A/N: Hey all! Thankyou all so much for the reviews, they make writing this story worth it. Again I would like to thank Amy for helping me plan things for this sequel. You are the best friend ever and even though school is ending soon and we are finally entering the world you will always remain my bestfriend.
DISCLAIMER: I own those I mentioned in disclaimer chapter one and the plot. The rest isn't mine.
Chapter Three: Repercussions
"Chilly tonight isn't it?" said Lucius stoking the fireplace to make the flames bigger.
Narcissa nodded from where she was sitting and reading that week's Witch Weekly. She turned a page and her eyes widened, "Lucius… look it's an article with an interview with Hermione Granger!"
Lucius walked over and sat beside his wife. The article asked Hermione question's about life in Australia, her family and friends. But Lucius frowned when it came to a question about the rumors of her having a child from a past romance. He took the magazine from Narcissa and looked at a picture of her walking down the street with a little girl.
"Narcissa, did you see this picture here?" asked Lucius pointing to the coloured picture of Hermione and the girl.
Narcissa frowned and leant in closer, just as the fireplace's flames turned green taking the two's attention from the magazine to the fire. Both stood and walked closer as Madam Pompfrey's head appeared in the fire.
"Madam Pompfrey," said Lucius, "How may we help you?"
"I wish I were here for another reason, but I am not. I'm afraid I have terrible news for you both concerning your son. He was found badly injured in Knockturn Alley an hour ago. We need you both to come to St Mungo's immediately."
Narcissa paled and leant onto Lucius as he gripped her tightly and closed his eyes. When he opened them he found himself and Narcissa in the first floor foyer beside the information desk.
"Mr and Mrs Malfoy?" asked the lady standing sitting at it.
"Yes," said Lucius calmly.
"Madam Pompfrey informed me to tell you both to go straight to her office on floor three."
Lucius nodded and him and Narcissa ran to the elevator, punching the floor number in as they got on. The elevator whizzed up and they stepped out to be greeted by Pompfrey herself.
"Where is my son?" cried Narcissa falling into hysterics "Is he okay? Will he live?"
"Mrs Malfoy, please calm down. I have MEDI doctor's working on him as we speak. Our medicine and procedures may be better then those of the muggles, but we cannot cure everything with magic and potions, yet. Draco has a skull fracture and under the fracture pressure is building from blood. Thankfully we have a MEDI doctor who also studied muggle medicine and she is going to operate on him within the next half hour. Hopefully she can relieve the pressure and he won't suffer any brain damage. He also has a few broken ribs and a punctured lung. We have successfully fixed his ribs and will be fixing his lung," explained Pompfrey, "Aurours on the case are coming to question you both and let you know what happened to him this evening. Would you like to follow me to the waiting room?"
The two Malfoy's nodded, stunned at the extent of what had happened to their only son. All this from drinking and because he was still trying to deal with the one he loved leaving him.
O
"Are you sure that is correct?" asked Ron staring at Blaise who had only just arrived at his place, "Draco Malfoy found nearly beaten to death?"
Blaise nodded, "I just arrived from the scene. He was a bloody mess. Look I don't think Harry should take on this case."
"Harry'll know about it though."
"I know, but I know what you do when you talk to Hermione. You lie to her every time saying Draco's fine. I heard you when you were having a floo conversation with her. If Harry gets too involved he'll tell her."
Ron frowned, "How the hell do we stop him?"
Blaise shrugged, "We'll figure something out. Come on; let's go question the Malfoy's. I'll fill you in on what I know when we get there."
Ron sighed. How was he meant to lie to Hermione the next time he spoke to her?
O
"Hello Myra, Horace. This is my daughter Dakota. She's my little boss in learning," said Hermione leading her clients towards their regular seats in front of her desk.
Dakota waved from where she was drawing at her little desk. Myra and Horace smiled and waved back as they sat down.
"Okay," sighed Hermione opening their file, "Now we have decided the colours, which are champagne coloured maid of honor and bridesmaid dresses and ties. Is that still the same?"
