Dragon and Angel

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

YOU THINK SO, DO YOU?

It was as if time had stopped. No one moved or even took breath, for a moment, and then everything caught up in a rush of noise and movement.

"Drake Arthur Weasley Malfoy! How dare you speak like that to an adult," Ginny yelled getting to her feet. "You will apologise this instant!"

She had gone bright red with anger. Draco had spoken to him about this, but Drake had obviously disregarded everything he'd said. She was appalled that he had behaved in such a way. It was as if he was deliberately baiting Lucius -- daring him to do his worst.

"NO!" Drake yelled at his mother. "He's mean and I won't say sorry! He should say sorry."

At this point, Lucius rose from his chair gracefully and gently stood Angel on the floor close to Narcissa. He then turned to stand over Drake. Draco got to his feet as well, not exactly sure what Ginny's reaction might be to seeing his father standing over her son.

"You think so, do you?" Lucius drawled with a smirk across his features. It seems I was right, the boy does have spirit, he added mentally.

"Y--yes" Drake stammered. His eyes had opened very wide and, although he was obviously terrified of the older wizard, he did not back down.

Draco knew, from the expression on his father's face, he was amused by Drake's outburst and wouldn't cause him any harm, but Ginny did not know Lucius at all. Her reaction could see Lucius' mood change from amusement to anger in the flick of a wand.

"Well, perhaps we should have a private chat about what you think," Lucius suggested in a low drawl.

"Draco," Ginny seemed to almost whimper.

"Gin, it's okay," Draco whispered from behind her.

"No, Draco. It's not okay!" Why was he letting this happen? Right in front of his eyes, she thought frantically. He promised and I trusted him!

Draco reached forward and turned Ginny around by her shoulders, placing a finger under her chin he tilted her head up, so he could look into her eyes.

"Look at me, Gin. It's okay, Father is amused with Drake at the moment," Draco explained in a low whisper. "Perhaps it's better that we let him sort Drake out. It may just stop any further animosity between them. If they don't get it sorted now my father will cease to be amused at some point, in the near future."

"But--" Ginny began as she turned back to keep her small son in sight.

"Miss Weasley, I assure you only intend to speak with the boy." Lucius addressed her in a low voice and then much to her surprise followed with a wink.

"I--ahh-- well--" Ginny stammered. Lucius' behavior had totally befuddled her mind.

"Good, we'll see you soon then," Lucius cut in. "Drake, I believe we will retire to my study. Come along." He placed his hand on Drake's shoulder and began steering him, so the little boy had no choice but to walk with him.

Ginny felt helpless as she stood there watching Lucius Malfoy lead her son out of the parlor. Her mind had shut down upon realizing Lucius had winked at her. It was not a mode of behavior she had expected from the older wizard.

Draco had circled around to stand in front of her. He placed his hands on her shoulders and dipped his head in an attempt to capture her eye contact. "Gin, it's okay. He'll talk to him, that's all."

"My baby--"

"Shh-- He'll be fine. Trust me." Draco wrapped his strong arms around her slim body and held her tightly. They stood as one, for a few minutes, in silence.

Narcissa rose from her chair, walked up behind Ginny and placed one hand on her shoulder. "Lucius truly was amused at Drake's outburst." Narcissa desperately wanted to make the younger witch feel at ease. "He admires anyone with enough courage to stand up to him, so long as they are not a fool and I believe he would not think that of his own blood."

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Drake followed Lucius down the long dark corridor towards his study. The walls were covered with portraits of blonde wizards, all smirking down at him, some making comments about naughty little wizards and suggesting forms of punishment that did nothing to alleviate the little boy's fear. At the end of the hall there was a large dark wood door. Drake watched as the door swung open of its own accord, after his grandfather muttered a password that he did not hear clearly.

Lucius stood just clear of the doorway in his study, waiting for Drake to cross the threshold into the room. He was surprised the young boy had followed him all the way. He'd more than half expected him to attempt a return to his mother, screaming, the moment he had an opportunity. Perhaps he has even more courage than I've initially given him credit for, Lucius mused as he watched his grandson step hesitantly into the room.

