Draco Malfoy Must Die
Chapter 36 - Beauty and Pain
Harry frowned slightly as he looked up at the Burrow. In an odd sort of way, it didn't feel as much like home as it had once done. He felt like he had more to hang onto now, more people, and more places.
"You better come inside," Bill said darkly.
Harry's eyes snapped towards him, "What's happened?" he asked immediately.
"Come on, I'll tell you inside," Bill said, turning and walking towards the house. They all bundled out of the car and followed him into the living room which was very cramped with all 9 of them in addition to Bill, Fleur, Molly, Arthur, Charlie and Ron.
"Try to stay quiet," Molly said in an undertone as she hugged Harry, "The others are still asleep."
"What's happened Mrs. Weasley?" Harry whispered.
Molly looked tearful, "It's George…he was so handsome…"
"What happened to him?" Hermione asked, paling significantly.
"He lost an ear," Ron said, "Snape used Sectumsempra, so it can't be grown back. He lost a lot of blood but he'll live…that's not the worst part."
Bill shook his head from the doorway and glanced to Charlie. The younger Weasley stepped forward and placed his hands on Tonks shoulders.
Her eyes widened with realisation, "Charlie…no."
"They went down fighting, Dora," Charlie said in a choked whisper.
"No," Tonks said, gripping Charlie for support, "No!"
Remus pulled his new wife into his arms and held her close to him, "I'm sorry, Dora."
"They were all I had," Tonks said, and as tears streamed down her face, she bared her emotions in a way that she had never done before. Harry felt sick with guilt, he could feel it pressing down on him. Tonks had just lost both of her parents because of him, because of a mission they had volunteered for because of him.
"They were the only blood family that I had left who don't hate me."
"No, they weren't," Draco said, grabbing Tonks hand, "You have me."
"And you have me," Lilly said quietly.
Tonks smiled sadly at them, she squeezed Draco's hand back and said "Thank you"
"Dora, there's more," Charlie said quietly.
"How much worse can it get?" Tonks asked tearfully.
"We lost Moody too," Bill said.
"What?" Harry barked, "What do you mean lost?"
"Mundungus ran away," Bill sighed, "Moody was killed, Harry. We're leaving to try and find his body, but we suspect they might have kept it as a trophy."
"Are my parents…" Tonks trailed off.
"We recovered their bodies," Charlie said quietly.
"I will go with you to recover Moody's body," Remus said heavily.
"So will I," Tonks said, her tears fresh on her face, "He was my mentor."
Remus put his arm around her, and Tonks cleared her throat and looked over at Molly, "Keep an eye on this lot for me, will you Molly? I seem to have adopted them."
Molly smiled weakly, "Of course," she said softly.
There was some shuffling as Bill, Charlie, Arthur, Remus and Tonks all left. Leaving behind them a tense silence.
"Are you all hungry?" Molly asked, in an attempt to break the melancholy atmosphere.
"Starving, Mum," Ron piped up.
"I was talking to our guests Ron," Molly chided.
Draco shuffled awkwardly, and glanced down.
"We are rather peckish actually Mrs. Weasley," Daphne said politely.
Molly smiled, "Of course you are, come on, come on."
They shuffled into the kitchen, with the exception of Draco. Hermione hadn't noticed that he hadn't been followed her, and she paused in the doorway of the kitchen and glanced behind her.
He was standing alone in the living room, and Molly was standing in the doorway watching him.
"Aren't you hungry Draco?" Molly asked kindly.
"I shouldn't be here Mrs. Weasley," Draco said, refusing to look her in the eye, "None of your family want me here. I've been nothing but horrible to them for years, as has my Father."
"Well, the last thing I heard was that you didn't have a father, Mr. Black," Molly said with a knowing smile, "Life is too short to hold onto the past. Hermione, Harry and Ron have clearly seen that, even Ginny was saying good things about you yesterday. I can't begin to understand how much being attacked by a werewolf changes a person…if it had been any of my children…if it had been Hermione…" Molly shook her head, "And you took that attack to save her. Whether you believe it or not, I have a very high opinion of you Draco."
"Thank you Mrs. Weasley, but I don't deserve it," Draco said quietly.
"Anyone who jumps in front of a werewolf to save someone, whether it's their girlfriend or not, deserves my respect," Mrs. Weasley said softly, "Now come and have some food, you're far too skinny!"
Draco laughed weakly and followed her into the small, cramped kitchen as she threw plates onto the table and began to get everything cooking.
"Harry dear, can you wake the others?" Molly asked.
"Sure," Harry said quietly, heading towards the stairs. He was grateful to be able to take a few minutes to gather himself, because the guilt was eating him up inside. He sighed as he knocked on doors to wake up Fred, George and Ginny.
He tried to at least look like he was enjoying himself at breakfast. But he knew that Lilly and Hermione in particular could see that he was struggling. However, for a lot of the Weasley's it was the first time that they had met Lilly, and it was the first time that they had seen Draco and Hermione together.
