After Christmas passed, the students once again filled the halls, talking excitedly about their vacations and their gifts. As soon as Hermione had made her announcement, Ron and Harry took to staying close to her as often as they could, being the overprotective friends that they were. Quite often Hermione had to sneak away from them just to be able to see Draco, just to find that Draco had disappeared or Harry and Ron would find her again. Hermione eventually gave up and started walking with Harry and Ron, but she began to crave Ginny and Camille's company. As her pregnancy progressed, Hermione got increasingly more worried about her baby and the war. Camille and Ginny would stay up all night with her, holding her close and telling her they'd be there through it all. On one particularly bad evening, Ginny stood up and decided to find Draco. Walking to the other door, Ginny knocked. She heard a muffled call of 'Come in,' and opened the door. Dillon was sitting on his bed, feet under his knees, writing in a leather journal.
"Hey, Dillon." Ginny said shyly. Dillon looked up, piercing her with his gaze. His eyes wandered from her face to her feet and lingered on the way back up. Unlike the hungry glares she had received from so many other boys, Dillon's once-over didn't make Ginny feel sick or embarrassed. He was just surveying, noting subtle changes and emotions.
"Looking for Draco?" He asked in a low voice. Ginny nodded. "He's gone. Dumbledore, Snape and him went to London yesterday. Didn't say when they'd be back." Dillon looked down, writing slowly in his journal.
After a few moments of silence, Ginny walked over and kneeled next to Dillon's bed. "What are you writing about?" She asked innocently. A quick thought flashed through her mind; maybe he's writing about me; but she dismissed it just as soon.
"Everything." Dillon answered simply. "About life, and love, and the people, and the hate. About this damned war and the fighting. The darkness." Dillon paused, looking up. His deep green eyes were filled with a mix of sorrow and an emotion Ginny couldn't identify. The mere glance, the intensity in his eyes, made Ginny shiver. Dillon noted that and pulled his cloak off the foot of his bed. He gently placed it on Ginny's shoulders. Ginny thanked him and pulled it closer. She inhaled the scent, savoring the tinge of cologne and soap delicately mixed.
"Do you want to come over to Camille's room?" Ginny offered, suddenly feeling like a foolish little girl. "I mean, it must get pretty lonely over here." Dillon regarded her with blank eyes, locking onto her own. Feeling a slow blush beginning to creep onto her cheeks, Ginny's hand went instinctively to her neck, where she grasped the onyx pendant between her fingers. Dillon was watching her carefully, and took a deep breath before answering.
"No, I like solitude. But feel free to visit." Dillon flashed a heart-melting smile and scribbled something in his journal. Ginny, wanting to avoid further embarrassment, stood and left. By the time she had reached Camille's door, she realized she was still wearing Dillon's cloak. I'll give it to him later, Ginny thought and opened the door. Hermione looked up and her eyes fell.
"Draco left for London, didn't he?" Hermione asked in a monotone voice. Ginny nodded. "He told me he was going to, I just forgot it was so soon. Oh, god, I miss him." Hermione burst into another fit of tears, invoked by the emotional swings of pregnancy. Camille hugged her friend close.
"This is going to be a long six months." She said, rolling her eyes. Ginny nodded.
* * * * * * * * * * *
After Ginny had left, Dillon stared at the door for a long while, almost as if he expected her to come back through it. He sighed, turning back to read what he had written in his journal so far.
February 20
Draco left today for the meeting with Fudge. Dumbledore wants him there, as the war affects him, Hermione, and their child a great deal. This damned war. All the death and corruption. Sometimes I think that's why I'm here, to fight in this war and get myself killed for doing it. The only thing I have left is Ginny, but she could never love me. No one could.
Dillon paused in his reading, realizing that at this point Ginny had walked in. He skimmed the next few sentences, reading a basic description of the girl, from her copper hair and bright blue eyes, down to her bare feet. Dillon pictured her in his mind, but a certain feature stood out. Quickly dipping his quill in the inkwell, he wrote a final sentence.
Ginny still wears the onyx pendant.
* * * * * * * * * * *
Draco, Severus, and Albus all safely arrived at Ministry headquarters later that afternoon. An icy coating of snow covered everything, leaving the world in a diamond haze. Cornelius Fudge, the Minister of Magic, was sitting behind a desk, fidgeting nervously. He practically jumped when Albus walked in his office.
