Library

[Draco Malfoy]

Now Draco *did* snort "Be careful what you wish for Theo, old chap."

The boy shook his head lightly, sometimes he truly did wonder about his housemates. They were on the delusional side, then again he realized, he'd once happily been on that side with them. Theorizing about the way it went, thinking things would change for the better. He'd not seen it- the way the Dark Lord was. The fact that he'd raise his wand to any witch/wizard- half or pure blood alike, follower or rebeller just by whim or mood.

None of them were safe with that thing at the helm, and some of his followers were no better- the Carrows being two of them. His Aunt Bellatrix another, though luckily for him he was (for the most part) safe with her and her husband just because he was his Mothers son.

[Theo Nott]

"That is sound advice." Theo stated but shrugged. "This year is certainly going to be interesting." he added. "Any suggestions on how to approach or deal with your Uncle?"

[Draco Malfoy]

Draco shrugged "Honestly? The man has spent most of my life in Azkaban so... not really. I just know that they're all a bit unpredictable." Dark magic could do that to you... though he left that part unsaid.

[Theo Nott]

Theo nodded, that made sense. "Who do you thing is going to be the best teacher this year, or which class will be the best?"

[Draco Malfoy]

"Best? Honestly- Sprout is my guess. The least amount of work and possible chances to get hexed," was Draco's droll reply. "Or did you mean out of the DE's?"

[Theo Nott]

"No I mean out of them all." Theo replied. "I would agree with you about Sprout." he added. "Her class was always informative."

[Rodolphus Lestrange]

Rodolphus entered the Library in search of a set of books that he needed for his first few classes.

[Draco Malfoy]

"I wouldn't necessarily go that far," Draco remarked dryly.

[Theo Nott]

"I suppose." Theo agreed. "But they were better than some classes and she is a far superior teacher than several who worked here over the years."

[Draco Malfoy]

Draco shrugged "Not too hard to be better than Bins and that silly bint who couldn't foresee her way out of a paper bag."

[Theo Nott]

"True." Theo agreed. "But she is a better instructor that Lockheart, Quirrel, and Lupin." he added the last name said with a bit of disgust.

[Draco Malfoy]

"Well, I guess you're right, the list does get longer and logner- after all, look at that oaf Hagrid," Draco replied making a face.

[Theo Nott]

"You will get no arguments from me on that." Theo replied. "That thing..." he trailed off disgust evident in his voice.

[Draco Malfoy]

"Yeah, I can't say I'm not glad Snape had off with him, hopefully that's the last we're subjected to his *brand* of teaching," Draco responded making a face.

[Theo Nott]

"I certainly hope so." Theo replied. "I know I asked before, and you answered normally, but how were your holidays? Anything of importance happen?"

[Lucius Malfoy]

After pushing the doors to the library open and allowing them to shut behind him as he stepped into the large, open area, Lucius Malfoy's silver eyes perused the expanse in one, single sweep. He resisted the eye roll as his gaze fell upon his deranged sister-in-law's husband. Or, rather, what could vaguely pass for a husband in their twisted world. He stepped forward and continued his perusal, sauntering past the many rows of shelves, until, finally, out of the corner of his eye, he caught sight of what he had been searching for.

Turning his full attention to the platinum head of hair, he silently watched his son, sitting in the back corner. Through his inspection, he made a mental note that Draco looked...alright. He was alright. He was talking with a friend of his, it didn't seem too grave a topic, from what he observed. Of course, that was only what he could see, only the exterior. Only time would tell what psychological ramifications all of this would have on the boy.

After deliberating another moment, Lucius walked forward, coming to a stop beside his son and fixing his silver stare on him. "Draco," he greeted simply. Allowing his gaze to shift a moment, he offered a slight nod to the boy in his company, fixing a name to the face in a split-second. "Theodore."

[Draco Malfoy]

"My summer?" Draco replied arching a brow "It was..." he trailed off with a shrug, though he was suddenly quite happy he didn't answer as he felt someone approaching and looked up just in time to see non other than his Father standing in front of him.

He'd seen the man's arrival on Weasley's map yesterday, when he'd been speaking to Headmaster Snape but had not spoken to him himself ( he also knew that was mainly his own doing as he'd seen where he was and specifically gone in a direction that would not allow them to cross paths. Either way Draco tried not to frown as he looked up at the man, wondering why he was here "Father..."

