Fluffystwin: Hello all, here is chapter 2, earlier than expected. I had AirmidM give me an idea so I cranked out a few pages pretty quickly afterwards. I hope you all enjoy this as I'm certainly enjoying writing this.
"Listen to your Grand-mère and head to see your famille, mon petite chou. I'll find out and find you tonight. Go."
They didn't waste any time and made their way out of the cemetery as quickly as they could without alerting the muggles to their movements. Luna looked back over her shoulder; a man in a black jacket was following them. Luna's hand reached for her wand and she whispered a spell at him. He fell straight out of his shoes and slammed face first in to the uneven walkway. She snickered and Harry grabbed her hand to pull her after them. Saeka and Zeherah jogged across the street and briskly made their way down the streets of the French Quarter making sure that the group was still with them. Their shoulders were tense as they watched their surroundings. So many different theories were going through their heads; they didn't know why anyone would be following them. George had a tight grip on Hermione's hand as they followed the two witches down another block. Zeherah pulled a set of keys out of her pocket and picked out the right one as they walked up to a wooden gate. She pushed it open and waved everyone in. Her eyes darted around one last time before she slammed the wooden gate shut. Hermione was staring at the open courtyard in shock, it was absolutely gorgeous. There were beautiful flowers everywhere that filled the open area with a floral scent with trees casting shade over them with their long branches. The tile beneath their feet was hand laid and had gorgeous hand drawn designs in them. She could see a different makers-mark on each one. She looked up to see Saeka twist her hair up in to a sloppy bun and put her wand through it to keep it in place. Hermione didn't understand why the woman would do that, but then her hair slapped her in her face when a breeze went passed. That was why. Saeka snickered and took Hermione's wand as she twisted the woman's hair up and pinned it in place with the wand. Hermione thanked her and the group followed Zeherah up to a metal door that was pulled open in front of them. A woman with blonde graying hair falling in loose curls around her face stood in front of them with her hands on her hips. She wore a simple loose shirt with a flowing black skirt that danced around her ankles. Her brown eyes glanced at each one of them in turn. Suddenly, she reached out and smacked Zeherah upside the head and started yelling at her in French. Saeka slapped a hand over her mouth so as not to burst out laughing at what was being said.
"Maman! Arrête!" Zeherah said as she covered her head to protect herself.
"Je ne vais pas arrête!" Hermione stared at the scene in shock. She had never seen anyone act like this with their child before. The woman stopped when she saw Hermione and Harry. Her entire demeanor changed, but not before giving Zeherah one last smack for good measure. "Bonjour! This is a nice surprise! Please, come in, ignore my insolent child. Oh Saeka lovely, it's so good to see you again. Everyone come in and I'll have Laila whip up something for us. Laila!" Everyone cringed as the woman screeched. A woman with short brown hair in a simple blue floral summer dress ran in to the entrance hall. "Go fetch some drinks for everyone."
"Yes, Madame."
"Hey Laila, can you have Rick make me a very large glass of Amaretto Sour?" Saeka asked.
"He started making it when you walked in the gate," Laila said before bowing and hustling off down a hallway.
"Maman, may we please sit?" Zeherah asked.
"Oh of course, follow me. I'm sorry for my poor manners everyone, my name is Zera Laveau, the ignorant one's mother. I swear I did not raise her to be like this." Saeka snorted as she tried to prevent her laughter from being heard. "I didn't help raise this one to be like this either," she said as she jerked a thumb at Saeka. "Come, Laila should have things ready for us in the living room." Zera was right, by the time they entered the living room Laila had just set down a couple of trays containing drinks and snacks. A tall man in a suit walked and handed Saeka a tall glass of a yellowish looking liquid. "Please do not get drunk in my home again, or else I will kick you out."
"I would never dare maman," Saeka said in a sickly sweet voice.
Zera rolled her eyes and gestured for everybody to sit down. Everyone sighed happily as they rested on the cool leather couches. Saeka leaned against Draco and stretched her legs out across Blaise and Zeherah's laps while across from her Hermione sat between the two Weasley men. Luna happily accepted a cup of tea as she sat by the arm of the chair and Neville looked around hesitantly. No one besides the Slytherins were comfortable in the house. Hermione could understand why, this house probably resembled the type of house they grew up in. "So would anyone care to explain to me why I have two Slytherin Princes, two Weasleys, the King and Queen and Prince of Gryffindor, and the fruity one from Ravenclaw in my home?"
Saeka let her head roll back on to Draco's shoulder and she stared up at the ceiling. "Well we decided to go on vacation and it's been a while since we've come to visit—"
"So you bring the whole lot of famous people with you? Well, I must say, you two have made decent friends," Zera calmly said as she sipped her tea.
