A discovery and a discussion at Malfoy Manor leads to some startling realizations and some damage control.

Draco was sitting on the Hogwarts Express with his friends, who were chatting in excitement about the upcoming Holiday, but all Draco could think about was the confrontation between his father and Granger. He had heard most of the conversation, in and up to the point where the witch had threatened his Father with her familiar of all things, and spoke in Parseltongue.

When he had questioned his Father, Lucius told Draco that he was, in no uncertain terms—not allowed to discuss any of what he’d witnessed that night.

His Father had left immediately afterwards, telling him to relay to Severus that he’d gone home for the night.

Draco had just stared after his father, never seeing the man so out of sorts in his life and then realizing that his father had been out-played by a 14-year-old mudblood witch.

Bloody hell! Granger was something else!

She had been beautiful and fierce in her defiance and he had never been more aware of a witch’s beauty than he’d had at that moment, as she walked away with Krum.

Why did she have to be a mudblood?

It wasn’t fucking fair!

“Drake, what is up with you today? You haven’t said two words to anyone.” Blaise asked, giving his friend bump on the shoulder.

“Don’t mind me, Blaise—just have some family business on my mind.”

Draco looked over at Daphne, who just raised an eyebrow at him.

When he’d returned to the Great Hall, the ball was nearly over, but Daphne had been waiting for him. She’d wanted to know what had happened with Hermione and his father. He had told her that he was unable to tell her, but as soon as he could he would let her know.

Daphne had been unhappy about it, but understood his reluctance to share the particulars with her.

“Is your family having their annual New Years Ball, Drake?” Pansy asked interestedly.

The girl was always up for a ball, and lately had taken to hanging off Draco’s arm, neck or any other body part she could. Draco liked Pansy well enough, he just wasn’t sure he was interested in her in that way.

“Yes, Mother sent out the invitations last week, so I’m positive you all should’ve received your invites. I’m sure it will be amazing as always.” Draco replied distractedly.

Pansy simpered unbecomingly. “Your mother does throw the best balls, Drake. I can’t wait!”

Draco looked over to Blaise and Theo, who both just rolled their eyes.

Pansy was too much to take sometimes.

When the train stopped at Kings Cross, Draco disembarked quickly and noticed his parents waiting for him. His mother kissed his cheek affectionately while his father just nodded at him in greeting.

“Come along, Draco, we need to return to the Manor quickly.”

He nodded and together the three Malfoy’s apparated out of the train station and to the front gates of Malfoy Manor. Lucius waved his wand and the gates opened, allowing the three family members to pass through.

His Father walked with his Mum, while Draco walked a bit behind.

Once they reached the entrance hall, Lucius called for Dobby to take his cloak and lead his wife and son into his study, where he closed the door, warded and silenced the room.

“What is going on, Father?” Draco queried.

Narcissa, sat down regally on the sofa next to her son, while the two stared at the Patriarch in anticipation.

“You both are aware of the conversation I had with Miss Granger the night of the Yule Ball. It would seem she is in possession of the Dark Lord’s journal, the one that I placed in Miss Weasley’s cauldron that day in Diagon Alley.”

“We know this, dear.” Narcissa smoothly replied.

“Yes, what I didn’t know that night, but I have come to believe, is the snake that was with Miss Granger that night is also the familiar of the Dark Lord.”

Narcissa gasped and Draco paled, his eyes widening in shock and disbelief.

“How is it possible that Miss Granger of all people, a mudblood, has the protection of the Dark Lord’s familiar, Lucius?” Narcissa asked quietly.

“I do not know for sure, Cissy. I spoke with Thoros Nott, and asked him if he knew of anyone outside the House of Gaunt to have the gift of Parseltongue, and he told me that he was unaware of any as such. As you know, the Potter boy can speak with snakes, and I’ve always thought this was a by-product of his encounter with the Dark Lord when he fell. What I am about to speculate can go no further than this room. I did some digging into Miss Granger’s Muggle Family. It would appear the girl was adopted sometime late in 1979. Papers were filed through a private law firm, but I haven’t been able to find out any more than that.”

“Then whom are her parents, Lucius? Are you suggesting that the Dark Lord is the girl’s Father?” Narcissa was aghast at the thought.

If that were true, then their son had alienated the rightful heir of Slytherin from her own house.

Her own birthright.