Lucius closed the door behind Drake and strode around to sit behind his enormous desk. Drake followed him as far as the desk and made to climb onto one of the visitors chairs, situated in front of the desk.

"I don't recall inviting you to sit, young man." Lucius smirked at the small boy. "You may stand in front of my desk. After all, this visit to my study will not be a social one."

Drake dropped his feet to the floor immediately and moved to stand opposite Lucius' chair. He stood as he had seen his Uncles Harry and Ron stand when addressing a superior Auror -- feet flat on the floor, legs slightly apart, hands clasp behind his back and head held high. His eyes, however, roamed across the desk taking in everything that had been placed upon it, and purposely avoiding the pale silver eyes across the large wooden expanse.

"Well, it seems you have some issues with me," Lucius started. "I think we should take some time to sort them out. Don't you?"

"Maybe," Drake muttered.

"Speak up and look at me when I'm talking to you," Lucius growled softly.

"I said, maybe," Drake offered again, but this time with more than a touch of insolence in his tone.

"Don't take that tone with me, boy!" Lucius growled again, this time a little louder. He could see Drake's courage wavering, as he lowered his eyes to stare at his feet. "Look at me, Drake!"

Drake didn't raise his eyes. He didn't like being in here, alone, with his grandfather.

"Drake, I said look at me!" Lucius repeated harshly.

Hearing the tone in his grandfather's voice grow angrier, Drake decided not to tempt fate, too much, and raised his eyes to meet with Lucius'.

"Good. That's better." Lucius smirked at him. "Now, why don't you tell me what I have done to upset you so much, that you feel the right to be completely disrespectful? Not only to myself, but also to the ladies that were present for your little outburst."

"I didn't say nothing to Mummy or Grandmother," Drake protested. He was confused, how could he have disrespected either witch, when he had only been nasty to his grandfather.

"Ah, but you lost control of your temper in front of not one, but two ladies and a gentleman never loses control or causes a scene in front of a lady, because it is disrespectful." Lucius explained all of this with an air of superiority. He had never spoken down to Draco as a child and had no intention of doing so with his grandson.

"Oh... I didn't mean to hurt them," Drake muttered quietly.

Lucius softened, a little. "I'm sure you didn't hurt them, but they were shocked by your harsh words."

"Mummy is used to me."

"Well, your mother may be accustomed to your little outbursts, but that does not make them any less rude."

"Oh."

"Now, care to explain your verbal attack on me?"

"What?" Drake didn't understand what Lucius had just said.

"Why did you yell those things at me?" Lucius sighed. He could see the boy's education would need to be reviewed.

"Oh, because you made Mummy scared in Diagon Alley," Drake said confidently. "And she cried."

"I see." Lucius considered his options very carefully before continuing. "I certainly did not mean to frighten her, or make her cry."

"Yes, you did," Drake countered glaring at Lucius.

"I can assure you, Drake, I had no intention of frightening your mother when I approached her in Diagon Alley."

"You hurt her arm and she cried." Drake's courage was building as they continued to talk.

"Are you sure she was crying because her arm was in pain? Perhaps there was another reason why she might have been upset."

"Don't know." Drake frowned. He hadn't really given it much thought. His grandfather was there when she got upset, so it was his fault and he had hold of her arm so he must have hurt her, because she cried.

"Perhaps your mother cried because she was frightened. Do you think that might be possible?"

"Mummy doesn't normally get frightened."

"Of course she doesn't, but this time she did. You said so yourself."

"I don't know."

"Well, I have a theory," Lucius offered. "I think your mother got so upset because she had not told us about you or Angelique and when I saw you, I, of course, realized I had a grandson. Your mother knew I would not ignore that fact and that is why she was so upset. She kept both of you a secret for so long, but it was about to end and she would have a lot of explaining to do."

"She cried when she was talking to Daddy too."

Lucius quirked an eyebrow at him. "Did she now? Did you see this for yourself?"

"Yes."

"And did you inflict any injuries upon anyone present?"

"Daddy," Drake muttered.

"I see." Lucius smirked. "And did your father make her cry?"

"Mummy said she upset herself."

"Mmm... and do you suppose, it could be possible, that your mother upset herself after our little meeting in Diagon Alley," Lucius drawled softly. He could see, by the expression on Drake's face, the very idea he had just suggested had, in fact, dawned upon the little wizard.

