Chapter 17: Congressus Clanculum
Albus Dumbledore paced the length of his study. When he reached one end, he turned round and paced back again. Fawkes eyed him affectionately. The clever phoenix knew that his master was prone to doing that only when he was in very deep thought. In one hand, Albus Dumbledore held a glass orb the size of an egg. Within it, misty figures moved. This was the Prophesy which Trelawney and her sisters had given to Narcissa, Severus and Dumbledore twenty two years ago. Rather than hand it over to the Ministry of Magic to be locked away in the Department of Mysteries, Albus Dumbledore, for personal reasons, had kept this one in a secret place in Hogwarts for the last 22 years. The only other prophesy made by Sybill Trelawney had been handed over to the Ministry for safekeeping but had been destroyed in a fierce battle nearly three years previously when Harry had been in his fifth year. The only people who knew the exact contents of that prophesy were now Trelawney, Dumbledore and Harry himself. Nobody else.
The Malfoy prophesy was a different matter altogether. Recent events had meant that a rather large number of people now knew about it. Voldemort had long known the exact nature of this prophesy from Lucius Malfoy, to whom Narcissa had told everything years ago in an attempt to win her husband's love and co-operation. Lucius had of course reported everything to Voldemort who was now set on using Draco's blood to create a second Philosopher's Stone in the belief that then he would then finally be able to face- and win- against Harry Potter who was prophesied to be the only one powerful enough to destroy him.
Sighing, Dumbledore racked his brains…. Draco Malfoy.…Harry Potter. One time mortal enemies….How were they linked? Prophesies were not to be taken lightly- one said that Draco's blood would be used to help the Dark Lord gain immortality. The other one said that Harry Potter had the power to overthrow the Dark Lord….and either must die at the end of the other for neither can live while the other survives…the one with the power to vanquish the Dark Lord will be born…That was Harry Potter. Hand over the Child…He is dead! Immortality…it is fulfilled!...That was Draco Malfoy.
Albus Dumbledore muttered something and the little glass orb that held the Malfoy prophesy vanished. He was not sorry he had not handed it over to the Ministry. As far as he was concerned, Draco Malfoy was an innocent child- if the wizarding world had gotten to know of his prophesied role in Voldemort's ultimate return- many would have wanted Draco to die as much as many had wanted Harry to live. As much as Draco Malfoy had proved himself rude and snobbish thus far, he surely had done nothing that deserved death. In fact, Albus Dumbledore was heartened by the change that had come over the Head Boy in his final year- the boy was showing strength of character that nobody would have expected. Nobody would have expected also that he would, at the tender age of 18, become a father.
Dumbledore sat down in his chair and prepared for the arrival of his closest companions- Professors Snape and McGonagall. Not even they were aware of the prophesy surrounding Harry's life. In fact, as the years wore on and he survived every battle with Voldemort, Harry himself began to detach himself from the morbidity of the prophesy that had so affected him in his fifth year. Sometimes, Dumbledore wondered if Harry had become too confident- too cock-sure- to realize that it was not a guarantee that he would defeat Voldemort. Simply, that one would defeat the other.
Of course, every prophesy had a loophole. "Free will" muttered Dumbledore under his breath. But Dumbledore was not really a wizard that liked to leave everything up to people's own free will- while he appeared calm and detached, Dumbledore had actually been working very hard to arrange matters behind the scenes. He had watched over Harry more closely than a father- giving him advice, having him followed by members of the Order (when they still existed), shaped and tutored him to be the most powerful and confident Auror around.
But what nobody knew was that Albus Dumbledore had also watched over Draco Malfoy- recognizing the boy's good sense, trusting Snape to mentor him and reverse the pureblood mania that Lucius had poisoned his mind with, refusing to expel him from Slytherin despite many infractions of the rules. What to do now? Matters seemed to be coming to a head. Dumbledore sucked thoughtfully on a sherbert lemon- his favourite sweet. And the child. The result of the union between a Pureblood and a Mudblood- conceived out of wedlock. Totally unexpected. A Love-Child. The Infansfervore contained very special magic- not really understood by the magical world yet though it was being researched in the Department of Mysteries. Dumbledore contemplated this development carefully. This is surely something the fates could not have predicted. And if it was out of their predictions- it might just- might very just- represent a possible loophole.
"Albus?" it was McGonagall and Snape.
"Come in, Severus. Come in, Minerva."
The two professor entered his office and took their places near his side.
"Have you thought of a plan?" asked Snape, immediately. He had been shocked by the fact the Draco Malfoy had fallen for Hermione Granger and nearly had a heart-attack when he heard that the two were going to have a child, but he was still fond of Draco and loyal to Narcissa. He was also smart enough to realize the possible significance of the unexpected love-child to the Malfoy prophesy.
