A/N: In light of recent feedback, it feels necessary to say that while this story might not be for everyone; we're committed to creating the best story we can. We'd also like to thank everyone who had supported us and who chooses to stick with us as we move forward. That said, our heartfelt thanks to all those wonderful people who have followed, favorited and reviewed.
A massive shout out to White Bishop for this wonderful Collaboration. Without your amazing ideas, edits, and support this story wouldn't exist. Thank you for this opportunity.
We take care of our own
A novel and innovative approach awards a new hope to all the people who have been fighting Lycanthropy. Wolfsbane Potion invented by the celebrated Potioneer, Damocles Belby had been affording a mild comfort to the blinding pain the affected people were forced to experience during the full moon. This improved version by Gemma Farley is being investigated by the healers at St. Mungo's and the results have been very hopeful, thus far. Gemma, the only survivor of the Farley family claims her determination to enhance the impact of the potion, had born from directly witnessing the pain inflicted on the Werewolves by Voldemort. Early testing has yielded very promising results, some going so far as to call it miraculous. We here at the Daily Prophet look forward to bringing you the good news once the testing is completed.
Theo furrowed his eyebrows. Something didn't seem quite right. Dipping the quill in the inkwell, he read the whole paragraph once again. He knew what exactly had to be changed to make it more effective and more impactful.
A new innovative approach promises help to people who suffer from Lycanthropy. For years, Wolfsbane Potion developed by Potioneer Damocles Belby has been the only solution affording mild comfort to those among us forced to suffer during the full moon. However, thanks to the efforts of former Slytherin prefect Gemma Farley and the healers at St. Mungo's, an improved version of Damocles' concoction is being developed. During the war, Ms. Farley and her pureblood family were forcibly inducted into the ranks of Voldemort's Death Eaters, watching as innocent people were infected to become weapons for Greyback's army. Her family's unwillingness to participate in such evil cost them their lives, but Ms. Farley survived and has dedicated her life and family's wealth to potions in the hopes of helping werewolves and wizards all over the world. According to multiple sources, the results of preliminary testing of Farley's refined Wolfsbane brew have been called miraculous. We here at the Daily Prophet hope Ms. Farley's efforts succeed and look forward to bringing you the good news once testing is complete.
A contented smile graced his lips as he dropped the edited script on the table. The emphasis on Gemma's heritage was a much-needed change. His eyes darted to the clock that chimed ten bells, indicating that he had spent almost an hour in editing the article. He sighed and stood from the chair. Flexing his fingers, he proceeded to his bedroom, on his way turning off the lights in his study.
A smirk danced on his lips looking at the sight that greeted him in his bedroom. Bending over the small table in one of the corners of his room stood Tracey Davis. Draped in a silk robe with her back to the door, Theo had to admit she looked extremely inviting with her delectable curves on display.
"Tracey," he breathed encircling her waist. "What are you doing?" He buried his face into her neck breathing in the intoxicating scent.
"Theo," she said tilting her neck, letting him pepper the whole expanse with kisses. "Just a moment."
He stopped for a minute to take a peek over her shoulder, to see what it was that occupied her attention. Seeing the name Granger written on the parchment, he let out a heavy sigh.
"Another letter to Granger?" He said moving his hand to the knot that kept the robe together on her body. "Come on, Tracey. You can finish it tomorrow."
"Theo," she moaned as his other hand found its way to a sensitive spot on her hip. "You're distracting me. I need to get this to Hermione before I forget this new idea for her program." She gently pried his fingers from her body and turned towards him. Pressing a gentle kiss to his lips, she spoke, "I'm almost done. Just a few more minutes, okay?"
"What's this new idea you want to discuss with her?"
"You really want to know?"
"Not really, I just love to hear your voice." He smirked and cocked his eyebrow at her.
"I was thinking, perhaps we should invite her to have a chat with the Nott elves," she said biting her lip. "You know to give her a better idea. What do you think?"
"Brilliant," Theo said brushing his lips against hers. "They already adore you, Tracey. They'll agree to anything you say."
"Still, you're their master. Have a chat with them, will you?" She said giving him a gentle push towards the bed.