"Ah, Gin wasn't lying about you picking girls based on whether you'd have to look up at them when you kiss them," Fred winked to Harry.
Harry shook his head, "Why is it always a height joke?"
Fred grinned, and Lilly, who gave as good as she got said, "The best things come in small packages."
George laughed loudly, he was pale and had a bandage on his face but other than that he looked normal, "I like her, she's a keeper Harry."
Harry laughed, despite himself and smiled at Lilly.
"And as for you Hermione, we thought you had taste," Fred teased.
"Yeah we thought you went for the smooth guys Mione," George grinned, "Not the rough werewolves types," he winked.
"He's only a half-werewolf," Neville piped up in amusement.
"When did you grow balls Neville?" Fred laughed.
"When Harry actually decided to make me a part of his secret war crew," Neville joked.
Molly shook her head in amusement, "Simmer down all of you and eat," she said as she deposited sausages, eggs and bacon onto their plates and put a large rack of toast in the middle of the table.
They were quiet for a while as everyone tucked into their food, and Molly then said, "Now, it will be difficult but we will fit you all in somehow-"
"Oh don't worry Mrs. Weasley," Lilly said once she had finished her mouthful, "We have a tent. We'll pitch it out in the garden and stay there."
"I'll stay in the house, if that's alright," Harry said.
"Already got a camp bed in my room for you mate," Ron said through a mouthful which made Daphne shake her head distastefully, "Charlie's been sleeping in it but he's been kicked into Percy's old room now."
"Well, if you would like to stay here Hermione, there's a spare bed in Ginny's room," Molly said to the bushy haired girl, "As always."
Hermione nodded, "I'd like to stay Mrs. Weasley."
"Draco, have you ever pitched a tent?" Lilly asked the blond with a grin.
Draco made a face, "Do I look like the kind of person who pitches a tent?"
"Let me guess, you have house elves to do that for you," Hermione said irritably.
Draco's cheeks burned, "Don't get into the house elf argument with me here Hermione."
"It's abuse, it's slavery," Hermione muttered, stabbing her sausage, "Honestly!"
"Well, can you put up a tent Granger?" Draco remarked.
Hermione blanched, "I…well, no, not exactly."
Neville snorted, "I'll do it. Honestly, can you lot do anything? First I had to tie your bowties for you, and now pitch the tent? You should have come to WizardCamp when we were kids Draco."
"My Mother wouldn't let me," Draco mumbled, "She was too worried I'd hurt myself."
Ron snorted, "I'd have loved to go if we'd been able to afford it."
"You didn't miss much," Neville admitted, "Just some burnt food, and a lot of stupid pranks."
They all laughed and the back door opened, killing their laughter entirely as Bill, Charlie, Arthur, Remus and Tonks returned, all shaking their heads.
"Death Eaters got to him before we could," Bill said quietly.
Molly sighed and busied herself with plating up four more plates of food, "Sit down and eat, all of you."
They did, and there was another melancholy silence.
"I think we should tell them our news," Harry said, looking to Remus and Tonks.
Remus shook his head, "We don't need to talk about things like that at a time like this."
"Is it good news?" Molly asked.
Tonks just nodded.
"Then please tell us," Molly said softly.
Tonks looked at Remus and held up her left hand, "Remus and I got married last night. It was just a small ceremony, us and this lot," she looked around at the teenagers fondly.
"Oh that's fantastic!" Molly said happily, "I'm so happy for you both! How lovely, a small, intimate wedding."
"Very romantic," Fleur said with a smile.
Tonks managed a small smile as she looked at Charlie, "I don't know if romantic is the right word, right Char?"
Charlie chuckled, "What do you expect when you give a guy 3 hours to prep for a wedding Dora?"
Molly frowned slightly, "Charlie?" She said questionably.
"I married them, Mum," Charlie said matter of factly.
Fred and George sniggered, "You married them? Is that even legal?"
"Yeah, I got my certificate and all in Romania," Charlie said offhandedly.
"And is it legal here Charlie?" Arthur asked in amusement.
"Course it is," Charlie said, "The spells are the same, and the legislation. I mean technically it would be illegal in Romania, because werewolves can't get married there but here it's okay."
"How many weddings have you done before Charlie?" Ginny asked in amusement.
"Eh, it was the first, Gin," Charlie grinned.
"Charlie! You told me you'd done a few!" Tonks exclaimed.
"Well, for a first wedding it was certainly unforgettable," Draco said.
"Yeah, I think the best line had to be, do you Nymphadora too many middle names Tonks take this man to be your lawful wedded werewolf," Neville chortled.
This caused a burst of laughter to fill the room.
"We have to see this," Ginny grinned, and Ron nodded, doubled over with laughter.
Harry smiled slightly as he pulled his small pensieve from his bag. He put the memory into it and did a handy little spell that Daphne had shown him. It brought the memory up against the wall, like a projector and it began to 'play'.
