Disclaimer: The regular disclaimer still stays in place, I owe nothing but the AU and OC. The rest belongs to JKR.(drb)


Chapter 13

Draco had found both Seamus and Dean waiting for him outside. Approaching them, he had simply muttered, "where to now?" Dean had gestured ahead.

All three had walked down the corridor, surprisingly this one was still deserted. There were several doors on both sides. Dean had tapped his wand at one and the door had opened with a soft click. The three had quietly walked in.

Draco had noticed a table surrounded by four empty chairs, right in the middle of the sparely equipped space. It is similar to the previous room, where George and Ginny were still waiting, but this one looked more like an interrogation room.

Dean had read his stiffened stance and had confirmed, "Yup, this is the place they grill offenders, but for us, this is safe haven. The listening devices are shut, and no one can hear us through them."

Seamus had leaned against the wall; he did look worst to wear. Draco had looked at both of them. It was getting harder to take in the suspense any longer, irritated, he had barked, "What is going on now?"

Dean had grown solemn and had muttered, "Mr. and Mrs. Greengrass died at St. Mungo's. They have succumbed to the fatal attacks Greyback had inflicted on them, on the same day you all had successfully invaded Greyback's Lair... Mrs. Greengrass died last night and Mr. Greengrass expired at dawn."

Worried about the safety of his housemates, "what about Stori and Daph?" whirling back to Seamus, he had growled, "You were supposed to keep them safe!"

Seamus had shouted back," And I did! Literally dragged both the girls through the tunnel underground, while that werewolf was chasing us, only a well-aimed freezing spell, could buy us time enough to escape. Goodness, why do your mansions have to have those maze-like tunnels, as if Hogwarts dungeons weren't enough to give me the creeps!"

Combing his fingers through his platinum blonde hair, Draco had sighed in relief, and had muttered, "Sorry, Thanks… where are…?"

Dean had supplied, "Both of them were kept in a safe house for some time, away from the prying eyes, but they are here now, I could ensure that their requisition forms get accepted today, and I do have the prior information as to with who they would be paired."

Perplexed the Slytherin had spoken out slowly, "Why are you sharing this high-level information with me? You know who is going to be matched with whom from the beginning? The matched couples...there is a list of this ready in your hands, you have access to this kind of information?"

"No, not all of us, only the Minister and his immediate subordinates, I was made aware of these facts so that I could pass on this information to you."

"Why?", curious at this revelation, Malfoy had inched closer to the ministry official.

"Because Kingsley wants you to make the other Slytherins realize that they need to band up. We would like you to convince the Greengrass girls to agree to abide by the law. Greyback had marked them out, he might come back, just like he did for Lavender. We need them under the marriage bond protection as soon as possible.

Nodding in agreement, Draco had pressed on, "Who are their matches?"

"According to inside information, the process would pair Astoria Greengrass with George Weasley and Daphne would be under Seamus's protection."

"Mate, please don't sweet coat it. I still don't like the idea of marrying an underage girl!" Seamus had whined.

"Finnigan, you better treat her well, she is like a sister to me," Malfoy had warned.

"I am an Irish man, Malfoy, we protect our own to our graves and beyond."

Dean had cut in, "Malfoy, we need you to make both the girls understand the situation. For Astoria marries George could be a shock. The poor man has lost most of his family after he had lost his twin, the general rumour about him is like this, the man drinks like a whale, his Joke Shop stays locked down, his business is failing."

Rubbing his palm over his face, Dean had continued, "Malfoy, we want to rely on Astoria here. She needs to bring that sinking man around. George needs to be back into action. He just does not invent mind-boggling pranking stuff. He also creates innovative supplies, potions, and whatnot. He shows promises, great ones. We all had seen the twins' firework grand exit at Hogwarts. We truly, badly need him."

"Okay, I will talk to Astoria, she is quite intuitive. I am sure she will reason. What about Daph?"

Seamus had mellowed down. Draco could make out the pang of remorse in the passionate Irish man's voice, "The lil one is in shock. She had held onto my hand so tight; I was sure it would peel off."

"Shut up Seamus! the healers at St. Mungo's say, she had been in shock. She is yet to say a word. And just like Seamus had said, she is clinging on to him, when Astoria is not around."

"I see," mulling over this new information, Draco thought, maybe there was some validity in this weird "process' and the way it harped on the magical affinity of two magical persons. Maybe Daph was inclined to Seamus for the same reason.

"We will also have to talk to George and Ginny, since all of you, would end up being related in one way or the other."

Getting up from his seat Dean had nodded at the other wizards and had made his way to the closed door.

