Hermione's teeth grazed Ginny's neck as the four of them rode out the aftershocks of their latest attempt to help Ginny heal. Three days and she had yet to utter a word. Three days and she could barely even project a thought. Hermione looked up when she felt Ginny begin to beat the mattress with her fists, her mouth open in a silent scream and tears streaming down her face.
"Hush, baby... it's okay... it's going to be okay..." Hermione cooed between placing soft kisses on her neck and slowly making her way to her lips. "We'll call him..."
Ginny shook her head.
"Love? We need to find out if this is permanent... from what Hermione said, I'm positive it's his magic... he can fix it..." Luna soothed as she rubbed her arm.
In the time Ginny had been silent, they had barely seen the rest of the inhabitants of the chateau apart from the various house elves who brought them food, only forcing themselves out of their room for dinner each night and then a walk around the lagoon. Most nights Ginny and Hermione shifted into their wolf forms and went running off ahead of Fleur and Luna who preferred a slower pace.
While in the confines of their bedroom they did everything just short of going 'all-the-way' in an effort to give Ginny the magic needed to heal the silencing charm. All they achieved, however, was to become more sexually frustrated than they had been before and Ginny becoming more and more visibly upset after each attempt.
The night before they had finally decided to try a four-way Dreamwalk to see if Ginny could at least communicate to them that way. Ginny had laughed for ten minutes straight when she found she had a voice in their dream. That was all the four of them did for several hours... just talk.
They agreed that they would try one more time in the morning and, if they were still unsuccessful, they would summon Severus. During the last day of school, Hermione had a brilliant idea based on the locators the Champions had worn in the maze. She always worried when she sent Nym a message that it would be at a bad time. The new coins worked in conjunction with their map... Hermione would simply hold her own coin in one hand and place her hand on the map with the other while thinking of the person she needed to contact. A dot would soon appear on the map with their location forming around them. If it seemed a bad time to contact them, she would instruct her own coin to contact the recipient when it was safe to do so and grow warm in her pocket to let her know it had been done. Her father had created the new coins and distributed them as she asked. Several of them, like the ones she had given her parents, had emergency Portkeys built-in.
When they woke, they were surprised and immediately concerned to realize it was already morning and they had been asleep for more than eight hours. They were certain they had only talked for no more than a few hours which meant it had been difficult for them to just sit around and talk.
Ginny had immediately broken into tears again and they had collectively attempted for several hours to distract her and make her feel better as they were reluctant to concede defeat.
"It'll be okay, Shy..." Hermione assured her.
Ginny's silence, however, had one positive side effect... it had brought the four of them even closer. Intimate in a way they hadn't known possible. True, Ginny could write what she needed to say, but there were times when it was inconvenient to do so. Instead Hermione had remained a subtle presence in her mind ever since they realized it was the easiest way for her to communicate. When then four became lost in each other physically, Hermione would project Ginny's thoughts to the others. Through it all they had strengthened the already strong bond between them.
Hermione gently wiped away her tears, then kissed her softly.
"Let's go take a shower, have breakfast and then I'll call for him..." Hermione offered, and sat up, the blanket held to her chest. "Dobby!" she called.
By the time the little elf arrived, she had summoned a robe and tied it around herself.
"Good morning, Dobby... would you be able to bring Severus here when he asks?" Hermione asked him and received his nod.
"Breakfast in the Study?" Fleur asked as she climbed from the bed and stretching, much to everyone's appreciation, as she walked across the room to the bathroom. "What? Have you all been affected by the charm now?" she teased.
"By your charm, perhaps," Hermione countered, pleased when Fleur blushed.
She looked back to Ginny, smiled, then said to Fleur; "You guys go ahead into the shower... give us a few minutes?"
"Of course," Fleur replied as Luna joined her, taking her into her arms as they walked into the bathroom.
Hermione laid back down next to Ginny.
"It's going to be okay, love... promise..." she told her softly. "We'll fix this like we fix everything else... okay?" Ginny nodded uncertainly. "I promise... I do..."
...
Severus Snape had only just passed the Hogwarts gates on his weekly run for supplies when the coin Albus had given him grew warm in his pocket. "We need your help... please have Dobby bring you... we won't keep you long, HGW...". His curiosity piqued, he turned on his heel and exited the castle grounds while calling for Dobby. What in the world could they need his help for? He stopped mid stride. "They're with Cissy and Draco..." he deduced, "but how?"
He called for Dobby again, a little more urgently.
"I's sorry, Professor..." Dobby stammered as he fell to his knees in apology.
"It's alright Dobby," Severus said, with a kindness the elf had never heard from him before. "Can you take me to the girls please? They've asked to see me..."
"Of... of course... Professor," Dobby replied as he stretched a hand towards him.
