Mala Fide: In Bad Faith

Mala Fide: In Bad Faith - Chapter 21

"Hello, Ron. Hermione," Ginny said as she walked up to where they were seated, clipboard in hand. Hermione looked up at her in mild shock and quickly shuffled her marriage license the forms to one side, nearly spilling her ink bottle in her urgency to do so.

"Ginny - what a surprise!"

"I'll say it is," she replied with a wink. Glancing at the sign overhead, she smiled and said, "Congratulations. I knew you two would come to your senses one day."

Hermione was stunned that her soon to be sister-in-law was treating her so civilly. The last few times they had met, things between them were not always pleasant, so naturally, she was rather suspicious.

Still, she had to admit, Ginny did seem genuinely happy to see her.

The younger witch stepped a bit closer to her, looked her directly in the eye, and placed her hands on her shoulders. "Welcome to the family." She leaned down and hugged her tightly, Ginny's face in between her brother and his fiancée. "I am so, so sorry, Hermione, for everything," she whispered just loud enough that Ron could hear as well. She reached over and touched his shoulder then started to sob softly.

After holding her friend for a minute or so, she let go and backed away slowly. She stared into her eyes and said, "Can you ever forgive my stupidity? I know that Harry would never have hurt me."

Slightly dazed, Hermione looked up at her, her lips gradually spreading into a serene smile. But Ron was not about to forgive his sister's mistakes, nor the slander she had caused his best friends, quite so easily. One could say it was all her fault that Harry was dead. He ground his teeth and looked the other way.

"Oh, Ron," Ginny begged as she fell to her knees before him, "please say you accept my apology. I - I want to go home and see Mum and Dad. I need to know you're with me. It would mean the world to me!"

He had opened his mouth to say something, and judging from his expression, it was probably something hurtful. Then he folded his arms across his chest and clamped his lips shut.

His beloved was clearly put out by this childish behavior. "Honestly, she's your sister, Ron; can't you see that she's sorry?" she snapped as her tears started to flow, too.

Not caring who heard him, he scoffed loudly and rolled his eyes. "He's brainwashed her, that's what he's done! Or used the Imperius curse." He shook his head defiantly. "You're sorry, eh? That's a good one! I don't believe any of your lies, Mrs. Malfoy!" he shouted, sneering her name. He stood up, threw down his quill, clipboard, and forms, and stormed off down the hallway.

He wasn't five steps away when Hermione got to her feet and extended her wand. The moment she called out, "Immobulus!", Ron stopped dead in his tracks. She went over to him and helped him back over to the violet couch. He landed on his bum with a soft thud.

She uttered the counter curse. Now that he was fully alert, she laid into him, hissing, "Ron Weasley, I am surprised at you! Some days, I'd swear you're still 14 years old. Ginny is obviously making a show of good faith and trying to make peace with her family. Now come on, at least hear what she has to say!"

"Thank you, Hermione," Ginny said then sat down in the poufy armchair closest to where the couple was seated. "As I said, I know now that I made a mistake - a terrible and very costly one - but I am willing to pay for it, as best I can." When the older witch started to interrupt her, Ginny shushed her by raising her hand and closing her eyes. "Just listen, please. You two and Mum and Dad are all invited to a dinner at Malfoy Manor this coming Sunday evening. Will you please come?"

Hermione furrowed her brow in thought for a moment. "What about Lucius? Are you two . . . still engaged?"

"Yes, we are. We'll be married soon," Ginny answered with a smile.

Ron closed his eyes and hung his head, as if this was too much for him to deal with just now. His sister leaned toward him and assured him that everything would be fine. "I know you can't possibly understand or accept him like I have. But believe me, he is a good man. Even if you never like him, I have it on good authority that we will have a happy marriage."

Her last comment caught Hermione's attention.

"On good authority? What does that mean?"

"I can't explain it," Ginny replied, shaking her head. "Just trust me on this, and please say you'll come to our house for dinner next Sunday. I'll owl you with the details." And as if that settled the matter completely, she stood up and left them sitting there with their mouths hanging open.

"Well, that was . . . interesting," the bride commented.

A soft chuckle slipped out of Ron's lips. "Yeah. But I'm not going to any home of Malfoy's," he said derisively.

