Sorry it's been such a long time since I've updated, I've had mock exams for my GCSE's the past two weeks and it's been hell :( I've had no time but here you go :)) I love you all, thanks for reviewing/favouriting/following, please keep doing so. x
P.S. in my story, one of the changes is that Lupin and Tonks are alive because they're just so adorable I couldn't bear to keep them dead in this and Teddy all alone ^-^
Change the colors of the sky
And open up to
The ways you made me feel alive
The ways I loved you
For all the things that never died
To make it through the night
Love will find you
What About Now - Daughtry
A Rebel With A Tainted Heart: Chapter 11
Draco was really tired. Knackered even. And that was something that should not occur during a school holiday. He should have been catching up on sleep, not losing it.
His father had been in Azkaban for nearly 6 months and Draco had taken his place as head of the Malfoy Family. Something which was not as easy as Draco had first thought. He was definitely not his father - sure they shared some genes and a few similar traits - and as a young man, he definitely couldn't keep track of everything. His father messed up everything he touched. Look how I turned out, Draco snorted at his own thought.
Constantly, there were owls from the Ministry, from Gringotts, from Azkaban. The Ministry Owls were informing Draco of his father's businesses. The Gringotts were usually threats from the goblins who were trying to take the Malfoy money. And the letters from Azkaban? Well, the young Malfoy usually locked those away in the top drawer of his bedside cabinet. He didn't want to read anything that came from his father, Bellatrix or any of the other Death Eaters residing in Azkaban.
The Ministry offered no help in managing the businesses, nor the goblins, purely because of Rufus Scrimgeour's hatred for Draco Malfoy. His mother was in France doing her best to forget the horrific memories of Voldemort living in their house and Draco's eyes were heavy.
Walking down to breakfast alongside Hermione, he rubbed a hand through his tousled white blond hair. He just wanted to sleep forever – he may be the Malfoy heir but he was a teenager first. Sleep and hormones first. Not money, or Azkaban, or crazy aunts.
"Did you get any sleep last night?" Hermione asked him softly, putting her arm around his waist as he put his around hers.
"A little, I don't really know, there were owls coming in and out practically the whole night. I think I need to go into the Ministry today," He grimaced, pulling the small brunette witch into a hug.
After their 'afternoon' in bed, they realised just how they felt about each other – after a while. They were both as stubborn as the other, but Draco really didn't care what his father or mother thought about him liking a Muggleborn witch and Hermione liked the Pureblood Slytherin Prince, something she still found hard to comprehend. Although, she would be lying if she said she wasn't worried about how Harry would react. Oh, and Ronald.
"Are you sure you want to go by yourself?" Hermione tightened her grip around his waist – he gave her the best hugs.
"I have to, otherwise they won't give me access," He sighed, kissing her gently, taking her by surprise. To his satisfaction, she kissed him back eagerly, weaving her hands into his blond locks.
"So, since we keep doing this – Hermione Granger, will you go out with me?" Draco asked her, smirking as they rested their foreheads against each other. It wasn't the most romantic way he could have asked her, but he was still Draco Malfoy – not Neville Longbottom, God forbid.
"Mm, yes," Hermione grinned, feeling her cheeks heat up under his intense stare. She could look at his eyes, at him, forever. Stepping back, eyes raking over her hungrily with a gorgeous smirk painted on his face, he offered her his hand, which she took and intertwined their fingers.
"Let's give them something to talk about," He chuckled, before they walked down the corridor and turned into the Great Hall.
"Five Galleons Minerva," Dumbledore raised an eyebrow at his wife who grumbled and passed him the money as they watched the pair enter the hall laughing.
Ginny nudged Blaise who turned round to see just what she was staring at. His mouth dropped open wide and he nearly dropped his toast which was smothered in Nutella. Finally, he thought, those two are together properly. Grinning to himself, he continued to eat his toast and Nutella, slouching into a more comfortable position on the sofa beside his girlfriend Ginny, who was reminiscing about when Blaise asked her out, a week prior.
-Blaise Zabini was Ginny Weasley's drug. She couldn't help but let him get under her skin. He was constantly on her mind – the chestnut curls, the chocolate eyes, the infectious smile. The boy was attractive and would be the absolute death of her. He was so perfect, and she wanted nothing more than to be with him properly, instead of just messing around like they were currently doing.
