Chapter 68

A Trap

Harry's POV

I hated myself for admitting it, but Malfoy was right. I followed him knowing he'd find Lily. I heard everything. The future she wanted, how he just wanted a real family. Malfoy's father had always been a git. Even to his own son it seemed. No wonder he clung to Lily. She was probably the only real family he had. I peered around the tree and saw him holding her. I slowly walked out.

"Lily, I'm really sorry."

She stood up with a smile and hugged me. Malfoy stood up with his classic smirk, or was it? This smirk was a little less menacing.

"I know you still love him, even after all he's done. I'm sorry."

"I was never angry with you. I know you hate him, especially after last year."

I stepped back and kissed her cheek.

"Come on, Hermione has an idea."

"She speaking to Weasley yet?"

"Nope."

"I almost feel sorry for him."

"Draco!"

He held up his hands in surrender before taking Lily's hand.

Lily's POV

Hermione wanted to go and see Mr. Lovegood. She showed us a letter Dumbledore wrote to Grindewald.

"Look at the signiture."

I looked closer at the A.

"Deathly Hallows?" I whispered.

"What?" came four voices.

"Story that dad used to read me. Years ago, but then I told him I was too old for fairy tales. He laughed when I said that and told me 'Fairy tales have good lessons.' Maybe I should've listened to him. I should've done a lot of things."

I shook my head.

"Mr. Lovegood was wearing a necklace at the wedding. This symbol."

"This mark keeps popping up. And at the graveyard in Godric's Hollow." Hermione said.

"It was there too. Outside Gregoravitch's wand shop." Harry told us.

"But what does it mean?" Ron asked.

Hermione completely ignored him.

"Look, you have no idea where the second horcrux is, neither do I. But this means something, I'm sure of it."

"Hermione's right."

Ron went and stood next to her.

"I reckon we go see Lovegood. Let's vote on it! Those in favor?"

He raised his hand and I was trying not to laugh. Draco didn't bother holding back at all. He laughed and Ron glared at him.

"Draco." I growled.

He stopped but he was still trying not to smile.

"Fine. First thing in the morning. Ron can take the first watch."

He didn't even try to argue with her. I held out a blanket as he walked outside. I was looking forward to some sleep. I yawned and Draco led me to bed.

"Come on, love."

He put me in bed and then slid in next to me. As he pulled the blankets up I wrapped my arms around him.

"I love you, darling." I whispered.

I felt is lips on my forehead.

"I love you too. Go to sleep."

He actually started humming. I wasn't sure if it was intentional or not, but that combined with the steady beat of his heart helped me fall asleep.

Draco's POV

She always looked like an angel when she slept.

"Where'd you hear that song?"

I looked at Potter.

"She sings it sometimes. Said it was a lullaby her mum used to sing."

He smiled a bit.

"Yeah... I kind of remember it. The melody at least."

Things were still incredibly awkward with him. I shrugged and looked down at Lily.

"You know your family will probably cut you off if you marry her."

I smirked.

"I have my own money. I have since fourth year."

He arched his brow.

"You knew back then that you were gonna ask my sister to marry you?"

"Do you know what she's done for me? She's given me love, comfort and the chance at a real family. To prove I'm not like the rest of my family. To be a good man, a man who deserves a woman like her. And I know there's a chance I never will. But she still loves me, even after all the mistakes I've made, she loves me. You can hate me forever Potter, it won't stop me from marrying her."

"I don't hate you. At least not anymore. As long as you give Lily the future she said she wanted, I won't stand in the way. That includes her wish for a fresh Christmas tree."

I half smiled.

"I'll never hurt her, Potter. I love her."

He nodded.

"I know."

He looked at Lily before going to sleep. I laid my cheek against Lily's head and closed my eyes.

We all got up early that next morning and packed up. Granger still wasn't talking to Weasley. We apparated to a field and in the distance was what looked like a lopsided rock at first. As we drew closer, I saw windows and a door.

"Yeah... this looks like it would be Lovegood's house." I said.

Lily laughed a bit and I smiled at her.

"Hermione, when are you gonna stop being mad at him?" Potter asked.

"I'm always mad at him." She said.

I couldn't help but laugh. I took Lily's hand and I looked at her ring again. I smiled and kissed the back of her hand.

"Oi, we have a job to do here. Save it for later."

I smirked but didn't argue with Potter... this time. When we got to the door, there were odd looking fruits floating around.

"Keep off the dirigible plums?"

Potter raised his hand to knock but Weasley stopped him.

"Wait! What about him?"

He pointed at me and Lily frowned.

"What about him?"

"He's a death eater."

She narrowed her eyes dangerously.

"He was a death eater. He's a good man, Ron."

"Lily he was still a death eater, and I don't think Mr. Lovegood would even... you know."

I sighed because I knew they were right.

"I'll just wait outside then. Keep watch or something."

Lily's POV

He sounded so sad and defeated. I squeezed his hand.

"If he won't let you in then I'll stay with you."

