A/N at the bottom and Disclaimer is on previous chapters.

Chapter Ten

Visions

Family Trees

Draco groaned and rolled over as the bright sunlight poured in from the large windows in his bedroom. With a sigh, he thought over last night's events. As the group had crossed the main courtyard, which was big enough to play Quidditch in, Gin's wide-eyes and giddy grin had been enough for him to feel a weight lift from his chest he'd previously not known was there. Irina had played tour guide during their trip through the castle proper. Antiques, tapestries, and countless other artifacts had garnered her attention. If he was honest, everyone but himself, Irina, and Charlie had been awed by Drakon Castle, the correct name of their current residence. Their rooms had all been on the third floor of the main castle, each of them (save for the twins) had their own suite of rooms. The twins had chosen to share a suite, claiming that they'd be up at all hours experimenting and that there was no sense bothering everyone else, as their rooms were closest to the stairs leading to the potions lab.

He and Blaise had taken the suites on either side of Ginny's and surprisingly no one had complained.

He'd have to think about that when he was completely awake though.

He sat up, leaning on the headboard and looking out over the valley. He could see the activity, even from here, of people darting from one building to another, alone or in groups. That used to be me, the one always alone even when I was in a group…not anymore. He smiled, since it was so very true. He didn't have to be alone any longer, wary of those around him, their motives, or allegiances. Not that he'd be letting his guard down anytime soon with those not living in the castle, Charlie, and Irina…but with the six of them he could relax.

He jumped when someone bashed at the main suite door. "Who is it?" he called out irritably.

"Get up, Sleeping Beauty, its lunch time," Ron called.

Clad in nothing but pajama pants, Draco slid off the bed and hurried to the door, swinging it open, glaring all the while. "Doesn't anyone respect the need to sleep around here?"

"You should see your hair," he replied, snickering.

Draco ran a hand through his hair, hoping it would lie flat without a fight for once insitead of sticking up in odd spikes. "Leave my hair out of it."

"You've got thirty minutes to meet everyone in the family dining hall, it's nearly lunch time."

Draco glared. "You're no happier about this than I am. Who woke you?"

Ron winced. "Ginny, Liberty, and Loki. Who else would dare?"

Draco smirked. "Where is everyone?"

Ron shrugged and set off towards the stairs. "Look out your windows and see for yourself." As he turned the corner he called out cheerily, "The twins will be after you if you aren't down in time. You've got a tale to tell, Your Highness."

Draco turned grinning, wondering if Ron had any idea just how true his teasing was. Crossing the sitting room, Draco leaned against the window and looked down to see Ginny and the puppies playing in the courtyard with Blaise and Charlie watching and smiling though both looked a bit tired. He didn't blame them, it hadn't been early when they'd arrived and that didn't factor in how long it had taken for them to settle into their rooms. He knew it had been nearing midnight before he'd fallen asleep.

He pushed off the window and rushed through his shower and throwing on a pair of trousers and loose-fitting casual shirt. He'd noted that Ginny was wearing denims and a Falcons tee, both looking worse for wear even at a distance. If he remembered correctly, there was a shop in the village that they could get casual clothing, though Flooing to Paris or Milan would be necessary for all other clothing they would need. He chuckled when he saw a wand holster sitting on the table in his sitting room. He clipped it at his waist and slid his wand home, having used one for years, though his wasn't nearly as decorative. He knew that this gift was from Irina, Director to Heir and he also understood the implications of accepting it.

He meandered down, having visited often enough with Papa Julian to know that he had plenty of time. He didn't realize he'd stopped until he heard a familiar voice, one he hadn't heard in years.

"Well, you've finally returned, Dauphin."

Draco rolled his eyes, "Papa, there's no need for that."

The man in the portrait waved his hand dismissively and sighed. "You knew this day would come. You and I may not have had as much time together as I would have liked…"

Draco sighed, leaning on the wall next to his great-grandfather's portrait. "I did, though I feared it would be me leading the Death Eater bastards here at wand-point."

"Your wand or theirs?" Julian asked wickedly.

"You know what Lucius would have done had he found out about this place," Draco reminded him wearily. "He would have forced me to hand it over to his Lord and Master."

Julian smiled sadly. "Not now, you've made a wise decision, Drakon."

Draco winced.

