The Engagement of Mister Nott and Mademoiselle Lestrange

Malfoy Manor
Saturday 2 January 1999

It was snowing, yet again. The huge, white flurries pelted towards the ground; the wind whipped them around in a circular motions. Narcissa Malfoy nervously played with a sleeve of her dress.

"I'm sorry," she said softly.

Hermione Lestrange pulled her beloved aunt into a tight hug, burrowing into the older woman's neck. She used to do this often when she was a child. "It's not your fault, Aunt Cissy," the young witch sighed.

"I tried to protect your sister and I failed. And now I've failed you," Narcissa sobbed endlessly.

Hermione rubbed her aunt's back soothingly. "You did all you could. This is the will of the Dark Lord and my mother."

"Fuck the Dark Lord!" Narcissa spat angrily, tears streaming down her face. "And fuck Bellatrix." She pulled sharply out of Hermione's hug.

The bushy-haired witch looked at her elegant aunt with surprise. Never had she heard this delicate woman speak with such tone and with horrid words. Not to mention she just cursed the Dark Lord. When Narcissa turned around to face Hermione, the young niece could tell how they were related. The woman's straight hair was frizzing, resembling Bellatrix's when she occasionally tamed it. Her brown eyes were wide and startling; her lips red and full. "Don't give me that look, Aquila Hermione Lestrange."

"I wasn't…"

Narcissa waved her hand as if to silence Hermione. "I'm tired, Hermione. I'm tired of this never ending cycle – this torture upon our family. We've been cursed by the old gods. I can feel it." Narcissa began to pace nervously, wringing her hands to and fro. "We must leave. There has to be some way."

Hermione bit her lip. She had to confess. The strain from keeping things from Narcissa Malfoy was too great.

"Draco and I want to join the other side… permanently. We want to take Harry and go. We want to take you with us." Hermione started noticing the frown upon Narcissa's face appear. "We could leave the country. We could go to America or Canada!" She whimpered desperately.

"And what of your sister?" Narcissa questioned. "If we betray the Dark Lord so blatantly, he would not hesitate to torture her to get back at us. And let me tell you, he would not wait until she delivers that child."

The door to small study opened roughly and Bellatrix walked in. "Are you ready?" She smiled widely as she looked at Hermione. "You look beautiful, Hermione. That dress suits you."

Hermione looked down at the baby blue, slate gown she wore. She gritted her teeth. This was not what she wanted but Uncle Rabastan picked it out for her; she was obligated to wear it.

"Not too dark, not too light and it matches your complexion. I'm sure he'll love it," Bellatrix spewed out while she circled Hermione like a shark. "Narcissa don't you think…" Her mother stopped speaking as the older witch locked eyes with Narcissa. "Cissy? What's wrong?"

Narcissa hastily wiped her face on her sleeve like a child. "Nothing," she said after clearing her throat. "She just looks beautiful."

Hermione turned away from the both of them to roll her eyes dramatically. A few minutes ago her aunt was just cursing out her mother. "Can we get this over with, please?" Hermione groaned.

Bellatrix clapped her hands excitedly before hopping on one foot with glee. "Well, the boy is here!" Bellatrix grabbed Hermione's shoulders. "Do not mess this up, Aquila." She then whispered the last bit in her ear. "If you do, there will be consequences."

The girl pulled back from her mother, looking startled. She gulped, pulling herself together. "Where is he?"

"The back parlour."

Hermione nodded and walked out of the study towards the back part of the manor. A house-elf opened a door, letting her slip into the room unnoticed.

Once more Hermione gulped. A slim figure stood in front of the fireplace, a brandy glass in his right hand. He wore a black suit, similar to what Draco wore all the time. For a moment she thought it was Draco but then the figure turned towards her.

A slow smirk graced his features as he looked at her. He had a strong nose, a petite wide mouth and brown silky-looking curls. Theodore Nott.

"Well, if it isn't the Gryffindor Princess," Theodore grinned. "I never thought I'd be engaged to you."

The Forest of Dean
Sunday 3 January 1999

"Don't you all have some kind of heating charm system?" Arcturus complained as he sat in a wooden chair in the main cabin of the werewolf territory.

"We're werewolves, Arcturus. Our body temperatures are higher than that of a human," Scabior explained to his friend.

Arcturus gave a sarcastic face before rubbing his arms harshly. "Sweet Merlin."

"We also use a warming charm on our bodies as well," Scabior grinned.

"Of course," Arcturus glared at Scabior, before waving his wand to perform the warming charm. "Now where were we?"

"The part of how we're going to take Him down."

"Ah yes. The assault will be brutal. I know that a lot of His core followers will try to protect Him; but during the full moon, spells won't work on you and your men," Arcturus explained.

