Chapter Fourteen
Thank you for continuing to read. Hopefully we make some progress this chapter. The trial does not have much longer hopefully. Once again, I think this story may remain under 20 chapters, but I do run away with myself and my words a lot. As always, JKR is the owner and leaser.
….
The courtroom fell to a hush as a new witness was called forth, this time by Mister Kennard. The atmosphere was tense with anticipation, more than it had ever been before, most likely owing to the presence of the famous Harry Potter who sat now in the very spotlight that he detested so much. Only one or two photographers and journalists had been permitted to remain in the room for his testimony due to the wild circus of press attention he had inspired. When Hermione had entered the ministry that morning by his side, the response had been chaotic. Cameras flashing and the screams of avid fans had followed them as they pushed their way through. The bustle of people yelling around them had reminded her starkly of the time they had escaped from the ministry atrium, although this time the mood was one of excitement instead of outrage and intent to murder.
She watched her friend with a surge of pride as he sat with forced calmness in his seat waiting to be asked the first question. At least he would open with Kennard instead of Jenkins, which might ease away some of his dread. She knew he hated all this focus; the intensity of the gazes directed towards him was disturbing, and the general muttering that had followed his announcement had set her teeth on edge. Poor Harry. He was so brave as always, but she knew him well enough to spot the slight flush on his cheeks and firm clenching of his jaw. He was clearly uncomfortable.
Draco was just looking at him with a puzzled sort of expression, no doubt unsettled and amused by the strange turn of events that brought the two childhood nemeses onto the same side. His grey eyes flickered towards her and Hermione gave him a soft, encouraging smile. She noticed the way his eyes warmed when he saw it. He sat a little straighter in his seat and sent a cheeky wink her way. Hermione rubbed her chest nervously, still feeling the lingering ache of the life debt from the day before. The same sensation had crawled over her when she kissed him at the prison, although this time she had known what was happening and hadn't panicked, fortunately. When she parted from him that evening they were perfectly affectionate and cordial towards each other. He had even pressed a gentle kiss on her cheek; a promise of his enduring feelings and wishes.
Kennard cleared his throat, turned to address Harry and the courtroom went eerily still.
"Mr Potter, thank you for agreeing to speak with us today. We are honoured to have you with us and indebted to your heroic deeds."
Harry just nodded, squirming a bit in his seat. The older man smiled fondly at his obvious discomfort and quickly continued.
"Is it correct that you were present at the death of Headmaster Albus Dumbledore?"
He nodded again, but twitched forwards in realisation when Kennard waved a hand with a casual prompt.
"Oh, er…yes. Yes I was present."
"And where exactly were you at this time? What led to you being there during all this?"
Harry took a deep breath and she felt a twinge of pity for him. He had been distraught over Dumbledore's death for a long time, and dredging it all back up now would undoubtedly be difficult for him.
"I had arrived with the headmaster on the Astronomy tower by broomstick. He told me to get under my invisibility cloak and stand to one side. When Malfoy arrived to disarm him, his last spell was to petrify me so I couldn't intervene. I now understand from viewing…er… certain memories that this had all been designed so that Snape could kill him. They had planned it together."
There was a wave of murmuring that passed over the court. Hermione watched them with curiosity as they whispered about the dead potions master. Most people knew the gist of Severus Snape's role in the war thanks to Harry's comments to Voldemort during the final battle, but a lot still remained a mystery.
"And what happened after Draco disarmed the headmaster? Did he attempt to kill him."
"No! They…er…they just talked for a little while."
Kennard nodded encouragingly.
"What did they speak of?"
He frowned as he recalled the memory of that night. Hermione knew it had stuck vividly with him from the inexhaustible amount of times he replayed it in his head that year on the run. Harry had always felt so guilty that he couldn't have done more to prevent his mentor from being killed, and it wasn't until much later when he viewed Snape's memories that a lot of that guilt was absolved.
"Professor Dumbledore was offering to help him. He suggested that the Order could try and hide them from Voldemort. But Malfoy refused."
Some angry muttering rose in the crowd of ministry officials and a couple of fingers were pointed at Draco accusingly. Harry sat up a little straighter when he realised what they were thinking and how they responded to the implication behind Draco refusing any help.
