A/N: there will be a few POV changes in this chapter. I know it'll seem a lot but there's a reason to jump back and forth, promise.

Credit to CaptainBexx and her amazing drawings that gave me the idea for a couple moments in this chapter. I've said it before and I'll say it again, if you haven't seen her drawings you need to go to deviantart and look them up. Or Pinterest as well. I have a few HP boards with her pics because they're amazing! I gather ideas from all sorts of pics on that app. Lol. It's hard not to when there are so many great pictures of all types on it.

Chapter Twenty- One

Hermione

Hermione and Draco had finally sat down and made a list of who they would invite to the wedding and who would be in the wedding party. Then four days ago she took five little girls to Madam Malkins and let them choose the colors they liked and looked at the designs Madam had, instead of custom designing their dresses like Hermione had done for hers. It was the easier option with indecisive little girls. Evelyn, Alrakis, Poppy and little Sarah would be her flower girls. Freya would be a junior bridesmaid.

She knew that was a lot, but she couldn't bring herself to choose between any of them. Finley and Daniel would be ring bearers, Finley helping Daniel down the aisle. Reuben, Kian and Connor would be ushers. She wanted to incorporate all the orphans who had yet to be adopted. She hoped that they might be soon, but hadn't heard from anyone about adopting since the Crabtrees.

Ginny, Millie- who had become a good friend- and Astoria would be her bridesmaids and they had opted to get their own dresses. She told them to just put it on the Malfoy's tab. They'd pay everything once Madam Malkin was completely done. No sense in doing it as each dress was chosen. Draco had been tasked with taking the boys to get their tuxes and his own; and to let his groomsmen- Blaise and Harry, of all people- know by when to get their's.

He planned to take Seb, who was his third groomsman, and the boys one day during next weekend to get their tuxes chosen and sized. With exams, it was the only time Seb could go before school let out and still get his chosen with enough time for it to be ready before the wedding. Narcissa and the other adults would make sure they had their own stuff done on time themselves. With the save the dates having been sent out, no one could claim they didn't know by when they should be ready.

Hermione and Narcissa had also chosen the invitations. They were lovely, just as Narcissa's friend had claimed. The shop sold hand painted watercolor creations by the New York based muggle illustrator, Sarah McCay. They had had so many, but Hermione had chosen ones that were on a light cream, thin- almost delicate- parchment. The design was floral, like her save the dates, with anemones, ranunculus, garden roses and crocuses. They came with a matching rsvp and had all the pertinent information for the wedding and reception upon them. The rsvps were addressed to Malfoy Manor of course.

She got matching cream envelopes and Narcissa had suggested a get together with herself and her friends to address them when they were ready for pick up in three weeks. Hermione absolutely adored that idea. She missed Ginny. Missed spending more time with her than an occasional sighting, like today. Millie was around all the time except her days off. Astoria wouldn't be able to join them due to exams though. She invited Molly and Narcissa and would probably also send owls to Pansy and Luna as well, so they could make a girl's day of it. She'd send Draco off somewhere with the tots. For now though, they had a Quidditch match to get through. Hermione watched in anticipation for Draco to catch that little golden ball.

Draco

Here Draco was again. On his broom watching for the Snitch as his team worked on beating their fifth team of the season. They were the only one of the English teams still undefeated, though the Irish Ballycastle Bats were also undefeated. They had one more match in April and then the championship game would come at the end of April. Then he'd have all summer to spend with Hermione. He was bound to annoy her in the first week so he might need to find something to do over the summer. Especially as there were only two more Death Eaters loose, Rastaban and Avery. So his undercover work wouldn't be needed.

As he scanned the sky, he also scanned the crowd. The entire Weasley clan had come. The twins, now Weasleys instead of Bobbins- their name change completed last week-had been given a party to welcome them to the family the same day the change was complete. George's shop was almost done being rebuilt and his product was filling the Burrow parlor, much to his mum's disgust.

