Chapter 49
Reconciliation, Revelations, and Requests



Author's Note: This chapter doesn't have the study group or house-elf scenes, as promised. That will be next chapter. Much of the content of this chapter came out of nowhere! The first scene starts shortly after the previous chapter ended.

Also, please note the warnings below. This chapter could be considered M-Rated mostly due to discussions and what they imply, but also some brief scenes. Brace yourselves, parts of this chapter get very intense.

Warning: Brief Sensuality, Strong Language and Sensitive Discussion

Q&A Time:

Q: [Will] the rest of the Weasleys learn about the time travel soon?

A: No plans for that until pretty early on in Book 3 of the saga, but it might come as the last chapter of this book, we'll see how it goes.


(Tonks)

(Sunday, May 23rd, 1994)

Nymphadora Tonks walked through the front door of her flat in London, and closed it behind her as she looked around the living room. The whole room was bathed in warmth and a bright orange color indicating the fireplace was lit. However, as she glanced around the room for Remus, she could not find him.

"Remus?" she called quietly.

She waited for an answer. There was none. Had he stepped out? No, Tonks decided, he would not have stepped out and left the fire crackling. He was much smarter than that. Deciding it was better to be safe than sorry, she twisted her wrist, and felt her wand slide into her hand. She slowly walked forward into the house, minding where she walked. It would not do to feed into her clumsiness right now and spook the unsuspecting guest in her house; for she wasn't sure if it was, in fact, Remus.

She made her way over to the kitchen, which was darkened, and pointed her wand into the room; It turned out empty. She walked over to the hallway which led toward the bathroom and the only bedroom in her house, and that was when she heard the sound of water sloshing coming from the bathroom. However, she could not find any indication of lights from under the doorway. She crept over to the bathroom door and reached for the handle.

Breathe Cadet Tonks. Your an Auror, you shouldn't be frightened like this.

She inhaled and exhaled, then tested the doorknob and found she could turn it. She opened it quickly and pointed her wand into the bathroom...

"Dora, is that you?" Remus' voice came from inside the bathroom.

Tonks rolled her eyes and opened the door completely. She found Remus sitting up in the bathtub, staring at her. The bathtub was filled with water. The only lighting in the room were a couple of candles flickering rather romantically, one in the soap dish on the edge of the bathtub, and the other on the bathroom sink.

"You had me worried!" Tonks said, sighing in relief, as she stepped into the bathroom and shut the door behind her, "There is a fire lit in the fireplace, Remus."

"I charmed it, love," Remus said, "There is no danger of a fire hazard."

"Thank Merlin you're not a stupid man," Tonks said.

She pocketed her wand, and walked over to the tub. She bent down toward Remus' face and kissed him rather passionately, before taking a seat on the toilet lid. Her foot hit something and she looked down. She found a half-empty firewhiskey bottle on the floor near the edge of the tub.

"Please don't tell me you've gotten into a drinking habit," she said, as she picked up the bottle.

Remus frowned and shrugged, as he slid backwards into the bath, submerging himself until his face was only above the water.

"Remus," Tonks said, "If this is about Penelope Clearwater... because we talked about this last night -"

"I had to break the news to her parents today," Remus said; he was not looking at her, instead he was staring at the ceiling above the bathtub, "They're both Muggles you know. Neither Professor Dumbledore nor Flitwick had bothered to contact them yet. I wasn't aware of that when I told her parents that I was sorry for their daughter's loss. The look on their faces – they didn't even know! Their daughter was dead for over sixteen hours and they didn't even know!"

Remus stopped speaking as his voice broke. He inhaled and exhaled, and reached a hand toward Tonks. At first she thought he was wanting to take her hand. She realized he was reaching for the bottle of firewhiskey. She pulled it away from him and took his hand in hers.

"It was not your fault, sweetheart," Tonks said. "She sacrificed herself for the students, all of whom would be in her place if she hadn't."

"I watched her get attacked by those demons, Dora!" Remus growled, "And I did nothing!"

"Your Patronus was defending you from the Dementors coming your way," Tonks said, "I know because my own was trying to help you as well."

