to a trusted guardian who would make sure the boy was kept alive."

Lois nodded. "And if I told you it was a great idea."

The relief was evident. "He would be my honored guest until the end of the school year. He will be pampered the way any . . ." she paused to think of the right word. ". . . normal . . ." Narcissa paused to make sure she was correct. ". . . wizard child would expect to be. I would bring in tutors. That would be necessary. His schooling can't be neglected. And because it will be one on one he may find himself learning more. He'll need proper clothes as well . . ." Narcissa paused. "I'm rambling."

"Just tell me," Lois said, "although I think I know where this is going."

"I can guarantee that, at one point, Norbert will be introduced. And he will be expected to make a strong impression." Narcissa hung her head. "I AM sorry, Lois. Once, a long time ago, I thought all of this was a wonderful idea. But I was young. And I didn't have a family."

Nob appeared confused when Lois confronted him. "Then you're not upset about my cutting class?"

"Yes, I am. Now that I know about it. When?"

"Last week. Johnny thought it would be a good idea to show his pool while it was being used."

"Which day?"

"All of them. The business tour was on Friday. And I had to practice."

"And why?"

"We're supposed to reenact classic scenes from Shakespeare. I was given Romeo and Juliet, the death scene, with Ellen Harknell. The teacher wanted me to kiss her."

"What's wrong with that? You kiss her then you kill yourself so you don't have to live with the embarrassment."

"Teacher said I could only pretend to kill myself."

"How terrible," the other adult present exclaimed. "To force a boy to live with such an emotional scar."

Nob grinned. "Aunt Narcissa understands."

Lois glared at Nob. "Aunt Narcissa is not your mother. Aunt Narcissa doesn't have to explain to the teacher why you weren't in class for a whole week. Aunt Narcissa . . . and I are going to talk quietly while you wait."

"Here?"

"Against that wall."

Nob turned to the blank spot on the wall and knelt, putting his hands behind his head. He would get a bathroom break in two hours. Ten minutes later, he was told to stand up.

"We came to a decision," Lois told him. "For your punishment, you get to live with your Aunt for the rest of the school year."

Nob was suspicious. "And what about school?"

Aunt Narcissa answered happily. "There's no need to worry about that. You won't go to any silly school while you are staying with me."

Nob dared to hope. "No school?"

"I'll have the tutors come directly to the Manor. It will be much more convenient."

Nob nodded carefully. She had said tutors. As in more than one. But there could be a bright side. "Will one of them be teaching me magic?"

"To an underage wizard? I should hope not. Next you'll be wanting a wand. Just be thankful that your Physical Education instructor insists that you have a broom."

"YES," Nob said with excitement. "When can we go?"

"As soon as you change into your best robes."

Nob ran happily out of the room.

Lois smiled. "That was well done. You are a very good liar."

Narcissa nodded. "Thank you. I've had plenty of practice. And I will tell the whole truth to Nob once he's settled in."

"I'm curious. Where will you start?"

"By telling him I lied about the broom."

Hal's reaction was predictable. "You did it. We're alone until the end of June. I know how we can celebrate."

"Later," Lois said with annoyance. "We need to go over to Dabney's house and let him know he doesn't have to babysit Nob anymore."

"Can't we do that later?" Hal looked into Lois's eyes. "I'll get the car."

As they drove away, Hal had to ask. "This isn't like you, Lois. Why did you let that woman take Nob? You know what she's like."

"If I didn't let her take him, someone else would have. And I doubt they would have been as nice about it."

Hal nodded. "And why are we going to Dabney's house?"

"Narcissa said two things that were very interesting. She hinted that we were being watched."

"David warned us about that months ago. That's why I'm asking you in the car. What's the second thing?"

"Nob is going to meet his benefactor."

Hal nodded, a rare serious look on his face. "And we're going to Dabney's house because?"

"His mother is still out of the country and I'm betting that boys will be boys."

Hal smirked. "Do you really think there's a party going on at his house? You've met Dabney."

"And thanks to Beatrice and her daughter, Belinda, I've also met Johnny. There's a party."

Hal pulled up in front of the house and stopped. They got out and walked up to the front door. Lois opened it and went in without knocking. Two boys were sitting on the couch in the living room, watching television. Both of them were wearing swimming trunks. A logo ID flashed on the screen. They were watching MTW (Music Television for Wizards).

