Go got back at exactly ten o'clok, as asked. Afterp ushcaing the invatations, we stopped at as small pub for a drink, since Uncle Severus said it was okay. Vincent ordered some kind of Irish Scotch, and I, of course, ordered some Fyrewhiskey. Vincent had to stop me when I triedto order a second one, telling me to remember what we had promised my uncle.
All in all, everything went smoothly. When I walked into Uncle Severu's office, he saw that I was still sober and almost smiled.
"Hey, I'm back." I waved. He looked up from his desk and checked the clock on teh wall.
"You're right on time." He seemd surprised.
"Yeah, you told me to be."
"I didn't think..." He trailed off, then shook his head. "It's no matter. I have something of more importance to speak to you about."
"What is it?" I closed the door. He picked upa letter form teh corner of his desk and held it up.
"This arrived while you were gone. It's from LaStrange."
"Bellatrix? What does she want?"
"It's not what she wants, it's what the Dark Lord wants. She's only messaging for Him."
"What's happening?"
"I'm not sure. She was very cryptic. All she said was that He wanted you at the Malfoy Manor for Holiday tomarrow. You will stay all week."
"Oh. I was planning on getting more things together for the wedding with Vincent. He has to stay here." I addmitted. He shook his head.
"I'm sorry, but this outweighs the wedding in importance. Besides, I'm sure you can still get some tings accomplishe.d Just promise me that you will be responsible. Do not go and drink, and especially do not buy any more stems.
"I won't. If I feel stressed, I'll Floo you, or I'll take a nap. I won't get any stems."
"Alright. You know if you slip up again, I will cancell the wedding."
"You won't have to."
"Good. Now, go pack. The train departs in the morning."
.............................................................................
The next day, I said goodbbye to Vincent before meeting up with Draco. Since I was going to the Manor, we decided it was a good idea to stick together. We boarded the almsot empty Hogwarts Express, along with Gregory. We sat in out usual conpartment, but it didn't feel right without Vincent.
None of us really spoke. Gregory bussied himself by reading a Quidditch magazine. Draco watched the world outside the window. I did the same, pettig Orion, wh owas squirming in my lap, and dozinng off once in a while.
When we got to Platform Nine and Three Quarters, we said goodbye to Gregory and got off hte train. Neither Lucius nor Narcissa were there to greet us, so we assumed that we had to find our own way home. Seeing that I couldn't Apparate, we had to use side-along Apparation. I picked up Orion and took Draco's arm with my other hand. There was teh familiar pop and I was transported to the Malfoy Manor.
We ended up in one of the many sititng rooms.A stessed looking Narcissa and Lucius were sititng on a sofa, nursing glasses of red wine. Bellatrix, who looked much less worried, was happily sipping as well, pacing infront of them and talking. She stopped mid-sentence when she saw us.
"Oh, l look! The children are home!" She thrusted her glass into Narcissa'a hand. She then pinched both of our cheeks, one hand each. "Awl! Look at witty Dracy-Wakey and Snapey Poo! " She gave us both one last hard pinch before pulling away. Both of us rubbed our faces as I put Orion down.
"No." Narcissa immediatly snapped. "That filthy mutt is not roaming around my house."
"He's not filthy! I just bathed him yesterday!" I defended. "Besides, you have freaking peacocks running around here! Their dirtier than Orion is!" Bellatrix stepped between us, laughing.
"Your opinion doesn't matter, little sister. She's the Dark Lord's guest, not yours. she can have her nastey little rat if hse wants it!"
"He's not diryt!"
"Oh, well! It doesn't matter!" She whipped back around an grabbed my wrist. She began pullng me towards the door.
"Draco, take her bags to her room! The first floor guest room! The one at the endoff the hall?" She sweetly smiled at him before tugging me out of hte room.
"Where are we going?" I asked as she turned right.
"Your assignment! Yo usee, we have a couple little hostages captured in the basement-"
"Do I really have to gaurd them?" I insterupted. I mean really, I'm better than that. She glarred at me.
"Let me finish!" She forcefully said through gritted teeth. "Petigrew is gaurding them, but he Dark Lord is afraid that he is not capible of the task. Since you did such a wonderful job with the Snatchers- His words, not mine- He wants you to do the saem for Petigrew.
"I have to train Petigrew? Can he even move?"
"I don't know. It's not my problem, t's yours." She shrugged and opened a door before pushing me through it." Bye, Snapey-Poo! Have fun!" She gushed and then closed the door.
I turne daroudn and exaimined my surroundings. The room was almsot completly empty, wit he exeption of a couple crates, slabes of stone, and one fat, disgusting man.
"Petigrew." I practically spat. he sneared.
"Snape."
"Okay, neither of us are going to enjoy this, so we might as well get it over with." I pulled out my wand. "Lets get a few things straight-"
"I know." He interupted. "No attacking you. No hurting you. If I do, I will pay. Blah, blah, blah. Can we just get on with it?"
"OKay, then." I raised my wand. I didn't appreicate his cheek, but it didn't sound liek he was goingto give me any more trouble than that. Maybe this wouldn't be too horribley bad. Not that I really had a choice... "Let's begin."
