Okay! So this is a HEAVY chapter! A LOT will happen! This includes implied rape, illness, character death, and more. This is a Christmas no one would soon forget.
Stardust
Chapter 11
There was a silence in the halls of the Ministry of Magic. As it was Christmas Eve, most of everyone was with their families, enjoying the traditions of the winter seasons. Whether it's singing carols with the family, or simply enjoying the bask of Christmas lights, there was simply one truth in this moment; no one could stop them.
The Ministry shouldn't have been as easy to access as other places, port keys blocked, floo entrances and exits sealed up, but no one would dare expect this night to happen. The only soul left in the main halls of the ministry was a simple janitor, a squib who was lucky enough to have his job, but no family to celebrate the winter season with. He was disgruntled, stood about five feet with a hunch in his back. As he was mobbing the floors, he hears a sudden crackle of stones around him. The man's eyes followed the growing cracks, leading upward to the ceiling and having it suddenly cave in on him, no chance of escaping.
From the ceiling, red smoke emerged seemingly out of nowhere, and witches and wizards in cloaks appeared. The wizard wore black robes with silvery finery embodied on the sleeves, while the woman wore blue robes, adorned in golden designs on their sleeves. There was seven in total, four women and three men, and they looked around the halls, and with a unison understanding, they divided and conquered the halls.
And thus, the takeover of the Ministry of Magic started.
Bright lights, the sound of soft piano and moving colors were all the things the child could remember as she felt the room spinning around her. The party had started a few hours ago and while the kids were ushered to a more private area so that the adults could mingle, Aster had been shown around with a pinched cheek to smile at strangers. She had barely seen any faces she recognized, and Harry was parading her around as though she was a Quidditch trophy. "This is my daughter Lily. She's back home with her family." Harry's words swirled around her head as though it was in a cauldron and was being stirred. Aster didn't know why she was trying to even act like she was okay when she wasn't. She wanted to scream, she couldn't. It wasn't even until halfway through the party, after a sea of people, was Aster finally free to "go play with the other kids."
As Aster stumbled, she didn't know which way was up or down anymore. The girl only felt like she had to get away from everyone. Though she passed by some people, not looking at anyone in the face, she couldn't anymore. She found the stairs, climbing what felt like a mountain and she stumbled into the first room she could find with a bed. Aster slipped out of her shoes as she walked to the bed and climbed in and under the covers. A short nap...I just need a short nap... she thought to herself as she let herself succumb to the darkness.
Harry mingled with some of his old friends from the ministry, though he was surprised that Ron and Hermione weren't here for the party. He began to wonder if they were even invited. Hermione was the Prime Minister, after all, a party like this would have only the highest ranked individuals in the European Wizarding World. Harry took a swing of punch, wishing it was something stronger. The man reached for something in his pocket and he hid the creep smile on his face. He looked around the room, seeing Draco with James, instead of talking among the adults, Draco was spending time with the boy. It was the happiest he had ever seen James in many years. He approached with a light-hearted smile but stopped when he saw a tall young man. "Uncle Draco!"
Draco looked over and smiled as he saw the young man. "Teddy! My word I didn't think you were showing up!" He said and stood up and hugged the teal-haired man. A woman stood by him, holding a little girl. The woman was about average height with blonde hair and as gorgeous as a pearl and wearing a light blue sweater with white jeans. The little girl she was holding was olive-skinned with brown curly hair held up with a big green bow and was wearing a knitted sweater with the letter M on it along with white tights. As Draco mingled with the young couple, a fury sparked in the green-eyed man. Why was Teddy being so friendly to Draco? He was his Godfather after all. Teddy looked over and saw his Godfather and smiled, "Uncle Harry!" He said and gave the man a hug, which Harry reluctantly returned. "Teddy, I'm glad to see you. When did you return back to town?" Harry asked.
"About a week ago. I'm sorry I didn't reach out, but a lot of unexpected things happened since I returned," he said. Victoire smiled and approached Harry, "Hello Harry," she said. "Victoire," he smiled and kissed her cheek, and she did the same. He soon looked down and asked with a smile, "and who's this lovely lady?" He got close and she shyly hid her face away. Teddy laughed, "that's Maria Dora Lupin, my daughter." Teddy said. Harry's eyes widen in shock, "your daughter?"
