Disclaimer: All characters belong to J.K. Rowling, except Graces Malfoy and Thomas Higgs who are my own. I do not claim ownership of the characters or the settings within. This story is for entertainment only and is not part of the official story.

Author's notes: Huge thank you to my beta Denarii for editing and my best friend Aleah for reading it over.

Special thanks to xXBeautifullyRebelliousXx, infinateconstellations, Blue Luver5000, Xen-Yen-Jun, guest, snowflake2410, Miss Luny, spannieren, Lil Miss Sunshine14, stonebreakerironhill, Sabertooth's-frisky-kitten, guest, pokegirl1005, A regrettable decision, blacklightningwolf, A regrettable decision and Sonia for your reviews!

So sorry it has been awhile guys! Real life has been sooo crazy with the move and me getting a new job! I think things have quieted down though, so updates should be more regular! Yay!

Chapter 67

Draco chewed his food with distinct purpose. He wanted to shove every morsel he could find into his mouth as though he were Ron Weasley, but he held himself back and ate with the manners his mother and father had drilled into him since birth, though he certainly was eating a lot.

"Having another plate?" Graces asked in disbelief.

"I am," Draco declared, awaiting to hear his sister make some comment about his eating habits this morning.

"Good," she smiled softly, looking down on her plate contently. "I'm glad you're taking care of yourself."

Draco let out a small laugh and continued to tuck in. It was easy to take care of himself when his every move wasn't being observed by someone who wanted to hurt him. Nott leaving for holiday was the best thing that had happened to him in months. Graham was now in charge of reporting his every move and the older boy had insisted that he use this time to get some rest and put some meat back on his bones. He still worked on his task, but not the way he had been before. Then again with Graham helping he didn't have a sick feeling in his stomach when he went a few hours without tinkering with it.

"Do you want to play Quidditch today?" Graces asked hopefully. "It was just so much fun yesterday and I was thinking that—"

"Sounds great," Draco nodded, between bites. "I want to get some work done this afternoon, but we could play a game after breakfast."

Graces smiled brilliantly at the prospect and Draco held back the urge to move from where he was sitting and scoop her up tightly. He really wanted to repair this distance between them. He hated not being familiar with one another and Graham had mentioned that he should take this time to enjoy spending time with her. Draco wondered if he told him that because he suspected that he would be killed in just a few months, a create happy memories for her to hold onto kind of thing.

"Graham!" Graces called excitedly. Draco looked over at the other boy and could tell that Graham really didn't want to be noticed. It seemed like he was just trying to grab something to eat, so he could go off and be alone. "Would you want to play a game of Quidditch after breakfast with us? Nothing fancy and obviously not a full player game."

"Uh, no, but thank you," Graham murmured gruffly, his eyes darting away from Draco.

"Oh, okay." Draco could tell his sister was a bit deflated by Graham's response, and the other boy could tell too. Graham blushed slightly and promised to see her later before hurrying out of the Great Hall. Graces frowned and looked over at Draco. "What's going on with you and Graham?" she asked, her tone close to being accusing. "I thought he was helping you. Why does he not want to be in the same room with you? He was like this yesterday as well."

Draco finished the sausage he was chewing and took a long sip of tea, before he responded.

"Graham and I slept together the other night," he admitted casually, enjoying the way Graces' mouth dropped open. "I've written the whole thing off as just a night of weakness. He was upset; I was upset and it just happened, but he's not taking it so well. So now he's just avoiding me."

Draco took another sip of tea to hide his grin as his sister looked close to hyperventilating. She had yet to close her mouth and her eyes darted around her as though she were reading a book that could make sense of all this.

"Y-you slept with Graham," she repeated.

"I did, and I must say if you do choose to marry him you will be a very happy girl."

"Do you have a problem with me sleeping with Graham?" Draco asked, when Graces let out some noise of disgust.

"No! Of course not!" Graces exclaimed. "Not if that's what you want," she murmured uncomfortably. "I just don't like the suggestion of sleeping with someone you have. It's weird and-and far too gross."

"We always were good at sharing," Draco shrugged. Draco decided to relieve his sister of her discomfort after his last comment made her turn green. "I'm just toying with you," Draco laughed. "I didn't sleep with Graham. I can't believe you fell for that," he added, enjoying the glare his sister was giving him.