As they travelled Severus had just long enough to determine where it was Dobby was taking him. Admonishing himself for not figuring it out sooner. France. Dobby brought him into Fleur's home and deposited him outside of a highly polished door. He paused and took a breath to steel himself. He hoped the girls, and especially Cissy, understood and forgave him for what he had done. What he felt he had needed to do to protect Cissy. He shook his head when he noticed his hand trembling as he placed it on the door to open it. The time for truth had been a long time coming... it was time she knew.
Severus entered and was momentarily blinded by the bright sunshine streaming trough the floor to ceiling windows on the wall opposite him. Had he been able to see, he may have been surprised as a smiling Narcissa came to hug him.
"Thank you," she whispered into his ear.
"You're not... you're not angry with me?" he asked in shock.
"I haven't remembered everything, yet, but I've seen enough to know you only hid my memories from me to try to protect me... there is nothing to forgive..." she told him as she stared into his dark eyes.
"I'm still sorry," Severus said quietly and looked down.
"Sev?" she said quietly, lifting his chin with his finger. "It's okay, really, I've figured it out... all of it... thank you..."
"Have you told Draco?" he asked quietly.
"Not yet," she replied, "But I want to, Sev... you've been a better father to him in your limited role than Posh ever was..."
"You really have remembered everything," he said, slightly awed.
"The older memories are coming back slowly," she smiled and looked over to where Helen sat quietly talking to the girls. "The ones Posh placed over the last year are gone completely..." she looked back to him; "We need to start taking Draco off his potion regimen..." she smiled; "He's changed so much, Sev... it's time he knows who and what he is..." she took a deep breath; "He's going back to Hogwarts this fall," she shook her head and laughed ruefully; "The girls have a plan and Draco wants a second chance..."
"Perhaps..." Severus said hesitantly, "we shouldn't tell Draco yet? About my role I mean?"
"I will only tell him what his father's plan was and that a dear friend intervened on my behalf," she smiled as his cheeks coloured slightly; "But his biological father's identity needs to remain a secret for now..." she studied him a moment; "I haven't seen his true form since he settled on the one he has now... he may figure it for himself..." she looked briefly to the girls and back; "Or they will..."
"I wouldn't be surprised if they haven't already," he joked.
"They've been preoccupied," Cissy replied with a laugh; "As have I..."
"I'm happy for you, Cissy... you deserve this," he said sincerely as he put his hands on her arms and gave them a squeeze. "Which one has lost their voice?"
"Ginny," she replied, surprising him. "They are quite adept at telling each person only what they need to know," she said, a tad wryly.
"Yes," he laughed; "I have noticed that... come, I haven't much time..." he added as he motioned towards the girls.
He looked around the room as he walked over. Now that his eyes had adjusted to the sunlight, he noticed the room seemed a combination of lounge, sitting room and library. The girls and Helen were seated in overstuffed leather couches, each of them sipping, what appeared to be, white wine.
"I have to admit, Hermione," he said as he took a seat and accepted a glass of wine from Fleur, "When I figured out, on the way here, what must have happened... I assumed it would be you who had lost their voice..."
"Or were you hoping?" she asked, her tone light.
Severus laughed before answering; "Perhaps... how did this happen?"
Hermione took a deep breath.
"I'm not the only one with a gift," she started; "Ginny is a Healer..."
"That explains a great deal," he interrupted genially.
"Using our gifts together, we are able to find, and remove, memory charms," she looked to Ginny sympathetically; "This is the first time she hasn't shaken off the effects within hours... it's been three days of concentrated effort and no change..."
"That was your first mistake," he interrupted again. "Trying to fix the charm would only give it more power..." he smiled when Hermione smacked herself in the forehead. "It was a fail-safe... if someone suddenly became unable to communicate I would know they had, at the very least, attempted to remove the charms... the strength of the charm is directly proportional to the success of the removal..." he paused and studied Ginny a moment; "Have you been able to write?" she nodded. "You shouldn't have been able to..." he said thoughtfully.
"She knew something was different after the first one and used more magic than her gift to heal the rest. We had thought, maybe, it was because her gift prioritizes what needs healing most so it has been concentrating on healing the brain damage," Cissy gasped in horror; "Don't worry... she'll be fine... the charms were very well placed and the damage minimal... Posh's charms would have healed on their own just being around Ginny by the time we head home..."
"That would have been your second mistake," Severus commented again, drawing their attention and giving Cissy a moment to recover. "The stronger the magic, the stronger the counter charm..." he shook his head; "You should be catatonic..." he smiled as he reached over to squeeze Ginny's knee; "Don't worry... I can remove it..." she smiled and, although no sound was made, sighed. "You should avoid speaking for a few days," he frowned slightly; "Then again, given your gift..."
"You're still worried," Luna stated, drawing his attention for the first time.
"And what is your gift?" he asked, neutrally.
"Empath," she replied, just as flatly.
He shook his head slowly as the pieces fell into place. He suddenly realized how the girls engendered trust in those they spoke with. It truly was a combination of their gifts.
