Author's Notes: I'd like to thank Persephoniii, Disco Inferno1, Hannah Loves Lupin, xo.A.m.o.r.e.t.t.e.xo, Hatsue Cybanne and Indeffinate for your review for chapter fifteen. I'm thrilled you're all enjoying the story, and I always appreciate your support and comments.
Additionally, I'd like to thank all the people who've been reading and added me to their author's alert list recently. It means a lot to me.
Fianlly, huge thanks go to the wonderful IMissPafoot (User ID: 1133633) for beta'ing this chapter for me. Love ya, babe!
Chapter Sixteen: Time for Action.
When Morrigan arrived at St. Mungo's, she was still feeling very shaken from her encounter with Lucius Malfoy. She could still feel Malfoy's hot breath on her throat and the scent of his cologne against her skin.
Morrigan shuddered, as a chill ran down her spine, trying to block the mental image of Malfoy out of her head. However, that was easier said than done, as he looked so much like his son, Draco.
Draco, Morrigan sighed to herself. How was she ever going to tell Draco about her run-in with his father?
There was no doubt in her mind that Draco would react badly to the news his father had threatened her. The whole reason he'd left home and gone on the run in the first place was because of how his dad treated and intimidated him.
Trying to collect her thoughts, and calm herself down, Morrigan took a deep breath and then strode over to the reception desk of St. Mungo's.
"Excuse me. I was wondering if you could help me, please?" she asked the plump blonde 'Welcome Witch' behind the desk. "I have a friend, who is a skilled potions maker; however he's unable to leave the house. He needs a source of income, and was wondering about supplying remedies to the hospital."
"You'll need to speak to the Healer for the department of Potion and Plant Poisoning, then," informed the Welcome Witch shortly. "His name is Aidan Weatherby, and you'll find him on the third floor."
"Thank you very much," replied Morrigan, before striding towards the elevator. When she stepped inside, the interior reminded her so much of the elevators at the Ministry of Magic, that Morrigan had a flashback of Malfoy pinning her up against the wall, and she shuddered involuntarily.
As she stepped out of the elevator, Morrigan had to once again take a deep breath to calm her nerves. She'd been in some dangerous and terrifying situations in the past, but hardly anything had affected her as badly as her encounter with Lucius Malfoy. Each time Morrigan closed her eyes, she could see Malfoy in her head, or hear his sneering voice.
Chiding herself for being so silly, Morrigan continued along the corridor, looking for Aidan Weatherby, and eventually found the Healer moments later. Weatherby was standing just outside a ward, worriedly consulting a piece of parchment.
"Excuse me, Mr Aidan Weatherby?" Morrigan began. "I was wondering if you could help me please. I have a friend, who is a skilled potions maker; however he's unable to leave the house. He needs a source of income, and was wondering about supplying remedies to the hospital."
"Certainly, my dear," replied Weatherby cheerily. "If I could ask you to tell your friend that he should drop a few samples of his potions in at the hospital, along with his examination certificates from Hogwarts. Once I've received that information, I'll be able to consider the matter further."
"Thank you very much. That's great," returned Morrigan with a delighted smile. "I'll tell him that, and probably drop the potions and examination certificates around myself in the next few days or so."
"That will be fine, Ma'am," agreed Weatherby. "I'll look forwards to seeing you again, and discussing the prospects of your friend supplying the hospital with potions."
"Thank you again for your time, Mr. Weatherby," Morrigan said again, as she turned and headed back along the corridor.
All she needed to do now was drop by Diagon Alley, pick up the potions supplies and books Draco had asked for, and then she could return home. However, at the prospect of going to Diagon Alley, Morrigan began to tremor. 'What happens if I run into Lucius Malfoy again?' she worried to herself.
Then suddenly, a wonderful idea hit Morrigan. I can just go to Hogsmeade instead, she mused to herself. No one there knows me, so I shouldn't run into any trouble.
Feeling delighted to have come up with a solution to her problem so quickly, Morrigan got back into the elevator, headed down to the ground floor, and then used the Floo Network to take her to The Three Broomsticks.
Hogsmeade was pleasantly quite, as it was Wednesday afternoon, and the only shoppers about were just locals running errands. Morrigan was able to pick up Draco's potions supplies, and the books he'd requested in about half an hour. She then Flooed back to her home in Ireland, mentally preparing herself to tell Draco she'd run into his father earlier that day.
When Morrigan stepped out of the fire-place, and into her living room, she found Draco leisurely draped across the sofa, casually reading on of his old Hogwarts' Potions text-book. A lump formed in her throat, and a knot in her stomach. How could she possibly tell Draco about her earlier encounter with Lucius, when he was sitting there looking more peaceful and contend than he had in weeks?
"Hey," Draco said, looking up from his book and smiling at her. "Get everything you needed?"
