AN: Hi everyone, I am so sorry this is late. I found it tremendously hard to write this chapter, as there are a lot of continuity problems and plot holes I want to avoid so I had to make sure things were water tight in this chapter. As you will also see there is a lot that happens, a lot which is discussed and the chapter is longer than usual.
Kim...I definitely couldn't have done this one without your beta skills. Merci as usual.
XI
Many years ago, Narcissa Malfoy found herself, cloaked and running in a strange place looking for someone who could help her son. Now, thirteen years on, here Narcissa was again. This time, she went alone, without Bellatrix running behind her.
What she was doing was shameful. If Lucius knew, he would never forgive her. However, he did not know. She had left him asleep. Long gone were the days when her husband returned home from work late and continued to work in his office, or read his paper by the fire for hours into the morning. Nowadays he fell asleep before her, before even Theodore occasionally.
When Narcissa was a newlywed she had pledged to be the most dutiful of wives. She would stay up no matter how late, in case Lucius had need of her, but secretly she just wanted to be in his company. A few times, she had been overcome by fatigue, and Lucius would eventually carry her up to bed. When Draco was born, she remained a dutiful wife, but she was excused to go to bed earlier, as was her right as a mother. Even though their old house-elf used to tend to the child when he cried, Narcissa still stayed up, listening to every movement. Since her son was born, Narcissa had never truly slept a full night through as deeply as she had in her youth. Once a woman was a mother, there was no going back.
She had apparated to Gloucestershire and found herself standing in front of the Ivy Hollies, the Greengrass home. Narcissa took a deep breath and stood by the gate waiting for it to open.
"What is your business here?" an incorporeal voice asked.
"I am Narcissa Malfoy. I wish to speak with the lady of the house." Narcissa said nervously. "I wish to speak of private matters."
There was silence for a moment before the gate swung open.
The Ivy Hollies was a handsome red brick house, with great rich trees that stood like guardsmen along the long drive. It was a wider, less imposing building than her own Manor, it rather reminded her of her Uncle Alphard's house where she would play with her sisters and cousins in her youth.
The main door opened and Narcissa found herself face to face with a pretty blonde woman. She was dressed in a night dress and dark blue dressing gown, made of velvet, her long golden hair was braided.
"Mrs Malfoy?"
"Daphne?" Narcissa asked, recognising the girl. "I … "
"You came to speak to my mother. I thought so. I know why you're here, I expected you to show up, so I came to stay … I know more than my mother does. Come in."
"I'm sorry to come so late." she said sincerely as they stepped into the large hallway.
"Not at all, I can't sleep a wink anyway. I've been up drinking some warm milk."
Daphne led Narcissa into the elegant living room. It was a pale golden colour with candles hung across the ceiling from great chandeliers.
"I came to stay with my parents for a few days. My husband is away on business in Russia. I do so hate to be alone … Bratskum, take Mrs Malfoy's cloak." Daphne said to a hideous, albino house-elf, before adding something in another language. "My husband's elf." she explained. "He likes to collect ugly things like that … he's been ordered to travel with me everywhere, but his English isn't very good so I must work on my Russian."
"I'll keep my cloak. I shan't stay long. What do you know, Daphne?" Narcissa asked with urgency.
"I now feel like I've led you on. I wish I could tell you more … Astoria is also missing."
"Missing?"
"Yes. The Death Eaters came here to question Astoria on Draco's whereabouts, only to discover she wasn't here either."
"Do you believe they are together?"
"I'm afraid I cannot say. I cannot even say for sure that the two situations are connected but …"
"But it seems likely?"
"Draco was stationed at a commune … Astoria said she was doing a job that night … I know a lot of her work takes place in the communes."
"Two Death Eaters were attacked, their memories have been erased." Narcissa explained. Daphne sighed and shook her head.
"It isn't the sort of thing I can imagine my sister doing … but then again, who can tell these things? If she was attacked first then …"
"Does your sister have dangerous friends? It is just a charitable group, isn't it? Nothing darker? Nothing … no one that may have a grudge against my son?" Daphne reached out and squeezed Narcissa's hands.
"I cannot say, I do not know them. I promise you this though, my sister's beliefs are true to our kind, she's no traitor."
"Her friends?" Narcissa urged. Daphne sighed and diverted her eyes.
"I sometimes … have doubts about them. However, it truly is speculation, I do not know who they are."
"Why would they take my son?" Narcissa felt tears coming to her eyes.
"Please don't cry, Mrs Malfoy … please." she said and gave Narcissa a handkerchief. "Bratskum, bring a brandy. Oh for Merlin's sake, I don't know it in Russian … brandy … brandy? Useless." said Daphne exasperated, wrenching her hands from Narcissa's and summoning the bottle and glasses.
"Truly Narcissa, I believe that Draco and Astoria will return safely to us … it is what happens when they return that worries me most."
"It looks bad, a girl helping Undesirables, and a Death Eater leaving his post with her … and to go missing for two days." she sobbed. "Even I … I'm looking for some explanation and I can't find it to defend my own son …" Shaking, she drank some of the brandy, while Daphne stroked her arm. "Draco is a good boy, a loving boy. People take advantage of that, they think he's weak … they use him because he'll do anything to protect the ones he loves."
"Do you believe he was protecting my sister?"
"I don't know. He's said nothing of his feelings towards her. What has she said?"
Daphne stiffened and shook her head.
"Not much but there seems no evidence to suggest she'd want him to come to harm."
"Do you know anyone who may know where Astoria is?"
"No, Astoria hasn't any friends that I know of, she's always been rather a loner. She had friends at school but no one who I could say she is close to. She never even met up with them during school holidays."
"Draco has Blaise … I've already called on him, he doesn't know anything either. He suggested he and Astoria may be together … Bellatrix already had her suspicions of that being a possibility."
"It's not unusual for Astoria to disappear for a few days. My parents' were not concerned about her absence until your sister called on them."