"Maman, can you drop the attitude? We actually came here because Grand-mère said that someone was following us in the cemetery."
"Oh I know. I had a nasty little run in earlier today with a Weasley and a bunch of punk Neo-Death Eaters that have migrated to the States. I had to obliviate a handful of muggles."
"Only people from the Ministry can obliviate muggles," Hermione stated.
Zera raised an eyebrow. "There is a reason that my daughter went to Hogwarts and not this rubbish school here in the States. Now, the ministry here hasn't given me much information, but someone is following Miss Granger here. I want to believe it's her jilted lover, but I hardly believe the prophet anymore."
"Good, because it's a bunch of bollocks," George said.
"May I ask what happened so I can better assist you?" Zera asked as she set her empty tea cup down.
"Excuse me if this is insulting, but why exactly do you want to help?" Charlie asked.
Zera smirked. "I keep forgetting everyone is still distrustful of each other. I am helping because my daughter sees fit to associate with all of you. It may not look like it, but I do care deeply about her since she is the only child I have left. Whoever she decides to care for will be under my protection as soon as they step foot on the US soil. I personally would like to keep her here in the States, but that is neither here nor there. So, once again, what happened?" Zera was more firm in her demand for an answer this time.
The Slytherins were not even bothered by the older woman's attitude. Hermione thought that Zera reminded her of Narcissa. She was a woman who demanded answers, but was very protective at the same time. She was obviously the one in charge of the home and things went her way. She was a woman who cared for her only child and any of the other friends that were brought in. Hermione sighed and patted George's hand that rested on her arm. He was just being a little overprotective of her and to be honest, she was enjoying the treatment. She had to talk eventually and if Ron was being an ignorant prat and causing problems then something needed to be done. She raised her eyes and caught sight of the four Slytherins across from her. She still couldn't believe that she had become friends with Draco and Blaise. She never thought it would ever happen as they seemed to be the type that couldn't change, just like their families. She smiled slightly when she saw Saeka offer Draco some of her drink and he smiled at her. Maybe there was hope for the future.
"Ron cheated on me for the third time, but this time we caught him with the girl. In the end I left. The boys brought my things to Zeherah and Saeka's flat and of course I came here with them on vacation. It's rather simple."
Zera nodded and leaned over to snatch Saeka's drink. She downed it quickly and ignored the protest from the young Slytherin. "Well, third time is the charm apparently. Not meaning that in a bad way darling. Either way, you have surrounded yourself with people who care for you so I believe you are in good hands. If the man who was following you isn't Ron that is fine by me, but what worries me more is the amount of Neo-Death Eaters that arrived in the city almost at the exact time of your arrival. New Orleans is a large city, but the Vieux Carré is small and densely packed. If they decided to strike there then we would have a difficult time with obliviating muggles. I would suggest not going in to the Vieux Carré at night, especially Rue Bourbon. Café du Monde is safe ground at night though if you are out. The night manager is a charming muggle-born man by the name of Louis."
"Maman!"
"I'm allowed to have a bit of fun," Zera said in her defense. Zeherah groaned and dropped her head to lie on the arm of the couch. Blaise snickered, the woman was interesting. Hermione smiled at Zera, the woman wasn't as cold as she seemed. "How about I consult with my fellow Aurors and we figure out how safe it is for you all and while I'm doing that you can go swim."
"Swim?" eight sets of voices asked.
Zera smiled. "I may be a pure blood, but that doesn't mean I'm a stick in the mud. Plus, swimming regularly is good exercise for my old bones." Everyone knew that the woman could probably beat them in a duel even if she was older than them. "Girls, you know where it is and don't let Saeka have too much alcohol."
Saeka glared at Zera, but the woman patted her cheek and walked out of the large living room without another word. Saeka and Zeherah looked at each other before they bounded off the couch and running towards a door off to the side. The two women's laughter reached them. Hermione smiled as the women disappeared down the hallway. Luna grabbed Harry and Neville and pulled them off the couch so they could follow the women. The blonde haired woman was more excited to be doing something different than anything else. Draco and Blaise looked at each other and shrugged, it's not like they had anything else to do. They followed after the others quickly enough. Hermione attempted to get up, but was stopped when Charlie pulled her back down on to the couch by her hand. He and George turned on the couch to face her and Hermione gave them a confused look. She didn't know what they were doing and it kind of creeped her out. She glanced at George and felt her cheeks flush slightly, his gaze was intense.
"Hermione, are you sure you're okay because I'm a little shocked that you aren't worried that Ron might be the one following us," Charlie said.
Hermione sighed; she knew someone was going to eventually ask her about that. In all honesty, she was happy to be away from Ron and away from the heartache he caused. She really did want a life with him, but not at the expense of her happiness. She knew that her mother had been right in saying that Ron wasn't the one for her when she had taken him to visit her parents. She knew who her parents did approve of though. "If he doesn't come near me I'm fine, but the instant he tries to come for me his ass is fried. Just because I'm being nice now doesn't mean I will be later."