The last thing Ginny expected to be asked was to be Blaise Zabini's girlfriend. Yet, there they were. He had taken her out to sit under the tree opposite the Black Lake, a place they usually found themselves sitting, writing or reading. They sat down like they had done so many times before, Blaise with his back against the tree trunk and Ginny between his legs with her back against his chiselled chest and his strong arms wrapped around her petite waist.
"Hey, Red?" Blaise piped up suddenly, sounding nervous. Ridiculous, he thought, Zabini's are confident, not snivelling wrecks, pull it together Blaise, Jesus.
"Yeah Blaise?" Ginny replied softly, her voice carrying in the wind.
"Do you want to be my girlfriend?" He asked, voice quieter than he would have liked.
"Of course I do Blaise, I really like you," She grinned, turning around to kiss her boyfriend.
"Well as it happens, I really like you too Red," He smirked in response, deepening the kiss. Ginny certainly enjoyed the extra curricular activities that occurred later.-
"It was bound to happen soon," Ginny whispered to her boyfriend, who looked far too happy with that ridiculous chocolate spread.
"Everyone knew it. I just dread to think how Potter and your dick of a brother will react to her," Blaise bit his lip and looked at Ginny.
"Please stop doing that!" She sang, crossing her legs at the familiar feeling of want.
"Doing what?" Blaise looked so innocent, sitting there looking at her with big puppy dog eyes and biting his lip.
"Giving me that face," She hissed, shifting in her seat, trying to be inconspicuous to the teachers nearby. Blaise grinned, waggling his eyebrows as he caught his girlfriend's drift. He was going to have a lot of fun teasing her. Suddenly, the familiar hooting of the owls echoed throughout the Hall, just as Hermione and Draco sat down together on the sofa near Ginny and Blaise. Hermione was eating her cereal with no milk again – like a weirdo, Ginny thought, smiling – and Draco was munching a green apple, looking way too fucking thrilled about it for Ginny.
The Daily Prophet dropped into both Blaise and Draco's laps, causing the girls beside them to jump and the boys to chuckle at them. Catching their attention was the headline on the front page of the newspaper. Blaise turned a sickly white colour, eyes widened in horror as he read the page and Draco choked on his apple, eyes wide as he also read it. The girls, and the teachers, were curious as to what was on the front page.
Blaise dropped the paper, rummaging through his bag to find some parchment and a quill to write with. Quickly, he found a scrap of parchment and began writing frantically, carefully trying to avoid the black ink running or smudging. Rolling it up, he tied it to his owl Buio's leg and put money in the pouch.
"Take this to Sarafina Zabini, but only if Christi is with her. If Christi is not with her, take it to Saoife, the house elf should still be at our Manor," Blaise instructed the owl, who blinked knowingly at him before flying off again.
"What's going on?" Ginny asked him, confused. Simply, Blaise handed her the newspaper while Draco handed Hermione his. Shrugging, the two girls began reading the front page, with Ginny reading out loud.
"NOTORIOUS DEATH EATERS ON THE RUN. Two notorious Death Eaters have escaped from the high security Wizarding prison Azkaban. The heavily guarded prison, isolated in the middle of the sea and constantly encircled by Dementors, was broken into and it has been confirmed that this was how the pair escaped. It is thought that uncaptured Death Eaters managed to get through the numerous guards and they helped the two Death Eaters to escape. At the time, the Ministry does not want to make a statement, and the guards on duty have not been called in for questioning.
However, Rufus Scrimgeour has announced that – 'Our Ministry workers are doing their utmost to ensure the capture of these murderers and the safety of, not only the Wizarding Community, but also the Muggles. That is all I wish to say on the matter.' It has also been confirmed that the two Death Eaters on the run are BELLATRIX LESTRANGE and NEGOZI ZABINI. If you have any information, please contact your nearest Auror Office," Ginny finished, sucking in a shocked breath.
"You two will remain safe, as long as you are here," Professor Dumbledore said firmly.
"Saoife will look after Christi," Blaise murmured to himself.
"My mum will be safe, she's at one of our Manor's in France," Draco sighed heavily, rubbing a hand over his face, "and Dad's in Azkaban."
