Miss Patil Takes a Holiday

Thanks to all of you who have lurked and not reviewed or rated. Please, if you feel so moved, review. I won't bite. Thanks to the people who reviewed. Since AFF has no way to really answer you, I will bow to peer pressure and answer here.

Jilliane: I'm so glad you like my pitiful Tomas. We've all been there, eating chocolates and getting fat because of love.

LaBib: You know I love your vision of Lucius. I just wanted to put him in situations that take him out of his comfort zone. He's resisting, but compying somewhat. You know how he is. Yes, Panjit is very dense, but at least he knows what he wants. Crap, does that make me an optimist? I hope not. I would hate to have to give up wearing black.

Zareenyn: I think we've all been there with unblinking guy and Mr.-I-have-no-backbone-so-I-just-did-what-my-family-wanted. When in that situation, do as my friend did and pick your nose. It gets rid of them everytime. For some reason, men don't find that sexy. I'm glad you don't find Lucius scary. His Death Eater days are over even though he still has some of the instincts. Thanks for the info on the dress too. I saw the website and want all of the clothes. Do you think a redheaded Irish chick would look good in them?


Miss Patil Takes a Holiday

Chapter 8

Helping Hands

Dibby knew he was in danger. Master Lucius had discovered his plottings and was now considering giving him clothes. Dibby stood before Master Lucius, his ears low, his eyes downcast as the cold man looked at him. Not since the disgrace of the No-Good-Dobby had a house-elf displeased Master Lucius more. Tears pooled in Dibby's large brown eyes and dripped down his nose, but Dibby would not apologise for trying to make Master Lucius happy with his wizardy bonding and his warm-coloured Mistress Doctor.

"Oh, do look at me when I speak to you." Master Lucius snapped. "Of all the irritating things about your race, it's the fawning servility that puts me off the most."

When Dibby looked up, Master Lucius did not look as angry as he sounded. If it had been Old-old Master, Dibby would have already been given clothes. Master Lucius' eyes were cold as he asked, "What is the meaning of the debacle of last evening?"

Dibby dared not even blink as he wrung his hands. "Dibby was just caring for Master Lucius. Dibby wants Master Lucius to be happy with the Mistress Doctor because she makes him smile."

"And the water at the villa and the hostel?" Master Lucius lifted one of his brows, a sure sign of his displeasure.

Dibby began playing with the hem of the tea towel he wore, his tears falling like autumn leaves to the floor. "Dibby knows nothing of the hostel's water problems, but can have Master's home's fixed soon."

"Quit your infernal snivelling." Lucius lifted his cane. "Dibby, do not lie to me."

"Dibby will fix it now, and tell his friends to do the same for the hostel." Dibby scurried away from the cane, ready to dodge any serious blows. "Please Master do not give Dibby clothes. Dibby did all of this because he loves master Lucius."

Master Lucius turned abruptly from the house-elf. "What ever have I done to garner such devotion from you?"

"Dibby is...," the house-elf began, his throat clogging with the tears he tried to suppress. Dibby remembered how Old-old Master treated young Master Lucius, and how Dibby thought it was right and good. Dibby remembered finding, to his horror, that not all Masters treated young Masters that way. It was when Master Lucius had his own son and Dibby met other house-elves from other good families that he found out, to his dismay. Dibby was not like the bad house-elf, Dobby, to take more power than the Master expressly bestowed him. Furthermore, Dibby did not interfere in Master Lucius' relationship with his son. Dibby worked within Master Lucius' constraints to make everything right. Until now, when Master Lucius had emerged from the Far Away Bad Place, broken, halting in his speech and even more loveless than he had ever been before. Dibby finally answered. "Dibby owes Master Lucius for not stopping Old Master Abraxas from hurting young Master Lucius. If Dibby had known that the beatings and bad words were not normal for wizards, Dibby would have..."

Dibby backed away as Master Lucius pivoted sharply on his heel, his expression terrifying to behold, teeth clenched and bared as if Master were a wild animal. Master levelled his cane at Dibby, and the house-elf waited for the blows that were sure to follow, eyes closed and hands up in supplication. After ten beats of the heart, Dibby opened his eyes and saw Master Lucius poised to strike but standing as if frozen in one of those wizardy spells the Rotten Lord Half-blood or Grey Lord Dumbledore had taught them all. Dibby reached involuntarily for Master's robe-hem as Master Lucius slowly lowered the wood and silver cane. "It seems... I've misunderstood your motivation."

