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The Dark Circle	By : SisterGryffindor Category: Harry Potter AU/AR > General Views: 4815 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
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Lucius watched the shining red engine puff and wheeze its way into the station. The train seemed to crawl as it slowed to a halt. Every car seemed to have eager young faces pressed against the glass, watching and staring out at the castle that loomed off in the distance behind the station.

He watched them pass, taking a moment to be intensely grateful that he had never felt the calling to be a teacher. He thought for sure that he would have gone mad as a teacher. Being a father was work enough; he felt he had no patience for that sort of work.

Small wonder that Severus had given teaching up so easily. Certainly the conviction of parents that he had been a Death Eater, corrupt and evil, had helped him in his choice to abandon the profession. Helping infants in Lucius’ opinion was infinitely more satisfying. Newborn babies didn’t cop attitudes, they didn’t talk back at you or throw things, and they did not pout. Tiny babies were just happy to receive any sort of attention, remain clean and dry, and to be fed.

His mind wandered to his home and all the children living there. He could not remember when he had felt more fulfilled in his life. His house was finally a true home, full of the laughter of children, and he and Narcissa were more than content.

He had been concerned at first how his son and son-in-law were going to handle it all; that had been why he had insisted they remain at the manor. They had surprised him, though; Harry and Draco had taken up the challenge of parenting with a vengeance. Having no children and suddenly being presented with nine was a challenge for even someone with an insane drive for mothering, but the two of them had managed.

The children were taken on daily walks from the manor out to the playground for exercise whether it was rain or shine; it took some time to garb them in the muggle clothing that Harry insisted they must have. Rain slickers and rain boots for each child took a while to get on and organize. The playground was, of course, warmed and dry all throughout the year and anyone walking in would commonly find an adult pushing on swings, helping balance on brooms, or running along in a merry game of catch-me.

Sweet little Angel was proud to be the eldest and had eagerly taken on the role of big sister to all of them. She happily helped Narcissa and Draco to tend to the needs of the babies. The other older children participated with the family as their personalities allowed; the one who did the least was Lazlo.

Young Lazlo sat around as much as he could, bossing others about and trying to enforce his position as he saw it within the family with his fists whenever the grownups were not watching. So far, the discipline they had administered to the lad had little effect other than to make him sulk for hours or days. Usually he had avoided the children of the Dark Circle as much as he was able, but he had learned years ago not to mess with Erik and Erin, or even to be around Mallek. He played with Alyssa occasionally, and there was the one time he decided to see if he could bully her like he did some of the others. It took only moments for him to learn not to do that to Alyssa, though; she drew her wand and cast a bat-bogey hex on him so perfectly that he ran screaming from it for nearly an hour. Ginerva Weasley had certainly taught her niece well how to use that particular little jinx, and to spectacular effect as well.

Lucius himself had changed greatly from the man that Draco had known as his own father. He spent every moment he could with his own children and had surprised his son by assisting with the grandchildren as well. The children of the Dark Circle had required extra attention; he had found himself having to sometimes leave the care of the younger ones in his wife’s capable hands as he took care of the needs of those five.

This year Lazlo and Alerick were on their way to Hogwarts. Next year would see Alyssa, Erik, and Erin on their way, as well as Alexander Jugson, one of the few Potter children returned to their mothers following the seizure of the children. The year after would bring Tristin Baddock, one of Draco's children who had gone home. The next year he would be putting Mallek, Astrid, Fallon and Camilla; it would almost be an invasion of Draco-Malfoys, filling Hogwarts. Too soon after that, his twins would be riding as well as young James and the two youngest, Marcus and Donovan. The house would be horribly empty and echoing again. He was NOT looking forward to that. They needed more babies in the house.

He hoped that his daughter would decide to finally come back and rejoin the family when Damitri had managed to reunite them but she had been well indoctrinated with stories of the Malfoy clan. She still believed some of the rot she had been told, and though Lucius was grateful for the man who had swept her away and raised her to a beautiful woman, he was angry at him for turning her against him and almost destroying his chances of renewing his bond with her.

Severus had accompanied him to Hogwarts today, but had gone on to the castle to leave Lucius to his fathering duties. He had delayed Lucius for a time, having to make a short trip home because of problems in his household again.

Lucius hadn't quite been able to make out what had been going on, but there had been an awful lot of crashing going on in the background when Lupin had fire-called, asking him to hurry home. Although he had not been told what was going on by Severus, he had some idea. The boy took after his father in far too many ways; there had been little that Severus had been able to do to prevent the boy from breaking into his potions lab. He suspected the lad had been in there again, mucking about.

The reluctant squeal of the brakes on the train brought Lucius' mind back to the present and the train. Mallek should be getting off any moment. Lucius half-expected that the boy would try to sneak past him somehow and make his way into the castle. He had better not try that; if he did there would be hell to pay.

He watched as all the other children began to disembark from the cars of the train, many giving him curious looks but mostly ignoring him, chattering excitedly as they moved on their way. He saw Angel disembark and waved to him; he smiled and raised a hand in greeting as well. He then saw Lazlo get off at the front of the train. He heard the call for first years to gather before he finally spotted who he was looking for; Mallek stepped off the next to the last train car with Alerick close behind him.