"Oh, er, hello Albus. Severus. Draco." Fudge said, regarding Draco with cold eyes.
"Hello Cornelius!" Albus said merrily. "As I'm sure you know, Hermione Malfoy will be having her baby in June, so we believe Voldemort will be attacking Hogwarts in August." Draco stared out the window, blocking the droning of voices out. He had to do something. He couldn't wait around until August, biding his time until Voldemort attacked. Draco turned back to the conversation, focusing on the voices.
"Albus, you know we can't send a spy in there! No one will trust them! We have to either find a crossover or another alternative." Cornelius was saying, his face red.
"I'll do it." Draco said, causing heads to turn to regard him. Severus was staring with his deep black eyes, while Albus' blue ones were twinkling. Cornelius simply scoffed.
"And what makes you think that a young boy like you could make it into Voldemort's inner circle? We need someone with experience." Fudge leaned back in his chair, his eyes shooting daggers at Draco.
"My father." Draco said simply, walking to Albus. "I'd like to try. I refuse to do nothing." Albus nodded.
"You do realize you'll be in great danger. I'd like for you to be back by the third week in June. Hermione will be terribly upset without you, but we can't tell anyone our plans." Albus explained. Draco nodded, breathing deeply.
"I'll go with him." Severus said softly, with a certain note of regret. "After all, it is time for my monthly report." Draco turned to study his former teacher. Seeing the look of confusion, Severus leaned down and whispered harshly, "I am a spy for our side, although Voldemort thinks it the other way round." Draco nodded.
"Well, you two should leave immediately. I'll arrange for a message to be sent to Lucius Malfoy." Fudge said shortly and stood. "I wish you the best of luck on your endeavor." Pausing to shake Severus' hand, Cornelius left abruptly.
"Well, you two had best be off, so I'll owl you soon. Please, don't send anything except with my owl. It will draw far too much attention." Albus grasped both men's hands, and left. Severus turned to Draco and nodded. The two walked into the cold windy day, far into the woods surrounding the building. At some point, Severus grasped Draco's shoulders and apparated. They appeared moments later in front of Malfoy Manor, the stone structure standing tall and ominous in the night chill. Draco took a deep breath and walked towards his home. Pounding open the front door, Draco strode down the hall and into the dungeon. Lucius was standing in front of a cell, where muffled groaning could be heard.
"Draco." Lucius said coolly, as if his son was expected. "I thought you were staying at Hogwarts with your pregnant mudblood wife." Draco inwardly cringed, but let nothing of it show to Lucius.
"I was staying there, but I realized I couldn't spend the rest of my life with a bitch like her. I need a way out, and joining the ranks of Voldemort's Death Eaters seems to be a suitable release. I want Granger dead. And I want to raise my child in the ways of Voldemort." Draco explained, the lies rolling smoothly off his tongue. Lucius' thin lips curled up in a smirk.
"I knew you would come around. No Malfoy has ever resisted the Dark Lord." Lucius strode toward the deeper parts of the dungeon, Draco following. The corridors he had grown so accustomed to seemed to be heavy with death and pain. As Draco passed the cells, he heard groans of pain and remorse, scratches at the door, and sobs. Bracing himself for the next few months, Draco took a deep breath. Lucius rounded a corner and opened a door. Voldemort, looking a tad more alive than he had been when Draco saw him last, was sitting at the end of a table. Severus was next to him, staring at the dark wood.
"Ah, Lucius and Draco. The two remaining followers in the Malfoy clan. I hear your wife Narcissa has divorced you? Cleansed her hands of darkness?" Voldemort said, his red eyes glowing like embers.
"Yes she has, my Lord." Lucius said coldly, his eyes flickering onto Severus. "But she has not yet rid herself of darkness. Although she does not know it, she is courting our most trusted spy." Voldemort turned to Severus, a slow smile creeping across his face.
"I see you have learned. Stealing another Death Eater's wife…how terribly cliché. And yet, how incredibly awful." Voldemort laughed. It was a high, nasal sound, like the breaking of crystal. "I love it."