"Then why is he acting all strange around you," Graces snapped.

"Because he cried in front of me," Draco admitted. Knowing that Graham probably didn't want him speaking about this, but deciding Graces didn't count. "Well, not exactly in front of me, more on me. He's having a bit of a rough time right now."

"Graham cried in front of you," Graces repeated skeptically. "Graham. Graham Montague."

"No one is made of stone, Graces," Draco pointed out irritatedly. "He's going through a lot and it can't be easy right now especially," he added, thinking of the way Graham cried for his sister.

"I know, but- but Graham isn't one to show his feelings really."

Draco shrugged and suddenly didn't feel like eating the rest of the food on his plate.

"She was his sister," he said quietly. "I think that kind of loss is harder to keep in."

"So… what did he say?"

"He mostly just cried," Draco lied. Not wanting to give too much detail of the things Graham had told him in private. "I think he just needed a good cry."

"I can understand that," Graces said softly, clearly remembering some times of her own she needed to cry. Draco bit the inside of his cheek and wished he could be her shoulder like he had been Graham's.

"He's a good guy," Draco finished quietly, hoping his sister could see that. "You should try and spend some time with him during the break."

"I will."

Draco decided that it was best for him to not say anything more about this subject. He didn't want the rift between them growing any greater and he had a feeling if he pushed Graham on her she would push him away. She agreed to spend time with him, though he could tell by the way agreed she wasn't planning on getting to know him the way Draco would like, but it was still better than nothing.

"Come on, let's go play some quidditch," he grinned, standing up from his seat and smiling wide as Graces jumped up to join him. "And I think today it would be a better game if we just play with the snitch."

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Graces collapsed on the pitch and ignored her brother's taunting as he continued showing her the snitch in his hand. She made a few rude gestures with her hands that Draco didn't take seriously considering she was laughing while making them.

"I don't practice with the snitch much," she pouted. "You had an unfair advantage."

"Please, you never were good at getting the snitch," Draco scoffed.

"Yeah, well you're not good at defending the goals... too afraid of getting hit."

"I'm not afraid of getting hit!"

"Yes, you are," Graces grinned, closing her eyes. "You hesitate."

"I'm sorry, how many cracked ribs, concussions, and sprained arms have you suffered from?"

Graces waved a hand dismissively, but Draco did have a point. He always was better about keeping them safe.

She felt Draco lay down next to her and moved closer to him so that they were laying side by side.

"I missed you," she whispered.

"I missed you too."

"Will it be like this after the break?"

"Probably not," Draco sighed. "Nott will be back. Right now Graham is allowing me time. He's not going to tell our Lord I've been idle. Nott will. It won't be as bad as before though. I'll be able to sleep and make meals. Graham is going to continue helping me."

"Good," Graces hummed, closing her eyes and moving her head so it was on Draco's chest.

"Yeah… he's a good guy," Draco murmured distantly.

"So you've said today."

"I just hope you really realize it."

"I do."

"You know Graham also—"

"Draco," Graces interrupted. "Don't ruin this moment."

"I just think—"

"I know what you think; you don't need to tell me."

Draco didn't say anything else, but Graces knew the moment was already over. Her brother wasn't relaxing and enjoying his time with her. He was wondering how he could get her to marry Graham.

"I have the portkeys to the safe house. It's all ready. We could leave tonight."

"What?"

Graces sighed before repeating herself.

"And you didn't want me to ruin the moment," Draco huffed, sitting up and pushing her off him unceremoniously.

"Do you want to see it?"

"No."

Graces bit the inside of her cheek to keep from screaming.

"And why not?" she asked simply.

"Because I refuse to be a part of your little fantasy," Draco hissed, standing from the ground completely and pacing before her.

"It's not a fantasy!" Graces cried, getting to her feet as well. "It's real! It's a real house! Everything is there. Food, beds, charms to protect us, everything!"

"Stop it. Just stop it!"

"No! No! Listen to me!" Graces begged, grabbing her brother and turning him to face her. "We can be gone in a matter of minutes! We can go to the castle get Thomas and Octavian and portkey to the Higgs mansion for the squib. From there we can get to the safe house with the portkeys to there and—"

"What about mum?" Draco asked coldly, his body trembling with rage. "What about our mother. Or did you forget about her?"

