Chapter 8 – April

Ok, now that I look back at it, March, for the lack of a better word, sucked. The conversation with Lud however proved to be quite enlightening. I decided that what he had said could possibly have some merit, so I performed a few experiments. Nothing big mind you, I just did things like smile when some of the younger students stared, and actually signed an autograph for a Hufflepuff first year. That made me cringe a bit but I was taking Lud at his word. Getting to know Harry Potter was going to be quite the task, but one that I was sure I was up to.

The best part about April was that Bob now had two bets to pay off, and I had no qualms about reminding her about it; every time I saw her.

Finally the first Saturday in April she showed up in the Great Hall wearing cover-alls, elbow length rubber gloves, a shower cap and goggles.

My eyes must have bugged out of my head. Malfoy was almost on the floor laughing, the Gryffindors around me were chuckling, and Bob just stared at me expectantly.

I shook my head. "You know, you're beautiful…even in that get up. Bob, what are you doing? Why are you dressed like that?"

"Harry Potter, if you expect me to clean that pit that you call a dorm room, I am certainly not going in unprotected. The very idea sends chills down my spine. I just need you to let me in."

I remember leaning back and smirking. Then I shook my head, stood up and lifted the goggles and kissed her, much to the hooting delight of the students gathered in the Great Hall. I put the goggles back down on her eyes. "Come with me."

I took her hand and led her to my dorm room.

Have you ever gotten so used to a situation that you never paid attention to it until you are forced to look at it through some else's eyes? Well, that was the situation I found myself in. Seamus had left his clothes strewn about, including the dirty underwear. Ron's bed looked like a train wreck. Dean's books were spread all over the table. There were puddles leading into the room from the loo. I had stuff hanging out of my trunk, and school robes thrown on the floor next to the bed where I had left them the night before. On the other hand, Neville's bed was nicely made and everything was in its place.

The worst was that the room had that musky smell that spoke of a small room housing five young men.

I shook my head in disgust. "On second thought, Bob, no. I wouldn't wish this on my worst enemy."

She released a breath. "Thank Merlin. Let's go." She took my hand and led me back down the steps and to the common room. She waved her wand and the clothes were transformed into jeans and a tee shirt.

I put my arms around her and kissed her temple. "I still get Paris, you know."

"Absolutely."

Have I told you yet that her smile can light up a room?

The first two weeks of April passed without incident. No one had seen anything of Lucius Malfoy. Bob and I planned to spend the Easter Hol's with Lud. Draco also decided to come along with Ginny. Lud had contacted Mrs. Weasley and assured her that Ginny would be safe. So it was that the four of us planned to spend the week with Lud.

Professor Dumbledore had arranged a carriage ride to Hogsmeade for the us and came along for the ride. He told us that we were going to Apparate to Bob's home and that he was going to do a side along Apparation with Ginny. The whole operation took about an hour.

We stood outside the dilapidated cottage and I took Bob's arm and we happily went up the broken walkway. Draco and Ginny held back, not trusting that the house would stand. Lud met us on the front steps. Bob ran up and hugged him.

"Daddy."

"Hello, baby. Harry, you look to be in one piece."

I laughed. "Yeah, no broken bones or anything."

Lud looked at Draco and Ginny. "Well, come on you two."

"Um, Uncle Lud, are you sure that…"

I laughed. "It's recognition wards, prat. Come on."

Ludwig shook hands with Dumbledore. "Albus, it's good to see you. Come in for some tea, or maybe something stronger."

The Headmaster, however shook his head. I'm sorry, my boy, I really must be getting back. Now that the children are safely ensconced, I will take my leave. You four behave yourselves."

We all mumbled. "Yes, sir. Happy Easter, sir."

Bob threaded her arm through Lud's and the other through mine again and we headed up the stairs and into the house. As I remembered it, it was warm cozy and welcoming.

