A/N - Hi everyone! WARNING for this chapter for underage relationship and suggestions of sexual assault. Nothing is graphically described and some bits are just hinted at. I hope you enjoy this chapter and thanks so much for reading and reviewing!
Chapter 15
Hermione walked towards the castle, her mind on anything but her meeting with Minerva. Adrian had filled Hermione's thoughts all day. It wasn't that she hadn't meant what she told him the night before. She knew she couldn't get involved with him and get in deeper than she already was knowing that it could all end. But that didn't mean that it hadn't torn out her insides to tell him that. The fact that she'd gotten little sleep didn't help either.
She had attempted to work on her part of the study she was co-writing with Anders. He had sent the copy of his study, as well as the results of his premature birth research. The final draft of the paper was due in four days but Hermione didn't think it was her best work by any means. She'd had to send Anders an owl letting him know that she needed one more day to get her thoughts in order.
When she reached the Entrance Hall, Hermione sighed and turned towards the Headmistress' office. She only hoped that Minerva had better news for her. Anything to get her out of the funk she was in. Hermione gave the gargoyle the password and rode the steps silently to Minerva's office.
"Hermione," Minerva greeted as Hermione stepped into the office.
"Good evening, Minerva," Hermione replied.
"Sit, please," Minerva said directing Hermione to the cozy seating area in front of the fireplace. "Would you like anything? Have you eaten?"
"I'm fine," Hermione said, although she had skipped supper again. She'd been working on her paper until she'd had to leave for Hogwarts.
Minerva studied her shrewdly before she called for a House Elf to bring sandwiches and tea. Hermione reddened under the scrutiny of the Headmistress. But she was grateful for the sandwiches all the same.
"How has the research been going?" Minerva asked, taking a sip of her tea.
"I'm writing up the final draft of my paper now," Hermione said. "It's supposed to come out next month."
"I shall look forward to reading it."
"What about the school?" Hermione asked, wanting to get to the reason she was here. She was exhausted and just wanted a shower, a vial of Dreamless Sleep, and her bed.
Minerva sighed. "I have spoken to a few contacts of mine. They all agree it would be an extremely difficult task and that we would face great opposition from the Wizengamot."
As much as she had expected it, Hermione couldn't deny that it still hurt. "I understand." And to her utter horror, she could feel the tears burn the back of her eyes. It was about more than just the school, she knew that, but Minerva wouldn't.
"I am not giving up," Minerva said, putting her hand on Hermione's arm. "It is not impossible."
"Just extremely unlikely," Hermione managed. She needed to leave before she broke down completely. She rose from her chair and gave Minerva what she hoped looked like a genuine smile. "Thank you, Minerva, for all of your help."
"Hermione," Minerva began but Hermione shook her head.
"I should really finish the draft of my paper," she said. "I'll speak with you soon." And then she turned and hurried from the room. She managed to keep the tears at bay until she reached the grounds. They were streaming down her cheeks as she nearly ran to the gates, eternally grateful that Hagrid was not waiting for her. Minerva wouldn't have had enough time to summon him and Hermione could get out on her own. The wards weren't set to keep people in, just keep unauthorized visitors out.
As soon as she exited the gates, Hermione took the last few steps to the edge of the wards and Disapparated.
Adrian still wasn't sure this was a good idea, but he had promised Daphne that he would try to speak to his father about Anna's contract again before he broke theirs. Daphne was still insisting on waiting until they could figure out Anna's situation but with the wedding only three weeks away, Adrian couldn't keep waiting. He wouldn't subject Daphne to a bonding ceremony that she didn't want. If this talk with his father didn't go well, Adrian would wait a few days and then let the man know of his decision about his own contract.
Pulling in a deep breath and letting it out, Adrian tried to center himself. It would do no good to lose his temper during this conversation.
"Father," he greeted after being granted entry to the man's study.
"Adrian," his father returned. "There is something you wish to discuss?"