Placing a hand on his arm, she said, "Look, Ron. I don't really want to go there either, but we have to." His face grew more incredulous as she went on. "I've been there before, and what I felt there, I . . . I can't describe. It was a deep hatred, as if the spirit of every Death Eater who had ever been to Malfoy Manor was still there. It was very unsettling."

"And you want to go back there, why?" he asked sarcastically.

"I want to watch those two interact and see if I can, you know, put to rest whatever it was that bothered me when I was there for Luna's Hen Party."

Ron rolled his eyes, shook his head, and scoffed, "You're off your nut, you know that? But I love you anyway." He smiled then kissed her.

She gently touched his cheek and told him, "I love you, too, darling."

As soon as the moment had passed, she carefully re-inked her quill and brought it back to the parchment that was fastened to her clipboard. "We really need to finish these forms and get them turned in. Remember, I need to go by my parents' house and pick up the girls so Mum can be back at the office in time for her 2:00 appointment."

He retrieved his own quill and paperwork then proceeded to write in the rest of the information it required: date of birth, parents' and grandparents' names, and so on. As he did, he muttered, "Nag, nag, nag. That's why I love you."

Now it was Hermione's turn to roll her eyes.

* * * * *

"You're really something, you know that, Ginevra?" Lucius said as he walked up to her, an expression of admiration on his face. He leaned down and kissed her softly. He suddenly felt rather sorry that none of their dinner guests could see them. He so longed to watch her parents' faces go pale from the shock of it.

"Are you sure you don't mind?" she asked. "Because we still have time to un-do what I've done, if you prefer. After all, they're your servants."

He shook his head and sighed. "Not anymore, apparently." He took her small, soft hand in his and added, "But no matter, my dear; truly, I don't mind. If giving your mother - and Mrs. Potter - each their own house-elf will keep peace between our families, then it's a small sacrifice."

"Yes, if she even takes her," she added, doubting whether Hermione would accept their gift. Lucius scoffed gently.

"Of course, she will. What woman wouldn't want a devoted servant to help around the house? She'll come around." He paused briefly then said, "Anyway, I saw how happy it made Molly, and you. And if a man's wife is happy, then he is happy."

She smiled up at him and shrugged. "I just want my family and Hermione to see what a wonderful and generous man you are." She kissed him tenderly on the mouth, and he responded eagerly.

Moments before things got out of hand, she reluctantly pulled back. He could see the regret in her eyes and smirked so that her heart nearly melted. "We will continue this later, Lucius," she promised him, "so don't drink too much brandy."

They left his study and rejoined their guests. Molly was becoming fast friends with her new house-elf. His name was Cheroo. He was telling her how much he would miss her daughter, the benevolent Mrs. Malfoy. "Mistress was always very kind to all the house-elves," he told her sincerely.

Hermione sauntered over to where Cheroo was standing. He looked up at her expectantly. She squatted down in front of him and looked into his overlarge eyes. "And was Mr. Malfoy a good master?"

"Oh, yes, the Master, too," he replied, nodding his head with almost too much enthusiasm. His ears flopped about wildly. "Master Malfoy was very good to Cheroo. He will miss both him and the mistress."

"Did they ever offer to pay you for your work, Cheroo?" Mrs. Potter quizzed the poor house-elf.

"No, Miss, no. Cheroo does his service out of love and respect for his family. It is his duty. Cheroo is wanting no pay and is only too happy to be welcomed into their home and allowed to serve them." He bowed low in the Malfoys' direction as he said this, and Ginny smiled at him from across the room.

Turning her gaze to her old housemate, she said, "Hermione, are you sure you won't take your elf home? We want you to have her. She will be such a blessing, what with your girls still at home; I don't know what I'd do without Shilla."

Hermione stood up and stared at Ginny. Ron watched them both. His expression was one of pleading: he had always wanted a house-elf but never quite had the means to acquire one. He had tried to win one in a poker game back while he was going through his initial training to play Quidditch professionally. But in the end, he wound up with nothing to show for his efforts, except much lighter pockets. Ginny could see the pleading in her brother's blue eyes.

"See? Even Ron wants to keep her. And since you two are practically married, you have to consider his feelings in the matter."

