Saturday Morning's Daily Prophet had another article about the fall-out of the Golden Trio. It was a scathing piece on how Ron Weasley had abandoned his two best friend's when things were at their lowest. How his jealousy of the Chosen One had caused him to (under the influence of one of Voldemort's Horcruxes) accuse his two best friends of carrying on a relationship behind his back.
Daphne read the article with glee and even Theo seemed amused by Rita's vivisection of the former Gryffindor.
It wasn't but a few moments later that an owl that neither of them recognized, started tapping on their window.
Theo moved out of his chair to let the bird inside—which dropped off its missive and flew away, clearly not expecting a reply.
He looked down at the scroll and saw it was addressed to Daphne.
"Love, it's for you."
Daphne held out an elegant hand with a look of curiosity and opened the scroll, her eyes widening then her face fell into a wicked smirk that had Theo chuckling.
"Weasley?"
"Yes, as a matter of fact it is. He wants to meet me before the gala tonight. Claims he has some damning information I might be able to use."
Theo laughed. "And where does he wish to meet."
"His brother's joke shop. Apparently there is an apartment upstairs with direct floo access. He says he will give me access at noon today for a ten minute window."
"You going to go?"
"Why not? I'm intrigued as to what he has to offer. We both know he knows Granger's dirty little secrets. It's obvious as well, that the witch holds some sway over Skeeter. I want to know what that is and if I can use it to our advantage."
"Just be careful love. We both know how unpredictable Weasley can be."
"Of course darling."
Daphne finished her tea before she tapped her finger on the table thoughtfully.
"Is the item finished."
"Yes." Theo looked at his witch warily. "Daph Love...are you really sure this is what you want to do? Do you really want to undo the choice your sister made? Have you even discussed this with your parents like we talked about?"
Blue eyes just stared at him emotionlessly. "Theodore...I'm not an imbecile. I know my sister would've died regardless but she might have had a few more years. Time that she didn't get to have because of Lucius Malfoy!"
"And your parents!" Theo replied in exasperation. "This isn't all Lucius Malfoy's fault. And what about Scorpius? If you do what you're planning...you are going to wipe out that little boy from existence? Do you honestly think your sister would want that?"
Daphne's face turned thunderous as she slammed her palm down on the table. "Don't you dare think to tell me what my sister would have wanted! She didn't get the choice! I just want her to have the choice...why can't you understand that?"
"And what if she did make her choice love and she was at peace with it?"
"We can't know that Theodore, and I refuse to live my life with what if's." Theo watched his witch stand up and glare at him demandingly. "I would like the item now, Theo. It's clear that I should keep ahold of it for the time being. It seems as if you might be having second thoughts."
"Daph..."
"Don't placate me darling. Just give me what I want. You promised me."
Theo sighed as he stared morosely at his witch, whom he loved more than anything and nodded in defeat. He left the dining room and headed for his study, Daphne following closely behind. Once they reached his sanctuary, he moved over to his safe...used his wand to cut his finger and opened the safe using his blood. Cleaning himself and healing said cut, he reached in and grabbed the box—handing it to his witch.
He then watched as she took out the necklace and placed it around her neck with a nod of thanks.
"I will see you this evening Theodore."
Theo watched with a heavy heart as Daphne left his office, knowing he'd made the wrong choice but unable to do anything about it.
He'd given his vow to help her...
She'd used it against him and instead of being angry, he just felt defeated.
He grabbed a bottle of firewhiskey and proceeded to get himself drunk.
It was sometime later he heard his floo go off—and one of his House Elf's—Bebe...came in to tell him that a Master Blaise was calling and would it be alright for him to come through.
Theo just nodded and a few moments later his Italian friend walked into his study...took one look at him and the half empty bottle of firewhiskey and said flippantly, "Bad time?"
"Nope. Want a glass?"
"I'll pass...thanks. I just came to see if you wanted to go to lunch, but it looks like you've already drank said lunch. Coffee?"
Theo groaned and noticed it was quarter to noon. Daphne would be going to Diagon Alley soon.
"I think I fucked up mate."
Blaise just tilted his head and said, "In what way?"
