A/N: Hello, all. Just a quick disclaimer about this chapter... I'll tell you right now that if this chapter seems cut off, you're right. I added a huge amount to one scene and ultimately decided to make it into two separate chapters. Regardless, I hop eyou enjoy it.
Many thanks to Lyr942 for her amazing beta work. She always helps me work out the kinks. -hugs-
A Family Affair
Tuesday, 23 September
Narcissa hardly slept. She spent the best part of the night replaying the meeting over and over, searching for any shred of information she had missed. Even more troublesome were thoughts of Bellatrix. Bella was obsessively loyal to the Dark Lord and Narcissa was concerned that the invitation might be a trap. However, not going was hardly an option. Were she to skip brunch with her sister, it might alert Bella to Narcissa's double dealings – especially since Bella knew of Snape's Vow to protect Draco. She was crazy, and oftentimes oblivious to the state of things around her, but she was not stupid.
But Narcissa had other priorities. She needed to learn more about the mysterious Sauda, and whatever assignment Rabastan had undertaken was surely of great importance. He'd been working through half of Europe. It would not be wise to allow the Order to be blindsided with his evident success.
The long and the short of it was she'd decided to go. So, at precisely ten-thirty, Narcissa threw a navy cloak over her cornflower robes and Disapparated to the house Bella and Rodolphus had been living in since they broke out of Azkaban. It was not overly large, but since it was just the two of them and Rabastan living there, it mattered little. The size of the house, however, took nothing from its grandeur.
Narcissa walked a short distance through knee-high grass, mounted the front steps and knocked on the door. She afforded herself no hesitation or second thoughts. This was necessary; there were no two ways about it.
The door abruptly swung open and she found herself staring down the length of Bella's wand. She froze, but kept her face stoic as though she'd been expecting it.
"What colour was the stone in the ring mother wore on the third finger of her right hand?" Bella demanded.
"It was a blue diamond, Goblin made. She gave it to Andromeda before she ran off with that Mudblood," Narcissa replied calmly.
Pacified, Bella lowered her wand and stepped aside to allow Narcissa to enter. Once the door was shut, the sisters exchanged a light embrace and pecks on the cheeks. Bella was smiling but Narcissa noticed she did not put away her wand, an obvious testament to the fact that Bella was unsure of her sister's loyalties.
"You look well, Bella," Narcissa ventured.
"As do you, Cissy. Life without Lucius agrees with you."
"No, I love Lucius. It's life without fear of the next beating that agrees with me. I only regret that the Dark Lord had taken Lucius' and mine's marital disharmony as a personal offence," Narcissa said. "I yet remain loyal to the cause."
Bella stared at her long and hard before finally slipping her wand into her robes' pocket. "Most unfortunate," she agreed. "You should have gone to him, told him what you planned."
"Regrettably, hindsight is twenty-twenty," Narcissa replied. She was relieved that Bella had believed her thus far but she did not let her guard down. Their entire meeting would be a test that, if failed, would more than likely result in her death.
"Come, we'll take our meal in the parlour."
Bella turned and sauntered down the dark corridor. Even though it was nearing mid-day, a forbidding shadow permeated the entire residence. Narcissa was grateful she could not rightly discern her sister's sinister decorative tastes; it was certainly Bella's home.
Narcissa followed her to the parlour, which was no different from the rest of the house but for the simple fact that it was well lit. On the wall opposite were two enormous French doors that led onto a stone veranda. The sun was shining through, bathing the spacious room in natural light. On the left hand wall was a tapestry depicting the Black family tree, but instead of branches, there were countless serpents extending towards each name. On the right was a similar tapestry, only this accounted for the Lestranges.
Bella sat at the ebony table in the middle of the room with her back to the veranda and began pouring two cups of tea. Narcissa noted with a small amount of horror that the feet of the table were carven heads of women, mouths open in silent screams, with their braided hair twisting up to form the legs.
Repressing a shudder, Narcissa sat. She unfolded her napkin and draped it across her lap before placing a scone and a few pieces of various fruits onto her plate. Bella did the same. Despite their friendly greeting, they each kept one eye on the other.
"You said Rodolphus would be gone all day?" Narcissa asked, breaking the silence before she herself broke and began fidgeting.
"Yes," Bella replied. "The Dark Lord wishes him to ensure Greyback does not lose his temper and kill that African woman." She said this as though the task was an insult to them, which it probably was.
"Sauda?"
"And all of her filthy, tainted blood," Bella spat. "Disgusting half-breeds, the lot of them. They're lucky the Dark Lord finds them… convenient."
Narcissa ignored her sister's racial outburst; these were normal. "Has she pledged her allegiance, then?"
"There is an agreement, but the terms have not been disclosed to me," she replied bitterly. It would seem the Dark Lord's displeasure extended beyond the Malfoys to include the Lestranges as well. Fortunately for them, their fidelity was not in question.
Narcissa allowed the conversation to die out before she broached the next topic. They ate, with Bella refilling their cups. Narcissa poured herself a glass of pumpkin juice from a silver carafe. Bella seemed to be more at ease, and might be more inclined to let something important slip.
"How fares Rabastan?" she asked calmly, choosing her words deliberately. "He has found success in the south?"
Bella's grey eyes lit up momentarily. "The Vampires have been far more receptive to our cause than we anticipated. With six more weeks, we will have amassed a force that none can withstand."
Bella's maniacal enthusiasm disturbed Narcissa, but it was hardly unexpected or her foremost concern. Vampires were the issue. Rabastan had already made his way through most of south-east Europe, and he still had six weeks until… until what?