"She just goes? Without a word?"
"Yes. She's a self-proclaimed 'free spirit'" Daphne smirked slightly but at Narcissa's disapproving expression, she took a sip of brandy to hide it. "Mrs Malfoy … as I said before. Astoria is definitely not anti-establishment. A liberal perhaps, a troublemaker even … but whatever she was doing, whatever circumstance Draco found himself involved in with her, will not be considered a crime. For that I am certain."
"That doesn't help Draco … a Death Eater who leaves his post, is punished severely."
"Could it be … that perhaps Draco hasn't returned out of fear?"
"No … no … that's not a possibility. Draco would have sent word to me, for that I'm sure. I just want to know he's safe." she said as she wrung her hands nervously. "And I now wish I hadn't encouraged him to get to know your sister better." She glanced up at Daphne, as if expecting Daphne's retort to her rudeness. Daphne however, simply looked sympathetic.
"I'm not surprised. My parents have been trying to get rid of her for a while. For more reasons than wanting their daughter to make a good marriage. They don't want to be burdened with the responsibility of Astoria's dangerous life."
"You said it was only charity."
"As far as I know, yes! But as innocent as her work is, you have to admit we hardly live in a world where we can speak and think freely. Now I didn't like the way things were before but … but I do not believe a good citizen should be punished to make an example."
"An example of what?" Narcissa frowned, Daphne turned her head to look out of the window.
"The fact that there are real rebels out there, active, and biding their time for a revolution. No one's caught them, I wonder if anyone even can. They could even be disguised as one of us. Either way, they are out there, that much is certain."
"And Astoria …"
"I won't say it again, Mrs Malfoy, she is not one of them!" Daphne said irritably; Narcissa's face crumpled and the younger woman softened and put her arms around her to comfort her.
"I'm sorry Daphe … truly I am, I'm just so worried about Draco."
"Don't cry." Daphne whispered, soothingly. "I do understand your fear. But all we can do now is wait and pray that they will return soon … and hopefully with a believable excuse." she giggled. Narcissa hiccoughed as she both sobbed and laughed.
"Thank you Daphne, you're a sweet girl to comfort me so."
"Go home, Mrs Malfoy. Sleep, and stay calm until your son returns home. I swear to you, if I hear any word from Astoria, I shall contact you immediately."
Draco was given free reign to wander around the cottage and the surrounding land. He spent his first free morning exploring the area within the wards. For now, he had been barred from the indoors while the three women discussed something in secret. The cottage itself was situated atop a cliff, a most beautiful location. Guessing by the style of the landscape Draco deduced that they were somewhere on the South West Coast, and most likely it was Cornwall. He stood at the edge of the cliff looking out at the vast sea ahead of him. If it was Cornwall then this could be near Land's End, the most Southern point of the British Isles, with nothing beyond him but the sea, the Atlantic Ocean as far as America. There was something powerful about looking out at all that emptiness. The roar of the sea was caught in the wind, and the sun shone brightly and was a warm comfort from the strong wind.
"Are you going to jump?" a voice said. Draco looked down to see Victoire smiling at him, her strawberry blonde hair was flying wildly in the wind. She wore a large baggy jumper over a knee length skirt; she was clutching her arms as if slightly cold.
"I wasn't planning on jumping, no." Draco said.
"Ok … you wouldn't survive if you did. There are rocks at the bottom of the beach." she squinted in the bright sun.
"I'll bear it in mind." Draco said turning away from the sea and looking down at the little girl. "Can you tell me why the sun is so warm here? I haven't seen it so bright for a while."
"It's windier than usual today, it's much warmer usually, at least in summer." she said crouching on the ground. She picked up a piece of chalkstone and began scratching out doodles on a small boulder.
"Everywhere else, the Dementors' breeding affects the weather, everything is overcast usually."
"The Dementors don't come out this far. Maman says they will someday, but not at the moment."
"They don't come here at all."
"They've flown over a few times, but we put a patronus behind the wards to keep them away."
Draco looked thoughtfully down at the child, she seemed rather open and chatty. He wondered if he questioned her, how much information she would be able to provide.
"Victoire …" he started, crouching down beside her. "… what goes on in this house?"
"What do you mean?" she asked, doodling a picture of a unicorn.
"Well, are there meetings here? Do people come and make plans."
She looked up at him with her pretty smile.
"Maman told me you might ask me something about that. I don't know anything about it anyway, they don't tell me anything." she shrugged. She dropped her piece of chalk. "I'll show you around though?" she offered, standing at her full height and wiping her chalky hands on her old skirt, before holding one out for him to take.
She took him first to the large garden at the side of the cottage, it was very much a working, garden rather than an ornamental one. There were long sticks where beans were growing. There were cabbages, broccoli, potatoes and herbs as well. It was rather messy, with rakes and watering cans and wheelbarrows left out.
"This is our garden. We grow a lot of our own food here."
"Why?"
"To eat of course, silly." she laughed.
"You don't shop for it at all?"
"I don't leave here at all. Maman doesn't go to the shops either. It is better to have our own food isn't it? We have chickens too, want to see?"
"Very well." Draco nodded, although inwardly a snide little voice in his head made a comment about Weasleys and farms … and apples not falling far from the tree – he pushed the voice to the side. Victoire led him to a chicken pen built aside the farm where she peered in at the birds clucking and pecking at the ground. They produced a rather strong smell.
"They're so cute." Victoire said brightly. "Their eggs are so yummy too. They're my pets … do you have any pets?"
Draco recalled the old family dogs with affection. They had all been dead for years now; his mother's Cavalier spaniel, his Father's faithful borzois and his own German Shepherd. Somehow despite the grief that followed their deaths, the family had never gotten around to replacing them.
"We used to have dogs," he said simply.
"I'd like a dog. Maman says maybe I can have a rabbit. Astoria has cats apparently."
