Disclaimer: I do not own any of the recognized character or depictions in this piece. This is just my lovely brain experimenting. Happy Reading!
Thank you to I was BOTWP, ScarletProphecy14, Guest(SiriuslyHermione), Miss Kitty Wonder, and Arilasirene for the reviews. Gracias to those who have followed and favorited this story. It means alot to know one's work is appreciated.
A/N: WARNINGS! Abduction and graphic descriptions are present.
BITTER BEAUTY
Chapter Two
Angels in the Darkness
Draco sat in the dark silence of his study. His anxious tremors making him consider a second dose of calming draught. His eyes were red and seemed to be unable to blurring up and becoming more irritated by the second. Furiously, he took his glass and pitched it towards the wall. The glass shattered the silence, echoing down the hall, leaving only the clear shards across the floor.
His other fist held a clenched, scrap of parchment informing him of Ronald Weasley's murder and the abduction of his daughter, Rose. He felt so much guilt and expected Granger and the Weasleys to break down his wards and avada him for his role. For years, he was the one that fed the aurors information secretly and successfully ran his own potions company. His private stores supplied St. Mungo's with innovative medications and private buyers he allowed to remain anonymous. He was the intel, the private source, that had cost the Weasley family their youngest son. He had known how to track Fenrir from the records of his father and past experiences. The deal was very lucrative for both parts and it had been a blessing these last 10 years.
"Granger is going to have my fucking head on a spike!" he snarled, before waving his wand to clear up the debris.
Slipping out of his office, he ventured into the main wing to join his wife and son. His grey eyes found his wife, sitting rather oddly and trembling with...fear.
"Astoria? Perhaps, I need to give you a dra-" he began, before noticing a large shadow cast from the corner.
Draco gripped his wand firmly, as the hair prickled on his neck and he fought against the shiver threatening to run down his spine. Piercing eyes met his gaze and he instantly turned to face the massive demon looming before him. His murderous expression made Draco uneasy and he quickly scanned the room for his son. His eyes quickly glanced around the room and found the toddler rocking back and forth, whimpering into his babbity rabbity toy.
"Master Malfoy, how wonderfully quaint for you to join us," Greyback sneered.
"Fenrir, it has been a long time since this house was graced with your presence," Draco responded, hoping his fear was masked well enough.
The despicable waste of a creature dropped his rucksack with a heavy thud, circled him, edging closer to the frightened child. In his lethal grasp was wand, his hands stained, though Draco severely doubted from mud or red wine. Astoria whimpered and her breathing became rapid.
"It seems your dear, succulent wife is petrified of me," Greyback said smoothly, grinning from ear to ear. He strode over to the couch where Astoria shook, failing miserably to stay calm in his presence. He swept her hair into his filthy claws, a dangerous look in his eye. "It would be a shame to lose such a beautiful prize, because we were simply careless in our actions. Hmmm Draco?"
Draco steeled his nerves, knowing he had to play his cards just so, "Indeed, though, I am afraid I do not know what this particular visit's purpose is. Do you wish for a personal potion to brewed?"
"Oh, I think I have all I need for tonight's pleasures," Greyback purred, still sitting dangerously close to Astoria.
She was cowering away, offering little to no access to him, knowing this was the monster responsible for infecting so many innocents. The little boy in front of her was rocking with such intensity, she feared he would cause himself a brain injury.
"Ah, well I suppose I can have my staff make you suitable place for the night. No doubt, you've had quite the journey," Draco said, his hand itching at his side.
Fenrir leaned forward once more, taking in the very scent of the frightened witch, growling in delight, "Ah...I'm so glad to have come to the subject at hand at last. You see, Malfoy, it has been quite the journey here. A decade, you could say, perhaps? No? Hiding, starving, and denying myself the simple pleasures and joy of watching my victims beg for mercy as I quench both my...natural urges. Though, you would know all about that wouldn't you?" he snarled.
