Our Little One

Draconn Malfoy

Story Summary:
Remus and Lucius have adopted a 15-year-old girl, Olivia, who can't do magic. Not everyone likes the fact that the Malfoys are having a happy family - and somebody decides to change it. However, the extended Malfoy clan isn't about to give up easily, and Severus' hidden talent becomes very useful...

Chapter 04 - A Happy Family

Chapter Summary:
Some photographs shown to Olivia, Wolfsbane Potion, and the first full moon with Olivia around.
Posted:
12/28/2003
Hits:
1,695
Author's Note:
My thousand thanks to everyone who has reviewed this far!


~*~.Our little one. ~*~.

Chapter Four

A Happy Family

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This part of the chapter is from Remus' POV.

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"Would you like to see some pictures?" I ask from Olivia. I'm holding some photo albums in my hands. They contain pictures of our wedding day, fluffy and warm all around.

"Pictures?" she echoes warily, raising her gaze from the book she's reading. On the page I see some very complex recipe. I don't even want to know what it is. I was always miserable in Potions. Fortunately to me, Sirius was good, and he practically dragged me through Potions exams. Now I have Lucius and Severus around me, so I don't have to even think about potions anymore -- something I'm very glad about.

"Yes," I say, and smile at her, trying to soothe her. She's so cautious. "Photographs. Our wedding day and all that. You could also see Sirius and Severus."

"They're coming next week, right?" she asks. Her expression is an interesting mix of caution and waiting. Not a miracle. We have been telling her that Severus is the best Potions Master in the country, and Draco really hasn't helped with his stories about Severus' research. She's just as fond of potions as Lucius is, if not more, and now she'll be taught by the best.

"Yes, they are," I reply, smiling. She's really been listening to what we say. Good. Listening is one of the best ways to wisdom. I just hope she didn't listen only because of her fear of disturbing someone. But then again, you can never get everything. "I thought that you'd maybe like to see some photos of them before they arrive. And since you were so interested in the beginning of our relationships, I thought that you'd like to see our wedding as well."

"I'd love to." She smiles, placing the book on the little table next to the armchair. I walk to the table and put the albums on it, and she follows me. We sit down in two chairs next to each other, and I open the first album.

These pictures still make me smile. Most of our wedding photos were taken by Sirius, who is, I may tell, a pretty good photographer. He has perpetuated all the hurry and fuss of the wedding morning. Me running down the stairs with Harry on my side, Severus disputing about something with the vicar, Draco giving last--moment orders to the house--elves decorating the Manor -- it's all there. And Draco combing his hair for at least the seventeenth time; everyone running around me and, in another picture, Lucius, making sure that we look just right; me fainting for the first time -- he photographed every single time, there were nine of them; and one taken by Severus -- Sirius looking desperately for the rings.

I explain the situation in every picture to Olivia. She even giggles sometimes, epecially to the picture of Sirius and the lost rings -- it took half a hour from him to find them, and they were in his pocket all the time. I love it when she smiles. She has very pretty smile, and it's rarity makes it even more likeable.

I turn a few pages forward, telling about every picture. She's soon aware of all those things -- how nervous I was, how Draco took every little detail of the decoration to perfection, how Harry lost his dressing robes and found them under his bed.

At last we reach the pictures of the actual wedding. I see my own beaming smile as I reach Lucius' side at last. I'd fainted four times before stepping in to the large ball room of the Manor. I was afraid of fainting on my way to the altar, but fortunately Severus' Calming Potion had effect just in time.

Then there's the exhange of the rings -- I'm glad he was there with the camera, I wasn't really aware of anything that was happening. I took me so long to answer the vicar's question that Lucius told afterwards he had been afraid of being left on the altar. Like I could ever leave him.

Us dancing -- these are my favourites of all the wedding photos. I really could dance, and I didn't mess up. I think it was the only time in my life when I really was good at dancing. Or maybe it was Lucius, his strong arms holding me, leading me, not letting me faint again.

The photograph--Lucius murmurs something to the photograph--Remus, who blushes slightly and whispers something back. I remember he said he loved me -- that is one of the very rare lines I remember from that day.

