Chapter Thirty-Three

One Last Favour

"It's been half an hour already, Draco. I think we should head back to McGonagall's office," Potter commented, pointing to his wristwatch.

Draco nodded and the three of them left the Quidditch pitch together. They had also visited the lake and the dungeons, where he had shown them the secret entrance to the Slytherin common room.

Potter bloody well knew where it was, though.

He walked to the front door of the castle with him and the Weasley girl following in his footsteps. They hadn't let go of each other's hands once even though every student they passed stared at them. Several of them had even approached Potter for his autograph.

Ridiculous.

Draco stopped when he reached the second floor, staring blankly, and Potter placed a hand on his shoulder with a serious expression.

"What's wrong?"

"There's something I have to do."

Without further explanation he walked down the corridor at a brisk pace, rolling his eyes when he heard that he was being followed.

They couldn't leave him alone for a moment.

As he gripped the doorknob he heard Potter inhale sharply.

"Why do you want to go back in there?"

His shaky voice made Draco look back, raising an eyebrow. Potter cleared his throat.

"I know I've never apologised to you for what happened that day..."

"Stop it, Potter," Draco cut him off with a snort. "If it wasn't for you, I would have died months ago."

He opened the door and stepped into the girls' bathroom on the second floor. They hadn't even reached the sinks when a small shriek echoed through the stone walls.

"Draco!"

A transparent figure floated around them, stopping in front of him.

Myrtle's eyes widened as she saw who was with him and pointed an accusing finger at Potter.

"You!" she turned to Draco with a confused look on her face. "Why did you come with the boy who nearly finished you off?"

The tension emanating from Potter was so intense that even he could feel it.

"Believe me, Myrtle... He's already made it up to me."

The ghost folded her arms, unconvinced.

"Are you two friends now?" she asked with narrowed eyes.

Draco wrinkled his nose and glanced sideways at Potter, who was trying very hard not to grin.

"Something like that," he took a step towards her, frowning. "How are you, Myrtle?"

She sat on the edge of one of the sinks, sighing heavily.

"As usual. I spend the day thinking about death and walking around the castle, but it's rather boring," she commented with a shrug.

Draco took another step closer.

"Do you remember what we were talking about a few months ago? Before... before everything happened," he swallowed as he remembered the battle against the Dark Lord and shoved his hands in his pockets. "Did you do it?"

Myrtle nodded nervously.

"I've been out twice already."

"And where did you go?"

"Hogsmeade."

Draco gave her a small smile.

"You might try going a little further next time."

Potter's girlfriend gasped and everyone looked at her.

"I... I didn't know ghosts could leave Hogwarts," she muttered, her brown eyes wide.

"They can, but almost none of them want to. They'd rather be here where they feel safe," Draco looked back at the ghost girl, who was watching him carefully.

"And how are you, Draco? I overheard students talking about you in the corridors from time to time."

Draco decided to ignore the twinge he felt in his stomach at her words. He knew people were talking about him, and confirming it pissed him off even more.

"I'm fine. Better than ever, actually," he leaned close to her and snorted. "If you ever feel like venturing further afield... you could come to visit me at my manor."

Myrtle leapt forward, adjusting her glasses.

"Really?"

She looked so surprised that Draco couldn't help but smile as he nodded.

"The elves always told me stories about the ghost that lives hidden in the attic," he replied, tilting his head to the side. "We could investigate if what they told me as a child is true."

She chuckled.

"That sounds like fun," she admitted, floating in front of him.

"I'll be waiting for your visit," Draco walked over to where Potter stood and gave the ghost one last smile. "I have to go, Myrtle."

She was smiling so wide that the light of the sunset made her teeth shine.

"I'll see you soon. Take care, Draco."

"You too."

The three of them left the bathroom and walked down the corridor in silence. As he expected, Potter couldn't contain himself too much and began to walk beside him.

"You befriended her during sixth year, didn't you?"

Draco ran his tongue over his teeth, scanning his surroundings to avoid the crowds of students gathered near the stairs.

"Yes."

"And did you know that Myrtle was a Muggleborn?" asked the Weasley girl, quickening her pace until she was on his other side.

That was all he needed. Another one asking stupid questions.

"I didn't care, Weasley. She was the only one who knew what I was going through and tried to help me."

That assuaged her curiosity and she nodded, following him with a thoughtful expression on her face.

When they entered the Headmasters' Tower, the gargoyle had moved and Mcgonagall was talking to Granger in the doorway.