"Just to be clear…er…I don't think that Dumbledore really expected him to accept. And the reasons Malfoy gave were pretty strong."
Kennard smiled at him for his quick save, giving him a supportive nod.
"And what were those reasons?"
"Well he said he was terrified that he or his parents would be murdered by Voldemort. He said that the Order wouldn't be able to protect him, which is actually true…. The Order would not have been able to kept them safe."
Kennard looked a little confused and cocked his head to one side.
"And why is that?"
Harry shrugged, looking more severe than she had seen in a long time.
"Well they couldn't keep my parents safe. Voldemort still found them."
A few sighs were heard from some of the female officials, awash with sympathy for their beloved saviour. Hermione felt her throat clench.
"Of course," Kennard agreed with a compassionate tone, "And can you describe Draco's state of mind at this time? Did he seem nervous, excited, scared…?"
Jenkins rose to his feet abruptly.
"Excuse me minister, but I don't think the witness is qualified to testify about what Mr Malfoy was thinking, unless he is a mind reader. And legilimency would be impossible if petrified."
Kingsley chuckled, but it sounded odd because his expression remained so solemn.
"This is Harry Potter, Wallace, the Chosen One. The Boy-Who-Lived-Twice. I think we can trust his account and determine its integrity for ourselves." Hermione smiled with amusement and noticed the way Kingsley's eyes darted over to her and his lip twitched. She appreciated his support. "You may answer, Harry," Kingsley prompted, and the messy-haired boy wiped his palms on his pants before responding.
"Ok, well…er…he was really jittery and scared. Terrified, actually. I thought he had completely lost his mind. And he was crying-"
Harry grimaced and sent an apologetic look towards Draco, clearly feeling guilty that he had to reveal this weakness. But the blond boy merely lifted his chin higher and adopted a haughty expression. Hermione shook her head, recognising his false pride for what it was now; a defence mechanism he used to conceal his insecurities.
"Did Draco harm the headmaster in any way before the Death Eaters arrived?"
Harry shook his head slowly.
"No. Actually…I think he even lowered his wand."
A lot of chatter occurred at this statement, but it was cut off abruptly by Kennard's next question. Every member of the court was held in suspense.
"And when the Death Eaters arrived?"
"They were all really excited, and Bellatrix tried to goad Malfoy into doing it…"
"Doing what?"
"Killing Professor Dumbledore. He was supposed to, that was the task Voldemort had given him. She kept insisting that he had to do it, taunting him. But he would not lift his wand. She yelled at him and he still wouldn't do it. Then Snape arrived and he was pushed to the side."
Kennard nodded with satisfaction, giving Harry a warm smile.
"Thank you for your honesty, Mr Potter."
The older man sat back down in his place, leaving the court on edge waiting for Jenkins to take over questioning. Harry looked distinctly more nervous now. Hermione caught Narcissa's eye and they both smiled softly, realising how valuable Harry's testimony would be. The silence was complete in the room as Jenkins cleared his throat to begin.
"On the night of your capture by snatchers, when you were taken to Malfoy Manor, when did you first encounter Mr Malfoy?"
Harry considered the question for a moment, recalling the details of that night, though they were probably hazy to him owing to his later grief over Dobby.
"He was summoned by his father to the drawing room. He was asked to identify us. But he didn't! He said he didn't know who we were."
Some muttering spread out again, this time more curious and positive than before. Jenkins frowned.
"Yes, but then you were escorted to the dungeons, correct?"
"Yes…" Harry said slowly, not sure where this was going.
"Were you aware of what was going on upstairs while you were imprisoned there?"
Harry visibly grit his teeth and nodded curtly.
"Sort of. I could hear things."
He was obviously reluctant to say too much, and Hermione felt her heart ache for him. But Jenkins persisted.
"What things exactly?"
Harry swallowed and clenched his hands around the arms of the chair he was sitting in.
"I heard Hermione. She was screaming and pleading with Bellatrix to stop."
Jenkins raised one eyebrow quizzically.
"How do you know it was Bellatrix?"
