A/N sorry to take so long updating guys. This chapter just seemed to fight me. It is the longest yet and gives a log of answers but I'm not very pleased with it. The next couple of chapters are partially written so hopefully I can get back to posting weekly rather than making you wait a month. As always comments and follows make my day!
"Theo, can we use your pensive? I want to show parts of this morning to Mother, maybe she will recognize someone?" Draco asked as he and his friend sat in the study of Nott Manor. They had settled Hermione into a guest room with strict instructions to rest. Mother was in the conservatory 'inspecting the plants to make certain the elves are caring for them properly.' Draco knew being around the plants was calming for her so they let her be.
"Of course." Theo stood and went behind the desk to the portrait of some long forgotten Nott. He took his wand and poked his finger producing a drop of blood that he then wiped on the frame. The frame creaked open revealing a small platform on which sat a pensive among books on dark magic and artifacts that Draco didn't even want to know the nature of. Theo lifted the pensive out and placed it on the desk.
Theo, Draco and Narcissa dropped into the memory in the middle of the battle. Draco forgot for a moment that he was supposed to be looking closer at the attackers as he watched Potter and Granger run up to join the battle. Granger had a look of pure horror on her face as she took it all in. Then he could see the moment she accepted what she saw and jumped into action. She was fierce.
Draco finally drew himself away from Granger when he heard Theo and his Mother talking about the different attackers.
"Recognize anyone?" Theo was asking his mother.
"No" she replied but added thoughtfully. "That one," she pointed to one Ron that had just thrown a boil hex at, "that face, he has to be a Travers."
"Absolutely. Definitely a Travers, just look at that schnoz." Theo said in agreement. Draco looked over for a moment and nodded his agreement before focusing on one of the attackers Blaise had been dueling. It took a moment but finally it dawned on him how he knew the man, "this one was a snatcher who was trying to work his way up to Death Eater. I saw him bringing people in at least twice and I know I heard Bella ordering him to help on one of the raids."
Draco watched his friend duel the man for a few moments before moving on to look at the others closer. He purposely walked past the crazed blonde witch and the man who had to be her brother who had spent all their time facing Draco. He already knew he didn't know them. His eyes fell on a short, bulky man with a rather ridiculous goatee that was fighting Potter. "Dammit. I should have known," he muttered ignoring the disapproving glare his mother gave him at his language. "Bilius Bulstrode, Millie's older brother. He came to me about 6 months after I was released. Asked what my next move was going to be. Wanted me to take up leadership of the Death Eaters." Theo and Narcissa could hear the disgust in his voice. "He congratulated me for walking free and wanted to know what my plan was to make the muggleborns and blood traitors pay. I immediately made it clear in no uncertain terms I was not interested and went to the Auror office to report it."
"What did they say?" Theo asked as the memory carried on around them.
"The fool who took the report obviously didn't believe me or care." Draco shrugged. Sadly that was nothing new to him. "I doubt anything ever came of it." They both turned back to the battle. The Twin had just called to Potter about the medi kit so Draco knew he was about to lose his wand. He was so very pissed at himself for losing it. Watching the scene play out before him he saw there was nothing he could have done differently. He had been totally focused on the 4 before him and even if he had tried to stop the disarming charm he would have been hit by the stinging hex and blasting hex instead. As his wand went flying through the air he heard his mother quietly gasp and take a step towards his memory self as if to protect him. All of a sudden he realized it probably wasn't a good idea to have brought his mother into the memory. She really didn't need to know just how close he had come to death but it was too late now. Watching as a bystander was almost worse than living it. He could see the moment each of his friends and the others realized he was without a wand. He was standing next to Granger again. She didn't hesitate, didn't think she just reacted. As soon as he was able to catch her wand she threw it. And the crazy thing was looking at Potter and Weasel they weren't surprised when she put the shield up. "They've seen her do this before." Theo commented looking at the others just as Draco was. He had also pulled his watch out, Draco assumed to time just how long she kept the shield up. Those she had been dueling before had turned towards him when he didn't have a wand but as soon as she threw her wand to Draco they turned back to Granger along with another of his. At one point she had three wizard's and a witch throwing curses at her and the shield never faltered.
"Thats" his mother faltered. She was watching Granger hold the shield without even flinching. It didn't even seem to be draining her as it should have. "Remarkable. No wonder she seemed weak just afterwards."
