Chapter 7: Forbidden Forest

My desk at work was piled high with books. They were filled with books with subjects on The Deathly Hallows, seer stones, alchemy with nature, Medieval Alchemy, The Peverell's, and more specifically anything I could get my hands on about the Resurrection Stone.

I thought back to when I had finally figured out what Hermione had told me about the resurrection stone Ron, Harry and Ginny were talking about. As I was reading the letters to the twins before bed, I saw a book in the bookcase in their nursery. I had remembered that book. My mother had read the same stories to me as a child. But more specifically Hermione had told me it was a gift from Dumbledore.

After the girls fell asleep, I picked it up and noticed a bookmark about halfway through the book. I opened to that page and read silently "The Tale of the Three Brothers." Vaguely everything Hermione had told me about that year they were away from Hogwarts started flashing through my mind. I looked towards the bottom of one of the pages. Hermione had made notes in the margins of the story. I could tell she thought this story was a "fairy tale" as she put it. Scribbled on the left corner of one of the pages was written, "Peverell-Alchemist?"

"If they were Alchemists, I could create a better stone." I mumbled to myself after reading her notes. "One that would actually work!" I left the girls room, bringing the book with me and turning out the lights.

Aware of my surroundings again, I leaned away from the mountain of books on my desk. This research was all pointless unless I could convince Harry or Ron to take me to the Forbidden Forest to find the stone Harry had left. I could study it so I could create a better one. And, and, I thought, I could finally see Hermione again.

With renewed determination, I apparated to the Weasley residence. I started heading for the door when a voice called out, "Oh Draco!"

I looked over to see Luna standing in the front yard in an awkward yoga pose. It looked like she was stuck. Her large belly poked out from underneath her shirt as one leg was in the air and the other was kneeling on the ground. I walked over towards her as I asked if she needed any help.

"Oh yes, could you please help me stand up? I've been waiting for Ron to come out to help me, but he hasn't yet."

"Should you really be doing that while you're 9 months pregnant?" I ask pointedly as I helped her stand up.

Luna smiled over at me. "Oh, it's fine. What are you doing here?" Luna bent down to grab her mat and bag.

"Hoping to speak to Ron about something." I responded.

"Oh, do come in!" Luna said as she walked up the steps towards her front door. I followed behind her.

I glanced around the entryway as Luna wandered off to collect Ron. There was a painting of Xenophilius along with several members of Luna's family down the hall. Not feeling like conversing with any of the Lovegoods, I entered the Living Room and sat on the couch.

I started down at my hands, wondering if I was going to get any answers from Ron. I looked up as Ron and Luna entered the Living Room and sat across from me. "What are you doing here?" Ron asked me.

"On my birthday, you mentioned the Resurrection Stone. I would like you to help me find it." I paused, waiting for his reaction.

His face turned into a smile, and then confusion. "Bloody Hell Malfoy! I don't know where it is. We'd be looking through the entire forest! It's such a tiny thing, there is no way we will ever find it. Besides, Harry doesn't want us looking for it. Maybe him and Ginny were right. It wouldn't bring her back."

I looked down at my hands again. I'd been playing this situation over and over in my head. Of course he wouldn't have known where it was. But he was my only option to be able to see Hermione again. I stood up and paced the small room, stopping in front of the mirror.

"I know, I know. But with the two of us, we could convince Harry to help us find it. Or, we could go looking on our own. I wasn't there….in the woods… that night…" I trailed off and cleared my throat, not wanting to relive any painful memories. "My mother was, but I'd rather not bring her into this. I have the vaguest idea of where the Death Eaters met that night. Let's start looking, and if we can't find it, we'll just have to convince Harry to help us find it."

I turned away from the mirror, finally resolved to look towards Ron and Luna again. They quickly masked their excited faces. We were really going to do this.

I hate the Forbidden Forest. I thought to myself as I trudged through the broken branches, leaves and other items strewn across the forest floor. I really hate the Forbidden Forest. I'm an adult! Not some 11 year old kid. Besides, this is for Hermione. I can do this. I tried not to think of the last time I was in the middle of this Forest. Thankfully, Ron spoke up beside me.

"So, how long do you think we'll be out here today?"

As long as it takes. I thought. "I promise, we'll only look for a few hours today. Hopefully we can at least find where the Death Eaters were that night."

I continued walking with Ron not far behind. I hated the Forbidden Forest. We remained mostly silent. We spoke only to warn each other of branches, or creatures slithering around on the forest floor. We eventually approached a small clearing. This was it.