Harry looked confused for a moment and shrugged.
"I could hear her laughing."
The slimy man shuffled his papers around with a grin.
"So you didn't actually see Bellatrix torturing your friend?"
Harry shook his head with a scowl.
"No."
"So it could have been anyone casting those spells, then…"
The younger man sat forwards, his brows furrowed darkly.
"That's simplifying it a bit, don't you think? I didn't need to see it to know what was happening. Bellatrix was torturing her."
Jenkins just chuckled and continued quite calmly.
"When you escaped the dungeon and returned to the drawing room, what was Mr Malfoy doing?"
"He was…er…standing to one side while Bellatrix held Hermione with a knife to her throat."
The vulture-like man nodded, peering down with his beady eyes.
"And at this time you acquired his wand?"
"Yes."
Jenkins tutted and drummed his fingers against the wooden rail in front of him.
"Miss Granger claims that he willingly gave up his wand, surrendering his ownership to you. I personally find this hard to believe. Is this how you would describe it?"
Harry nodded slowly, choosing his words carefully when he responded.
"Well I'm sorry to say I don't really understand the magic behind it. Hermione's always been the brains of our little group-" the room tittered with amusement and a few fond looks were shot her way, "-but I can tell you that Draco didn't put up a fight. He looked sort of stunned and er…I just grabbed it and left him there."
Jenkins wasn't looking very happy as he stared down at his notes. Hermione shared a satisfied glance with Harry. The man would have a difficult time piercing holes in their version of events.
"But just to clarify, Mister Malfoy did not make any attempt to help your friend while she was being tortured? And he did not aid in your escape? He just left her to die…"
Harry smirked, his eyes alighting like a child on Christmas day. He exchanged a quick glance with Hermione again and she nodded in approval of the idea they had both shared in that moment.
"No he didn't save her. Not that time anyway."
Jenkins nodded curtly, his eyes widening. When he didn't speak, Kingsley leaned forwards with a curious gaze, asking directly,
"Are you implying that he did on some other occasion?"
Harry nodded eagerly.
"Yes! During the battle at Hogwarts, we were trapped in the blaze of some fiendfyre. When Hermione tripped and was injured, Ron and I lost her in the confusion, but Malfoy pulled her up and out of it. He even got her onto a broom. He saved her life."
Hermione grinned widely at the reaction of the courtroom. Mr Kennard was nodding approvingly at Harry, who looked pretty pleased with himself. The general atmosphere was one of surprise and admiration for the blond Slytherin boy. A lot of gazes had softened towards him at this one piece of information. Harry seized the opportunity while Jenkins had lost his control of the proceedings, to continue in a determined voice. And no one dared to stop Harry Potter from speaking his mind once he got started.
"I think Malfoy was just as much a victim of this war as we were. He was trapped and completely unwilling. But many of his actions show that despite this, he still tried to help. I don't like that he's being punished just because he's Lucius Malfoy's son."
Jenkins eventually worked up the courage to clear his throat.
"Minister, I really must protest…"
Kingsley nodded and looked down at Harry with a stern expression. But there was no denying the twinkle in his eye.
"Yes, Mister Potter. We thank you for your involvement. But I think Jenkins would most certainly agree that we have heard all we need to from you."
Harry clearly couldn't prevent the cheeky smirk from appearing on his face as he jumped down from his seat. There were some muffled giggles around the courtroom. He was a clear favourite with them. Hermione sighed a deep breath of relief. His influence as a treasured hero may just tip the case over the edge in the direction they needed. Kingsley called for a short adjournment before they continued, but after much tedious discussion and objections, it was decided that they would delay until tomorrow. She sighed in relief, keen to return to Malfoy Manor and continue combing through the books there in their search for more information on life debts.
Harry and Hermione waited patiently as Draco had a quiet word with his mother. She patted his cheek and gave him a small embrace, promising to see him soon. Before they took Draco back to the prison, however, Hermione signalled to the guard to give them a moment in the side room. She led the way and heard the door close behind her as Draco crossed the threshold moments after her. Before she could even draw breath to speak to him, she felt his hands on her shoulders. Hermione was hurriedly turned around to meet his eye. She blinked for a few moments while noticing the way that his own eyes flickered down to stare at her lips. Then he was kissing her. It wasn't like their previous kisses. His mouth was gentle and pressed softly against her, coaxing her lips apart and sucking lazily on her bottom lip as his fingers wound their way slowly into her hair.