Draco's parents and siblings had also come and were in the stands with Hermione, Millie and the three girls. Even Blaise had shown today because students were studying hard for their N.E.W.T.S., which meant Astoria was busy and he couldn't spend time with her at the moment so he chose to come watch the match. Goyle was with Ron and Seamus was with Millie, cheering for the opposing team. Draco thought they were doing it just to be contrary. The Montrose Magpies were good and his team was having a time of it, but they were still ahead. The moors at Oswaldtwistle were already lush and green with the incoming spring, though there was still a nice chill in the air.

Draco scanned the pitch again and finally saw it, the Snitch, just behind one of their goals. He took off towards it, the other Seeker still not having caught on yet that he had seen it, and was nearly there when he heard a rumble of voices. Not paying much attention since they were probably watching him, he reached out and just as his fingers had wrapped around the little golden ball and won his team the match, he heard the screams.

Immediately turning towards the sounds he looked on in horror as everything went sixes and sevens. He saw the stands, in which his family and friends were, start to crumble to the ground- having been hit at their base with some sort of spell. He searched for the culprit, sure he knew who it was, and indeed found Rastaban Lestrange watching with delight as the towers fell. Daphne, who stood beside the deranged madman, looked on in fear. Surely they both had to know this was beyond barmy to attack at a Quidditch match again.

Because this time? They were outnumbered. Kingsley had had the same fear as Hermione and he brought more than just the usual three Aurors. Rastaban probably counted on people's fear to keep him safe as well, like at Platform Nine and Three-Quarters, but that wasn't to be the case this time. As people began to Apparate on the ground out of the falling stands, many others ran to aid those still there. Ones too afraid or unable to move in time.

Draco flew as fast as he could to help. He reached the stands and grabbed a baby one of the other spectators was holding out, too little to be Disapparated by its panicked mother, who was afraid she'd splinch it if she tried. He looked around and saw that Hermione and the others were already on the ground thankfully and he made to land and check on them. The baby's mother showed up next to him as he landed and took the infant from him and ran off, as he made a beeline for those he loved.

He rushed to Hermione as she ran to him, each tangling their hands in the others hair as they eyed each other for injuries. They were dusty and shaking, but fine otherwise. Hermione closed her eyes as Draco kept his open to watch her face, afraid at any moment the anxiety might be too much and she would break again. But she remained strong and they turned as one to watch the destruction happening around them. The stands finished falling, thankfully empty, and bathed the frightened crowd in dust and debris.

The group of Aurors had converged on the duo, but Daphne was too quick. She Disapparated the second she saw she was about to be overcome and caught, Lestrange didn't. He fought, laughing maniacally as he did so. He had clearly lost the plot as he battled, firing curse after curse. But it wasn't enough. They watched as, with one final light from a wand, Rastaban Lestrange fell to the ground and didn't move again. He was alive, just frozen. He was caught. Finally. He was finally caught and as the knowledge crept into Draco's head, he shouted with joy and swept Hermione up and spun her around.

"It's over love! It's finally over! I can't believe it!"

Hermione laughed and hugged him and kissed him and the rest of the group started laughing and hugging, but then Draco came to a realization. Daphne was still out there. Hermione hugged him all the more fiercely when she came to the same realization as he. "Oh Draco, it's not over. Not until Daphne has been caught too; and now she doesn't have Lestrange to guide her or stop her from going off on her own, who knows what she'll do?"

"I know love. I know, but I think she'll lay low for a while and come up with a plan. She won't do this, go off halfcocked and possibly get herself caught. I still can't understand why they did it. Surely they knew it was daft of them."

"I've never seen Daphne at one of these matches and we both know Rastaban hasn't been, his brother was and he wouldn't have gotten a chance to warn him that there were Aurors here and Ministry officials watching the match. Perhaps he wanted to scare us all to maximum effect? I mean we were all terrified after all. It's a miracle none of us splinched ourselves getting off the stands, or any of the kids."

Draco nodded, it was a miracle they hadn't been hurt. But he couldn't be too sure she was right. After all, hadn't he been the one to realize Rastaban Lestrange didn't go into things without thinking them through and learning as much as he could about any given situation?

