Operation: Get Bob

Chapter 3 - November

That night was the beginning of our relationship. I dreamed about kissing her that night. I day dreamed about it the next morning at breakfast. I watched for her to come into the Great Hall and was greatly disappointed when she didn't show up.

Malfoy was glaring at me and I saw him lean into Goyle and say something to him.

Goyle struck his right fist into his left palm threateningly. I just rolled my eyes and laughed. I had just defeated Voldemort for Merlin's sake, did he really think that he could frighten me. Give me a break!

Then I watched Malfoy's eyes grow large, then narrow. Before I had a chance to react, I felt warm breath on my ear. "Harry, you want to go for a walk?"

I turned and smiled into the most beautiful eyes that I have ever seen, "of course!" I stood up and looked at Ron and Hermione. "I'll see you later."

I didn't know what Malfoy's reaction was and frankly, I didn't care. I was in the one place I wanted to be, "any preferences where you want to walk?"

"I don't know, just on the grounds or around the lake maybe."

"Let's go up to my common room so I can get a cloak." Before long, we were heading out of the doors of the castle with her arm through mine.

"Was there anything in particular that you wanted to talk about?"

She sighed. "Harry, Draco, that giant git, wrote to Lucius, who in turn talked to my father, who in turn wrote to me to tell me to stop seeing you. I didn't even know that I was seeing you!"

My heart sunk to my stomach but I smiled at her. "And what do you want Bob?"

She smiled at me then sighed again. "I want them to leave me alone, that's what I want! I have a question for you Harry. First off, do you remember what I told you at the beginning of the year? About if you want to know something, just ask?"

"How can I forget? If I remember right, you thought I was gay." I laughed.

She squeezed my arm closer and giggled. "Not really. I was just having you on. Anyway, this is going to sound bold but..."

I put a finger to her lips. "Bob, I don't care about Draco, Lucius or your father. I'll take them all on and more. But you have to tell me something."

"What's that?"

I leaned closer to her and lifted her chin so that I could look into her eyes. "Do you like me better in black leather or in a slave costume?"

She was visibly shaken and took a step back and laughed. "What did you ask me?"

I laughed too. "Well, you must have a preference Bob, leather or slave? It's not hard." I teased.

The twinkle in her eyes brightened. "Well, the leather was very nice. But I think I rather enjoyed having a slave at my beck and call. It is a hard choice. I'll think on it and tell you later."

She started to walk ahead of me but I pulled her back. "No, no, no, no, no! You're not getting out of it that easily, leather or slave?"

She sighed and stared into my eyes. "Leather, I think that you are no one's slave Harry Potter."

I pulled her into my arms. "Good answer! And that being said, do you really think that I give one whit what someone else thinks of our relationship?"

"No. I guess not."

"So then, don't worry about the Malfoy's or your father got that!"

She smiled, "got it!"

After that, I continued to tick Malfoy off royally. All of that happened on Sunday. By Wednesday, the whole school knew that Bob and I were together. Bob told me later that she was getting owls from her family on a daily basis. But at the time I didn't know it. I suppose I should have guessed what she was going through. But she never let me know. As far as I knew, the question had been dropped. I can be a real dunce sometimes.

Toward the middle of November the team started gearing up for the next match against Slytherin at the end of the month. We booked the pitch for practice and were just warming up when the Slytherin team showed up.

I landed first with the rest of the team behind me. "What do you want Malfoy?"

"What do I want Potter? I want you to be boiled slowly in a vat of oil. But alas, we don't always get what we want. We have the pitch booked for today."

"That's bollocks Malfoy. I've had it booked for two weeks."

Bob's eyes twinkled at me. But I looked at her dead on. "Don't think that you can use your charms on me Bob. We need to practice!"

She winked at me and whispered in Malfoy's ear. He looked at her as if considering, then back at me. "Ok Potter, how about this. We have a practice game. Right here, right now."

Ron stepped forward, turned his back on the Slytherins and whispered "Harry that would give us a good chance to check out their plays."

I nodded as Ron stepped back behind me. "Alright Malfoy, you're on!"

Bob laughed. "Are you sure Harry? I'll get the snitch before you!"

I smirked. "We'll see Bob."

Her eyes twinkled again. Merlin, I can't get past that! "Harry, I bet that I get the snitch before you do!" Behind me I heard my team groan, interjected with warnings like 'don't do it Harry.'

I have never listened in my life, even when it was in my best interest. I stepped closer to Bob and smiled. "You're on! What crazy costume are you going to make me wear this time Bob?"

She thought for a minute, and then laughed. "No costume Harry, you just have to announce to the whole school that Griffindor is mud on the shoes of Slytherin."

I considered this for a minute then looked at her. "And you have to wear Griffindor colors all day, even during the game!"

The Slytherin team groaned now. She smiled. "It's a bet!"

I turned to my team. "You heard 'em guys. Don't let me down. Our house pride is riding on this."

I got more that a few dirty looks as we all headed to the pitch. But I didn't pay any attention to them. I was giving myself a pep talk. "All right Harry, the sorting hat wanted to put you in Slytherin seven years ago. Now is the time to bring those qualities out. Pull out all the stops man." That being said we took to the sky.

The game was brutal! There was no other word for it. I must have dodged more bludgers than I ever had in a game. They really wanted to win.

