Just Around the Riverbend

Okay. This one is a little longer than most of my chappies, but I needed it all together. There's quite a bit of information here, so just enjoy.

Now, just a small announcement. I have decided that with all of the crap going on inside my head before I can close down this story, that I have completely scrapped any idea of how many chapters this story will have. Hell, for all I know I might make it to 75. God, I hope not, but still... So much stuff in my head. *Twitch* Anyway, I'll keep writing and you keep enjoying.

hairsprayX12
gypsy_rhodes
April
HarryGinny4Eva
Serin Blackmoon
angeles
margaritama
lilashannah
Voracious Reader
Anathema
MsPersephone
Citten

I'm glad you all liked the previous chap, and what I planned out for Phelan. it's going to be an interesting ride, yet, and I plan to milk this for all it's worth!!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


Hermione opened her eyes to the sound of someone saying her name, and shaking her gently. This go-around she woke up feeling much better, and lazily stretched out under the covers.

“I see you’ve decided to grace the land of the living once more.”

She poked her head out from under the covers to see Lucius standing over her, his arms crossed over his chest with a bemused grin on his face. Hermione grinned back, before her smile faded as she remembered how she’d snapped at him before.

“Hermione, kitten, you don’t have to feel badly. I’ll give you a reprieve from that since you were ill last night, and un-rested this morning.” He said softly, and Hermione actually breathed a sigh of relief. She didn’t want Lucius to be mad at her.

“I’m still sorry.” She said in return, her face still a mask of apology. Lucius leaned down and put his hands on either side of her on the bed. Hermione’s tongue darted out to wet her lips, and she saw Lucius’ eyes darken slightly.

“Accepted.” He said, before he pressed his lips to hers. The kiss didn’t last long enough for Hermione, before they separated with the soft smack of an ending kiss. “Now up with you, layabout! Daisy got her letter, and we have a few things to get today. She’ll be getting her books tomorrow when she takes her screening test. We’ll probably also have to get Mr. Greyback a few revising books. They’re going to allow him to sit the O.W.Ls this year.” He said, adding his last sentence at the look on Hermione’s face.

“That’s great!” she said sincerely. Phelan deserved a chance to do something good with his life. And if he could prove to the world that the son of Fenrir Greyback could make something of himself, then perhaps he could help the other Lycans. “He deserves good things in his life. Not to mention if he can prove himself worthy, we might have some serious leverage to abolish some of the Lycan laws.” She said, her sleepy eyes starting to take on a hard gleam.

Dear gods…he’d just created a monster. Lucius cleared his throat slightly, and Hermione looked up, curious at the amused expression on his face.

“Unless you’d like to go shopping starkers, I suggest you shower and dress, as I would like to go ahead and get Daisy’s robes and the basic supplies today.” He said. Hermione pushed back the covers and rolled slowly from the bed. She stretched up on the tips of her toes, aware of Lucius’ eyes all over her, before sashaying to the bathroom.

The little tease…

~~

Draco watched with narrow eyes as his father herded the motley group together in the library, right in front of the fireplace. Draco appeared disinterested from his perch on the sofa, but the mixed voices of Granger, the little redskin, and that damned beast were grinding on his nerves.

“Malfoy.” He heard Phelan say firmly. “I haven’t any money, being unable to earn it. I haven’t done any more work to warrant any sort of payment from you. And I refuse to be indebted to anyone. The robes I have already are plenty enough to take to Hogwarts.” Phelan argued. Draco looked up, his silver eyes flashing. Hogwarts? The little beastie was going to Hogwarts? How very interesting…

“Mr. Greyback.” Lucius said, his voice full of impatience. “Your appearance reflects directly back on me, as your temporary guardian. I should also mention that your appearance also reflects back on Daisy, your wife. Do you want everyone at school to think she’s bound to an uncultured beast, or do you want to begin to change some of the preconceptions about werewolves? Because certainly only taking the limited wardrobe you have will not impress anyone.” Lucius returned.

“I…I can’t…I was taught never to accept charity, Mr. Malfoy. Surely you of all people can understand what I have on the line here?” Phelan said softly, his grey brows furrowing slightly. Lucius was quietly studying the boy, his eyes moving side to side slightly as he thought quickly. Suddenly a clever smile crept across his face, making him look rather like the Death Eater Phelan had heard so much about from Fenrir.