"I have Severus, Minerva." Dumbledore said, eyeing his friends calmly. "I think you will all agree with me that this Love-Child- an Infansfervore- could eventually prove to be a vital part of overcoming the Fates. We know that Lucius and Voldemort are close to perfecting a second stone and that Draco's time approaches…but this throws a new angle on the situation."
Minerva McGonagall nodded. "It is ancient magic and very deep. The other infansfervore we know have all lived remarkable lives. Look at Charlemagne, Bacon, Agapitus…" she paused, "and even, Tom Riddle. But no one really understands. How it works. Only that the children seem to live charmed lives."
"We must protect Malfoy's child," said Snape.
"It is Miss Granger's child too, " said McGonagall rather sharply.
"Yes, of course, of course." Professor Dumbledore rested his fingertips in together in front of his nose. "I have a plan. It is a bit extreme, and may be hard on the parents, but it is better than what we did for the Potters."
There came a knock on the door.
"Ah, I believe that would be Mr Malfot and Miss Granger, I think we will all talk about this matter together."
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Hermione and Draco had been so overwhelmed by the news that they were going to be parents that they hadn't really thought beyond their current circumstances. So it was with some nervousness that they made their way to Dumbledore's study the next day where they were going to discuss their future with their Professors.
When they arrived in Dumbledore's study, they found that their Heads of House, Professors Snape and McGonagall were already there. Professor Dumbledore was enthusiastically handing around a large bowl filled with chocolates to all gathered and as they entered, he twinkled at them and spoke, "Ah! Our dear Head Boy and Girl…and soon-to-be proud parents! I don't think I have congratulated you yet, my dears" he said as he passed the bowl of chocolates to Madam Pomfrey and gathered Hermione into a hug.
Hermione and Draco were intensely grateful that the headmaster somehow had a way of making even the tensest situations bearable.
"I would like to do likewise, Miss Granger," said Professor McGonagall, extending her hand to Hermione. The older witch held the girl's hand for a moment longer than necessary and Hermione thought she saw a look of understanding pass over her Professor's eyes. "And to you too, of course, Mr Malfoy" said McGonagallafter a pause, shaking Draco's hand quickly.
Snape nodded at the two of them.
"Now that we've congratulated the happy couple, let us get down to business" said Dumbledore, seating himself at his desk.
"I understand, Miss Granger, that you told Madam Pomfrey that you are prepared to keep this child and bring it up?"
"Yes sir."
"And that you, Mr Malfoy, give Miss Granger your full support?"
"My full support, sir."
"Miss Granger, Mr Malfoy, might I say that although your previous actions were perhaps not too well thought out, your decision to keep the child shows your maturity and responsibility. And those are qualities of which you can be very proud. Had you shown less presence of mind in the handling of this matter, I cannot say that the Professors and myself would be quite as compassionate toward you as we are now."
Hermione and Draco nodded.
"And do you have any intention to secure a permanent family for this child?" he asked the two students.
With a shock, Draco realized what Dumbledore was asking them. He could sense that Hermione tensed next to him.
"Mr Malfoy, Miss Granger? Have you given this matter any thought?"
Draco had to admit that he had not. Of course, he was the father of this child and Hermione was the mother! They would have to get married! His head began to swim. He-Draco Malfoy- married at the age of 18. Not that he minded of course, he loved Hermione. But his father…oh his father would have something to say to him marrying a mudblood. He hated even the thought of that word, how could he ever have used it on Hermione? And then, was it fair to subject Hermione to only two years of marriage before he would die in ritual….and it was almost positive that he would?
Suddenly, he was aware of Hermione speaking next to him.
"…and it would be very unfair for Draco to have to marry me right now just because I am pregnant. There is the matter of his father and the Malfoy prophesy- marriage might be too much for us to deal with. It might give Lucius another hold over him. I have no wish to endanger or intrude on Draco's life in any way."
Dumbledore nodded. Snape looked at Hermione admiringly. This girl was tough. No wonder Malfoy had fallen so hard.
Professor McGonagall looked worried, "But my dear, you will be a single parent. It will be extremely difficult for you. With Mr Malfoy's love and care…"
"IF she is around for Mr Malfoy to love and care for, Minerva," interrupted Snape. "Albus, Minerva - I have no doubt, in fact, I am absolutely positive, that should Lucius find out that his only son and heir has married a non-pureblood girl, he will view it as his personal responsibility to put an end to that marriage. At any cost."
Draco turned pale. Dumbledore turned to Draco and asked him, "Well, Mr Malfoy, what do *you* want to do?"
"Professors- Hermione – my first thought was that I should get married to you. If everything were not as it were, I would marry you right now. I know that sounds like a stupid thing to say, but it's the truth. I know my father Hermione, he will stop at nothing. He is close to achieving the rebirth of Lord Voldemort, nothing will stand in his way now. He will kill you Hermione, if he found out."
Hermione faced Draco and put her hand over his. "I know." she said. "I am not afraid."