"Well, Lucius Malfoy came to me to fix a family heirloom and instead of fixing it...I made a copy of it. Now my witch wants to use this heirloom to fix something that would be better off left alone."
Blaise to his credit, remained impassive as he stared at his friend...who had no idea that he knew what was going on.
"So this heirloom? Care to explain just what it could be that has you drinking like the Giant Squid before noon?"
"Prat."
"Just being honest, mate."
"Unfortunately I really can't say much more."
Blaise shook his head and sat back, eyeing his friend with trepidation.
He decided to take a calculated risk...if it didn't work, Draco would kill him later.
"Well, Padma mentioned to me that you've been trying to get a position in the DoM for a while. I also heard a rumor from Drake years ago about his Grandfather having a certain item that they might work on there...theoretically of course. If this is said item and you've managed to either fix it for Lucius or make another...you're going to be in a heap of trouble mate. And your witch will be going to Azkaban."
Theo paled before downing another shot...his hands shaking.
"Granger came to me a bit ago. She inferred that she knew what I'd done. Warned me to give it over and she'd help me get an in with Pius. That's not going to happen now."
"Might still. Where is the lovely Daphne today?"
"She's meeting the Weasel at his brother's joke shop at noonish."
Blaise nodded. "If I floo Drake he's going to tell Granger. Are you sure you want to do this? Daphne might never forgive you."
Theo rubbed his hands down his face and Blaise thought for a second the wizard might actually start to cry but to his credit, he just nodded.
"Do it. I can't sit back and watch Daphne ruin her life and everyone else's too. Astoria is gone. Even I know it's not entirely the Malfoy's fault that she died."
Blaise stood up and patted Theo on the back. "You're a good wizard, mate. You gonna stay here or come with?"
Theo sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose. "I should go and try to mitigate the damage. There's no telling how Daphne is going to take this."
Blaise nodded and together they made their way to the floo. Blaise called out for Draco's address and Narcissa answered.
"Blaise dear, what can I do for you?"
"Is Draco there?"
"No, I believe he went to Gringotts to fetch a bauble for Miss Granger for this evening. You might catch him as he just left a bit ago."
"Thank you."
"Of course dear."
The floo deactivated, and Blaise gave his hand to Theo.
"Gonna be okay doing side along?"
Theo grunted. "Don't have much of a choice, do I?"
"Nope." Blaise grinned as he took his friend's arm and with a crack...they were gone.
When they reappeared, Blaise had managed to get them successfully to the entrance near Knockturn Alley and together they headed for the Weasley's joke shop. Blaise knew that Draco was likely already lurking there and Hermione was standing by with Potter...
"Do you think Daphne is going to do something stupid?" Blaise inquired quietly as both he and Theo walked towards the back alley behind the joke shop.
"I don't know." Theo admitted in resignation.
He really didn't.
Inside Weasley Wizarding Wheezes and upstairs in George's apartment that he once shared with his twin, Ron was pacing while the Greengrass chit was watching him with a malicious smirk on her face.
"Come on Weasley, you asked me to come here for a reason. Are you willing to help me or not?"
"What exactly is your plan Greengrass? If you want my help you need to give me something. I'm not going to go after my former best friend unless I know whatever your plan is has a decent chance of working."
"What? Don't trust me?"
Ron just glared at the witch. "Not in a million years. But I don' need to trust ya. I just need to know what the plan is and what you need from me."
Daphne just sat back and stared at the red-headed wizard who looked barely sober. His rise and fall from grace had been documented rather embarrassingly over the past weeks in the Prophet but this morning had been truly delicious.
It was no wonder he wanted to see his former ex suffer.
"You need to give me something. An act of good faith, if you will."
Weasley just stared at her like she'd lost the plot and then he laughed.
"You're barking!" He quipped heatedly. "I'm supposed to give you ammunition to use without a fallback? What kind of wizard do you take me for Greengrass?"
"One with no more good options? One who's burned through every bridge and lost every friend because of his own selfishness and poor judgement."
Ron scowled and snarled hatefully. "You're a right piece of work." Then he shook his head, deciding to take a calculated risk. "You know what? I don't think you have what it takes to go after Malfoy or Mione. If you did, you wouldn't be comin' to me for help."