"I need to go to the Ministry later Professor, is that alright?" He added, directing his question to the elderly wizard.
"Of course Mr Malfoy, I think now the best thing to do is to go and clear your heads, Pip pip!" He dismissed them in his usual manner, resulting in a small smile from every one of them as they left the Great Hall.
After dinner, Malfoy left for the Ministry and the teachers along with Hermione, Blaise and Ginny remained seated in the circle of chairs, discussing the events of the past year. So much had happened and Hermione was so glad that finally everything seemed at peace. That is, until earlier when Bellatrix Lestrange and Negozi Zabini escaped Azkaban. They couldn't seem to get a break.
Blaise didn't speak much of his father, just kept repeating 'He's a murderer, he's not my father'. Ginny felt bad for her boyfriend but didn't know what she could do to make him feel better. He was really distant, eyes glazed over as he obviously was remembering times from the past. Blaise wouldn't admit it to Ginny, but he was scared. Not only for himself - but for his baby sister. He knew Negozi wouldn't harm Sarafina, somehow he managed to stick with the village bike, but Blaise didn't know what he would do to Christi.
A sharp CRACK! alerted them to the arrival of someone – probably Malfoy, Hermione thought. And she was right, to an extent. It was Draco Malfoy, but he was accompanied by Kingsley Shacklebolt, or rather, held up by Kingsley Shacklebolt.
"What the hell happened?" Blaise was the first to react and stood up quickly, walking over to where Kingsley gently lowered the blond wizard to the ground. He was clutching a hand to his neck where blood was gushing out at an alarming rate. Dumbledore, McGonagall, Hermione, Ginny and Madam Pomfrey all came over as well.
"I'm not entirely sure. I knew he had to come to the Ministry to discuss the problems with Gringotts," Shacklebolt shrugged, waving a hand in front of a semi conscious, swaying Malfoy.
"Problems with Gringotts?" Professor McGonagall asked.
"The, ah, Goblins are proving to be a bit of a problem. They want compensation but we won't give it to them. They are trying to get money for Griphook's abduction but we have viewed the memories and Mr Malfoy here was one of the people who ended up in the cellars alongside the goblin and the others and he helped them. There is no way we can offer money and the Minister refuses. The goblins, however, they are trying to take his money," Shacklebolt gestured at Malfoy, who looked very woozy.
"Honestly," Madam Pomfrey tutted, bending down to check Draco.
"Lift your hand Mr Malfoy please," She added, pulling his hand away. As she did so, more blood than ever came spurting out.
"He injected me with something," Malfoy said slowly, lifting his right arm to show her.
"It appears to be some sort of strong anaesthetic, like the Muggles use. How you're still awake is unbeknownst to me," She raised her eyebrows.
"As for that neck injury, how did you come by it?"
"Rufus Scrimgeour, he jumped me in the halls," Malfoy winced as he pressed down harder on his neck.
"Really, that man is atrocious, can't you do something Albus?" The nurse looked up into the angry face of her oldest friend.
"I'm afraid I cannot, he is still the Minister and cannot be removed unless he steps down or until the elections, which thankfully are in a few more months," Dumbledore looked furious and Hermione was surprised he was so angry. She'd never seen him like that before.
"He has ruptured your jugular, I'm not sure there is much I can do," Madam Pomfrey spoke quietly, worry in her voice as she examined the wound.
"You, ow, you need to get Teddy," Malfoy turned to Blaise who nodded.
"Be right back. Don't die now because that would be a ridiculous thing to put on your gravestone," Blaise winked, before turning on the spot.
"Ha ha Blaise," Draco gave him a look before swapping hands on his neck.
"How are you two so calm?" Hermione practically screamed.
"Relax Granger, we're used to it, it's not the first time. I'm pretty sure in my room at the Manor in Wiltshire there's a piece of paper saying what Blaise wanted on his gravestone should he have died sometime during those months of hell before and during the war," Draco shrugged and they all stared at him, jaws wide open, mostly. In a second, Blaise was back, with Theodore Nott in tow.
"Honestly Draco, we're gone for a week and you're already dying, again!" Theodore laughed and the other two boys joined in with their friend.
"Hey, the last time it was totally not my fault!" Draco chuckled, wincing as Teddy put his cold hand on his neck.
