8«Journey To Malfoy Manor

After Christmas break, Justine Tidewater and Draco Malfoy had never been closer. Harry and the others basically realized that their relationship wasn’t phony, when they knew that the two were still very much together, although they knew that Justine wasn’t in the Gryffindor common room the next morning for a reason.

Time went by, and it was almost the end of March. The snow had completely melted from the ground, and the joys of spring started to blossom around Hogwarts. Everyone was feeling happiness, for the outdoor activities would be starting again, and school was almost out for the year.

Everyone was feeling happy, with the exception of Justine. It wasn’t Malfoy that she was having problems with. No, it was herself. Through this whole time she never told Draco that she was a muggle-born. Whenever he’d make fun of one and call them a mudblood, her body tightened with regret. She knew that nothing would’ve ever happened between them if he knew, and if he ever found out it would all be over in a heartbeat.

Hermione would give Justine little pep talks every so often and tell her that it was crucial for Draco to know before school got out. Her main point would be, “If Lucius Malfoy ever found out that his son was dating a mudblood, he’d raise all hell lose and you’d never see Draco again. If you survived that is.”

Justine knew Hermione was right. She just didn’t have the heart to tell him. Draco was never happier in his entire life, and more people were able to see this new side of him. She’d hate to think what would happen to him if they were to split up.

After lunch one day, Justine was outside sitting cross-legged on the green grass doing her Astronomy homework when Draco took a seat down next to her. “Doing homework again on your free time?” He asked.

“When else am I supposed to do it?” She asked not looking up at him.

“During another class of course,” he told her. “Anyway, I’ve got a surprise for you.”

“Really?” She replied looking up eagerly at him. “What is it?”

“Spring break is coming up next week, right? Well, students are allowed to leave as long as they have signed note from a parent or guardian or whoever. Now, I wrote to my mother and she approved of me coming home.”

“You’re leaving you mean?”

“And I want you to come with me.”

Justine was shocked. “Go to…meet your parents, you mean?”

“What did you expect? Of course you’d meet them. But I was thinking more of the fact that you and I’d be able to spend time together away from all the stupid rules and regulations of this school. Sound good?”

“Sure,” she said without thinking. However, the afterthoughts of her meeting his father quickly scared her to death. “But…”

“But?”

“Could we go to my house for a day or so? Then my parents could finally meet you.” She mentally kicked herself afterwards for saying such a thing.

“If you wish. I don’t care, as long as we’re not here. We’ll spend a few days at my place, then at yours, and then come back here. Agreed?”

“Um, yeah, agreed.”

“Great.” He kissed her and then hurried off back into the school.

At dinner that night, Justine was very silent and almost frozen in place.

“Are you alright?” Ron asked a bit worried. “You look as if you’ve seen a ghost die twice.”

“No, its not that,” she replied, pushing her meat around with her fork.

“What is it then?” Hermione asked.

“I’m going to Draco’s house for spring break…”

It was a shame that Ron started drinking his pumpkin juice at the time she said that, for it quickly ended up on Harry’s plate. “Sorry…” he told Harry, as his face got red.

“Why would you do such a thing?” Hermione asked in horror.

Justine shrugged and dropped her fork. She looked over to the Slytherin table where she saw Malfoy eating and talking to his friends. “Because I didn’t want to disappoint him.”

“But you’ll meet his father most likely!” Ron exclaimed. “That guy scares the crap out of even me!”

“Ron, everything scares you,” Harry pointed out. He turned his attention back to Justine. “As long as she keeps a low profile, she should pull through just fine.”

“Until he sees my home and meets my muggle parents,” she said quietly.

“Justine, no way!” Hermione almost yelled. A few other students at the table looked their way. “He’s going to find out if you bring him to your house! Your parents won’t know what to do with him there. Of all people to bring home, Justine!”

“I’ve already written my parents and told them. And I’ve already received an owl from them saying that they can’t wait to meet him, and they’ll try to act like they know magic.”

“Easier said than done, as usual,” Ron commented trying once again to take a drink. “All I have to say is good luck and I hope you survive to take you end of the year exams. And I never thought I’d hear myself say that.”

«««

Justine was getting more and more nervous as the days went on and she had begun to pack. Her biggest fear, besides Draco finding out that she was a muggle born, was his father finding out. She knew, or had heard at least, what Lucius Malfoy was like, and that he had been a loyal follower to the Dark Lord, Voldemort.