Lud had already stored our stuff in the rooms. He had two beds set up in the guest room where Draco's and my stuff were and an extra bed set up in Bob's room for Ginny.

Once we were all settled in, we sat around in the living room and visited for a while. Draco looked curiously at Lud and asked, "Uncle Lud, aren't the towns people a bit suspicious about why you would live in a place that is apparently dilapidated?"

"Well, to tell you the truth, I was a bit concerned about that when we first moved in here, but it is far enough on the outskirts of town that the folks rarely come by here. And if they do, they don't make the connection between this ruin and the home where Al Campbell lives. Are you kids hungry, I've got Dominic's rolls."

Bob and I were up in a shot. I looked at Draco. "You are not going to believe these things. There is nothing like them in the world. But watch out, Lud is really greedy." Then I dodged out of the way because Lud took a swat at me.

Lud let us all get seated around the table and serve ourselves. "OK, kids, let's hear it. What do you want to do while you're here?"

Bob swallowed before she spoke. "I lost a bet, daddy. I have to take Harry to Paris for dinner."

"Paris? Why Paris."

The four of us ended up telling Lud about the chocolate frog eating contest and he was looking at me and shaking his head. "You beat Roberta? That's saying something. I once saw her finish an entire Easter basket in one sitting. Well, let me rephrase that. I was busy with the town Easter party and left my ten year old to her own devices for a half hour. She found the Grand Prize for the Easter egg hunt…which happened to be a huge basket of chocolates. She scarfed down every piece, and was half way through the chocolate bunny, before anyone found her. It was Mrs. Morgenstern that caught her."

Roberta started laughing. "Yeah, she still hasn't forgiven me. And I was sick for a week after that, too."

"Served you right. In any case, since I can't let you go to Paris on your own, why don't we leave tomorrow and spend the entire weekend. Easter in Paris has always been a favorite of mine. Sound good to you lot?"

I leaned back in my chair and smiled. "Wow, this is getting better and better."

Draco laughed. "You ever been to Paris, Harry?"

I shook my head. "No. Never really had the opportunity. This should be fun."

Lud made all the arrangements for the trip. We decided to Floo to wizarding Paris. Our first stop was a little bed and breakfast called 'La Petit Fleur', where we promptly got three rooms. Once we got settled in, we went exploring. Lud took us to all the tourist sites. I mean come on, you can't go to Paris and NOT see the Eiffel Tower, the Arc De Triomphe, Vaux Le Vicomte Castle,or the Rue de la Paix. Draco was particularly happy going shopping on the Rue de la Paix. He bought Ginny a very nice necklace at Cartier.

Saturday night we went to L'Ardoise, a tiny bistro in the oldest French tradition. We all decided to order something different, then taste everything we could. It was wonderful.

Easter Sunday I got my steak at Maison de L'Aubrac, in Champs Elysées. I made a note to return as soon as I could. I even got my limo. When Bob pays off a bet, she goes to extremes.

Monday morning we returned to Lud's house and mostly just collapsed in the chairs. Luckily we didn't have to return to school until the following Sunday. That gave us an entire week to enjoy.

We did spend some time revising. After all NEWTs were coming up at the end of May. But mostly we spent the time just relaxing. We played some Quidditch as well.

Thursday morning we all followed our routine of sleeping in and eating a light brunch. When Draco came down the steps, he found Ginny asleep on the sofa. He laughed and kissed her awake. "Did you spend all night down here, Gin?"

She smiled. "Yes. The fire was so warm and I was so tired, I just fell asleep right here. Good morning, by the way."

I came out of the kitchen eating a Dominic's roll that Lud had gone to get earlier. When they saw that, they were both up and headed toward the kitchen in moments.

"Hey, Ginny, is Bob still sleeping?"

"I'm assuming so, Harry. But I didn't sleep up there."

Lud came down stairs then and yawned. "Morning, kids. Hey, save at least one of those rolls for me."