After about an hour the score was Griffindor 150, Slytherin 200. Was I worried? No, I was petrified! I knew what she could do. But I was determined to do better. Ok I thought, time to combine my Griffindor courage and my Slytherin cunning (as underdeveloped as it is!)

I pulled a Wronski feint that Viktor Crum would have loved but in the process I saw the snitch. Unfortunately so had she and she was ahead of me. I flattened myself against the broom handle and urged my firebolt to go faster. She was mere inches away from the snitch, so I grabbed the brush of her broom to slow her down. I pulled her back and wrapped my right leg in front of her, on her broom and hoisted myself over in front of her. I leaned forward and it was a simple matter of reaching out and grasping my prize.

She was furious! "Harry Potter! That was cheating! You wouldn't get away with that in a real game and you know it."

"Sure I would Bob! The rule book doesn't say anything about it being against the rules to change brooms in mid-air!"

She glared at me; "You could have killed yourself!"

"What a great loss that would be," Draco had come closer and stopped in mid air.

I looked up at her cousin, "shove off Malfoy!" Then I looked back at Bob. "But I didn't now did I. It will be so nice to see you wearing my colors." I kissed her nose then called to my team. "Great job you guys. Let's go!" We left the pitch listening to the Slytherin team.

"You lost? How could you loose? Roberta, you are not wearing Griffindor colors during the game, and that's final. Our fathers will be here!"

I didn't hear what her reply was to that last statement, but I made a mental note to ask her about it.

In the locker room, my team was buoyant, pounding me on the back. Ron hugged me, "Harry that was brilliant! I've never seen any thing like that before in my life!"

I accepted their congratulations, but I couldn't get Malfoy's last comment out of my head. "You guys go to on to dinner. I'll catch you up later. I have to talk to Bob."

I waited outside the Slytherin locker room and one by one they came out. When Malfoy came out, I stopped him.

"Hey Malfoy!"

"Haven't you done enough damage Potter? Do you have to make it worse by breathing my air?"

"Do you think that you could stop being a giant arse for once in your life, long enough to answer a question? If not, I'll just talk to Bob."

"You know, you are really something Potter. You are so arrogant that you think the whole world revolves around you. And if it isn't to your liking, you'll just adjust it until it does."

"Isn't that what we all do Malfoy. Some of us are just better at it than others. Now are you going to answer my question or not?"

He seemed to consider it for a moment. "I tell you what Potter. You ask the question and then I'll decide if I will answer it or not."

"Ok, something you said is bothering me. Can you tell me about Bob's father?"

I could see that he was considering my request. The play of changing emotions was almost comical to watch.

Then he looked at me. "Do you really want to know that he beats her if she steps one toe out of line. Do you want to know that the only reason that she is here in the first place is because my father, are you listening Potter, MY father feared for her safety and asked to have her live here for a year. You think my father is bad? He is nothing compared to Ludwig Malfoy.

"Did you really want to know that he has been owling her all term, telling her to stay away from you, and she is so bloody stubborn that she won't listen. For some reason she has decided that she likes you. Personally, I think she has deplorable taste."

"He beats her?"

"Yes, keep up Potter, her father beats her, and he is going to be here for the game. You are putting her in danger. Adjust that little part of the world to your liking Potter, and then stick it up your arse!"

I watched him turn away and disappear around the corner of the building.

I don't know why I took everything he said at face value. I never had before. My only excuse I guess is that I don't think straight where Bob is concerned. If I were to go to a psychoanalyst, he would probably say something like "Mr. Potter, you are harboring deep seated feelings of inadequacy, coupled with the notion that the young lady in question is too good for you.

I stood there leaning against the wall of the locker building for a long time, and then made a decision. I pushed off the wall and entered the Slytherin locker room.

"Bob?"

"Harry?" She appeared, coming out of the ladies showers. When she saw me she smiled and her smile brightened the room. She threw her arms around my neck and kissed me.

"I should be furious with you Harry, but I'm not. You were brilliant; how very sneeky of you. We'll make a Slytherin of you yet."

"Perish the thought!" I disentangled myself from her. What I had to do was killing me and I couldn't bear to hold her. "Um...Roberta...I..."

She looked confused. "Harry, you haven't called me Roberta since the day we met. What's wrong?"

I looked at the floor, then at the walls, then at the windows. I looked anywhere except at her, because if I looked at her I would loose my nerve and her safety depended on what I did in the next couple of minutes. So I mustered all of my Griffindor courage and plunged on.

"Roberta...I...um...I think that...we should...um...break up."

The silence filled the room as she just looked at me. After what seemed like an eternity she exploded.

"What! Harry Potter, look at me! What do you mean we should break up? Why?"

I couldn't speak. I just shrugged my shoulders and looked at my feet.

"Who is she Harry? Who is the little tart?"

Now I glanced up at her. She had unshed tears in her eyes and it killed me that I put them there, but I knew that I was doing the right thing. "You don't know her. She doesn't go to school here. In fact...she is a...um...a muggle."

"A muggle; you chose a muggle over me? No Harry I don't believe that. You found out that my father is coming to the game and you are too afraid to face him. That's it isn't it? You are nothing but a coward. Forget all the pretty speeches you made about not caring about what anyone else thinks, you are a coward and a liar."