"You have," Julian insisted. "Who was that pretty redhead I saw pass by earlier?"

Draco smiled. "Ginny Weasley, the reason I'm here and not being branded a minion."

Julian laughed. "Who was the handsome young man with her?"

"Handsome? Had to be Blaise Zabini then," Draco quipped. "No ogling my friends, Papa."

Julian looked speculative. "You are telling me that you are friends with Blaise Zabini and Ginevra Weasley?"

Draco's eyes narrowed. How had he known her full name? "You were the one that whispered in my ear not to judge by name alone."

Julian glared. "That isn't what I meant. Have them relate their family history's to you. Come find me when you understand."

Confused, Draco merely nodded and turned to run down the stairs, now nearly late. He slid to a stop just outside the large wood doors carved with a crest identical to the one on his wand holster.

Here goes nothing.

--dbgdbg—

Blaise dropped his arm over Ginny's shoulders as they made their way towards the dining hall. "What's on your mind? You've been quiet this morning."

She shrugged, worrying him further. She'd not been half as energetic and cheerful as usual. He had to wonder if she was regretting leaving her mum behind. He could only hope that she confided in someone what was bothering her. As it stood, what Draco and then himself had to impart over lunch would likely unsettle her further, though it had to be told.

"Blaise?"

He looked down and smiled softly. "What?"

Ginny leaned into him, laying her head on his shoulder. "We'll be alright, won't we?"

He stopped and turned her to fully face him, squeezing her shoulders gently. "Is that what has been worrying you today?"

She shrugged, her eyes not quite meeting his. "War will rage soon and yet we're here. What will we go home to? Will anything be left?"

Blaise sighed. He didn't know what to say as he'd promised himself not to lie to her. He didn't know what would happen. So, he swung her into his arms and carried her into the room, spotting Draco at the head of the table.

"What's wrong?" Draco said, jumping to his feet.

"Nothing," Ginny muttered.

Blaise rolled his eyes and joined Draco at the table, setting Ginny in the chair to Draco's left while he skirted the table and took the one to Draco's right. "Ginny is concerned about what will happen…if we'll have anything to go back to."

He sat back and watched Draco turn to Ginny, brushing a light kiss at her brow. "We'll handle whatever comes, Ginny. Do you trust me?"

Ginny's smile could have lit up the deepest, darkest dungeon as she said, "Of course I do. You, Blaise, the twins, Ron, and Charlie are the only ones I do trust."

Blaise relaxed. He could see the worry half-hidden in her eyes, but she wasn't nearly as maudlin as before.

"When do we get the full story?" Ron asked as he and his brothers entered the room together.

"Over lunch," Draco promised. "Though, Blaise likely has a tale to tell as well."

Blaise shot him a questioning look. How the hell had Draco figured it out?

Draco, apparently, wasn't done. "You four do as well, according to my Great-Grandfather."

Charlie laughed aloud. "I take it you found his portrait and Irina's gift?"

Draco nodded shortly. "I'll explain."

Blaise searched Charlie's face for any sort of sign of what exactly Draco had to tell them. He had an inkling, due to his family lore, but he had never been quite sure whether or not to believe any of it.

"Someone best start explaining," Ginny interjected warningly. "I say Draco starts as it's his home we are guests in."

Blaise sat back, wondering if they were making another of those shifts Ginny had spoken of in the hospital wing. Whether they were or not, everything was about to get complicated…that much he was certain of.

--dbgdbg---

Ginny cocked her head to the side, studying Draco and then Blaise's faces. Both of them looked apprehensive and she had to wonder what in Merlin's name they were so worried about. She nearly jumped out of her skin when Draco started talking a few minutes after the food arrived.

"My family had long been affiliated with this area. I'd have to find the family tree for the specifics, but I'm the last direct descendant of Vlad Tepes through Julian's line. My family led the Order of the Dragon from its founding. Vlad inherited the throne of Wallachia along with the title Drakon of the Order, referring to the Order of the Dragon. All his struggles were to secure the hidden, wizarding, heritage of the family. The Order was made up of the most powerful allies of the Tepes family. They were charged with keeping the bloodlines alive and the wizarding society secret."

Ginny held a hand up to stop him, when Draco nodded, she asked, "Why? I mean, I can understand separating wizard from muggle after the Burning Times, but why before?"