The dark-haired boy hugged his friend once more, and then Alerick turned to Lucius, walking hand-in-hand with Mallek. "Lord Father Malfoy, it wasn't his fault…"

"You are being summoned, Alerick. Don't shame your family by ignoring your responsibilities." Lucius said sternly, flicking his eyes momentarily to where the other first year students were being led away.

"I… yes, Lord Father." He said quietly. He gave Mallek's hand one last squeeze of reassurance then hurried off.

Lucius watched the boy go before he turned his full attention on the younger boy, his eyes narrow. He said nothing; he wanted to see exactly what Mallek would have to say for himself without prompting.

The boy drew a deep breath and sighed softly. "I wanted to, Lord Father Malfoy. I won't deny it." Mallek admitted, not meeting his foster father's eyes. "I desperately wanted to go with Alerick, but I promise you I did not do it on purpose." He spoke quietly to let his father know that he was quite sincere with every word he said.

Lucius remained silent until Mallek finally built up the courage to meet his eyes. He kept his face cool and impassive, properly composed. He gazed at the lad and saw only frank honesty; no deception was on that face. "I believe you." He answered quietly.

Relief suffused Mallek's face. "You do?"

"Yes. Now, if you don't mind, I have been away from the twins more than long enough. It is time to go home." He commented.

"Um… Lord Father…? Since we're here, could we go for the sorting…?" Mallek ventured hopefully.

"No." Lucius answered without hesitation. "You are to come directly home with me. You've had quite enough of an adventure for someone not due to be on that train for another three years." His voice was stern and it was clear that he would brook no arguments at all.

"Yes, Lord Father Malfoy." Mallek bowed his head, giving one last glance in the direction Alerick had gone, but the older boy was no longer in sight.

-.

"There it is." Warrington said, his limp quite pronounced by the time that he and Erik approached the wrought iron gate that blocked the entryway to the castle. It was buttressed by two statues of flying boars, poised to take off in flight.

Keeping up the pace he had forced upon himself had definitely aggravated his injuries and he was sweating with the effort of simply continuing to drive himself forward. He had been unable to find a carriage, as all seemed to have been taken up to the castle already. The great gates were closed, but the spires of Hogwarts were visible just beyond them. "We're in time; the first year students should be crossing the Black Lake right about now. They'll get off the boats at the dock at the foot of the castle. That's where I need to get you to." He said, moving up to the castle gate. He drew his wand, trying to remember what he had to do to open these gates.

"Jerrod…? Is that you…?" A familiar voice made him turn; Ronald Weasley was walking up the path with his daughter, Rose. Both looked rather windblown and were carrying their broomsticks comfortably. It was obvious that they had flown in rather than ride the train.

Warrington sighed, closing his eyes for a moment. He really had no desire to be sociable today; he was hurting too damned much. It really didn’t matter where he went nowadays, it didn’t matter what he did. He always ended up surrounded by damned Weasleys; he just couldn't escape them. "Good evening, Mr. Weasley." He answered in a flat tone.

His response made Ron chuckle. “I really don’t understand why you insist on being so formal, Jerrod. I must have told you a dozen times at least, call me Ron. After all, you're practically family..."

"I am not. I haven’t bonded with your brother. Your mother and brothers seem to have conveniently forgotten that fact; only your father seems to notice I have refused to take that step. Even George conveniently forgets we are not bonded and assumes he has more rights and privileges than I am willing to allow.” He grumbled irritably.

"We know you haven’t bonded, but we’re still family. After all, you have a daughter with my brother." He reminded with a chuckle.

“Yes, a child that was conceived through medical and magical means, not in the usual manner of conception.” He reminded, glancing at Rose Weasley. He didn’t know how much the girl knew, but he was getting bloody tired of all of this. “But I could never forget about Alyssa." He snorted.

"No sooner than I could forget my Rosie." Ron agreed, giving his daughter a squeeze. She smiled up at him, her face clearly showing her love for her father. “But I’ve bonded with Blaise and its made things much easier for Hermione and myself, to tell the truth. You really should consider it, you know.” He answered with a soft grin.

“And that has to be the hundred-thousandth time I’ve been given that advice.” Jerrod scowled.

“Be that as it may, you need to think about it. As for George, I think I know my brother a bit better than you do. And I can definitely say that I know how stubborn he is."

"I can be stubborn too." Jerrod retorted. "I told him the first time we spoke, I told him every damned day and I’ll keep telling him that I have no intention of bonding. I don’t want to be bonded to him or anyone else. Ever.”

"Why not? You two are always together, ever since he found out that Alyssa was the product of the two of you. He’s quite proud of his daughter."

"Do you think I haven't noticed that I can’t shake the man?" he grumped.

"I’d point out that you’re being rather dense, but who am I to say anything about being blind? It took me five years to notice Hermione." Ron smirked, his arm around his daughter's shoulders.

“You should hear the stories mum tells about how she tried to get his attention.” Rosie giggled.

“Spare me. I saw plenty during school, I haven’t forgotten.” He answered as politely as he could to the girl.

