This is an M rated story for good reasons.
A/N: It was a hard decision to kill off Gabrielle, but it just fit in naturally with the scene. It will also help lead to future planned events.
A/N2: Harry Potter and his world belong to J.K. Rowling, Warner Brothers and anyone that has received licensing rights. I am grateful she gives us the privilege of playing in her world.
Chapter 26
-oOo-
February 25, 1995
Hogsmeade, Scotland
Tonks had just finished reading the Daily Prophet. They were not being kind to Dumbledore or anyone related to the Tournament after the death of the eleven year old girl. The French Ministry was irate and had file formal complaints in the ICW about the planning for the tournament and threatening more. In two months, the British had upset them twice, and violated at least one major creature Rights bill. The ICW announced a 50,000 Galleon fine for Hogwarts and a 5,000 Galleon fine for the Headmaster and each Governor because of the vote to ban the Lobos. It didn't matter if they voted for or against.
She snorted to see the smaller article about the WRC fining Hogwarts 25,000 galleon, and each of the other parties 1,500 Galleons. The amounts were large enough to get people's attention, but not enough to be prohibitive. In short, they were warning shots that people were paying attention and getting upset over what they were seeing.
Those were the minor headlines. Today the Prophet had a full front page on Gabrielle Delacour and her family. She felt for the girl. Tonks was unsure how she felt about Draco Malfoy though. The boy had done extremely well for his age, but had failed to understand some basic principles that she hadn't remembered learning until her NEWT years. In his ignorance, he had set off this latest round of issues trying to complete a task he was not qualified for.
"You look like shite," a man said coming up to her with a cup of tea.
She was sitting in a chair as people were filling into the conference room in the DMLE Station in Hogsmeade. "Wotcher, Smith. What in Merlin are they thinking letting you up here."
"I don't think they were. I mean they let a wolf in the hen house," he said smiling.
She smiled. "You look like a nice fat hen."
Smith chuckled. "Oh, I've missed you, Tonks. How are you doing? I heard your shagging with a wolf now."
She rolled up the paper. "Shagging. Sleeping with. Whichever way you want to say it. How is Rachael and the kids?"
"Big," he said taking a sip of his tea.
She laughed at him. "I thought you two were done?"
"Rachael wanted one more. Said two wasn't enough chaos."
"Well, you'll certainly get enough chaos if my Pack is any indication," she told him.
He looked at her for a few minutes. "It's true then? You really have fallen for a wolf and joined with the Potters?"
She stiffened. Harry, Remus and the rest were her Pack. They were her family as much as her parents. "Smith, we have been friends since you took me in as a snot nose recruit, but if you are disapproving of my family, I will take you out back. Damn regulations."
He raised an eyebrow at her. "Are you kidding, I am still hoping Sasha is half as bright as Potter and half as brave as her husband. William is going to be as daring and reckless but pack a punch. Tonks, if they are your family, then I think people have a bit to be jealous of."
She chuckled and hit him on the shoulder. "I think all of us wish we were half of what each of them can do. Did you see the report of what happened earlier this month?"
He looked at her and put his tea down. Looking around, the room was still half empty since the briefing didn't start for another twenty minutes. She just needed breakfast after patrol last night, thus she had been an hour early. After a moment, he looked at her intently. "Listen, what those two did was nothing short of a miracle. Where the bloody hell did they learn to do that."
She had a smug look on her face for a few seconds before turning serious. "My wolf. Me. Sirius. Remus didn't want them to be defenseless and has been training them and anyone else that really wanted to learn. Smith, what aren't you telling me?"
He still had the same intense look. "Tonks, this briefing is invitation only today. Green wanted me to talk to you before it started. Have you heard of Black Squad yet?"
"I used to work for Black group. Heard Green took over for Yaxley a few months back. Why," she asked him.
"Not Black Group. This is Black Squad. Technically Black Group Ten. You want to find those that did went after your family?"
She looked at him for a few minutes. "That other family that was attacked on the full moon, that was you? Rachael is a muggle-born."