"You have very pretty robes," Olivia mentions. "That light gold is just right colour for you, and Lucius is always great in black." Her eyes shine in delight as she looks at the photographs. She runs her finger along the sides of the pictures, surrounding each one of them with an invisible path of her fingertip. Maybe she tries to memorize them, who knows.

"Thanks." I smile. "You know, Lucius changed his robes seven times that morning. At last he took the ones he'd tried on first. Even Draco said that he could see no difference in those seven robes -- they were nearly identical."

She chuckles. "Really?" she asks. "Doesn't sound like something he would do -- that's a clear sign of nervousness. I can't imagine him being nervous!"

"Maybe he was, or maybe he wasn't," I say, grinning, "but he's nearly as perfectionist when it comes to the running of the events as Draco is about arts and appearance. Severus told me that he used a whole hour pacing his room, practising the words 'I do' for the ceremony."

"You must be kidding!" she giggles. She's so happy that it's wonderful to see.

"I'm not," I say, grinning slightly again. "Instead, I'm grave serious. I wish I had done that as well -- maybe I'd been able to answer a little bit faster." I really hope I'd been, if not for anything else, hen to make it easier to my beloved Lucius. Five minutes of pregnant silence while waiting for the other one's answer would drive anyone else but a Malfoy crazy. And it really was five minutes -- Sirius counted.

We spend a long time going through the pictures. I also name all our relatives to her from the pictures, although she says she won't remember any of them for longer than few minutes.

At last we've seen it all -- and that's a lot. Sirius is as eager a photographer as he is a good one. He's filled a whole album with pictures of the actual ceremony, and half of another with all the pairs dancing in the wedding. Well, at least we have certainly enough mementos.

When I at last reach out to put the last album aside, my hand accidentally touchs hers. At the same moment as the sensation of bare skin against another reaches her mind, she yelps and jerks backwards, terrified expression on her face.

"Oh, I'm so sorry, Olivia!" I exclaim, genuinely sorry for her. "I should have been more careful. I didn't mean to scare you."

"That's okay," she replies, already gaining back her usual wary calmness. "Really, I don't know what took over me. You don't have to apologize for anything."

"Oh, but I do," I say. "I apologize, Olivia. I's never want to hurt you in any way, dear." I look at her eyes, widened with fear. If I could now face those people who have hurt her enough to make her scared of normal human touch, I don't think I'd even care to hold back the wolf's instincts. I'd simply attack them and tear their throats open.

I shiver. It's rather clear that the full moon will be here soon. Usually, I don't have violent thoughts -- although I want to hurt those people even when it's new moon. I'm not the only one, either, I know that. Lucius once told me of some ways he'd thought about to get rid of the remaining Death Eaters -- those monsters who can attack a young girl. None of them were legal, neither were they suitable to tell in company of children. In company of anyone, for that matter.

"Remus?" she says, her voice full of concern. "Are you -- are you all right?"

I frown my eyebrows, not thinking about what effect that will probably have on her. I'm getting more angry with every passing second. I just scared her out of her skin, and she's now worried about me. She's still a bit scared, but she rather tries to make me feel comfortable than care about herself. This isn't any kind of unselfish gesture, rather, this is another kind of fear. She is afraid to talk about her own feelings, rather trying to prevent others from being disappointed or angry -- because, for everything she knows, disappointed or angry people will hurt her.

Hurt her. Hurt a child, and on purpose. Someone's going to die for this.

I look at her, and startle. She looks now totally scared. When my gaze meets hers, she takes a small step backwards, trying to make it look natural. In her grey eyes I see pure fear.

Oh, Merlin. She thinks that my angry gesture was directed to her. She thinks that I'm going to hit her.

"Calm down, Olivia," I say soothingly. "I'm not going to hurt you in any way." I start to reach out to her, but understand the stupidity of that particular gesture just in time. So, I let my hand fall down again, trying to smile comfortingly at her.

"You... you aren't angry?" she asks, still uncertain.

