*****Draco*****
I found Hermione in the gardens with my mother and brother.
"Hermione, can I talk to you."
"No." She told me plainly, she was feeding Aurora while mother changed Rigel. She was so stubborn.
"Can we still compromise? I don't want to make you unhappy." I promised her. She looked up for a moment.
"Why don't you start with telling me what all being a Malfoy bride entails?" She muttered. She put Aurora over her shoulder and patted her back. Just to prove I wasn't a sexist bum, I took Celeste from her baby rocker and fed her the bottle. She was grabbing at my chin, smiling around the bottle at the stubble that tickled her hand.
"You are the Lady of the manor, you maintain good relations with other wealthy women. Lady Malfoys never gossip,"
"Are always the most fashionable," mum chimed in.
"And are seen as flawless. Of course we know this isn't true, but it is important that the world sees you as an incorruptible woman."
"Malfoy women manage the charity side of the business. We build castles if you didn't know," mum informed her, "and the men simply cannot be trusted with the orphanages. We've got three, there's one here in Britain, one in America, and another in Scotland." Hermione perked up at this, "the orphanages are for wizards and witches of course. Every year before school the Lady Malfoy and three equally wealthy Ladies take the entire orphanage shopping for what they need."
"So it's not tea parties."
"They are a part of it," mother assured her, "but they don't make up the half of it. Malfoy women are the brains behind the men. The socials are all a way to boost our relevancy and increase our credibility. None of it is pointless. When I was your age I was just like you. I wanted to change the world. I've built up the name to this point and now it's your turn." I could see the cogs turning behind those honey eyes of hers.
"Here are my terms," she said slowly, "first, you sign my university forms. In return we can try for a son. Second, I get to be involved in a hands on way with the children in the orphanage. In return I won't pursue a career." I felt my lips twitching into a smile. She smirked at me, holding Aurora tenderly.
"Here you are." I handed her the university forms, "I didn't want you to leave me for a muggle university." I admitted, "three days is far less than five." She grinned and took the folder from me, "in exchange for my pratiness these last couple of days I've got one more thing to offer you. Should you choose to fight for women's rights I will be beside you one hundred percent. I never meant to treat you like a trophy or arm candy. I do respect your mind...can you forgive me?"
"Can you forgive me for trying to run away And breaking your arm?"
"Already have." I assure her. She smiled again.
"Then yes, I forgive you."
*******Hermione******
"Miss...there's a young miss in your first sitting room. She's really shaken up." Ricky reported.
"Who is she?" I asked, not putting down my book. He shrugged, "Ricky you've got to ask the person their name before you let them in."
"I did!" He whimpered, "but little miss said she would give me clothes if I didn't go get you right away." I sighed and stood.
"Could you bring us some tea? I'm craving biscuits as well." He nodded and disappeared. When I finally found the girl she was curled up on the couch crying. I sat opposite her, wand in hand.
"Who are you exactly? And how did you get here?" She wasted no time in moving to the couch I was on and pulling her legs up to her chest. From what I could see she had a round face dotted in freckles, but her brown hair obscures my view a bit.
"Blaise told me to give this to you." She sniffled. It was a letter, but it was also a port key.
If a little girl shows up on your doorstep then something has gone wrong. Her name is April, she's Neville's cousin, but when I made this she said she'd rather spoon her eyes out than go to him. Anyways, I sent her here because I knew she'd be safe with you until I could show up and get her situated.
Thanks,
Blaise Zabini
The letter glowed with his magical signature, confirming it was his.
"My grandma and grandpa...I think they fell down. I don't know, but I was going into their room to tell them goodnight and I found them...I think they were dead. I don't know. I got so scared I ran to my room straight away and pulled out the letter."
"I'm going to go check it out. I will send for a house elf to get your comfortable." I started to stand, but she grabbed my arms.
"I'll go with you. I can't leave them like that. It isn't in my upbringing to be a coward." She stated.
"Are you sure?"
She nodded, "I've got to get some clothes anyways."
"I'll tell Draco where I'm going, throw on some real clothes,and then I'll be right back." Right back wasn't an option, she followed me, clutching my night gown, "if you're indecent cover yourself, there's a little girl with me." I warned him from the doorway. When there was no movement I assumed we were golden and went on in. She was drawn immediately to my bookcase and I left her to it.
"I'm going to check something out at April's house. April will you tell him where that is?" I asked as I slipped on a pair of jeans. She sneered at him and he rolled his eyes at her.
"This brat again?" He huffed.
"So we meet again." She muttered. I changed into a hoodie as they glared.
"Out with the location, April, you're wasting time." I assured her. She looked at me instead.
"We're going to the Longbottom ranch in Scotland. Blaise says it's a good twenty miles from Hogwarts." I nodded.
"I've got a clue what you're talking about. Do you know how to sidelong?" She nodded again.
"Blaise taught me when we were here last week."
"One more question, where is Blaise?"
"He left for Italy two nights ago. He said he had some baby business to attend to, but he promised to be back in a few days so we could go shopping for my wand. I'm turning eleven in exactly two days."
"Okay, are you ready? We're going in three, two, one!" We landed in front of the ranch, "is this it?" She nodded and we headed inside. Nothing seemed at all off about the home thus far. It was cute if not a bit small. She led me up the stairs where her grandparents were and I saw them both lying across the other. The grandfather's hand was reaching toward the door his eyes wide open, but unseeing. "Go pack your clothes." I ordered, but she didn't. She slipped past me and touched his forehead.
"Grandpa..." The door closed behind us and I had my wand up on moments. Mr. Zabini stood behind us.
"One chance. Where's Blaise?"
"As if I'd tell you anything."
