I didn't quite get to giving 'thank-you's last chapter because I was concentrating on trying to get it out as quick as possible, so I'll do them now

I didn't quite get to giving 'thank-you's last chapter because I was concentrating on trying to get it out as quick as possible, so I'll do them now.

Thanks to Tina Chui, for putting me on your alerts. I appreciate your interest and you taking the time to read my humble fanfiction.

Thanks to Fire-ice2010, for favoriting me. It make me feel fuzzy inside.

Thank you boxter, for both your reviews on chapters nine and ten, and thanks for the encouragement in the chapter nine review. I feel better when I look at the reads I get every time I post a new chapter, but really some outright comments feel the best. When people take the time out to actually tell me what they think, it makes me feel all fuzzy inside. And as far as updates are concerned, I try to keep them as regular as possible and churn them out once a week. Maybe throw in a few bonus chapters too, when I'm really excited to write.

Also, thanks to angelle, for both reviews on nine and ten. I really appreciate that you take the time out to read all my authors notes and reply to all of them with what you think; you and boxter are my readers scope: you two help me figure out what the other readers want (well, hopefully at least). I'm really thinking heavily on the 'Nineteen Years Later' story, and it's a definite possibility. I'm feeling out the plot for now, and once I have 'Of Dark Waters' laid out in stone and I know for certain exactly what I want to happen and exactly how it should happen, I'll begin work on that story (which is, as of yet, untitled). Also, thanks for the encouragement for my exams; I think I did really well. I hope so, at least.

Also, accomplishment: With the posting of the last chapter, I got the most hits I've ever gotten in one chapter post: 224. I feel pretty accomplished. I just hope no one clicked it on accident or something. /

As always, read, review, and enjoy.

It was December twenty-third, and it was snowing.

Lucius Malfoy currently was sitting up under his silk sheets and coverlet, watching the snow thoughtfully. He squirmed over to the side of his bed, looking down at an Italian greyhound curled up on the floor. "Look Hermes, it's snowing," he whispered. The little creature lifted its head, looking up at him with thoughtful blue eyes, and then looked out the window. It stared for a moment, and proceeded to curl back up and sleep. Lucius snorted. "You're no fun."

He hopped out of bed, careful not to step on one of his dogs. Dogs were really his one muggle vice; the young Malfoy used them for hunting, and as companions. He found them to be fascinating: loyal, trainable, affectionate, and unique. Spaniels retrieved water fowl, West Highland Terriers were for hunting fox or badger, Italian Mastiffs for big game hunting and guarding… Yes, dogs had purpose the second they were conceived, because they were born for something. Personally, he thought breeding dogs was the only worthwhile thing muggles did.

He got dressed in the muggle clothes requested by Narcissa and washed his face and hands before consulting the clock, which declared that it was eleven-fifteen. "C'mon Hermes," he called. The little greyhound exited and Lucius followed, shutting the door behind him, and made for the dining room.

The room was beautiful, with huge, pointed windows and an inlaid, gilded ceiling. Above him, a mural moved magically, portraying the journey of magic. It showed the Norman nomads on their magic-improved ships traveling all over the world at high speeds; colonizing in Greenland and Newfoundland, settling in the north of France, conquering England. It showed the splits in magical society, the witch hunts that killed thousands, and the building of magical schools. It showed the formation of the Knights of Walpurgis, the birth of the wizarding monarchy, and its evolution into the ministry of magic. All in all the painting was quite beautiful, and very interesting. But, Lucius couldn't be bothered to look at it at the moment; he was too busy enjoying a plate of eggs, toast, and half a pomegranate. Though he was engrossed in his breakfast, he felt more then heard his father enter.

"Good morning, Lucius." Abraxas sat at the head of the table, and smiled briefly at his son. Then, he sneered. "What're you wearing those awful muggle clothes for?"

"Narcissa asked me to," he responded, swallowing a mouthful of egg. "She said she'd like me to meet her dragon today."

"Mmm," his father nodded, drinking a gulp of his tea. "You did well yesterday; I was impressed. I'm glad you followed my advice on the more traditional gift, but even I was floored with Salazar's locket. The Blacks are probably ecstatic." Lucius nodded, continuing to eat. "I imagine you have it secured, Lucius. Just stay at the head of the pack and continue to impress, and you might make yourself a very good match."

"I don't want to marry her though," he muttered, peeling all the skin away from the fruit. "She's one of my best friends."

Abraxas chuckled, stirring some sugar in his oatmeal. "Let me assure you, Lucius, your feelings will change when you get older."

"How would you know?" His son made a face, spitting a pip into a napkin.

"Just trust me Lucius, it happens to everyone. One day, you'll wake-up, and everything will be different."

The little boy shrugged and got up, leaving his dishes for the house elves. "I have to go. It's probably around noon now." His father nodded and shooed him away as a large, black owl swept in, delivering the Daily Prophet.

Lucius went by floo, stumbling out into the Black flooing foyer he'd arrived in the previous evening. A little house elf greeted him, bobbing about happily. "Mister Malfoy is here to see Miss Narcissa, yes?" He nodded. "Right this way, sir." The first year trailed after the elf as it guided him outside and wound him down several footpaths. Just as he might have been getting a little impatient, the elf turned to him and bowed. "Tippy must leave you here, sir. Miss Narcissa will see to you now."