"She would." Draco smirked, at the amusing image of Astoria the spinster cat witch.
"If I had a rabbit I would call him Fudge." Victoire announced assertively.
"Why?" Draco laughed.
"After the old Minister of Magic, it's such a funny name." she grinned. "Come, I'll show you the beach."
Draco walked alongside the barefooted girl who paddled in shallow waves and chatted enthusiastically about the game she played on the beach. It was clear that she was a lonely child who seemed to have no other friends to speak of. Never left the cottage grounds and never had any company of her own age. Draco found himself musing the idea of being able to bring Theodore to play with her. He would no doubt enjoy a change of scenery and be better company to the little girl.
"Can you skim stones?" he asked Victoire suddenly.
"No … I tried to learn, but no one could teach me … can you?"
Draco leaned over and picked up a small flattish stone, he wiped away the excess sand.
"My Father taught me how on our lake. I taught my cousin when he was younger." He drew back the stone. "I'm not sure if it will work when the waves are this big … but …" he threw the stone and it skimmed twice before being swallowed by the waves. "Ah … you see on a smooth surface it works much better."
"That was still very good! Show me, show me!" Victoire squealed practically leaping up and down in excitement.
Draco did his best to show the girl some technique in skimming stones. She furiously tried to imitate him, though she had no great talent for it and the wind and tide was against her.
"Not as easy as it looks is it." he said after another failed attempt. Victoire smiled and picked up another stone.
"Not to worry, I've got time to practice." she said and threw it again. "How long did it take you to learn?"
"I don't really remember. I only remember my Father saying he learned quicker … it made me practice more."
"See that one was better!" she said leaping for joy. "Well that wasn't very nice of him."
"I learned didn't I? It's just the sort of things Fathers say."
The girl shrugged.
"My Daddy would never say something like that to me."
"You remember your Father?" Draco enquired, as he had been under the impression that Victoire's Father had died before she was born, or just after.
"Of course I do." she said brightly, throwing one more stone. "There's just pebbles here now … I can show you the cave where I play sometimes, want to see? It's my den!"
"Perhaps tomorrow," he smiled, he felt strangely compelled to smile around this angelic little girl, and he wondered nonchalantly if it might be something to do with her Veela blood. She pouted disappointedly. "I think it's getting towards lunch time, they'll want us back."
"Hmm ok," Victoire agreed reluctantly.
The two walked up the long winding path from the beach back up to the top of the cliff. Victoire was clearly used to the trek and bounded up the hill without much effort.
As they finally reached the top, Draco, who felt slightly breathless from the climb, noticed something at the bottom of the garden that he had overlooked before. A small headstone.
"What is this?" Draco knelt in front of it and rubbed his hand across the stone.
"A grave." Victoire explained.
"Yes I know but … Here Lies Dobby … A Free Elf." As Draco read the fading words he felt the jolt of surprise rush through him. Dobby was no doubt a common name amongst house elves, but there was but one Draco knew of who was free.
"That grave's always been there." said Victoire. Draco said nothing but a frown grew on his face. How had the elf ended up here?
"Are you coming in for lunch?" a voice joined them. It was Luna.
"Draco's looking at the gravestone." Victoire explained.
"Dobby was my old house elf." Draco said.
"I know." Luna said gently. "He came to the Malfoy Manor and helped us escape." she said referring to the events that took place at his home towards the end of the war. "He came here with us, but he died as we arrived."
"Are you allowed to tell me this?"
"What difference does it make now?"
She had a point. After all, the war was over. No one was supposed to talk about what the rebels got up to during the war and naturally the identity of their safe houses remained a secret. Furthermore, nobody was meant to talk about what happened during those times. But there was no one here now, and the events of the war was twelve years ago.
"It's strange. This elf raised me."
"That is odd. I suppose he must have. He wasn't very happy with your family though … was he?"
"Evidently." Draco said dryly. "But I remember being quite fond of him when I was a toddler. I don't suppose I saw him as a servant then." He recalled the elf watching over him while he ate alone in the nursery and he also remembered him ensuring he was doing his homework set by his governess.
"You remember being a toddler?"
"Vivid glimpses." he shrugged, standing back up.
"It was Harry who insisted on giving him a proper burial, he wouldn't even use magic to dig the grave."
Draco's eyes widened at her mentioning Potter's name. Luna did not seem to notice his surprised expression, she simply pulled out her wand and cast a charm that made several odd looking orange flowers grow out of the base of the grave.
"So, do you have a house elf now?" Luna asked as the three of them turned back to walk to the house. Victoire chasing butterflies as she went.
"Of course I do." Draco laughed at the preposterous notion of the Malfoys not owning an elf. "Dizzy is Dobby's niece, she was being trained by my paternal Grandmother's elf. When Dobby left she joined our house."
"Is she happy?"
"I have no idea. I should imagine so; she doesn't need to be punished as much as Dobby did, so she obviously seems happy with her work. I don't really pay attention to the job satisfaction of my servant."
He hung up his coat as they entered the cottage. Astoria was setting the table. The bright sunlight that poured through the window illuminated her brown hair, highlighting many golden colours. She looked up as they entered the room.
"We're discussing house elves?" Luna explained.
"My sister and her husband have the most ghastly looking house elf I've ever seen. Half blind, and albino, it's got horrible piggy pink eyes." Astoria immediately jumped in. "Apparently he bought it in Siberia! It barely speaks English; my poor sister can barely communicate with it."
"How is Daphne these days?" Draco asked as he washed his hands. Astoria smiled.
"She's marvellous. I wasn't keen on her husband but she's so happy, he must be treating her well."
"What does Daphne do for a living?" Luna asked, as Fleur served cheese omelettes at the table. Draco and Astoria exchanged glances and both laughed incredulously.
"She's a housewife of course." Draco said.
"Of course?" Luna laughed.
