Beautiful Inside

Emily teetered into the drawing room with a small box resting on her stomach.

"You shouldn't be carrying things around like that," Draco scolded, grabbing the box from her. She looked annoyed with him.

"Just because I'm pregnant doesn't mean I can't help," she snapped. He grinned at her, setting the box down and wrapping his arms around her.

"Fine, you can help," Draco mumbled, kissing her softly. Their four boys knocked them apart as they ran about their parents' feet. "You can help by rounding these guys up." Draco grabbed Niles, the youngest, and picked him off his feet.

"Dad, let go!" he whined, wiggling about in his father's arms. "Put me down!"

"Draco, put him down," Emily said laughing slightly. Niles scowled at his father as he scampered off after his brothers.

"Draco darling, you know he hates when you do that," Emily said, picking up the box again. Draco eyed her as she did.

"Yes, but when he misbehaves," he said, taking the box from her once again," he must be dealt with." Emily sighed heavily and stood at the bottom of the marble stairs. Draco frowned at her. "What's wrong?"

"You never really told me how you got this house." She shot him a quick glance. Draco came behind her, setting his head on top of hers.

"Later," he said faintly. She shook her head lightly and climbed the stairs.

"I'm going to settle the boys' rooms." Draco watched her ascend the stairs then moved toward the library. He sighed heavily falling into a chair. He couldn't tell Emily how he got the house. Telling her he'd made an agreement with his father was out of the question. His fingers reached into his cloak and pulled out the letter. He untied it and read through it again.

Draco,

As I am well aware, you are a family man now. Begin searching for a new house yet? With that new baby on the way, you're sure to start looking soon.

You'll be pleasantly surprised when you do, Draco. Remember all the ties I used to have? Remember how they feared me? Yes, well, with the Dark Lord back at full power, my power has in turn come back to me. No one will sell you a house, Drake, no one.

Unless, of course, they had my permission. I've warned them all about selling to you. Slipped in a few words about you being a twisted crook. I could tell a couple that I was simply misunderstood. I could get you a house Draco, but only on one condition.

You need to help us with a little work. Put that dark mark to good use, Draco my son. Come help us. I know that you realize that we're looking for you and your family. If you come and help us, we will spare you all. But, choose to ignore my offering, and you will be in a prime location for attack. I know where you live Draco. You can't move unless you join us. And if you do not join, I will rat you out. I am well prepared to do so, and you know it.

Well, tell me your thoughts, and quickly. I don't know how long I can go on keeping in such a huge piece of information from Voldemort. Hope you make the right choice, Draco.

Lucius

The letter was quite clear. He had to help them out. He wouldn't have them threatening his family. Just a couple of odd jobs, they had said as he met with them. He heard the boys drawing closer so he quickly rolled the letter up and put it away.

"Dad, where's Mum?"

"Upstairs. Why?" Draco looked down at the four of them. They all had a guilty look on their faces. Draco sighed. "What did you do?"

"Nothing dad," Oliver sputtered. "We were just playing in the kitchen is all."

"How much did Mum like that silver embossed plate of hers?" Draco stood up.

"Show me quick before she finds it. I can probably fix it." The boys led him in there. A tiny little house elf was scooping up the pieces.

"What's that?" Niles asked, staring at it wearily.

"Dad, is that a house elf Mum always says she wants?" Sage asked.

"It looks kind of weak. Mum said elves were helpful, and not like that," Brad, Sage's twin, pointed at the small little being. The elf turned around.

"Good evening," she squeaked. "The little boys were playing in here and this poor plate got bumped."

"That's all right," Draco said taking the dustpan from her. "I'll fix it." He pointed his wand at it. "Reparo." The dish returned to one piece.

"Thank you sir, I'll put it away," she said taking the dish.

"I'm sorry, I didn't quite catch your name," Draco said.

"It's Callie, Master Malfoy." Her large eyes were completely out of proportion with the rest of her body. She was about half the size of a regular house elf, with scrawny little arms and legs. "Anything else I could do for you sir?"

"No, that's fine." Draco turned to the boys. Go play somewhere else. We don't want you breaking all of mother's things."

The boys scampered off. Draco lingered at the bottom of the stairs. Emily came to the top.

"No more cleaning," she smiled. "I'm too tired to clean." Callie came into the room.

"Want me to help Ma'am?" Emily looked down at her.

"We have a house elf?" she asked Draco. He nodded. "Umm, I just need to straighten the shelves in the rooms."

"Okay then," she said, popping up the stairs.

"You didn't tell me we had a house elf," Emily said, settling down on their new couch in the library. Draco sat next to her.

"I didn't know." Emily slid over, placing her back against Draco. He poked her in the side.

"What was that for?" Draco shrugged. "I think it's going to be a girl."

"The baby?" he asked.

"Yes, I think it's going to be." She looked up at him and smiled. Draco somehow doubted her.

"Malfoys don't have girls," he mumbled. "And besides, we already have four boys, I think the odds lean slightly in their favour."

"No, we have four boys and it's time for a girl." He laughed at her stubbornness. "Now, are you going to tell me about the house?"

"Didn't I say later?"

"It is later." She turned to face him. He had a stern look on his face. "Fine."

"I'm going out tonight," Draco suddenly blurted, remembering something he was supposed to do.

"Oh? We just move in and here you are quickly rushing out?" she asked.

"Work," he answered in one word. She shrugged.

"Okay, whatever you need to do."

***

Draco got the boys into bed that night, and entered his bedroom. Emily lay quiet on the bed. He didn't want to leave them alone. Not with her sleeping, and no one else there.

"Emily?" he whispered. She sighed, slowly opening her eyes. "I'm going out. Will you be okay?" She nodded sleepily. He kissed her forehead, and shut the door behind him as he exited. He charmed the door after he shut it. Only Callie could get in, that would be fine. He did the same to the boys' doors and headed out into the cold night.