"That's nothing, just wait." Theo said as he looked down at his watch. Potter had just disarmed the wizard who had his wand and then they heard the boom and watched the young wizard run away from the Weasel. "That was one of the few topiaries I liked." Mrs Malfoy said mournfully. "Gotta admit that was a pretty powerful bombarda, well aimed to. Tend to forget he was an Auror." Theo added. "here is where I come back and he threatens me."
"You actually look scared there Nott" Draco taunts his childhood friend.
"Did you not just see what happened to that tree? I sure as hell don't want to be on his bad side."
Draco decided to ignore that and turned back to watch Potter throw Granger his wand. "5 minutes, 38 seconds." Nott added looking back at his watch.
They watched as Nott and Ron joined the main fight and George began making cuffs.
"Oh looks like I got here just in time." All three watching the memory jump as Blaise joins them in the pensive. "I take it trying to see if you recognize anyone?" Draco just nodded as he saw the one fallen wizard get up and throw a bombarda that hit the ground in front of Potter throwing him into the air. Now it was the moment he was dreading. He looked back towards himself and saw the witch throw the killing curse at him. Even though he obviously knew it was coming this time it still took his breath away to see just how close to death he had come. His mother audibly gasped and seemed to shake. Theo and Blaise were standing on either side of her and both offered her an arm to steady her. Draco wanted to calm her fears but he was too fascinated watching Granger. She turned at hearing Avada and watched Draco duck. He watched her turn to look at the others, Blaise too weak from blood loss to be much help, Weasel and Twin working to keep any of the others from rejoining the fight, Theo and Potter on the ground with Potter being cut off from everyone else. He saw the fear in her eyes but it only lasted a second before the determination took over.
Thankfully Theo and Blaise realized where they were standing and moved closer to the fountain. Draco was so busy watching Granger he almost didn't see that the Weasel had run over and placed himself back in the battle. He had taken over the brother which was a good thing because he had just thrown a wordless Avada that just missed because Weasel distracted him and threw off his aim. Looking at the others they saw it to, "I didn't even realize he was there until later," Blaise said watching the wizard's dueling. Draco turned back to Granger because this was it, the water began to raise behind her. She wasn't even looking at it; she was still facing her opponents as she yelled 'duck'. Now Draco had still been on the ground trying to get back up, as were Theo and Potter. Weasel was the only one still standing and he didn't hesitate. She said duck and he hit the ground. He might not have known what was coming but he obviously knew better than to not listen.
The look on the witch's face that had cast the Avada was pure fury. Then Granger manipulated the water taking about a 1/4 of it and shifting it to ice and sending it to the wizard aiming at Potter. He never even saw it coming as the ice hit his back, ripping and tearing at his skin. Once he was down she sent the ice to join the water spout she now had going and threw up yet another wandless shield. The first time Draco was still too shaken up to notice everything going on. Now he could watch her completely. She was magnificent.
Knock knock
The door to Theo's study opens slowly at his responding "come in" and in walks Granger. She still looks weak but definitely stronger than when he left her to sleep hours ago. She had changed into jeans and a long sleeve t-shirt and had her hair down and wild. Just the way he secretly loved it. In school he had mocked her for it but now he saw just how perfectly suited her. It was wild and free. Untamable, yet beautiful and soft. Just like her.
Draco stood as she entered but did not run to her side as he wanted to. He knew she wouldn't want to be treated as an invalid. Instead he waited by the sofa for her to join him then kissed her cheek, "how are you feeling?"
"Better, still weak but better. How's it going, have you heard anything yet?" She asked as they sat together. For a moment he wondered if she would sit properly since his mother and Theo sat across from him in matching wing back chairs and Blaise was on the adjoining sofa. Or would she cuddle into him like she did whenever they were at her house. She sat and settled herself into his side, not as fully cuddled as usual but definitely leaning on him. He draped his arm around her, "we looked at the memory and realized we recognized three of them so we sent what we knew to Potter but haven't heard anything back yet." She nodded, "I doubt they'd have much of anything this soon. " she looked at the others, "How are you doing?" She asked Blaise
"A couple of blood replenishers, another healing potion and a little elf magic and I'm good as new." Granger didn't seem pleased with that answer but accepted it for now. "So now for some explanations. What's this panic button Bryony mentioned?"
