The Slytherin Redemption: Now Complete

Thanks for the reviews, both of them. I do appreciate hearing from you.

This chapter was beta'ed by Drusilla of Perfect Imagination.


Salvation

Chapter 24

Hermione sat in the interview room, looking much healthier than she had the last two times she visited. Draco was unshackled and freshly scrubbed; a change for the better for him. She slid robes toward him across the table in the room. “Liz and Andromeda sent these for the trial. I don't suppose there's a place for you to change, is there?”

She looked pointedly at the Muggle-born guard, another sympathetic face who had escorted Draco to the room. The large man shook his head. “No, sorry, Ma'am, but I could let you step outside for the moment; would that do?”

“Thank you, that would be lovely. Would you care to join me?” Hermione dazzled the man with the same smile that had made Draco fall in love with her in his third year. The poor man hadn't a chance.

The guard escorted her from the room with an addled smile on his face, leaving Draco in possession of the bundle. Draco fingered the cloth nervously. He had not expected his trial to come so soon, but Granger had assured him that it was a good sign. Liz's interview with that Creevey fellow had caused a roar of public outrage against the Wizengammot's charges and had caused Shacklebolt to speak out publicly against that august body. Draco was sceptical that the Minister had been unaware, as he claimed to be, of the charges against the younger Malfoy, but accepted that the outcome of the trial might be much different than he had previously expected. Draco thought he might get off with a fine or probation, rather than a lengthy prison sentence. His Gryffindor counsel was more optimistic.

Draco donned the pale grey robes, wishing once more for the long hair that befitted his rank. He ran his hands down the fine wool, an expense he and Liz could not afford, noting with some dismay the lax fit of the garment. He had lost weight after his initial bout of prison fever. He hoped Liz would not be too alarmed by his appearance today; an alarmed Liz was a dangerous one.

The guard asked through the grate, “Mr. Malfoy, are you dressed? Your solicitor says it's almost time for your Portkey.”

Draco cinched the belt provided up one notch and went to the door. “I'm as ready as I'll ever be.”

The guard gave his prisoner a sympathetic grin and wink through the grate as he unlocked the heavy door.

As he stepped out of the unlocked room, Draco noted the look of confidence on Hermione's face. His gut clinched spasmodically and Draco paused to catch his breath, he hoped he would not be her new S.P.E.W. The guard whispered, “Good luck, Mr. Malfoy. I hope I don't see you here again.”

“You and me, both.” Draco clasped the man's hand briefly, before he followed Granger to the authorised Portkey area.

&*&*&

Toby, Teddy, Rose and Victoire followed Professor Zabini into the Ministry of Magic building. Toby had never been here before, and was intrigued by everything he witnessed. Teddy kept pulling on his robes as he lagged behind to watch the swooping of the memo-planes, or look at the glowing golden fountain in the atrium that had been made to look like Headmaster Dumbledore and his Phoenix, Fawkes. Rose pulled on Toby's sleeve. “Come on, Tobe, keep up.”

“Yeah, I am,” Toby said irritably as he watched two memo-planes race each other.

Rose hissed, “No, you aren't. And the Prof is getting irritated. You know how he's been since his son was born.”

“Your ickle brother, Kieran.” Teddy scoffed softly.

Rose jerked her head angrily and caught up with the Professor and Victoire. Toby elbowed his friend in the side. “Why do you have to tease her like that? You know how she feels about what her mother did to her.”

“'Cause she should be happy.” Teddy's voice was pitched low so that only Toby could hear it. “Now she's got two parents who love her and two brothers. It's more than I'll ever have.”

Toby did not know what to say, so he turned his attention back to the wonders contained in the Ministry. It seemed like life was not fair to anyone at one point or another.

&*&*&

Harry Potter and his partner, Seamus Finnegan, escorted Liz, Scorpius, Father Cavanaugh, Andromeda Tonks and Bertie Cowell to the Ministry. Andromeda was the first assaulted by the barrage of reporters who jostled her and Bertie with some intensity until the priest swung his body between the two older women and the pushing masses. Impertinent questions were asked about Ian's relationship to the two women until Harry Potter intervened after securing Scorpius and Liz in the building. Ian pulled the two older women into the building as Harry threatened to take all of the reporters into custody for rioting.