"I didn't forget," Graces murmured. "We would get her out."

"No, no we wouldn't. The moment they realized we left she would be killed. No, wait not killed," Draco laughed darkly. "Tortured, because they would think she knew where we were. There is no way we could get her out of Malfoy Manor. No way. It's crawling with Death Eaters and the Dark Lord himself is there. We would leave her to be tortured and killed."

"You have the portkeys to the manor," Graces continued, thinking of how easy it would be to slip into the manor grab their mother and portkey out. "We could—"

"You know we couldn't," Draco whispered. "You know we couldn't. There is no way to get her out. There would be no way to save her. Mother is under watch and guard all hours of the day. She's a prisoner there. They are watching her in case we did something stupid like what you are suggesting."

Graces bit down on her teeth to keep her jaw from trembling. She had not forgotten about their mother. She just didn't realize it was as impossible as Draco was saying until now.

"We could owl her the portkey with a letter and—"

"You don't think they are intercepting her letters?"

"We can't just stay, Draco. We have a chance to live."

"We have a chance to live if we stay. A chance that saves our mother and father as well. Or do you no longer care if they live."

"Of course I care!" Graces screamed, not able to stop the tears. "I just... I just—"

"You're not thinking clearly, Graces," Draco growled. "You're not understanding. I'm so tired of this. So tired of trying to get you to understand that running away isn't an option. You're like a child. You fixate on an idea and there is no way to get you to look at the other ones! You want to live? You want Thomas and Octavian to be guaranteed safety? Marry Graham!"

"I want you to live! I want you and mum to live!"

"You can't have it all, Graces! You can't! My life and mother's life are dependent on my success."

"But if we thought about it we could maybe think of a way to get her to the safe house and then-"

"I AM NOT GOING TO YOUR DAMN SAFE HOUSE!" Draco roared. "FORGET IT! I WILL NEVER LEAVE FOR THIS SAFE HOUSE."

"But if—"

"Are you seriously this dense?" Draco asked, rounding on her. "Are you this obtuse? I am not going to your damn safe house, Graces. Not now, not ever. I would rather die. If the point comes and I fail I am going to let the Dark Lord kill me. I will not let my mother die alone by the hands of that maniac. So you have one option, marry Graham. And if you don't care enough about your own life then marry him for Thomas and Octavian."

Graces glared at her brother, but said nothing. He didn't mean it. He couldn't possibly mean it. He was just angry. That was all. Draco did this when he was angry. Said things he didn't mean, things that would cut and cut deeply. She refused to believe he meant it. He was just angry.

"This is your portkey and the address to the safe house," Graces clipped, handing him the iron key Neville gave her. "Just say 'safe house' and you will be there. When you've cooled off some I think it would be a good idea for you to take a look. Let me know when you've come to your senses."

Graces picked up her gear and headed to the castle, ignoring her brother when he screamed he was going to throw it all in the lake. She knew he wouldn't, or at least convinced herself he wouldn't. She took one step at a time and tried to drown the frustration welling up inside of her. It was growing so fierce she knew if she fed it, it would just turn to rage and rage was the last thing she could afford to feel towards her brother right now. She wanted things better, rage would prevent things from being what they were, so she walked away and buried her feelings.

When Graces returned to her room to shower a letter was laid neatly on her pillow.

"About damn time!" she exclaimed, throwing some of her heavier Quidditch gear on the floor and whisking the envelope up, thankful for the distraction. She needed something to get her mind off Draco and Neville was the perfect thing for that.

Graces,

I'm so sorry this letter is late. Things have been a bit busy since I arrived home and I haven't truly had a moment to myself. I'll be much more attentive from here on though, I promise.

I hope you're enjoying your holiday. Mine so far has been very quiet.

Graces frowned. Busy in one sentence quiet in another. She bit her lip thinking of what that could mean before continuing to read.

My Uncle Algie is here, you would like him I think. He's a character for sure. He's my grandfather's brother, so he has the Longbottom humor. Have I ever told you anything about my grandfather? I don't think I have, except that he died before I came to Hogwarts. He was a really great man, very different from my grandmother, but I always felt they balanced one another out. One time, as a practical joke, he hid a fanged gerbil in my grandmother's handbag. My grandmother still keeps a mouse trap in her bag because of it.