"Yes it is," nodded Myra holding Horace's hand, "We have found a place to have the reception as well. The beach at Southport. It's lovely and there is this deserted bit hardly anyone goes too."
Hermione pulled out a street directory and flipped to the Southport section, "Is it past Sea World?"
Horace nodded and smiled adoringly at Myra.
"Okay… is it this part here?" asked Hermione pointing to a section of the beach on the map.
"Yes, that's it!" grinned Myra.
"It is a lovely part," smiled Hermione, "I've taken Dakota there before. Now I'll have to speak to the Ministry about setting up a barrier so that muggle's will reach it and think of something really important that will make them turn back. That may cost about 1000 galleons extra. Is that okay?"
"I will pay anything just to be married to Myra," said Horace.
Hermione smiled and nodded writing down the area on the form and a note in her book about sending a letter to the Ministry about the wedding.
"Hermione, I was wondering, do you know any good seamstress people, willing to sew dresses for my wedding?" asked Myra, "You see no one will design my dresses because of my past reputation."
Hermione smiled, "Why didn't you ask earlier? We have a personal sewer here at the business. Her mother now is employed at my other store in England. Follow me."
All three stood, as did Dakota who took hold of her mother's hand. They left the office and walked further down the hall too a plain white door with a glass window that had golden writing on it saying: Fredrika Jongadon.
"She has just finished school at Hogwarts in England," said Hermione knocking on the door.
"Come in!"
Hermione opened it and smiled, "Hey Fredrika. I'd like you too meet Myra and Horace. They are clients of mine and are in need of your talent."
Fredrika smiled. Though her mother, Bernadette was a bit out there, Fredrika was the opposite. She was more down to earth and straight to the point.
"I see. Well I'll need you both to tell me what you want and then I can begin designing. I will need to make visits to your home, is that okay?" asked Fredrika.
They both nodded smiling at her. Fredrika grinned back and gave Hermione the thumbs up.
"I'll leave you both here and when you leave I'll get the details from Fredrika," said Hermione still holding onto Dakota's hand.
Myra and Horace nodded and Hermione left the office.
"They are nice people Mummy," said Dakota, "I'm hungry. When's morning tea?"
"How about we go have some now?" suggested Hermione leading Dakota to the staff room.
O
"Mr and Mrs Malfoy?" said Blaise walking over to the nervous couple with Ron beside him, who had just been informed of what had happened.
"Blaise!" cried Narcissa, "How is he? Do you know?"
Blaise placed his hand on Narcissa's shoulder and shook his head, "Sorry, I don't. Myself and Ronald Weasley need to ask you both some questions about Draco's life."
Lucius looked at Ron suspiciously. Ron held out his hand to be shaken, he didn't want family rivalries to come into this matter. Lucius shook his hand nodding.
Narcissa sat down beside her husband starring at the doors opposite her, waiting for Draco to walk out saying the past four years had been one long joke leading up to this moment.
"Is it true that Draco has a drinking problem?" asked Blaise.
"Yes," answered Lucius.
"And he also has one night stands often?"
"Yes."
"What time did he leave home today?"
"Around 2pm," said Narcissa.
"Did you have an argument before hand that could have triggered him going to drink?"
"No. He offered me a drink from his flask and asked if we had any Vickzen's Vodka."
"Did you have any?" asked Ron.
"No! Neither Lucius nor I drink it! Do you know who did this too my son?"
"Not yet. There is only one store that sells that drink," said Blaise too Ron, "It's at Knockturn Alley as well."
"What is it?" asked Ron
"Wizards 'n' Whiskey. Mr and Mrs Malfoy we will be back to question you both some more but at the moment we have to go and question the owner of the store to see if Draco brought a bottle of Vickzen's Vodka."
Narcissa nodded and Blaise and Ron apperated away.
"I hope they catch the bastard that did this to him!" snarled Lucius, "If my son dies I will hunt them and kill them myself."
Narcissa leant onto Lucius and cried into his chest as he held her praying his son would be fine.