A frazzled-looking Ian caught up with Liz. “I've never been through anything like this, even when I had my audience with the Pope.”

“I never knew you met His Holiness,” Bertie exclaimed in awe, drawing the stares of several low-level employees and an older witch with a vulture hat and a bright red purse. While Ian spoke with Liz's mother about his brush with greatness, Liz fussed with Scorpius who had begun crying.

She drew the toddler closer to her body, patting him back soothingly, when she saw a flash of pale blond hair. It felt like her heart was going to beat out of her chest or come up her throat. She started to call Drake's name, but stopped when she realised the blond was a shade darker and much too long, according to what Hermione had said about her husband's new hairstyle. Liz felt like joining her newest son in his tears. Harry drew abreast of her. “The trial begins at ten. We have an hour. Do you want to get a cuppa or just go down to the courtroom?”

Scorpius was now taking Liz's blouse between his fingers and rubbing the silky fabric against his cheek, something he did when he was nervous. Tears still stained his chubby face but no longer flowed from his eyes. Liz drew his hand down from her blouse and kissed each of his fingertips. To Potter, she said, “I just want to get this over with.”

“Yeah.” Harry took her by the elbow and led the group toward the lift. They all barely fit. Liz watched dully as the lift went down to Level 10. Harry took Liz's hand in his. “You can't go in yet, but his trial will be in Courtroom Seven. Just wait here.”

Potter turned to walk away, pausing to say over his shoulder, “Oh, and good luck.”

Harry's partner followed without a word.

&*&*&

The lovely Mona Lisa had roused Lucius from his bed in the infirmary. She held off-the-rack robes out to him and had a flimsly bamboo cane tucked under her arm. “Your son's trial is today, Mr. Malfoy. As your physician, I'll be in your contingent of escorts to the Ministry.”

Lucius took the robes from her hand and nodded sharply. It had been years since he had been able to wear anything but prison-stripes. He grunted, “Did you buy these?”

“Yes. I know you're used to better, but my budget isn't up to Malfoy standards.” She expected him to be ungrateful, and that caused him to pause before her.

He ran his hands over the cloth, which was soft in comparison to the sackcloth he wore. She had chosen a deep blue, no doubt to compliment his eyes. “They are lovely. Thank you.”

“I do wish they could be better.” Her pale brown eyes sought his and he moved toward her, wanting to taste her lips to see if the cinnamon colour of them would leave the taste on his tongue. Lucius felt himself drawn to her and as he leaned in to test his theory, another inmate coughed, shattering the moment.

She stepped back, breathless from the near contact, and then looked around before she whispered, “Mrs. Granger-Weasley tells me to make sure you answer every question truthfully. She says much is riding on your testimony.”

He dreaded the questions that might be asked of him and what his answers might mean for his own safety and, damnably, Narcissa's. Mona Lisa shook her head. “In words, Mr. Malfoy. You need to practice.”

“Thank you, Doctor. I have been p-practicing.” Lucius graced her with his patented superior smirk. He had sounded like a lunatic over the past few weeks, saying the nonsense sounds she had told him to speak, aloud and over the rather crude complaints of the other inmates in the infirmary. He inclined his head, and lifted a blond brow just a fraction. “Can I expect your... assistance with my disrobing, Mona Lisa?”

A gratifying flush heated her face and she hurriedly exited the area. After she was safely on the other side of the curtain, she huffed, “Oh, do hurry.”

Lucius laughed as he shucked off the prison infirmary uniform. In his silkiest of tones, he growled, “I should think I would never want to hurry with you, my dear.”