"Remind him of his deadline…"
With a cold certainty Narcissa realised Rabastan's deadline coincided with a full moon and more than likely the planned attack on Hogwarts.
"Vampires?" Narcissa said. She'd managed to keep the shock from her face, but her voice betrayed her. Vampires were a rarity in England, and few were prepared to fight against them.
Bella frowned. "Lucius didn't tell you?"
"Lucius tells me very little. What information I received came from Severus."
And there it was, her fatal mistake. Bella obviously knew of the Vow Severus had sworn, but she did not know that Narcissa had been in contact with him. Now that he was ousted as a traitor by dying for Draco, Narcissa had irreparably connected herself with him, and Bella knew it.
Narcissa saw a shimmer out of the corner of her eye, and suddenly Rodolphus was standing not three metres away with his wand pointed at her. He had been Disillusioned in the corner throughout their entire conversation. Bella, too, had her wand levelled at Narcissa's face. She did not have any opportunity to reach for her own.
"Hands on the table, Narcissa," Rodolphus growled.
Narcissa very calmly did as she was commanded but her brain was in overdrive, weighing her options. To her right was Rodolphus, the door was behind her, and to her left was a small sofa and two armchairs surrounding a low table. Luckily (and Narcissa was basing this solely on the fact that she was still breathing), they seemed to want to bring her to the Dark Lord alive.
"I am sorry, Bella."
"Shut your mouth, you filthy blood-traitor!"
Narcissa took a deep breath, and moved. In one smooth motion she slid her hands beneath the small brunch table and turned it over onto Bella, who clattered to the floor with a shriek of pain and outrage.
"Petrificus Totalus!" bellowed Rodolphus. His long, gaunt features were twisted with anger, making him a terrible sight to behold.
But Narcissa was already in motion. She dove at an angle over the small sofa, pulling her wand out on the way down. The spell missed by inches and scorched a black line up the middle of the Black family tree, ironically, burning a separation between Narcissa and her sister. With a sickening crunch, she landed on the floor between the sofa and the table with her shoulder absorbing most of the impact.
Immediately, she levitated the coffee table and sent it flying at Bella who was just standing. It crashed into her before she could deflect it. Narcissa stood abruptly. She was shocked to see how much space Rodolphus had covered in the past seconds, but she did not hesitate. He had his wand raised, the tip glowing a faint green in anticipation of the next curse. But Narcissa was quicker.
"Reducto!"
The blasting spell hit Rodolphus squarely in the chest leaving… a mess. Narcissa flinched as an arm flew past her. She was covered in his blood from the waist up, but she ignored it. There was still Bellatrix to deal with, and she was a twice the duellist her late husband had been.
"WHORE!" Bella screeched. "Avada Kedavra!"
Narcissa ducked behind the sofa again. The Killing Curse exploded clear through the wall behind her, revealing the dark corridor beyond. She considered shielding herself and making for the door but, even if she made it, there was still half of the house to run through before she could Disapparate. Unfortunately, the only other exit was behind her crazed sister.
"Reducto!"
Narcissa lunged to the side as her cover was converted into a pile of splinters. She threw up a shield reflexively, just in time to block a Crucio. Bella was no longer seeking her master's pleasure; she was out for blood. Narcissa tried to regain her footing, but slipped in the blood that covered the hardwood floors before finally managing to get her feet beneath her. Her traitorous eyes were drawn to the morbid scene she'd caused at her feet, but she forced them to focus on the breathing enemy before her.
"Vulnero!" Narcissa cried, sending a jet of purple flame forth from her wand.
Bella deflected it easily, and in the blink of an eye she was eerily calm. "I'm impressed, Cissy," she said with a mock sweetness that made Narcissa's skin crawl. "I didn't think you had it in you. You're darker than anyone realised."
"You thought wrong, Bella. I will do anything necessary if it means Draco can live for one more day."
"I should have known this was about the brat," Bellatrix sneered.
"Stupefy!"
"Crucio!"
Narcissa went down as the full force of Bella's specialty crashed into her. She screamed until the air in her lungs ran out. She felt as though hot coals were being poured over her, scorching flesh and setting nerves on fire.
Above it all she could hear her sister's gleeful cackling.
Eventually, Bellatrix ended the spell and Narcissa's body went slack on the blood-slick floor. Her wand was nearby, within reach to be sure, but she was unable to exercise any control over her body which was still convulsing with the after effects of the Cruciatus Curse. Breathing heavily, she watched her sister walk through the wreckage of their brunch and over what was left of her husband to loom above Narcissa's prone form.
Bella had her hands on her ample hips and was viewing the results of her handiwork. Narcissa fought against her own mind, trying to push the pain and the fear to the background so she could think clearly. She was staring at the small chandelier hanging from the ceiling, not wanting Bella to see the fear she knew was showing in her eyes. This couldn't be the end. She had to get out, for Draco if not for herself. If only she could reach her wand…
"Tut, tut, Cissy," Bella crooned. "You should have known better than to think that you could defeat me. It's too bad you won't be alive to see what becomes of your failure of a son. I'm sure Greyback will have fun with him. It's not everyday that he's allowed to taste pure blood, no matter how disgraceful it might be."
"We're more powerful than you think, Bellatrix," Narcissa said between breaths. She didn't even care if it was true; she just wanted to distract her sister. "Voldemort will see his end sooner than he thinks, and I hope you're still alive to witness it."
"You dare speak his name!" Bella shrieked.