Now, I would have marched into the very gates of hell for her. I would have battled the devil himself for her, but if it would keep her safe, I knew that I had to step back. So I did the bravest thing I have ever done in my life. I looked her in the eye "yes Roberta, I am a coward." I almost choked on the words. "I have to go."

I spun on my heel and ran away from her. I ran all the way to the castle. I by passed the Great Hall filled with students eating their evening meal. I wouldn't have been able to eat anyway.

When I got to Griffindor tower I ran straight to my dorm room and threw myself onto my bed. I laid there with tears in my eyes for only a few moments before I got up and angrily paced the room.

I picked up the little glass griffin that Hermione had given me and threw it against the stone walls of the room. It made a very satisfying shattering noise. Then I picked up my ink bottle and it quickly followed the griffin. Then my potion book that I had left on my bedside table followed the inkbottle, and then my rucksack followed that.

I dropped, and sat in the middle of my dorm room floor and bawled like a baby. Thankfully I had calmed down before my dorm mates returned from dinner. Seamus and Dean started in the door and stopped dead when they saw me on the floor amid the mess I had made. Neville plowed into them. Ron then walked around them and looked at me. "Hey mate. What's going on?" I just looked at him but didn't say anything. He whispered something to Neville, who turned and ran out.

He plopped down next to me. "Missed you at tea mate; do ya want me to snag you something to eat?"

I just shook my head and stared at the floor.

"Your scar isn't hurting, is it?"

I shook my head but still remained stubbornly quiet.

Then he just dropped down next to me and sat there.

Sometime later, it could have been a couple of minutes or it could have been hours, Hermione came in. She must have signaled the rest to leave because suddenly the room was empty save for Ron and Hermione.

She sat on the other side of me and put an arm around my shoulders. "Do you want to talk about it Harry?"

I shook my head. So we sat there, the three of us, in silence. The only sound came from the crackling wood burning in the fireplace.

Finally I looked at them. "I broke up with Roberta."

Ron started to say something but must have gotten some kind of signal from Hermione, because he suddenly clamed up. Then it was like a dam broke. I told them everything Malfoy said. I told them what I said to her. I told them how much in love with her I was and that it was killing me.

Hermione put her head on my shoulder. "Harry, couldn't you..."

I snapped at her. "No, there is nothing I can do Hermione because I am not married to her, I can't be with her 24 hours a day to protect her from that bastard. And I would have to be. Believe me, if there was a way..."

I stood and began pacing again. "...but there isn't. I've been over and over it. She is better off without me in her life. I would die if I were the cause of her getting hurt."

"Mate, there are laws protecting..."

"I know Ron. But they wouldn't be able to do anything for her until after he...hurt her. No! It is better this way. Besides, she will probably never talk to me again considering what I said to her."

"What...?"

"I told her that I had a muggle girlfriend and that I am too much of a coward to face her father."

Ron huffed. "And she believed you?"

He never said it but the implication was that she was daft for believing that rubbish.

I then looked at Mione "I broke your griffin. I'm sorry."

"That's easily fixed Harry." She walked to the mess and waved her wand over it and whispered 'Repairo" and the perfect little griffin leapt to her hand. "I think the ink bottle is beyond repair Harry. She picked up my book and rucksack and placed them on my bed then whispered 'scourgify' at the ink. It disappeared just as if it had never been there.

I sighed. "I think that I am going to bed. Thanks you two, I appreciate it. And don't worry, I'll be fine."

But I wasn't fine. I moved through the next days like a zombie. The only reason I ventured from my bed at all was because Hermione would have none of it. I avoided the Great Hall at all costs. I didn't want to see her. So only when hunger drove me to it, I would walk in, grab something and leave as quickly as I could

When I was in class with her I would adjust my seat so that I couldn't see her. If I passed her in the halls, I would try to duck down another corridor or look at my feet as we passed.

I did see Malfoy on occasion. When I did, he would whisper something to his two cronies and the three of them would laugh. It was a very long two weeks.

On the morning of the Griffindor vs. Slytherin game, I did venture into the Great Hall. I knew that my team would be there and I wanted to get some practice in. While I was talking to them I saw her walk in, talking to some friends and I stopped in mid-sentence and stared. Mione followed my eyes and turned around to look at her.

Visibly shaken, I mumbled to the team that I would meet them at the pitch in a half-hour and left the room.

A half-hour later the team was flying, practicing moves and warming up for the game. We returned to the locker rooms and prepared for the match. It was the time that I generally gave a pep talk to my team-mates. I tried, but my heart wasn't in it.

"All right you lot. This is Slytherin. You know how good their...seeker is. It is up to you to get as many points as possible. I am going to get the snitch as early as I can. I want this to be a fast game. As of right now we are tied with Slytherin for the cup. So we have to win." My voice was lack luster and my team just looked at me with confusion on their faces.

I saw Ron look at me, then at the team. He shook his head. "Harry is right you lot. Our Griffindor honor and pride are riding on this game today. We are not going to let outside influences dictate how we fly. We are the best team that Hogwarts has ever seen and we are going to keep it that way. Slytherin is dead meat. We are going to kick their arses. Are you all with me?"

Choruses of "kill 'em," and "you bet," rang through the locker room.

"I especially want that slimy blonde prat to get his. We will humiliate him, ahh...I mean them.

I looked at them "All right they will be announcing us in a minute let's get to the pitch entrance." I looked at Ron. "Thanks mate."

"Are you going to be able to do this Harry?"