&*&*&

Two hyper-vigilant Aurors led Draco into the courtroom. Draco might have found their extreme dedication amusing if the situation were slightly different. He was placed into the same type of chain-covered chair he had been in eleven years before. The same weight chains were placed on his wrists, arms and legs that had magically bound him in his first trial. Draco felt a bubble of hysteria rise as the courtroom began filling with members of the press and other noteworthy busybodies.

Draco moved his head slightly to see if Skeeter had deigned to attend the trial her work had precipitated. She was nowhere in the gallery within his limited range of vision, but it did not mean that her poisoned words would not find a way to cause his family more pain. He became aware of his fists, clenched against the rough wood of the chair, and willed them open. It would not do for the Malfoy heir to give an outward show of the strain under which he toiled. He was aware that he must show the Wizengamot that they dealt with an adult wizard, not the pitiful little boy they had in their purview the first time round.

One by one, as the gallery filled up, the members of the court turned their faces toward Draco. Most of their expressions were neutral; some of the members with a more traditional outlook bore mixed expressions of distaste and approval. The majority of the Order members had the same mixed emotions with approval being more to the fore. Yes, being a Malfoy would be a distinct disadvantage once more. The Minister of Magic's seat was vacant as the proceedings began. Draco thought that Shacklebolt's absence boded ill for his cause.

A grizzled witch with bright yellow eyes and ancient jowly face began. “Draco Eugene Malfoy, you stand accused of crimes against the wizarding and Muggle world. The court has deemed that there is sufficient evidence to bind you for trial and find you guilty of coercion of a Muggle by use of magic, four separate instances of breaking the International Statute of Secrecy and use of an Unforgivable in two instances. What say you to the charges enumerated?”

Draco drew a steady breath before answering in the firmest voice he could muster, “Not guilty on all charges, Madam.”

“Madam Fahrquadt, members of the Wizengamot,” Hermione began, her voice steady as hushed whispers circled both the gallery. “My client's wand has been tested by the Auror's office by none other than the head of the division, Auror Fenway. It is my understanding that the Use of Unforgivables charge was supposed to be dropped.”

The yellow-eyed witch answered in a sonorous tone, “New evidence has come to light...”

“Of which I, as Mr. Malfoy's counsel, was not made aware,” Hermione snapped, “I respectfully request a recess to review this evidence...”

“No,” Madam Fahrquadt denied.

“Madam, evidentiary procedures allow the defendant's counsel to view all evidence pertaining to the...”

“You have had access to the witness list. It is your job to come prepared to court. You may cross the witness when she is called.” Several members of the court shot the acting Chief dark looks. Apparently, Draco thought, the court's opinion had not been entirely decided on his guilt.

&*&*&

Liz spent the first hour of the trial outside the courtroom. Toby and his friends surrounded her, along with Professor Zabini. She greeted the older wizard with a wan smile. “I hear your wife had a son. Congratulations.”

“Mum, we got to help choose his name, since we were there when she started having him,” Toby said as he leaned into her side, a mere whisper of a touch before he recovered his nearly twelve-year old insouciance.

“That was very brave of you, Professor.” Liz's dry tone provoked a sheepish smile from the wizard.

“It was entirely Pansy's idea.” Zabini sat next to Liz, his warm eyes twinkling. “She was quite impressed with their choice.”

“What did you decide?” Liz turned to her son.

“It was Rose's idea, really. She should tell you.” Toby indicated a blushing brunette with becoming freckles. Liz had heard of her, of course, but the warmth of her son's regard for her was a little worrying.

“We all decided on Kieran Dunn,” Rose answered tartly. “I just looked up the names in the library.”

“Yeah, but tell Mum what it means,” Toby insisted.

A man in Auror's robes interrupted the conversation. “Mrs. Malfoy, you're being called as a witness. If you will please follow me...

&*&*&

Malfoy Trial Enters Its Second Week with No Verdict

Dennis Creevey, WPI

In an unprecedented move, current Minister of Magic, Kingsley Shacklebolt, has stepped down as acting Head of the Wizengamot to testify on behalf of the Malfoy Clan in the now fortnight-long trial. Shacklebolt, it is rumoured, as Head of the now defunct Order of the Phoenix, was left out of the loop by a dying Albus Dumbledore in regard to the roles of both Lucius Malfoy and Severus Snape in protecting the innocents stolen from their homes in acts of violence that the Death Eaters called 'Muggle-baiting.'

