Disclaimer: I own nothing apart from Ariadne Aurora Malfoy-Granger. Everything else belongs to the genius J K Rowling.

Summary: It was a normal day for Draco Malfoy, but as soon as he stepped out of the fire place and brushed the soot off his robes he knew something was wrong. On his bed was a wicker Moses basket stuffed with a bundle of blankets. Inside, just visible, was a baby girl fast asleep. She had nothing with her except a letter addressed to him and a golden necklace he knew too well. T for safety.


Chapter Twenty Eight

Defiance

When the crescent moon was at its highest point amongst the twinkling stars, Draco noiselessly padded his way around the room. His only source of light was the moon streaming into his room. Every now and then a cold breeze comes in, fluttering the thin curtains and reminding everyone that it was the middle of November.

With a slight shiver, Draco was glad that he decided to wear his thickest robes. Shrugging into his black cloak, he made a mental note to check he's got everything. He had his wand tucked into his left sleeve and a spare one strapped to his leg. Just in case he needed it, he had a lock pick tucked into his left dragon hide boot and an enchanted dagger in the other.

Satisfied that he had everything, he gave himself a once over in the mirror before he pulled his hood low, making sure that he could easily slip into the dark unnoticed. Quietly, he made his way downstairs, avoiding to step on rickety floorboards so he doesn't wake Blaise up. Blaise's snores echoed loudly around the house, and even though Draco knew that a war could erupt right outside Blaise's door, and the latter would just sleep through it, one could never be too careful. Besides, he wasn't even suppose to sneaking around the way he did. But he couldn't just sit tight and do nothing. Potter had shut down the idea of just going straight to Orkney there and then when they found out, stating that it was too dangerous to go without back up and Draco was too weak to join the rescue. Tch, Draco could decide whether he's weak or not, thank you very much. The temptation to punch Potter in the face when he said that was too great but Draco held it together, feigned a headache brewing and retired to his room. But not before telling Potter that he knew where the door is and he should let himself out. Moments later, Blaise arrived from searching yet another Malfoy house in Oxford and went straight to bed, letting out a snore not a minute later. Draco had laid in bed, trying to think up a strategy until midnight.

Whilst in the middle of his musings, he had another vision. Thankfully this time it didn't hurt like a bitch, it still gave him a headache and made him hiss out loud but at least it didn't feel like someone hit him over the head with a mace head. The second vision was as brief, lasting only seconds, as the first time. But this time it was clearer, he could make out a small dark room with a tall narrow window. He caught a glimpse of Lady Zabini with Ariadne in her arms as she sang an Italian lullaby under her breath. From that moment on he had an idea where they were kept.

Just as he was to put a foot on the last step, a pink hair ribbon caught his eye. He stopped to pick it up, running the silky material through his fingers and expertly wrapped it around his wrist tightly. "I'm coming to rescue you, baby, I promise."

Draco non-verbally summoned his broom as he stepped into the grand fire place before he threw floo powder at his feet and disappeared with the emerald flames. He would have just apparated but he knew that it'll take a chunk out his energy and he even agrees with Potter that he'll only cause injury to himself if he did.

His plan was etched permanently into his brain and it was to Floo to a public Floo point in Orkney and from there he would ride his broom to the Castle. It would take him half an hour to get to the Malfoy Castle by the steep cliffs of the Orkney North coast. It would then take another quarter of an hour to break down the spells and charms that protected the castle and after that he'll need to work quickly. He'll apparate to the North Tower where he knew Narcissa would likely keep her prisoners to minimise any attempt of escape. He'll only have a few minutes to get Lady Zabini and Ariadne on a broom and on their way before Narcissa would realise the breech and figure out what was happening.

Well, that's the plan anyway. He'll just have to think of an alternative plan on his way, just in case.