"Yes," Adrian said, settling himself into a chair in front of his father's desk. "It's about Anna."
His father sighed and shook his head. "We have already discussed this."
"Please, Father," Adrian said. His father looked up in surprise. Adrian never begged for anything.
"Very well," his father said gruffly. "What is it?"
"I'm concerned about Anna's emotional state," Adrian began.
His father's brow furrowed. "What do you mean?"
"I spoke with her about Malcolm and she is very against the match."
"When did you speak with her?" his father demanded, further cementing Adrian's belief that his father was trying to keep the two of them apart.
"That doesn't matter. She doesn't want to marry Malcolm."
"Your sister is young," his father said. "Of course, she will be nervous. That is why they are courting."
"It's more than that, Father." Adrian looked the other man in the eye. "Anna doesn't wish to be married to someone so much older than she is."
"You know the reason for that, Adrian."
"I do, but she does not. Have you spoken to her about her magic yet?"
"Of course not," his father said. "She doesn't need to know right now."
"She is sixteen years old. If she's old enough for a marriage contract, she's old enough to know the truth about her magic."
Surprisingly, his father looked pained. "What good will come of her knowing?"
"She already suspects," Adrian said. "She's smart, Father, she knows something isn't right. The longer you wait to tell her, the more upset she will be. Not only about her magic, but to know that you have been keeping it from her."
His father sighed. "I fail to see what this has to do with her marriage contract."
"I don't trust him," Adrian said with a frown.
"There is nothing wrong with Malcolm," his father said in exasperation. "He is a respected Pureblood who has raised two fine sons on his own since his wife's death. He will be able to provide handsomely for your sister and has no qualms about her medical condition."
"I still don't trust him."
"Why? Because of the way he looked at her while they were walking in the gardens? She is his intended, Adrian. Would you rather he be repulsed by her?"
"You didn't see it, Father. It was more than just an innocent look at his betrothed."
"I am not going to continue having this conver-" his father began but Adrian interrupted.
"Why are you in such a hurry to marry her off?"
"I have given you my reasons, not that I owe you an explanation."
"I understand it's about her magic, but why now? She's sixteen. You could wait a few years."
"Your contract was set when you were ten."
"I'm the heir," Adrian replied. "Anna is not."
"And I will not see her a spinster," his father snapped, his voice rising.
"Father," Adrian began with a sigh.
"No! I have tolerated your whining and complaining about this long enough, Adrian. I am the head of this family and I will conduct its business as I see fit! I have procured beneficial contracts for both you and your sister and they will not be changing!"
"That's all we are to you, isn't it, Father? Business to conduct." Adrian's voice was quiet, despite the ire beneath the surface. He was barely keeping a lid on his emotions but he was determined not to lose his temper.
"Get out!"
Adrian rose from his chair and stared at the man before him. The man that he had lost all respect for a long time ago. "I won't let this stand."
His father looked at him with gritted teeth, his face red. "Get. Out."
Adrian stared at the man in front of him for another moment before turning and leaving the study, closing the door behind him with a quiet click. And then he hurried to the Apparition point and Disapparated hoping he kept his anger tamped down long enough not to splinch himself.
Adrian stood as Daphne came through the Floo into his flat. He had an open bottle of Firewhiskey on the table, full glass sitting next to it. Daphne glanced at the bottle as she stepped out.
"Went that well, did it?"
"Worse," Adrian said. With a sigh, he sat down on the couch and relayed his conversation with his father to Daphne.
"Why is he so adamant?" Daphne asked.
"I can only assume he wanted something settled before she turned seventeen and before she found out about her magic. If she were of age, she would have at least some say and she knows even if he disowned her, I would never abandon her. Plus, he likely didn't have a lot of choice if he wanted to take Anna providing an heir out of the equation."
"Yes, men and their heirs," Daphne said with an eyeroll. "At least I can say that about my father. He never seemed to care that my mother couldn't give him a son."
"No, he just stipulated in our contract that if we have more than one son, the second will be the Greengrass heir."