I laughed. "Ya snooze, ya lose, Lud."

He snorted at me and picked up the Daily Prophet. "I think I have some more cauldrons to scrub, Harry."

I smiled at him. "You want a roll, Lud?"

He shook out the paper. "That's better."

By noon, Bob still hadn't put in an appearance and I kept glancing up the stairs every few minutes.

"Oh for Merlin's sake, Potter, go up and knock on the door."

Ginny stood up. "I'll go."

I heard her walk into the room, but a moment later she was back downstairs confused. "She isn't up there."

Both Lud and I jumped up. "What?" I ran the steps two at a time with Lud directly behind me. As Ginny said, the room was empty. We ran back downstairs and I went out the door to look around the yard. After five minutes of searching, I started to call out for her.

We were all searching the grounds further and further away from the house as time went on.

It was starting to get dark when we all returned to the house. I was fit to be tied. I was pacing in agitation. Albus came in through the Floo at that moment. "I've got the Order together, Ludwig. They are combing the extended area."

I looked at the two men. "I've got to find her."

"Absolutely not, Mr. Potter. If Roberta's disappearance is due to foul play, you will be putting yourself into danger as well. No, it's better to let the Order handle it."

"But, sir, she could be injured and helpless. I… I can't just stay here and do nothing!"

"You will, Harry. You will stay here."

That was when it hit me. "This is Lucius' doing, isn't it?"

But the Headmaster shook his head. "We have no way of knowing, but just in case…"

"Then I absolutely have to keep looking. If he get's hold of her…"

Lud just shook his head. "Harry, the Professor is right. There is no sense in putting you into danger as well. You will stay here."

I looked at him in disbelief. "She's YOUR daughter. Don't you even care?"

His eyes narrowed. "I won't even dignify that with an answer, Mr. Potter."

I threw myself into a chair and rubbed my tired eyes. I watched Lud and the Professor walk to the far side of the room and begin talking. Then Draco caught my attention and covertly nodded his head toward the kitchen. My eyes slid back to the men who were absorbed in conversation and I took advantage of their lack of attention and slipped out of the room, into the kitchen and out the back door.

Draco and Ginny were right behind me. Ginny handed me my cloak, Draco handed me a broom. "If Lucius has her, Harry, he will be at the Manor. I will come with you to get you through the wards unnoticed."

"Are you sure you want to do that?"

"Look at it this way, Harry. If she is at the Manor, I am the only one who can get you in. The Order won't have a chance of getting it, and Uncle Lud isn't going to do it."

"OK, OK, then let's go."

Without a second thought, we were gone.

The foreboding that I had been feeling all day suddenly spiked as we Apparated into the Manor. The house had the feeling of being abandoned. It was dark and cold. Draco was even confused that we weren't met by a house-elf.

He whispered. "Oh, this isn't good."

I looked at him and whispered back. "Why?"

"Even when no one is here, the elves are present. They have either all been ordered away, or they are all dead. Either scenario means that my father is probably waiting for us somewhere in the Manor."

"Well, where's the best place to start looking?"

"Your guess is as good as mine. I don't pretend to understand the man at all."

I got perturbed. "Well, we can't just stand here. We need to do something. Let's try rooms on the ground floor, then move upward."

We started to methodically search for clues through each room on the ground floor and found nothing. We did hear a noise, however. As we searched Narcissa's day room, a thump sounded through the ceiling. We both stopped what we were doing and looked up toward the ceiling.

Draco put his finger to his lips and moved toward the back of the room to a hidden set of stairs. "Jump the third step. It squeaks."

I nodded and followed him to the next level, then stopped at the top stair. Again, Draco put his fingers to his lips and slightly opened a door to a room that would have been directly over the day room.