Hermione returned the kiss quite willingly for a while, paying close attention to the reactions of her body. After a short time, she turned her head slightly to the side and placed her hands on his chest to get some space between them. Draco was not so easily deterred. He moved his lips to trail across her jaw and down her neck. Hermione couldn't help tilting her head back and accepting the exquisite sensations of his lips on her skin for as long as possible, before she once again registered the tingling of magic deep inside her. When she felt Draco's tongue dart out and taste the skin near her collarbone and heard the way a moan rumbled deep in his throat, she knew it was time to stop.
She stepped back hastily, taking gulping breaths to regain her equilibrium. Draco stared at her intently, his eyes ablaze with yearning. It took a lot of effort, but she managed to eventually crack a smile.
"I thought we were going to wait until after the trial," she teased, although her voice was hoarse. Draco groaned and ran his hands up and down her arms, undoubtedly feeling her shiver.
"I find I can't help myself," he responded with a self-deprecating smirk.
Hermione shook her head and took another step backwards so that she was no longer within touching distance.
"Well, maybe you should try harder," although her words were quite severe, her tone remained fairly light and mocking. Draco smiled and nodded, adopting a facade of seriousness.
"Of course. My apologies," he replied with a grimace, firmly clasping his hands behind his back, "Are you well?"
The question was asked in a polite tone, but she could see his concern shining from his eyes. He must have observed how she struggled to breathe a moment earlier when she was in his arms.
"Yes, I'm well enough," she said in an equally polite tone, smirking at him and twisting her fingers together, "I think Harry was fabulous!"
Draco smiled at her enthusiasm for her friend, and Hermione noticed that he looked reluctantly grateful for the support of the young hero.
"He certainly got their attention," he agreed, "And now I have to tackle the unpleasant task of figuring out a way to thank him. I'm afraid my pride will suffer terribly."
Hermione laughed at the disgusted expression on his face.
"He'll be so glad to know that he's made you uncomfortable!"
"I'm sure he will."
After glancing down at her watch briefly, Hermione gave a short sigh.
"You have to go soon."
"I know. We're always getting interrupted." As if his words had been a summons, the door opened abruptly to reveal his usual guard watching them with a stern countenance. Draco chuckled and spread his hands comically, "See?"
Hermione giggled too. Feeling bold all of a sudden, she stepped forwards right in front of the guard with a beaming smile on her face. Draco quickly picked up on her intention and his grin was even brighter than her own. They embraced swiftly, but the brevity of the contact did not in any way offset the intimacy of their hold on each other. She enjoyed the way he pulled her in close to his chest and encircled her in his arms. She felt a flutter of nervous hope in her stomach that was not brought on by the life debt this time. And as she pulled away she revelled in the softness of his caress as he placed a tender kiss on her cheek.
"Mr Malfoy-" the guard began in a low, disgruntled voice at being made to wait.
"Yes, yes! I know."
Draco released her reluctantly and allowed the guard to accompany him out the opposite door where he would floo back to the prison. They gave each other one last fleeting look of camaraderie before the door closed and she was alone in the room.
….
….
Harry and Hermione had spent another couple of hours that afternoon after the trial devouring the books in Malfoy library, trying to discover any information they could about Life Debts. Disappointingly they continued to only find vague references to it, and nothing concrete. But Hermione was determined to persevere and figure this out. Any future she might have with Draco depended on her unravelling herself from this debt.
"So it turns out life debts are even more obscure than horcruxes! I never thought we'd end up researching something more cryptic than detached pieces of somebody's soul…"
Hermione cocked her head to one side at Harry's words. He had his messy hair clenched up in frustrated hands as he stared blearily down at a thick text on blood charms. She began to chuckle at his impatience, aware that she was much more suited to this kind of gruelling study than he was. But when she considered his little joke more closely, she actually frowned.
