A/N: All hail Queen Nyxx, aka PheonixDragon111 for being a generally awesome human and taking time out of her day to beta this chapter. She has some exciting and sizzling fics coming up. Do yourself the favour of showing her page some love.
Vine
Luna raises her wand to cover me in swirling colours and lights. No sensations of this world get past her concentrated stare as single-minded focus takes over. I know at this moment there is nothing for her but her and me, moon and stars - perfection in the making. As she works, I take the drink Hermione has given me. I've had crystal waters from the highest springs, but none has ever tasted like this. It's the coldest, cleanest bout of refreshment, rolling over my ashen tongue to transform it into lush green valleys. As it glides down my throat to renew my parchedness, I realize what a delicious additive thirst is.
It takes her no time at all to create her masterpiece. The finished product is breathtaking, no less than I expected. A crescent moon shines over a deep blue night with the most brilliant pearlescence. Not one shade is spared in its glory. The piercing white breaks into light blues and soft lilacs; the shadows so deep purple they are hardly off-black. They blend spectacularly together, causing the moon to appear as if it's floating above my skin. Entwined around it is a string of daisies so realistic they appear to breathe, their thick forest-green vine pulsing as the flowers open and bloom before me. Finally, the piece de resistance: a single crowning star glows so voraciously bright white it's nearly blue. It will undoubtedly have to be dimmed for me to sleep.
"Watch this," she says through a faraway smile as she taps her wand to my wrist.
In the crook of the moon appears a magnificent woman, bare and unashamed, golden curls fluttering in the breeze as she gazes wistfully at the star above. The star explodes into a burst of silver fireworks crafted from the fabric of heaven. A dragon made of the same pure luminosity unfurls itself, breathing a vibrant flame of blue and white to curl around my arm as it spreads its massive wings to encompass the moon.
I smile back at her, pulling her down into the snow with me to pin her arms above her head. I thank her with a kiss so unrepentant, so wild and uninhibited, I must have stolen it from her soul as she slept. I lean all my weight into her wrists, steadying myself where our hips collide. I roll them together as her breasts grow taut underneath me from the cold and she breathes her acquiescence into my mouth. I slide my tongue alongside hers, getting lost in the lightness of it, allowing myself to be whisked away into an airy puff of mist. Her lips barely wisp along mine, almost unfathomable in their gentleness. The sensation sends a shower of stars down upon me to light my path.
"You like it, then?" she says through a caught breath on a tinkling laugh.
"I adore it, almost as much as the witch who created it for me," I say, panting. As I help her to her feet, I resolve to cherish them both for all my days and nights.
With the efficiency of a practised artisan, she places the beech wand in her non-wand hand, waving it over herself as if she hadn't just achieved the impossible. A silver kitten appears in the same place on her as my adornment is on me, it's fur reflecting the light like it's made out of glass. She taps her wand to her arm and the kitten rolls onto it's back, seeming to play with a ball of string that's invisible to the world. In a burst of fire, the same brilliant starry dragon appears in its place, bellowing blue flames clear to the tips of her fingers. Mine gives a silent roar of satisfaction, sending violet smoke to engulf the scene in its entirety before returning to the single star of its birth.
The sentiment is overwhelming. My recently dried tears return to wash away the lingering pain of the blade as I speak.
"I love you, you know," I tell her.
"I do," she replies.
xoXOXox
With the sun high overhead, we gather around the dying fire one final time. We need a solid plan and a safe place to land. It's time for one last conversation.
Harry and I arrive first as Draco bathes in the nearby stream to relieve himself of the sweat. Hermione and Ron must be having a private conversation judging by the buzzing in my ears emanating from a Muffliato charm.
"Hello, Harry." I greet, sitting down beside him as he sips his lukewarm tea.
He looks as haggard as can be. Dark shadows give him a ghastly, emaciated look around the eyes, and his wide, empty stare tells me his mind is either deep in thought or entirely blank.