"Just what if sounds like. It's a communication device built into her earrings. We told her any time there is trouble to press and hold one and Ron and I are alerted through our medallions. I already knew where she was supposed to be so Harry and I came directly to the Manor. Ron didn't know where she was supposed to be so he was going to Molly to have her traced."
"Traced?"
She turned to look at Draco, "you saw that clock in the kitchen at the Burrow?" She asked him.
"Of course it's rather," he paused looking for the correct word to describe the monstrosity of a clock, "unique."
"Molly Weasley has a very special clock." She turned back to the others and her voice took him back to Hogwarts, part swotty know-it-all part lecturer. "Every member of the Weasley family has a hand and instead of telling the time it tells, generally, where each person is. Home, work, school, traveling etc. It uses a piece of our DNA to track us for general purposes. Molly came up with the idea and commissioned it during the first Wizarding war. No matter what happens she can look at the clock and know whether her family is safe or not."
"Thats genius." Draco had to admit that witch was more than a house witch and he was way out of line to ever think less of her.
"It really is."
"That's how they knew you were hurt."
"Yes, I was considered in 'mortal peril' because my magical core was depleted. It goes even further though. Molly has a spell that she can use and it will tell her within a meter where exactly a family member is. That's why Ron and George went to find her first. If I hadn't known where Bryony was or if I got there and she wasn't there I would have gone to Molly next."
"That's nifty, I hate to think of the number of times she's needed to use it." Theo added thoughtfully.
"Surprisingly only once." She paused a cute little furrow to her brow as she thought, "A little over two years ago Angelina was kidnapped walking down Diagon. As soon as she was stunned her hand moved to 'mortal peril' and Molly called Harry and Ron. They apparated to her location and took down the thugs before she even woke up."
"Now that makes much more sense. What did Potter mean by 'Protocol'?" Draco asked the other question on his mind. He was surprised to see how Bryony greeted each member of her family after such an event.
"That's another safety measure we put in place. If she is ever separated from family even if just for a few moments she is to verify who they are. She has a code word with each of us."
"That seems extreme." Blaise said, looking skeptical.
"We live in a world with polyjuice potion. It would be too easy to separate her from us for a moment then try and take her. And the likelihood is higher than I'd like when you consider just how much hate mail we still get. A lot of people hate Ron and I for various reasons and what better way to get to us than our daughter?"
"You get hate mail? Whatever for?" Came from Theo this time.
"Anything from my part in the war, to me not doing enough for muggleborns after the war, then there's my work in the DRCMC. I get a howler at least once a month from Mrs Parkenson calling me an uppity mudblood, and how dare I make her free her house elves."
They all shared a look at how flippantly she used the offensive term. Finally Theo laughed, "Thats sounds like Pansys Mum all right."
Before anyone else could comment Granger turned to his mother surprisingly next, "Mrs Malfoy, how are you?"
Mother looked startled to be spoken to directly. After they had come out of the memory she had just quietly sat in her seat and hadn't added anything to the conversation. Realizing she was lost in thought they had all silently agreed to just let her be. But now Granger was speaking to her. "I'm fine." Mother clipped quietly. "My home was attacked and I don't know how or why and it doesn't matter because I have to be back there in less than 2 days whether we have answers or not."
Rather than look bashful as Mrs Malfoy obviously intended Granger smiled kindly, "that's actually what I wanted to talk to you about. I know this is rather personal but may I review your marriage contract?"
"I beg your pardon?" Mother raised one perfectly shaped eyebrow at Granger. Draco held his breath. Thus far their relationship was tenuous at best.
"I realize it's extremely personal and Draco told me you've already had a few lawyers look at it but no offense none of them were me." Granger replied smugly. "I have a knack for research and finding loopholes. I would like to see if we can at least get you out of the Manor."
Mrs Malfoy turned to her son, her expression dismayed that he shared such personal information but then she arched that perfect eyebrow, obviously asking his opinion. "I don't see how it could hurt. She's brilliant. If anyone could find a way to get you out it would be her." Seeing her hesitation he quickly added, "Obviously Granger would be discreet. You aren't safe there, as we've seen today. If there is any chance at all she can find a way for you out we need to take that opportunity."