George leaned over and kissed her cheek. "That's why we love you."
"We are just worried is all 'Mione. Yea Ron is our brother, but he did this to himself so we will support you and beat his arse if we have to," Charlie mentioned. He stood up and held out his hand for her to take. "Well lets go swim."
Hermione shook her head, but let him help her up. She stopped suddenly. "We don't have any swimsuits."
"I think Saeka and Zeherah have that all figured out," George said with a devilish smile that made Hermione's cheeks flare bright red. She really needed to stop blushing around this Weasley. She had been doing it more and more over the past few years. She did not want to listen to what her damaged heart was saying about all those moments. Charlie held open the door for them and Hermione stopped as she saw Saeka arguing with Draco at the end of the hall. Saeka caught them staring and shoved Draco out of her way as she walked into the pool area. Draco waved them down the hall and through the door. Hermione caught sight of Luna jumping in to the pool in nothing but her yellow floral knickers. Hermione's mouth opened in shock as she caught sight of Zeherah laughing as she stripped down to practically nothing as well. Draco sat in a chair off to the side and motioned for Hermione to join him. She eagerly joined him at the side of the pool so that way she wouldn't have to strip. She wasn't exactly comfortable with stripping down to practically nothing. George and Charlie practically ripped their clothes off before they took a running leap in to the pool. Hermione glanced at Saeka out of the corner of her eye and saw the woman inspecting places on her body. She could only guess that Saeka was making sure the glamour charms were in place before she stripped. Zeherah's scream reverberated in the room as Blaise shoved her in to the pool. Hermione laughed as she watched Luna float lazily on her back in circles around Harry who was listening to her ramble about something or other. Neville, George, Charlie, and Blaise were teaming up against Zeherah. Saeka grinned maniacally as she took a running leap in to the pool and splashed the boys. The man from earlier who brought Saeka her drink walked in and placed a tray of drinks between Draco and Hermione. He smiled at them and walked off again. Draco sighed and leaned back in the reclining pool chair, all he wanted to do right now was wallow in his self-hatred, but apparently Hermione had a different idea for him.
"You confronted her about her scars didn't you?" Hermione's melodious voice asked as he tried not to open his eyes.
"I did that last night."
"Did you sleep with her?"
"Sleep yes, but I know you're more curious about if we had sex and the answer is no." Hermione picked up a glass of iced tea and placed the brightly colored straw in her mouth. She held back a moan at the delicious liquid. Whoever had made this was amazing at their job. She truly wanted to ask more delicate questions, but her friendship with Draco was still in its early phases and she didn't want to scare him off. "She doesn't want people to see them." Apparently Hermione didn't have to initiate the conversation.
"That's understandable. One day she will stop using the glamour charm, but for right now in her mind she needs it to make herself feel better. She believes they are ugly and people's reactions to them don't help her mental health either. Did she have a nightmare last night?"
Draco's eyebrows knitted together in confusion. "No, why?"
"Well, then she's already making progress. She has nightmares every night normally and I can't blame her for that either. Both Zeherah and I have reoccurring nightmares; I bet everyone in this room does. She has never said anything about what exactly happened when they were held and I don't think I will ever find out. Just for now, let her deal with things. She knows you're there so don't push it. She will confide in you soon enough."
Draco snorted and let his head flop backwards to stare up at the glass ceiling of the pool room. "And to think, if someone told me our first year of Hogwarts that I would be sitting here next to you listening to your advice I would have gone mental on them."
"I would have done the same thing."
Hermione was looking at Harry and Luna having fun, glad to see that Harry was distracted from what happened earlier just as much as she was. She jumped when Draco began speaking again. "Did you know that Saeka was offered a job at Hogwarts?"
"Yes, so have Zeherah and Neville. Neville is more interested in continuing his Auror work with Harry than doing Herbology, though he does spend a lot of off time with Professor Sprout. He's the reason Saeka's voice doesn't have the allure it does now. Zeherah was offered the position of either Transfiguration or Charms and Saeka was offered D.A.D.A."
"She was offered that? Why didn't she take it?"
"It was a couple of years after the war and their wounds were still fresh in their minds. McGonagall still keeps in contact with them though. Apparently from what McGonagall says, they were her best students even though they liked to get in trouble and of course were in Slytherin. She says they should have been in Gryffindor."
Draco nodded as he watched Saeka with Zeherah on her shoulders as they started to fight George and Charlie. "If you really think about it Gryffindor and Slytherin aren't really that different."