"Penelope was their only child, Dora," Remus said; Tonks wasn't sure if he had heard what she said; "That couple – they reminded me of James' parents, how he was a miracle child because of how old his parents were when they had him. In Muggle years, Penelope's parents are pretty old. They can't have another child. Another family line ended because of the Dark Arts."

Tonks frowned. She stared at the bottle of firewhiskey for a moment. Then she opened it and took a swig of it herself. She hissed at the impact of the burn in her throat. She had never been able to get used to it.

"Starting a drinking habit yourself, love?" Remus asked, raising a questioning eyebrow.

"This is casual drinking," Tonks retorted, "I have no sorrows to drink away. If things had gone differently last night, then that might have changed. Luckily, my cousin decided to smack some sense into that thick skull of yours."

Tonks thought Remus might yell at her for that 'sorrows' jab, therefore she was quite surprised to see a small smile twist his lips.

"Pull off those clothes and get in here," he said.

Tonks rolled her eyes. "I just got home, darling. I've had nothing to eat except cauldron cakes and really disgusting flavors of Bertie Bott's beans for the last eight hours."

"Get in," Remus repeated, "I'll fix you dinner afterward."

"I cook better than you," Tonks said, grinning.

"Fine, you can fix me dinner afterward," Remus said, with a smirk, "Get in – don't make me call you by your whole first name."

"You wouldn't dare," Tonks grumbled.

Remus raised his eyebrows.

"You mutt," Tonks growled.

"I love you too," Remus said.

Tonks gushed and swooned. He rarely ever said those three little words to her. She basically had to make him say them the night before. This, out of everything, made her give into his demands. She stood up, and began to undress. She had lost count of how many times he had seen her naked; it had been a long time since she had been shy due to this. She set her wand on the toilet seat, and slipped into the bathtub, sitting down between Remus' legs, as she usually did when she joined him in this situation.

Remus immediately wrapped his arms around her midriff.

"Uh-huh, now I see your reasons for your request," Tonks said, rolling her eyes.

"I can't help it," Remus said, "You are a very attractive young lady. I was foolish to attempt to break up with you."

"Maybe you'll remember that next time," Tonks said.

"No next time," Remus said, "Like you said, I'm not stupid."

Tonks grinned; then she remembered one more important thing she needed to talk to Remus about.

"Harry and Ginny made a request to me while on the train," she said.

"Oh?" Remus asked.

"The two of them and their little group of friends," Tonks said, "want us to be a part of their little study group, when it comes to the rest of their lessons and exams for the end of this academic year."

"I resigned, darling," Remus said, "Albus has all of my lesson plans and exams for the end of the term."

"They're asking us as their friends, not their teachers, Remus," Tonks said, "It would be the same thing as when you'll be teaching them how to become Animagi."

Remus sighed. "When are they planning this?"

"I think they're going to start a week from tomorrow," Tonks said, "Even if their end-of-term packets don't come in for a couple of weeks, they'll still work on the planned assignments."

"Then I have a week to think about it," Remus said, "For now, I want to spend this evening with you."

Tonks giggled, and felt her cheeks grow warm as she felt Remus' hands travel around the more intimate places of her body.


(Draco)

(Wednesday, May 26th, 1994)

Draco Black stretched and yawned as he woke up on Wednesday morning, and looked around the room. An oil lamp emitting a soft yellowish glow of light was the only source of light in the room. He figured either his mother or Kreacher must have lit it for him.

His new bedroom had once belonged to his second cousin Regulus Black many years ago. His mother had informed him on Saturday evening when he had arrived at Number 12 Grimmauld Place that she had done some intense cleaning around the house ever since it had been claimed as their new safe-house in December. Still, his mother had left most of the room's previous decorations intact and in their same place. She informed Draco that Regulus had once been her favorite cousin, and she wanted to keep the bedroom a nice memorial in his honor. However, she had no qualms when Draco had decided he wanted this room as his own.

On his bedside table, next to a rather new portrait of his mother and himself – the picture had been taken around the time he had entered Durmstrang – was a picture of Regulus Black with his Slytherin Quidditch team. Regulus had been the Seeker for his house when he was in school. Draco wondered if he would get the chance to qualify for the Slytherin Quidditch team when he returned to Hogwarts. He'd like to try out for Seeker, and hopefully replace the idiot Blaise Zabini. Oh, Zabini was a fine bloke, sure, but Draco remembered his second year when he watched Blaise play against Potter. Even though Blaise had taken Potter down in the dueling club, he stood no chance against him in Quidditch. Draco couldn't wait to get a shot against Potter on the Pitch.

