When we reappear, we're standing in front of a wooden door, which Lucius is already banging on forcefully. A few moments later a very sleepy-eyed Professor Snape opens the door, with his wand extended in front of him. The expression on his face turns to one of pure confusion, but he steps aside and quickly directs us inside. Draco walks me over to the couch sitting in the middle of the room and has me sit down immediately, and he sits down beside me and wraps his arms around me.
"It's okay", he whispers in my ear, "We're safe now".
I'm thoroughly confused; I never knew for sure that we weren't safe. Lucius quickly tells Professor Snape about my dream, and his face turns to an expression of horror, also, when the dog-smelling man is mentioned. Finally, I've had enough.
"What's this all about?", I ask, "I thought it was just a dream".
"Dreams in the wizarding world are rarely just dreams", Lucius says, "Many witches and wizard's don't dream, but those who do should realize that dreams are often more than that".
"But I don't have the sight", I say, "I can't predict the future!".
"Neither can Draco", Lucius says, "But yet somehow he had a dream about you holding a baby less than a week before we found out you were pregnant".
"So, what are you saying?", I ask.
"My Great-Grandmother", he says, "Was a seer. And not one of those stupid, wannabe seers who only sees something every few decades like Sybill Trelawney. None of my family members since her have inherited her gift, but we've all had dreams, much like the one Draco had about you. And it appears that you are having these dreams now, also. It could be because you're pregnant with the descendant of a seer, or it could be because there's a seer somewhere in your family line, but you had better believe that dream was not a dream, it was a warning".
"So those men are there, right now?", I ask.
"Yes", he says, "I'm almost positive they are". I shudder at the thought, and Professor Snape speaks up.
"I'm going to summon him", he says, "He'll want to be informed of this", and he pulls up one of his sleeves and presses his wand against the skin near his wrist. Lucius nods his head in agreement, and almost immediately there's a loud 'crack' at the door. Snape runs over to the door and flings it open, and he bows to the person standing there. "My Lord", he says, "I apologize for summoning you at such an early hour, but something's happened. Please, come in", and when he finishes this statement a very frightening-looking man steps inside.
His skin is pale and looks very clammy, and his small, slit-like eyes are red. He's wearing a full-length black robe, and he has no hair. "Ah, Lucius", he says, and immediately Lucius and Narcissa bow to the man; Draco and I just sit there on the couch, Draco eyeing me apprehensively the whole while. Lucius calls the man "Lord" also, and offers him a seat before telling him all that's happened, including the dream.
When he mentions the dog-smelling man, the newcomer stands up and rubs his chin. "I assure you Lucius", he says, "If he is indeed at your home, he is there without my permission or knowledge; I'd never order an attack on one of my most faithful servants or his family. And I can assure you that he will pay for this treachery". I look down at the floor as he says this; when I finally gather the courage to look back up, the man is standing only a small distance away from me. "Hello, Draco", he says to my fiancé; Draco looks up at him and bows his head in acknowledgement. I can't help but wonder who this stranger is, since even Draco's bowing to him. "And this must be the lovely Jayde", the man continues.
I look up at him and nod my head in response, "Yes, sir", I reply.
"I've heard so much about you", he says, and he extends his hand for me to shake. Draco seems a bit taken aback by this gesture, but I extend my hand for the man to take. After all, I don't want to be rude to someone who's obviously such an important part of my new family's life. I shudder when the man's cold skin touches mine, and he lifts my hand to his face and kisses it lightly before releasing it. I get the feeling that this man's trying to impress me for some reason; like he's only being this nice to me. He continues to stand in front of me, staring down at me.
"Jayde", he says, "You are a member of the Malfoy family now, and I assure you that you have nothing to fear; I myself will ensure that nothing happens to you or your unborn child".
"Ok", so he knows about the baby", I think to myself. Almost immediately, as if it knows it's been mentioned, the baby starts kicking. "Oh!", I exclaim, placing my hand on my stomach.
"What's wrong?", Draco asks hysterically with widened eyes.
"Nothing", I reply with a reassuring smile as I turn to look at him, "It's kicking again". Draco reaches over and places his hand on my stomach and is disappointed that he still can't feel the baby moving. The strange man smiles down, or rather smirks down at this, and he turns and walks back across the room.
"Lucius", he says loudly, "You, Snape, Draco and I will go back to Malfoy Manor and rid it of the intruders".
"No!", I reply worriedly, causing Draco to squeeze my hand; both his hand and mine are still resting on my stomach. I quickly correct myself and use the same title everyone else did; "I mean, my Lord, there's too many of them, at least 10. You'll all be walking into a trap".