The room was instantly filled with laughter at the hilarious ceremony, there was the odd comment like "Oh Draco, you gave her away? How sweet," from Mrs. Weasley too. When it was over Charlie looked only slightly embarrassed, but mostly amused.
"Jeez Char, after seeing that I'm nervous about the fact you're my best man for tomorrow," Bill laughed.
Charlie laughed loudly, "I've had weeks to prepare my best man speech Bill. Dora gave me 3 hours to prepare a whole wedding."
"And you made it up on the spot judging from that," Ginny said, wiping away tears of laughter.
"True," Charlie laughed.
Molly was laughing herself as she said, "Speaking of the wedding, sorry Harry, I know it's your birthday. But we have a lot to prepare for tomorrow so if I can enlist you all to help it would be much appreciated."
"Of course Mrs. Weasley," Daphne said politely, and most of the others nodded their agreement.
"Well I'm going to get this tent pitched," Neville said as he rummaged in his bag and pulled out a shrunken, tightly packed tent, "Draco, you're coming too. You need to learn some useful skills."
Draco rolled his eyes and got to his feet, and Harry stood up too, "I'll help, and then I'll teach Draco the patronus charm, as promised. Do you have enough hands here without me Mrs. Weasley?"
"Of course," Molly smiled, "You enjoy your birthday Harry dear."
"So Neville. How do we pitch a tent?"
Neville stared at him in disbelief, "Seriously? You can kill a basilisk and ward off 200 dementors and you can't pitch a tent?"
"Do you honestly think the Dursleys were the type to take me camping?" Harry asked with a raised eyebrow.
"But they were the type to show you how to kill snakes and dementors?" Draco countered.
Harry rolled his eyes, "That was just instinct. But, it looks like we're all learning from you today Nev."
Neville shook his head in amusement and unpacked the tent then lay it on the ground and said, "Well, this is the very difficult way to pitch a tent," he grinned.
"Erectus."
They watched with a mixture of amusement and disbelief as the tent built itself in under 2 minutes. It was just a simple, pyramid shaped tent though, which Harry and Draco both noticed.
"You think you're going to sleep 5 people in there when we go on the run?" Harry asked in disbelief.
"Expansion charms don't go that far," Draco agreed.
Neville smirked, "It's not an expansion charm, it's a camouflage spell on the exterior of the tent. Come inside, you'll see"
They followed Neville through the flap of the tent skeptically and were amazed at the interior of the tent. They had effectively stepped into a miniature entrance hall, it was a small corridor with stairs at the end.
"It's a miniature version of Bones manor," Neville explained.
"Speaking of Bones, why did you two break up?" Draco asked with a raised eyebrow.
Neville rolled his eyes, "Do we really have to go into that today?"
"Well yes, because you seemed pretty happy up until this morning," Harry pointed out.
Neville sighed in a long suffering way, "It all started with her saying she doesn't think she ever wants to get married. And it ended up with her admitting she was pretty sure people were going to die, and that she was dating me because she wanted to make me happy in case I did die."
Draco's eyes narrowed, "She said that?"
"Word for word," Neville muttered bitterly, "So I told her that was a shit basis for a relationship."
"Which it is," Harry said, thinking about his own likely demise.
"And we broke up, so she agreed to stay at the manor," Neville shrugged, "That's all there is to it."
"And how are you feeling about that?" Harry asked with a raised eyebrow, "Are you alright?"
"I'm fine, we've only dated a few months and I've barely even seen her over the summer. I was clearly just a means to an end or whatever. I'm more pissed off than upset, but there really are bigger things to worry about at the moment."
"That much is true," Harry sighed as he looked around the entrance hall.
Draco noticed the decline in the mood and cleared his throat, "So are we getting a tour or what?"
Neville smiled slightly, "Right well there's a little kitchen with a dining area to the right, and a living area to the left. Then there are two floors above us, each with two double bedrooms and a shared bathroom. They're small, but it sleeps 8."
"Wow," Harry said, "Yeah, being on the run might not be so bad in this thing."
Draco smiled, "Nice work Neville."
"Susan did all of the work on it," Neville admitted grudgingly.
Draco raised an eyebrow, and Harry said, "Right, well do you mind heading up to help Molly? Draco and I need privacy to work on his patronus."
Neville raised his hands in defeat, "I can tell when I'm not wanted," he joked as he left the tent.
Harry turned to Draco, "Right then. You ready?"
"Ready as I'll ever be," Draco said, gripping his wand tightly.
"The key part is the memory," Harry admitted, "So close your eyes and think of a happy memory."
Draco closed his eyes and nodded after a minute or two.
"Now don't let your mind drift from that memory and say the incantation."
"Expecto Patronum!"
A silver flicker emerged from his wand, then it disappeared.
"Well, that was progress," Harry said optimistically.
Draco groaned in frustration, "Let's just face it Potter, I'll never be able to do it! There's too much shit in my head, and too many bad memories."