"No, they aren't, but in the minds of everyone we will still all be bitter rivals. One day, maybe, there can be good inter-house relationships," Hermione said with a sigh. Draco and Hermione smiled at each other and turned to look back at the idiots in the pool. The conversation between the two didn't pick back up and they weren't bothered by it. It was something that Hermione enjoyed about being around Draco. She didn't feel the need to feel in the silence with useless chatter. They had been through too much to really be bothered by anything. They were just happy to enjoy all the crazy antics of their friends. Saeka dived under the water and swam away from the others towards the edge of the pool. She pushed herself up out of the pool and shook the water off her limbs. Her hands came up to pull her hair out of the bun and wring it out. Hermione waved her wand and the woman's knickers were dried instantly. Saeka muttered thanks and sat down next to Draco on the lounge chair. She whispered something to him before reaching for the same type of drink she had before. Draco wrapped an arm around her as she scooted backwards to rest against him.
"Can I try that?" Hermione asked. She had been watching Saeka down the drink very quickly ever since she had sat down. Saeka gave her a curious glance before handing the chilled drink over. Hermione took a sip from the brightly colored straw and her eyes light up. It was absolutely delicious. It had a sweet taste to it, but a slight kick as well. She took another drink before handing it back. Saeka laughed at her before accepting it.
"Well, apparently we know what kind of drink to get you later," Saeka teasingly said.
Hermione nodded eagerly, she would really like to have one of those for herself. "Is that why Mrs. Zera says to not let you have too much?"
Saeka's eyes dropped down to the glass and she absentmindedly stirred the straw around the glass. Hermione's eyes widened as she realized what she just said. Draco's expression was one that Hermione didn't really care to see. She knew she had just stumbled in to a troubled area. "Actually, maman is just worried about me especially since I was in a perpetual drunken stupor not long after the war. We came back to live here for a few months and I spent a lot of time on Rue Bourbon. Rick, the man who brought the drinks, found me one day passed out in a bar after they had all been looking for me for two days. Maman was very…adamant about me snapping back to real life. Suddenly having no alcohol after continuously having it for a couple of months is a great way to detox. I'm not allowed to have that much alcohol anymore because of it."
Hermione and Draco were in shock as Saeka had actually just said something about her life directly after the war. It wasn't the best memory to talk about, but still it was more information gained about her. Draco's arm wrapped itself to lie against Saeka's cool skin and pulled her even closer to him. The door to the pool opened and Zera floated in to the room in her black ballerina flats. Hermione had to admit that the woman was graceful and carried herself like a woman of importance. Zera smiled gently at Saeka and Draco before pulling a chair over to the trio. She looked directly at Hermione and scanned the woman over.
"Well, I had a discussion with my fellow Aurors and apparently we do have Neo-Death Eaters in the Vieux Carré. There have been sightings of Ron Weasley, but nothing is confirmed yet. I would suggest going back to London in case the Neo-Death Eaters see you. I would prefer to not have to floo Kingsley and tell him one of his favorites has been either killed or injured—"
"Madame Zera, I hate to intrude, but it appears as if we have intruders," Rick said as he poked his head in to the pool room.
Everyone immediately jumped to attention. The ones in the pool clambered out just as quickly as they jumped in. Saeka and Zeherah simply slipped in to their jeans and grabbed their wands. Luna grabbed Harry's shirt and dried both herself and Harry off. Hermione took care of drying off the Weasley boys as they jumped in to their pants. Zera held up her hand as she saw the others got ready in record time. She glanced at each one and realized that they had been through far too much in their short lives. They should never have had to see war.
"Now, just stay here. It's probably not—" A crashing sound was heard from down the hallway. "Oh they did not just destroy my library!" Zera spun around on the ball of her foot and marched down the hallway grumbling about idiotic people who don't take an interest in preserving history. Zeherah grinned at Hermione and shook her head. Her mother was a tad bit on the crazy side, but there was no other woman she would have as her mother. Hermione and Harry nodded at each other before leading the group down the hallway slowly. They didn't want to be surprised by anything that might come charging for them. Hermione's mind was on overtime though. She knew something was wrong. If Ron really was the one behind all of this trouble then how exactly did he find them? Harry had told her that he didn't tell Ginny exactly where they were and they had taken a plane to get to New Orleans. It didn't make sense. Only people in the Ministry would know where they were and all of their close friends were there together. Hermione stopped thinking as a blast of red light nailed the wall beside her. Saeka pulled Hermione down to avoid the second blast that came at her. The living room was destroyed as Zera, Laila, and Rick attempted to fight off skilled wizards with silver masks covering their face. Draco felt the fury boil up inside him when he gazed upon those masks. He never wanted to see those things again and yet here they were. Draco was the first to act. Saeka flipped one of the leather couches over and placed Hermione behind it's thick cushions.