Dibby was alarmed to see Master's face twist slightly as if he were in pain. The house-elf waited, wanting to heal the bad soul-markings on his wizard, but house-elf magic had its limits. Master Lucius shifted his shoulders and took on his normal face, slightly mocking, always calm. "Thank you, Dibby. Please prepare a room at the villa for Dr. Patil; she will be joining us for the remainder of her holiday."

Dibby bowed again. "Yes, Master Lucius. All will be made right. You'll see Dibby is a good house-elf."

"No more schemes, Dibby," Master Lucius almost looked amused as he spoke. "My reputation is already in tatters; please don't make the doctor think I'm an even bigger villain than she already does."

Master Lucius strode from the room and Dibby wept in earnest over his broken master and the things that should have been done for him while he was a child.

&*&*&

Why, oh why, oh why had Tomas ever introduced the idea of plastic surgery to the practice? He was watching his fifth consultation of the day whinge on about crows-feet and sagging breasts along with other complaints of age. Granted wizarding methods of plastic surgery were less invasive and more permanent than the Muggle injection of collagen and poisons, for Merlin's sake, but before, Tomas' consultations were some diagnostic wand-waving and a few spells or potions to tide over the odd crone, until she could accept that time was marching on whether she liked it or not. Now, he had to look at their sagging dugs, hairy chins and turkey necks. Worse yet he had to touch them to ascertain the best way to disguise the aging process. It was enough to put him off human flesh for the rest of his life.

The old crone across from him took the card he offered with the estimates for the major bodywork she wanted done, and chattered on about her great-grandchildren as he scooted her out the door. It was noon.

Normally at noon, Tomas would gather with the rest of the staff and dish about patients, but today he decided to go to the flat to catch the last of the news and think, maybe come to a decision about what he would do about his crush. If anything could be done, to be honest, as Tomas had not seen Finnegan since Padma left.

He went to the front office. "Damn, it's raining."

"Apparate like the rest of us," the receptionist said with her usual sniff at Tomas' Muggle ways. He had tried to explain that he had not learned to rely on transportational magic in the States because the distances were so far between places. She had scowled when he told he knew how to drive a car before he could Apparate. Tomas waved at her, cast an Impervius spell and exited the building. Sod the manky old twat if she didn't like how he lived his life.

&*&*&

Padma stood outside the villa, repressing the urge to shift from one foot to the other as she waited for the door to open. Perhaps she had misunderstood him, perhaps his offer of hospitality was supposed to be declined... Perhaps...

The door opened. "Dr. Patil, I am honoured."

Lucius stood in the doorway, his hair back in a short club, his jeans and bare feet gloriously topped by a loose-fitting long-sleeved shirt with splatters of paint on it. As he approached, Padma caught a glimpse of pale hair on his chest, platinum and fine against the cotton of his shirt. Lucius offered her his arm and he ushered her to her room, relieving her of her shrunken and lightened bags as he did so. They passed several empty rooms and a sparsely populated library. Most of the rooms had an air of long-term neglect, but the library was freshly painted and inviting. They stopped before a heavy, oaken door and he then bowed with laconic grace, before stating, "Please accept my apologies, I am in the midst of a project and cannot attend to you as I should."

"Are you refurbishing the villa?" Padma asked intrigued with the idea of Lucius-Pure-Blood-Malfoy doing manual labour of any kind, besides what he was forced to do.

Lucius gave a wintry smile. "Just so. It has fallen to disrepair since Father died. It was never my favourite place to visit, although Narcissa seemed to like it. I need to prepare it for the market. Now, if you'll excuse me."

"I can help," Padma volunteered. "I helped my father build a gazebo in the garden at home one summer holiday. At least I can fetch for you."

"That won't be necessary," Lucius answered with a flush. "Please, avail yourself of what is left of the library, or the beach. It's private. Tea will be at four."

Padma watched him walk down the hall away from her, perplexed by his cool demeanour after last evening's accord. She would probably never understand men in general and Lucius Malfoy in particular.

&*&*&

Tomas was never one to believe premonitions and scoffed at those who gave into odd feelings, but today he felt decidedly uneasy as he sat in the flat. He had felt all the way home that someone watched him. He shrugged as he made his luncheon of sandwich and soup, it was probably just a hangover feeling from Padma's ordeal, no doubt, but he just could not shake the feeling of unease, even as he began watching the news.