After a moment's pause she nodded at her son then held out her hand and a contract appeared in it. She sent it to Granger. As Granger caught it she sighed, "I doubt I will be able to find anything with half of it redacted like this." With a wave of Mrs Malfoy's hand the redacted information became visible and highlighted instead. "Since my father initiated the contract we signed first. Before I signed Lucius added a clause in invisible ink that allowed the Malfoy's to edit the contract before he signed. The highlighted is what he added before he signed."
"That's ridiculous. It's highly illegal. The whole contract should be null." Granger said her outrage was apparent.
"In a pureblood marriage contract it's perfectly legal."
Granger was already skimming and flipping through the contract. Distractedly she stood up, "I'll be back later." She mumbled heading towards the floo in Theo's study.
"Where are you going?" Draco asked, alarmed. They still didn't know what was going on with the attackers and until he knew more he didn't want her out of his sight.
"Grimmauld Place. The library isn't as extensive as Hogwarts but I know it has a decent law section."
"Grimmauld? Isn't that the old Black place?" Blaise asked thoughtfully.
"Harry inherited it from his Godfather, Sirius. It's just sitting empty but the library would be a good place to set up. Kreacher has been better about at least keeping the pixies and whatnot out of the library since he knows I sometimes drop by." She was still heading towards the fireplace looking at the contract.
"Whoa Granger," Theo calls to her as she grabs a handful of floo powder. She pauses but doesn't look up from the contract, "hmm?"
"No offense to the Noble and Ancient House of Black, but Nott library is by far more extensive and I promise has no pixies." At the mention of Nott library Granger's head pops up. "Nott library?"
"Come along Granger, I'll show you the way." He stood gesturing for her to follow him. The other all stood to follow as well.
"Whoa" Granger's eyes went wide and her mouth formed a perfect 'o' as Theo opened the double library door with a dramatic flourish. Theo snickered at the look on her face and turned to Draco, "is that her 'O' face?"
Without even pausing to remember his mother was present Draco answered,"close." While Theo and Blaise laughed Granger shot stinging hexs at both of them and his Mother frowned her displeasure at all of them.
Theo led the way to the card catalog. It was enchanted so all you had to do was tell it what subject you needed and it would give you a list of all the pertinent books with summaries. Once you chose which books you would like they would automatically be summoned to the nearby table set up for research. Theo showed Granger what all she might need then they all excused themselves.
It was now well past 10pm and Granger had yet to leave the library. Draco had been to check on her a few times. At 7 he invited her to join them for dinner but she begged off and he had an elf bring her a tray instead. Seeing her poured over books in the library again took him back to their days at Hogwarts. Her study mania was well known by everyone in the castle. Everyone knew not to interrupt her or they would face her wrath. He had been contemplating how to get her to go to bed when suddenly the floo roared to life and out stepped an even more disheveled than usual Potter who had obviously been getting ready for bed when he decided to come here instead. He was in green plaid sleep pants and a plain white t-shirt. He dropped to the ground to finish tying his boots as he stepped through. As he stood back up he looked at the occupants of the study. Theo and Draco had been sitting in there talking all evening.
"Er, where's Hermione?" The bespectacled git asked when he realized she wasn't present.
"Potter. So nice of you to drop by, uninvited." Draco said dryly. It had been a long day and he didn't have the energy for banal pleasantries.
"Yes It's always an honor to be blessed with the presence of the Chosen One." Theo quipped, giving a mock half bow from his seat.
"I was invited by Hermione. So where is she?" He snapped now cleaning his glasses of soot with his shirt.
"Library." Theo pointed vaguely towards the study door. They were neither in the mood to be very helpful. Especially since they had just been voicing their displeasure at not being kept informed about the results of today's events.
"Before you get lost," Draco begins as Potter starts towards the door, "care to share what you've found out? I mean it was just MY home and MY family that was attacked."
Potter paused a moment, looking mildly bashful before answering, "I was going to tell you tomorrow at the Burrow." He paused again looking around, "I guess it does make sense to say it all once rather than explain multiple times. Let's grab Hermione and if Mrs Malfoy is still up, let's have her join us as well."
Draco gave the message to meet in the library to his mothers elf and then they all headed that way themselves.
"By the way, what is she doing in the library? She's supposed to be resting and we all know that won't happen in a library. " Potter glared at Draco.
"She slept for a few hours this afternoon." Draco said defensively.
"Let me guess between noon and 3?"
Draco nodded, "how do you know that?" He asked suspiciously.