"I'm not so sure you're right. I mean, I think he thought the fear he has instilled in people would keep the crowd from interfering, but I doubt he wasn't aware there were Aurors here, love. He seems much more likely to be aware of everything before acting. You watched him fight, how he was acting. If I'm honest, I think he'd finally gone completely wonky. I doubt we'll ever find out why though. Now he's caught, he will be going to Azkaban for the Dementor's Kiss just like his brother. I can't say I'm not happy as shite over that fact. He's been caught and we don't have to worry about him anymore. How about we go celebrate. How about a nice dinner, all of us, at the Broomsticks," Draco stated as he looked over her head at the others.

His mother stepped forward. "That sounds wonderful darling. Go get changed, we'll meet you both there. Hermione we'll take the girls." Then she leaned in and whispered something in Hermione's ear he couldn't quite make out and Hermione flushed a light pink. Now he was dying to know what was just said, but he left her to tell the girls what was happening and made his way to the team tent to change, Williamson following as usual.

His teammates had all probably cleaned up and changed in the time he was celebrating Lestrange's demise, or so he assumed, since the tent was empty. They may have just found their own loved ones and gone home though. Whatever the reason, he was just glad for the solitude. He disrobed quickly. Not bothering with an actual shower, he spelled himself clean and redressed in his regular clothes. He made to leave the tent when Hermione entered and Draco experienced a sense of au fait.

She moved towards him, her hips swaying and a predatory look on her beautiful face. Then she was on him and kissing him, hard. She ran her tongue along his bottom lip and then bit it. He couldn't have been more surprised and was sure he looked it. But it didn't last long. Soon he was a most willing participant in the kiss and they were snogging each other senseless.

Then Draco felt as her hand reached into the front of his trousers and he was surprised all over again. Breaking the kiss he looked down into her lust filled eyes. "Hermione, love, what in Merlin's name are you doing?"

"What your mother suggested."

"Wha...what?! Surely she didn't suggest we shag!"

"Not in that sense no, but she did suggest we needed some alone time. So I'm doing as she suggested. Now are you going to shag me or what?"

Needless to say, they were a bit late. He loved her thoroughly. Barely noting that her breasts seemed fuller and more sensitive. When they finally got to their destination all the adults looked at them knowingly and when they both pinkend they were laughed at heartily. Dinner was a loud affair as they discussed what happened and discussed what might happen with Daphne and merrily rejoiced in the downfall of the two brothers over their own hubris. Thinking they wouldn't get caught because they were too clever for that.

An owl found Hermione and Draco later that evening as they were getting ready for bed. It simply read, "he's gone" and they knew it meant the Kiss had been performed and Rastaban Lestrange was no longer a danger and they both slept peacefully that night- Hermione without the Dreamless Sleep for the first time in weeks.

Daphne

Daphne couldn't believe it! She had tried to warn Rastaban. Had tried to say attacking in a crowd that large was a bad idea but had he listened? No! He had thought himself so bloody invincible! She thought he was off his rocker! He kept spouting shite about how he would end them all at one time, that it was perfect. He had definitely gone loony since his failed attempt at killing the Weasley bloke. Something he blamed her for. She'd been punished that night. She'd never been more frightened.

Now he was probably in a cell in Azkaban drooling on his shirt! Daft lunatic! Now here she was, alone, with no course of action except to hide away. Then she thought about it further. She was alone. She could act alone! She could kill the Mudblood now without interference!

Oh this was too good! Now Daphne had a chance to rid herself of the Mudblood and take what was her's! But she needed a plan. She needed a fool proof plan at that because she had no intention of getting caught herself. So she sat down, and planned. She planned into the wee hours of the morning until she could no longer hold her eyes open and fell asleep, only to wake the next day and plan some more. She wouldn't go in all willy nilly like that dolt did.

She would have a course of action. One that involved the one thing neither the Mudblood nor Draco could resist. Someone they loved. But the question was...who? She went through her mind for possible people she could use against them when it hit her. The brat that had helped Draco at the train station. After all, hadn't she- through Rastaban- promised retribution if the Mudblood didn't leave Draco?

Harry

Harry was sitting in his office writing up the report on what had happened at the Quidditch match yesterday. He couldn't believe it was over. At least for him and the Weasleys. Not so much for Hermione and Draco he was sure. Daphne Greengrass wouldn't stop until she had Draco and that meant getting rid of Hermione. But how would she go about it?