He went to leave, but Daphne stood up and stopped him.
"Fine, but I want a Wizard's Oath Weasley. You give that to me I'll tell you my secret..."
Ron just sneered but after a few moments he sighed and nodded.
"Fine." He took out his wand and made the oath and when he was done, he watched with feigned surprise when Daphne pulled out the time turner from under her blouse.
"Do you know what this is?"
Ron nodded. "Yeah, but how did you get one?"
Daphne's expression registered surprise, and then curiosity as she asked, "How?"
"Do I know what that is?"
She nodded and Ron's expression was beyond smug at this point.
"Mione was given a Ministry approved Time Turner our third year so she could take all the classes. Thing went back about five hours and she had some strange rules she had to follow to use it."
Daphne's eyes shot up in shock. Dumbledore had allowed Granger to use a time turner at Hogwarts?
When she was only fourteen?
"Well, this one is a bit different in that it allows the user to go back years."
Ron just scoffed like he didn't believe her.
"That's not possible! Besides...all the time turners were destroyed the end of my fifth year when we broke into the Department of Mysteries and dueled your buddies."
"My buddies?" Daphne glowered hatefully.
"Whatever Greengrass. I still don't see how you got a time turner. How do I even know that thing is legit?"
"Because the original belonged to Lucius Malfoy. He gave the prototype to Theo and my brilliant fiancé made a copy. I intend to ruin Lucius Malfoy and by extension his entire family and your little mudblood friend."
Ron moved into her space and pointed a finger in her face.
"What did I say about using that word, Greengrass. I may dislike my ex but I hate that word more."
Daphne waved her hand and murmured, "Fine." Her blue eyes eyed him critically before she asked, "You in or out?"
Ron moved back over behind his brother's desk before he heard a knock on the door downstairs from George's office to the back alleyway.
He turned to Greengrass and demanded, "You expecting anyone?"
Her look of confusion was genuine. "No. But it might be Theo. He tends to be a bit overprotective and I did tell him I'd be here today."
Ron sighed and headed downstairs, and surprisingly when he opened the door it was Theo with Blaise. He nodded to them both and let them in...walking past Malfoy...who was disillusioned. Mione and Harry were under his cloak upstairs waiting.
Ron gestured for the two wizards to follow him back to George's apartment and then felt Malfoy tap his shoulder as the blonde settled somewhere in the room.
When Ron closed the door, he turned to face his newest guests.
"Surprise. Is anyone else coming too."
"Piss off Weasley." Theo grated out and then everyone turned when a deep voice drawled from the corner of the room.
"Nice."
The disillusionment spell dropped and Daphne gasped, but before she could get her wand out...she was petrified.
When Harry removed his cloak, Theo's eyes widened at the very angry face of Hermione Granger, who's wand was pointed at his heart.
"Ron, get the time turner please."
Theo had his wand out in a flash and snarled, "Touch my witch and I'll avada you Weasley."
"You sure that's a wise idea, mate." Blaise tried to be the voice of reason, but his friend just glared at him distrustfully.
"Did you set me up?"
"No." Blaise said sadly. "Well, not exactly. I was worried about you as was Drake. This idea Theo...you know it's not right and Daphne is going to end up doing something in her anger she can't take back. Do you really want to lose her that way?"
Theo just kept his wand trained on the Weasel but Granger just shook her head.
"He's right. There are five of us here Nott. If I'd wanted to, I could've taken you out with you none the wiser but I didn't. Now, why do you suppose I did that?"
Theo just sneered. "Save it Granger. You may have Draco convinced your blood status doesn't matter, but I know better."
That apparently, was the wrong thing to say because Draco tackled him and his fist landed with Theo's jaw and then the two started brawling in earnest.
Both Harry and Ron were stunned, as they stared at the two wizards but Hermione just scoffed and waved her wand sending both Slytherin's on opposite sides of the room. She then walked over and picked up Theo's wand...handing it to Harry while Ron took the time turner from Daphne.
He then gave it to her and Hermione placed it into her beaded bag with a nod of thanks.
She then revived the blonde witch, who—when she realized her precious item had been taken—cast a curse at the other witch instantaneously.
