A/N: We are steadily approaching the end! I'd image around 6-8 more chapters left! I hope you're as exited as I am! This chapter serves as bit of a filler/set up for what's to come. As always, Enjoy & Review :)
Chapter Playlist:
Intro : The xx
Witches : Daughter
Day One : Hans Zimmer
TOO GOOD : Troye Sivan
Secret : The Gardener & The Tree
No One's Controlling Me : Ramin Djawadi
THE PREVIOUS NIGHT...
Hogwarts
Minerva McGonagall had never heard the castle so eerily quiet.
She was a very perceptive witch, brilliantly perceptive, almost to a fault, as it often led her to know when students were misbehaving, planning to misbehave, and know things a professor really shouldn't know about her students personal lives— though for as perceptive as she could be, she wasn't certain how to describe the vague awareness she felt at that moment.
It was unsettling, though that wasn't new, in fact, unsettling had become her new normal, as the Carrows stalked aimlessly around the castle most nights, itching for a reason to bring harm to students caught out of bed; which was her reason for gliding through the dimly lit castle this particular night… but there was some unknown variance in this particular, perceptive feeling she was having… something entirely undiscovered, but glaring her in the face. Often times she felt a feeling similar to this while in cat form, though this was hardly the same as an overly heightened sense of smell—
Just as she thought this, a hooded figure stepped out from behind a suit of armor.
"It is I," said a low voice.
McGonagall, equally and diligently prepared as she was perceptive, already had her wand in hand.
Disgust boiled up inside her at the sight of the wizard striding from the shadows.
Though she had remained at the castle for reasons that were obvious, the regards to the children's safety, she hadn't lost her sense of hatred towards the cowardly man standing before her. He was not wearing nightclothes, but was pressed in his usual black cloak, and he too was holding his wand prepared for a fight.
"Where are the Carrows?" He asked quietly.
"Wherever you told them to be, I expect, Severus." She responded blandly.
Snape stepped nearer, and his eyes fitted over Professor McGonagall, into the air around her, as if he was determining whether what he needed of her was important enough to discuss at such a late hour, and as he took another slow step forward she thought he had determined it to be so.
"My presence is needed outside the castle walls, but before I go, I had hoped to share a word with you."
McGonagall paused, considering him as he seemed to be of her, the perceptive feeling, the odd feeling that she could not place, began to rise from a simmer into something far more forceful, far more dangerous. She thought perhaps it was her instincts telling her to not trust the wizard before her, but she was intrigued all the same.
"Though— it was a surprise to find you roaming the corridors, Minerva. I hadn't thought it your night for patrol."
"You have some objection?"
"I wonder what could have brought you out of your bed at this late hour?"
"I thought I heard a disturbance," she answered swiftly, her chin high, her grip tightly wound around her wand.
"Really?" Snape glanced around the empty hall, the entirely too quiet empty hall. "But all seems calm."
"What is it you needed to discuss with me Severus? I'd assume you do not wish to keep your master waiting… that is why you are needed elsewhere, is it not?"
Snape hardly seemed bothered by her accusation, nor the venom laced within her tone.
"If you still believe Dumbledore's trust in me was so misplaced then why have you not avenged him yourself?" Snape asked with a bored expression, taking another step forward as McGonagall took one back. "It is on Dumbledore's orders that I come to you now."
This caused her to falter in her slow retreat, her chest tightened.
"How dare you? How dare you use his name against me for your trickery— for your lunacy to believe yourself worthy of his trust—"
"It is on Dumbledore's orders that I come to you now." He repeated with a bit more sternness, though his voice was low. McGonagall thought she heard him place a muffling charm around them moments ago as well. "I have little time to discuss with you the importance of this matter, so listen clearly and quickly. You do not have to trust me, but trust that there was a reason it was I who saw Albus to his end, and not anyone else—"
"Why should I believe anything of the sort?"
"Because it is with great urgency that you must prepare the castle… it's protection, as well as the students within it, fall onto you. That was his wish, his last desire of me, to ensure the students safety when the time came, with your… assistance."
McGonagall wanted to scoff. She wanted to slap the man before her for claiming to have done anything but sit by, claiming Dumbledore's place, and watch as the Carrows disciplined the students with absurd measures; but she faltered slightly… she was perceptive after all, and her gut feeling, that new, strange, tingling of her magic, was informing her to pay closer attention to what he was saying— or rather what he was not saying…
"And what 'time' is to be coming? What am I protecting the castle from?"
This was the first time Snape's gaze upon her shifted… he now peered out the window to their right…
"I will not be returning to Hogwarts after tonight."
He spoke slowly, his head turned eventually to look upon her, and McGonagall was certain she had never sensed the type of desperation in his black stare, though it was hardly visibly, and had she not been working with the wizard so closely over the years she was certain she wouldn't have noticed it at all.
"Potter will need a headstart. When he arrives you must begin shielding the castle… hold your ground as long as you can."
"Potter? Harry Potter?" She could hardly manage to conceal her concern or confusion, but then Snape was glancing down at his arm… his arm where she imagined a dark skull and a snake coiled within it to be laced over his pale skin.