"Somebody's soul…"
He lifted his head from the book and raised one eyebrow at her in query.
"Hmm?"
She shook her head and leaned back in her seat, feeling a few faint pops in her spine from remaining so stiff for too long.
"Maybe it has something to do with souls," she said with a sigh, pondering this bizarre new thought in her mind as she spoke slowly, "If killing a person tears ones soul apart, then how does saving a life affect it? I wonder if we've been going down the wrong path and we should start looking more into magical theories about the soul and its properties."
Harry slammed the book closed that he had been reading.
"Alright," he agreed with a haggard grimace, pushing the book further away from himself, "I'm sick of reading about blood charms anyway. It's gross."
Hermione chuckled and stood to wander round the room again, inspecting titles and browsing through the meticulously ordered sections laid out before her. Harry waited tiredly as she selected one or two books, but before she could pass them over, a voice interrupted her musing.
"If you are interested in souls, you should try Gaston's History of the Spirit and Beyond…"
Hermione spun around when she heard Narcissa speak, staring in surprise at the older woman as she slowly made her way into the library to stand calmly before them.
"Narcissa," she greeted with what was probably an excessively enthusiastic and polite smile. She was just a bit shocked at the other woman's entrance. Although she shouldn't have been, since it was her house.
"I think you'll find that book to be most useful," the woman continued in a serene but firm voice, staring the two Gryffindors down. Hermione gaped at her and exchanged a worried glance with Harry.
"In what way will it be useful?" she asked hesitantly, carefully trying to determine what the blonde knew about their research.
"You are far too intelligent to play these games with me, Hermione," the woman warned in a low voice and she blanched. Her heart skipped as she contemplated the expressionless mask on the face of the older lady.
"How much do you know?" she asked eventually, feeling that directness was clearly the better option. Narcissa observed her calmly.
"When we spoke many weeks ago about how Draco saved your life, I imagined that perhaps you felt you owed him something. But you reassured me that your gratitude and sense of responsibility were not the only reasons for trying to help him. I believed you. Yet I had no idea until just yesterday that there were even greater forces compelling you to reach out to him."
Hermione winced, understanding her meaning.
"You checked which books we were reading, didn't you?"
Narcissa nodded, causing Harry to splutter a bit in outrage.
"That was private," he argued weakly, but fell quickly silent under Narcissa's brief, withering gaze.
"My only concern is the well being and happiness of my son," she retorted, but her eyes were fixed on Hermione instead of the other boy, "And if he learns that your goal here has merely been to absolve a life debt, it will destroy him."
Hermione's eyes widened and she felt her knees weaken. Discomfited by the trembling in her legs she immediately perched herself against the nearest side table.
"Narcisssa, I can explain-"
"I should hope so."
She rubbed her hand over her face, her fingers feeling bony and weak all of a sudden. An aching began behind her temple but she dismissed it as she stared mournfully at the blonde woman standing before with her arms crossed imperiously.
"It is true, I am bound to a life debt with your son," she admitted quietly, her voice lacking her usual confidence, "And until recently both Harry and myself thought that it would go away if I continued helping Draco. But I did not lie to you that day. I meant it. Even if there were no debt or magic at all, I would still be standing by his side and fighting for justice. The debt has no bearing on my belief in his innocence and my determination to support him."
Narcissa showed no obvious signs of relief upon hearing these words, but Hermione had noticed many similarities between both mother and son lately, and was able to perceive the slightest relaxing of the tenseness in her shoulders.
"What do you mean until recently?" The older woman asked in confusion. Hermione shifted uncomfortably and raked a hand through her unruly curls.
"The debt is becoming erratic, and possibly dangerous," she confessed in such a soft voice that she wasn't sure Narcissa would hear her. But the older woman did hear it, and immediately allowed a twitch of anxiety to cross her aristocratic features.
"Are you sure?
Hermione fretted for a few painful moments, unsure how to reveal her feelings for Draco without causing horrible embarrassment to everyone in the room. Harry noticed her distress and shifted on the couch to make room.