As he sat there pondering the hows he realized just what she would probably do, use one of them against the couple. Give them a choice and a reason they would have to make it. But who? Alrakis was the best bet if it was for both of them. If just for one or the other then either one of the Malfoys, or himself or one of the Weasleys. Her other kids, including Alrakis actually, were safe. So it then led back to who would she use or would that truly be her course of action?

Harry didn't have any clue now. What he needed to do was find the bint, but where was she? They hadn't been able to find the duo after widening their search to the whole of Europe, but that didn't mean a thing. She'd probably went to a new location the second Lestrange was caught. They needed to put out word she was alone and they needed her whereabouts, but would it help even then? Who knew, but he had to at least try.

So he sent a note to Kingsley and got approval to send Aurors to France, Italy, Greece and any other European country she might go to. Then he himself along with a few others went to different corners of the United Kingdom. If she wasn't in any of those, he'd search elsewhere. He wouldn't stop until he found her. Fool that he was he never thought to warn the couple, too busy making his plans to find her himself. Unfortunately he never closed in on Daphne in time either.

Hermione

Hermione still felt a bit off. She was still throwing up and it seemed she was starting to feel a tenderness in her breasts she couldn't explain, not just the sensitivity. And her dreams, when she had them, had been so vivid lately. In a couple of them there had been a beautiful little blond haired, gray eyed boy that looked so much like Draco it made her heart hurt. He was so beautiful and Hermione wondered if it was a glimpse of one of their future children. Those dreams usually turned to nightmares though, with Daphne coming and harming that little boy. Draco was getting good at brewing a Calming Draught. She refused to take the Dreamless Sleep anymore.

She needed to see a healer. It had been a full week after the last attack and Hermione was starting to become concerned it might be more than just stress or anxiety. She hadn't missed a second menses yet though, so she couldnt be too sure it wasn't just stress. She always had her period every thirty three days, like clock work thanks to her birth control, so when she hadn't started on the thirteenth of February like she should have, she had worried and looked up some things. Learning stress or anxiety could cause her symptoms- except the pain in her boobs. But if she missed a second one... They may need to worry about something else.

So she was just about to owl Theo to see if he could give her an appointment in the next couple days, when an owl came to the main house's kitchen window and tapped urgently on the glass with its beak. Thrusting the door open the owl came to it and flew to the counter where it perched with its leg stretched out so she could take the note that was tied there.

Upon reading the contents she screamed for Draco and he came running into the room frantically asking her what was wrong. All she could do was thrust the note at him as she burst into tears. He was followed by their three Aurors- who would remain until Daphne was caught-, Millie and Seamus. When they saw the state she was in and heard Draco begin to curse as his eyes narrowed, nostrils flared and he began hexing any inanimate object he could find- thankfully all the kids were in the playroom at that moment- they knew immediately something was wrong.

Chancing being hexed himself, Seamus stopped Draco mid tirade and snatched the note from him, after which he began to curse too but managed to let the others know what had happened. Sebastian was missing. According to the note he had gone into Hogsmeade with his mates, they went their separate ways after they agreed to meet in the Broomsticks for lunch. Only Sebastian had never showed.

McGonagall and several professors searched Hogsmeade, but no one had seen him. He had just vanished. She'd owled Hermione immediately and was requesting her presence. Hermione was heart sick. They had just seen Seb yesterday. They took everyone to Hogsmeade so Hermione and the girls could visit with Madam Rosmerta while Draco took Seb and the boys to get their tuxes. Seb was so excited. He'd told Hermione upon their return that he'd picked out a tux that would make him look dashing and hoped Violet would notice, she hadn't even been aware the boy had held a tendre for the girl.

Hermione knew, in her soul, that Daphne was behind this. She just knew it. And the words coming out of Draco's mouth made it blatant that he did too. "I'm going to kill her! That bint has gone too far! I'm going to hit her so hard with the Cruciatus and then slowly make her bleed before I kill her! She's going to beg for my mercy and I'm not going to give it to her! She'll be gagging for death by the time I'm finished!" And then he blasted a few more things into pieces.