Trying to convince the older witch that having a house-elf would be a wonderful idea instead of a reprehensible one, she added, "You can even give her a salary, if you like." She turned to the servant and said, "Bicksy, would it be all right if Mrs. Potter were to pay you for working for her?"

The female house-elf looked up at her expectantly. "Would-would Bicksy m-mind accepting some money for working?" she repeated nervously, looking as if she would burst into tears. "If paying Bicksy would make new mistress happy . . . then no, Bicksy would not mind at all."

Hermione thought it over, then seeing the look on Ron's face, she reluctantly agreed to welcome the house-elf into her home. "All right, fine. We'll take her. I'm sure you're a very good elf, Bicksy."

Ginny smiled warmly and moved a little closer to her friend to whisper something in her ear. "If you want some money to help with her salary for the first year or so, we would be glad to contribute."

Mildly shocked, Hermione took a step back.

"No. No, thank you, Ginny. I'm sure that won't be a problem. You and Lucius have been exceedingly generous already."

"Yeah, I've got to agree with that." It was Ron, who up until now had been mostly silent. "We really appreciate what you've done. It's more than enough."

A short while later, their guests prepared to leave. The two departing house-elves told the Malfoys goodbye. Bicksy hugged her sister, Shilla, and cried as quietly as she could manage.

Observing their closeness, Hermione touched Bicksy on the head and asked her kindly, "Would you like to see your sister now and then?" The elf looked up at her new mistress and nodded with gratitude. "Then we'll see to it that you two have regular visits. That would mean more to me than money," she added pointedly as she glanced up at Ginny.

When she said this, Lucius fought the urge to gag.

As they stepped up to the fireplace to return home by Floo, Arthur called his daughter aside and asked that she stop by the Burrow a week from Sunday. "Bring the children. Molly has missed them so." They agreed on a time, and Ginny sent her parents, along with a very excited Cheroo, on their way home. Her brother and Hermione left soon afterward, and she breathed a sigh of relief.

"See? I told you that would work. They didn't even bring it up," she said confidently to Lucius.

"I must say, I'm impressed. And I'm sure we can sure get by without two of our house-elves, especially those two."

"What?" she asked as her mouth fell open in surprise. "You said they were both good workers! Aren't they?"

"Well, they're good enough for the Burrow and . . . " He paused momentarily before finishing his thought. "And whatever place Mrs. Potter calls 'home'. But not for Malfoy Manor. Not at all. Frankly, I'm glad to be rid of them both."

Ginny rolled her eyes and scoffed at his candor; she was not amused. In fact, she looked downright peeved.

Judging by the look on her face, Lucius knew he ought to come up with some diplomatic explanation as to why he had chosen to give members of her family the two worst elves on their housekeeping staff. That is, if he hoped to stay in her good graces and perhaps sleep with her tonight. Her aggravation was bubbling to the surface, so he only had about 30 seconds to do it.

He smiled at her slowly. "Darling," he began, gently placing his hand around her shoulder, "surely you understand. They're not bad workers, but . . . it's rather like letting Nicolette go to her new post: She's nice to have around, but once she's gone . . . well, let's just say I won't think of it as a great loss."

"Since you put it that way," she replied, her anger melting away, "I guess it's all right."

Even though Cheroo and Bicksy weren't the best house-elves in the county, she knew that Molly and Hermione wouldn't mind. They would always treat their house-elves kindly and would willingly accept their less-than-perfect skills. Besides, having her own house-elf had been a dream of her mother's for as long as Ginny could remember.

She looked at Lucius and sighed. "Let's go check on the children, love."

He took her hand then walked beside her toward the wide stairs. Almost immediately, she released an involuntary "Oh!" Lucius stopped and looked at her warily.

"Are you all right?"

"Yes, but the baby - it just kicked."

"Already? Isn't it a bit early for that?" he asked, thinking she must have imagined it.

"Well, I suppose so, but there are two of them this time." She shrugged it off, and the couple continued climbing the wide steps.

A few seconds later, she said, "No, there it goes again." She stopped and placed his hand on her stomach. "Here, you feel for it and tell me if I'm dreaming."

