Disclaimer: The Harry Potter Series (1997-2007) and any characters and original locations within the books belong to JK Rowling. I own my original characters and my plot twists. I am not trying to pass any of these characters or copyrighted ideas off as my own and therefore it isn't plagiarism or copyright infringement.

Chapter Eight – The Screeching Walburga Black nee Black

Leo spent the next three days assisting with cleaning the Black Family Home, which those staying at number Twelve, Grimmauld Place had been doing since they each arrived. The house was in disarray as it had been abandoned for ten years, since Sirius' Mother Walburga died at the young age of sixty, six years after her beloved son Regulus, her husband Orion, and brother Cygnus' deaths, and four years after her disowned son Sirius landed in Azkaban. Everyone had to take care and be quiet in the entry hall because her vial portrait was affixed to the wall with a Permanent Sticking Charm. They kept the ugly thing covered by a curtain.

On the third day he was busy cleaning the library with Hermione, Ron, and Ginny who were still avoiding Hedwig. The bird was chasing Ron and Hermione around pecking at them left and right. As the cleaned, they were careful not to touch any overlooked Dark Arts books. They dusted, cleaned, and scrubbed the remaining layers of filth from the unused surfaces of the room. He walked down the hall when he heard the unfriendly drawl of Professor Snape. The one and only spy for the order who had rubbed him the wrong way last year when he met him at Hogwarts for the first time. Though there was something about the man that peaked Leo's curiosity. He approached the sneering man, "Professor Snape, I know you're here on important business, but do you think we could have a quick discussion before the meeting starts?"

His usually indifferent tone sounded, "I guess."

Leo walked back into the library with Snape on his tail. He turned and shut the door, "I guess I just wondered what Lucius was like at Hogwarts. I know that you both were Slytherin and I was wondering if you ever bumped into him. I've seen how harsh he can be with Draco for not surpassing Hermione in exam scores or class rank. Part of me wants to believe that he's not evil or purposefully a cruel man, and that he might actually love my mother and brother, but I mean he wanted to kill me as a baby because I was weak. A part of me just hates him."

Snape's face didn't betray a thing like any Occlumens, "He was a seventh year Prefect for Slytherin when I was a first year. Lucius was the first person to-" he cleared his throat. "Yes, well your father and I were in the same social circles even though he graduated at the end of my first year."

"Yes but you had to be close enough for him to make you Draco's godfather," Leo pushed. He shouldn't care about the man who wanted him dead, but something told him there was a redeeming quality to the man. Sure he could be despicable, harsh, and held Draco to higher than expected expectations, but there was something hidden in his gray eyes that hinted at the love he had for his wife and son.

"Leo, I cannot have this discussion with you right now. The others will arrive soon. I must go," he left the room with his long black robes flying behind him and shut the door.

He grumbled, "You couldn't possibly tell me a damn thing before rushing out of here?"

He went back to the book filled shelves of the library wondering what other delights he'd find. He had to find something to take his mind off his father's love for his family. He wanted to better understand the father he never knew. He felt more alone in that library than he had his years hidden away in a cottage in the south of France. There he had Elaine and Luke who treated him like their son. He felt loved, but here in the ancestral home of the Nobel House of Black, he felt more alone than ever.

He looked up from his book when he heard a loud crash down the hallway connecting the library with the main entrance alone with the kitchen and the other main floor rooms. He opened the library door and walked toward the stairs and the noise. He heard his clumsy cousin apologize. The moth eaten curtains covering his great aunt's portrait flew open. The horrible woman screamed awaking many of the other portraits that howled as well.

He watched hidden in the hallway entrance near the stairs as Lupin and Molly rushed forward and attempted to cover the old woman's portrait but failed. The woman brandished claws in an attempt to scratch both of their faces off, but luckily a portrait didn't have that power. So instead she started spewing her verbal vomit, "Filth! Scum! By-products of dirt and vileness! Half-breeds, mutants, freaks, begone from this place! How dare you befoul the house of my fathers-"*

Dora continued to apologize profusely as she picked up the severed troll leg umbrella stand off the floor that she must've knocked over. Molly had given up on the curtains as they wouldn't budge and the portrait continued to shriek like a banshee. Soon the racket was enough to cause Sirius to bound out of the kitchen yelling, "Shut up, you horrible old hag, shut UP!"* He quickly grabbed hold of the abandoned curtain.

The old woman's yellow's eyes rolled and her grotesque features turned more sinister, "Yooou!" She howled, "Blood traitor, abomination, shame of my flesh!"*

Sirius yelled, "I said – shut – UP!"* He and Lupin pulled on the curtains with a great effort and finally managed to close them.

He turned to face the observant group, "Hello, Harry," and added grimly, "I see you've met my mother."*

Harry looked at Sirius with a raised eyebrow, "Your-?"*

"Yeah my mother, and we've been trying to get that portrait of her down but I fear she's affixed it to the wall with a Permanent Sticking Charm.* I guess it's her way of getting back at me for all my permanently affixed Gryffindor banners and muggle posters. That horrible woman, well we better get down stairs before they all wake back up!"