“That is exactly what I’m suggesting. My mark has gotten darker this year, suggesting that the Dark Lord is close to returning. If his familiar is protecting the girl, then there is a good chance he knows of her existence and has offered what protection he can until he returns to full power.” Lucius looked to his son. “You have been instrumental in alienating Miss Granger from Slytherin House, Draco—and as such? The Dark Lord I’d imagine, will not be pleased with the whole of Slytherin when he finds out his heir has been ostracized from her own House.”

Draco paled even further and Narcissa grabbed his hand in comfort. “Draco did not know whom the girl was, Lucius. Surely the Dark Lord would be understanding of the fact that Slytherin could in no way openly support a supposed mudblood within its House?”

“And if he’s not, Cissa, what then? If I’m right, he knows of his daughter’s existence, and further more, Miss Granger knows whom her father is. She is far too clever and cunning not to. She was unfazed by my threats towards her, as if she knew she held the upper hand.”

“So what do we do, Father? Daphne and I have tried to undo some of the damage we’ve done, and I’ve made it clear within Slytherin House that Granger is to be left alone. Most of the House has followed my lead, but there are still a few who openly taunt her, even though she is immune to their hate.”

Lucius nodded at his son. “That is good, Draco, that you have tried to fix the redress towards the witch, but I’m afraid we may not have much time. I’m convinced the Dark Lord will return by years end. While he was never known to be a caring individual, the fact that his familiar is guarding the girl speaks volumes as to his intentions of claiming the witch as his heir. We must keep this information close to the vest and try and fix what we can before he returns.”

“May I tell Daphne, Father? She was the one who came to me at the end of last year concerned for Granger’s well-being. She has been openly trying to befriend the witch, and I believe she can be made to see reason in keeping this confidential. Granger won’t suspect her of knowing the truth, because she genuinely wants to make amends for how we’ve treated Hermione.”

“Invite Miss Greengrass here before the ball, Draco. We will sit down with her and if her Occlumency is sufficient, together will share our suspicions. Hopefully the damage that has been done is not irreversible or I fear what may happen when the Dark Lord returns.”

“I will send an owl immediately, Father. Please excuse me, Father, Mother.”

Draco got up and left the room quickly leaving his parents sitting there contemplating the new turn of events.

“Do you really think she is Heir to Slytherin, Lucius? I’ve never heard any whispers of the Dark Lord being involved with any witch.”

Lucius shook his head in despair. “Neither did I, Cissy, but that does not mean he wasn’t involved with someone. Our Lord was very secretive and untrusting, and if he was involved with someone, I doubt he would have made it public knowledge. The possibility that he sired an heir is truly astonishing in itself, but that he would willingly claim the girl as such confounds me. He never seemed the kind of man that would care for another above himself.”

“Perhaps he is intrigued by the possibility, Lucius. The girl is brilliant, cunning and powerful. I am sure he would be covetous of having such an heir at his side. The fact that she has kept this hidden and not used this information to her advantage speaks to her cleverness. She has allowed the whole of Hogwarts to ridicule and dismiss her, yet she is top of her class. From what our son has shared in his letters, the girl truly has no one. No friends, no acquaintances even. This new friendship with Mr. Krum is the first kindness anyone has truly shown her since she entered Hogwarts. I can’t imagine the level of distrust and anger the girl must hold.”

Lucius just nodded absently, looking out his study window into the garden.

“You should’ve seen her, Cissy! She was everything a Slytherin should be. Miss Granger has been sitting back for four years and observing the world around her, and no one noticed nor cared. She was observant enough as a 12-year-old to see through my deception and waited until the opportune moment to use that information to her advantage.” Lucius gazed at his wife in wonder and greed. “I remember thinking to myself what a fine bride she would make for our son, if not for her unfortunate blood. Now I find out that she may truly be an heir to Slytherin himself, and the Dark Lord.”

“And you want her for our son? You want her tied to our house?” Narcissa eyed her husband knowingly. Lucius nodded once and Narcissa smiled. “Our son is taken with the witch, despite his years of tormenting her. He has written to me several times about his regret in taunting the girl. He has expressed his worry over her health, and his shame in hurting her, even though he knew it would be expected of him. I have the letters, Lucius, and I think when the opportune time comes? We can use them to show Miss Granger our son’s true feelings. She may not be receptive at first, but I have no doubt that our son is clever enough to win the girl over.”

“I hope you are right, my love. This is a dangerous game we are about to play.”

“When am I ever wrong, husband.”

Lucius smiled at his wife, stood up and took her hand guiding her off the couch and into his arms.

“You truly are an amazing witch, my heart.”

The two kissed gently and Lucius led his wife to their bedchambers, where he could show her his appreciation more thoroughly.