It took nearly a minute, but at last, a tiny, almost imperceptible flutter could be felt within the confines of her robes. "I would say that was definitely a kick." She looked at him smugly and then suddenly frowned. "What's wrong?" he asked her.

"Oh, it's a shame my mum just went home. She always enjoys getting to feel her grandchildren's first movements. No matter how many times it's happened before, it still brings tears to her eyes."

He raised an eyebrow. "Even though I'm their father?"

She smiled slowly and nodded up at him. "Yes, darling. Even though."

They renewed their ascent and approached the room where Rhiannon and Lucas were sleeping.

Lucas was fast asleep, but Rhiannon was restless. She was very excited at the prospect of seeing her two old friends, Lily and Jamie. She had often wondered why they had stopped coming to visit her and asked her mother when she was going to see them again.

This time, she would actually get an answer.

* * * * *

Nadine eyed the small, purple bottle in her fingers apprehensively. She was sitting at her desk early in the morning, so early that the sun had not yet fully risen. Knowing what it contained, she released a slow, shaky breath. She'd had it for weeks, knew it was safe, and yet hesitated to resort to using it.

What troubled her most was that she wasn't quite sure who had sent it; it just showed up one day in a package addressed to "The Receptionist of Brian Gilpin." Along with the bottle, there was an anonymous note from the grateful daughter of a patient whom Mr. Gilpin had treated some months before. The unknown writer mentioned that she had seen the Healer and his receptionist interact and felt certain there was something special going on, just beneath the surface. She could sense Mr. Gilpin's loneliness; all he needed was a gentle 'push', and two people's dreams would be realized.

Naturally, the young witch was suspicious at first, but then she reminded herself that as a rule, Healers did not have enemies. However, just as a precaution, she decided to have it checked by her sister-in-law, who was somewhat of a potions expert. Nadine took it upon herself to stop by one evening when she knew they would most likely be at home. Hell, she might even get a free dinner out of the deal.

"I checked it, and it's a simple, harmless love potion," her brother Phil's wife told her over dinner at their modest London flat. "All you need do is put it in something you're sure he will eat or drink, and then give it to him. He'll be completely smitten with you."

Nadine fidgeted in her chair. "But how long will it last?" she wanted to know. As she said this, she looked past her sister-in-law Bridget and achingly admired her luxurious wedding robes in the photograph on the oak-colored cabinet that stood against the far wall. In it, the happy couple waved and smiled.

Having just put some pudding into his mouth, Phil's answer was almost incomprehensible. "Permanent enough, I suppose," was what it sounded like. His wife chided him by clicking her tongue then took over.

"What do you mean to put it in?"

Nadine shrugged. "I don't know. His tea?" she suggested weakly.

Her sister-in-law frowned in her usual judgmental way then responded, "Tea may not be the best thing to use, considering that people drink it so soon after it's poured. Whatever you decide to put it in, remember that the longer it stays there before he takes it, the more effective your potion is. Of course, given that you are already friends, proximity alone may seal the deal," she added as almost an afterthought.

While their assurances had calmed some of Nadine's fears, she still had neither the courage nor the pure audacity to go through with it. All she had to do was spill a few drops into his tea or coffee, as Bridget instructed. Yet when Brian stepped through the door on this frosty Friday morning, his face flush from the cold and looking as handsome as ever, she changed her mind: she could do this, and she would. Today.

She smiled at him then looked down into her drawer at the unopened box of tea. It was a new blend that had just come out with and was being promoted much fanfare from the manufacturer. Advertisements for it had run rampant on the wizarding wireless for the last month. She rose to her feet.

The two coworkers exchanged morning pleasantries and comments about the dismal weather they were having, when she suddenly offered to make him a cup of tea. Before he could answer, she said, "I bought that new flavor everyone's been raving about, and I though you might like to try it." She followed him into his office and stood before his desk, facing him anxiously.

He hung his cloak in the small closet at the back of the room. After giving it some thought, he replied, "Thank you, no. I think I'd prefer a coffee today. Would you mind running and getting me one?"