"Yes, Astoria's says something similar should we fail to have more than one son."
Adrian snorted, shaking his head. It was all so ridiculous.
"He's not going to change his mind about Anna," Adrian said a few moments later. "I've got to figure out what to do to get her away from him."
"We have properties," Daphne began but Adrian shook his head.
"That's the first place he would look after our own. And can you hide her without your parents' knowing?"
"No," Daphne admitted. "What about the Malfoy's flat? Lucius gave it to Draco."
"Still too risky," Adrian said. "She can't stay anywhere anyone in my father's circles might know about."
"We could take her into Muggle London," Daphne suggested.
"That will require gold," Adrian said. "Which I will not have an unlimited supply of should I take Anna from my parents." He made a mental note to withdraw as many funds as he could without arousing suspicion.
"I have gold."
"Not after we break our contract you won't."
"Well, Astoria does."
"I don't want to put her in that position."
"I don't think she'd care."
Adrian glanced at Daphne. He didn't want her to think he didn't trust Astoria, but the truth of the matter was he had no idea if he could. One word to the wrong person and it would all be for naught.
"Let's just say that's a last resort," he finally said.
Daphne nodded. "What about Granger?"
"What about her?"
"She knows all about the Muggle world and she's definitely not in any of the same circles as your father."
"I can't," Adrian said.
"Why?"
"She made it clear she didn't want to be involved with me anymore."
"I thought she said she would do whatever she could to help Anna?"
"Just leave it, Daph."
Daphne stared at him for a few moments but ignored his request. "Adrian, if we break our contract and you hide Anna somewhere, you don't have to let your father set another one for you. You could be with Hermione."
"Only if it works," he said. "If my father finds Anna, I'll have to go back. I won't leave her without anyone to protect her."
Daphne looked as if she were going to argue that point but the Floo flared at that moment and Marcus stepped through.
"Daphne," he greeted.
"Hello, Marcus."
Marcus' eyes flicked to Adrian. Adrian could tell his friend had something to tell him and wasn't sure if he should say it in front of Daphne.
"She knows everything," Adrian said.
"I found something," Marcus said. Adrian sat up straight and looked at him expectantly. Marcus had actually found dirt on Malcolm?
"What is it?"
"You were right, I don't have enough gold to pay what they're asking." Marcus named a figure and Adrian's mouth dropped open. Marcus nodded. "It's got to be big."
"I don't, I can't get that kind of money without my father questioning it," Adrian said. "Especially now."
"What do you mean especially now?"
Adrian quickly informed Marcus of his discussion of Anna's contract with his father.
"Fuck," Marcus said. "Look, Ade, I think we need to figure out some way to pay them. I just, it's just a feeling but, I think it's something we really need to know."
"I can get it," Daphne said.
"How?" Adrian replied.
"I'll tell my father it's for your wedding gift." She smirked. "Which it sort of is, really."
"He won't question it?"
"I've been playing my part well, Adrian," she said. "He has no idea that I'm anything but overjoyed to marry you."
"Thank fuck at least one of you has," Marcus said.
"Fuck off, you wanker," Adrian grumbled.
Daphne just rolled her eyes. "When do you need it?"
"As soon as possible," Marcus said.
"Meet me here tomorrow afternoon. I'll have it."
With that, she rose and kissed Adrian's cheek and squeezed his shoulder. "Think about what I said."
Adrian nodded and she said good-bye to Marcus and then disappeared through the Floo.
"What did she say?" Marcus asked once she'd gone.
"Nothing," Adrian replied. "Do you have anywhere besides your flat I could hide my sister?"
"Somewhere my father doesn't know about you mean?"
"Yeah," Adrian said.
"Sorry, mate, no. But I'm sure I could talk to my teammates. Someone's got to have something."
"I'll think about it," Adrian said. "Thanks, Marcus."