"I'll be fine. Let's go."

Lee Jordan announced us one by one and we flew out at the mention of our names. I was last. We all hovered there in mid-air and listened to Madam Hooch give her normal speech about having a clean game. Then the whistle blew.

I had avoided looking at Roberta. I figured that if I didn't look that it would be like any other seeker. When all the other players were speeding around the pitch and I heard Lee announce '10 points to Griffindor', I finally looked up. There she was. Not one foot in front of me. She was staring at me and smiling. And on top of that she was wearing Griffindor colors, my colors.

"Shouldn't you be going after the snitch?" Her voice was smooth and light and soothed my nerves.

"Shouldn't you? Why are you are wearing my colors, you shouldn't have. Your father..."

"...Has never, I repeat, never laid a finger on me in anger Harry Potter."

I closed my eyes to process what she was saying to me. "What did you say?"

"He lied to you Harry. Draco lied. Now can we please play this game and get it over with so that we can talk properly?"

Have you ever wanted something to be over with so quickly that you were willing to do anything to make it happen? That's how I felt. My heart had lightened considerably. Then I heard Lee saying something to the effect that the two seekers had forgotten that we were playing a game. I turned my head to look at the Griffindor team and saw it. I sped off with her right on my tail.

Sometimes things happen just the way you want them to. I caught the snitch. It was the easiest catch I had ever made. It was like I just plucked it out of the air.

"Griffindor wins 160 to 20." I heard Lee's jubilant voice. But I only saw Bob's face. She was smiling at me.

"Good catch Griffindor. Can we go talk now?"

"Roberta! That was the most bone headed move..."

I was livid, "Malfoy, if you value your life at all, you will turn around and run the other direction. Because right now, I would think absolutely nothing of knocking you off your broom and listen to the satisfying crunch your body would make when it hit the ground." To emphasize my point I flew at him and made him back up a ways.

I was rewarded by a momentary flash of fear before he turned to his cousin, "Roberta, are you coming to the locker room?"

"No, Malfoy!" She stressed the last name. "You've done enough damage. I'll deal with you when I don't feel like murdering you myself; in about ten...thousand years. Go away."

Malfoy looked physically shaken but turned and flew off.

"Harry, we need to talk."

I looked around and smiled, "the Astronomy Tower. Let's go." We flew side by side toward the castle and I felt like the missing part of me had returned. We landed on the parapets of the astronomy tower and went through the door into the small room that held a few chairs and desks. I pointed my wand at the fireplace and whispered "Incendio". Immediately a fire began warming the cold room. She put a locking charm on the door and helped me pull a large comfortable chair over to the fire.

Then she slapped me. I looked at her shocked. But before I could say anything she spoke. "That was for lying to me Harry, muggle girlfriend indeed. I was so upset. I couldn't eat, I couldn't sleep, and I couldn't function at all."

Then she kissed my reddened cheek. "And that's for caring enough for me, that you were willing to pull back to protect me. Sit."

I did as she directed and she sat on my lap. "When did you find out what was going on and how? I'm reasonably certain that Malfoy didn't tell you."

"It was Hermione. This morning when I walked into the Great Hall, she decided to take a chance and talk to me. Draco saw her coming and tried to head her off, but she hexed him." Then Bob laughed and put her head on my shoulder. I pulled her closer. Suddenly everything was just...right."

"I almost hexed her. I was so angry. You have to understand that at that point I didn't know what Draco had done. She said she needed to talk to me. I asked her why I should talk to her and not curse her to hell. She said, if what I think has happened is in fact the truth, you may want to hex him too! That got my attention. So we left the Great Hall and sat on the steps. She told me what Draco had said and why you backed off. She also told me what you said about not being able to be with me 24 hours a day. She's a good friend Harry. She loves you a lot."

I thought about it and agreed. "Yeah I know. But, I don't want to talk about her or your cousin; I want to talk about us. I've missed you, you know."

Then she smiled at me. "Of course you have. You've been making your friends miserable and Draco extremely happy."

I remember groaning. "You know, the fact that I was stupid enough to believe him is proof enough that I deserve anything he can dish out. I'm not going to tolerate him, mind you, but I do deserve it, that horse's arse."

Then she kissed me. I will never forget that kiss. It was like...coming home. Then she sighed. "You know my father is here. I can't hide away with you. You want to come meet him?"

Now, all sorts of things went through my head at the moment. I wasn't quite sure how to filter out everything I had heard and decipher the truth. "He doesn't beat you?"

"No."

"He doesn't like me?"

She hesitated. "No."

"He would like nothing more than to see me dead, rather than dating his little girl?"

She smiled. "Yes."

"Is that because I am Harry Potter, defeater of Voldemort, or because I am a male and would dare to cross his path to get to his little girl?

"I think the male part, but watch out for the Harry Potter part."

"Uh huh, I see. Well, sounds like a normal father-daughter relationship. I can handle that. Let's go." We headed out of the astronomy tower hand-in-hand.

We really didn't have to look very long or hard to find Ludwig Malfoy. He was looking for us and wasn't very happy that I had left with her without so much as a by your leave. He was flanked by two smirking Malfoys. When he saw us he stopped and stared bloody daggers at me. His eyes turned red, I swear they did.

Bob didn't notice anything unusual and ran and hugged her father. While she had him otherwise occupied I was looking at Draco, wondering if I should torture him slowly before I had him drawn and quartered.