"ARE YOU BOYS CRAZY? SITTING ON GOOD FURNITURE WITH WET BATHING SUITS? GET UP RIGHT NOW AND TURN THAT TV OFF. IT'S TIME FOR YOU TWO TO GO HOME."

Lois pointed to the fireplace. Both boys, in turn, took floo powder, called out their destination, and jumped in.

"Feeling better?" Hal asked.

"A little. Let's find Dabney."

Lois led the way to Dabney's bedroom.

"Nice place," Hal said as he looked around. "I like the glass ceiling."

"We'll take the tour later." Lois listened for noise. "This way." She found the game room with no problem. A half dozen boys and girls, between Malcolm's age and Dewey's, looked up.

"Where's Johnny?"

"Fourth floor. In the pool," One of the girls answered.

"And how many of you finished your homework? How many of you have your schoolbooks? There are some nice tables out in the den. You can come back when you've finished."

All six scurried out without any argument, two of them grabbing backpacks as they left. Lois counted to twenty while Hal looked around.

"This is nice. Two pool tables. A dart board. Are those video games? How does Johnny get them to work without electricity?"

"You can ask him when we find him."

"He even has air hockey and foosball. This place has everything."

"We're going. HAL, WE'RE GOING."

"Fine. I'll check out the air hockey later."

Lois stepped out of the game room. She smiled as she saw all six children with books and paper. Each of them had a pen or quill in hand. One girl, wearing a bathing suit, had made it a point to put a towel on her chair before she sat down. She looked up nervously, then sighed in relief when Lois nodded her approval.

On the fourth floor, they were able to find the pool by retracing the wet footstep left by those who had gone downstairs. Johnny was on the diving board when Lois walked in. Two dozen teenagers below the legal age paused in what they were doing to look at the new arrivals.

"Oh, hey, tour's not 'til tomorrow but if there's somethin' special ya want . . ." Johnny offered.

"Where's Dabney?"

"You ain't with Child Protection by any chance."

"NO. I'm Nob's mother. Where's Dabney? You're in charge of him. You should know"

"Jus' checkin'. Dabney's Mom flew him down to Argentina for the week. Seems she won this award for some show she put on. He'll be back by Monday."

"And how many of these kids have . . ."

"Honey," Hal interrupted. "My guess is that none of these kids have done their homework. It's obvious they'd rather go to summer school instead. So let them be. That's not why we're here." He pointed at Johnny.

"OK, Hal." Lois turned to look at the kids in the pool. "Go ahead. Waste your lives. Get meaningless jobs that you'll be doing for the next forty years. Johnny, can we talk to you, privately?"

"Sure. Let me just take care of one thing. CANNONBALL!"

"Don't you mind dripping water on the carpet?" Lois asked as Johnny led them to a conference room.

"Naw. The carpet's self cleaning. It'll use the water to get rid of any of the tough stains. It's designed for use around pools. An' I got to be a distributer. I can give ya a good price." He opened a door to a small room with an expensive looking table and a half dozen ergonomically designed office chairs. "Hold on. Accio. Accio. Aqua Dispora."

Lois and Hal watched as Johnny's trunks instantly dried and a shirt and a pair of sneakers came flying though the air. Johnny donned the clothes and led them inside.

"This is my private conference room. Wards against eavesdropping. Anti-apparation wards. Automatic detection spell to warn of any danger. And, at six hundred Galleons apiece, some of the most comfortable chairs in the world. Have a seat. What's on your mind?"

"These chairs are great," Hal said as he set down.

Johnny turned to Lois. "So. What's happening? Where's Nob?"

"He's being held hostage by his aunt, to make sure her son does what he's supposed to while he's at school."

"Whoa. You have one tough family, Lady."

"It isn't schoolwork," Lois said as she refrained from adding "you idiot".

"I ain't any good at rescue operations. You might ask Draco Malfoy. Oh, yeah, he's the cousin. Never mind. I can't help."

"That's not why we're here. I need someone who can get hold of David Winter and let him know what they did."

"Why can't you . . ."

"Johnny," Hal asked. "Did you ever watch any spy movies or anything?"

"Yeah. One of Dabney's friends brought over a DVD. Enemy of the State. Weird movie. Like they were using magic to track people an' all that." Johnny's smile faded. "Like, they're usin' magic to keep track of you?"