"Well, then it seems like there is only one course of action open to us. Mr Malfoy and Miss Granger's relationship must be kept a secret, as must the child Miss Granger bears. My dears," said the old wizard looking upon them kindly, "this is not a permanent solution. I can assure you that it is only temporary- Voldemort is not the only wizard with power, even after the end of the Order, there are still many of us working against him. He will fall, Hermione. He is only mortal."
"For now." muttered Snape under his breath, catching Draco's eye.
"What do we do?" asked McGonagall. "Oh Albus, we tried the same for James and Lily but…." The older witch gave an involuntary sob.
"There there, Minverva. We will learn from the lessons of the past. We must take ever greater precautions. The Potters were married, Draco and Hermione will not be-yet. This makes concealment slightly easier."
"What do you propose?" asked Snape. "If Lucius finds out, he will go for Hermione. Then he will go for the child. It will be seen as a bastard humiliation…" (here Hermione and Draco flinched) "…to be gotten rid of. I know how these fundamental Pureblood families work, and Lucius is one of the worst of them."
Draco raised his eyebrows. He knew the Potions Master hated Lucius for his intentions toward Narcissa and himself, but the extent of Severus' bitterness was still surprising.
"Thank you Severus." replied Dumbledore. "Then we will have to make sure that Lucius never finds Miss Granger or the child. Draco and Hermione will not be together, for the time being as was discussed earlier…and I think that it will be necessary, as a double precaution, to separate Miss Granger and the child."
"NO!" shouted Hermione.
"Albus, is that really necessary?" asked McGonagall.
"We made the mistake of putting all the Potters under one roof, Minerva. If we had done as we had originally intended, if we had not listened to Lily's pleas that they not be separated, Harry might have at least one parent alive today!" said Dumbledore sternly. "We will not make that mistake again."
"I agree with Albus," was all that Snape said.
"Draco?" Hermione turned towards him with pleading eyes.
Draco was torn. He knew how difficult it would be for Hermione without him by her side. And now, what Dumbledore was proposing would make it even harder for her. It was true that it was only temporary, but what if it was not? Then again, what if something happened to Hermione, or his son? He made up his mind quickly.
"I agree with Professor Dumbledore." he said quietly.
"Draco!" she gasped. "You would take my child away from me?"
"It is our child, Hermione. And I want him to live. And you. And I will support whatever plan gives us the greatest possibility of that outcome- however difficult it may be."
The Professors nodded their approval, Snape looked as proud as it was possible for him to look without actually smiling.
Hermione looked at Malfoy in surprise. His gray eyes shone with desperate hope- hope that she would understand and support his decisions. His jaw was set firmly. She had never heard him speak with such resolve. Hermione was not a witch who liked being wrong. She was intelligent and used to being right. However, fortunately she was intelligent enough to realize that whatever the future might hold for them, Draco was right- that he would do whatever it took to ensure the safety of his family. We're his family she thought as she put her hand over her tummy. Hey baby, you have a mummy and daddy who love you very much.
Dumbledore was speaking again. "Mr Malfoy, Miss Granger, are you aware that, being conceived in the manner that he was, your child is an infansvfervore? A Love-Child?"
Hermione nodded but kept her eyes on her hands. She had read about such children in her History of Magic research but Draco looked a bit blank.
"You and Miss Granger, being so much in love, have created a love-child out of your passions. Such children tend to lead remarkable and charmed lives. Mr Malfoy, I wonder if you remember clearly what I spoke to you about on Christmas Day?"
Professor Snape glanced at Malfoy but kept his face placid.
""The Prophesy?" asked Malfoy.
"Yes, dear boy. The Prophesy. I trust it has not been weighing too heavily on your mind since Professor Snape and myself have assured you we will be finding ways to counter it?"
Draco turned pale. He had been troubled by it practically every moment of every night. A dark look passed over his face and he lied through clenched teeth, "Not too badly, Professor." Dumbledore stared at him over the rim of his glasses. Draco felt a strange sensation in his mind and knew that Dumbledore somehow knew he was lying. Damn.
"Very good, Mr Malfoy. We must not run our whole lives fatalistically, you know. Live life to the fullest, I always say. And that is why now, we must concentrate on protecting your son with Miss Granger here. Life must go on. To live obsessed with the fear of death is as good as being dead for all the time you are alive. Your child is a Love-Child, which was totally unexpected by everyone- might I include myself in that category as well. Anyway, this being so, it is not a bad thing- in fact, the child is already one sign of the threads of fate showing wear and tear. No one predicted this. You and Miss Granger made it happen by your own free will. Something tells me we must preserve the life of this child."
Draco nodded shortly. Hermione looked determined. As Dumbledore was speaking, she had made up her mind.
"All right," Hermione whispered, looking first at the Professors, then at Draco. He reached for her hand. She squeezed it tightly asked, "what's the plan?"