"Yeah, I did thanks," replied Morrigan. "My meeting at the Ministry went really well. Penelope Clearwater seemed really impressed with my proposal. She said she'll have to speak with the Minister of Magic about it first, but seemed hopeful I should be offered a position in the Department of Magical Accidents and Catastrophes soon. She said she'll send me an Owl once she's spoken to the Minister."
"Wow. That's great, Morrigan. I'm really pleased for you. After how hard you've been working recently, you deserve something good to come of your meeting," returned Draco with a broad smile.
"I also popped into St. Mungo's and asked about you supplying them with potions. Aidan Weatherby, the head Healer in the department of Potion and Plant Poisoning said that you should drop some examples of your potion making skills, and your Hogwarts examination certificates around to him as soon as possible, and then you can discuss the matter further. I told him that I'd pass the message on to you, and that I'd probably be bringing in the things he requires over the next few days or so," she informed him.
"Morrigan, I cannot thank you enough for doing that for me," said Draco genuinely. The last time he'd thanked her for something, he'd seemed to do so with a certain amount of reluctance. However, on this occasion, there was no hidden resentment or pride in Draco's voice, just legitimate gratitude.
"You're very welcome. Anything I can do to help you get back on your feet, just ask me. Oh, I also popped into Hogsmeade and picked up the Potions things you wanted," she informed, handing him the bags of ingredients and books.
"Thank you again, I really appreciate all your help," insisted Draco. "What do I owe you for them?"
"All together it came to five Galleons, three Sickles and eleven Knuts," Morrigan returned. "But how about we split the difference and call it even? I know I could use some of the things I brought for you too."
"Sure," he agreed, pulling out his coin bag and handing Morrigan a handful of gold. "So, did you do anything else interesting while you were out? You know, if I had more freedom, I'd have spent the whole afternoon in the Three Broomsticks."
Morrigan hesitated slightly, her palms beginning to sweat, and her heart racing. Should she tell him about her run-in with his father and ruin the moment?
Draco noticed her momentarily pause, and looked at Morrigan through narrowed eyes.
The Legilimency lessons his Aunt Bellatrix had given him a few years ago were enough for Draco to know she was covering something up. However, for some strange reason he didn't understand, he didn't delve further into Morrigan's mind to see what the exact problem was.
Morrigan faltered under Draco's penetrating gaze, torn between protecting him, and getting her encounter with Lucius out in the open.
"Well... I... erm...I-ran-into-your-father-today," she said finally, letting the last out as quickly as possible, so that it left her mouth all bunched together.
"What?" he barely whispered in reply. "When? Where?"
"I was just coming out of Penelope Clearwater's office, and had gotten into the elevator, when he stepped in behind me."
"What did he say to you? Did he recognize you from the last time you met? Did he say anything about me?"
Morrigan's stomach lurched when she saw the look of fear and desperation on Draco's face. If she told him now, it would ruin the peace and tranquillity they'd built since moving into her grandmother's house. However, if she wasn't honest with him – not only would that cast a massive cloud of mistrust over their friendship – but Draco would be forced to continue living in terror. Either way, she was doomed. What Morrigan had to decide was which option was best and least hurtful.
"Come on, Morrigan, please be honest with me about my father," prompted Draco.
The despair in his voice made up her mind, and she knew she had to tell him the truth. He deserved that much at least.
"Yes, he recognized me, and somehow he knows we're living together," she admitted finally. "He all but threatened me to tell him where you were. But fortunately, some Auror Ron Weasley stepped into the elevator just in time, and your father backed off."
Draco didn't even react to the mention of his former Hogwarts' enemy. Instead, his eyes glowed with an angry fire; the same hatred Morrigan had seen in those grey orbs on the night Draco had shown her his Dark Mark. The same sinister heat that she'd seen in Lucius Malfoy's eyes just hours ago.
Involuntarily, Morrigan flinched and took a few steps backwards, pushing herself up against the fireplace.
"He threatened you?" Draco bellowed, advancing on her slowly.
All Morrigan could do was nod her head.
"That's it! I've had enough of this and I'm not standing for it another second longer. I've got to do something about him, so that he stops tormenting me. It's bad enough that my father pretty much controls me every action, but threatening someone I care about is taking matters a step too far.
And with that, Draco swept out of the room, to the front door and strode out of the house.
Morrigan composed herself quickly, and thankfully caught up with Draco just as he reached the bottom of the drive-way, and was about to Apparate away.
"Where are you going?" she demanded.
"To have it out with my father," he insisted and then with a swish of his robes, turned on his heel and was about to vanish.
"Not without me, you don't," she protested, grabbing Draco's arm so that he had no choice but to take her with him.
A/N: Because a little shamelss self-promotion never hurt anyone, please feel free to check out my new fan fiction website, the link for which can be found on my profile. Thank, Wanda.