She stood up straighter then. She understood what he wasn't saying. They were to prepare for battle. McGonagall found she was far more prepared for this moment than she thought strictly acceptable. Gryffindor, she may be, but vengeance laid heavily within her, she tasted the bitterness of it on her lips… justice was certainly owed and she intended to present it with every last ounce of blood flowing within her veins.
She did not think of his meaning behind him not being in attendance. She thought she knew, but it did not concern her in the slightest as much as the present state of concern inside her at the thought of Harry Potter returning to the castle.
"You can go." She said curtly. "I assure you, I will do everything, as I always have, to ensure the safety of the students."
Snape nodded once, turning on his heel quickly, hardly pausing before disappearing from the hall.
McGonagall straightened her shoulders. Her gaze filtered from his retreating form to the vast collection of large, sturdy suits of armor lining the castle walls. Her heart swelling with courage though it was pounding far quicker than it ever had before.
"It appears I will finally be requiring your assistance…"
Harry understood the unsettling feeling Hermione was referring to the moment Draco began mumbling the incantation with his wand pointed at the journal held firmly in their grasps. His skin felt as if it were being stretched thin from it's bones slowly, though it wasn't as painful as it was uncomfortable, like the way his arm felt after Lockhart's not-so-brilliant spell work of riding him of his bones, leaving his flesh feeling like limp, rubbery flesh— it was much like that, except now someone was gripping at the flesh and stretching it in all directions… so a very unpleasant feeling to say the least.
The journal began to tremble in their grasp, a bright light appeared on the outlining of the images— images Harry found surprisingly impressive to have been created by Draco in mere minutes— but as the pages begun to shine brighter and the thin fabric veil of reality lifted, placing his mind within the bright pages, he was reminded of his previous experience with a journal laced with dark magic... had he not been so thoroughly uncomfortable with the process, as well as seeming to not have control on remaining in reality, he may have protested, but those thoughts were immediately discarded as the tearing sensation along his skin began to settle.
Reality continued to morph until a mirage of images appeared before him, Hermione, and Theo.
Viewing the memory through Draco's journal, Harry noted, was unlike any other magic he experienced in regards to viewing the mind— where legilimency and viewing ones memories through a pensive felt light, almost as if you are floating through the memory led by its holder, this type of magic felt draining on his own magic, as if Draco needed to connect to his own magical core to each of them to pull enough strength to convey the images from the journal.
The three of them stood on the very hill Harry knew to be where Dumbledore's tomb sat… he had seen this memory before, through Voldemorts perspective, except this time something strange happened that had not happened before— there was a tendril of light magic curling from the Elder Wand, it slithered from the tip, stretching across the openness until it began wrapping itself around Draco's forearm, the other figures standing nearby hardly seemed to notice it's happening, least of all Voldemort.
The stretching of his skin ensued once more and they were being torn from the hill side and into another memory.
They each turned to their left and recognized Draco's incorporeal form immediately as he walked with an urgency through the corridors of Hogwarts towards the Headmasters office. This memory seemed to move in fast forward as the light magic buzzed in front of Draco until he was standing before Dumbledore's old cabinet. The same cabinet Harry knew to hold the pensive…
Draco reached for something within and in his grasp he held a small latched box.
Before Harry could make sense of these two occurrences they were drifting into another memory, the light magic and box all but forgotten as the shock of what came next startled them far more than the previous memories.
They were standing within the Forbidden Forest as several large beasts began galloping towards them. Harry felt a cold shiver flow through him as Theo and Hermione both glanced at him, and just as quickly the incorporeal form of Draco stepped through his body and bowed to the leader of the centaurs, it's voice booming out over the rest…
What has been foretold in the stars have shifted— We know it to be in response to the Dragon, the guarder of the Gardens, and he has come to us. We have sworn to not set ourselves against the heavens and by turning our back on the Dragon we would be doing so!
Harry heard Draco ask about his mother and the second in command of the centaurs stepped forward, a broad grin on its human face alight with admiration for the mention of his mother.
Yes, You're mother visits when the heavens speak. They speak to her often.
At the mention of a prophecy Harry notices Hermione step forward, inching closer to Draco, her face filled with concern.
Fairness so bright, paler than light, seeking refuge, but lacking sight— in a crimson pool he will stand, protecting a life near its end— the answer seen in her reflection, to reveal an allegiance of Power need be shifted…
The centaur turned its bright, adorning stare down on Draco, the odd appearance of the centaurs being so cordial to a human did not go unnoticed by the three viewing the memory.
… the cause of the shifting stars… the Dragon…
Just as those words settled into Harry's skull he felt himself being torn away from the forest and tossed into the familiar setting they were just in moments ago, the Headmasters office, though now Snape was turning on his heel, a cloud of dust dancing wildly at his feet, as Draco's incorporeal form staggered backwards, his face drained of all color.
Harry glanced at Hermione, sharing a brief look of concern before turning their sights back on Draco appearing to try and catch his breath, knowing that whatever conversation Draco had just had prior to this part of the memory looked as though it had shattered him into a half-version of himself as he rushed towards the Floo before the sound of Snape's voice caused him to pause in his rush to leave.
Draco… The prophecy… see to it that Miss Granger remedy the last of it for you, hm?