"Because during that time she drove me nuts with that owl of yours. And when I refused to answer I got to meet Tippy. Finally about 3 I told her that if she didn't stop harassing me and got some rest I was going to come here and stun her. I guess I should have just done it myself since you obviously didn't listen to my warning." He glared at the other two as Theo went to open the library doors. "I assume she's researching something specific if she's still here this time of night?"
"She is." Draco conceded but at the prompting look Potter gave he refused to go on. They walked quietly towards the table Hermione was sitting at. Draco had learned the hard way not to sneak up on her. However Potter looked as if that's exactly what he wanted to do as he waved his wand to silence their shoes and signaled to the others to be quiet.
They walked up from behind to the table Granger had set up at. She had books stacked all over the table, most places they were stacked taller than her. She had a parchment and quill beside her for notes which it appeared she already had two parchments worth.
Potter came up behind Granger and yelled "ahh" in her ear. Thankfully Draco realized what he was going to do and quickly pulled Theo out of the line of fire. As soon as he yelled Granger spun around and jumped up, wand drawn in her left hand aiming at his throat while she threw a punch with her right that would have knocked him out had it landed. He was expecting that response and dodged the punch and blocked the wand. Seeing him block both her attacks she regrouped and was about to swing again but Potter grabbed both wrists.
"You're exhausted. You should be in bed! You didn't rest at all did you?" He chastised her still holding her wrists. She opened her mouth as if to argue but he shut her down fast, "you can't deny your tired, any normal day I wouldn't have even tried that because I don't want to be laid out flat by my sister. So what do you need that I had to come right over?"
"I'm fine." She huffed, turning back to her mountain of research. "Thanks for coming. I had a few questions for you. But first," she turned to Draco, "I need to tell him what I'm doing. Obviously he doesn't need all the details but I think he could be a part of a solution." Draco hesitated, this was his Mothers contract, he didn't feel he should have a say. Thankfully he didn't have to say anything because his mother walked up just then.
"You think he could help?" She asked as she joined them. It might be 10pm but she was still in full robes. Draco didn't think he could ever remember seeing her in anything less than robes, perfect hair and makeup.
"As Head of House of Black I believe he can." answered turning towards the older witch.
"Wait. What does that have to do with anything?" Potter asked trying to follow but failing miserably.
At Mother's nod Granger began her explanation, "I am looking into Mrs Malfoy's marriage contract. One of the stipulations of it is that she must live wherever Lucius calls home."
Recognition crossed Potter's face immediately, "so she is forced to stay at the Manor."
"Yes. I am trying to find a loophole but it's proving to be more difficult than I expected." Granger picked up the contract and waved it as she spoke. "This contract is ironclad."
"I know that look, you think you've found something." Potter replied as she slowly smiled.
"I think so. I…." she started then stopped turning back to the table rifling through the books.
"Annnnddd we've lost her." Potter said turning to the others. "So how was your day?" He asked.
"She isn't going to finish her explanation?" Theo asked, watching her flip through books frantically.
"You can try and ask her but I doubt you'll get far."
"Granger, what do you think you've found?" Granger didn't even turn around; she just waved a hand distractedly towards him.
Potter smirked, "told you. Remember I've known her a lot longer than you. I know that look. That look means she's onto something and she isn't going to answer anything until she has it figured out. Hopefully since she called me here she's close." He added mournfully, "I would like to try and get some sleep tonight."
They stood there a few minutes then finally Draco transfigured some chairs for them and Theo summoned a bottle of whiskey and five glasses. He poured Granger a glass and tried to hand it to her but she wouldn't even acknowledge him. Finally he just left it on the edge of the table.
After 20 minutes she jumped up and spun around. She looked mildly surprised to see them all sitting there just waiting for her. "Umm, so I think I've got it. Harry, when Sirius died he left you everything. He was the last Head of House of Black. By leaving you everything you are now the Head of House of Black."
"Yes." He confirmed hesitantly, "After everything settled down I met with the Gringotts Goblins to settle everything in my vaults. They confirmed I am the Head. I don't want it. Truthfully I'm getting Andy reinstated into the family so I can name Teddy heir." Potter answered pointedly not looking at Draco or Narcissa.