"Yeah, the week has been hectic. We found her wandering around the streets and well, we got attached," he said. "After we eloped, we formally adopted her."
Harry's eyes couldn't get any wider. "You what? Eloped?"
Victoire held out her hand that had her wedding band on it. Teddy did the same, and the two sported similar golden wedding bands.
Draco smiled happily got them, "congratulations you two!" The blonde man said and smiled at the child in Victoire's arms, "and Little Maria is adorable."
Harry felt his eye twitch and felt the room suddenly go quiet around him despite the sound still being in the room. James smiled as his big brother, Teddy, began talking. Maria smiled when she looked at the fourteen-year-old and James reached out to the baby, smiling and welcoming the toddler to the family. Harry watched as Victoire handed the toddler to James and Maria seemed to cling to her Uncle James very quickly.
Teddy looked over at Harry and asked, "so where's Aster? That's her name, right? Is she around?" He asked.
"Lily is around here somewhere," Harry's voice contained a growl in his throat. Teddy quickly realized that he had upset Harry. He knew why "I'm sorry for not informing you about the wedding Uncle Harry. It was just a small legal ceremony at the Ministry of Magic in such short notice. I meant no offense."
Harry turned and glared at Teddy, "excuse me, I'm going to get something to drink," he said sharply, and Teddy felt those words cut like a knife.
Harry looked around the area, looking for a drink, or really, any form of distraction. How could Teddy get married and not tell him? Him? He practically raised the young man! And now he had a child on top of that! He felt as though he had been betrayed. Harry excused himself and as he was walking away from the group, who didn't even seem to care that he existed at the moment, Harry went to the kitchen and began looking for some hard alcohol. He needed a drink.
He began rummaging until he felt a tap on his shoulder. "Looking got something?" It was Blaise Zabini, and he held a bottle of fire whiskey out. Harry glared and said, "you been drinking? Haven't you learned your lesson from all those years ago?" Harry asked.
Blaise's dark eyes narrowed hard and he said, "yes, have you?" He gave the man the liquor and walked away. Harry looked at Blaise as he was about to step out of the kitchen, "he doesn't miss you ya know." Blaise stiffened and looked at Harry. "He doesn't miss you either," he simply said and walked away. The Auror opened up the bottle and poured himself a cup and began drinking a bit.
Blaise walked out and saw his son, who had been talking with other children who had been forced to come along to this party. He was pale and his eyes had bags, similar to Aster, but Blaise knew his son had been well when they arrived at the party. "Dad, can we go home now? I don't feel good," Giles asked with a hoarse voice.
"Sure son, let me go say goodbye to our hosts first, go pick up our coats," he lightly instructed. The teen nodded and walked away, though it looked like he was limping. Blaise approached Narcissa, who was free from talking to anyone at the moment, "thank you for having me and my son for the evening, but I'm afraid that we must be going."
"But it's barely passed 9:30, is everything alright?" Narcissa asked with some concern.
"Giles is beginning to feel under the weather. You know the weather. I'm sure it's nothing serious," he said.
The Christmas party ended rather quickly and soon enough; all the guests had left. The only ones were the family with the exception of Teddy and Victoire, who had only come by to see Draco and meet Aster, though the later never occurred. James and Lucius were around the Christmas tree, and the wizard pulled out his wand and began levitated a small gift to James. "Open it," he smiled. James was more than happy to open the small gift box and saw what looked like a small pendant with an "M" on a field of green that matched the color of Slytherin. Lucius reached in the box and pinned the insignia on James's shirt, "you're my grandson, and you come from a long and pure line of Wizards. Be proud of that side of the family." He said. James smiled and stood up, and hugged his grandfather, which took Lucius by surprise.
Draco was helping his mother clean up in the kitchen, but he was happy to assist. Though what he didn't much enjoy was Harry being in the house still. Though they had agreed that Christmas Morning would be spent there at the Malfoy Manor and Harry only agreed to that if he stayed over as well. Harry was standing by the entryway, having witnessed many things that left a sour taste in his mouth this evening. "Mind showing me to my room Draco?" He asked.