Hopefully, though everything would work out and she’d still be with him in the end. That’s all she cared about was keeping him. She discovered a few weeks back that she truly loved him more than just your average boyfriend. And she was confident that if he was staying with her and was like the way he was to her, then he had to feel the same way.

Hermione gave Justine a big hug before the Hogwarts Express was about to leave the station to bring the students to London. “Good luck, and write us the minute anything happens,” she said.

Harry gave her a hug too. “If anything goes wrong, we’ll tell Dumbledore and he’ll have you out of their in the speed of light. Good bye, Justine.”

Ron nodded. “Have…fun I guess.”

Justine waved to them all as she stepped up onto the train and joined Malfoy in a small room. They rode mostly in silence watching the millions of trees go zooming by. Most of anything he would tell her was not to worry about his parents and just to be herself. “I promise that nothing will happen. I can handle my father.”

After the train ride, it didn’t take long before Justine was stepping onto Draco’s property. “Welcome to Malfoy Manor,” he told her as the gates opened and they began walking down the long driveway.

Justine couldn’t believe her eyes. She knew that Draco’s family had money, but she didn’t think this much money! The house was enormous, being made of granite colored stone and black brick. The windows were long and fairly wide, and the two front doors were large and white. The yard itself was breathtaking. The grass was a perfect color green, with large trees scattered here and there. The island that sat in the middle of the circular cobblestone driveway had a large black fountain of what looked like some sort of winged dragon.

“Draco, its gorgeous,” she told him. She honestly didn’t think that his house would be…beautiful.

“Its alright,” he said smugly.

When they got to the front doors, he turned to the house elf that had been carrying all of the luggage. “Bring it all to my room. Fix us a snack of some sort, too.” The elf tried to bow without dropping anything.

The doors opened on their own, and Justine followed Draco inside. The inside of the house was just as mind boggling as the outside. There was a large staircase directly facing the doors, and a large black and crystal chandelier hanging above them. Most of the colors in the house were dark, mainly green and black, she noticed.

“Best to close your mouth before a bug flies in,” Draco joked.

Justine couldn’t though. She was just in awe of everything. Then she heard a voice coming towards them.

“Draco! You’re here!” An older woman’s voice called as she walked quickly into the room. She had blonde hair and blue eyes, although her features were hard to match Draco’s. Justine figured that he must look more like his father in that case.

“Yes mother,” he said rather embarrassed.

“She gave him a large hug and then turned the young lady next to him. “And you must be Draco’s new friend,” she announced. “Draco hasn’t told me much about you, but I’m sure I’ll hear all about it over tea.”

Justine looked at Draco who shook his head slightly. “Nice to meet you, Mrs. Malfoy.”

“How quaint,” Draco’s mother replied. “Come now, onto the sitting room. Your father won’t be joining us until tomorrow, Draco. Away on business again, as I’m sure you understand.”

Justine followed Draco and his mother into a large sitting room. It was painted a dark hunter green, and was dimly lit with candles all around and an iron chandelier. Justine took a seat next to Draco, and Mrs. Malfoy sat across from them. A house elf walked in soon after and set down a tray of fine black and gold china. The little elf poured and prepared the tea for the two Malfoys and then humbly asked Justine how she liked hers.

“So,” Mrs. Malfoy said sipping the tea ever so slightly. Her pretty face had a questioning look and a slight smile. “Tell me how you ended up at Hogwarts. Draco’s never mentioned you before in his letters, so I do take it your new this year.”

Justine was a little nervous, and she wanted more than anything to just make a good first impression on his parents. “Well, my family and I lived in the Americas for sixteen years. I was born here, but they moved there shortly after. My father’s aunt had died over the summer and left her money to him, seeing that he was her only living relative. We moved here, and I was accepted at Hogwarts only a week before school started.”

Mrs. Malfoy looked at her for a moment before speaking. “How lovely. Its always nice to have money, isn’t it dear?” She looked at Draco who gave a small nod. “And what did your father do for a living in the Americas?”
Justine hadn’t thought of that…in fact, the entire story she just told was a little far stretched. “He owned his own tailor shop,” she said quickly.

“Ah,” Mrs. Malfoy replied gently. “And does he plan on bringing the business over here?”

“He hasn’t thought about that yet,” she told her. “He’s still trying to get my aunt’s affairs in order.”

“I see. Well, I do take it that both your parents are magic folk. Where did they go to school?”

Justine thought for a moment. “I think they both went to Winister Wizards and Witches. They were surprised when I got a letter from Hogwarts instead.”