"Why don't you both sit down for this," he suggested gently, staring at his friend with concern, "It might make it easier…"
Narcissa glanced at the boy and nodded. She even waved her wand elegantly and moments later a tea service appeared before them on the table with the precision and intricacy that only a house elf could provide. The two ladies sat down and Hermione took a deep breath to brace herself. She explained in very inadequate, mortified detail the shift in her interactions with Draco, and their conversation with Professor Flitwick about the changeability of life debts. Narcissa expressed her surprise at the fact that becoming closer might have jeopardised Hermione's ability to repay him.
"But you also said a moment ago that it was dangerous…" the Malfoy woman prompted with a worried frown. The tea sat untouched between them, as they were much too engrossed in their discussion to eat or drink. Hermione shuddered uncomfortably at the question, far too aware that she was speaking to Draco's mother of all people.
"A few days ago, Draco…um…well, he sort of kissed me," she said in a humiliated whisper, wishing the couch could open up and swallow her whole. Narcissa didn't look worried though; in fact, she actually smiled with a dazzling glimpse of something that resembled victory, "You're not mad?" Hermione checked in a tentative voice. The blonde woman patted her hand reassuringly.
"Of course not. Why would I be?"
She coughed and exchanged a look with Harry.
"I'm not pureblood. And my parents…"
Narcissa held up a hand abruptly.
"Please stop, Hermione. Surely we do not need to speak of old prejudices when it is so clear how I value your company and consider you a friend now. Draco has exceptional taste."
Hermione flushed darkly, chewing intently on her bottom lip and unable to meet anyone's gaze. She heard Harry chuckle but didn't dare look at him for fear of seeing how amused he was with her embarrassment.
"I appreciate that, Narcissa. And I also consider you a friend," although she stumbled over the returned compliment, she tried to sound as sincere as possible. Her eyes darted up long enough to see the woman smile and wave for her to continue, so she cleared her throat and did so.
"Well, when he…kissed me…I felt a tremendous reaction from the life debt that at first was merely strange, but quickly became painful. Really painful. I actually had to stop him and I lashed out because I felt so horrified by it."
Narcissa stared at her for a long moment before taking a deep breath and nodding.
"Yes, that would explain it. He was inexplicably distraught earlier this week at the trial. I thought something had happened at Azkaban before he arrived. I was sure he'd been crying."
Hermione's gut twisted guiltily, and she had to force herself to remember his later smiles and hugs to stop herself from banging her head against the table in shame.
"I felt terrible for how I acted. The next time I saw him I reassured him that I cared and that I believed there might be some kind of future for us. But I simply couldn't tell him about the life debt. I'm sure he would hate me if he knew. But it still hurts when…um…when we touch. So Harry and I decided we would try to research and figure it out, so by the time he is released…well…then it won't hurt me anymore."
Narcissa frowned but eventually nodded in agreement.
"As much as I dislike the idea of keeping things from my son, it is probably best that he doesn't know about this. He would undoubtedly jump to conclusions. He has never trusted people easily."
"I was worried he would be angry and think that I was just fulfilling a duty."
Narcissa nodded.
"I agree."
"Thank you," Hermione sighed in relief, since she hadn't been sure whether Narcissa would reveal everything to Draco herself. She had been dreading it, in fact. But the blonde woman had been quite serious when she spoke of her need to protect her son's happiness. And she obviously agreed with Hermione's fear that he would question her motives and allow it to feed his insecurities. It was better if he didn't know anything until they could work out a solution.
While they had been engaged in their conversation, Harry had browsed the room until he found the book that Narcissa had spoke of when she entered. He held it up for the two women to see.
"Is this the book you mentioned?" he asked with a grin. Narcissa nodded and beckoned him over. She took the book from him and started to flit through the pages with elegant fingers gliding over the words and eyes darting back and forth. Hermione took a peek at the front cover, which had a corny illustration of a woman desperately clinging to her spirit as it tried to escape her body. She thought it looked a bit like a muggle romance novel. It was overly dramatic and in the wizard print the paint kept shifting and showing the woman screaming in agony as it left her.
"This book is a bit fanciful, but it does contain some first-hand accounts of people who have experienced soul magic. There just might be a section on... yes, here!"