Ron seemed to just notice who Jerrod was escorting. He eyed Erik. "I thought this was the year only Alerick was coming. If I remember right, you weren't due to go until next year." He said thoughtfully.

"I'm to attend this year, sir. I didn't make it to the train station." Erik said, putting as much truth into the words as possible by simply avoiding any sort of lie. After all, his Prince had ordered him to attend and he had not gone to the train station. What could be more truthful?

"Hm, well, I guess not, since you're here at the gate." Ron said, drawing his wand. Jerrod, quite relieved and willing to allow Weasley to open the gate, slid his wand away.

Ron pointed his wand at the boar on the right and murmured the security words; the gate immediately began to swing open. "There we are. After you, Jerrod old bean." He said, gesturing at the opening.

"Manners are lost on me; you ought to know that by now, Weasley." Jerrod grunted, glancing at Erik. "Look, my ankle is really bothering me today. Can you take him in for me? I really have to get back…"

"You should come inside if you're hurting. Maybe you should see the nurse in the hospital wing before you go." Ron said, looking worried.

His expression of concern just set off Jerrod even more; he was beginning to hate Weasleys in general, especially today. "For Merlin's sake, stop being so damned worried about me! I don't need anyone's pity!"

"We’re not pitying you, Mr. Warrington; we just know how much Uncle George cares about you. We all just want you to be taken care of if you're hurt." Rosie said, her eyes glistening with faint tears, worry clear in her expression.

Jerrod glanced at the girl and her expression of worry did what it always did to him; he couldn't hold on to his anger. Little girls had always disarmed him and it had only gotten worse over the years. All his anger ran out of him like so much water. "I'm all right. I know I can make it home." He said in a softer, soothing tone.

"I'd feel better if you went to the medical wing…" she said.

He sighed softly. "There's really no need; I just saw a medi-wizard this morning. I'll go into the castle and use the floo network to get back to Malfoy Manor instead of using apparition; that will put less strain on my ankle. Does that sound all right to you?"

"Well, okay…" Rosie said reluctantly.

"She's right, you know." Ron said as the four of them headed through the gate toward the castle. Although it clearly irritated Jerrod, the two redheads remained with them, pacing themselves to stay with the other two. "George is really serious about you, mate. He’s even stopped dating other people. I think he's really serious this time."

"This time?” Jerrod jumped on the wording. He’d always suspected that George was a flighty guy and not real dedicated to anything. “So this is what, his fifth? Sixth…?"

"You mean to really get serious? Honestly, this is the first time he’s ever been serious about anyone." Ron answered.

That caught Jerrod by surprise and he stumbled a bit, jarring his ankle and making him grimace; he immediately hid the expression so as to keep Rose from getting worried again. "What…?"

"It’s true. Uncle George hasn't brought anyone else to any of the family parties in years." Rosie answered with a shy smile.

“I only go because of Alyssa.” Jerrod said quietly.

"I think he's dead serious about you, old boy." Ron repeated. "He's always just played around, dated even while he was seeing someone before. This time is different. He hasn’t even looked at anyone else. Look, I know how much of a pain in the bum my brother can be, but you really ought to think seriously about him as a possible partner." Ron suggested.

"I'm not serious about anyone as a partner." Warrington said crossly.

"Just think about it. Sometime things happen for a reason. Maybe Alyssa was meant to bring the two of you together."

"Look, Weasley." Jerrod growled at him. "I'm not in a good mood and you're not helping worth a bloody damn. If you don't stop harassing me about your brother there's going to be hell to pay. Don’t make me act the ass in front of your daughter." He warned.

"All right, all right." He chuckled. "I'll let George do the harassment."

"He does quite enough." He grumbled, pulling out his pocket watch and opening it as they made their way around the castle toward the lake. He gazed at it a moment, confirming by the view that his daughter was still safe on Malfoy lands, talking with Erin inside the tent. He closed it and slipped it away, not quite sure how he was going to accomplish the next step of the plan.

"Let's go in, dad. I want you to take something with you for Mom…" Rosie said, moving to take Ron's hand.

"That's my cue. Have a safe trip home, Jerrod." Ron said, taking his daughter's hand as well.

Warrington was not unhappy to see Ron leave with his daughter. He forced himself to pick up the pace once Ron was out of sight, grimacing from pain yet ignoring it as he had taught himself to do. If he wasn't wearing these dragon-hide boots he definitely would have been unable to continue by now. Erik was forced to break into a trot to keep up as they descended a flight of stairs, becoming winded with his duffel bag over his back and the effort of keeping up.

The black lake came into view, and they could see that the boats were just coming in to dock when they reached the last set of stairs. Warrington finally allowed himself to stop, leaning heavily on the rail. "There… we made it. You just go on down, I’d raise suspicion if I came along.. Just go in, blend with them. Alerick is just there, in the fourth boat with those three darkhaired girls."

"I see him. Thank you, Professor." Erik said, hurrying onward without further comment.

Warrington stood watching him, feeling the compulsion fading from his conscious mind. He had done as he had been commanded, he was now free to do as he wished; and all he wanted was to go home and soak his throbbing ankle.
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The Dark Circle