"He properly tore up your jugular, another seven minutes and you'd be dead," Teddy's eyes widened.
"Thanks for that inspiring comment Teddy," Malfoy said sarcastically.
"What actually happened?" Theo asked him, amused.
"Well," Malfoy began.
- Draco moved about the Ministry with a stealth that no one but a Malfoy could master. It wasn't that late, around 8 o'clock in the evening but there were no Ministry Officials in the corridors. He had just sat down at the large wooden table in the centre of the room to wait for the Ministry worker when heavy footsteps behind him alerted him of someone in the room. He turned in his chair to see this mysterious person who had arrived when suddenly he was quite violently hauled out of his seat and slammed down on the table, a pale clawed hand tightening around his throat.
"Ah, if it isn't young Mr Malfoy, the ever evasive Death Eater," The man hissed.
"EX-Death Eater if you remember, sir," He spat back.
"Show some respect boy!" The Minister barked and Draco snorted.
"To dear old Rufus Scrimgeour? The vampire Minister of Magic? I don't think so. You've made it your lifes mission to get me back in Azkaban," The young wizard was getting pissed.
"And now I have my wish," The vampire grinned evilly, snapping two heavy manacles onto the Malfoy boy's wrists and injecting something into his arm.
"What the hell? You can't do that! You need a warrant! I've done fuck all!" He protested angrily.
"I think you'll find I can," Scrimgeour shrugged as Kingsley and Lupin walked through the door.
"Good evening Minister, may I ask what you're doing with young Mr Malfoy here?" Kingsley spoke in his usual calming voice.
"He's trying to drag me back to Azkaban and as I told the blood-sucking prick, four months is enough, I won't go back," Draco Malfoy was furious and they knew it.
"What's the reason Minister?" Lupin asked, growing annoyed.
"He's a Death Eater, he needs locked away," Rufus Scrimgeour replied.
"Ex-fucking Death Eater, are you deaf man? You're not putting me in the murderous and highly dangerous block again, you can't. I haven't done anything!" Draco was raging at the vampire.
"Show some respect boy!" The Minister barked again.
"As I said before - to old Rufus Scrimgeour? The vampire Minister of Magic? I don't think so. You've made it your life's mission to get me back in Azkaban and I won't have it. I'd rather be killed than go back there," Draco narrowed his eyes when he saw the vampires eyes darken and he took an involuntary step back from Scrimgeour, which confused Shacklebolt.
"No, don't even think about it, not again! I didn't mean killed like that! No way, clear your eyes you arsehole! CLEAR. YOUR. EYES," He hissed the last bit but the vampire was too far gone.
Before Kingsley could react, Rufus Scrimgeour blurred towards Draco Malfoy and bit down on his neck, hard. He didn't hold on for more than half a minute before Draco kicked the older man in the ribs, throwing him off him. He placed a hand to his neck, which was bleeding profusely from where the vampire caught him.
Clicking his fingers, Rufus Scrimgeour rushed out just as the manacles around Malfoy's hands broke free.-
"Yeah, crazy right? Can you believe that bas-" Draco began.
"Shush!" Nott hushed him, whispering a few words. They watched as a purplish blue light emitted from his hands – the teachers made sounds of surprise, but Dumbledore merely watched on with a knowing look in his eyes. When he lifted his hands off Malfoy's neck, the wound was healed and Nott helped his best friend to stand.
"You're a true Healer too, like Malfoy?" Hermione asked Nott, who turned to her and smiled.
"Yeah, we found out before the war but we kept it a secret, something that could have got us killed," He explained to them all.
"You're both true Healers? My, that's incredibly rare, around 1 in a million," Professor McGonagall gasped, adjusting her hat.
"Yeah, strange that we're both best friends that live nearby and we're true healers. By the way, I got a letter from Dad this morning, he says Lucius wants you to visit him," Teddy turned to his best friend who looked disgusted.
"No, I don't think so. I haven't opened any of his letters so I don't plan on visiting him either," Malfoy scoffed. His father was a bizarre man.
"I'll let him know, I'm sure Dad will tell him. I'll see you all on Monday for school. Goodbye you two, Professors, Hermione, Ginny," Theo smiled before disapparating. School on Monday, ugh. No matter whether it was the Wizarding World, or the Muggle World, it seemed that view was one that was shared all over.
