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

A/n In the last chapter Lucius had 'jokingly' proposed a marriage contract, a binding promise. He had decided he needed to secure his son's future. He hoped and waited...

Contracts and It all Begins

Lucius' heart started beating fast when he observed Grant's slight hesitation. He seemed to perceive the snare hidden behind Lucius proposal. Luckily the Fates were favoring Lucius.

"Yes, of course, we are in an old fashion contract, but we wait for a bit, agreed? Or at least, until she has changed her milk teeth before they marry. " Grant laughed rather forcibly; something felt wrong as he uttered the words as he had just consented to a binding agreement against his better judgment. He looked at Lucius suspiciously.

That was when he noticed, were those fireflies in the middle of the day? They seemed surrounding the group, and they went around the children's wrists. What was happening?

Lucius was no dummy; he knew that Grant felt like a caught fish. It'd be better to look away from him. Oh yes, he felt ready to dance a little jig, how perfect, a one-sided contract. Right away the bonds dissolved and were absorbed by all the nature around them, with the help of the bright sun. Life was good.

Meanwhile, the Granger woman appeared fascinated, totally unaware of the little drama that had ensued.

"Oh, the hair lock keepsake is so Victorian, but also lovely and romantic, right love?" She looked at her husband.

"Of course, you may have it," she told Lucius and smiled.

At that instance, Lucius saw Mimi's face in the future, Draco was lucky. "I can already imagine the two little ones walking the aisle." Grant was looking at Lucius more than a little uncomfortable.

"It reminds me of our young love." She looked at Grant with shiny eyes, which Grant was quick to take notice. Jeanie was a beautiful woman, small boned, fleshy mouth, sexy and smart, and he knew that look. One man was going to be very lucky for the next few days. Once she gave him the 'look,' the effect was lasting, sometimes for days, even weeks, thanks to the powers that be.

If he had done something wrong, oh well. After all, Hermione was but a baby, and this strange man would soon forget this incident. At least he hoped that it'd come to nothing; albeit there was still something around them; it pricked up his ears to pay attention.

Aware of the Muggle's apprehension, Lucius wanted to distract Grant, "And now, how about Mimi's hair lock, it will make Draco happy," he smiled charmingly, closing on his prey.

"Yes it is sweet, by all means; she has so much hair that nobody will notice. About the tomato and the book-" Grant started, he felt that an explanation was in order, but was not at all sure what to say.

"No problem, she has fast hands. What a feat picking the tomato from the basket, I hardly saw her doing it, a quick game of hands," Lucius wanted to be extra charming and gave them a way out. He had nothing to say about the book, so he let it go.

"Do you have scissors? For the lock that is," Lucius asked, ready to offer his Magic Swiss army knife. It would transform into whichever tool he needed. He had had it since he was eight; it was the same one he had used to secure Narcissa. He always carried it inside the head of the snake topping his cane, yet, he preferred not to appear too eager.

"Yes, in my embroidery bag," answered Jeanie Granger; she took it out and walked towards Mimi, who had been quietly reading the fallen book. Her head laid on Brutus side and the feet on Negus. The boys were fast sleep. What a sight, Lucius thought.

When Hermione saw the scissors, the cries began, "No mommy, don't 'cuts' my hair, I like it," Brutus growled aggressively, Jeanie backed a little, and Lucius had to hide a smile.

"Boy, quiet, are you protecting Draco's bride already? Hmm, are you taking the job seriously?" Once again Lucius had saved the day.

Actually yes, Brutus was Draco's caretaker; he was more than an average dog. Same for Negus, he was Lucius' guard. The breeder channeled their protective magic as soon as they were born. They could sense their needs and what was important to them.

Unseen to the Grangers, he did a hand sign to Brutus who understood and immediately looked away from the girl's mother. "Here honey, I am only cutting this much," She showed her in her hair, grabbing about four inches of a thick strand of her hair. Mimi rose her shoulders acquiescent, "I trust you, mommy."

Jeanie Granger cut the hair, tied it with a few strands of thread, pulled out a safety pin, and pinned it to Draco's jumper. Her reward was the little wizard's broad smile and a sigh which proclaimed his relief. He then put his thumb in his mouth and leaned back onto his dad's chest, never taken his eyes away from Mimi.

Lucius went to pick up the dogs by the leashes, and when he bent, he picked up his intended target, Mimi's jumper, meanwhile the Grangers were looking at Mimi.

He was never one to miss an opportunity, thus with great alacrity he hid the jumper inside Draco's day bag; the same one he always carried it to the park. He was sorry to do that, but he would make it up to them in some way.

Sneaky little Draco caught his Dad and gave him the now learned Malfoy smirk. Oh no, what have I taught this bandit? Thought Lucius, already resigned. He was confident that he had taught him to steal, to lie and to be sneaky; it was too bad because he wasn't like that. He wished that he could erase the memory, but it wasn't legal.