"Hi, Luna." he says, his voice gravelly, presumably from his poor quality of sleep last night.
"Hermione says you're out of Dreamless." I remark "I can brew you some of the other draught before we go if you like."
"Ah, I don't want to put you out, Luna." he responds flatly "It's quite nice of you to offer though." is added as an afterthought.
"I know it tastes like vomit, but at least it will keep you from waking Hermione with your screaming." I say
I see him stifle a coughing fit as his tea takes the wrong path down his throat.
"Yeah." he chokes out "Yeah, you're right. Sure, if it's not too much trouble, I'll take some." he relents.
He summons a few herbs from their stores, which I place into a cauldron of water over the smouldering logs.
Harry's always so easy to talk to, so ready to listen. I can say anything and he tries in earnest not to look stunned. Although reality insists this could certainly be the last time we see each other on the upside of the soil, I know beyond hope my heart will demand me to miss him all over again.
Draco comes to join us by the fire, slinking so close beside me he's nearly in my lap. Hermione and Ron join a few moments later, her exuding irritation as he seems acutely interested in his shoes or something else on the ground. I suppose he's trying to hide his expressions without knowing how to occlude.
"Alright," Harry announces affirmatively once we've all gathered up "You two need a place to hide. What can I do to help?"
"Can you get us in an Order safehouse?" I ask
"Maybe." he responds, running his thumb and forefinger over the shadows beneath his eyes. "There aren't many left. Bill and Fleur's was recently attacked, and quite a few of our lot have gone into hiding."
Draco speaks up, frail hope quivering in his voice -
"What about my aunt, Andromeda Tonks? Is she under their protection?"
"I believe so." says Harry "One way to find out."
He pulls a gold coin from his pocket, enchanting it with the password "Wolf". A moment later, the word "Here" appears on the coin. Harry enchants it with
"Wards good?" and "Yes" is replied almost instantly. Harry looks up at Draco.
"What's your patronus?"
Draco fumbles -
"I don't know. I've never cast one."
"Well, that's thoroughly unhelpful," Harry replies frustratedly. "Is there anything your cousin might know about you to prove your identity?"
Draco thinks for a moment before shaking his head.
"I haven't seen her since I was a toddler." he says "I doubt she'll recognize me at all."
Harry sighs. "Sending hare and dragon." he writes on the coin.
"Alive?" is written back.
"Yes" is the final note of conversation.
Draco pulls five galleons out of his sock, muttering an incantation over them before handing one to each of us.
"Here," he says, turning to Harry. "In case you need to leave someone behind." Harry seems to understand whatever Draco's on about, and nods solemnly.
"I'll get 'Mione to link these up with the others." he says, taking on his "leader of the lion's pack" persona. Draco isn't the only one who can switch his personality on and off at whim it would seem. "There are a few things you'll need to know if you'll be staying at your aunt's house. For one, she looks bloody well like Bellatrix." He shakes his head, seemingly to dismiss the awful picture in his mind.
"I know what my aunt looks like, Potter," Draco replies in exasperation
"Right," Harry replies, still trying to rid himself of the visual bothering him. "Second, you can't move about at night. There's a caterwauling charm over all of the streets and Snatchers will arrive if you're out past nightfall. Apparition may be tracked as well, but we don't know for sure."
We nod and wait for him to speak.
"Hermione, is there anything I'm forgetting?" he asks
She chimes in -
"There is a taboo on You-Know-Who's name, so don't say the V-word. If you need to move for any reason, Tonks should have information about where you can go. Speaking of..." she says, digging into her beaded handbag "Accio Order Map" she incants. An accordion-folded parchment lands in her hand. "Gemino" she says, then hands the copy to us.
"Which Tonks?" Draco asks, taking the map from her hand.
"Nymphadora. Your cousin." she clarifies "She's living with your aunt at the moment. That map will only become visible with the password from the coin, so make sure you stay up to date with it. The most recent one is 'undivided'."