I could feel the cold breeze swirling through the slightly opened door and looked at Draco in confusion. He then walked fully into the room. The windows were broken and the chiffon curtains fluttered in the wind that slid past the insufficient barrier. Other than that, however, the room showed no signs of having been occupied in a long while. Furniture sat around the room, covered in white sheets, looking for all the world like squat ghosts standing sentinel. The fireplace showed no sign of having been used anytime recently. And strands of sticky cobwebs strung themselves from the chandelier to the ceiling itself.

"There's nothing here."

"Draco, we both heard the noise. There has to be something…" Then another noise, that sounded like a brief drag of wood against a floor, broke the silence." Draco's brows furrowed as he listened.

I looked at him and whispered. "There's something alive, here. Maybe it's one of the elves."

"Perhaps. But it could be my father making us chasing sounds. We stick to the plan and check each room."

I nodded.

As we went from room to room, we heard unmistakable proof that we were not alone in the house.

It was at the end of a long corridor we searched that we noticed a light from under a door. Draco's brows furrowed again. He mouthed the words, "Mother's room."

As we stepped toward the door, we heard something else. The unmistakable sound of Apparition. However, it came from the Apparition room below. "That would be my uncle. Let's go talk to him. There is something that is just not right here."

I looked again at the door then sighed and nodded. "Fine, but let's make it fast. I have to find Bob."

Draco nodded. "Understood."

I discovered that day, that the combination of worry because one's daughter is missing, and the refusal of the errant boyfriend to heed instructions, make for a volatile situation.

Lud was furious.

"What in the devil do you two think you are doing? Once again, you've put yourself in danger."

By that point I was in no mood to be lectured. "Look, Lud, there seems to be something that you and all the other so-called adults are forgetting. You keep telling me that I am the strongest wizard alive. I have already defeated Voldemort. I am also of age. Don't be misguided by the fact that I am in school. I intend to end this today, and I am not going to allow you, or anyone else to get in my way. Roberta is in trouble and I refuse to be treated like a child. Now, you can either stay here or come with me, but I'm going!" With that, I spun on my heel and returned to the upstairs corridor.

Unsurprisingly, I was followed by Lud and Draco.

Wand at the ready, and two back up behind me, I opened the door to the room that Draco had identified as his mother's.

What I saw astounded me. Lucius Malfoy stood stiff as a board in the corner, obviously under Patrificus Totalus. Roberta stood next to him, wand trained on her uncle and a glazed look in her eyes. "Crucio!"

I could see the agony in Lucius' eyes, and he wasn't even granted the privilege of screaming his pain.

I have to admit, the entire scene stunned me for a moment. Lud wrapped his arms around his daughter. "Finite."

As I turned around to look at her, she was looking up into her father's eyes and the tears were flowing. "I… I couldn't… I couldn't stop, daddy! She told me to… she made me…"

"Shh, shh, baby. It's alright now." He held her close as I came up to them.

In that moment, I vowed that Bob would NEVER have that look on her face again. The utter devastation, I knew, would haunt me more than all the other horrors that I had lived through. But she had said something that caught my attention.

"Bob, you said that 'she made you.' Can you tell us who?"

She was crying on Lud's chest, but she wiped her eyes and nodded. "Aunt Narcissa. She… she…" Then Bob started crying again and Lud pulled her out of the room.

I looked at Draco who was standing there, staring at his father in shock. When I went up to him he looked at me. "My mother did this? I… I don't even know what to say to that."

I put a hand on his back and directed him out of the room. "Draco, I need you to check on Bob. I'll call the Aurors in to help with your father."

He looked at me in devastation, but nodded and walked down the steps.

I put a Binding Spell on Lucius then released him from the Patrificus Totalus spell. He blinked several times and sighed in what I assumed was relief.

After several moments he looked at me. "My thanks, Mr. Potter. You've no idea what that woman has done to me."

"You are talking about your wife?"

He nodded. "She has had me under Imperious for about a year now."

I could see the fury building in his eyes. Then he looked at me with regret. "You see, my wife is much like her departed sister, Bellatrix. Crazed doesn't even begin to describe her."

