Chapter Two - Told
"So, what you are telling me is that these children came back from their present time and into the past … to try and change something?" asked Professor Snape dryly, standing beside Dumbledore. His eyes showed now interest whatsoever and his impassive expression made Ginny shudder.
Swallowing heavily, she looked down at her "supposed" daughter, who was looking around the office curiously. "I like it here, Mummy," she stated, "you used to tell me stories about this place. You said that when I'm older I can go."
Her eyes that were once consumed with fear, changed drastically to determination. "Vela has a time turner around her neck," she said loudly, "she used it to get here. I don't know how on earth she came back into time, for time turners only turn to a small amount of time, but she did it, along with Caelum."
Caelum stirred in her arms, his thumb once again in his mouth. He didn't wake throughout the conversation. Ginny assumed that he was a heavy sleeper.
"And their father?" he asked.
Ginny sighed and looked out the small window to her right, knowing the answer. "I don't know who their father is."
"Why don't you ask your children?" asked Professor Snape, as if it was the easiest thing in the world to do.
Ginny looked at him with her wide doe eyes. "I'm afraid," she whispered.
"Daddy?" asked that same soft voice.
Draco swallowed the spit that produced in his mouth, not being able to register what was happening. Never in his life has he been called anyone's father, so this small word was quite a shock to him. "Who are you?" he asked suspiciously, rising up and hoping to intimidate the two children. He got a better look at them and immediately knew their age. They looked no younger, no older then nine years old. They were obviously twins, although their hair color was different. Light freckles were spread across the boy's face, not making him look childish, but more approachable and kind. The girl's brown eyes sparkled in hope, accenting her beautiful platinum blonde hair. The red haired boy had dark gray eyes, a pool of blue and hazel in them. Draco was completely entranced and interested in the children's origins, for they looked so different, but so alike.
"Daddy," whispered the girl, "it's me. It's Australis." Her right hand linked with her brother's. He was slightly in front of her, obviously trying to protect her. "We came back like you asked, Daddy."
He narrowed his eyes. "Why are you calling me your father?" he asked sternly, straightening up his posture, the way his father used to.
Both the boy and girl gulped. "It's us, Dad," stated the boy. "It's me, Lyra and it's Australis. Caelum and Vela went to go and get Mum."
Keeping his calm and collected façade, he gestured to the large loveseat. "Have a seat, children," he drawled. He sat in the chair he once occupied, still staring at the scared figures that were steadily sliding into the sofa. "Fire whiskey?" he asked amusedly.
Australis sniffled. "What's the matter with you, Daddy?" she asked gently. "How come you're looking at us like that? You promised that you would always love us."
Lyra squeezed her arm in a brotherly way, showing her that she was not alone. They radiated care wherever they went; this is what Draco noticed.
"Did Blaise put you up to this?" he asked bluntly, lifting his glass and taking a swig. "How much did he pay your parents to trick me? I'll pay twice as much. I'll even buy you two young children a couple of toys."
Australis' bottom lip trembled. "He doesn't remember, Lyra," she sobbed. "Now we can't save Mummy!"
Lyra hugged his sister. "Dad said that he was going to remember us, remember? Vela was the one who worked the time-turner, or whatever Dad called it. He said to turn it counter clockwise seven times," he soothed.
Australis hastily topped crying and looked at her brother. "Seven?" she asked.
"Yes," he answered.
Draco rolled his eyes and cleared his throat. "As I was saying," he said loudly, "how much do you want? Will a thousand get you out of my hair?"
"You promised us, Daddy," whispered Australis, staring at him with those wonderful brown eyes. It contrasted with her light hair, but suited her well. "You said you would love Mummy forever, even after Grandfather hated you."
His eyebrows quirked up. "Grandfather hated me?" he asked in an enunciated tone.
"You told us that he disboned you," chimed in Lyra. "We never really talked about it, though."
"You mean disowned, don't you?" asked Draco, clearly annoyed by these two children, who just didn't want to leave. Although he was quite intrigued with their story, he still needed to get to bed and go to class in the morning.
Australis nodded eagerly. "He said that since you didn't want to be a bad man and that you married a lowly creature, that he didn't want to talk to you anymore."
"What was your Grandfather's name?" he asked, looking at the glass and ignoring their gazes.
"Lucas?" asked Lyra.
"No!" snapped Australis, hands on her hips. "It was Lucius. I heard Mummy talking about him to Grams. Grams said that he was a bad man and that he tried to her Pops," she replied. She looked at Draco. "But you saved Pops, Daddy." She smiled brightly, showing a missing front tooth. She looked simply adorable.
"I saved Pops?" he asked, daring to laugh.
Lyra nodded. "Will you go with us, Dad? We have to go and find Caelum and Vela. We split up because we were supposed to find you and they were supposed to find Mummy."
"Really," he drawled, "how much did Blaise pay you? You guys are really great actors. You should get into show business. Movies in America would do you loads of good. That way, you won't have to go and trick people for money."
A flash of anger passed through Lyra's eyes. "Why don't you believe us, Dad?" he asked.
Draco sighed in irritation. "Why would I believe two children, who claim to be mine, that have on thermal pajamas, pink and blue may I add, stating that I was disowned by my father, whose name is Lucius, but that's besides the point, and accusing me of saving Pops, or whatever blasted name you both said?"
"If Mummy heard you," warned Australis.
Draco snorted. "What would she have done? Come back into the past," he used his fingers to quote the word, "and kill me?"
Tears formed in Australis' eyes. "She can't do that, Daddy," she mumbled.
"I hate you!" spat Lyra, standing up and pointing a finger at Draco. "How dare you talk about Mummy like that! She was right! You were a bad boy in school! She hated you! I hate you!" He growled. "I hate being a stupid Malfoy and I hate having stupid colored eyes like yours! I wish Mummy was here because I love being who she is! I love being a Weasley!"
The only thing heard throughout the room after Lyra's last statement, was the shatter of glass and the thump of an object.
News travels fast, eh?
Author's Note: .. as you can see .. four different children ..
Australis - another name for Aura - meaning some sort of radiant light.
Lyra - meaning - The Lyre - meaning strong and protective.
Caelum - The Chisel - carpenter's tool - used for shaping wood or making the base smooth.
Vela - The Sails - sails on a boat - keeps the boat steady - knows which way to direct and navigate.
as always - fawning over cheese,
chalk & gatorade
End Of Chapter Two