Nadine assured him it would be no trouble at all. "In fact," she said, "I was just thinking of getting something sweet when the lady with the snack cart comes by. She should be here in the next ten minutes." Brian reached into the pocket of his trousers to withdraw two Sickels, and she laughed softly, giddy about what was to come. "Don't be silly, Brian, I'll get it." He smiled back, and she returned to the front room of the office, closing the door behind her.

"Leave it open, please," he said, startling her slightly. She opened it back up a few inches. He was reading his daily roster and didn't look up but thanked her anyway when he heard the creak.

"Not at all. I'll bring your coffee in once it's here." He nodded vaguely, paying her little mind, and continued to read.

As expected, the lady with the snack cart stopped by at her usual time of 7:25. Nadine purchased one large coffee for Brian and a cinnamon roll for herself. Once the woman left, she drew in a deep breath. The throwaway cup was so full she doubted she could add anything to it, not even cream, and its contents were almost too hot to drink. Anxious to add the potion so it could settle while the coffee cooled, she quickly poured a little of the dark brown liquid into the wilting potted plant that sat near the corner. The plant had been a gift from her brother on her last promotion and had lately fallen into neglect.

Nadine eyed the level of the drink closely; deciding there was now enough room for something extra, she carefully poured the potion in. Licking her lips, she stirred it in to mix it, glancing up at his door every few seconds to be sure she was not being watched. Then she quietly put the empty bottle back in the box it had first arrived in, which was at the back of her lower left-hand drawer - the one furthest from Brian's view. It contained mostly personal things, so she wasn't worried that he would go rummaging through it.

She waited several minutes, then picking up the still-warm beverage, judged that it wasn't too hot. In fact, she suspected he would drink it right away. Her stomach flipped in excitement as she stepped up to his office and entered.

Placing the cup directly in front of him, she said, "Here you go, Brian."

"Ah, thank you, Nadine." He took the first sip, and realizing it wasn't scalding hot, he gulped down half the cup as she watched and waited, her heart racing in her chest.

He slowly removed the cup from his lips. His eyes turned to her mint green sweater, the one with the V-neck that showed just a smidgen of cleavage, especially when she bent over his desk like she was doing just now.

"How is it, Brian?" she asked, practically breathless from the way he was looking at her.

He blinked at her. His gaze went from her eyes to the dip in the V of her sweater then up toward her lips. She could actually see his face flush slightly and hear his breath quicken. "Perfect," he whispered as he stood up. He reached across the desk, placed both hands on the sides of her face, and drew her into a passionate kiss.

"Nadine," he murmured against her lips. She felt like crying with joy and release, knowing that at last, she would be his, and that once his initial infatuation had faded, he would grow to adore her, just as she adored him. She secretly thanked her unknown benefactor as she enthusiastically returned his kisses. Brian shut the door with a nonchalant wave of his hand and locked it, and she cast a Silencing Charm.

Sometimes, things just work out beautifully. Brian's morning calendar had been clear of any appointments, and no owls had arrived. The only person who stopped by had left without so much as knocking.

When the new lovers finally emerged from their sanctuary at around 9:30, Nadine was feeling quite pleased with herself. She smirked at the cinnamon roll she had left setting on her desk. Of course, by now, it was cold, hard, and barely edible . . . but then, they often were that way to begin with.

Suddenly, something caught her eye.

She cocked her head sideways when she noticed that a single bite had been taken out of it. Had she taken a nibble of it herself and just forgotten?

That was when she noticed a folded slip of parchment protruding from underneath the paper plate. She swallowed guiltily; did somebody know? They had used a Silencing Charm - hadn't they?

Picking up the note, Nadine slipped it into her pocket and shouted to Brian that she had to run to the loo. She did, and once she found a stall, turned around so no one could see her face if they peeked inside and started to read.

Nadine,

I see you finally used the love potion. I hope he lived up to your expectations. Congratulations on your conquest.

I hate to bring this up - I know how love can sometimes overwhelm one's better judgment - but consummating your relationship on top of a desk at Saint Mungo's could be construed as illegal use of Ministry resources. These offices are for helping the sick and afflicted, not for your personal gratification. Since you were both supposed to be working, and what you were doing in there could hardly be considered 'working', it could become a bothersome issue for the two of you, if you intend to remain employed at Saint Mungo's.