I know the confusion was plain on my face, but I shook it off and cleared my throat. "Alright, then. Um, Mr. Malfoy, you need to sit down." I directed him over to the end of the bed and released the bonds that held him.

I knew that Lud and the Headmaster would probably have had twin conniption fits, but the man had just been through the Cruciatus Curse. He needed, at the very least, to sit down.

Within moments, the Aurors arrived, but before they could take the man into custody, I explained what had happened and asked that they question him under Veritiserum to get the truth.

Then I went in search of Bob.

When I saw her, I ran and grabbed her and held her close. She was shaking and cold so I threw my cloak around her shoulders and pulled her close again.

"It'll be OK, Bob."

"But I hurt him, Ha…Harry. I didn't want to, but I did."

I kissed her hair. "The Imperius Curse doesn't give you a choice, love. You are compelled to do what the caster orders. It wasn't you. I just left Lucius. He is fine. He is with the Aurors now. We will find Narcissa and get her the help that she needs. Bob, I want you to go with your dad. I'm going to talk to the Aurors."

"They are going to want to talk to me too, aren't they?"

"Probably, but they can do it from the cottage." I kissed her and led her back to Lud. "I'm going to the Ministry."

Lud seemed to study me for a long moment, then shook his head. "We have all seriously misjudged you, Harry. For that I apologize." He shook his head and sighed.

I smirked at him. "I get that a lot."

He clapped me on the shoulder. "I'll see you at home then." He Apparated out with his arms around his daughter.

Then I looked at Draco. "You OK?"

He nodded.

"Do you want to come too?"

"Yeah. I think I want to hear what father has to say."

When we showed up at the Ministry, Kingsley greeted us by ushering us into a viewing room. Lucius was being questioned but couldn't see that we were there.

Auror Stephenson was sitting at a small table with Lucius. "Mr. Malfoy, will you tell me what your motivation was to kidnap your niece?"

Lucius shook his head. "I was coerced into it."

"Coerced? Please, Mr. Malfoy, it's just the two of us here. You can tell me the truth."

Lucius sighed. "I am telling you the truth, Mr. Stephenson. I was under the Imperius Curse."

"And who put the curse on you?"

"My wife."

The man smirked, thinking he had caught Lucius in a lie. "Come now, are you really expecting the Ministry to believe that you, one of Voldemort's inner circle, was acting under a curse that went undetected?"

"Yes."

"Let's say, for the sake of simplicity, that you were indeed under the Imperius Curse. How long has that been the case?"

"Three years."

The man laughed. "You are telling me that your wife cursed you and kept you under for three years? That would be during most of Voldemort's rein of terror. Are you trying to tell me that all of the incidents that you were involved in, were under duress?"

"I want it to go on record that I am offering to take Veritiserum. I am freely offering up the information, should you choose to avail yourself. I would, however, like to have my lawyer present."

On our side of the glass, I looked at Draco. "Do you believe him?"

Draco's brows were furrowed. "Well, he is definitely acting differently. It's been a good long while since I have seen him this way. It seems like he's been angry forever."

"Do you think your mother could pull this off?"

He looked at me and nodded. "Absolutely. She's devious. She always has been. In all seriousness, I wouldn't put it past her at all."

He looked back at his father and shook his head. "As a matter of fact, now that I think of it, it seems perfectly clear. My father's personality has completely changed. I assumed it was due to his affiliations. But, perhaps, what he is saying is right. Besides, Roberta said that it was mother that put the curse on her. That would be understandable if she has a history of using the curse."

I looked at Lucius. "I don't see it, Draco. To me, he is acting exactly the same as he did back when the Chamber of Secrets was opened."

He turned and smirked at me. "Well, he would seem the same. It doesn't matter if he is under the Imperius Curse, Harry. He hates you."

"Why? What did I ever do to him? I mean, before the Chamber and all."

