Chapter 4: A Runaway Mini-Angelic Malfoy

DISCLAIMER; HP belongs to JKR. The story line and all new characters, new character development, and new developments are my intellectual property.

This story in another form will be a part of a series that will be dedicated to all those faithful readers out there. By the way, if you believe in the power of good thoughts or prayers, I could use some on my behalf. Thanks.

*Warning, when the children talk, I try to approximate their speech phonetically. There are intentional spelling 'errors.'

England, 1984, Wiltshire, spring…

The Case of the Run-Away Mini-Veela and the Nasty Nurse

Lucius had never felt so scared for the future, not even when Bella forced him to get the Dark Mark; vengeful Bella who had never forgotten the affront of their first meeting.

He now understood why parents sacrificed all they had for their children. Thus, for his son's sake, he was the most pleasant ever...to normal Mudbloods. He put on his most charming smile, unknowingly, it was coming as an anxious father's grimace, melting the hearts of all females young and old.

"Excuse, pardon, have you seen a little boy...this tall...right, yes he looks like me...blah, blah."

"Yes, he was probably running…and, yes you are right... a rebel lock of hair up in the wind...about three or four yes."

"He ran that way, ask those people."

"Thanks."

"Towards the left..."

"I think past the tree, yes."

"Thanks," after several stops along the way to ask, Lucius' heart was beating madly; he felt as if he had been looking for hours, but in reality, less than 15 minutes had passed.

It was just about the time when he'd reached for the wand on his cane; he thought it was preferable because wandless magic would be more dramatic.

He wished he had bought one of those ridiculous dog leashes that savage Muggles placed on their children, making a mental note to buy one. He could appreciate their beauty now, Draco needed one, and even if Narcissa opposed him, by Merlin, he would get one. Furthermore, he would recommend to anyone who had children to buy one; even better he would give them one of the new lines he would be producing, 'Magical restrains for young magical children.'

He started to open the cane when Negus pushed him with its nose. Brutus was intent on sniffing the ground around the area, and plainly enough, he picked up a scent and barked excitedly to Lucius. "I got him, no doubt, follow me, woof." Brutus was emphatic and to make his point, he stood up in attention and did something that his breed didn't do —but he was magical—he pointed at a place by the adjacent trees.

Negus caught the scent and wholeheartedly agreed, "Woof, woof, let's go, big boy." And Negus following the example of his alpha pulled Lucius' hand gently.

If Lucius' heart was fast before, his blood pressure must have gone sky high with expectation. Losing a child had to be one of the worse experiences ever. He never wanted anyone to go through this. Although his mouth was dry and his hands shook, he was, nevertheless, hopeful, because something was trying to calm him down, think, think Lucius and think. His father and Pépère kept coming up into his mind, but he wasn't focused.

It was less crowded around the area just away from the pond, over there, yonder, under a tree, he saw a smartly-dressed, rather beautiful-young couple sat on an obviously expensive blanket. An older woman dressed in practical clothes sat on a small portable chair, and two small children, holding hands, sat on the man's lap while he read to them from a brightly colored book. Next to them, on the grass, there were bags, a picnic basket, a couple of thermoses, a small pile of books and toys.

Draco comfortably sat on one of the man's legs, thumb in his mouth, and a little girl with bushy hair on pigtails sat on the other...yes, also with her thumb in her mouth. The mother would pull the little one's thumb out her mouth every ten seconds or so. Ah, the children were holding their free hands. Hmm, the wife only had eyes for her husband and looked at him with love in her eyes. A very pastoral scene observed Lucius with a trained eye. He had stopped ways away to look at his son.

Lucius discerned Draco's attention to be concentrated on one focal point, the little girl. The hounds just laid by his side, panting and looking, good boys, yes, they sure were. The dogs looked at their young human pup and sat beating their tail wanting to greet him, but politely waited to be allowed to do so. The Muggles wisely assumed that the boy and the dogs made a pack and showed no fear.

Draco's demeanor was relaxed and serene, not fidgety or jumpy. He looked enthralled, enchanted, and utterly happy. This was a first, his son this calm, totally relaxed, the thumb in mouth, something he did before taking a nap; it was a sight to see. He missed a camera, but he would save the memory for Cissy to watch.

Draco popped the thumb out his mouth and made the funniest faces to the little girl, shy smiles, throwing kisses, scary faces. She was listening to the story, but once or twice she returned the smiles, and finally, she threw him a little kiss.

Looking at the sight, Lucius smile was joyous and dazzling. His heart filled with fatherly love and pride. He knew it, he was witnessing history in the making. How many fathers can say they were there during a first kiss? Just with the air kiss, knowledge started to come together in Lucius' brain, but nothing had registered yet.

After the kiss, Draco decided that it was time to get closer and stepping on the Muggle's groin, judging by the slight wincing, the short runway moved next to the girl. Pushing her a little with his bum, he sat on the same leg; both children were small and slim, thus hardly occupied much space along the long thigh. At this, all the adults chuckled. The wife rolled back her eyes, the older woman, probably the girl's nurse, covered her mouth to hide a smile, and the father looked at the approaching Lucius and gave him a slight shoulder shrug.

