Chapter 6

"Er… how did you know my name?"

The lady clearly recovered from the surprise, her expression of a polite smile returned, "Oh, Jenny just whispered it… didn't you, honey?"

"Yes, mommy", the girl said gripping her mother's hand and looking now, beside her mother (or comparing to her mother, as Draco noted) much more like a normal four-year-old. He could almost see her pouting like an ordinary toddler.

"Mm, okay, I think I should move…nice meeting you, Janette…"

"Oh, please, Mr… Malfoy, is it?" she said, "Thank you very much for bringing her back, God know what could've happened if it weren't for you… but, please, could you at least stay for a cup of tea?"

Draco hesitated. Something was nagging him about the woman. No, he wasn't scared or anything… it was something different… maybe guilt? No, of course that was ridiculous, it's the first time he's seen her! "Er…" he glanced at Janette and she smiled at him, as if urging to stay, "Mm, okay, I think I may do with a cup of tea".

The lady smiled, "Please, do come in. I am extremely sorry for the state of this…"

As Draco had guessed, the apartment was indeed a small one. They walked along the corridor. Directly on his left was a neat bathroom with a shower, then there was a room with a closed door. Loud TV sounds were heard from within. He found himself wondering who else could live here in this flat. The lady stopped and gently knocked on the door.

"Clarice, could you, please lower the sound…" she said with a shaky but loud voice.

"Buzz off!" was the rude response and Draco heard the TV even louder then before.

The woman smiled apologetically, "I am letting a girl live in the spare room, just started university, well… she's, sometimes, oh well…"

Janette interrupted, "She's mean but she pays for the room and we need money…"

The woman shot her a look but didn't look at Draco. He felt kind of uncomfortable for her.

"Look, maybe I should really…"

"No, no! Its okay…" she touched his arm. A tingle passed though him… the touch, so familiar… the darkness, moaning, a gentle hand on his neck, bitter whimpering mixed with labored breathing…

He snapped out of it.

"Here is the kitchen"

"Oh, yeah… its quite nice", and it was true. It was small like the rest of the flat but it sparkled clean and tidy. The spices were in their places, the cups and plates were staked neatly.

"Please, sit down", she said putting the cattle on fire, "Jenny, off to bed".

"Oh, mom, can't I…?"

"No, you can't! Its enough for one day what you could!" she didn't quite snap at her daughter but there was a strict seriousness to her words so the little girl obeyed.

"Good night, mommy", she hugged her mother and was about to exit but did a double take and Draco was surprised to find the child's arms around himself.

"Good night, thank you for everything! I hope I'll see you again!" she whispered and gave him a peck and ran from the room.

"Oh, I am sorry", said the lady, seeing an astounded look on Draco's face, "she's usually quite and doesn't like men…"

"No, no! Janette is a marvelous creature, I enjoyed today", he smiled, feeling warm and somewhat fatherly.

"Hope she didn't give you much trouble. You'll have mint or black?"

"Mint, please. She was wonderful. We went to café, she said she was getting chilly, and then we walked for a bit".

"How much do I owe you?" she said reaching for a wallet, which lay in one of the cupboards.

"What? Oh, no! I won't accept!"

She appeared not to have heard. Draco could see that the shabby leather pouch was empty except for some coins. The woman clearly wanted to hide that fact. Draco decided to play along, he felt bad enough. She blushed.

"Guess, I left it in the coat…"

She wanted to exit the room but Draco stood up and looked her in the eyes.

"No, really, it was my pleasure; I assure you, so, please don't bother, miss…"

"Mm… call me Mia, its fine…" she gave a small smile, "but I just can't…"

"Okay, if you want to pay me back, then I won't take money…"

She looked at him hard and frowned, "Mr. Malfoy!" she said in a loud voice that rang of danger, "even if I am poor, I am not that kind of woman, never have been! But I guess you haven't changed at all!"

"No! That's not what I mean! Hey, how do you know…"

"And what precisely do you mean then?" she clearly calmed down now.

Draco took a deep breath, "Let me spend time with our daughter", he saw an angry flash in her eyes and went on hurriedly, "Please, don't think anything ill of me! She is a sweet child and I enjoyed today with her. As I think you are pretty busy I just wondered if I could take her to a park or a theater thrice a week at least…" he daren't look at Mia, as she asked to be called. He was afraid she'd think something bad. The silence was pressing.

"I suppose", finally she said to his great relief, "Besides, she's taken a liking of you, and she has never yet being wrong about people…" she gave him a reassuring smile and more then even he felt that ping of familiarity.

"Mm, Mia, do you think by any chance we've met before?" well, at least it was something.

The lady gave a nervous laugh and didn't meet his eyes, "Well, only if you visit low class London restaurants, then probably we could've…" she trailed off. Draco had a feeling she was down right lying but didn't want to press his luck. He gave a concluding cough.

"Well, I thank you greatly for the tea", he said, getting up (the cup was almost full), "here is my contact number so you'll call me whenever Jenny is free and I can pick her… or we'll meet somewhere…" he produced his card from his pocket and handed it to Mia.

"It was very nice meeting you, and thank you very much! I had a fright…" she smiled at him again, this time very warmly indeed. Draco had the same feeling when she touched his hand but he shook it off.

"Don't mention it! Good night then…" he exited the apartment without looking back. The elevator was there so he needn't wait.

Well, it was quite an afternoon and the evening… and there was something about this Mia… what was her full name, he wondered… Amelia? Harmonia…? Something rang a bell. He must ask Jenny sometime when they meet. He felt for sure there was some mystery to this all…