Chapter Two
Unknown Location
"Lucius, how is young Draco? Doing well, I trust?"
"Yes, my Lord, though he seems to be lonely since Annabelle…. died," Lucius stammered, pausing at the mention of his daughter, who'd died only a month before in an accident.
"Yes, I heard about your daughter. Tragic, really, she would have made a worthy follower," the cold voice replied, trying to sound sympathetic and utterly failing.
Lucius could only nod, pushing his sleek blond hair over his shoulder self- consciously.
"I have a job for you, Lucius, and your family."
"My family, my Lord?" his gray eyes were questioning.
"Yes. At the Johnston House orphanage in London, a boy was dropped off only yesterday. I want Narcissa and yourself to go there and adopt him, raise him, care for him as your own son, a brother to Draco, and no less. Do you understand? This is of vital importance to me, and as such will be handled with the utmost care," the voice whispered. That whisper, though, was more chilling than being submerged in ice water.
"Yes, my Lord. We'll go as soon as possible," Lucius said, nodding his head again.
"Lucius, he must be loyal to your family. Do not treat him any differently than you do Draco. In this, you will not fail me."
"I understand, my Lord. I will not fail you," Lucius said, bowing his head before starting toward the exit. He stopped suddenly.
"My Lord, who is this boy?"
"That, Lucius is nothing you need to know. You will know him when you see him."
Lucius snapped his jaw shut, blocking the words that had been about to escape. He again started toward the door.
"And, Lucius? Prepare the Blood- Binding ceremony. Contact Severus, and have him make the potions necessary for the ritual."
"Yes, my Lord, as you wish."
Johnston House, London
"What filth," Narcissa muttered, scowling at the huge building through the gate. "What could the Dark Lord possibly want with-"
"It is none of our concern, Narcissa, it matters only that he does," Lucius said, pushing the gate open with his cane and striding through, wrinkling his nose in disgust.
Narcissa followed, slipping her hand into his and squeezing slightly. Lucius' mouth took on a ghost of a smile as he returned the pressure. They were a complicated pair, loving each other, but never having been in love, still close, both devoted to their children- child-, to each other, and to their master.
Upon arriving on the stoop, Lucius rapped the door with his cane and stood by to wait. Both were dressed in Muggle clothing, an expensive black suit and a custom- tailored dress, looking wealthy but definitely non- magical.
An elderly woman answered the door, a small girl hiding behind her long skirt. She smiled kindly at them, exposing a few missing teeth. "Hullo, you must be the Malfoy's. I'm Nora Smith."
Lucius held back the remarks he'd been about to voice and attempted a courteous smile. "Yes, Lucius Malfoy, and my wife, Narcissa. We're interested in adopting, as I mentioned earlier."
"Yes, of course. Right this way," Nora said, leading them down a narrow hallway.
"Confundo," Lucius whispered, putting his wand to her exposed back.
A sleepy smile spread across her face.
"…and we're here to pick up a boy, a brother for our young son. We spoke to you this morning, I believe?" Narcissa said, pulling off a sweet smile.
"Y-yes, I remember."
"We were hoping for a boy of about a year old, preferably one who hasn't been here long," Lucius said smoothly.
"Why, a new boy arrived only yesterday, around a year old, too! Isn't it funny how these things happen? And he's such a sweet boy, always smiling, hardly ever cries, and just adorable, big green eyes…" Nora smiled happily at them. "Would you like to meet him?"
Lucius and Narcissa nodded eagerly, almost genuinely. Draco really was lonely, not seeming to like Vincent or Gregory, the sons of old family friends.
She led them up a cramped stair case, and down another narrow hallway before stopping outside a closed door. Slowly, she pushed it open.
The room was gray and, like everything else at Johnston House, cluttered and small while still being incredibly clean. In the corner near a tiny window was a worn wooden crib, where a little boy was watching them with interest, a puzzled smile on his face. His hair stood up at odd angles, though it only seemed to make him more endearing, and keen green eyes watched from behind a messy fringe of bangs.
Narcissa felt a maternal pull toward the boy as his face broke into a huge smile, raising his arms toward her, wanting to be picked up. Lucius, too, felt a strong urge to protect him, care for him.
Nora went over and scooped him up, tickling his round little stomach as he shrieked in laughter, twisting and squirming in her arms. It was obvious he was favored by her. He looked again toward Narcissa and Lucius, holding his arms out expectantly. Narcissa leaned forward impulsively, taking him carefully into her arms.
His smile broadened and he snuggled closer, chuckling softly. Narcissa looked over at Lucius pleadingly. He had to be the one they'd come for. He nodded slightly in agreement. If anyone in the midst of this Muggle filth was one who interested the Dark Lord, it had to be this boy, whose charisma was more than human.
It was something magical.
"He's perfect," Narcissa breathed, and the boy laughed as though he'd understood, burying his face in her shoulder, sighing contentedly.
Nora, who'd watched the whole exchange, smiled delightedly. "I'm so glad! I have a rather soft spot for this little tyke, and I was hoping he'd get a good home before too long, grow up with brothers and a family who loved him."
Lucius nodded, taking the boy from Narcissa's arms and holding him. The boy looked carefully at him, running his chubby little hands over Lucius' sharp features, as if examining him. His green eyes narrowed in concentration, poking Lucius' cheeks and nose. Then, satisfied, he rested his head on the older man's shoulder.
"Yes. He's the one."
Without pausing, Narcissa raised her wand into the smiling woman's face. "Obliviate."