"As you say, beloved," he said with an exasperated look. Moving backward until the back of his knees hit the bed, he said, "I might as well have gone with Draco and Blaise if I knew you'll be doing this."
"Don't worry, I plan to reward you for choosing me very soon," Tracey winked at him. "Patience, love. Good things come to people who wait." She turned back to the parchment she was working on.
"So, how's working with her?" Theo asked lying back on the bed. "All I hear from Draco is she's too Gryffindor-ish."
Tracey chuckled. "Gryffindorish? Is that even a word?" she said without lifting her gaze from the paper. "If Malfoy is to be believed, Gryffindors are nothing but brash, reckless fools who wear their hearts on their sleeves for the world to see."
"Careful there, Ms. Davis. Are you suggesting that my best friend is wrong?" he said tilting his body to face her.
She placed the quill back into the inkpot and strolled towards him. "Maybe," she said lying down beside him. Turning to face him, "Hermione Granger is really something. I don't deny her 'Gryffindorish' qualities," she said threading her fingers through his hair, making Theo close his eyes. "But, she's not called the brightest witch of her age for nothing. I started to find these conversations with her, rather interesting."
"Interesting?" Theo said catching hold of her fingers and bringing them to his lips. Starting with the tips of her fingers he placed kisses inching towards her elbow. "Tell me, is it more interesting than this?" He whispered as he reached her shoulders.
"No, definitely not." She sighed moving her slightly damp hair to a side, for better access. Before they were swept off into the moment, the fireplace roared green, interrupting their amorous activity.
"Theo, I need you here, immediately," Blaise Zabini's voice boomed from the living room.
"Blaise?" Tracey asked, drawing her lips back.
Theo nodded, biting his lip. "He was supposed to be with Draco."
"Theo, it's urgent," Blaise's alarming tone resounded again. Theo and Tracey's eyes widened as they heard a loud crash immediately followed by a harsh Italian curse before the Floo call got cut off. Theo sighed and fell back into the bed. "What have they got up to?"
"It looks like they could use your help," Tracey said getting up from the bed as her fingers fastened the tie of her robe. She offered her hand to Theo as he reluctantly got up from the bed. Looking at his pouty lips, she placed a kiss on them and said. "I'll be waiting for you. Don't be too long."
Giving a longing look at the bed and his witch, Theo changed sighing wistfully. He couldn't catch a break.
Blaise was pacing in front of the fireplace of the Leaky Cauldron, as Theo stepped out of the flames. "This better be important, Zabini."
"Decide for yourself," Blaise seethed pointing to the barstools at the counter.
Theo shook his head and muttered. "You should've called me sooner. How could you let him do this, Blaise?" Throwing an angry glare at his Italian friend after noticing the number of onlookers, he proceeded forward. "At least you could've chosen a low profile pub."
"Hey! Divination was never my thing. How could I have possibly foreseen this?"
"Any news involving Draco Malfoy is headline worthy. Get that into your brain."
As he approached, Theo cringed looking at his best friend who had his tongue down a strange girl's throat, while a bunch of girls cheered them on. Theo pinched the bridge of his nose and tapped Draco on his shoulder. "Draco!"
Draco shrugged off Theo's hand and pulled the girl further into his lap. The girl giggled and looped her hands around his neck as Draco finally extracted his tongue out of her mouth and started attacking her neck.
Theo took a deep breath and leaned down to Draco's ear. "Mate, Granger just walked in."
Draco rushed to stand as a reflex, almost launching the girl to the floor in the process. "Where?" he asked looking anxiously around the pub. "Where is she?"
Theo clasped Draco's wrist and dragged him to a corner table, away from the inquisitive eyes. "Hopefully, very far from here. What the hell are you doing, Draco?" He pointed to the girl who was now being helped to stand on her feet by Blaise and a couple of her friends, who were now glaring at Theo.
"Excuse us," Theo mumbled as Draco slumped in the chair. "Who the hell is she?"
"A very nice girl, who isn't reckless or brash and who doesn't contradict everything I say." His hands blindly searched for a glass on the table, but finding an empty one, Draco yelled, "Where is my drink?"
"Draco," Theo hissed. "What's gotten into you? Come on, let's get you out of here."