This time, as the memory attempted to shift into another, something different happened— his vision went blurry and he felt his skin being stretching in a million different directions until it stopped abruptly.
It was then that Harry felt his scar pulsing to life. The pain radiating from his scar burned deeper and he lifted his hand to cover it, wincing as it only continued to grow more intense. His other hand refused to lift from the journal…
"It's him!" Harry rasped out, trying to meet Hermione's worried stare, but then she was gone and he was filled with the cold trembling fear that came when his connection to Voldemort flared to life— and there: he saw nothing but red.
Like a flash of lightening or the beginnings of a killing curse, Hermione felt the jarring sensation of her magical core being torn and shifted from her body as if it were becoming tangled amongst Harry's, Theo's, and Draco's all at once. The journal in their grasp begin to violently vibrate as their magic continued to swirl in the air around them until she no longer saw the images of Draco's memories or the four of them standing in the tent at all— Like a rubber band snapping back into place, her skin tightened as her vision began to focus into the frightening image of an entire room of scattered bodies, Goblins bodies, as Voldemort waded through them with Nagini slithering by his side, her long coiled body roaming over the lifeless forms like a boat on shifting waters…
She was vaguely aware that they were no longer viewing Draco's memories, but Voldemorts— the realization caused her throat to go dry as she struggled to catch her breath. She heard Harry wincing in pain next to her though she was powerless to do more than stare in shocked horror at the scene revealing itself to them. A small part of her rational mind knew that they were somehow viewing what Harry was viewing through his connection to Voldemort— that somehow the dark magic of the journal triggered something in Harry's mind, allowing it to be so— there was hardly more than a brief moment to consider such things before Voldemort was hissing something to Nagini, walking briskly past Narcissa and Lucius Malfoy, who were frozen in place, avoiding the sight before them… the bodies, the goblins… and it was then that Hermione realized that Voldemort knew… he knew they were hunting Horcruxes. Their one advantage had been lost and time, though it had never been, was hardly on their side…
Then she felt it… similar to when she had viewed Draco's memories back at Gringott's, the emotions radiating from Voldemort coiled around them, settling against there souls, though it felt tainted with so much darkness, Hermione could hardly bare it; it consumed her and she knew the others could feel it too— His anger was their anger, and the fury swelled inside them as another bright flash appeared, and the emotions were only heightened…
Another trace of Voldemort's memories began to reveal itself… he was standing in a dimly lit room with boarded up windows, save for one, but Hermione could hardly notice much of anything else as her eyes settled on a strange sphere hovering in the air, Nagini tucked inside. The emotions inside Voldemort had shifted from anger to simmering rage, and he felt more dangerous, more frightening, though Hermione wasn't sure how that could ever be possible. Slowly, a cloaked form appeared from the shadows behind Voldemort… Her heart dropped in her chest.
Snape.
'While you live, Severus, the Elder Wand cannot truly be mine.'
Hermione wanted to shut her eyes. She wanted to fall to her knees and never open them again as Voldemort lifted his wand and the large snake hovered before Snape.
There was a terrible scream.
She saw Snape's face losing the little color it had left; it whitened as his black eyes widened, as the snake's fangs pierced his neck, then his knees gave and he fell to the floor. She heard Voldemorts hissing whisper once more, admitting, 'I regret it', though as Hermione took in the serpentine features and red eyes of the monster watching his pet, she saw no sadness in him, no remorse.
Blood pumped wildly within her veins, so forceful with it's apparent need to alert her of her racing heart that other thoughts did not come to her… only a numbing shock and she hardly noticed another flash as the memories shifted, that was, until her eyes landed on Narcissa Malfoy once more. She was seated at a large table within Malfoy Manor. The entire room was filled with Death Eaters… she must have had some ability to think because Hermione failed to not notice Lucius Malfoy was not present.
Voldemort was standing amongst them at the head of the table. His voice now lifted into a terribly unsettling octave that caused Hermione's skin to crawl…
'One amongst my followers have thought themselves beyond my reach… they belive that perhaps they are capable of my undoing… there is no place for vengeful traitors within my ranks, and perhaps I will remember this when recruiting barbaric beasts in the future… nevertheless, this shall be resolved come tomorrow night… The time has come for battle… the final battle… and I urge you all to prepare yourselves. Tonight, I command each of you to gather every follower… and tomorrow… as nightfalls and the full moon is lifted, the Boy Who Lived will fall… and our New World Order… will begin…'
"He knows! He knows were hunting horcruxes!"
Harry was speaking.
Draco knew he was, but he didn't register much of anything expect—
Snape.
Snape is dead.
No! No! He couldn't be—
The inner workings of Draco's mind suddenly became that of a landmine— as every new thought surfaced he was alerted of another, and another, and another, all exploding into dreaded bits rising and falling onto the surface, only to activate the onslaught of other thoughts… thoughts that deepened the grief threatening to turn him mad.
He was certain Hermione was speaking to him, or maybe she was talking to Harry as Theo began muttering nonsense along the lines of:
'Is somebody going to explain to me what in the bloody-insanity-fuck just happened? and 'Why does my mind feel like it was just molested by the Dark Lord?'
— but the only thing Draco could concentrate on was his legs bending as he steadied himself enough the sit at the table behind him.