O
Blaise pushed open the black door and entered with Ron following. People in the alley looked at them curiously, noticing their Aurour badges embroided onto their robes. Blaise walked up too the desk while Ron searched the shop. A greasy haired man stepped out of the back room but came to a halt seeing Blaise's robes.
"I haven't done nothing illegal," said the man defensively.
"I'm not arresting you for anything," snapped Blaise, "I'm here to ask you questions about a case involving the bashing of Draco Malfoy. Do you know him?"
"Yeah."
"Did he buy a bottle of Vickzen's Vodka?"
"Don't sell it."
"Then explain this," said Ron walking over to the bench and placing a bottle of the drink on it, "You do realize that this drink is has a high alcohol level and when you know that someone has an addiction to alcohol you are not meant to sell it too them. Now I take it Draco Malfoy is a regular here, isn't he?"
The owner shifted from foot to foot not knowing what to say.
"I suggest you answer the question," snapped Blaise, "Is he a regular?"
"Yes."
"How regular?"
"Everyday. Round two in the afternoon. Comes in and buys a bottle of the stuff and leaves."
Blaise nodded, "Right. So he came here today then. Do you happen to know where he goes afterwards?"
"What do I look like? His babysitter? I just sell him the drink, nothing else."
Ron nodded and pulled out a roll of parchment and opened it. He wrote something on it, signed it and handed it to Blaise to sign, whom placed it on the counter.
"This is your first and final warning. If we discover you are selling alcohol to those with an addiction your store will be closed down – for good."
Without another word the two left the store. They stood outside it and looked around.
"The crime scene is further down the alleyway. Perhaps we should go to the pub he was at and ask questions?"
Ron nodded and him and Blaise walked towards the pub. Once at it, Blaise again pushed the door open and entered, with Ron following in. Everyone inside fell silent watching the two walk through. Ron closed the door and locked it with a spell only aurours are taught.
Blaise stood in the center and looked around.
"No one is leaving until I get answers as to what happened to Draco Malfoy, a regular here. Who was it that left him in the alley way to die?" shouted Blaise looking around.
Ron's eyes turned towards a corner where three large men sat sculling down drinks. He walked slowly towards them and signaled to Blaise when he noticed blood on one of the men's robe. Blaise walked towards them as well. As they got closer both pulled out wands and muttered the expelliarmus spell. Blaise caught one wand whilst Ron caught two.
"I'm guessing it was you three," snarled Ron pulling one back, "Don't lie and tell me some bogus story, all three of you have freshly bruised knuckles and you have blood on your shirt."
Blaise touched the blood, it wiped off onto his fingers causing him to smirk, "Not even dry. So I see it like this, Draco had a bit too much to drink, saw your girlfriend – the one with brown hair and eyes, you saw him chatting her up and her flirting back. He was entering your territory, something a rich alcoholic like you don't like. You and your mates go over have some words, take him outside and petrify him and nearly beat him to death. Did you think we wouldn't find out? If it wasn't for a witness Draco would be dead… in fact he could still die."
"He's being operated on as we speak. A fractured skull that has too much pressure. Blaise would you like me to call in the back up?" asked Ron.
"Why?" asked the woman with brown hair worriedly.
"They are all under arrest for attempted murder. If Draco dies all will be charged with murder. Either way its straight to Azkaban."
O
"Fredrika, how did it go?" asked Hermione as the young girl entered her office.
Dakota looked up from her puzzle but got bored and went back too it. Fredrika brought over some rough designs to Hermione who nodded at them.
"Lovely. I don't see how people can hate Myra because of what she did to survive. She is such a lovely woman. Horace finding her and both falling in love is wonderful," sighed Hermione.
Fredrika nodded, "I agree. I am going to see them tonight at Myra's place. They understand this will cost another 500 galleons but they also realize it will be cheaper too. Perhaps we could lower the cost? To 250 galleons?"
Hermione nodded, "That's fine. Now let me just write that down… oh!"
Suddenly Hermione was hit with another wave of nausea causing her to sit down. Fredrika looked at her in alarm and rushed around to her, "Hermione! Are you okay?"
"Oh… gosh… I don't know what's going on… second time today. Something bad is happening. I know it."
