Blackbird
singing in the dead of night
Take these broken wings and learn to
fly
All your life
You were only waiting for this moment to
arise.
Mercy turned over in her bed. Her face still stung with the tears she had cried over the passed few days. She bit her pillow to stave off the sob that rose in her throat. She loved Druce but she also loved her father and, though she didn't show it all the time, Nemo. After her little confession Harry had had words with her, sparing no "flowery" language.
Flash Back
"WHAT!" Harry shouted, barely containing himself. "YOU LOVE WHO?" Mercy looked up at him with a tear stained face. Despite her tears, she drew together a glare that would go down in the Weasley woman hall of fame. For a moment Harry was taken aback. Never before had he seen such a look from his daughter, his Winnie.
"I LOVE DRUCE MALFOY!" she cried, standing up and getting in his face. "Don't think for a second that you're the only one who is pained. Don't think for a second that I haven't tried to change, that I haven't wished to fall in love with someone you deem acceptable. I've cried and cried I-"
"You do not have to love him Mercy."
"Yes I do Harry. I love him and there's nothing you or I can do about it."
"Come on," Harry pulled her up by the arm, his face set in grim determination.
"What?" Mercy asked, bewildered.
"We're going to the Burrow, now get up."
"Dad, I don't want to go to the Burrow right now."
"I don't care. I've got to speak with someone and I'm not leaving you alone anymore."
"What do you mean by that?" Mercy's indignation was rising again.
"He was in your room last night wasn't he," Ginny crossed over to him and put her hand on his shoulder.
"Harry stop, you're hurting her."
"Well?" Mercy bowed her head, avoiding his eyes. "Answer me when I ask you a question." Mercy flinched. Without looking at him she raced up the stairs to her room. Harry turned to Ginny and the rest of his family. "You all go on ahead." For the first time in Ginny's life she didn't argue; she just did what her husband told her to do. Before leaving, however, she turned to him slowly.
"You've been in love before Harry. Don't hurt her in such a way that there can't be a cure." Ginny gave him one last piercing stare. She hoped he wouldn't screw things up too badly. She ushered her family through the grate and Harry turned to the stairs. With decisive strides he made his way up to Mercy's room. Even outside the door he could hear her racking sobs. Unfortunately (for Mercy at least), his anger was too great to be melted by her tears.
He swung the door open and found her spread out over her bed, her chest rising and falling with each moan. "Mercy," he began, his voice still stern.
"I don't want to talk to you right now," she said, muffled by the pillow that was between her mouth and Harry.
"Well, you're going to talk to me and you're going to the Burrow with me too. I'm your father and I have, last time I checked, some weight in this-"
"You're not my father," Mercy interjected. Even before finishing her statement she knew it was a mistake. Perhaps, when Harry was new to the whole father bit he would have gone and cried by himself but not anymore. He crossed the room to her and drew her up, holding her in front of him.
"Listen here, I am and always will be your father. Do you hear me? You're not going to flout my authority because you don't have part of my DNA floating around inside of you. We're going to talk about this this evening and meanwhile we're going to go to the Burrow and your uncles are going to hear about this. I will not have my daughter dating a Malfoy." He spoke "Malfoy" as if it were poison. She could feel the venom on his tongue and it made her want to rip his vocal chords straight from him. He pulled her behind him down to the living room. With an angry wave of his wand he started a blazing fire in the grate. Mercy's brain raced. She couldn't face the Burrow right then; she knew her uncles would feel the same as her father. "You go first and I'll be right behind you."
Mercy grabbed a handful of floo powder and threw it in. "Diagon Alley," she murmured, hoping Harry wouldn't hear. She spun wildly before landing painfully on the cobblestone street. Knowing that, regardless of her father hearing her or not, she wouldn't have much time. She sprinted down the nearest Alley, not stopping until she had successfully gotten herself lost.
Harry came through to the Burrow, already with the suspicion that Mercy wouldn't be there. He looked around and spotted Bill who walked over to him and helped him to his feet. "How you doin' mate?"
"Not very well actually. Did Mercy come through?" Bill shook his head.
"Why, what happened with Mercy? Ginny hinted at it but never said anything."
"I can't explain now. She's gone and we've got to find her. She whispered something into the fire and I didn't catch it." By then people had started filtering into the living room to see who had arrived. Bill turned to Ron, Fred, and Charlie who had just walked in.
"Get some people together, Mercy's run away and we've got to find her." Ron, Hermione, Ginny, Fred, George, and Charlie got their cloaks and everyone else agreed to stay behind and watch the kids.
"Have you any idea where she's gone?" Ron asked. Harry nodded.
"It was a long address, four syllables. It might have been Diagon Alley. We should check there first. She's going to be in such trouble when I find her."
