Had Olga been alive to witness it, and had Eleanor not been returning from over a week of being tortured and held hostage, she probably would've been thrown in her own daughter in the dungeon for puking all over her mother's priceless Persian rug. However, the fact of the matter was, Olga was not alive to fret about the rug or Eleanor. It was Molly and Arthur Weasley who were in the living room when Eleanor apparated and appeared in the fetal position before promptly releasing her stomach contents and a weeks worth of tears. Molly began barking orders immediately. Cool washcloths, a bucket, medicine, Draco. All were to be brought to the living room immediately.

Through muddled tears and gasps for air, Eleanor managed to wheeze out "I'm fine, I'm fine." repeatedly as she weakly waved her arms. Everyone who saw her knew she wasn't fine, but didn't argue the point with her. When Draco entered and collected Eleanor in his arms, she stopped trying to push people away.

"I'm okay," she assured through labored breaths. She was attempting to keep her hyperventilation at bay. "I'm not hurt, I'm okay," she said. Eleanor's mind was attempting to catch up with her body. Through her rushed reassurances, she was struggling to believe her own words. For days she'd been constantly alert and on edge, unsure of when she'd be home. Eleanor couldn't shake the feeling looming over her that it might all be taken away.

Everyone that was gathered in the living room had a million different questions about where she'd been, what she'd been through, why they let her go. But it was silent except for Eleanor's mumbled promises of her well being. It stayed silent in that room for a long few minutes. A collective breath was being held as they waited for Eleanor to begin her story.

"Is everyone okay?" She finally asked. Draco groaned loudly. He'd known the first thing out of her mouth would be concern for others despite the fact she'd been missing for nine days. He never wanted to let go of her again. Right now she was safe in his arms and it wasn't likely Eleanor would go without his company.

"Are you okay?" His voice was exasperated, his long standing worry for her waning into frustration. Not at her, never at her. But as he held her and listened to her, hatred for himself grew. He hated that he wasn't able to hold onto a little tighter so that this whole mess could have been prevented in the first place.

"I'm fine." Eleanor nodded. "Tired. Did the other Weasley boys make it out okay?"

"They're at a safehouse." Arthur confirmed. "Everyone else made it back here."

"They have Luna." Eleanor said it plainly, she'd barely had the chance to process it before she was hit with the curse and forced to leave. "And Ollivander. And a goblin that I couldn't recognize."

"Where?" Draco asked softly, already knowing the answer.

"Your house." Eleanor smiled sadly. "Your mum was still nowhere to be seen, though I didn't get to see much. They're being kept in the basement. I don't know why, I just know that they threatened them if I fail." Eleanor sucked in a deep breath and found Harry's eyes among the crowd. After so many hours spent alone other than the two people she hated most in the world, she was simultaneously overjoyed and overwhelmed at the sight of all of her loved ones watching her with fear and expectation. "I think I've got your next Horcrux."

No one rushed Eleanor to share her story, but she began it as soon as she had a cup of tea in her hands, and some crackers to fill her empty stomach. She tried to give as much detail as she could regarding the Horcrux and what was expected of her. She outlined her thinking about the reason behind her assets being considered so precious. She explained the plea deal she'd agreed to, and how it put a very specific timeline on when a rescue mission had to be planned and put into motion for those residing in the Malfoy's basement. She left out all of her conversations with Lucius. Not because she felt guilty, but because the words exchanged with Lucius was something she wanted to talk to Draco about privately.

"I think that's everything," Eleanor breathed out after her tale was finished. "Now all we have to do is find a Horcrux somewhere in my house, go to Death Eater headquarters to save our friend, and destroy said Horcrux."

"That's it?" Ron chuckled sarcastically. Everyone collectively let out a huff of a laugh through their nose, though no one was truly amused by the prospect of what lay ahead of them. Eleanor had half a mind to ask what had happened while she was away, but the truth of it was she didn't have the energy to do so. She barely was able to keep her head up. Her body had been all but starved and brutalized by that wretched curse. Her brain had been buzzing non stop for days. And helplessness had started settling in her bones as she thought about how this was only the beginning.