Draco side-eyed his mother, and she did the same and they shared an eye roll, "fine," Draco spoke rather annoyed and led Harry upstairs. Draco stopped for a moment on the staircase and turned to James, "Good night James," he said. James looked up and smiled happily, "yeah! Good night Father!" Harry cleared his throat and said, "good night James." James's smiled dimmed visibly, and he said, "good night Dad," he said and turned his attention back to Lucius.
The blonde male went to the first guest and peeked in and saw Aster asleep in bed. He smiled and closed the door, thinking she was having sweet dreams and didn't want to disturb her. Harry looked more or less annoyed. Draco led the way again, brushing passed Harry and looked in the next room, and said, "here." The room was a simple room, with a queen-sized bed and a drawer for clothing and a closet for clothing. No one used the room, but it was always up kept.
Harry smiled and said, "thanks," he said and pulled out the bottle of firewhiskey from earlier. Draco frowned as it was certainly uncalled for. "Need to hit the bottle before bed now Potter?"
Green eyes stabbed daggers into the gray, "some nights are harder than others, but when you have your guts ripped out of your body, sometimes you need something to numb yourself," his voice was cold, as though a gust of the winter's air had brushed from him despite the fire in the whiskey. Draco glared back, "it wasn't my fault, you know that. Stop using that over me."
"I wasn't," Harry stated, "just stating the facts that some things can't be forgotten. Harry held the bottle out, "you're free to take a swing. Party may be over, but the night isn't."
Draco eyed the bottle, then eyed Harry for a quick moment before he took the bottle and took a quick swing. He gagged a bit before swallowing it down, his throat burning intensely. "Forgot how much kick is in one of those things," Draco mentioned as he tried to breathe and his eye watered. Harry smirked, "wimp," he commented jokingly but he got a shove from Draco. Harry grabbed his wrist and pulled Draco in the bedroom, closing the door behind him.
Harry let go of Draco, and Draco began to shout, "what the hell is wrong with you?!" He demanded. It was in a moment when the space between him and Harry was shortened, and Harry went over and pressed his lips against Draco's. The pureblood felt utterly disgusted and tried to push Harry off him, only to realize that Harry had pulled his wand out and was creating wordless spells. Why? He didn't know. Harry finally let go, his eyes no longer the vibrate green they had once been but the vivid green that it as though it was lite with green flames. Draco was terrified and as he tried to get Harry off him once more, he felt his body stop working. A smirk crept on Harry's lips and as Draco tried to once more to fight back, he distinctly remembered the last thing he saw was Harry's signature scar.
Harry watched as Draco's eyes shut and his body went limp. He wasn't thinking with his mind, but his anger. The wizard knew Draco would have been easily affected by the sleeping and dreamless draught that he had been consuming for the last decade in order to get an ounce of sleep. Harry had placed silencing wards and wards to keep anyone away from that particular area. He never thought he would ever have to do this, but he snapped. In a mental struggle of trying to numb everything and everyone around him, he had become a hollow shell of his former self.
This was power. Once upon a time, his power had been taken away by someone who wore his husband's face, and now he couldn't bear to look at the face without feeling disgusted and angry.
Now it was time for Draco to suffer.
The bells toll for Christmas Morning in Wiltshire, England and as a blanket of snow covered the land and buildings, they rang not for the Spirit of the Christmas season, but for the spirits who had passed.
All around the world, even the muggle world, mysterious cases of illness spread rapidly. The muggles call it the Fiery Plague, as it seemed many buildings mysteriously caught fire, building down buildings and killing those who unknowingly knew any better. If it wasn't the illness, it was the plague that killed them. Millions of people were suddenly dead in a matter of hours, and the wizarding world was suffering most of all.
In a small Italian house, a seemingly healthy muggle-born girl was watching her childhood being burnt to the ground and was being carried by local authorities to be taken to the nearest hospital, watching in horror as firemen and women went inside to try to save her mother, an image now forever engraved in her mind.
Off the coast the North Atlantic Ocean, in a small area known as Finn Ta Cottages, a particular young muggleborn was being taken to the nearest hospital and trying his best to stay awake even with his dad speeding through the country roads in the snow. "Oi knew Aeswyn wud catch wan av dohs magical diseases! nigh 'e's spewin' fire loike a feckin dragon!" His father spewed as he drove rapidly.
