A Second Channe Through Time

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

Page count: 10

Ministry: London - Tuesday 26th January 1982

Hermione and Sirius made their way to the Minister's office and upon their arrival, they were greeted by Kingsley, Minister Bagnold and Lucius Malfoy. And the blonde hardly looked like the wizard she'd seen previously; he'd washed and showered, his pale blonde hair no longer hung limp and greasy, his pale skin looked healthier and he was wearing tailored wizard robes. It seemed just getting away from Azkaban improved his health massively.

After making pleasantries, they left the office and made their way to the entrance to the Ministry and as a result, they'd had to walk through the busy atrium, the entire room coming to a standstill but Hermione, Sirius, Lucius and their Auror escorts and security detail remained silent until they reached the apparition point.

~000~000~000~

Malfoy Manor

Hermione and Sirius had barely landed outside of the Malfoy Manor wards when they looked to each other knowingly as Lucius Malfoy strode forward without a second glance backwards. Silently, they followed him through the large gates and down the pathway until he swept into the grand foyer, striding past and ignoring the house-elves that gathered around him in greeting, only having one destination in mind.

When he entered, it was to see Narcissa perched on the couch with a cup of tea in hand and fondly watching Draco as he was sat on the ground surrounded by stuffed toys, with Harry, Remus and James, giggling happily as they played what had quickly become their favourite game, wizards and dragons.

At their entrance, Narcissa's eyes lifted and her teacup almost fell from her grasp before she set it on the saucer, stood and briskly approached, sniffling as she Lucius took her in his arms.

"Mimi," Harry greeted happily, seeing her approaching as she gave the Malfoy couple a little privacy.

"Hello, Harry," she ruffled his hair and he giggled.

"Mi-mi-mia," Draco clapped once he'd pronounced it correctly.

"Hello, Draco," she ruffled his hair, too, and he looked less than impressed reaching up to try and smooth out the strands.

Seeing Lucius and Narcissa draw back from each other, Hermione plucked Draco from the ground and headed over to them, the toddler squealing out, "Dada!"

She was quick to hand him off to his father before she retreated, smiling at the sight and hearing Draco babbling rapidly, gripping onto his father's robes tightly.

"We owe you a great deal of debt," Narcissa said from her husband's side.

"No, you don't," Hermione shook her head, "Your husband was an innocent man and he didn't deserve to be in that place, I only did what was right. And now that you're all together again, we'll leave you alone."

"No, you promised me answers," Narcissa replied.

"Don't you want to spend some time with your husband and son? It can wait till later."

"No, I want answers now,"

"I wish to have answers as well," Lucius added.

Sharing a glance with the Marauder's, she nodded and Draco was set on the ground with Harry whilst the adults gathered on the couches.

"Before we begin, I believe what you asked for has been found," said Narcissa, calling for a house-elf to retrieve it and it being handed to Hermione wrapped in green silk.

The young witch was cautious when she set it on her lap, carefully pulling apart the silk to reveal Tom Riddle's diary.

"Yes, this what we wished to find, how did you find it so quickly? And in two days, no less?"