A/N- I know this is short and late, but I didn't see what else I could add to this chapter. I've also been reading some pretty great novels lately that I can't put down (The Shining, Wicked, Gone for Good). Thanks so much for the reviews and favs and follows. Feedback is always appreciated! :)

Chapter Nineteen

"Yeah, I warded the house," Hermione spoke into the phone, shuffling about the kitchen, "The strongest one's I know, yes… It's all taken care of, no need to worry… I'll see you tomorrow… bye,"

Orion swung his legs back and forth, his heel occasionally whacking a leg of the chair. The child smiled at his mother, who was busy preparing him an early dinner.

His mummy set a sandwich in front of him, as well as a tall glass of milk. Orion picked it up and nibbled at it, not particularly hungry. He wanted to play already, to go outside and spend time with Zoe. Zoe was his pretty friend, but she didn't like him much because she thought he had cooties. Cooties was such a three-year-old babyish thing to believe in (And Orion did not think they were real).

The boy glanced at his mother again. Something was off about her. She had been acting stranger and stranger since meeting up with his pretend daddy, her mind in another place. Orion was worried for his mother (she was his responsibility, after all. Someone had to protect her.)

Now she was resting against the counter, her head buried in her hands.

"What's wrong mummy?"

His mommy startled and looked at him, her kind brown eyes worried, "I've just gotten us into a mess, sweetie. I'm fine, don't be upset,"

"Did you spill milk on the carpet?" Orion asked, shuddering at the notion. That would take forever to get out.

His mommy laughed bitterly, "No, Ronnie, I haven't spilled milk,"

"How about orange juice?" Orion guessed, his brow furrowing, "That's not so bad,"

"It's not about the carpet, Orion!" His mum snapped, pushing a mass of brown hair out of her eyes, "We're like sitting ducks here, and we can't leave because of some… some… some egotistic jerk who's settled down in suburbia,"

Orion looked at his plate, studying the peanut butter sandwich. His chin trembled.

Don't cry, crying is a sign of weakness.

His mummy sighed, "I'm sorry. I'm just scared, sweetheart,"

"Of what, mummy?"

"Of… of…" Of spiders? Rats? Clowns? The Dark Place? The monster under the bed? "Of losing you. I love you too much, Ronnie, and I don't want you to ever get hurt,"

Those words puzzled Orion. What if he fell off the bed and bumped his knee?

"What if I trip when I'm playing and scrape myself?" Orion cocked his head to the side, confused. Little accidents, like scrapes and bruises, did happen. And mummy couldn't punish the ground or the floor…

"No, no, not like that. I meant if someone else hurts you… just come and tell me, huh sweetheart? I don't want you to be distressed,"

Orion wasn't sure what that meant, but he felt reassured. He took another bite of his sandwich, washing it down with now-warm milk.

X

Night had fallen. Shadows lengthened and street lights came on, their orange glows casting halos on anyone who walked through their beams. In an alleyway off of Birkley Street, a young woman shifted from foot to foot, as if waiting on someone. A car engine revved in the distance, causing the woman to flinch.

"Hello, Sasha," A teasing voice whispered. Sasha turned, her dark hair flying off her shoulders in haste. Standing there was a tall blonde man. He looked like someone who hadn't eaten properly in a long time; his pale skin sunken in on the cheeks, his clothes swallowing his torso up, his hair long lost its luster. But through all that he managed to look regal. His cold eyes investigated the litter-laden alley with disgust before finally settling on Sasha once more.

"Sasha," The woman mocked her name, "Right. Whatever you say, Lucius,"

The blonde rolled his eyes, "Stop whining, Nott. Do you have any idea how annoying it is?"

Sasha pouted, "But it's so weird turning into a bloody girl all the time!"

Lucius crossed his arms, leaning on the red brick wall next to him, "Whatever Nott. You're the one who signed up for the job,"

"I know," Sasha's voice began to sound like a spoiled teenager's, "Because I thought having boobs would be fun! But let's face it, bras are annoying, and that 'monthly gift' I heard about wasn't a present, Lucius. It was…" The Sasha imposter shuddered.

Shifting his weight so he could pull something, a flask, out of his pocket, Lucius sighed, "Listen kid, do your damn job—"

"I still don't get why we have to wait. I mean, they don't even know we're here! We attack Draco during his lunch break and Granger in her bed! Take the boy and leave! It's easy—"

"No," Growled Lucius, his eyes flashing silver, "I want to lure them into a sense of false security. Even more than they've got now. Don't question my motives, Nott, you are a mere pawn that can be easily replaced. I helped you because I knew your father, no other reason. If it wasn't for me, you'd be rotting in Azkaban,"

That shut the imposter up.

"We'll talk later, Bella needs me," The older man spoke after a moment. Nott nodded slowly, reproachfully. Lucius tossed the flask toward the girl (or boy, it all depends on viewpoint) who caught it easily.

"That should be sufficient for the next few days. You know what to do if it runs low. Keep an eye on Draco, but don't reveal your identity. I will not have you mess this up for me. Don't go getting into trouble, and whatever you do, don't screw up," Lucius commanded, his dark robes rustling in a warm breeze.

With a loud crack in the quiet night, he was gone.