"Yes well, I just hope we find her," Ginny said sternly. She was a little angry with Harry at the moment. They all apparated, grouping again outside the Leaky Cauldron.
Mercy had a feeling her father and, probably, her whole family wouldn't be far behind so she didn't rest very long. She wandered down the streets, wary of any glances she might receive. She was just about to walk into a small cauldron shop when a hand clasped on to her sleeve. She let out a little yelp but was quickly pulled behind the wall. She was surprised to see Druce's eyes sparkling into hers.
"Hi Mercy," he said but before he could continue, Mercy had her lips locked on his.
"Hello Druce." she finished, grinning at him.
"Is your family here?"
"Probably, I've run away and they can't find me." Druce fell against the wall. He turned to her slowly.
"This is interesting," he murmured, giving her a look of mixed reproach and amusement.
"They caught on." Druce winced.
"About last night?"
"Not just about last night. Dad went on and on about how no daughter of his would date a Malfoy. It's just too horrible Druce," a tear rolled down Mercy's cheek and Druce caught it on his finger. He pulled her into his arms and she rested her head on his shoulder.
"Shh, hey hey, don't cry Mercy. We'll spend the day doing things that are absolutely wonderful." She smiled and took his hand which he had offered her.
"Where are we going?"
"How about I surprise you," he sent her a wink and she eagerly followed him. They raced in a state of blind, turbulent euphoria, speeding along the cobblestone streets toward Druce's surprise. "Okay, close your eyes. We're about there." She closed her eyes and let him lead her in. She was blown away by the wonderful smell of ice cream.
"Are we in Fortescue's?" Mercy asked, not opening her eyes.
"No, your family would look there. Open your eyes," her eyes fluttered open and she let out a little gasp. "Now we can spend all day here and I don't think we'll be found. My mother's friend owns this place. It's a kind of wonderland for kids. There's and ice cream parlor, a bookstore, a toy store, a pet store, and even a green house along with a whole gamut of other things." Mercy peered around in amazement. The store was huge. It wasn't so much the width of the thing but the height. She could barely make out the hand painted ceiling eleven stories up.
"Wow," was all she could say. He smiled widely.
"I thought you'd like it. Where to first?"
"I'm starving."
"Follow me, I know the perfect place for chips." He chuckled. She followed him up a winding staircase to the third floor where a room with "Flounder's" embossed on the door frame let out the delicious smell of fried food. A waiter came up to them, grinning ridiculously.
"Table for two?" Druce nodded and they followed the pock-marked teen to a table near the kitchens. They ordered a plate of fish and chips to share and greatly enjoyed their first wasted hour. After leaving "Flounder's" they walked around the third floor. Mercy could barely pull Druce from the bookstore after spending a full hour salivating over a set of brand new spell books. Druce had an equal amount of trouble prying Mercy's hands off a collection of solid gold weights.
By the time all of the third floor was combed, the sun was fading in the sky. "You really could spend a whole life time here," Mercy murmured.
"I could spend a whole lifetime with you," Druce smiled, taking her hand in his. "Let me show you something." She followed him up, up, up to the very top. They got there panting and Mercy barely saw what was in front of her till she regained her breath. She looked up and gasped. Before her lay a veritable forest of blooms. Every color imaginable lay in front of her in bursts of brightness.
"Oh my," was all she could say.
"This is my favorite part of this whole place. It's great fun to play hide-and-go-seek here too. Mother and I would come here every Friday until I went off to school. We'd sit right there," he gestured to a small, purple couch in a sea of orchids. "Father would come sometimes too but most of the time…" Druce trailed off, swept away by the memories.
"It's absolutely beautiful." That's all that was said for the next half hour. The two drifted hand in hand around the green house for what seemed like a blink of eternity's eye. The silence was broken by Mercy's stomach which growled loudly, bringing the two out of their reverie.
"There's an excellent restaurant on the second floor." Mercy smiled thankfully and they took the elevator down. The restaurant was extremely impressive on the outside. It took up nearly half the left wall and had gargantuan double doors.
"Are we dressed enough for this?" Mercy asked softly. Druce looked down at their attire and grinned.
"Nope, but that can certainly be remedied." He pulled her toward a store opposite the restaurant, Nevetés (coincidence, I think not). "We're going to go to dinner in style."
Quickly, Druce selected a Tux for himself and a purple dress for Mercy. She pulled it on; it fit like a dream. Years of wrestling and quidditch had sculpted her and the purple dress showed her off. It was plum in color, sleeveless with a calf-length, poofy, taffeta skirt. It looked a lot like a tutu to tell the truth. Matching heels were rung up and she pulled them on while being pulled out the door. They must have looked a sight, running out of the door with their day cloths slung over their shoulders but neither cared. Mercy wasn't even thinking about how dead she would be when her father found her.