"Good idea," Draco stood up from his chair. "I've to get back to that girl, whose hair is nothing like the tumbling currents of a chocolate waterfall."
Theo suppressed a snigger at Draco's description while struggling to push him back to the chair. A quick glance towards Blaise and the gaggle of giggling girls showed him that those girls were no better off than Draco, completely drunk.
A sudden realization hit Theo and he threw a cautious glance at the landlady.
"No, it's not the Hufflepuff girl. It's someone else," Blaise said taking a seat at their table. "If you'd come with us, the situation would've been under control." He pushed two glasses filled with golden liquid to the brim, towards each of them.
As Draco reached for the glass, Theo stopped him. "No. You already had enough." He threw a scathing glare at Blaise, "No more alcohol, Blaise."
"Not fair," Draco whined struggling to keep his grasp on the glass.
"You've already created enough drama, Draco. No more drinking," Theo said looking around receiving glances from several nosy patrons. "Time for some damage control." He said in a heavy tone. "First of all, who are they?"
"Just a bunch of Beauxbatons' graduates on a European tour, looking for some fun," Blaise said with a smirk, leaning back in his chair.
Theo breathed a sigh of relief, at least they weren't local, "Second, I didn't think I would need to remind the two of you to be careful. None of us can afford a scandal right now. If one of them decided to go public, things would get messy, especially for Draco."
"They'll be taken care of," Blaise said with a lustful drawl.
"Oh no, you're coming with me to the Manor," Theo said sharply. "I can't take him alone to Malfoy Manor in this condition and undergo the scrutiny of Narcissa Malfoy. You're responsible for this, so you're coming with me."
Blaise's eyes widened. "Then it's definitely a no. She makes Severus Snape seem like a pygmy puff, if she sees Draco in this condition she'll hex my bits off. Besides, who'll take care of that distressed girl?"
Theo furrowed eyebrows. "I thought you were seeing Astoria Greengrass?"
"We're not exclusive, besides I value my freedom too much."
"She dumped him, two days ago," Draco slurred with an air of smug satisfaction. "When was that Blaise? Ah! Yes, that same day when Hermione Granger and my father decided to wreck my entire life."
"Keep it down, Draco." Theo threw a wary glance around. "I can't take him to Malfoy Manor in this condition. That leaves only one place." He sighed trying to gauge Tracey's reaction. Once he gets a Sober-up potion in Draco Malfoy's gut, he can drop him back at the Manor. A plan forming in mind he gestured Blaise to come closer. "They all look drunk enough to forget this matter and the fact that they are not from around here could be used to our advantage, but we can't take any chance."
"I can take care of one or two, but it's going to be a challenge if I have to take care of all of them," Blaise said tapping his chin, but one look at Theo and he understood to shut his mouth. "Tell me what to do."
"We are taking Draco back to my place, and I'm going to give you a vial of forgetfulness potion," Theo said draping a hand around Draco's waist and dragged him to his feet. "You know what to do with it right?"
Blaise sighed looking at the drunken girls still determined to enjoy themselves. "Yes offer them one last drink and escort them back to their place like a gentleman. Come on, Theo. You're a spoilsport."
"Do you know, who else is a spoilsport? The former resident bookworm of Gryffindor tower." Draco said leaning his head on Theo's shoulder. "It's over, Theo. My life's finished."
Theo held his grip on Draco's waist carrying him to the fireplace while Blaise went for the Floo powder. Stepping into the green flames, the three Slytherins were whisked off to Theodore Nott's home.
Casting a glance at the tiny beam of light peeking from his bedroom, Theo maneuvered Draco to the couch. He glanced at Blaise and asked him to hold Draco. He disapparated, only to apparate in the next moment with a small vial in his hand. He pushed it into Blaise's hand gestured to his fireplace.
Blaise scrutinized the small vial and raised an eyebrow. "I wonder about your reasons for keeping forgetfulness potion at home."
"I'm not in a mood to discuss work. Anyway, a drop in each of their glasses and the whole thing will become a hazy memory. This news shouldn't get out. Can I trust you, Blaise?"
"Yes," Blaise said with a reluctant nod. "Then what about the others. The other people at the pub?"
"I'll take care of it on my end. The absence of Hannah Abbott helps us a lot." Theo said giving Blaise a shove to the fireplace.
