~*~The Heart~*~
He tried to flee when she removed the body bind, but Lucius did something unexpected and physically held him back. Hermione didn't want to hurt Ron, but she needed to find out what was going on. Though it was quite obvious to anyone, she could not be entirely sure it was what it appeared to be. People had proven they were marvelous actors when something they loved was at stake. With all the glamors and lies she had discovered lately, she could hardly be sure of anything obvious.
"Ron? Ron, are you listening?" When he didn't speak and struggled against his captor, gripping the short black hair and pushing against his regal face, Lucius punched him in the nose. Ron fell limp and the pureblood man started to drag him back to the office. "Don't hit him! We don't have answers, Lucius! Give him a chance to speak."
"He forfeited his right to have that privilege when he tried to kill me with Avada Kedavra. If I beat him within an inch of his life, I think it justified. The last person to throw that at me had no nose..." he flicked his wand to open the door and point to Ron's face. "Perhaps I prefer it that way."
He dropped her friend to the ground and then spun to re-ward the door. Ron crawled away, his eyes wide and empty. Hermione crouched in front of him and pulled her wand. "Finite Incantem." She whispered and watched as he blinked hurriedly. He gazed around confused and suddenly seemed to remember a very important thought.
"We're down by sixty! Eolan can't make that up, I have to get in there." He tried to stand, but she pressed him back. Ron violently shoved back at her. "Where's my broom?" He went to find his feet again but his left foot slid from underneath him and he yelped in pain. Hermione saw from his up-turned trouser leg that he had a cast around his shin. Harry hadn't mention Ron being hurt during one of his games...
"Ron, stop, listen to me." She held his face and put herself in front of his eyesight no matter where he looked.
"No. The Cannons need me!" He somehow wobbled onto his feet and stumbled sideways as he tried to regain his balance.
Lucius sighed calmly, almost in boredom. "He must have been cursed around the fifth."
"Why would you say that?" She stood back up to her full height, her wand at the ready. Ron seemed dizzy and he bumped into a couple of the chairs in the lobby.
"One of the chasers on their team comes from a wealthy family that is falling apart from greed. He had been coming to me to protect his assets. Around the fifth, he had an appointment to discuss the risk his wife presented because of her relationship with his father. During that meeting he was constantly complaining about the game he had just come from. Apparently a rogue bludger is responsible for that." Lucius pointed at the cast.
"Who's Eolan?"
"Eolan Cole. Weasley's emergency replacement. The Cannons lost the game ten minutes after he mounted his broom."
Hermione breathed out of her nose. "Ron, do you remember talking to Winfred Brighton?"
The red-haired man groaned and gazed upwards as though he was going to be sick. "'Mione, where are we?"
She went to answer, but Ron slid into a seat and fell unconscious. She shook her head and crossed her arms to think.
"Why did you come to talk of Draco?" Lucius stepped in front of her and she refocused her eyes to meet his.
"Harry came by my office tonight. It appears all witnesses are either dead, gone or imprisoned. Without solid proof, a memory or some other defense, we have little to hold against Brighton. I thought perhaps you could speak against him, but Harry thinks you'd only endanger your freedom. So Draco is the only one who can help...the only one who can put Brighton away for good."
Lucius nodded. "And how do you suppose to have him do that? The glamor will render any appearances void and his word means nothing when his memories are that of Draco Malfoy. There is no telling what they will assume from his thoughts alone."
Hermione could feel the stubbornness exuding from the man in front of her. "You have the ability to break the glamor, Lucius. You are the only one that can do this. Draco wants to confess and his confession will free all of you."
"My son is all that will remain here when I die. Wizards live long lives and can cure nearly every sickness, but death can still come fetch them home. I have done...condemnable things in my pursuit of power and status and I have done worse to protect my own. If I leave this life today, even through all these crimes, I will depart with a lightness in my heart because my wife and son are safe. This glamor," he whispered, his back to her. "it is my only assurance that Draco can live without the words of other pressing like swords into his back. I thought once that another man could provide the safety I had always promised my family, but I see now that only I can ensure it."
"Lucius, if we put Brighton away, Draco can live as you would have him live. If Brighton is found guilty, your son can live and love and continue what you set out to do. And his family will know what peace can be, Lucius, and the true importance of blood."
The grey eyes in the regal face before her shined with fear, something she had never seen in him.
"How do I trust a mudblood with all that I have in this world?" He was broken in fear and she almost didn't trust herself to speak for the small chance her voice might change his mind irreparably. She dared her own boundaries and touched her hand to his shoulder.
"You don't have to trust my blood. You have to trust me, Hermione Jean Granger. You have to trust that this heart," she pressed her hand against her chest. "is strong enough to stay convicted. That this heart will protect your son."
Lucius broke her gaze and stepped back. "I will not chance my boy, not for anyone. He must marry and he must swear. It is the only way to beat Brighton at his own game."
"Lucius, no." She could hardly believe it. "Please..."
"I have decided." Hermione could see that plainly on the contours of his face. "Now remove Mister Weasley and yourself. I am closed for the day."
A/N: I apologize for the delay, but Thanksgiving crept up on me and my family. Then I decided in my post-meal delirium to laze about and embrace complete procrastination. Thankfully, a combination of pineapple upside down cake and a Lord of the Rings marathon kickstarted my urge to write. I hope everyone had marvelous holidays and those who don't celebrate this holiday, I hope you had a marvelous time regardless. Thanks for reading and please review! Tickle2Kill
