A/N: I am so sorry that this chapter has taken so long to get out of my head and on to paper. In this chapter I am bringing back Hermione's engagement ring so she can communicate with Draco telepathically. I really hope that you enjoy this chapter. If you are over 17, I wrote a little story called Draco's Firefly. Check it out. It's a D/G NC-17 story. I can't believe that story came from me but it did. Anyway back to this story... same as always, Please read and review.....
When Evil Returns
Chapter Nine: Lavender's Heartache
When Minerva walked in she saw Darci sitting in a chair by the window staring out at the grounds. When Darci heard someone behind her she quickly wiped the tears from her face and turned to her visitor.
"Oh good afternoon Minerva, I didn't hear you come in."
"Hello Darci, how are you feeling today?"
Darci turned to face the window again and asked in a quiet voice as the tears stated to flow again,
"How could I have been so cruel? How could I have intentionally hurt Kyleigh like that?"
Minerva knelt down in front of Darci and said,
"It wasn't you. You had no control over what was done. I have been talking with Albus and we think we now know what happened. You have been living under a curse for the last year."
"But I have been trained to resist the imperius curse. I am able to block it," she said as she looked at Minerva with a tear-streaked face.
"Exactly why Lucius didn't use the imperius curse. He must have known that you could resist it. That is why he used an old magic curse. It would be something that you are not familiar with. For this curse to be broken the person under it has to do something totally unselfish to someone that they considered an enemy. Then, and only then, would the curse be lifted. When you so unselfishly helped Fred, the curse was gone," explained Minerva.
"But I hurt so many people in the process," said Darci frantically
"It wasn't you. Look, there are some people here right now that want to help you. I have explained the circumstances and they really want to see you."
"No, I can't face anyone," she said.
"Too late," said a voice from the door. It was Hermione followed by Narcissa, Katarina and Draco.
"Please," said Darci as she placed her face in her hands, "I can't."
Hermione came over to her and sat in the chair opposite her. "Darci, we think we may be able to help you to understand."
"How could you possibly understand what that monster did to me?"
"Better than you can possibly imagine," said Hermione as she took Darci's hand.
"You see Darci, when I was 17 I fell in love with Draco. When Lucius found out that his son was in love with a mudblood he was furious. He came to the school and brutally raped me while Draco was in a body bind and made to watch. Kyleigh was a result of that union. He never told you that did he?"
Looking shocked Darci said "No."
"The room that Kyleigh was made to do her detention in was the room where the rape took place. She sees things and that is why she collapsed. She saw the rape." Said Hermione with tears in her eyes.
"Oh no, that is why he insisted it be that particular room isn't it?"
"Yes, I believe he knew she would see it."
"Oh Hermione I am so sorry."
"You didn't know. It wasn't you because you weren't in control, he was."
Darci shook her head, "But the things I let him do to me."
This is when Katarina stepped forward.
"What things you did subconsciously to survive? Let me tell you what I did to survive. When I was 18 I was in love with Lucius. We were to be married but when I refused to join the women of Voldemort order, Lucius was ordered to take me into the woods and kill me. Instead he took me to a secluded cabin where I was prisoner for almost 19 years. Every year he came to claim what he thought was his and he raped me. He raped me for almost 19 years. The last time he came to me I gave him a potion that made him impotent. He was furious and almost killed me," said Katarina as she had Hermione unzip the back of her robes. When Darci saw the scars on Katarina's back she gasped. "He used a riding crop on me. If it hadn't been for Severus I would be dead."
Darci started to cry again. This is when Narcissa walked up. "I was married to him for 20 years. On our wedding night he raped and branded me. Thankfully when I conceived Draco he left me alone for a while but over the years he murdered five or six babies that I had conceived. I never knew I was pregnant."
Darci just stared at Narcissa. "Oh I am so sorry," she said as she gently took Narcissa's hand. That is when Draco stepped forward. Darci's face fell and she just shook her head and said, "Nooo."
Draco took a deep breath and started to speak. "When I was five I ran away from home and got lost in the woods. I was so frightened until I saw this beautiful woman who I found out later was Katarina. I knew she would help me until I saw him. Lucius was chasing her. When he caught her he threw her to the ground hitting her as he was ripping her clothes off. I yelled for him to stop. You are hurting her I said. That is when he came after me."
Darci gasped shaking her head as the tears coursed down her face.
"He raped me there on the ground and continued to rape me until I was 11. He told me that if I told my mother she would die. He is evil Darci and he will use what ever he can to control a person. You were a victim just like the rest of us. You now carry the scar too don't you?" he asked.
