Chapter 3-Foul Appointments

Damn and double damn. Why the hell had his father asked him to go home today? What was so bloody important that Lucius couldn't just owl him? It wasn't like the Dark Lord would be in attendance. His father should know better by now than to make plans of his own without consulting his 'Lord' first. Lucius had definitely moved down the Death Eater food chain with his failure at eliminating Granger. Draco smirked a little. Actually, Draco had to credit his high position in the Inner Circle to his father's incompetence. And of course for giving him opportunities to practice masking his emotions and in being 'diplomatic.'

Draco rolled his eyes as he finished making preparations to travel. There were only two people who didn't require those bullshit skills or want them. He smiled at that thought. At least he had Hermione and Uncle Severus. Although it would be more accurate to call Sev his father. Uncle Sev had been the one to teach him all of the skills he now had to apply twenty-four/seven to stay alive as a double spy. He had been the one Draco had confided all his fears, his hopes, his dreams in. Hermione had only been his friend for a short time…they had been at each other's throats from day one at Hogwarts. That thought made him smile; she sure could pack one hell of a punch.

When he had seen her collapse last summer and heard the events that had occurred that day, it had solidified his decision to follow in his real father's footsteps. She had been absolutely beautiful, full of life and innocence. No, it wasn't like that with them. His smile burst into a full grin. She was extremely powerful and far beyond him in the motivation and intelligence departments. She deserved someone who was her equal in those aspects. They had enough in common to be best of friends. Besides, Draco thought wirily, he didn't swing her way. They certainly had fun making everyone think that they were seriously dating.

It had been worth it the first time they talked to Potty and Weasel; he grimaced, Hermione would hit him if she heard (or thought) that those nicknames were on the edge of his tongue. Harry and Ron had been convinced Draco had put her under the controlling curse and had instantly taken them to Dumbledore. Heh heh heh. The look on their faces when Dumbledore explained the situation, how Hermione was now under Draco's personal protection. Without a doubt that memory made facing the Dark Lord and Lucius much easier. Harry had naturally caught him off guard by suggesting a truce behind closed doors. Everything got more interesting from there.

His smiled vanished; his cool mask of arrogance was firmly in place. Draco grabbed his things and headed toward Uncle Sev's private quarters. The fireplace in Sev's study was directly connected to the floo in Lucius' study. Time to go face one of the demons in his life.

A few minutes later

"Draco, I trust that old fool Dumbledore didn't give you any trouble?" Lucius sneered.

Draco calmly brushed the remenants of ash and powder from his shoulders before answering. "Of course not, father. That half-baked old moron has complete and absolute faith in Severus. Severus simply informed him that I was needed at home for the day." Draco said simply, inclining his head toward Lucius in a 'respectful' manner.

"Good. We have many things to discuss. First thing, however, is your assignment dealing with the Mudblood." Lucius spat out, malice dripping. Subtly was not necessarily Lucius' strong suit. At least, it hadn't been so lately. Lucius was not a patient man, he seemed to be running short in that department, and it was a necessity for being subtle.

Draco raised a single eyebrow and pinned Lucius with his unreadable stare. "I was under the impression it was just that, father. My assignment. You managed to botch your mission concerning that bitch; it would probably not bode well if you try to interfere with mine." Draco stated coolly. Draco silently thanked Sev for taking the extra time to help him learn that particular little trick. His 'father' had always managed to make his blood boil in the span of five heartbeats or less.

"You dare to take that tone with me?" Lucius said incredulously. "Forgetting your place again, my little dragon? If it were not for me, the Dark Lord wouldn't have spared you a second glance."

"If that's what you would like to believe, father." Draco mockingly inclined his head in the general direction of where Lucius was pacing about, took a seat in the black leather armchair facing the fireplace, and steepled his fingers. "My intelligence as well as my youthfulness have proven very effective tools for the Dark Lord. My techniques have obviously produced superior results on a consistent basis." Ok Draco, he thought to himself, enough baiting the stupid wanger. "Let's cut past all these formalities. What useful advice would you like to offer me to assist in the completion of my task oh wise one." Oops, that little barb just slipped past me, Draco winced inwardly. Uncle Sev would definitely have his head on a platter if he didn't at least act like an adult instead of a spoiled brat. Pissing Lucius off before he talked might make him shut up altogether. Normally this was a good thing, but not today. Draco really needed to know what Lucius had up his sleeve this time.

Lucius shot Draco a venomous look. "You would do well to respect your betters, boy." Lucius' voice was now soft, to some it might have seemed loving; Draco knew from experience that was not the case. Lucius sat down and waved Draco into an armchair directly opposite him. "It has been discovered that this girl possesses a strain of Morgan le Fay's blood in her tainted veins." Draco's mind whirled. The events of last summer suddenly became a lot more clear. "As much as I despise suggesting this, that untapped power could give us an unforeseen advantage. Listen closely Draco, I propose that one of two things would be able to aid our cause. Either drain her of her blood or impregnate her and give the child to the Dark Lord. Think carefully about this…if you choose not to do one or the other, I will see to it. Personally." A smile curved his mouth slightly upward, the picture of a cat with a canary in its grasp. Not an attractive sight.

Draco nearly slipped. His mind tumbled, 'oh bloody hell, Hermione's in deep shit now.' Instead of telling his father to sod off like he wished, Draco cleared his throat and coolly replied, "May I have a few days to consider the matter?"

"You have three days to decide. Be warned that if the opportunity arise, actions will be taken. With or without your input."

"I'm aware of the way you operate. You'll have your answer in three days time. If you do move before then, please invite me to the festivities. It would be a shame to miss them after all the time and energy I've had to waste on the mudblood." Draco sneeringly replied. "Was there anything else you yearn to discuss with me, father? If not, I'll just-" Draco broke off as a searing pain raced up and down his left arm. Just the thing that was missing from his day, another foul appointment. Fun.

"Father." Draco inclined his head toward Lucius as he rose. "Three days."

"I will see you in three days then. Have fun, son."

Draco spared his father the smallest of glances as he swept out the door. He gripped his left arm. Too bad he didn't have time to owl Sev and let him know what was going on. Oh well, such is life. Draco winked out of sight.