"I can answer that," Blaise offered and Draco grinned. "There are certain royal family lines in the muggle world that aren't as muggle as one would think. There are others, however, that are pure muggle. There has been a power struggle for years and years, the muggle using the wizarding lines for their own gain…muggles own gain. Why do you think so many monarchs and heirs were slaughtered?"

"What?" Ron and the twins asked simultaneously.

Charlie chuckled. "Because, they refused to ally with the muggle royals." He shook his head and continued, "The ruling Moldavian and Transylvanian families had been cursed to lose their sons if they even considered an alliance with those who would risk the wizarding world, cursed by the Tepes family and the Order of the Dragon."

"That's why so many went bloody insane or died of odd conditions," Blaise added. "Believe me, that's one thing I learned early on. Why the ruddy hell did you think I was apprehensive of serving Voldemort?"

Ginny blinked in shock, trying to work her mind around what Blaise had let slip. It was all too much for her to take in at once. Had Draco just said what she thought he had? Had Blaise? If so what did it all mean? She shook her head wryly. Both of them were full of surprises.

"Dauphin."

Everyone turned to see Irina standing in the doorway looking quite pleased with the morning's events.

"Don't," Draco snapped. "I took it didn't I? Isn't that enough for now?"

"The Roma wish to speak with you at your earliest convenience," she retorted, looking irritated.

"I only got here last night," Draco said angrily. "Can't we have time to settle in before all the politics start?"

"What is going on?" Ginny interjected, finally finding her voice. "Did I just hear what I thought I did?"

"That madman won't stop at the Isles," Irina snarled. "By taking it, you took on the responsibility of protecting us!"

Draco ignored Irina, choosing to turn to Ginny, looking her in the eyes. "I'm Dauphin Drakon Tepes, yes. Blaise will have to explain his part. According to Papa, Charlie has some explaining to do as well."

She shifted her gaze, meeting Blaise's. He smiled and said, "Mine isn't so straightforward, I'll explain it soon. Frankly, Irina looks prepared to thrash Draco at the moment."

Ginny pursed her lips trying to work everything out in an orderly fashion. She found it hard to do with Irina glaring in her general direction. She knew that Irina was trying to push Draco and she didn't like it. That was when she felt the headache forming and massaged her brow.

"Ginny?" Draco said leaning over and laying a hand on her shoulder. "What's wrong?"

Ginny groaned as the headache grew with each passing second, though she was coherent enough to feel Blaise on her left, laying his hand on her arm. She tried to shake it off, truly she did, but it wasn't working.

She felt everything go black.

--dbgdbg—

"Draco Damon Alexander Malfoy, what is going on?" Irina nearly screeched.

Draco simply ignored her as Blaise scooped Ginny into his arms and both of them stood. "Your room is closest."

Blaise nodded shortly, waiting for Draco to take Ginny's hand before they strode out of the room without a backwards glance.

Draco was concerned as to what had triggered this vision. Was it his fault? Something must have shown because Blaise whispered, "Don't go blaming yourself, Draco."

He shrugged. How could he not blame himself? It was after his story that she collapsed. He loathed seeing her like this. Just then, Ginny started shaking and mumbling. Draco sighed, turning all his attention to her, pushing the guilt back in order to help her.

Blaise laid Ginny on his bed and crawled in on the left. Draco shook his head, praying to whoever out there would hear that the Weasley men wouldn't kill him and Blaise for this. He didn't bother removing his boots; he simply laid down on Ginny's right and held her close even as Blaise did the same from her left. She calmed slowly, but steadily, even though she seemed to be sleeping.

"Somn, meu dragoste," Blaise murmured, closing his eyes. (Sleep, my love)

Draco wasn't as surprised as he should have been at Blaise's sleepy Romanian and shifted as close as possible as he too closed his eyes. He loves her. He found himself whispering, "Chair somn acum." (Just sleep now.)

When there was no answers save for their deep, even breathing, Draco admitted softly, "Dragoste tu de asemenea," before finally falling asleep. (Love you too.)

--dbgdbg—

"What is going on?" Irina demanded, staring Charlie down.

He very nearly cowered. "I can't tell you without their permission!"

"Why did she collapse?" Irina said as she leaned on the table until her nose was nearly touching his. "I have to know. It is my duty to protect Draco. Don't you understand what I'm not saying?"

