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It had been just over ten years since the tragic death of Draco Malfoy's parents and he'd finally managed to put most of the horrific guilt surrounding his role in that event behind him.
He'd done his best with the primary education of his little sister and next year she would start her education in Witchcraft, but he couldn't decide whether or not Hogwarts was the school that was best for her. The benefits of her attending his alma mater were numerous, she would be close at hand in case of an emergency, she would have friends when she began school and she would receive one of the finest educations that money could buy. These reasons, however compelling, were not strong enough to make him rule out boarding school in another country, for while the young girl showed a talent for magic she'd also shown a streak of vicious pranks that was brought about by the fact that he'd spoiled her as badly as his mum had spoiled him.
Usually Draco didn't mind Arabella's pranks, as a matter of fact he generally thought that they were quite amusing, that is until they were turned on him. He could remember the first time she'd targeted him instead of some unsuspecting servant or one of her friends. He was getting ready for his first date with Daisy Webber, a particularly beautiful young Pureblood with whom he worked, when Arabella crept into his bedchamber while he was bathing and poured a bottle of Uncle Scruffy's Hair Tonic and Dye into his hair gel. The result of which being that when he applied the goop to his hair it grew to waist length and turned the most ghastly Weasley Red. And try as he might it was quite impossible to trim it or change it back to it's proper blond.
Needless to say he had to cancel with Daisy, who never forgave him and spread rumors that he wasn't quite right; these rumors further crippled his romantic life and gave young Arabella hours of amusement at the reach of her power.
Of course, Draco didn't have to ask who was behind her new hobby it had to be Severus. Even with the enormous sum of money that was left to Draco and his sister they were being plagued by the debts of their parents, which became a significant financial drain on the Malfoy estate. Lucius had foreseen this possibility and had instituted a plan to help his children stay off of the streets; unfortunately for Draco this meant that his status as the "Man of the House" was removed until he could do without the financial assistance of Severus.
Just thinking of the influence that his former teacher had on Arabella made Draco cringe, he could manage fine without that slimy old man prowling the corridors of the Malfoy Manor sleeping in their beds and looking for things to steal, just as he'd stolen Narcissa's love from his father all those years ago! Even though he knew that they desperately needed the help of the older wizard it galled him that Severus had so quickly corrupted his comfortable way of life.
Draco couldn't stand the fact that Severus had stolen the affection of yet another Malfoy woman, perhaps it would not have bothered him so if young Arabella did not so deeply resemble their mum. He shook his head there was nothing that he could do to remedy the problem at the moment and he had to get ready for a blind date, about which he'd wisely decided not to inform Severus or Arabella. He stripped off his robes and turned on the faucet, soon the room was thick with warm steam.
Draco stepped into the stream of the near-scalding water and tried to relax, he was certain not to get another date with whoever she was if he brought such baggage with him on the first date. He was not generally the type to sing, but for some reason he began to softly whisper a lullaby that his mum sang to him as a small child, his singing didn't remain soft for long soon he was singing at full volume, surprisingly he was on key. Draco was beginning to believe that he might actually have a productive date by the time he was finishing up with his shower. That was until he turned off the water and pulled the shower curtain aside to find that his clean and dirty robes as well as all of the towels were mysteriously missing from the bathing chamber.
Arabella passed by the bathroom door and was shocked to hear her big brother singing, he'd only ever sung to her to make her feel better when she was worried or frightened. For a few moments she sat by the door, content to listen to Draco's beautiful lullaby, she was startled by Severus who suggested with a smirk that this would be a good time to steal Draco's clothes. She smiled at her "Uncle Severus" as she called him and suggested that she take all of the towels as well and by the time she turned to him for approval Severus had gone. She crept silently into the room and swiftly stole all of the towels and her brother's robes and she was gone in a matter of seconds, Draco continued to sing unaware of the theft.
When Draco reached for a towel he knew immediately something was wrong, How could he have been so stupid as to assume he could get anything past Severus and his sharp Legimency skills?
Draco was beyond angry, even when he didn't tell them about his plans they'd still managed to ruin them! After a few minutes of angry shivering he decided to make a run for his room, as standing there would only make him later for his date. He cracked open the door and was relieved that no one was in the corridor, with one final sigh he ran into the empty hall and as he rounded the corner he ploughed straight into Severus.
"Well, well, where are we going in such a hurry?" asked the greasy haired old man with a spiteful laugh. Draco glared and pushed the other wizard and continued at a walk to his room too angry to think straight.
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Maiden Most Unmeek: No it doesn't scare me a bit, I love you're writing...btw POST MORE! p.s. Severus says he loves you :D
witnessmyboredem: Sorry it took so long, gotlots of jumbled up thoughts lately, speaking of taking a long time to post a new chappie looks pointedly at witnessmyboredem :D
DracoLuver018: Thank you so much and I'm glad you like it!
SupastarEden: Don't you be threatening me, or I'll send Lucius to go all Avada Kedevra on yourarse lol j/k
You know the drill, 4 reviews for each chapter and I'll post a new chapter. so R&R my pretties, Mwahahahahahahaha...wow...
