My dreams were continuously frantic that evening as I hoped that the light of direction would help me sleep. Draco appeared several times throughout them but was nothing less than a shadow that roamed aimlessly as I watched people suffer before my eyes.
The sound of the door clicking awoke me to a wave of relief. My eyes shot open just as another scream died quietly within my post trance. It took me a moment to gather my perception of my surroundings but finally my tired eyes rested upon the small intruder that stood in the corner.
"Quibbly?" I rubbed my eyes to make sure I was seeing clearly. Sure enough, the house elf produced a small smile and wrung her hands before scuffling over to my bedside.
"Master Malfoy has requested your presence down in the kitchens for a meal. Quibbly was asked to wait until the misses awoke. Quibbly didn't...didn't wake the mistress did she? That would be…." the house elf started to tremble slightly.
"No. No you didn't. Don't worry. I just had a bad dream was all." I looked into the elf's large somber brown eyes. Maybe I was looking for a bit of consolidation? I shook the dream out of my head and sat up.
Draco requesting my presence? I sighed. After yesterday I didn't know quite how I felt. The resentment still stood prominent in my conscience but the ache greatly outweighed the feeling, ultimately leaving me running in circles. Move on Lyra! He is trying. My voice shouted. I really wished it would leave me alone right about now.
For a few moments we both sat there awkwardly in silence, Quibbly awaiting an answer patiently while I fought with my brain. I finally decided to throw off the covers, slightly startling the small creature, before placing my feet on the cold floor.
"Tell Draco I will be down shortly." I muttered. I swore the house elf gave a small smile before hopping out of the room and closing the door behind her.
It took me only a few moments to throw on my hooded sweatshirt and some loose cotton pajama slacks. The manor was eerily quiet; a drastic change from the previous morning's events. I hadn't heard or seen my uncle since his departure yesterday, making me think he was still out searching for the Minister. I hoped he gave them a run for their money. The thought of the Ministry being completely over taken by this horrendous troupe of sickening 'wizards' made my stomach churn. Harry and Luna popped into my head as I prayed for their safety. As of yesterday, he hadn't been found. It was clear Voldemort wanted Harry and I knew he wouldn't stop until they found each other.
The kitchen was all a bustle as Quibbly scurried around trying to flip pancakes while pulling half burnt scones out of the oven. Lemon wafted through the air mixed with the slight tinge of smoke. I pondered for a moment on whether or not to assist the busily working elf but she seemed to be consumed by her task, ignoring my presence. I quietly poured myself a large cup of hot water and rummaged through the assortments of teas that lay on the island counter, finally landing on the perfect familiar taste of lavender and lemon made me yearn for home as I remembered the mornings wrapped up on the couch with a blanket and a hot cup of similar tea.
"Breakfast will be served on the terrace Miss," Quibbly spoke, breaking my longing state of mind. I quickly turned to the large French doors that allowed the small glow of sunlight to spill onto the kitchen floor, illuminating the marble. Beyond the glass stood a tall well-dressed figure with his back facing us. He seemed contemplative, unaware of the events happening in the room behind him. I tiptoed over to the glass pane and turned the handle slightly to open it. Draco's gaze broke and he turned to look at his visitor; a smile crept over his face almost instantly. He had just showered, his hair still wet and limp with water. The chill of the morning air surrounded us forcing his scent through my nostrils. The smell ignited a small flame of remembrance as we stood there.
"I'm glad you decided to join me this morning. I…I wasn't quite sure what state you left in yesterday. You sort of just…...disappeared." He ran his fingers through the wet strands, shaking them dry. It was true. After talking with him, I closed myself in the bedroom for the remainder of the day and night, tearing myself apart about what to do. Every time I thought I found the answer, my logic would bring me back. And that kiss. What was that?
Draco sensed my slight discomfort and turned back to face the view of deep green forest that stretched ahead. The dampness of the morning produced a heavy fog that hung low through the trees. Bright rays from the sun peeked through the blanket in the sky, creating a glow among the landscape. The warmth felt good on my face as I stood with my eyes closed, holding my steaming cup.
Draco shifted in his spot and I heard a subtle scoff from beneath my closed eyes. Opening one slightly, I eyed the cause of disruption with a scowl.