I was interrupted from my thoughts of revenge, mayhem and murder when Bob grabbed my hand and started pulling me closer to her father. "Harry, this is my father Ludwig Malfoy, daddy, this is Harry Potter."

I was immediately thankful for the familiar feel of my wand in my back pocket. I wasn't entirely sure that I would get out of this encounter without a duel.

"So, this is Harry Potter who thinks that the world is his for the taking, including my daughter. Tell me Mr. Potter, what makes you think that you are good enough for Roberta?"

Without batting an eye, I looked at him and answered "I don't think I am good enough for her. But amazingly she fancies me and I thank Merlin everyday that she does. And I plan to spend every moment that we are together trying to be worthy of such faith."

He didn't say anything and I chanced a look at Bob. She was smiling and her eyes were shining with unshed tears. She grabbed my arm and hugged it close to her. "Do you see daddy why Harry is so important to me?" Her words were for her father but her eyes were on me. I felt like I could fly without my broom.

Lucius Malfoy must have realized that this wasn't going exactly how he would have liked so he started speaking to me. "Mr. Potter, I haven't had the opportunity to congratulate you for defeating Lord Voldemort. That was quite a feat. Your powers must indeed be very strong."

"Not necessarily...sir" I added the honorific as a dig. "It was a simple stupefy curse that stopped him." I shrugged my shoulders. "A first year could have done it. I just happened to be the one that he went after. I am grateful though that the ministry and the aurors are keeping an eye on those that escaped prosecution so that resurgence isn't possible. They are keeping an especially close watch on those believed to be in Voldemort's inner circle. But I don't expect any real trouble. I have great faith in the Ministry of Magic."

There was a visible tightening of the muscles in Lucius Malfoy's face as I smiled at him. Then I turned to my nemesis. "Oh, Draco, I haven't had the chance to thank you yet. The information that you gave me a couple of weeks ago was invaluable. Only a real friend would have helped me out so much. Thanks mate!" I reached out and punched his arm in seeming camaraderie, but with the help of a tiny bit of wandless magic there should be a bruise on his shoulder for weeks.

I watched with the utmost glee as Lucius frowned at his son. "What is he talking about Draco?"

Ludwig looked from his brother to his nephew to his daughter then finally at me. Then he smiled. He stepped forward and put an arm around my shoulder. There must be a place where two men can sit and have a private conversation Mr. Potter."

He let the question hang and I nodded then looked at Bob. "Bob, I know that we had a date, but can you see it in your heart to allow me to cancel dinner with you tonight so that your father and I can get to know each other better?"

She smiled and kissed me on the cheek. "Alright Harry, but I expect a rain check."

"Absolutely," I lifted my hand to her cheek and kissed her. "I'll see you later."

Now you might think that kissing a young lady in front of her father and her Slytherin uncle and cousin was not the smartest thing in the world, but I would disagree. This left no question in anyone's mind what my intentions were toward Bob. It was all out on the table and whether or not they liked it.

Bob linked an arm through Lucius' and said "C'mon Uncle Lu, I seem to need a date for dinner now." She turned and winked at me and walked down the corridor toward the Great Hall.

With a smile on my face, I watched her walk away until her father spoke again. "Mr. Potter?"

I started a bit then looked at him. "This way sir, have you ever been to Hogwarts sir?"

"No, I attended Beaubaton. The Malfoy family lived in France for generations. I am ten years Lucius' senior so I was out of school three years before he even started. When the family moved to Great Brittan Lucius was only eight years old."

I pointed out interesting portraits and told him facts about the castle that I had learned over the years. Professor Snape was walking down one corridor so I stopped him and introduce him to Bob's father. "Professor Snape, may I have a moment of your time please."

He looked at me like I had two heads but stopped anyway. "Sir, may I introduce Mr. Ludwig Malfoy, Roberta's father. Mr. Malfoy this is Professor Severus Snape our esteemed Potions Master. He is rumored to be the best Potions Master this school has seen in a century."

Professor Snape looked at me oddly but held a hand out to Ludwig. "I have known Ludwig for a long time Potter. Ludwig, it is good to see you again."

"And you Severus. How is Roberta doing in class?"

"Excellently; as a matter of fact, she may even help our Mr. Potter here pass the class."

I shrugged. "What can I say sir. She brings out the best in me."

"If you will excuse me, I am late for an appointment." I watched Snape turn and leave then I looked at Bob's father, "this way Mr. Malfoy."

It didn't take too long the get to the moth-eaten tapestry of Barnabus the Barmy. I asked Mr. Malfoy to stand to the side. Then I walked past the door three times and concentrated on what I needed. When the door appeared I opened it for him, "this way sir."

This time the room of requirement was decorated with a lush carpet, two over-stuffed chairs and a small table in front of a fire place. The fire crackled peacefully and gave the room a comfortable feeling. The corner of the room held a liquor cabinet. I walked to it and smiled up at my guest. "What would you like to drink Mr. Malfoy?"

"Scotch whiskey, if you have it."

I poured his drink and took a butterbeer for myself. "Please sit down sir."

He studied me for a long time. But just as I was beginning to feel a bit uncomfortable, he spoke. "Well, Mr. Potter, you seem to quite a poised young man. Quite different than my brother informed me."

