Hi everyone. I apologize for the massive absence. This past year I finally completed my degree! I also recovered from COVID! Fun times. I'm taking a break right now as my health has completely plummeted this year with hospital visits, but now I'm getting back on track. In the meantime, I finally decided to finish this chapter that's been lying around FOR MONTHS. I know, terrible. It's crazy that I know every detail that will happen from start to finish, but my motivation has been low— I assume from uni burn out. Anyways, enjoy! Feel free to review or reach out! The next few chapters are already drafted so expect it eventually!
Also, RIP Robbie Coltrane. Hagrid has always been a favorite, to me and the character of Elia. I hope to portray them right where he lives on here.
The next few days Elia spent them close to Draco's side. He kept her company at his manor, afternoons residing in the gardens where she would tend to the plants, have her cat roam, and read books amongst the grass. On one occasion, Toast brought nearly dead crickets inside, frightening Narcissa. Thus, his parents spent more time away from them on one side of the manor. More so Lucius, who had his ego completely punctured after Elia turned down his offer. He passed the hours gloating in his bedroom, anxious at the Dark Lord returning soon.
The day had settled onto a warm evening and the couple sat in the gardens, Draco unable to peel his eyes off Elia. The afternoons left her body dusted with a few sunspots and freckles. A small glow took her over. Elia sat on a porch swing looking over the gardens while weaving yarn through a hook as Toast sunbathed.
He couldn't help but sketch her from his view while they sat quietly, enjoying each other's presence in that one afternoon. Draco wished the sun would never leave that spot as the glow illuminated over his soon to be bride.
"I can feel you staring." She pointed out.
"Then don't move."
"A bit hard when I'm near finished with this masterpiece." Elia lifted her work, a bandana of sorts Draco noticed, with squares of sunflowers decorating its entirety.
He chuckled, "Patience mon coeur, I'm nearly done with mine."
"Oh just take a picture!" Elia groaned, "As much as I love when you draw, quite frankly my butt is getting numb."
Draco curled up from his spot at the grass, picking up his book to show Elia.
"I'm simply practicing the style shown in the drawings. Unfortunately, I can't seem to get it right."
Draco handed her the book, which Elia grasped and her face turned into a frown, concentrating over the piece.
"It's still close. Every artist is different but it still begs the question— who exactly drew him? It's very likely Fi, but no name again. We can't get a name!"
"Which is why, I'm attempting the style, to see if we are missing something." Draco pointed out, touching the drawing, "Remember how texture and line work is emphasized in the drawings? I'm trying to see if there's something in between that we're not seeing."
"Do you think she might have done it on purpose? She never even signed it."
"My theory— and Tanya's— is that Fi might've hidden it somewhere in the portraits." He explained.
Elia stood up, striked with a new revelation, "Either just an artist's preference or… She wanted to hide her name from the work. Merlin, Draco… There has to be a way we can find her name somewhere. Even if it's not here. Records, books, plaques, or maybe anyone at Hogwarts!"
"I'll bring this up to Snape. They were all in the same year. We'll know the end of this tale soon enough."
"It'll kill me before I ever find out the ending." Elia groaned, plopping back onto the seat beside him, leaning on his arm.
They found it strange how deep they were getting in this mystery of the late Sirius Black, as it was now uncovering more secrets about others around him. A nameless witch he loved and never knew what happened to her. More importantly, the true details of their falling out and Sirius' reasoning never pursuing her again. He had a ring for after all, ready to abandon the Black family name and its titles. Same as Draco.
In a way, Draco needed to help Elia mend these ties and lay Sirius' answers at peace, because he would accomplish what Sirius couldn't— breaking the wheel. Everyone that knew Fi was either dead, unreachable, or didn't know her as well as he did. Except Snape, and he was alive.
A house elf emerged through the fields, heading towards Draco and Elia with a look that told them that the elf was sent. The couple sat up, wondering why they were being sent an elf as they tend to keep to themselves lately without the need. The elf approached and bowed their head.
