Chapter 24
The doors to the dark room flung open, a booming sound echoing off the walls. "We've got a problem," a wizard in his mid thirties grunted as he made his way to his master who was sitting in the chair next to the small fireplace at the far end of the room.
The master sighed to himself, staring pensively at the small fire that gave off the only light in surrounding the darkness. "And what would that be?" he drawled his wand twisting mindlessly in fingers.
The other wizard slammed the Daily Prophet down on to the small end table beside his superior. "Looks like he's done and over stepped himself, killed the Carrow girl, he has."
Another heavy sighed escaped that masters lips, as he picked up the paper. Surely enough "The Huntsman Strikes Again" was written in clear letters across the top. He ground his teeth, when he allowed the "Huntsman" to join their ranks, he was under clear orders to keep a low profile. This was not the Master's idea of a low profile, "hand him over to the Aurors, he's far to much of a risk to us if he can't stay out of the newspapers."
The other wizard nodded firmly, "Sir, there's something else you should know," he paused "The tail we have on the Malfoy boy, well, he saw something interesting yesterday."
The masters interest was piqued, "and?"
The wizard handed his master a photo,"He saw the Granger girl kiss him," the wizard explained, "it seems the Malfoy boy is soiling himself, with the mudblood."
The master cruelly smiled this could play well into his hands, "Inform the others, and mail the photo to Skeeter." The other wizard nodded and turned on his heel and left his superior to the emptiness.
Hermione watched Draco as he meticulously unbuttoned his shirt and folded it. He then handed it to her and she laid it down on the stool next to the damp dungeon cell that he would be locked up in tonight. She sighed, they were no closer to finding the The Huntsman, as the prophet so carelessly named it. She yelled at Skeeter for a solid hour about the indecency of nick naming a murderer. How Skeeter even got the information was something that she would have to figure out when the full moon wasn't days away. There had been many precautions that had been added since Draco was let out of his cell, and now the Auror's were concerned that he was not the only target. So Hermione had spent the last few days assigning Aurors to Werewolves that may be at risk, predominately, purebloods since that seemed to be the killer's preference.
"Hermione." Draco gripped the cell bars, halfway hanging out, waiting for Hermione to wake from her trance.
She snapped back to find Draco leaning out of the cell door, his muscles taught as they supported his weight, a cunning smirk on his lips, his steel eyes watching her. She smiled at his masculine beauty and the way it just came so natural to him. She couldn't help but trace his collarbone, up to his shoulder, then down to his cut biceps, admiring his muscular structure. "Damn it, Draco, it isn't fair how attractive you are. How can any sane women say no to this." She traced her fingers back up to his shoulder, then his neck and stopped on his jawline, her thumb running over his defined cheekbones.
Draco cockily grinned. "No sane woman has." He caught her hand just before it went to slap his shoulder. His grin fell slowly as he kissed the palm of her hand. "Really, Hermione, for your and my mother's sake, please, go somewhere else tonight," he pleaded with her again, this had been an ongoing disagreement for days now.
Hermione softened too. "Draco, I want to be here with you, I'm just as worried as you are." Her thumb ran over his lips.
Draco sighed with defeat, this was the issue with dating a woman with a brain: they had their own plans. He looked up at her with a sad look in his eye, "Please?" He felt like a dog begging for food.
Hermione chuckled at his pathetic look. "No, besides, Harry is here too. If anything goes wrong, he'll protect me. He always has." This wasn't untrue, Harry always did his best to keep her from harm, but he also knew she would protect him too. They always looked out for each other.
Draco's jaw clenched, he was not thrilled that Potter was in his house, and even less happy that Potter may have to keep him from hurting Hermione. This fight he had already conceded too however. Potter had been his detail for the last few days, apparently he had fixed the duty rotation to make sure he was here for the full moon. Speaking of the devil, Draco heard footsteps approaching, his eye flicked to see jet black hair and green eyes.
Hermione followed Draco eyes and saw Harry approaching, she huffed in frustration and dragged Draco's attention back to her. "We'll be fine, I promise," she pressed her lips to his, distracting him for Harry.
When Hermione pulled away Draco straightened himself, and shot Harry a contemptuous look, the full moon always brought out the worst of him.
Harry utterly ignored Malfoy's glare and looked at Hermione. "About five minutes until sunset."