"No, I'm not angry," I tell her. "And even if I was, I still wouldn't hurt you. I don't think it's right to hurt anyone just because you're angry." Then why am I having these thoughts about those genuine Death Eaters? Perhaps because people like them don't deserve anything else. I try to think of any better excuse, but, unfortunately, I find nothing.

"Good," she sighes, seemingly relieved.

"I'm going to my study now," I say to her, smiling soothingly. "I believe Lucius wanted to see you in the lab at some point of the afternoon."

"Oh!" she exclaims, and I see, for my great delight, the fear completely disappearing from her face. "I have to go, I promised to research this particular potion for him." She points at the book she was reading earlier. She tries to show me the recipe, but I shake my head and smile.

"No, thank you," I laugh, "I don't understand anything about that. I can make a difference between Healing Potion and Murderroot Liquid, but that's all." I wave my hand. "Go now. I believe Lucius is already waiting."

"Okay." She grins and runs away with her book.

Once she has left I let my mask drop completely and let all the fury fill me. Once I have set it free, I can face it and fight it. It's strong and it takes a lot from me before I can calm down and consider things sensibly.

The full moon will be the day after tomorrow. The wolf is already taking over me.

I hope Lucius gets my potion ready soon.

~*~*~*~

This part of the chapter is not from any particular first--person POV.

~*~*~*~

Remus Malfoy was exhausted.

It was the day of the full moon, and he felt it very well. He was tired all the time, his appetite was miserable, and all his senses were extra sensitive even compared to their usual level, which was far above that of any normal human being.

He felt like being alone, and Lucius noticed it. He and Olivia had spent the whole day in their lab, giving him the opportunity to keep away from everyone. It was always like that around full moons, or it's opposite -- he either wanted to be alone or snuggle up to Lucius, being near him all the time. His husband understood and let him have his way, whatever it was each time. Remus was very happy about that. He was the luckiest man in the world to have Lucius, that he was certain about.

Someone knocked on the door. "It's Olivia," he heard a familiar voice saying. "Lucius sent a potion for you."

He sighed deeply. He didn't feel like facing anyone right now -- especially not Olivia. It disturbed him a great deal that the girl didn't know yet. He'd like to tell her, but didn't know how. She was emotionally so raw and vulnerable. What if she'd turn against him?

"Remus?" he heard the girl calling again, when he didn't reply. "Remus? Is something wrong?"

"No," he called back. "I'm just fine. Come inside, little one."

She opened the door and looked carefully at him. In her left hand she was holding a goblet full of silvery potion. "I highly doubt Lucius would ever brew potions for someone who's just fine," she pointed out. "And you aren't. I can see it."

"You're right," he admitted with a tired smile while he took the goblet she was offering, placing it on his desk. "I've been a bit weak lately."

She nodded in understanding. "Of course you are," she said with quiet voice. "It takes a great deal from a person, I've heard."

He shot his eyes up to hers. Her grey eyes met his own amber orbs calmly, waiting for him to response. "What -- what are you talking about?" he stammered, not really believing that the girl meant what he thought she did.

"Lycanthropy," she stated calmly. "It isn't easy to transform into a wolf, is it?" She raised one dark eyebrow with a questioning expression.

"How --" he tried, but couldn't force the words out from his mouth. He took a deep breath, trying to calm down. Then he sat down, gesturing the girl to do the same. "How did you find out?" he asked then, trying to arrange his bewildered thoughts.

"No one told me, if you mean that," Olivia said. "But I've been trained by a great Potions Master -- maybe Lucius isn't even near to match Severus, but compared with anyone else, he's one of the best. Some may even say that I'm a bit talented myself. And I'm not stupid, at least not as stupid as I maybe look like." She gave him a bit sad smile. "I simply recognized the potion, Remus. The scent, the colour, the thickness, leave alone the period of time of it to be served along your sudden tiredness. And when I asked Lucius -- well, he couldn't really do anything else but admit it."