The word 'why' is written as clear as daylight on Draco's face, but his modesty or Slytherinities won't let him say it, so I do.
"Why is Tonks at her mum's?" I ask
Ron answers, granting us the first upward turn of his head with an ear to ear smile -
"She's up the duff! Harry's going to be a godfather!" He slaps Harry on the back, causing a bit of his tea to spill over the rim. Harry gives a tired grin from the corner of his mouth as if the recollection was just strong enough to barely raise his lips.
"Yeah," Harry says to Draco "You're going to have a little cousin. Try not to corrupt the baby, will you? It will be too much work for me to un-Malfoy the kid."
"I'll keep that in mind, Potter." Draco returns with a knowing grin. "Thank you."
"It's nothing," Harry replies. I know better though; it's something.
"Do you know anyone who can get us certified as purebloods?" Draco asks "Assumed identities and whatnot? All of my connections are unfortunately null under the circumstances."
Harry, Hermione, and Ron all shake their heads in unison, but only Ron speaks.
"My idiot brother probably could, but he has his head so far up the Minister's arse he can't see the sunshine, so he won't." He begins to mumble under his breath "He's more likely to turn you in for a profit, soulless bastard."
Harry and Hermione share a knowing look at his outburst.
"Yes, well, I think that will be all then." Draco remarks "Best to begin packing our things if we're to make it before nightfall, lovely." he says to me.
"You go ahead love," I tell him, standing to place a kiss on his cheek. "I'll be there in a moment. I'm going to say goodbye to Harry."
His eyes widen in uncertainty for the quickest flash, the muscles in his jaw clenching as he bites down on his suspicions. As soon as the expression comes, it's gone again, replaced by resolution, or resignation I suppose.
"Alright." he says, running his thumb over the bone in my hip. Somehow the affection feels like fear, like he's afraid to let me go.
"I love you." I tell him, on the chance he could use the reassurance.
"I love you too, darling." he says, but the defeat in his blank eyes is obvious. 'Not enough to let you go' lingers in the space between us.
He strides off to the tent nonetheless, the smell of autumn mornings and sound of sloshing snow fading on the breeze in his wake. I go to stir the cauldron. Seeing my concoction is nearly complete, I turn to face Harry.
"Hermione truly loves you, you know." I tell him. He endeavours to keep his face as straight as possible, but I see the frozenness overcome his features. "She won't tell you, she's not that kind of witch, so I thought you might like to know in case you haven't been paying attention. You're awful at noticing people's intentions for you."
"Yeah," he says, nodding with the air of a person who is fervently trying not to faint. "Thanks."
"I know you think there's not much you can do for her - she's amazing on her own - but you're wrong." I continue. He coughs a bit at this, and I'm under the distinct impression he may toss his lunch. I conjure a bucket on the ground in front of him, pressing on.
"There's quite a bit you can do for her. Let her sleep soundly, for one. Do all the supporting tasks; prepare the meals and rub her feet and give her time to sit quietly in the dark. She needs all the rest she can get to keep that giant brain of hers running."
As he nods along in sickened silence, a thought occurs to me -
"Where's the necklace I gave you when you left?"
He stutters and mumbles something about a mokeskin pouch. Obviously he's stuffed it somewhere far out of sight.
"It doesn't actually keep the nargles away, you know," I tell him.
"Yeah?" he questions, trying hard to keep the sarcasm out of his voice to preserve my heart. A bit bleeds through anyway, but I'm not offended.
"Yeah." I tell him "You can never truly keep them away. They'll always come, but with gifts like that, it's the love they're given from that makes the nargles easier to contend with. They remind you there is someone out there who wants to see you defeat them, and it gives you a bit of the strength you need to tell them to shove off."
He laughs at this, a tiny amount of the greenness in his skin dissipating at the sound.
