Chapter 5: Apparitions and More
DISCLAIMER: HP belongs to JKR. The storyline and all new characters, new character development, new developments are my intellectual property.
A/N I am currently considering which stories I will continue. I will measure the stories success and reach based on hits and reviews. It is up to the readers to decide if you all like the story enough. I need to gauge the success to decide where to invest my time. Meanwhile, I will continue my effort. Be well.
Apparitions and More
Lucius needed to cool off. He had wanted to incinerate the younger wizards, with a flame burning down his throat, so he ran out the place.
I told you, how could you decide to bring more competition. You need to go to the mental healer. The narrator grumped.
Lucius had nothing to say, the narrator was right.
He was going to investigate the island, near the abandoned building. The old structure was inside a bubble.
Just checking an idea, maybe he would find hidden documents, or a clue. He wanted to wait for Miss Granger, so this would only be a survey.
It was evident that the place had been left in a hurry.
It was eerie, the old time furniture, the potions lab full of antique boxes, everything was dust free, even the plants were fresh, frozen.
It was a time bubble, even the left over shoes left by entrance, all were from long ago. The strangest room was the potions lab. It was gigantic, with doors proportional to its size.
Over a table he found a dainty tea cup, the tea pot next to it. The tea had long enough cooled, near by, he saw a tin.
He opened it and smiled, "Biscuits, Scottish shortbread." They smelled fresh; he pinched a corner and tasted, "I must bring them to Perdu, I detect lavender, tasty."
A book, no writing, "Hmm," he noticed the top pages were missing, he shrank all the items on the table and placed them in a satchel.
He was leaving the building, there were too many rooms, he needed to come with Miss Granger. Thinking about her conjured the wizards holding her, and again felt the heat up his throat.
"Yes, yes, say it, I must feel something, who am I fooling? I brought them along. You are right, I am not very smart."
He stopped, someone was there, he could feel eyes watching him.
He looked around and saw what he thought was a ghost. He moved a little and concentrated. The apparition gained mass, became more solid.
It was Miss Granger, not quite, the face narrower, the hair lighter brown, the clothes, Muggle, or robes? He couldn't decide; she was dressed 'funny,' "Oh, Tante Ursas, is that you?"
The figure nodded emphatically and got closer, now he could hear a faint voice. All at once it turned darker, in the sky a large body was coming towards the ghostly apparition, it looked like a large bird of prey.
Ursas looked very afraid, "No, don't let him come closer. Don't leave me! If you can really see me, you should know that I am still here…Help, help," she seemed terrified.
Lucius looked in abject fascination. He felt the heat rise inside, hotter, and hotter.
The flying beast was almost upon the screaming apparition. He couldn't stand still and let it happen, so he ran towards it.
The 'ghost' for lack of better words, saw his action and turned to run to meet him.
The not so ghostly beast was right above her, the claws ready to swoop her, when Lucius opened his mouth and a flame shut right out of it, a very large blue flame which hit the beast on its side.
Lucius nearly fainted when the beast turned its neck towards him. It was a face out of a nightmare, almost a mythical dragon, but not really. Didn't look either like the dragons from the reserves.
It was hideous; his face was deformed. It was melting, oozing, nearly an skull; out the eye socket, something dripped. The one eye looked at him, it was colorless, nearly human, but it looked malevolent.
"Nobody takes her from me, not then, not now. Nobody cheats me. SHE IS MINE! Fucking leave or be ready to die." The voice boomed.
This made Lucius angry, his Tante looked panicky, "Save me," he heard that perfectly. And, now, she looked 100% solid.
He looked at the monster now suspended in the air. It couldn't reach her, apparently stopped by an invisible barrier.
She noticed this and ran away, from both the beast and Lucius, into the nothing. He saw it, an open door appeared from nowhere, an entrance into a green place.
Someone was waiting for her, "Hurry, we cannot keep it open for long, run," she was nearly there when the beast took flight to stop her.
Lucius in warrior mode took his wand and pulled out the sword, ready to act. The next instance, out the corner of his eye, he saw another shadow and heard beastly roars.