As soon as Blaise disappeared into the green flames, Theo sighed and turned to Draco who was lying awkwardly on the sofa. Theo trudged towards his friend and tapped on his shoulder. "Come on, Draco. Let's get you some Sober-up potion."
Draco who was lying on the sofa with his face stuffed into the cushions flipped over at Theo's words. "No. Be a good boy and get me a glass of Fire Whiskey. My mouth has gone dry."
Theo pinched the bridge of his nose. "Do you even know where you are?"
"Looking at the girl behind you, I'm guessing your house," Draco said squinting his eye. "Davis, Good to see you." Raising an eyebrow at the state of her dress, he smirked. "It seems I've interrupted some interesting activities. My apologies." Draco said throwing a wink at her.
Theo turned around to look at his girlfriend and gave a troubled smile. She rolled her eyes and pulled the robe close to her body.
"Do you know who else rolls their eyes in that same manner?" Draco said with a snigger.
"Let me guess. Granger?" Theo asked with a smile. When Draco nodded his head lost in a deep thought, Theo moved closer to Tracey and whispered in her ear. "Is that where you learned it? Rather sexy, might I say."
With a small smile tugging at her lips, she moved past Theo towards the brooding blond. "Malfoy, your drink."
As she placed the drink in Draco's hand, Theo bit his lip trying to anticipate her motive. "Tracey," he touched her elbow. "What are you doing?"
Tracey turned to Theo and smiled at him. "Giving him his drink."
"Ah, Davis!" Draco took the glass into his hands inhaled the subtle vapors coming out of it.
Tracey stepped back and whispered to Theo, "That's how you get him to drink the Sober up."
Theo scratched his neck, thinking how was he going to explain to his girlfriend, the man in front of them, can sniff out a potion even in his sleep and her grand plan was going to fail.
"Your girlfriend certainly belongs in Slytherin," Draco said throwing his head back on the sofa. "But she needs to hone her skills."
"Well, I never said it is the drink you asked for," Tracey said with a frown. "It's the drink you need." Draco groaned and clutched his head. Tracey turned to Theo and quirked her eyebrow. "What's wrong?"
"Nothing important. You don't need to worry, I'll take care of it," Theo said giving her a tender smile.
"Yes Theodore Nott will take care of everything," Draco said with a scoff. "Tell me, Theo, will you take care of my life too. Will you help me get out of this?"
Tracey and Theo exchanged glances. While Tracey's gaze remained puzzled, Theo sighed and shook his head.
"I thought so," Draco sighed. "Everything's over. I have to spend my entire life with that Gryffindor mudb.., mud… Aah!" He banged his fist on the table. "That muggleborn swot has ruined my future."
"Hermione Granger? Is this about her?" Tracey incredulously asked Theo. "I thought Malfoy was interested in her? At least that's what I got from watching them interact."
"Draco was magically matched with Granger and his father has made courting her a top priority," Theo interjected. "Unlike me, he wasn't matched with someone easy to love. It's really taking a toll on his sanity." Tracey couldn't help but smile at Theo's sweet words.
"You're talking about sanity," Draco tried to get up from the sofa, but his legs didn't comply as he stumbled back into it. "Try spending some time with her," Draco said his voice gone suddenly soft. "She's so ardent and meticulous. Her zeal is bloody contagious, and do you know something, Theo. She has so many hidden traits, that would've made her an excellent Slytherin. She came back to a place where she was tortured by my psychotic aunt and beat my father, Lucius Malfoy, a master of cunning mind games, at his own game."
Tracey looked amused at Draco's words and Theo nodded in contemplation. Did Draco realize that he was praising Hermione Granger?
"Do you know what else she did?" He started fumbling with his pockets and extracted a note. "She bloody invited me to her home," he said waving the note in his hand. "For dinner, as a thank you for all the help I've given since the project had started." Draco laughed out loud at his own words. "Yes, my dear father was impressed with her project and owled her that the donations would be doubled and she thinks I'm responsible for that."
"Is that what led to this?" Theo said slightly shaking his head. "Your work is done, Draco. You had to woo her and make her fall in love with you. I say you've got a very good start."