"Everyone has at least one bright, happy memory," Harry said firmly, "The way you smile around Hermione tells me that you have one. What memory are you trying to focus on?"
"I couldn't pinpoint a memory I was just thinking about Hermione," Draco admitted.
Harry shook his head, "No, you have to think of a memory and focus hard on it. What's the happiest you remember being with Hermione? A memory that makes you feel so full of joy?"
Draco frowned and searched through his memory for something that fitted the criteria. He smiled slightly, "Ironically, it was waking up all werewolfy and beaten up in the hospital wing to see her smiling down at me, holding my Mother's hand. For once my life felt normal, my Mother and girlfriend in the same room, alive and just concerned about me…"
Harry smiled, "I understand," he said honestly, "Now Draco, listen closely. Shut your eyes, and focus entirely on that memory. Remember how you felt, and let it fill you up with all of the happiness and good feeling that it did on the day."
Draco closed his eyes and did exactly as Harry said. Harry didn't have to tell him to say the incantation, he knew what to do.
"Expecto Patronum!"
Harry watched in amazement as a sparkling silver creature emerged from Draco's wand. The blonde's eyes snapped open and he watched the dragon spread its wings and do a circuit of the room before finally flying out of the tent into the clear blue sky.
"That was amazing," Draco breathed.
"You have such a cool patronus," Harry said longingly.
They looked at each other, and despite themselves they both laughed.
Draco walked past the Gryffindor, patting him on the shoulder, "Thanks Potter, maybe I should have gotten you a nicer birthday present," he said, putting his arm around Harry's shoulders as they exited the tent into the warm late afternoon sunshine.
"Harry, stop it."
"Stop what?" Harry asked evasively as he stared resolutely at the chicken hut that he was cleaning out with Tonks.
"You haven't looked at me all day," Tonks said, "What happened to my parents was not your fault."
"Of course it was!" Harry said, his eyes snapping up and meeting hers, "They died on a mission meant to save me! They died for me, like everyone else has!"
"No," Tonks said firmly, "They didn't and you can't keep blaming yourself for things that are out of your control. The guilt is going to eat you up and kill you, you can't carry the weight of the world on your shoulders."
Harry shook his head, "This is my fault Tonks, you should hate me."
"I don't, and I never could," Tonks said softly, "They volunteered for the mission because they wanted to do their bit in this war. It hurts, it hurts so badly, you know that. You know loss as much as anybody else does, Harry. But I'm not angry, in a lot of ways I am grateful. My parents had a good life, they were in their 50's, and they had known great love. I can't imagine how I would feel if I lost you, or Lilly. You are so young, with your whole life ahead of you."
Harry frowned, "That doesn't make it any better."
"Yes, it does," Tonks said firmly, "I miss them, and I'm upset because they were my parents. But I know that they had a good life, Harry. And more importantly, they never had to live without each other. Their love was so strong and powerful, I really think it would have broken them to live without the other. This way they are still together."
"Just like my parents," Harry said in a quiet whisper.
Tonks nodded and wiped her eyes hastily, "So please, don't shut me out. Don't shut me out because you feel guilty."
Harry swallowed hard and nodded, "Okay," he said simply.
Tonks reached out and took his hand, "Can you look at me?"
Harry looked up, and his guilt returned when he saw the sadness in her eyes.
"I loved my parents an awful lot Harry. But I love Remus too, and I love you and Lilly and Draco, and Hermione. All of you. What's important to me now is keeping you safe throughout this war. Do you understand?"
Harry nodded again and squeezed her hand, "I understand," he said.
In the late afternoon of his birthday Lilly cornered Harry and pulled him into the tent. The others were still helping Molly with preparation for tomorrows wedding, so Lilly had managed to catch him alone. She had already picked a room for them, on the second floor of the three story 'building'.
"I have a present for you, I didn't want to give it to you later with everyone else around," Lilly said as she handed him a small square box.
Harry smiled at her as he opened it, and pulled from it a circular pendant with the initials "H - N - D" on one side and "L - H - S - D" on the reverse.
"It's our initials, boys on one side, and girls on the other," Lilly said a little nervously, "And if you tap it with your wand it opens."
Harry did so, and although there was no clasp the pendant opened, like a locket. Inside was a picture of them all, taken the night before at Remus and Tonks' wedding. The Bride and Groom were in the middle, and everyone else was standing around them.
"If you tap the picture twice it expands, and you can use it as a photo frame," Lilly explained, "I thought you could wear it close to your heart, and when you needed reminding of what you have to live for, it would be there."
Harry smiled tearfully and pulled her in for a hug, "It's the nicest thing anyone has ever done for me," he whispered.
Lilly smiled weakly, "Happy 17th Harry."
"Thank you," Harry said, pouring how grateful he was into a kiss.
When Harry broke the kiss, he asked her quietly, "Now we've got a bit of alone time, have you had a chance to watch the memories Remus gave you yet?"