Remus couldn't help but smile. "It took my best friends in Hogwarts over two years to find out," he said, "while I was disappearing regularly, horribly weak around these disappearances, coming up with miserable excuses and acting totally weird all around. And you figure it out in less than a month, only by seeing some potion?" He shook his head. "I'm impressed."

"Why, thank you," Olivia said. "But really, it wasn't that difficult. Particularly not when Wolfsbane was one of the first potions Lucius taught me to do. He said that I would maybe need it in the future. I didn't understand it back then, but now I do."

"Taught you?" Remus echoed, terrified. "But -- it's one of the most difficult potios in existence! There are less than ten people in the whole Britain capable of doing that!"

"Really?" Olivia raised again one of her eyebrows. "He didn't tell that to me. It took me three days to brew a succesful potion, but I don't think it was that difficult." She shrugged. "Maybe it's just the fame. If everyone who even knows about it thinks it's almost impossible to make, no one ever even tries it."

"Or maybe most of the people don't have such a perfect teacher," he said, and smiled. He was genuinely proud of his husband. Olivia was right -- Severus was the best Potions Master in Britain, but Lucius wasn't so far from his level.

"Lucius said you probably want to be left in peace," Olivia said then. "I'm going now." She eyed the man in front of her warily. "Maybe you should rest some," she suggested then.

"I can't," he sighed, shaking his head tiredly. "I'd love to, but I can't. The wolf is keeping me well awake past midnight." He nodded, gesturing her to leave. He really wanted to be alone now.

She nodded and left the room. After she was gone, Remus sighed deeply in relief. It had gone far better than he'd thought. She seemed to be quite tolerant -- but then again, so had Harry been. And she'd already discussed it with Lucius.

He'd later ask Lucius how it had gone. But not right now.

He just wanted to be alone.

.(|.*.¤.*.|).

Lucius glanced sideways at Olivia. "This," he said, opening the heavy door, "is Remus' transformation room."

Olivia peered inside. She saw a huge, comfortable--looking bed, long shelves high on the wall, and a fireplace with bars in front of it.

"You see, Olivia?" Remus asked, smiling tiredly. "This room is made especially for my transformations. All stuff is high so I can't accidentally break them when I'm changing, and the bed is large enough for me to lie comfortably without falling down to the floor while I transform."

"I really see," she replied, glancing around the room. "And a closed fireplace in order to prevent you from falling to the flames, should you start changing too near it, right?"

"Exactly." Remus gave her an approving smile. "You notice just the right things, Olivia. You're rather clever."

The girl blushed a bit. "No, I'm not," she murmured. Then she gained back her calmness and smiled at them. "I'll go now," she said. "Am I right to assume that you'll join me soon, Lucius?"

"You're right," the Lord of Malfoy replied. "I'll come soon."

She walked away, leaving them two together for a while.

Remus couldn't say anything. He just looked up to Lucius, who met his gaze with warm, soothing silver eyes.

"I love you, Remus, no matter what," Lucius whispered, stroking gently his cheek. "You know that, don't you?"

"I know," he replied, giving him a little, nervous smile. "And I love you, Lucius. No matter what."

"Good." The other man smiled at him. "And Remus -- remember that I love you just as much when you're a wolf."

"I'll remember," he promised. He really wanted to remember. They went through this same conversation every full moon, and it had never been able to prevent him hating himself and getting depressed the day after that, sometimes staying like that for several days.

"See you in the sitting room," Lucius said softly. Then he gently pressed a little kiss on Remus' cheek before closing the door and leaving.

Remus felt suddenly very nervous, just like he always did before his transformation. There were reasons why he didn't want Lucius to be there while it, Wolfsbane or not -- not only because he could accidentally hurt his husband while his body was changing, but also because it was very embarrassing -- but still it felt odd to be there without him. Usually he had at least Sirius with him, but today there wasn't even his friend to keep him company while he was changing.

He calmly took off his robes and folded them carefully on the little self on the wall. Then he laid himself on the huge bed, waiting for the moonrise.

He didn't have to wait for long.

.:'¨':.( *).:'¨':.