"I will need to use Legilimancy to enter Ginny's mind so I can assess how strong the charm is," he looked to Ginny again; "I'm sorry... I have a vague understanding of what happened with Tom's diary, but I made it a part of the process of removing the charm," he looked to Cissy then back to Ginny, "I assumed if someone was attempting to restore her memories that they would be meaning her harm," he smiled; "Perhaps that is why you're able to communicate at all... your intentions were good..." he shook his head; "My intention was to keep the person quiet until I could question them and determine their intent..."
Ginny reached for, and squeezed, Hermione's hand.
"It'll be okay, love..." she looked back to Severus; "You mustn't take it personally... she's only recently gotten used to having me in her head," she smiled, then kissed Ginny's cheek; "She's even had trouble projecting thoughts to me," she shook her head and looked back to Ginny; "From what I understand of Legilimancy, as long as you don't fight it, it should feel no different than what I do..."
"I have a very gentle touch," Severus added gently, "I will only be a few seconds at most..."
Ginny turned and searched Hermione's eyes a moment. They had discussed this very possibility in the shower. Their main worry was, never having had someone attempt to magically enter their minds, the great deal of information he could be privy too.
"I will only be assessing the strength of the charm, nothing more," he assured them, almost sensing the reason for their reluctance.
Ginny took a deep breath and nodded.
Severus took his wand from his sleeve.
"Maintain eye contact with me, okay?" he informed her, waiting until she had nodded to point his wand at her and muttering the incantation. True to his word he only needed a few seconds to assess the charm's strength, but his short visit had left him stunned. He sat back on the couch and rubbed his chin. "You've never actively studied Occlumancy?" he asked.
"No... just practising blocking each others gifts," Hermione replied.
"You have an impressive mind, Ginny," he said, causing the girl to blush slightly. He looked to Hermione, "I can only imagine what your mind is like..."
"Can you remove it?" Hermione pressed, she didn't want him to figure just how they had learned from each other.
"I can," he smiled and sat forward again. "Relax... this won't hurt a bit..."
Ginny nodded again.
He pointed his wand at her again and muttered his counter-curse.
"Thank you," Ginny said quietly, Hermione hugging her immediately. She hesitated only a moment before hugging a shocked Severus.
"Thank you," she whispered, her voice barely a whisper.
"It was the least I could do," he assured her as he awkwardly patted her back.
"I'm sorry," she said as she released him, gathering herself as she poured Ginny a glass of water; "I didn't realize how much I'd missed her voice until I heard it again..."
"What is so impressive about my mind?" Ginny asked, her voice already getting stronger, albeit a little hoarse from all the screaming she hadn't given voice to.
"For one who has never studied the Mind Arts, your defences are incredibly strong," he shook his head; "I doubt I could breach them even if I tried."
"It lends credence to a theory I have," Hermione started thoughtfully, then took a sip of her wine. "I don't think our gifts are really all that rare... I think many people possess a latent ability..."
"Which explains why some types of magic comes so easily to some people," commented Fleur, Hermione nodding in agreement.
"Which makes what the three of you are all the more remarkable," Severus countered, sounding impressed despite himself; "You are the pure manifestation of these gifts and are able to use them with ease..."
"Yes... but the question is," Narcissa started, "Are their gifts as strong as they are because they're so magically powerful or are they so magically powerfully because of their gifts?"
"I think it's a circle," Luna replied, "One fuels the other..."
"As for the ease we use our gifts," interjected Ginny, they were entering dangerous information time and the conversation needed to be steered away; "it's been a lot of trial and error;" she sipped her wine, then continued, her voice now strong and clear; "But we seem to know instinctively what we're capable of..."
"Astounding," he breathed.
"Sir? Why are you so tired?" Ginny asked.
"Your magic was very strong and so was the counter-charm," he looked to Fleur; "I'm afraid I'm exhausted... may I use your Floo to return to Hogwarts?"
"We'll go let your mother know," Helen offered, already going to stand, her hand held out to Narcissa.
"Thank you," Fleur replied.
"Don't be a stranger, Sev," Narcissa whispered as she hugged him; "Hard times are coming... we need to stick together..."
"I'll get the potions to you in a few days," he whispered back before letting her go.
"Thanks, Sev... take care?" Narcissa said warmly.
"You too..."
Helen and Narcissa left, a comfortable silence falling between the normally sullen professor and the four girls. The professor wearing a smile on his face as he stared at the door the two women had exited.
"I'm shocked at you four," he commented as he looked back to them; "I would have thought you'd be asking questions about He-Who-Whines the moment they were out the door," he teased.
The girls chuckled nervously.
"How is old Tommy?" Hermione asked.
Severus chuckled under his breath as he reached into his robes, then looked at what he had in his hand and changed his mind.
"Give this to Cissy," he said as he handed it to Hermione, "She'll know what to do with it and it should help her sleep..." he grabbed his forgotten glass of wine as he sat back and took a long swallow of it before he gave them his update. "He's almost gotten strong enough to be moved," he shook his head; "His magic was back to about half ,and his physical strength was returning just as slowly..."
"Was?" asked Hermione.