Narcissa opened the book up completely with a triumphant smile and pointed to a page in front of her. There was a brief passage of writing on the page accompanied by a watercolour illustration. The image depicted was rather grim, with mostly grey paints. A man and woman were grasping desperately for each other while black mist enshrouded them and prevented them from touching. Hermione cocked her head to the side with curiosity and began to read as the others did the same.
Josephine and Archibald: A Life Debt
Sir Wilhelm Archibald of Sussex, a wizard in his forties living on a large estate in the countryside during the 16th Century, was betrothed to a much younger lady by the name of Josephine Parkes. The two had their marriage arranged for them by powers looking to combine their wealth. Consequently their hatred for each other was infamous. Their marriage was never consummated and they lived in separate wings of their house with little interaction. When they did meet, their hostility was boundless.
After a dangerous storm threatened to destroy the Lord's wing of their manor, Josephine's bravery and quick spell work saved her husband from certain death as the walls crumbled around him as he slept. A life-debt was forged instantly. During his recovery from injuries sustained, the two began to form an intimate connection as she nursed him back to his previous state of well-being. Their relationship grew and deepened as their affection increased. Inexplicably, this intimacy later coincided with a sudden and shocking descent in Archibald's health. Below is an extract from his diary:
"I have struggled in vain to overcome the oppression of spirit which plagues me. It is impossible to deter or impede the tempests of agony, which do confront me upon the frequent expressions of regard for my dearest wife. For dear she is now to me. I fear the heightened awareness of my torment by others, the mad anticipation I endure each day, and the crippling consequences, which merely lengthen and intensify in severity upon each occurrence. It is my unhappy belief that the debt drains my life slowly in the stead of an adequate repayment to my beloved. I will approach my study of it cautiously, toiling to conceal the dreadful truth from darling Josephine. "
Sir Archibald passed away several weeks after the date of this entry. He was grievously ill towards the end, although a rudimentary detection charm used at the time of his death was insufficient in ascertaining the cause. It was noted that a cause of death did not exist other than his apparent lifelessness.
There the passage ended. A stiff, unpleasant silence descended on the library as all three occupants dwelled on what they had discovered with matching dismal expressions. Narcissa smoothed her hand over the page, her finger tracing the illustration. She eventually cleared her throat and snapped the book closed.
"I had not recalled the actual content of the book. I did not realise…" the blonde woman's voice broke a little and she fell silent. Harry moved from where he had been leaning and he paced back and forth across the rug. Hermione felt numb and did not want to see their horrified reactions, but was unable to avoid them.
"Well maybe he died of something else. There was no link found between the debt and his…er…death," Harry stammered. Hermione took in a deep breath.
"It's just a story," she reminded them both firmly, her jaw clenched in determination, "It's a fanciful tale, and even if it were true it happened hundreds of years ago!"
Narcissa smiled encouragingly, but didn't appear convinced.
"Of course, dear," she said with a gentle pat on her hand. Harry, on the other hand, gave her a scowl.
"Yeah, but what if it is true?" he grumbled, his stare dark as he started pacing again, "Your life could actually be at risk here."
Hermione stood from where she had been sitting on the couch next to Narcissa. She gave Harry a cross look and placed her hands on her hips.
"Well then we'd better make sure we figure out a way to break it!" she declared fiercely. Harry snorted and gave her an exasperated look.
"Or just don't get involved with Draco. You could finish this before either of you gets too attached! You only recently started to fancy each other. If it actually puts your life in danger surely he will understand and not push you into something."
Hermione sighed and crossed over to him. She took him by the shoulders and gave him a sharp, piercing stare.
"It's too late Harry. Draco told me he's in love with me. And I…well…I'm not entirely sure how I feel. But I certainly could fall for him."
Harry groaned in exasperation.
"Of course he did. Spoilt git. Argh!" He walked away from her and folded his arms in front of his chest, looking sullen. He shot a guilty look towards Narcissa for such harsh words about her son. But she just shrugged softly in acceptance. He took a deep breath and continued, "Well you know how much I hate research, but if you'll please allow us Mrs Malfoy, I'm going to read every damn book in this library until I find a solution!"
