There Was A Girl

More Secrets

More Secrets

Clank. Clank. Thud. Clank. Metal on metal. Solid and heavy. Metal slamming into flesh and bone. A loud curse. Clank.

"Hold," Lucius Malfoy called out. He and Severus parted, breathing heavily. Lucius walked over to a small table and picked up a towel to wipe his face. His long hair was pulled back and wrapped in a long length of leather. "We're getting old, my friend."

Severus picked up a bottle and drank. "Is that why you called for respite as soon as I made contact?"

"I called for respite because you looked like you were about to faint."

Sev snorted, "Faint? You're the one whose face is as red as a virgin's on her wedding night."

Draco cackled in the corner behind a defensive shield. "You two are hilarious sometimes."

Lucius smiled at his son. "We have our moments."

"When can I start sword fighting?'

"When you're older."

Draco scowled his mother's scowl, "You always say that. I am older. I'm thirteen."

Lucius and Severus looked at each other. Severus shrugged, "He's thirteen."

"Yes. That he is," Lucius nodded. "OK, come on. Your mother is going to kill me."

Draco stood on his father's feet, his back to his father's chest, his hands wrapped around his father's on the handle of the broad sword. Lucius kissed the top of his head because it was close enough to. "OK, Sev, let's take it slow."

And Draco had his first lesson. Clank. Clank. Thud. Clank. Thud – crack

"OW! Son of a BITCH!" Draco sprang free and clutched his hand to his chest.

"Oh shit," Severus dropped his sword. "Looks like Narcissa is going to kill us both." He drew his wand and traced it over Draco's broken finger. After a second, Draco flexed his hand.

"All better. Can we try again?"

Severus and Lucius contemplated the young man then looked at each other with the same thought. Where was the young man who ran to his mother over the slightest wrong?

"I think that is enough for one day," Lucius said.

"Ahh," Draco groaned, "I'm fine!" He wiggled his fingers to prove it. Lucius just leveled his gaze and Draco sighed.

"Perhaps, you will be able to convince your Godfather to give you some lessons once you return to Hogwarts," Lucius said as they put the swords and protective gear away.

"That'll go over well," Severus replied. "Teaching children to battle with swords."

"You were able to teach us to duel last year," Draco reminded.

"Hmm," Severus nodded.

"I understand you had a most enjoyable time at Longbottom Village," Lucius changed the subject.

Draco nodded, "Strange though."

"What?"

"Well, it's a mixed village. Muggle and Wizards. But I couldn't tell one kid from the other. We were all on teams for the game Diggory and Flint came up with." Draco shrugged. "Just had a great time. It never occurred to me that some of them were Muggle."

"Draco," Lucius took a deep breath, "Do you know why we Pure Bloods are against Muggleborns coming to Hogwarts? The real reason?

Draco shrugged and shook his head.