"Lily-"

"I've read the deathly hallows story. You can fill us in later." I said firmly.

"But Lily-"

"She's made her choice, Ron. Respect it."

I looked at my brother and smiled gratefully. He knocked on the door and it opened slightly.

"What is it? Who are you? What do you want?"

"Hello, Mr. Lovegood? I'm Harry Potter, we met a few months ago? And my sister, Lily?"

He looked at me and I smiled kindly. He looked horrible. He looked tired, scared and stressed.

"Could we come in?" Harry asked.

He nodded and brought us inside, even Draco. He looked at me sadly.

"Lily, you know that when all this is over... even thought I turned on the dark lord to help you and your brother... you know people will still hate me. They might even be afraid of me. I don't want you to be shut out because of me."

I smiled and touched his cheek with the tips of my fingers.

"I don't care."

I kissed him softly and he closed his eyes.

"I don't care what other people think. As long as we love each other, it doesn't matter what anyone else thinks or says."

I felt him smile as he kissed my forehead.

"Thank you." he whispered.

I smiled and we followed the others. Mr. Lovegood seemed very distracted and he kept looking out the window.

"Er, where's Luna, sir?"

"Oh, she'll be along." he said rather quietly.

I had a very uneasy feeling about this whole situation.

"So, how can I help you, Mr. Potter?"

"Well, we actually had a question. At the wedding, you were wearing something around your neck. A symbol."

He reached into his shirt.

"You mean this?"

"Yes, exactly!"

"What is it?"

"The Deathly Hallows sign of course."

"Told you." Lily whispered.

I smirked and pulled down onto my lap.

"I assume you're familiar with the 'Tale of the three brothers'?"

All of us said yes except Potter.

"I have it in here." Granger said.

She pulled out the book and turned to the back.

Lily's POV

Listening to Hermione read the story brought back memories from my childhood. When dad would read me the story. I took Draco's hand and he squeezed mine.

"Which one do you want tonight?"

I snuggled under the blanket and smiled.

"Babbity Rabbity! Then the brothers!"

He arched his brow.

"Two stories?"

I nodded and he smiled a bit.

"Very well."

Hermione closed the book and looked around at us.

"So, there you have it. Those are the Deathly Hallows."

I looked at Harry. I mouthed 'invisibility cloak' and he nodded. Mr. Lovegood was still looking out the window.

"Mr. Lovegood, where is your bathroom?"

He told me where to go and I left. I didn't need the bathroom, I needed to know what was going on. I passed Luna's room... but the bed looked like it hadn't been slept in for months. Luna wasn't here and she hadn't been for a while. Someone grabbed my arm. Draco turned me to face him and held his finger to his lips.

"Luna's not here. I don't think she ever was." I whispered.

"We need to get out of here. Come on."

He took my hand and held it tightly. Harry, Ron and Hermione came down and seemed to be of the same mind.

"Said he went to make more tea. But I'm not drinking anymore of that stuff hot or cold." Ron said.

We all nodded and went down to the kitchen.

"Well, thank you for all your help. But we really should be going." I said.

"NO! You can't!"

I jumped and Draco moved in front of me.

"You're my only hope. They were angry you see, about what I'd been writing. So they took her."

My eyes widened.

"They took my Luna, My Luna."

Luna was one of my best friends.

"But it's you they want. You and her."

He pointed at me and Draco took a small but menacing step forward.

"Well they can't have her or her brother. I'll die first."

I put my hand on his chest to calm him and keep him from going forward.

"Who took her, sir?"

He hesitated before saying,

"Voldemort."

Chaos. That was what the next ten seconds were. Draco grabbed my hand and disapparated. When we landed Harry, Ron and Hermione weren't with us. I looked around.

'Where are they!?"

"I thought you were holding onto them."

Fear gripped my heart and I started to breathe harder. Draco put his hands on my shoulders.

"Take a deep breath. Think. Twins have a connection. Do you remember third year? The Hogsmade visit. You felt your brother. You knew he was there without seeing him. Concentrate. Feel where he is. You can do it."

I took several deep breaths and closed my eyes.

Come on Harry. Tell me where you are.

I felt an overwhelming sense of panic that wasn't my own. I took Draco's hand and disapparated. We were in the woods and I heard a shout in the distance. I tried to run forward but Draco stopped me and dragged me into a bush.

"Wait! Snatchers." He hissed.

He kept me down and I saw them come in to view. I couldn't hear what they were saying, but Harry's face had been completely messed up. All we could do was watch as they took my brother, Ron and Hermione away. I looked at Draco with tears in my eyes.

"Listen to me, I know where they'll take them. We're going to get them back. I promise."

I knew he could tell how scared I was.

"Trust me. I won't let you lose them."

I took a deep breath and nodded.

"Where would they take them?"

"To my house. If they're not taking them to the ministry, they'll take them to my house. Especially if they think they've found your brother. We'll have to get there from underground."

I nodded and cupped my face in his hands.

"It's gonna be okay, darling."

He held me close and disapparated.