Time slowed down. At the exact instant that Bella raised her wand, Narcissa swung her legs around and kicked Bella's out from beneath her and knocking her to the ground. Grabbing her wand, Narcissa pointed it at the ceiling near the chandelier.
"Diffindo!" she shouted, dragging her wand in a rough circle around the base of the chandelier.
She rolled out of the way just as it fell with a crash, landing on Bella. Glass shattered on impact, sending small shards into Narcissa's face and hands. Bella lay beneath the rubble, injured but very much alive. Forcing her body to function, Narcissa climbed clumsily to her feet and ran for the French doors. Not even bothering to open them, she burst outside into the crisp autumn morning.
Running a little way into the field, Narcissa turned and looked once more at the disaster in the parlour. Bella was twisted at an awkward angle so she could properly aim her wand at Narcissa. She felt an odd tingling sensation spread across her chest before she spun on her heel and Disapparated.
Narcissa reappeared an instant later in the living area of her flat. Upon arrival, she collapsed onto the floor and simply lay there trying to get her breathing under control again. Tears stung at her eyes. She's just killed a man. Sure, Rodolphus was not her favourite family member, but that did not lessen the shock of ending another's life. How could anyone relish the act?
And she positively ached. Her shoulder was throbbing where she had broken her dive over the sofa with it, her muscles were tight and still twitching from the Cruciatus Curse, and there were small cuts crisscrossing her face and hands. Not to mention she was covered in Rodolphus' blood.
Feeling more disgusted than ever, Narcissa prepared to push herself off the floor and take a shower when she heard three distinct cracks just outside of her window. She froze as panic began to consume her. Bellatrix had been left alive, so it was possible that those cracks were the sounds of Apparition outside of her building, but-
The final spell, the tingling sensation crawling across her skin – Bella had cast a Tracking Charm on Narcissa just before she Disapparated. Her flat in Bath was no longer safe. She cursed herself for her hesitation.
It was the scream from down the hall that finally spurred Narcissa into action. She needed to get to Hogwarts, and the quickest and safest way to do that was to Apparate to Grimmauld Place and then Floo to McGonagall's office. She ran down the hall to her bedroom where she had an emergency trunk packed, just in case she needed to flee in a hurry. She shrunk it to the size of a ring box and stuffed it in her robes' pocket.
She Disapparated to the sound of her front door exploding.
"Be gone, crone!"
Draco was beginning to have serious doubts as to whether he'd been sane when he had agreed to train with Hermione. She was indefatigable, relentless, and just plain better at it than he was. And now she was trying to get him out of bed. Damn her.
"Draco Malfoy, if you don't get out of bed this instant, I'll- I'll-"
"You'll what?" Draco demanded into his pillow.
"Well, to be honest I hadn't really thought that far ahead, but I guarantee you won't like it."
"And I guarantee you'll get it twice as badly when you least expect it," he said, although even he had to admit the force of his threat was somewhat diminished by the fact that Hermione was now attempting to drag him out of bed by his ankle.
"I'm terrified, really," Hermione said, giving up. "And you're rather lucky that Moody and Tonks weren't able to make it until half eleven. We normally begin at nine, and if you don't get out of bed right now, we're going to be late."
Draco groaned. Everything hurt. Because Hermione had felt her magic was still a bit low, they'd spent the entire previous day working on hand to hand combat and not duelling. He was loath to admit it, but she kicked his arse, well and fully. On top of that he'd been up until Merlin knew when using 'every spare minute' to practice becoming an Animagus.
Hermione huffed and walked towards the door. "Five minutes and we're leaving, or you can explain to Moody why you couldn't be bothered to get out of bed by eleven."
Draco lay in bed for three more minutes before dressing and trudging down to the kitchen. After one day spent in the cramped attic, Moody and Tonks had decided to move their sessions to the Room of Requirement. Hermione was waiting for him with a cup of tea all bright-eyed and bushy-tailed. Draco scowled.
"Here, drink this. You'll feel better."
"You think tea makes everything better, don't you?"
Hermione rolled her eyes. "Are you always this grumpy in the morning?"
"Yes." Draco drank his tea as quickly as possible and managed to burn his tongue and the roof of his mouth in the process.
What a super day.
It was eleven twenty-eight when they Flooed to Hogwarts.
When Draco and Hermione arrived in Professor McGonagall's office Tonks and Moody were already there. Professor McGonagall was also present, seated at her desk and speaking very gravely with Moody. Tonks had been paying attention, but she perked up at their arrival.
"Wotcher, kiddies," she greeted.
"Good morning, everyone," Hermione replied.
Draco grunted.
"You're late," said Mad-Eye gruffly.
"We're two minutes early," Draco said, though his comment was ignored.
"Ah, Miss Granger, have you heard from Mr. Potter and Mr. Weasley recently?" asked McGonagall.
"Yes," Draco and Hermione said in unison. Tonks smiled and Draco scowled at her.
"They've been back since Sunday night," Hermione continued slowly.
"Why did you not say anything?" McGonagall demanded.
"We're not their keepers," Draco snapped before he could think better of it. No matter which side of the war he was fighting for, he was pretty sure that there was nothing under the sun that could make him even remotely tolerant of Potter and Weasley.
Hermione elbowed Draco in the ribs. "Ouch."
"What Draco means, is that they've been at the Burrow and we figured they'd say something of the own accord."
Moody grunted, clearly displeased with the boys' behaviour. "Those two act like they run the place."
Draco was shocked. He didn't think any member of the Order would ever say anything negative about their hero.