Harry turned toward the stairs and noticed Leo standing in the alcove near the stairs, "Malfoy! What are you doing here?"

Leo held his hands up in defense, "It's not what you think. I'm not Draco."

Harry's brows furrowed, "Leo?" He nodded his head yes. "Leo, what are you doing here? I thought you were returning to France."

Leo smiled walking forward and patting him on the back, "You see Harry. That's a long story, and perhaps we should head downstairs before that horrible great aunt of mine wakes back up."

They all went through the door Sirius had run through, which had a narrow stone staircase leading to the basement Kitchen. Arthur and Bill Weasley were huddled over the long wooden table. Leo was used to the look of the kitchen with the hanging pots and the light in the room that came from the large fire place. The room was a haze of pipe smoke and the table was littered with parchments, goblets, empty wine bottles, and what were probably napkins that resembled rags. He couldn't help but roll his eyes and think about how messy the Order members really were and it wasn't like the resident house elf would be doing any of the cleaning. He walked over to the table and began clearing it off, but didn't touch any of the parchment as the long haired Bill was busy rolling them up.

Harry ignored Leo at the moment as he partook in pleasantries with Arthur, Sirius, and Bill. Molly began ordering the members of the household who'd been there for a bit. She was soon yelling at the twins for using magic at every turn and irresponsibly at that. Dinner was finished quickly and everyone was busy talking. He was sitting next to Dora as she changed her appearance for all of them like she did every night. He looked over at Harry and noticed that he was focusing on the conversation going on between Bill and Arthur.

Soon dinner was over and the next great battle went on. Sirius had to be his usual self and ask Harry why he hadn't asked about what Voldemort is up to, which lead to Molly telling him to stop because Harry was too young. She was busy mollycoddling the boy when Leo could tell Harry was frustrated from being kept out of the loop for a month.

"I think Harry ought to be allowed a say in this," Lupin advised, "He's old enough to decide for himself."*

Harry spoke up, "I want to know what's been going on."*

"Very well," Molly agreed before turning to the rest of them. She pointed, "Ginny, Leo, Ron, Hermione, Fred, and George, I want all of you out of the kitchen now."

The somewhat quiet kitchen exploded in an uproar where the twins complained that they were of age. Ron shouted that if Harry could stay why couldn't he and added that Harry would tell him and Hermione anyway. Ginny pleaded to stay even though she was the youngest, and Leo crossed his arms and raised an eyebrow, "Molly, you're a lovely person, but you're not my guardian. I think my cousin Tonks is quite capable of deciding for me, or my Aunt Dromeda."

Sirius snapped, "Don't start showing that Malfoy arrogance now!"

Leo bowed his head, "Sorry, but I want to know."

Harry's eyebrows rose, "Malfoy, I thought your surname is Rosier."

Leo shrugged, "Like I said, it's a long story. But to make a long story short, I'm Draco's twin that had a weak constitution as a baby. My father wanted me dead, so Tonks and her mother Obliviated my existence from my parents, and had me grow up in France away from my family for my protection."

The room went quiet for a moment before Molly huffed, "Fine I cannot stop all of you from staying; however, Ginny you must leave!"

Ginny was quite upset with being left out of the discussion and went up the stairs quite loudly causing Walburga's portrait to screech once more. The conversation didn't continue until Lupin came back from silencing the portrait once more. Leo shook his head wondering if he could find a solution or some sort or a way to counteract the charm. He had something new to research if it would rid the place of that pesky portrait of that vial woman.

They then started answering Harry's questions. Voldemort hadn't tried anything yet except for trying to gain followers. Harry messed up his plan as he survived and told Dumbledore that he returned, so he no longer had the element of surprise. Dumbledore was in trouble with the ministry for speaking out that Voldemort had return and the Minister was deranged thinking that he would to take his job. So, the Minister had the Daily Profit discount everything that Dumbledore and Harry said about his return. The Order was trying to gather more members as well. They were preparing for the war and guarding a weapon that Voldemort was after and that he didn't have before, but before they could go more into what the weapon could be Molly stepped in and Lupin agreed that they'd shared enough with Harry. Leo just watched, took in the information, and tried to piece things together. He knew whatever they were keeping from them was important. He continued to think about it as they were all shooed off to bed. He followed the twins up to their room and prepared for bed.

Draco stared down at the thick transfiguration text. Even though he excelled in the subject, he'd grown to dislike it ever since that Auror Mad-Eye transfigured him into a ferret. He understood the advantage of becoming a Animagus or transfiguring one's appearance as a disguise. He was getting sick of being Draco Malfoy and sometimes wished he could be a different person and escape the stress his father put on him. He knew his father was sometimes harsh with his punishments, but deep down his father loved him and his mother. The Dark Lord returning had Lucius frightened, and the proud man Draco knew was now in a position of servitude.