He shook his head. "Rachael's sister was one of the muggles attacked. We have her little girl now. Doug died hiding her and trying to save Samantha. We don't know where Samantha is."
"Oh, Kevin, I'm so sorry."
"Rachael didn't want me to join this group until that happened. Tonks, this isn't your normal Auror Squad. Bones had to get special permission from the ICW. We are mostly undercover and go deep undercover when needed. I haven't seen Rachael or the kids in a week and may not until next weekend. Are you willing to do that," he asked.
She looked at him. Smith was a top Auror. She had learned as much from him as she had Moody. He was also a family man and liked to be home every night. If he was willing to sacrifice his time with his wife and family for something, it had to be important. Was she willing to give up her time? Remus and her were still new at this relationship, but she knew if it came to protecting Harry and the others, he would have no hesitation.
"If I say no, you're going to ask me to leave," she said as a statement.
"Can't get one past you," he said, but his smile didn't meet his eyes.
She looked at him for a moment and then around the room. As she did, she recognized some faces she knew from Magical Reversal, the Hit Wizards, a redhead she hadn't seen in a few years, others that looked questionable but must have been part of the group. "You're going after the werewolves."
"Some. And other things. This is going to be the start of a major operation, Tonks. If you want in, we are offering it now. If not, give your Pack a kiss for me and keep doing the fine job you are. Racheal would like a visit too."
If she hadn't known better, she would think the man was being sarcastic. Instead, she knew he had given her a large compliment. "I see Bill Weasley. What are you doing that you need a Curse Breaker?"
"Can't tell you unless you say yes."
"Is this everyone?" She counted about twenty people in the room.
"Just about. I see a few faces missing. It's a pretty select group and if you ever want out, no questions asked. You get an Order of Merlin, Third Class and a nice bonus. This is volunteer as long as you wish. Yes or no?"
She whistled. This must be serious and they must be into some serious shite. "Can I tell Remus I won't be home tonight," she joked. "He doesn't like it when I don't warm his bed for him."
Smith gave her a grin. "Not sure. Depends on what this briefing is about. I'll go let Green know."
Smith got up and walked away. Bill had caught her eye and she got up to go to him. "Hey pinkie," Bill said as she came up to him.
"Wotcher, Red. Like the earing. Almost makes you look cool," she retorted.
Bill laughed. "Remind me why you and Charlie broke up?"
"He wanted to go chase dragons instead of being a Chaser and I didn't feel like being burned to a crisp."
"Ah, that's right. He wanted to marry you, you said no and then he ran to Romania." Bill said looking at her.
She eyed him. "Charlie never proposed, you arse."
He laughed again. "I think asking you to move in and spend your life together was his way, Dora. It's nice to see you again." He moved in to give her a hug. "So, you're hanging out with my brother's friends?"
"If you are talking about the Potters, yeah, you can say that," she told him.
"Good. Mum and dad really worry about that boy. See if you can convince them to visit the Burrow. Mum really missed having him around. The Granger girl too. I think mum is still hoping she might get with Ron and straighten him out."
She eyed him. "When did you get back in country and what has your mum been telling you. Granger is Potter now and Ron has really straightened out since October. What are you doing here, by the way?"
Bill rubbed the back of his neck. "Been out of the loop since before Christmas. The goblins had me in real deep into something, and then they pulled me to work for the DMLE for a bit. Only got back in country a few days ago and haven't had time to go see mum or dad."
"Well, if we have time, maybe you can come up to the castle with me when this is done. You can knock a little more sense into all your brothers."
Bill shook his head. "Have you seen how thick our heads can be?"
"Thicker than other parts of you," she said looking him up and down.
Bill chuckled. "Yeah, except for Charlie, we do tend to be a little willowy."
She snorted. "If that's what you call it."
He eyed her for a few seconds. "You know, maybe Charlie had the right of it."
She smiled. "Yeah, well, he was thicker in some areas."
Bill shook his head. "Don't want to know. So, you know what all this is about? I was told to report here today. The DMLE has bought my time for the next month."