"The idea of a Greengrass woman working would be shameful." Astoria explained.
"Not only for her but for her husband too. For a Pureblood aristocrat to be unable to support his wife ... That is why it is best to marry a girl with a large dowry." Draco continued.
"Do you still receive dowries?" Luna asked in surprise.
"Of course. It's one of the various disadvantages of having daughters. As soon as a daughter is born the Father must prepare the dowry." Astoria laughed.
"How much is it?"
"It depends on the wealth of the family and the girl in question. A desirable girl may not need much of a dowry to entice interest but a girl who is struggling will have a very large dowry to interest men … Draco don't look at me like that! Having second thoughts about marrying me are you?" she asked raising an eyebrow.
"I never said anything!" retorted Draco.
Astoria laughed, as did the other women.
"I never knew it was still so old fashioned." said Luna.
"Oh yes." Astoria continued. "A respectable lady won't have a career, she'll work in charities maybe or attend witches' clubs and institutes. At most they can freelance. Of course there are some these days who choose to work."
"You for example." Draco said nodding to Astoria. She frowned.
"No I am not paid for my work, which makes me a volunteer." she said defensively.
"Don't you think that in this day and age you should 'ave independence?" Fleur asked.
"Trust me, Pureblood women have plenty of independence. We have huge houses and a lot of free time. A husband is easier to compromise with than a boss, believe me. I can't wait to become mistress of my own home."
"So say … for example …" Luna added quickly. "That you two got married. When would you take over from your parents as Master and Mistress of the house?"
"Well … that differs from family to family, depending on their traditions." Astoria sighed. Draco smiled, no doubt she was recalling the history lessons she would have received in her childhood, the same as he did. "My family dates itself back to the Saxon wizards; we have the tradition that the moment the eldest son marries he and his wife become head of the family. My parents haven't any sons but daughters can inherit instead of the property going to the closest male relative, however, our tradition states that even married daughters cannot inherit anything until their parents die. Now Draco's family are Normans … is that right?" she said frowning as if recalling her history textbooks. Draco cleared his throat.
"Yes, the Malfoys follow the tradition that the head status is only inherited by the male heir when the Father dies, a daughter can't inherit anything at all. But to answer your question, If the heir is not married at the time of his Father's death, the Mother remains mistress of the house until he takes a wife. She can then remain in the house under the protection of her son and daughter-in-law. Of course … should the father decide to pass on the head status before his death, he may …" Draco trailed off, remembering the duties his father had entrusted him with, that he was now failing to fulfil.
"It all sounds very complicated." Luna shook her head. "The whole world has turned upside down but you're following traditions from over a thousand years ago."
"What about you Fleur, you're a pureblood aren't you? What are your family traditions?" Astoria asked.
"My family were aristocrats before the Revolution. All those traditions have been obsolete for a long time." she explained.
"Wasn't that a Muggle problem?" Astoria sneered.
"Yes but the magical community used the muggles as an example to overthrow the French Ministry. Nothing was the same after that and my family lost most of their wealth. They 'ad to build up the family fortune again from scratch. Women 'ad careers … we didn't just marry rich men and inherit big 'ouses."
"Your loss." Astoria added cattily.
"It's funny isn't it?" Astoria said to Draco that evening as they sat quietly in the sitting room. "We're very different, you and I … but when we're with people it makes the similarities in our upbringing so much more noticeable." she smiled, her grey eyes, glinting in the candlelight.
"I suppose so …" Draco agreed, tiredly.
"A sickle for your thoughts?" she asked, cocking her head to one side.
"Nothing much … just thinking about the excuses I will have to come up with when I finally go home."
"You'll be glad to know we are considering that Draco."
Draco looked up at her curiously.
"I can't imagine you care very much."
"On the contrary, we care very much about what you might say … But you have alleviated some of my fears … you sound like you are planning to make an excuse then, aren't you?"
Draco realised that he had indeed made a conclusion without much consideration.
"Well I …"
"Before you backtrack … may I ask what it is that even makes you consider not telling the Death Eaters the truth?"
Draco looked away, around the room of the cosy little cottage. He thought of little Victoire playing merrily by the sea with so much freedom. If they were discovered the little girl would be taken away from her freedom and from her mother, she may even be too old to be adopted and re-educated. Would she be sent to the commune then? He thought of Astoria, arrested, beaten and thrown in a commune as a Blood Traitor, her clothes torn and working as a prostitute like that pathetic creature who had given birth at Ladbroke Grove. The thought was abhorrent and repulsive.
"I just couldn't …" he said simply. Not wishing to go into details. Astoria smiled and reached out and took his hand.
"Thank you" she said. His eyes met hers, there was true honesty and gratitude in her expression. "I should probably request more details to trust you but I don't think you're lying. It may well be my downfall."
"It may well be mine." Draco sighed. "Look, it doesn't sound like much is happening here, I don't know why you're so worried anyway."
Astoria gulped.
"Draco … if you knew more, I mean … should you discover anything more incriminating, would that sway your decision."
Draco felt his heart drop. This is what he had feared, if there was indeed a darker side to this organisation Astoria was involved in, then should his superiors find out, the weight of Draco's punishment for withholding information would surely increase.
"I suppose not … but perhaps consider that entrusting more information would be unfair on me."
"But if you are willing to take that risk, we can provide you with an alibi to return home with."
"What sort of risk? What sort of alibi?"
Astoria looked up as Luna entered the room with Fleur.
"Hello lovebirds?" Luna smiled dreamily. Draco noticed he and Astoria were still holding hands, feeling strangely annoyed he pulled it back.
"I've put Victoire to bed." Fleur said softly. "You are telling Malfoy of our plan?"
"Yes." Astoria said. "He's promised to keep his word and not tell the authorities about who here is involved … even if he knows more."
"You believe 'im?" Fleur asked, surprised.
"Yes I do. And Luna will vouch for me about the fact that I did not regard Draco's trust very highly when he first arrived here."
