Lurching up in his bed. Draco's heart was beating wildly in it's cavity and a strangled scream was caught in his throat. He tried to remember where He was. Attempting to breathe and covered in sweat. The pain and terror still evident on the edges of his mind were too real. It felt real. It all felt too real!

Still consumed by the nightmare as well as the intense guilt and remorse it brought along with it. Draco broke down into heaving sobs that savaged his frail little body making it shake uncontrollably. Not even aware that he was no longer alone. Tears continued with no break until he felt two soft arms encircling him. Pulling him to them, stroking his back and hair lovingly. Draco inhaled the soft scent of roses that queited the sobs for a moment before he gripped her back and became unconsolable.

Time did not exsist. Only thing in the world that he was aware of was grief and his mothers arms around him. Trying her best to console her son. She swore to protect him and she has failed him more than once. However in this mad world and the upturned lives they now lived she was his only constant. She was the only thing steady in his life. His mother tried her best but it was never enough.

The potions no longer worked. The sleeping drafts were no longer effective enough to let him have a moment of peace. It has been 3 months since the war ended and in her mind Draco suffered worst of all. The endless nightmares that have been happening for the past 6 months have done nothing if not crescendo-ed into that now never ending hell her son is being put through. Ever since Bella had tortured that muggle girl his nightmares have been unstoppable. Before he could at least rest a little thanks to a sleeping draft or Firewhiskey. Now that was not the case. Nothing worked he was worse for wear. He had stopped eating what little he had been given along time ago. Basically giving up. For Narcissa however giving up was not an option neither would it ever be an option when it comes to her beloved little Dragon.

He was to the point where he was being sent to St. Mungos four times a week. There the ministry would send someone to force him to magically sleep as well as eat. It was nearly impossible for him to keep anything down long enough to do any good. They had him now on some muggle concoction to keep him alive. Something called a "pro-teen shake" whatever that was. It was brown in color sometimes cream and vaguely tasted of a kind of chocolate or vanilla. Narcissa Malfoy turned her nose up at this. To her it tasted disgusting. Her son however drank it greedily and as often as possible without risking getting sick.

Kingsley was the main ministry official they saw most often. He is the only one who understands the position we were in. I demanded they find that muggle girl to see if she could help him. That should have been a reasonable request afterall it was she that he was having these hellish visions of. Kingsley Shacklebot on the other hand was not so convinced. She beeseched him every chance she could. Whether that be in writing or in person. It wasn't until nearly three weeks later that he finally gave her an answer. Not the one she wanted albeit but an answer non the less.

It was early on a dewy sunday morning at the end of May. The humidity was already heavy upon the land. Creating a dense fog in its wake. Narcissa was standing infront of the large glass windows that over looked her gardens with a hot cup of Earl Grey tea in her hands. Even though she could not see anything the routine soothed her. Staring out into nothingness as she listened to the large standing clock in the hall tick away time. Draco had screamed throughout the night again. Just like the night before that and the night before that. She couldnt remember the last time he slept without screaming and waking up in tears. It broke what was left of her heart. She felt helpless and lost. Unable to imagine the hell he was going through. Lost in thought she was startled by a large hand on her shoulder. Narcissa squeeled out in fright as she whipped around to face a surprised Kingsley. Her tea cup and saucer now shattered on marble floor. The Earl Grey soaking into the lush dark green carpet that ran the length of the hall. Making it appear to be black in color.

In a voice as rich as his skin he said "My most sincere apologies Lady Malfoy. It was not my intention to frighten you merely to gather your attention. I did call for you a number of times before i appraoched you. I do hope you are alright?"

Steadying a shaky breath she responded with the calmest voice she could muster. "That is quite alright Mr. Shakelbot. I was in the wrong here. I should have been more aware of my surroundings and not so distracted with my thoughts"

Nodding in agreement to her words he waved his wand restoring the destroyed tea cup and saucer. Calling for the house elf as he did so to summon her a new cup of tea in a fresh dish. Once done she thanked him and showed him to the nearest drawing room on the second floor. Motioning for him to sit in one of the vibrant green winged back chairs. Narcissa requested him a cup of tea from Maevy the house elf as well as little macaroons for them to snack on as they spoke. She had a feeling she knew what this was about as he sat there adjusting his cloak for the sixth time.