I nodded. "You must understand sir, that I have very little contact with your brother. The last time we were together was...not pleasant."

What could I say? The last real contact I had with Lucius Malfoy was at the department of mysteries at the ministry. I had no idea if Bob's father was involved with Voldemort or not. I didn't know if he knew of Lucius' activities. I was at a loss.

He nodded as if he understood. "Lucius has always been a poor judge of character. But we aren't here to talk about my brother. I want to talk about you and Roberta."

I looked him right in the eye. "What would you like to know?"

"Well, to start off, what are your intentions?"

I smiled. That was an easy one. "Mr. Malfoy, in the three months that I have known Bob, she has become my life-line..."

He looked shocked. "Bob?"

I looked sheepishly at him. In reality, I hadn't been aware that I had used my pet name for her. "I'm sorry, Bob is a nick name I call her. Roberta..."

"I used to call my wife that. She is named after her mother, did you know that Mr. Potter?"

"Please sir, feel free to call me Harry. And no, I didn't know that."

"Continue Mr....Harry."

"To be perfectly blunt Mr. Malfoy, I am in love with your daughter. That is something I haven't even told her yet. But I thought you should know."

"When do you intend to tell her?"

I thought a moment, "when the time is right; when I don't have Draco breathing down my neck; or silly suspicious rumors floating around." I unintentionally let my temper show in my voice.

"What are you talking about Harry?"

I looked at him a bit embarrassed. "I'm sorry..."

"Is someone spreading vicious rumors about my daughter?" His anger was evident.

"No sir, about you."

This caught him by surprise and he stared at me dumbfounded. "Me? What about me?"

So I told him the story! What else could I do? I did leave out the part that it was Draco that had said it. In my heart of hearts, I really didn't want to cause more family problems. If I was eventually going to be part of this family, and if I had my way I would, then it would only hurt Bob and me in the long run.

"Who started this rumor Harry?"

I was ready for this. "More scotch sir?"

He smiled. "Yes please."

I poured more liquor into his glass and returned the bottle to the table and leaned back in my chair.

"Who?"

"You are not easily dissuaded are you?"

"No, who?"

"Mr. Malfoy, it really doesn't matter who started the trouble. What matters is that I was stupid enough to believe it without a shred of proof. And for that sir, I truly apologize. My concern for Bob, overrode my ability to think straight. But it is settled now. I ask you sir to let me handle the problem in my own way, for your family's sake, and for Bob's.

He studied me for a long moment as if considering. "You are truly an unusual young man Harry." He took another drink then asked "I assume that you will eventually propose to Bob, am I right?"

I looked at the floor in thought, "eventually, yes."

"How will you support her?"

"I am planning on being an auror...I think. Does that sound flaky? I am already scheduled to go into training in August. I haven't finalized anything though. Professor Dumbledore has also offered me a teaching position should I want to go that direction for a career. And my parents left me a large amount of money when they died. She will want for nothing, I promise you sir."

"Harry, call me Lud. All of my friends do. It is heartening that you are not planning to make a living on your fame. That would be tempting for most wizards."

I shook my head in disgust and huffed, "my fame! That gets in the way more than it helps. Can you imagine sir, should I actually decide to become an auror, how difficult it will be for me to be any kind of under-cover agent for the ministry? This stupid scar gives it away every time. Don't get me wrong sir, I mean Lud, I am not complaining. Well not much anyway..." I looked at him and smiled sheepishly. "I don't want to get stuck behind a desk because that is the only help that I can be to the ministry."

I leaned forward with my elbows on my thighs. I suddenly realized that this man was not only Bob's father, but should I marry her, he would be my father-in-law, the closest thing that I would have to a father of my own. I suddenly wanted to just sit and talk to him about my concerns, fears, joys and excitements. I realized that I really, genuinely liked this man.

"I realized last summer, that if I truly were to have anonymity in my life's work that I would have to work in the muggle world. I don't think that I want to do that. I've spent too much time training in the wizard world to leave it all behind. So you see, I am still in quite a dilemma. I'll get it figured out though.

"How did you and Bob meet Harry? In her letter she said something about a bet..."

I laughed. "Yes, we have quite a rivalry going. "I explained to him about the first bet and the song. He laughed until he had tears in his eyes. "I am genuinely surprised that you are still around Harry. Had it been me, I would have thought that she wasn't worth the trouble."

I laughed too, "no, never that. I knew from the moment that I saw her that she would be my future. I was determined to do what ever it took to get her attention. I guess it worked."

"Yes, it appears that it did."

I'm not going to go into all of the detail of our conversation that night. It did go into the wee hours of the morning. Sometime during the evening I called Dobby and asked him to send us some food. While we ate, Lud told me stories about Bob and her mother. He did manage to get out of me about the unfriendly rivalry between Draco and me that had been going on for the seven years we were at Hogwarts.

Then he asked me for first hand accounts of my meetings with Voldemort.

When I hesitated he just looked at me. "Are you uncomfortable talking about it all Harry?"

"No! Not with the right people. If I may be so bold Lud, may I see your left forearm?"

"Cautious, I like that. Even now that Voldemort is gone for good."

"It is very easy for someone else to take over and we would go through it all again; your arm sir...if you would please."

He smiled and rolled up the sleeve of his robe. I pulled out my wand and laid it on his forearm. 'Aperio', to my horror the dark mark appeared, seeming to mock me. I jumped back and looked at him. "You are a death eater!" It was a statement not a question.

