The Redemption of Draco Malfoy

Chapter 7: An Unpleasant Interlude

Draco was glad that his father wasn't there to meet him at Platform Nine and Three-Quarters. Narcissa gave her son a hug. "Hello, sweetums, have a good term?"

"Yes, mum, thanks."

"Oh good. I've had the house-elves make some Christmas cookies for you." She looked at him solemnly. "Hopefully you'll have time to enjoy them before your father gets back. I believe he wants to talk to you today."

Well, that's lovely, thought Draco irritably.

He did, in fact, have fifteen minutes to enjoy the cookies and hot chocolate. It was nice to make small talk with his mother. She fawned over him, telling him how mature he was becoming. Probably has something to do with the fact that I have a woman, now, thought Draco. But of course he didn't tell her that.

"And how is Pansy, dear?"

"Ummm..." he blushed. "Well, she and Goyle seem to be getting along very, very well, if you get my drift."

Narcissa sniffed irritably. "Why, Draco, you aren't going to let a prize like that get away from you, are you?"

Draco scowled. "Mum, the Goyle thing was her idea, not mine. I know she'd be a good match..." (Yeah, right! he thought) "But if she doesn't want me, well, I'll just have to look around, won't I? There are some pretty fourth-years. I just don't know them too well yet, because I'd always assumed that Pansy...well..." He broke off, not knowing how many lies he could feed his mother. He smiled slyly, thinking that his mother didn't have to know that the fourth-year he had his eye on was a Gryffindor.

"Well, I suppose that would work. I am younger than your father after all. Cecilia Nott is a third-year, now, isn't she?"

Draco nodded. "But mother, a third-year is just too young to have any sort of relationship. I couldn't possibly consider..."

"No, love. Not yet. Just wait. I'll work something out for you."

No thanks, mum, he thought to himself. I can handle my own life.

If he thought the conversation with his mother was bad, he was surprised at the interview with his father. There were no formalities, no greetings, no preliminaries at all.

"Well? Do you have the information yet?"

"No sir. I do have a source though."

"Well, that's an improvement. Who is it?"

"I think my source would rather remain anonymous. Family situations might...um...be compromised if involvement with me was discovered..." (Draco was trying very hard to keep his source gender-neutral in his father's eyes. It was too damn hard, he thought.

"All right, fine. But why no information?"

"It took time to cultivate the trust of my source. It's only in the last week that I think this person actually came to trust me enough to give me information like that..."

"A week is enough time."

"Well, I found out that Harry is going to be with the Muggles over the holidays, but that's not much help to you, is it?"

Lucius stood and started pacing back and forth. "Well, I suppose that's a valid excuse. But hear this, Draco. The Dark Lord is going to make an attempt on Potter's life in June. He has a plan and it will work. I want to give him Potter before that. He is impatient and would welcome the change of plans. I want to get my hands on Potter before April. I want to hear from you by the end of February, at the latest."

He swiveled and glared directly at Draco. "If I have not heard from you by that point, then I will come and find you. And if I do not get the requisite information from you by then, I will have to punish you. Do you understand?"

Draco nodded sullenly. Yes, he understood. He and Ginny would get to work on their plans to dispose of Lucius as soon as he got back. He would not delay longer.

After that first day, Draco knew he would not enjoy the holidays much. He spent much of his time in his room reading. Ruffy, the house elf who had been his nanny when he was a child, fussed over him and brought him treats. His mother came in some time and gave instructions to Ruffy on assembling a new wardrobe for him (which would be sure to catch Cecilia Nott's eye). Draco kept on reading during these conversations. He knew his input would mean nothing at all to the women. He certainly did not want to talk about Miss Nott.

Finally, finally, it was time to go to the place he was starting to consider his real home. Time to go back to Hogwarts.

On the Hogwarts Express, he started out with Crabbe, Goyle, Pansy, and Millicent as usual but soon sought out the company of Ginny (which meant, of course, putting up with the Wonder Trio). They nodded at him, not asking questions about why he was there. Ron was even courteous enough to ask whether he would like to play a game of Exploding Snap.

Draco was about to say no, but realized that Ron might be his brother-in-law some day. So he agreed, grudgingly, and grinned wickedly at Ron after defeating the Weasley boy soundly.

After lunch, Hermione went off in search of Crabbe and Goyle (to take points from Slytherin) but came back blushing again. "How long can you go at it without interruption?" she asked.

And then the journey was over. Draco walked downstairs to the Slytherin common room, wishing he could be alone with Ginny...soon...very soon.

Oh, it was good to be back.