I stopped walking. I hated the Forbidden Forest. This is where I became the worst version of myself. This is where Alecto and Amycus Carrow took me and 'taught' me how to torture my fellow students. I cringed, remembering their eyes. How could some of them ever have forgiven me?

Ron placed a hand on my shoulder. "Are you alright?"

He didn't know. He didn't know what I did. If he did, he would never forgive me. Did he know?

I shook my head, and stopped in the middle of the clearing. "This is where I think the Carrows would have taken the Death Eaters to wait for Harry."

I saw it. I saw the question on his lips. I felt relieved when he didn't ask.

"I would assume Harry would have entered the way we came in. It's the closest to the school." I stated. "Let's start our search there."

We use our wands to move the piles of foliage on the ground. Stopping to examine each stone that was small enough to fit into a ring. We looked for a few hours, leaving piles of dried leaves and sticks along the path. After about an hour of searching, we headed back to the clearing.

"Maybe Harry didn't take the path that night. You take the right, and I'll take the left. If we haven't found it in another hour, we'll come back another day." Ron suggested to me. I nodded and headed towards the left of the clearing.

An hour later, Ron came and found me. "Draco, I'm sorry. I've got to head back to Luna."

I understood, even though I was disappointed. I needed to get back to the girls as well. We started walking back towards Hogsmeade.

Before heading home, I arrived at my office. I wanted to pick up Hermione's copy of The Tales of Beedle the Bard. I was hoping for some insight from Hermione in her notes.

When I arrived home, I walked in on my mother swinging Ivy into the air. Both girls were laughing. Vera was sitting in her walker, kicking her legs and squealing in laughter at her sister and grandmother. I placed the book down on the table and picked her up.

"Ah, ah, ah!" She babbled.

"Aren't you the cutest." I smiled at her, and turned towards my mother. "Thank you for watching the girls today. And well, nearly every day. I don't say how much I appreciate you nearly enough."

Narcissa smiled. "You know I love them, and I love you. You look disappointed. Did you have a long day at work?"

"Uh, yeah." I said, trying to change the subject.

"What about you?" I said in a baby voice to Ivy, still in my mother's arms. "Did you have fun with Grandma?"

Ivy and Vera cooed at me. I took Ivy from my mother and carried both girls up the stairs. "Goodbye Draco, see you tomorrow." My mother called after me.

Placing the twins on a rug, I grabbed the letter I received from Hermione last Wednesday. Every night I told the twins about their mother and would read the last letter or few to them before I tucked them into bed.

This one was one of my favorites she's sent so far. It's like she is still here with me. I sat down on the rug, and pulled each girl into my lap. They giggled and tugged on my shirt. I began to read.

Dear Draco,

It's been a while since I last wrote a letter to you. Although these are enchanted to come to you each week, it's a terrible habit of mine to forget to write. Please forgive me.

You've been waiting downstairs in my parents home for 20 minutes. You surprised me by showing up with roses and asking if we could go on an impromptu date. I asked for 30 minutes to get ready just to tease you. I decided to make you wait a little bit longer by starting this letter. I can hear you talking with my parents downstairs. I suppose I shouldn't make you wait much longer.

I'm so ecstatic! Tonight you asked me to marry you! I was so upset when we left my parents on your broom. You know how much I hate flying! I forgive you though, as the view over London was phenomenal! Who knew you could be so romantic?

When we landed in a muggle park, I was not expecting a proposal. I cannot believe the effort you went through. You've changed so much since we were in school. I'm excited to start this next chapter with you.

I just realized in my happiness that this letter is so depressing. I am so sorry Draco. I love you so much.

With Love,

Hermione (soon to be Malfoy!)

I stood up with the girls in my arms and placed them in their cribs. I reached down on the bookshelf for their pacifiers, and left the room.

I walked back down the stairs and made myself some dinner. I could have had one of the house elves do it, but I needed time to clear my head. After eating, I grabbed The Tales of Beedle the Bard and headed to my home office.

A/N: If it was mentioned in the book where the Death Eaters met up in the Forbidden Forest, I don't remember. It is very possible. For the sake of this fanfiction, and for the depth of pain Draco feels at this clearing, I didn't want to put in too much research.

Sorry I've been gone for months! *Almost half a year! I didn't realize it's been this long. I've missed you all. I'm trying to get back into writing again. Please write a review to encourage me! I'd like to especially thank BookPanda12 and Golden Trio. Thank you guys for sticking with me!

I love you all! I promise I'll be back in a few days-at most a week with the next chapter.

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