Dismounting his broom, Draco wiped a bead of cold sweat that formed above his eyebrow from under his low hood. He was a few yards away from the large wooden door of the old decaying castle, blackened by age and eroded by the sea. Laying his broom at his feet, he whipped out his wand and held out in front of him. With a deep breath, he closed his eyes, ignoring the violent crashing of the waves against the cliff and focused his concentration on trying to break down the protective spells and charms. He began to mutter and chant under his breath, getting faster and faster as he brandished his wand in elaborate and complicated movements. He felt the resistance of the spells and charms, but he carried on with his chanting a little faster and louder. With a final flick of his wand, the protection over the castle collapsed and crumbled without a warning. Draco was sure that the inhabitants of the Castle would still be unaware until the very last minute. Hopefully by then he would have gotten Lady Zabini and Ariadne on their way to safety.

Satisfied with his handiwork, Draco slipped his wand back into his sleeves. Picking up his broom he quietly opened the front door cringing slightly at the loud creak of the old hinges but he let out a thankful sigh when the waves masked the whining of the hinges. Naturally the Castle was eerily silent and unfortunately for Draco it brought back bad memories. A blinding light, searing pain and being locked in the North Tower for what felt like years.

Draco shook his head, pushing everything away, apparated himself right outside the top room of the North Tower and quietly let himself in.

"Aunt Luciana, wake up. Wake up." Draco whispered urgently, he pushed his hood down and approached the witch Draco saw as his second mother.

Just like his vision, it was a small dark room with a tall narrow window where the moon shone through and illuminated a figure sleeping on a wooden bed. He approached the sleeping figure and his hard expression softened when he saw his daughter snuggled into Lady Zabini's side. Draco called out the witch's name, shaking her shoulders slightly when all of a sudden he felt a sharp pain on his left cheek as if somebody scratched him. His hand flew to his cheeks and felt the hot wet feeling of blood. Somebody had scratched him and drew blood.

"Aunt Lucy, it's me. It's Draco." Draco whispered, once again.

"Draco?" Lady Zabini echoed sleepily, not fully aware that she just scratched him.

"Yes, we don't have long, we only have a minute or so before those gormless pillocks realise someone had breeched the charms." Draco said quietly, he took out his wand and illuminated the room with a slightly dim light, just enough to be able to see what was going on.

"Here, take this broom and get yourselves out of here." Draco passed his broom to Lady Zabini, who stared at it for a moment, remembering the days when she rode a broom, feeling the wind through her hair and that lovely feeling of freedom. Lady Zabini merely nodded in agreement and took the broom from his hand.

"Daddy?" Ariadne sat up in her sleepy state, rubbing her eyes and when she set her silver eyes on Draco, she launched herself into his arms. "Daddy!"

"Hello, baby." Draco whispered, hugging her tightly and planted a kiss on her hair.

"You came! You came to rescue me!" Ariadne cried happily but through sobs as she hid her face into the crook of Draco's neck as he rubbed her back soothingly in circular motions.

"Of course, you're my little princess. Now be good and go with Lady Zabini. I'll see you soon, my darling, real soon." Draco kissed her forehead and handed her to Lady Zabini who was already mounted on the broom patiently. She place Ariadne in front of her, instructing her strictly to hold on tight as one hand controlled the broom whilst the other wrapped around Ariadne's waist. Draco handed over his spare wand before he bellowed "Bombarda Maxima" blasting a large hole on the wall and watched as Lady Zabini and Ariadne flew away.

"Hullo, mummy. Did you miss me?" Draco wiped the single trickle of blood on his cheeks, smearing it. He turned on his heels and sure enough Narcissa Malfoy stood angrily by the door, her chest heaving and her eyes expressionless.

"Draco." Narcissa said stonily. "You're awake."

"Why are you not happy to see me, mummy? I came all the way here to pay you a visit, after all." Draco mocked. He hasn't called Narcissa 'mummy' since he was five and at this, Narcissa twitched slightly. Perfect, his plan is definitely on track. All he needs to do now is too push his mother to the edge and then he can deal with the Death Eaters once and for all.

"How did you know we were here?" Narcissa narrowed her eyes on Draco, her mind whirring.

"You underestimate me, Narcissa." Draco scoffed, pretending to be hurt by the idea of not being clever enough to not figure it out.

"It's true, you have the sight." Narcissa crinkled her nose delicately, as she pieced everything together.

"Yes, I saw you plotting my family's demise." Draco said calmly and at that Narcissa let out a uncharacteristic giggle.