Anyways, Uncle Algie's very much the same as him. I have more of my gran's sense of humor, very dry, as you can probably guess considering I am not putting any kind of small animals in your handbag.

Graces laughed at the image, but disagreed that Neville didn't possess much of his grandfather's humor. His was dry for sure, but there were many times when he had been playful and a handful where he had joked with her in much the same manner.

I think you can live with my humor though. You don't strike me as the type to find a rodent in your bag funny. Then again my gran doesn't strike me as that type either, but she loved my grandfather. Funny how things like that work, huh?

I miss you. I hope you know exactly how much I miss you, because I really don't have the words to describe it. Even after seeing you again I still find myself longing for you to be near. I don't know if you realize this, nor do I know if you want to hear such things from me, but I'm going to tell you anyways. You've truly enchanted me, Graces Malfoy. I can't go a single minute really without thinking of you. I find myself feeling home sick when I'm already home, and when I lie in bed at night I close my eyes and wish you were beside me once again.

I'm probably coming on a bit too strong with my feelings for you, but I really don't care. I want you to know. I don't just want to prattle on about my day to you and not put anything meaningful into these letters. Which I just realized you probably burn.

Graces snorted a laugh and noted that that's what she should probably do.

Well, I don't really mind if you do burn them, so long as you know.

Sincerely,

With deep affe

Yours,

Neville

Graces smiled softly at the letter, but was unsure how she wanted to respond. She felt a bit unnerved at seeing Neville's feelings written out to her. She knew that this was the point they were at, but it still made her feel unsettled. She didn't want to turn back, but she wasn't sure how prepared she was to move forward. Forward is coming whether I am ready for it or not. So with that thought in mind she picked up her quill.

Neville,

Your family sounds exceptionally interesting to say the least. I'm sorry to say I have no stories of rodents in handbags though. My father did once tell my mother that he had ordered the wrong napkins for a dinner party to test her nerves, but that was it. It was funny for a few moments, watching her angry silence before my father smirked and said she worried too much and gave her the letter confirming the order she wanted. Not quite the same hilarity, I'm afraid.

Draco did play a joke on me today, if that's the word to use for it. I don't know if you would find it very funny though, I think it's one of those things where you had to be there. I would write to you about it, but it's not in very good taste either.

As for my holiday it has been very nice. Draco is finally relaxing some what. He's eating, playing games, sleeping and he's napping too. I think he's napping more than Octavian at this point. Anytime we want to put Octavian down for a nap, Thomas goes looking for Draco and puts the tiny babe in his arms while Draco sleeps. That way he and I can go do something interesting around the castle.

Did I tell you Thomas has chosen to stay here at the castle for Yule? It's wonderful. Octavian is here with us as well. We're having a really grand time all of us together. Graham is here too, but he's been a bit busy. He promised to join us tonight after dinner though.

I received an owl the other day about the director of the ward just telling me how everything is running with the construction and things of that nature. The new healers that were hired have arrived along with the rest of the new staff. I just thought you would enjoy knowing all this, in case you wanted to go down and meet the new healers yourself.

Regarding the more intimate aspect of your letter is it okay that I'm not quite as comfortable disclosing my own feelings?

I hope it is, because I don't feel quite at ease saying my feelings out loud in such away. And if I'm being totally honest your candor is a little unnerving. Flattering, but unnerving. It's odd. While part of me enjoys knowing those things about how you feel for me another part of me is frightened. Maybe I'm frightened because so much of what you said describes how I feel. I just don't want us to rush things. Gods, that sounds even sillier, doesn't it? I mean I've more than shared a bed with you. There is no denying what happened between us the last night in the castle. I suppose things are already a bit further than I'm comfortable with. I never thought I would have these feelings for you, Neville. It never was supposed to be like this.

Please take solace in knowing my feelings for you are strong and that I am yours - happily so.

Sincerely,

Graces

Also, if you don't mind please burn the letters I send to you.

Graces watched from the Owlery as a young barn owl soared into the night sky to where Neville was. She watched the owl fly until it disappeared and closed her eyes as the night air wafted against her warm cheeks. Somewhere out there in the night Neville was thinking of her and wanting her near. It warmed her chest in a way that frightened her and made her giddy at the same time. She turned away from the window and descended back into the dungeons, choosing to wait for Draco tonight rather than go to the room Neville had provided for her. She wanted things better between her and Draco and letting him come back to fume would not do.