Hermione had finally finished an acceptable draft for Anders' study and had now thrown herself into her research. If her school project was going to be unsuccessful, she had to find a way to prevent early births altogether. She had been in constant contact with Anders by owl but was starting to think a trip to Sweden might be warranted. It would be much easier to collaborate in person. It had nothing to do with the fact that it would also get her out of England for a time and away from Adrian.
As much as she tried not to think about him, she couldn't help it. She wondered if he had broken his contract with Daphne yet and if so, whom he had been paired with now. Hermione hadn't seen anything about it in the society pages although that didn't necessarily mean anything. Scandal was sometimes preventable if you had enough galleons. Given the fact that the wedding invitations had already gone out, however, she suspected that there would be no way to keep everyone quiet.
She still felt horribly for Adrian's sister. If there were anything Hermione could do for Anna, she would. Even if it meant being around Adrian again.
Hermione had thought more than once about going back to his flat and telling him she hadn't meant what she said. That she would wait. That they could be together while he figured everything out. But she couldn't do that. She knew she couldn't. It was better to end things now.
"Hermione," a voice said and she looked up to see Mr. Ashcroft smiling at her.
"Hello, sir."
"I thought you might like to see this," he said, handing her a sheaf of parchment. Hermione took it from him and looked at the topmost page. The title of Anders' study headed the page with his name below. And right next to his was hers. Hermione couldn't help but smile. It was her first major study published in a well-known journal.
"This is a copy of the draft that Anders sent in. He thought you might like to have it."
"Thank you, sir," she said, smile still on her face.
"Congratulations, Hermione," he said. "I'm very proud of the work you did on this."
A sudden lump rose in her throat and she swallowed to try and rid herself of it. If Mr. Ashcroft noticed, he didn't say anything, just kept smiling widely.
"Thank you for giving me the opportunity, Mr. Ashcroft," she finally managed. "I know you were a bit concerned at first."
"Only that you were willing to take on such a controversial subject." He smirked. "Although, I suppose I shouldn't have been surprised."
Hermione managed a small laugh at that.
"How is the research going?"
"Slowly," she said. "I was thinking that perhaps I might make a trip to Sweden. It might be easier for Anders and me to collaborate in person."
Her boss' lips pursed. "You might be right about that. However, I will need to discuss it with the director. I'm not sure what the protocols are surrounding such a thing."
Hermione understood what he meant. Any discoveries made by St. Mungo's researchers were licensed to the hospital and, subsequently, brought in royalties for them. If she and Anders were to make a breakthrough but do it in Anders' lab, she wasn't sure what that would mean for St. Mungo's. So much for a trip to distract her from Adrian for a bit. She knew how slowly the bureaucracy at the hospital worked.
"All right," she said.
Mr. Ashcroft gave her one last smile and then left the room. Hermione looked down at the copy of the study in front of her, running her finger over her name under the title. At least one thing was going well for her.
Marcus had not yet arrived when Daphne returned to Adrian's flat the next day. She set the sack of galleons on the table in front of her as she sat down in one of the armchairs.
"He didn't question it?"
"A bit of a raised eyebrow when I told him how much but no. He just said he hoped you appreciated my generosity."
"I do you know," Adrian said.
She smiled. "I know."
"Have you spoken to Tracey?" Adrian had wanted to ask her about it yesterday but with Marcus' arrival he hadn't been able to.
Daphne sighed. "Yes. I finally went to her flat like you suggested."
"Didn't go well?"
"She didn't throw me out if that's what you mean. But she also told me that she wasn't going to start anything up again until our contract was actually broken. I don't blame her for not believing me."
"Listen, Daph, I'm going to break our contract. Whether I've figured out what to do about Anna or not."
"Adrian, no! If you do that how will you be able to help Anna?"
"I'll stay in my father's good graces," Adrian said with a shrug. "Tell him to set up another contract for me."
"I don't want you to do that."
"And I don't want you to be miserable our whole lives. You love Tracey and I'm sure if you tell her you're not going to marry me, she'll take you back. Astoria isn't going anywhere. You've got this chance, Daphne. Take it."