"You know next time I can make you something with a muggle deity if you fancy any of them. Or maybe Godric or a lion or something you care about. Anything to remind you that you're not alone out here."
His aura flares golden as a wave of shame hits him, his emerald eyes sinking into the dark places in his mind. It bothers me when he does this - feeling guilty for having other people worry about him. I'd like to soothe the pain, but I can only do so much without his assistance.
"Here," I say picking up a snow-soaked leaf to transfigure into a tiny white dove. He opens his palm, and I sit the trinket inside. It flaps its wings in the air, but doesn't take off.
"Thank you. What is it?" he asks, looking up at me with unsheltered curiosity.
"It's you, Harry." I respond "It's what the rest of us hold onto. It's what tells us we aren't alone in our misery, and it's why we keep fighting."
"Thank you," he says again, standing to pull me into his arms this time.
I can feel all of the ideas he doesn't have words for in the embrace. I absorb that little extra morsel of okayness, and know he won't stuff the bird away in his mokeskin pouch, but keep it in his pocket for a time before he inevitably loses it. I understand that he's going to try to cook again only to burn the fish, but he'll keep at it until he has something Hermione fancies. I know he'll rub her feet even if it ruins his appetite, and he'll hold her until his arms go numb while she pierces the silence with her thoughts.
I bring together every fragment of courage I have to let him go, to drape my arms across his shoulders and say what might be our final parting words.
"I love you, Harry. I always have, and always will. So please don't die, and try to give her your best effort. You can do both, I know you can." I reassure him.
As expected, he contains his shock sublimely. He lets the words melt into his mind and warm his heart as he pulls me in once again. He whispers something unexpected into the hair above my ear.
"I love you too, Luna. Always will. And I will... I won't.." he stammers, backing away to look me in the eyes, nodding fast like one of those muggle toys. "I'll do all those things, ok? I'll do it, I promise."
"Good," I say, giving him one last smile before turning to leave. He holds me fast.
"I wish you would have told me... before now." he says, defeat and longing flooding his soft green gaze with regrets that will never be absolved.
"Wish in your hand, but it won't fill up." I reply, raising my arm to tap my wand over the kitten. As the dragon made of stars roars to life, I'm satisfied that at least one of us has had all of our unspoken wishes come true.
"Yeah," he says, the same tired grin tugging at the corners of his mouth. "I hope he's everything you think he is. You're better at sorting people out than I am."
"He is." I say "I'm certain."
"I'll take your word for it. Goodbye, Luna." he replies, releasing me with a torn finality.
"See you later, Harry. May magic be with you."
I return to the tent where Draco has cleared up all of our belongings to stow neatly into our potions pouch. He probably finished quite a while ago, judging by the speed with which he is pacing from one end of the tent to the other.
"Oh, good! You're back!" he says with a beaming smile and all the brightness of a puppy who's master has returned from holiday. His joy reaches straight through my spirit as he pulls me into his chest, seeming to think better of it before granting me a kiss. His face falls as his eyebrows furl and nostrils flare in an uncanny imitation of his father. He immediately sets to casting several cleaning charms over me as if I am some dirty piece of laundry.
"There," he says, giving a contented grin before inhaling deeply of the daisy in my hair and relaxing into a slow kiss up my neck.
"What was that about?" I ask, confused.
"You wouldn't force me to breathe the stench of Potter all the way to my aunt's, would you love?" he responds "Bastard smells like he's been living outdoors."
I laugh at this because he's right. I prefer the warming aroma of toffee apples and sunshine to the pungent odour left by remorse.
xoXOXox
I read over the map until I know it by memory. Two red dots reading "hare" and "dragon" are positioned along our starting point. Many other animal names are floating amongst the Order strongholds, "wolf" and "leopard" and so on. I notice that no similar markers are indicating "ostentatious bloody stag" or "otter" or "weasel" to accompany us.
