The Family Jewels

Chapter 20
The Family Code

When Draco, Hermione and Blaise got to the portrait in front of the Head Dorms, Hermione said, “Checkmate,” and went in ahead of the other two. The boys sat down on the couch on either end, but Hermione was in no mood to play. She took off her cloak and tossed it in the direction of her room. “I need to be alone and think for a while.”

Draco stood up and began to move toward her. Blaise raised an eyebrow at this foolish plan, and said, “Draco. Let her go.”

But she was already gone.

“Blaise, I thought she said that the three of us needed to talk?” Draco was not unaffected by his father’s visit, and he wanted to keep Blaise and Hermione in his presence for a while. If only to be sure that they were safe.

Blaise just frowned a bit. “She’ll be back. Maybe now would be a good time for you to tell me why your father really walked up to you in broad daylight in Hogsmeade.”

Draco sighed, “He says that I am still going to become a Death Eater, whether I like it or not. But the thing he seemed really worried about, I just don’t understand. He wanted to know where the jewels I inherited from Grandfather are.” Draco paced around a little, “They’ve been in the family for hundreds of years, what could possibly be the reason?”

Blaise watched Draco stalk around the room like a caged tiger. “You haven’t really told me what you received from your Grandfather. I saw the letter from the solicitor, but then with the party and Hermione,” he cleared his throat slightly, “I don’t know what the jewels are.”

“Perhaps we should go and visit our dear Head of House and inform him of the appearance of a wanted escapee from Azkaban in Hogsmeade. Snape has the jewels, you can see them.” Draco plucked the small book that accompanied the jewels from his bag and gave it to Blaise. “This came with it, and I’ve started to translate it, but it’s in Medieval French. Very slow going.”

Blaise was reading the ancient writing on the pages very slowly, his lips moving silently. “Can you read it?” Draco questioned.

“You know that French was the language of the aristocracy in those times. There are many old books in our library at home written in a similar dialect. With a few reference books, I should be able to produce an adequate translation.”

Draco thanked his lucky stars that he was friends with the smartest students in school. He wasn’t looking forward to translating that book all by himself, and he wanted it translated yesterday, if his father’s interest was any indication of the value of those jewels.

“Shall we go then?” he asked Blaise, holding open the portrait for him.

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Ron shifted his position under a tree by the lake outside Hogwarts. He had used a warming charm when he and Pansy had sat down to ‘rest’ after taking a short walk around the lake. Ron slid his tongue into her mouth, caressing hers while his fingers touched her nipples. Pansy arched her pelvis into his; he ground his hard cock against her when she moaned into his mouth. “Baby, is this okay?” he asked her.

Without warning, she stiffened in his arms, “Don’t call me that.”

Ron was confused, “I shouldn’t call you baby? I, um, I thought girls liked that,” he stammered, blushing.

“I have a name, you know,” Pansy pulled farther away from him, straightening her clothes and running an unsteady hand through her hair.

He was quick enough on the draw to realize that she was preparing to run. “Pansy,” he said, emphasizing her name, “I didn’t mean to upset you. I called you love earlier, and that seemed to be all right. I swear I will never call you that again. Please don’t leave. Please.”

Pansy took a deep breath and tried to remember she was with Ron, he had never hurt her, lied to her, cheated on her. Finally, looking into his eyes, she nodded, albeit reluctantly.

Ron wasn’t sure what had set her off, but he thought he might be in for some major damage control. He took her hand and kissed it. “If I do something you don’t like, talk to me, don’t just run.” He sat up against a tree behind him and placing gentle hands on her hips, slowly settled her back against his chest. “Do you want to tell me what just happened?” He knew he might be stepping on an unexploded bomb, but he was never one to shy away from a challenge.

‘At least I don’t have to look at him,’ Pansy thought, playing with his fingers. “It just seems that whenever I’m with someone and they call me baby while we’re, you know, that means that they are cheating on me. That they have gotten into the habit of not using names so they don’t call out the wrong one at an inopportune moment.”

She continued in a small voice, “Love is all right. I don’t think anyone has ever called me that before.”

Ron sighed and settled his arms around her, hugging her to him. “I will never cheat on you. Okay? Never. I just don’t work like that. If things aren’t working out between us, break up with me.” Ron drew his wand and held it up. “Let’s promise now, never to cheat.”