"Thank you, my Lord." Severus said, meeting Voldemort's eyes fearlessly. Draco stood in the shadows, wanting to melt into the blackness. That was why he was here. To hear, to see, to observe…and take back his findings to Dumbledore. Lucius strode to Voldemort and whispered in his ear. Voldemort smiled sickly and surveyed Draco.
"An aspiring Death Eater. I see the mudblood was just a fling? Good for nothing more than a good fuck and an heir." Draco could feel his temper rising, but willed it back down.
"Nothing more." Draco repeated.
* * * * * * * * * * *
The weeks slowly passed. Dumbledore had informed Narcissa and Hermione that Draco and Severus would be gone until June at the latest on official Ministry business. Hermione had nearly burst into tears, as her pregnancy was making her sensitive to the least of things. Narcissa had taken it well, or so they all thought. Until Severus' and Draco's return, she became secluded and withdrawn. As the snow melted and flowers began to bud, the students suffered a spring fever, where the next weekend was anticipated and the countdown until summer was starting. No one had heard any news of the two spies, only the occasional glance and nod from Dumbledore.
Hermione also took to secluding herself, counting the days until June. Madam Pomfrey had told Hermione the baby was due June 28, which meant, of course, that was the day it would be born. Hermione wasn't suffering in the least, despite mood swings from her pregnancy. Camille and Ron were taking to letting her be, giving her down time, saying they just wanted to give her room, but the case was most likely they wanted time alone. Harry grew increasingly more protective of Hermione, but he knew better than to be suspicious of Draco's absence. He would spend his nights in the Ravenclaw common room with Cosette, whom he was falling in love with more each day. Cosette remained oblivious to Harry's affections, but made no move towards any relationships with other students. One night in late April, the two were sitting outside. It was unusually warm for spring, and the stars were vibrantly twinkling. Cosette had her head in Harry's lap as he leaned against a tree on the border of the forest.
"Harry, what do you think will happen to everyone after the war?" Cosette asked, breathing softly. Harry watched her cobalt eyes shimmer in the moonlight, and absently ran his fingers through her hair.
"Well, I think that if we win, Hermione and Draco will take their child and move away to somewhere quiet and secluded. You know, they'll probably want to raise the kid away from all of this." Harry sighed and leaned his head back, watching the sky. "Snape and Narcissa will probably go off somewhere, they seem to be getting along quite well. The teachers will stay here, at Hogwarts, and maybe Remus and Sirius will too. Remus wants his old job back. Ron…well, he's desperately in love with Camille, and she seems to reciprocate that, so maybe they'll go off together." Harry stopped, and closed his eyes. The scent of spring flowers and rain fell delicately through the air, giving the night a romantic feel.
"What about us?" Cosette whispered softly. "Where will you be?"
Harry sighed. "I don't know if I'll ever get to see the end of the war. But if I do, I suppose I'll just move into London, find a job somewhere, and live my life."
"Well, I'll go to London with you." Cosette said in finality. "I don't care if I still have to graduate from Hogwarts, if you won't be here, neither will I."
"Oh, come on, Cosette." Harry sighed. "You have to stay here. Don't let my decisions dictate your life. You have so much potential; don't waste it."
"Stay here then. I won't lose you. You mean to much to me." Cosette whispered, sitting up. Harry sighed again and ran a hand through his own hair. If only I meant that much because she loved me, not because I'm like Edan, Harry thought, focusing his eyes on the waning moon.
"Maybe I will. Who knows, Dumbledore may need some help around here." Harry said, not finding any truth in his own whispered words. Cosette, recognizing defeat, lay back on the grass, pulling Harry with her. They stared at the sky for a long time, just watching as the moon bathed everything in a cold white light. After a few moments of silence, Harry sat up on his elbows, watching Cosette. Her eyes had fluttered closed, and she was half-smiling in her comatose stage. Pushed on by some unknown instinct, Harry leaned forward to kiss her. Just as he was mere inches away, Fawkes landed on her chest, causing Harry to pull back abruptly. Cosette smiled at the bird, and remained oblivious to Harry's motion.
"Hey, Fawkes." Cosette spoke in a soft voice. "What does Dumbledore want?" The scarlet bird stared pointedly at Harry and started to fly back to the castle. Cosette laughed. "I guess we're supposed to follow." Harry nodded, a bit dazed after nearly kissing her. They walked in silence to Dumbledore's office and knocked lightly.