It had been an interesting few days for Draco since he had arrived at Grimmauld Place. The house was very large and easy to get lost in. It took him hours just to get used to every room. Over the past seventy-two hours, he had barely gotten a moment's peace, except for bedtime. His mother kept wanting to be around him, and he had discussed different things with her, as well as Aunt Andromeda and her husband Ted Tonks. Draco still had a hard time considering Ted his Uncle. He had been raised too deeply for too long being taught by Lucius to hate Muggles and Muggleborn. It would take some time for him to completely rid his personality of that lingering dislike. Suffice it to say, being related through marriage to a Muggleborn was hard to swallow at the moment.

His mother would not discuss his time with Lucius Malfoy. She said that would wait for when Sirius Black would come over.

It turned out he didn't have to wait very long for Sirius to come over, however. When Draco made his way down to the dining room on the main floor of Grimmauld Place, Sirius Black and the large black Auror he remembered was named Kingsley Shacklebolt were sitting at the table with Narcissa, Andromeda and Ted.

"Good morning, darling," Narcissa said, smiling.

"Morning, Mother, everyone," Draco said, politely, "Mother, you could have woken me when the Aurors arrived."

"They just arrived a few minutes ago," Narcissa said, "Besides, you needed your sleep. Are you still having nightmares?" She turned to the Aurors. "Terrible nightmares. I sometimes hear him talking in his sleep and a couple times he's woken up screaming, absolutely terrified."

Draco felt his cheeks grow warm. How could she talk about his nightmares in front of the guests? Sirius, of course, was family, but he barely knew him, nor did he know Shacklebolt. Sure he was indeed grateful to them for rescuing him, but this was rather private!

"It has only been four days since I've been away from Lucius, Mother," Draco said, "What do you think?"

"Please mind your manners, Draco," Narcissa said, sighing, "Or I might write back to Castor Greengrass and tell him not to come for dinner tonight."

"Astoria is coming tonight?" Draco asked, smiling.

"I was planning on having an important conversation with her parents," Narcissa said, "But I could change my mind."

"I'm sorry for my rudeness, Mother," Draco said, immediately; he'd do anything to see Astoria again.

"Apology accepted," Narcissa said, "Now, sit down please. I will make you some breakfast. Meanwhile, your cousin and his fellow Auror wish to ask you some questions."

Draco nodded and sat down. He had expected this conversation, however the timing could have gone a bit better. He had just woken up for Merlin's sake!

"Sirius. Auror Shacklebolt," Narcissa said, "You have my permission to ask him anything on your minds. Andie, Ted..."

Aunt Andie and Ted stood with Narcissa and the three of them left the dining room. Draco couldn't believe him. His mother was leaving him alone with them?

"I thought I needed a parent or guardian during official discussions with Aurors," Draco said, as he watched both Aurors conjure up parchment, quills and ink.

"I am family, Draco," Sirius said, "Your mother trusts me."

Draco shrugged. "All right, you can begin then."

"Please do not be upset at your Mother for her mentioning your nightmares," Sirius said, "She did that because we asked her to. We were curious."

"Curiosity killed the Kneazle, they say," Draco muttered.

Sirius and Kingsley both chuckled lightly.

"We'll take our chances," Sirius said, "The fact that you wake up terrified because of these nightmares intrigues and concerns me, Draco. The Minister of Magic, my wife, Amelia, tells me you told her Lucius only hurt you once, when he Stunned you the day we found you. I would assume your nightmares are because of your time with Lucius. What in your nightmares makes you terrified?"

"I have nightmares of what would have happened if you didn't find me, okay?" Draco said, "Lucius may have told me he didn't want to hurt me, but that last time I saw him, he looked absolutely... frightening I guess I should say. Menacing. I thought he had changed his mind about my survival. During my nightmares, I still feel as if I am trapped in that house."

"All right," Sirius said, "We will not discuss these nightmares anymore, unless you wish us too."

Draco shook his head.

"You also told my wife you only lived at the one location during your captivity," Sirius said, "Is this true?"