The man chuckles at this; "Such concern", he says, turning to face me. "Apparently, Jayde", he continues, "You've no idea just how great of a dueler your future Father-In-Law is. And from what I understand, he's passed on that talent to young Draco". I glance over at Draco, who meets my gaze for a moment before looking away. "Trust me", the man continues, "A pack of common dogs doesn't stand a chance against 4 expert duelers such as us". "Now; Lucius, Draco, Snape", he finishes, "Let's go", and without another word he opens the front door and steps through it, and Snape walks out right behind him.
There are two loud 'crack's outside, and Lucius gives Narcissa a kiss on the forehead before walking out the door behind them and disapparating. When Draco stands to do the same, however, I grab hold of his wrist and refuse to let go. "You're not going back there!", I say, "They'll kill you!".
"Darling, I have to", he replies, "I'm sorry I have to leave you like this, but I've got to protect our family. I promise, I'll be fine". He leans down and kisses my forehead and tells me he loves me before prying my hand from his wrist and turning, walking out the door and disapparating. I stand and call after him, running to the door, but he's already gone.
Narcissa comes up and places her hands on my shoulders, pulling me back inside. "I know how you feel", she says, "But he'll be fine; Lucius won't let anything happen to him. You should sit down now, I'll go find you a blanket and pillow so you can get some rest". She walks off to the right and up a flight of stairs, and as soon as she's out of sight I walk out the front door and disapparate, back to Malfoy Manor.
I arrive with a 'pop' in front of the gates and whisper the password before stepping through the gates. I can see Draco walking up the drive in front of me; he still hasn't reached the house yet. Apparently he's heard my footsteps; he turns around and his face goes white when he sees me. "WHAT ARE YOU DOING?", he whispers angrily as he runs towards me, "GO BACK, NOW!".
"No!", I reply, "I can help!".
"HELP?", he asks incredulously, "HOW? BY WALKING IN THERE AND PUTTING YOU AND OUR CHILD IN HARM'S WAY? DON'T YOU KNOW WHAT IT WOULD DO TO ME IF SOMETHING HAPPENED TO EITHER OF YOU?".
"I don't mean walk in there!", I reply, "I can use my powers, I can stop them!".
"NO!", he yells, "YOU MIGHT LOSE CONTROL AND THAT COULD HURT YOU AND THE BABY TOO. GET BACK TO SNAPE'S RIGHT NOW SO I CAN GO INSIDE AND HELP MY FATHER!". I gasp and look at him, the hurt clearly visible in my eyes; Draco's never yelled at me before. "Baby, I'm sorr…", Draco begins as realization sets in on his face, but I don't allow him to finish that statement. Instead, I turn and walk away, back through the iron gates.
I disapparate immediately and land back in front of Professor Snape's house, where Narcissa is standing with the door wide open, desperately searching for me. "GET IN HERE NOW!", she calls when she sees me, and I quickly step back inside, where Narcissa scolds me for leaving like that and nearly scaring her to death. As she scolds me, however, I start sobbing, and she immediately stops talking and pulls me into a hug. "What's wrong?", she asks soothingly.
"He…yelled…at…me", I whisper between sobs.
"Oh, honey", she replies, "It's alright, he's just worried about you, is all". I don't say anything in response to that, however, because I can feel myself slowly beginning to lose control and give in to my sadness and fear. I know I've got to calm down; I've got to stop this before I hurt the baby.
"Narcissa", I whisper, gripping her arm tightly.
"Yes?", she replies, and as she pulls away from me and stares into my eyes, she gasps. "Jayde!", she says hysterically, "Jayde you've got to calm down! Your eyes are going white!". She helps me over to the couch and has me sit down, and I try my best to fight my power, which is threatening to consume me. Apparently I'm fighting it a little too hard, however, because everything starts fading to black and I feel consciousness slipping away from me. I feel my body give way and I slump over; passed out.
When I come to, I'm lying on my left side on Professor Snape's couch, and there's a pillow under my head and a blanket draped across me, both of which I assume are Narcissa's doing. I don't open my eyes and continue to lay there in the dark; I want to go to sleep so I don't have to stay awake and worry until Draco gets back. As I try to fall asleep, however, I hear voices whispering from somewhere behind the couch.
"My God, Draco, what happened?", Narcissa asks, "There's blood everywhere!".
"I…I don't know, Mum", Draco says, "I think my nose and my arm are broken, and there's a large cut across my chest". My heart jumps at first when I hear Draco's voice, glad to know he's alive, and I seriously consider jumping up and running to him. When I hear him describing his injuries, however, I think better of it; I'm scared to turn around and see him so badly hurt, so I keep lying there, listening to Narcissa's conversation with her son.
"You didn't get scratched, did you?", she asks.
"No!", Draco replies.
"Where are the others?", Narcissa asks him.
"They're still at the house, taking care of the last few men and cleaning things up", Draco replies, "When they saw that I was injured they sent me back here".
"Well come here and let me get you sorted out", she says, "Quickly now, before Jayde wakes up. If she sees you like this she'll go into labor".
My eyes widen when she says this, and then I hear Draco ask, "How long has she been asleep?".