Charlie's eyes narrowed dangerously as he too stood. "I understand more than you think, Irina! Do you know why I took this particular position?"

"Ummm," Ron interjected hesitantly. "Maybe you two can calm down and explain to us, because frankly I'm confused."

"I have to agree with Ronnikens on this one," Fred said sullenly. "I want to know why you addressed Draco as Dauphin."

Charlie shook his head. "He is the Dauphin, at least until he takes the next step."

"If he takes the next step," Irina clarified, still sounding quite angry.

"What part does our family play?" George asked calmly. "Does this have anything to do with the story Mum told us?"

Charlie shared a resigned look with Irina. They would be discussing this, but answers needed given first. "What did she tell you?"

"That her family name was Prew way back when. When a male Prew married into the Ettanin family, the names were combined. There was only the one daughter and she wanted her family name to carry on in some way. He loved her enough to petition for the change," Fred supplied.

"Do you know what Ettanin means?" Irina asked, tapping her fingers on the table.

"Well," Ron said musingly. "Take out one of the letters and it's the name of a star in the Draco constellation."

Charlie grinned. "So, you did listen in Astronomy after all."

Ron sat back, crossing his arms over his chest. "I didn't have a choice. It was either memorize it or have that harpy on my arse every minute of every day."

"Granger," George added. "I never did like that bint."

Irina cleared her throat. "You have it right, Ron. The Ettanin family added that extra 't' in an attempt to hide their affiliation with the Order and the Tepes family. The times were dangerous for all and it was decided to split up the loyal families until such time they were needed again."

"So we're to serve Draco and the Order of the Dragon?" Fred exclaimed indignantly.

Irina snickered. "No, not serve. The Etanin's were one of the most loyal and highly regarded as were Blaise's ancestors, descendants of Attila. Bastards of Attila and the sister…ah, I'll let him tell the tale."

Charlie barely kept in his laughter as all three of his brother's jaw's dropped and their eyes went wide. "The Huns prior to and after Attila were mercenaries and advisors to the Tepes family. The ruler would send his oldest son here to study with the Dauphin, creating life long friendships between the two societies."

"I thought that there was no way to trace Attila's lines anymore, that they all died out," Ron said sounding surprised at his own knowledge.

Irina laughed. "Some times you manage to surprise yourself then, Ron?"

Ron's face was a deep shade of red as he nodded. "I don't know where that came from, honestly."

"It is commonly thought that all of Attila's lines died out," Irina conceded. "But, his oldest son was safe here in the valley. His last wife escaped with their child, whom had been declared dead, and lived out her life here as well. By last, I mean number eleven not twelve. Twelve was a murderous bint."

"What of the child?" George asked looking thoughtful. "Did he live here too?"

"She," Irina said cheerily, "and no…it wasn't safe enough."

"Where did she go then?" Fred asked.

"Take a wild guess," Charlie quipped, enjoying this far more than he probably should have considering the circumstances.

"The Prew family?" Ron replied.

"Got it in one," Irina said patting him on the shoulder. "Attila's wife was a red-headed Visigoth Princess, did you know that?"

"So everything comes from Mum's side?" George said, leaning forward expectantly. "So how did she maneuver the marriage between the families?"

"She didn't have to do anything," Charlie informed them gleefully. "There is something inherent in our blood. It searches out other loyal Order families every few centuries. Why do you think Ginny is the first girl born in generations?"

Ron blinked and tried unsuccessfully to speak. Charlie took pity on him and decided to explain though they'd be doing it again once Ginny, Blaise, and Draco returned. "War was coming, worse than any seen before since Vlad's lifetime. The Tepes, now Malfoy, and what became the Zabini's had both produced only one son. The time had come for the Order of the Dragon to rise again under the Dauphin's guidance."

"Ginny was born to be with them?" George whispered.

Irina grinned wickedly. "More or less. There are always choices to be made, fate isn't set. One act can alter fate's path immeasurably. Draco had to make a choice as did Blaise. Even you four had a hand in it."

"And now?" Fred asked warily.

Charlie smiled slowly, mischievously. "You couldn't keep them apart no matter what extremes you went to."

Ron blanched. "I don't need those sorts of thoughts, Charlie!"

Charlie got to his feet, chuckling. "I take it those three will tell us what is going on when they're good and ready to?"