It was now November and the leaves were turning brown, floating softly off the trees in the bitter winter wind. There had been no more injuries or accidents, aside from Neville falling down a small flight of stairs. Hermione and Draco, along with Ginny and Blaise, still hadn't told Ron and Harry that they were dating respectively. The girls decided together that they would tell the boys after the first Quidditch Match of the Season. Funny enough, it just happened to be that very day and it was Slytherin versus Gryffindor.
The cold air blew around Ginny and Hermione and they drew their coats tighter around them, huddling together for warmth. After the war, Ginny decided to have a year off from Quidditch at school; she would prefer to play for an actual team and not one that spent the whole time trying to see her with her top off.
Hermione resisted the urge to roll her eyes at the smug look on Ronald's face as he waltzed onto the pitch with the rest of the team. She hoped he would notice the fact that both she and his sister were sitting in the Slytherin stands.
"And here comes the Gryffindor team. This year's Captain and Seeker is the one and only Harry Potter. The Chasers are Bell, Robins, and Thomas. The Beaters are Peakes and Coote and the Keeper is Ronald Weasley," Lee Jordan's voice rang out across the stands as the teachers took their places in their own stand.
"Here comes the Slytherin team. This year's Captain and Seeker is Draco Malfoy. He is exceptionally good looking; he could turn a man gay! All you girlies out there can go crazy over him!" At this, the blond gave a smirk and salute, causing many of the girls to swoon and giggle. Ginny and Hermione laughed at him.
"The Chasers are Zabini, Warrington and Vaisey. The Beaters are Bole and Derrick and the Keeper is Theodore Nott."
The Slytherin team got more cheers and woops than the Gryffindors did, which few found surprising. Many people had taken to singing Weasley is Our King - the Slytherin version.
Ginny stifled a smile at their chanting and bit her lip to keep from joining in. She was rooting for the Slytherin team to win, and with Draco as Captain making a lot of changes, it was quite possible. Also, she had to root for her boyfriend; it was the rules or something.
-Gods, Blaise looks so hot in that uniform, I could just rip it right off!
Beside her, Hermione was also hoping the Slytherins would win. She knew it was probably wrong to want them to win but they deserved it. She wanted to see that smug smile wiped right off Ronald's face.
Madam Hooch blew the starting whistle and all the players kicked off into the air. Harry and Draco began shouting orders at their team mates - mainly 'No cheating!'
"Aaaannnnnd Zabini's got the quaffle; he's speeding towards the Gryffindor goals. Look at that loop he did on his broom! He's a magnificent player; it seems that Draco Malfoy has made good decisions regarding the team this year! And Zabini's scored, right past Weasley! It's 10-nil to Slytherin!"
Hermione nearly went tone deaf with Ginny's cheering. That girl could scream. The look on the Weasel's face was priceless to Draco, especially when Potter began yelling at his best mate once he let the quaffle in four more times.
"Oooh, that was a nice save by Nott! Quite the keeper, again well done Malfoy! Slytherin are in the lead with 50 points to none. It's not looking good for Gryffindor. Did Harry Potter make a mistake allowing Ron Weasley as goal keeper? Perhaps Cormac McLaggen would have been a better choice had he still been at Hogwarts. But then again maybe not. The tool always was pompous and acted a bit like he'd been Confunded."
"JORDAN!" Professor McGonagall yelled at him, while Dumbledore chuckled at the boy's cheeky grin. Harry caught Hermione's eye mid-air and they shared a look - Ron still didn't know that Hermione had Confunded McLaggen during the trials years ago.
The game went on and Ron continued to let in more goals whilst Theo kept them out. Slytherin was leading 110-nil. Eventually, both Seekers caught sight of the snitch. Both had Firebolts and their speeds were equally matched. Suddenly, Madam Hooch blew the whistle for a foul against Slytherin.
"Madam Hooch has called a foul against Slytherin by Ronald Weasley, who was apparently trying to hex Chaser Blaise Zabini. Didn't really work Weasley, he could tell a mile off you arsehole!" Lee Jordan was ashamed of Ron, if only Fred could see him now.
"JORDAN!" McGonagall yelled once more and the boy shouted a hasty 'sorry!' back.
