Disclaimer: This story is based on characters and situations created and owned by JK Rowling, various publishers including but not limited to Bloomsbury Books, Scholastic Books and Raincoast Books, and Warner Bros., Inc. No money is being made and no copyright or trademark infringement is intended.

Repercussions of War

Summary: At the finial stages of the war, Lucius Malfoy betrayed his Master, Voldemort. Several months later Hermione runs into Lucius Malfoy at the Leaky Caldron and things intensify from there. LM/HG Fic.

Chapter 4: Childlike Happiness


Hallway Outside West Sitting Room
Malfoy Manor

He tried to slink pass the morning room, the young man took great pains not to be noticed. His heart starts to thump painfully in his chest. 'Don't see. Can't want to see me.' thought Draco. He closed his eyes and smiles in child like innocence. 'Can't see me now! Can you?' thought Draco happily. Loud voices came from with in the West Sitting room; Draco's eyebrows went into his hairline when he heard his father's voice.

'Merlin! Daddy's mad. Stupid fool, shouldn't make my daddy mad,' Draco thought as he continued down the hallway. When he bumped into the wall, his eyes flew up as he sucked in a harsh breath.

'Please! Please don't see me,' frantically pleaded Draco. Looking around in a blind panic, he starts to breath easier as he realizes that no one has noticed him. Smiling in unrestrained glee, he scurried down the hallway and around the bend. His childlike laughter floated behind him.

Draco ran until he saw a house-elf. A slow smile graced his face as his eyes latched onto their target. He slowed his steps until he was creeping along the corridor. Narrowing his eyes, he cruched down low. Springing forth Draco was horrified to crash into someone. Looking up at the beautiful woman, Draco's chin started to quiver.

"Young Master!" gasped Joseph. "Are you alright? Have you hurt yourself?"

"No, Sir Joseph," answered Draco as his voice breaks. "I'm fine."

"My Lady," gushed Joseph. "Did the young master hurt you?"

"No, the young master did not," answers the woman. "Pray tell me Draco, what where you doing?"

"I was hunting," whispered Draco. His eyes wide with fear.

"A house-elf, I assume," questioned the woman.

"Yes, my lady," answered Draco as tears stated to form in his eyes.

"Draco," admonishes the woman. "You are to call me, Grandmother or Morganna. Not my lady. As for you crashing into me, think nothing of it. Your father use to do that all the time."

"He did?" asked Draco innocently.

"Yes, and he always managed to break something when he would do so," informed Joseph. "Is there anything that I can bring you?"

"My son would be nice," calmly stated Morganna.

Swallowing hard, Joseph hastily glances behind him. "I'm afraid he's dealing with several unwanted guests at the moment but he will be here shortly."

"Hmmm really," purred Morganna as she strokes the top of Draco's head. Narrowing her icy blue eyes in distain. "Why doesn't he just kil... premently remove them and be done with it?"

Stunned, Joseph stammers out, "It's the Ministry, My Lady."

"Blasted fools," sneered Morganna. "What do they want now? More money for their schools?"

"Why no, My Lady," whispered Joseph capturing her interest. "My Liege re-married last night and those fools objects to the union." Seeing the smile completely slip off of her face, Joseph hastily excuses himself from the room.

"Well my little darling," says Morganna as she moves towards the couch. "Tell me everything you know about your father's new bride."

Until Later