The woman looked up as she heard their footsteps.

"Potter," her eyes sparkled as he shook her hand with a big smile. "It's good to see you again."

"You too, Headmistress," Potter scratched the back of his neck, trying to hide his blush. "How's it going at school?"

She sighed wearily.

"Very quiet, but you never know. We're only two months into the term," her sharp gaze landed on Draco, who tensed immediately. "Malfoy."

The last time he'd seen her was at his trial, sitting among the members of the Wizengamot.

"Professor," he nodded his head slightly in her direction without moving.

As if Granger could sense his discomfort, she moved to his side and brushed the back of his hand with her fingers.

Draco let out a small sigh and looked down to see her big eyes fixed on him.

She always knew how to reassure him.

"I'll be there when Hermione introduces the new law, and I plan to support it," her voice startled him and he looked back up at her. "Soon you'll have your wand back," the woman assured him, giving him a small smile.

Draco blinked, slightly confused.

"Thank you."

McGonagall approached Granger, squeezing her arm as she passed.

"Send me an owl if you have any questions, Hermione. I'll get back to you as quickly as possible."

"Thank you very much, Minerva."

Draco exchanged a glance with Potter and knew they were both thinking the same thing.

Since when had they become so close?

"I must go to the Great Hall," the woman glanced at the three of them again before turning to the Weasley girl. "Dinner starts in half an hour."

She waved her wand and the office door slammed shut. Once McGonagall was out of sight, Draco leaned closer to Granger.

"What did she want?" he asked in a low voice.

She pointed to the books floating behind her with a jerk of her chin.

"Minerva found these three books in the library and lent them to me. They'll come in handy when I go through everything one last time."

His face paled.

"She... she's helping you?"

He would never have imagined that his teacher would support him, let alone want to help his cause.

"Taking your wand was an unforgivable crime," Granger muttered through her teeth, clenching her fists to contain her anger. "And we're going to prove to those... those idiots that you have the same rights as a normal human being."

Potter's eyebrows disappeared behind his fringe as he heard his friend insulting the members of the Wizengamot.

Draco shifted his weight from one foot to the other, twisting his lips.

"I used to think your life was worth far less than mine, too," he acknowledged in a whisper.

"And you changed your mind," Granger squeezed one of his hands. "They can do it too."

Draco was overcome with the urge to pull her to him and kiss her, but he restrained himself. He didn't want any onlookers.

He glanced sideways at Potter and the Weasley girl before lowering his head, speaking in her ear so that only she could hear him.

"Your life is the most valuable thing to me now, Granger."

She shivered as she felt his breath on her skin. Granger looked up at Potter, who was watching them with a big, crooked grin, and rolled her eyes.

"Let's go home," she said, tugging Draco's arm to walk beside her.

They descended the stairs in silence, their fingers brushing every few seconds.

His smile faded as he heard Potter's girlfriend whisper behind them.

"He's really in love with her."

"Told you so."

Draco growled.

"I heard that, Potter."

Narcissa peered into the hall as she heard the roar of flames.

"Draco?"

He had just emerged from the fireplace. Draco ran a hand through his hair, brushing it back, and walked over to where his mother stood.

Moonlight streamed in through the windows, illuminating part of the room. Narcissa waved her wand and all the lamps lit.

She raised a hand and stroked his cheek, looking up at his face. The dark circles under his eyes were more pronounced than before.

"You don't look so good."

Draco sighed through his nose.

"I know," he pulled out a small vial filled with golden liquid and held it out to her. "The invigoration draught I drink is helping me quite a bit, but its effects last less and less every day."

His mother's brow furrowed.

"How many times a day do you take it?"

"A few days before one sip was enough," Draco admitted under his breath, avoiding her worried gaze. "Now I need three."

Narcissa cupped his face with both hands, forcing him to look her in the eye.

"Draco..." He saw her blink back tears. "It's still a few days before the full moon."

He nodded.

"Five."

His mother pursed her lips and Draco held her shoulders.

"I'm going to sleep every night with Granger until we leave for Italy. I think... I think I need to be near her or I won't make it."

Her lower lip was trembling. She pulled him into her arms, resting her head on his chest and choking back a sob.

"Draco," he wrapped his arms around her, resting his chin on her head and closing his eyes. "I can't lose you."

Seeing his mother so concerned for his life brought back bad memories of when he had almost lost it for following the Dark Lord's orders.

Narcissa had been desperate that year, writing to him every week and sending him his favourite sweets to cheer him up until she had to stop to avoid arousing suspicion.