[Lucius Malfoy]

Lucius did not miss the strain in Draco's expression. Or the subtle way his voice seemed to trail off. He could see the questions staring up at him through those silver eyes, but he made no indication he noticed any of it. "Hello," he replied easily.

There were so many questions he himself wanted to ask the boy, so many things he needed to know, and far too many things he needed to say, but he held it in check, not allowing a single slip in his practiced facade. Instead, he restricted it to one simple inquiry, with more underlying meaning than he could ever express.

"How are you?"

[Draco Malfoy]

Both of the boys eyes rose at the question in surprise, before he dismissed what could have been concern from his Father into something more general. After all he didn't *lool* or sound concerned, then again he never did did he?

"I am fine, Father," Draco responded glancing over at Theo. "We were just discussing the classes and changes of the term. Yourself?"

[Lucius Malfoy]

"Fine, thank you," Lucius answered.

Fine. It had to be one of the easiest and vaguest responses a person could give. And it was so rarely the truth of the matter. When a person said they were fine, so often, the complete reverse was true. It was enough to instill a new wave of concern over the state his son might be in, but, of course, nothing ever broke its way through his exterior that he did not allow.

"And how are you enjoying the new change of pace?" he asked dryly, almost bitterly, his thoughts shifting to the Carrow twins and the potential mayhem that pair could inflict if left unchecked. There really was no limit to the crazies. Their dear Madame Lestrange was a shining example of that.

[Draco Malfoy]

A shadow passed over his gaze, as his smile became more practiced than not "I am enjoying it. After all it is the Dark Lords will and therefore what is best for all of us..."

He bloody well hated it, of course. Being a target of the Carrows, Alecto Carrow's self declared 'pet', but he wouldn't tell his Father that. He never knew what the man would think or say but he was guessing it was along the lines of "just deal with it Draco, once the Dark Lord is in full power and I've regained my footing all will be well" or some other rubbish.

[Lucius Malfoy]

Lucius noted the change in Draco's expression, and at the sight of it, he had to resist the urge to scowl. Instead, he simply said, "Of course. I'm glad to hear it, it's only right you should."

He would need to find out exactly what had been going on around here. Draco didn't seem too eager to reveal anything to him, but given the proper time and context, it might be easier. And, of course, just taking it upon himself to keep an eye on those Carrow lunatics wouldn't hurt, either.

[Draco Malfoy]

"Yes... and of yourself Father, are you just visiting or is it more?" Draco asked, honestly curious as to exactly what was going on.

Though he did find himself unsure as to what a good answer to that question would be...

[Lucius Malfoy]

"No, I'll be staying a bit longer," Lucius replied. "I'll actually be joining the staff here at this fine establishment," he drawled the last bit in a vaguely sarcastic tone.

Though he was resistant and rather bitter about the very idea of it all, he was thankful for one thing. It would be much easier for him to keep a watchful eye on his son this way. Having him close would be safer than leaving him to the mercy of the seemingly endless madness of Voldemort's simply wonderful assortment of Death Eaters.

[Draco Malfoy]

Now that actually got a bit of reaction from the boy, as his eyes widened in surpsie "You will be? ... How so?"

For once the tone seem to contain actual emotion (granted it was curiosity, but it was a change from his previous monotone responses).

[Lucius Malfoy]

"I'll be teaching...a class while I'm here," Lucius drawled. As if that absurd excuse for a class could even be called such a thing. It was utterly...humiliating. Contemptible. But, of course, there was a bright side to this whole frustrating scenario, as he had just established, and therefore, there was no point in complaining about it.

[Draco Malfoy]

Draco rose a brow before remarking dryly "Ahh... a class... I think I have one of those..."

[Lucius Malfoy]

"Only one? How strange, Draco," Lucius mused, a slightly sarcastic smirk forming at the corner of his mouth. "Your schedule really has taken quite a few revisions since last I checked. It must be quite an important class, then, requiring your undivided attention."

[Draco Malfoy]

"Indeed, so I shall be sure to devote it," Draco responded back, unwilling to be embarssed about the slip up. He should have known being a smart arse with his Father wouldn't work out in his favor. "Though I'm not sure if it's yours or not as you didn't tell me, just which class are you teaching?"

[Lucius Malfoy]

"Well, considering that it's Care of Magical Creatures, I sincerely hope it's not the class to which you'll be devoting such attention," Lucius responded, the bitterness seeping back into his tone.