It was over. Harry Potter had finally defeated Voldemort, and Draco and Narcissa had defected to the order following the faked death of Headmaster Dumbledore. One notable absence at the battle was that of Hermione Granger. No one had seen or heard from her since the night of Dumbledore's supposed death. Even as members of the order, Draco and Narcissa had not been privy to her whereabouts. Potter and Weasley had been on a horcrux hunt with secret guidance from Dumbledore, and if they knew where she was, they were not telling. The few times Draco had seen Weasley, however, the redhead had glared at him with such animosity that Draco didn't even bother asking where Hermione could be found.
Now in the aftermath of the battle, Draco and Narcissa stood by stoically as they watched Lucius being escorted away by aurors. Kingsley Shacklebolt, as the newly elected Minister of Magic, advocated the removal of the dementors from Azkaban, and in the meantime, all of the Death Eaters were being housed in the newly fortified and secured prison on the British Isles while the ministry worked to refortify and secure Azkaban. Exhausted and emotionally overwrought, Draco looked at his mother who was talking to her niece. Narcissa had made amends with Andromeda and had actually been the one to finally bring Bellatrix down. Perhaps it had been the craziness of the battle, but Draco could have sworn he heard his mother proclaim, "Not my daughter, you bitch," as she had cut Bellatrix down. Draco would ask her later when he wasn't so fatigued.
Narcissa was speaking in hushed tones to Andromeda.
"The secret has been kept long enough, Andy. My son deserves the truth. Please help me convince Dumbledore and Potter to give up her whereabouts. I masked everything on the Malfoy tapestry, but I am afraid people that shouldn't know, including our sister, discovered the truth from the Black tapestry after Grimmauld Place was compromised."
"I will help you, but you will have to be careful around Ron. He has been emotionally volatile when Hermione has been brought up. I think he had finally pulled his head out of his arse and hoped to claim her, but now he knows he was far too late."
"Thank you, Andy. Draco and I will see you at home. He looks entirely too exhausted, and Weasley looks ready to hex my son—"
Narcissa broke off as Weasley who, like a corkscrew on a champagne, finally exploded.
"You slimy ferret! This is all your fault! She was meant to be with me! Now I will never have my chance with her!"
Harry and Ginny were holding Ron back as Draco looked at Ron with a mixture of surprise and confusion.
"What are you talking about, Weasel? Hell, who are you talking about? Brown? I've never even talked to her."
"No, Hermione!"
"Granger hates me, Weasley, although I have been curious why she wasn't with you two this whole time. Did you scare her away with declarations of love?"
Potter looked confused this time. Surely, Draco was joking. He had to know.
"What are you playing at Malfoy? What do you mean Hermione hates you? I thought—"
"That's enough, Mr. Potter," Narcissa interjected.
"Mother, what in the hell am I missing?" Draco roared.
"Finite Incatatem,"Narcissa whispered as she waved her wand in a complex motion. Draco blinked and then there was a look of such fury on his face that even Ron backed away.
"Where is that blasted witch?! You will tell me now, Potter!" Draco seethed.
"Look mate, she wanted to protect you and keep you focused. She's in Brisbane, in Australia with her parents. They are under false names for protection. Wilkins is their surname. Just tread carefully, Malfoy. She had her reasons, and they all centered around your wellbeing," Harry offered a friendly smile as he tousled his hair in relief and frustration.
"We will speak when I return, Mother, about your part in all this," Draco coldly spoke, as he did what few wizards in history have ever been capable of, apparated from Hogwarts all the way to Brisbane. His witch had some questions to answer.