Hermione, rolled her eyes as she deflected it effortlessly and sent back a conjunctivo at the other witch in succession with a jelly legs jinx and an expelliarmus.
"You bitch!" Daphne screamed and Hermione just chuckled, handing Harry the witch's wand.
"Probably, but you're rather unhinged Greengrass so I'm pretty sure you're not standing on any sort of high ground here. You have in you possession an illegal time turner. By rights, I could have Harry take you into custody immediately for sedition and plotting to undo the fabric of time. You'd be in Azkaban for at least a good fifteen years easy."
That shut the other witch up long enough for Hermione to attend to Draco and heal his bleeding knuckles and cut lip.
Theo was groaning, as he stood up and glared viciously at everyone in the room. When he made to move over to his fiancé...Harry just tutted and shook his head in the negative.
"Not a good idea Nott."
"I don't think you are in charge here Potter." Theo bit back waspishly. "You see, dear Draco's Father has the prototype to that time turner in his possession and if we go down...so does he and the rest of the Malfoy's."
Draco just shook his head sadly at both Theo and his sister-in-law. "What have I done to make you both hate me so much? Don't you think it kills me to know that Astoria isn't here to see Scorpius grow up. That I couldn't change her mind when she begged me to go through with the betrothal and marriage because she didn't want her parents to lose their fortune!"
"You're lying!" Daphne hissed. "Tori would have never sacrificed herself like that. You're family forced her!"
"I DID NOT!" Draco bellowed, his hands gripping his hair as he screamed out in rage, causing everyone to flinch back at the raw pain in his voice.
Hermione's expression was devastated.
Thankfully George had a permanent silencing charm on the room.
"I begged my Father to let it be and when he refused, Astoria begged me to go through with the marriage. Your parents didn't put up any fight Daph...none at all. They allowed your sister to sacrifice herself to save their skins and your precious inheritance. They even tried to barter you off on me since my betrothal contract with Astoria took precedence over your's with Theo. But I refused, because I couldn't do that to Theo nor you despite what you might think of me."
Theo's face paled and one look at Blaise, who nodded solemnly in response let Theo know that what Draco was saying...was the truth.
"Astoria loved Scorpius from the moment we knew she was pregnant with him. She'd read to him every night...talk and sing to him. She made me promise to give him a good home...a safe home with a loving family and I swear on my magic...if I ever hear either one of you call Hermione that name again...I will destroy you both. Tori or not. Promise or not."
Theo looked over at his witch, who's face was completely stoic and disbelieving and he sighed.
"Daph...love..."
"Don't you 'love' me Theodore Nott!"
Theo's face pinched at the rebuke and Hermione just scoffed at how utterly emasculated the poor wizard was.
"I think that's enough. I'm afraid your options are limited. I'm quite good with the memory charms so I could obliviate you both..." This caused Daphne to hiss and Theo to snarl in anger..."or you both could take an unbreakable vow..."
"Not gonna happen." Theo bit out and Daphne nodded in agreement.
"You could both go to Azkaban too. Trust me when I tell you that if you try and implicate Lucius Malfoy, he is willing to testify that you came to him and offered to try and fix the time turner so he could donate it to the DoM as their inventory was rather depleted during the war. I do believe the Minister himself was quite thrilled with the fact that Lucius Malfoy had offered something so generous considering."
Theo just gaped at her while Daphne grinned.
"And since you have the press in your pocket..."
"I don't know what you're talking about Greengrass. But I must warn you, if you continue on in this vein you will leave me no choice but to sue you for slander. I won't have my good name and reputation smeared by someone who's sole motivation was and is revenge."
"Once we're placed under Veritaserum, the whole truth will come out Granger." Daphne smirked triumphantly, which changed to confusion as the other witch laughed.
"Well, that's a chance I'll willing take. Assuming you'll be able to remember enough details to testify properly."
"You can't do that!"
"I can and I have. I obliviated my own parents and removed all their memories of me to save them. To protect them from people like you who used blood purity as a weapon. Now, dear Daphne—what do you think I might do to you and Theo under the imminent threat of Scorpius family being taken away from him? His father, grandparents...me? Do you think I'm going to stand idly by and not destroy you both for thinking you could harm that sweet innocent boy?"