Ron got to his feet nodding. "Don't question her. I've learned the hard way that it only upsets her and brasses Draco and Blaise off something fierce."

"One of the house elves will find us when they're ready to talk," Irina offered. "Why don't we visit the village?"

Fred and George shrugged and Ron looked ready to be anywhere but here. Charlie rounded the table and pulled them both to their feet. "Come on, you need to learn your way around. No sense worrying over something we can't do anything about, now is there?"

"Are there books?" Ron asked, startling Charlie and the twins.

"You want to study?" Fred said incredulously.

Ron crossed his arms over his chest and glared, hard. "If this affects Ginny, not to mention all of us…then damn straight I do. Just point me in the direction of the library and I'll be fine. Years of that bint glaring over my shoulder have taught me to study alone."

Charlie sighed. "Irina, Fred, George, you go on. I'll meet you at the pub after I show Ron to the library."

Ron waited until they were gone to say, "Can you say with any certainty that this will turn out well?"

Charlie led him out and down to the right, pondering the implications of everything that he'd learned over the years. Right now each one of them was walking a fine line and only time would tell them whether they were taking the right steps or the wrong ones. He knew Ron was getting impatient for an answer as they were halfway across the castle.

"No one truly knows, Ron. I would love to give you reassurances, but honestly I can't." He stopped in front of a large tapestry. "See this?"

Ron looked puzzled and stepped closer studying the picture of the valley as it looked three hundred years ago. "See what?"

Charlie pointed to the intricate weaving. "Each of us is like a string on this tapestry. It isn't only our actions that affect fate. It is all connected."

"So if someone else screws up, we could be doomed," Ron said glumly.

"Not necessarily," he rushed to assure his baby brother. "Others actions may cause us to work a bit harder or they may open up options we never thought possible. That was why Irina was so angry earlier. Draco is sixteen, more than old enough to lay claim to his title. If he doesn't show some sign soon, those who would ally with him will waver."

"What about the feud? Lucius loathed all of us, so why if we're allies-"

Charlie cut him off. "He and his father didn't know, Ron. The feud is between the Weasley side and stems from a stupid fight back in the 1200's anyway. The feud has no hold over those of us who know the truth. Oddly enough, due to Lucius' actions against Ginny…Draco could call for his assassination and be within his rights, by law."

Ron looked amused. "Does Draco know this? If not, can I tell him?"

Charlie rolled his eyes. "I'm not answering that. Come on, the library is just down this way."

Ron groaned teasingly. "Oh come on. Knowing that Lucius would pay for what he did to Ginny would make my day!"

Charlie shoved him towards the library. "No telling."

"Remind me what Dauphin means again," Ron said as they stepped into the library.

"Crown Prince."

Ron just shook his head and said, "I was afraid of that."

Chuckling, Charlie beat a hasty retreat before he let any more information slip that he ought not. Ron would find what he would find; there was no need to direct him. It wasn't Charlie's place to do so.

"That means every time I called him a royal pain in my arse, I was right!"

Ron's parting shot had him laughing all the way to the pub.

A/N: Me again. Here's a bit of an explanation so as not to leave you confused. The boys gave a condensed, very condensed, version of their bloodlines. Attila (also spelled Atilla) died in 453 C.E. while Vlad lived in the 15th Century. Wallachia is also spelled Walachia, again depending on the source. 'Voivod' is the proper title, but you'll understand later why I used Dauphin instead. I also played a bit with the manner in which one gained the throne of Wallachia. It was by force or vote- not hereditary- mostly force /lol/. As for Ginny's family history- all the important stuff comes from the Prewett family- it has nothing at all to do with the Weasley side. Oh and the names are the modern equivalent- I haven't gone back and tried to ascertain what they would have been in Attila's time.

No, they aren't out to rule the world, sadly. The three of them have many choices to make, true enough, but world domination isn't on any of their minds.

Lastly, I know it's really Bran Castle and it isn't located in the Tepes Valley, but as Irina explained this castle isn't the castle we muggles find when we Google Vlad. Both the historical castle and this one from my imagination are located in the Transylvanian Alps which are part of the Carpathian Mountains- they nearly curl around at the end so keep in mind that this valley and castle are roughly East North East and on the other side of the mountain, if it matters. Hope you enjoyed and aren't too terribly confused.