Lucius watched with resignation as Draco withdrew more potions from his pocket, while the annoyed house-elves served supper. Draco had overseen the preparations for the beef and vegetable soup he'd been served last evening, while Lucius had ‘rested' in bed. Draco must have made himself a right pain from the glares the house elves were still casting him. Draco had served the supper himself, and had watched him eat every spoonful. He had then handed him strengthening and healing potions. Lucius endured some fussing, and then escaped his overly watchful son with a potion of dreamless sleep.

Lucius had not really minded letting Draco indulge in a little care-taking and fussing. He couldn't remember having someone do that before today. Lucius' mother hadn't dared ‘mollycoddle' Abraxas' heir, and house-elves would have been hexed for fussing over him. Narcissa certainly never worried about her husband's health or well-being. Severus had always helped heal wounds from Voldemort - but he certainly never 'fussed', Lucius chuckled over the very thought.

Lucius and Draco had both enjoyed the father-son time, today. They played chess and Lucius let Draco chatter about ...well, whatever he was chattering about. Lucius realized with a pang, that he needed to spend more individual time with his son, now that the most hazardous events with Tom and Albus were done with...well, Lucius supposed there would be other hazards, ahead - but he could afford some time with Draco, none the less.

Lucius had come to realize, as the day wore on that Draco had been truly frightened for his father. Draco was, even now, watching him eat dinner with a baleful eye - Lucius had probably not eaten enough fruit to suit Draco. Sure enough, Draco passed him another strengthening potion and the bowl of strawberries.

Lucius shoved down his irritation, and sternly reminded himself that Draco needed reassurance, not strangling. So, Lucius drank down the potion obediently.

"You've done an excellent job taking care of me, Draco." Lucius began, carefully. "I think that this restful day, and all the potions you've made... uh, encouraged me to drink have cured my magical exhaustion." Draco giggled a bit, but looked wary.

"I know you have worried for me during this mission to destroy the Horcrux. I promise you that I will not take unnecessary chances. I intend to live long enough to annoy you by spoiling my grandchildren." Lucius watched Draco carefully. Draco's smile had faltered, and he looked apprehensive.

Draco finally looked up at him. "But...you can't predict everything, dad."

Lucius sat back. No - he certainly couldn't promise absolute safety - in anything. "No I can't promise to always be safe - I could explode a potion I might help Severus make - and get melted with the acid. Or, I could get mugged in Knockturn Alley and knifed. Or any number of old friends - or enemies could cast an Avada Kedavra at me." Lucius watched Draco's face pale, and sighed. Apparently he was rotten at reassurance. "Life is uncertain at any time - you can't reassure me that you won't be injured flying that too-fast broom you talked me into buying. Neither Severus or I will stop doing what we must to keep you and Harry and Dudley safe."

Draco continued to look a bit downcast, Lucius sighed and suggested a solution. "Will it help if I let you listen in on our planning, so you can help plot to keep us safe?" Draco brightened and nodded. Lucius snorted, the whelp would likely insist on cushioning charms and enough shielding to cause exhaustion just thinking of them. But, at least Draco had gone back to telling about how the young green dragon was always watching them swim, and asking Yvane all kinds of questions.

ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ

The following day found all six of them in Diagonalley, again. The Healer had sent a reminder via Lucius that he expected to see Harry and Dudley, soon. Severus hadn't realized the weeks had passed so quickly, and so here they were - sheepishly facing the motherly mediwitch. She glared at Severus and told him to make a future appointment before he left.

Lucius, Draco and Tom had escaped to the Owl Emporium, while the others faced the Healer. Tom wanted an owl, to correspond more easily with Severus and Lucius when school started, and Severus had told him to get a couple more owls to deliver potions for him.

The Healer declared himself satisfied with Dudley's progress. He had lost quite a bit of weight, and gained muscle, so he still looked a bit chubby, but not outrageously so. Harry was given a thorough going over; he'd gained several inches of height, so the weight he'd gained hadn't filled him out as much as Severus had hoped.

The Healer had been sympathetic, "I know you were hoping for him to look less...skinny. But his gain in height is encouraging - I was afraid his growth was being affected. But he's only an inch or two shorter than the Malfoy boy, so he's catching up. Continue with the nutrient potions, and encourage frequent meals. He's a young boy - I'm sure that's not difficult."

Severus frowned. "He still picks at food when he's upset. I have the house-elf monitoring him, but I hate to hound him about it."

The Healer nodded agreeably. "Well, watch that - let me know if it becomes a problem."