"I don't believe we can trust 'im just yet."
Luna sat down on a floral armchair in front of him.
"Draco … I'm between Astoria and Fleur, I'm afraid I can't make a decision either … but you do seem a nicer person these days, I want to believe you."
"Look, when you ladies are done sussing me out, make a decision will you?"
"'Ave 'im make an unbreakable vow." Fleur said simply.
"No!" Astoria said defiantly.
"Why not? If 'e says 'e won't tell anyone let 'im prove that promise."
"Because I don't want Draco to be tortured for information and be forced to choose between torture and death."
"Per'aps we should ALL take an unbreakable vow. Just to prove it to each other."
"No … our organisation is too small. If we vow not to tell anyone we won't be able to gather more followers." Luna said shaking her head. "Besides if we can't trust our friends, then who can we trust?"
"Look … why not give me the information first, and then decide if I'm trustworthy enough." Draco said bitterly. At least if he heard all the information he would be able to make a proper judgment for himself. The three women glanced at each other wordlessly, as if trying to make a non-verbal decision together.
"That sounds very fair." Luna agreed. Fleur muttered something in French.
"All the truth?" she snapped.
"I think it will have to come out, don't you?" Luna asked. The women all nodded.
"Come Draco." Luna said, "We must all go to another part of the house."
Luna led Draco, Fleur and Astoria across the room to the hallway. She stopped in the middle, pulled back the tatty looking rug, waved her wand and said
"Revelio."
There on the wooden floorboards a large trapdoor appeared with a large, black iron handle. She cast a non-verbal spell over it with a very complex piece of wand-work. The locked opened with a clunk and steadily the door opened, revealing a dark cellar beneath. Luna continued the complex wand-work, this time muttering spells under her breath, and a ladder rose. The women climbed down first and Draco followed after, feeling uneasy about descending into the dark abyss beneath him. However, the women began to light the candles and steadily the room came into better view.
Draco was surprised to see that the cellar was quite full of various objects. Two of the stone walls were lined with books and files and boxes, heaped together tightly. The other two walls had large maps spread across them with various pin-points in them and detailed notes written upon them. One map was of the British Isles and the other of the Eurasian continent. In the centre of the room was a great wooden printing machine. There were two small desks, each littered with scrolls of parchment.
"Welcome Draco, to the Quibbler's head office." Luna said brightly, and before Draco could respond she had picked up an apparent copy of the magazine and thrust it into his hands.
Draco looked down surprised at the cover.
Beneath the title "The Quibbler" Draco read the headline.
INNOCENT UNTIL PROVEN GUILTY?
THE QUIBBLER IS RALLYING SUPPORTERS FOR THE INNOCENTS ARRESTED BY THE MINISTRY WITHOUT TRIAL!
"This magazine was banned." Draco said softly. Luna and Astoria giggled.
"Yes, we know that much." Astoria laughed.
"After Daddy passed away, I set up a new office here. It's not got quite the same quality of readership as it did before. Nor are the subjects as varied, but they are important so I'm sure people understand."
"Oh Luna, I'm sure everyone misses Crumple-horned-Snorcacks."
"This is no joke!" Draco said gripping the magazine. "Do you know what the penalty is for disregarding the Censorship Act is?"
"Better than you do, I think." Fleur said.
"I used to work for the Daily Prophet." Draco said looking back down at the magazine. "We had warnings pinned over our desks. Look at this …" he said flicking through the magazine at the various articles. "You've even accused the Ministry of embezzling taxes … are you mad?"
"It's funny you should mention you used to work at the Daily Prophet … that's something I wanted to bring up, actually." Luna continued, unfazed by Draco's shock.
"Let's get to that part slowly shall we?" Astoria requested. "Poor Draco's had quite enough shock at this moment."
"Oh no …" he muttered at the prospect of further involvement in this nightmare.
Luna went to one of the desks and pulled out a thick envelope.
"In here … is your alibi. All written out fully for you to learn and memorise and tell the authorities in order, I hope, to clear you of all charges of abandoning your position and an answer to where you have been for the past few days."
"Well … what does it say?"
"You will have time to read it soon. If you accept this alibi you will have to stay here a few more days, for the story to become plausible and also for Astoria to return home before you so that people do not suspect she was involved or in any way related to your alibi."
"Understandable." Draco said. "But what will Astoria's alibi be for being a missing person? I can't imagine people haven't already begun to suspect we're together."
"I won't tell you my alibi, the less you know about me the more believable it will seem. However, should you be questioned about it I suggest you react surprised that I was missing." Astoria explained. "How is your Occlumency?"
Draco gestured that it was so-so.
"It truly depends on who is trying to see my mind. I can close out my Aunt perhaps … but should the Dark Lord question me … then …"
"That's fair enough. But don't you think You-Know-Who would have more important things to think about than you going missing though?" Fleur asked.
"Possibly. However, He keeps a close watch on my family. My Father was in his closest circle once, and then of course there is Bellatrix."
"Yes … she is annoyingly close isn't she. Who knows … it could be an advantage though." Astoria smiled. Once again, Draco failed to see what she found so amusing.
"Why are you showing me this, anyway?" he said looking back down at the magazine.
The women exchanged glances and finally it was Astoria who responded to his question.
"We … had rather hoped, that you might be able to assist with a few things Draco."
"With this? Are you mad? Why would you think such a thing?" he yelped, now holding out the magazine as far away from him as possible as if it was contaminated.
"You're a journalist."
"Was! However, I have no great desire to return to that profession, especially not in this field!"
"Draco. Let me explain." Astoria said gently. "Now the alibi we've provided you with will lead the Ministry on a false trail, with evidence that will be ready to be found the moment you leave here. If you would like to strengthen your reputation you will write up that alibi as an article and give it to the Daily Prophet."