Before he could even utter a protest, 'Tippy' was gone, and Lucius was left alone.

"Narcissa?" he called out, stepping forward cautiously. Had you asked him later, he never would have admitted to being afraid. At best, he would have said he was unnerved, but since the youngest Malfoy didn't even know that word, he wouldn't admit to anything. And if you had questioned his slightly trembling hands, he would've said it was the cold. "Narcissa?"

crrrrac-c-c-ckkkk!

The youth jumped, looking about frantically. That wasn't any twig; that was a tree limb. He'd heard rumors of all sorts of terrible creatures living on the Black estate, but never before had he felt himself truly wondering if those rumors were valid. "Narcissa?!"

No sound answered him. No hushed giggle, no light footstep crunching on snow, no nothing. But a certain sight made itself known. Poking from between tree trunks was a huge, magnificent head. Covered in black scales and boasting small horns, the skull alone had to be at least four feet across, if not more. Deep indigo eyes assessed him with a wisdom and knowingness far beyond that which any human has ever known, and deep below were hints of violence and threats and blood. It was beautiful, but deadly. Calculating, cunning, and very intelligent. Its manner even bordered on regal.

"You must be Charcoal." He reached out to pet the creature's snout, but was rebuffed with a snort of super-heated sulfuric gas. Lucius stumbled backwards coughing, eyes watering, trying to save his throat that felt as if it was on fire.

"That wasn't very smart, Lucy." Narcissa stepped out from between the dragons legs, grinning. Lucius only sputtered in response. "Dragons are like people; better even. How would you like it if someone reached out to pet your face?"

"I-it's an animal! All animals like their faces touched!" he coughed, trying desperately to open his eyes normally.

She crossed her arms and glared, as the dreaded beast growled above her. "He's not an animal Lucius. He's just like you and me. He understands things even better than we do. I'm telling you; he's more intelligent than you think, and he deserves more respect from you!"

Now that they'd stopped watering enough to do so, he rolled his eyes. "Sorry, sorry." He nodded to the dragon, for good measure. "Sorry to you too." The gargantuan reptile seemed to nod back, in a show of acceptance. Narcissa seemed pleased enough.

"C'mon, follow me!" She smiled, running off into the trees. Lucius quickly followed, knowing that if he didn't, he'd be left to fend for himself against whatever else might be hiding out amongst the brush.

After several minutes of sprinting beside the littlest Black and her big, lumbering beast, Lucius was beginning to wonder what exactly they were supposed to be doing. She's said that he was here to get acquainted with her animals, but why did they need to run to get to know some modern dinosaurs? It simply didn't make any sense!

Quite suddenly, he found himself running alone.

He stopped and whipped around, only to find Narcissa rolling around in the snow laughing, and her dragon seemed to smirk as much as he possibly could. "What're you doing?!"

"I-I'm sorry!" she choked out between giggles. "It was just so f-funny! We stopped, and you just- just went along! Decided to go your own way!" She slowly calmed down, and wiped a few tears of laughter away from her eyes. "S-sorry. It was just funny." She still stood there, though, grinning, hands on her hips. Her hair was askew and snow stuck to her heavy blonde braid. Her cheeks were bitten to a rosy red, both from the laughter and the snow, and her whirling blue eyes seemed to glitter. For a moment, Lucius found himself struck by how pretty she was, and felt both uncomfortable and glorified being in her presence. It was an odd combination, one that seemed to leave him with an affliction similar to being stung by a billywig. He felt giddy, fluttery and altogether off. When it comes to emotions, Lucius has never been the most verbose.

"Are you alright?"

He blinked for a moment and shook his head. "Yeah, sorry, fine. Just sort of went off in my own thoughts for a moment, that's all."

"So I noticed. I said that I was tired of running and I'd rather walk. Is that okay with you?" He nodded dimly. "Good. Let's go, then." She led him down a small path to the left, one that was slightly better kept. This lead to a clearing, in which there was a little brick building. It seemed meek, with rose colored bricks and a slate roof, but it was slightly off in that it had double doors made of some kind of magical metal, and though there were spaces for them, there were no windows, despite the cold. Narcissa ran over and Lucius followed behind, still working over exactly what this new feeling could be. Charcoal simply lay down outside, preparing to nap.

"C'mon!" She pulled open the doors and shoved him in, and it became very apparent why there were no windows. In the room were several hearths, all blazing. One held a darkened orb that appeared to be-

"Is that the egg I gave you?" he asked, pulling out of his trance.

"Mmhmm. Put it in last night. This is my hatchery," she smiled, as if she was quite happy to be announcing it. "Let's go see my other hatchlings." She led him up a set of spiral stair in the center of the room to a second story of the building. On the floor was a pair of dragons that seemed to be playing, but with dragons one could never be too sure.

"Aren't they beautiful?" If he was to answer honestly, Lucius would say he couldn't really tell the difference, but he responded as she was expecting him to.

"Of course; they're wonderful."

He was rewarded with a smile that was so excited and sincere, he almost couldn't bear it. "Oh, thank you. I sort of wanted you to get a chance to be hands on with them, but I don't want anything to happen to either of us, considering the Gala's tomorrow. Wanna go back to the house for tea instead?"

Yes, at the moment, tea sounded fantastic.