The main question of Draco Malfoy's innocence of the charges levelled against him has been a matter of some public concern. If the younger Malfoy is convicted, it could indeed set the clock back on the entire wizarding world's relationship to Muggleborns and so-called halfbloods.

In a stunning testimony on Friday, the Muggle, Father Ian Cavanaugh, outlined his long-term knowledge of the wizarding world, beginning with his family ties to Severus Snape, and ending with his aid to several Death Eaters, including Draco Malfoy and the notorious Carrow siblings. Cavanaugh's sister, Leticia, died of complications caused from the Cruciatus Curse five years ago. She is the mother of the younger Malfoy's son...

Malfoy Elders Granted New Hearing

Dennis Creevey, WPI

After the Wizengamot heard testimony from convicted Death Eater, Lucius Malfoy, concerning his son’s innocence, Minister of Magic, Kingsley Shacklebolt, granted him and his former wife, Narcissa Black, a new trial before the Wizengamot. Lucius Malfoy, former member of the Board of Governors of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry and confirmed member of the Order of the Phoenix, refused to testify until his former wife and his son were granted extra security while they are housed in Azkaban Prison...

Malfoy's testimony concerned the documents introduced by Madam Granger-Weasley, solicitor and holder of the Order of Merlin, First-Class. The documents clearly stated that Draco Malfoy would be granted immunity after his forced service to the self-styled Lord Voldemort. Lucius Malfoy, in return, gathered intelligence and offered aid to victims of Muggle-baiting. The documents were lost after Severus Snape's planned defection and Draco Malfoy served a six-year sentence for use of an Unforgivable in the commission of....

...Narcissa Malfoy made a tearful plea from the stand, to both the elder and younger Malfoy men, to accept that her mental instability led to her decision to divorce Lucius Malfoy after thirty-four years of marriage and to relate false information to Rita Skeeter, former reporter for the Daily Prophet. Skeeter has been missing since...

Skeeter Accused of Coercion and Malfeasance

Dennis Creevey, WPI

Rita Skeeter, unregistered Animagus, has been accused of coercion and professional malfeasance. Skeeter is rumoured to have fled the country after receiving a summons to Draco Malfoy's trial...

In a stunning reversal of testimony, Healer for St. Mungo's Hospital, Parvati Patil, stated that Skeeter coerced her into relating false testimony about Draco Malfoy and her possibly improper relationship to her former patient. Healer Patil stated that Skeeter threatened to reveal her brief affair with Malfoy to her current fiancé, Justin Fitch-Fletchley unless Healer Patil made public accusations against Malfoy's character. Healer Patil's privileges have been suspended at St. Mungo's pending further investigation of her actions with Malfoy.

In another reversal, Healer Patil stated that Leticia Cavanaugh, mother to Scorpius Malfoy, died of complications to the Cruciatus Curse, inflicted by Bellatrix Lestrange. The tearful Healer admitted that she was coerced to relate false information to Skeeter to cover her examination of the Muggle during the initial phases of her illness...

Severus Snape Alive and Living in the United States

Dennis Creevey, WPI

The court was shocked to silence as Professor Blaise Zabini introduced Penseived testimony from former Hogwarts Headmaster, Severus Snape, who is now living in an undisclosed location in the United States...

Draco Malfoy, his wife, Elspeth Malfoy and Lucius Malfoy were all moved to tears as Snape's testimony was displayed for the entire court. Severus Snape, looking tanned and healthy, gave information pertaining to his relationship to Ian Cavanaugh, Muggle Priest and mentor to Draco Malfoy, and his knowledge of the victims of Muggle-baiting, notably the rape of Elspeth Cowell-Malfoy at the hands of Rodolphus Lestrange...