"Yes."

"I am sorry. I couldn't quite make that out," Lucius teased.

"Yes." Drake spoke in a loud and clear voice.

"And?"

"Sorry, Grandfather."

"Apology accepted, but you will also need to make your apologies to your Grandmother and Mother, when we return to the parlor," Lucius informed him with a small smile.

Drake sighed heavily. "Yes, Grandfather."

"Good man." Lucius' smile broadened. "Is there anything else, you feel, we should discuss while we're here?"

"Umm... I don't think so," Drake replied frowning thoughtfully. He didn't know whether he should ask his grandfather the question that had been burning inside of him since this morning. He was meant to discuss this with his daddy, but Grandfather was a wizard and it was 'Secret Wizards Business'.

Lucius noticed the concentrated expression on his grandson's face. "Drake, is there something else?"

"Well... I was supposed to talk to Daddy later, because it's 'Secret Wizards Business' and we can't do it in front of any witches, but I really want to know."

"We can summon Draco if you like," Lucius suggested casually, struggling to keep the amused look off his face. 'Secret Wizards Business', indeed, he thought.

"Yes, please."

Lucius rose and walked to the fireplace. He picked up a handful of silvery floo powder and threw it into the flames.

"Draco, your presence is required in my study."

"Right away, Father." Drake could hear his father respond.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Draco rose from his seat and made to leave the room.

"Draco, is everything alright?" Ginny asked a little frantic. She had been fidgeting ever since Draco had managed to sit her down again. Not even a cup of tea was calming her.

"I'm sure it is, Gin." Draco smiled at her. "I'll be back soon, okay?"

"But what if he's done something?" Ginny's imagination had begun to run wild.

"Who? Father or Drake?" Draco asked grinning at her.

"Draco, this isn't funny!"

"I'm sorry. Look, Gin, there's no way father would hurt a hair on Drake's head. Besides, I'm more worried about Drake attacking father, than the other way round," Draco replied arching a questioning eyebrow at her.

"Point taken."

"Now sit and enjoy your tea with Mother. I'll be back soon, okay?" Draco said before turning and leaving the parlor.

"Draco is right. Lucius would never harm either of your children," Narcissa said softly.

"I wish I could believe you."

"You can, he would never harm a child."

"I was only a child when he tried to kill me," Ginny whispered.

"Sometimes, people make foolish decisions," Narcissa admitted softly.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

"Why don't we move over to the comfortable chairs while we wait for your father?" Lucius suggested once he had broken the floo connection.

Drake walked over to the antique couch and clambered up; Lucius had taken a comfortable chair to the side of him.

"How old are you, Drake?"

"Four, but in a few weeks it's our birthday and we'll be five." The thought of his upcoming birthday brought a broad smile to his face.

"I see and what would you like for your birthday?"

"A 'Lightning Bolt 5000'."

"Quite a broom. Does your mother agree with your choice?" Lucius asked smirking. He could remember Narcissa's reaction to Draco flying at such a young age and could quite imagine that any mother would be equally as horrified.

"Not really, but I just have to have a broom." Drake's exasperated tone said it all. The small wizard didn't think his mother would ever allow him to have a broom.

"I see, well we may have to talk to her regarding an appropriate broom for your age."

"I really want a 'Lightning Bolt 5000', because they're the best," Drake muttered. He just didn't want any old broom -- he wanted the best broom.

"We'll see." Lucius wondered where the boy had obtained such expensive tastes growing up in the Weasley household.

A sharp knock at the study door interrupted any further conversation between Lucius and Drake.

"Enter," Lucius commanded.

"Father, is there a problem?" Draco said as he crossed the room.

"Not at all. Take a seat, it seems we have some 'Secret Wizards Business' to discuss," Lucius told him with an amused smirk.

"'Secret Wizards Business'?" Draco arched an eyebrow at his father.

"Apparently you and Drake are scheduled to hold a meeting sometime, without any witches present to discuss a pressing issue the boy has," Lucius informed him with laughter clearly dancing in his silver eyes.

"Oh--" Draco blanched. Merlin I had hoped he'd forgotten.

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