"I want you to stay here." Saeka dropped her head as a curse flew right over her. "You can fight me all you want later, but we need to make sure that he isn't here. I want to know how the hell they found us." Saeka smiled at Hermione and dove out from behind the barrier. Hermione watched in awe as Saeka instantly disarmed a wizard and magically wrapped him in chains. She took his wand and broke it over her knee before dashing off to help someone else. Hermione peeked over the edge of the couch to see Luna send someone flying away from her and Harry. Magic was flying everywhere and Hermione was stuck behind a couch. She cursed at her luck; of course she would have to be the one in danger this time. She ignored the practical side of her that said to protect her own hide and stood up and began firing non-verbal spells at a rapid rate. Everyone froze when more Neo-Death Eaters apparated in to the house. One with a wand to Saeka's throat and another one with a wand pointed at Zeherah's face. No one moved for fear that something would happen to their friends. Only ten minutes had passed since the first explosion from the library. Hermione couldn't believe how well organized these people were, they were nothing like the previous Death Eaters.
"We really don't want to cause any problems. We are only here from Granger," one of the still standing men in front of Zera said.
"Over my dead body," Harry boldly said.
"We aren't allowed to kill you, but we will harm you if necessary," the same one said.
"Oh, so apparently you guys have manners this time. What a relief," Zeherah sarcastically commented.
Hermione walked around the edge of the couch and stared at them. "What do you want with me?"
"Our orders are to grab you and go back to headquarters."
Saeka growled, but was silenced when the wand against her throat pressed harder. "Try me bitch," she spat out.
"Saeka, don't piss them off. Just for once keep your bloody trap shut," Zera said as one raised their wand to point it at Zera's face.
Saeka growled again and the woman pressed her wand against her throat to reinforce her point. "If you don't keep your trap shut, I'll add a little scar to your pretty face."
Saeka's stance relaxed and she began laughing. It wasn't your normal laugh, far from it. It was a spine-chilling laugh that held malicious intent. "Bitch, fucking try me." The glamour charms wavered and faded revealing the scarred skin all across her body. "You will have a hard time trying to find an empty spot."
The woman let go of her in shock, thinking that she was going to try something. Saeka smirked and threw her elbow back, cracking the woman's mask in half. Chaos broke out. Blaise encased the man pointing the wand at Zeherah in rope while Saeka dropped on the woman who had her as she began reaching for a wand. Hermione and Harry targeted the man who had been speaking. The rest of the Neo-Death Eaters apparated away as soon as Saeka made the first move, only the four that had been subdued remained. Luna crouched down to check on the one that had been bound earlier, but stopped when she saw Draco run over to Saeka and try and haul her off the female Neo-Death Eater. Draco wrapped his arms over Saeka's and pulled hard. They stumbled back and Saeka launched one last kick into the female's stomach. She began screaming obscenities to the curled up woman and Draco was finding it difficult to keep her squirming body against his. She was stronger than she looked. Zera had Rick, Charlie, George, and Harry move the captives off to a different room as quickly as possible and whispered hushed words to Laila. Laila ran off down a hallway just as quickly. Luna turned the couch back over and maneuvered a shocked Zeherah on to the dusty leather surface. Draco fell to the floor with Saeka in his arms. He was holding her tight for fear that she would jump up and continue to beat the crap out of the Neo-Death Eaters.
Hermione turned away from the sight. She couldn't bear to see one of her good friend's breaking down like that. She knew that the torture and horror of the time she spent locked up was replaying in her head. Hermione waved her wand and set to work, with Blaise, on repairing the room. Zera sat on the couch, holding her daughter's hand gently. Luna looked around at everyone and realized they would all be fine for the moment. She pushed her blonde hair over her shoulder and motioned to Neville to follow her. The two discretely left the room and followed the path that the other boys previously went. Her footsteps were light as she tried to figure out exactly where they had taken the Neo-Death Eaters. She could barely hear Harry's dulcet tones.
"Harry?" she asked.
A door further up to their right opened and Luna slipped inside with Neville. They were standing in an elegantly furnished study that had obviously not been touched in a while if the amount of dust was any indication. Luna ran a finger over the table to her left and left a streak in the layer of dust. She wiped her finger on her pants and turned to look at Harry. He looked haggard, far too old for his age. They had all been through too much. She knew that all he wanted was a moment of quiet where he could live life and maybe go forward in it without always being seen as 'The Chosen One'. Luna stepped forward and placed a hand on Harry's upper arm. He gave her a weak smile and turned back to the four they had captured. The masks were lying on the desk that had been pushed off to the side. The one female that Saeka had been beating up was sitting on the ground with her back against the wall. Her face was beginning to bruise from her broken nose. Luna knew she would have looked worse if the boys hadn't at least tried to help her slightly. Unlike the Neo-Death Eaters, they weren't heartless people. She turned to look at the man, who was obviously the ring leader of this entire operation.