Draco raised both eyebrows as his father grinned like a maniac.

“Well, if you’ll give me an hour, I think I can work out something.” Lucius said, fidgeting slightly with the clasp of his floo-cloak. “Wait here, and I’ll be back as quickly as possible.” He said, and took up a handful of floo powder. “Ministry Atrium.” He stated clearly, and threw down the powder. He then disappeared into the green flames.

“What does he need at the ministry?” Phelan asked, looking a bit confused.

“He clearly thinks he knows something that will help, so…uh…I guess we just wait.” Daisy said. Hermione looked a bit put out, but unclasped her floo-cloak and hung it on the stand near the fireplace.

“Perhaps he has finally come to his senses and gone to fetch the Werewolf Neutralization Squad.”

Phelan’s head snapped towards Draco, and he pulled his lips back from his teeth in a snarl.

“No one asked you, you poncy little git.” He growled. Daisy reached forward and touched Phelan’s shoulder, calming him almost immediately.

“Ignore him, Phelan.” She soothed, laying her cheek against Phelan’s bicep. She could feel him still tensed under his floo cloak. “Cousin Lucius will help you, Phelan. Just you wait.” She added. Phelan’s hand came up to play with her soft hair, and he ignored the sneer that formed on Draco’s face.

“Leave them alone, Draco.” Hermione said firmly. Draco looked over to her, raising one fine eyebrow.

“Do shut up, Granger. You’re not my mother.” He said snidely. Hermione snorted, one corner of her mouth turning up.

“Yet.” She said under her breath. Phelan’s ears twitched, and he grinned. Hermione moved closer to Phelan and Daisy, a smile playing on her face when she saw the gentle touches Phelan was giving Daisy.

“You two are so cute.” She said. Phelan frowned. Cute? He wasn’t cute. Ferocious, savage, strong, proud, and the like, yes, but not cute. Ugh.

“Blech.” Phelan said. “I’m not cute. I’m a proud majestic creature.” He said, preening privately with a haughty smile on his face. Daisy wrapped her arms around his middle, grinning wildly.

“I think you’re cute.” She said. Phelan’s smile faded slightly, and he looked like someone had just told him Christmas was cancelled.

“Piffle.” He sighed. Daisy giggled.

~~

Lucius stood at the receptionist’s desk, a frown on his face.

“I only need to see the Minister for a few minutes. Certainly he can spare a few minutes of an old friend?” Lucius said, his voice practically dripping charm. The young receptionist was flustered and blushing.

“I’m sorry, Mr. M-Malfoy. He’s with an ap-appointment.” She said softly. At that moment the door to the Minister’s office opened, and none other than Harry Potter himself walked out, his head still turned at his shoulder speaking with the Minister.

“I still think you should consider it, Kingsley.” Harry said, before turning his head around. He spotted Lucius, and a strange look came over his face, as if he were having an internal battle.

“’Lo, Mr. Malfoy.” He finally said, his voice sounding a bit strained.

“Hello, Mr. Potter. Doing well, I hope?” Lucius asked sincerely. Another look passed across Harry’s face, darkening his brilliant green eyes, before he forced a smile.

“Never better. I feel like a whole new person.” He said, giving Lucius a toothy, cheeky grin. Lucius narrowed his eyes at Harry suspiciously.

“What has gotten into you, Mr. Potter?” he asked. Harry laughed.

“If I told you, I’d have to kill you.” He said, stepping by the wizard. Lucius watched as the dark-haired young man walked off, a previously unknown confidence in his step.

“Can I help you, Lucius?”

Lucius turned to see Kingsley Shacklbolt standing at the door of his office.

“I need to speak with you, Kingsley. It will only take a few moments of your time.” He said. Kingsley motioned him into the office, and turned to the receptionist as Lucius walked past.

“I’ll be out in a few, Darla.” He said, and the young woman nodded eagerly at him. Kingsley shut the door again. “So, Lucius, what brings you here?” he asked.

“Was there not a reward on the disposal of Fenrir Greyback?” Lucius asked bluntly, taking Kingsley by surprise.