"Let's get a move on," Moody continued as he began clomping towards the door. "We've wasted enough time today, and I'm not getting any younger."
"Actually," Hermione piped up, "there's something that I need to tell you before we go." She seemed nervous and Draco took an unconscious step towards her. "I was going to say something yesterday, but I was too tired and didn't want to use too much magic."
"Well, out with it, girl. We haven't got all day," ordered Moody.
Hermione took a deep breath. "I'm an Animagus."
Professor McGonagall stood abruptly. "What?"
Tonks seemed impressed, but Moody was skeptical. "Let's see it, then," he said.
She shot Draco a glance to which he responded by shrugging slightly. Then Hermione closed her eyes tightly and concentrated very hard. Before his eyes she shimmered, shifted, dropped to all fours, and in no time there was a beautiful snow leopard sitting next to him. He took a moment to admire her. He'd witnessed the transformation once before, but it had been dark and a little creepy in Tullynally, and it had been the least of his concerns. Now Draco saw what a stunning animal she was.
Without considering what he was doing, Draco crouched down next to Hermione. She nudged his hand with her broad nose and he let it slide up to scratch between her ears. Hermione closed her eyes and began purring softly, and Draco felt his bad morning melt away. Her fur was so incredibly soft that it was difficult to think about how tired or sore he was, or the fact that he didn't get to eat any breakfast. A small smile tugged at his lips.
McGonagall gasped. "Oh, dear."
Tonks applauded, and now it was Moody's turn to be impressed, an event that was so rare an occurrence that no one was even sure it was possible. "Well done, Granger. We'll figure a way to work this into your training."
Just then, a burst of green flame shot out of the fireplace and a woman stumbled into the room, covered in blood. Everyone in the room reacted, drawing wands, except Hermione, who turned on the newcomer with her hackles raised and her fangs bared. A deep growl reverberated from her throat.
It took Draco several long moments to realise the woman before him was his mother. Narcissa seemed taken aback by Hermione's presence and did not even acknowledge the others. Draco suddenly felt heavy and light-headed all at once. He couldn't breathe, but his chest seemed full. His stomach was auditioning for a job with the circus.
"Mother?"
Narcissa blinked twice before focusing her gaze on Draco. "Draco," she whispered, moving towards him.
Hermione stepped between them with a menacing hiss. Narcissa stopped dead in her tracks, unsure of what to do. Draco was at a complete loss. The last thing he had ever expected was for his mother to show up in the middle of McGonagall's office soaked through with blood. His stomach turned again. He really, really hoped it wasn't her blood.
"Someone ask her a question," Moody commanded.
Everyone but Hermione looked to Draco, who was still in shock. He couldn't get past the sight of her.
"I don't know her well enough," Tonks said unhelpfully. "This one's on you, cousin."
"Will one of you think of something so I can hug my son," Narcissa said impatiently.
The leopard shimmered and Hermione stood between Draco and his mother. Her wand slid out of her holster and into her palm with ease. Narcissa seemed even more surprised by the fact that the leopard was Hermione.
"In Diagon Alley before sixth year," Hermione began, "what was it you said to Harry?"
"I told him that Dumbledore would not always be there to protect him," Narcissa replied with a sigh of relief.
Hermione lowered her wand and stepped out of the way. Neither Draco nor Narcissa hesitated to close the space between them and finally reunite. After nearly two years she was there, she was real, and she was shaking like a leaf. Draco held her tightly to him, realising for the first time how small she was compared to him. He had to bend down so she could wrap her arms around his neck. He couldn't remember whether this was the case last time he had seen her.
Tears stung at Draco's eyes, and he buried his face in his mother's hair. The tangy, metallic scent of blood assaulted his nostrils, but underneath he could still smell her, warm and soft like vanilla and lilacs. Having her there was so overwhelming; he hadn't expected to become so emotional.
Narcissa finally stepped back, and took Draco's face in her hands. She was crying openly, the tears leaving clean tracks through the grime on her face. "Oh, Draco, are you all right?" she whispered. "They told me what happened…"
Draco smiled softly. "I'm fine, Mother. Are you hurt?"
A shadow flickered across his mother's eyes before she turned to Professor McGonagall. Draco frowned and looked over to Hermione who was watching them solemnly.
"I've been compromised," Narcissa declared bluntly.
McGonagall's lips thinned in a grim line. "Tonks, send for Remus. He'll want to hear this first hand." Tonks nodded and with a swish of her wand a silver werewolf-shaped Patronus leapt out the window. "Miss Granger," McGonagall continued, "will you go fetch Madam Pomfrey?"
"That really won't be necessary," Narcissa said.
Just then her legs buckled beneath her, but Draco caught her before she could fall. As quick as ever, Hermione conjured a chair and helped Draco lower her into it. Hermione crouched in front of the chair and Draco moved to the side. Narcissa gripped the arms tightly.
"I'll take a look at her, Professor, if that's all right," Hermione said.
Draco breathed a sigh of relief. He firmly believed that Hermione could heal anything, even if she didn't know exactly what was wrong. Her wandless healing ability seemed to be a universal spell, and if the blood covering his mother was Death Eater related she might need it.
Professor McGonagall opened her mouth to object, but Moody cut her off. "Let's see what the girl can do, Minerva."
Narcissa spoke up again. "It's nothing really-"
Draco placed a gentle hand on his mother's shoulder. "It's all right, Mother, trust her," he said quietly.