Draco took a moment to keep his composure and played his part, "No doubt being on the run was not ideal for you, but I see that you are resourceful and have managed to survive. Indeed, you must be exhausted. My father was one that offered you a place to recuperate from your-"
Fenrir cackled, "Yes, your father, Lucius, offered me a place. Such a shame, the heir the blasted line is a turncoat...a filthy fucking traitor. A snitch and a mole that has given my location away for the last decade and I suppose I have been too soft on such person. Well, this wolf has come to claim his fun for such treachery!"
Draco watched as Astoria features distorted as the wolf lunged for her. Before his wand could rise, before a hex could be uttered from his lips, Fenrir was blasted from the screaming witch. Draco's stupor was broken by his son trembling, as his eyes sought out his mother to ensure her safety.
"If one more fucking brat blasts me, I shred them apart limb for limb and feed them to the bloody parents!" Fenrir snarled.
The demon lunged for the small child, but Draco blasted him. Astoria ran to Scorpius, huddling them in the corner. She sent a distress signal to the aurors, then trained her wand on the demon, hoping to catch a blind spot.
"You will pay for your treachery!" Fenrir snarled.
Draco shot hex after hex, slicing the scars apart on the Greyback, but even he was not a match for the werewolf. He was known for his brute strength, but also for his dueling abilities. Fenrir hurled a table towards him, causing Draco to dodge and miss his blindside. Fenrir caught Draco, barring his teeth menacingly. Astoria feared the worst, and shot a crucio towards him, hitting him the shoulder.
Draco escaped his grasp, as the wolf shrunk to the floor in pain. His eyes filled with hatred and blood lust. He fought the curse, crawling on his hands and knees towards the dark haired witch.
Shouts and the sounds of heavy footsteps filled the halls, alerting Fenrir of the incoming guests. He lunged once more for Astoria, making Draco cast the most instinctual curse he could for a moment such as this. A jet of green erupted from his wand, piercing the chest of the assailant. Astoria screamed and fell to the ground, scrambling away. The room was flooded with aurors, questions, and investigation charms.
An auror found Draco's son huddled next to the wall, curiously inspecting the rucksack Greyback carelessly dropped.
"Hey, buddy...what do you have there?" he asked kindly.
Scorpius scooted away from the man, whimpering.
"It's okay. We're the good guys. Your dad was helping us, you know." He smiled at the frightened child, before calling the lead auror. "Auror Cootes, we have something here."
A tall man came and began to inspect the grime-covered bag, before carefully placing charms on it to reveal any dark magic or curses present. When none arose, he placed a charm to open the material to reveal the contents.
"HOLY SHIT! Alert St. Mungo's! Now, we need a private room and security around the clock!" he bellowed.
Draco stood up to see what the bag contained. He only caught one glimpse, but that one snippet of view told him everything he needed. Matted, mud-clumped curls...red curls...Weasley red curls.
St. Mungo's- That Night
Hermione stared at her fragile son, her baby boy that fought for his very life. She had no memory of his birth, but Molly assured her she was able to give birth to him, despite his distress levels. The brown curls were already evident, however his eye color was still a mystery to her. He slept mostly and was highly sensitive to most things. However, the charms the healers placed on him kept him comfortable and allowed him to develop at a more rapid rate. When she was able to hold him, cuddle him, but she had yet to be able to nurse him. He was fed through a charmed tube and was being gradually introduced to her breast milk. They hoped it would make for an easier transition, when the time arose.
The Weasleys were by her side, bringing her tea and biscuits. Molly was practically forcing her to eat, seeing as the witch was refusing most meals.
"Hi, little one. Your mommy is so proud at how strong you are. Barely a day old and you showing strength of millions. Mommy is right here! I'm not going anywhere, my little miracle," Hermione whispered, tears streaming down her face silently.
The healers knocked on the door, motioning for her to come immediately. She sent her son one last loving glance and left the room. In the hall, were aurors she did not recognize.
"Mrs. Granger-Weasley, you need to come with us at once," one ordered.