Draco nodded.

"Did Lucius ever bring any one over to the house?" Sirius asked, "Or talk to anyone. Maybe you found him talking about sending a message to someone?"

"There were... visitors," Draco admitted.

Sirius and Kingsley exchanged glances then looked at Draco.

"Anyone you recognized?" Sirius asked.

"Maybe you didn't see them," Kingsley said, "Maybe you heard their voices and recognized them?"

"Oh I heard them all right," Draco said; he couldn't believe he was wanting to admit this, he only wanted to forget about it. "Every couple of weeks, I would hear things. Things I didn't want to hear. I... I think my father had... women over, if you get my meaning."

Sirius raised his eyebrows and Draco swore he saw a small grin on his face.

"He had – mistresses – visit," he said.

"I'm not sure if you could call them mistresses," Draco said, "I don't even know if the same woman came over more than once. Also, I'm not sure if I could call them all women. Some sounded pretty young. And I think they were probably Muggles. I didn't want to believe it at first, but -"

"It makes sense, boss," Kingsley said, "Most of the magical community would have realized who Lucius was if they met him. I imagine quite a few Muggles didn't recognize him from wanted posters."

"They saw a suave, wealthy-looking individual," Sirius said, "And fell for his so-called charm when they saw that illustrious manor in the forest. Hooked them in. And afterward..."

Sirius looked at Draco and raised his eyebrows.

"You don't have to censor yourself, sir," Draco said, "I know he probably killed all of them."

"You're sure some of them sounded kind of young?" Sirius asked.

"Schoolgirl age, yeah," Draco said, grimacing; thinking about it made him sick.

"You told my wife that Lucius was planning on grooming you for marriage," Sirius said.

"Yeah," Draco said. "I did. He was."

"I'm sorry for having to ask this, Draco," Sirius said, "Did Lucius, at any time, offer you the pleasures of a woman?"

Draco raised an eyebrow. Did he hear that right? "I don't think so..."

"Do you have any moments during your captivity where you believe you blacked out?" Kingsley asked, "Where you cannot remember any moments of time? Perhaps lengths of time?"

Draco gulped and grimaced. He stared at the two Aurors and nodded. He didn't want to say it aloud, but there were a few times he felt he had lost hours of reality.

Sirius cursed. "Bloody bastard!"

Draco flinched at Sirius' cursing. Then, just like that, he realized what the two Aurors were implying. He felt his stomach twist.

"Excuse me for a moment," Draco said.

Draco stood up from his chair and raced into the kitchen. He passed his mother and Kreacher the house-elf, ignoring their cries as he vomited into the sink.

"Draco?!" Narcissa cried out. "Are you okay?"

When Draco didn't answer, Narcissa turned her head in the direction of the dining room for a moment, then looked at Kreacher.

"Attend to him, Kreacher," she said, then walked toward the dining room.

"Do you need something, Young Master Draco?" Kreacher muttered.

"Water," Draco said, his voice hoarse, "I'll get it. Can I get a glass?"

Kreacher snapped his thick fingers, and a glass appeared near Draco. Draco took it then filled it with water, and gulped it, then spit out the water. He drank again, swallowing this time. He backed up from the sink, and could suddenly hear his mother's screeching voice. Draco, knowing he'd probably would regret it, walked toward the dining room. He stood up against a wall and listened to the conversation.

"Cissy," Sirius said, in a calming manner, "This is only guesswork. It is a theory. However, the way Draco reacted..."

"So you're telling me," Narcissa said, her voice deep and dangerous, "that that bastard may have ordered those whores to – to -"

"He might have even used the Imperius Curse on them," Sirius said.

"Draco is thirteen!" Narcissa screeched.

"Narcissa, you are well-taught in the ways of the pureblood society," Sirius said, "The damned Age Of Consent is more or less a written law, though a majority of the wizarding community do not know it, thank goodness. Many purebloods ignore it for the sake of their family. The Noble and Most Ancient House of Black is probably wrought with history of it! As you say, Draco is thirteen. Thirteen is a very capable age for a boy to have sexual relations with a girl their age or older. Then you take into account the charms and Potions that could be used. From what we've learned, Lucius Malfoy wanted his name back. You took his house and his fortune away. When Draco took the name of Black, Lucius' insane mind probably figured you took his bloodline away. It is probable he was trying to get it back."