Narcissa nodded silently and Hermione took this as the go-ahead. Sucking her bottom lip between her teeth, she began by first removing the blood. Starting at the top of her head and working her way down, Draco watched as the red liquid vanished from his mother's porcelain skin and robes. There were small cuts on her face and hands, but she seemed otherwise unharmed.
Hermione then began drawing an intricate pattern in the air with her wand. This process took a bit longer and by the time she had finished, Professor Lupin had arrived. He was looking rather haggard and slightly out of breath.
"I came as quickly as I could. The Bloody Baron was being terribly recalcitrant." Lupin's feet carried him across the room to stand next to Tonks. "Ah, Mrs. Malfoy," he said upon noticing her. "What brings you here?"
"We're about to find out," Moody said, "as soon as Granger's finished."
Hermione's eyes flicked up and caught Draco's gaze. He didn't like what he saw there. His mother sat proudly with her head held high.
"She has minor lacerations to the face and hands, her left scapula is cracked, and her nerves and muscles are still suffering the after-effects of an exceptionally powerful Cruciatus Curse," Hermione pronounced. "The Cruciatus overloads the synapses and causes neural messages to be sent involuntarily. That's why your legs buckled just now."
"It was Bellatrix, wasn't it," Draco said through clenched teeth. He knew his darling aunt had one of the most powerful Cruciatus Curses, second only to Voldemort, but if it had been him, Narcissa would not have lived to tell about it.
Narcissa nodded once.
Draco turned to Hermione. "Can you?"
Hermione nodded. "I'll need you-"
"I know."
Draco didn't notice the bizarre looks he and his partner were receiving from every one else in the room, including his mother. His attention was focused on Hermione who had gently placed her hand on Narcissa's shoulder and had her eyes squeezed shut in concentration. After a moment, a soft white glow surrounded Hermione's hand, but before it had the opportunity to expand, Draco grasped her shoulder. Her eyes popped open with a gasp as the light flashed briefly and disappeared. Both women were out of breath, and the room was so silent a pin could have been heard dropping.
"Are you all right, Mrs. Malfoy?" Hermione asked.
Narcissa rotated her shoulder experimentally, and did not even bother hiding her astonishment. "I'm perfectly well, thank you."
Draco was unsurprised to see all of the tiny cuts had disappeared without leaving behind a single scar. He helped Hermione to her feet and kept a firm hand on her bicep should she become woozy as she usually did afterwards. It bothered him that the magic should affect her so when Potter showed no ill side effects towards using the same type of magic. He filed the thought away and decided to talk to her about it later.
"Are you all right?" Draco asked underneath his breath.
Hermione nodded and smiled softly. "Yeah, I'm fine, thanks."
Everyone was staring at them.
Tonks turned to Remus. "I thought you were exaggerating," she said in disbelief.
"I thought it was a fluke," Lupin admitted. "I had no idea she'd gained this much control over it in so short a time."
Moody said nothing, but was surveying Hermione critically with both eyes, as though searching for any sign of weakness. Draco had to resist the urge to shield her from his gaze. Hermione squirmed next to him. She was far too modest for all of the attention she was receiving right then.
Professor McGonagall, too, was shocked. "Miss Granger, may I ask what brought this on? I certainly don't remember anything like this occurring while you were here at Hogwarts."
At this Hermione frowned. "I'm sorry, Professor, but I can't tell you that."
Draco rolled his eyes in annoyance. Potter. "For Merlin's sake," he whispered in her ear, "what difference does it make if they know what he did? It's not like it could ever tarnish their sterling image of him."
"That's not the point," she said hotly under her breath.
"Then what is? Don't you get tired of keeping his secrets for him?"
"I'm not going to hang him out to dry like that," Hermione replied.
"You mean like he did to you? Or have you forgotten so quickly?" Draco really didn't understand how she could be so accepting of their behaviour. Harry had royally mucked things up and he left her behind to deal with the consequences all on her own. Why was she still defending them? "Are you going to let him walk all over you forever?"
Hermione balled her fists at her side, but Draco held his ground. So what if she hit him? It needed to be said, and he had no problem being the one to say it.
"Can we please not have this conversation here?" she forced out through clenched teeth.
Moody cleared his throat. "I think Mrs. Malfoy has something she'd like to tell us."
"We're sorry," Hermione said to the room at large. She shot Draco a rather nasty look to which he responded with a smirk. Some things never changed.
Professor McGonagall retook her seat. "Why don't you start from the beginning, Mrs. Malfoy?"
Narcissa took a deep breath and began. "Death Eaters were summoned last night."
"Did you learn anything of value?" Lupin asked.
"Yes, much," she replied. "Yaxley has tracked Potter to central Ireland and continues to search for him."
"Harry's safe for now," Hermione interjected.
Narcissa proceeded with a slight nod of acknowledgement towards Hermione. "MacNair has persuaded the Giants to send twelve to aid Voldemort in his final assault. A woman named Sauda has come to his side from France with an army of werewolves. She and her men are staying with Greyback."
"A female Alpha?" Lupin interrupted. Narcissa nodded. "That's astounding; I've never heard of such a thing." Lupin paused thoughtfully. "I trust Greyback is taking it well."
"Indeed," Narcissa agreed. "She is openly disrespectful, and makes her dislike for him quite obvious. She seems a dangerous enemy to have."
"Do you know how many she's added to Greyback's number?"
"No, I was unable to learn that, but she did say that more were on the way."
Remus began pacing, but McGonagall gestured for Narcissa to continue. Draco was committing everything to memory, and he was sure Hermione was, too. He was surprised they'd been allowed to stay, but figured that neither Lupin nor McGonagall wanted to deal with him harassing them for information.