"I suppose that you think that will distract people and throw the scent off of you." he guessed after a moment of consideration.
"Indeed it will."
"There is one more thing …" Luna said hesitantly, Astoria nodded for her to continue, but kept her eyes on Draco. "If you're welcomed back at the Daily Prophet … you'll have access to certain documents, as well as a wide readership …"
"Luna, even if I was inclined to write anti-establishment journalism, the Prophet would certainly not allow it. There is a very rigorous censorship department."
"It would have to be subliminal, but you're not inclined … so don't worry."
"But you want me to access certain files for you?"
"Reporters are able to access certain documents are they not?"
"Only Ministry approved ones." Draco shook his head. "Even if I did help you, there's little I can do. I suppose you want to print it in this rag." he said and waved the magazine again. Luna reached out and snatched it back.
"You know you 'aven't read that alibi yet." Fleur said. "We could take it back and leave you on your own."
"I haven't said no. Indeed I don't mind printing this story … possibly … after I've read it and had a proper think." he said with a sigh. If it was a strong story, that presented him in a good light, then the chances were that it may do him a favour. "So if there is no more you wish to share with me, may I be excused to read it?"
"I think that's all … yes." Astoria agreed. So Draco, with the feeling that all eyes were on him began to climb back up the ladder.
He had been reading the alibi carefully, taking note of every detail on a spare piece of parchment and trying to memorise them. It was important to cover every intricacy to be prepared for whatever question that arose in an interrogation. The story had to be able to coincide with what occurred at the commune and with the possibility of hundreds of different witness testimonies, including the testimonies of Sébastien and Patrice. Draco also needed to consider that if he did report this story to the Daily Prophet it would indeed have a far wider readership. Which would mean more people would be able to scan through it for inconsistencies. When stories were created at the Daily Prophet there would be a whole team of people in an office working on checking the inconsistencies in each individual story – he had to do it alone.
The alibi was good, and if what Astoria had said was true, about the Ministry being led on a trail to discover evidence planted to back this story up, then as far as he could see it was foolproof. All that remained was his talent for Occlumency. The women had said it would be a couple of days before he could return home, perhaps he could use the last few days here to practice. Perhaps Fleur or Luna had some skill in legilimency, Luna seemed a rather talented witch and Fleur would certainly not go easy on him.
There was a knock at the door, and a moment later Astoria appeared. Her hair was loosely braided and she was dressed in a long, loose white nightgown.
"Is everything alright?" he asked.
"I just wanted to check if you were alright." she whispered..
"Yes, I'm fine. I'm just reading through this."
"Everyone's asleep." she said. "There's a full moon out tonight, and I was wondering if you'd like to take a walk with me, down by the beach."
Draco frowned. He was, rather to his embarrassment, wearing the night clothes given to him. Draco had accepted them unquestioningly, and assumed they belonged to Fleur's deceased husband. He had chosen to say nothing rather than bring it up.
"I suppose … I need to get dressed."
"There's no need. I opened the window, there's very little wind out there. You'll be warm enough."
"You're going like that?" he asked, surprised.
"Yes. Come on, Draco you look fine. We can talk … properly."
So, rather unexpectedly, but not so reluctantly Draco walked with down to the beach with Astoria. Barefoot they stumbled down the cliff path saying very little to each other, save for a few awkward remarks about the weather and the landscape. Soon enough they were down by the sea. It was extremely beautiful, the black night time water illuminated only by the great white orb that hung low in the sky.
"You're very good to agree to all this Draco."
"It's a favour to me too. I was struggling to come up with an alibi."
"Is it all fine?"
"Yes, as far as I can tell." he nodded. He stopped walking as they got closer to the waves, but Astoria carried on walking straight into the foam. The hem of her blustering night dress got wet and clung to her ankles as she waded along.
"I always wanted a house by the sea." she said. He could see her smiling in the moonlight. "I always imagined myself growing old in such a house."
"A house though, not a cottage, I should hope."
"I don't think those things would matter to me when I was that old. As long as I wasn't alone."
"You always struck me as someone who does well on their own."
"Looks can be deceiving, Draco. But yes, I suppose I do alright … but I think when I am that age I'd grow very tired of it. It's nice to have a companion. Somebody you've known for so many years where nothing about them surprises you anymore. Don't you think that's wonderful?"
"I suppose. Some people would call it boring." he said honestly. He thought about Blaise's mother, who could never bear to stay in one place or with one person too long. She even found her own son a bore.
"I think it's beautiful." she said as she stepped out of the water, walked further up the shore towards him and sat down on the sand. Reluctantly (as he had no desire to get covered in sand when he had no wand to remove it) he joined her.
"How did you get involved in all of this Astoria? I mean … Fleur and Luna aren't exactly your crowd are they?"
"No … they aren't. Well … I had my doubts about a few things. I've always been political you see. I've spent years trailing through political books in my father's library, and many a time I've thought about throwing tradition out the window and applying for a job in the Ministry, but alas … it never really happened. Well anyway, a few years ago I read a small report in the Prophet about a few 'liberals' doing charity work in the communes and thought I'd like to get involved in some way. Although I wasn't too sure how. I went through the usual methods open to me. I wrote to the Daily Prophet for advice and I inquired at several Witches' Institutes but as you can imagine I received little help. Finally, after about my eighth try I was leaving a W.I. in Dorset when a witch who saw me enquiring at the reception desk followed me out. She was rather hesitant but told me if I was interested in that sort of thing seriously then I should read a certain banned magazine."
"That was brave of her."
"Indeed. Only she wouldn't tell me how she got it or heard of it, nor would she give me a copy herself. She simply told me to go to pub in Stretford, and ask for a certain man, who would know. I thanked her, and I hope she managed to sleep well without fear that I might turn her in. Anyway, I went to that pub twice, asked for the man, and waited several hours into the night, hoping he may show up but to no avail. It was an awful place, full of rather horrid people and I was frightened at times by what the man I was supposed to meet might be like. Then on the third night, he turned up. He gave me a copy of the magazine and told me to read the truth about what was happening in England, and indeed the whole of Europe and Asia."