"Whether or not you're right, Lucius would never want Draco to father a child with a Muggle!" Narcissa said.

"Who said anything about that?" Sirius asked, "It is very likely he killed these girls afterward, so there is no need to worry about pregnancy, even if he didn't make them use some kind of conception blockers. What I am saying is he could have been training Draco. The fact that Draco doesn't remember it means there is implied deep mental training, deep in the mind. He may not remember it, but he may be knowledgeable in the experience."

Draco slid down the wall and sank to the floor. He was old enough to know what Sirius meant. He was old enough to experience the art of self-pleasure. He remembered doing so while in captivity, hoping that Lucius didn't catch him in the act. Had Lucius really made him – he couldn't even think the words in his mind!

He heard an audible gasp, and looked up. His mother had heard him fall on the floor. He could tell from the look on her face she knew he heard everything. She narrowed her eyes, but not at him. She turned back to the Aurors.

"I want you out of my sight, please," she said, "For now. I may allow you to return to ask Draco more questions –- questions that do not to lead to these kind of subjects! For Merlin's sake what made you even want to ask him that?"

"I'm sorry, Cissy," Sirius said, "We may have overstepped boundaries."

"No," Draco said, "They didn't. You told them they had permission to ask me anything."

His mother looked at him, and a frown creased her lips.

"You're lucky my son is right, Sirius," she said, "Leave now, please."

"I will return this evening with your guests, Miss Black," Kingsley said, as he left.

"Oh, one last thing, before I leave," Sirius said, as he walked over to Draco who rose to his feet, "I found this while searching the forest Manor for clues. I believe it belongs to you."

Sirius held out in his hand what Draco instantly recognized as his wand. Draco nodded and politely took it from him.

"Thanks, sir," Draco said.

"If I find any more of your belongings, I will bring them to you," Sirius said, "Good day, Draco, Cissy."

Sirius walked out of the room. Draco looked at his mother. She had tears in her eyes. Suddenly, she hugged him tightly to her and sobbed against him.

"I am so, so sorry," Narcissa said, "I should have taken you and left him a long time ago."

"Who's to say this wouldn't have still happened," Draco said, "This isn't your fault."

"I'll make this up to you somehow," Narcissa said, "And I think I know of a way to start."

She backed away from him and smiled tearfully. "Breakfast first. Then we need to get this house ready for guests. Kingsley's already given them permission to come here. Can't impress Astoria looking like filth, can you?"

Draco blushed and shook his head.

At a quarter to seven that evening, a knock on the front door echoed through the halls and room. Draco heard his mother asking Kreacher to answer the door, as he finished putting on the last touches of his robes. They were grey and black. They had once belonged to Regulus Black – Narcissa had found them months ago and had been magically repairing them. Draco felt a sense of pride wearing them.

He checked himself in the mirror and smiled to himself. He thought he heard what sounded like a snort coming from somewhere, but he decided it was in his mind. He shrugged and walked out of his room, then headed downstairs. He found his mother greeting Astoria's parents, and immediately looked around for Astoria.

"Boo!" Astoria hissed.

Draco jumped and turned around. She was behind him on the stairs.

"I was looking for you!" she said, giggling.

"Makes two of us," Draco said.

It was a good thing Draco was on the flat platform at the bottom of the stairs, because Astoria jumped down the stairs and hugged him fiercely. Draco put his arms around her and hugged her in close. He could never get enough of her. He could smell something like perfume, or perhaps shampoo wafting from her...

… and he smelled a strong scent of green apples. A young blonde girl was hugging him. She backed up and smiled at him with dazed eyes. She looked about fifteen. His eyes traveled south, and he discovered she was naked...

Draco gasped and backed away from Astoria, pressing into the wall behind him. Astoria backed away and looked at him with raised eyebrows.

"Draco?" she asked, concerned, "Are you okay?"

"I – err – I," Draco stammered; he could still see the girl's blonde hair in his vision; Astoria had jet-black hair; "I think so, yeah."

Astoria smiled. "I missed you."

"I – ahem – missed you too," Draco said.