She followed obediently, closely followed by the healers. They passed several rooms, coursing through hallways, until they entered a private wing. A door was opened and she was instructed to file in. The Weasleys were already present, exhausted from their grueling emotions. Harry's cloak was there, but he was absent, which was rather odd for Hermione. But before the question could form on her lips, she noticed a boy with platinum, blonde locks being rocked by none other than Astoria Malfoy.
The healers were given the lead, as the aurors guarded the doors, both inside and out of the private wing.
"Why are we in the private wings?" she asked shakily.
"Circumstances as they are, this was the most appropriate station in the facility. Ma'am, we are here to offer you both good and bad news. The good news is your daughter was found during a distress call from Malfoy Manor. Fenrir Greyback was found deceased on the scene and it is evident he intended to take the Malfoy heir, as his next hostage," they explained.
"Is she...is my Rosie okay? You said she was found, not that she was alive or unharmed or-" she spouted rapidly.
Ginny rushed over and gently began to gently calm her friend, allowing the healers to continue.
"Your daughter is alive. However, that is where the good news becomes a little grey." Hermione's breath hitched, as the healer took a breath to calm his own emotions. "It appears she was intended to be infected, but he became distracted in his blood lust for a second victim, that Greyback clawed her back and abused the child. She has no bite marks, no marks to indicate that she was infected with the lycanthrope virus. Auror Potter is in with her at the moment and she is talking at the current time. However, we are placing her under a sleeping draught to continue her care. She will likely need therapy. Children that endure such a tragic evil and survive their ordeal tend to have psychological effects from it. It is not uncommon to see people, young and old, suffer Post Traumatic Stress Disorder from these experiences. Do you understand what I have told you so far, Ma'am?"
Hermione felt her stomach churning, but pressed on. "When you say abused...what does that entail?"
"Your daughter has deep slashes on her back and bruises along her arms and ribs. Her face has lacerations, but they are not so deep. Easily healed for the most part. The wounds she suffered on her back appear similar to her Uncle Bill's. Not likely they will have any affect on her other than mood swings or meat cooking preferences," the healer explained.
"Can I see her, please?" she asked, her voice quivering.
"We must ask that your rescrub back in. You understand the need for a clean environment, I trust."
Hermione numbly nodded her head. She was relieved to hear of her daughter's survival, relieved to hear Scorpius had escaped Fenrir's grasp...but ultimately crushed to discover that vile monster had abused her baby girl. She inhaled and exhaled slowly, before rising out of her chair.
The healers doused in her sanitation spells, the placed her in a white smock. Once her hands were covered and she was properly inspected, Hermione was allowed the enter the ICU room. She noticed a golden M above the door, noting this must be the private wing the Malfoy's utilized. Confirming her suspicions, was none other than Draco Malfoy slumped into a chair, as he stared blankly at the toddler before him. Harry was slumped over the bed, holding her tiny hand in his own.
As the door clicked closed, both men peeked over to find the child in question's mother, frozen at the sight of her little girl struggling to get better.
"Hermione, I swear to y-" Harry began, sobs slurring his speech.
Hermione held her hand up, shaking her head. "I know you guys did everything you could. Ronald did everything in his power to protect her, sacrificed himself for the cause, for his child. I expected nothing less from my wonderful husband. He was brilliant and loyal! I don't blame either of you for this."
She timidly approached the bed, carefully reading the charts for her Rosie. The little girl was pale, bruised, and her wounds were strikingly dark. It made Hermione's stomach churn once more, bile threatening to rise, as she surveyed her daughter's injuries.
"That sick bastard...she's just a baby," she whimpered.
Harry took her hand, "He's dead. Draco gave the bastard his rightful punishment!"
"My company is supplying Rose with all of her medications and draughts. Should you require them for the rest of her life, they will be free of charge," Draco whispered.
"I just want her back," she whispered.
Harry rushed over to her side, engulfing his pseudo-sister in a bone-crushing hug that could rival that of Molly Weasley. The two friends held each other, breaking down and relying on each other to hold their shattered selves together.
A/N: Reviews are awesome! Any predictions on the road ahead?