"He hated your father. And much like Snape, you were someone he could vent that hatred on."

I shook my head. "If I could just get away from people who hated my father, I have a feeling that I'd have a pretty peaceful life. What did my father do to him?"

Draco smirked. "He was in Gryffindor. He was also a pure-blood that would lower himself to date a Muggle-born. As a result, you are a half blood. That was enough."

I turned and looked back at Lucius, then shook my head.

The close-mindedness of human beings, be they wizard or Muggle, never ceases to amaze me. At the very least, years of misunderstanding and hatred could be avoided by simple acceptance. I know that a line must be drawn somewhere and that line is different for everyone, but, at least to me, blood is blood… magic is magic. But, I suppose someone like Lucius Malfoy would never accept that.

I looked at Draco. "Let's just go give a statement to Kingsley. I want to go check on Bob."

Before we could leave the room, Kingsley burst in. "Harry, Mr. Malfoy, we just received a call from Albus. Narcissa Malfoy is at Ludwig Malfoy's home…"

Before he could finish telling us what was going on, I was out the door, followed closely by Draco. Within moments, we were standing in the living room.

It looked as if a tornado had gone through it. Albus was sitting at the table allowing Molly Weasley to staunch the bleeding on a rather remarkable slash.

"Mrs. Weasley, where…"

She nodded out the back door. I vaguely heard Draco ask about Ginny as I headed out the door.

The scene I saw has been embedded in my mind and will be for a good many years to come. It was dusk, but the dark thunderclouds, in their rolling variegation, had been hovering all day and made it darker than normal.

My eyes landed on the only important part of the scene. Narcissa Malfoy stood, blonde hair being whipped about by the wind, and lightning striking behind her, stood towering over Bob, who was struggling to sit up.

I was vaguely aware of the Aurors and Ludwig standing there, not daring to move forward.

As I watched, Narcissa picked Bob up by the hair and threatened to throw her off the cliff that lay just at their backs. She had evidently been hit by an anti-Apparition Spell and was unable to leave.

I had never been so angry in my life. As that woman stood there, laughing at us all, I shook with the desire to kill her. I didn't even desire to kill Voldemort.

I stood facing her and began pulling in power. Lud must have realized what was happening because he pulled the Aurors back and left me standing twenty meters from the crazed woman.

She pointed her wand at me with a laugh. "Expelliarmus!"

I laughed. "I don't have a wand, Narcissa. Let her go and you will live."

She laughed but then frowned. She was beginning to feel the power drain that I directed at her.

My breath was coming in heaving gasps as anger sliced through me with dagger-like sharpness.

I will say this for Narcissa Malfoy. She was determined. Despite her lagging power she laughed and sent a Slashing Curse, not at me, but at Bob, and I cringed at her cry of distress.

"Come one step closer and she will die. I will enjoy cutting her to ribbons, Mr. Potter."

She backed up even closer to the edge of the cliff, threatening to throw Bob over the side and to the jagged rocks below.

"Enough! Narcissa, let her go, now!"

She laughed again but it was obvious that she was feeling the drain. Unfortunately, she still had hold on Bob. If she fell, due to my attack, she would take Bob with her.

It was then that Ludwig came up behind me. "Harry, don't attack yet."

I remember feeling a bit irritated but only nodded, never taking my eyes off of my prey.

I could feel my power building as hers got weaker. Somewhere in the back of my mind, I thought that it was poetic justice to attack her with her own power.

Then there was a moment where it appeared that Narcissa couldn't even hold her own arm up. She let her hand slip from Bob and dropped to her side.

"What are you…?"

At that moment, things happened quickly. Bob dropped to the ground; I hit Narcissa with a Repelling Spell; Ludwig ran toward his daughter trying to prevent her from going over the side of the cliff; and Narcissa fell. It seemed to happen in slow motion. I can still to this day see her arms spread wide, and the surprised look on her face as she went over the cliff. She seemed to float there, looking like an avenging angel.