"What about you?" she asked and he could see the glaze of tears in her eyes.
He shrugged. "I'm going to help my sister. That's all that matters."
"That's not all that matters," Daphne said.
"Right now, it is," Adrian said firmly.
"Hermione-"
"Made it clear that she can't be with me."
"Adrian, I don't think that's what she meant."
"It doesn't matter," Adrian said. Thankfully, the Floo came to life and Marcus stepped out, saving Adrian from having to argue with Daphne further.
"You actually got it?" Marcus said looking at the sack of galleons on the table.
Daphne rolled her eyes. "I said I would, didn't I?"
"Damn, Daph," Marcus said, whistling appreciatively as he opened the bag.
"Pays to be the princess sometimes, doesn't it?" she said with a smirk.
"You're sure about this? What's dear old dad going to do when you don't actually get Adrian a wedding gift?"
"I don't imagine it will matter by then," Daphne said.
Marcus grinned. "Welcome to the club."
Daphne laughed and even Adrian couldn't help but smile.
"When's your meeting?" Adrian asked.
"Tonight, eight o'clock."
"You'll come here right after?"
"Of course, you tosser."
"Fuck off," Adrian said without rancor.
"As much as I'd love to sit here and listen to you two insult each other, I've got a meeting with the florist. Appearances and all that."
Adrian grimaced. He almost felt guilty about the amount of money Daphne's parents were going to be out when they refused to get married.
"Daph," Adrian said as she reached the fireplace. "Thank you, truly."
She smiled. "She's your sister, Adrian. You'd do the same for mine." She gave the two of them a wave and stepped into the Floo.
"Sure you don't want to marry her?" Marcus said once she'd gone.
"Shut it, you prat."
Hermione turned the corner in Scribbulus' and bumped into someone. "I'm so sorry."
"That's all right," the other person said and Hermione just managed to hold back a gasp when she realized it was Daphne Greengrass. She couldn't, however, stop the blush that immediately spread up her face from her neck. If she noticed, Daphne didn't say anything.
"Granger," the other woman greeted.
"Greengrass," Hermione replied managing to sound relatively normal. How, she wasn't sure, as all she was doing was remembering that she had slept with this woman's fiancé a few days ago.
They stood in awkward silence for a few moments.
"I should pay for these," Hermione finally said indicated the quill and ink she held in her hand.
"Of course," Daphne replied. "Nice to see you."
"You as well," Hermione said then turned to flee to the front of the shop to pay for her purchases.
"Granger," Daphne said and Hermione froze waiting for the accusation and reproach.
"Yes?"
"Just…don't give up on him yet," Daphne said. Hermione turned to stare at her incredulously.
"Give him a chance to figure all of this out," Daphne continued. "He deserves it." With that, the blonde set the quill down that she had been looking at and hurried out of the shop.
Hermione stared after her in stunned disbelief. It was one thing for Adrian to tell her that Daphne didn't want their marriage any more than he did, quite another to come face to face with it.
Something twisted in Hermione's gut as she remembered the look on Adrian's face when she'd left his flat the other night. Sadness but also resignation, as if he had known that she wouldn't stay, despite what he'd told her, asked her. It had haunted her for the last few days.
Still, she couldn't set herself up for another heartbreak. She wasn't sure if she could survive it this time. And even if she just waited, even if she didn't actually get involved with him until things were settled, well, wasn't that basically the same thing?
It's not as if she planned to go out and finding someone else immediately though. She definitely wasn't looking to date anyone right now. She wasn't in the right place for one thing. Nor did she had any burning desire to do so for another. So, in a sense, she was waiting anyway.
But Adrian didn't know that. Hermione was sure that after what she'd said the other night, he likely thought she was moving on. And she wasn't sure what to do about it. If she told him, would he fight harder to get out of any other contract his father might set up if Adrian did indeed break the one with Daphne? And if she didn't, would he just give up, resigned to his fate, whether it be Daphne or someone else? Hermione didn't know.