"She didn't fall asleep", Narcissa replies, "Her eyes went white and she passed out".
"What?", Draco asks, "Is she alright?".
"She's fine", Narcissa replies, "She just needs some rest".
"Damn!", I hear Draco exclaim, and then I hear a loud 'thump', which I assume is him hitting the wall with his fist. "I should have known!", he continues, "She was so frightened and worried; I should've known it would all be too much for her".
"Actually", Narcissa says, "She didn't get upset until she came back a little while ago; when she followed you. She was crying when she got here, she said 'He yelled at me'".
"Oh no", he says, "Merlin I'm so stupid! I didn't mean to yell at her, I was just…".
"Worried", Narcissa says, completing his sentence, "I know, son, you don't have to explain that to me; you're just like your father in that way. You never show fear when you're scared, instead, you yell".
"She doesn't deserve that", Draco says quietly, "She doesn't deserve to be yelled at. I swore to myself I'd never do it…I never want to hurt her; I guess it's too late for that".
Narcissa lets out a heavy sigh after he says this, "Draco", she says, "Stop being so pessimistic! Jayde is not going to leave you just because you yelled at her; it was a very stressful situation and I'm sure she'll understand. If I'd left your father when he yelled at me the first time, you'd never have been born! Now calm down and stay still so I can heal you".
Silence follows this last statement, and a moment later I hear Narcissa whisper "Episkey", and then I hear a yelp of pain from Draco.
Hearing Draco in pain is almost like being in physical pain myself, and I immediately want to go comfort him and ease his pain. I push myself up off the couch and turn around to face him; Bad Idea. The moonlight illuminates the room and I rest my eyes on the single most horrifying thing I've ever seen; Draco is standing against the wall and there is indeed blood everywhere. His clothes are torn and he's got his hands covering his nose; apparently he yelped because Narcissa just healed his broken nose.
I take a deep, ragged breath in when I see Draco like this, and he and his mother immediately turn to look at me. Tears are steadily streaming from my widened eyes and my mouth is in danger of hitting the living room floor, and I can tell by the looks on Draco and Narcissa's faces that they're afraid that I'm about to completely lose it. Draco limps over to me and places his hand on my cheek, trying to calm me by saying "I'm alright baby, I'm fine!", but since he's now closer to me I can see his wounds more clearly, which horrifies me even more.
I let out a small scream as I look at his mangled body, and Narcissa runs over immediately. "Draco, get away", she says, "You're making it worse. Jayde, he's going to be alright, I'm going to heal him right now", and at this she pulls Draco back over to the wall and he stands up straight.
Narcissa heals his arm and then lifts his shirt and heals the large, ugly gash across his chest; I stand rooted in my same spot the entire time, frozen in horror. Both of Narcissa's actions draw pained sighs from Draco, and when she's finished healing him she cleans away all the blood. When she's done, Draco walks back over to me and wraps his arms around me, trying to prove to me that he's okay. I just stand there in shock, however, still crying. He pulls me close to him and presses my head against his chest, and I grab hold of his shirt and pull him closer, sobbing uncontrollably.
"It's okay, love", he says, "I'm alright".
"I told you not to go you bloody git!", I exclaim, using my free hand balled in a fist to hit him on the shoulder.
"I'm sorry!", he says, "I had to!".
We stand there hugging for a few more moments, but then the situation gets even worse. My stomach starts cramping, those same cramps I had that day on the Hogwarts Express, and I take a pained breath in and place my hand on my stomach.
"Baby, what's wrong?", Draco asks as he pulls away from me, and when he sees the pained and fearful expression on my face and my hand on my stomach, his eyes widen. "No!", he says, "Baby sit down…come here and sit down!".
He pulls me back over to the couch and eases me onto it, and he kneels down in front of me and places his hand on my stomach. Narcissa also walks over and kneels down with a fearful expression on her face. The pain stops after a moment, and Draco and Narcissa both ask if I'm alright. I nod my head, but my breathing is still labored, and Draco pulls me into a hug and keeps apologizing over and over.
About five minutes later, however, another cramp begins, and all three of our faces contort into terrified expressions once more. When the cramp ends Draco pulls me close to him again, and five minutes later when the next cramp starts, he places his hand back on my stomach and he turns to his mother.
"Mum", he says, "What's wrong? She's never had more than one cramp at a time!".
A knowing and painful look crosses Narcissa's face, and she gets to her feet and tells Draco that I've got to get to St. Mungo's right now.
"Why?", Draco replies, "What's happening?".
"She's having contractions, Draco", Narcissa replies solemnly. I'm still in the midst of a cramp and can't respond to that, but fear overtakes me and I look up at Narcissa with tears in my eyes.
"What? Contractions?", Draco asks, "It's too early for those, isn't it?".
"Yes, son, it is", she replies, "That's why we've got to get her to St. Mungo's…right now".