"Special project Headmaster?" Molly asked looking flustered. She felt a little put out by the sudden appearance of Dumbledoore whose presence kept her from blistering Malfoy like he deserved. Her hands made fluttery birdlike motions in her agitation. Malfoy merely smirked and quirked an eyebrow at Dumbledoore.

"Ah, yes. It has come to my attention that interhouse competition for the school cup is breeding a little too much animosity between students." Dumbledoore paused and seemed to lose his train of thought for a moment. The pause went on long enough for Molly began to feel the urge to fidget.

Get on with it you old fool! Malfoy wanted to shout out him. However, Lucius could not let Prewett see him give any sign of impatience. To weaken before a Gryffindor and a woman, it would go against the grain for a Malfoy.

"Headmaster?" Molly's voice broke out of her. She looked horrified for a moment.

"Why last week, two Ravenclaws and three Hufflepuffs got into an altercation after the Quidditch match", Dumbledoore continued as if he had never stopped. "The teaching staff and I have determined that each year will form a team with which to compete against one another for a series of challenges. The head of house will each pick members out of each year that they feel best represent their houses. There will be various awards handed out and the competition will continue up until the seventh year graduates. "

Lucius could not contain his outrage. What in the name of Salazar Slytherin was the man thinking. What he actually said was" Headmaster, you must be joking. There is no competition that any one of the lower years could hope to defeat the seventh year students even working all the years together."

"As much as I hate to find myself doing so, I agree with Malfoy. ", Molly looked honestly disgusted by the thought. "I cannot see how a first year team could have any chance against a seventh or even a third. " Lucius smirked at her and her lips puckered in disgust.

"Trust in the Heads of Houses. " Dumbledoore clapped his hands in anticipation. " WE have made the challenges specific to each year, but each team must get to the same location to find the item and clue for the next challenge. We modeled it after the ancient Tri Wizard challenge a bit. We also threw in something called a treasure hunt from the muggle game of the same name. There will be no warning when the teams will be called. Now, each of you must gather the prefects and tell them to get all of the students back to their common rooms for the Head of each House to explain the rules and requirements for each student. "

Dumbledoor gestured with his hands. Shooing them on. Molly gave Lucius one final glare for heading off to gather the Gryffindor and Hufflepuff prefects and explain. It was a system they had worked before. Early on their first day as both Head Boy and Head Girl, they had laid out the ground rules so that they would have to speak to each other as little as possible.

Lucius chuckled to himself. Gave Dumbledoore a low bow and turned to walk steadily away. Never realizing the smile that played on Dumbledoore's mouth. Dumbledoore was meddling. He knew it was dangerous. He had hopes for Lucius. Buried miles under all that cold propriety and pure blood drivel he had been weaned on, there existed a heart. Dumbledoore was intent on having Molly awaken it. Dumbledoore sighed to himself. He knew Arthur Weasely loved her and she was growing to love him. But, Molly brought more true emotion out of Lucius than any other person. In order to awaken the conscience in Lucius and a handful of other Slytherins, Dumbledoore was willing to sacrifice the sweet, gentle love of Arthur Weasely and so much more.

The Green house-the past

Molly was practically running to the green house. She knew that Professor Sprout the new Head of Hufflepuff had her prefects meet there once a day to discuss was going on in their house without the interference of the other house members. She had her prefects treat her students like her beloved plants: much monitoring, a little pruning, with lots of showering encouragement the way she herself treated them.

That Bloody GIT! I hope I am not chosen for the team. It will undoubtedly contain Malfoy and I can only tolerate so much time with him. Every time we patrol, I have to resist the urge to drop him in the Vanishing closet. Or see if I convince Peeves that he has dung bombs under that cloak he always wears. Merlin ! Is he never warm or is his black heart too shriveled to pump blood properly?

Molly burst into the Greenhouse at full speed without as much as a knock. She stopped short when she realized this and flushed all the way to her hair. Bloody Hell! That over bred pompous cretin has me forgetting my manners. It did not help her embarrassment that wands were pointed her way and they were all staring at her like she had a tarantula on her head.

"Um, Hello!" Molly's hair and her face were beginning to match. "Ummm, All prefects need to have the students in their common rooms immediately after dinner for a special announcement. Umm That's all. Sorry to bother you!" Molly fled. The giggles overtook her the way to the Gryffindor tower.

The Present- Malfoy Manor

Lucius awoke with a groan. Dobey was standing before him with his Hangover potion. He had slept in the damned chair again. The clock read you are late! He had ten minutes to get to the carriage to take Draco to the train. He kicked Dobey as a matter of habit and apparated to his room. Two muttered spells his clothes were changed and his hair was dressed.

"Draco! We mustn't be late for the Train!"

Next chappy- the train and Arthur