“I’d think so,” she said softly. She turned to Draco who had been listening closely. He knew that if his mother liked her, there would be no problem. His father was always a pain anyway.

“Draco, she’s lovely!” His mother replied excitedly. “A perfect match for you. She has money, beauty, and a decent enough background.” She set her teacup on the table. “Now, you two run off to do what you had planned. I don’t want to ruin your two days here.”

Draco almost immediately stood up and Justine followed, thanking Mrs. Malfoy for the tea. She followed him out into the main entrance hall, now being able to see it from a different view.

Draco led her up the large marble stairs and down a long hallway. He stopped at two wooden doors and slowly turned the gold knob. He motioned for Justine to go in first and then followed. “My room,” he said shortly.

Justine walked in a little farther and looked around. His room was, odd to say the least. It had a lot of strange looking objects, which would include a decaying human hand on a plaque, a large tank with a Boa Constrictor caged inside, two ancient looking swords, and much more. His bed was a Queen size with black sheets and pillows. The room itself was painted a dark blue, and had black curtains hanging from the double French doors, which looked like it lead to a balcony. The floor was a cherry hard wood with a few blue rugs.

“Wow,” was the only comment she was able to come up with. “Its nice.”

“Nothing your used to, I take it. A lot of it was my father’s when he was young. And I like this kind of stuff, too.” He pointed to the hand.

Justine walked over to the balcony doors and looked out. “Could I?” She asked turning to him. He nodded and she opened the door, which was a little stuck at first. She walked out and felt a cool breeze hit her face. The view, however, was fabulous. Rolling hills scattered with trees went on for miles, a few meadows, and in the far distance was the city of London. “This is great,” she told him when he put his arm around her.

“Not bad, I guess.” He told her. He pulled her closer, almost causing her to lose her balance. When she turned her head, he leaned forward so his nose would touch hers. “So, what do you want to do?” He asked seductively.

Justine giggled and kissed him. She knew she had confused Malfoy when she pulled away and rested her arms on his shoulders. “What’s there to do around here for fun?”

Draco shrugged. “Nothing much. Gets really boring after a while.” She sighed. He looked at her remembering their slay ride back at Christmas time.

“I’ve got an idea,” he said finally. “Ever ridden a horse?”

Justine pulled herself up onto the horse’s back. She had ridden before, but not really by herself. The horse she sat on was a chestnut thoroughbred with sandy colored hair. Draco came up next to her atop his black thoroughbred.

“Ready?” He asked as he quickly kicked the horse’s sides and was off. Justine did the same and tried to keep up with him. “Have your legs bounce you up and down. It won’t hurt if you do it that way.”

“Yeah, right,” Justine commented as feet struggled just to stay in the stirrups.

They rode for about an hour around the property. Draco showed her his childhood hiding place in the trees at the edge of the property. “Whenever I got mad, which was almost everyday, I’d ride my broom all the way out here. There were actually some times when I’d spend the night in that little tree house.”

“You had a tough childhood, huh?” Justine asked sympathetically.

“Not like most people think, but it wasn’t easy growing up with my father’s…work.” He gave a half smile. “Shall we go back and have dinner?”

“Sure,” she told him and they were off side by side.

Draco and Justine had eaten alone that night at the end of a long dining room table. The little elf that had served them had a worried look on his face until the food was tasted. Justine’s good comments on the food gave the elf a sigh of relief.

“It was very good,” she told Draco sitting back in her chair.

“Yeah, the cooks aren’t bad. My father gets pretty upset though if they over cook anything just for a minute.”

Justine knew that if his father approved of her, then everything would be fine.

Before they went to bed, they played a game of wizard’s chess. Draco wasn’t as good as Harry and Ron, so that gave Justine a little more of an advantage, although he still won.

Later, she followed him up the large marble staircase and down a long hallway. They went into his room where he plopped himself on the bed. “I definitely need some sleep,” he told her. She stood there unsure of what to do. “What?”

She hated to ask, but knew she had to. “Where will I sleep?”

Draco chuckled. “With me of course. There’s plenty of room in my bed.”

“Your parents won’t mind?”

He laughed again. “Of course not. Why would they? I’m a big boy, I can do what I want.” He stood up and walked over to her, placing his face directly in front of hers. “Besides,” he told her. “I thought we’d have a bed time story first.”

“I see,” she replied with a smile. “What did you have in mind?” His kiss was the answer.