Draco did not take to strangers at all. He loved his parents, so he was cuddly and loving with them, and, also with Severus, his godfather. He was the only other allowed to touch him without a fuzz. This entire incident was very curious indeed. If his runaway were a few years older, he would say that Draco was in love.

Lucius wanted to stay back for a little while longer to observe, thus stopped at a respectable distance; a thought had crossed his mind, and his stomach did an anxious flop. He hoped to be wrong; but what he saw next, confirmed his suspicions even further.

Draco was pulling her right pigtail up to his nose, and the little girl didn't seem to like it too much. Draco was firmly holding on to her hair, his face was a bit flushed. "You're mine, my hair, mine."

He was not being gentle and was pulling her pigtail somewhat hard. The little girl's face appeared to register pain, and she was fighting to free her voluminous hair out the little scoundrel's hand. Lucius knew it was time to intervene. What on earth was going on, he should have stayed home today. It was leash time for the miscreant; he would go behind a tree and transform one of the dog leashes for Draco.

Draco obviously seemed to think he owned the hair along with the girl attached to it. The mother was clearly agitated, "Drake, darling, be a nice little gentleman and let her hair go." His face was scrunched in concentration and full of intent.

Oh Merlin, Lucius thought, I know it, I know, oh no!

So, Drake, it was, he had told them his name, but of course Muggles didn't think Draco was a real name and changed to Drake. Very interesting, Lucius heart, again, pumped very fast; he was probably right, darn. He had to get close to the girl; he had to protect Draco's future.

He probably had around twenty some years before real worries would begin. Nobody was exactly sure if the age of demise was twenty-one or twenty-five; however, once Draco had found it, it needed to be secured; no chances could be taken with Draco's life.

"Draco, stop that son, let her hair go. You are hurting her. Let go, you don't want to scare the pretty little lady?" The educated male drawl, loudly addressed the shorter Romeo, or was it the little ruffian?

Three adults turned their eyes towards the tall man with the platinum hair; he also had the strange-molten silver-grey eyes. Grant was tall, but this man was taller than him by at least two inches (5 cm) and built like a rugby player. Jeanie thought she had never seen such a beautiful man in her entire adult life, well Grant and P...Grant was considered the most handsome of his year, but…

Lucius wanted to introduce himself; however, Draco stood up and happy to see his father. He pulled the little girl towards Lucius, his young face was fierce and determined, and she fought back and wailed in fear. "Come, comes, to my haus, come, Pretzel is nice, she makes biscuits appeareds come."

The lad was strong; he was practically lifting the girl up on the air. Not even the father was able to hold her back. If there were doubts in Lucius' mind, they were now gone.

"Son, you can take her away in around twenty years, give or take; better, you can ask to court her, yes, just right about then. Please let her stay with us a little longer." The father laughed while the little drama gained momentum.

But Draco wouldn't listen, and Lucius knew he wasn't able to. He couldn't allow the Muggles to get mad at Draco, and the small wizard was going to manage just that in a few seconds, because the little girl was terrified. Thank the gods and his father, and his grandfather Octan for the experience imparted upon him. It was helping him, Lucius Malfoy, to make the right decisions.

Lucius was sure that his son was experiencing an early rush of strength, he knew it, and he had been there even if a little later in life. Worse, Lucius had detected sparks in the air, that might be able to pass for insects, he hoped. Draco's hair was fluffed, and the eyes were no longer grey. He was hoping nobody would notice.

'What a mess, stay calm Lucius my boy, act fast, and maybe you can prevent a disaster,' Lucius heard someone advising him. It was his memory talking; it was his father's voice back in the library when he was thirteen.

He had to think quickly; otherwise, Draco would get very sick, and he was sure that it was precisely what would happen. What a dilemma, why did he have to come here today?

He hoped he was wrong about the girl, being a Mudblood wasn't ideal. However, the alternative was a dead son. The choice was evident, and the parents looked distinguished after all. Not being a witch would be a big problem, or maybe she was, he had never seen them before, but he could find out later.

"Draco, let her go, you are making her afraid." Lucius had walked the few steps that separated them. Mimi, the girl's name, was frenetic, "Let me go, you're hurting me, I don't like you anymore, Mommy, Daddy, Miss Rose."

"You come, you're mine, and I have a nice mommy and daddy. You can have them wif me, I will be a good Draco and share. Daddy, Daddy, tell her that she is coming wif us." He was still pulling while the father was holding the girl by the waist.

Grant was amazed at the strength of the little man and was not concerned, he was laughing but couldn't let Jeanie see him; darn she looked upset. He could see himself on their wedding day. Oh yes, he would tell everyone about their first encounter. He was sure that this was real love.