"No clue, but I see Green so it should be starting in a moment. Oh, Sirius too," she said. "Wotcher, Black," she called out.
Bill tensed. "I don't care if he got off, he's still a traitor."
She tensed and stepped between him and Sirius. "Sirius is part of my Pack, Bill. If Harry or Remus heard you say that, be prepared for what comes."
Bill eyed her. "Dora, what do you mean Pack? Only a werewolf talks like that."
"Yeah, and my guy, Harry and Hermione are all werewolves. They are part of my Pack. I never thought you were that way, Bill."
"I'm not, Dora. I know full well what those poor people are and the shite they have probably gone through. I just didn't know they considered others to be of their kind," he told her as though offended she would call him out that way.
"Well, it's not just their kind. Harry has accepted me and Sirius in. Sirius is his godfather, so whatever betrayal you think he did, he probably didn't," she said pointedly.
Bill held his arms out. "Alright. They are your pack, Dora. Just be gentle on them. I know how you chew guys up."
She calmed a little bit. "Nah, I don't like to chew. I like it when they can still use it when I'm done."
Bill screwed his face. "Right, not what I needed to know."
"Everyone take a seat. Tonks, Bentley, front row. Weasley, you too. Before we start. This going to be closed door until this thing is over. That may be a few days, it may be a month. If you want out, there's the door and I'll file the paperwork later."
Green waited a few moments before casting his wand and the doors shut and all the shades closed up. "To start, this is a classified meeting. From this point forward you will be under penalty of four weeks minimum in Azkaban and expulsion from the Corp. Is this understood?"
There was a general murmur of agreement around the room. "Now, some quick introductions. Since last meeting, Tonks, Weasley and Black here have agreed to join our little group. For the newbies, welcome to Black Group, Squad Ten. Otherwise known as Black Squad. You will see this is a mash of DMLE, Ministry and civilian people. We have been created to do what the Ministry can't or doesn't want to with a charter from the ICW. Take one of these rule books and familiarize yourself with them."
"So, when do we put in our lunch orders to the interns," someone spoke up and there were a few laughs.
"Shut it. No joking today. What we have today is some serious shite," Green was saying.
"Oh, bollocks. Did I forget to clean up after myself again," Sirius said next to her and she rolled her eyes. Green cracked a smile before acting as though he hadn't heard.
Green flicked his wand and about two dozen folders flew at people. "This is your study packet. We are planning a serious operation Monday that you will all need to know what is going on. Four squads from the ICW will be joining us for this soiree, so I don't want any fuck ups or heroes. I stress the hero part."
She opened her pack and took out almost two dozen parchments and a dozen pictures. She recognized the valley and her heart started to beat in her chest. They were going after the bints that had attacked her Pack.
"Boss, what are we looking at?"
"Sirius Black here has agreed to rejoin the Aurors for the ICW. He will be Captain of B group and he can explain," Green said. There were some murmurs around the room.
Sirius stood up. "Good question. I try to figure what I am looking at all the time," he said with a cheeky grin.
"You look as pretty as the day I last saw you," another said.
Sirius smiled. "Better than you, Wilson. Now, what are you looking at?"
He opened his own folder and took the stuff out. "Let me see. These parchments are the lists of all the known members of Fenrir Greyback's pack. A list of all items confiscated or thought stolen from smugglers related to the group. A description of what we think awaits us in the valley. A listing of the known wards and runes around the place. A briefing on what we think they are doing and pictures of all the important sites and the general layout of where we are going."
"We're going after Greyback?" That was Bentley next to her.
"Yes. Greyback and the whole group around him. As Green said, this is absolutely top secret. There is some suspicion that there is a mole or ten in the Ministry and they cannot know what we are doing. As such, you will all be staying in here until Monday and this room just became our planning area. Now, Tonks and Bentley were asked up here because they have been there. So have Green and I. I am going to tell you this now."
He looked around the room. "This is going to be some really bad stuff. If you want to walk out. If you have family that you want to see again, I will not hold it against you. Please, leave right now. I will never look on you poorly for that decision. I know what it feels like to abandon someone that needs you to follow your own desires. We don't want any heroes on this mission."