“Oh! Well…yes, actually…” Kingsley said, moving to his desk. “We became so desperate to get him out of commission, there was a 24,000 galleon reward offered for proof that he was dead.” Kingsley said. Lucius resisted the urge to give a low whistle. Twenty-four thousand galleons was small change for him, but for a destitute young werewolf with no prospects, it was a new start. “Were…you wanting to claim it, Lucius? You were, after all, the one who took him down officially.” Kingsley said slowly, watching the blonde’s face.

He had no problem with Lucius Malfoy….now. The man had turned himself to the Ministry’s side at the last possible moment, and with his cooperation, they were able to capture many Death Eaters that had not been taken in at the Final Battle. He thought he was a slippery little serpent, but he seemed to be doing well enough for himself now, so Kingsley had no problem with embracing a changed man. He was doing very well by an orphaned American cousin, and he was…involved with Hermione Granger, who was an excellent judge of character. All in all it looked promising.

“I want to accept it on the behalf of Mr. Greyback.” Lucius said. Upon seeing the confused look on Kingsley’s face, he quickly amended. “Jr.” he added.

“Ah.” Kingsley said. As a werewolf, Phelan could not accept any money from the government. It was totally unfair, yes, but there was nothing that he could do as of yet. He needed the public to want to change those laws before he could do anything. Anything short of that would just get him kicked out of office, and so far the other parts of the Ministry were vastly improving. It was unfortunately a case of the needs of the many outweighing the needs of the few. Pity.

“The current Headmaster of Hogwarts has talked the Governors into letting him revise and sit the O.W.Ls this year, and he will not accept money from me to buy his revision books, nor even for the extra robes he’ll need.” Lucius said.

“So you want him instead to accept money awarded for the death of his father?” Kingsley asked, unable to quite grasp that.

“He would not mind that. He is almost Slytherin in his beliefs. If it is in his own power to help himself he will do so.” Lucius said. Kingsley looked doubtful.

“All right, but I still think it’s odd.” He said, and reached into his desk to pull out a few pieces of parchment. “I recommend you keep the gold in your vaults, so that it cannot be touched by anyone in the Ministry. It will be officially given to you, since you technically delivered the final blow. You may dispense it however you choose.” Kingsley said, writing quickly with a metal-nib fountain pen.

“I think that is acceptable.” Lucius said, pleased with his own craftiness. Kingsley raised a dark eyebrow, but stamped the parchment with the official Minister’s seal, and then sealed it again inside of a heavy parchment envelope, sealed with the Ministry’s seal. It promptly disappeared, and Kingsley smiled.

“The goblins should be getting that in a few moments, and the money shall be transferred immediately. Give it about half an hour, and then you should get a statement from Gringotts. And that’s it.” Kingsley said, and put down his pen.

“I wish you a good day, Minister.” Lucius said genially, and tilted his head.

“Stay out of trouble, now, Lucius.” Kingsley said lightly. Lucius merely gave a quirk of his lips in return.

“Minister, with the group I have under my roof I couldn’t keep trouble away if I wanted to.” Lucius returned. Kingsley gave a grin.

“I imagine not.”

~~

Daisy watched as her cousin appeared through the floo again, and took Phelan off to the side to speak with him. She wished she had Phelan’s super hearing so she could tell why Phelan looked confused for a moment, then very relieved.

So finally within an hour of his departure, Lucius had once again rounded up his assorted crew to finally get out for some shopping. Their first stop was to be measured for robes, as it would likely take the longest. Madam Malkin’s was of course the best stop for school robes, so with little delay they made their way into the shop, quite aware of the other students being draped in black fabric. Phelan could smell the anticipation and nervousness on some of them, and it made him feel antsy himself.

Madam Malkin herself greeted Lucius at the door.

“Lucius! I haven’t seen you here since dearest Draco graduated. How can I help you?” she was clearly flirting, batting her thick clumpy eyelashes at Lucius. Hermione’s eyes narrowed, but she refrained from acting…for now.

“My dearest cousin and her…friend are in need of Hogwarts robes.” Lucius said patiently, gesturing to Phelan and Daisy. Madam Malkin’s gaze stayed on Phelan for longer than absolutely necessary. He held her gaze steadily, and she finally looked away.

