Chapter 17
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Draco woke up from a restless sleep, and sat up on the uncomfortable bunk of his Ministry cell. Rubbing his eyes, he looked out the bars into the hall, as he heard someone coming. Jumping to his feet, he moved to the door, pushing his face through the bars so he could see down the hall.
"Hey! You useless lump! I demand a better mattress or a Cushioning Spell! These beds are a disgrace! I'm losing sleep and it's ruining my complexion!" He yelled, fully expecting results.
The Aurors on duty moved to the front of his cell, and stopped, another prisoner in shackles behind them. Auror Smithers cast aShock Spell at the bars, causing Draco to jump back and glare. "Hey! How dare you!"
"Well, your Royal Highness," Smithers snapped sarcastically, "we unfortunately are fresh out of feather mattresses, and our official 'caster of Cushioning Spells' is on holiday! So I guess you are out of luck! Now sit down and shut your gob!"
Auror Duncan rolled his eyes as they turned to open the cell across from Draco's. "Merlin! It's been weeks! Doesn't the spoilt little queen ever stop carrying on! I'll be glad when his arse goes to Azkaban!"
"In there with you!" Smithers pushed the prisoner into the cell, spelling away the shackles after he locked the door. "If you know what's good for you, you'll be much quieter and more cooperative than Princess Malfoy over there!"
The two Aurors headed back down the hall, talking between themselves about their plans for the weekend. Draco approached the bars again and peered through, looking into the other cell. The other person had their head turned away and were hunched into a small lump in the corner of their bunk.
"So, what did they haul you in for?" There was no response from the other cell. "Hey! I'm talking to you! You could at least have the courtesy to answer me, or are you one of those useless Mudbloods with no manners!?"
"Bugger off!" Growled the other person, another man, obviously, judging by the voice.
"How dare you speak to me in that manner! You're lucky there are bars between us! And--and-- I have no wand! Or I'd--"
The other man suddenly was standing at the bars of his own cell, glaring daggers at Draco. "Or What! You'll Beat ME HALF TO DEATH like you did to Harry Potter! Your OWN BONDED! You disgusting excuse for a wizard! He's too good for the likes of you! You aren't fit to wipe his arse!!" Creevey yanked and rattled the bars in angry frustration as he continued to glare at Draco, his voice lower, but no less angry. "He deserves to be with someone who will appreciate him, take care of him--treat him as the special person he is, that has absolutely nothing to do with killing Voldie!"
Draco's jaw had dropped as soon as he'd gotten a good look at the other man. It was almost like looking in a mirror, but not quite. The other man's resemblance to him was eerie to say the least. It took him a few moments to compose himself again once the yelling had stopped.
"Who the hell are you?!" He straightened his prison robe and stuck his nose haughtily into the air, as he glared back coldly. "And why do you resemble a bad imitation of a Malfoy?! Miss a masquerade ball perhaps? Your costumer should be Crucio'd."
He'd been totally unnerved by the other man's appearance and likeness to his own, but he wasn't about to let him know that. "And what business is my bonded of yours, anyway? Absolutely none! Because he belongs TO ME!"
"But that's not what I hear." Snarled Creevey. "Your bond is no more. I heard the guards talking. Between the beatings, abuse, and theDark Spells you cast on him, it voided your bonding contract. So, Harry is free. Free to be with someone who will appreciate him. So, you see--he IS my business!" Creevey looked down then, dejected. "Or he would have been..."
"No! He's still mine! Still my husband!" Narrowing his eyes, he watched the other man's countenance change. "What do you mean by 'would have been'?! Who are you? And what do you have to do with my husband?!"
Creevey turned and shuffled back to his bunk, again curling up in the corner of it against the wall, his back to Draco. He began muttering to himself, Draco only catching a word or two here and there.
"Hey! Get back here! Tell me what you mean! Now!"
A strong voice suddenly echoed down the hall, as another Shock Charm hit the bars of Draco's cell. "Shut your gob Princess, before I come down there and use you for wand practice!!"
Draco released an angry sigh and flopped back on his bunk, knowing full well how far he could push the Aurors before incurring their wrath.
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Lucius entered his study, parchments in hand and nodded to Severus who was sitting by the fire, enjoying his second cup of morning tea. He noticed Lucius' concerned expression as the blond perused the top parchment again before laying it in his desk and crossing the room to pour himself another cuppa.
A dark elegant eyebrow rose. "What is it, Luc?"
Lucius settled into the other leather chair as he stirred his tea. "Draco's trial in front of the Wizengamot has been scheduled for next week. His solicitor has already been contacted."
Severus nodded. "What about Creevey?"
The day after Creevey's arrest, he'd been interrogated and Kingsley had contacted the Malfoy's to let them know his identity. Everyone had been shocked, to say the least, except for Ron, Hermione, and Neville. They'd remembered the young man's obsession with Harry in school.