Sebastian meant a lot to Draco. They held a bond through their mutual experiences and she knew he cared greatly for the teen. She did too, but not nearly as much as Draco. Hermione knew what he was saying was true. Daphne had gone too far this time and if Draco got to her first, he'd torture her before he killed her. Hermione didn't want that on his soul. He never had to kill anyone in the few years he had been under Voldemort's control. She didn't want him to break apart his soul now over some delusional witch that meant little to either of them.

Hermione grabbed him from behind, hugging Draco with all her might as his breathing came out harsh and loud in the sudden silence of the room and she knew he was trying to regain control of himself. She knew he had when he reached up and wrapped his arm around her's and squeezed it in a silent message. Then he turned around and hugged her as she cried into his chest and he cried into her hair. They loved that boy as if he were their own and they would move heaven and earth to get him back.

Leaving the care of the tots with Seamus, Millie and Williamson. They left with Nick and Belle and made their way to Hogwarts. The castle was quiet when they got there. All students were probably in their common rooms or the library finishing up last minute assignments. They quietly made their way, hand in hand, to the Griffin that held the passageway to the Headmistress's Office. It had been a while since they had been here. At least together.

As they made their way up the staircase revealed by the Griffin after speaking the password, which had been in the note, they did so in a fretful silence- only gaining the strength to keep going from each other. Knocking on the door they were bid to enter and when McGonagall saw it was them she was immediately on her feet to hug them.

"Hermione, Draco, I assure you we will find him. We found out that the last person to see him had been Ambrosius and Mrs. Flume at Honeyduke's where he stopped to get some sweets. Ambrosius told me that he had been happy and smiling. We don't think he's run away. So that only leaves his being taken. But I'm not sure by who."

Draco interrupted her then. "We do. Daphne Greengrass. We need to speak to Astoria Greengrass. Make sure she hasn't heard from or seen Daphne, or that her parents haven't heard from her."

Mcgonagall nodded. "Very well. I'll send for her at once. In the meantime would either of you like a cup of tea?"

"Yes please." Draco lead Hermione to a chair and helped her take a seat as they waited for their friend to arrive.

Draco

How could he have been so bloody stupid? He knew Daphne wouldn't just disappear, that she would take action eventually. She must have decided on taking Sebastian since it was his help that had kept Draco safe that day at King's Cross and she knew he had a fondness for the kid. Lestrange also threatened Seb that day if Hermione didn't leave Draco. She hadn't, so this was retaliation and probably to lure him, and possibly Hermione as well, out where she could get to them. He suspected they'd be getting a letter soon enough.

He watched Hermione as they waited for Astoria. She had continued to be a bit off color this past week and Draco heard her in the bathroom in the morning, hurling- though he suspected she was trying to hide it from him now. She probably also thought he didn't notice when she'd missed her menses back in February. He thought back to the last time she'd had it. He kept track because it usually meant four days without getting to shag her, which he was most fond of, and he would impatiently wait for it to be over. She hadn't missed the second though, at least not yet. That would come the sixteenth of March, in four days.

He knew the signs of someone being up the duff. They were taught these things in school just as the Muggles were. They were also taught the potion to prevent it, but since she was on the muggle equivalent they hadn't been using it. If she was pregnant as he suspected then he would be overjoyed. But right now he couldn't really think of that while Daphne had Seb, and he didn't want to say anything until Hermione figured it out on her own. She was still thinking she was just stressed, but he no longer did. Not when he felt her fuller breasts and had to be gentle because she would wince if he got too rough with them.

Just then the door opened and in walked Blaise, Astoria and his uncle. Blaise must have been with Snape or Astoria, most likely the latter. He probably wanted to know what was going on too. Draco couldn't blame him, he was also their friend after all. He should have asked for him too, he just wasn't thinking on it. Blaise was rather observant after all and might have noticed something Astoria hadn't. When they spotted him and Hermione and took in her state, they went immediately on alert. Severus was the first to speak.

"Is this about Sebastian, Minerva?"

"I'm afraid so, Severus." She then turned to a confused Blaise and Astoria. "Sebastian Loxias is missing. We kept it from the students and other staff who weren't a part of the search, to prevent any panic. Once we were absolutely sure he was indeed missing my first priority was to inform Hermione as she is the boy's legal guardian. Now we have knew information Miss Greengrass, that your sister may be involved.

