Hello hello my dears!
Your constant love and support has only fuelled the muse and I really wanted to get another chapter out whilst my school work is still light. I have been horrible at responding to reviews, but I see them all, and they make my day infinitely brighter. I should mention again that I respond to guest reviews on my tumblr.
Thank you so, so much for all of your lovely reviews. Just thank you. You are loves, and you are a big part of what makes this story so much fun to write, so I really hope you enjoy this chapter, I am admittedly a little bit more than a little bit nervous.
A guest mentioned what they believed Dorea would do upon finding out about what Dumbledore had done, and I was already leaning towards something like that, so I kind of drew from that for a part of this chapter.
Oh, there's still a few more days to vote for FTT in the Dramione awards I got nominated for if you want to, the link is here: htt*ps:/*/*docs*.*google*.com*/for*ms/*d/e*/1FAI*pQLSdl*uGZR8*KgrLbd*EVtD*2-sBuQH*sVqCgr2aO*iJRito4*cH7nx*4SQ/viewf*orm*?c=0*&w=1 (just remove all the * because ffn doesn't like external links).
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Disclaimer: Harry Potter belongs to J.K. Rowling, and only the story line and any OC's belong to me.
"I, Hermione Potter née Granger swear that I shall not disclose any information that can endanger the future where Voldemort is defeated. I also swear that I shall not knowingly carry out any actions that endanger the future where Voldemort is defeated."
Hermione sighed heavily when she finished speaking. She was kneeling on the floor, face to face with Draco, grasping onto his forearm as another brilliant tongue of flame wove itself around their joined arms.
Draco turned to glare at Dumbledore before saying through clenched teeth, "I, Draco Potter née Malfoy swear that I shall not disclose any information that can endanger the future where Voldemort is defeated. I also swear that I shall not knowingly carry out any actions that endanger the future where Voldemort is defeated."
Dumbledore had cleverly figured out how to use their given last names and their new ones. Since they had been adopted by Dorea and Charlus all those years ago, they were legally and magically considered Potters. Their adoption had evoked a familial bond, and over the last two days Hermione swore she could feel the intangible string that connected her to her Mother, but she had dismissed the ludicrous thought.
The tongues glowed brightly for a brief moment before appearingly seeping into their skin.
As soon as they vanished Draco withdrew his hand, and snarled, "I know you aren't a bad person, but you are certainly a piece of work."
Dumbledore regarded them both quietly, and what might have been deep sorrow filled his light blue eyes.
"I am sorry. It is for the greater-"
"Good. Yea. I know. You and your bloody greater good," Hermione snapped, hugging herself and placing all of her weight on her haunches.
Dumbledore said nothing, merely waved his hand and summoned what looked to be two bowls with gleaming silver spoon handles peeping out from over their rims, as well as a pitcher of water and two tall glasses.
"Eat. Slowly."
Hermione did not budge an inch, and Draco gave the man a withering look before shakily getting up and walking over to Dumbledore's desk.
Dumbledore pushed the two bowls towards Draco, and leaned back in his chair.
Draco glanced down at the bowl, and then swivelled to look at Hermione. Hermione merely raised her eyebrows.
"C'mon love. He may be a manipulative cunt, but he gave us chicken noodle soup," Draco drawled with a irritated look on his face.
"Cause chicken noodle soup makes up for all the shite he'll make Harry, Ron and I endure in the future by being vague and cryptic. It'll make up for keeping me locked up in this bloody office for two days," Hermione bit out.
Dumbledore opened his mouth as if to say something, and then Hermione cut him off, "no. It does not help that you stayed here the entire time and had no water or food either. You're still a wanker."
Dumbledore laughed then, heartily, the creases by his eyes standing out prominently as he shook his head in amusement. As if Hermione had told the best joke he had heard in years.
"It's not fucking funny," Hermione said icily, her warm brown eyes darkening significantly.
"None of this is funny," Dumbledore said with a deep exhale. Calmly, he stood, reaching out and picking up one of the bowls of soup.
Hermione watched him with fire in her eyes as he strode towards her; halting a couple feet away and then stooping down. Dumbledore took a deep breath, looking truly remorseful whilst he held out the bowl of steaming soup.
Hermione's brow knitted together as she gently took it from him. She knew he thought he was doing what was best. It didn't mean she had to like it.
Hermione spooned out a little bit of broth, blowing on the piping hot liquid before bringing it to her lips.
She knew from experience from when they were on the run during the war that she needed to eat it slowly, no matter how hungry she was, or it would all come hurtling back up.