The woman turned to look at her son, who was laying back and their younger son, Aiden, who was Aeswyn's junior by five years, was wearing a blanket to keep him cover. "Me stoney broke sprog! 'is green loike a leprechaun!" She cried.
"Leprechaun's vera lynns are not green mum!" Aeswyn exclaimed but he was not feeling much for arguing. He just wanted to feel better and not burn anyone in the process.
On another continent, Samuel was holding his head under a bowl of ice and his father, a-now United States citizen in New York City living with his new wife tried googling Samuel's symptoms of green and purple skin and the addition to fire breathing. This was the day that not only Samuel had to reveal to his father that he was a wizard, but that what he probably had was more than likely magical in nature. It was very difficult to communicate this when he felt like hell and his hearing had essentially vanished once he was out of medicine that helped him with his hearing, so he drowned himself in a bowl of melting ice from his high fever.
On the other side of the country, in Germany, Vivian was thankful her parents had gotten her the help she needed. They knew this ailment, but they were completely surprised when their daughter had it! She had the Dragon Pox! It was rather disturbing but they were so sure that they had vaccinated their child of the ailment so this wouldn't happen.
So how did this happen?
Draco woke up in a gasp of breath, and his breathing quickened, as though he was breathing once more. He sat up sharply and looked around. The room had green-gray walls with black furniture and a white carpet. He felt panicked and mostly confused. The last thing he remembered was taking Harry to his guest room for the day since it was Christmas. Draco moved his hand around his body, feeling a long nightshirt and he was in his boxers still. He appeared to be untouched but for the life of him, he couldn't remember how he got in these clothes or how he even got to bed.
He got out of bed, feeling rather achy and realizing that he needed a shower. He didn't want the kids to see him in a gross state. While he usually used simple cleaning spells instead of a quick shower, he felt that showers were more relaxing for him. Draco headed for the bathroom in his room and as the water began to run, Draco took to brushing his hair. He knew it was easier to manage after he washed his take if he brushed it first. It was here that he saw a reddish-purple bite mark on his neck. A hickey? He knew what hickeys were like and this definitely looked like a one, especially the type Harry usually gave him. Draco quickly undid his shirt and revealed nothing more. His skin, while ghastly pale, appeared untouched. Draco was more confused, and he decided to get into the shower and freshen up.
Draco finished the shower and he could already smell the breakfast food from upstairs. (Rewrite). The man could even hear James being excited about the stack of presents for him downstairs. It made him smile. Though he wasn't hearing Aster and wondered if she was even awake yet. Just as Draco was about to check in on her, he heard another door open, "Happy Christmas Draco," he said. Draco looked over and saw the man dressed in jeans and a sweater with "H" on it. Draco flinched subconsciously, "Happy Christmas Harry," he said uneasily.
"Is Lily awake yet? I can already smell breakfast cooking and she didn't eat much last night," Harry asked casually and seemingly in a much better mood.
"I was just about to check on her," Draco said. He looked at Harry and wondered why he was in a good mood. He didn't want to sour the Christmas spirit, but he had to ask, "last night, after I showed you to bed, what happened?"
Harry asked and raised an eyebrow, "you don't remember?" He asked with an amused laughed, "you went to bed yourself."
"I did?" Draco asked, unsure if that was what happened.
"Yeah. You looked a little pale as well. Thought you weren't feeling good or something," Harry added.
"But I feel fine now," Draco said and put a hand to his neck and covered the hickey, "and then when I woke up, I saw this and I just remembered how you used to...ya know...leave love bites like these," Draco blushed with embarrassment. Harry leaned in when he saw the mark and then stood up straight, "Why would I do that to you? It's not before. We're not together," Harry stated firmly. "Besides you and Blaise were hanging off each other last night. Maybe he gave it to you," Harry accused.
Draco felt insulted, "Blaise is like my brother you ass! I would never do that!"
"Friends turn into lovers all the time Draco. Take it easy, he wouldn't be a bad guy for you to end up with," Harry pointed out.