"Come in," Albus called from behind the door. The two walked in and stood in front of the desk. Albus smiled and motioned for them to sit. "Hello!" he greeted them cheerfully. "Now, I know this is a little early to think about this, but I was wondering, Harry, if you would like to stay at Hogwarts for a few more years."
"Excuse me?" Harry asked, furrowing his eyebrows in a confused manner. Dumbledore laughed, his blue eyes twinkling merrily behind his half-moon glasses.
"Well, our current Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher just came to me and decided that she would be quitting. Kind of odd, don't you think, that the one teacher we hire to defend our students against the Dark Arts is quitting because she's afraid of Voldemort?" He laughed softly, and shook his head. "Anyway, I wanted to ask you if you could teach that class for the rest of the year, and possibly stay on to teach next year?"
"Didn't Remus want that position?" Harry asked, flattered and bewildered; a dangerous mix.
"Yes he did, but the Ministry has called him up to London to do some work with Werewolves. They aren't too happy about fighting with us, as most Ministry workers don't approve of them. Remus is going to talk to a few of them and try to persuade them to join us. After the war, depending on whether or not we win, Cornelius Fudge opened a job to Remus in Non-Wizard Alliances." Dumbledore smiled. "So, how about it Harry?" Cosette looked at Harry, smirking slightly and raising an eyebrow as if to imitate Dumbledore's question.
"I'd love to." He answered, grinning widely.
* * * * * * * * * * *
Weeks flew by, and before the students realized it, only two months remained until summer vacation. May was a cool month; a breeze blew steadily, it rained nearly everyday, and the flowers bloomed under the gray sky. The students started to whisper as Hermione passed them in the hallways; with less than two months to go before she gave birth, she was starting to show her baby. Narcissa spent considerably more time with Hermione than anyone else. It seemed both women were suffering from the loss of their suitors. As the days wore on, and May melted into the warmth of June, the castle seemed to grow quiet. Voldemort's known supporters were disappearing, and recently, hooded Death Eaters had been glimpsed in Hogsmeade. Dumbledore received weekly updates on Voldemort's plans. So far, his two spies hadn't recovered any information not already known, but it looked promising. On June 27, Albus received a particularly helpful letter from Draco.
Albus-
Lucius has confided their plans to me. Says that he will make me a Death Eater when the battle is over. More soon. Will arrive at Hogwarts at midnight on Friday.
-D.M.
At the prospect of seeing Severus and Draco again, Albus smiled. He checked a clock on his wall. Exactly ten minutes until they arrived. Albus smiled again, and stood. Yawning, he walked to his door and moved down the stairs. He hurried through the corridors until he reached the dungeons. Knocking lightly on Snape's door, he opened it. Narcissa was sitting by the fire, staring mindlessly at the flames. She looked up when Albus came in, but said nothing. Sighing, Albus sat next to Narcissa and took her hands.
"Narcissa, I know this has been hard on you. Trust me, it has been awful for everyone. But in about two minutes, you'll be seeing Severus and Draco." Albus finished softly. Narcissa's head shot up, a light coming into her eyes that had been abandoned since they left.
"They're coming back?" She whispered urgently. Albus nodded.
"At midnight. Shall we go to meet them?" He stood and offered an arm to Narcissa, who took it gratefully. They walked up the long stairways, watching and waiting for the spies to arrive.
* * * * * * * * * * *
Draco and Lucius were sitting in "The Dragon's Fire," a pub in the village nearest to their home. It was very early in the morning, around two a.m., and Lucius was having a bit too much to drink. He was celebrating, for reasons unknown to Draco, and had decided to bring his son along.
"Draco," Lucius murmured, his voice slurred. "I want to tell you something." His long blond hair was coming loose from its queue, leaving strands covering the icy gray eyes. "As soon as we win this battle, I'll give you the Dark Mark. You'll become a Death Eater, just like me. And the rest of the Malfoys. Your mother did a disgrace to our name by divorcing me. I never loved her. She was merely beautiful, and my father prized grace and beauty over all other things. It was our parents. I almost felt sorry for her, married to the likes of me, but she was always so cold, so emotionless. Even when you were conceived, she never spoke, or smiled. Just lay there like a corpse." Lucius stopped talking, his fingers running up and down the smooth neck of his glass. Draco watched in unaffected shock. His father was confessing to him and some of these things Draco knew he wouldn't want to hear. "Your poor mother. Narcissa never should have been dragged into the spiral of evil my family created. I'm almost glad she left me. At least Snape will treat her better." Draco watched his father take a deep swallow of the cold amber liquid in his glass. "I believe that I love her more now than I ever had. It will truly be a pity if she fights for the other side. I would hate to see her die. You know the plans, right?"