She turned to look at him, eyes wide and astonished, “You’re willing to take a Wizard’s Oath that you won’t cheat on me?”

“Sure, I will. I was never going to cheat on you, so it doesn’t affect me in the least.”

“Maybe I should have started dating Gryffindors a long time ago,” she said softly, almost to herself.

“I, Ronald Weasley, promise never to cheat on Pansy Parkinson.” She smiled at him, “I, Pansy Parkinson, promise never to cheat on Ronald Weasley.” They touched the tips of their wands together, and they glowed green.

“Can I have that kiss you were giving me earlier again?” Pansy asked.

Ron thought he should avoid all nicknames for a while. “Miss Parkinson, it would be my pleasure.”

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Draco and Blaise walked to the dungeons and were at the door to Professor Snape’s office in no time. Draco knocked, waiting for the usual, “Come,” which came after only a few seconds. They entered the room to find Snape sitting behind his desk, marking essays.

“Sir,” Draco said, “Do you have a minute for us?”

“What can I do for you gentlemen on a Saturday afternoon? Shouldn’t you be in Hogsmeade, tormenting the unsuspecting villagers?”

Draco and Blaise shared a look, and then Draco said, “My father was in Hogsmeade today.”

“He showed himself in public? Did you speak to him?” Snape’s eyebrows were drawn together in a frown.

“Oh yes, it was a most enjoyable family reunion. He informed me that I would be joining the Death Eaters, and he was very concerned about the whereabouts of a certain chest of jewels. I told him that you had them,” Draco answered.

“Was he now? That is most interesting. Have you made any more progress on the translation of the diary?” Snape asked.

“I believe that my esteemed friend here will be most helpful with that,” Draco said smugly.

“Although it will take me some time, this is not the first document in Medieval French that I have translated. It may not be perfect, but I should have a rough draft in a few days,” Blaise spoke to both of them, but he watched Snape’s face.

Snape looked merely interested, so Blaise thought that he did not know what was contained in the diary. Blaise could read it much better than he had let on. There were descriptions of various pieces that were carnal in nature, yet did not seem to hold Dark Magic. Though he had read only several pages, it seemed that there was some sort of code de famille invoked by many of the pieces that was quite ancient. He would have to spend some time in the library looking up what it all meant. ‘Thank Merlin Draco can get any books out of the Restricted Section since he is Head Boy,’ thought Blaise.

“Since Blaise is going to be working on the translation as well, it would probably be a good idea for him to see the jewels,” Draco said.

“Of course,” Snape answered, going into his private chambers and retrieving the chest. He placed it on the desk, and Draco covered the Malfoy crest with his hand and tapped the lock with his wand. Blaise drew out the box that contained the bonding necklace of the Malfoy family. The jewels caught the light as he held it up. “I suppose I shouldn’t be surprised at the number of girls that have been throwing themselves at you all these years,” Blaise said in a most impudent manner.

“I’ll have you know that those women were after me for my body,” Draco returned, just as wickedly.

“I do have work to do, gentlemen. Draco, I have done some tests on the chest, and the magic is incredibly strong. It is my opinion that it will be acceptable for you to take the chest to the Head Dorm. Keep it in your room. I am not mistaken in believing that you have placed the customary wards on your room?” Snape asked.

Draco nodded, saying, “I will add a few more when I get back.” ‘There are some advantages to growing up with the Dark Arts all around you,’ Draco thought.

“Then you will excuse me?” Snape said, basically throwing them out. ‘If Lucius Malfoy is willing to take such risks to get that chest, it will be safer in a place with no Floo access,’ Severus thought. Although Snape had adequate wards on the fireplace in his rooms, he knew that a well placed bribe in the Ministry would open his fireplace to Lucius without too much difficulty.

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Inspiration for Ron/Pansy scene from Say My Name by Destiny's Child.

A/N – Sorry, the plot keeps getting in the way of the sex. Please bear with me. Thanks to everyone who has read and reviewed. It really makes my day.

Kat Murphy – Thank you. Since there is no canon Blaise yet, Blaise is someone that I know very well.

eve/roarke – Although I have had most of the plot worked out from the beginning, for some reason your last review pushed me into the last plot points. Thanks loads.

Seeker – Your wish is my command. Stay tuned.