"Avada Kedavra!" The shot of green light shot forward and hit the girl in the chest, but she didn't fall. She glared at him.
"What was that supposed to be?" She asked confused.
"If you don't leave I will make you wish you did." I threatened. Of course I was shaken up by the girls ability to reject the killing curse, but now simply wasn't the time for questions. He apparently thought the same thing since he frowned and looked back at me.
"You don't want to hear how I got out of Azkaban?" He asked.
"Nope. I couldn't care less." I assured him. "Now go!" We were trapped, the anti apparation wards were up. I could feel them.
"Well, regardless. You will listen anyways. I took a page from Bellatrix's book and staged a mass escape. I heard Blaise was here...so I came by to visit my only son. What a pity it is that he wasn't in. I disposed of the muggles," he twirled the wand, nonchalantly, "they saw too much." I cast a curse his way, but it dissolved into his shield.
"How sneaky, your Slytherin husband must be rubbing off on you."
"It's none of business, I assure you." I shot another hex his way, just to test the strength of his shield. When it didn't scratch the surface I realized that we were royally screwed. He took a step forward and I took one backwards. All the while I was shoving April backwards. It wasn't until my back was to the window that I had an idea.
"I found Blaise." He informed me, "he was as sweet as I remember."
"Why do you keep doing this to him?" April asked from behind me, "you're sick and vile and I hope you contract AIDS and die." She hissed.
He smirked, "too late."
"You didn't." I growled.
"Sharing is caring." He chuckled.
"How dare you!" April screamed. The light in the room flickered and then shot forward. It knocked the wind out of him, giving us all the opening we needed. I jumped out the window and took her with me, hoping the apparating wards did not extend to the outside.
We both landed in the grass outside of the castle.
"We've got to find Blaise." She said adamantly, "he's hurt and he needs us."
"How do you propose we find him?" I asked her, brushing the grass off of my shirt.
"Do you have an owl?"
"Yes, but they aren't very big."
"That's alright. You can fly a broom can't you."
I nodded, trying to quell the fear of heights. Draco couldn't do it, leg work was a big part of flying. Blimey.
"Brilliant, Mrs. Zabini taught me to fly a few days ago when I was over last. Where are the brooms kept? We've got to hurry."
"Do you see that shed right there?" I pointed to a little house connected to the left side, "that's where the brooms are kept. Go for the fire bolts. They're the fastest." She ran off and I whistled for an owl. It took little time for one of the feathered guys to come swooping down.
"I need you to take this letter to Blaise." I told him, tying the port key to the owl, but I didn't release him until both of us were mounted. He took to the skies and we went after him. I focused my eyes upward, refusing to look down.
I don't know how long we flew, but it was day break by the time we reached a manor. The aerial view was breathtaking despite the fact that I was seconds from falling off of my broom.
"I'm so tired." April mumbled.
"I think we're here." I yawned. The owl swooped into a window and we followed. Blaise was unconscious and covered in crusting white spatters.
"Close your eyes," I advised her. She obeyed and allowed me to help her down from her broom. Once she was safe I cast a cleaning charm on his unconscious form and covered him in his comforter. "I'm going to write to Draco and make sure he doesn't come looking for us. Then we'll find you somewhere to sleep."
"Can I sleep with you? Please?" She was still shaken up, which was understandable, but why me? She didn't know me from Adam.
"Yes, go find a room and try to find some clean clothes. I'll handle Blaise."
"Will he be alright?" She asked. "I don't want to go to an orphanage. It'll be like Mathilda. I won't be able to go to magic school..."
"Blaise may not be in a place, mentally, where he can take care of you." I warned her, but I promise we'll find some place suitable for you." She went off to do as I asked her while I cast a diagnosis spell on him. The only thing that showed up was exhaustion so with a heavy sigh of relief I laid next to him.
*********/
I woke up to shouting. April was beside me, still sleeping. The poor dear had tried to change my clothes last night, but didn't quite manage it.
"If you don't want to be burned alive then I'd suggest you get the fuck out, because I'm burning this shit down!" Blaise yelled from somewhere within the manor. Following that was maniacal laughter.
"Should we go stop him?" She asked.
"I dunno. Do you fancy burning to a crisp?" When she didn't shook her head no I climbed out of bed and grabbed my broom.
"Blaise! Do you want us anywhere near you?" More psychotic laughter, "better yet. If I leave you to torch the place will you promise not to destroy yourself in the process." When he didn't answer I tiptoed out of this room and peered over the balcony. He was drenched in gasoline.
"Blaise! You know you hear me. Look at me."
"Come down here and make me." He snickered.
"Like hell I will." I snorted. "Blaise, you're acting crazy."
"I'm not acting crazy!" He snapped, "I'm tired of this shit!"
"Then burn down the house, not yourself." He scowled at me, "put down the lighter and the gasoline."
"Okay," he dropped the gasoline and it began spilling across the floor, "run little elves! Run!" He cackled then he lit the lighter and dropped it.
April went diving off of the banister on her broom, risking it all to save a man she'd known three weeks. Then again, he was all she had. She scooped him up on her broom, not wasting a moment.
The moment she was close I touched them both and apparated home. We landed in the grass again.
"Blaise are you mad?" I shouted, "you were legitimately going to burn yourself alive?!" He blinked rapidly.
"I might be. I think I snapped." He admitted, "but on the bright side...it doesn't hurt anymore. I'm enraged, yes, but I know exactly what to do to remedy that."
"And what -pray tell- is that?" I huffed.
"I'm going to kill the bastard and move on with my life." He shrugged, "but first I'm going to take a shower before I spontaneously combust."
*******and Blaise is back. Sometimes people have got to go a bit psycho before they can heal.********