The Grangers gave him their address. In turn, he excused himself, told them he was not from around there and was staying in a hotel, but he would send them a card with all his information upon his return at home.

After he shook their hands once again, he leashed the dogs, put the cane into a sling, attached the day bag, and he walked away with Draco crying all the way, "I want Mimi, please Daddy? She is mine; I promise to be a good little wizard, I won't pull her hair, or make her cry, please, please, please?"

Luckily it wasn't long before he fell asleep. After a few steps, he looked back to the Grangers; Lucius waved the hand holding the dogs, and then waved to Mimi. Grant had picked her up and instead of waving, the little vixen stuck her tongue out and then buried her head under her dad's neck. Lucius raised his eyebrows and grimaced, What an arrogant little hoyden. A witch with gumption, oh Draco you will pay your dues. Life is perfect.

The future would be exciting, and that was a fact. Lucius' thoughts flew to his Cissy and the promised afternoon nap, or better said, his play-date. Daddy Lucius deserved it on a day like today. He held the betrothed little Veela next to his heart. Life was good and full of promise. Hopefully, the Dark Lord was old history, gone for good, but that was probably too much to hope.

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Leaving the park, the same day-

Lucius walked to the parked Muggle car, which he loved to drive. He had inherited the love for vehicles which only had skipped his father, Abraxas. It must have happened after Lucius was born because the garages were full of cars.

He had to ask his Great-grandfather Serpens, next time they drove to the Loire. He was 100 years old and still looking great. Better, he would Port-key to see him the next day. He needed to hear about the little hellion, oh yes he would. Draco is either an overachiever or an over-naughty little wizard; nah, Draco is both. Lucius thought.

He would ask Narcissa if she wanted to come and bring Draco along. Or maybe, it wasn't a good idea. Draco was bound to hear and make plans for his next venture. Daddy Lucius would never be ready for more of the same. Lucius looked at the little blond angel. If only, his little son would behave as he looked right now, while he was awake. He knew as a matter of fact, that he would have to find a way to prevent another incident like today's. He would ask Cissy, she would know what to do.

His father's dislike for automobiles was probably the result of his parents' accidental death during the car crash. He loved the machines; however, he's always aware that cars could be tampered with. As for him, he also felt responsible for Abraxas' death as well. The year after they had the talk, his father had become obsessed with investigating the car accident. "Father, do you think Voldemort was involved?" He had asked him that day at the library.

Abraxas had hired investigators to check on the matter. Less than two years later he had died of Dragon Pox. His mother had followed him in less than six months. She just wasted away, even when he begged; she ignored Lucius' tears not to leave him at such a young age. With both of his parent's gone, his Papa Serpens had come with his wife to live at the Manor, until Lucius married Narcissa at twenty-three.

He still suspected Voldemort was behind the four deaths. That and the knowledge that he was not a Pureblood, made him have all kinds of doubts about his set of beliefs; albeit in some circles, Veelas were considered Purebloods since it was an inner beast. But Veelas were females, he just wasn't sure.

It was sad, but he had to take the Dark Mark. Bellatrix was behind it; Cygnus had refused him to let him marry Narcissa until he took the mark; surely manipulated by Bella. He knew that Lucius had bonded to his daughter somehow and used it as leverage.

Lucius saw his twenty-fifth birthday just around the corner. Every year, it was harder and harder not to be wedded. He wasn't able to live with her, and it was killing him. They could only see each other in borrowed time. Once they finished at Hogwarts, it was difficult because jealousy and pain became his companions.

He had to do something about the Dark Lord. He knew it was a matter of time before some fool brought him back. He didn't want his Draco and now his mate, to be in any danger. What to do? Maybe the Order, and he knew about the Potter boy. He should check on him; something was telling him that an enemy of the Dark Lord deserved to be looked up.

Ah, also Sirius Black, he had been framed, and he was Narcissa's cousin. Perhaps, he could do something in that front; that was an an idea, he'd do things in the background without bringing unwanted attention. He had to think; he would talk to Severus. Poor lad, he wasn't well, still crying over the Potter chit, another victim of the Dark Lord, one more in the never-ending list.

He looked on his review mirror, aha, as it was usual, he had someone following him. He knew that the Dark Lord followers still watch all his moves; no wonder, he was their most significant financial backer. Now he had to look out for his son, at four he could be indiscreet.

Now, he would also have to stay close to Mimi's parents. She had turned into an asset that needed guarding. Mudblood or not, his son came first; what a day. Well, he was getting home, time to lose the car behind him, his home was unplotted, and he didn't want to give anyone a clue. This time he was able to see the driver, he didn't recognize him, but Lucius saw that he wore Wizard's robes.

Back at home-

"Mommy, Mommy, I 'finds' me a little witch, and she is mine. Her name is Mimi." Draco was talking a mile a minute and went running to his mother, who opened her arms, and he jumped into them.

"Slow down angel; you are going to kill your mother," Narcissa said.

"I think I need a little kiss from Mommy as well." Lucius bent and kissed her with Draco trying to get in the middle.

