The Death Eater's Daughter

Chapter Seven - Red Hair

The day that the Weasley family arrived, Luci was scrubbing the walls in one of the upstairs bedrooms. She'd been helping the Order to clean the place up a bit, and it was hard work, though she'd been told that if she'd seen its previous state, she wouldn't be complaining.

Draco was with his mother, supposedly studying.

Bill had been assisting Luci with this washing, until he'd heard the door and went down to greet his family. He'd tried to convince her to join him, but Luci wasn't feeling up to it. So now, she was in here alone, writing a letter to Josh in her head, explaining why the two of them could never see each other romantically. She'd been working on the wording since their last conversation, and had still been unable to get it right.

If she were honest, Luci did want someone to love, someone to call her own, like any girl would, she supposed. But her mind and heart were so muddled that she just complicated relationships. Her friends were saints for sticking around. And besides her own lack of self-worth, she hadn't really had any viable options since Mark.

Perhaps she could date a Weasley.

They were a terribly loud bunch, congregating downstairs. Finally, Luci decided to put down her sponge (she found that she felt things to be cleaner without magic), push back her inclination to be anti-social, and go introduce herself.

She went out onto the landing and peered over the banister. There was red hair as far as the eye could see, except for one head covered in long, frizzy brunette hair. Either Tonks was having a bizarre day or this must be Hermione Granger.

"Luci!" called Arthur, when he saw her coming down the last staircase. "Glad you decided to come meet the family!"

Molly glanced up and scowled briefly. Luci realized that the woman was never going to trust her, least of all, like her. But she was coming to terms with it. It was as difficult as being disliked by anyone, which was exceptionally difficult for a people-pleaser like Luci.

"Fred and George!" announced Arthur, as the two boys, obviously twins, stood closest to her.

They extended their hands, recited their names aloud (which Luci mixed up, as they were identical), and she shook with them and said, "Pleasure!" over the noise.

Then she saw her. It could only be Ginny. Fleur had once told Luci that she thought Ginny might have some Veela blood herself, because she had proven so irresistible to pretty much everyone. And Luci could see why. Her skin was flawless, her hair fell glittering over her shoulders, and her features were classically beautiful. Luci found herself unbelievably envious.

What on earth would prompt Harry Potter to break up with this splendid creature? Fleur had said, during her long narratives about her future in-laws, that it had been for Ginny's protection, which Luci supposed was a valid point, but at this moment, still found it preposterous. Her mesmerizing cat green eyes alone would be enough reason...

But Luci's jealousy was interrupted by someone snarling, "What's going on?"

She followed the voice and placed it to yet another red-haired boy, this one somewhere in his teens, she guessed. He was glaring at something above them, and Luci turned to see Draco and Narcissa glowering back hatefully over the banister.

So it begins, she thought to herself, melodramatically.

Draco was sneering. The Weasley boy now wore an expression somewhere in between loathing and shock.

"Come into the kitchen, Ron," Luci heard Remus cajole, from the intended room. "We'll explain everything."

And as the entire party exited the area, Ron's eyes never left Draco's.

Luci hurried up the staircase, impeding her brother and his mother, who were halfway down.

"Leave it," Luci said in hushed tones.

"Leave what?" Narcissa asked innocently.

Luci gritted her teeth in exasperation. "Let's all just go back to our rooms and make ourselves scarce until the idea of us being here is... well, more acceptable."

Her brother scoffed, and Narcissa replied, "The idea will never be acceptable. Especially to us. And, by the way, 'us' does not include you!"

Draco frowned slightly and Luci briefly wondered what he was thinking, before snapping at Narcissa, "We're protected here, and we've been allowed to stay because we've kept quiet. So let's continue doing that, shall we?"

They held one another's gaze for a long moment. Finally, Narcissa hissed, "Come, Draco, let us return to your revisions."

Luci nodded her approval and watched them as they sauntered off and disappeared into Narcissa's room. She almost allowed herself to sigh in relief, but she found it unlikely that there would be any peace in this household from now on.

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And she was right, though the reason for the lack of peace ending up surprising her. To her delight, Draco and Narcissa were only seen by the Weasleys at meals, whereupon, Ron Weasley, the teenage boy who had been so unwelcoming, spent loads of unnecessary energy scowling at them. But he never said a word aloud, though he was often seen whispering to Hermione Granger, who usually shook her curly head helplessly in response.

Everyone else's energy was going straight into the wedding. The chatter was often lively around the entire house, no matter what time of day, with discussion of flowers, cakes, decorations, dresses, and the like. The Malfoy family was never included, of course, but they got their share at these communal meal times.