What had begun as him presenting his own memories to them had quickly shifted into something else, something darker, and he was drowning in all that was revealed to him.
His mothers pale face, her cold stare, her fingers laced tightly with his fathers as they stood in the aftermath of Voldemort's fury— and even though it confirmed that she was still alive, he could hardly find comfort in the thought as the next image demanded his entire attention.
Snape.
Snape is dead.
Draco wasn't prepared for how this news was effecting him. Did he truly care for the man? Did it matter now? Certainly not. But he did. And he was dead.
Voldemort killed him. Why would he kill him?
The others had been speaking hurriedly before him, explaining something about Harry's connection to Voldemort's mind, which Draco had pieced together much quicker than Theo who was gaping at Harry like he couldn't believe he was real—
He should have been more surprised. He should have questioned it, but very little shocked him anymore, except—
Voldemort killed Snape. Why would he kill him?
"Draco?"
He felt Hermione's hand on his forearm. The contact felt jarring, like he was finally settling back into his own body… the landmine of thoughts no longer bursting in all directions.
"He killed Snape." He heard the raspiness in his voice and cleared it before turning his attention to her, his brow pulled tight. "Why would he kill him?"
Hermione took a step back, her hand dropping to her side as she glanced from Draco to Harry and back again—
"That's the bit you're hung up on?!" Theo asked, his voice slightly shaking. "And not— oh, I don't know… that Potter shares a brain with the DARK LORD?!"
Harry rolled his eyes, "We don't share a brain, Theo—"
"Wait— so you can see into his mind like all the time? Even when he's— you know?"
"What are you—" Harry sighed, shaking his head, "—you know what, never mind. I don't think I want to know—"
"How is that even possible?"
"I don't know— it's not something I really enjoy if that wasn't already obvious— I haven't really considered how—"
"What do you mean you haven't considered it?" Theo asked, slightly stunned by his nonchalant behavior considering he had a fucking tyrant dick lord in his mind— "That's probably the most idiotic course of action—"
"Of course!" Hermione breathed out suddenly. "How could I have not realized it sooner? Oh, I feel ridiculous—"
Draco's eyes flickered quickly across her face as she seemed to be piecing something together his mind was in no state to sort out at the moment. Thankfully, Harry and Theo had turned their attention to her as well.
"What is it?"
"Well it's obvious isn't it?" She said and then noticing all three of their confused expressions almost immediately explained herself, "The prophecy clearly states 'An allegiance of Power need be shifted'— that's why You-Know-Who killed Snape! He must have thought it's allegiance belonged to him after Dumbledore died."
"That must be why I've sensed it not responding to him." Harry added.
Theo took a step towards Hermione, "So… by killing Snape, the wand's allegiance falls to the Dark Lord now?"
"No…" Hermione's face lit up as a small smile tugged on her lips. "Because it's allegiance never belonged to Snape."
Draco was suddenly reminded of the light magic pulsing in his veins from that very wand, how it had fortified his Occlumency walls, and how it led him to the black box in Dumbledore's office—
Draco frowned, "But that would mean—
"I was wrong before…" Hermione said then shaking her head slightly as she turned to Draco, as if she were thinking the same as him. "The light magic from Dumbledore's wand wasn't charmed to protect you, Draco. It appeared because it's allegiance belongs to you."
"Draco didn't kill Dumbledore though, Snape did." Theo supplied.
"But he disarmed him first." Harry said almost as an after thought, as if he was looking at Draco for the first time in years and wasn't sure what to make of him.
Draco held his stare…
Snape is dead.
Snape knew Draco disarmed him. Snape could have told Voldemort. Did he die for nothing? Did he die protecting him?
Guilt — this guilt felt like swallowing too much saltwater while you sink slowly to the bottom of the ocean, filling his lungs, suffocating him—
"Dumbledore must have known… he must have known You-Know-Who would come for the Elder Wand after he died and planned all of it." Harry turned his attention to Hermione then. "He must have. I always wondered how Malfoy disarmed him so easily..."
"Harry…" Hermione started, and then bit her lip as a pained expression crossed her features, "…if he did then he would have known he was going to die that night, too."
"Maybe he did." Harry said solemnly.
"Do you think—" Hermione swallowed, the thought seeming difficult to voice aloud. "Do you think he wanted it to be Snape? You told me he didn't seem surprised— that he begged him— maybe—"
"Stop." Draco said harshly, hardly above a whisper, his hands burying into his hair as he glared at his feet, leaning his weight forward on his knees— he couldn't think about that night. "Just please…"
"Alright— just— hold on— let me get this straight…" Theo said folding his arms over his chest. "This prophecy… the one where Draco is Guardian of Galaxies, or whatever—"
"Guarder of the Gardens." Hermione corrected.
"Right, because that's not equally as ridiculous—" Theo muttered, rolling his eyes before continuing, "—it states that an allegiance of Power need be shifted, which I'm assuming from the terrible scene which we all just witnessed with the freaky glowing snake cage thing and Snape's last croak of life, is referring to Dumbledore's wand... which you lot are saying isn't responding to the Dark Lord because it's allegiance belongs to Draco, correct?"