"Who was he? The man?"
"I can't say. I promised not to. He did not even share his real name with me, although I've learned it since then. He peddles the magazine, among other things."
"What things."
"Please, let me finish. I have to say I read that magazine from cover to cover more times than I care to think, I read every detail and was absolutely enthralled by the secrets it shared of our country and the lies we are told by the Ministry, by the Prophet by the WWN! I was most fascinated of course about the way purebloods were treated in this so called paradise that was intended for them … but anyway … and … there were of course parts of it I found too radical, that I stay away from to this day."
"This same things the man who gave you the magazine was up to?"
"And is still up to, yes."
"And Luna and Fleur?"
"They are also involved."
"Yet you still won't tell me." he asked skeptically.
"Ask Luna for a copy of the Quibbler if you really want to know. Otherwise, let sleeping nifflers lie."
"You invited me to write for the magazine. You can at least tell me what it stands for."
"You're not accepting that invitation, so what does it matter?" she asked. "Draco please, can you please be the one person I know in this who is on my side."
"Are they rebels?" he asked simply. She stared at him intensely for a moment before looking away, pulling her knees up to her chin.
"They do sympathise … but they are only journalists … Fleur and Luna that is. There are things going on that I do know about. I think they're nervous about the fact that I know so much yet I'm not involved, as if that makes me more likely to turn them in. I wouldn't …"
"Why do they keep you informed then?"
"I suppose they want legitimate, respectable person on their team. I have access to certain people and places they don't."
"I'm sure Fleur could, if she wanted." Draco said, he very much doubted that a beauty like Fleur would be turned away from anywhere.
"Fleur rarely leaves the house. She's terrified."
"Of what?"
"Of someone discovering Victoire." she said matter-of-factly.
"What do you mean?"
"Do you remember what Victoire said? About not going to Hogwarts? Well there's a reason she's not going … she isn't registered."
"What … her birth?"
"She was born in secret, she lives in secret and here she will remain in secret"
"Why wasn't she registered? Because her father was a blood traitor? He's dead … surely the Ministry wouldn't take Victoire away?"
Astoria said nothing for a moment before casually offering the explanation that Fleur did not want her daughter attending Hogwarts and being brainwashed to hate the likes of her Father."
"You mean like Theodore?"
"Yes … and many others like him." she took a deep breath, inhaling the cool salt air. "Perhaps we needed this revolution … but now the system needs to be changed."
"It will, possibly, but not in this generation. Not while the people involved are still alive."
She said nothing and continued looking out at the sea as if she was expecting something to appear.
"What has your life been like since the war, Draco? What's happened that has changed you so much from your school days."
"Is this a newspaper report?" he laughed emptily, wishing to steer away from the subject of himself.
"No … I promise. Just between you and me." she looked away from the sea, directly at him; the moon had illuminated her skin and her eyes seemed to glow in an eerie silvery way.
"There's nothing to say really." he gulped.
"Yes there is … I know there is. Go on."
Draco thought back to the war and tried to piece together something to tell. At the time, things had just happened, he had barely taken things in, everything was so rushed, so panicked, so sudden.
"I remember being glad that the headquarters for the Death Eaters were no longer in the Manor. My Mother and Father were relieved too. I knew it although they never said anything. We kept to ourselves for a while. Naturally there were celebrations that we had to be seen attending. We never hosted our own though …"
"Was that suspicious?"
"No. One of the perks about being related to Bellatrix was that she saw the parties as a waste of time when work was to be done. She didn't live with us then either. My parents and I were glad just to be by ourselves again."
"And then?"
"My Mother became anxious about what had happened to her other sister. I didn't know it at the time, naturally she hid it well. However, when we were soon informed that she had lost her mudblood husband and her daughter and her son-in-law in the war, she was appealing for the re-education programme and for custody of her grandchild. My Mother immediately spoke up to vouch for her. Bellatrix, of course, objected and took the matter directly to the Dark Lord."
"As she's the Dark Lord's most devout follower … why didn't he respect her wishes."
"He likes to keep her in his place. He always did, as if His criticism induces her love even more. I admit, it works." Draco smirked. "Well I suppose, he thought the idea was amusing, and there was no denying Andromeda is not only a Pureblood but a member of the Black family. He knew she was only doing it for the sake of her grandson thus she went through a particularly rigorous re-education programme."
"Do you think it worked?"
"I have no idea. She doesn't talk about the past so it doesn't matter … " he thought back to the night when he found Andromeda crying. "Or rather … she keeps it to herself, whatever she's feeling."
"So they then came to live with you."
"Yes. But, perhaps because of my Mother's eagerness to help Andromeda, or because my family were still being punished for not being more productive during the war, we were classified as unsuited to housing an Undesirable and educating a young war orphan. Thus, Bellatrix had to move in too."
"So there was an Aunt you had never met, Bellatrix – who needs no further introduction, and a baby who all moved in around the same time?"
"So much for a peaceful, quiet life. My Father and I were always the 'only child'. We weren't used to living in busy homes, my Mother was mostly overjoyed of course."
"Mostly?"
"I think she'd have prefered it without Bellatrix …"
"Haha! Well...then what happened?"
"I took my NEWT exams at a Ministry office. There were a couple of us there whose education was interrupted but were permitted not to return to Hogwarts to repeat a year. I did alright, then spent a lot of time at home doing very little. That period lasted a long time …"
"Why?"
"I found nothing worth doing. There was nothing that interested me. And on a rather childish note I had no one to praise me for anything I did. I … began … " he sighed as he recalled those rather dark days of his youth. "I began to find it difficult to do anything at all. I withdrew into myself … stayed locked up in my room, sometimes stayed in bed."
