𝐖𝐀𝐍𝐃𝐋𝐄𝐒𝐒

Chapter 30

Lucius read the article in the Daily Prophet as he waited for word from his advocate. He gripped the edge of the paper tensely as he read the part that described how Miss Skeeter had come upon the two young men, who she said must have just recently engaged in forbidden sex, in the rooms provided to them by Headmaster Dumbledore.

Both boys refused to comment to this reporter on their state of undress, but it seems that Harry Potter, whom has previously been featured in our paper for his warnings about He-Who-Must-Not-Be- Named, has seduced the young wealthy wizard, stealing him away from his intended Pansy Parkinson, who has been Draco Malfoy's chosen fiancée since the time they were tots. This is certainly a blow to the Pureblood wizarding community and a slap in the face to the Parkinson's.

The young Mr. Malfoy has also been rumoured to be the victim of child abuse at the hands of his father, Lucius Malfoy. The senior Malfoy is currently being detained by the Ministry of Magic until such time as a trial can be arranged. This reporter wonders if the alleged abuse has partly been the cause for Draco Malfoy's relationship with Mr. Potter as the Boy-Who-Lived has always had a persistent hero complex...

Lucius threw the paper onto the floor, unable to continue to read any further, his visage promising retribution of the worst kind. He looked up when a short, balding, bespectacled man entered the small room that had been provided to him for his interview with the advocate. The gentleman gave the impression of a serial killer hidden under the guise of docile servitude.

"Good Afternoon, Mr. Malfoy. I am Mr. Twillig from Twillig and Croat Wizarding Advocates," the man introduced as he held out his hand in greeting.

Lucius stood and shook the man's hand, griping the offered appendage a bit more firmly than he meant in his anger. "What news do you have for me," Malfoy asked, motioning to the seat opposite his at the table for the small man to sit at.

Mr. Twillig rubbed his slightly crushed fingers as he sat. "I have been able to have you released on your own recognisance with certain stipulations."

"And what would those be," Lucius demanded.

"You are not to come within five hundred yards of your son and your wand has been charmed so that you will not be able to do harmful hexes or curses as long as you are within sight distance of him," Twillig recited, reading off a parchment he had removed from his briefcase. "You must also sign an oath that states that you swear to appear at the required time in front of the Wizengamot in order to deal with these charges." The balding man pulled out another parchment and a quill, passing both over to Lucius to read and sign.

Lucius hid his intense anger and scanned the parchment and then signed at the bottom. If things proceeded as he thought they were going to, he wouldn't have to worry about appearing anywhere. "You work quite quickly," the blonde wizard stated as he passed back the signed parchment. He had only been interred slightly longer than twenty four hours and now he would be able to leave, and with his wand.

"When the Dark Lord makes a request of us, we tend to make sure we do not displease him," Twillig returned quietly, passing Lucius his charmed wand and then closing his case. "You are free as of now, if you have any future need of our services, please do not hesitate to call on us. We are most happy to serve any that are 'friends' of the Masters." The small man stood, opening the door for Lucius to proceed him.

The two men left the Ministry silently and then parted outside, Twillig to his office, Lucius to the Dark Lord.

XXX

Harry stomped through the door to Draco's rooms, surprising the blonde that was sitting at his kitchenette counter eating his toast.

"You could knock you know," Draco scolded after swallowing what was in his mouth.