DISCLAIMER; HP belongs to JKR. The story line and all new characters, new character development, new developments are my intellectual property.
REMEMBER I don't of don't have a beta. Yes, there are errors, if I take the necessary time to clean it up, it won't get done. thanks
Chapter 3: Runaway Draco, a Smart 4 year old
England, 1984, Wiltshire, Spring time.
Lucius always kept his Grandfather's story in the back of mind. You never knew, and besides he never wanted to go through any mishaps of the mate kind with Draco, he would make sure it never happened to him. Draco was always into something, and if the young wizard was sick for even a week, let alone a year, Cissy would have his hide. By the way, she had never been happy about the ear biting, and he would not bring those old incidents out of storage; best to keep them archived. He believed in the old adage, 'Out of sight, out of mind.'
Draco's mischief.
Muggle Park, 1984- A Boat Ride, Itchiness, and Lessons Learned.
Lucius bought six seats for the boat ride because he wanted to be alone with Draco, well, and with Muggles pushing the oars along the lake. He had left the obedient dogs tied near the dock. The active, almost four-year-old sprite, with shoulder length silver hair, large grey-blue eyes, and the face of naughty cherubim, was today at the height of activity, busy, busy, busy.
Twice, he had to grab the itchy little wizard to prevent him from falling overboard, and the oarsmen gave them dirty looks. Each time, they had dangerously tipped the boat to one side.
Time to correct this situation, Lucius thought and fervently wished for his wand just to make him sit still. No, it wasn't a good idea, the boy was a Malfoy in the making, a tiny manipulator, a tattle teller without rival, and there would be something to pay if he told his mother. It would not do. He always had his allotted time with Mommy for being a good Daddy. An entire two hours of body delights, his choice, while one little wizard took his afternoon nap or played outside. Lucius would not do anything to endanger his 'play date.'
"Draco, you must sit still, if you fall overboard into the water, I'll be unable to jump in. Imagine how bad, I would have no way to pull you back into the boat; since I have too many clothes, I will drown. I will not be able to use the "you know what." Lucius was patiently outlining the situation to his young son, in a hushed voice to stop the child from being fidgety during the boat ride around the small lake.
"Daddy, you know what? I fall in the water and get splashed, and you and I drown." He looked at his father as a matter of fact and continued standing up, threatening to tip the boat.
"Yes, into the water, splash, and drowns," the child was really testing his patience; he knew how to make his father squirm. Lucius could not believe his eyes; he could see the Malfoy's smirk forming across the small lips.
"I have told you none of 'you know what' in here. Is that understood? If you fall I cannot -" Lucius made a small flip of the wrist as if he were holding a wand.
The rascal understood, oh yes, he realized, "Yes mon Papa, I know, and I am a smart little Draco, I understand," Draco made a clumsy repetition of Lucius' pretend wand casting and shook his head as if to say no. His eyes gleamed with mischief and the recognition of useful information.
Yes he knew, knew what it meant for any future trips to the park. Lucius was a little worried when he saw the small eyes, much like his own, shining with understanding and anticipation. When nothing happened in several days, Lucius forgot his former apprehension and lowered down his guard.
Two weeks later. At the same park during Father and Son's day, or some days are best spent reading a book-
Runway young wizard
"Look there coming down the left path, it is Lord Lucius Malfoy, isn't he a dream," the blond-haired young which, dressed like a Muggle pointed her finger whispering to her companion.
"Talk softer, he is upon us. I could make his dreams quite wet and not from tap water," the second witch laughed suggestively.
The two recent Hogwarts' graduates laughed loud coquettish giggles. The thirty-year-old Lucius haughtily glanced, offering them an annoyed and disgusted look; one that was mostly a put-down.
Silly chits, why do they have to be so obvious? Who do they think they are? So disrespectful, I am a married man. Lucius was fuming; he despised their lack of manners.
Besides, they would never stand a slim chance, a wet dream about them? Not during their insignificant lives. "I have only dreamed about one witch since she was eight, and she is now my wife." Grumbled Lucius, he really did not like feeling appraised like a stallion.
I wish that I could bring my son to enjoy this spring day without all this unwelcome attention. My looks are my own; they should avert their eyes and keep their ordinary remarks unspoken. Lucius thought, more irritated by the minute.
Once again, he directed a cold and disdainful look at them; his demeanor was derisive and full of contempt. He wanted them to grant him the right to enjoy time alone with his son. He was a private man and demanded that his privacy was respected. He never looked at anyone and expected the same in return.
"Rude plebeians," he said with a growl loud enough for them to hear. Feeling a little vindicated, he nodded his head once again and granted them nasty smirk.
Their laughter ceased all at once. The witches faces turned bright red; picking up their bags left quickly, away from him. At that, Lucius' goodwill returned immediately. Yes, it was a good day even if his horoscope said otherwise. He only read Sybil's daily column for 'Astrology lovers.' A new feature of the Daily Prophet, one plugged in birth-date, city, and time of day, and your horoscope with Natal charts would magically appear in the space below. Cissy had sworn by it and made Lucius do the same.
"Draco, son, let me pick up you. Everything is okay so let's have some fun." Draco looked at him pouting. He had heard his father's angry comment about the girls and his lips were trembling, probably about ready to cry. He was a sensible child and detested angry voices.