"Well, there is a clause that states that if she isn't safe staying in Lucius' home her head of house can demand she return to a familial home until his home is deemed safe." Granger explained. Draco looked at the others to see if they got whatever she was getting at but they all looked as lost as he was. "Harry as Head of Black House can declare Mrs Malfoy unsafe in Malfoy Manor and move her into a Black residence."
Recognition dawned on all of their faces but Harry was the first to speak, "but if that's the case why can't Malfoy do the same?" He turned to Draco, "you were made Head of House when the life sentence passed for Lucius." At Draco's nod Harry turned back to Hermione, "so why can't he declare Malfoy Manor unsafe?"
"Because Lucius Malfoy might be a twisted son of a bitch but he's brilliant. He had it written so that it didn't matter who was Head of Malfoy House, he is over Mrs Malfoy. I assume it was more so his father who was still living at the time had no say but it still means Draco can't do anything." Hermione paused looking at Draco helplessly. She knew this was one thing that tormented him. She watched as he put up his occlumency shields to keep his emotions from showing on his face. "However Mrs Malfoy is a Black by birth. And as her Head of House, you can. She can move into Grimmauld Place with your blessing."
"Hermione, you can't be serious. That place is…"
"A dump." Hermione finished the thought for him and shrugged, "Probably should be condemned. But magic is a beautiful thing. In as little as a week we could have at least the main rooms habitable." Thus far Mrs Malfoy hadn't said a word, her face set in her signature haughty look. Hermione turned to her, "I know it isn't ideal but all the old protections stand, including those added when it was a safe house for the Order. And it is a Black ancestral home. I bet there's some interesting heirlooms." The older witch just nodded, a slight jerk of her head, not necessarily acceptance but acknowledgement of the offer.
Finally Harry sighed, "ok so what do we have to do?"
"If Mrs Malfoy agrees we can petition the Wizengamot to declare Malfoy Manor unsafe. After today there is no way they can deny it. As her Head of House she can move into Grimmauld with your permission."
"It's that simple?" Draco asked incredulously. He had paid a small fortune to multiple lawyers looking for a loophole and it took Granger just a few hours to figure it out. She nodded, "it really is. The hardest part is going to be fixing up Grimmauld Place. It really is rather decrepit." She turned back to the table and began sending the books back their shelves and cleaning up her mess. While she was doing so Potter and Mother agreed to meet Monday morning at the Ministry to petition the Wizengamot.
Once finished tidying up Granger rejoined the conversation, "Obviously I don't think I need to warn you to be careful though. Being a Black you should be safe against most of the curses but still that place has some dark stuff in it. I'll see if I can get Bill to come sweep it for anything killer before we get started and again before we get you moved in just in case we miss anything."
"I would have thought that would have been done before the Order took it over." Draco asked, confused.
"Moody did. But it was obviously a rush job." Harry answered looking at Hermione.
She snorted indelicately, "ya think?" She pulled the collar of her t-shirt to the side to expose her left shoulder and top of her arm. Ignoring the dark purple scar and other small scars she points to a patch of scared skin on her arm she continued, "I got this the first week we were there, just brushed passed a cabinet and it spit acid at me."
"How in Merlin's name did he miss that?" Draco sputtered, Moody was supposed to be a brilliant wizard.
"It was a targeting curse. Ron had already opened it a minute before." She shrugged, "It attacked me because of my blood status. I just happened to be the first non pureblood to come across it"
"That's ridiculous!" Theo said indignantly.
"That sounds rather standard for Aunt Walaburga." Mother finally spoke. "She passed over two decades ago. From the way you speak I assume the place hasn't been maintained?" She asked, turning to Potter.
"No. Until Sirius came back it was just Kreacher and he went completely mad. Didn't clean a thing the entire time. The Order went through and kinda cleared the main rooms but it fell to disuse after Sirius' death. Kreacher still primarily lives there." He stops when Granger starts giggling. "You need to rest. You don't giggle."
She just smiles and shrugs. "I'm just trying to decide what Kreacher is going to call Mrs Malfoy."
"Oh gods. This should be interesting." He snickered, a grin flashing across his face as well.
"Why?" Theo and Draco both asked.
"Well on a good day I'm just plain Matser, most days its some form of Master
Blood traitor Brat, Master Messy Hair, I personally like Master Scar. All of that is nothing to what he calls Hermione and Gin."