During lunch on this particulate day in late July, the current topic was how to move the wedding into the Weasley's home if it were to rain. Most of the participants supported the use of magic to shield the guests instead. However, it was appearing difficult to determine who would oversee this project and give up their seat at the ceremony.

Fleur, who sat next to Luci, turned to her and said flippantly, "Eetz not going to wain, ov course."

"Mmm, unlikely," agreed Luci.

"No," replied Fleur. "Eemposseeble. Good fortune eez alvays wiz me."

Luci tilted her head to the side, answering, "That is very obviously true. Perhaps you should tell them to stop wasting their breath?"

Fleur shrugged. "But eet eez too enshoyable to have my wedding be zee centere of atten-shee-yon."

"Oh, Fleur, when have you ever not been the center of atten-shee-yon?"

The Veela looked thoughful for a moment, and then answered, "I cannot remembere... but I am zure zere may have been a momeent or two zomewhere..."

Luci laughed. "It must be awesome to be you."

Bill cut in at this moment and looked around his fiance towards Luci. "Actually, it's awesome to be me," and wrapped his arm lovingly around Fleur's shoulders.

Grimacing, Luci muttered, "Gag me with a spoon."

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Early the next morning, before breakfast, the members of the Order gathered in the kitchen for an exchange of news. As usual, nothing significant had transpired. There was a new Auror at the Ministry, and everyone was discussing this poor young boy with blatant suspicion, in between more wedding chatter.

Luci had pretty much tuned out, until Arthur got to his feet, and she heard him say, "Well, then, if we're done here, I'll be off to fetch Harry."

Luci stood, as well, a little too hastily. "Can I come with you?"

Arthur narrowed his eyes at her, and Molly cried, "Absolutely not!"

"Please," Luci pleaded. "I haven't been out of this house in over a month."

It was a lie, of course, as she'd been sneaking out, when everyone was asleep, to make phone calls and send letters. But that couldn't be considered anything significant, since she'd forgotten what sunlight looked and felt like. And besides, she was eager to meet this boy. If nothing else, she would have to protect Draco from him. She kind of wanted to sneak up on him, instead of having it be the other way around, in case it turned out that she needed the upper hand.

"And just who do you think will keep a leash on your family up there?" spat Molly.

"They're not dogs," Luci answered indignantly. "They know the consequences, should they cause any problems. They'll be fine for, what, half an hour?"

"An hour at the most," agreed Arthur. "We'll be back in time for your delicious breakfast, my dear."

Molly huffed, began to say something else, but then shook her head and ceased her protests.

"Very well," said her husband merrily. "Off we go, then?"

"Let me just change real quick," Luci responded, trying not to show her excitement at a small triumph, and then she headed upstairs.

She thought it most appropriate to don her ministry robes, partly to appear official, and partly to boost her poise. She tugged on some slacks and threw her American uniform over her shoulders. Then she hurried back down to Arthur, who was waiting near the front door.

He nodded in approval at her attire, smiled, "Shall we?" and extended an arm to Luci.

Almost as soon as she'd touched him, her feet hit the ground in an alleyway. When they emerged from it, she saw that this was an ordinary Muggle neighborhood. The houses had trim lawns, clean paint, and each of them looked almost identical to the next. She found it hard to believe that the legendary Harry Potter lived in one of these entirely un-legendary houses.

They strolled in silence, until Arthur said, "How are you hanging in?"

Luci's chest filled with warmth. At least someone didn't hate her.

"It hasn't been easy," she answered. "And I miss home. But I'll get through it."

"Not many people could do what you're doing. It's very noble."

She released a bitter chuckle. "I don't know about that."

"You'll have to forgive those in the Order who haven't taken kindly to you. The Malfoys have been a world of trouble for most of us. I suppose others can't see past your relation. I, however, realize that you are entirely your own person."

Luci almost stopped walking in astonishment, but then merely stuttered, "Thank you, Arthur. It means a lot. Really."

He gave her an encouraging smile as they stepped onto the front stair of house number four. Then he rapped his knuckles on the door.

Loud footsteps echoed from inside of the home, and then the door swung open, revealing an obese man with a red face. When he saw them, the red elevated to purple.

"Hello there," said Arthur. "We've come to collect Harry. Is he ready?"

"How should I know?" said the fat man.

Luci raised an eyebrow at him, but Arthur just smiled pleasantly.