"What?"
"It's nothing." He looked at me with a curious expression.
"Clearly," I closed my eyes again, trying to regain the warm feeling. The silence was still for a few moments before Draco disrupted it again, this time in a hushed whisper.
"It feels good to see you smile." I opened my eyes again and stared at him, his lip curled slightly. Smiling? The warmth must've triggered it. I breathed at the thought. This had been the first time in a week that I had stepped foot outside and it was nothing short of awakening. I couldn't help but smile again as the crisp air kissed at the soft hairs on my cheeks.
"It's not going to be easy, you know. All of this." I finally responded. Draco's eyes shifted to meet mine.
"It never is but it is tolerable when you don't have to do it alone," he murmured as he bit his lip and turned away. Our mutual agreement rested thick as the fog that lay before us. He had taken the words out of my thoughts and presented them to me on a silver platter for the taking.
"Amycus still wants my help." I bobbed the tea bag in my rapidly cooling water, breaking the tension.
"I figured as much," Draco breathed. "I know the situation is not near ideal, but, to be honest Lyra, you're in one of the best positions. You played this out well."
A gust of hot air escaped from my nostrils. "I didn't do this on purpose Draco. I never wanted this. I'd rather be at home with my parents."
He quickly latched on to my implied accusation. "Your parents are aurors. You and I both know just as well that this could've happened regardless." I huffed again at his factual comment. Before I could lash out, the door flung open behind us presenting a balanced house elf with several trays. She hobbled past us to a neatly dressed table that I hadn't noticed prior.
"Breakfast is served, Master Malfoy." Quibbly hastily put the trays down upon the table and stood, knees slightly trembling. It was clear she was frightened of his disapproval but awaited it with eagerness nonetheless. I smiled at the house elf gently.
"Thank you Quibbly. It smells delicious." I bowed to the little creature making her expression change instantly. She shakily smiled and scampered back into the kitchen.
"Fond of our house elf, are you?" Draco walked over to the set table, eyeballing the food. He picked up one of the half burnt scones in his hand and frowned before flinging it back onto the plate.
"She isn't one to cook I am afraid."
I walked over to the table and smiled. "At least she tried." I could feel Draco roll his eyes as he pulled out the chair next to him, gesturing me to sit.
Breakfast was nice although I didn't much touch the food. I more or less moved the pancakes around in the buttery syrup countless times before they were too soggy to stay attached to the fork. I did, however, pour myself another cup of hot water, savoring every ounce of the exquisite tea.
"My father has a connection with a Chinese trader who occasionally sells delicacies in Knockturn Alley. Mother swears it is the finest tea she has ever tasted. Lavender is a good choice."
Small talk. Great. I nodded, focusing my attention to the line of trees that rested behind the blonde. The fog was now clearing as the sun cast down more fervently. Within the shadows of the deep evergreens stirred a small movement from the breeze. My brows furrowed at the movement. Draco followed my gaze and turned back to me.
"What is it?"
"I...I swore I saw something." We both looked for a few more moments towards the forest before I rested my straining eyes.
"What lays beyond these trees, Draco?" His eyebrows raised.
"My family owns all this land, as far as the eye can see. Six thousand, four hundred and eighty four to be exact. Beyond that, Wiltshire." Draco looked back at me, expecting an impressed look of his large family estate I am sure, but all that lay there was concern.
"I told you Lyra, you're safe here." I had to laugh at the thought of being safe in a murderer's den. "There are a number of defensive spells placed on the Manor, not to mention a strong fidelius charm. With all this land, no one will find you." I wasn't sure if these words were words of comfort or if I should be terrified. But the thought was quickly diminished when several figures appeared from the darkened barrier of trees.
"Then what is that?" Draco turned his head toward the direction again, noticing the figures in the distance. He stood up and placed his napkin on the plate before coming to pull out my chair.
"They're back. Let's go." I hesitated at his words before he grabbed a hold of my elbow and pulled me up.
He walked with a purpose as he led me through the kitchens and into the grand foyer. We dodged the drawing room and ascended a small set of stairs that were cast behind an ornate statue of a nymph.