"Family? Ha! They are not your family, they're nothing but parasites. And what do we do about parasites? We eradicate them." Narcissa laughed manically, and it reminded Draco of his Aunt Bella.

At that point, Draco had realised that there was no point in trying to release her from the influence of Blood Magic. She was far too gone, the effects of the dark practice had eaten every little piece of her humanity and sanity, leaving behind the rotten insides that she had now. He reprimanded himself inside for clinging onto the idea of doing the noble thing of breaking Lucius's hold on her. He was no Gryffindor, he reminded himself finally. He foolishly thought he could break the Blood Magic because he subconsciously held onto memories of a more gentle Narcissa. She was the loving one in his family, a loving mother towards Draco and patiently put up with Lucius and his shit, for the lack of a better word. But somewhere along the line of his memories she distanced herself from him, slowly at first then totally which hurt his younger self a lot, but being a Malfoy he didn't show it. He pretended he didn't notice, carried on as if nothing happened and loved her like he always did. Loved her that the Dark Lord used her as Draco's downfall. He both had daddy and mummy issues, no wonder young Draco was in dire need of therapy, Draco scoffed to himself.

"Over my dead body."

"Oh, that can be arranged." Narcissa cocked her head to the side and said it in a sing song voice. Draco thought all she needed to do was dye her hair black and the world could once again be graced by another Bellatrix. She definitely was on her way to follow her older sister's footsteps.

"Now, tell me what you saw." In a split second, Narcissa's mood changed and she stared at Draco with a serious look, her wand infront of her, digging into the hollow of his neck. Narcissa looked at him straight in the eye, sending daggers to course through him. What have they done to you, Mother? A small voice whispered in Draco's head.

"Why should I tell you?" Draco said bravely, not letting the wand tip pressed on his throat affect him. In fact Draco challenged her with a quirk of his eyebrow and with a giggle, Narcissa took the challenge.


With a groan, Draco fluttered his eyes open. The first thing he noticed was the fact that he was no longer in the North Tower but tied to stone pillar in the Dungeons. It was much colder down there despite the numerous torches that illuminated the cold, vast area and threw shadows around. The last thing he remembered was Narcissa laughing before darkness took over.

Draco could feel the ropes that tied his wrist together behind and around the pillar. Experimentally, he tried to move his wrist only to hiss out painfully when he felt the ropes tightened around it.

"Do you mind taking this rope off my wrists? It's cutting off my circulation." Draco called out sarcastically.

"Ah Lord Malfoy, we were wondering when you'll join us back in the world of the living?" Rabastan laughed gruffly as he stepped out of the shadows. Draco's eyes twitched at being called Lord Malfoy because that was Lucius's title and Draco was merely the Young Master of the Malfoy household. There was a time where he envied his father's title and could not wait to be addressed as Lord Malfoy. But those days were gone along with the his belief in pureblood supremacy. Instead being addressed with such title made his skin crawl.

"Don't worry, you wouldn't stay in this world for very much longer." Draco drawled lazily. He hissed silently as he once again dared to move his wrist. If only he could twist his wrist to reach a small dagger that he kept in his sleeves, he could release his wrist and snatch his wand that was floating teasingly a few meters in front of him. Idiots.

"As cocky as ever, nephew." Rodolphus and along with the rest of the Death Eaters stepped out of the shadows and looked at him with slight interest.

"Of course, Uncle." Draco smirked as if he took pride in being cocky but in reality he had managed to pull the dagger out of his sleeves and began to slowly cut the rope. Without showing any expression he looked at every single Death Eaters present, his colleagues once upon a time he thought bitterly. As he looked at everyone, he ticked their names off in his head. Dolohov, Lestrange brothers, the Carrows, McNair and Grimm. His eyes then landed on his mother who was sat in the corner, regally despite being in her night robes and a smug look on her face.

"We'll make this easy, Nephew. Tell us where you're keeping your filthy Mudblood witch? It doesn't have to be this way." Rodolphus pushed Rabastan out of the way and stared down at Draco.