"Your article, Hermione," he smiled; "it had the intended effect... he's since regained another ten percent of his magic and has stopped staring at the wall and weeping for hours."
"Does he know we're behind the article?" Ginny asked.
"No, you wrote a very convincing Rita," he smiled.
"There's going to be a follow-up," Hermione said, her tone careful; "an interview with Sirius... it should be out in a few days... you should read it..."
Nym's interview with Sirius had gone into great detail about their years at Hogwarts and his almost overwhelming regret for those he and his friends had bullied. Although Sirius didn't come out and say it, he did apologize to Severus personally in the article and commented that, knowing what he knew now, perhaps he'd have been a better friend to have than Peter.
Severus regarded Hermione a moment, in truth, he had long ago let the grudge he felt towards the Marauders go. His treatment of Remus was more of an act than anything. Severus always knew that Tom would come back and, even though he would have preferred to make friends of his former tormentors, he had to keep up appearances. It had been a lonely fourteen years, but he had kept others at bay for a reason. After losing the one person he had truly cared for, he couldn't risk it ever happening again. He smiled, perhaps he could cut Black and Lupin a little slack. Were they not on the same side? Did they not want the same thing? They were all a part of the Order... a little less open animosity would make things easier.
"Would you, perhaps, consider teaching us Occlumancy this coming year?" Ginny asked, stirring him from his thoughts.
"You hardly need it," he replied.
"We need to learn to block someone who is actively attempting to read us," Hermione countered; "The more we test our defences the stronger they get..."
"And there are others we'd like to teach," added Fleur.
Severus studied the four. As it was with potions, he doubted there was very little he could actually teach them about the Mind Arts. He supposed, however, that they had a point. They had learned instinctively, perhaps even combining their magic with their gift without even knowing it. He smiled, he couldn't help but have his curiosity piqued again.
"I think we could do that," he finally replied, but was still lost in thought. Luna was certainly more than capable of producing the potions Draco would need to be weaned from them completely. He chuckled under his breath, she'd already done just that for Junior and with a far more complicated potion. He looked to Ginny and cocked his head; "Are you able to heal people of potions?"
Ginny nodded.
"Can you do it gradually?" he questioned.
"Probably," she replied.
Severus nodded. but didn't have a chance to explain his queries as Narcissa returned.
"The Floo is ready for you, Sev..." she told him as she entered.
"Severus?" Ginny said as she stood; "Thank you for coming so quickly..." she paused a moment; "Does Draco have any memory charms in place that you know of or, maybe, placed yourself? We'd like to check, but..."
"There are only two that I know of," Severus replied as he looked to Narcissa; "I'd ask that you leave them in place until his mother is able to explain..."
"Of course..." Ginny smiled, "And I'd like to give you something as my personal thanks," she added as she reached for his hand and gave him a boost of magic and energy.
Severus stood a little straighter and smiled; "Thank you..."
"Be safe," Hermione said as she laid a hand on his arm; "try not to kill him out of sheer frustration..."
"No promises," Severus joked, then went to join Narcissa at the door. "Draco doesn't need potions... Ginny can heal him of them," he smiled; "It would probably be better for him... give him more time to get used to his ability before he has to use it?"
"Are you sure I can't tell him, Sev?" Narcissa asked him, "He's a smart boy, he'll understand why it needs to remain secret..." she linked her arm with his, "Come, I'll walk you out..."
Severus studied her a moment, then allowed her to lead him. When he had switched out the sample Lucius had given him it was solely in an attempt to save Narcissa. Lucius had come to him, almost tearing his hair out in frustration. He and Narcissa had tried many times and had yet to conceive, he was at wit's end and came to Severus for help. What Lucius didn't know was that Severus had been supplying Narcissa with a contraceptive potion the entire time they were married. With everything that was going on, she was hoping Lucius would go and get himself killed before she conceived and she could finally live her life. But the Dark Lord decreed that all his married Pure Blood members immediately begin having children. Lucius was scared. He informed Severus, if there was something wrong with him, if it was his fault Narcissa had yet to conceive, he would find another way to get her pregnant. When Severus asked what he had planned his face had grown dark. Already a skilled Legilimens, Severus did a subtle read of his mind and was sickened by what he found. He couldn't let Lucius inflict that on his friend. So, when he found that Narcissa need not have taken a contraceptive in the first place as Lucius was shooting blanks and there was nothing he, Severus, could do to Lucius' sample to make it work... he used his own. Unfortunately, what Severus hadn't known, and thankfully neither did Lucius, was of the Black Family curse.
When Narcissa's older sister married Muggleborn Ted Tonks, their father cursed all three of his daughters. Any child sired by anything less than a Pure Blood would be an abomination as he felt that anything less than a pure blood witch or wizard deserved to live. The sisters, of course, never believed the curse, until Dora was born.
"I can't believe Lucius never figured it out," Severus laughed.
"He didn't know about the curse," Narcissa replied; "He believed me when I said it ran in the family..." she shook her head; "What he had planned if it didn't work... was it bad?"