"I was wondering if something can be done for his eyes, as yet. I can brew the eyesight corrector, but the instructions always say the subject must be in good health." Severus looked at the Healer sternly, hoping for an affirmative answer. Harry also waited for the answer, almost holding his breath.

The Healer pondered a moment. "In spite of the low weight, he is in good health. I believe that is a good idea - his vision is very poor without the glasses..." The Healer smiled at Harry's whoop of joy. "... the lack of proper eye-wear has worsened it over time." The Healer watched the Potionsmaster's jaw clench in anger. It was quite amusing to see how protective he was of his charges. "The mediwitch can adjust the glasses on a weekly basis while the potion is being taken - let us know when he starts. If he has headaches, we can see him more often - the adjustment often causes those."

Severus nodded agreeably, already cataloging the needed ingredients in his mind, as they left.

ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ

Tom had quickly found a matched pair of barn owls for Severus, and then he and Draco had carefully looked over the owls in search of one for Tom. Lucius leafed through the books, waiting for them to find ‘just the right one.'

Lucius was pleased at how Tom was becoming friendlier with the boys. He knew that they most likely seemed impossibly young to him, but he'd started having real conversations with them. Tom had gone over the lesson plans with the three, and had listened to their input. Lucius was sure he would be a perfect tutor.

It was also good that Tom was developing actual friendships; it likely wasn't easy for him to learn to care for others as more than master / underling. Tom also seemed to be opening up to Severus and Lucius, asking tentatively for advice. Of course Yvane most likely gave ongoing guidance on how he should conduct himself and reflect on things.

Excited voices alerted Lucius to the fact that Tom had found an appropriate owl. Lucius wandered over to find Tom taking a Great Horned Owl to the counter with a smile. Tom was smiling more - real smiles that eased Severus and Lucius' minds a great deal, since they were normal teenager smiles - and not those of a Dark Lord in training finding amusement in anothers pain.

Tom gave the owls directions to Dragonsrest, and Lucius shrank the packages of owl supplies for him. Tom grimaced, remembering he was technically underage. With the second soul fragment having settled in he...felt...older. Severus had cast a spell and had assured him that he was still sixteen; at least until his birthday on December 31st. Tom hoped that they found a way for him to finish his NEWTS. Tom was now determined to be a dragonrider - or keeper, he was having difficulty making up his mind, but either way he needed his NEWTS. He had a remote plan to someday to be a director for the Welsh Reserve, but he could wait for Yuan to retire, he supposed. Yvane seemed to find this amusing, but wouldn't explain why.

They met the other three outside the shop, Dudley and Harry had big grins and they gave Draco some thumbs up gestures. Tom assumed that meant that the eyesight correction had been approved. Tom was happy for Harry...and that gave him pause. He wasn't usually happy for others unless there was something in it for him.

Yvane chuckled. "He's your friend, Tom, friends are happy for each other."

"I know, but I don't remember all this ‘happiness', unless it was something that helped me out as well." Tom almost felt uneasy about all this - if something bad happened was he going to get all unhappy as well...yeah he supposed so.

"That's the price of real friendship - sharing joy and pain." Yvane said pragmatically.

"Is it really worth it?" Tom asked.

"Yes, after all - they will help you share your joys - it's more fun to celebrate with others, you know. And they will help you bear your pains, as well - burdens are easier when shared." Yvane answered, patiently. Yvane hoped Tom was truly listening. The old Tom had already started believing that friends were a burden, and that he was better off with subordinates. Tom was becoming much more...human with the absorption of the soul fragment.

"Well, they boys seem nice, and Severus and Lucius are...helpful." Tom seemed to struggle to find an excuse for any affection he was feeling. Yvane stifled amusement, he needed to encourage this, not make Tom feel embarrassed.

The group arrived at their next destination, and Lucius & Severus took deep breathes. The negotiations at Gringotts would be...delicate. They needed this to go well, and even more so, they needed this to be secret.

One of the goblin managers noticed them arrive, and scurried over. "We were expecting you, Mr. Malfoy - our British Branch Supervisor is awaiting you." Lucius nodded gravely, and they followed him.

They were soon seated in a large, comfortable room. Harry, Dudley and Draco sat around a table in the back, and were served with sandwiches and drinks - Goblins were also familiar with youngster's appetites. The supervisor and two assistants took their seats across from Severus and Lucius, who flanked Tom.

"We were quite curious to receive your letters regarding the vault belonging to ‘He who must not be named'" The supervisor eyed the three closely. "You are not listed as someone who can access it - as a matter of fact no-one but his bloodline can."

"Perhaps you should test this young man's blood to see if he has the right." Severus was relieved that Voldemort had made it a bloodline vault. He snorted lightly, as proud as Voldemort had been of his Slytherin blood, of course he had.