She took a deep breath. "Voldemort plans on attacking Hogwarts in six weeks' time."
Everything in the room stopped. Breathing, pacing, talking, it all crashed to a halt. Draco suddenly felt his hand crushed in Hermione's. He squeezed back, giving and receiving comfort.
All of the blood had left Professor McGonagall's face, and even Moody seemed perturbed by the information. Tonks' hot pink hair had streaks of white now shooting through it. Lupin looked as though he might be sick.
"Are you certain?" McGonagall asked, her voice thin and ragged.
"I am," Narcissa responded grimly. "And Rabastan Lestrange has been in the south recruiting Vampires to the cause. According to Bellatrix, he has been very successful."
The office fell deathly silent once more as everyone digested the information. If it were possible, Hermione's grip on Draco's hand tightened even more. She had her own personal experience with Vampires, something that no one else in the room, with the possible exception of Moody, could claim. Draco had witnessed how dangerous they were through Absalom's memory of the Ipswich incident, and that was enough, thanks very much.
Moody's gruff voice shattered the silence like glass. "You said you were compromised." It wasn't really a question so much as an invitation for an explanation.
"Last night's meeting left many things unanswered, so I chanced a meeting with my sister this morning to see if I could learn anything else. I did learn much, but she had been unsure of my loyalties the entire visit. In the end, I let slip that I had been in contact with Severus until the night he died. She realised then that I'd played her for a fool."
"And the blood?" Draco asked, not entirely sure he wanted to hear the answer.
"Rodolphus met an unhappy end," she said indelicately, but Draco could see the distress in her eyes. She had not enjoyed it one bit, and the deed would most likely haunt her for some time.
"You killed him," Moody stated with disdain. He had a reputation of bringing in Dark wizards alive, no matter the circumstances.
"I did what was necessary," Narcissa snapped icily, her composure slipping momentarily. "It was him or me, and I still had Bella to deal with afterwards. One would think a little gratitude might be in order, considering the information his death bought."
Moody was prepared to retort, but Narcissa turned back to McGonagall and spoke over him. "Bellatrix cast a Tracking Charm on me before I escaped. A few minutes later three Death Eaters located my flat, so I Apparated to Grimmauld Place and then Flooed here to report."
Lupin began his nervous pacing again. Tonks rolled her eyes and grabbed his wrist when he drew near enough. "Wotcher, Moony, you'll wear a hole in the rug, the rate you're goin'."
"Someone needs to stop him," Hermione said. Her voice was low and held that dangerous edge Draco hadn't heard since after the Death Eater attack on that Muggle university. "Rabastan Lestrange. Someone needs to stop him. We can't let any more Vampires into England."
"Any more?" queried McGonagall. "Miss Granger, what are you talking about?"
Hermione shook her head. "It doesn't matter; they're dead, but we have to stop more from coming. Maybe, maybe we could defend the castle against Death Eaters and werewolves, but not Vampires, too. Not with the numbers we have. The fight would be over almost before it began."
"The girl's right," Moody agreed. "Especially if the Ministry won't back us."
"Doesn't the Department of Magical Creatures monitor Vampire movement in the UK?" Tonks piped up. "Why haven't we heard anything about this?"
"Because the Ministry is more corrupt than you would believe, niece," Narcissa said. "Unless I am mistaken, Augustus Rookwood works in that department. He has been loyal to the Dark Lord from the first."
Tonks frowned. "I'm working the night shift tonight. I'll see what I can find."
"Who should we send, Remus?" McGonagall asked. "The list of people we can spare at the moment is very short."
Narcissa stood gracefully. "I will go."
"Mother!" Draco almost shouted. He'd only just got her back, and now she wanted to run off to the far side of the continent searching for a ruthless Death Eater.
"Draco," Narcissa said soothingly, "there is nothing for me to do here. Everyone loyal to the Dark Lord will have their eyes wide open looking for me, and your aunt seriously underestimates me. She will not expect me to do this. I may actually be safer searching for Rabastan than in England doing almost anything else short of hiding."
"Then hide," Draco demanded fervently. "Stay at Grimmauld Place with us until it's all over."
"I mean to make myself useful, darling."
McGonagall and Lupin exchanged glances. "There isn't anyone else," Lupin said.
"Alastor, could you break the Tracking Charm Bellatrix cast?"
"Aye." Moody withdrew his wand and cast a nonverbal spell on Narcissa. She glowed violet before fading back to normal. "It's done."
"When can you leave?" asked Lupin.
"Immediately. I have some of my effects already packed," she responded.
Draco couldn't rightly believe his ears. Not only was his mother leaving him again, but she was planning on doing so post-haste. He wanted to shake her and demand to know what the bloody hell was in her head.
"I'm going with you," he declared firmly.
"Darling-"
"Draco-"
"Mr. Malfoy-"
"I don't think-"
Tonks snorted.
Moody grunted.
"Don't," Draco said, silencing everyone. "I'm going. End of discussion."
"Draco," Hermione repeated calmly. She reached out and put her hand lightly on his elbow. "Can we please talk about this?"
Draco batted her hand away and pointed a finger at her. "No, Hermione. I thought you, of all people, would understand this."
Hermione smacked his hand down. "First off, get your unnaturally long finger out of my face. Secondly, I'm not saying I don't understand; I'm simply asking you to think about this rationally."
"Rationally?" Draco said, his volume climbing. "You want to talk to me about behaving rationally?"
"Don't yell at me," she said lowly.
"Don't be a hypocrite," Draco returned.