Then she fell out of sight.

Then I ran and helped Lud get Bob away from the cliff. We left the Aurors to deal with the aftermath of the battle.

Molly was standing at the door, ushering us in and took charge. "Over on the sofa, Mr. Malfoy. Harry, sit at the table. Ginny, get Harry some tea. That's right, Mr. Malfoy, let's get a look at this wound. You'll be right as rain in no time, Roberta."

I looked at Malfoy who was staring at his folded hands on the table.

"I'm sorry, Draco."

His head shot up like he had just realized that I was sitting there. "Don't be stupid, Potter. You did what you had to do. My mother… my mother got what she deserved." Despite his bravado, I could tell that there was an underlying sadness there. However, I was also just as certain that he didn't want to talk about it, so I dropped it.

"Is Roberta alright?"

"I think so. Mrs. Weasley is checking her over now. By the way, when did she get here?"

"Albus called her when all of this started. He didn't want to leave her here alone."

I only nodded.

"You know, it seems that you've mastered this power draining thing. You didn't put anyone out of commission, except… well, except your target."

I nodded. "Yeah, it was a simple matter of opening my eyes as I drew in power."

Draco nodded and put his head on his arms. Ginny put a cup of tea in front of me and went to sit next to him, putting her face close to his.

I stood to go to the living room, but as I left, I thought I heard a sob.

In the living room, Bob was sitting on the sofa, nodding at something that Mrs. Weasley was saying to her. When she saw me, her face lit up. "Harry! Budge up, daddy. Let Harry sit."

Lud chuckled. "Well, I see where I rate. I think I should be upset."

She grinned at him. "You never have to worry, daddy. You are one of the two most important men in my life."

I sat next to her and pulled her into my arms. "Are you OK, Bob?"

She put her head on my shoulder. "I am now. I never thought I'd say this, but I think we might be better off at Hogwarts, preparing for NEWTs."

Ludwig cleared his throat. "I'm not sure I'm sending you back."

Her head shot up. "Of course I'm going back, daddy! We have less than two months left to school and I'm going to take my NEWTs."

He petted her hair. "And I don't want to let you out of my sight. That's twice in one week that you've been attacked."

"And you told me that Aunt Cissa was dead. Both attacks were by her."

The sound of Apparation filled the room and we all looked up. Albus Dumbledore stood there, concern plainly displayed on his face.

Lud spoke up first. "What is it, Albus?"

"Well, it's Mr. Malfoy. It seems that Mrs. Malfoy's manipulations go far beyond anything we had imagined. The Aurors returned and reported on Mr. Potter's battle with the woman and that she had died in the fight. It seems that the moment she passed, Lucius came out of a trance. We are discovering that it was layer upon layer of personality manipulation. He is in an utter state of confusion and has been sent to St. Mungo's for observation."

He looked at Draco. "My boy, I know this has been difficult for you, but I wonder if you would allow the Healer's to examine you as well? It stands to reason that if your mother was able to do this to your father, that she might have done the same to you."

Ginny tightened her arm around him. "But, Professor, when his mother died, nothing happened to Draco."

"Be that as it may…"

Then Draco interrupted. "No, it's alright. I'll go. I would like to see my father, anyway. Maybe I'll be able…."

He let the sentence drop but stood. He kissed Ginny and gave her a smile. "I'll be alright, Gin. I'll see you at school."

Ginny threw her arms around him and kissed him. "Be careful."

He smiled, nodded and turned to Professor Dumbledore. "Let's go."

After they were gone, Mrs. Weasley looked at Ginny. "Why don't you come home for the rest of the holiday. She nodded sadly and turned to Lud. "Mr. Malfoy, thank you for having me. I wish I could say it was a good time, but… well, you know." Then her face brightened. "But Paris was fun!"

