A/N: It appears the last chapter went over well. Excited to see what you think about this one. Obviously, I own nothing. Enjoy!
Avril sat quietly as she watched her sister pace back and forth, nearly wearing a hole through the Oriental rug in the drawing room they were currently sitting in. She was giving her a bland look and her soft sighing every few minutes indicated that she didn't much care about what her sister was saying anymore.
"He asked me to move in with him! That's fine, right? I mean you would think so. But then he tells me he wants me to move with him to America! As if I could even bear leaving my sister here in France! Alone!"
Camille de La Fontaine had a slightly screechy voice when she got this worked up. Her olive skin took on an almost tomato-like color and her eyebrows knitted together as if there could be no separating them. Her slightly bushy brown hair was tied up in a high knot with only a few strands in her face. She nervously pulled at the long sleeves of the navy blue cashmere sweater she was wearing and brushed her hands of sweat on the black jeans she was wearing. Her black leather riding boots made a muffled clicking noise with every step she took over that poor Oriental rug. Her deep hazel eyes were pouring out the indecision she was commonly known for.
"Cam, he's a gorgeous guy! He's nice and sweet and he's a Marino! They're one of the oldest wizarding families from Italy, so you know mama and papa would have approved of him if they were alive." Avril replied, her voice as calm as it always had been.
Between all the de La Fontaine sisters, Avril had always been known to be the voice of reason. The twins, Julia and Jolie, had always come to her because of that. She felt a slight pang in her chest as she thought of the two. Jolie had been obliviated and currently lived in Australia with no memory of her family or the magical world. Julia, who'd married Argo McKinnon, brother of Marlene McKinnon, had been killed with the other McKinnons. She was at least thankful that neither of the de La Fontaine's parents were alive when these things happened. The obliviation of Jolie and the death of Julia had brought the remaining de La Fontaine sisters closer than ever.
After Julia's funeral, Camille moved back into the de la Fontaine family home on the outskirts of Paris to keep Avril company. She'd never say so, of course, but Avril was smart enough to figure it out. Camille was terrified of leaving her alone because she was terrified of losing her only other sister. Avril thought of all these things and tried to come up with a solution that Camille would be alright with.
"There's nothing to be afraid of anymore, Cam. Voldemort and his Death Eaters are gone. The magical world is rid of his pitiful soul. We are in an age of new beginnings. Do you not believe you should embrace that?" Avril asked, quietly watching her sister's reaction.
Camille stopped and took a deep breath, hugging her arms to herself the way she always did to calm herself. She opened her eyes and looked at her younger sister with adoration in her eyes. "Avril, you are the most amazing sister, you know? You're the only one that can talk me down from my craziness."
Avril smiled and got up to hug her sister. "Evan is an amazing guy. Don't let him get away. France isn't going anywhere. I'm not going anywhere. Go to America with him." She could tell her sister was listening to her because she was now hugging her so tight, Avril was certain she was seeing stars. Finally, Camille let go and informed Avril that she was going to see Evan and that she would probably be staying the night. Then, it was just Avril in the de La Fontaine home alone.
Avril Marie de La Fontaine was Camille Annette's opposite. She'd inherited their mother's thick, inky hair and deep brown eyes. Her skin was slightly darker than Camille's, a light cinnamon color that she'd also inherited from their mother. Avril wasn't nearly as distressed as her sister could be. She tried not to worry too much and left that to Camille. As the youngest sister, she understood that Camille fussed over her the way a parent might. Avril was vastly younger than her sisters: she was only twenty one years old. Camille was ten years older than her and the twins were five years older than her. Despite the age gaps, the sisters had always been very close. The twins had been fifteen when Avril had been born and practically raised her.
She left the rather large drawing room and walked down the long hall to her room that seemed to feel far too big for her. Avril set about straightening her room and opened the curtains to let some light in. She could hear Elena, their maid, bustling about somewhere in the house and decided to go to her office. With Camille leaving for America, that would leave Avril as head of House de La Fontaine. She would now be in charge of all the finances and other such things that came with holding such a position. Her first item on the agenda, however, was to know how her niece, Hermione, was doing.