He pushed his daddy, after all, it was his turn, he had a lot to talk about, and she was his Mommy, "You do the smooches later, no around the little one." Draco told him and gave him the smirk.

Lucius had to clear his head when he saw the annoying little smirk. The little wizard needed a firm hand, but whose?

"Darling, do you have something to tell me? You look a little flummoxed, were you a good little wizard for your daddy today?" Cissy asked her two wizards.

"Hmm," Draco said pointing at the tied long lock of curls in his jumper. "They are Mimi's," and pulled the hair towards his mommy's nose, who obligingly bent to smell. Of course, it smelled of clean hair, of some berry shampoo.

"Smells of sweeties, of biscuits, of cinnamon, it is delicious. Mimi smells like the hairs." He said it like it was a matter of fact; meanwhile, he inhaled the fragrance with his pupils getting dilated it. He looked a little off.

Cissy started making the connection and turned very pale when she mouthed, "VEELA." Lucius, who had started to realize the implications fully, just nodded his head affirmatively.

"Draco, love, will you let Mommy borrow Mimi's beautiful hair? We are going to put it in something nice for you to carry around." Lucius asked trying to grab hold of the hair.

"NOOOO. MINE. "Draco screamed at the top of his lungs.

Lucius was dismayed when he noticed Draco's canines. They were a little longer and sharper than usual; it was surprising since they were still his milk teeth. He remembered that it had taken hours for his teeth to feel right when he was nine. With that came a second realization, something Papa Serpens had not told his father, and he'd found on his own.

He had not mated with Narcissa, well, that wasn't true. He couldn't even be honest with himself. Not the mating and marking at the same time, but he'd marked her a second time after she went to the Yule Ball with Rodolphus. He hated that memory.

He had been sixteen and Cissy fifteen. They sealed their love, their bond when she was seventeen. However, if he could have, he'd have marked her since the first day when he had seen her again at Hogwarts. The need to bond came when he saw her kissing Rodolphus. Darn, the need worsen the less he saw her. The books didn't talk about the actual marking, mating, how old, etc.

Narcissa was getting upset, what to do? "Draco, let's have it, we want to make it pretty, you don't want to lose Mimi's pretty hair, do you?" Lucius' voice was edgy; this little terror was going to ruin his day.

"I say no, get your own; it is mine. Mine, mine," Lucius tried again to take away, and Draco pushed him quite hard.

"Lucius, darling, let him be, when he," she was closing the eyes meaning when Draco went to sleep. Lucius was reading to argue when he remembered two things. First, the play-date with Mommy, and second, that he had the jumper, Mimi's jumper.

"Draco we need to eat lunch and take a nap, you have been a busy little wizard and how about if I make you a trade." Lucius still wanted the lock and could not let go. Cissy rolled her eyes. Wizards, they didn't understand little ones.

Lucius enlarged the cases he had put in his pocket and took the jumper from his bag, Draco jumped out his mother's lap sniffing the air; Narcissa was looking at him fascinated. Lucius knew the drill but could not get over of his son's reactions.

They were instinctive. He had just recognized his other half and wanted to have her presence near him. It calmed his inner beast. He imagined when the Veelas lived in communities this wouldn't have been a problem. Plenty of young promised females went to live with the boy's families until it was time for them to marry, and they married at seventeen.

"Give me Mimi's jumper, give it, is MINE." He ran to his father and tried to pull the jumper away from Lucius.

"That tone of voice is unacceptable, no park on Friday if you keep this up. How do we ask?" Lucius sounded a little gruff, he was at his limit. Draco needed lunch and a nap. Lucius needed lunch and a nap with Mommy. Better, he would gladly give up the lunch for the nap.

"I am nice, please give it to me." Draco insisted.

"Son, fine, I will give it to you if you let me take care of Mimi's hair. That was the offer." Lucius wouldn't budge.

"Here we go again." Grumbled Cissy, the two Malfoy men were getting on her nerves.

"So what will it be? This jumper is so big and smells so gooood." Lucius made an act of a deep inhalation.

Lucius was surprised. Hmm, it did smell quite well, of wild-flowers, and strawberries, of fresh rain, of a clean young child, of innocence, a little similar to Draco's natural smell. He realized that his Veela found the child's mate soothing smelled, quite pleasant to him. He would understand the implications later

Draco being four wasn't discriminating and was rather greedy; thus, when he compared a little hair with a much larger jumper, he immediately made the trade. Cissy opened a reticule that she always carried across her chest and quickly stored the hair lock. She saved until they could process it later. They had lunch and moved to their room.

Lucius was exhausted, and they decided a little nap was in order. Draco went to his room; the door closed but not locked and called Pretzel to sit with him. He hoped they wouldn't be needed since he wanted a nap, and then, his promised play-date with Cissy. All would be all right since the little tyke slept like a rock for at least two hours, and he had a lot going on this day. He was looking forward to his time with Cissy, but first a nap, what a day.

xxxxxx