"I won't tell you." Draco said defiantly, his eyes narrowed into slits and he clenched his jaw. Behind him he still cutting his way through the ropes, but it was harder than it looks because the ropes were thick and hard to cut through. Nevertheless he carried on, blindly.

"Not even one little clue?" Rodolphus mocked.

"Nope." Draco replied, popping the 'p'.

"Very well." Rodolphus sighed, his hands digging into his pocket, and produced his wand before he shouted rather gleefully "Crucio!"

Draco refused to scream as the hot white pain coursed through him, as if he had needles in his blood stream causing him to writhe in pain. He gripped the dagger in his hands tightly, refusing to let it drop. Oddly he welcomed the pain, he was use to it because of his Aunt Bella who was rather fond of the curse and would use it on him if he didn't do what he was taught right, or too slow, or when he hasn't learning fast enough. Sometimes it just amused her. Yes, he was familiar to the pain of the torture curse, Cruciatus and him were good friends.

"Torture me all you like, I'm never going to tell you my Hermione's whereabouts." Draco panted slightly, his chest heavily ruggedly as he ignored the throbbing pain on his head when he accidentally hit it against the pillar. That wasn't his main problem though, his hands were now covered in blood as he gripped the dagger a bit too tightly in his hand and the blade dug into his palm. Further more it meant that it was now sleek with his own blood and he couldn't afford to drop it. Adjusting it slightly, he started to cut through the ropes again and this time it was easier since his blood soaked the ropes, softening them.

"You foolish boy! Why are you protecting her?" Rodolphus growled angrily, his wand still trained in front of Draco.

"Because I love her." Draco said a little louder and with confidence that it irritated everyone. He was not playing within the rules of their game and it didn't sit well with them. How could he love her, such filth like her?

"Love?!" Rodolphus bellowed. "I will personally beat that love out of you! Sectumsempra!"

This time Draco screamed, the hex hitting him on the chest just like Potter did all those years ago. The air in the dungeon was filled with the rusty smell of Draco's blood as it seeped through the slashes on his shirt. He kicked his leg out, hitting Rodolphus in the shins but it didn't bother the latter as he happily watch Draco convulsed in pain.

"You're... Not... Getting... Anything... Out.. Of... Me." Draco choked out, spitting out blood to his side. He was definitely seeing black spots in his vision and knew that he'll succumbed to darkness in any moment but he forced himself to hold on a little while longer. He needed to end this even if It was the last thing he does.

"Nothing, nothing at all?" Rabastan butted in, brandishing his wand to close up Draco's wounds. To any outsiders it may have looked like an act of mercy but the glint in Rabastan, and the others, told Draco that they weren't ready for him to black out just yet. Where's the fun in that? The fun was just starting and he was to face a few more rounds of torture before they let him black out. But only after he gives them what they needed.

"You might as well dig my grave." Draco laugh humourlessly, pushing the Death Eaters to the edge.

"Incendio!" Amycus Carrow stepped up and joined the Lestrange brothers. A ball of fire erupted from his wand and hit Draco on the arm. Draco gritted his teeth almost to a point of breaking them as his skin sizzled and crackled but he caught the scream that bubbled in his throat.

"That ought to loosen your tongue. I ask again, where is Golden Girl Granger?" Rodolphus smirked at the way Draco hissed in pain as the fire went out.

"Why should I tell you?" Draco frowned weekly then cursed under his breath as he accidentally dropped the dagger. Despite making quiet a clatter it didn't seemed that the Death Eaters heard as they all smirked at him believing that his cursing was a sign that he was about to break.

"Tell us where she is, and we'll do a great kindness and kill you painlessly."

"Kill me, go on, kill me already. See if you can get anything out of my dead body." Draco challenged, venom leaking out of his tone in waterfalls. The Death Eaters momentarily looked at each other dumbly before they pretty much growled at him. But Draco took this opportunity to twist his wounded hands until the partially severed rope snapped and came undone. He smirked inwardly, and all he needed to do was to patiently bide his time until the perfect opportunity to strike presented itself.

"That's right, you can't." Draco continued, sensing the uncertainty between them all. "Mummy dearest needs me alive. For her plans. My mother is manipulative bitch, and she's using you fools to achieve her ends. Do you think that she'll hand you my Hermione when she's done? Merlin's beard, she'll hand you to the authorities herself, you can count on that."