Trying to lighten the mood she fixed him with a kind look. Making sure she had his attention before speaking. " What brings you here today Mr. Shakelbot? Something good I hope?" Letting that unspoken question linger on the end for a moment before continuing. " I daresay I would be rather distraught if it were of a negative nature" Smiling sweetly before taking a elegant sip.

He cleared his throat slightly before answering her. " I needed to speak with you. You know I would never try to upset you in any way Lady Malfoy. However I do bring news."

'Bad news' she thought. "Mr. Shakelbot, fogive me but I do think I remember us coming to agreement that you were not to adress me so formally. Simply Narcissa will suffice."

Chuckling lightly in that rich baritone that was his voice "Of course Narcissa. I remember that you also agreed to call me Kingsley instead of by my Surname of Shakelbot."

Now it was her time to laugh. Queitly albeit but laugh she did. "Of course, Of course forgive me Kingsley. What is this news you bring?" Her and Kingsley have become quite the friends since he started his visits three months ago. He was genuinely concerned for her and Draco and would transport letters between her and her husband on quite the regular basis. Lucious was, at this time serving out his sentence in Azkaban. Awaiting his up and coming court date to view his progress. She told him of Draco's dreams trying to keep him invovled by how little that ever was.

"I came to discuss with you about Ms. Granger" he said.

Now she was interested "Oh?... Is that so" taking a deep sip of her tea she looked into her cup as he continued.

"I am afraid that your request can not be carried out." Her head snapped up as her eyes locked with his in a dangerous kind of look. "Please Narcissa let me finish. Then you can rant and rave to your hearts content. Agreed?"

Nodding slowly, speaking soft as if she would break if she spoke anything louder than a whisper. "Agreed"

Marking her approval on his check list inside his head he continued. " I am afraid that your request can not be carried out simply because we can not find her." She raised a delicate eyebrow but did not say anything. Allowing him to continue. "Ms. Granger has been missing for quite sometime. She did not returned home after the war and she is not staying with Mr. Potter or anyone in the Weasley family. I have contacted her Best friend Gabrielle Jones in a final attempt to find her. Ms. Jone's mother is a Squib and her father is a Muggle, she knows of us and our world. Even she has not seen or heard from her. Infact no has seen or heard from her since the war."

He paused looking into her eyes trying to judge her reaction yet failing miserably. Malfoy's always had to keep face even in the most desperate of times. She kept her face stoic. Void of all emotions.

Taking that as his cue to continue he drew on "I was curious if you could help me Narcissa to narrow down the search. I have a hunch, but no proof. Ms. Grangers wand was destroyed before she came to your manor is that correct?" trying to keep his tone light he waited for her to respond. "Yes" came her nearly silent reply. Nodding he continued " I deduced that much. I was wondering if Ms. Granger came to possess anothers wand that you knew of?" Nodding She looked to him tears brimming on her lower lashes "Yes, she is in posesssion of Bella's former wand. It is 12 ¾" long, made of Walnut, and has a dragon heartstring core... Why?" She looked slightly mystified.

"Because we believe we can track her down by it. I just wanted to confirm with you that she was indeed the last one seen with Lastrange's wand in hand." He stated rather matter-of-factly. "I must take my leave, just know that I am not giving up and neither should you" stopping at the door he added " How is Draco?" She simply continued to stare with those tears still clinging from her lashes and rather numbingly shook her head in a slow no. Casting his eyes down he gave a bob of the head and left the same way he came. She stayed that way for while. It wasn't until the grand clock rang the hour that she noticed that time had indeed passed. Looking at her tea cup which sat dejected and cold in her weighted hands. She wondered if Kingsley would come through for her and her son, When she was interrupted by a echoing scream. Sighing in defeat she looked at the untouched macaroons placing her tea cup on the elegant silver tray as she forced her self onto her feet heading to the source of the sound. 'Please hurry Kingsley, I don't know how much more he can take.'

Please R&R