"Mummy!" cried Dakota in shock running over to her, "Do you want me to get Aunty Mel?"
Hermione swayed in her seat as she felt dizziness flow over her, "I need to lay down for a while."
Fredrika took hold of Hermione and led her out of the office, signaling for the receptionist, Tracie to help her. People standing around the room watched on in silence as the two women led Hermione towards the staff room. Thankfully Merle came out her office at that moment and saw Dakota standing at her mother's office door crying.
"Dakota!" cried Merle running over and kneeling in front of the little girl, "What's the matter? Where is your mother?"
Dakota pointed down the fall tearfully, "She is sick."
Merle picked Dakota up and walked down the corridor to the staff room. Merle gasped as she saw Hermione on the ground spewing into a bucket.
"Tracie, take Dakota to get some ice cream," instructed Merle handing the crying girl to Tracie, who left the room.
Merle ran over to Hermione knelt beside her, holding Hermione's shoulder length brown hair away from her face. Hermione groaned and leant back wiping her mouth with a cloth. Merle let out a breath seeing her pale face and sweaty forehead.
"You should go home," said Merle seriously, "You look shocking."
"Something's not right," replied Hermione, "Something ba-"
"Did you hear?" cried a woman running into the staff room, ignoring the scene around her as she clutched a newspaper in her hand, "I just got a specially printed newspaper. Draco Malfoy, you know the heir of Lucius and Narcissa Malfoy… he was found nearly beaten to death in someplace called Knockturn Alley. Aurours are working on solving the case as we speak."
Hermione looked at Merle on the verge of tears, "I knew something bad would happen!"
Before Merle could stop her, Hermione managed to get to her feet and stumbled out of the room. Merle stood and glared at the woman clutching the paper.
"I know you are new here and all, but surely you have heard about Hermione's past relationship with Draco Malfoy! Everyone knows she left him four years ago, yet we all manage not to mention it… and here you go mentioning this in front of her!" hissed Merle before walking out in pursuit of Hermione.
O
Narcissa yawned and sat up right from leaning against her husband. Lucius squeezed her hand just as the doors across from them swung open revealing Pompfrey and a woman around Draco's age beside her. Both Lucius and Narcissa stood up standing together closely.
"How is he?" asked Lucius worriedly, "Is he alive?"
Pompfrey nodded, "He is in a coma. But the operation saved his life."
"How long will he be in the coma?" asked Narcissa, "Can't you give him something to wake him up?"
"We can," spoke the woman beside Pompfrey, "But it would be best to let him heal on his own. You see to give him something to wake up won't let the healing process be the best it can. All we can do is wait and see how he is if he pulls out of the coma."
"If? If he pulls out? Are you saying he may not survive?" cried Lucius.
"At this time it isn't completely known how bad he is. In an hour or so we will know more."
"Would you like to see your son?" asked Pompfrey.
"Yes," nodded Narcissa following Pompfrey through the doors with Lucius behind her.
They walked through the corridor past rooms with silent people in them till they came to a white door. Pompfrey opened it and led them in. There, lying still on the bed was Draco. His eyes were closed and around him were muggle like machines monitoring his body.
"Are these muggle things?" asked Lucius to Pompfrey who shook her head no.
"They make sure his blood is flowing properly and inject medication to him every hour or so. The graph on them tells us how his blood in running and heart is pumping," explained Pompfrey.
Narcissa walked over to her son and took hold of his hand, "Lucius… when he wakes up I want him to go into the Wizards Alcohol Rehab here at St Mungo's. I don't want to wake up one day to hear he is dead."
Lucius nodded and walked over to Narcissa to hold her tightly. Narcissa looked at Pompfrey and stepped away from Lucius.
"Would you be able to get Draco straight into the Rehab once he wakes up?" asked Narcissa desperately, "He needs help. You know he is a smart young man who's just been thrown off course for too long."
Pompfrey sighed, "I'll see what can be done."
A/N: Not as long as my lat two chapters I know, but the next one will be. I hope you all enjoyed this one though.
Bye for now!
Love yas!
Love Coz!