Hermione nodded to her best friend, "on good days I'm Swotty Mistress." Theo and Draco both chuckled at that but quickly stopped at her glare. "Other days I'm Mistress Mudblood."
"What?" Draco turned towards Potter, "You let him call her that? What kind of friend are you!?" Draco visibly clenched his fists at the word mudblood and Potter immediately went on the defensive.
"It's no bother. He is just saying what he was taught and doesn't really mean anything by it. Truth be told he loves me in his own twisted way." Hermione interrupted before the men could start throwing punches. Draco turned to her, fists still clenched but willing to listen to what she said, "Seriously. He has been to check on me more times than you have today. He brought me more core replenishers and a protein drink that I'm certain he slipped a strengthening potion into when he found me in the library. Besides I almost prefer it to Masters Other Mistress as he calls Gin. Makes it sound like she's the other woman rather than Harry's wife."
"We could spend all night on that but let's move on. Since most of us are here I guess I should share what we found out about the attack." Harry said clearing his throat then taking a slow sip of his Firewhiskey, stalling. He transfigured a chair for Hermione then finally continued as she sat down.
"As far as we can tell it's a rather poorly run group from the outside. In reality it's rather brilliant. Malfoy was the intended target." He nodded at Draco before continuing, "this group has no name, no clear leader, just a general hate of the name Malfoy. We found there were 3 distinct subgroups. One we interviewed were mad that you turned away from the Death Eaters and haven't tried to re-raise the group, Bullstrode seemed to head that subgroup. The next are others who are upset you didn't do time while others are serving life sentences, they have family thats in Azkaban. Then on the other side the third group are those who blame you for the war or war crimes of Lucius. That brother/sister team especially. Their father was a muggle whom Lucius killed in front of them for marrying a witch."
"I got the impression they were particularly motivated." Draco murmured.
"Whoever put this group together is smart. There were 3 teams who took turns watching the Manor. They never interacted with the other groups so each team thinks they all are after you for the same thing. According to them they have had 24hr surveillance on the Manor since you got out of Azkaban."
Theo let out a low whistle, "that's some serious commitment. And a lot of hate."
"I'd say. Today was the first and only opportunity to get in. As soon as they saw the wards come down one apparated to a safe house they had and called all the others. The good news is we got all those on surveillance teams. The bad news is there is a missing leader who put them all together that none of them claim to have ever met."
"How did they come together then?" Hermione asked next. Her brow had that wrinkle in it that showed she was puzzling it all out and not getting far.
Harry looked helpless as he answered, "they all had the same story. They got a note telling them to meet up at an abandoned barn. Once they got to the barn they spoke to a cloaked figure. Basically he told each of them what they wanted to hear. Then gave them the assignment of watching the Manor. They never saw him again, just received messages encouraging them." Harry looked almost lost, "that's it. As far as we can tell we got all but the leader today." He turned to Mrs Malfoy, "with your permission I will send Aurors out in simi regular patrols to make sure whoever this is doesn't recruit anyone new to stake out the house. But I definitely think the safest course of action is to get you out of the Manor."
She nodded finally in agreement. "Then let's begin the process."
Harry then turned to Hermione, "and we finally got our confirmation," he began looking at his sister, "we were the targets of the lethifold attack. Bulstrode confirmed it was a side project of his team's. It would seem while on long hours of staking out they were able to plot that attack on us at the Ministry."
"At least that solves that mystery." Hermione shrugged her brow furrowed again, "I just feel like I have more questions than answers now."
"Any leads on this faceless leader?" Draco asks.
"There are a few Death Eaters that we still haven't caught yet. My best guess is it's one of them. Truthfully with no face or even a general description to go on it could be anyone." Harry shrugged then stood, "now if you will excuse me I promised Gin I would get James' next feeding and by my calculations he should be up any minute now. I value my life too much to not be there when he wakes up. " everyone stood with him. He nodded to Theo and Mrs Malfoy then hugged Hermione, "please get some sleep and take care of yourself. I'll see you for brunch, yes?" She nodded. Reaching for Draco's hand he shook it, "make sure she gets some rest this time. Seriously, hog tie her, stun her, whatever. Make her rest."
Draco put his arm around the witch in question, "I'll make sure she rests. Thank you for your help today." Harry made his way to the study while the others said good night.
In bed that night Draco held Hermione as she finally slept. He was so very thankful for this wonderful witch and realized he never wanted to let her go.