Two more people appeared behind the man - a thin woman with dark hair and a round teenager wearing a sweater that was too tight. Could this be Harry? Luci narrowed her eyes at him, and he turned crimson. Just like the man had...

Then she heard a creaking on the landing. She looked up to see a lean boy dragging a large trunk and carrying a cage, and in it, the most magnificent snow owl that Luci had ever seen. The boy couldn't have been more than half a foot taller than her, and this was saying something, because Luci was quite small. His jet-black hair fell into his eyes, and peeking out from beneath the tresses, she saw it - that lightning bolt scar.

He stopped midway down the stairs and caught her gaze with his startling green eyes. He was much better looking than Luci had expected him to be, and far better looking than the boy in the sweater. She smiled up at him, feeling her pulse quicken at the unanticipated draw that she felt. Immediately, she looked away from him, and towards Arthur, hoping he might break the awkward silence.

To her relief, he said, "Hello, Harry. I trust you've had a lovely summer?"

Harry nodded, but he didn't say anything.

"This is Luci Keegan, from the Ministry of Magic," Arthur went on.

"It's wonderful to finally meet you, Harry," Luci said, trying to appear friendly while still avoiding another locking of their eyes. She told herself that she was uncomfortable because she'd never met a celebrity before, and that she'd feel the exact same way if she were watching late-night movies with Brad Pitt.

"Hi," mumbled Harry Potter, almost inaudibly, and sounding as if he couldn't care less who she was.

"Well, then, dear Vernon, we'll be taking Harry off of your hands now," said Arthur to the boy's uncle.

"Very well," he replied.

Harry then came down into the entryway.

"Well, I guess this is goodbye," he said to his family.

And the sound of his full voice sent prickles all along Luci's skin. What was wrong with her? It was just the accent, she told herself. Brad didn't have an accent. Though... she had been listening to these people for months... Maybe she was just nervous, after all the things that Draco had told her. That had to be it. She was on her toes, because he could be very dangerous to her.

"Yes, yes, goodbye, then," the fat man was saying, practically pushing Harry towards the door.

Luci was horrified by this behavior, but Harry seemed unaffected.

"Lovely folks," she said sarcastically to Arthur as they started down the walkway. She brought her hand back to her wand, concealed within her robes.

"They aren't the most pleasant of Muggles," he agreed

"That's putting it mildly!"

How could they treat their own family that way? The same way that her father could, she supposed. Humans. God, she hated almost the whole lot of them sometimes.

The three of them started back along the street, Harry following just behind Luci and Arthur. She had a feeling that he would have preferred her not to be there, and she suddenly felt guilty for tagging along.

"I've been meaning to ask you," Arthur went on, "about cells."

"Cells?" she repeated, torn from her thoughts.

"Yes, yes, what could they possibly be?"

"Like... biological cells?"

"No, no... some kind of device for communication?"

"Oh!" she chimed. "Cell phones? They're these big brick things that you can talk to one another on. Via radio waves or something, I think. I don't have one."

"Merlin's beard!" exclaimed Arthur.

She laughed, and so did he.

Then he went on, "I understand you traveled here upon an... airplane?"

Luci nodded. She loved wizards who had very little experience in the Muggle world; they were always so fascinated.

"And how, pray tell, do they stay up?" Arthur's tone had elevated with enthusiasm.

She shrugged. "Beats me. Muggles have a magic all of their own."

He nodded heartily.

They were approaching the alleyway, and since Luci could practically feel waves of distrust radiating from the boy behind her, she tentatively brought herself to walking alongside him.

"I'm sorry there was no warning that I'd be joining Arthur," she said, trying to sound harmless and affable.

His eyes had shifted to the ground and he made no reply.

She took a sharp breath and went on, "I hope you don't mind, but I have to admit that I really just couldn't wait any longer to meet The Boy Who Lived."

She had hoped that the compliment would soften him, but he seemed to be angered and spat, "I'm not a boy anymore!"

Luci almost jerked in response, but she forced herself to smile and answer, "I can see that."

Oh, what a horrible start. She just hoped that he didn't find her threatening in any way. It would make a worse case for Draco and his mother, and the maintaining of their safety. She had heard it said, multiple times, that Grimmauld Place belonged to Harry, and Luci was terrified, because he had every right to kick the three of them out into the streets, and she had failed miserably to acquire any kind of upper hand.

"Here we are," said Arthur abruptly, stopping in the alley. "Now, Harry, you haven't yet received your Apparition license, so I'll have you take my arm."

Arthur extended an elbow and Harry, still eyeing Luci with suspicion, accepted it.