Lilly shook her head, "I can't bring myself to do it," she admitted.
"Why?" Harry frowned, "I mean, it will help, won't it? It helped me come to terms with it, it made me feel like I knew them a little."
Lilly sighed, "I don't know Harry. I'm scared of what I'm going to find in those memories."
"I think it will be good for you," Harry said honestly, "I really do think it will help."
Lilly glanced anxiously at the pensieve on the dressing table, "Maybe I should do it now."
"Do you mind if I come with you?" Harry asked.
Lilly turned to him and caught his eye, "No…I think that might help, actually."
Harry smiled at her and took her hand, "Come on then. Let's get to know your parents."
Lilly laughed weakly as Harry poured the contents of the jar of memories Remus had given Lilly, into the pensieve. It became cloudy and, still holding onto Harry's hand, Lilly plunged her face into it.
The world twisted and turned, and shadows blurred their view. But then the first memory materialized.
Lilly and Harry were standing in the great hall, which looked much the same as it did now. They watched a small boy with dark hair get sorted into Gryffindor and punch the air, Harry smiled, he knew that it was Sirius. They saw Harry's parents join him in Gryffindor, and then a blonde girl sat on the stool. A blonde girl with wavy hair, and striking blue eyes. Harry recognised those eyes instantly, they were Lilly's eyes.
"Looks like you have your Mothers eyes too," Harry joked in a whisper.
Lilly nodded weakly and watched Marlene sit down next to Sirius at the Gryffindor table.
"Hi! I'm Marlene McKinnon!"
"Sirius Black," The 11 year old Sirius said, shaking her hand with a grin.
The scene changed, and the memories began to play out in quick succession, dragging Harry and Lilly with them…
"I swear Lily, I hate him!" Marlene said angrily, in the Gryffindor common room.
"He's an arrogant arse, Leena," Lily Evans said matter of factly, "A bit like his friend, Potter."
Marlene groaned. They looked around 3rd year age now.
"He thinks he's the best thing since sliced bloody bread! And he's not, he's just a little…urgh!"
Lily laughed, "Don't waste your time, or your breath on him!"
"Come on McKinnon, I'm on the Quidditch team," Sirius grinned, "You know you want to date me."
"I couldn't care less Black," Marlene said offhandedly, "Quidditch isn't the most important thing in the world you know."
"Oh come on, you've dated half the population of the school already," Sirius remarked, they seemed to have jumped to about 5th year now, "Don't you want to add me to your roster?"
Marlene scoffed, "More like you want to put me in your little black book."
"Nice pun," Sirius grinned.
Marlene raised an eyebrow, "It was entirely intended. Now leave me alone, my boyfriend and I are on a date."
"Yes, I had heard that. Where is Prewett? I don't see him," Sirius smirked, looking to the empty seat across from her.
"Gideon is just running late, now bugger off Black!"
"You've been at the hospital wing a long time."
Marlene jumped, "Have you three been waiting up?" She asked irritably.
"Well we wondered where you had got to," Alice grinned.
"And then James said you were still at the hospital wing when he left," Lily smirked.
"James?" Marlene snorted, "When did he stop being Potter, huh Lily?"
Lily blushed, "When he started to have some manners and decorum. It doesn't mean anything."
Dorcas sniggered, "Of course it doesn't Lilyflower."
"Oh shut up the lot of you," Lily laughed, "It's Leena we should be worried about. Crying over Sirius Black getting hit in the head by a bludger!"
"Along with half the female population of Hogwarts," Alice grinned.
"Where's Prewett tonight then, MacKinnon?"
Marlene glared at Sirius, "Fuck off Black!"
"Woah," Sirius raised his hands and dropped down next to her on the dungeon floor, "I'm game for hanging out in snake territory if you tell me why?"
"I was spying on Gideon," Marlene said irritably.
"Not at all creepy," Sirius remarked.
"Oh seriously Black, fuck off," Marlene said a little tearfully.
Sirius frowned, "Alright, I'm sorry. Are you alright Marls?"
"Fine," Marlene said bitterly, "You've slept with most of the girls in this school, is Amy Bones on that list?"
Sirius made a face, "Nah, way too up her own arse for me, plus I don't do redheads. That's James's thing," he winked.
Marlene laughed despite herself, "Well Gideon clearly likes her."
"Prewett's a twat then, isn't he?" Sirius remarked, "If hes dating the sexiest girl in school and decides to go off with Amy Bones, of all people."
"I know!" Marlene laughed, "I mean, I'd be less offended if he was shagging someone decent and not a complete prissy bitch!"
Sirius grinned and pulled her to her feet, "Come on, let's booby trap the common room. When she gets back she'll fall on her arse right in front of Prewett."
Marlene returned his grin, "I wish castration wasn't an expellable offence you know, I reckon Gideon deserves it."
Sirius smirked, "It's only an offence if you get caught Marls," he winked as he grabbed her hand and pulled her in the direction of the common room.