The room was quiet for a while before Sirius took a breath. "Right, now, let's get started. Weasley, we will need you for rune stone and wards..."
-oOo-
February 27, 1994
London, England
Lucius walked down towards the old courtroom. It was one of the best places to meet with his operatives, especially on a weekend. He stopped by an old unused corridor before turning down it and eventually found himself in an old, unused office. Inside, a redhead was already waiting.
"Nice to see you on time," he told the Weasley brat.
The boy's eyes had gone large and he reached into his pocket. "What are you doing here," he asked. "I was supposed to meet Umbridge."
"Yes, she can be quite useful at times. No, Mr. Weasley, I asked you here to talk some new business that you can help me with. You are in the Department of International Cooperation, correct?"
Weasley straightened and moved towards the door. "I have no desire to talk with you, Mr. Malfoy."
"Lord Malfoy," he snarled and put his arm across the door. He stared the boy down, who held his head up defiantly. "You shall address me as Lord Malfoy, Mr. Weasley. You will want to listen. Unless you wish something to happen to Ms. Clearwater? I hear she is apprenticing with the Magical Creatures Departments. Wouldn't want an accident to occur."
Percy Weasley's nostril's flared. "That is blackmail, Lord Malfoy."
He had a smile on his face. "I prefer to think of it as political acumen. Now, will you listen?"
The boy was ambitious. That is what had caught his eye. Just how ambitious and how crooked was he willing to be? "I can listen," Weasley said in a cautious tone.
Lucius smiled. "Good. First, what I need. I need all communications between the Ministry and the ICW. I know your department has some hands in it."
Weasley took in a sharp breath. "We only deal with contracts, agreements, government complaints and international trade, Lord Malfoy."
The boy was quick, he would give him that. "I need all," he repeated.
Weasley shook his head. "I'm afraid I cannot help you with that. The DMLE has put in new safeguards for their communications, as well as the Wizengamot. Unless I worked directly for those departments, I can't even access archived items right now."
Lucius looked at the boy. He wasn't refusing him, but Weasley was being very cautious on what his limits would be. Contracts and trade would be useful, but not what he wanted. Dolores had pointed him this way because Weasley was very much a yes man at times. This seemed the opposite of her assessment of the boy. Maybe the boy was better at politics than he thought.
For months now, his contacts in the DMLE and Creatures division had been drying up. Amelia was asserting too much control over her domain and allies. It was becoming dangerous for him not to know the inner working of those departments. "Can you get me those communications," he demanded, more than asked.
Weasley eyed him for a few moments. "What do I get in return?"
"The life of your girlfriend, and yours," Lucius said to him.
Weasley shook his head. "No. I want nothing to do with this, Lord Malfoy."
Lucius had had enough and pulled his wand from his cane and was quicker than Weasley and disarmed him. "You listen to me, boy. You just cost your girlfriend an arm or something. Next time you refuse me, it will be her life."
The boys eyes flicked to the door. Lucius spun to three spells cast at him. His shield was up and he found himself facing three Aurors. It was a furious swiping of wands and spells and he was gaining the upper hand when something hit him from behind and he sailed into the wall, hitting it hard and sliding down.
-oOo-
Hogwarts, Scotland
It was a nice day outside at the end of February. Since earlier this month, their pack had stayed close, not wanting to go anywhere, too afraid of what might happen. Today, she had finally agreed to let them go off with some people to the grounds. Aurors were patrolling the grounds today and she trusted the people they had gone off with.
Sitting by the window, she watched some figures down in the quidditch pitch flying around. Harry was down there today. She had had to just about throw him out of the dorm to go play with Ron. He had not left her side and for once she felt like she needed some private time.
Blaise and Tracey had decided to go into Hogsmeade. A few of their old friends from Ravenclaw had started to spend time with them again. That meant it was just her and Daphne in the dorm today. She wished it was just her.
"Potter," the girl said coming over to her window seat.