&*&*&

Padma watched Lucius hoist a beam from the kitchen floor with a muttered spell, cursing under his breath as he strained under the effort of maintaining the magic while simultaneously securing the joist the Muggle way with a magically modified power drill and screws. He Levitated the joist back into place, his concentration complete. When the heavy beam settled with a creak, Lucius let out a pent-up breath, and then leaned against the wall by which he sat, exhaustion etched deeply in the lines around his mouth. He consulted a dog-eared manual, the magical pictures moving over the surface of the pages, the diagrams making every project look easy. Lucius huffed once while reading.

Padma had only seen this type of work done once. It had been after the Final Battle, in the nearly destroyed towers that the Giants had crushed. It had taken a team of two wizarding carpenters to hoist and repair the floor joists. Padma crossed her arms over her chest, peering across the massive hole in the floor to Malfoy. "You're going to kill yourself without help."

"It wouldn't be the first time I tempted fate." Lucius said absently as he ran his hand over his hair that had been slightly mussed in his struggle with the joist. "As you well know, Doctor."

"Don't." Padma said as Lucius lurched to his knees and levelled his wand at the next broken structural section. "Show me the spell, and I'll hold it while your do the repairs."

Malfoy grimaced as he began casting. Padma blocked his wand work with a hasty Protego cast over the joist at which he was aiming. “Do I have to pull rank as a guest? Or, perhaps, doctor’s orders would do it.”

“My dear, “ Lucius began. “I most certainly did not extend the hospitality of my home so that you might usurp my prerogatives as a host.”

He countered the Protego and began casting again. Padma blocked with an Particulate Protection charm used mostly to isolate the occasional wizarding disease or to prevent extracted foreign bodies from penetrating the Healers who removed them. Padma knew it was difficult to counter so she shot Lucius a superior smile as he grunted against the pressure of her spell. He held his spell until the veins popped out on his brow then let it go with a loud sough of breath. He looked furious as he strode jerkily toward her. “Release... the... charm.”

Padma released her spell. “Let me help. Two of us can do the work faster than one, and then maybe you’ll be able to show me around Delos.”

He considered her, his grey eyes cool and assessing. After moments in which Padma fought the urge to squirm under his scrutiny, he relented. He showed her the specialised Levitation Charm and said, "Let it down easily. The wood is very old and quite brittle."

The laboured for hours, taking turns either wielding the Charms or the drill, both becoming quite filthy in the process as nearly two centuries of filth was disturbed with their efforts. When the final beam was in place Lucius attempted to cast the last spell, a Latticing Charm that would make the beams work as a single, jointed unit as the ground shifted. The first time he cast, a sickly green-brown light engulfed the floor and the odour of rotting cabbage filled the room. He quickly removed the spell and consulted the book. Padma joined him, aware of the coppery scent of sweat seeping from both of them. He jerked his head to her. "Read this and see if you can make sense of it."

Padma joined him on the floor, more aware of him as a person than she had ever been before, with his sweat-stained shirt and unshaven face. He was no longer her ideal Lucius Malfoy, the one she had seen even as he lay ill and wasting in hospital. He seemed more like just a man, somehow. Padma settled on her knees and read, feeling the weight of his regard falling to her. His hand snaked to her hair, and he removed a woodchip. He considered her longer before saying. "You are quite... unexpected."

Padma scowled as if in thought about the spell work, but secretly crowed inside with the knowledge that Lucius Malfoy had paid her more than an empty compliment about her looks.

&*&*&

Tomas was just washing his dishes when he heard someone at the front door trying to break it down. He went to the entryway, his wand drawn. "Who is it?"

"It's me, you little prick. Open the door."

Tomas struggled to steady the erratic beating of his hammering heart. "Just a minute you impatient bitch."

He deconstructed the wards and with a flick of his wand, unlocked the extraneous Muggle locks. Two girls living alone could never be too careful living in the midst of Muggles, especially after Padma's attack. When he had said this to the woman in question, she had merely rolled her eyes and proclaimed him more than enough to deter the most determined cat burglar. Tomas had been pleased by her comment, but had the locks installed the next day anyway. He opened the door to Goran's handsome face, his Eastern European looks perfectly complemented by the designer togs he wore. Tomas cursed, knowing he looked a fright in the Healer's robes. Green had never been his colour.