Darci nodded her head.
"So do we," said Hermione, "Well at least we did until we found Vincent. He covered ours with tattoos, you can't even tell there was a scar. If you like I am sure he would be happy to cover yours too."
"You really think he would?
"Oh course he will. Now why don't you go and wash your beautiful face, get dressed and we can all go back to Malfoy Manor for dinner. Vincent will be there and I am sure you would like to get rid of that scar as soon as possible," said Hermione.
"Do you think Madam Pomfrey will let me leave?"
"It has already been cleared by her. She said you are well enough to go but just be careful of those ribs for a few more days," said Minerva.
Looking a little sad Darci asked, "What about the children? They aren't going to want to see me. I was so cruel to them."
"Don't worry about them. They have been informed that you were under a spell and they would be meeting the real you for the first time tonight. Give them a chance, they are really very intelligent understanding children," reassured Draco.
"Now, let's get you all cleaned up," said Katarina.
On cue Draco excused himself so Darci could make herself presentable.
The dinner was a great success, the children treated Darci with the utmost respect and she and Kyleigh had a long talk. By the time the evening was over Darci had made an appointment with Vincent for a tattoo, She had secured a job at Malfoy School to teach the 10 year olds early introduction to transfiguration and she and Kyleigh were friends. Things were finally looking up for Darci Codrington.
~~*~~
After they returned from their honeymoon, Vincent, Lavender and Trevor spent the remainder of the summer at his flat in muggle London. Vincent thought that it would be good for Trevor to understand how things worked the muggle way. He taught Trevor about Indians, Baseball and computers.
One afternoon while Trevor was in his room reading, Vincent was at his computer talking online with some of his associates on his network of wizards. Lost in the conversation he didn't hear Lavender come up behind him. When he didn't acknowledge her she put her arms around his neck, placed her chin on his shoulder and whispered in his ear, "What are you doing?"
Smiling and loving her being so close he said. "Talking to a wizard contact of mine that lives in West Virginia in the United States."
"What does he do?"
"He and his sister, who is a witch, own a farm."
"Don't they use magic?"
"Yes to some extent. They enjoy doing things the muggle way but when they need to they use their magic."
"How long have you known them?" she asked.
"For many years."
"Can you explain to me how this network things of yours works?"
"Well, I have a group of associates that live all over the world. They help to keep track of any dark magic being used or of any death eater sightings. They have helped to apprehend over a hundred death eaters worldwide over the last 10 years. They are very valuable to the Order of Phoenix."
"I knew you were special the moment I met you," Lavender whispered in his ear making him shiver.
Turning to face her he grabbed her about the waist, pulled her into his lap and said, "I have something special for you."
She wiggled her hips on his lap and said, "Yes I can see you do."
"Would you like to see just how special?" he whispered in her ear as his tongue circled it's way around the rim of her ear and down around to the back of her neck where he started to gently suck.
"Oh Vincent you know I can resist that."
On cue he picked her up and carried her to their room. As they passed Trevor's room they noticed that he had fallen asleep while reading.
"This could be a very interesting afternoon," she whispered in his ear, "Hurry."
~~*~~
Trevor was so excited. Today he was going to Diagon Alley to get his things for school. Last week he had received his letter of expectance to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. This was going to be a wonderful day, or so he thought. When they got to Diagon Alley there went to Gringotts to get money and then they were off on their shopping spree. Lavender knew that Vincent would be leaving her in a few minutes for a meeting he had to attend at the Leaky Cauldron. It had been decided that she and Trevor would do the rest of their shopping and then meet him at the Leaky Cauldron for lunch at 12:30. When it was time for Vincent to go he pulled Lavender into a warm embrace kissing her soundly and then he told Trevor that after lunch they would go pick out his owl.
"Thanks Dad," said Trevor.
Vincent ruffled Trevor's hair as he walked by him and kissed Lavender on last time before he left. "See you soon, I love you."
"I love you too and have a good meeting."
As Lavender and Trevor walked off down the street they didn't notice the man that had been standing in the shadows.
They went to Olivander's Wands first where they saw Ginny and Collette Potter. Collette was Ginny and Harry's oldest daughter who would also be starting at Hogwarts this term. "Good morning Ginny," said Lavender who was looking a little green.
"Good morning," said Ginny and then, "Lavender are you feeling alright?"
"Not really. I didn't eat any breakfast and I think I am just hungry."