"Greengrass," she responded when the girl walked up to her. Daphne was smelling more like the power she associated with Alpha's. Remus had said most Alpha's don't come into their own until they were ready to challenge another Alpha. That was typically a few years from now. She could tell Daphne wasn't there yet, but each moon cycle it grew, and her dislike for the girl did too.
"Where's the other Potter? My father has a message for him," she said holding out a parchment.
"Is it House business," she asked. Remus had been trying to teach them more about that.
"It's for the future Lord, yes," she said coolly.
"Harry has said I am of equal peerage. I will take it."
Daphne scoffed. "A muggleborn doesn't get to claim peerage," she told her.
"She does if she is married and recognized as the Heiress Apparent of two major Houses, Greengrass."
She hadn't turned to the girl, feeling Daphne's hard glare on her. Hermione let her magic loose a bit. "My apologize, Heiress Potter." The girl didn't sound or smell pleased.
Hermione sighed. "Daphne, we have a few more years to coexist in this dorm. If you can't learn to respect me or Harry, it is going to be a long few years."
Daphne let out a breath. "You know I don't like you?"
"I am not very fond of you either. Can I have the parchment?"
She frowned before handing it to her. Daphne stood there, looking out the window for a few. Hermione really didn't want Daphne this close to her. "Can I help you with anything else?"
After a moment, Daphne looked at her. It looked like she wanted to say something, but was having a hard time getting to it. Hermione waited patiently. She was not in the mood to do any work or even read right now. After a few minutes, she turned back to looking out the window. She was afraid to go outside, but she wanted to go out.
"Are you going to let them win like that," Daphne finally asked.
"Let who win," she asked tiredly.
"Those bastards that attacked you. I heard they were part of the pack that bit us. I want the bastard dead and you and Potter can help," she said.
Hermione understood. Daphne had seen her fear. That was something she didn't want to let this girl know about. She had no illusions that Daphne would use it against her if needed. "I will join them next weekend," she told her. It would give her a goal to get over her fears.
They were quiet again.
"When did you know you liked Potter like you do," she asked her.
Hermione closed her eyes. That was what the girl really wanted. They had all smelt the attraction between Daphne and Blaise. Hermione wasn't sure if it was that of mates, but it was strong and kept growing stronger. "I don't know. Someone had suppressed our feelings for each other for a while. After the potions and compulsions were gone, I just knew. When I turned that first night, Harry threw himself at me to keep me from biting anyone else. When I bit him, I knew I had just harmed my mate. Before that night, I felt the attraction, but after I hurt him, I knew."
She was saying more than she thought she should, but she had a feeling Daphne was looking for someone to talk to that might understand. Out of all the people in the school, Harry, her and Remus might be the only ones. "What do you mean potions and compulsions? Wouldn't you know if you are mates?"
Hermione let out a big breath. Maybe if she gave Daphne some information then the girl's constant challenge to them would let up. "Harry and I had been potioned and compulsed to suppress any feeling we might have towards each other. Harry had been intentionally isolated and kept from the magical world until he came here, and even then the isolation continued. After we were attacked this summer, Healer Tonks helped us, and we started to realize that we liked each other. The wolf pushed me over the edge to act on it. Then, we chose to accept that we were mates."
Daphne looked at her for a moment. "That's why Potter has no real clue of who he is or what his family was in our world" she said.
"We are learning now," Hermione told her.
Daphne nodded her head. "We all assumed that he was the Boy-who-lived and just thought he was better than all of us. In truth, he had no clue he is better than us."
Hermione pursed her lips. "Daphne, Harry is a very private person that wants nothing to do with all that fame or the pomp of the old and pure bloods. I agree with him. He isn't better than anyone else. He makes himself a better person by the way he studies, the way he treats us all like people. He may not like you, but he has done all he can to make sure people leave you alone. All I ask is treat him right."
Daphne turned back to looking out the window. "You suspect Blaise and I might be a pair, don't you? I see the way you look at us at times."