Lucius was sitting with Olivia in he and Remus' personal sitting room. They were seated comfortably in front of the fireplace in two armchairs opposite to each other. Olivia was, unsurprisingly, reading a potions book, and Lucius merely sat there, answering her questions.

Suddenly there was a creaking sound from the door. They both turned around to look at the direction. The door was pushed a bit ajar, and the head of a large wolf peered inside.

"Ah, Remus," Lucius greeted happily. "Come inside, love."

The wolf slipped in through the doorway. He stopped in the middle of the room, looking carefully around himself. Then he started walking towards them, waggling his tail in the air.

"You're beautiful," Olivia praised. "Just beautiful." She looked at the shiny golden fur of the creature, her eyes full of adoring and wonder.

Remus--wolf grinned and nodded his head. He was examining Olivia at the moment, getting used to her scent -- of course he already recognized it, he'd so many times smelled it in his human form, but the wolf's sense of smell was far better than even werewolf's.

Olivia stood slowly up, a bit cautious expression on her face. "May -- may I touch you?" she asked, looking very careful.

As a response, Remus walked near her and reached out his head to be scratched. She did so, giggling.

Remus waggled his tail even more, a wide wolf--grin on his face. He was still sore and exhausted after the transformation, but Olivia's fingers behind his ears felt good. Just as good, if not better, felt her other hand, petting his back like he was just a big dog.

Lucius smiled at both of them. "As you can see, he really isn't dangerous," he said to Olivia. "Not when he's taken the Wolfsbane. He's just a bit over--grown puppy, although he doesn't like dog food very much."

Remus glared at his husband. Wolves were very good at glaring, and he especially, considering that he'd been a Malfoy for many years running now. His tail continued its movement, though, very much spoiling his attempt to look threatening.

Olivia giggled again. "You're crazy," she said. Then she blushed and hastily covered her mouth. "Sorry," she whispered, the smile quickly fading from her face. "I honestly didn't mean to insult you."

"Don't worry, little one," Lucius said, trying to smile soothingly at her. "I pretty much agree with you. I have to be crazy, for I wouldn't have ever married him if I wasn't."

Remus growled and showed his teeth. Then he gave up the act and walked to his husband to lick his hand. Lucius smiled down at him, then crouched down to scratch him as well.

The time went by rather comfortably. Olivia made some tea for Lucius and herself, and they drank it in silence. Olivia continued reading her book, and Remus lay curled up in Lucius' lap before the fireplace. The blond man ran his fingers slowly through his fur. Remus enjoyed the warm, comfortable sensation of his lover's hands in his fur. The wolf was still in the background of his mind, but the Wolfsbane and Lucius and Olivia's presence made him able to forget it almost completely.

Some time after midnight the slight grasp the wolf had on his mind began to slowly ease as the full moon began to crawl downwards in the sky. Olivia put her book aside, kneeling down next to her two fathers.

Remus rested his head on Lucius' arm, letting the blond man scratch his neck with his long fingers. It felt good. He felt also Olivia scratching and petting his back, and it felt good as well.

"What a happy family," Olivia giggled, a little smile on her lips. "A man, a wolf and a girl."

"Exactly," Lucius said, and smiled. "A happy family."

Remus couldn't response with words, of course, but he waggled his tail sleepily. Then he jawned, a wide, loud wolf--yawn. The other members of his tiny family chuckled.

"Oh, is the little puppy sleepy?" Olivia cooed, smiling slightly. "You should go sleeping, puppy dear. It's late already."

He gave the girl a wide wolf--grin. Then he yawned again and pushed Lucius' chest with his snout. Lucius smiled and petted his head.

"I bet you're right," his husband said to Olivia, getting on his feet. "It's time to call it a night. Right, Moony?" he grinned.

The wolf nodded and licked his hand once again. 'That's right,' he wanted to tell him. 'Let's just go to sleep.'

They parted from Olivia in the corridor. The girl continued her way towards her own bedroom while they went to their own.

Remus jumped on their bed and crawled under the covers. Lucius laughed at him, then undressed himself and came to lay beside him. Remus snuggled up to his husband, resting his head on his chest. Lucius wrapped his arms around him, sinking his fingers into Remus' golden fur.