"Miss? Can I help you?" the shopkeeper said and Hermione realized she'd been standing a foot from the counter holding the quill and ink in her hands for quite some time now.
"Yes, sorry," she said, setting her purchases down. After she had paid and accepted the bag from the shopkeeper, she hurried out the door. She needed to think about this and decide what she was going to do.
Adrian and Daphne sat in his flat waiting for Marcus. The meeting with his contact had been an hour ago and Adrian had expected his friend to have returned by now. He hoped nothing had gone wrong.
Daphne was acting oddly. Adrian had noticed her continually glancing at him when she thought he wasn't looking. He'd asked her if everything was all right and she assured him that it was, that nothing had changed with Tracey. He wasn't sure what, exactly, to make of it but perhaps she was just as nervous as he was to learn what Marcus had discovered.
Finally, after what seemed like forever, Marcus stepped from the Floo. One look at his face and Adrian knew that either he hadn't gotten any information at all or what he'd found out wasn't good.
"Tell me," Adrian said and Marcus blew out a breath, scrubbing a hand down his face.
"Fuck, Ade," Marcus said quietly.
Adrian's heart leapt to his throat. What the hell had Marcus found out? Daphne reached over and gripped Adrian's hand. He squeezed back gratefully, looking back to Marcus. His friend seemed to steel himself before he finally spoke.
"The bloke I talked to investigated Lowe years ago. Seems that there was some question if his younger son was actually his wife's."
Adrian relaxed just slightly. This scenario was more common in their society than anyone ever talked about. Children of mistresses were sometimes raised as the married couple's own.
"And is he?" Daphne asked.
"No," Marcus replied. "His mother was actually a Muggle. Lowe took the kid after he was born and Obliviated the mother."
Adrian frowned. "Who hired your contact to investigate if the mother was a Muggle?"
"Her father. Turns out he's a Squib. Thing is, Lowe fucked up the Obliviation, messed up the mother's brain or something. She's like a five year-old now apparently."
Daphne gasped and Adrian grimaced. Obliviation was touchy with anyone, more so with Muggles as they didn't have the magic to help guard against it.
"Arsehole," Adrian muttered.
"There's more," Marcus said. The look on his face told Adrian that whatever he said next, Adrian was going to like even less.
"The mother was fifteen."
"Oh, Merlin," Daphne said, bringing a hand to her mouth in horror.
"After my contact figured out that Lowe was the father and went back to the girl's father with the information, they had disappeared."
"Lowe?" Adrian asked, jaw tight.
Marcus shrugged. "Either he paid them to disappear or he made them. My contact decided to look into Lowe further on his own. Figured he might be able to make some money off the information someday. This girl was the only one he got pregnant, but she wasn't the only one. Seems old Malcolm likes them young."
Adrian's jaw clenched and his gut twisted when he thought again about the way he'd seen Malcolm looking at Anna. Anna was sixteen but she didn't look it. Didn't always act like it either which Adrian had always attributed to how sheltered she was.
"Even his first wife was only seventeen when he married her. He was twenty-four. Rumor is that he wanted to marry her when she was sixteen but her father refused until she was of age. They married the day after her seventeenth birthday. The oldest son was born seven months later. They told everyone he was born early."
"But he wasn't," Adrian said.
"Doubtful given what I've found out," Marcus said.
Adrian doubted it for another reason. Gavin Lowe had attended Hogwarts and worked for the Ministry, all meaning his magic had to be strong enough. If he had been born two months early like Anna had, Hermione's theory proved that his magic wouldn't have been.
"How many?" Daphne asked.
"How many what?" Marcus said.
"How many other girls?"
"More than you want to know about," Marcus said.
Daphne blew out a breath. Adrian didn't think he'd ever seen her this angry. She looked up at him. "We have to get her out."
"We will," Adrian swore.