"I suspect. I wrote to Alexandra to ask. She told me that most wolves do have a mate out there, potentially many, but the bond only becomes active if you act on it. Once you do, you will never want anyone else. If you don't, it will always bug you and pull on you until you find someone better suited for you," she told her.
"Is that how it was with you and Potter?"
She shook her head. "I don't know. By the time we had been purged of the potions, the attraction was already there. I knew then I didn't want anyone else. It took me a month to finally build up the courage to kiss him."
Daphne snorted. "Isn't the boy supposed to do that?"
Hermione gave a sad smile. "There are many demons in his past that I don't think he would have acted on it for a long time. I guess as a Gryffindor, he has the bravery to do many things and save me and others many times, but even that bravery can fail you if you have enough baggage. What do you fear, Daphne? Why do you not act if you feel the pull to Blaise? I see him looking at you."
She lowered her eyes. "He likes Tracey," she said in a small voice.
Hermione understood. Daphne didn't want to lose one of the few people that would still stay around her. "Daphne, I don't think Tracey likes him and I have not seen Blaise look at her like he does you. Just, talk to him."
Daphne shook her head. "Is this why your pack looks up to you and Harry? Even to a potential enemy you give without asking."
Hermione shrugged. "My Pack is my Family. I would give almost anything to my family."
"You sound so much older. What are you going to do when you leave Hogwarts?"
"Harry and I are Alpha's. We need to lead them, even if we have people like Remus and Tonks. Harry has not had an easy life and needed to grow up. I grew up because he and my pack needed me to," she told her. After a pause, Hermione went on. "I think I know why we don't want to get along."
Daphne snorted. "And why is that, Hermione?"
"Do you realize you have the potential to be an Alpha?"
Daphne's eyes went wide and she looked shocked. "What?"
"Harry is my Alpha, there is no doubt. He is the ultimate head of the pack. I am his second, and equal except when he decides to take total dominance. Most other times, I am an Alpha to the Alpha. I smell it in you. You could be the head of your pack. Blaise has the potential to be one too, but he defers to you. I think if you want to keep your friends together, you need to decide if you are going to take up that mantle, and claim Blaise as your mate, or let them go," she told the girl.
"Tracey is your friend. If you decide you want Blaise, I don't see her abandoning you if she thinks you her Alpha. I also think you fear that we will claim them. Harry and I have no intentions of that, but I think your wolf feels that potential and that is why we can't get along until you decide what to do. Once you settle with your wolf, I think you will be more settled and not as combative in your demeanor."
Daphne looked out the window, frowning. "Is that why Bonnie gives me such a hard time?"
"Bonnie claims Harry as her Alpha. She doesn't want another and will defend him. You project your tendency to be an Alpha and they rebel against it. If you don't stop doing it, I will have to make you," she said in a hard tone. She would not have another Alpha move in on her territory.
Daphne looked at her with an equally as hard expression. Hermione let her magic push away from her. Remus had been trying to teach them how to control a projection. Daphne's eyes went wide as it touched her. After a moment, she nodded. "They are your family, aren't they?"
"I would not have said otherwise," she told the girl.
"You really think I am an Alpha," she asked.
Hermione held her eyes for a few. "You have the potential. Most Alpha's don't claim as such until they are of age, but for a wolf that can vary. Harry and I are of age to a wolf, but not to the Ministry. That is a decision for you to make, but I feel you should in the next few months. If Blaise is your mate, and you want to claim him, it will be very important to establish that bond before your first heat."
"I thought Alexandra was just joking about that," Daphne said taking in a sharp breath.
Hermione looked at her. "I didn't become Mrs. Potter by seeing a priest, as much as I would have preferred that. When the wolf decides it's your time, you will find it a draw you can't resist without pain. If you have a mate, or potential, your wolf will find anyway it can to get to him." She was still grappling some with the feelings she had had for Harry over that week. It was intense, comforting and scary to understand she really would have done anything to be with him. They were lucky it had worked out the way it had. Her next heat should be in June or July, meaning they would be away from school. She would be much better prepared for it now. "You will also find that Alexandra does not embellish any facts and is very open. Talk with her if you need."
