Rule Six
Draco indeed had enough on his plate. There was the problem of getting into his father's inner sanctum and finding out where his mother and Aunt Sabrina were. He rather suspected Sabrina would be able to find him just fine but she didn't exactly have the freedom of movement just now. As for his survival rates he doubted his father would tell him anything before he died. In fact he was pretty sure it was one of the rules. He was also pretty sure that his father would never ask him any questions. His dad pretty much hated him.
No, Ginny would destroy Lucius. Draco would get his mother and aunt out unscathed.
Which meant getting in first.
He approached the back fence. Ignoring the warnings about electrocution, he tapped the fence with a hand. As he had expected the fence was not electrified. He had no doubt there were some spells on here to keep him out and so he had come up with his plan.
Draco scanned the grounds and smiled. His father listened to all of the rules except one, which was the one rule Draco was counting on his father breaking.
A few yards away from the fence was a small lock box. Draco knew his father had the key to the small gate in this lock box. Like any good lock box, it would set off the alarm if two wrong answers were keyed in within the space of ten minutes. Which meant Draco either had to get it right the first time or wait ten to fifteen minutes between each try.
Since he was never very patient, he opted for the quickest solution. He pulled out his wand and tapped the lock box. The lock box immediately opened and Draco had to grin. His dad clearly wasn't as smart as he thought he was.
Draco pulled out the key from inside and moved back to the gate, opening it with the key. Really his father was far from invincible.
888
Ginny was reasonably certain that the little girl was related to Lucius. The girl was currently working away at a coloring book but she kept yawning. Doubtless it was time for a nap. Ginny was growing tired of ignoring Lucius. She had long since stopped thanking the Gods he hadn't indulged in a goatee. At least a goatee would have given her something to do, like magically pluck it as he droned on.
Ginny glanced at one of the more impressive looking advisors and sent a trickle of magic at him. He looked over at the five year old in time to see her yawning.
"My lord," he interjected as Lucius paused for breath. "I believe Counselor Coriander might need her nap."
The little girl, Coriander, looked up with a sleepy smile.
Lucius sighed in annoyance. "Finding a good counselor is so hard. Miss Riddle," he snapped.
Ginny treated him to an icy glare. He quavered a bit but recovered. "Take Counselor Coriander to her room for her afternoon nap. Stay there with her."
Ginny managed a look of disgust and opened her mouth as if to object. Then she pursed her lips and nodded as if this was a great sacrifice for her.
She rounded the table and held out a hand to the small girl who took it with a grin and hopped off her chair.
Coriander was quiet until they were well out of the room.
"Why are you here?" she asked in her sing song voice.
Ginny looked down at the girl. How much did she know? Enough? Maybe.
"I'm here to help some people."
"Are you here to help my Mommy?" Coriander asked.
Ginny felt a trickle of unease run down her back. "Well that depends, sweet heart. Who is your mommy?"
"I don't really know. Daddy doesn't let me see her."
"Daddy?" Ginny asked, knowing who it was even as the words left her mouth.
Coriander nodded. "I'm supposed to call him Sir. He's not a very good daddy. Not like some."
Ginny felt the blood drain from her face. Dear christ. Lucius had fathered this child. He had wanted his damn advisor. He had gotten her. A perfect little girl.
Ginny looked down at Coriander. But who was the mother? Narcissa? Probably. Maybe some girl in the army. Only one way to find out...
Ginny reached the door marked Coriander and pushed it open.
(A/N: Still not one of my longest chapters but longer than the last one, I think. Things start to heat up!