He nodded his head. "Yes Harry. I was a death eater. It was expected of all Malfoy's. If you had not killed Voldemort...I am eternally grateful to you for that."

I was devastated. I almost called a halt to the interview. But he stopped me. "Harry, will you let me tell you the story? Or are you going to assume the worst of me before you have all of the information?"

I sat back down, but now I was not so relaxed and I kept my wand in my hand.

"Really son, you don't need that wand pointed at me. I am not going to attack you. In fact here..." He took out his wand and handed it to me. "It's a gesture of trust Harry. It shows that I trust you, and that I hope that you trust me. The snitch is in your court Harry, what's it to be?"

I looked at his wand in my hand then back at him and in an instant I knew what I needed to do. I handed it back to him. "I don't need this Lud. I trust you."

"Are you sure Harry?"

"I'm sure." To emphasize my point, I put my want away again.

Then I sat back and waited; waited for him to start talking or to attack me. To tell you the truth, I wasn't sure which one it would be.

The room became quiet except for the crackling of the fire. I stared into that fire while I waited for him to gather his thoughts. When he finally broke the silence, I started a bit.

"I was your age when my father approached me and told me what an honor it was to serve Lord Voldemort; that the Dark Lord had the right of it. That he wanted me to learn at the feet of this great man. For three years I resisted. Voldemort was just coming to power. It was different then. He still allowed his followers a choice...of sorts. At least he didn't kill the family members of those that refused. That came later. My father finally convinced me to meet with Lord Voldemort. I went, reluctantly. I listened to him talk to his followers. I heard him speak of a time of great peace where wizards wouldn't need to tolerate muggles. I wasn't exactly sure what he was talking about. I thought that he was talking about the wizarding community going to a place where there were no muggles. I just couldn't imagine a man who would murder non-magical people by the thousands so, stupidly; I chose to believe his words as I interpreted them. What a mistake I made."

He was staring into the fire as he spoke and it seemed to me that he had forgotten that I was there.

"It was at this time that my father moved the family to be closer to his leader. We moved from France to Great Brittan. That is when I got my mark. The pain was so excruciating. But to show fear, doubt or weakness was an insult to our leader. So, I bore it."

"Over the years, he sent me on small errands. I was nothing more than a delivery boy. A glorified owl if you will. Then he called me to him one night and told me that he had arranged a marriage for me. He said that she was a young witch of pure blood that has come of age; and that we would be married that night."

"I was shocked to say the least, but what could I do? One could not defy the Dark Lord as he was beginning to be known, and live through it. So in a brief ceremony 15 minutes later I was married to my Roberta. He dismissed us from his presence and left us in a state of fear, uncertainty and anger."

"I took her to my home and we just looked at each other. I mean, what do you say to some one that you suddenly find yourself married too and you don't even know her name. It was a bit awkward to say the least."

"It took a little while, but I came to love her. I tried to do my best to please her but she was bitter. You see, I found out later that she had been dating a young man who was a muggle. Her father had found out about it and approached Voldemort. The marriage was his solution. I think they killed the muggle. I don't know for sure. To tell you the truth Harry, I didn't even know about him until years later. When I think back on it, it is amazing that Roberta ever loved me. She did though and I feel blessed because of it."

He sighed "Two years later, Roberta was pregnant and we were anxiously awaiting the arrival of our daughter. It was about time for her to deliver and I never left her side until Voldemort sent me on a mission. I was to deliver a package to a muggle man. I was stupid Harry. I didn't think about what the package was. It turns out that it was a muggle bomb set to explode when the package was opened. My instructions were to deliver the package and leave. So I did. One minute later the building exploded in flames. There were muggle police everywhere.

"To this day, I believe that they somehow forced my dear wife into labor. I wasn't there because they lured me away from her side. He seemed lost for a moment and I looked up at him to see him wiping away a tear.

Then he sighed again, "After the explosion, I apparated out and went to my home to find the medi-witch sitting in my living room, holding my daughter and crying. I took one look at her and ran to my wife. She was already gone. I was devastated. When I staggered out of the room, the medi-witch tried to hand me my squalling daughter but I just walked past them as if I didn't see them."

"She followed me into the kitchen. 'Mr. Malfoy, your dear wife asked me to give you this letter when you arrived. I looked at the parchment with her seal on it. I was shaking when I took the letter and opened it. In the letter she explained that Voldemort had told her that her daughter would be his as a punishment for her having dared love a muggle. She explained that she was going to kill herself but that she just didn't have the courage to kill the baby. She begged me to take our daughter into hiding; somewhere far away where Voldemort could not get his hands on her. So that is exactly what I did. For the first 11 years of her life, we lived as muggles. I never used magic of any sort."

"Then her Hogwarts letter came. Maybe you can understand like no one else, the confusion and frustration of having been lied to for her entire life. She finally realized who she was and what she was capable of. At first she was angry with me, but after I explained everything she forgave me. I taught her. I couldn't send her to Hogwarts for obvious reasons. If Voldemort somehow got wind of her being there...well, it would not have been good."

"Then last year, you solved my problem, you killed him. I was ecstatic. I was able to contact my brother after all those years. I did contact him only to find that he was a broken man because of his beloved Lords death. It has taken us a while but we are slowly becoming a family again, I think we are anyway. Sometimes it is really hard to tell with Lucius."

