Sins of The Father

~Chapter 1~

Draco Malfoy stepped off the plane, the bright sunlight momentarily blinding him. The tarmac of the small airstrip gleamed with jet fuel fumes and he felt a bit nauseous. He closed his eyes and willed his stomach to quiet and the swaying in his legs to still. When he opened them a pair of sunglasses were thrust in his face “You might need these,” a feminine voice ground out.

“Thanks,” he muttered slipping the proffered glasses on, shielding the sullen gray eyes. He took a moment to let his eyes adjust before his gaze came to rest on the woman standing in front of him.

“Daddy sends his regrets at not being able to come and greet you himself. Some big to do at the ministry and all,” she explained quickly. “Come on, I’ll take you to the ministry.”

Draco cocked his head and studied her. She was short, the top of her head barely reaching his shoulder. She wasn’t skinny but not fat either. He couldn’t tell what color her hair was, only that it was dark as she had it pulled back in a ponytail. A baseball cap shadowed her face and her eyes were also hidden behind sunglasses.

The woman, if she was in fact old enough to be considered a woman in this country, turned and strode away obviously expecting him to follow. Not knowing what else to do he fell into step next to her. “I’m Draco...”

“I know who you are,” she muttered. It had been all her father could talk about since the English Minister Of Magic decided the young wizard would be safer in America. “I’m Aine Anderson. My dad is the Minister of Magic here," she said as they made their way through the terminal.

Arriving at the car she found his bags already in the trunk. "Shall we?" she said glancing over at him.

Draco gave her a small smile. "Of course," he said sliding into the back seat carefully. When she joined him he looked at her out of the corner of his eye. "So where are we going?" he asked as the car pulled out of it's parking spot.

"The Ministry of Magic," she said looking at him as if he were a small, slow child.

Draco rolled his eyes and directed his gaze out the window at the scenery as it whizzed by. "I'm well aware of that... Where exactly is the Ministry of Magic?" he asked his tone holding a hint of irritation.

"Would it mean anything to you if I told you?" she asked pulling the cap from her head.

Draco turned in his seat and looked at her. "Look Miss Anderson...It's painfully obvious that you aren't happy about me being here. Let just say that makes two of us. I didn't ask to come here. So why don't we just do ourselves both a favor and try to get along for the sake of making things a little less painful," Draco said trying to stamp down his annoyance at being treated as if he were intruding on her territory.

Aine glared at him "Look Mr. Malfoy, I didn't ask for this job. You asked a stupid question, you got a stupid answer."

Draco sighed running a hand through his blond hair in frustration. "I'm sorry that your stuck babysitting me but be mad at your father not at me. Just like you I'm simply doing what I'm told," he murmured wishing he was back home.

Aine took a deep breath, he was right about that at least. "Well...just stop asking stupid questions."

"Fine...I'll just sit here like a good boy and keep my mouth shut," he mumbled turning to look back out the window. He had the distinct impression that his reputation had preceded him to America. He couldn't explain to everyone he encountered he was simply doing what he had to in order to survive in his world. He was never going to escape his past or his heritage.

They were both quiet the rest of the drive. When the car pulled up in front of the unimpressive brownstone she said "Two twelve Rush Street, Arlington, Virginia."

Draco tried to keep the grin off his face as he looked over at her and said "See that wasn't so hard was it?" He didn't want to spend his entire stay fighting with Aine. It was in his best interest to make the best out of a bad situation.

Aine felt something, she wasn't sure what, at the slight grin on his admittedly handsome face. "Come on Malfoy, let's introduce you to Daddy and then we'll go home."

Draco got out of the car and followed her inside the brownstone. As they walked through the door he looked around. The American Ministry of Magic was set up much like the one back home. Aine led him through the brownstone not saying a word. When they stopped outside a double set of doors he took a deep breath.

Aine knocked and upon hearing her father's command to enter she opened the doors and allowed Draco to walk in first. "Good afternoon father, I thought I would bring Mr. Malfoy to meet you before taking him home and getting him settled," she said closing the doors for privacy.

Michael Anderson was a huge man as Draco discovered when he stood up. His brown hair was wild, as though he had been running his fingers through it. "It's a pleasure Mr. Malfoy," he said extending his hand. "Aine and I are happy to extend you our hospitality while you are in America."