Lois nodded.

"I can't help you. If you're tellin' the truth, I can't risk it." Johnny smiled. "But I know a couple of kids who can. They're both master geeks but they're into spy stuff. They're down in the living room."

Hal smiled. "Lois sent them home through the fireplace. They were wearing wet bathing suits."

Johnny frowned. "Alex I could see. But Kyle's a muggle. He's not hooked up to the floo network. And they left their clothes here."

"Then they must have gone to the same place. To the Baumgartner kid's house."

Johnny smiled. "Naw. It's cool. They went to the mall."

Hal smiled as he stepped out of the fireplace. They had come out in the sports department of Baumgartner's Everything Store. He didn't know much about Quidditch but the brooms definitely looked fast. He had just released one of the display bludgers when Lois grabbed his hand.

"We don't have time for that, Hal." Lois physically dragged him away, pausing as they reached Ladies Accessories. Hal, ignoring the screams, yells and crashes coming from behind them, grabbed her hand and led her the rest of the way out of the store. They walked to the main entrance and into the mall proper. Lois looked out at what appeared to be four levels, each with dozens of stores.

"This could take a while," Hal pointed out

"Not likely," Lois answered. "That man looks like Mall security."

Lois walked over. "You in charge?"

"How may I help you, Madam?"

"I've lost my two dear sons, Alex and Kyle. They wanted to go swimming and, when I stopped them, they went to the mall instead."

"Can you describe them?"

"This high. Still dressed for the pool."

"One minute." The security guard opened a small grate on a stand with a fire burning inside. He sprinkled some powder and stuck his head in.

"Mom and Dad are here to pick up the runaways." The security guard pulled his head out and closed the grate. "They were caught trying to swipe some robes. They were kinda obvious. I'll take you to 'em."

The guard led the way through a hidden doorway and down a winding corridor to a small room, through another door, into a room with a counter. Behind the counter was a clerk, and behind him were the two boys and a female security guard that would have given Millicent Bulstrode pause for thought. The look on both boys changed from embarrassment to fear as Lois said, calmly. "Hi, boys. Mommy's here to bail you out."

Both boys cringed, but Kyle nudged Alex and whispered something. He then turned to Lois. "Hi, Mom. Hi, Dad. I can explain everything."

"Like I would believe you." Lois turned to the clerk. "What are the damages?"

"You're joking," Alex said after Lois explained everything. "I'm not a messenger boy. Why don't you send an owl?"

"That's a good idea," Hal suggested.

Lois frowned. "But they would know we sent an owl. Right now, we're pressing our luck. We've been out of sight for too long. And Johnny's the only person we know we can trust."

Alex snickered. "Lady, you are in bad shape. Okay. We'll do it. First, let's discuss our fee."

Lois smiled. "I promise never to tell the lady at that department store that I'm not really your mother."

Kyle frowned. "I guess that covers our expenses, too."

"All I'm asking is for you to send a message and get back an answer."

"Without anyone knowing. And in England. We've heard stories."

Lois frowned. "Just make sure he gets the message."

"Can do," Alex said. "I've even got an excuse planned. It's for a school project. I can send an owl first thing when I get home."

"Thanks. Hal?"

"Do you want to stop for carry-out on the way back?"

Lois nodded. "Chinese."

They left to return to their empty house.

"Jesus!" Kyle said when the two adults left. "She's really scared. Things must be bad."

"She's Malcolm's mom?" Alex asked.

"Yeah."

"You wanna?"

Kyle and Alex grinned.

"Why not?"

Alex walked to the fireplace in Dabney's living room, threw in some powder and stuck his head in. "Hi, Dad. I got a problem. I need to do a Muggle Studies project . . . Yeah, but Kyle had this cool idea . . . Staying at his house for a week and doing a psychological chart, you know, how much I freak out about not doing magic . . . He says it's guaranteed to be an "A+ . . . Thanks."

"My turn," Kyle said. He pulled out his cell phone and turned it on. "Dad? Alphonse? . . . yeah, I was thinking about what you said . . . Well, Alex invited me to stay at his place for the next week . . . It's for a Muggle Studies project. He wants to record my reactions when I freak out about magic . . . Great . . . I promise. You can interview me when I get back. Thanks."

Alex smiled. "Okay, we've got one week."