"You just want us to kill everyone involved? What about your mother and father?" Scabior looked shocked at what Arcturus was proposing.

"Try not to touch my family. But attack any others who try to protect Him. Rip His throat out; as long as He's dead. Do you understand?" Arcturus drew closer to Scabior.

"I'll let my father know about what will happen. I'm sure He'll be happy to join – fresh meat and all." Scabior paused. "But I do have one condition."

"Name it, Scab," Arcturus nodded.

"I want Adhara. I want her husband dead during the assault," Scabior said flatly.

Arcturus' face dropped. Adhara was supposed to be his at the end. Yet he could understand why Scabior would want her; they had history. "What of the child?"

Scabior smirked. "I'll keep it. Anything that comes from her is mine."

Malfoy Manor
Monday 11 January 1999

Draco purposefully walked slowly to the next meeting he had with Harry. They were to train and it was something he was dreading. He hadn't been alone with the dark haired boy since Christmas Eve; every other time they had been around one of his family members, mainly Hermione. But now it was just him and Harry Potter.

Hermione had spoken to Draco hours before claiming that her menstrual cycle was at its worse and that she didn't feel well enough to practice dueling. So he agreed to let her rest and then hurried to write to Adhara about brewing some willow bark milk potion designed to easy cramps and blood flow. She had instantaneously sent him back a note stating that she would brew it and it would be sent by nightfall.

He knew he had been stalling. He would have rather owl'd Adhara all day rather than practice with Harry alone. In all honesty, he would have rather rubbed Hermione's abdomen and feet rather than practice with Harry alone. But alas, if it was one thing his father taught him, it was to never back down from a duel. But then again, Lucius Malfoy never kissed a fellow member of the same sex.

Draco chuckled momentarily at the thought of his father smooching with another man. Then realization poured over him and he nearly gagged. No, that image would not do at all.

Instead Draco slowly walked to the cellar, determined to just get through the hour of play-fighting until his aunt came to check on them – which would promptly follow by her cackling to no end about Harry Potter joining the Dark side. It didn't take long until he reached the cellar stairs, opened the barred doors and continued down to the clammy depths.

There was a glowing in the back of the cellar which gave Draco reason to believe that Harry was on the other side of the cellar.

"Potter," Draco called.

The answer was a short grunt followed by Harry revealing himself from behind a pillar. "What took you so long? Usually you are the first one here."

Draco cleared his throat. "I had to owl my cousin."

Harry nodded in some kind of quiet understanding before pulling his wand out from its holster around his waist. It was a beautiful dragonhide holster with Celtic designs pressed into the hide. It was a deep brown which contrasted with Harry's neatly pressed black trousers. Hermione had given it to Harry as a Christmas present.

Draco gulped as he noticed in what zone he was staring Harry in. His head snapped back up to look at the other boy in the face. A blush heated his cheeks as he noticed Harry's lips turned up in a small grin. "Anyways, why don't we get this over with?" He pulled out his own.

"So we aren't going to talk about it?"

"Talk about what?" Draco turned away to slip on a glove on to his right hand.

"About what happened a few weeks ago. Or have you forgotten that quickly?" Harry raised an eyebrow; green eyes glowing.

"Potter, can we just get practice over with?"

"And I thought you had a bit more bravery than this, Malfoy," Harry said dryly. "Oh, I forgot, you couldn't even kill Dumbledore in the first place. Snape was going to do it anyways."

Draco had had enough of Harry's mocking tone. He had tried to keep his wits about him but bringing up old wounds was something that he couldn't tolerate anymore. Draco threw down his wand and launched himself at Harry, throwing them both into the wall. He tried to wrestle the other down but somehow Harry had gotten the upper hand – positioning himself above Draco in a matter of moments. Yet Draco struck Harry's ear with an open palm, enough to stun but not cause bleeding. This helped Draco roll out from underneath the boy and grab him in a headlock. "I didn't mean to kiss you, Potter. It was an accident," Draco gritted out trying to get the other to stop clawing at his arms.

Yet Harry once again got the upper hand. He gripped Draco's arm and then flipped Draco over. The blond's eyes tightened as pain laced through his spine. "Was it really? Just the heat of the moment, huh Malfoy?" Harry placed his hand around Draco's throat and then straddled the pale boy's waist. Draco tried to buck Harry off but to avail. "Malfoy stop moving. We need to talk."

"I thought we were," Draco winced out – his breathing tight.

"Stop struggling," Harry said as he dropped his weight upon the boy. He pinned the boy's arms above his head. "This is serious, Draco."