Hermione and Harry both nodded. Draco was certain he couldn't move.
"Right, so—" Theo gestured his hand towards Hermione as if to urge her to fill in the blanks, and when she didn't he sighed, "—doesn't that mean Draco's the one who needs to be doing the shifting?"
They were all silent for a moment as they glanced at Draco, who was still hunched over his face buried in his hands.
He knew he should have been reacting to the news that the most powerful wand in the world answered to him, but he felt stuck as the image of Nagini ripping at Snape's neck flashed in his mind again and again...
His mother, Snape, Dumbledore… if they all knew these things… that meant they expected Draco to succeed in helping Harry Potter end this. They were willing to die based on their belief that he would. They believed in him.
For all of the times Draco felt significant in his life, he found none of them compared to coming to this realization, and the feeling of being apart of something bigger than himself, the feeling the got whenever Hermione looked at him with admiration, instead of hatred, that feeling consumed him... and for the first time in his life he considered himself almost important, necessary... that maybe Potter needed him to end this—
He felt the tingling of light magic flow through him. It had only appeared to him one other time while not in the presence of the wand. It began humming in his veins, urging him to follow its call.
As he lifted his head, he noticed something hovering behind Hermione.
He stood to his feet and began moving towards the small golden sphere that had just escaped from Hermine's bag.
"What is that?" Harry asked.
As Draco reached for the snitch he felt the heat of light magic begin to radiate from it.
"Draco…" Hermione gasped as the magic seemed to dance wildly around him.
His fingers were a hairs breath away from the snitch as the magic slowly began creeping along his skin, the light blue glow encompassing him. The moment the snitch touched his skin, it began to unclasp itself. He grazed his fingers along the seam, causing it to lay open in his palm, revealing a small vial with blue tendrils coiling within it.
He slowly turned to face the others.
"That's one of Dumbledore's vials, isn't it?" Hermione asked coming to stand beside him.
Draco nodded, lifting the vial to look closely at the vapor circling within it.
"But why has it just opened for you now?"
"I'm not sure."
"I think it'd be safe to assume that if Dumbledore intended for you to find it then whatever questions we have, the answers can be found in there."
Draco turned to her, "We'll need a pensive…"
"I suppose now would be a good time to inform you that I've got one at the safe house?"
"You do? How on bloody earth do you acquire one of those?" Draco turned to lift a curious brow at Theo who just shrugged.
"What makes you think Dumbledore left that for you?" Harry asked then, moving to look at the Snitch still in Draco's palm.
"The memory I just showed you, the one where the light magic guided me to Dumbledore's office and I found that black box—" Draco closed the Snitch and handed it back to Hermione to put in her bag, "— this was what was inside. Hermione told me Dumbledore left you one too."
"He did." There was a far away look on Harry's features as he frowned, dropping his chin slightly.
He took a deep breathe, and Draco suddenly felt uncomfortable for discussing Dumbledore with Potter. There was still a heavy feeling in his gut from that night and Harry had been there to witness it all—
"What do you think we should do Harry?" Hermione asked to break the tense silence, causing Harry to lift his gaze to her.
"We'll need a way into Hogwarts." Harry said. "I'm certain we can find next horcrux there, and if You-Know-Who's planning to attack tomorrow night we need to get there before he does."
Draco turned to Theo, "Who was the last to place wards?"
"Blaise was the last to seal the passage. He can get us in." Theo responded.
Hermione took a deep breath as she pulled her bag across her chest, and lifted her arm for everyone to side along. "Right then… let's get to the safe house before sunrise. We can inform the others and go from there."
"No offense Granger, but I think I'll apparate myself. I prefer to land on my feet and not my arse." Theo gave her a quick smirk and reached for Harry's hand, the two of them disappearing with a crack.
Hermione turned to see Draco watching her.
"Feeling alright enough to side along?"
He nodded, but hesitated before reaching for her arm.
"That ring…" He shifted his gaze down as he shoved his hands in his pockets. "My mother giving that to you…" He seemed to be straining to form the words. He shook his head and lifted his gaze to hers. "I know this is hardly the time to discuss this, but I think you should know what it signifies— what my mother's intentions were in giving that to you…"
Hermione felt her chest tighten as she waited for him to speak again.
"It's more than just a promise for marriage… Pureblood heirlooms are never that simple. The bonding magic within the ring is extremely ancient. It's magical properties have never successfully been duplicated. Once the mother of the heir accepts the intended partner for her son, and gifts the ring to them, a bonding will take place between their magical cores, and they will remain connected for their lives entirety— but only after the heir places the ring on the intended betrothed's finger with intentions of marriage."
"My mother giving that to you… ," A small blush rose to his cheeks,"… it's her way of giving approval— of, um…"
"Of us?" Hermione supplied nervously.
"Yes, but obviously the other stuff can wait," He answered quickly, "—or just be forgotten completely until— um, that is, you know— I mean, we are in the middle of a war, and I— well, you probably haven't— or don't even want—"
"Draco. It's alright— I think I understand." Hermione said calmly, a smile tugging on the corner of her lip as he released a sigh of relief. His shoulders relaxed then and Hermione desperately wanted to kiss him again, but as he stood there he looked lost in thought once more, as if he still had more to say.