Daphne looked a little pale. "I really am a beast," she said quietly.
"No! We are not beasts," she said with passion. "We are wolves. I will never hurt anyone without cause. I do not feel the pull to harm or hunt anything besides deer, rabbits or the such. I will defend my pack though, with whatever means necessary. That does not make us beasts."
"I wish I felt the same way," Daphne said sadly before walking away.
Hermione looked after her. She knew Harry and her were different. She knew the potions with the Hagsbestian silver was part of it. Since the last change, she had noticed Daphne and her friends had been more mellow. She suspected that was because Daphne was. Maybe Healer Tonks' potion had done more than they thought.
Hermione went to retrieve some parchment and a quill. Healer Tonks should know about some of this.
-oOo-
February 27, 1995
Hogwarts, Scotland
Draco read the letter from his mother. He wasn't sure how he felt about it. His father had been arrested yesterday for Bribery and resisting Arrest. They were charges the man would most likely easily get out of. He handed the letter to Pansy and then looked across the hall.
Tracey sat with the Lobos. Blaise, Daphne and two fourth year Ravenclaws sat with her. Two weeks ago, he had been disgusted to look at her. Now, he felt different. After seeing the broken body of the young half-vela, he felt sick to think of anyone hurt that way. It had shaken him to understand that should have been him and Pansy too. Somehow they had survived.
Fleur kept giving him death glares and it was a mixed reaction in the school. On the whole, he was surprised to see most of the school blamed Dumbledore and the Tournament organizers. He might have the Prophet and Skeeter to thank for that. Those that flocked around the French Champion put it all on him.
Draco really hadn't known that would happen. How was he supposed to know a backlash could happen when that wasn't usually covered until sixth year arithmancy, charms or runes?
The thoughts were going through his head to see the girl laugh. He hadn't seen her do that since coming back. She was starting to look like she was regaining the weight she had lost and flowing brown hair was quite nice and he liked how her eyes lit up.
Today, it was only Pansy and him sitting towards the end of the table. His other goons were in detention with Flitwick for not completing their work. Nott was down the table talking to the Carrow twins. He had made his intentions known to claim them before they graduated in two years. He was welcome to it. Draco only wanted Pansy.
"You're looking at her again," Pansy said gently.
Draco frowned. "How would you feel if I had to accept the contract," he asked her. The idea was still disturbing.
She looked at Tracey before making sure they were not being listened too. She leaned into him. "I don't want you getting infected."
He nodded. They ate in silence for a few minutes. "Do you miss them?"
Pansy lowered her hand to the table and rested her fork on her plate. After a moment, his wife looked up at them. "Yes," Pansy said in a very low voice. Draco knew that since Tracey and Daphne had been bitten, she had only been around him or their group. She had not gone off with any other girls.
Draco pursed his lips. He didn't want to be infected either. Everything he knew about werewolves was not good, but the mangled body of Gabrielle floated in his mind. The girl had been a beast in her own right, but seeing her dead, he realized that maybe they were more than that. It was something that was rocking him to the core as much as the fact his family wasn't all powerful and some of the darker stuff it was involved in was not stuff he really wanted to be involved in. Especially if it endangered his wife.
He was also thinking of the Lobos. Since coming to Hogwarts, he had had a grudge with Potter since that day he had been so publicly rejected. No one rejected an offer like that from a Malfoy. Then he had been embarrassed many times by Potter and his lot. Since September when he had gotten in trouble, and his father had ordered him to leave them alone, he had kept his distance. He had always thought Potter had sought him out and caused trouble. He wasn't so sure now. If anything, the prat shied away from any attention and seemed content to just drift in the shadows when he could.
Given who he was, that was an impossibility. That being said, Potter and his wife, had gained many allies this year and were now starting to wield a silent power that was threatening to upset the dominance of the old and pure bloods. Draco could see it. He wasn't sure if he would have been so observant at the start of the year. Maybe there was something to this silent observation.
"Are you alright, Draco? You're so much quieter since the second task," she asked.
He smiled at her. "I'll be fine."