Harry Potter was asked to comment on the re-emergence of the former Headmaster, but declined comment. Harry Potter gave testimony for Snape in his trial after the war. At the time, there was speculation about the nature of the relationship between the Boy-Who-Lived and the former Headmaster...

&*&*&

Lucius paced the small, private cell he had been given since his testimony on his son's behalf a little over a week ago. He had received at least a death threat a day since then. He looked out the tiny, barred window of the space, revelling in the play of evening light on the rough water of the North Seas. He wondered at the changes wrought by one determined Gryffindor Muggleborn and an unschooled Muggle from the poorest section of London.

If anyone had told him ten years ago that he would approve of such an inappropriate mate for his son, they might have been subjected to Lucius' worst Cruciatus curse. However, the little Muggle, with the tenacity of a Niffler in a jewellery store, had made an impression on Lucius. She had attended every day of the trial, and dealt with the press in regal forbearance and grace. Lucius' grudging approval was hard won, but once granted, was forever.

He paced once more from the back of the cell to the front, padding carefully around the new bedding that Ian Cavanaugh's mission had provided the prison. Lucius grimaced as he came to the ironbound door as he felt parchment crinkle at his waist. He fished the letter, written in Narcissa's familiar hand, out of his waistband, scowling at the missive.

He had read it through once, and really could not fathom why he held on to it still. Narcissa was asking for a second chance, but when Lucius attempted to picture his cool patrician wife, all he saw were black eyes and cinnamon-tinted lips.

Damn. Lucius was attracted to a mere girl, one who was his son's age. He would not bear the stigma of the cliché that his life had become. Once he was freed from his incarceration, he would flee England and his past. He would not be ridiculed.

He turned the parchment over in his hands and tore it into small pieces. Narcissa could go hang for all he was concerned.


Salvation

Chapter 25

It had been three weeks since Draco’s trial and the various newspapers and periodicals had yet to tire of his family's story. Draco stared at the picture of Liz and he on the cover of the new magazine, Mixed Match: the Journal for Blended Magical Families. A photographer had snapped the picture just at the moment they were reunited. Liz's face was pale and drawn until his hands touched hers and then it was as if colour had somehow been inked into a drawing. The image of her joy was breathtaking. He rubbed his eyes with his thumb and forefinger. They had both shed enough tears to last a lifetime. It would not do for her to see him near tears at the breakfast table of his aunt's house.

They had lost their flat, and even though both their sets of wages had been backdated to before Draco's arrest, they just did not have enough money to find a flat of their own yet. Andromeda had been kind enough to allow them to stay with her while they sorted everything out, but Draco knew they were a burden to her. It had been three weeks since he had been released, and Draco reckoned it would be another fortnight before they could scrimp enough money together to move back to London. Their big Catholic wedding would have to wait for some time, maybe years.

However, there had been two good things that had come from the trial: his parents' new hearing, which was scheduled that week, and Snape's Pensieved testimony. Draco suspected, after some reflection, that Zabini had been in contact with the former Headmaster for some time. He remembered the allusions Blaise had made to a Potions Master he had corresponded to in the States. Snape had probably done it just to monitor what was happening at home. Zabini had been entirely too tight-lipped about Snape since then too. Draco snorted. Snape was a damned Slytherin to the end, even if the end wasn't as close as anyone had thought.

Liz entered the room and slid her cool arms around him. “What's so funny?”

“Nothing.” Draco slid his hands up his wife's arms.

“Mmmm,” Liz hummed softly against his cheek. “I like your hair. It suits you.”

Okay, make that three good things that had come from his stay in Azkaban, Draco thought as his wife kissed the stubble on his head. Liz seemed fascinated with the shape of his head and the feel of his scalp. Perhaps he would go Muggle and keep his hair short. Draco drew her palm to his lips. “I missed you.”

“Do you want to show me how much, again?” Liz purred as she moved her hand lower, making Draco gasp with the contact. “I'm up for it, and it looks like you are, too.”