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Narcissa knew she had made the right decision the moment she looked down at her daughter. She stared at the layer of sweat glistening like morning dew on the porcelain skin it beaded on. Graces turned sharply in her sleep and Narcissa sat down and watched as her breathing became more and more erratic. She studied every movement, every intake of breath, the way her eyes darted around behind her heavy lids, her nails as they dug into the throw laying on top of her and the soft whimpering that broke away from her mouth.

Regret had never plagued Narcissa Malfoy. Not once did she regret her decisions. She loved her husband. Even in hard times she loved him. She had loved him through his first trial and she loved him even after the last. She loved him because he, like her, thought only of their family. The world could burn to ash and he would smile so long as Draco, Graces and her were still happy and safe. All he had done he did for them, and though she didn't always agree with the paths he chose, like bowing before some half-breed, she knew he chose that path with the three of them in mind.

Not to say she didn't voice her disagreements. Like when he wanted to send Draco to Durmstrang, she had made her feelings about that choice known. She had raised all seven hells within the walls of their manor. And when her scorn had not changed his mind effectively she brought out her wand.

She remembered Lucius' face like it was yesterday. Shock, fear, betrayal, outrage all exploding behind those silver eyes. She had a moment to see the true fear, before he schooled the other feelings away and condescendingly asked if she really meant to harm him, her husband, her love and the father of her children. It was in many ways a painful memory, because in that moment she knew her love for Lucius was not unconditional. She could cease to love him. He could do a million horrors and she would still want to be in his arms, the nights he came home smelling of blood and death she had never turned away from him. She had embraced him and cried tears of joy that he was safe. When he failed her pride in him never faltered, but the moment he spoke of sending her son away she hated him. Hated him in a way she never knew she could feel. It had burned in her heart, raging for weeks, until finally it exploded and her wand was pointed at his heart.

Lucius realized it too and when he nodded and said Draco would not be sent away, she knew she had hurt him. Many people would believe that no one was capable of hurting Lucius Malfoy without actually casting a spell, but she knew she could. She did. She had reminded him that his love for her was still greater than her love for him. She didn't even realize he loved her more until that moment. For years she had believed their love was equal, that their school days where Lucius pined for her love were long over because she now answered his love, but Draco and Graces had changed that. She loved no one above her children.

She had days later approached Lucius in his study and tried to mend his hurt by saying he must feel the same, but it was all to clear he didn't. He had stared at her for awhile over his papers and elegant desk, before leaning back and explaining he loved her above anyone else in this world or the next.

"You have given me my children. You have nurtured my immortality and brought life into my world. You are the only one to see all of me and you are the only one I want to see all of me. You are my God, Narcissa, and I know better than to kneel before any other."

Lucius Malfoy still, even after so many years of marriage, still had the ability to surprise her. Sometimes she was torn on how she could love, miss and hate him at the same time. He did this to them. Her daughter was haunted and maimed because of his choices. He had always thought he would be the one to pay the highest cost, but it wasn't him. It wasn't even her. It was their children.

She reached out and touched Graces as she stirred in her sleep and choked back a sob as her daughter begged for mercy in her sleep. What they had done was unforgivable. She wished Lucius was there with her now. She knew he would have a plan, a better plan than hers, but he wasn't. And that feeling of anger towards him began rising up from her stomach.

"Graces. Graces, wake up. Wake up, my darling."

Narcissa jumped back as her daughter bolted up, as though she were preparing to arm herself. The older woman made sure to keep perfectly still until her daughter came to. Graces chest heaved as she continued to inhale deep intakes of breath. She looked as though she had just finished Quidditch practice. Narcissa wondered if her child ever truly rested.

"M-mum?" Graces breathed.

She looked as though she didn't quite believe she was there. Narcissa tried to reply, but closed her mouth unable to fight the lump growing in her throat. What had they done? What had her and Lucius done to their children?

Graces stood there staring wide-eyed at her, taking in her features as though she were searching for a clue to tell her if she were truly there.

"You're here," she murmured, standing on her knees and gingerly touching her cheek. "You're really here."