"You said yes?"
"As friends! Who are you going with?"
"Well," Lily frowned, "That's just not relevant. Is it?"
Alice snorted, "In other words, James Potter?"
"He's been almost nice this year," Lily said defensively, "I thought I'd give him a chance. Who are you going with Alice?"
"Frank Longbottom, you know the really sexy Ravenclaw?" Alice grinned, "He asked me."
"When did that happen?" Marlene asked in surprise.
"Yesterday morning," Alice smirked, "When did you and the schools very own manwhore happen?"
Marlene rolled her eyes, "Look, it's just a thing…it's not a thing. It's a Halloween dance, I'm not going to marry the guy!"
"If you date him he'll do the exact same thing that he does to every other girl!" Dorcas exclaimed, "You know his rules don't you?"
"Yes, I know his rules," Marlene muttered, "He never dates the same girl twice and he doesn't date anyone for longer than a month. Luckily for me, I'm not dating him. Now can you lot stop questioning me and help me do up my corset? I can't believe Black talked me into wearing a Vampire costume!"
"So, this really did mean absolutely nothing then?" Marlene shouted at Sirius in the middle of the great hall, which was set up for a Halloween dance. They were in 7th year now.
"Well I did tell you, we're just friends Marls," Sirius remarked.
Marlene groaned, "Wow, I can't believe I was stupid enough to think I actually meant more to you than the rest of your cheap sluts Black! Fuck this, I'm done!"
"Marls!"
"Just go away!"
"Marls…"
"I don't want to talk to you Black."
"Marlene."
"Remus, I will not speak to him," Marlene hissed, "Don't make me have to start ignoring you too!"
Remus sighed, "He really does like you Marlene."
"Well he did a great job of showing it, kissing Lareina bloody Crouch at the ball," Marlene spat, glaring at Sirius, "He likes his blonde's clearly."
"Marlene, it wasn't like that," Sirius began, "She's dating that Greengrass guy and she just wanted to piss him off for refusing to send her parents a marriage contract-"
"Yeah like I'm going to believe that," Marlene muttered, as McGonagall called for silence under threat of detention.
"Merlin, McKinnon!" Sirius shouted as he grabbed her wrist, "Would you stay still for 5 fucking minutes?"
"It makes me nauseous being in your presence for that long Black."
"Stop with the sarcasm for one second," Sirius said, pinning her to the wall in the secret passageway he had caught her in.
"Let me go or I'll shout for help," Marlene ordered him.
"No," Sirius said hotly, "I asked you to that bloody ball because I've liked you for years Marls! Bloody years, and you've always been dating some arsehole or other."
"Yeah, I seem to have a knack for picking the complete dicks," Marlene said, glaring right into his eyes.
"Crouch kissed me!" Sirius exclaimed, "Alright? I didn't kiss her! And I made her stop. I asked you to the ball because I'm fucking in love with you."
"What?"
"I'm in love with you, for God's sake Marlene," Sirius muttered.
"Why would you say that?" Marlene asked coolly.
"Because I mean it," Sirius frowned.
"This is a joke, isn't it?" Marlene yelled, "A sick fucking joke!"
"It's not a joke!" Sirius shouted, "I love you. You are a crazy psychotic bitch sometimes but I love you, alright? You're the only girl I want to date for longer than a month, I just can't get enough of you Marls."
Their eyes met and Marlene broke free from his grasp and shoved him against the opposite wall, kissing him in the same way Lilly kissed Harry when she desperately missed him or had been terrified for him.
"Fuck sake, Remus!" Sirius jumped, "How long have you been standing there?"
"I was on my way to Charms, sorry," Remus mumbled, rushing past them down the passageway.
"So…"
"So what?"
"Sirius."
"What about him Potter?" Marlene asked, raising an eyebrow at the smirking boy sitting next to her on the sofa.
"He's not dated someone for 2 months," Remus smiled from the armchair, "Does that have anything to do with your make-out session a couple months ago?"
Marlene rolled her eyes, "You two are like a pair of gossiping witches! And you wouldn't have seen anything if you hadn't been a peeping tom Remus, you creep!"
"I was just trying to get to Charms," Remus mumbled.
"I'm not even dating him," Marlene said firmly, "We're just friends…"
"With benefits," Sirius smirked as he appeared behind her, "Speaking of which, the boy's dorm is currently free," he winked at her and disappeared.
"See," Marlene smirked, following him up the stairs.
"D'you know something Marls?"
"What?" Marlene asked as they danced together at James and Lily's wedding.
"I'd quite like to get married someday."
Marlene snorted, "Good luck finding someone for that job."
"I was thinking you wouldn't mind it actually," Sirius said entirely seriously, "I mean, now we're actually together…"
Marlene drew back and stared at him in shock, "What?"
"I'm not proposing or anything," Sirius said quickly, "I just…I don't know. I just wondered, maybe one day?"
"Dream on Black," Marlene said with the hint of a smile.