Hermione comes along, the brilliant blade clanking on her back to remind me of an inquiry I had pushed to the side for a time such as this.
"My Godfather, Severus, is he alive?" I ask, pointing to the sword.
"So far as I know." she replies, barely containing her resentment.
"Thanks," I tell her, pulling her into a final embrace. "Call in my debt when you're ready." I say in her ear, flashing a sight of the gold coin her direction.
"Hopefully, it won't be necessary." she responds, tapping what's surely my folding blade in her pocket.
I flash her the smile that's been said to cause witches to wet their knickers, knowing it won't affect her as such.
"Stay alive then, Hermione." I tell her.
"Stay alive, Draco." she replies, landing a punch squarely in my chest.
"Violent little swot." I reply as she walks over to Luna.
"Potter," I say, reaching out to shake the hand of my rival-turned-accomplice. A competent conjurer I am, when my survival rests in the balance.
"Draco," he returns, gripping my hand a touch too forcefully.
The Weasel approaches from behind, gripping me about the waist to hoist me into the air.
"Constant vigilance, mate!" he roars, tossing me back to my feet roughly. I land lightly, twisting to face my assailant in one fluid movement.
"It's also pertinent not to skulk at other's backs, Weasel. You'll get yourself killed that way, mate." I return
"Nah," he drawls, waving a dismissive hand my direction "Gotta keep the high ground and all that. Surprise is one of the best weapons." He claps me on the shoulder, granting me a gaze into his sky-blue eyes. "Keep the high ground mate, and stay out of the snow." He says somberly. "Remember, gingers have to stick together." He casts a quick glamour over me that I infer has me looking like a true Weasley relative by the freckles and orange hair on my arms. "Call me when the cotton pouffes come! Never too early for Uncle Ronnie to start teaching them swear words!" he leaves on the wind at his departure.
"Get a life, Weasel!" I blow back at him
"Right you are, off to the life shop with me!" he says with an exaggerated accent and a jaunty step. I do so prefer his company. Perhaps I will give him a shout when this bloody war has ceased.
"Ready, love?" Luna calls from the glamoured body she's been given. Her hair is a bit lighter, she's more curvaceous and taller than she should be. The transformation is disconcerting. I want my Luna. "It's alright." she says, seeing the strain that's painfully evident in my borrowed features. "I think we are supposed to be Bill and Fleur Weasley, or perhaps some of their kin. I don't speak French though, so it will be important for us not to be questioned."
On that note, the danger of our undertaking slaps me in the face as sure as a physical assault. We'll have to make it to Andi's quickly, ensuring no one sees us as we descend. If we are stopped for questioning, that's the end of our gruesome fairy tale.
"Right," I say "Ready."
We cast our disillusionment and all the needed charms as we climb aboard the carpet. We arrive in moments to a nondescript house I've never stepped foot in, no matter that it belongs to my relatives. We roll up the carpet, rapping at the golden serpent's knocker.
"State your names." a low woman's voice calls from beyond the threshold. It carries the distinct demeanour of a person pointing a wand at another.
"Dragon and hare." I return, just as stoically.
A chain is heard unlinking as the door is opened a hairsbreadth.
"Cast your patronus, witch." the woman intones, her acidic voice not aiding in any happy memories.
Luna casts swiftly nonetheless, and is welcomed into my family's home to cancel her glamours.
Aunt Andi opens the door fully. She's nearly as I remember her: petite like my mother, dark like Aunt Bella. Soft brown waves fall down her back; her wide chocolate eyes are framed in black lace lashes.
"Who are you?" she says in the sound of crackling ice.
"Draco… Draco Lucius." I pull from my chest. I can't bare to say Malfoy anymore.
"Who is your mother, and what does she call me?" she asks in the same cold tone.
"Narcissa Black, of the Ancient and Most Noble House of Black. She calls you Andi, you call her Cissy, and she loves you like the full moon loves the tide." I give her the extra bit of sentiment I've overheard when my mother used to talk to her under the cover of darkness from the mirror in her vanity. This seems to startle her, but she rights her expression expeditiously.
