Chapter 11

Lucius was ready for his day in court, even if it was still three days away. All he wanted was to get out now. Ever since he had had the visit from his sister in law all he could think about was getting out and getting back to his son. It was the only thing that mattered.

He longed for him day and night. It was so cruel. And some times when he was at his lowest he thought of his poor wife. He saw her there home crying in to her pillow for him. And then he remembered she wasn't there.

"Dead." he said out loud. She was dead.

What use was a half mad father to his son. He deserved a lot more.

But they were going to bee back together soon. He had to believe it. He had to. It was what was keeping him alive.

It was the only thing keeping him breathing. If it wasn't for the boy then he would have given up a long time before.

His son was everything to him now.

***

Ted got home to a pleasant sight that evening. It had been snowing and so he wasn't shocked to see his daughter out in the garden. But so we were the other two

The 'other two'.

It was as if his nephew had always been there now. One month in and he had his own place inn their happy family.

And they were very happy.

He was.

When his nephew had arrived he had caused some arguments between him and his wife but every thing seemed to be falling in to place now.

"Are you lot not cold out there?" he asked in to the garden.

His daughter was running about while his wife was jiggling Draco who seemed fascinated by the snow.

"Not yet!" said Nymph.

"Come on you, come out with us!" said his wife.

He had to admit he was tempted. But he had had a long day.

"Not a chance love, I am going to put the kettle on." he said to his wife.

Andy shock her hair and walked down the garden back in to the house, taking her nephew back in. He couldn't get cold. He was such a small lad and she wasn't going to let him get a cold on her watch.

"Good day?" he asked.

"I have had better but it wasn't all that bad. Not now I am home with you three. How have the kids been ok?" he checked as his wife passed his nephew to him.

"Yeah, they haven't been to bad today have you?" she said.

"Nah!" said Ted as he gave him a kiss. "Your a good boy aren't you?" he asked.

He had got used to his aunt and uncle by now. He rarely cried. It was as if he had forgotten his father by now. And that was a good thing in the eyes of his aunt.

"Course he is. And Nypmh has been a good girl, though excited. But then how often do we get snow."

"Not enough in her eyes."

Andy smiled. "You sit down love. I will do your tea if you have had a hard day." she said as there daughter rushed in from the garden not wanting to play alone. Draco sat on one knee and her on the other as Ted took up a seat by the table.

"I heard from the ministry today about Lucius trial."

"It is this week isn't it?"

"Yes. I am trying to decide whether it is going to be a good idea to go or not. I think I should stay here with the kids but then but it is going to kill me not knowing the verdict." she shrugged. "I couldn't stand not knowing." she said.

"Then I can go if you would like me too." he grinned.

He wasn't as emotionally involved in it all as she was after all. That didn't say he did not want his nephew to be a permanent fixture in his life though.

"Are you sure my darling?" she asked.

"Yeah . Its no trouble." he said as he gave each of the kids a kiss on the head.

"Is this about Draco's daddy?" nymph asked.

"Yes it is."

"Do you think that he misses him very much.? she asked her father.

"I think he did at the start. But not now sweetheart. He is a baby. He doesn't know who his father is, not really."

"But he knows who we are?"

"for now. But if he goes away, then he wouldn't. Not if it was for a long time." he said. "hey mater?" he said to Darco who looked at him with his big innocent grey eyes. He had no idea. And that was the best way.

***

Lucius had to say he was surprised, as he saw chained to a chair in the court room, his sister in law was not there after the visit he had got in jail.

He saw he had sent her husband to watch though. No doubt he had to report the verdict back to her as soon as it had been decided. But for the first time ever that day Lucius found himself something he thought he would never be. Jealous of a muggle born. He had seen Draco when he had got up that day, he thought jealousy to himself. He had no doubt held him in the past twenty four hours, or even given him a bottle in the middle of the night. He was shocked at how much he still missed that. Going in to his sons room to find him there kicking, looking up at him with those big eyes. But when he had seen his father he had fallen silent and looked up at him lovingly.

"Can you confirm that you are Lucius Malfoy?" asked the judge from where he sat. This was it. Lucius could taste the freedom that he knew had to come to him.

"I can." he said to him. He decided to be as honest as he could through the trial. He had to be straight and get out to his son.

"And that you were captured along with the others cuprites calling themselves the 'Death Eater's' who served He Who Shall Not Be Named?"

"I was." He nodded.

"And yet you do not please guilty to serving and conspiring with he who shall not be named."

"No I do not . I have already said - I was under the Imperious Curse.""It is amazing how many of your co conspirators said that as well.""Is it?"

-

Andy sat in the living room. It was one of those real wintry days which has set in. The sky looked as if it was deciding whether to rain or snow, but it was going to do something. The heavy set clouds promised that.

"So what do you think little dragon." asked Andy to the baby who lay on the floor on his baby blanket.

"Do you think you should stay here with me or go home to your dad. I want you to stay here with me.

"I think your big cousin would quite like you to stay with us as well. And your uncle."

She had become accustom to him now. He had become part of her life. She liked the way he wrapped his hand round her finger. She liked the noise he made just before he went to sleep. She liked the way he watched her when she had put him down and she was cleaning.

It had made her realised maybe she wanted another child in her life. But if he stayed then there would be no need for that.

She wasn't sure she was going to able to give him back if she had to.

"I love you little man." she said to him. He was so precious to her. She just hoped some where in his heart he knew that.

***"After hearing the defence and the prosecution in this case the wizard mort have come to a decision about the case of Lucius Malfoy. While it has been found it is indeed beyond doubt that Lucius Malfoy did conspire with the dark lord, it is not beyond doubt that he was under the influence of the Imperious curse. In that case we have no other choice but to drop the charges."

An: chapter 12 will be up before Christmas day!