He paused for a moment, stepping nearer to her to lace his hands in hers.
"My mother once told me it was like discovering a missing half of her soul… that she was living through her life only half awake before my father, and once they were bonded their love was intensified to the point where one would, quite literally, die without the other…" He took a deep breath before he added, "It doesn't matter that my mother's given up, because my father won't, and neither will I—"
At the sound of his voice breaking with the last sentence, Hermione lifted her arms to wrap around his shoulders, and he instantly pulled her closer to him, allowing her to comfort him.
"I'm sorry I didn't tell you sooner," she whispered against the skin of his throat, placing a small kiss there.
Draco shut his eyes, letting the warm sensation of her lips on his skin filter through him.
He knew even if she had told him sooner that it wouldn't change what his mother believed to be certain; but if Draco had learned anything since saving Hermione Granger it was that one decision can change the predicted future—
He could still save his mother.
He would.
He pulled back slightly, lifting his hands to either side of Hermione's face… because for all of the million thoughts racing through his mind, there was only one that seemed to calm him long enough to think it might all be worth it in the end.
"You can make it up to me after we survive all of this, yea?"
Despite the growing dread in his stomach from thinking of all they were about to face, his heart pumped wildly in his chest at the sight of her pushing herself up on her toes to place a soft kiss against his lips, her voice a soft whisper, "Promise?"
"Promise."
"Professor Lupin—"
"Mr. Zabini, I've told you. You no longer have to call me that. Remus will work just fine."
"Right… Remus. I'll try to remember that." Blaise said casually as he and Ginny walked over to him. "We've got everyone gathered in the sitting room. Daphne's is going over strategy with them now."
"Very good." Remus nodded, turning his attention to Ginny, "And what of Mr. Longbottom?"
"Neville arrived with Luna an hour ago. They said McGonagall has the Carrows locked up in the dungeons. She's sorting which students are of age to fight now with the remaining students who are in the DA," Ginny glanced at Blaise who was smirking over at her, "—even a few Slytherins have decided to fight too. Neville, Luna, and I have been preparing them in the Room of Requirement for weeks, so they should be able to help the others until we arrive. Any word on Harry?"
"Not yet… I'll keep on lookout. The rest of the Order have started making their way to Aberforth's to Floo in during the opening time McGonagall has set for the fireplace in the Headmaster's office." Remus gave Ginny a small smirk. "That was pretty quick thinking on the twins part. I believe they're ensuring they gather enough Floo powder for the entirety of the Order."
"I suppose my brothers have their better moments." Ginny said fondly. "Rarely... but still."
Remus smiled, "Yes, well, you two should go on and give the recruits some calming draught for their nerves. I'm sure their limbs are burning as much as mine in anticipation for the full moon tomorrow night."
They nodded at him before leaving him alone in the grand living area once more. He stalked over to the drink cart to pour himself a drink for his own nerves, and tried not to think of how terrified the children in the other room were for what was to come. He could hardly ease their worry… he could hardly manage to ease his own. His thoughts drifted to his wife and son, and he took solace hoping he would see his wife soon and his son would be safe, no matter the outcome. That was his silver lining amongst the darkness. He would stop at nothing to provide a future for his son, a future where Voldemort wasn't responsible for killing everyone he would ever love…
For a brief moment Remus Lupin thought he had fallen asleep, or perhaps faded into a day dream or sorts, because as he stood near the window inside the large safe house looking out over the damp field he saw something that should have been impossible…
He hastily placed his glass down at moved closer to the window, trying to make out if what he was seeing was only in his head, or if it was real— but it couldn't be—
Because Sirius Black couldn't be walking towards the safe house with his arm slung around James Potter's shoulders— and James couldn't possibly be rolling his eyes as Sirius smirked devilishly down at him— and Sirius couldn't possibly be mumbling something into James ear that caused him to laugh as he shoved Sirius away playful— but that was precisely what he thought he was seeing—
Remus blinked several times, realizing that he had not taken a breath since his eyes adjusted to the fog surrounding the field and landed on the two familiar forms.
He darted for the front door and stood frozen on the stone porch as two other figures joined Sirius and James— but no— it wasn't them at all…
"Harry?"
It was Harry.
Remus immediately felt his chest tighten as the memory of his last conversation with Harry before he went off with Ron and Hermione replayed fresh in his mind.
He could still imagine Harry's glare of disappointment and anger when Remus suggested he accompany them— He could still hear Harry's voice, filled with so much distain—
'I see, so you're just going to dump her and the kid to run off with us?'
It took some weeks for Remus to come to terms with what Harry was actually saying to him. He thought him a coward for choosing to join them instead of stay with his family. He was grateful Harry had refused his offer in the end. It forced him to return to his wife— to his son.
As Harry's head lifted at hearing Remus's voice he and the other boy, one that Remus thought may have been Sirius Black reincarnated, stopped in their tracks, and the other boys arm dropped from Harry's shoulders immediately. Remus saw Hermione stopping behind him. Draco Malfoy by her side.
"Remus?" Harry slowly walked forward, and Remus noticed his wand was gripped tightly by his side.
He lifted his hands slowly, his wand limp in his own grasp.