"When did you and I first meet?" she questions.
"At my third birthday, you gave me a silver snitch, and Dory scared me by changing her face into a house-elf."
"It's you." she sighs elated, pulling me into her arms for a quick embrace. She hastily pulls me beyond the threshold, cancelling all my glamours in my stead. She grasps the wrist of my wand arm, pulling it up to examine.
"It's false then? My sister wouldn't let that monster mark you." She asks and states, somewhere between a question of reckless optimism and one of vanishing certainty.
"She didn't let him mark me, but he did nonetheless. It's gone now, though." I placate, tapping my arm with the wand to show the dragon and the girl. Andi nods with a small grin, evidently impressed.
From across the room, a higher, softer woman's voice -
"That's quite a bit of colour you've given yourself, little cousin. You'll have to give me the name of your artist when I get this baby out of me."
"Luna Lovegood" Luna remarks offhandedly, at the same time "Dory" falls out of my mouth on the essence of a whisper.
"You've gotten big, Drake." Nymphadora notes, her pink hair causing the red puffiness of her eyes to stand out all the more.
"I could say the same about you, Dory. It appears that congratulations are in order." I reply, gesturing to the life evidently growing within.
"Thanks," she says, pulling me into a sidelong embrace "I'm ready for it to be over and to meet my baby." She replies, arching with a hand on her back. I take her other hand, imploring her to sit.
"Still the gentleman, I see. At least Lucius didn't rub that out of you." she muses flippantly. I bristle at the mention of my father's name. She seems to pick up on this, quickly changing the subject. "Well, I think congratulations are in order for you too! Great job staying alive! And you've got a girlfriend!" she squeals excitedly, as if this is the best news she's heard in some time.
"I am, and I do." I reply, belatedly realising this is indeed news most worthy of celebrating. "Thank you."
Andromeda speaks from the shadow behind a corner lamp. "Yes, this is a most welcome development. We all thought you were dead, nephew. Your mother put this out."
She hands me a copy of the Daily Prophet with yesterday's date stamped on it. I read silently as the others stare on.
The Most Ancient and Noble House of Malfoy Left Without Heir as Only Son Perishes in Fire
Here at the Daily Prophet, our sympathies are with Lord and Lady Malfoy, who lost their son this week in what some are calling a tragic accident, others are calling a successful assassination. Turn to page 4 to learn this author's views on the matter.
"Deplorable." I mutter under my breath, pressing forward.
One thing we all stand to agree upon is the loss to Wizardkind at the extinction of such a prestigious lineage. This leaves us all questioning if the Malfoys will endeavor to produce a new scion to prevent the collapse of their bloodline.
I cringe at the thought of my mother and father attempting to replace me with a new heir to continue their despicable name. Have these reporters no shame? No decency? My mother would never, although my father might well insist.
Inquiring minds demand answers, and thus, this reporter has gone to the painstaking trouble of procuring an exclusive statement from none other than Lady Narcissa Malfoy herself, transcribed below for the reader to draw conclusions from.
My heart pounds ferociously as my mother's words speak to my heart from the bolded script on the trembling page.
Wizarding Britain,
This Monday, tragedy has befallen our family and the entire wizarding community. My sole son and heir, Draco Lucius Malfoy, passed beyond the veil in a horrific fire accident at our home in Wiltshire at the tender age of seventeen. The healers believe he perished in his sleep, and thus suffered minimally in his untimely passing.
Good. They're labelling it an accident. Hopefully that serpentine monstrosity will believe our lies once more.
At this time we believe the fire to have been purely coincidental. My son was an avid potioneer, and it appears he took rest with his cauldron alight, causing the contents within to overheat and erupt. He never awakened, resulting in his death before our family understood what had taken place.
