"It's so big!" Hermione breathed as she stared, awe struck, up at Malfoy Manor from the bottom of the unnaturally well-kept garden,

"Not as big as Hogwarts." Izzy reasoned, eyes wondering around the estate nervously, searching for any sign of danger, "You don't think He's here…do you, Severus?"

"I wouldn't have thought so…" The dark man replied, slightly uncertainly,

"But what if he is?" Izzy pressed. Snape ignored her, not wanting to think about that particular possibility himself and began to make his way purposefully up to the ominous stone building, Hermione and Izzy running to keep up with him.

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Narcissa opened the back door with a flourish,

"Darling!" She purred, kissing Severus European style on both cheeks, " And who's your little friend?" She asked, looking imperiously at Hermione. Who was hovering uncomfortably behind him,

"Oh her…" Snape paused for a moment, searching for an adequate excuse, "She…She's just a student who's taken to following me around," He shook his head sadly, "Her dog's just died so I thought she should get out the house for a bit." Narcissa raised a delicate eyebrow disbelievingly,

"Whatever. Any way, do come in. I haven't even touched any coffee today and I'm just dying." She gestured to them, "Do follow."

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"Cissa?"

"Yes?"

"Lucius isn't here, is he?" She laughed lightly and handed cups to Severus and Hermione,

"Goodness, no!" Really Sev, I'm not stupid enough to invite you round here to abduct my son whilst He's here." She shook her head, "Honestly!" Hermione, perched awkwardly on the edge of the blue and silver settee, exchanged glances with Izzy, who looked equally bewildered.

"So, you're just going to let me walk out with him?" Severus asked incredulously, draining his mug, "You're not going to call the aurors and charge me with kidnap?" Narcissa looked at him, faintly surprised,

"Of course not! I do wish you would stop being so silly, Sev." She flicked her eyes to the ceiling and offered him a cigarette, "Do you smoke?"

"You know I don't." He replied stiffly, picking at a loose thread on his sleeve," And don't even think about offering her one!"

"Wouldn't dream of it, Daarlink. Besides, aren't we going a leetle off subject here?"

"You're the one going off subject!" Severus growled, "Why do you want me to take him, anyway?" Cissa shrugged elaborately,

"He causes too much trouble here. Besides, I'd prefer it if he didn't exist in the first place."

"That's a terrible thing to say."

"But it's true. You know that." She stood up and threw him a bunch of keys, "You know where he'll be. Oh, and by the way, it was de-aging potion." She made to leave the room, but Severus stood up also,

"Narcissa, wait!" She turned slowly,

"Yes?"

"How long has Draco been in there? How bad is it?"

"Three days, I think. But as for how bad it is…you know I do my best not to get involved. Draco is Lucius' responsibility, not mine. It's nothing to do with me." And with that, Narcissa swept from the room, leaving Hermione, Izzy and Severus staring dazedly after her.

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N/A: Greetings! Next chapter will definitly have draco in it, promise! I've writen several versions of it, but have now decided on the one I like!

Oh, please read my new one shot- How things are.

Andsomebody make some banners, pleeaaaassseee!

Chocolate and hugs to...KatieMalfoy19, blueeyedchibi, pictureperfexi0n and Libster59.

Luv Lily xxxxx

(Link to How things are- http/