"What now?" He exclaimed as all dissapeared; in the next instance everything was gone.
He stood still. He wasn't scared; he had come prepared, but perhaps not for what had just transpired.
Lucius wasn't dressed in wizarding garb; it was too warm on the island. He wore knee length kaki pants, a long sleeve linen tunic, knee length socks, short boots, and a white panama hat.
He looked a mix of an explorer and a warrior, carrying a machete, a sword, a bow, a quiver, and two satchels. The machete, sword, bow and arrows, as well as the long knife under the larger satchel, were magically enhanced.
Yes, he was ready to defend himself; he knew that he would die if he carried only a wand and lost it. A Malfoy was always ready.
He rubbed his eyes, "Bloody hell, I have lost it." He waited for the narrator, not a peep.
Instead he felt a nudge on his head, and he followed the line of vision on the nudge's direction, something gleamed under the sun. He ran worried that 'it' would also disappear.
On the ground, he found a pair of gold round specs, next to it, a singed piece of, what was it? He wasn't taking chances, he pointed his wand, and pulled a pouch out of the one empty satchel. He didn't want to put it with his other findings.
He placed the singed piece of stinking of burnt flesh, into the bag, which he placed inside a small container, and reduced it.
Finally, he cast a protective spell before dropping it into the empty satchel. The specs he picked up, with his hand, noticing the brown-golden curly hairs still attached.
The specs were made of pure gold, he admired them and tried them on, "Darn, Tante is blind as a bat," he chuckled.
A step farther, he saw a long strip of cloth. He made a face, he picked it up with the tip of his machete. It was a scarf made out thin linen, tied in a bow. He remembered Ursas' old portrait, "Ah, yes she tied her hair with one."
He took took it with his hand, put it up to his nose, smelled it, "Freesias and lavender," and he put it around his neck.
For the specs, he conjured a chain to hang them from his neck as well, It occurred that she might need them wherever she was at, he shrugged his shoulders. "If you need them, come back to get them," as if this would happen.
He walked around the area, placed magic markers on each location and left.
He missed several pairs of eyes glowing and following his steps.
The lost witch.
Later that evening, a ship wreck washed ashore. Out of a basket, two yapping mops came out. Harry and Ron heard the ruckus. The mops were two small dogs, by the looks of them nearly drowned; they were running towards shore.
Soon pieces of wood littered the beach. They saw a body, a young Muggle. From they could see, she appeared to be either a child or in her low teens.
When they came closer, they saw her glowing with powerful magic. Her hair was a long tangled mess; she could have been aboard a ship navigating the oceans of the pocket. There were other islands and places, owned by hisfamily…and maybe others.
Seemingly, Lucius] had no problem with the dogs. He didn't recognize the breed, but he could tell that they were magical. They floated at will, mostly to look for a lap, for now, that would change, according to Lucius.
They took to Lucius at once, following him everywhere. He claimed ownership, assuming that the pups didn't belong to the young female.
"They cannot be hers if they want to be with others," was his faulty and convenient logic. "They have the right to choose their master. "
Consequently, they now wore thin collars in order to hang a magic coin, to trace them; the coin was stamped with the Malfoy's crest.
L'roy liked them, he recognized that they were hiding a beast; no matter, he usually liked canines. Nobody knew his demonly form, maybe he liked them for a reason.
The pups sat with their heads on Lucius' lap, while he scratched their heads and fed them fresh cooked chicken.
The others laughed at his acceptance of the beasts, "You are hogging the puppies. Quit feeding them and give everyone else a chance," Adrian-Dragon admonished him, half serious.
The dogs were puppies; Muctis estimated them to be around seven months or less.
"Don't be absurd, they like me best, nothing to do with the food." He answered confidently. The pups agreed beating their tails; one climbed on his chest to lick his chin, in order to further demonstrate its allegiance to their chosen master.
Ron watched with fascination, Mr. Darkness might be human after all; he was letting a dog lick his face, and he chuckled afterwards, amazing. He shook his head, more than once; Harry noticed his friend and had to control a guffaw.