"Depression?"
"I suppose. I was afraid of the world. I didn't understand it, and everything I had previously prepared for had gone … you remember what it was like, the world was a mess."
"I was at least at school, I had time to learn, but you're right, it was frightening. Your Mother must have been very worried about you."She said thoughtfully.
"Oh yes. However, she spent an awful lot of time devoted to Theodore. If I recall correctly, it was around this time my Mother truly believed I was behaving selfishly. She was quite right of course … I should have been helping my Father with his troubles, but I never believed there were any at the time and my Father has always been too proud to ask for help."
"You were dating Pansy at the time, how did she react to this?"
"Concerned of course, she visited and wrote letters to me. Poor thing, she tried her best but I brushed her off. She wrote a letter to me, about how confused she was, that she had been so for a few years now. In much nicer words she reminded me that my family was a laughing stock, particularly with an Undesirable in the house, and the war orphan of Blood Traitors. She also reminded me that behaving like a recluse gave me few prospects in life."
"She always was a bitch, that Pansy." Astoria said rolling her eyes making Draco slightly..
"I assure you, she was far more polite than I'm giving her credit for. I do believe she was under immense pressure from her family. Anyway, I wrote back wishing her well in her life, and strangely felt some sort of relief in that. I decided to make the effort to rejoin my family in the house, although I still spent much of my time in my own company, I now freed myself from my own bedroom."
"Did you find something to do?"
"Mostly I poured over books in our library … they passed the time you see, and I had begun to appreciate the work the author's had put into both compiling their research and also their style of prose."
"And that's how you started writing?" Astoria grinned, he nodded and smiled back, unable not to smile at such an expression of genuine, childish delight.
"I started dabbling about at home, although I was never really good and I lacked any great inspiration. Naturally one would find no inspiration locked up at home in one's bedroom. I knew I had to start living my life." He paused and laughed again shaking his head as if mocking his youthful self. "Ah but naturally I wasn't brave enough to set out on my own haha, I asked my father for the funds to send me to a journalism school."
"And he did?"
"Yes. The Prophet was looking for new journalists at the time. The Dark Lord, somehow, got wind of what I wanted to do, and told me, even before I'd truly begun my course, that I'd have a job at the end of it. It was nice to know."
"So when did you lose interest in it?" Astoria frowned.
"Not very long after. I was shifted around from department to department...I didn't enjoy writing what I was told to write. And I suppose, as you said, I began to see things weren't all they seemed and the articles I wrote were meaningless … I did it every day because it was easy and because the Dark Lord had given me that job and I was lucky to have it. Meanwhile, the world kept on turning, Theodore grew up and I got used to having two Aunts and a little cousin living in the house."
"Did you get on with him?" Astoria asked, and she turned her head to check his expression, with her own very prominent smirk, etched upon her features. Draco could not help but laugh.
"Yes and no … he was alright, he was a pest and he still is. I think in my own way I feel some brotherly affection for him. I do sometimes dread to think what could happen to him if my family weren't in the position they are in. Things aren't perfect for us … but we're just safe."
"I see why you are concerned about your family's safety … but I am glad you can see that there are things that are terribly wrong with how things are done." Astoria said, and she wrapped her arm around his, and rested her chin on his shoulder as she stared off into space. "I'm rather sad to leave here … it's so peaceful, but tomorrow I have to run back home with my own alibi."
"Which is?"
"A perfectly acceptable excuse that I stayed with friends. Don't worry, it is believable, I've done it many times so it's not unusual, and these particular friends are well informed on what to say if they are questioned!" she added quickly as he pulled away from her to criticise such a feeble albi.
"Aren't you scared of anything?"
"Of course I am, Draco." she said disbelievingly. "I might not live in fear like Fleur, but of course I do get scared." Her eyes suddenly seemed to glint more brightly in the moonlight, and suddenly two large tears welled up from the sides of her eyelids and splashed, uncontrollably down her cheeks. Without a second thought Draco pulled Astoria close to him and held her. He realised immediately the strangeness of the situation. Astoria, whom he had previously disliked so much was now sobbing lightly into his shoulder, while he comforted her with small hushing sounds. He stroked her hair and shoulders, noticing that her body felt a lot more fragile in his arms than he would have expected of her. Astoria had shown little weakness or even femininity around him, but her back quivered gently from the little sobs.
"Shh … it'll be alright." he murmured close to her ears. She pulled away, slightly embarrassed; hiding her face and wiping her tears, she mumbled a small 'sorry'. "Don't be sorry." he said reaching out and pulling her closer again. Her heady, powdery perfume from the day drifted gently on the air and filled his senses.
"I don't usually … lose myself like that, I …" she was looking up at him, her eyes were still wet, and the tears and the moonlight and the grey irises framed by wet, black lashes made a beautiful union together. He hushed again, and wiped the tears off her cheek with his free hand. Her lips were parted, giving her a slightly surprised expression. She gave the smallest nervous laugh as she reached herself, and touched his cheek. "Draco …" she whispered. They were close together now, he could even feel her heart beating against him. Without any thought, he felt his arms around her slim waist. If it was she that moved first, or him, he did not know, nor did he care when he found his lips brushing across hers. Her lips were soft and warm and he deepened the kiss eagerly to taste her lips more. She moaned, so slightly, as her arms reached up and locked behind his neck. He quickly reached up and unbraided her hair, letting the soft waves fall between his fingers. Stopping for a moment's breath they pulled away, resting their foreheads together. Astoria was smiling again, shyly, with a blush splashed on her cheeks like a girl that possessed fewer years than she did.
"Does … does this stay here?" she asked him.
"Why? Should it?" he asked, loosening his grip on her. She
"No I … I know you don't like me all that much and … "
"I think I could though … I could at least try." he said, and with that pulled her close to him again.
AN: Hope you enjoyed, if you did, please leave a review.
if you didn't...well let me know why.