Hermione nodded, the plan was that she would stay here throughout Draco's transformation, seeing as he needed to strip down and she had already seen him naked plenty of times, and then, after he was fully transformed, she would send a patronus to Harry who would come down to stand watch with her. She watched as Harry retreated up the steps, and turned back to Draco. "Are you okay?"
"Just lock me up." Draco stepped back into the cell, and closed the door behind him, he then stripped down completely, and handed his clothes and wand to Hermione. She took them from him and placed them on the stool with his shirt and then began muttering spells on the cell door and bars.
Hermione finished the last two protection charms, and looked at Draco, unable to touch him now. "I'm going to put up a concealment charm as well, that way you aren't bothered by Harry and I. We'll still be able to see you, but you won't see or hear us."
Draco grimaced, but nodded, something about being watched like that made him widely uncomfortable, but before he could say anything else Hermione disappeared. He solemnly raised his hand to where Hermione's face had been but he could feel the magic pushing him back.
Hermione watched as Draco facade faded. She wondered what he was like when he was truly alone. She knew that he wore a variety of masks to keep the world at bay, it broke her heart that he never felt like he could just be him. Did he wear a mask for her? Was he telling her the truth when he said he didn't wear a mask for her? Was that part of the mask? She watched as Draco walked to the center of the room and sat down crossed legged on the ground. He rolled his head slowly, let his hand hang over his knees. If Hermione wasn't mistaken it looked like he was about to meditate. I wonder if that helps. She observed as Draco took long deep breaths as if he was trying to put himself in a trance, this was utterly fascinating to her.
And then something happened. It looked as if Draco had tried to pop his neck, then he lurched forward and arched his back. His body started to contort and stretch as he let out painful screams that turned slowly in to howls. A white fur grew over his body, and sharp teeth shoved through his gums as his handsome face elongated in to a wolfish muzzle. Hermione watched in half fascination and half horror, it was not easy watching someone transform like this, much less someone you cared about. It was mesmerizing, though, like watching a train crash, she couldn't take her eyes off of him. The wolf let out a long howl, it was fully transformed and started to pace around the small cell, clearly agitated.
Hermione stepped closer to the cell, this was the second time she seen Draco like this, the first time she had been terrified that he was going to attack her at any moment, but now with spells and bars protecting her, she could really look at him. He was powerful, there was no doubt about that, but there was still an unnerving grace to the animals movement, and while werewolves were not pretty animals by nature Draco's was beautiful in a contorted sort of way. The Wolf stopped and looked directly at her, and Hermione felt her blood cold, had she messed up one the charms? Could he see her? The wolf stalked towards her and sniffed the air, a low rumble growing in its throat. She let out a breath, he could smell her, of course, the concealment charms didn't conceal smell, just sight and sound. The wolf moved closer yet, it eyes drilling in to Hermione's torso, yet she didn't move she stood inches from the bar watching as the animal approached her. The wolf stopped just in front of her, took a long sniff and held its breath for a long moment, letting it out slowly. If the charms weren't there Hermione could have reached out and touched the beasts muzzle it was that close, but her arms stayed crossed in front of her as she loomed over the wolf unbeknownst.
"Hermione, you were supposed to send a patronus." Harry skipped down the dungeon steps towards her, the torches giving his raven hair an orange glow.
"I know, I was just about to." Hermione eyes following him as he came closer.
Harry looked into the cell to find the wolf sniffing the air just in front of Hermione, almost in a trance like state. "Uh maybe you should..." Harry lost his sentence as the wolf broke the gaze suddenly and luggened towards him. Harry instinctively lept backwards, pulling Hermione with him. They crashed into the dungeon floor behind him, Hermione landing on top of him. "Merlin's beard!" Harry panted. "Are you sure he can't see us?" The wolf began to pace angrily.
"Yes, but he can smell us." Hermione's crawled off Harry, rubbing her knees where they skidded over the damp stone floor. She then offered Harry a hand to stand up. "And apparently, he doesn't like you."
"Ha, feeling's mutual," Harry scoffed.