The sudden usage of his name caused Draco to stop his writhing. "What?" He said angrily. "What is left to discuss?"

"I have a proposition," Harry whispered.

Draco narrowed his eyes furiously. "What could you possibly propose to me?"

Harry smirked. "You want to get your mother and Hermione out of here, right?"

Draco tried to pull back as far as he could – which wasn't far. "What of it?"

"What if I said you didn't have to leave? That all you had to do was just watch." Harry said cryptically.

"Just watch?" Draco asked, bemused.

"I need a spy, Draco. Someone in the outside who has access to all," Harry muttered.

"I knew you weren't that far gone." Draco rolled his head in defeat. "I told Hermione it wouldn't be long 'til you were back to your old bold, rude self again." Draco commented. "Why does it have to be me?"

"This is too dangerous for Hermione and besides her, you are the only one I trust," Harry sat up, giving Draco ample room to breathe.

"Oh really!" Draco scoffed, pushing Harry off of him the rest of the way. "So you just want me to do what waltz around the Ministry asking questions?"

"No, I want you to relay everything that happens around you. Where your father goes? If you ever see Nagini around? When Adhara Dolohov comes over to see her mother? I want to know everything that happens in this house."

"What for?" Draco asked, clearly confused with what the Gryffindor was asking.

"I'm taking over."

There was a long, pregnant pause as Draco felt his world crash around him. "What?"

Harry's palm flew over Draco's mouth to silence anymore outbursts. "I'm bringing the Dark Lord down from the inside out and you're helping me. The snake has got to go. I need a moment where I can spring on it. Once it is dead, we can take Him out. I need to make sure that none of the other Death Eaters are around otherwise they'll take my head." He removed his hand from Draco's mouth.

"Harry, this is suicide."

"And that's why I need Adhara?"

"What? Do you even know her?"

Harry shrugged. "She comes to read to me sometimes."

Draco laughed manically. "Excuse me! Oh well that's rich, Adhara comes to visit you to tell you lullabies."

"It was only twice, but nevertheless, her child needs to be born. It won't be born if you, your mother, and Hermione escape."

"Why does everyone keep telling us that?" Draco asked more to himself then to Harry.

"Because it's true. He'll kill her and the baby if you escape."

"He won't jeopardize the possibility of having an heir."

"He doesn't know any better. There are some things on this planet that Tom Riddle knows nothing about, nor does he understand."

Draco buried his head in his hands. He shivered, inhaling and exhaling deeply. "Alright, I'll do it."

Lestrange Château
Wednesday 20 January 1999

Adhara launched herself in to the arms of her cousin, Nymphadora, as the young woman walked through the kitchen doors of Adhara's ancestral home.

"Oh Dora!" Adhara squealed excited. "It's been months!"

Tonks, who was momentarily stunned at her pregnant cousin pressing up against her, ended up being smothered in the embrace.

"Addie! Please! I believe you're suffocating me," Tonks choked out.

Adhara pulled back, her arms still flung around Tonks' neck. "I'm sorry," she said as she pressed a kiss to the other girl's cheek. Pulling away completely, Adhara asked. "How are you, cousin?"

Tonks smiled back – her hair a ruby red shade and her eyes the colour of turquoise. "I'm good; well as good as anyone can be in a time like this."

That's when Tonks looked around the small room. Two tea cups sat at the small table with a teapot and a bowl of sugar in between them. "Can I ask you something?"

Adhara nodded before pulling Tonks towards the table to take their seats. Adhara picked up the teapot and poured the warm milky liquid into the cups.

"Why did you ask to meet here? At your father's home? Isn't this a bit dangerous? Mum nearly had a fit about me coming here." Tonks explained.

Adhara then put six sugar cubes in to their tea, knowing full well that both her cousin and she had a sweet tooth. "Well, I contemplated about where we should have gone. Public was out of the question. And Antonin would never let me go off by myself to the countryside. Not only would it be suspicious but with all these raids recently," she shook her head. "Let's see he would not be happy."

"How is it – being married to him?" Tonks asked blatantly, lifting a purple eyebrow that contrast vividly with her red hair.

Adhara shrugged, sipping on her tea. Placing the cup back down, she bit her lip. "I suppose it is well. I mean, he treats me with respect …most of the time. We argue but not frequently. He does watch me a lot."

Tonks stirred her tea and looked at it intently. "And you are sure that there won't be an ambush?"

"The only person who would check on this house is Arcturus and I doubt he would. He's at work torturing innocent muggle-borns," Adhara said, shivering with disgust.

"How are we related again?" Tonks pondered.

Adhara stifled a chuckle. "I think he's going crazy. He wants to overthrow the Dark Lord to rule for himself."