"No," Draco yelled. "She was supposed to hate me. She was supposed to loathe my presence, not enjoy my company. She's really insane if she thinks she could be happy being my wife or the lady of Malfoy Manor."
"What are you trying to say, Malfoy? Not a moment ago, you were singing her praises and now you're saying she's insane." Tracey said placing a hand on her hip. "You're not making much sense."
"Tracey," Theo gently coaxed her to look at him. "He's not in a position to understand."
"Oh, I can understand everything," Draco interrupted their conversation.
"Then understand this Malfoy. In our current world, there is no place for pureblood prejudices. If you refuse to adapt and change holding on to those twisted ideals, you'll be pushed to the bottom of the food chain. If you want to survive here, you have to start making amends." Tracey spoke in a sharp tone, that brought an immediate change in Draco. He started to say something, but Tracey cut him off. "We are not children anymore, Malfoy."
"Do you think I don't know?! We all stopped being children a long time ago."
She took a deep breath and placed her hand on Theo's shoulder. "I've seen the burdens of a pureblood heir, but Hermione Granger is a brilliant and wonderful girl. By some miraculous happenstance, you've managed to acquire her interest. So you have a choice to make, are you going to do your duty as an heir or abandon your family's legacy? Whether you realize it or not, you're lucky you were matched with Hermione. I suggest you make up your mind quickly because girls like her won't wait."
With those final words, Tracey stepped back. As she headed towards the bedroom, Theo asked, "Wasn't that a bit harsh, darling?"
Tracey gave a look at Draco, who had his head in his hands. "At least that got him thinking." She placed a kiss on Theo's cheek and said, "Now you do the rest." With that said, she vanished into his room.
"I don't think Davis likes me," said Draco looking at Theo who took the armchair beside the sofa.
"She doesn't, but in her defense, I don't think anyone but your mother and I actually like you. That's just how Slytherins work, we protect each other but never at the cost of our own ambition or desires."
"Which leaves me to wonder just when you'll abandon me," Draco questioned.
"You're arrogant, egotistical, quick to anger and your family is disgraced. I should have abandoned you ages ago."
"So, never?" Draco countered.
"Precisely," Theo said with a smirk.
"Looking at the way she was talking about Granger, it's hard to imagine that not long ago she was determined to undermine Granger's house elf project by any means necessary."
"Tracey's passionate about things that matter to her and you've got to agree Hermione Granger could be very intimidating." Theo said with a wistful smile "I love Tracey in mind, body, and soul. However, thanks to your Lioness' influence; I've spent more nights debating house elf regulatory systems than I have enjoying the carnal pleasures of her body."
"Oh, don't pretend you don't enjoy exploring Davis' intellect just as much as you enjoy her body." Draco cut in.
"Yes, but exploring her intellect used to lead to exploring her body in my bed, now it leads to Tracey owling Granger."
Draco howled with laughter.
"Laugh it up, it's not like your future is going to be much different with Granger once you finally accept your duty."
Draco instantly sobered at Theo's words. His worried eyes turned to his friend and Theo saw the same fear that lingered in his eyes when he found out about his father after their fifth year. Theo picked up the neglected Sober up potion and handed it to Draco. When Draco adamantly shook his head, Theo pushed it into his hand. "It's for the best, Draco. We need to talk." Draco's fingers shook as he lifted the potion to his lips. With a deep breath, he closed his eyes and tipped the entire contents of the glass down his throat. Theo could see the fog lift and the tension fade slowly, as Draco's eyes remained closed and the potion started to work.
"What's your problem with her, Draco. I doubt it's something like you don't find her physically attractive. If that where the case, I'd begin to wonder if you were attracted to women at all." Theo began as the worry lines on Draco's forehead began to disappear.
Draco scoffed. "You know it's not that."
"Then I don't understand why you're fighting this so much. Clearly, you don't see her as a lowly Muggleborn anymore."
"For years, I believed she wasn't worthy of my attention. I was taught that a pureblood like me should avoid being associated or even talking to her." Draco ran his fingers through his mussed hair. "But everything's changed now. Her blood status doesn't matter, my father is willing to throw away centuries Malfoy of history because our union produces a child more powerful than any other in either the Malfoy or Black bloodlines."