"His hearing is at the end of this week. Apparently, the Aurors placed him in a cell across from Draco and there have been several screaming matches between the two. It was decided to keep their hearings several days apart."
Severus' eye glittered in amusement. "It must have been a sight to behold."
Lucius just shook his head. "I will be relieved when this is over. The outcome will be sad, no matter the decision. Harry's safety is the priority now."
Severus' expression sobered. "I apologize Luc. I love my godson as much as you do, but I have watched his wild behavior for the seven years he was at Hogwarts. Nothing much surprises me anymore where he is concerned."
Cissa entered the room, giving each of them a small smile, as she placed a large bouquet of flowers on the table in the corner by the windows.
Psych-Healer Ruffino has just finished her session with Harry, and will be coming down to give us an update on his progress."
Severus' attention moved completely to the woman approaching where they sat. He sat up straighter and set down his cup, as he glanced at the doors to the hall. He'd spent considerable time with Harry since the attack, going along with Sebastian to visit with the young man. His son's attachment for Harry had only grown stronger, and he was realizing his emotional pull toward the young man had grown as well. He found himself hoping strongly that the prognosis was positive. He found he missed the spark that had begun to show in the young man's eyes, before Creevey's attack. It had only begun appearing again slowly and a bit more frequently as time went on.
One of the house elves appeared with a fresh tea tray and a plate of scones and breakfast pastries, as Narcissa sat gracefully on the small settee. Lucius rose from his seat and moved to join her, leaving his chair free for the Psych-Healer.
"Good morning, everyone!"
The house elf disappeared, and three heads turned to see Kendra Ruffino enter the room and move quickly to take the empty seat. Accepting a cup of tea from Narcissa, she settled back for the discussion she was about to initiate.
"I know you are anxious to know Harry's progress." She set her cup down on the table near her elbow. "As you are aware, it has been approximately eleven weeks since Harry was attacked in Diagon Alley. Considering all he has been through, cumulatively, he is doing well."
Lucius leaned forward. "Had you expected him to have made more progress by now, then?"
Before she could answer, the doors opened again to admit Ron Weasley, looking a bit bleary and ragged around the edges. By the time he reached them, Narcissa was holding out a cup of tea and motioning him to the other settee. He nodded in thanks and took several sips of the tea, before leaning back with a sigh.
"Up all night again, Mr. Weasley?" Purred Severus.
Ron just grunted at him before draining his cup. "Been gutted about Harry. Can't sleep."
Kendra smiled. "Well then, Mr. Weasley, you should be heartened. We were just discussing his progress. Lucius had just inquired if I felt Harry should have progressed farther by now."
Ron seemed to perk up a bit at that, sitting up straighter and looking a bit more alert. Narcissa Levitated the teapot over to him and three cubes of sugar followed the hot liquid into his cup.
"And?"
"As mind healing is not an exact science, I can happily say, though more progress would be possible at this point, Harry has done very well, taking into account everything he has encountered over the years. He is remarkably resilient, though still quite cautious."
"The nightmares seemed to have become less frequent in the last fortnight." Severus offered. "He is no longer waking multiple times each night."
Ron nodded. "I've noticed that as well."
Narcissa sighed in relief and exchanged a meaningful glance with her husband. Levitating the plate of pastries to each of them, she eyed Severus and Kendra, motioning toward the teapot.
"Do you feel we will be able to have the naming ceremony soon?" She asked.
Her eyes reflected her hopefulness. The Manor desperately needed a dose of laughter and happiness a celebration brought. And she knew how much it meant to Harry to officially become a Malfoy, gaining a family with two additional siblings as well. Lucius' eyes watched his wife, then fixed on the Healer in anticipation. She had the other men's full attention as well.
Kendra smiled, seeing everyone seem to hold their breath. "Yes, I do believe he is ready. It may even help his recovery, actually."
Everyone smiled, and Narcissa clapped her hands together. "Splendid! Hermione and I have already finished the purchases and all the arrangements. Molly has helped finish the menu, and the music has been arranged. We only need to inform everyone of the date." She looked to Lucius then back at Kendra. "Would the end of this week, or the weekend, be too soon?"
"With Draco's trial next week, it is a splendid idea. It will certainly give Harry more stability and show both Draco, and the Wizarding World, that you--Lucius and Narcissa--mean business."
"This Friday evening then!" Narcissa rose elegantly to her feet, despite the excitement evident in her demeanor. "I must FirecallMolly immediately."
"I will walk out with you. I have another appointment in an hour."
The men watched silently as the women left.
"I do believe we should share the good news with Harry." Lucius rose. "Would you gentlemen care to join me?"
Together, the three men hurried out the doors and up to the family suites above, as Narcissa spoke animatedly through the library fire to Molly Weasley.
Tbc...