1 : IMPERIO

CHAPTER 3: DEATH EATERS ON LOOSE

Word count: 7200

Draco led her on the other side where there was a large tent. Even the tents were lavish. Charlotte couldn't help but snort at that, as they entered.

In living room, Lucius Malfoy sat in white shirt with his sleeves rolled up to his elbows, the Dark Mark on display, as he read the Daily Prophet. Narcissa Malfoy sat beside him reading a business magazine.

"Finally," said Narcissa as they walked towards the sofa. "Took you long enough"

"It's on the other side mum" said Draco slumping down the sofa opposite to his parents. Charlotte had never, ever, seen any of the three so laid back. Maybe because she could literally feel the guards, and the notice me not charm. Not to mention the lack of house elves.

"With all due respect," said Charlotte, and the couple looked up at the still standing figure with confusion.

"Sit down Miss Crawford," said Lucius Malfoy. "You're not being punished." She took a seat beside her best friend and waited for one of the three Malfoys to say something, anything. "You get done with your talk Draco, I have to tell her something which doesn't involve you," he said with a quick glance towards her direction, before he returned to the newspaper.

"Alright," said the boy, and casted a Muffliato around them. Confused she turned to him, and he gave her a tentative smile. "Lily –"

"Just zip it for a second." She said, making Draco close his mouth. "Why is Mr. Malfoy's mark on display in front of, me?"

"Oh, that. Yeah, that just means he trusts you enough now." Said Draco with a smile, and a little pride. "Now you've reached the point where you can barge in our house for food, and stay next five months, and no one will ask questions. Anyway, not my point –" he said drawing a breath. "I think Black had some help with the ring"

She stared at him like he had grown a second head. She wasn't sure what she was reacting to. Gaining Lucius Malfoy's trust to the point of 'No Questions Asked' phase, or the fact that Sirius might have had help she had no idea about. Not to mention he had not felt comfortable or confident enough to confide in her. It bummed her out a little.

"You look like a statue" said Draco as he poked her in the forehead, and she swatted his hand away scratching the tingles away.

"Mr. Mal – Siri had help?" she asked changing from first piece of information to other. "How – how do you know?"

"Isn't it obvious?" he asked a little confused, which made her frown. Was it obvious? she thought. Had I missed noticing a few details since his trial announcement? "The time I came over –" he said and Charlotte tried to remember. Draco had made in total three trips to her house, and none of them she remembered to be different than any other.

"Which time?"

"Third," he clarified. "Remember we were talking about how Wizarding politics and law were different from the muggle law system –" she gave him a faint nod. The only thing she remembered, was Draco telling her about how Lucius Malfoy had taught Draco about it. After that, she had almost stopped listening when he reviled that the biggest blood purist had taught his son about Muggle law and order.

"Yeah."

"Well, Black was talking to Prof – Remus," he shook his head with a sigh, "Remus, about the powers the Lords had at the DMLE."

"I thought he was just joking." Charlotte said with a frown. "He always told me he never wanted to be like one of the pretentious Purebloods."

"Says the man who loves drama" Draco muttered with a snort, and she suppressed a smile. "Anyway, not the point. I precisely remember mum mentioning, that after he was blasted off the family tapestry of Grimmauld place, the last heir of the family was his brother."