"Come in," Tomas said in his most long-suffering tones. "We'll have to make it quick. I have to get back to the surgery."

Goran flounced into the room and took his usual seat, the chair closest to the Floo, his long legs set primly together. "Where have you been?"

"Nowhere. Here." Tomas said. "I just haven't felt like going out."

Tomas knew he was in trouble when he could not meet his friend's eyes. Goran sighed, and then said through compressed lips. "You little twat, you've gone and fallen in love. Who is it?"

"I'm not in love... I just don't feel like going out."

"For over a fortnight." Goran crossed his arms over his chest, his sculpted jaw jutting pugnaciously. "You have. You did the same thing over Francisco, even when he let you know he wasn't interested in a commitment. You did the same thing over that French Veela-wannabe, and over the Spaniard with the lisp."

"He did not have a lisp. It was his accent. He was Catellan” Tomas retorted, unwilling to encourage Goran’s observations. "And I did not say I ever loved them."

"So, who is it? This new love." Goran pushed the cuffs of his sleeves back, revealing his slender wrists which sported twin tribal tattoos. "I'm waiting."

"You're mad." Tomas answered in the same singsong tone used by Goran. "I've got to go. I'll meet you at the pub tonight. Will that put your protective instincts to rest, Mother?"

"Yes. I want to introduce you someone." Goran said, standing. "He's gorgeous and from America. I think he might know you."

"Yes, everybody in America knows everyone else." Tomas rolled his eyes. "It's small like that."

Goran kissed Tomas with a little more tongue than was strictly necessary. Tomas pushed him out the door. "Ta, you wicked stepmother."

&*&*&

Lucius was intrigued by the doctor-turned-urchin that sat before him, her trouser legs rolled to her knees, sweating and cursing as they replaced the sub-floor. Dibby stood on the periphery of the scene, alternately scandalised and beaming. Lucius hoped he would not have to have another talk with the creature. Padma sat back on her haunches, a dirt streak on her face and more dirt encrusted in her once manicured nails. Lucius levitated the last board into position on the floor, and watched as she screwed it down. After she finished, she laughed, "I'm knackered. Why don't we go to the village and let someone serve us. My treat."

Lucius peered down his nose at her, giving her the best Malfoy stare that he could muster with her coated in grime and him not much better. She laughed. "Yes, I know I am speaking to a Malfoy, but I really want to treat you. You know, for all you did."

"Yes, for making my guest work like a house-elf, I deserve a reward." Lucius scowled as he noticed the state of his manicure.

Padma leaned back on her hands, throwing her breasts in relief against her t-shirt. "I took care of Pansy Parkinson after she came back to Hogwarts."

Lucius looked away, his heart hammering as it had when he had brought the chit back to Scotland. He clenched his fists against the dark images that rose from her words.

"Lucius," Padma whispered against his hair as she enveloped him in her arms. "It's over. Don't let the images take hold of you. It's over."

He took a deep breath. "You know about the visions?"

"I spent a year under the Carrows, what do you think?" She smoothed her hands over his shoulders, seemingly drawing the tension from his neck and out of him. "We stink. What do you say, dinner in the village after a long soak in the tub?"

"Ladies first." Lucius said, as he raised himself and offered her a hand up. He was amused to see a fleeting expression of disappointment cross her normally calm features before she righted herself. "And I will pay for dinner."

"That's what you think, Lucius Malfoy." Padma said, and with a saucy wiggle was gone. Lucius wondered exactly why he had invited such delicious trouble into his abode.

&*&*&

Lucius stepped out of the bath to the sound of music coming from down the hall. He dressed leisurely to the sound of a soulful guitar solo. He exited his bedroom as the first line of the chorus rang out in three-part harmony. Roger Water's voice sailed above the others, distinctive in its fluidity. He followed the sound of the music to the guest room and watched as the doctor swayed to the music, singing along, "Shine on you crazy diamond..."

Lucius was transported to a different moment and could almost see Snape swaying in much the same manner as he belted out the same song. It had been his favourite the holiday he spent in Greece. Lucius shook himself, feeling the now familiar miasma of regret, self-loathing and longing that he had since leaving Azkaban, all emotions with which he had little experience. "I see you've found my secret vice."

Mona Lisa jerked forward before turning to him. "Music?"