At least the puppies made it better, they were fun to watch. The wolfhounds also liked the female pups. The hounds had been neutered, magically, so all was well.
The pups were a hit, and they knew it, for now they were behaving, it wouldn't last, they were puppies.
Lucius, Dragon and the Witch
Hermione looked at Lucius and remembered their kiss. It made her warm inside contibuting to her inner turmoil; she was feeling at odds.
Adrian, who now wanted to be called Dragon, his mother's nickname, was further confusing her. He was Draco, mostly, still fluctuating, albeit now much less often.
Bill hadn't been able to remove the glamour. "Mr. Malfoy, I am nearly certain that it has to do something with both of you."
Hermione's feelings for Adrian were back, maybe they had never been gone. She hardly thought about Draco, mostly because it hurt too much.
Lucius had kept a secret, one he did because Adriana demanded it. They had 'married' under the Samhain moon by the old stone, she gave him her virginity on top of the altar, and they had mixed their blood, an old ritual.
By having the Malfoy heir, Adrian, his marriage to Narcissa was a sham. The Black sisters knew it. He remembered that night.
He held Adriana in his arms, their bodies still joined; he was hard again. "I love you so much, you know it, right? If you get pregnant, you don't have to be afraid, because you will become my wife. I hope you are." He kissed her neck, "Nobody will be able to stop us. I cannot believe that I am here with you." He moved inside and moaned. "My love, I love you."
He felt as if they were being watched, they were. The Black sisters, invited to the Manor, must have followed right behind, they had done it in order to breach the wards into the family grounds.
Unfortunately, they must have witnessed everything. He separated from her and conjured a cover over them.
"I know you two are out there, I can sense you." He couldn't tell them that he could smell them, it would sound strange. Hell, it was strange to him.
"Leave now, and know that you'll never be back."
Bella came out from the shadows, "I wouldn't be so sure. By the way, your ritual is worthless, I will make sure of that."
She had been right; less than three months later he was married to Narcissa. Furthermore, Adriana was already Pucey's wife; they had married three weeks after Lucius had made love to Adriana, for the first and last time.
Had he known that she carried the Malfoy heir, he wouldn't have kept quiet. Moreover, his father would had stood by him.
It was time to change the past, and he'd made a decision.
"Miss Granger, Dragon, we need to talk," he didn't want to call him Dragon, to him he was Adrian, but he wanted to respect him. So Adriana had named him Draco, honoring his wish. He hadn't known, it had been Adriana's secret.
The room occupants looked up.
"Mr. Weasley would you leave us alone and have Perdu fix a pitcher of lemonade and a light repass, please close the door." Bill nodded and left with alacrity.
The puppies, L'Roy and the hounds heard Perdu's name and followed right behind him; they knew that the kitchen was the best place to hang out; the place was barred to them unless a human opened the door, and smartly, they never missed a chance.
Once Bill had left, Lucius asked the pair to move to the couch, waited for the pitcher and the food.
Once they were settled, he started, "I would like to announce Dragon publicly, particularly with Draco at large. He knows about this island; albeit that he was never here, he might be able to find it and possibly reach it."
He noticed that Hermione's mien changed.
"Sorry but you need to know. It could happen since the grounds still recognize him as my heir. It doesn't matter who fathered him, he is my son. However, he isn't my heir, but I need to declare it, to make it so."
Out his pocket he pulled out a locket, inside they could see small balls. He pulled one out, the one glowing dark green.
"This was made the night you were made. Miss Granger, before you judge, it is blood magic, but nobody died for it besides a piece of tissue. It is made with spilled virginal blood."
She blushed realizing what else was mixed, he shook his head with exasperation. Afterwards, he told them a sanitized version of that night.
"So Adrian, I mean Dragon is really your heir? He is Malfoy? And wait, your marriage to Narcissa was a sham?"
"Yes, but that would hurt Adrian's younger siblings, who will be arriving tomorrow; I want them safe. If this is known, they won't be able to be legal heirs. Adri, I mean Drago, err, never mind, I can claim as my heir, is my right."