“We have to get to the Ministry, Liz.” Draco warned half-heartedly. “Though, I suppose we could adjust our calendar for a little longer lunch than normal.”

Liz kissed his temple. “That sounds good.”

&*&*&

Lucius' hearing was first. He entered the room, expecting total vindication. He had served the Order, had been double-crossed by Dumbledore and ultimately paid more than his due for his crimes. He had not counted on his attempted strangulation of Narcissa being brought into evidence. He watched in quiet desperation as the Wizengamot deliberated on the matter. Draco and his wife were present, and Lucius was grateful for their support. The Mudblood Granger chit that had handled Draco's case - Lucius supposed he should begin to refer to her by name - represented Lucius. She shuffled the briefs she had prepared for his trial nervously. Lucius smirked at her nervousness, wondering whether she was more afraid of losing the case or his release. Big, bad, Death Eater Lucius Malfoy, might be cause for some concern... if he were still the person he had been when he had been convicted.

Yes, Lucius was still a purist, but had he not accepted his half-blood grandchild and the marriage of his only son to a Muggle? He would simply work on reducing his more colourful language. He realised his use of the term Mudblood might be considered offensive in some circles. Well, most circles these days, he ammended. Even Mona Lisa, a pureblood from an old family, had reacted negatively to his comments. Lucius sighed. Yes, he would make the necessary changes to live in this new world.

Kingsley Shacklebolt spoke, his face stern. “Mr. Malfoy, after due consideration of the facts provided by your counsel, we have found you not guilty of Death Eater activities in the second war.”

Lucius inclined his head graciously. He had suspected the outcome from the beginning. Shacklebolt had more to say. “However, we find you guilty of the attempted murder of Narcissa Black, formerly Malfoy. Your sentence, taking into account that you have served twelve years of a life sentence, shall be six months probation.”

Unexpected, but liveable, Lucius thought.

“You will serve this probation, without a wand, under the guidance of Father Ian Cavanaugh, as a gesture of good faith that your sentiments have truly changed.” The Wizengamot erupted in protestations of outrage. Muggle blood-cult and Statute of Secrecy were foremost in the shouts. Shacklebolt held up his hand in a quelling gesture. “Your lands and a portion of your assets will be returned.”

How could this have happened? Lucius' eyes sought the Granger girl's, and he noted the triumph in her gaze. This-- outrage-- was all her doing. One way or another, he would ensure she paid for this. Lucius lifted his chin in a gesture of regal defiance. “And... if I choose not to accept these... t-terms, Minister?”

“You will be released from Azkaban, wandless, and without any form of restitution.” Shacklebolt smiled wolfishly. “The choice is yours, Mr. Malfoy.”

Lucius felt his nails dig into his clenched fist. Damn Narcissa. She had won again. The bitch. “Very well. D-do I need to sign anything?”

The Minister gave a toothy smile that brightened his dark face. Lucius was well and truly fucked.

&*&*&

It was Wednesday, and Liz was making her way, with Lucius Malfoy, to Hogwarts. They were taking the Hogwarts Express. He refused to speak to her, which was just fine with Liz. Drake had told her he probably blamed Muggles in general for the terms of his probation. Liz had laughed at that. As far as she was concerned, he should have been made free as soon as they found that paperwork Hermione had showed them. The trolley came round with sweets. Liz looked at her father-in-law who was looking broodingly out the window. “Do you want something?”

Lucius sneered in her direction, posh bastard that he was. He then began twirling his cane between his feet. “If I wanted a... food, no, repast, I would have brought my own.”

“Fine.” Liz paid for a Pumpkin Pasty, one of the odd wizarding foods to which she had grown accustomed. The Chocolate Frogs put her off her appetite, so she skipped those in favour of the Bertie Bott’s beans. She had always liked jellybeans when she was a child; wizarding ones couldn't be that different, could they?