"It makes what he had planned for Helen and her family sound tame," he replied grimly.
Narcissa paled, and nodded.
"I'm going to tell him," Narcissa said firmly; "He deserves to know he has a father he can be proud of..." they came to a stop in front of the Floo; "You're neck-deep in this, aren't you?"
"I'm no more than his nursemaid at the moment," Severus replied lightly. "I'm hoping to move him this weekend... my old family home," he grew a little sad; "Good and bad memories reside there, but it will be more comfortable than where we are now."
"The girls suggested I join the Order," Narcissa told him, curious as to what his reaction would be.
"It would be a difficult path," he said carefully, "but they could help keep you safe if you choose to return to Britain..."
"Jeffery Greengrass has offered to make me his second wife," she shook her head and laughed; "My father would be appalled at the idea..." she smiled; "But his offer is more than fair and it allows him to keep his decade long relationship with his own young man," she smiled again; "There's even a no fault clause to end the marriage... when this is all over..."
"You'll finally marry Helen..." he surmised and gave her a hug. "You deserve this happiness, Cissy, don't let it go again..."
Narcissa stepped back and searched his face.
"Sev... when this is over... I hope you'll find yours too?"
...
Draco was floating on his back in the lagoon, lost in thought at how much his life at changed in the last year. A year ago, he had exactly one friend... Pansy. There had never been anything romantic about their friendship, although they cared for each other deeply. They had talked about it once, the possibility of them getting married someday and agreed, if they found themselves betrothed they would marry each other instead. A back-up plan, so to speak.
He couldn't help but smile... what would his father think if he found out he now considered Hermione Granger, Ginny Weasley, Luna Lovegood and Fleur, his friends. He couldn't help but marvel at how easy it was to talk to them. When he and his mother had first joined them on the Beauxbatons carriage he had expected it to be awkward, but it wasn't long before he and his mother found themselves laughing with them. They had given him the chance to just be himself and had not treated him like the boy he had pretended to be for so long. He laughed, he could almost hear his father's rant.
Draco was content for the first time in his life. Finally he was able to live his life as he chose fit, and not because of his father. Because, whether it was getting grades just good enough not to get him in trouble or playing the Pure Blood prat that his father wanted him to be, every single decision he had made for the last four years was based on how his father would react. He sobered, if he now lived if his life in defiance of him... wasn't that just as bad?
Like it or not, whatever he did, his father would always be a part of his motivation. He smiled, "Fine," he thought; "If it motivates me to be my own person and do what I want to do because I want to do it... so be it..."
He heard splashing coming towards him and opened his eyes to discover the source.
"Hey Mr Deep Thoughts..." Ginny said, her tone joking; "We're having lunch on the beach..."
"You got your voice back," Draco commented, then blushed when he realized how obvious that was.
"We had a visitor this morning," Hermione explained, "C'mon..."
The three of them swam back to shore and joined Helen, Narcissa, Fleur and Luna, who were sitting around a picnic lunch. While they ate the girls couldn't help but wonder how Draco would take the news. When Narcissa returned from walking Severus to the Floo she had told them how Draco came to be conceived.
They knew he was a Metamorph almost the moment he was born, Draco's hair having changed three times before he settled on a colour. For the first four years of his life while Severus worked on a potion that would help the young boy remain in one form, Draco saw no one save his mother and father. All mirrors were removed from the manor until Severus arrived with the potions Draco would need to take for the rest of his life.
Narcissa and Lucius had sat in front of a mirror with Draco for many hours until the boy settled on a form that took traits from both his parents. After a few days, when it became obvious that the potion was working, Severus covered Draco's knowledge of his gift from him... minus the silencing fail-safe. Severus then provided Narcissa with the ability to remove the memory charm herself.
"Draco," Narcissa said, the first to break the comfortable silence.
He turned to his mother, smiled and waited for her to continue.
"What have you decided about going back to Hogwarts?" she asked.
"I think... I think I'd like to do it," he shrugged; "it could be fun... having friends and being myself for a change."
"I do like the person you really are, Draco..." Hermione said, teasing him slightly.
"It is more than that, though," he started, he didn't want the girls to think he wasn't taking things seriously; "I want to prove I'm nothing like my father..." Draco trailed off at the strange mix of expressions on those around him. The girls wore small smiles while his mother seemed very nervous.
"Draco," Narcissa started; "You do have a father you can be proud of... only his name isn't Lucius Malfoy..."
"What?" Draco said, shocked.
Luna went to sit down next to him and gently took his hand.
"Give your mother a chance to explain Draco," she said quietly.
He nodded, then looked back to his mother. For the next half hour, only Narcissa spoke. Draco sat, almost overwhelmed by the lengths Lucius Malfoy would go to. He couldn't help but feel relieved to find out that he wasn't his father. As his mother told her story, though, other pieces began to fall in place. Before she could come out and tell him, he had already come to the same conclusion.