"Lord Draco," They greeted before stammering over the brunette nervously, not knowing how to address her, "A-And um… Lady E-"
"Just Elia will do, thank you." She said, but Draco scoffed.
"You are to be my betrothed soon. You will be a Lady."
"It's strange is all! I grew up going to the Primark and eating eggs with potatoes and franks! You think I'll be used to it now? Being a 'Lady'." Elia mocked, rolling her eyes at him.
"Yes, um Lady Elia." The elf said and she sighed.
"What's going on?"
"There is a floo message," They explained, "In Lord Draco's fireplace. It seems to be coming from Lady Tanya of House Sayre."
They stood up and began gathering their things while still speaking to the elf. Why in the world would Tanya be calling them there? She typically showed up when she wanted, to grab the pair or bug Lucius with talks over brandy. It was urgent.
"Does my father know?" Draco asked and the elf shook their head.
Elia then saw her wand, buried under her supplies of yarn and saw the tip blinking red.
"Oh shit."
They thanked the elf and ran up the stairs to Draco's bedroom where sure enough, the floo network was on and they would see a face within the fire. Elia rushed in first with the cat right behind, Draco closed the door and locked before joining her side.
"I know, I know— I'm sorry I didn't see my wand going off! What's wrong?" Elia said in a hurry.
"I was beginning to worry." Tanya stated. Behind her back, the couple could hear there was a commotion going on. Muffled crying and angry voices could be heard.
"T, what's going on?"
"You guys need to get down to Andromeda's now." She demanded, before turning behind her quickly then back again, "It's… a long story. It's bad. Just get over here."
"We're on our way then." Draco said back then they ended the call. He readied the floo and they hopped in, heading to the Tonks household.
They were just there not too long before anyway, what could've gone wrong since then? Elia worried it was her father, but Tanya's attitude said otherwise. Once they arrived and the dust cleared, they stepped out and saw just what was happening.
Tonks was sobbing on the couch, nearly wailing in Ted's arms who was doing his best to soothe her. All while simultaneously trying to calm his angry wife as well, who was going around the room practically steaming from her head. It didn't help that she was discussing something bitterly with Tanya, who was equally as mad and the two snakes fueled each other. Abraham was the first to greet them at the fireplace.
"Papa, what's going on?" Elia then fixed herself on Tonks, rushing to her side and throwing her bag aside.
She sat next to her and Tonks threw herself in her arms, crying in her shoulder.
"Tonks! Tell me, what's wrong? What…" Elia stumbled over her words, stopping to just comfort her. Tonks tried to get a hold of herself, it was odd to ever see that woman break like this. They had never seen her cry like this.
Her hair, no longer the bright pink they were used to, was now her natural mousy brown color and drenched in tears for it stuck to her face. Elia looked to Ted for answers and Draco glanced at Abraham.
"What is going on?" He murmured to him, trying to alarm Elia or Tonks.
Abe grimaced, "They split."
Draco's stomach dropped. He knew why they were all fuming. He worried for Elia too, Tonks was her best friend and she was looking forward to the baby. She had so much faith in the relationship and now she was watching Tonks fall apart. She didn't hear her father, solely focusing on Tonks but Draco was mentally preparing himself.
"He left, El." Tonks croaked out, "I-I thought he'd be happy. I finally told him. But he was so upset! W-We fought… I told him I was going to keep the baby. Then he took off."
"What?! Are you serious? Has he gone mad?!" Elia exclaimed, her face now fuming in the same manner as her sister.
"The nerve." Andromeda muttered, clenching her fist tightly to her mouth, "To do this to my daughter? Over what exactly? It should be a privilege to have her child. Now he puts her at risk-"
"Andy." Ted spoke up, giving her a look and his wife stopped. She finally sat with Ted and Tonks, comforting her quietly.
"My dear." She whispered sympathetically. Ted grabbed Andromeda's hand in support, kissing it as they shared a mutual pain for their daughter. Yet Elia was perplexed by her previous statement.
"Wait, what do you mean by putting her at risk? It can't be because the Professor is a…" She trailed off, frowning.
Tanya turned to her, "There is a possibility the baby can pick it up, but we're not certain yet. But that's not the worst of it."