As she ate the pasty, she reflected on the reason for her visit. Professor Lepidus had contacted her about the situation at the school, which had remained unchanged even after the three Malfoys had been acquitted. Toby was still the object of hatred, and had been in a scuffle in which he hexed an older student so badly that she had been sent to the Hospital Wing overnight. Liz would have a few choice words to say to her son about that, once she got to Hogwarts. The underlying reason for her trip made her hands shaky and her guts watery, as she thought about the talk she would be giving to the whole school. She was going to tell them about her rape. She was not going to give all the details, but would tell just enough so that there would be no doubt about either her complicity in the matter or Toby's innocence. It made her angry that people were still blaming her son for something over which he had no control.

Lucius had been waiting at the office for Drake on Friday, when the Headmaster had arrived via the Floo Network. Once her father-in-law had found out what Lepidus wanted, he had verbally flayed the man in his cool, methodical and sneering way. Liz was afraid the Headmaster might run away. She took pity on him and stayed the elder Malfoy with her acceptance of the proposal. It was time she told her story to put halt to the rumours and innuendos that still surrounded her family.

Lucius had narrowed his eyes at her; he really was quite intimidating when he looked at a person a certain way. “Then, Madam, I shall accompany you.” Lucius regarded the Headmaster coolly; his pale eyebrow rose in a manner that Liz now referred to as his ‘forehead sneer.’ “Malfoys always protect their own.”

Liz finished the pasty and started on the sweets. Lucius smirked. “Has my son told you about those particular s-sweets?”

Liz popped a red one in her mouth. It was cinnamon, not her favourite, but still good. “No, Mr. Malfoy, he hasn’t.”

“You are aware they are every taste?” he asked with that posh accent and more of a sneer than was strictly necessary. “Flavour.”

Liz popped a green candy in her mouth. It tasted strange, like grass, but was still nice. “I can read, Mr. Malfoy.”

“You are aware there are laws in the wizarding world regarding false advertisement?” He was smiling wolfishly as Liz picked a brown candy, and bit into it. She spat it into her palm in disgust. The wizard continued, “When it says every flavour, it means just that, Madam. I believe it was a brown sweet I saw you choose. Was the flavour liver or... shit?”

“Liver,” she replied in some disgust. “Where can I get water to wash out my mouth?” Liz put the box aside, unwilling to tempt fate further. “Poo? Are you serious?”

Lucius merely smirked in his superior way and pointed to the door. “Since I am wandless at the moment, you will have to avail yourself of the facilities. D-down the hall, if you will.”

The rest of the way to Hogwarts was much the same as before, with Lucius’ concentration on the world that sped past. As they approached the station, Liz finally asked, “So, why did you want to come this way, instead of using the Floo Network?”

“Draco led me to believe you are weakened by Floo powder.” Lucius flicked an imaginary fleck of fuzz off his cloak.

“I’m allergic.” Liz gave a little scoff. “It’s not a weakness.”

“Forgive me, if I misunderstood, Madam.” Lucius returned his gaze to the scenery, but continued in his bored drawl, “I was under the impression you sneeze and sometimes swell hideously. Is that not weakness?”

Liz bit her tongue to keep from snapping at him. She told herself he was just out of prison, not even a month, and that he needed time to adjust. However, a niggling voice in the back of her mind said that this was the real Lucius Malfoy.

&*&*&

Lucius enjoyed baiting his son’s Muggle wife. She was quite entertaining when raised to ire. As they pulled into the station, he stood a little unsteadily, his balance still not what it used to be. He held his arm out to her expectantly. “Madam?”

She scowled, a kittenish look on her, and proceeded to unfold from the chair without his assistance. She swooped ahead of him, an adequate impersonation of Snape, but without his distinctive flair. Lucius had always admired his dark friend’s way with a cloak. The Zabini boy, who looked rather haggard, met them on the platform. Draco did say something about his recent addition to the family.

Lucius stepped from the train onto the platform, feeling his cheaply-made robes with his fingers. He had lost so much since the end of the war, he supposed he would just have to get used to wearing utter crap along with all the rest of his losses. Zabini greeted Elspeth - Lucius refused to call her by that horrible appellation which his son found acceptable - then turned his attention to the elder Malfoy. “Sir.”