Sirius chuckled and said, "Alright, I'll keep dreaming McKinnon."
"You sure you're alright Marls?"
"I'm fine, just a tummy bug Sirius," Marlene said as she lay with her head against his legs in the Potters living room.
"You are awfully pale Leena," Lily said.
"It's not the right time of year for a cold bug either," James pointed out, "Middle of August."
"I must have just eaten something funny," Marlene sighed, "I'll be fine."
"I'll get you back to your flat," Sirius said, helping her up, "See you guys in a bit," he added for Lily, James and Remus's benefit.
"Have you been to St. Mungo's Marlene?" Remus frowned.
"No, why?" Marlene asked weakly.
"You've not been right recently," Remus said, "We've all been a bit worried about you. Sirius nearly declined a yearlong mission to stay and keep an eye on you."
"Yeah well, I'm just stressed Remus. Who isn't with this war we're in the middle of?" Marlene said with a weak smile.
Remus nodded, unconvinced, "Just take care of yourself Marls, don't push it."
"Don't worry Remus, I'm a big girl, I can take care of myself."
"REMUS!"
The door was yanked open and Sirius fell through it, blood on his hands and his face stained with tears as he sobbed.
"Sirius! Sirius! What's happened? Are you hurt?"
"It's not my blood."
Remus snapped the door shut, "Whose is it, Sirius?"
"M…Marl…Marlene," Sirius choked, "There was a dark mark over her house and I…I was too late Remus. The Aurors came and took her away, she's gone."
Remus wrapped his arms around Sirius as he sobbed, "She's gone Remus, GONE!"
He didn't say anything, and Sirius continued, half-speaking, half-sobbing, "I should have married her when I had the chance but she was so bloody determined not to do things for the wrong fucking reasons. And now she's dead Remus, SHE'S DEAD!"
He was reduced to a shaking wreck and the memory began to blur and fade as they were pulled away from it.
With a jolt they found themselves back in their bedroom in the tent once more, they were still holding hands and Lilly had tears running down her face.
She sat down shakily, and silently on the bed, and Harry sat next to her. He put his arm around her and she leant into him, crying quietly.
"Please don't tell me I made things worse by making you watch that," Harry said quietly.
Lilly shook her head, "No, it helped, seeing that they really were in love…by the end anyway…but it just…"
"Left you with more questions?" Harry guessed.
Lilly nodded tearfully, "Like why did he not know I existed? Why didn't she tell him about me? Or did she and then did she erase his memory for some reason and if so, why? And how…how did I live when the rest of my family were killed?"
"I understand that last one, trust me," Harry said as held her, "And you'll understand in time too. We'll find out who did this Lil, and then we'll figure out the rest. I promise, we'll find out the truth, no matter what it takes."
As the afternoon became the evening Harry and Lilly found themselves sitting in the back garden with the others, making paper decorations for the following days wedding.
"I watched the memories Remus gave me, earlier," Lilly told them thoughtfully.
Ron and Ginny had been caught up on the situation by Daphne earlier in the day.
"And, did it help?" Daphne asked.
Lilly shrugged, "In some ways it did and in other ways it didn't. But screw Susan's Aunt, and screw your Mum by the way Daphne."
Daphne raised an eyebrow, "Why?"
"They were in the memories," Lilly explained in amusement, "My Mums boyfriend cheated on her, with Amy Bones. I never knew she was in Slytherin."
Daphne nodded, "Oh yeah, Susan's Aunt was a snake alright. Suse always said she thought she was going to be a spinster, so I always got the impression she wasn't that way inclined, you know? What did my Mother do in the memories?"
"Nearly broke my parents up," Lilly said with a raised eyebrow, "Your Dad was refusing to send a marriage contract to her parents, so she kissed my Dad to piss him off and my Mum saw and went mental…you know, pretty similar to what happened between you and I over Harry."
"I'm honoured you think of me on the same level as my womanizing Godfather," Harry grinned.
"Harry, remember that chat we had about deflating your ego?" Lilly said matter of factly.
Ron burst out laughing, and hi-fived Lilly as Harry smiled fondly at her.
Daphne chuckled too, "I did know about that, minus the part where she kissed your Dad. My Mum is like 6 years younger than my Dad so he was really reluctant to send her parents a marriage contract until she was out of Hogwarts, and when he kept saying no she just went further to piss him off until he finally did it."
Harry laughed, "Well, she was nothing if not persistent," he joked.
"I'm really sorry, Tonks."
"Draco," Tonks breathed as she drew the younger boy in for a hug, "Don't be silly."
"I'm just really sad," Draco admitted a little tearfully, "And I know it's stupid because I barely know her. But my early memories of visiting Aunt Dromeda and you are such happy ones. It feels like Voldemort is just trying to push all of my happiness away...it's like he just reached into my head and killed one of my happiest memories."
Tonks sighed and hugged him tighter, "He is rather good at playing psychological games."