"You should really try and eat something every morning," Ginny said looking a little concerned.
"I know it's just that I could drag my butt out of bed this morning and we were running late. I'm sure I'll be alright after lunch."
"I'm sure you will," Ginny said with a knowing gleam in her eyes, "So how is married life?"
"Oh it is just the best. Vincent is a wonderful man and he loves Trevor as if he were his. As a matter of fact, Trevor asked Vincent if he could call him Dad and of course Vincent told him yes."
"Isn't that sweet. You are a very lucky woman to have two wonderful men in your life. I am so happy for you," said Ginny.
"So are you and Collette shopping alone too?"
"No we are meeting Hermione, Kyleigh and Martin at Flourish and Blotts after we leave here so we can finish with this list," said Ginny, "That is if I can get her and Kyleigh out of that book store."
Lavender laughed, "Good luck."
By the time they left the shop Trevor had received his wand, a 10-inch birch with dragon heartstring. He was ecstatic.
It was about 11:30 when they finally finished and were coming out of Madam Malkin's Robes for all Occasions.
"Mum, what time were we supposed to meet Dad?" asked Trevor.
"Noon. We have just enough time to stop and get him is birthday present. What do you think your Dad would like?"
Suddenly a Jareth came out of nowhere and grabbed Trevor by the front of the robes and snarled in his face, "I'm your father and I don't ever want you to forget it."
"I don't want you to be my Father. I hate you," cried Trevor as he spit in Jareth's face.
Jareth then grabbed the front of his robes tighter and lifted him off the ground. "Why you little……."
Stunned at first Lavender didn't know what to do and then she pulled out her wand and pointed it at Jareth. "Put him down Jareth."
Jareth dropped Trevor unceremoniously on the ground and rounded on Lavender. In one fluid movement he shoved her hard against the side of the building. She hit with a sickening thud. After her head made contact with the wall she slowly slid to the ground leaving a crimson trail of blood on the white wall where her head hit.
Screams rent the air as a few passing witches saw what happened. Panicking Jareth apperated with a pop just as Ginny and Hermione made their way through the crowd. Ginny rushed forward to Lavender as Hermione went to Trevor trying to reassure him that his Mum was going to be fine. Ginny pulled out her wand and conjured up something to clean the wound before she healed it. While Ginny was tending to Lavender, Hermione used her telepathy to contact Draco.
"Draco, you need to get Vincent to Madam Malkin's. Lavender and Trevor have been attacked."
"We'll be right there."
And they were. When Vincent saw the site his heart sank. Lavender was still lying on the ground as Ginny healed her wound.
Vincent went to Ginny first. "Is she going to be alright?"
"Yes, she has a bad bump on her head, I have already healed the gash. Her whole body is going to be sore from the impact. She will probably have bruises on her back and shoulders. I would really like to get her somewhere so I can examine her. I don't think she is hurt anywhere else but I would feel better if I could have a look."
"How about the Leaky Cauldron, we could use one of their rooms," offered Draco.
"That's a good idea," said Ginny, "Go ahead and get the room, we will be there in a few minutes."
This is when Vincent turned to Trevor to see if he was all right.
Putting his arm around Trevor's shoulders he asked, "Are you alright?"
Trevor nodded.
"What happened? Who did this?" asked Vincent trying to keep his voice from shaking.
Trevor looked Vincent in the eyes and said, "Jareth Malfoy."
Vincent felt the anger surge through his whole body as he tried to control his emotions in front of Trevor. He didn't want to scare him.
"Vincent, Lavender is awake," said Ginny. Vincent and Trevor rushed to her side.
"Lavender are you alright?"
"I'm fine. Just a bump in the head but I would really like to get out of here," said Lavender weakly. On cue, Vincent picked Lavender up gently into his arms and carried her the short distance away to the Leaky Cauldron. As they entered the room he placed her tenderly on the bed. Vincent brushed the hair out of her face and whispered, "I am going to take Trevor down to the common room and get him some chocolate, he looks ready to collapse."
"I think that is a wonderful idea. That way Ginny can check me over and then we can go home. I love you Vincent," she said.
"And I you," he said as he gently squeezed her hand and kissed her lightly on the lips.
As Ginny and Hermione helped Lavender out of her robes Lavender doubled up in excrutiating pain.
"Aaagghhh," cried out Lavender.
"Where do you hurt?" asked Ginny.
"My lower stomach," she said panting from the pain. As Lavender went to sit back down on the side of the bed she felt something wet running down her legs. It was dark red blood.