Elia looked around the room in confusion because everyone somehow had an understanding of what exactly was the real problem. But she was from a muggle world, she didn't understand the intricacies of having a magical child no more than her own father.
Therefore Draco explained, "The children in our world require a source of magic, ideally from our parents."
"It's not like our world El, where we just pop a bun in the oven and let it grow." Tanya added, "Magical families have children and they grow in the womb pulling from an energetic source of magic— it being the parents. Having a second parent present makes it easier on the mother."
"Without Remus…" Andromeda turned to Tonks, "This will be a difficult pregnancy."
Draco sat nearby watching, they all sat rigid but Tanya continued to steam in a corner. Judging by her eyes, he saw that familiar glint all the snakes in the dungeon shared. A provoked anger boiling inside. She was plotting. He turned his attention back to the family, having an odd sense of realization in the dual lives he lived.
One moment he was in the gardens of his stupidly expensive and ancient manor, far too big for a family of three. Oftentimes, it was eerily empty and held no presence on the inside. It was a weak facade, filled with parties and meetings with even more fake people. It was lonely having no souls around. Here, he could step into a life of real families, all cramped into a small home in the countryside where his estranged aunt was casted out into. Here they were, facing real problems, but ever closer. There was no such thing as loneliness.
"I don't know what to do. Merlin… W-What did I do wrong?" Tonks pleaded in her hands.
"No, don't you dare." Elia shushed Tonks, tears in her eyes too, "Don't you dare blame yourself Tonks. You did nothing wrong. This is not your fault."
"But I can't raise this baby alone!"
"You're not alone." Draco uttered, surprising everyone that he even found himself involved now. No longer the spectator. Even Tonks looked up at him.
"He may have abandoned you, but all of us are here nonetheless. Aren't we? If he's gone, then he can take the piss. We're all here." He stated.
Andromeda scoffed sarcastically, "And what, dear nephew? Do you plan to change the diapers too?"
"Think she will be any better at the tasks by herself?" Draco lightly joked.
And for once, Tonks chuckled amidst her tears. She wiped them away and looked between the two, appreciating everyone's presence by her side. Elia returned a sad smile, squeezing her hand.
"Even despite the fact you probably got an elf wiping your arse until you were 11, you still find it in you to take a jab at me?" She joked.
Draco smirked, "I wouldn't be your cousin if I didn't."
Cousin. It was strange to say and let sit on his tongue, even stranger to hear from him. For it was the first time Draco ever addressed Tonks as his cousin out loud. And it felt good.
Andromeda then addressed her daughter more seriously, "Are you sure you want to do this? We still don't know if his lycanthropy has passed on."
Despite the circumstances, Tonks nodded and she was determined to see it through. Elia then rubbed her shoulder reassuringly.
"Lycanthropy is a fickle condition. The odds of the child receiving it as well is still a statistic that needs more studying at the moment. But I'm sure if it happens Tonks, it's not something that will be a bad thing. You've known Remus and with this child, you can help them the way you have with him, but even better to help him when he is young. This baby will have all the support they'll ever need."
Tonks calmed and sniffled in her spot, wiping her eyes and finally breathing. She nodded to her friend.
"What's the plan?" Elia asked.
Tonks sighed, "I really don't know if I'm honest. I think… I'll wait back at the flat. In case he shows… I just don't want to go alone."
"We'll go with you." Tanya stated firmly, "It's like he said, you're not alone. I won't let you go back there by yourself. And given the fact you will be the main source of energy for the baby, you'll be more drained than usual. You could get weak and you'll need monitoring."
"I agree. We'll go with you, spend the night if need be. However long it takes, right Draco?" Elia said, but it wasn't even a question and he knew it. It was more so to remind the blond that he was coming with her whether he wanted to or not. This was her best friend. So Draco just smiled at her with a small snicker in agreement.