Lucius pretended the situation was humorous, well knowing that Draco meant each word he said. Four was very young, but he had read of even younger Malfoy children. Some also had died from pure grief once they had met their mate, the girl's parents had gone into hiding; or she had died; or whatever was the case. Something had to be done, and that was a fact.

"Hello, I am Lucas Malefeur at your service," he took off his right glove and stretched his hand to greet them.

"Grant and Jeanie Granger, " the Muggle answered, also readying to greet Lucius.

Lucius grinned about to shake Grant's hand, however, before he could do it, he had to come to rescue the little damsel in distress, or better said, he needed to protect Draco from a furious and distressed little girl. The situation had just deteriorated.

She was pointing her hand to Draco, who now had a tomato stuck to his nose, and a book promptly followed and landed on his head. Magic, she is a witch, but they have no idea judging by the horror in their faces, this might be okay, or maybe not so bad, but wandless magic?

Pretending that he had not seen the magic, he went for Draco. He was crying in anger and jumped on Mimi. He pulled the tomato out his nose and smashed it on her dress; he then picked up the book and was going to whack her on the head. The adults were laughing, but not Miss Rose who appeared ready to quit her employment, which is precisely what she did next.

"Mr. Granger, I promised you father the Earl that I would take care of his grandchild. My family has been in the service of this family for centuries. So it is with great sorrow that I regret to inform you that your child is possessed; there is something evil about her. I've seen it with me own eyes. As a church going woman, I must leave your employment before my very soul is damned," she signed her forehead and murmured, "Witchcraft, yes, and only the fire can purge it." Miss Rose uttered the last words as she walked away from the group.

The words froze Lucius on his tracks; the Muggles hadn't heard the last words, but he had an unusually keen hearing on times of stress. That Mudblood was the very thing that his kind had to hide from. It will be better if she leaves their lives once and for all. Lucius thought. He had a bad feeling about the nasty Mudblood nurse. Nothing could happen to Draco's mate, his life depended upon it.

"But Rose, please stop and let's talk." The Granger woman went after Rose, but came back with a look of defeat in her pretty amber eyes. Granger held on to his wife and kissed her forehead.

Lucius had picked up Draco, who squirmed, kicked him, and tried to get down. Brutus and Negus left Draco and went to sit down by both sides of Mimi, taking sides. Lucius was amazed, this day was one to remember. He would make a pensive for Cissy; otherwise, she would think he was exaggerating.

"I want to apologize for a willful young lad who has fallen in love with the delightful little lady. Love makes boys and men reckless. Not sure, but four is a little young for a betrothal, what do you all say?" Lucius didn't sound convinced. Four looked about right to him; it was better to ensure the said 'merchandise.' And put a large deposit upfront; too bad he did not know about Muggle protocol.

The Grangers both looked a little befuddled with the entire incident. It wasn't every day something like this happened. This platinum hair man appeared severe, arrogant, he was an aristocrat. If Grant hadn't misunderstood, the man was proposing an old fashioned marriage contract. However, Grant had never seen him at any of the presentation balls, or at any of them for that matter. He would remember someone like Luc.

"Let me thank you for kindly looking after my son. He ran, and I couldn't catch him. The little rascal, he is intent upon, ahem, you know what I mean." He did not want to give the little ears credit or ideas for future intent.

"Ah, yes, same here, the same set of problems, willful strong mind. I saw you running toward us, sorry for not being able to call your attention. We tried, but then saw you coming towards here. I imagined that it would take you a good ten minutes to get around the crowd. It is a good thing you are tall, and your hair so distinctive, your son looks exactly like you." Grant answered the unasked questions.

"I would like to send you a token of our esteem, from both my wife and I. You cannot imagine my fear when I lost sight of him." He said looking at Draco whose eyes were closing from the excitement, and he was still squirming and fighting it, he wanted to get down.

"I have an unusual request since Draco seems much taken with your daughter. In my family, parents from the special girlfriends of the Malefeur boys give them a lock of their daughters' hair. It is woven into a small locket that the boy carries for a while; I guess until he becomes a teenager and finds other girlfriends."

The Grangers laughed, they knew how fickle teenage boys and girls were. Albeit that Lucius had lied, it was justifiable, so he joined the laughter. Draco would never give up the hair lock.

"They give the locket back to the witch—, ahem, girls at their marriage, but if the wi— ahem, the girl marries another, it is passed on to their grooms. It is believed to bring friendship into the marriage." This was a huge lie; he just had made it up for effect.

And now for the killing strike, "I guess we all agree this constitutes an early marriage contract, Mimi won't marry anyone but Draco, right Grant?" He was owed the chance to try. And nothing risked, nothing gained, a gamble, betting, whatever, that was all he cared. He smiled as if it were a joke. He was ready to disperse the magic of the verbal contract, availing himself to one of the legal uses of magic in public, concealment.

MMMMM

Well, Lucius is quick. No wonder Draco is a mini trouble maker. Yes, Rose is a genuinely nasty, and it is just starting. -

Reviews are greatly appreciated-