Lud kissed her forehead. "Well, Miss Weasley, it has been nothing if not adventurous. I look forward to seeing you again."

She and her mother went to gather her things and that left the three of us sitting on the sofa.

I leaned back and closed my eyes. "Suddenly, I'm exhausted."

Lud chuckled. "With good cause. I see you learned to focus your power."

I nodded my head but kept my eyes closed. "Yeah. When I was trying it before, I had my eyes closed and was then drawing from all power around me. After that incident when I stormed out of here, I analyzed what the difference had been. There were two things. I was furious, and I was directed. I wanted out. I took power from the space between me and the door and blasted it off its hinges. With Narcissa, I drew the power directly from her. I could do that because my eyes were opened and targeted my enemy." I yawned. "At least, that's my theory."

Lud stood up. "OK, Harry. Up you get." He grabbed my hand and pulled me to a standing position. Let's get you to bed." Then he looked at his daughter. "The same for you, Roberta. Let's go, move it, both of you."

I probably should have argued. Even if it was just for show. But I didn't even have the strength for that.

I must have really been tired because I woke up thirty-six hours later.

I think I'm going to have to learn to use only what power I gather when fighting. When I attacked Narcissa, I put a good deal of my own power out as well. Live and learn, I suppose.

Draco returned on Saturday with a clean bill of health. However, he told us that the Healers at St. Mungo's were completely amazed at the amount of subtle manipulation that had been perpetrated against Lucius Malfoy over almost two decades. "They are still working to remove all the false personality markers. But they have allowed him to come with me to the Hogwarts Express tomorrow morning."

Personally, seeing the change in Draco was amazing in and of itself. I couldn't imagine what it would be like to see the 'new' Lucius Malfoy.

We left for Hogwarts Sunday morning and all met on the platform. Lucius and Draco were the first to arrive. I had to shake my head. Lucius, always reserved, was laughing out loud and looked as if twenty years had dropped from him. After a few moments, he approached me and stuck his hand out. "Mr. Potter, I know that it is insufficient, but please accept my apologies for past treatment of you. And I also thank you for your hand in this latest excitement. Had it not been for you, I would never have known how far reaching my wife's manipulations spanned. I hope you will allow me to make amends sometime in the future when the hurt isn't as sharp."

I couldn't help it. I smiled and nodded. "Of course, sir. I'm very sorry for your ordeal and I wish you the best of luck toward a speedy recovery."

He smiled and squeezed my shoulder then returned to where Draco was now standing and talking to Mr. and Mrs. Weasley.

When we finally got on board, we all shared a car. There was Bob and me, Draco and Ginny, Ron and Hermione, with a good number of visitors that were in and out of the car.

At on point, Bob squeezed my hand and tilted her head toward Draco. He was wearing a genuine smile. He was also more relaxed than I had ever seen him as he laughed and joked with Pansy Parkinson who had come in search of Draco. She, as had most of Slytherin house, heard about the events over the Easter break and wanted first hand information.

I squeezed her hand back and tilted my hand toward the door. "Let's find some place to be alone."

She kissed my cheek and when she pulled back her eyes were twinkling.

Once again I counted myself a lucky man.

The only place we could find was outside the car at the connectors. We sat side by side, holding hands but not saying much of anything. The noise was too loud to be able to hear each other easily. So I did the only natural thing I could do. I kissed her.

"I love you, you know."

She giggled. "I know. You have good taste."

After having her repeat herself several times, I motioned her up and went back into the car. When we returned, Ron and Draco were playing chess, Hermione was studying, and Ginny was looking over Draco's shoulder watching the game. Everyone else was gone.

The return trip to school was blessedly uneventful. Of course, when we returned, we had the prospect of NEWTs hanging over our heads and any dates that any of us had consisted of studying in the library, studying in the courtyard, studying in the Great Hall or studying in our common rooms.

Between preparing for the tests and normal class schedule, we didn't have a moment for ourselves.