"There's also some suspicion about his wife's death," Marcus continued looking almost apologetic that he had to give them more horrific news.
"They think he killed her?" Adrian asked.
"My bloke suspects. Not that he could ever prove anything and no one ever questioned it when it happened, but yeah."
"How did she die?"
"Fell off a horse and broke her neck," Marcus said. "She did ride nearly every day and they had just gotten a new horse that she was breaking in so it is possible."
"Also convenient," Adrian replied. Marcus nodded.
"Why would he kill her?" Daphne asked. "Most Pureblood men have mistresses. Did she find out how young they were?"
"It's possible," Marcus said. "She was also twenty-five by then. Not exactly his preferred age group."
Daphne looked taken aback by that. "If he wasn't sleeping with her anymore anyway, why would that matter?"
"Maybe she did find out then, threatened to expose him. She just accepted the younger boy?" Adrian asked.
"From all accounts yes. But no one really knows what goes on behind closed doors. And the kid would have been what, four, five when she died? He probably doesn't remember if she treated him the same or not."
"Gods," Daphne said.
Adrian felt like he was holding on by a very thin thread. What he wanted to do was find Malcolm Lowe and beat him to a bloody pulp, then beat him some more. There was no way in hell that he was going to let Anna marry that monster. And he would make sure that Marcus' information would get to the right people to ruin Malcolm altogether, hopefully get him arrested. If Adrian told Hermione, maybe Potter could do something.
He pushed the thought of Hermione from his mind. He couldn't afford that distraction right now. His priority was Anna and getting her out of her contract with Malcolm Lowe and away from his father. If Malcolm were what his father considered a 'good man' that would take care of his sister, Adrian shuddered to think who else his father could find for her to marry.
His father couldn't have known about any of this though. He would have never even entertained the idea of marrying his only daughter to a man like this, Adrian was sure of that. For all his faults, his father did love Anna and he truly would never want her to be hurt. So, his father must not have looked all that hard into Malcolm's background. He didn't have the connections that Marcus' father did, that much Adrian knew. Nor would he entertain such things most likely. It had been something he had looked down on Marcus' father for.
Adrian tried to force himself to calm. He needed to have all his wits about him if he were going to pull this off. Of course, giving his father this information would make him end the contract immediately but Adrian didn't want to give him a chance to procure another one. Adrian wanted to get Anna out of that house as soon as possible.
"What do you think-" Marcus began but he didn't have a chance to finish as there was a pop and Tippy appeared in Adrian's flat.
The elf was breathing hard and had a grimace on her face. Adrian knew immediately that she was fighting against some order given her by his father, likely something to do with him.
"Master Adrian," the elf managed and Adrian immediately squatted down in front of her.
"What is it, Tippy?"
"Mistress…Anna," was all Tippy said as she fell to the floor.
"Fuck!" Adrian yelled.
Daphne joined him on the floor grasping the elf's hand. "She's still alive, Adrian. I think she just fainted."
"There's something in her hand," Marcus said and Adrian looked down to see a small piece of parchment clutched in Tippy's hand. He gently pried her fingers open and grabbed the parchment.
"It's from Anna," he said as he scanned it quickly.
Adrian,
I hope that Tippy can get to you. Father ordered all the elves not to speak to you after the row the two of you had the other day. He also ordered all of them to remain in the Manor unless they were going to one of our other properties. Although Father does not own your flat, it is technically a Pucey property so I hoped Tippy could get there unscathed. If I could have gotten this note to you any other way, I would have but someone is always watching me so I couldn't risk an owl.
Father has moved up the date of my marriage to Malcolm at his request. It is to be a few days after I turn seventeen. And yesterday, Malcolm, he, he kissed me. It was just a chaste kiss but I didn't want him to. He said since we are to be married in less than a year, it would be all right.
I don't want to marry him, Adrian. I didn't want to kiss him either but he didn't give me much of a choice about that. I haven't told Mother or Father. I'm afraid they would tell me Malcolm could take such liberties given he is my betrothed. Please help me.