"Children," Narcissa said, "It is almost time for dinner. Let's go into the dining room. Kingsley, do you have to stay?"

"Probably best," Kingsley said, "I won't interrupt however. I brought company."

He took a large book from his robes and smiled. Narcissa smiled and nodded. Castor and Illiana walked forward in the direction of the dining room, and Astoria followed in suit. Draco stared at her, watching her walk away. He cursed silently, and closed his eyes.

I am not going to picture her naked! She is eleven. No, wait, twelve. Birthday was in March. Still... twelve! Stop, damn it! She's –

"Draco?" his mother's voice piped up.

Draco opened his eyes and saw his mother looking at him.

"Are you well?" she asked, concerned.

"I'm fine, Mother!" Draco said, forcing himself off the wall.

As he passed his mother, he realized she had worn her hair down, so it appeared rather long. Almost like...

Do NOT compare your mother to – FUCK!

Draco blinked and shook himself. He forced himself forward toward the dining room. When he arrived, he found Astoria, her parents, Aunt Andie and Ted Tonks sitting at the table. There were two chairs open, one for him and one for his mother. And one of them was open next to Astoria...

She's expecting me to sit next to Astoria? Normally I would welcome that but... Merlin, please help me tonight! Especially in front of her parents!

Draco sighed in resignation and sat down next to Astoria. She smiled at him, and he tried his best to echo that smile.

I love Astoria, truly I do. But I cannot – will not – picture like... I will wait as long as I have to, to show her how I feel. She's nearly two years younger than me. I can wait.

Luckily his reverie was broken by a distinct snapping sound. Kreacher was using his elf-magic to place dishes and glassware on the table. Rich smells of delicious food erupted from the different dishes. Narcissa arrived with a large pan, and she placed it in the middle of the table.

"I hope my guests like brisket?" Narcissa asked. "I will admit I am not the best chef, but Kreacher cooks wonderfully."

"Thank you, Mistress," Kreacher muttered.

Draco narrowed his eyes at Kreacher. He wanted to suddenly yell at Kreacher for calling his mother that. But why did he want to? His mother didn't own the house, so Mistress was the common tongue. It was proper...

"Serve yourselves, everyone," Narcissa said, "You're excused for a couple hours, Kreacher."

"Yes, ma'am," Kreacher muttered.

See... ma'am! He didn't have to use mistress! How dare he!

"Draco?" Narcissa said.

Draco blinked and looked at his mother. He then realized everyone was filling their plates with brisket and the side dishes.

"Waiting politely, Mother," Draco said, hoping it sounded like a good excuse.

Beside him, Astoria smiled sweetly. Draco sighed and finally began serving himself portions of everything.
"So, Narcissa?" Castor said, as everyone began eating, "We're here tonight because you wanted to discuss topics about our children?"

Narcissa smiled, looking at Draco and Astoria, and nodded.

"How to begin," Narcissa said, with a sigh, as she wiped her mouth with a handkerchief-shaped fabric napkin. "Well... I know the subject of my ex-husband is one of ill topic, but I'm afraid that, to begin this discussion, we must discuss him."

Castor raised one eyebrow. "Go on."

"A few years ago," Narcissa said, "When Draco was about seven or eight, Lucius had a discussion with you Castor. It was about our children, my son and, at the time, your youngest daughter."

This time both eyebrows raised, and he looked from Narcissa, to Draco and Astoria, then back to Narcissa.

"I remember," Castor said, "Yes, I remember very well."

"For those who do not understand the topic at hand," Narcissa said, mostly for Andie and Ted's benefit, and Draco and Astoria, it seemed; "Lucius and Castor discussed a certain – shall we say – contract."

"Back then I was ill – quite ill," Castor said, sighing, "A mild case of Adult-stage Dragonpox. I never had it as a child. My parents kept me protected as a young boy. I was never susceptible to Dragonpox due to their careful planning. Turned out to be quite a mistake. The wizarding world didn't know about Adult-stage Dragonpox yet, nor how it could be so deadly. Turns out they should have put me in a room with young children my age who were susceptible to it, or had it, but they did not. Luckily I was able to recognize the early stages and it was mild for a while. I knew it wouldn't last."

Castor took a drink of whatever was in his glass, then cleared his throat.