Hermione gave him a shaky smile.
"You're a good friend," she told him with sincere admiration and fondness. Narcissa nodded in agreement and gestured to the ceiling high books towering around them.
"Of course you may use the library. In fact, I will get the house elves to transport the books from our summer homes in France and Italy and the townhouse in London."
Harry rolled his eyes at the revelation of the Malfoy's wealth, but he joined Hermione in smiling in gratitude.
"Thank you Narcissa," she murmured.
"I shall give the instruction now," the blonde woman declared, and she called out for one of her elves, who appeared instantly by her side wearing a clean pressed uniform and a beaming smile.
"Berry, I need you to organise something for me. If you can-" Narcissa broke off as she observed the elf carefully, "Berry! What happened to your hands?"
Hermione watched in sympathy and concern as the elf looked down nervously at her hands. She twisted her bony, withered fingers together, and Hermione noticed that they were covered in bandages.
"You didn't punish yourself, did you?" Narcissa pressed, "You know I have forbidden it…"
The elf shifted from foot to foot. She blinked and stared up at her mistress with wide, milky eyes.
"No, Mistress," she squeaked dolefully, "Berry was just opening up letters this morning as she was asked. And something sticky and burning came out of one."
Narcissa sighed sadly, lowering herself to look at the elf compassionately.
"Berry, don't open any more letters. Take the rest of the day off and tend to your injuries. You may come and speak to me tomorrow about this task. That's an order," Narcissa's voice was stern, but the house elf drank up every word with a look of relief and awe. Then in an instant she disappeared with a crack and the older woman was left frowning at the rug where the elf had stood a moment before.
"Are you receiving hate mail?" Hermione asked quietly. She was all too aware of the dangerous substances that could be concealed in letters, especially after her disastrous experience in fourth year.
Narcissa nodded solemnly, turning back to face her guests.
"I receive the occasional letter about Draco and my late husband. But lately some of them have been a little more worrying. There have been death threats…"
Hermione gasped and slapped her hand to her mouth. Harry frowned and asked,
"Have you reported this to the aurors?"
Narcissa nodded.
"I have. But they suspect that the threats are coming from other former Death Eaters who know of my and Draco's betrayal of the Dark Lord towards the end. There is little they can do aside from their current search for those at large. I'm afraid we are not exactly their highest priority at the moment."
Harry's scowl intensified and he approached Narcissa.
"Although I'm just in the training program, my opinion does still have some influence. I could ask them to conduct a proper investigation…"
Narcissa smiled and grasped his hand gently.
"I thank you, but please don't trouble yourself. I am very secure here at the manor now, and Draco cannot be harmed where he is, fortunately."
"Nonetheless, Mrs Malfoy, I would like to mention it to my superiors. I don't want you to be in any danger."
Hermione and Harry shared a long look with each other, both very unsettled by her revelation. Narcissa dismissed their concern with a regal wave of her hand.
"Please don't burden yourselves with this. We need to give all our focus to discovering what can be done about this life debt. That is our goal."
Harry nodded in understanding. He turned back to the overwhelming catalogue of tomes surrounding them. Hermione stared worryingly at the other woman for another moment, a feeling of dread rising up within her at the dismissal of such a horrible admission. But there was nothing she could do today. Maybe she should discuss it with Draco when she visited him next. He would surely not approve of the danger his mother was facing. And she would definitely encourage Harry to take it up with the Auror department. He was right; they did tend to listen to him when it came to matters of Voldemort and his Death Eaters. They considered him an authority on the subject. She sighed and wandered over to the nearest bookshelf, her mind replaying the tragic story of Sir Archibald. Was that going to be her fate too? The rational corner of her mind insisted that not only was the story a mere fairy-tale, but also Harry may be right. She should cut off her ties with him now before it caused more harm. But she knew that she was already in too deep. Whether the life debt hurt her or not, she realised that she was determined to find out her feelings for Draco. She just hoped that they could find an answer before it was too late.
….
Well there you go. Some added drama and suspense. I hope you are all waiting with much anxiety. Please leave reviews to let me know your hopes and dreams. You never know, I may fulfil them!