Draco fought to keep the skeptical look off his face as he glanced sideways at Aine. "I appreciate the warm welcome and your hospitality sir," Draco said taking the older man's hand and shaking it.

"If you have any questions, any problems...anything at all you need, just ask Aine. She's at your disposal. I regret my inability to attend to such matters myself but with the war..." he sighed. He was working twenty hour days and was exhausted.

Draco smiled and shook his head. "It is quite understandable. I'm sure that I will be just fine under Aine's care. She has been nothing but welcoming since I arrived," He lied.

Micheal Anderson snorted as Aine stuck her tongue out at him. He knew full well his stubborn, willful daughter had made no secret of her displeasure at the task that had been assigned to her.

"If anyone can take care of you Mr. Malfoy, it's Aine. Graduated top of her class...the most impressive witch I've seen in years."

Draco smiled. Aine reminded him of another witch that had graduated the top of her class. So far Aine had proved to be just as annoying as Hermione. "I'm sure before long we will be getting along famously," Draco said looking at Aine and daring her to disagree.

She threw him the fakest smile she could muster "I'm sure." Turning back to her father she said "Will you be home for dinner?"

"Afraid not dear, I have a late meeting and one first thing in the morning that I must get ready for. Again Mr. Malfoy I apologize."

"It's no trouble Mr. Anderson."

Aine grabbed his hand "Come on Malfoy, we better get out of here."

Draco felt an unanticipated electrical charge shoot through his hand at her touch and was taken aback. Masking it he allowed her to lead him from her father's office. There were several people milling around outside the ministers office and he saw the curiosity on their faces as Aine led him past them and out the door.

"Wonderful!" Aine groaned donning her sunglasses. "Now everyone will be gossiping about my new boyfriend," she rolled her eyes as the word dripped with disgust.

Draco tried to bite back the laugh that bubbled up in his throat as they walked out of the brownstone. "I could give them something to really gossip about," he said trying to keep a straight face.

She slid a glance at him "Excuse me?"

Draco laughed as he slid into the car. "Lighten up Aine I'm just kidding."

Aine took a deep breath, the suggestion had her heart pounding inexplicably. She kept her gaze focused out the window as the driver began the trip to her fathers home. It was just outside of town and very secluded. In some ways that was great, but for security it really sucked.

Draco watched Aine out of the corner of his eye. He couldn't help it, the way the sun glinted off her hair she looked like an angel. Shaking his head he wondered where on earth that train of thought had come from. Tearing his eyes away from her he looked out his own window at the beautiful scenery as they drove to what was be his home for...who knew how long.

The driver stopped in front of the sprawling ranch home and opened Aine's door. She grinned over at the blonde "Welcome to twenty-four fifty-two Springdale road Malfoy."

Draco looked at her with weary eyes. "Are you going to announce the address of every place we go?" he asked. "Or are you just trying to be even more annoying?"

Her face fell just a bit, she was trying to make nice. Quickly she recovered her composure "I gotta keep up with the legendary Draco Malfoy!" she returned snidely.

Draco laughed and shook his head. "Touche Miss Anderson. Touche."

Aine led him into the house, introducing him to the maid as they passed. Walking up the narrow staircase she showed him to his room. "Dinner will be ready shortly. I'm sure you are starving."

Draco looked around the room and back at her. " I could use a bite to eat," he murmured his voice holding a sad note to it that he tried unsuccessfully to hide.

Aine didn't miss it "Everything okay?" she asked softly.

Draco looked down at the floor. "Nothing I won't get over," he whispered. "I'll be fine," he added pasting on a brave face. He wasn't about to tell a perfect stranger how bad it hurt to be exiled to strange land where he knew absolutely no one.

She gave him a sympathetic smile "Okay...well if you want to talk you know where to find me. I'll come get you for dinner in an hour. Why don't you try to relax for a bit?" she suggested. She could only guess how he must feel.

Draco sighed. "Thank you Aine... I know this isn't any easier for you then it is for me," he said looking her in the eye.

She shrugged "it's my job." with that she closed the door and leaned against it.