Tonks turquoise eyes widened considerably. "What?"

"That's what I said!"

"He has lost it," Tonks muttered.

"But that's not why I wanted to meet you. As much I've missed your smiling face, I have a request. I know it is a lot to ask, especially under these circumstances. However, I need your word on this," Adhara said slowly.

Tonks hands reached out to hold Adhara's. "Anything Addie."

"This war is getting viscous, I have a lot at stake. Especially with this pregnancy. But if I don't make it through this Regime I need to know that my children are safe," Adhara paused.

"Children?" Tonks asked in bewilderment.

Adhara nodded. "Will you be the godmother?"

Tonks smiled, got up from her chair and then hurriedly gave Adhara a hug – one equal to the strength that was given when they had greeted. "Yes, Addie, of course I will."

Adhara smiled back and pulled back from Tonks. "Thank you."

"But, I only have one," Tonks muttered while pulling a small piece of fabric from her coat pocket. She placed it on the table. It was a dark purple and made out of thick yarn. "Engorgio." The fabric grew in size, revealing what it was. A soft baby sling made out of the thickest and strongest yarn.

Adhara reached for it, gripping it to her chest. "Oh, Dora it's lovely." She smoothed the fabric across her cheek.

"Yes, but I only have one to give you. Molly Weasley made two for me when Teddy was born. He likes the dark red one so I keep him in that," she sighed. "You should have told me that you were having twins."

Adhara bit her lip.

"Adhara," Tonks groaned. "Cousin, please tell me you told someone that you were having twins."

"Not exactly," the pregnant witch admitted. "Technically…"

Tonks sat back in her chair and tossed her head back. "Oh, Addie. You're a mess." She mocked, "Technically? Technically? Technically, what Adhara? The fact that you keep keeping secrets to yourself? Tell me, does Bellatrix even know that you're pregnant." The sarcasm was thick.

"Of course she does," Adhara scoffed. "I just need to know that you'll be there, for them?"

"Yes," Tonks said softly. "But…"

"Listen when the time comes, I'll explain all. Until then, you'll just have to bear with me. I'll call upon you for the second child's birth."

Tonks narrowed her eyes. "What does that even mean?"

"It means that this child isn't technically coming from my womb."

Malfoy Manor
Friday 29 January 1999

Aquila Hermione Lestrange had never felt this angry before. Never in her life had she felt her frizzy curls crackle with fury. Her soft brown eyes looked like liquid fire and her upper lip was pulled back in a feral growl that she did not know she was capable of making. Hermione was furious. Her blood felt like it was boiling. In a situation like this she should have been sad, crying, or fearful. But no, Hermione was ready to kill.

Her father had scheduled her in for a dinner with Theodore Nott, Harry, and Draco. The purpose was for her and Theodore to get better acquainted. Instead it ended up as a political debate between Theodore and Draco about why the giants were not useful at all; Harry watched on in amused interest. Hermione had been bored out of her mind. That was until Theodore mentioned the impending execution of Ronald Weasley. It had turned out that Harry and Draco had been keeping that bit of information from her.

Yet the three boys' facial expressions explained not nearly enough for her. Draco looked extremely remorseful, while Theodore looked amused and thrilled by the prospect of seeing Hermione so worked up. Harry on the other hand, had his eyes rooted to his bowl of creamy soup.

"You two knew about this?" Hermione screeched like a banshee. She glared at her cousin. "And you refused to tell me?"

Harry gave a curt nod.

"I wanted to tell you but I didn't want you to be worried," Draco spoke fast.

"I can't believe you both." Hermione turned on Theodore. "And you're sure, Nott? Are you absolutely sure?"

"The bloody ginger tried to turn my home upside down with his stupid cause," Theodore confessed before taking a swig of his wine. Now that the heat was directed on him, he didn't want the witch to end up hexing him.

"How dare the three of you act as if everything is fine and dandy, when one of my best friends in the whole world is supposed to be executed? You three make me sick!" Hermione cried, angrily. She then pushed her chair back and stood up – causing it to flip backwards. She turned towards the door to leave the dining room.

"Where are you going?' Draco called out to her.

"I'm going to find my bastard of a brother to see if I can get Ronald's life spared," she yelled as she stomped out of the room; slamming the doors shut behind her.

Author's Notes: Once again, I apologize for the delay. It's the middle of the semester and I have a lot due, not to mention my job takes a lot of writing. But I've finished this chapter and I'm halfway done with the next. Expect that soon. Also, check the story's website for updates in the gallery, glossary, cast list, and potions tab. The link can be found in my profile. The secondary characters tab will be updated soon as well.

Please review. I would love feedback.

-Rosie