"What makes you say that, Dragon?" Narcissa said in a sickly sweet sing-song voice as she rose from her seat and approached him like he was a prey.

"Don't. Call. Me. That." Draco hissed.

"Why ever not, my Dragon. It's what I always called you." Narcissa smiled. "How do you know that I will betray my friends' trust?"

"Because you're a back stabbing snake, just like your husband. You don't care about anybody else other than yourself. You only care about what would benefit you." Draco stonily retorted.

Narcissa hummed her reply as the Death Eaters stepped back to give the mother and son some room.

"Besides, it's what you taught me from a very young age."

"That's right, I did." Narcissa patted his cheeks affectionately, brushing her fingers over the cut Lady Zabini accidentally inflicted on him. "Now Dragon, be a good little boy and tell our friends where your Hermione is staying."

"Never." Draco growled before his cheeks stung from the impact of Narcissa's harsh slap.

"Fool!" She screeched, pointing her wand in front of him. Before she could utter a word, Draco chose this time to leap up on his feet in neck breaking speed, snatching his wand the Death Eaters foolishly dangled in front of him.

"Expelliarmus!" Draco shouted, disarming his mother before he turned around and faced the Death Eaters. "Stupefy! Confundo! Levicorpus! Petrificus Totalus! Incarcarus! Diffindo! Crucio!"

Narcissa watched as Draco threw spells upon spells at the Death Eaters. McNair was stunned falling face first on the ground, Dolohov looked dumbly around the room, Amycus hang upside down in the air, Grimm stiffened and fell in the similar fashion of McNair, ropes wrapped tightly around Alecto, but it was the Lestrange brothers that got the serious spells as they writhed and convulsed on the ground, screams tearing through them.

Draco's chest rose and fell harshly as he sagged against a pillar his wounds opening up.

"Impressive, Dragon." Narcissa clapped snapping Draco's attention to her.

"This ends tonight, mother. I don't want to play anymore." Draco took a slow, slightly unsteady step towards Narcissa, his wand in front of him. Narcissa stood still with a smirk plastered on her face as Draco pressed the tip of his wand against her throat.

"Go on, Dragon, you know the spell. Use it." Narcissa drawled out, challenging him the way he challenged her up in the North Tower.

Draco's hand shook as he pressed his wand harder, he opened his mouth to utter the words Narcissa wanted to hear but it never came, only air. Draco shook his head, clearing everything, shutting down his conscience attempted to say the words again.

But, Narcissa smirked at his hesitance and disapparated before the bitter words left his dry mouth. The Death Eaters except for Grimm followed suit and disapparated too.

"Fuck!" Draco cursed his hesitance. Why couldn't he do it, he had the perfect opportunity but the wretched words got caught in his throat! Draco stumbled on his knees as he succumbed to the welcoming arms of darkness.

"Draco! Drake!"

Draco thought that he heard Blaise's voice calling out for him. But it couldn't be Blaise, Blaise was hundreds of miles away, snoring on his bed. Draco mentally scolded the darkness for playing tricks on him.

"Malfoy?" This time it was Potter he could hear. Now this was getting ridiculous, why would the boy-who-just-won't-die be here?

"Drake..." Blaise whispered, crouching beside the fallen Draco. Draco's eyes fluttered open slightly to see Blaise's concerned face looming over him.

"Blaise..."

"Hang in there, mate. We'll patch you right up." Blaise promised, pulling out his wand and began to chant all the healing spells he could think off.

"I couldn't..." Draco whispered, his eyelids becoming heavy once more.

"Couldn't what, mate?"

"Couldn't... kill... Narcissa..."

"Hang in there for a few more minutes, Draco. A few more minutes, don't you dare close your eyes!"


A/N another chapter done! Review! Hehehe. I'll try to upload tomorrow, but no promises! And to those wondering why the hell I let Narcissa go, well I need her one last time! Then she'll get what's coming to her, I promise! Don't worry, Ariadne and Lady Zabini are safe and sound and so will Draco! See you all next chapter! Love you, bye! Xx