A Bludger flew slowly near Ron, who got an idea. It didn't matter to him that the game was paused or the fact that all the moving balls had slowed down due to the stop in the game. He was just pissed off that Slytherin was losing and Gryffindor were allowing it. It was up to him to do something.
He flew to the nearest Gryffindor beater, took his bat and whacked the Bludger towards his intended target - Draco Malfoy.
The Bludger caught the unsuspecting Slytherin Captain around the shoulder, throwing him off his broom. Both he and his broom began spiralling towards the ground.
"HOLY FUCKING SHIT, WEASLEY'S JUST HIT SLYTHERIN CAPTAIN DRACO MALFOY IN THE SHOULDER WITH A BLUDGER, DURING PAUSED TIME. THAT'S LOW!" Lee yelled.
The professors ignored his language as they, along with the other spectators, stood up and watched in horror as the Seeker plummeted in a swirl of green to the ground. Luckily, Malfoy managed to perform a wandless Arresto Momentum, stopping his fall about a meter above the ground before he released the charm and rolled away. His broom landed about five feet away from him. Blaise quickly flew down to him and pulled him to his feet, checking for damage.
"My right shoulder's dislocated Blaise, fuck," Draco hissed to his best friend.
"Want me to pop it back in?" He asked him casually.
"Yes, we are going to win this game and I will wipe that smug look off Weasley's face," Draco replied, gingerly holding his arm out to Blaise, who grabbed his wrist and elbow, quickly pushing the shoulder back into the joint with a pop!
"It appears that Ron Weasley has dislocated Draco Malfoy's shoulder, but no worries ladies, Blaise Zabini has popped it back in! Wow, these two must be used to pain to have done that so easily! That means that Weasley's been sent off by a scary looking Madam Hooch and Harry Potter is fuming - the replacement keeper has been sent on!" Lee was secretly glad, he too was hoping for Slytherin to win. Hermione and Ginny were horrified, but glad that Draco was alright. They were proud of the pair and it looked like Slytherin was definitely going to win.
"Ready Draco?" Blaise asked his friend, who nodded. He quickly kicked off his broom and waited in the air for his Captain. Draco cracked his knuckles and raised his left hand lazily for his broom, which flew like lightning into his hand. He stepped on it sideways and took off into the air alongside Blaise, before readjusting and joining his team mates, who clapped him on the back. Hermione nearly melted on the spot at how gorgeous he looked when he did that.
"There you have it ladies and gentlemen; proof that Draco Malfoy is an exceptional Quidditch player. Just look at how quickly his broom came to him, without him even saying 'up'! It seems that he and Harry Potter are well matched in skills."
The rest of the game found the girls on the edges of their seats, giggling as Blaise and Draco flew near them and winked. Around half an hour after Ron being sent off, the game was nearing the end.
"Potter and Malfoy have seen the snitch, it's neck and neck. Who's going to catch that sneaky little golden ball? Ha ha golden balls! Sorry Professor! Oh, wow, the Slytherin Captain's just pulled off the Wronski Feint, leaving the Gryffindor Captain in the dust. And... it's final. Draco Malfoy has caught the snitch, SLYTHERIN WIN!" Lee roared and the crowd went wild. Even most of the teachers were on their feet and Dumbledore was also standing, clapping wildly for the team and the young Malfoy. He was extremely proud of the young wizard.
The two Captains landed and shook hands, grinning at each other.
"Good game Potter, well done. Shame about the ginger monstrosity," Draco chuckled, shaking the smaller man's hand.
"Congratulations Malfoy, you deserved it. You and your team played well, there wasn't even any cheating, I'm amazed," Harry said cheerfully.
"You have a good team this year and I want to say sorry that Weasley dislocated your shoulder and knocked you off your broom. I will be having a word with him later," He added tightly. Draco grinned gleefully when Potter called the Weasel by his last name; he was totally in deep shit with Boy Wonder. Blaise landed once more beside him, smirking and waggling his eyebrows at Ginny, who giggled and nodded. Draco looked up at Hermione, who was biting her lip in a way he found so bloody sexy. 'Later' she mouthed, blowing him a kiss. Sweet, he was going to get mind blowing 'You just won a Quidditch game' sex. Later could not come quick enough.