"Anyway, now that Voldemort is dead, it was safe to allow Roberta to attend school."

Then he smiled at me. "And who should she fall in love with but Harry Potter, the very person that I owed my or I should say our freedom too. Harry, please forgive me for my angry father performance. It was mostly for Lucius' sake. Family unity and all you understand, and the fact that my daughter is my gem. She is more precious to me than anything on this Earth and I will not see her hurt. I've heard all the rumors about you, of course, but I have never been inclined to believe rumors. The fact that this is the first time in 17 years that I have not had her with me makes me a bit edgy; I've protected her for so long. I miss her, Harry. But I sincerely believe that this is the best thing for her now."

He stood and approached me, "I also find that I do indeed like you very much, and I would consider it an honor to be counted among your friends."

I looked up at him and had tears in my eyes and shook my head 'no'. "I am sorry sir, I don't think you will ever be my friend."

He looked stricken. "I understand Harry. After what you have been through at the hands of Voldemort, having a Death Eater as a friend would seem..."

"No sir, let me finish." I stood to face him, 'Friend' doesn't seem strong enough to me. But if you are willing the job of father is open. I have never had a father as mine was killed when I was one year old." Then I smiled at him. "To tell you the truth Lud, the fact that you are a Malfoy concerns me more than being a Death Eater."

He laughed. "Well, I'm sorry Harry, but I have even less control over that part than I do the Death Eater thing. He held a hand out to me and pulled me into an embrace. Then he smiled at me, "alright then son. Now, it's late. It has been a long day for both of us. I suggest that you get some sleep and we continue this in the morning. I'll walk with you to your Griffindor tower. From what Roberta tells me, your Mr. Filch is quite the character. I wouldn't want you to get into trouble for my sake."

We walked in companionable silence until we got to the Fat Lady. He held a hand out but I stepped into another hug. I looked at him then and said only "Thank you!" Then I entered my common room happier than I had been in a long while.

It seemed that I had barely lain down before Ron was shaking me awake asking me if I was going to sleep all day. I hit him with my pillow then put it over my head.

"But Bob is looking for you mate."

I poked my head up. "Tell her I'll be right there. And Ron, don't keep her standing out in the corridor. Let her into the common room." I was saying all this as I got up and ran to the shower.

In five minutes, I was showered, dressed and headed down the steps to the common room. Hermione and Bob were sitting in front of the fireplace talking animatedly and laughing. I just stood there and watched them with a smile on my face. Dare I say I was giddy? I walked up behind her and kissed her neck. "Good morning."

"She smiled at me. "Good afternoon to you. What did you do to my dad Harry?'

I know I must have looked confused. "What do you mean what did I do to him? He was fine when I left him."

"No silly. He went from hating you yesterday to practically adopting you today."

Hermione stood up. "If you two will excuse me, I have some revision to do on my arithmancy."

Bob hugged her. "Thanks Hermione." She looked at me again. "So what did you do to my dad, Harry?"

I went around the end of the couch and fell over the arm so that I landed with my head in her lap. "Oh, that. Well, I just used my devastating good looks, charm and personality on him. Not to mention plying him with scotch whiskey."

"Well, he said to tell you that he would owl you later. He had to leave with Uncle Lu."

"I would have liked to say good bye to him, but then seeing 'Uncle Lu' would have ruined it. I suppose your cousin was there as well"

"Yes, and it is driving him crazy that I have stopped talking to him."

"If you think that is bad, just wait till you hear what I have in mind for him. It'll kill him."

Her eyes lit up, "what?"

"I'm going to be nice to him."

She laughed at me. "Oh Harry, that's cruel."

"That's right. And he deserves every bit of it. This is going to be fun."

"And what exactly do you think will happen?"

"Why my love, he is going to apologize to both of us."

She shook her head, "never!"

"You don't think so?" I stood up and pulled her up too.

"It will never, happen Harry. Draco Malfoy will never apologize to you of all people. I doubt he will even apologize to me, but you...impossible."

I smiled. It was an evil smile; a calculated smile, "wanna bet?"

She laughed. "Oh ho ho ho, I am definitely in on this one Harry Potter. You will NEVER get him to apologize."

"Ok and I tell you I will. In fact, if he hasn't apologized by...let's see...December 15 at mid-night, then I will concede and you win the bet. If you win, I'll buy you a firebolt, top of the line, latest release, and all the amenities; but if I win...huum ...Breakfast in bed fed to me personally by my own slave girl; a slave girl to meet my every whim.

She laughed, "Dream on Potter. Draco Malfoy will not apologize. It's just not in him. I don't think he is physically capable." She smiled. "A firebolt hum. That's dangerous you know. I will beat you at Quidditch every time. But that is awfully expensive Harry. If you want to name something else..."

I shook my head. "Not necessary! I'm going to win! By the way, slave girls don't wear much."

She blushed "You are so bad!"

"But there are some rules Bob. You are not allowed to tell him what is going on."

"Deal!"

I saw the glimmer in her Slytherin eyes. I pulled her close and kissed her. "And you are not allowed to get anyone to tell him. Zip, nada, zilch, no one. Agreed?"

She looked disappointed. "I liked you better as a Griffindor Harry."

"Hey, I'm your creation babe. You've got to take the good with the bad." I rubbed my hands together. "Let the games begin!"