Remus felt warm and safe and loved. He knew he'd wake up in his human form, still in Lucius' embrace. He was delighted that the changing back to his human form was not only rather painless and easy to him, but also safe for Lucius to be with him, because the claws and fangs would withdraw at first. He just loved falling asleep next to Lucius, and didn't want to give it up even during the full moon.

He felt the calm breath of his husband, his head raising and falling along with the slightly muscular chest beneath him. For him, everything was now nice and happy in the world.

He just hoped it was so for everyone he cared of.

.O.().(|.|.*.|.|).().O.

Harry couldn't sleep.

He'd had to deal with Ministry officials that day. That always made him think of one particular Ministry official.

Ronald Weasley.

He knew he'd probably never have to meet him again -- Ron worked under the Ministry's Family Department, and he had nothing to do with that particular section of the Ministry of Magic, since he and Draco had never thought about adoption or anything alike.

He still both hoped and feared meeting him. Ron had been his very best friend for seven years, after all. All their years at Hogwarts, he'd been with Harry, supported him through the troubles, being with him in every prank they had ever pulled, laughed with him on every good moment, smiling at him when everything was all right and the world was nice and carefree.

He remembered what Ron looked like when he smiled. His blue eyes were filled with joy, the freckled face looking like there was a light inside him. His laughter when Harry said something funny. The twinkle in his eyes when they were up to something.

But then he remembered what Ron had looked like when they met the last time. His eyes had been like blue ice, and instead of smiling, he had been sneering. He had been mad at Harry. He hadn't been laughing, he'd been launching cruel insults, insulting not only Harry himself but also Draco and the love between them, and everyone they cared about -- Sirius, Remus, Severus, and Lucius. He had been hurting Harry as much as he could before Hermione had pulled him away. Harry had tried to see something in Hermione's eyes, a clue of approval or understanding. But the only things he had seen had been disgust and hate.

Then they had turned around and walked away. Since that, Harry hadn't seen his two former best friends any more. Not after that their one last meeting at Diagon Alley.

It had been five years now.

"Hold me, Draco," he murmured. "Hold me tight."

His boyfriend wrapped his arms around him and pulled him against his chest. Suddenly, he felt safe.

"Promise one thing, Draco," he whispered.

"Anything, love," Draco murmured. "I'd do anything for you."

"Promise that you'll never leave me."

Draco hugged him even tighter. "I promise, Harry," he said with firm voice. "I love you more than anything. I'll never let you be alone. I'll always be with you."

Harry was silent for a moment. Then he whispered: "I love you, Draco."

"I love you too, Harry."

@------§----

Severus jumped up in his bed. He was panting slightly, his chest raising and falling hastily. His heart was running like a frightened hare.

"What is it now, love?" Sirius asked sleepily from his side. "What's wrong?"

"The Mark," the Potions Master whispered through clenched teeth, grasping his left forearm. "It's burning again."

Sirius sighed in sympathy and wrapped his arms around his lover. "I'm sorry," he whispered in Severus' jet--black hair. "I'm sorry you still have to suffer because of that heartless bastard."

"I know," Severus replied. He sighed deeply, the pain still stinging him. Then he rested his head on Sirius' shoulder, shivering as the next wave of pain flew over him.

Sirius pulled him closer to himself and mumbled softly in his hair, holding him warmly in his arms. The fingers of his right hand softly caressed Severus' burnt forearm and the ugly mark on it. The Potions Master shivered every time as his fingers slid over it, but it somehow eased the pain, so he was only pleased.

At last the pain went away. He snuggled up to his lover, still enveloped in Sirius' arms. He felt just as miserable as always after the Mark had burned him.

"One day," Sirius whispered, "one day the Mark will be gone. I promise."

Severus looked up into his blue eyes, and saw there only love and sincerity. He suddenly broke into tears, something he did very rarely.

Sirius just held him until he drifted into light, broken sleep.


Author notes: Next Chapter: Christmas

Expensive presents, funny presents, nice presents, and a little quarrel to top it all off.