"Remus John Lupin, werewolf, your father called me Moony, one of the four creators of the Marauder's Map—," Remus began lowering his hands as they approached the bottom stair, "—married to Nymphadora, prefers Tonks, and I taught you how to produce a Patronus, Harry, which takes the form of a stag…" Remus allowed a small smirk as he added, "The last time we spoke you called me a coward."
He noticed Harry's shoulders slump slightly, a pained grimace covering his features. Remus smiled.
"You weren't wrong Harry. I've come to terms with that."
"What are you doing here?" Hermione asked, hurrying up the steps to embrace him.
Remus wrapped her into a firm hug before stepping backwards. His gaze landed on Draco Malfoy's for a brief moment, the boy nodded at him, standing a bit behind Hermione silently.
"I believe Mr. Zabini can explain better than I can. It was he who got word to the rest of the Order about your little army here."
"Zabini?!" Hermione and Harry both said in shock.
"Mother fuck— I'm going to strangle Blaise. What good is a secret safe house if he and Pansy are determined to fill it with every last bloody creature, witch and wizard with a hero complex and their fucking brother." The other boy mumbled under his breath directly to Malfoy; the boy who Remus thought carried himself scarily similar as a younger Sirius Black— who even cursed and rambled just as similarly, causing Remus to be reminded of the devilishly handsome, confident boy he spent his youth with, especially while standing near Harry, who could pass as James twin.
"I suppose you were successful with the task Dumbledore left you?" Remus asked Harry.
"We're close."
"I see…"
"Remus…" Hermione said then, noticing the tension lingering between Remus and Harry. "Does— does Tonks know you're here?"
"She does." Remus inhaled a deep breath. "She's the one who insisted I come. The moment Ginny began telling us about the recruits she demanded I assist in anyway that I could."
"Ginny?" Hermione asked then, her brows lifting in surprise as Harry stepped forward, "Ginny? She's— She's here?!"
"Just inside. Neville and Luna as well."
Harry hurried past him then, shoving the door open with Hermione right behind him, leaving Remus standing in the silence with Malfoy and—
"You're not related to the Black family by any chance, are you?" Remus couldn't help but ask the other boy, who shared a quick glance with Draco before answering.
"Unfortunately, I'm a Nott."
"Right… I apologize… you just remind me of someone. Nott? Theodore Nott is your father then?"
Remus noticed the boy grimace… even his grimace at the mention of his father was so distinctly Sirius. Remus nodded and turned to Malfoy, sensing his discomfort he lifted his hand, extending it before him.
"Thank you." Remus said as Draco frowned and slowly took his outstretched hand, shaking it slowly. "For Hermione… thank you. This world wouldn't fair well without a witch as brilliant as her to sort out it's messes."
He saw Draco relax slightly at the mention of Hermione and a polite smile form on his features as he responded.
"I couldn't agree more."
Remus dropped his hand and stepped aside.
"Right… well Theo— was it?"
Theo nodded.
"I hope you don't mind, but I've welcomed myself to some of your whisky. Would you two care to join me for a glass and perhaps inform me of what Harry has planned next?"
"Yes to the whisky—" Theo said, striding next to Remus. "—as for the other request, when has Harry ever planned anything?"
Remus laughed.
"Yes, yes, well… I suppose you're right about that."
Harry was through first, freezing immediately as he and Hermione caught sight of Ginny whispering with Blaise Zabini in the hall leading to the kitchens. At the sound of the door swinging open they both turned to face them, Ginny's face went pale, her eyes wide.
"Harry..."
Her voice was a shocked whisper as she rushed from the shadow of the hall towards them. She looked leaner, paler, Hermione noted, as if she had been missing meals but also training far too hard, reminding Hermione of the way she would look during quidditch season. Her stubborn determination overpowering her body's need for rest and nutrition.
Harry took two quick strides as she hurdled forward, lifting his arms as she lifted hers, embracing her. Ginny's chin rested on Harry's shoulder and she opened her eyes to meet Hermione's.
"Hermione! I can't believe you're both here!" Ginny pulled Harry closer to her once before moving to hug her.
"What are you doing here?" Harry asked, noticing Ginny glancing over her shoulder were Blaise was moving to join them, stopping at her side.
"It's sort of a long story, but the short version is that Blaise brought me here. He knew I was preparing some of the students at Hogwarts with defense against the Dark Arts and thought we could join forces with Parkinson and Greengrass's werewolf army." A small smirk twitched on her mouth as she glanced at Zabini. "Sort of brilliant really. He brought Luna, Neville and I here to help sneak them into the castle for tomorrow night."
"How do you know what's happening tomorrow night?" Hermione asked, glancing back and forth between them, sensing Harry's slightly stunned state.
"McGonagall." Blaise answered swiftly. "She knows which passes we'll be entering. We weren't sure when you four would make it back so we asked her to keep it open until sunrise tomorrow."
"What about you two? Why isn't Ron with you two? Blaise told me Malfoy and Nott went with you." Ginny asked then, her brow scrunched in confusion.
Hermione and Harry shared a quick glance.
"Oh, Ginny..." Hermione started, not sure what to say. Did she know about Charlie?