Draco dropped his head at the end of her story, trying to understand all she had told him.
"So... I'm like Dora? I'm a Metamorph?" he asked, smiling.
"You are... the potions you have been on all your life has kept you in a form that is not your true form," Narcissa explained; "Ginny has offered to heal you of those potions..."
"Only if it won't hurt you," he replied as he looked to Ginny.
"Thanks for your concern, but I won't be using my gift, but giving you a blast of healing magic," she smiled; "It would be like being weaned off the potion but in a few minutes instead of weeks. When I'm done it should be like you're taking the last of the potions... I think it would be safer than just taking you off them in all one shot..."
"That is perfect timing," Narcissa smiled as she laced her fingers with Helen's; "We're planning on a trip to Paris next weekend..."
"Do some sightseeing and shopping..." continued Helen.
"Maybe go dancing?" Narcissa added to the girl's smiles; "But the only way I could convince the Delacours was if I secured an Auror presence."
"Nym?" asked Hermione hopefully, smiling broadly when Narcissa nodded.
"And she can spend some time with you Draco... help you with your gift," Luna offered, trying to cover for the large grins all the girls were wearing. They had missed Nym.
Draco grew quiet, and looked down at his hands.
"So... Severus Snape is really my father?" he asked quietly.
"He is Draco," Narcissa replied, "he's a good man and he cares for you..."
"But he's a Death Eater..." he said, his voice a little sad.
"He may bear Tom's mark, but Severus is no more a Death Eater than I am," Hermione said as she took his hand; "We've spent some time with him... he's a kind and brave man," Draco looked up and searched her eyes; "He joined them to protect the woman he loved, but he knew Tom would come back... he knew when that happened, he'd have a crucial part to play..." Hermione smiled; "I would go so far to say that I'm beginning to consider him a friend..." she sighed heavily; "But you understand why no one can know until this over, right?"
"Because He'd use me against him?" asked Draco.
"Or try to force you to join them," Ginny countered.
Draco nodded and looked down.
"I understand how you feel," Hermione said quietly, then looked to the others before she continued; "My father is Albus Dumbledore..."
"You'd be enemy number one," Draco gasped.
"Exactly," Hermione said with a smile; "And it is one of the reasons I fight... I want to tell the world he is my father... until Tom is dead, it's just one more reason for him to target me..."
Draco started laughing quietly, shaking his head as his laughter grew louder. He flopped onto his back, holding his stomach and rolling around.
"He's taking it better than I expected," Narcissa comment, bemused.
"I was just thinking," Draco finally said as he caught his breath; "That if Posh somehow manages to make it out of this war alive the knowledge that Hermione 'Mudblood' Granger is the daughter of Albus Dumbledore and my father is Severus Snape... he just might die of shock!"
"I look forward to seeing the look on his face," said Narcissa with a small chuckle of her own. "You're not angry with me? I only just figured it out myself..."
"Are you kidding?" Draco laughed; "It's a relief!"
He sat up and looked around at the women seated with him.
"I've gone from having a father I absolutely despise and two 'friends' who've been waiting to beat the piss out of me for four years to..." he smiled; "a father I want to make proud, four amazing new friends who have already protected me and my mother and a chance to go back to Hogwarts and be myself," he laughed; "And just as a nice bonus... I'm a Metamorph..." he got to his knees and went to kneel by his mother and Helen; "I understand why this was kept from me... I do... and I understand that I'm in just as much danger as Hermione is because of who my real father is," he smiled as he took her hands; "But until old mouldy shorts is burned to ash... none of us are safe," he looked down; "I've heard stories, of what is was like in Slytherin house last time... Nott, Goyle and Crabbe... they're all looking forward to it..."
"We're not going to let that happen," Hermione stated firmly.
Draco lifted his head and met Hermione's eyes, seeing the determination etched on all four girls' faces he smiled. "I know we won't..." he looked back to his mother; "It's a lot to take in... I won't deny that... but it's good stuff," he hugged her; "For once I'm looking forward to going back to Hogwarts..."
"Even as a Hufflepuff?" teased Luna.
"Yes, even as... I understand the wisdom of it..." he replied, smiling as he went to sit again. "So... shall we get this healing over with?"
"We know there at least two memory charms in place," Hermione started as she went to sit beside him; "We'll take care of those and check for any others..."
"I doubt you'll find any others," he laughed; "I knew every single hiding place in Malfoy Manor..."
Ginny went to kneel behind him and placed her hands on his shoulders.
"I'm going to see how much of the potion is left in your system," she looked to Narcissa and Helen; "You may have noticed you've all been feeling really healthy since you got here... I give off passive healing all the time unless I need it for myself," she looked back to Draco; "Chances are your potions are already wearing off..."
"I haven't felt any different," he replied.
"Well your father is an excellent potions master..." Hermione commented.
"And we've barely seen you for three days," Draco joked.
"Yes, well... shall we start?" Hermione said, blushing deeply as she went to kneel behind Ginny.