"Seamus would take you to the Greengrass girls. I better head back to talk to the Weasleys."

Turning back from the door, Dean had given Draco a hard look," Malfoy, you better treat Ginny well, I know about handing over the Manor, about the protective ring, about your Great Gran's secluded place. I appreciate the length you went to protect your future wife. We too had thought Granger would be selected, but, well, now, Professor Snape is to ascertain her safety. You got Ginny. I am warning you, because, there was a time, I had loved that girl before Potter came into the picture. I still have her best interests in my heart. Make her sad or hurt her, I will break the bones of your pretty face, just like Granger did."

The door had stung close rocking at its hinges.

Draco had stared at it for a long while. First George, and now Dean Thomas, all threatening to skin him at the drop of the hat. He had chuckled to himself, lady luck seemed to be in his favour today.

"Before we go and talk to the Greengrass sisters, I need to tell you some things, Malfoy."

Seamus had come and occupied the Dean's empty chair.

He had laughed humorlessly, "Odd! You and me talking, School brawls were too black and white, now, out of Hogwarts robes, we are men."

"True." Draco had wondered when has the last time he had given the Irish man some credibility. He had been too wrapped about Potter and his two sidekicks. The man sitting in front of him looked tired and seemed much in need of a shower and a good night's rest. He was sporting a stubble as well. Out of those school uniforms, Seamus Finnigan had slipped into the Auror training gears in much ease. He had looked quite comfortable in them as if he was born to wear them. That Dumbledore's Army had made them grow up faster, much ahead of the rest of the school. Draco was in the inquisition squad in the first year of its making. But today he envied Finnigan.

Clucking his lips, Seamus had looked at Draco and had said, "I live in a muggle locality, I am half-blood. I live as a tenant above my distant aunt's bakery. She is a squib. It is a small town in Ireland, I can't tell you the name of the place here. They say walls too have ears or something like that. It is a muggle expression. My dad and mum were killed by deatheaters, they have a cottage near the seashore. I don't know how things will work out. I would first like to keep Daphne in the apartment. I had a chat with my aunt, she had agreed to look after the girl, while I am at work. Trust me, I am freaking out. Funny telling you all these, but I figured you would want to know that she is safe. "

Draco had nodded and a suggestive tilt of his head had made the Irish man relax a bit. He had continued.

"Are you aware that we can work around this marriage bond a bit. I mean, there is a clause, a genius addition by Granger actually. Since we are putting up many underage witches for marriage, 'the process' allows the couple to treat the bond like an engagement vow. Neville says, 'it is more like kiss and tell' I don't know what that means- but I am guessing it is more like the courting period in a normal relationship between the intended couple. I mean you don't really need to fuck. You just, kind of live-together. I would like to consider this bond with Daphne in the same way. You have my word, Malfoy, I will protect her no matter what."

"Then, that is all I need to hear."

"Good, that settles it then, we better…"

A memo had flown in through from under the closed door. Finnigan had caught it with a practiced hand.

"This gives us some more time. The Ministry has rescheduled your ceremony. It is now postponed for an hour."

"…gives me time to explain things out to Stori." Realizing he had intended to ask for his friend, Draco had inquired, "How is Blaise?"

"He is at St. Mungo's. That Italian stallion is set to marry just like us. Kingsley is down there. Zabini was matched with Lavender. She is all healed up. But her safety is of high priority. Did you know, Zabini is related to Shacklebolt, I mean through one of his stepfathers. The minister has arranged for the married couple to live in a highly guarded place. Whether the Aurors would be deployed or not I am not quite sure."

He had then chuckled, "He calls her something like ragazza perfum…'

Draco had smirked, "la mia ragazza profumo"- I have heard him mumble that quite often, never could imagine he was sweet on Won Won."

Seamus had stared sharply at him and then had lowered back his eyes at the table, "We better keep Ron out of all these, Lavender had dearly loved him, whether you like it or not. Blaise tells me, she is a nasty work of scars, worse than anything we have seen. That man needs her to warm up to him, and the mention of Ronald Weasley…'

"I understand. I will try not to mention Ron Weasley. Even if I am marrying his sister. Was there anything else you wanted to tell me?"

"Blaise has requested that you don't go looking for him. Unless of course, he is willing to get in touch with you."

"That is fine, I too am not very keen for company, right at the moment…can we see the Greengrass sisters now?"


A/N: la mia ragazza profumo- roughly translates into "my perfume girl" in Italian, if you disagree, beat up google translate, and before that, give me the exact translation. :)