Thinking about those days always felt strange, as if it was from a past life that occasionally played through in her head.
They ate in silence, deafening silence. Meanwhile, Dumbledore had taken it upon himself to pour them both glasses of water whilst he studied them with concern.
Hermione was almost finished her meal when Dumbledore sat back down behind his desk-pushing his half moon spectacles further up along the bridge of his nose-and said calmly, "you are welcome to leave as soon as you finish your meal."
Hermione's lip curled in disgust, "how kind of you."
"More tea?" Minerva asked from beside Dorea, the fine white China tea pot in her hand, its spout hovering over Dorea's dainty looking cup.
"Yes please, darling. I'm also almost finished this book, it could have been better, the author let's his prejudice speak for him instead of concrete facts and evidence," Dorea pursed her lips, her index finger marking her page as she shut the book and gently ran her other hand over the worn cover.
The book was about werewolves, and it seemed to be one of the only ones on the magical creatures in the Hogwarts Library. Which was a shame.
Dorea had transfigured one of the old classroom chairs-that Minerva kept in a small cupboard in her classroom-into a vast, comfy, emerald green armchair. She had borrowed one of Minerva's side tables to place her tea and biscuits on (the house elves had been such dears to provide both of them for her) and there was a small stack of thick books that she had read over the last two days. Two days.
She had no clue what Dumbledore was doing with her children for so long, but a young and kind House Elves had informed her that they hadn't brought any food or water to the Headmaster this weekend. Of course the little thing had paused, and when she finally told Dorea, she was rocking back and forth on the balls of her feet as she spoke softly.
The House Elf had no idea that she was only adding fuel to the cold fury that was burning inside of Dorea's body; why would she, when she was sent on her way with a radiant, dazzling smile.
Her red hot anger had tempered down to an icy fury that had given Minerva pause yesterday when she had joined her once more.
The Transfiguration teacher had been with her for a large portion of the time, only being drawn away to deal with a student here and there, to prepare for the upcoming week's lessons, and to sleep for a few hours.
The students that had passed by them this weekend were horribly curious, but dared not to ask what Dorea was doing here. That however didn't' halt wild rumours from travelling throughout the school-full of supposition-as to why the Potter Matriarch would be here.
James and Sirius came back to the school late last night, and they had stopped by after hearing from Charlus that Dorea was camped out in front of the Headmaster's office. However, they asked her where Hermione and Draco were, and why she was here. Dorea's only response had been warm hugs for the both of them, sweet smiles and, "don't worry. Mummy is going to take care of it."
Minerva was just about to add a sugar cube to Dorea's cup when the sudden sound of stone moving, and the echo of footsteps from the stairs behind her gave her pause.
Both witches glanced around the backs of their chairs and saw a sullen Draco and irate Hermione appear from the dark staircase. Both looked haggard and frustrated.
Dorea hurriedly put her book down onto of the others, immediately flying out of the armchair and drawing her wand from behind her ear.
Neither Hermione nor Draco noticed her until they reached the bottom, Dumbledore right on their heels.
Dorea gave both of her children a quick once over with a sharp and calculating eye before she headed directly for Dumbledore. Her black heels clipping across the three stone steps she had to ascend before she reached him.
Dorea growled lightly before pressing the tip of her wand into the soft flesh of his throat.
"Dorea-" Dumbledore began, but Dorea's stormy grey eyes warned him against another word. It seemed as if all the shadows in the passageway flew to her face as it contorted into something dark and fearsome.
"Who the fuck do you think you are? Why the fuck did you lock my children up for two bloody days? What, pray tell, could a pair of fifteen year olds know that is so important?" Dorea asked calmly, it was how steady her voice was that made Albus's eyes widen in surprise.
Albums Dumbledore messed with the wrong witch.
"Mum. Mum. Mum," Draco called from the foot of the stairs, and she glanced over her shoulder whilst applying more pressure on Dumbledore's neck-as if to convey the message that he dare not attempt anything foolish.
"Yes, sweetheart?" Dorea asked, her brow furrowing into concern and all the darkness fleeing her features as if it was never there in the first place.
"Please lower your wand," Draco requested tiredly, taking a step towards the armchair, resting his arm on the top and leaning the majority of his weight on it.
"Why, in Morgana's name, would I do that, dear?" Dorea queried, truly perplexed by such a strange request after whatever the older wizard had made him endure.