“Zabini.” Lucius inclined his head with the correct degree of polite deference, noting with some amusement the patient good humour on his daughter-in-law’s face. Lucius ventured, “I hear congratulations are in order. A son for you and Madam Zabini, is it?”

“And a daughter and another son. We‘ve taken over the care of two students also,” the black man answered ruefully. “I never knew parenthood would be so... tiring.”

Elspeth joined the younger wizard, “Toby told me that he and his friends got to choose your baby’s name.”

“Yes,” Zabini replied with a chuckle. “They named him Kieran Dunn. It means dark-haired brown one.”

“Apt, if a little plebeian,” was Lucius’ reply. “Next time it comes to something as important as a naming, I hope you will remember this little lesson.”

Elspeth’s tart rejoinder almost made break his superior façade with a smile. “I suppose next time the Professor won’t ask your opinion any more than he did this time.”

“Now, Blaise, tell me about what Toby did to the other little girl,” his daughter-in-law asked. Lucius walked a few paces behind the two younger people, taking in the sight of the newly restored Hogsmeade. He turned once, almost expecting Cissy to greet him joyfully as she had in their youth. He thought he had lost the habit of looking for his ex-wife. He expunged her ruthlessly from his mind, not wanting to remember how important she had made him feel when they were young.

As the three passed the Shrieking Shack, Lucius stopped, clutching his cane with whitened knuckles. His only true friend had died there and had somehow been magically resurrected. Lucius yearned to hear Severus’ dry wit spurring him on to greater heights, but that era was over. Zabini and Elspeth paused for him to catch up to them. When he did, both of the younger people wisely ignored the wetness on his cheeks.

&*&*&

Toby knew his mum would be mad about him hurting the girl, but was not prepared for the list of things he could not do when he went home for the Easter holidays. He hung his head as she talked, wishing she was the type of mum who would let him explain before she spoke. He broke into her tirade, “But Mum, that girl hurt Teddy, and he’s in her own House.”

“There were no teachers around? Had they all gone for a holiday and left you in charge?” His mum’s face went red as she asked the question.

Toby stammered, “N-no, Mum.”

“You need to write a letter of confession to Father Cavanaugh before I leave here. I’ll write down the penance he wants you to do and send it by owl. And you will spend your Easter break serving food in the soup kitchen.” His mum seemed disappointed in him, so Toby hung his head, as if in shame, but he was proud of the way the spell had caused the girl to fall over. He’d use it again if she hurt one more of his friends. “I know you’re not sorry about this. But, Toby, you don’t want to turn into one of those men who bully women, do you?”

“No, Mum.” Toby hoped he wasn’t going to turn out like his real dad. He never wanted to hurt anyone just for fun like his real dad had. His cheeks reddened as he realised Uncle Drake’s father listened in on the conversation with something like approval.

When his mum left to make arrangements for her speech, Toby turned to trudge back to his common room, but was stopped by Mr. Malfoy. “Boy, co-come here.”

The man was really scary, but Toby was taught to obey his elders. The man peered down at him and Toby chanced a glance at his face. He was smiling, his frosty eyes warmed by mirth. “Let that be your most important lesson as a Malfoy, young man… If you do something wrong, m-make sure you don’t get caught.”

Toby goggled at Mr. Malfoy as the older man strode away; his cane a rhythmic beat between his footsteps.

&*&*&

Draco sat in his office, going over the weeks of paperwork that had piled up. He hated that he could not be with Liz when she needed him to be, but the office was just too far behind for him to attend her speech. He rubbed his hand over his face, his eyes blurry from the hours he had spent beating the case files into some manageable system. He paid no attention as the door to the front office opened. He was expecting a delivery of parchment. He said absently as he picked through one more file, “Just stack the boxes in the corner.”

“Dragon?” his mother asked in her best wheedling tone. “I was hoping we might have a word about your father and his delicate state of mind.”

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