Now that we understand one another, my dear girl, you must do something if you wish to avoid a very embarrassing situation which could end up in a very bad way for you and for Mr. Gilpin. You must leave the country - go to America, perhaps - and entice your lover to go with you. That shouldn't be terribly difficult, as things stand now.

As it happens, I know a gentleman who runs a wizarding hospital in a city called Amarillo, Texas. I feel certain a Healer of Mr. Gilpin's qualifications could find a position on their staff. Send an owl posthaste to a Mr. Sheldon Porter requesting a post be found for your darling Brian. I have already sent an owl to him myself, and since Shelly owes me a favor, I feel certain he will hire Mr. Gilpin without hesitation.

Know that I am not a person to be trifled with; test me, and you will find yourself on the worse end of things. To avoid this becoming public, and rather embarrassing for you both, you must be gone within the month.

Sincerely,

A Concerned Friend

She burst into tears. "Oh, what have I done?" She ripped up the note and dropped it into the toilet. Furious, she flushed the evidence away. Knowing that Brian would probably be waiting for her, if not out in the hallway, then at least in his office, she fought to gather her composure. After removing any traces of her brief crying fit, she flung the door open and stepped out into the hallway. She was instantly pulled into Brian's arms.

"Darling, are you all right?" he asked her, his eyes filled with genuine care.

Nadine swallowed and cleared her throat. The love in his eyes made her nearly forget what she had been upset about. "Yes, of course. Why wouldn't I be, with you by my side?"

* * * * *

That evening, there was a knock on the front door of Stella Winterbourne's flat. She wasn't expecting anyone and almost decided not to answer. When the visitor said her name was Ginny, the Muggle physician opened the door with a friendly smile.

It was not Ginny, but her fiancé. "You're Lucius Malfoy," she said without a moment's hesitation, but not without a twinge of fear. She slid back behind the door and grabbed onto the knob, in case she felt the need to slam it in his face. "I've heard about you."

Something about his smile made her very, very nervous.

"And what have you heard, Dr. Winterbourne? Good things, I trust?"

His smile faded in an instant. Without waiting for permission, he stepped in through the barely-opened door. He soon had her backed up against the wall, one hand wrapped around her throat, his wand in the other. "You listen here, you Muggle filth," he snarled. "I will not have you or that stupid cousin of yours ruin my life. Neither of you will take away what is rightfully mine. Ginevra belongs to me, whether or not we are married. And because I have no intention of returning to prison, I will take something from you that will ensure my freedom."

He could see the fear in her eyes and smirked. A simple Oblivate, and all was forgotten: the results of Ginny's paternity test, the fact that he had just threatened her, and that she, Hermione, and Brian had been on the verge of uncovering the truth about that March night two years prior. Almost as an afterthought, he added a little extra insurance to the spell: If the matter of who Lucas's father was should arise, Stella would suddenly get a ferocious and unexplainable headache.

By the time she was aware of him, she had no idea what he was doing there. "Mr. Malfoy, is it?" she asked. "Why - what are you doing here?"

"Stella," he said to her kindly, as if they were old friends. "I was just here to ask if you knew where Ginevra was. She told me she might stop by and see you this evening."

The doctor squinted, blinking back the pain behind her eyes. Raising a hand to her brow, she said, "No, she isn't here. I haven't seen her in . . . quite a while, actually. I'm sorry."

"No matter." His tone was as casual as if the two had just been talking about the latest fracas within England's royal family. "I suppose I should be going now. Sorry to have troubled you. Good night." He walked out into the darkness and swiftly closed the door behind him.

Stella shook her head and shut her eyes tightly. Her heart was pounding. Had something happened while Mr. Malfoy was there? Why had she even asked him to come inside? Still, she couldn't remember anything odd happening. She cautiously peeked out the front window, afraid to open the door but not sure why. She scanned the pavement for his retreating figure, but he was nowhere to be seen.

The next morning, she would wonder if Lucius had even been there at all. Perhaps she had dreamed the whole thing. She had been very tired, having worked almost 11 hours yesterday. She decided then and there that she was done with the wizarding world. Doubtless, it was perplexing and fascinating, but far too frightening. She wanted nothing more to do with it, ever.

~End of Chapter~