He looked at both to see if they were agreeing.
"I can say Adriana and I were promised; a promise bond makes him legal. For the grounds and Malfoy magic to work and protect him and us, he needs to be 'declared' as my heir. Son, would you do me the honor to become a Malfoy in name?"
Adrian knew it to be right, his parents, Lucius and Adriana had paid enough. "Yes father."
Lucius face transformed, he felt total joy and peace, "Thanks my son, you were made with true love under the Samhain's moon," he pulled the wand, pointed it to the ball, and a red cloud enveloped Adrian.
They heard an angry scream, followed by a soft voice. "You are your father's son. I can now rest and go." Both father and son felt a kiss on their cheeks, smelled Adriana's gardenia's perfume, and then, it was gone.
Lucius didn't care who saw him, he hugged Adrian, his eyes were moist, "Welcome my son." Out his pocket he pulled a ring, the house ring, "Draco has one, but as a second son, his ring no longer gives him free access. Not unless you or I make it so."
He smiled sadly. He didn't like doing this to Draco, but he had no choice. He would hurt the witch, and that wasn't an option.
He looked at Hermione, "Miss Granger I have researched this extensively, please think carefully; the only way to make sure you are safe from him, considering that he is so unstable, is for you to be married to us, both my son and I," he looked at Dragon-Adrian.
"Dragon is still promised to Miss Begrand, so for now, you marry me. It is the only way. The moment we are married, I will declare the Malfoy Lady of the Manor Clause with Adrian's permission. It will make it impossible for Dragon to be with anyone else but you, unless I agree, and vice-versa. This way he can be free to be with us, and he will be able to leave his pre-contract."
She stood there, speechless. Adrian-Dragon's heart was beating disorderly. He thought that he had heard incorrectly.
"Of course, I have a solution to Adrian's, err, Dragon's dilemma. He will become Draco. We will be gone for a few months, during that time 'Draco,' will 'gain' weight, and thru the island's magic he will change somewhat. Tests will further demonstrate that he is my son. Hopefully we'll find Draco before that time."
He leaned back and closed his eyes for a second.
"If I am right, Weasley has discovered how to see who is behind Draco. I will still acknowledge him as my son, to me he is and will be my son. Sadly, the healers told me that his madness incurable, and they think he is very dangerous."
He saw the witch cringe, and wished he could comfort her.
" Draco isn't cursed; something was already happening, it was a matter of time before it became obvious to everyone. Many Blacks ended up as permanent residents at Mungo's and other places. I still hope to save him.,Albeit, I don't know how I cannot lose hope."
He looked defeated; he still loved his little Draco, now long gone. What a sad mess, Draco was another victim of the Black sisters, how many more?
"But what happens to Adrian, the Pucey's son?"
"He must 'die' in an accident."
"I'd guessed that, it will make many sad, but I agree with my father, what else can we do?"
"It must happen before your brother and sister arrive. By the way, you must wear a glamour over, cannot risk it. Your sister might be prudent, but your brother, at eleven, is a little young. Maybe we can play it by ear."
"So, Miss dear Granger," he moved closer to her. Shamelessly, he held her hand, while reaching over her to pull Adrian's hand under hers. Atta boy, finally a wise decision. I cannot wait. Ah, the narrator was back, "What will it be?"
She blushed, "Before I accept to do this. Is this a pretend marriage, err, until this blows off?" She left her between the larger two hands. It felt good.
Both Malfoy looked at her, "No," both said in unison, looking like the Malfoy predators they were.
"Kitten, our marriages must be, ahem, consummated before the next sunrise," Adrian-Dragon had a moment of fleeting compassion and a bit of unhappiness.
It was somehow wrong to force this upon her. That feeling of fairness quickly went away, he only had to remember that he would also marry her. It had to happen within days after Lucius declared the Lady of the Manor's clause, before a full moon cycle. He waited with bated breath.
"My son is right, what will it be?" He smiled like a hungry beastl
A/N this is truly a mistery, a different take from most.