"No, I do not. But I assume we will be after the Mudblood and Hogwarts?" Draco ventured. Lucius nodded.
"We will be going to Hogwarts on August thirteenth." Draco inwardly cringed at the date, placing an arm over his stomach. "From there, we will either battle for control of the castle, or we will kill those who stand in our way. Potter and your bitch will be the first to die. Slowly, they will all succumb to Voldemort. And with the heir you provided, he will rise again to power." Lucius downed the last drops of liquor in his glass and stood, swaying slightly on his feet. It's funny how alcohol can bring out the true emotions and thoughts of people, Draco thought. I never knew my father even had a heart.
Draco, curious to find out exactly how much his father would say, asked a question in a soft voice. "Why do you hate muggles and mudbloods so much?"
"Because," Lucius said, sitting back down and leaning over to whisper. "They are of no use to Voldemort."
"They're still humans. I don't understand why you would hate them because they cannot help Voldemort." Draco said gently, prying for a deeper meaning.
"I suppose it was my father, then. He always hated them. I was never allowed to associate, so I really don't know what they're like. I knew one mudblood once, a girl who went to school with us. I can't even remember her name. It seems like so long ago…" Lucius' voice trailed off. "She was possibly the closest I ever got to a real friend. But my father found out and killed her." He stood abruptly and drew in a long breath.
"I'm sorry." Draco said softly, feeling a hint of sympathy for his father. Waving his hand, Lucius walked out of the pub, leaving a few too many Galleons on the table and stumbling out the door. Draco followed, walking the long wooded path to the manor. Just before they reached the open expanse of grass leading to the doors, Lucius stopped and turned to Draco.
"You know, after all our family has been through, you are still my son. I am proud of you." In a fit of drunken affection, Lucius hugged Draco tight against his frail chest, and pushed him back. Tears formed in the corners of his crinkled eyes. "I wish you had never come into such evil. I wish I hadn't either. But Voldemort is too powerful. We cannot back out now." Lucius turned and stumbled to the doors, leaving Draco bewildered by his father's actions. After a few still moments, he walked briskly to the owlery and sent a message. He watched Demon fly off into the moonlit night until he could see his owl no more, and went to find Snape. They were finally going home.
* * * * * * * * * * *
Hermione, the day before she was due to give birth, was sitting on a windowsill on the fourth floor. She hadn't spoken in days, leaving her friends considerably worried, and was looking horrendous. The pregnancy had been hard on her young body, leaving her tired but unable to sleep, repulsed by food, and craving Draco's voice and touch, neither of which she could have. She sighed, looking out into the moonlit night. It was nearly a full moon, with only one day to go, and leaving the grounds bathed in white light. Movement catching her eye, Hermione turned and stared hard out the window. Two figures were approaching the castle. The taller of the two said something to his companion and went in a different direction. The other continued on, oblivious to his observer in the window.
Draco, the moonlight glinting in his platinum hair, scanned the castle with his eyes. The months he had been absent had given him an emptiness he hadn't ever wanted to feel again after the summer before seventh year. Three years in August, he thought, eyes flickering over the fourth row of windows. It seems like another lifetime. His thoughts abruptly ceased as he spotted the figure in the window. Their eyes met, and Draco started walking faster towards the door, almost certain whom he had seen.
As he pushed the double doors open, he was greeted with a kiss. Hermione wrapped her arms around his neck and drew him in from the doorway. "Did you miss me?" Draco whispered, pulling back slightly and resting his forehead on Hermione's. She only nodded and kissed him again. After a few moments, she collapsed. Draco, eyes flickering madly, dropped to her side and grasped her hand.