"Harry, what exactly are we going to do with them?" Luna gently prodded her friend for an answer.
Harry pocketed his wand and crossed his arms over his chest. "Contact the Ministry first then interrogate them until they arrive."
George slipped his hands into his pockets to prevent himself from lashing out at the people in front of him. "I'll ask Zera to contact the Ministry," he said quickly before leaving the room. He didn't want to do anything stupid while in the room.
Harry pulled a chair over so as to sit in front of the ring leader. "Why did you come here?"
The man glared at him before deciding it was of no use to fight back. "I told you before. We came to take Granger."
"But why?" Luna asked.
"We were ordered to. Look I don't know anything! I just follow orders," he said to defend himself. He knew he would be going to prison, but he truly didn't know anything that would benefit either side.
"So, you guys are a bunch of mercenaries now?" Charlie growled out.
"They can't be mercenaries, they're too fucking pathetic," Saeka said from the doorway. Everyone turned and stared at her in shock. Draco appeared behind her and he grabbed her wrist to pull her away. She yanked her arm out of his grasp and pointed at the man. "If you were in the original Death Eaters, you would be dead for this pathetic excuse of an attack. You failed your mission, you were captured, and half your team ran away when the shit got scary. Pathetic."
The man narrowed his eyes as they roved over Saeka's scarred body. "You would know wouldn't you? Traitor."
Neville caught Saeka as she tried to launch herself at the man. He shoved her out of the room and closed the door behind her. He flipped the lock and could hear Draco out in the hallway trying to calm Saeka down. Luna turned back on the man and gave him her best seething glare. Her wand tip rested between the man's knit eyebrows. "What do you know?"
The man gulped and could see that she meant business. "O-okay. All I know is some guy from the British Ministry hired us to find Granger and bring her back. He knew exactly where you were staying, but we had issues finding you when you left earlier. That ghost in the cemetery got in the way too when she began throwing stones and pieces of tombs at us." Everyone smiled at that comment. "We just had to bring Granger back. We weren't supposed to harm anyone else." Luna mumbled something and a blindfold fell over the man's eyes. She pointed her wand at the others and uttered the same spell. They heard a yell from the hallway and then what sounded like a fist colliding with the wall. Neville opened the door and looked out to see Saeka leaned on her forearm against the wall. Her right arm dangling at her side with knuckles dripping blood on to the gleaming hard wood floor. Draco turned Saeka around and picked up her hand. He muttered a quick episky and ran a thumb over her knuckles. Luna closed the door after pulling Neville back in to the room. "We need to get out of here. Someplace where they can't find us."
"Where the hell would we go for that?" Charlie asked. "We are already in another fucking country! You heard that prat. Someone in the Ministry is keeping tabs on Hermione."
"What about us?" they all heard the deep rumbling voice that to their ears was like the voice of an angel. They turned around to see Kingsley standing behind them smiling at them gently. "I was visiting the American Ministry for a meeting when I heard Zera's maniac voice screaming at the Aurors. I had always wondered why she had been put in charge of the Auror department, now I know why. Harry, would you care to explain?"
The noise of someone disapparating rang through the house. Draco pushed through the door and around Kingsley. "She's gone. I don't know where she went," his voice reflected all the emotions he was feeling. They had seen a change in Draco from the first instance he had met Saeka, but now it was painfully obvious. Neville placed a hand on Draco's shoulder.
"Don't worry, we will find her. Let's get Zeherah and Blaise and we will head out. We will be back Harry. Just keep us informed."
Harry nodded. "Meet up back at the hotel. Bring her back, we will need her help."
Neville nodded and led Draco from the room. Kingsley watched them leave and turned to gaze on their captives. He knew that something had been stirring in the ashes of the last war, but he hadn't been expecting this. Harry quickly filled him in on what needed to be done and what the man had said. Kingsley sent word to some Aurors to arrive so they could take the men away from here. He had seen Hermione on the way in and he was worried about one of his favorite employees. He felt responsible for what was happening, especially since someone under his authority was ordering these men about. He caught sight of Luna giving Harry a hug as the hero laid his head on Luna's blonde head. Things were changing and he was hoping that from the ashes a new way of life would bloom.