Hermione waved her wand and silently cast the countercurse, so the witch could clearly see the resolve on her face.
"I may be a Gryffindor—but I set Professor Snape's robes on fire first year, broke into his storage closet and appropriated ingredients to brew Polyjuice second year...successfully too I might add. Third year, I used a Ministry approved time turner and saved Sirius Black from the Dementor's Kiss, fought off a werewolf and rescued a Hippogriff...(at Draco's cough she just looked over her shoulder and winked). I started a clandestine defense club in school, cursed a fellow student and scarred her permanently for life and lured Delores Umbridge out into the Forbidden Forest where the centaurs...well...I think you remember those lovely Prophet articles, yes?"
Daphne's eyes widened and Theo swallowed heavily. He'd heard rumors of Granger's vindictive streak in school but seeing her now...he had no doubt all those things he'd heard were true.
And then some.
"I helped Harry break into the Department of Mysteries, dueled Antonin Dolohov, nearly died, sent a flock of canaries at Ron here sixth year...dueled and bested Dolohov a year later and oblivated both him and Thorfinn Rowle...wore a Horcrux that held the soul of Voldemort for months...broke into the Ministry again...broke into Gringotts and broke out on a dragon..." Hermione's body language at this point was smug, steely and resolved. "Do you think for a single second, Daphne Greengrass...that if I could do all those things before the age of nineteen that ruining you and Theo would be difficult for me to accomplish if I set my prodigious mind to it? Please dear...give me a little credit here. I will decimate you both, smile and drink to your good health as you're both rotting your miserable lives away in Azkaban."
Everyone in the room was deathly silent and Draco couldn't help but feel both aroused and terrified of his witch...whom he had no doubt would and could make good on that threat...promise?
Blackmail, cursing, maiming...
Fuck if he knew.
She was brilliant!
He was taking her home after this and shagging her until she couldn't walk properly!
"Or...you and Theo take the vow and if you do? I will do you a most generous favor in return."
"And that would be?" Daphne asked warily and Hermione reached into her robes and pulled out a stone into her hand.
"Do you both know the tale of the Three Brother's?"
Theo nodded first. "Yes. It's my favorite."
"Then you know the three items from that story and what they represent?"
Theo nodded.
Hermione gestured to Harry who lifted up his invisibility cloak and placed it over his body—disappearing instantly and when he reappeared Theo stared at the item in disbelief.
"So you have an invisibility cloak...they're rare but not that unusual."
"True." Hermione offered. "This was handed down through the Potter line and once belonged to Ignotus Peverell."
Theo gasped and even Daphne's eyes widened.
"Voldemort during the war was obsessed with the Elder Wand. The Deathstick, which belonged to Dumbledore. Voldemort stole it from his grave but by the time the final battle occurred—Harry was the master of the Elder Wand."
"That's not possible." Theo bit out, but from the looks on the faces of the former Golden Trio—it was.
The Nott Heir then looked to the small stone lying in the other witch's palm and said shakily...
"That's the resurrection stone?"
"Yes." Hermione's voice was calm and clear and then she addressed the blonde witch with a smirk. "Take the vow and I will call forth your sister. You can ask her yourself what her wishes were and are. It may give you the peace you're looking for."
Daphne's eyes stared in wondered horror at the black stone, her heart beating hard at the thought of seeing her beloved sister one last time.
She glanced over at Theo and he sighed, but nodded—and Daphne's heart filled at the realization that no matter what—Theo had always loved her and put her desires first.
And she had taken advantage of that and him far more than she'd cared to admit.
Gazing back at the small object, Daphne swallowed and nodded once.
"We will take the vow."
To her credit, Granger didn't act all smug and self-righteous...she just took out a piece of parchment and had Daphne link hands with Draco and as Granger read the words and the magic swirled around her wrist—Daphne looked into the grey eyes of her brother-in-law and saw nothing but sad understanding reflected back at her.
Theo was next and once his vow was done...Daphne watched Granger place the stone in Draco's hand and saw the wizard close his hand around the object...