"I'm fine, Mother," Draco assured her with a sigh. "I still don't feel as weak as I did that day."

They both knew the night he was referring to.

"But you're getting worse very fast."

Draco nodded. There was no use denying it.

His body was shutting down and he knew he had little time left.

"You're very close to making it, son. Don't give up now."

"I won't."

Narcissa pulled away, looking up at him.

"Why have you come?"

He averted his gaze to the window, his jaw working.

"Draco, look at me," she demanded in a whisper and didn't speak again until her son obeyed. "I wasn't expecting you at this hour. What do you need?"

After releasing his mother, he clenched his fists and stepped back.

"You haven't been to Azkaban yet this week, have you?"

Narcissa shook her head.

"I was planning to go tomorrow."

He knew what he had to do, but saying the words was too difficult. Draco glanced at his mother again with a blank expression.

"I'll go with you, Mother," he said in a deep voice, lifting his chin. "I want to speak to Father before I leave for Italy."

Narcissa gasped, a hand flying to her lips.

Week after week she had offered Draco the chance to visit Lucius with her and clear the air, and he had always refused.

And he was so stubborn that she didn't expect him to change his mind.

"I have to... I have to talk to Harry. You'll need an Auror to accompany you to be allowed to come with me."

Draco snorted, rolling his eyes.

"I'm going to see Potter now. I'll tell him."

The lights went out again. Narcissa nodded, watching her son as he picked up a handful of Floo powder and tossed it onto the embers.

"All right. I'll be waiting for you two at half past nine."

A cloud of green flames engulfed him, though she had enough time to see his small smile.

The magical prison was still as horrible as in his memories.

Draco swallowed as he felt the cold chill seep into his bones as soon as he stepped out of the fireplace, Potter on one side and his mother on the other.

Granger had insisted that she wanted to go with him the night before, just after he changed clothes and told her of his plans while lying beside her in bed. It had cost him a small argument, but he'd managed to convince her that it wasn't a good idea.

He didn't want her to be in a place like this. And he didn't want to give his father the chance to say anything that might hurt her feelings either.

Draco still didn't fully trust what he'd read in his letter. Not until he saw with his own eyes that Lucius had truly changed and was sorry.

The three of them stopped in front of the security guard, who checked their wands and cast an inhibiting spell on Narcissa's.

"Mrs Malfoy," he saluted as he handed it back to her.

She bowed her head.

"Eric."

"He's already waiting for you," the man commented, pointing to a metal door. His eyes widened at the sight of one of her companions. "Potter."

Draco rolled his eyes as the two shook hands a little too warmly for his liking. His heartbeat quickened when his mother grabbed the doorknob and looked back at him.

"Do you want to talk to him alone or...?"

He shook his head with a frown. Draco hadn't occluded for weeks and was finding it hard to concentrate.

"I trust you, Mother. You can hear the whole conversation," he murmured, glancing sideways at the guard, who seemed very interested in them.

"And you have no choice but to let me be there too," Potter commented in a mocking voice.

Draco gave him a long look.

"I trust you, too. But don't let it go to your head."

His gasp of surprise was the last thing Draco heard before Narcissa opened the door.

It was a visiting room much like the one he was already familiar with, but it was more brightly lit and had torches in it. Lucius Malfoy sat behind the metal table, watching them with an unperturbed look on his face.

His hair was as long and blond as ever, though it was noticeable that he had lost weight.

His mother's blue eyes filled with tears at the sight of him.

"Lucius!"

His father's face contracted into a grimace of pain and he rose to embrace her.

"Cissa," he held her in his arms, burying his nose in her hair and sighing. "The days go by so slowly in here. I've missed you."

"I've missed you, too."

Lucius sat back down with Narcissa resting on his lap. She had both arms around his neck and was holding herself as close to him as she could.

Draco knew that his father needed to feel his mate's closeness to survive, but that image made his blood run cold.

He didn't even want to imagine being in his place and having to wait seven days before he could spend half an hour with Granger.

His father's cold eyes fell on him.

"Draco."

"Father."

He and Potter sat down in the two chairs across from them.

"I see you have company," Lucius commented, slurring his words in contempt.

Draco smirked when his mother punched his father in the chest and gave him a warning look. Lucius' face softened instantly.

"Potter is the Auror in my charge," he explained, still amused.

Lucius nodded slowly.

"How are you feeling?" he asked, his gaze roaming over his body.