Blaise had an arm around Zeherah's shoulders as they walked through the Vieux Carré looking for Saeka's bright eyes. He had watched his friend go from composed man to a worried man. He was beginning to worry for Draco's own health. Neville stopped and sighed as they reached another city block. He didn't know where to go, no one did. They had stopped by Marie again only to find out that Saeka had already been there and left. She had tried to get through to the woman, but nothing had worked. Now they were walking everywhere looking for her. Rue Bourbon had been one of the first places they had hit. They had gone in to place that sold alcohol, but no one had said they had seen her. It was beginning to grow colder as the sun sank on the horizon, but Draco wasn't giving up. He was going to drag them all across New Orleans if he had to. They dashed across Decatur and continued on to Peters. Draco stopped in his tracks and the others continued passed him before they too stopped. He turned to the right and followed the path around another shopping area and past a fountain. Zeherah knew exactly where he was going and ran passed him. Draco jumped up the steps and across the trolley tracks. Both him and Zeherah were glancing around the boardwalk along the Mississippi looking for any sight of her. Neville and Blaise caught up with them as well and began to divide up to help look when Draco broke out in to a smile. He scrambled down the rocks in front of them only to sit down right next to Saeka. Zeherah took a deep breath of relief when she saw the woman sitting there, not drowning in alcohol. Draco fingered the green and silver material that clung to Saeka's frame tightly. Her last name stretched across the back with a number 5 in silver under it.
"You played Quidditch?" he asked softly.
Saeka nodded. "Zeherah and I were Chasers for the team. Even though we were traitors the captain at the time couldn't pass up two good players. The team had been hurting and were trying to beat Gryffindor, considering how well we fared in every trial, he couldn't pass us up. Zera bought us brand new racing brooms and we ended up being the best on the team. I love playing Quidditch, but it's a bit difficult to play when you start screaming at people and your voice distracts them," she said with a gentle laugh. "We will have to go back to London soon, I forgot my potion. I don't need people following me all over the French Quarter."
Draco silently took her hand and she rolled it over to thread her fingers through his. He smirked. "Is there any chance the lure will go away?"
She shrugged and sighed. "The myths say that the sirens lured men to them so they could procreate and continue the line, but some other myths say it was to lead them to their death or even to eat them. I'd like to believe it was to lure them to have sex." She chuckled at her own words. She became silent as her thoughts turned to something else that had been bothering her. Something she had noticed a while ago, but hadn't really thought about. She had first met Draco when she had forgotten to take her potion that Neville had made her. She hesitantly talked to him outside Hermione's office in the Ministry of Magic. It was when they were afraid to really try and reach out to the former Death Eater family. Now, she was glad she had, but the conversation had bothered her. Normally when she wasn't taking the potion weekly her voice had the allure of the sirens in myth, so any man would instantly cling to her words and to her often times. Yet, Draco had acted completely normal around her. He hadn't hung on her every word or even try to cling to her. "Draco?" he turned to look at her. "Why aren't you lured by the sound of my voice?"
Draco sat in stunned silence. He hadn't really thought about it, but now that he was, he realized he had never been affected by her voice. "I don't know. Your voice is nice, but I've never been lured by it."
"Why?"
George was walking down through the French Quarter with Hermione once again, this time their wands were at the ready in case they were needed. Hermione's own mind was turning over the information that Harry had told her earlier. Someone in the Ministry was trying to have her captured and Kingsley knew more than he was saying. The man had tried to reassure her by saying that he would have people placed on it. That wasn't enough for her; she wanted to know who would be in charge of this. Her grip on George's hand tightened to the point of being painful for him. She didn't even notice, she was too far gone in to her own thoughts. George hissed at the pain, but suffered through it. He knew she was upset about everything and no one could blame her. He just wished she wouldn't take it out on him. He distracted himself by looking around for the place Zera told him to take her to. She had given him directions to Café du Monde, saying that she was safe there with as many witches and wizards that stopped by there during the day.
"'Mione!" he finally called out when the pain began to be too much.
Hermione gasped and released his hand quickly. She hadn't realized she was causing that much pain for him. "I'm so sorry George." George flexed his fingers and heard the joints pop. The woman had a vice-like grip. "…George?" He stopped walking and turned around to look at her. "Why is this happening to me?" He almost didn't hear her soft voice as she guiltily asked the question.
George walked over her and wrapped his arms around her shoulders. She immediately wrapped her arms around his mid-section, resting her head on his chest. She hated being shorter than him, but this spot. This spot was perfect. She had never felt this secure in all her life. Not even when she was dating Ron. Right here in his arms she felt the security she always wanted. That knowledge made her cry. She had wasted almost five years of her life with Ron for apparently nothing. She couldn't believe how much of an idiot she had been. George released her when he felt her sobbing against his chest. His hands came up to cup her cheeks. His thumbs brushed the stray tears off her soft cheeks and she began to cry harder when she saw the emotion in his eyes. George began to panic. He had no idea as to why she was crying, but he knew he was a part of the problem. He wiped more tears away before speaking.