Love,
Anna
Adrian let the parchment fall from his hands as he roared in anger. Daphne snatched it up and Marcus read it over her shoulder. Adrian was already nearly to the Floo when Marcus wrestled him back. Adrian would have gotten away had Daphne not hit him with a Petrificus. He glared at both of them as they propped him against the wall.
"I know," Marcus said. "Mate, I know what you want to do. Trust me, I want to do the same. But this is about Anna, not about you getting revenge on Lowe and ending up in Azkaban. You have to think of her."
"We have to have a plan," Daphne said. "You can't just rush over there and grab her."
"I'll end the spell if you promise you're not going to leave the flat. Not yet," Marcus said. Both Daphne and Marcus stared at him but Adrian didn't know what they expected him to do. He was bloody petrified for fuck's sake.
"Oh, right," Marcus said as if he'd had the same thought. "Expelliarmus."
Adrian's wand went flying into Marcus' hand. He then cast a Finite but before Adrian could even move, he was bound by ropes.
"Really, Marcus?" Adrian snapped. At least he could speak now.
"Can't take the chance, mate."
"We have to get her," Adrian growled.
"We will," Daphne promised. "But we need to decide how we're going to do that and where we're going to take her. It won't do any good if your father just comes for her tomorrow."
Adrian sighed. He knew they were right. There was a groan and they all looked over to see Tippy stirring. Daphne held a hand up to Adrian to keep him from speaking. If Daphne or Marcus told Tippy what Adrian wanted her to know, they would at least spare her from breaking one of the rules again. Hopefully, she could get back to the manor before she passed out again.
"Tippy?" Daphne said and the elf looked up at her. She was shaking and seemed to be having trouble focusing. "Tell Anna that we got her letter. We're trying to find a way to get her out. She needs to try and keep away from Malcolm as much as possible. Feign illness or something. Do you understand?"
"Yes, Miss."
"Go home now. You've done well." Daphne squeezed the elf's shoulder. Tippy looked to Adrian who gave her a grateful smile and a nod. Tippy seemed to gather her strength and disappeared.
"Let me go," Adrian said as soon as Tippy had gone. Marcus looked at him warily but Daphne ended the Incarcerous.
"If both our properties are out and you don't want to take her to Draco's flat, where does that leave us?" Daphne asked.
"She can come to mine," Marcus said.
"Your father knows where you live. We could keep her there for a day or two but we need somewhere that my father wouldn't even think to look," Adrian said.
"I can ask Tracey," Daphne said.
"Davis?" Marcus questioned. "That's who you're with?"
"Yes," Daphne said defiantly.
"Fit," Marcus said with a nod. "Good choice."
Daphne rolled her eyes. "You're a pig."
Marcus smirked.
"As much as I appreciate that, Daph, I don't want to get Tracey involved," Adrian said. "Your parents don't know about her yet and you two haven't completely settled things."
Daphne nodded. "There is another possibility."
"No," Adrian said immediately.
"She's right, Ade," Marcus said. "Who would suspect we'd put her with Granger?"
"My father knows about Hermione."
"What? How?" Marcus asked.
"Tippy most likely," Adrian said. "Not by her choice but she's bound to him, not me."
"Still, she's Muggleborn," Marcus argued. "She's familiar with Muggle London. She's the perfect person to hide Anna."
"I said no, Marcus."
Marcus glanced at Daphne and then sighed. "Fine, mate. But think about it."
Adrian ignored Marcus' last comment. "The first thing we need to do is figure out how we're even going to get her out of the house. My father is going to be especially suspicious after my conversation with him the other day."
After another shared look between Marcus and Daphne, the three sat down to plan. Adrian knew they meant well and Hermione had said that she would help Anna, but Adrian couldn't ask her to get involved with this. His father was going to be furious and the last thing Adrian was going to do was put Hermione in danger. They would have to figure out something else.