"The baby," Hermione managed to gasp out between her uneven breathing. Draco immediately understood and scooped her up in his arms, carrying her to the hospital wing. True to Madam Pomfrey's words, the baby was starting to come, at exactly midnight on June 28. Draco placed her lightly on a bed and called for the nurse, who showed up immediately. Madam Pomfrey only sighed, and placed a charm on Hermione, ceasing her pain and gasps for air. Draco kneeled next to her bed, placing her fingertips to his lips. Soon after, Albus, Narcissa, Severus, Harry, and Camille were all assembled in the hospital wing; awaiting the others they knew would come. A thick white curtain had been pulled around Hermione's bed, and only the nurse and Draco were allowed beyond the border. After many spells and long minutes, Madam Pomfrey came out smiling.
"She's fine. So is the baby. I'll let her tell you about her child." With that, the nurse bustled into her office, still smiling. Draco pulled back the curtain, allowing everyone (who now included Ginny, Ron, Cosette, and Dillon) to crowd around her bed.
"Oh, Hermione," Ginny gasped, seeing the tiny baby cradled in a blanket. Soft, shiny blond hair peeked out from the black folds of fabric, and a delicate fist reached out. Hermione turned to Draco, who smiled at his wife as she handed him their child. Draco held the baby gently, staring into blue eyes nearly identical to his own.
"The baby looks just like you," Hermione whispered softly enough so only Draco could hear. Draco didn't respond; he only ran a finger down the baby's cheek.
"What did you name him?" Ron asked, sure it was a boy. Harry turned to look at him, puzzled that Ron would know the baby's gender, but Ron merely nodded.
"Tristan Jade," Hermione whispered, staring into Draco's eyes. The room fell silent, everyone either staring at the baby or the parents. Draco handed the baby to Hermione.
"We've decided to make Tanith and Harry the godparents." He said softly. Cosette smiled, accepting the child from Hermione. Harry stared at Draco intensely, wondering what was behind the foreign tone in his voice when he said their names. Draco locked eyes with Harry and slowly raised one eyebrow before turning to look at his mother. Narcissa was crying, the tears flowing down her cheeks.
"He looks exactly like you, Draco." She said softly, laughing a bit and wiping her tears. "Look at me, I'm a hysterical mess." She leaned down and kissed both Draco and Hermione on the cheek and waved goodbye before leaving with Severus. Albus, smiling cheerfully, looked down at the baby in Cosette's arms before leaving as well. Ron and Camille, whispering to each other, left the room shortly after, followed by Harry, then Ginny. Dillon sat next to Cosette, staring at the tiny person in the black woolen blanket.
"You've got no idea how much your parents love each other." Dillon spoke softly to Tristan. The baby yawned and closed his eyes. "And if I'm not mistaken, you'll cause a hell of a lot of trouble for us all." With that, Dillon stood and left, briefly nodding to Draco. Cosette sighed, and handed back Tristan.
"He's a beautiful child. Congratulations." She said and left, leaving the family alone. Draco leaned over his sleeping child and kissed Hermione.
"Thank you." Draco whispered. "You have given me everything I have ever wanted, and more. I could never have asked for someone as perfect as you, and I don't know why God saw fit to let me have you."
"Because I need you just as much." Hermione whispered. She leaned down and kissed Tristan's forehead. "He'll be a gorgeous young boy. Just like his father."
"The next one will look like you." Draco said, smirking slyly.
"Who says there's going to be another one?" Hermione asked, trying to look surprised. "I know nothing about a second child."
"Oh, trust me. There will be another one." Draco smiled, and kissed Hermione. Tristan opened his eyes long enough to look at both his parents, before settling down into a deep sleep.
* * * * * * * * * * *
* * * * * * * * * * *
**AUTHOR** yeah, okay, so this is number 20, and my story sucks, and its long and boring and DRY. But hey, only 3 more chapters to go…and 21 will be the battle. Hope you like the kid. He's a cutie. Yes, well, I hope you like it. Short and pointless. Sorry if it's dragging on, I just can't stop writing. Next chapter: battle sequence, in which a number of important deaths occur. After that: hospital wing, in which the aftermath of the battle is evident. Last chapter: Draco and Hermione get a house! And the funerals. Yes, well. See you all soon! REVIEW! And yes, I want constructive criticism. P.S. sorry it's taken so long…I feel horrible! But the next ones should be coming out fairly quickly because school is out and exams are over!