Narcissa wondered how her daughter could still look at her like this. With wonder and trust. She marveled in the innocence that still shined in her eyes. Mummy was here so now all will be better. The older woman swallowed hard and nodded her head.

"Go upstairs, grab only a heavy cloak and things precious to you. Do not pack a trunk and only take what you can fit into your pocket."

"Are we leaving?" Graces asked hopefully, her silver eyes awakening with new life. "Are we leaving?"

"Yes," Narcissa nodded, for the first time truly allowing herself to realize what she was doing. "We are. Now hurry we don't have all night."

Graces shot off the couch and bolted to her dorm room, leaving Narcissa in her old common room. She stared at the spot where her husband had proposed to her, oh so many years ago, and pushed the memory away as she walked over to where the 6th year boys' dorms room were. Draco wasn't anywhere to be seen. She now realized that Graces didn't fall asleep in the common room for no reason, she fell asleep waiting for Draco. A bolt of fear coursed through her veins, so sharp that she could feel it surge through her heart. She needed to find Draco. Find him before anyone knew what was happening.

She turned out of the room and rushed to where Graces was.

"Where's your brother?" she demanded, pulling her arm so hard that the papers she was holding fell out of her hands and floated down to the foor.

"I don't know."

"What do you mean you don't know?" Narcissa shrieked, panic taking over. "How do you not know?"

"He refuses to tell me," Graces explained, her mother's panic passing over to her. "He won't tell me anything about where he goes and what he does there."

Narcissa turned away released her hold on her daughter and turned away. She needed to get a hold of herself. She couldn't let the fear get to her now. She made her decision, they were leaving and she needed to be calm and collected so that her children wouldn't be frightened of what was to come. She closed her eyes and thought about Lucius and how he would lead them. How he would react in this situation.

"Right," she nodded coolly, turning to her daughter. "I suppose we'll just have to wait."

"It won't be long," Graces promised, unsurely. "He-he shouldn't be long. Graham left here just a few hours ago, he's been helping Draco all winter break." Narcissa did her best to hide her surprise at hearing that Montague was helping Draco complete his task. "Draco usually comes back a few hours after Graham gets there."

She thinks I will change my mind if Draco isn't back soon. It pained her to see the desperation that the war had caused in her child, but Narcissa comforted herself with the knowledge that she would be taking her away from here very soon.

She looked up from her thoughts to see Graces hesitating to pick up the papers that spilled out of her hands. Narcissa frowned and looked down at her feet at the one laying right under her nose. A letter.

She always could tell when her daughter wanted something hidden from her and she took her time bending down to the letter on the ground that she held every intention of reading.

Shall I compare thee to a summer's day?

Thou art more lovely and more temperate:

Rough winds do shake the darling buds of May,

And summer's lease hath all too short a date:

Sometime too hot the eye of heaven shines,

And often is his gold complexion dimm'd;

And every fair from fair sometime declines,

By chance, or nature's changing course, untrimm'd;

But thy eternal summer shall not fade

Nor lose possession of that fair thou ow'st;

Nor shall Death brag thou wander'st in his shade,

When in eternal lines to time thou grow'st;

So long as men can breathe or eyes can see,

So long lives this, and this gives life to thee.

You do not have a better temperament than summer.

The letter remained unsigned. Narcissa read the poem again to better understand it and felt her heart become heavy with what the words implied. Love. They implied a deep love. Whoever gave this to her daughter loved her and apparently loved her and knew her well enough to know her temperament wasn't lovely. So she must be close with this boy. Narcissa looked up at her daughter's face and felt a sudden guilt for reading such a private letter.

"It's beautiful," she whispered, handing the letter back to her daughter, who snatched it from her hands as though if she took it away fast enough she would forget what it said. "He certainly has a way with words."

Graces blushed and shrugged her shoulders, but Narcissa knew better. She had held onto that letter and she was going to continue holding onto that letter. She was going to put it in her pocket and take it with her, so she could read it over and over again where she was going and think of the boy that had written it.

"May I ask—"

"It doesn't matter," Graces snapped, moving over to the fire and tossing all the papers in. "I'm leaving," she choked. "I'm leaving and never looking back. We're leaving," she repeated, her voice breaking. "I have to go and-and he can't come with me."

"Graces, I—"

"I need to get Octavian," Graces interrupted. "Octavian and Thomas, I have to get them."