"Isn't that a good enough reason for you?" Theo said raising an eyebrow.
"Come on, Theo. How can I forget everything that has happened between us and accept her?" Draco's gaze lowered to his clasped hands.
"The world is not as it was before. We have to take care of our own. That said, you've got the better part of the deal. You were matched to one of the best options available." Theo said shrugging his shoulders.
"Yes, the most stubborn Muggleborn ever and Potter's secret to success is my best option."
Theo stood up from his armchair and came to sit beside Draco. "Yes and stop seeing her in that light. She's the brightest and most powerful witch of our age. Rumors say the minister has a special interest in her."
"Still, she's the girl who punched me in the nose," Draco whined. "Every time she's near me, there is this gnawing sensation in my gut. Unbecoming words slip out of my mouth and the worst part is she seems to enjoy them. That evening, after that horrid meeting with my father, she looked so vulnerable and all I wanted to do was comfort her, hold her, and…" He stopped abruptly with a scowl. Draco turned his head away before his friend saw the truth hidden in his eyes. The fear about their almost kiss, that had been eating him since that day, had almost spilled out of his mouth.
Theo took a deep breath and said. "Let me give you a new perspective. Weasley and Granger's catastrophe of a relationship was doomed to fail since the beginning, and it's your good fortune that it happened at this time. Even with this grumpy attitude you somehow managed to step into her good graces. The difficult part is over, Draco." Draco groaned at Theo's words. "You are the only one standing between you and victory."
"Victory?" Draco gave an incredulous look.
"Yes. You may not see it right away, but when you see your family in that top position, you'll remember my words. When you see yourself holding your child, with Hermione Granger at your side, you'll realize how much of a fool you've been."
"But..." Draco trailed off.
"Don't try to find reasons, mate. Don't deny yourself this chance. Push those gnawing feelings aside and see the opportunity in front of you."
"Well, if you're quite done talking," The sudden presence of girlfriend caught Theo's attention and his eye went wide looking at the seductive creature leaning on the wall. Her silk robe had slipped off one of her shoulders and showed just enough cleavage to be considered immodest and reveal her lack of brassiere. Tracey bent forward and laced her arms around Theo's neck from behind. "Theo and I have plans."
Draco sputtered at her bold approach and stumbled to his feet.
"While I don't mind having an audience, I'm afraid Theo is very possessive," she looked up to meet Draco's horrified gaze.
"I'll be on my way," Draco hurried to the fireplace. "Don't let my presence hinder your umm.. activities." As his fist closed on the Floo powder, he gave a glance at Theo over his shoulder. "Thanks, Nott,"
"Anytime, Malfoy," Theo said giving him a nod. "This is the least I could do. After all the things you've done for me since the war."
Draco chuckled. "Don't think you'll be let off, so easily. There is so much more I intend to gain from you." His gaze slowly turned to Tracey. "I apologize for the intrusion, Davis."
"Tracey," she said, settling herself in Theo's lap. "After all, I'm not going to be a Davis much longer, and don't you think it's high time we call each other by our first names, Draco."
"I suppose so," Draco said giving a longing look at his best friend who was so utterly captivated by the woman in their midst. "Good night." Draco pushed out the words that stuck in his throat and stepped into the roaring flames.
Seeing his friend leave in a distressed state Theo let out a sigh and leaned his forehead on Tracey's shoulder.
"You've done everything you could, Theodore. Now it's his turn to take that next step," Tracey said rubbing between his shoulder blades. "I'm sure, he'll soon see reason. Just give him some time."
Theo knew she was right. Draco needed time to accept things, but he wondered if his friend had any. They understood each other more than they cared to acknowledge. If not for Draco and his friendship, Theo's life wouldn't have been the same. After his father's demise, Draco was the only one who was able to drag him out of the pain. Even though he used manipulative techniques to accomplish it, Theo believed his heart was in the right place. Theo did what was needed and he only hoped Draco find happiness, just like he did with the witch in his lap, who was looking at him with love.
"So, where were we, my serpentine seductress?" Theo caught her lips with his, letting the tenderness overtake him, drifting both of them into the tides of emotion, passion, and devotion.
A/N: The next few updates are going to be later than expected. I apologize for the delay in advance.