Still panting they ran into Nevetés and deposited their cloths in the coat closet. "Hello," the hostess said with a smile. "Have you a reservation?"
"No, is there any chance you could fit us in?" Druce asked, using his suave voice. The hostess smiled.
"Any special occasion?"
"Last day of freedom," Mercy chimed in. The hostess nodded and lead them up a flight of stairs to a small room overlooking the whole restaurant. The whole place was very posh. The tables were made from real mahogany with bright orange table cloths and green napkins. Their places were set with gold ringed plates and crystal glasses. "This is lovely."
"I'm glad you like it. You look fantastic."
"You do too. I wish we could just stay like this forever."
"Me too," Druce sighed. "It doesn't seem right that this love is so wonderful but we can't take part in it." Both tried to forget their melancholy feelings throughout dinner. The food was amazing and the ambiance was perfect. They were beginning to sink into a comfortable lull when a commotion came from down stairs.
"I'm looking for Ms. Mercy Potter," Mercy's blood froze. It was her father. "She's about this tall with long, red hair and she's got tons of freckles. She'd be with a blond boy a bit taller then she."
"Yes, they're upstairs," Mercy's heart sunk as she heard footsteps climb up the stairs. Resistance was futile so she tried to calm herself, to resolve herself to the inevitably of her gloom. Druce reached across the table and clasped her hand strongly in his.
"Whatever happens, I love you." She smiled.
"I love you too." As she finished her words Harry, Ginny, Ron, Hermione, Fred, George and Charlie came into view. For a moment they didn't spot her but then their eyes met. Harry was the first to the table.
"Get your hands off my daughter," he growled. Mercy stiffened. No one spoke for a moment as Mercy and Harry were having a glaring contest; they were fairly matched. To both of their surprise, it was Druce who made the first move. He got up with one swift, graceful movement.
"Hello Mr. Potter. It is such an honor to meet you, really. I've read so much about you." He extended his hand toward Harry who had no idea what to do. Stiffening, Harry turned from the young boy's outstretched hand.
"Come Mercy, we're leaving." She stood for a moment, not believing what she had just heard. Ginny let out an angry huff. Mercy drew herself up, her chest heaving in anger.
"Harry Druce just offered you his hand. He just said what an honor it was to meet you! You just turn away? Prick, self-righteous, terrible, good-for-nothing prick!" She turned on her heals and marched to Druce who still had his arm outstretched. She drew him into her lips, sucking face for a full half minute before Harry pulled them apart. She mouthed "I love you" just as Harry hoisted her over his back. Druce was too stunned for anything to register till she was already out of eye-sight.
Harry carried Mercy out to the front entrance of the restaurant before setting her down rather violently. "You are in so much trouble young lady." She glared at him. She had never been so mad at anyone in her entire life. "Explain yourself."
"Harry, lets not do this here," Ginny coaxed.
"No Mum, lets do it right here. Let's make a scene. Come on Daddy have at it. Anything you want to say just say it." Harry stared at her. She was quivering with fury. "What, cat got your tongue? That's fine, I'll start. You just rebuffed a boy who has worshiped you since he was a boy. You just turned away and, and," a tear fell down her cheek. "You hurt the only man I have ever loved to the point where I wouldn't blame him if he never spoke to me again. He's a good person and you let a stupid family line get in the way! What kind of hypocrite are you? I guess you hated Sirius then too." Harry's face turned stony.
"Let's go." He turned on his heels and marched toward the stairs. Knowing she had crossed the line she followed him, tears making ruddy paths down her face. The group marched behind Harry to the entrance of the building. They were about to leave when Mercy heard her name. Druce was racing across the upper corridor.
"Mercy! Mercy! I love you, I love you." Tears were falling down his face as well. "I've loved you since the first moment I laid eyes on you. Do you remember? I remember, you had your hair pulled back in a bun and you had a zillion freckles. I LOVE YOU!" Mercy would have run up the stairs to him if it hadn't been for a pair of strong hands clamping down on her shoulders. He drug her out of the building with so much force that her feet momentarily left the pavement.
"We're going to the Burrow now. We'll take the floo together, the rest of you can apparate." Harry's voice came out in a deadly hiss. He stepped up to the nearest grate and, taking firm hold of Mercy's arm said in a calm, low voice "The Burrow". The two swirled recklessly before hitting the hearth rug.
Though she knew her situation was dire, she was still reeling from Druce's words. He loved her, and had screamed and shouted it. Somehow him saying it in front of everyone made it more real. Her heart was warmed and was quickly blossoming to the size of a small country. He loved her and that was all that mattered.
A/N- My Goodness, this has taken a very long time. I'm sorry for the wait. I hope you liked this chappie, I did. Anyway, you know the drill, I own the characters that are not in the book. The book and accompanying characters belong to JK Rowling.