"Don't be an idiot."
"How does wanting to protect my mother make me an idiot?" Draco demanded. "You're the one always rushing off to save Potter from whatever mess he's gotten himself into. If that's not idiocy, then I don't know what is."
"Why must you make everything about Harry?"
"Because everything is about Potter with you!"
There was a long silence where Hermione visibly calmed herself. Draco had wound her up, but he couldn't really find it within himself to care just then. He was not going to be dissuaded. Hermione looked around at the various expressions of the others. Some were curious; others confused, while Tonks was just plain amused and looked as though it was taking all of her concentration not to laugh. Before Draco knew what was happening, Hermione had him by the elbow and was dragging him towards the office door.
"If you'll excuse us for a moment," she threw behind her right before she slammed the door shut.
She cast a quick Silencing Charm on the door before wheeling on him. Hermione pinned Draco to the wall on the landing at the top of the stairs by his shirt, which was a little awkward considering she was almost a foot shorter than he was. That fact, however, did not stop the air from being knocked from his lungs. She was stronger than she looked.
"You listen," she said, levelling her cinnamon gaze on his, "I chose you, Draco. I chose you. Not Harry, not Ron, you, and I find it most insulting that you continue to doubt me."
"What do you expect me to believe, Hermione? You've had their back since day one-"
"And now I have yours. We've been over this already."
"Then why are you trying to talk me out of this?"
"I never thought I'd have to talk you out of something like this."
"Then don't," Draco spat. "It's not like I'm asking you to come with me."
Hermione's face fell from mild anger to utter disappointment so rapidly he would have missed it had he blinked. She released his shirt as though burned and stepped backward until she collided with the wall opposite. For the life of him, Draco could not figure what brought about the sudden change.
"Of course you weren't," she said softly. "How silly of me."
Were it possible to throttle oneself, Draco would have done so happily. In a half second he had not only threatened to leave her behind, but had all but told her she wasn't welcome should he choose to go. Hermione had no doubt intended to join him, and had merely wanted him to think about his decision before he rushed of like… an idiot.
But what right does she have to ask me to choose her over Mother?
And what right did you have to ask her to choose you over Potter?
It's not the same; he's not her family…
He may as well have been her brother, and you know it.
"Well," Hermione said, trying to sound disaffected and failing miserably, "it's your decision; I won't stop you if it's what you want."
When she reached for the door knob to re-enter the office, Draco grabbed her wrist. "Hermione, wait. That's not what I-"
"What, Draco? That's not what you meant? I happen to believe that you meant exactly what you said," Hermione spat furiously. "And to think for one moment I believed you had a single sincere bone in your body, that I was so utterly foolish as to trust one word you said yesterday." Hermione yanked her hand from his. "Do whatever you want, since my opinion obviously matters so little to you." Then she spun on her heel and entered the office.
Draco was alone in the stairwell. Until just then, he hadn't thought it was possible for one person to make him feel guilty half as often as Hermione did. In the space of two heartbeats he had successfully ripped to shreds any amount of trust he'd earned from her.
And to what point and purpose? Now that he was – Draco cringed – thinking rationally, he realised that, not only would it be a terrible idea for him to go with his mother, but that he didn't even really want to go. What he wanted was for his mother to be safe but his presence would be, and he admitted this grudgingly, more of a hindrance than a help. His encounter with Fenrir Greyback proved that he was definitely lacking in the self-defence department, whereas Narcissa had proven quite capable. Yes, her cover had been blown, but she had learnt a great amount of information, killed Rodolphus Lestrange, and escaped Bellatrix – a feat not many could claim to have accomplished.
Draco sighed resignedly and re-entered the office. His eyes automatically fell on Hermione, who looked far more composed than he had expected. He was impressed; no-one could say she did not know how to keep up appearances.
Everyone turned to Draco except Hermione; she resolutely avoided looking at him. He wanted to apologise, but his pride would not allow it. While he was not sorry for wanting to accompany his mother, he did feel like a right git for what he said to her. It was only twenty-four hours ago that they had made what he would privately call The Agreement, and he had already almost gone back on it. He did not, however, know how to apologise for one and not the other.
Crossing the room to Narcissa, Draco bent and kissed her on the cheek. "Just promise you'll come back again," he said quietly.
A collective sigh of relief was released, no doubt in thanks that he would not be pitching a Potteresque fit. There was only room enough in the organisation for one drama queen, and Draco was not anxious to claim the throne. Hermione, however, was regarding him with cool incredulity, obviously distrustful of either his words or his motivations. For some reason, this made Draco feel even worse. Despite this uncomfortable guilt, he could not help but feel a bit resentful towards Hermione. She, or rather his inexplicable attachment to her (and he was blatantly ignoring the logic of what she'd tried to tell him), was the only thing keeping him in London.
Narcissa merely smiled sadly and squeezed his hand. Her silence was heartbreaking; she did not want to make a promise she could not keep. There was a very real chance this would be the last time he saw his mother.
"Well," McGonagall said, breaking into their moment, "the only thing to be decided now is how you will be travelling to…"
"Romania," Narcissa supplied.
"I can make a Portkey," Moody said gruffly. He was probably the only one present who had ever been to the country.
"Thank you," Narcissa replied. She addressed McGonagall, "I'll contact you as soon as I know anything. Am I able to Portkey from Hogwarts?"
"No, but you can from Grimmauld Place."
Narcissa nodded. Moody, who had been searching for a suitable item with which to make a Portkey, eventually selected an old and battered quill from McGonagall's dustbin. He cast the spell, causing the quill to glow blue and tremble before returning to normal. Narcissa accepted the Portkey.