Of course, she wouldn't have mentioned the aspect of the exploding wards to anyone who may have deigned to follow her. Had the Dark Lord learned she had any part of his leverage being disintegrated into ash, she would have been tortured to death; nevermind the endless shame she would ostensibly heap upon herself knowing her wandwork was the cause of her only son's demise. It was only my faith in her that allowed me to put her in such a position. She must have known.
Although our hearts are torn asunder for the many friends and loved ones Draco has left behind, due to the state in which he perished we will not be hosting a memorial for the public. It is my hope our privacy will be honoured as we mourn the loss of our only child. I would implore you to remember Draco as he once was - a vibrant boy, incredibly talented with high wits and endless cleverness. It goes without saying the ravaging hole in my heart will not be repaired until I am reunited with my son in passing. Beyond the veil of darkness, may he soar amongst the stars.
Narcissa Black Malfoy
As expected, there is not so much as a mention of Luna, although surely "her" body was found alongside "mine". It appears our plan went smoothly, as Mother seems to have been the first to respond as her wards collapsed in the fire. I knew as much, as she would have been the first alerted and would rush to my rescue as always. Surely she knows. I have no doubt the note about flying amongst the stars was meant for my eyes alone.
"What do you make of this?" Andi asks me.
It takes every vehement remainder of my strength to pull my dying occlumency shields viscously into place. If I were alone, or with Luna, I might fall to my knees and cry for my mother. My heart is ripped open anew as I mourn for her.
"She knows." I answer, daring to hope my only family and the cradle of my safety at the moment has the fortitude to keep their mouths shut. "I tried to bring her but…" My jaw tightens firmly against the memory. "She said she needed to stay with my father."
"Of course." Andi replies, her eyes transforming into cold slits as venom seeps into her voice. She looks as if she would like to lambast my ears with an onslaught of insults against my sire, but holds her tongue as she departs our company instead.
"Mum made soup." Dory says to us, her eyes lighting up. "You should get some, then you'll have to show me the carpet. That thing looks wild."
"Oh it is. Quite an adventure to fly." Luna says "But Draco doesn't like it much. Gets a bit queasy with the speed, I think."
"I simply wish to ensure my heart continues pumping, if you must know." I interject
Dory laughs, guiding us to the kitchen to procure our sustenance for the evening. Luna wraps her arm around my waist, tucking her face into my ribs.
"What do I do if it has meat in it?" she whispers "I don't know much about pureblood dinners, and wouldn't want to offend anyone."
"Vanish it when they're not looking." I tell her softly. "We'll conjure you some fish instead."
I stroke her hair, seating her beside me at the small oak table. There are four matching chairs poised around it, with a fifth white one pulled haphazardly from some other dining set. This is the one I take, pulling it precariously close to Luna as we eat.
Little is said as we indulge in the meal, sipping the warm soup and passing hot rolls around to dip in it. It's a cosy affair, causing me to wonder where the occupant is of the fifth vacant seat. I say nothing, however, as not to break the feeble stability we're entertaining.
"This is delicious, Mrs Tonks." Luna remarks to my aunt. "I make one somewhat like it, but with more onions. Onions are good to keep away sickness and all that."
My aunt raises a quizzical eyebrow at my beloved, and I hope to all the stars she won't take offence at her blatancy.
"Yes, well, I'm glad you like it." Andi replies with a soft smile as I let out the breath I'd been holding.
"Where's Mr Tonks?" Luna asks, and I feel my face flush at the inappropriateness of the question. I squeeze her hand tighter, waiting nervously for the response.
"He's in hiding," Aunt Andi replies, nonplussed. "but we keep his chair at the table, because that's where he sits, whether he's here with us or not."
An unquestioned finality rings in her tone. 'That's where he sits. This is where he belongs. Whether he's forced away from us or not, we'll remember his place.'
I've gained an unprecedented amount of respect for my family this evening.
xoXOXox