"But I'm more upset than you, that's just stupid, isn't it?" Draco mumbled.
"No," Tonks said truthfully as she pulled back from the hug and caught his eye, "In Auror training we are taught to shut off our emotions so that they don't affect our missions. It's really hard to reverse that in real life when you leave the workplace."
"But you're holding it all together so well," Draco said, wiping his eyes hastily, "And then I'm upset and Merlin…my Mother, she's going to be distraught when she finds out. Will she even find out?"
"Yes," Tonks said darkly, "She will find out from the Death Eaters. They will brag about it at their next meeting no doubt."
Draco's frown deepened, "That's disgusting."
"I know," Tonks said, gripping her cousins hand, "But that's why we're fighting, Draco."
Draco nodded, "Are you really alright?"
"For the moment, I am fine," Tonks said honestly, "I fully expect I will breakdown. But that isn't for you to worry about. Very soon you are going to be going on the run, and you just need to worry about keeping yourself alive. Alright?"
Draco nodded and pulled his gaze back to the dinner party that was being held for Harry's birthday, "Okay."
"I said this to Harry earlier, and I'll say the same to you," Tonks said as she followed his line of sight, "I can almost cope with losing my parents. They were in their 50's and my Father had a heart condition…but I can't cope with losing any of you. I can't lose anymore family."
"Neither can I," Draco said, his voice was so quiet that it was nearly lost in the wind.
As Harry sat in the Weasley's living room after his birthday meal while Molly fussed about getting hot chocolates ready, he couldn't wipe the smile from his face. It hadn't been the meal that had made him smile so much, or even the fact that it was birthday. But having every person he cared about around one table was the best part for him. The snitch shaped cake Molly had made was amazing too, and he really appreciated the fact that she had invited all of his friends over despite their confrontational past.
"Harry?"
Harry looked up as Remus sat down on the edge of his armchair and handed him a box. Everyone else had already given him his presents. He'd opened Lilly's earlier, and the others had gotten him great presents too. He had gotten an engraved hip flask from Neville, and a leather wand holster from Draco, which he thought was pretty badass looking. The conversation that had taken place during that present exchange still made him chuckle.
"I wanted to get you something practical."
"It's wicked Draco."
"It's proper leather, so even you shouldn't be able to break it. Believe it or not I actually want you to survive this war Potter."
"Wow, that was almost friendly Malfoy."
Harry had gotten presents from the girls too, a pair of unbreakable glasses from Hermione which he laughed at, but he also realised how clever an idea they were. From Daphne he had gotten a silver dagger, and she had jokingly said that he could use it on Draco if he pissed him off. To which the half-werewolf had responded…
"That's a muggle myth! Somebody stab me with their fork, and I'll prove it!"
"Alright!"
"Nobody is stabbing anyone with a fork Fred!"
"Sorry Mum."
Susan had gotten Harry a Honeydukes gift box, and a bright yellow t-shirt with a red lions face on the front with the jibe that he needed to stop wearing the same two t-shirts all the time, and that he needed an injection of colour in his life. Ron had gotten him the biggest box of chocolates he had ever seen and told him it would see them through the war, and Harry had laughed and said that they would probably need it. From Molly and Arthur he got a present that he couldn't technically keep, but that made him smile wider than anything else. It was a hand for the Weasley clock, with his face on it, proof he really was part of the family no matter what. Finally from Remus and Tonks he had gotten a scabbard, for the sword of Gryffindor to rest in. Like the basilisk venom it was stored in Hermione's shrunken bag, ready for them when they made their escape the morning after Bill and Fleur's wedding.
Harry snapped back to reality and frowned up at Remus, "You and Tonks already gave me a gift."
"I know, but this one is not really from me," Remus said with a sad smile, "Open it and you will see."
Harry opened it tentatively. Inside was an old watch, with a leather strap and a bronze face. It was set to the right time and date, and it ticked softly.
"It was your Dads," Remus said, "I got it from your vault. I was the caretaker of it, so I have a key. But it's yours now, along with everything in it."
Harry took the key that Remus handed him, he had his own but he understood the metaphor. He was an adult now, he didn't need someone to take care of his affairs for him, he was free to do it himself.
"Thanks," Harry said weakly.
"I did a little tweaking, so that it has a date," Remus added, "I thought that might help you keep track of things when you leave."
Harry smiled up at the man and stood up briefly, hugging him and strapping the watch onto his wrist almost proudly, "Thank you Remus," he said sincerely.
Remus just nodded, his cheeks a little red as Molly brought a tray full of steaming mugs of hot chocolate into the living room.
TBC :)
A/N: So here's an extra-long chapter for you! And also, if you are interested in the Sirius/Marlene side plot. I actually made a video which is on YouTube called "Sirius and Marlene's Story - Sometime Around Midnight". It's essentially the story that was told by the memories in this chapter. If you can't find it by searching just check out my Youtube account (under the name Holly Grubb/Harryhermionefan64).
Thanks!