Luci appeared a split second behind the pair of them, upon the step that led into Grimmauld Place.

Arthur tapped his wand against the door and the locks unfastened themselves, the entrance opening to them.

And though they were all practically tiptoeing, that ridiculous dead woman immediately went to screaming. Luci realized that it was due to the crowd of people filtering into the hallway. She suddenly felt claustrophobic, and by the time someone had turned off the portrait, Harry was being smothered and Luci was making her way into the kitchen.

Draco looked up and questioned coldly, "And how was it?"

She sat down beside him, ignoring Narcissa's familiar glare of hatred, and replied, "Uneventful. Glad it's over."

"Why did you go?" asked her brother.

"I needed some fresh air."

"That's not fair!" he huffed. "We never get fresh air!"

"Well, you know why."

"So? It's still shit."

Luci tilted her head in agreement.

"You didn't tell me you were going," Draco accused.

Narcissa made a funny expression of mixed surprise and concern.

"Shall I report all things to you in the future?" questioned Luci.

"Yes," smiled her brother, "you shall. Promptly and with accuracy."

She grinned in response, unwinding along with his improved mood.

And then Harry Potter noticed the presence of Draco Malfoy.

From the doorway of the kitchen, he bellowed, "What is he doing here?"

Luci's chest immediately tightened, as if her body was preparing for a fight. It was exactly what she'd been afraid of. Though she could see Hermione trying to talk Harry down.

Nevertheless, he exclaimed, "Overreact? He tried to kill Dumbledore!"

And then he was lurching towards them, wand in hand. To Luci's relief, Hermione had seized him.

"But he didn't. And he wouldn't have. You know that. He needed protection and his mother brought him here. Voldemort would kill both of them if he found them."

Narcissa made a choking noise at the statement.

"I don't give a damn!" Harry snarled at Hermione. "I want him out of here! This is my house and they've had him here without me knowing about it? And his mother too? And this... this girl I've never heard of?"

At this, Luci's cheeks went warm and she turned her eyes to her empty plate.

Ron jumped in. "We don't like it anymore than you do, but we've had no choice."

Harry fumed, "Well, I do! I'm gonna kill him!"

Luci felt Draco's body stiffen next to hers. She whispered to him, "Don't worry," even though she was literally shaking with fear herself.

But Ginny had grabbed Harry and was speaking softly to him. Luci could practically see their chemistry, and once again, pondered what could possibly be keeping them apart.

And then Harry was yelling again. "He's the enemy! He's always been the enemy! Why are you all suddenly his defenders? Let him stay because it's the decent thing to do?! You've gotta be bloody joking!"

And then Remus was pulling Harry aside, and Luci relaxed in brief reprieve. She knew he could explode again at any moment.

Along with Narcissa and Draco, she watched nervously as Remus talked to the boy. Then, reluctantly, and much to Luci's relief, Harry quietly joined his friends at the far end of the table, and Luci could no longer hear their conversation.

She turned to her brother. "Are you okay?"

"Nothing happened," he said simply.

"Your life waz thweatened," contributed Fleur, to Luci's left.

"Potter?" scoffed Draco. "He doesn't have it in him."

"That's not what you've told me before," Luci said.

Draco gave her a glance of warning to shut her mouth.

"Ze boy can be vewy fierce."

Luci raised her eyebrow at her brother, and then smiled softly at Fleur. "Yes, well, I've heard the same about you."

"Just ven eet comes to my Bill," Fleur said, and then added quietly, so only the two of them could hear, "Especially in zee bedroom."

Luci laughed. "Well, we can all only hope to exude your charms."

"Ah, hope iz footile," she said with a shake of her lovely head. "I am unpawalleled."

"Of course, you are. Draco, do you find Fleur to be unparalleled?"

He looked surprised at the question for a moment, as he hadn't been paying attention, but then he answered playfully, "Well, I don't know. She'd have to show me, wouldn't she?"

Fleur looked absolutely appalled and made a quiet huff.

Draco chuckled, and at Luci's scolding expression, said, "What? She's getting married tomorrow. Now is my only chance."

Luci shook her head good-humoredly at him, and said lightly, "True. And thank god for a change of mood. Even if we have to make you feel uncomfortable, Fleur."

But the beautiful girl smiled, and Draco jeered, "Enjoy the humanity. It sucks."

"Eet eesn't so bad," she replied, waving her hand.

Luci laughed this time, and her brother joined her, and Fleur seemed pleased, as always, to be the center of atten-shee-yon.