He bent down, called the dogs, and removed the leashes of the two giant Russian wolfhounds, then placed them around his neck clipping them together. He then stood straight and put his finger slightly down in a swift motion, and the giant dogs obediently sat to wait for their human's next command.
In the time that took him to unleash the dogs, hang the leashes around his neck, ordered them to sit, little Draco, a few days shy of his fourth birthday, had taken off running, away from him. He was swiftly heading towards the park's lake where they often walked, usually to feed the baby ducklings and the swans; or to go for boat rides on the opposite side of the park. He was afraid Draco could fall in the water.
Draco had never tried anything of this scale before, but then, he was a quick study and a little mischief maker.
It was a Muggle park, but Lucius loved the gardens and the lake. Although he was not the only wizard or witch who came, the park visitors were mostly Muggles. The privileged elite did not stick to the rules of the MoM. The park was located in a very exclusive residential area, and the homes belonged to highborn families, or to new money.
As many children and pets before him, Draco had long known how much he could get away with, whenever his parents were in mixed company. Furthermore, he knew for a fact that his father would not be able to use the wand here; he had told him so a couple weeks ago. Testing his personal limits had become the little wizard's new occupation.
The Manor's gardens and pond were also beautiful and private. However, his intent was for Draco to observe Muggles and in the process to learn the enemy's weakness, their likes, and dislikes. You cannot fight those who you don't know. For Lucius blood was important, but missing that, status and wealth were next. This, he did not feel too sullied coming here.
He was also not ignorant and knew that many noble families had been pureblood or half-bloods. His own family was a member of the Muggle peerage, and he didn't mind to mingle with some of them.
"Brutus, Negus, go get him boys, and stop Draco, gently!" Lucius quickly reacted seeing his son just about flying and commanded the boys. The dogs, only two years old, joined the chase upon being told; what a great game, they barked with glee.
The park was full of young couples, pensioners, and children. There were picnic blankets, baskets, balls, toys, and small dogs, lending a festive ambiance. The air was perfumed by spring blooms, and the music was supplied by the birds' singing. It appeared as if all the area's residents had gathered here at the park, many by the pond and everyone was enjoying one of the year's first spring weekends.
The number of people gathered this day worked in Draco's favor. Many women were enchanted with the man with the long flowing platinum hair; he was dressed in dark trousers and a charcoal jumper. He looked like an apparition, such was his beauty, chasing a boy who was his exact replica. That was a factor that made the situation all the more endearing.
Stupid Muggle women, they are enjoying the chase, and young women are beckoning the little demon as he escapes; those were Lucius' irritated thoughts.
He wished he could use magic, and a dreadful thought came into his mind. Nah, could have Draco remembered their talk two weeks before. In his mind, Lucius could see the tiny miscreant moving his wrist as if he were using a wand. Lord, let me be wrong, he thought. If that is the case, he has no fear, and he will be lost. He now remembered the apple of his eye running around with his play wand as he twisted it with relish, and giving his dear father the Malfoy smirk while repeating, "We drowns, and fall splashed, and drowns."
Draco was deaf to Lucius. Brutus had already done some considerable damage to the spread picnic wares while weaving through the crowd, and he was now wearing a table cloth as a cape. The large hound was over 200 pounds of muscle and grace, and he did not mind where he was stepping. Negus was more regal, avoiding humans and taking his time. Arrogant Lucius felt as a Muggle target of ridicule, and he wasn't thrilled.
Lucius wasn't smiling, and his fingers itched for his wand. He issued a loud, "Sitz," to Brutus, and the hound waited until Lucius had reached him with Negus on tow.
Lucius was flushed, embarrassed, and more than a little annoyed with Draco. Never before had Draco disobeyed, well in public; although he was a curious, mischievous little boy, this was a first time for doing something this bad.
Whereas Draco liked to test the waters, this was just a show of blatant naughtiness and disobedience. He wanted to wring his little neck, such was his frustration.
"Nothing else can go wrong, I will reach him, and then we will go for the promised ice-cream. After that, the boats, then feed the ducks, and afterward, we will go home." Lucius talked to the dogs whose eyes were trained away, looking at something out there; they appeared concerned at the loss of the master's pup.
"Boys, when we get home, not a word about this. Cissy simply cannot find out. She would be most unhappy, and I am counting on an afternoon nap with the lady of the Manor. What do you say, boys?" Lucius kept uncharacteristically chatting in an attempt to sooth his stressed nerves and his growing fear.
The boys understood and tried to tell him, Master we might have to tell the Mistress since your pup has disappeared from our radar. Lucius saw it in their eyes, they were magical dogs, and he panicked. Indeed where was that little wizard? What a hellion; for the first time in his life, the rascal was going to be punished if Lucius last name was Malfoy.
He was reconsidering his parental skills, he had never received corporal punishment, but Narcissa had and was against it, so there was no disagreement. Never mind that his hand demanded retribution this time, just one slap and not hard. Merlin just let me find him. He hoped.
He put the dogs back on their leashes never taken his eyes away from the last place he had seen the runaway. Soon he was going to use magic, Muggles or not. Better be in trouble with the Ministry than with Cissy. No need to re-think that decision.
MMMMMMMMMM
Next Chapter.
Where is Draco? Has he been kidnapped? Poor Lucius, he is a good daddy, but his Draco is a force to be reckoned with. Can you imagine a little Draco? Cute and naughty that is for sure.
Please review, I would like to know if you are enjoying, it. For those who read it before, you will start seeing a few changes.