Seeing his father's expression, Draco realized with a pang of disappointment that he wouldn't get anything more out of him, not at that moment at least.
He took a deep breath and got to his feet, slowly walking towards the door, when his father's voice stopped him with his hand on the doorknob.
"They have a hideout up in the north, in Scotland. McKinley told me about it the night he came to get me to join him. That's where I was supposed to bring Hermione Granger. Some of his followers might still be there."
Draco remained still, barely breathing, his fingers clutching the doorknob.
'Scotland? I have to tell Potter about this. We might be able to catch both McKinley and the others.'
He slowly turned his head to look at his father.
"Thank you." he said simply, the emotions making it difficult for him to say more.
Draco hoped his father knew he was also referring to the fact that he saved his life. After all, Malfoy men didn't show their emotions openly to anyone, not even to their own family.
Lucius simply nodded, eyeing his son in a curious manner. Something flickered in his grey eyes, like he was contemplating whether to say something or not. Finally, he decided to risk it.
"And Draco." he said, placing an impenetrable mask on his face. "Do hurry up and show her what your true feelings are, would you? A girl like her won't stand for a stupid man and would hate to see her slapping you… again."
Before he realized what he was doing, Draco was gaping at his father, eyes wide in pure shock, his mind stunned.
'What in Salazar's name is he talking about? My feelings? My feelings for whom?'
Then, realization dawned upon him. His father was talking about Hermione. His mouth opened slightly, remembering something else his father just said.
'And what did he mean by again? How does he know about that?'
"You like her, Draco." Lucius stated calmly, seeing his son was too shocked to reply. "And from what I have seen in her memories…" but at this Draco found his voice again, interrupting Lucius.
"You're crazier than I thought!" Draco spat, opening the door and almost running away from his smirking father's portrait.
Draco stopped running only when he was back inside his mother's sitting room.
He took a seat on a small sofa, catching his breath.
"Draco, dear, what's the matter? You look startled and your face is flushed." Narcissa said very observantly, looking perfectly calm.
"N-nothing. Everything is alright." Draco mumbled, still panting slightly.
"I take it your conversation with your father went unexpectedly well?" Narcissa continued probing her son.
"What? Ah, yes. It went well. He told me everything I needed to know." Draco replied distractedly, brushing a hand through his hair.
His unusual attitude made his mother raise her eyebrows. She looked at him attentively and was just about to ask him more, when Draco suddenly jolted upwards, taking Narcissa by surprise.
"I better be going now. There are a lot of things I have to tell Potter."
With a crack he disappeared from the room, leaving his mother looking curiously at her teacup.
Eventually, she raised her eyes and glanced at the small portrait that faced the fireplace. The frame was empty.
"You just had to tell him, didn't you?!" she said with a deep sigh, frowning slightly at the empty painting.
"I have no idea what you are talking about, Narcissa." a low drawl came from the small frame on the wall, its owner still out of view.
Narcissa could feel the smirk in her husband's voice and decided to drop the subject. These Malfoy men gave her such a headache sometimes.