Hermione shook her head and turned to see the wolf had begun to pace. she watched him for the rest of the night, having an in-depth conversation with Harry about what else could be done, where the case was, and the possibilities of that. Other than the riveting conversation, nothing happened that evening, she got no calls from the other Aurors and, just before dawn broke, Harry left her again so Draco could transform back. She watched as the wolf slowly, less painfully, turn back into a man. When he was fully human again she lifted the charms, grabbed his things, and knelt on the floor next to his limp body. She lightly placed a hand on his shoulder. "Draco," she whispered softly. Draco's stone eyes slowly opened.
"I'm glad to see I didn't tear you to shreds." He grunted as he slowly rose to a sitting position, his body aching everywhere.
A tender smile pulled at her lips. "Gave Harry quite a scare," she chuckled.
"Good, he needs a humility check." Draco sat up and let her wrap him a wool blanket.
Hermione huffed in annoyance, "You two, honestly, if you'd just give each other a chance." Draco just gave her a skeptical look. She shook her head as she poured him a glass of water brought down before Harry left. "By the way, nothing happened, Harry and I just talked all night."
Draco accepted the glass and took a small sip. The water felt like heaven in his mouth. "Thank Salazar." He really was relieved.
"Are you ready to dress and head up for breakfast?"
Draco nodded and, with some assistance, stood up and slowly started to get dressed. He still felt loads better than he did last time, but transformation hurt no matter what happened. Draco followed Hermione slowly up the steps out of the dungeon. When he reached the landing to the main floor he internally grumbled when he saw Potter standing there waiting for them.
"Morning," Harry said with a brisque tone.
It was clear to Draco that Potter was making a begrudging effort to be civil for Hermione's sake. "Morning," Draco returned, matching his tone.
Harry turned to Hermione. "I just spoke to Ron, he said everything was quiet on their end too." Harry eyed Malfoy. "So we have nothing still."
Hermione sighed, it was both a blessing and a curse that nothing had happened last night. "Okay, well you head home. I'm sure Gin is anxious to see you."
"Can't, my relief's not here yet." Harry shoved his hands in his pockets. "Not supposed to arrive until 8."
Draco groaned internally, Hermione was rubbing off on him. "Then come have some breakfast, I'm sure you're famished," Draco painfully ground out, in the sake of civility.
Harry shifted uncomfortably and ran his hand through his hair. "Uh, yeah sure. Thanks."
Draco nodded and escorted them to the main breakfast dining room, where his mother sat quietly sipping her morning tea looking over the prophet. "Good morning, mother," Draco greeted her. "Hermione and Potter will be joining us for breakfast this morning."
Narcissa lowered her newspaper and looked at the three of them. "Good morning." She nodded. "How kind of you to join us." She smiled sweetly standing up from her chair. "Please, have a seat." She gestured at the empty chairs situated around the table.
"Good morning, Narcissa." Hermione nodded, while she had eaten breakfast at the Malfoys several times over the last few weeks, she usually ate in Draco's bedroom. She wasn't entirely sure if Draco had told his mother that they were seeing each other, and if she did know she was not giving off any indications.
"Thanks," Harry nodded again and sat down next Hermione while Malfoy took the head of the table.
Once everyone was seated, two house elves ushered in more tea cups and tea for the new arrivals. "Breakfast will done shortly." Nibsy bowed deeply before he exited the room.
An awkward silence hung in the air for a long moment, before Narcissa broke it. "So am I to assume everything went smoothly last night?" She asked, eyeing her son in particular.
Draco bobbed his head. "As far as I know yes, it was normal on my part."
"And nothing odd on ours." Hermione added.
"Splendid. Draco, there is an article in this mornings prophet that I thought may be of interest to you." Narcissa handed her son the newspaper with a coy smirk.
Draco gave his mother piercing look, and took the Prophet from her.
"Won't even have to turn the page since it made headline this morning." Narcissa smirk turned into a knowing smile as she slowly sipped her tea.
There on the front page in bold scrawling letters, War Hero and Reformed Death Eater Madly in Love?! A picture of him and Hermione kissing in the downtown streets of London encapsulated in a heart just below the title with a small smug picture Skeeter beaming, next to her name. Draco let out an angry growl. "Fuck, just what we needed." He tossed the newspaper to Hermione who's face became horror struck as he eye fell on the text.
"No," she whined. "We were being careful!"
"Apparently not careful enough." Harry fought back a chuckle as he took a sip of his tea.