Draco clicked his tongue.

"Tired," he replied, arching an eyebrow. "But I suppose you know that already."

Lucius' lips tightened into a thin line.

"You must complete the bond."

"I know," Draco folded his arms, keeping his expression neutral. "It will happen the next full moon."

His father was occluding as well.

"And you have questions."

Draco looked down at his hands. That was why he'd wanted to go to Azkaban, but talking about Granger in front of her best friend wasn't ideal.

He took a deep breath and closed his eyes. In a few seconds, Potter's reaction no longer mattered to him at all.

He looked back at his father and nodded.

"I don't know... I don't know what to expect," he admitted, clenching his fists under the table. "I've read Giorgio's diary more than five times, but I'm still nervous."

One corner of Lucius's lips curved upward.

It had been years since Draco had seen him smile.

"It's normal. I was, too," he kissed Narcissa's forehead and looked at him again. "It's a very important moment for us."

His words weren't helping him in the slightest. Draco snorted and his father held up a hand to stop his protest.

"You'll feel the moment when your magical cores bound. It will be done then."

Draco leaned back in his chair and relaxed his muscles. His ancestor's book didn't give much detail about what would happen once the bond was complete.

"After that day, the pain will be gone. You'll feel nothing if another man touches her because she will be yours officially," Lucius added with raised eyebrows.

He narrowed his eyes.

"I know that."

"Jealousy, on the other hand..." Lucius shook his head, holding Narcissa tighter against his chest. "The Malfoys were possessive before Giorgio joined our family," he looked sideways at his mother and Draco saw a silver gleam in his irises. "And now we're even more so."

"I have it under control," Draco assured him in a deep voice. "I trust her, Father."

Narcissa was smiling. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw that Potter was grinning too.

"That's a very good sign," Lucius said thoughtfully. "And does she understand all that this union means?"

Draco's heart shrank.

"There are a couple of things I haven't told her yet," he admitted in a low voice, turning his head as he heard a snort from beside him. "I'll tell her everything before the full moon, Potter. Stop snorting."

"You'd better," Potter snarled, shooting him a hateful glare.

Lucius sighed, regaining their attention.

"I know you don't believe me, son, but I'm glad you found her so quickly and she accepted you. Miss Granger is... is very special. Welcome her to our family for me."

Much like what he had written in that letter.

"I will," Draco stood up, patting his companion's shoulder. "You and Mother need some time alone. Let's go, Potter."

Just before he left the room he heard his father's voice again.

"Will you come back to visit me?"

Draco turned, staring down at him.

"Yes. Take care of yourself, Father."

Lucius let out a long sigh of relief.

"You too, Draco."

After he nodded, he and Potter stepped back out into the corridor and closed the door.

"Wow," Potter commented, waving a hand.

Draco tilted his head in his direction.

"What?"

"Your mother was right. Your father has changed."

Potter looked away, scratching the back of his head and ruffling his hair even more. He waved at the guard again and the two of them walked together towards the fireplace.

"What's the matter with you?" Draco asked, pausing by the Floo powder.

"It's been awkward listening to you two talk about... all that."

Draco gave him a mocking smile.

"The idea of Granger having sex with me doesn't appeal to you, right, Potter?"

He wrinkled his nose and shook his head vigorously.

"I'd rather not think about it," Potter grunted grumpily. "She's like my sister, Draco."

"Granger always says the same about you," his eyes twinkled mischievously. "By the way, she's heard you more than once in your room with the Weasley girl. You should learn to use the silencing spell."

Potter blanched.

"I always cast it!"

"Well, you're not doing it right," Draco replied, savouring the slight humiliation.

Potter punched him on the shoulder and he pulled away with a snort.

"Potter," his green eyes were still narrowed as he looked back up at him. "I have another favour to ask of you."

He folded his arms and Draco cleared his throat.

"I need you to come with me to Muggle London. I want to... I want to buy something for Granger," he commented, averting his gaze so he wouldn't see his blush.

Potter's pout disappeared.

"Sure, Draco," he agreed with a grin. "When do you want to go?"

"Now."

"All right," Potter snorted, pulling his cloak tighter around him to protect himself from the cold. "But we have to hurry or I'll be late for a meeting. Tomorrow begins the operation to capture Voldemort's followers in a small village in Wales."

"Are they Death Eaters?"

"We think at least one of them is."

"I hope you and Weasley catch them at once."

Draco threw the powder on the flames, which changed to green, and the two of them stepped through them at the same time.