"I think I'm going to go lay down." Eleanor announced softly. No one protested. Draco helped Eleanor to her feet and shot a look at Remus, almost as if asking permission to follow. Remus was surprised at the gesture considering Draco had never cared what Remus thought about their relationship. But it seemed that after over a week of coexisting in their despair over Eleanor a new respect had grown between them. It seemed that as long as the three of them were roaming the earth, they'd always have to work together. Remus gave a small nod and the young couple left the room.

Behind the closed door of her bedroom, any facade Eleanor had been keeping up in the name of strength crumpled. She didn't say a word. Her eyes went empty. Exhaustion filled every part of her body, her being. She was barely able to stand on her own and she leaned her forehead against Draco's shoulder.

"Do you want to get cleaned up?" Draco asked softly. Her only response was a single nod. Draco began working gently on undressing her. Had the situation not been so heavy, he would have laughed at the tattered Hollyhead Harpies sweatshirt that she dorned. He hadn't seen it in years. Memories of 13 and 14 year old Eleanor flashed in his mind. When he was in love and too embarrassed and proud to admit it and simply teased her relentlessly. Now they were almost adults, the world had hardened them. He peeled the clothes from her skin. There was no sensuality in the act, he wasn't trying to seduce her. He was just trying to take care of her, and Eleanor was giving herself fully to him.

She allowed him to maneuver her to the bathroom where he drew her a bath and helped her to sink into the warm water. He used her favorite soaps to lather her skin. He and his sudsy washcloth took their time going over every inch of her. He tried to scrub away every bad memory, every uncomfortable feeling, every cruelty that she endured under his roof. While he hadn't been there, he felt guilty. He should've held onto her tighter, he should never have let her slip from his grasp.

Draco deftly lost his fingers in Eleanor's tresses of curly hair. He worked carefully to scrub her scalp and massage her temples. There was a moment that he wasn't sure Eleanor was still awake under his fingers. Her face hadn't changed in the several minutes he worked on each strand. But when he began to rinse the conditioner, she managed to meet his gaze and give him a weak but grateful smile.

After swiping his fingers gently across her face with her face wash, and earning the smallest chuckle from Eleanor, Draco reached his forearm into the tub and let the water slowly drain out. He wrapped her in warm towels and left her only for the purpose of returning with her most comfortable clothes to dress her in.

And they were finally curled up in her bed. Eleanor had never felt so clean in her life as she snuggled closer into Draco's side. It felt like a sigh of relief. The memories were there, burned in her brain, but the physical traces were gone. Now she was only Draco's, and she liked it that way.

"I'd never let anyone else do that." Eleanor finally said softly when Draco had thought she was asleep.

"I should hope not." Draco returned, causing Eleanor to snort.

"You know what I mean." She continued. "Thank you."

Draco struggled for a moment with what to say. She was thanking him? He'd let go of her at the wedding and led her to the horrors she'd faced, and she was thanking him for simply helping her clean up? He was entirely unworthy of her. He was unworthy of her as a child, and that hadn't changed much as they grew. Part of him wished he could shoo her off to someone better, someone who was worthy of her, but he knew he'd never be able to stand it. And no matter how hard he tried, he'd always feel like he was falling short. But that was a small price to love her.

"Oh, Ellie. I was lost without you." He pulled her closer, knowing it would take an army to force them apart again.

Eleanor sucked in a deep breath. "Draco, if something should happen to me," She started.

"No, I won't have this conversation." Draco refused. His jaw clenched tightly in defiance. In truth, he'd let his mind wander to all of the worst fates in Eleanor's absence. He would not allow her to divulge and validate his nightmares.

"I'm just saying,"

"Stop it, stop." He commanded. "Not now."

Eleanor had to agree, she wasn't picking the best time to bring it up. Her eyes were closing on their own accord and she just wanted to be at peace. "Not now." She relented. "But soon."

And she let herself sleep peacefully.

Quick Note: I know this is a shorter one, but I wanted to get out a good reunion and let them have their small moment before we jump headfirst into the beginning of the end! I have an estimate of about 10-12 chapters left! So we are coming up on it faster than expected! What are your thoughts? What are you looking forward to seeing as we start closing this story? Excited to hear from you!