The next day, Draco Malfoy awoke to a cold flat, snuggled tight under completely inadequate blankets. Mentally, he cursed, having forgotten to light a fire - he had been so tired. There were books around - his parents were never without them, for all that they loved to play the socialite and the debonair lord, they werer really quite educated. He sneered at the inadequate facilities, upset more because of lack of house elves than anything else. He thoughtfully got out a loaf of bread - where had it come from? Snape? The thought of Snape hauling food was almost laughable - for all that he was a potions master, and thus knew his way around plenty of dangerous creatures, and the ways of harvesting herbs both common and uncommon. It seemed to Draco that his godfather would have more dignity than that. But it wasn't as if Draco knew any spells to conjure food... so he started to work his way down the loaf of bread, crumbs falling everywhere. He idly wondered if they'd attract rats, or maybe insects... He looked out the faked window, into a pastoral scene that was undoubtedly occuring somewhere - just nowhere near London Town.
Suddenly, his floo flared - out tumbled the two Greengrass girls, giggling as if they were just here on a lark. Draco might have believe them, if he hadn't known that his parents wouldn't have given up this location for anything. A bolt-hole was only as secure as it was private.
Drawing his wand, he stood - maintaining the high ground and reminding them that they were trespassing on his rightful domain was well worth the loss of shelter. At any rate, he was still behind the kitchen-island (and it appeared far more opaque than a table, anyway).
"Why are you here? Have you come to someplace you shouldn't be? Are you trespassing?" His voice had seemed calm at first, but the second question seemed sly and crafty - and the third one lunged at the girls' throats. They certainly seemed frightened, clustering together as they curtseyed.
"Draco Malfoy, we request sanctuary, in your home and on your land. We will pay whatever it is that is honestly come by." Daphne said, her hands gently pushing her younger sister behind her, as if to protect her. Asking anything major of her younger sister would make an enemy of Daphne, and that would be poor politics. Well, Draco Malfoy thought crossly, it wasn't as if he had to decide now. They were still using the inferior protocols - not the ones designed for a Lord and Lady. Their parents were likely not dead, and as Draco Malfoy devoutly hoped his parents were yet alive - and long to remain so, he'd do the same.
"I grant you sanctuary, in so far as I may, and I shall accept a favor of equal - or slightly more value when the time is right." A deft bit of negotiation, that. Showed that he knew he was on a better footing than they were - and yet, that he would only take mild advantage of his better positioning.
[a/n: Draco has no idea what the hell is going on (though he ought to!). Does it show?
If you know what's going on, write me a review and let me know!
Or write me a review anyway, because I like reviews!]