The sisters and Draco escorted Tonks back to her apartment later in the evening. They found it dark and nothing showed any indication of someone coming in since— meaning Remus hadn't returned after all. At the moment, Elia was fixing up dinner while she left Draco and Tonks alone to figure out a muggle board game together that Tanya dared them to figure out before she left. She reassured Tonks she'd be back soon, but Draco and Elia had a very spot on guess where she was going. The flames in her eyes said it all, she was going to hunt down their former professor and demand answers.
Elia waved her wand to carry the plates over to the coffee table, now hearing the cousins bicker at each other.
"Oh god, she gave you that one? We'll be here for hours! I'll get something else." Elia stated.
"No way, we are barely figuring out the rules right now. Which, I'm trying to tell him we shouldn't have the auction rule in! Buy when it's your turn." Tonks pointed at Draco with a frown. He shrugged at her.
"It's only fair we all get a chance to buy if someone doesn't want to on their turn."
"Says the richest person of the lot here!"
"We all get the same amount."
"I never like that rule, so I'm with Tonks on this, love."
"Like that huh?" Draco asked incredulously as Elia sat between them, "Fine, but I get to be the hat."
After some time of games and food, Tonks retired for the night. Tanya was still gone and Elia returned from the bedroom after seeing Tonks off, making sure she was content enough for the night. She slipped into the sheets on the ground, finding Draco within the large blankets on the floor where Tonks had laid out a bed mat big enough for the pair.
"Must be quite the experience to sleep on the floor, isn't it?" She teased him.
"Being with you has certainly humbled me. I will say that."
Elia shoved him lightly under the covers and Draco laughed. They then snuggled closer, Elia's head laying on his chest and he laid his arms around her comfortably. The two had a small moment of silence together, a peaceful soundless space in the air that they relished in, almost relieving. They finally got to breathe in their chaotic day.
"Draco, I will be honest with you," Elia began, "Although I want to be married right when we graduate— I just can't wrap my head around it until everything has been resolved. My whole life has been turned upside down and I can't rest easy until my father is safe and our home is repaired. The shop needs to be running. Till Tonks is secure with her baby, wherever they go. When we're finally free of the Dark Lord… I don't want you in it anymore nor Tanya either. Until then."
She hesitated more, the frustration she felt over the obstacles that blocked the peaceful wedding they desired. Everyone always stood in their way, trying their all to separate the noble snake of House Malfoy from marrying the golden muggle born witch. But Elia wanted to do it right, Draco understood that. As much as he didn't want to wait any longer because of others, he respected her wishes and understood.
He pulled her closer to his chest and nodded, "I know you won't rest until all is said and done."
"I'm worried, Draco. Tonks will be alone if he doesn't come back. How will she raise the baby? Having a life like that is… it's never easy."
Draco sensed her shift in emotion, as if she was reaching deep within her. A memory. He realized the hurt shatter in her at the idea of the child without a parent, because Elia spoke from experience. In a way, Draco saw from her perspective the pain that comes from her seeing dual parents, a taste she never had and could only watch. Although he couldn't say he was close with his parents as of late, he knew she admired the fact he had both Narcissa and Lucius anyways. He knew what it was like to have a 'normal' family, a privilege she didn't know.
He was determined to give her everything she wanted and fill in whatever she needed.
"If you're that worried about them, then after we marry," Draco began, "And all of my family's assets belong to me— she can stay with us. For as long as they need to. The manor will be ours and to do with you as you please."
Elia sat up, shocked, "Draco… you would do that? For Tonks?"
His hand slipped behind her and brought her closer, nodding.
"For you." Draco said, "You will be my wife. And she is family. Our family. Things will be different when you are Lady Malfoy."
Elia was moved by this extended motion she hadn't considered, still unable to grasp what the title brings to becoming a Lady of wizarding society. Married into a house from the sacred 28. She kissed him hard, breathing him in and when they pulled away, he was moved. Years ago, Draco wouldn't have dreamed about making a decision like this. Yet here he was, aiming to mend the family tree because of what he's learned from Elia. He saw it for what it was, the damage tradition has done to so many houses.
His would survive.