"Do you think they have the Minister?" I questioned quietly as I hurried to keep up with him.
"That is who he asked for isn't it? They'd be stupid to come back without him."
We finally reached the top landing that turned down a narrow strait. There was an opening that looked out onto the vast table in the drawing room. Draco and I stayed in the shadows as he cast a silencing charm around us.
The room quickly filled with people, apparating from the depths of the room. I could hear the scuffle of feet and a muffled groan from below.
"Gah, this one…" The cracked voice struggled to gain control over the wailing man. Suddenly another, more prominent, groan sounded and someone collapsed onto the floor. This was followed by a roar of laughter that erupted from the first. Amycus.
"Got you right in the bollucks, did he Yaxley?" Amycus's voice belted out in another fit of laughter.
"Knock it off Carrow!" the other man said between gasps of breath. Yaxley. THAT was Bellatrix's accomplice the other night. I had seen him before somewhere. A scrape of several chairs pulled out as the captivated man was restrained into one. I could hear a distant clacking of heels approaching the group of men and then more silence.
"No! Not yet sister."
"You didn't catch him, did you? What excuse do you have this time?"
"They've Rookwood. This was the best we could get after the attack. I would say is'not a bad find." There was a swish of cloth being removed and a gasp.
"Robards?"
"The one and only. If anyone knows the Minister better, it'd be this one. I say we could probably torture it out of him." Amycus chuckled again as the chair groaned under the man bound to it, pulling at his restraints.
"He's not going to be pleased about this," Draco murmured under his breath. Voldemort set clear expectations and I was sure he wanted them met. I shuttered at the possibilities for my uncle.
Draco turned to look at me amidst the conversation below. "Your uncle is as good as dead."
I frowned. "Do you even know who Robards is?" Draco's face dropped. "He's my father's boss." I sighed. Gawain and his family had come over to join us on several occasions for dinners and get togethers. He had two small girls no older than seven years old at home, probably worried sick about him right now.
"He's not Scrimgeour but he's not a bad catch either," I breathed, trying to listen to more of the conversation and push out my emotions but Draco pulled me back.
"Regardless, we don't want to be here if he returns. This is all but a diversion. Yaxley had no idea where Scrimgeour was and clearly still doesn't." He tugged on my arm with more force.
"He's the minister Draco. Of course he isn't going to be easy to find," I fought back, wanting to hear more.
Draco just shook his head. "If Voldmort wants something, he will get it, and he won't stop until he does. We don't want to be caught in the middle of this." The darkness in his words shattered through my body. This was made painstakingly clear over the past week. Through multiple tortures and deaths, it was obvious Voldemort had no sense of compassion or mercy when it came to his demands.
More Death Eaters, including Lucius, started filing into the room now. I bit my lip in heated anticipation.
"Robards? Where is the minister Yaxley?"
"What are you lot complaining about? We have the head of the Auror Department. It'll be a shoo in now!"
"It is a shoo in anyways you fool!' Alecto belted. "We have over three fourths of the place hexed, jinked, or dead. We need Scrimgeour!"
"Told you," Draco whispered into my ear. I bit my tongue and looked at him. Things were getting louder below as the argument over the current prisoner escalated. I looked around for our easiest escape only to find us stuck between the hidden spiral staircase that crossed over the drawing room and a solid cement wall.
"And how do you propose we get out of here? The only exit is back down those stairs and past this mess." Draco blinked at disbelief towards me, a slow smirk starting to appear over his darkened face. In a deep, husky voice, he murmured, "You forget where you are. This is the Malfoy Manor."
Author's Note: Thank you all so much for reading! In the past month my numbers have doubled between Bound To You part I and II. I couldn't be happier. Please leave a review or comment if you can :)
Now for this chapter. To be honest, I am not sure how I feel about it. Lyra and Draco's relationship is in an awkward state as she is not sure if or even how she wants to approach him. The trust just isn't there and will definitely have to be rebuilt. As far as the Death Eater scene (which are always so much fun to write), they're closing in on the minister but just don't have it quite right, bringing back anyone they can find now just to get closer. It's a pretty straight forward chapter. The next one will spur quite a reader's imagination.