"As we all know, Abraxas Malfoy died from the disease," Castor continued. "Before he did, however, he and Lucius were working on a cure. Lucius didn't complete the cure until after Abraxas died."

"I helped him a bit," Narcissa said, "Without Abraxas there to help him, Lucius was growing anxious. He was never good at Potions. So I volunteered to help. Together we finished the cure."

"Lucius knew of my disease, of course," Castor said, "Having experienced it with his own father. He knew what would happen to me. We all know what type of man Lucius is. He wasn't just going to give it to me. He made me an offer I couldn't refuse. However, as you know Narcissa, the contract would not activate until Draco was to turn the Age Of Consent. Fourteen, as it is at the moment."

"Wait," Andromeda said, "I know what you're talking about. Why does the age have to be one-sided?"

Narcissa laughed. "Ever wonder why Daddy was so intent on you marrying Lucius, Andie. You were the eldest. You're older than Lucius. You left before Daddy could sign you over. Bellatrix was already promised. So that just left me."

Andromeda went silent and looked at Ted.

Castor cleared his throat and continued. "Anyway, as we all know, Lucius got arrested and sent to Azkaban, and Draco legally changed his name. The contract immediately nullified. And now, Narcissa, I assume you want to... make a new contract."

"Yes I do, Castor," Narcissa said, "I am well aware of your morals on the subject of romance. Ever since I parted ways from Lucius, I too have discovered those morals. I would not force Draco on anyone."

Draco grimaced. Did she really have to use those words? Suddenly, he realized Castor was looking at him.

"Draco, my boy," Castor said.

"Yes, sir?" Draco asked.

"You've known my daughter for many years now," Castor said.

"Ever since I was eight, and Astoria was six," Draco said, nodding, "When we'd come to visit you, I was closer to her than I ever was to..."

Draco stopped and felt embarrassed.

"You can say it," Illiana said.

"I wasn't very close to Daphne," Draco said, "I regret that now. But, Astoria and I have always been best friends."

Astoria smiled and blushed.

"Do you feel the same way, Astoria?" Illiana asked.

Astoria nodded, rather eagerly. "I told you that many times when you wouldn't let me see him. He's my best friend."

Narcissa, Andromeda and Astoria's parents all seemed to share a mysterious smile.

"All right, Narcissa," Castor said, nodding, "We can put together a new contract."

"Hold up," Draco said, "A contract for what?"

"A betrothal contract, Draco," Narcissa said.

Draco blinked. Betrothal... but that meant...

I will be legally promising myself to Astoria, and vice-versa. We'll be, for all intents and purposes, engaged to be married!

Draco tried his best not to groan. He would be happier with this decision if he had not learned what had apparently happened to him. If he hadn't had that vision of...

Draco inhaled and exhaled. No, he loved Astoria. It seemed she loved him too. Besides, a betrothal contract didn't mean he had to make their personal relationship any different than best friends yet!

Draco took a drink of his pumpkin juice and nodded. "Okay... if Astoria agrees..."

"Astoria?" Illiana asked, "Do you remember what I taught you about betrothal contracts."

"It means I will marry Draco someday," Astoria said.

"Yes," Illiana said, "How did you feel about that?"

"I've wanted that for about six years now," Astoria said, shyly, which made most of the adults chuckle lightly.

"So you accept this?" Illiana asked her.

Astoria nodded.

"Very well," Narcissa said, "We'll lay out the contract after dinner."

The conversation turned to happier topics. After dinner, Draco and Astoria were excused and asked to leave the adults alone for now. Draco and Astoria went up to his room.

"Do you know what this means, Draco?" Astoria asked. "We'll be married one day!"

"Yeah," Draco said.

"You don't sound very happy," Astoria said, with a frown.

"I am happy, Astoria," Draco said. "I'm sorry. I'm just... I'm still trying to get over what happened with me."

"Do you want to talk about it?" Astoria asked.

"I can't," Draco said, "I'm sorry, not even with you. I have to deal with it on my own for now. But maybe after I get better."

"All right," Astoria said. "Draco, D-Daphne told me the summer before I started at Hogwarts you hung out with Pansy Parkinson."

"We were friends, yeah," Draco scoffed, "I still can't believe I didn't see what she was doing."