"We'll take care of the memory charms first, then I'll give you a blast of healing," Ginny explained as she watched Luna and Fleur come to see either side of him and take a hand each. "Everyone ready?" she asked, closing her eyes when everyone nodded. She left one hand on his shoulder and placed the other on the side of his head as she felt Luna's free hand on her thigh.
Hermione mimicked Ginny's actions, Fleur's free hand coming to rest on her thigh as well. She kissed Ginny's neck to let her know she was ready and floated into Draco's mind. True to his word, Hermione quickly located the two charms Severus had placed, she and Ginny quickly healing them.
Ginny started to focus her magic, willing it to leave enough of the potion in Draco's system so he would be able to adjust slowly to the changes his body would go through. With the amount of magic Ginny already had stored up from the last few days it was almost a relief to share some of it with him.
Ginny opened her eyes when she felt Draco start to shake, concerned something had gone wrong until she realized he was weeping. Without hesitating she sat forward and wrapped her arms around his middle as he wept, Luna, Fleur and Hermione all quick to join the impromptu hug.
Draco hardly noticed however, as the second memory his true father had covered came back to him. It was after Posh had beaten him, Severus thought he was asleep but Draco was listening. He had opened his eyes just long enough to see that the face of his mother's friend was wet with tears.
"Uncle Sev?" Draco had said quietly.
Severus had looked up in surprise.
"I'll be okay... there's no need to be sad," Draco assured him as he tried to sit up. The beating his father had given him was bad, but he was recovering.
"You're a good boy, Draco," Severus replied, his voice low and hoarse as he gently made Draco lay down again. "Your only job is to keep you and your mother safe... okay?"
"Yes, sir," Draco replied.
"I'll do my best to help, but..."
"Uncle Sev?" Draco interrupted; "I wish... sometimes... that you were my dad..."
"I do too..." Severus had choked out before sobbing uncontrollably. Draco's memory had gone dark after that.
"I'm okay," he finally said aloud, patting Ginny's arm. "Hermione? How much did you see?"
"All of it," she admitted quietly. She hadn't meant to, but she had found herself unable to look away, so to speak. She also wanted to be able to comfort him if he needed it. "I'm sorry... I wanted to be able to help..."
"No... it's okay..." he assured her as the four girls released him from their arms. "What does my true form look like?" he asked his mother.
"Well, Severus did several things to his contribution... he made sure you'd be male so Posh would stop pestering me for an heir and he altered it so you would look mostly like me," Narcissa smiled; "You have your father's eyes though... it was actually quite lucky you were born a Metamorph as it was a simple explanation..."
"How do you feel, Draco, physically?" Ginny asked.
"Like I'm vibrating," he admitted.
"I suspect you'll get stronger, magically, because you'll no longer be fighting your true nature," Hermione told him.
"Cool..." he replied with a grin, as he shook his head; "You really changed my life... thanks!"
"I don't know if we changed it or just gave you back the life you should have had," Luna replied.
"But you're welcome," added Ginny.
...
After dinner the four girls and Draco wandered back out into the warm night air.
"Go for a run?" Hermione asked Ginny, receiving a large grin.
"If you can give me a few minutes to change..." Draco started, but trailed off as the girls laughed.
"I doubt you could keep up with us..." Hermione started as she transformed into her wolf much to his amazement.
"At least not on two feet..." added Ginny before she too changed.
Draco looked to Luna and Fleur, bemused as Luna's broom came flying into her hand.
"We prefer to fly," Fleur commented as her wings sprouted from her back.
"Speak for yourself," Luna said wryly as she mounted her broom, "I still don't like heights... but I like to keep her company while she practices..."
"What can't the four of you do?" Draco asked, thoroughly amused.
"We'll let you know when we find out," joked Fleur before taking to the air.
"She's beautiful..." Draco sighed.
"Don't get any ideas, little brother, she's mine," Luna growled, then took off in pursuit of her fiancee.
"Wouldn't dream of it..." he called after her. Smiling as he realized he meant it. The four girls had become his friends and had changed his life before they even knew the real him. As much as he cared for Pansy, these four were rapidly surpassing that friendship. They didn't just know everything about him, but they had trusted him with their truth as well. He smiled. He knew there were still hiding some stuff, but he also knew what they had shared was very personal.
High above Fleur had come to hover next to Luna on her broom.
"Why won't you let me take you flying?" Fleur asked.
"I still don't like heights," Luna retorted; "At least I'm in control on a broom..."
"I won't drop you," Fleur said earnestly, her hands crossed over her heart; "I promise..."
"Just give me some time..." Luna relented.
Fleur flew closer and softly kissed her.
"Whenever you're ready, love..." Fleur told her quietly, her voice a little deeper than usual.
"Explain, again, why we have to wait until after they have?" Luna asked, whining slightly.
"I don't know, it's just important..." Fleur replied with a shrug; "Besides... I think it's kind of romantic... waiting for our wedding night..."
"I guess..." Luna sighed, pouting slightly.