"Because, that no matter how much I would love for you to rip out the old coot's throat, we're going to need him in the future," Draco said. The words were spoken as if they physically pained him, and the grimace on his face did nothing to appease her.
Dorea lowered her wand. "Fine. I won't maim or dismember this revered member of our society. I will however drag your name through the mud until you lose your holier than thou status, and you have been exposed for the wanker that you are. The Prophet shall hear about-"
A clear and cold voice interjects, "no."
Dorea's eyes widen as she meets the hazel eyes of her precious little girl, utterly stunned. Hermione must have noticed how crude and disrespectful she was, because she quickly continued, "Mummy. Let's just go. Please. Do this for me. Trust me...he will get everything that he deserves," Hermione said. There were flames kindling in her eyes, but for the most part she just looked so exhausted.
Dorea slowly descended the stairs, stopping in front of her daughter, her hands moving to grasp Hermione's face gently, "are you sure my little warrior? I will burn him at the stake myself if I must."
Hermione smiled somberly, her own hands grasping onto her Mother's wrists, "and I would join you, Mummy. Just not now. Trust me. He is a necessary evil for now, but one day he will get what's coming to him. I promise."
Dorea scrutinized her child, trying to find something in the hazel depths before her that would justify this; letting out a harsh exhale through her nostrils after a few terse moments, she nodded. The look in her grey eyes spoke volumes-this was not over, and she would not forget this.
Hermione moved forward into her Mother's arms and hugged her tightly. Dorea cradled Hermione's head against her shoulder and placed a quick kiss the the crown of her head.
"I want to go home,"Hermione whispered to her Mother.
Dorea didn't hesitate for a moment, "of course, sweetie."
Hermione pulled back, giving her Mother a grateful smile before turning and beginning to trudge away.
Dorea glanced at Minerva, gave her a curt nod and meaningful look, narrowing her eyes as she turned back towards Dumbledore, "this is not over you, you old fart."
Dorea swivelled on her heel, looking for her other child, but saw that he had already followed after Hermione.
Draco didn't utter a sound as he trailed after Hermione, the only noise was the soles of his shoes scuffing across the stone.
When she acknowledged his presence, it is not what he expected. Hermione rounded on him angrily, knees wobbling slightly, "I don't want to see you right now."
"Sorry?" Draco frowned, closing the distance between them, the vein by his temple visible as he tried to maintain his calm. Both of them getting angry meant that they would start yelling, and practically nothing ever got done when that happened.
"You made a decision for both of us in there," Hermione snapped.
"Yes. I did. For both of our sake's," Draco hissed, grey eyes flashing brightly.
"I don't want to talk about this right now," Hermione said, some of her venom ebbing away. She sighed heavily, and reached up to stroke his cheek. "I'll see you in a few days. I just can't be here...I can't be near either of you right now," Hermione said, her eyes glancing over his shoulder back from whence they came.
"Hermione," Draco said softly, and it almost sounded like a gently plea.
"Love. No. Don't bat your eyelashes at me and say my name like that. I won't be gone long…" Hermione trailed off, just as Dorea joined them.
Dorea shoved some of her long raven curls over her shoulder, placing her hands on her hips as her eyes darted back and forth. "What's going on?"
"I'm staying here, apparently," Draco said, the bitterness creeping into his tone even though he desperately tried to shove it down, deep down inside of him.
"What? Why?" Dorea frowned, putting a worried hand on his shoulder.
"It's...complicated," Draco responded, his eyes briefly turning in Hermione's direction.
"I'll only be gone a few days, let the others know that I'm fine...and tell Lily that I'll help her with her Arithmancy homework in time for class on Friday when I get back."
Draco nodded dumbly, he found that he couldn't look her in the eye.
A soft sigh fell from Hermione's lips, and then her warmth left him. He listened as she began to walk away, and Dorea let out an exasperated noise before leaning forward and leaning up to place a loving kiss to his forehead.
"Go find the boys and let them take care of you, and owl me tomorrow to let me know how you're doing," Dorea demanded as she leaned back, gently gripping his chin in her hand and forcing him to look her in the eye. "I give you full permission not to go to class today or tomorrow, but your arse better be in class bright and early Wednesday morning. This is your OWL year after all."
"Yes, Mum," Draco nodded gloomily.
"I love you sweetheart," Dorea said with a tiny smile, stroking his cheek with the pad of her thumb.
"I love you too, Mum."
Dorea kissed his cheek affectionately, and then set out after her daughter.
Draco could only watch as they went, the only thought on his mind was how he had failed one of the people he cared about most in this world. Again.