“Very well. Follow me to the back, and we’ll get away from all of this noise.” She said loudly enough to be heard over the din in the shop. She led them all behind a thick curtain, into the back of the shop. Then she turned to Phelan and Daisy.

“All right, dears. You’ll need three sets of plain black robes, one pointed black hat, a pair of dragonhide gloves, and of course a winter cloak with silver fastenings.” She said, reciting the list from years of memory. Phelan cleared his throat.

“You’ll have to adjust the silver fastenings on my cloak.” He said mildly. She looked at him for a moment.

“Whatever for? It’s not like you’re- oh…you are, aren’t you?” she swallowed hard. “I knew I recognized your face. Well…” she said, flustered.

“Madam…if you would please continue. I’m sure if this can be done in a reasonable time there will be a significant tip for your troubles.” Lucius said lightly behind her. Madam Malkin shook her head as if clearing it, and nodded.

“Of course. I think I have some spare steel fasteners I can use.” She said distractedly.

Phelan and Daisy both endured a good hour of prodding and measurements for their robes and such to be made, and to get the right size gloves. Phelan for one was glad that was over, and even more glad that the finished robes would be delivered instead of having to be hauled around.

Phelan received the same odd treatment in every shop that they entered. When Phelan went in the cobbler’s shop to order a few pairs of boots, and Daisy followed him for school-appropriate mary-janes, the lady at the counter stared at him for several long moments before finally giving him his total. He didn’t like being recognized like this. He was used to slinking along the shadows. It unnerved him.

When they were finally laden down with books and parchment and the like, they all finally decided for a late lunch. Lucius led them into a nice restaurant, and Phelan almost immediately noticed a different pattern here. He saw the owner of the establishment pick up a common cleaning broom, and start towards him with a purpose.

“Ah…here is more familiar territory.” He said softly. Daisy looked over at him, not having noticed the man with the broom.

“Out.” The owner said, his eyes not leaving Phelan. “I don’t serve your kind.” He said nastily. Lucius cleared his throat, catching the man’s attention. He straightened his back a bit, going into his most intimidating pose.

“He is with me.” He stated simply. The man looked between Lucius and Phelan.

“And? I ain’t too fond of your kind, either. Lost my only daughter to your lot.” He said, his face hard.

“Do you plan to chase me out of this place with that broom?” Lucius asked, his voice deceptively calm. The others watched silently, not wanting to make the situation any worse.

“No. You, I can’t. Somehow you managed to weasel yourself back into a proper citinzenship. Him, however, I can chase out of the building.” The man answered, looking back at Phelan. Phelan merely held the man’s gaze. The man snarled and swung the broom at Phelan’s head. Phelan’s hand shot out like lightning, and held the broom away from his face. With the reflexes of the wolf, he jerked the broom out of the man’s hand and snapped it over his knee.

“I shouldn’t have taken my father to his knees. He kept you humans on your toes.” He snarled, showing his sharp teeth.

“Phelan…” Daisy said softly, sounding hurt. Phelan looked at her, a strange look on his face, before he whirled around and stalked out of the restaurant, Disapparating with an angry clap! He reappeared in the center of the garden hut. Suddenly angry, he threw aside the heavy bags he had been carrying, scattering the contents. Then he jerked off the outer robes he had worn that day, one of the robes he’d been given by Lucius. He flung the fabric across the room, and stalked back and forth a few times, like an animal in a cage.

How was he supposed to survive Hogwarts when he couldn’t even go out in public without being assaulted at least once? He picked up a chair and flung it as hard as he could, pleased when it splintered against the wall. Then he threw back his head and howled. The sound was all animal in its intensity, and it even vibrated a drinking glass he’d left on the counter. When the howl had run its course, he buried his face into his hands.

Hogwarts was going to be a disaster…he just knew it…

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Awww....just when things were starting to look up, too.... Oh piffle. Anyhoo, I hope you all enjoyed the chapter and I hope you'll all leave me a nice review to tell me if you did like it. I can't wait to hear your responses. And remember: the more reviews I get, the faster I post. So...I'm going to have to ask you to stop lurking and review, or just drop me a nice long one (review, that is) to tell me if you thought it was fantastic or if it sucked muffin tops.

Anyway, you've read the chapter, now review, rate, and/or both!!