"I'm so sorry 'Mione, even though I don't know what I did. I'll do whatever it will take to make you happy again. I never want to see you like this. Please tell me—"
Hermione silenced him by pressing her finger against his lips. "George, you're rambling." She gave him a bright cheery smile with teary eyes. "It's not your fault. I just wish I had realized I chose the wrong brother earlier."
Shock took a second to register in his fuddled mind. Then a smile broke out across his face. "So, all those years of flirting with you have finally paid off for me?"
Hermione swatted him on the arm before giving a choked sob. "I just wish I would have realized this sooner."
George pulled her back in to his chest and let his fingers tangle in her luscious hair. He bent down and laid his forehead against her neck. "We have all the time in the world."
Kingsley patted his robes down as he stepped out of the floo in the entrance to the Ministry. He had just arrived from the American Ministry with more information than he knew how to properly deal with. He knew he couldn't do this on his own, but if there were spies in the Ministry he was running out of people to trust. He stopped when someone stepped in his way. He really didn't want to talk to anyone right now; he needed to get this mess sorted out. His gaze traveled up the black robes and his eyes widened when he saw the platinum blond hair. Kingsley threw up a thank you to whatever gods were listening and motioned for the man to follow him to his office. They shoved their way through the workers who were trying to scramble their way to the floos to go home for the day. No one really spared them a second glance as they climbed in to an elevator to go to the office. Kingsley was grateful that his secretary was gone for the day already and he ushered the man in to his office. He closed the door and flicked the lock. He began to place a few wards around the room to prevent people from walking in or from hearing what was going to be said. Kingsley rounded on the man.
"Lucius I need you to do something."
Lucius looked shocked, but quickly concealed it. "I have something to tell you first Minister. I know my family has fallen out of favor, but we are trying to do everything possible to show that we are not horrible people. That's why I'm coming to you in the strictest confidence. Narcissa and I heard from a former associate recently that Neo-Death Eaters were sent out to track Ginerva Weasley, Hermione Granger, Luna Lovegood, Saeka Adams, and Zeherah Laveau."
"All of them? Oh dear god." Kingsley fell in to his chair and rubbed his hand across his forehead. "Lucius, we need to protect them. They were already attacked today. I trust you with this information because I know that you care. You'll be caring even more when Draco tells you of his relationship with Adams."
Lucius sputtered for a second as he tried to say something over his shock of that statement. He composed himself as best he could before taking a seat in the leather chair across from Kingsley. "How do you know this?"
"Ron Weasley decided to end his relationship with Hermione by cheating on her. Saeka and Zeherah were already intending to go visit family in New Orleans so they brought Hermione as well as Harry, Neville, Luna, Charlie, George, Blaise, and your son. While they were in the residence of Zera Laveau," Lucius cringed at the name. "They were attacked by Neo-Death Eaters. They said someone in the Ministry is ordering their movements and I don't know where to begin."
Lucius sighed and relaxed in to the chair. He knew Zera Laveau was currently fuming at the fact her home was destroyed. She was always violent, even in school. He wouldn't be surprised if her daughter inherited her aggressive nature. His thoughts then went to her daughter, Zeherah, and her daughter's best friend, Saeka. Those two had been held in the basement of his house for months, being tortured by Death Eaters and his sister-in-law. Now, they were associating with Draco and becoming friends with him. It gave him some hope that maybe things would eventually change for everyone. That maybe one day, their family could rise from the ashes and reclaim the glory it once had. But first, he had to help the ones who needed it most. "The Neo-Death Eaters were started by the Greengrass family and they have recruited numerous families to help. They've been able to find some remaining Death Eaters as well," he finally said.
Kingsley stared at the man; he wanted to make sure that everything that was being said was true. Yet, he knew, Lucius could no longer lie to anyone. The war had stripped him bare. "I appreciate you for telling me this—"
"We can help," Lucius suddenly said. "I know we aren't the favored among people, but the children of the families that are trying to move on are willing to help. They want to change the tainted view of their own house. I can have someone discreetly watch over Ginerva and make sure that the others are taken care of as soon as they arrive in London. Zabini's mother, Dahlia, wishes that they arrive at the mansion and wards can be placed to protect them."
Kingsley raised a questioning eyebrow. "Isn't your mansion more heavily protected?"
Lucius nodded. "Yes, but I refuse to allow anyone in to that mansion anymore. I am going to have it demolished. Cissa and I have discussed moving out in to the country, away from people."
Kingsley smiled. He was glad to see the times changing around him. "I'm looking forward to seeing who you will be sending to cover Ginny. Now, lets floo to Mrs. Laveau's home and gather the young ones."
Fluffystwin: 12 pages…..damn I'm cranking this out like a badass. I hope this meets everyone's standards and I would like to know what you all think. Even if it is to flame, though be warned if you do flame expect a witty comeback. There's a reason I'm a Slytherin ;) Review and patiently anticipate the next chapter!