"He wanted to be with your family." Remus luckily walked in then, answering for her, with Draco and Theo striding in behind them. Hermione felt her feet already moving towards him, instantly relaxing as she felt his fingers lace in hers.
Hermione felt Ginny's stare lingering on her hand laced with his before she saw the girl frowning at her. Ginny took a step back, closer to Blaise. Hermione wondered if she wasn't sensing the same thing with the two of them standing so close.
"Well, well, well—" Theo said with a smirk, winking at Blaise, "—Looks like Zabini finally got his sneaky peter in Gryffindor's Beater."
Ginny glared at Theo. "I'm a Chaser, you tosser!"
Theo bumped his elbow with Draco's, "Hear that— didn't even try to deny it."
"Sod off, Nott." Blaise grumbled.
"Lovely to see you as well my good sir." Theo bowed slightly. "I suppose I have you to thank for infesting my—" Theo stopped mid sentence as he glanced to their right to see the state of the living area. Cushions were thrown about, small pallets made every which was, empty plates and cups decorating every inch of furniture. "—filling my safe house with savages! What the fuck, Zabini!"
"What?" Blaise countered with a raised brow. "So you two are the only ones who get to play Slytherin bad boy turned noble hero?"
"I'm fairly certain the state of the living area is the least of our priorities at the moment, Theo." Draco drawled.
"Glad to see you finally came to your senses Ferret."
Hermione felt Draco's grip tense in her own.
"Likewise Weaslette. I'd say Zabini's benefiting from this new arrangement."
Ginny dropped her challenging stare, a blush rising to her cheeks as she tried to avoid Harry's inquisitive stare.
"Right," Remus said, clasping his hands together to break the rising awkward tension. "I'm going to check in with the others. See if we can leave by nightfall. Anything you lot need from me?"
"Remus." Harry called as Remus started walking backwards away from their small group. Harry moved passed them and lowered his voice slightly. "I am sorry... I-I shouldn't have called you a coward. I was just—"
"Harry." Remus interrupted. "I know why you did. You were right. Parents shouldn't leave their children unless they have to."
Harry nodded then as Remus placed his hand on his shoulder. Hermione overheard the small interaction and shared a sad smile with Harry as he turned around to face them once more, his gaze landing on Draco's.
"We should see what's in that vial."
Draco turned to Theo, gesturing up the grand staircase across the foyer. "Lead the way Lord Nott."
Theo rolled his eyes, grumbling as he headed towards the stairs. "You know I detest that title you despicable monster."
"Where are you going?" Ginny asked Harry and Hermione as they started after them.
"To get answers." Harry said cryptically and followed after Draco and Theo.
Hermione paused before joining them, recognizing the flash of hurt on Ginny's features, and pulled her in for another quick embrace.
"I'm glad you're safe, Ginny. We'll come down shortly."
"Blaise told me, but I-I truly didn't believe it... you and Malfoy, that is."
Hermione instantly felt her face flush.
"Oh, Granger..." Blaise was grinning widely at her now. "You naughty little minx—"
Hermione narrowed her eyes at Blaise, though her face was still burning from embarrassment. How could he have possibly known? Was she that transparent?
"What?" Ginny glanced from Hermione's guilty look to Blaise. "What are you talking about?"
"Nothing." Hermione said quickly and began following after Harry. "We'll talk later, okay?"
"Hermione!" Ginny called, but she was already bounding up the stairs. She turned on her heel to face Blaise. "What was that about?"
Blaise placed his hand on the small of Ginny's back, pulling her stomach flush with his, smirking as he lowered his lips to her ear. "Remember that thing we did when I lost that bet to you? Last fall when Gryffindor beat Slytherin first match of the year...?"
Ginny was certain her face was equally as red as Hermione's had just been.
"Oh..."
As his lips found hers she wondered why she wasn't more shocked about this information, but then his tongue was slipping across her bottom lip, and well— What were they talking about again?
Fenrir Greyback stalked through the dew ridden woods, his nose tilted high in the air. His thin lips curled over his sharp teeth as he turned to face the small army gathered behind him; the army consisting of hags, vampires, and werewolves alike— each creature hating the other, but coming together for their shared hatred for a larger enemy— all those who felt wronged by not only the wizarding world, but also the Dark Lord who used their strength and abilities as merely tools— who saw them as nothing more than mindless soldiers.
No... Fenrir had long sense felt he was destined for more. He would answer to no one. His dark gaze filtered across his followers standing amongst the damp field in the shadows of the woods, pride swelling within his chest, vibrating through his rib cage, escaping his throat in the form of a violent war cry.
One by one the others joined in, the melodic sound of revenge pulsing through the early morning air.
The strode forward, straightening his shoulders to meet the eye of each ghastly creature before him.
"They're here." He growled as the excited cries began to die down. "I can smell her... the foolish witch who thought she could steal my recruits from me..."
He turned back towards the seemingly empty field...
"Kill them all."
A/N: If anybody can answer why the Snitch opened for Draco at that exact moment I'll give you a virtual hug. It's not super important, but I just wondered if anyone picked up on it.
[hint: review the flashback of Dumbledore placing the memories in the vial, he specifically did something that Harry does as well that causes his own Snitch to open]