"He loves someone else you dick and I'm not a floozy!" Draco stated.
"Draco relax. You don't even remember so how would you even know? Besides, it's none of my business. You're an adult," he said. "All I care about is how you act around the kids. James and Aster need a parent who isn't such a whore," Harry stated that part coldly.
Draco lost all respect for Harry in that moment and couldn't believe that he had once been dumb enough to have married him.
Harry opened the door to Aster's room, "Lily, wake up," Harry said. There wasn't even a groan. Harry frowned his brows and turned on the lights, "Lily. Wake up. Time for breakfast," He said in a firmer voice.
Draco was the one to notice Aster's lack of movement. He approached closer and stopped mid-step when he soon saw his daughter's condition.
Aster was covered in green skin with purple marks that were in raw patches. Her nose and lips were red come rawness and burns. Aster began coughing before she sneezed, releasing fire from her nostrils that lasted for a few seconds before she settled down. "ASTER!" Draco ran over and lifted his daughter's head to see her, and he knew this ailment. Draco turned to Harry, who looked terrified. "GO GET MY PARENTS!" Draco ordered as he felt Aster's forehead, feeling the clammy and sweat on her flesh and pulled away, "she's burning up badly!" Draco said as he picked up the girl, but he was struggling since he wasn't as strong as he used to be. Harry went over and took the girl from Draco, stronger than the other, "Lily! Lily, wake up!" He cried.
"We need to take her to the Hospital!" Draco screamed at Harry. The raven-haired male cradled his child, looking at her and he remembered last night, how she complained she wasn't feeling good. Harry grew desperate, "Lily, Lily wake up!" He began to shake her. "Lily! No no no! You must wake up! Lily! LILY!"
Draco began to scream for his parents to wake up, but he stopped when he remembered something important; he was her parent. Draco turned to Harry, who wasn't moving and basically giving up, sobbing over his unmoving child. "Harry!" Draco shouted and moved him out of the way, having dropped the girl back on the bed. Draco looked over the girl, and leaned down, hearing her heartbeat and decided to apparate to the hospital, or as close to the hospital as he could.
Draco arrived at the secret entrance to St. Mungo's. The red-bricked condemned department store called Purge and Dowse, Ltd was the entrance to the hospital, though as Draco was taking that way. He held tight to his daughter, and with all his strength he carried her through the hidden passage, where he saw many people gathering the hospital, all as sickly as Aster. The nurses and mediwitches on staff were all trying their best to help people, but there was a sign that made it clear; ailing woman and children were to be served first. Draco moved through the crowd of the sick, many of who were holding crying babies or the bodies of hopefully unconscious children. He shoved his way through the crowd, making it to the front and trying to give his daughter to someone who could help.
It wasn't until a large bang and smoke of magic was unleashed and everyone turned to the newcomers. A woman in a blue fine robe approached the sick and with her, a team of witches who began going through the crowds and taking the sick and ailing children. "Under New Magical Law, these children are all in the care of the Republic of the Sacred Mother," she walked straight to one of the Mediwitches. "That means from now on, you follow my orders," she said.
The mediwitch, a burly older woman scoffed as she looked at the woman, "and who gives you the authority to boss us around when we're trying to save people's lives! We're in the middle of a crisis here!"
The woman only smiled, "and we're here to help," she said and turned to the crowd of people, "As part of our New Republic's decree we will help heal the sick and save those only who are deemed saving," she said. Draco paled at those words, having heard similar words come from a certain Dark Lord. People began to question her, and when everyone yelled, out came the killing hexes. People screamed in agony as no one was at mercy in the moment and it was only out of sheer luck that Draco forced his way through before the doors were suddenly closed off from the hospital and people began collapsing by the dozens. The blonde male looked at his ill child and when she began coughing, he felt his heart skip with joy. She hadn't been hit! Soon though, Draco saw the dozens of people in the waiting area, all holding small children and even older children, like Aster. Teenagers sitting and leaning against parents, and many mourning the loss of their children.
As Draco was soon shown to check in by a nurse, he had missed the red-haired Weasley holding his son's body, cold and limp and his daughter crying beside him, burying her purple and green face in his sleeve as they mourned for their loss of a son and a brother.