Draco shut the book and pulled out the most recent potions journal. Potions was his favorite and strongest subject. Sure Granger even beat him in that class, but it was only by a hair. His father had been wiz at potions as well, and was even in some special club when he was in school. Draco tried to remember what his father had said. That's right when he went to school there it was before Snape was a student and their head of the house was also the professor of Potions. His name was Slughorn and was the founder of the Slug club. Apparently the teacher was motivated by fame and power and he chose the special students he thought would be powerful in the future. He sighed; at least he didn't have to worry about his father expecting him to be a part of some special club as that teacher was no longer at Hogwarts.

He left the books on the table in the library and walked toward his bed. He would be starting his fifth year shortly and he had to decide what he wanted to do with the rest of his life. Sure his family was wealthy and it was likely he'd inherit the fortune someday, but his father expected him to do something. "Ah yes with the Dark Lord's return," he muttered. He's probably expected to become a Death Eater like his father and his father probably expected him to become some Ministry official as well.

An interesting thought came to mind and he smirked. What if he decided to spite his father and break tradition by becoming an Auror, but did he really want to put himself in danger like that chasing after Death Eaters? Plus it was a difficult job to get requiring high NEWT scores and three years of training after Hogwarts. Perhaps he'd be better served as a healer but then again that required high O.W.L scours too. No, he had the bedside manner of a rabid dog. The thoughts twisted and formed an interesting possibility, he could be a spy. But which side would he spy for? He chuckled reaching his bedroom suite and undressing for bed. They expect him to be a death eater, so if he wanted to be a spy he'd have to spy for the good doers, which meant Dumbledore. He rubbed his eyes climbing into bed. Falling to sleep whispering, "Damn that goody clone of mine has got me thinking about abandoning my ambition for power and becoming a hero like some Gryffindor."

Leo chuckled realizing that his memory spell must've worked as Draco was concentrating on studying and no longer obsessed with his family trees. He was a bit surprised that his brother was contemplating career paths that Gryffindors and Hufflepuffs would consider. Perhaps there was hope for his brother after all. "Healer Malfoy," he spoke aloud as he stood in his incorporeal form next to Draco's bed. "Now that's something I'd like to see, but you'd have to have a major personality realignment to pursue that one. You do have the strength in potions for it but are lacking in Herbology." He giggled, "Now Auror Malfoy would be a force to reckon with, but then again you'd have to work with Harry Potter because we all know he's destined to be one. You do have strong dueling skills, but would you really want to hunt down your father's associates and possibly even him."

Draco's gray eyes popped open, "Who's there mocking me from the shadows?"

"Great, now you can hear me." Leo thought quickly and realized it was a wonderful opportunity to influence Draco. "You never answered me before grandson when I tried to speak to you. I was just wondering why you were thinking about breaking tradition and following a path no Malfoy has followed before you."

Draco sat up eyes wide looking around for the body connected to the disembodied voice, "You're not my grandfather and you know it. You're voice is too young to be either of my grandfathers. Also it's familiar, but how could you be here to mock me when you're supposed to be in France?"

Leo laughed, "It's because I'm a dream walker Draco, meaning I travel in a spirit form when I sleep. So were you really thinking about your future career choices?"

He shrugged, "Well, we're starting our fifth year so we really only have about three years before we're trusted into the real world. My father will expect me to do something with my life, so I might as well start thinking about it since we have the O.W.L.s this year."

"So you're honestly considering being a Healer, an Auror, or a Spy? Why haven't you added curse breaker or a ministry official to your list?"

"I don't think a desk job really suits me and I'm not really that good at cruse breaking, nor do I have the Gryffindor bravery to attempt it. There's always being an Unspeakable for the Department of Mysteries, but what would I study? Or I could always give being a professional Quidditch player a try," her furrowed his brow in thought.

"Well, I guess you should make sure you do well enough on your O.W.L.s, so that you can continue on to N.E.W.T. level classes in the subjects you require. Hmm, maybe I'll be an Unspeakable. I know what I'd like to study in the Department of Mysteries. Well, I'm sure you could always become a potions master. Oh and if you really want to be a spy, you could always try to become an Animagus. Wouldn't you want to turn into a ferret at will?"

"Ha, ha, another Amazing Bouncing Ferret joke! I guess yours would be a lion since your name is Leo."

"Well, probably since my Patronus is one," Leo shrugged.

"So you can cast that handy little charm to protect you from Dementors. What do you scream like a baby when their around as well?"

"If you're going to be a git, I think I'll be off. Maybe you should follow in your father's footsteps and commit yourself to a life of servitude under Lord Voldemort!" Leo noticed Draco's shiver at the mention of the returned dark wizard as he disappeared from Malfoy Manor.

A/N: I find it interesting that nowhere does it state what Draco chose do when he left Hogwarts other than he was a defected death eater and that his family was saved from being sent to Azkaban since none of them fought during the final battle. I'm still trying to figure out who's going to end up with whom, and I know I wrote EWE on this fiction but I might change that later.

*All of this dialog is quoted from the last page of four and most of chapter five of The Order of the Phoenix (2003) and thus belongs to JK Rowling, pages 78-90 in my copy respectively.