Graces was striding to the door, when Narcissa stopped her.

"Octavian and Thomas," she repeated.

"Yes," Graces nodded. "We're leaving correct? I need to get them, so we can leave."

Narcissa hadn't thought of the remaining Higgs boys and she wasn't planning on taking them with her, but she knew from the look in her daughter's eyes that she would not leave without them. She had the same challenging look in her eye that she had given Lucius.

"We must hurry," Narcissa nodded, opening the door and stopping at the sight of her son.

"Mother," Draco blinked. "What-what are you doing here?"

"We're leaving," Narcissa declared, moving forward in a hurry to find Thomas. She couldn't waste anymore time. They had to go immediately.

"What?"

"We're leaving," Graces repeated, moving behind her mother. "Mum is taking us away. We're running."

"Running," Draco whispered, putting it all together like a puzzle. "Running." Narcissa gasped as her son's yanked her back. "Are you insane? Have you gone mad?" he spat, moving her against the cold stone.

"No, I have awoken," Narcissa declared. "I have awoken and I am no longer going to stand back while my children are torn apart!"

"Mother, we cannot leave," Draco growled.

"We can and we will!"

"No! No, I haven't failed yet! We can't go. Not yet! I am getting help. Finally things are turning around. I can do this. I can—"

"YOUR SISTER ALMOST DIED! SHE ALMOST DIED AND YOU WANT TO TAKE THE CHANCE OF STAYING?"

Draco looked away at her harsh words, but Narcissa couldn't stop now. She needed him to see.

"Draco, it's a fool's task," she whispered, tears brimming out of her eyes. "He wants you to fail. We must go. We must."

"And what about father?" Draco continued, his voice heavy with emotion.

"Your father would want you safe," Narcissa swore, knowing it to be the truth.

"They'll find us."

"No, they won't. I have a plan."

"I'm sure everyone else who fled had a plan," Draco countered, his voice becoming bitter. "It doesn't matter. They will find us."

"No, they won't. There is this muggle family that lives in France. The woman is a single mother and she has a daughter and son that are your age. We will go and—"

"You're not suggesting we take their lives are you?" Graces gasped, covering her mouth.

"I am. We will be them. We will polyjuice ourselves and live like muggles and—"

"And kill them," Graces finished horrified.

"It's us or them," Narcissa stated coldly. "There isn't another option."

"No," Graces proclaimed. "No, I won't do that."

"You have no other choice."

"Yes, we do!" Draco screamed. "I will finish the task I will—"

Narcissa groaned at her son's stubbornness and once again tried to get him to see this was the only option they had. She was beginning to realize that she may have to Imperius her children so they would come when Graces interrupted the argument.

"The safe house. We can go to the safe house!"

"The safe house," Narcissa repeated, remembering Graham's mention of Graces living under a delusion she could be safe at the safe house she was always speaking about.

"Not this again," Draco hissed.

"We could go. There is room for all of us and it's ready right now," Graces stressed. "Please, mother. Please. I swear it will work. I have portkeys and-and it's safe. Please."

It wasn't her plan, but then again it seemed as though Graces had been putting her plan into action long before she had put together hers.

"Who's the secret keeper?" Narcissa asked.

"Me."

"You?"

"Yes, me," Graces confirmed. "I am."

Narcissa felt like that was a lie, but she dismissed her suspicion of her being paranoid. What reason did Graces have to lie about such a thing.

"Very well."

"Oh so you change the plans just like that?" Draco fumed. "Your plan wasn't solid enough and you were just going to risk it?"

"Draco, we do not have time to argue."

"I am not leaving!"

"Yes. You. Are! I am your mother and you will do as I say!" Narcissa declared, rounding so that she was inches away from Draco's face. He was taller than her now, and it took effort to be able to meet his eyes this close, but even as grown as he was he winced at her words. He was still so much of a child. "Graces, get the boys. Now."

Narcissa didn't remove her sapphire eyes from Draco's silver, until she heard Graces' yelp and before she could do anything her daughter was being held at wand point by Severus Snape.

Don't forget to review/follow! I hope you all enjoyed the chapter! Also, the Shakespeare sonnet which was Neville's letter was from the chapter where he gave Graces' that blouse as a gift. I know it's been awhile, so I thought I should remind you all.