Draco shot him a threatening look "I would think you would be more concerned about this." He growled. "I very much put a target on Hermione's back."
"Whom, may I remind you, is a very capable witch that fought her way through a war," Harry reminded Malfoy his voice terse.
"I fought in the same bloody war, Potter, and yet you insist on me having an Auror stalk me 24/7," Draco bit back.
"Well, you see, I actually know she can dual, the best I ever saw you do is run the other direction," Harry fiercely retorted.
Draco was about to respond in kind just as Hermione cut them both off. "Boys!" She yelled. "Enough, you're not twelve any more." She looked at Draco. "You have had an actual threat and someone reportedly stalk you, that is why you have a detail." She spun around to glare at Harry. "And just because you haven't seen him fight does not mean he isn't capable, he was just a child during the battle, just like we were."
Potter was about respond, but something about Hermione's face must have shut him up. Draco snickered and then found himself on the receiving end of the threatening glower form Hermione.
Narcissa chuckled as the three kids shot each other dirty looks, Draco then turned to her sending her a warning glare. Narcissa merely smiled and raised her glass, the elves then ushered in to the room with plates full of food. "Splendid timing," Narcissa remarked, "please everyone eat."
The rest of the meal was spent in relative silence. Hermione sighed, maybe there was no hope, the two men at the table couldn't even sit down at a meal without nearly breaking into a fight. After they finished eating Hermione walked with Harry to the floo system, leaving Draco to sleep for the rest of the day.
"So," Harry started, "have you thought about how you're going to tell Ron?"
Hermione's heart sank, Ron was already not going to take the news of her and Draco well. She had planned on telling him when she and Draco were a little more sure where this was going. Now he was bound to find out and he was going to be livid she didn't tell him first. "I hadn't thought about it honestly. I wanted to wait a little longer, but Molly gets the Prophet and he's bound hear." She groaned. They stopped in front of the floo.
"Well, then I would expect you'll hear from him today." Harry gave her a pitying look.
"Do you think it's going to be bad?" Hermione worried.
Harry softly chuckled. "I don't think it's going to be good, but Ron has come a long way since Hogwarts." Harry gave her a hug. "It's not going to be as bad as it would have been."
Hermione relaxed into Harry's arms. "I hope you're right, because I'd rather not have to choose between them."
Harry patted her on the back. "I don't think it will be that bad, you might get the cold shoulder for not telling him first, but he's grown up." Harry let go of her and, as the floo roared his replacement stepped through.
"Oh, uh, morning." Much to Hermione's surprise, Harry's replacement looked barely old enough to perform magic outside of Hogwarts. "Is there anything to report, Mr. Potter?"
Hermione's couldn't help but chuckle at young man's formality, but Harry ignored her. "No, all was quiet." Harry then looked at Hermione again. "Good luck with Ron." He smiled. "But I'm going to go now, I can hear my pillow calling me from here." And, with a whoosh, he was gone.
Hermione sighed. She dreaded the thought of having the discussion with Ron, and doing it when she had no sleep sounded like a recipe for disaster. She massaged the bridge of her nose, she could feel the headache coming on.
"Would you rather just stay here with me?" Draco voice asked from behind her.
Hermione sighed, Draco's bed was not technically any closer than hers since his room was on the opposite wing of the house, but she liked sleeping next to him. She turned to look at him, realizing then that the young Auror was still standing awkwardly in the room. "I would, but I have to get home to Crooks, he still needs his breakfast."
"I'll send an elf." Draco sauntered over to her, completely ignoring the other person in the room, as he wrapped his arms around her. "It'll keep Weasley from barging in while you try to get some sleep."
Hermione rolled her head back. "As tempting as that is, running from Ron will on make it worse."
Draco shrugged nonchalantly. "He'll get over it. Come on, Hermione, just sleep. I promise we're both knackered."
Hermione considered him for a long time. "No, I really should go home," she decided, "but we can do dinner or something tomorrow," she promised.
Draco peaked any eyebrow. "Something else sounds good to me," he insinuated.
Hermione giggled like a teenager, normally she'd have a clever retort, but right now her brain was exhausted. "Tomorrow." She stood on her toes and kissed him lightly. Draco released her from his grasp and she walked to the floo and went home, collapsing on her bed from her long night.