Jean Black was writhing about in her sleep, sweat glistening on her forehead. Draco sat at her bedside, holding on to her hand for dear life and hoping she was alright. He had to go visit his father at Azkaban today, but he wasn't sure he would leave until he knew with certainty that Jean would be alright.
Harry and Ron stood in the doorway from time to time and brought in cool cloths to put on Jean's head while she slept fitfully. She hadn't opened her eyes since she'd fainted in Draco's arms at the front door. Jim Bradley had wanted to stay for a few hours, but was unable to do so as he was called back to London for a meeting. Thus, that meant Draco would be staying, though he couldn't have left Jean if he'd wanted to.
His muscles hurt from strain and his eyes were hurting slightly from not having much sleep the past few weeks. Sighing, he climbed into the large bed next to the woman he loved and continued to hold her hand as he pulled her slightly toward him. He noticed that she wasn't moving so much when he did this, but appeared to just be slightly restless in her sleep. Satisfied with this, he closed his eyes and fell asleep with his head resting on her upper chest, near her heart.
Being in Azkaban had allowed for Lucius to hear many things, things he was smart enough to put the pieces together to solve. There'd been odd happenings in northern Europe: tales of people being found looking as if they were centuries old when they weren't, disappearances, and odd magical spikes. Yes, Lucius could see what the rest of them could not: Victor Dane was on the move.
He was very happy that today happened to be visiting day, as it was of the utmost importance that he see Draco. Besides himself, his son, and the Granger girl, Snape was the only one who knew the most about Victor Dane. Sooner or later, Dane would figure that out and come for Snape to end his life. Despite the fact that he was in a coma, Lucius could not allow that to happen. Snape had been and could continue being their best bet at learning more about how to get Dane out of the magical world for good.
Severus Snape had to be moved from St. Mungo's immediately.
"Malfoy. Get up. You have a visitor." The guard nearest his cell barked.
Lucius stood carefully, not wanting to hit his head on the ceiling, and ducked through the door of this cell to follow the guard. His muscles groaned slightly as he stretched a bit with every step he took. He reached his arms up toward the ceiling and to the sides as he walked. He was certain that his long blonde hair must now appear very dirty and matted, but there was nothing to be done for it.
He followed the guard into a windowless, circular room with a few tables inside, though Draco was the only visitor. The guard shoved Lucius further into the room and locked the door behind him. Lucius jumped slightly at the noise, but closed his eyes and took a deep breath. When he opened them, he saw his soon staring up at him with a blank look on his face.
"I think she is beginning to remember." Draco began conversationally. Both he and his father knew that anyone could be listening.
"Good. Our friend is excersing again, as I hear it. Your godfather would love to hear of it, I'm sure." Lucius replied, raising an eyebrow slightly.
An odd expression passed over Draco's face and he nodded almost imperceptibly. "Yes, he would. He might want to come home, but I think a change of scenery might do him some good."
Lucius caught his son's message and nodded in return. "Perhaps the land of romance would suit him. I've heard it can be quite nice."
"I'm sure he would love visiting there."
A silence stretched between them that felt longer than it actually was. Eventually, Draco sighed. "How have you been, father?"
"I am making the most of this least desired situation. Your mother?"
"She sleeps a lot and speaks very little. I don't believe I've heard more than a few words from her since you went away."
They continued on that way: Lucius asking things about home and Draco updating him. Surprisingly, he'd even asked about the house elves and what they were up to. He told Draco to keep the library and office clean and to make sure Narcissa went out to walk in the garden to get some sun. They spoke for nearly an hour before the guard came back in and told them their time was up. Lucius bid his son goodbye and was escorted back to his cell.
Draco, however, felt a knot of dread beginning to twist terribly within his stomach, because he'd understood his father's message perfectly. Victor Dane was on the move and would probably be coming after Severus. Staying in Britain was no longer an option. They had to put as much distance between themselves and Dane as possible in order to plan a way to stop him. As he left Azkaban and apparated back to Bracknell Forest, he hoped and prayed that Jean might be getting her memories back. It wouldn't do to go into hiding with an amnesiac witch and a comatose wizard on his hands.
A/N: What do you think? Things are definitely beginning to pick up. Until next timeā¦