"Did you like Pansy?" Astoria asked, "The same way you like me?"

"I never really thought about it," Draco said, with a shrug; truthfully, he did fancy her at one point or another, but he wasn't going to tell Astoria that. "I was twelve."

"I'm twelve!" Astoria said, "Twelve-year old kids can have fancies!"

"Twelve-year old girls can have fancies, Astoria," Draco said, "I should know. Most of 'em fancied Lockhart. Boys don't think like that at twelve."

"Do you think like that now?" Astoria asked.

"Like what?" Draco asked.

"Like... kissing?" Astoria asked.

Draco inhaled and exhaled. "Sometimes. Yeah, I guess I -"

Suddenly Astoria kissed him. And not like a peck, but an actual snog. Draco stood stone against her, shocked. He moved his lips against hers...

… and he was kissing passionately. Her lips tasted like strawberries he used to pick with Astoria. She backed away... and he was looking at the naked form of a ginger-haired sixteen year old girl...

"FUCK!" Draco cursed, as he backed away from Astoria.

He inhaled and exhaled, forcing his eyes shut as he tried to block out that vision.

"Draco!" Astoria hissed, "You shouldn't swear. Especially when kissing me!"

Draco inhaled deeply and exhaled then opened his eyes. Astoria was staring at him, her arms crossed over her chest.

No! Stop thinking about her chest! FUCK!

"W-we c-can't do this!" Draco stammered.

"Can't do what?" Astoria asked.

"We can't kiss," Draco said.

Astoria's eyes widened and she frowned. "Why not?"

"You – you - you're twelve," Draco said, "I'm almost fourteen."

"So?" Astoria giggled. "Draco, we're betrothed. I'm basically your fiancee. Fiancees can kiss and -"

"Don't!" Draco hissed, "Don't say it."

"You're being very rude!" Astoria pouted.

"I'm sorry!" Draco said, "I know we're betrothed. We'll be married someday. I know that. I want that. But -"

But I need to get these visions, those girls out of my head before I do something to you I'm going to regret.

"So you don't want to kiss me?" Astoria asked. "You – don't want me to – to be your girlfriend?"

Draco blinked back tears he knew were going to come. "Not yet, Astoria."

Tears were forming in Astoria's eyes and were falling down her cheeks.

"All right then," she said.

"Astoria," Draco said, frowning.

"I'm not old enough," Astoria said, "I know that. I can't even go to Hogsmeade for two more years. I'd be a horrible girlfriend. I'm happy being your fiancee for now."

More tears ran down her cheeks. She sighed and walked out of his room.

"FUCK!" Draco hissed.

"Would you mind your language, please?" a snide voice said.

Draco's eyes widened and he turned around. Sitting there on the wall was a portrait of a man... who looked a little like Sirius Black.

"Who are you?" Draco asked, "How did you get in here?"

"I am Phineas Nigellus-Black," the portrait said, "As you can see, I am inside a portrait, which means I can go inside any portrait in this house. I also have one at Hogwarts, where I was once Headmaster."

"Well, go find another portrait," Draco said, "Leave this one alone, or I'll blast it apart."

"In my time," Phineas said, "I was in your position. I was once betrothed to a girl a couple years younger than me. She was a peach, a real beauty. I loved her. I was going to marry her, and then she was raped and murdered a month before our wedding. So I had to marry someone who was not my choice."

"Okay?" Draco said, "And the moral of that story?"

"Don't let your little girl out of your sight, boy," Phineas said.

Phineas vanished before Draco could open his mouth.

"That's a lot easier said than done," Draco was going to say.

And so he did, to the emptiness of his room.


Holy smokes, do I love this chapter. Much of it came to me as I started writing the words as they came onto the page. I am very happy with this one.

So – erm – Lucius Malfoy is a sick, sick bastard. Yes? And Draco is having PTSD because of it. Very raunchy visions of PTSD. Oh dear...

By the way I ADORE Draco/Astoria relationship. I love how I portray Astoria, she's so precious, and innocent! And Draco's trying his very best... but he's having issues.

So I hope you can forgive me for the – erm – raunchiness of this chapter. I hope you can. Because Book 3 will have scenes similar to these.

Hope you enjoyed this long, lovely chapter. I did!