"Muggle music." Lucius answered, attempting an affable tone when he really just wanted to curl up in the corner and howl. "More specifically, Pink Floyd. I was always a fan."

"My dad too." Padma said, then coloured. "Not that I think you're remotely like my father... Oh, shite. There's the elephant in the room, I thought we'd lost it."

Lucius looked around, alarmed that his companion might be losing her mind. "I am sorry; I don't follow your line of thinking."

"Oh, it's just something my flatmate says when there something that everyone is ignoring. I think it's a Muggle term, or maybe American." Padma answered as she turned to the ancient stereo and flicked it off.

Lucius winced as she did so. "Don't turn it off like that. The discs are surprisingly fragile."

He went to the stereo and lifted the needle from the record by a tiny arm on the side of the apparatus. "Like this, and then you turn it off."

He balanced the arm back to a cradle by the turntable. "Severus bought this for me. He did it with his first cheque from the apothecary at which he worked. He also felt indebted for something for which he did not actually owe."

"You were good friends," Padma observed as she searched through the recordings in the bin beside the stereo. "I didn't think he liked anyone."

"He did," Lucius answered, retrieving one of the discarded discs, The White Album. "He just never learned how to show it."

Lucius searched through the titles until he saw the one he wanted and turned on the machine, then placed the needle delicately on the disc. "I always told him this was the song that reminded me of him."

A delicate guitar strain began as one of the Beatles, Lucius could never remember whom, began singing, "Blackbird singing in the dead of night, take these broken wings and learn to fly..."

Mona Lisa's small hand was suddenly on his back and her other on his shaking hand. "You miss him. Is he really alive, like the Prophet said?"

"Yes, and I hope he is finally living his life rather than just existing." Lucius' iron control kept his voice from breaking. "I do think we have a dinner to attend. Shall we?"

The delectable doctor raised another disc and put it on the turntable. "Dance with me first. I think this song is appropriate."

She held out her hands in the proper pose for a waltz and Lucius complied as the smooth tones of Nat King Cole sang began the song Mona Lisa.

They glided together, their bodies meshed and Lucius felt as if things might be getting better for him. It was the first time in years that he had felt so. He lowered his lips to Padma's and drank in her essence as the song ended on the sweet strain of violins. Once over, he bowed. "Thank you. Now let us repair to the village. I am as hungry as a Niffler in a gold-mine."

Padma looked as if she might agree, but Lucius suspected her hunger was of a more base nature. His certainly was.

&*&*&

Tomas thought it was a mixed blessing sometimes that he had friends. This evening, for instance, it had been more a curse. The young man that Goran had brought to the pub was more interested in capturing the attentions of the entire pub than the wizards at the table. Tomas was treated for two hours to a disgusting display of nipple rubbing and hair tossing. It was when the little slut began groping Tomas under the table toward the end, when he found no other takers that the Healer made his apologies and exited. Had it been less than a month ago, Tomas would have shagged the little tart and not thought any more about it. Now all he could see were the Auror and his stalwart expression.

He came home, some idiot had left the main door open and Tomas cursed under his breath. Didn't these imbeciles know this was a high-crime area? He did not want to give credence to the fears of this afternoon, but upon entering the building, he had the same sense of foreboding. He slammed the door, and walked up the stairway to his flat, wishing that the ground floor had been available. He most definitely did not feel like climbing three flights tonight. He came to the hallway and was surprised to see the lights were out. He would tell the concierge tomorrow.

He began dispelling the wards, wondering why he still bothered with them since Padma was gone on holiday. A noise sounded down the hall, perhaps Mrs. Jorgensen had forgotten to let her cat back in, the little monster. It had bitten him last time. Then, as if in slow motion, a hand crashed on his shoulder and spun him around. Tomas was aware of a skull-like face, shaven head and black leather as the figure commenced beating him. After what seemed like thirty fists to his face, Tomas mercifully sank into blackness where there was no pain or scary men.

&*&*&

AN for those of you who may not be as ancient as I am, or just don't like rock: The song Blackbird is from the White Album by the Beatles. It has always reminded me of Snape. The song Shine on You Crazy Diamond is by Pink Floyd from the album It is, in my opinion, one of their best songs and fits Lucius to a T. Well, that and the whole The Wall album. (See how old I am? I still refer to them as albums, not CD's) Check them out if you aren't familiar with the songs.

Thank you for reading. Please leave a review and let me know what you think. I would love to hear from you.