And then she gasped, clutching her hand to her heart as her baby sister stared back at her lovingly.
"Hello Daphne."
"Tori."
"I'd ask how you are, but I think I already know."
Daphne choked on a sob and felt Theo steadying hand on her lower back as they both stared at a healthy version of Astoria Greengrass—who was smiling at both of them with love.
Even as she shook her head reprovingly.
"Sister, what were you thinking? Did my wishes mean so little to you that you would harm my Son?"
"You should have never been placed in that position, Tori! Surely you know that!"
Astoria just scoffed at her sister's ridiculousness. "I made the choice and sacrificed myself for something infinitely perfect. Scorpius was the best thing I've ever done in life. I live on through him and if you love me like you claim—you would've gotten over your anger to get to know that last remaining part of me."
Daphne dropped her head in shame.
Then she looked over at Draco, who was staring at her sister with love radiating from his gaze.
When she glanced at Granger—the witch's expression was completely devoid of any emotion.
"And you're okay with Draco replacing you with her?"
Daphne was impressed that the other witch didn't even flinch or give any indication her words hit their mark.
Draco on the other hand just scowled unhappily.
"I can't think of a better witch to watch over Scorpius than Hermione Granger. I knew that Draco had always carried a torch for her, and I encouraged him to have the courage to follow his heart should he be presented the opportunity to do so. If you love me Daphne...please love my son and support Draco and Hermione. Make sure Scorpius has a good life...can you do that for me? Both you and Theo?"
Daphne felt Theo squeeze her waist as he wrapped an arm around it and she sighed.
Then nodded.
"I can do that."
"Witches honor?"
Daphne chuckled at how Slytherin her sister was even in death.
"Witches honor."
The two siblings smiled at each other before Astoria's gaze landed on her husband's and she smiled lovingly at him.
Hermione couldn't help but feel a twinge of jealousy.
"Hello love."
"Tori. You're looking well."
"As are you." Her eyes fell to Hermione and her smile got even brighter. "I see that irony isn't wasted on you any longer."
Hermione smiled and Draco chuckled and nodded.
"I took your advice to heart. Scorpius is amazing and Hermione and I let him know everyday just how much his Mother loved him. Still loves him."
"Thank you love. I'm happy for the both of you. Take good care of our son and Miss Granger...thank you for giving my boys a chance at happiness and love. It's all I've ever wanted for them."
"Your have my solemn magical vow that I will do all within my power to protect them, love them and keep them happy and safe. So mote it be."
The force of the vow was felt by everyone in that room, and Astoria nodded proudly and then smiled impishly.
"Then my work here is done."
And like a wisp of light...Astoria Greengrass returned to the afterlife.
When she was gone, Draco handed the stone back to his witch and she gave it to Harry mouthing 'thank you' to both he and Ron.
Harry bowed his head and Ron just shrugged, causing Hermione to roll her eyes at them both.
They may never get back to where they had been, but today had shown her that when it really mattered—their friendship stood the test of time.
"We good?" Draco's voice got her attention as he was focused on both Daphne and Theo. The Nott Heir looked down at his witch and waited to see what she'd do before he committed himself but when she just stared up at him pleadingly—he realized that perhaps they'd finally turned a corner too.
Looking back at Draco, he held his hand out and the two wizards shook in commiseration and hope for a better future—and as they watched Daphne leave with Theo and then Potter, Weasley and Blaise head back downstairs—Draco enveloped his witch into his arms and kissed her with all the love he could muster.
After several minutes and lack of oxygen they pulled away just enough to touch their foreheads and breathe each other in.
"You alright?" He whispered, concerned.
"I'm fine, love. I'm just glad that's over with. Now all we have to do is get through tonight."
Draco groaned unhappily at the reminder that he couldn't take his witch home and ravish her properly.
"Just letting you know now my sweet love...once this shindig is done tonight and Scorpius is out for the night—I'm going to worship you all night long."
Hermione smirked and said saucily. "I still need to practice my oral skills love. Perhaps that is something we can look forward to for later."
Draco groaned as he followed Hermione downstairs, pleading...
"Any chance we could just skip the gala?"
Her amused chuckle let him know that wasn't an option.
Bugger!