Disclaimer: Hem, hem. Class, my name is Professor Remo and I am not the creator, nor owner of Harry Potter or anything related to it. I am, however, the author of this story. No, really I am? You don't believe me? Why not? Oh…because I fell of the face of the earth for a while. Right…..my bad.

CHAPTER 5

Indeed it was Lucius. A faintly alive, covered in blood and dirt but still breathing, Lucius. Narcissa was weeping half in joy to have her husband back and half in sorrow over his condition.

"Dad," Draco said in amazement. He couldn't believe it. His father was back- he wasn't a corpse, he wasn't a pile of ashes- he was back and he was alive! Draco supposed that the situation was somewhat similar to the story of Lazarus from the bible. Minus the Son of God, the apostles, and the perfect health of the dead man.

"We have to get him inside," Severus said, and urgent note in his voice. "It won't do him any good to stay out here."

"You're right," Narcissa said, wiping her eyes. "I'll help you carry him."

"It's all right, I can do it myself," Severus said.

"Wait," Harry said suddenly.

"What?" the three Malfoys said together.

"You've all been telling me how he was going to be killed by Voldemort (there were several flinches) how he would never be seen alive again. And how, miraculously he's here?" Harry said demandingly. "No way. I know Voldemort (more flinches) better, probably, than anyone. He doesn't let people go. He doesn't show mercy. How can you be sure this is actually Lucius Malfoy? What if its an imposter?"

"It's not," Severus said firmly.

"Fine," Harry continued on, unshaken. "If it's not an imposter then what if there's a spell on him? What if he's being used?"

"Then that's a chance we'll have to take," Severus snapped. "We can't leave him out here to die."

"What if you heal him and he kills all of us," Harry said darkly.

"Shut up," Draco hissed. "We're saving my dad. Period. If you can't live with that, fine. Talk to Dumbledore about him. But we are going to heal him, no matter what you say." Harry looked at them, believing still that he was right, but he said nothing and let Severus pick Lucius up and bring him inside.

"Remus," Severus said after he had laid Lucius down on the couch in the living room. "Can you contact Poppy? We'll need her here- soon." Remus nodded.

"I'll get on it," he said and left.

"We must have bandages in here somewhere," came Narcissa's frustrated cry as she rummaged around in the downstairs bathroom.

"I'll go look around!" Blaise yelled to her.

"Thank you," she said, coming back into the room. She looked disheveled, all the crying leaving streak marks on her face. Harry felt a major twinge of compassion for the family as they all stood near Lucius, worry painted on their features.

"I'll go get some water," Draco said finally. "We'll need it to start washing his cuts." Narcissa nodded. Draco quickly left the room and soon the sound of running water could be heard coming from in a nearby room.

"Is, is there anything I can do?" Harry blurted out on impulse. Severus and Narcissa looked at him, shocked. Harry felt a sharp stab of guilt. They didn't really trust him in this matter. Not after he had made such a big fuss about not thinking it was a good idea.

"I really want to help," he said quietly.

"Thank you," Narcissa said after a moment. "But there's really nothing you can do."

"Oh," Harry said, disappointed. "OK." He leaned against the wall, feeling out of place. He hadn't known Lucius, and yet these people would be devastated if he were to die right here in front of them. Harry had no idea what he could do if that happened.

Please, he prayed, not knowing who he hoped was listening, Don't let him die. Even if I did think he was death eater. And even if he is under a spell. Sirius already died, don't make them lose someone else. Although he didn't realize it, for the first time Harry acknowledged that someone else had felt the pain of Sirius's death. It was good step for him. Unfortunately at this point it was completely unnecessary.

"Yes, I'm Sirius Black," he said, stupidity winning him over for a moment. Then sanity came crashing down on top of him and he bit in tongue a few seconds to late to stop the damming words. The looks of the people in the elevator did not bode well for his near future.

"You're dead!" said one person.

"He's a murderer!" cried another. Sirius felt the familiar pang of annoyance. Why did everyone assume that he had killed all those people? Just because that damn rat put on a good show did not make him a psychotic murderer. Honestly. And just because he had been laughing as they had led him away, it did not mean he was losing grips with reality. Really, it had just been so unfunny he had to laugh at the irony of the situation. Impending doom can make a person hysterical you know.

"No lets not start with name calling," Sirius retorted. "For instance, I am not going to comment on that rat that is lying on your head pretending to be hair. So you shouldn't call me names, it is just plain rude." The occupants of the elevator were all frozen in terror, some with mouths gaping wide open. They looked rather like fish, their lips moving up and down but absolutely no sound coming out.

"Well if you lot aren't going to do anything," Sirius said, shoving his way into the small metal cage. Everyone else huddled together in the far corner. Scowling, he jabbed the up button in annoyance, heading toward the top floor. He tapped his foot impatiently as the elevator began the ascent up the floors.

Elevators, Sirius mused to himself, having nothing better to do to pass the time, should really be more like teleporters. Just instantly get you were you want to do and they should not hold more than one person at a time, it would help cut down on uncomfortable situations such as this.

The elevator finally came to a halt, the door sliding open to reveal a vast first floor almost entirely covered with people. The trick, Sirius realized, would be getting across the floor without someone making a scene. Now how he would go about doing that, well, that he still had to work out.

Peter Petigrew entered his master's chambers to find the Lord Voldemort completely naked and lying on his bed.

"My-my lord," Petigrew squeaked, a blush covering his face.

"What is it, Wormtail?" Voldemort asked lazily, not even turning to look at the other man.

"I have news, my lord," Wormtail said, breathing heavily through his nose.

"News?" Voldemort sat up. It was then Wormtail noticed a figure lying next to his master. "About what?"

"About James Potter my lord," Wormtail said, shifting nervously from one foot to another. Voldemort smirked.

"I'm afraid, my follower, that you are second to come into that information," Voldemort said, shaking his head slightly at Wormtail's failure.

"Who is the first, my lord?" Wormtail had to know, hoping he wasn't exceeding any boundaries. He did not want to bring Lord Voldemort's temper down on him.

"Guess," Voldemort purred.

A new chapter! OMG! I never thought this would happen! Thank you so much to everyone who reviewed! I swear, next time I'll even mention you all by name. Tonight, I'm simply glad I have a new chapter. I have a new chapter- wow. Wow, wow, wow, wow. I am in shock. I'm updating! Yay! So PLEASE REVIEW! If I get enough reviews, (since I'm feeling inspired right now) I'll post up another chapter! I hope you liked this one. Even you didn't, review anyway! Remo