"I set it for activate in five minutes."
Draco's heart sank a little deeper. After two years all he had was five more minutes left.
At this point, Hermione, who had remained almost stoically silent, spoke up. "Mrs. Malfoy, have you had any… experience dealing with Vampires?"
"No, I haven't," she replied.
Hermione looked grim. "I'll go back to Grimmauld Place with you; you can have all of my notes."
Narcissa seemed dubious. She was probably wondering what good notes would do at all, let alone the notes of a nineteen year-old girl who had presumably never encountered the creatures herself.
But Hermione was not waiting for an answer. She had that determined look on her face that Draco already knew so well, and he doubted his mother would be able to refuse the gift, even should she choose to do so.
"Why don't you go ahead to the Room of Requirement; we'll be along shortly." Again, she did not wait for a response. Rather, she opened the Floo to headquarters and entered the fireplace with a whoosh of green flame.
"Yes, ma'am," Tonks said, snapping a mock salute at the fireplace. She gave Lupin a quick peck on the cheek and moved to exit the office. Moody followed.
"Good luck, Auntie. See that you get yourself back here in one piece."
Had Draco not felt so utterly and desperately helpless, he might have laughed at his mother's response to Tonks' demeanour. She did take some getting used to. As it were, he feared something other than laughter might erupt should he dare open his mouth.
"Thank you, niece," she replied. "I'll be in touch."
After she'd gone through the Floo, Draco opened it for himself.
"Draco," Lupin spoke up, "don't do anything… rash."
Draco merely smirked and vanished to Grimmauld Place. He'd almost responded with something to the effect of: like Hermione would let me – which was very odd indeed. He sort of felt as though he would need her permission, or at least her blessing. It made him feel unbalanced. Draco briefly wondered if she felt a similar inclination, but decided he really would not be comfortable with the answer either way, and forced his brain to focus on the matter at hand. But Hermione was fighting viciously with his mother for his mind's attention.
The end result was, during the short Floo trip, Draco's mood becoming that much fouler. Ambivalence was a brand new state of existence for him, and he decided firmly (at least one thing was certain) that he hated it with the fire of a thousand suns. Well, that may have been a little dramatic, but it was something solid to hold onto, at least.
By the time Draco arrived in the kitchen, Hermione had returned from the library with a manila folder stuffed nearly an inch thick with sheaves of parchment. She handed the folder to Narcissa.
"That's everything I've learnt concerning Vampires through research and personal experience," she said. "I only hope you won't need it."
Narcissa arched a graceful brow, but did not question Hermione's statement. Draco could practically hear the seconds ticking away. Then, Narcissa did an astonishing thing: she embraced Hermione tightly before pulling back and placing a kiss on each cheek.
"How can I ever thank you?" Narcissa said, her voice a little thicker than usual.
Draco knew she wasn't thanking her for the notes.
So did Hermione. She shook her head gravely. "Thank me when we've won."
Draco marvelled at Hermione's… everything. Her determination, her compassion, her tolerance, her selflessness, her capacity to love and to forgive, her intelligence, her courage, her passion; she was quite possibly the most spectacular person he knew. So much had been said with that simple statement that the urge to throttle himself returned full force. He was such a selfish berk.
Then Narcissa turned to Draco, and his heart broke again. She had that look on her face. That look that she had worn the last time they parted ways, and when Voldemort had first given him that fateful task. It said "I only look brave because someone's watching". It was both terrified and hopeful underneath.
Draco stepped forward and embraced his mother. Beside them, Hermione turned away to allow them some privacy. Narcissa hugged him back tightly.
"Take care of yourself, darling."
Draco's eyes flicked meaningfully to Hermione who had turned back at the sound of Narcissa's voice. "I'll be all right. Please be careful."
Hermione cleared her throat softly, getting both of their attentions. She was pointing to the quill on the kitchen table which had begun to glow blue. "It's time," she said.
Reluctantly, Draco released his mother. Hermione quickly stepped to Draco's side where she inconspicuously fisted her hand in the back of his shirt. If he had planned on sneaking off with his mother despite what he said in the office, she was going with him. Draco couldn't decide if he should be annoyed, insulted, or grateful.
"Good luck, Mrs. Malfoy."
Clutching the manila folder to her chest, Narcissa offered only a small smile in return. Then she closed her eyes and grabbed the Portkey, vanishing before their very eyes. It all happened so quickly that Draco could almost swear she was still standing there. The morning had been so emotionally trying; he had little motivation to feel anything more than stunned disbelief.
When Draco turned and looked at Hermione, he found that he was already being watched. Her face was an open book; every emotion she felt was laid bare before him, but it was as though the words were written in a foreign language. Or maybe there was so much to feel at once that they were all getting jumbled up together.
"She'll be fine," Hermione reassured. "She's stronger than people give her credit for. You will see her again."
Draco knew that she was just telling him what he wanted to hear, but he appreciated the effort. Something like that could never be patronising coming from Hermione.
"Hermione, I-"
Hermione looked away and shook her head, silencing him. "Don't, Draco, not now. I… just leave it, for now."
Then she let go of his shirt and opened the Floo to Hogwarts for the second time that morning. She left him alone in the kitchen without another word or even a solitary glance over her shoulder. He couldn't decide which was worse: her wrath or her silence.
There were many things that Draco did not know, but he knew that he wanted to make things right between them. He knew he didn't want to be alone. He would fix it. Somehow.