Tanya had returned late in the night and by the next day, Tonks was feeling a bit better and had left to go with her parents to visit a midwife. The three decided to stay with Tonks for a few days, in case Remus returned but the Auror made it clear. If her husband didn't return soon, she wouldn't be able to stay in their flat anymore. Inevitably, they all began to plan her return with her parents for the duration of her pregnancy.
Elia was sad, but hopeful for the future. After having the conversation with Draco the night before, she was certain that she would marry him and couldn't have been more proud of the choice. She had it all planned in her head happily like a to do list. Elia would marry Draco after graduation and she was sure the war would be over. Whatever Tanya was hunting, she knew it would be the key against Voldemort, whether he knew it or not. Her father's shop and home would be whole again. And even so, once they married, Elia would ensure the safety of her father and her childhood home for good, perhaps even let him retire early. Tonks could stay with them and the Manor would have plenty of room until she was ready. They would be in laws by marriage. Elia couldn't have been more hopeful by these prospects, wishing for not a single more obstacle in their way.
Until her grandmother Elena stepped out of the floo network hurriedly, the green flames reflecting in her eyes eerily.
Elia couldn't understand what was happening exactly. She hoped this was a fever dream, it barely passed her like a harsh claw across her back. She still didn't fathom it but the weight those later words carried. This was happening.
The look in Elena's eyes wasn't something Elia was used to seeing gazed upon her. Her long figure strode across the floor fiercely and with her look pierced the room. Tanya stood up defensively, knowing something was wrong.
"Grandmother, what are you doing here?"
"We're screwed."
With one hand, she threw down a Ministry form onto the table in front of them. The title was a bewildering proposal to read. Elia felt the heat of her blood shiver under her skin, shocked to the core.
Draco's eyes widened, "No…"
"He's done it. He's appointed a committee within the Ministry and the head of it, is the demon herself. Dolores." Elena explained, "Upon the Dark Lord returning from this current mission, he is proud of his newfound plan: Muggle-Born Registration. He got the idea of Ivan's father, who's joined their cause. Now that the Ministry has fallen to him— he plans for it to go into action after his arrival. I got word of this immediately from those inside. It's out of my control, no matter my place in the Wizengamot."
"What's her move?" Tanya carefully asked, her tone steady and slow.
"Dolores plans to pass the law— every Muggle born must be investigated because they seem to believe they stole magic to become a witch or wizard. Then, they plan to incarcerate the ones they deem guilty. I am not taking my chances with Elia. Tanya, Draco, we are leaving now."
"W-Wait, when is it being passed?" Elia choked out.
"September."
"When the school year starts." Draco realized, dread cloaking him completely but his anger was going to boil over. Yet, he knew he had to stay calm for Elia, getting the feeling that she was going to break down any moment.
"And that's not all," Elena stated, before turning directly to Tanya, "Once he arrives, the locations of the safe houses could be compromised and its wards… He wants information on Harry Potter."
"Tonks' family and Dad need to get out of there then." Tanya finished, getting ready quickly.
"We'll make the arrangements. I'll do what I can at the Ministry to salvage your files, then to the newspapers. Get that family and your father out of there first." Her grandmother stated.
"There's no time." Draco interjected, grabbing his wand, "Tanya should go to the school immediately for those files before the Ministry does. I'll go to Andromeda's and warn them. I'll bring them here until we give them a plan."
Elia tried jumping in but no one was listening, all too preoccupied to fix everything and protect her. She felt invisible. Powerless. Stuck.
Tanya nodded at them, "I'll ask for your files, pull your name, and bring your school materials. Snape and McGonagall should help us get you two into homeschooling."
"What?!" Elia stood up, backing into Draco and holding his arm tightly so he would stop moving around the room. Everything was happening too fast. None of this was according to plan and it was crashing to the ground. Draco paused and held her hand back. Although she needed him there, he knew her safety was above all. The three of them agreed on that silently. Then Elena gave her a sympathetic look, her voice now more thorough and gentle.
"Because darling, we must eradicate any evidence that you exist. Even though everyone has seen and known you, once we pull your name and face from this world, it'll all be talk. No. Evidence. They can't trace you. We leave immediately when it's done. Elia must be completely erased."