"I've requested your presence, at the request of your friends, to see if either you or your parents may have seen or heard anything from your sister. Anything at all, no matter how inconsequential you may think it."

Astoria shook her head sadly, taking a seat next to Hermione. Draco looked to Blaise who now looked just as angry as Draco was sure he did. "No. We haven't. I'm so sorry, but she hasn't contacted us in over a month. Not since that attempt to capture her and Lestrange. Although..."

"Yes Stori," Draco growled as he leaned forward in his seat, all ears now. Blaise scowled at him, but he didn't care. Not if she knew something and had kept it from them.

"Yesterday we got an owl from a hotel in France claiming she had failed to pay her bill before leaving. We told the Ministry, but nothing came of it because she was apparently already gone." Well this was news to him and Hermione. Why hadn't they been told?

"I suspect, nephew, that you were kept out of the loop because there wasn't anything to come of it. I'm sure they would have rather told you good news rather than that they still had no clue where she was." Damn his uncle and his Occlumency! But he was probably right.

"I wish I could do more to help. I'm so sorry." Draco slashed a hand through the air.

"You have nothing to be sorry for. If you don't know anything you don't, but thanks for coming up here and letting us know."

"You're welcome Draco. Anything I can do let me know." She gave Draco and Hermione both a hug before moving towards the door. "I'm sorry I can't stay and chat and wait with you, you know I would, but we're all so tired from all the exam studying and extra work. Please, let me know when you find him. I'm sure she'll contact you. She wants you, Draco. And it seems she'll do anything to gain you. She's no longer my sister. I don't recognize what she's become. I'm sorry."

Blaise took her hand while Draco gave her a smile. "Sure thing, Stori. I'm just sorry she's become so lost. I know she's your sister and you love her. I'm sorry too."

She nodded, knowing that Daphne's fate now was probably a bleak one- they couldn't take any chances with her. She would probably be captured and given the Kiss, as long as they captured her without a fight. Blaise led Astoria from the room after telling them all goodbye. Now all they could do was wait. Before they left Hermione asked his uncle if he'd come by Granger's sometime next weekend so she could talk to him, whether this was resolved or not, and then she and Draco went home to await news.

Nick and Belle went into the main house to let the others know what was going on, and tell Williamson Draco wanted privacy tonight, while he took Hermione back to the Mill. It grated on him that he couldn't do anything. But without any word of Daphne's potential whereabouts, there was nothing that could be done. They would simply have to wait.

Hermione

They got news the very next day. Hermione was already irritated because Draco forced her to take a Dreamless Sleep potion the night before because she wouldn't go to sleep. When she woke that morning, it was to a nondescript Tawnie owl tapping on their bedroom window. Draco was already there prying it open to take the letter. He read it over and then handed it to her while he began to pace. As she read, she became less irritated but more and more livid.

Apparently Daphne wanted Draco to come alone and toss his wand when he got there. Told him if he ever wanted to see Seb alive again he was to leave Hermione behind and marry Daphne. And it told Hermione if she tried to interfere Daphne would kill Draco and Seb. Once Daphne and Draco were gone to parts unknown, she would owl Sebastian's location and Hermione was to leave her and Draco alone or she would kill Draco just so Hermione couldn't have him.

She was obviously completely off her trolley. By the time Hermione was finished reading she was shaking in her anger. She had never wanted to hex anyone more than she did right now. She reread the place Daphne had told Draco to meet her and mentally transfixed it into her mind. She was going alone and no one was going to stop her. Draco just continued to pace and mutter to himself about 'daft bints' and 'there was no way in bloody hell he was going anywhere with the cunt'. He was so focused on these actions that he didn't even notice when she moved to the closet to get dressed.

He also didn't notice when she slipped out of the bedroom door, granted it could have been the Disillusionment and Silencing Charms she had cast on herself in the closet. There was no way she was letting the bloody daft bimbo take her fiancé. The love of her life. Her everything. She would face this foe head to head and she knew she'd come out the winner. She made her way to the gates and stepped through her wards before Disapparating on the spot. She had a witch to defeat.