The three Goblins looked at Tom even more closely, and muttered. Lucius had demanded a closed session with oaths of silence in his letter, and had been granted them. But it would be best to reassure them if possible. "Mr. Riddle wishes to place the vault out of the reach of ‘He who must not be named', and any of his followers." The Goblins looked dubious, but nodded.

The parchment with bloodline spells on it was brought out, and Tom let them get a few drops of blood to place on it. The spell did as they expected - it said that Tom Riddle was a first degree relative to ‘Lord Voldemort'. Since the goblins would never expect a wizard to not simply identify himself as the owner of a vault, they did not suspect Tom to be Lord Voldemort himself - as a ‘first degree relative' they thought he could only be Voldemort's son, since he was too young to be Voldemort's father.

Tom let the furor die down and then addressed the nervous Goblins. "Lord Voldemort made many mistakes, and I intend to make sure I do not follow the same path." Tom could feel the truth spells on the room - they would not prevent the wizards from lying, but they would tell the Goblins if a lie was told. "I am sure that the nation of Goblins does not believe Lord Voldemort it truly gone, and I wish to make sure his return is of short duration, and ultimately fatal - to him."

The Goblins pondered on this, decided he meant it, and gave rather frightening smiles.

"I need to place the contents of this vault out of his reach. Perhaps - being the wisest in the way of money you will have a suggestion...?" Tom decided a bit of flattery might help.

"The vault cannot be emptied or closed by other than ‘You know who', but nothing says it cannot have merely a single knut left in it. The objects in it can be moved to another vault, along with however much money you wish..." The Goblin lifted a brow in inquiry.

All the wizards snickered at the thought of Voldemort arriving to find a single knut in his vault. "I believe that to be wise - if you would open a vault for me, and place all the objects and money - except for a single knut in it. I want Lord Voldemort to be excluded. Do not make it a bloodline vault, of course, and the only ones to have any access besides myself are the wizards in this room." Tom saw their surprise.

"All the wizards, Mr. Riddle?" The Goblins eyed the three youngsters dubiously.

"I trust Lucius and Severus, and I don't know what assistance I may need in the future - neither Harry Potter nor his cousin is likely to rob me, and Draco has my trust as well." Tom insisted. "I may need one of them to be able to get into my vault for me in the future - I'd rather give permission now, than to wish I'd given them permission later on."

"Well done, Tom, you may be starting to understand friendship more than I thought." Yvane chuckled.

Tom looked around at the beaming smiles of his friends, and knew he was flushing with embarrassment. The Goblins had the paperwork done, and the key to the new vault in his hand before the wizards could finish the tea and crumpets they were served. A listing of the gold and objects had Tom gulping - 24 million galleons and a seemingly endless list of items.

Tom could feel the pull of such wealth - he wouldn't have to work or do anything. "Do you have a list of who's vaults were emptied to give Voldemort such a ... fortune?"

The Goblins looked puzzled.

"I don't intend to return gold to any Death Eaters - but I'm willing to wager that Voldemort blackmailed or killed wizards, after getting their vaults signed over." Tom answered their unspoken question.

"Aaah...I can get that information to you...but be careful who you return gold to and how you do so." The Goblins said slowly.

"I hope you will again give your excellent advice." Tom bowed slightly, and the Goblins chuckled in answer.

"I know you have taken oaths of silence, but I must ask one small favor." Severus looked at the Goblins confused faces. "I need certain workers to not know that Tom was here, or that Voldemort's vault has been - accessed, in any way. The wizards that work for you might tell others of it, and we don't wish any of this day's events known."

The Goblins grinned again and nodded. Ah, yes, a shake up in the wizarding world - hardly the first.

ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ

They sat down to a meal at the Leakey Cauldron, tripled silencing spells in place.

"That was a remarkably mature thing to ask about, Tom." Severus said, "Asking about who might have been robbed of their money."

Tom shifted uncomfortably. "It's not so much philanthropic - I'm just not comfortable with so much money at my disposal. I suspect it will be hard enough for me to avoid...power, without millions of galleons lurking around every corner."

"Well, we'll see if we can help you lop a few zeros off the numbers when the Goblins get you that list." Lucius laughed.

Tom rolled his eyes, Yvane was laughing so hard in the background it was giving Tom a headache. He picked up the list of items and started reading them off. Lucius and Severus usually knew what they were, and who they'd come from. Most were dark, of course, and then they had to argue whether to return them or destroy them.

The trio of boys ignored them and whispered plans to get ‘really fast brooms' for Dudley and Harry. Severus was being stubborn about how fast they should go for beginners.