"It's our first time," Fleur said as she flew close again; "Is it so wrong I want it to be perfect?"
"Every time with you is perfect," Luna replied, shyly as she blushed.
Fleur smiled and wrapped her arms around Luna, slowly dragging them back to earth as they kissed. Unbeknownst to them, Hermione and Ginny were having a similar conversation in their favourite spot at the top of the waterfall. Luna and Fleur's favourite spot was about two hundred feet on the other side of the pool that fed the waterfall.
Hermione and Ginny had run through the jungle, the exhilaration and freedom of running in their wolf forms almost overwhelming their senses. Hermione was in the lead, Ginny pushing herself to try to pass her, when they reached the top of the waterfall, Hermione leapt into the pool, shifting back into herself as she broke the water. Ginny attempted the same feat, but mistimed it and hit the water as her wolf, shifting back into herself as she got her bearings.
Hermione was laughing as she banished both of their clothes to the shore, then pulled Ginny into her arms.
"You think you're so funny," teased Ginny.
"Not really," Hermione replied as she rested her head against Ginny's. "You'll get the hang of it love..."
"What makes you think I didn't do it on purpose?" Ginny joked as she pushed herself away from her fiancée and, her hips swinging seductively, went to lower herself into the hot spring fed hot tub about twenty feet away from a slightly stunned Hermione.
"Thirty more days..." Hermione muttered to herself as she swam over to join Ginny.
"What's that, love?" Ginny teased, her wolf hearing had heard every word.
"You know perfectly well what I said..." Hermione teased her back as she walked over to her slowly, Ginny grinning at the sight.
"Explain to me again why we're waiting until my birthday?" Ginny sighed as Hermione went to straddle her.
Hermione searched her eyes a moment and then kissed her softly.
"Maybe because I'd like to keep, at least, part of my promise..." she said softly.
"You'd have us wait another year?" Ginny asked.
"No... I couldn't if I tried," Hermione sighed, "Even if we weren't who we are... even if we hadn't aged... I think we wouldn't have been able to wait much longer..." she leaned forward and kissed her neck; "But it feels important... being at the cottage the first time..."
"Surely you don't think there is any dark objects here..."
"No," Hermione laughed quietly; "We only get one 'first time'... I want it to be perfect..."
"And without other motivations?" Ginny prodded.
"That too," Hermione sighed; "But also I don't want any restraints on our time..." her voice deepened slightly as Ginny's hands came to rest on her behind and she was pulled closer to the redhead. "You know what I missed most the last three days?" Hermione whispered in her ear, Ginny shaking her head slightly, goose bumps breaking out on her skin despite the warmth of the water they were sitting in. "Your sighs," she continued, kissing her softly below her ear, causing Ginny to sigh, then giggling when she realized Hermione had elicited exactly the response she was aiming for.
"You think you know me so well..." Ginny teased.
"Don't I?" Hermione countered, "Haven't we spent the last year getting to know every inch of each others' bodies? Save... maybe one..." she bit at Ginny's neck, causing her to gasp. "I've missed that too..." her voice deep as she continued; "And I missed your moans..." she trailed off as she both engaged Ginny in a deep kiss as she palmed her breast with a hand, Ginny moaning despite herself.
"Explain again why we're waiting until my birthday?" Ginny whined.
Hermione sat back despite Ginny's groan of protest.
"I want you... you know that I do," Hermione said, her voice serious despite the desire evident in every syllable; "But it feels important... that we be at the cottage..."
"I know..." Ginny sighed as she pulled Hermione close again.
"How about a Dreamwalk tonight?" asked Hermione, "One last time before we abstain until your birthday?"
"God... I... love... you..." Ginny said between kisses.
"C'mon..." Hermione said as she sat up and held her hand out to Ginny. "Let's go escape reality for a bit..."
"Reality's not so bad..." Ginny replied with a grin; "I rather enjoy it, in fact..."
"Even if our lives keep getting weirder..." Hermione joked as she gathered their clothes, then sent them to the far side of the lagoon. "Race you back..." Hermione called as she ran to the edge of the waterfall and jumped, performing a perfect swan dive into the pool below.
Ginny, not to be outdone, followed her... performing several flips on the way down and entering the water without a splash.
"Show off!" Hermione joked as she splashed her.
Ginny splashed her back, both looking to the shore when they heard their friends' laughter. They swam towards them, then dressed themselves as they wandered back to the château.
"Thank God it's only thirty-three more days..." joked Fleur as she put her arm around Luna's shoulders.
"Hermione was saying the same thing," Ginny said with a laugh.
"Could have been worse," Luna joked; "Could have been another year..."
A/N: Hey folks, hope you enjoyed the chapter and thanks for all the reviews after the first chapter. To those few who don't get the whole Nym dynamic... it's part of the story now and it isn't going anywhere. I'd say I'm sorry, but I'm not. I actually kind of love the dynamic she brings to the group... sorry for the rant! Hope you enjoyed this chapter!
