A/N: Yay Rosa Scarsz Cruz - you're my 100th follower! Thank you to everyone else who favourited/followed, you are wonderful humans and I adore you all!

Thanks as always to my beautiful little pumpkin pasties ForeverTeamEdward13 and alfieHewie for reviewing :)

In case anyone was wondering, I expect this story to have around ten more chapters until it ends, possibly less...so enjoy while you can!

Chapter Twenty-Seven: Duplicity

Draco dragged his feet behind his Father who was marching through their villa with so much haste that when he pushed open a door it would reverberate off the wall and come smashing back in Draco's face as he followed. After this happened for a third time in a row, he reluctantly skipped to catch up with Lucius, hissing as an injury from his most recent mission reopened slightly at his side.

"Why are we following mother about?" Draco called after his father irritatedly, coming to a halt back in the hall where they had started their search. "She clearly doesn't want to be found-"

"That," Lucius started dangerously, "is precisely why we are looking for her. It is most unlike your mother to just leave without warning-"

Lucius' panic was interrupted by a loud giggle from outside. He motioned for Draco to pull out his wand and crept carefully down the cool stone steps to the poolside.

Draco couldn't help but wonder what his father was thinking. Does he suspect that Mother is with another man?

He didn't have to wonder for long though, for when they emerged through the netted curtains covering the French doors, he saw two women; his mother and…

"Arianwen!" He blurted out, instantly regretting his carelessness as both women jumped and span around to look at the intruders.

Her tanned complexion visibly paled when she saw him and her eyes widened, he felt his insides curdling as it dawned on him that she was terrified.

She's afraid of me.

He stood stock-still, unable to muster up any words to ease the tension. Lucius took the silence to his advantage and addressed his wife, who had not moved to greet him.

"Narcissa, may I have a word with you alone?"

Narcissa looked between her son and Arianwen, evidently not wanting to leave them alone together. "Must it be now?"

"Yes it must," He said evenly, his temper barely at bay. Narcissa shot Arianwen a deeply apologetic look but conceded to her husband and followed him back into the villa.

Despite every fibre of his will pleading against it, Draco's eyes moved slowly down Arianwen's body, drinking in every inch of her bikini-clad form. He gulped as he noticed how her hips had become so much more shapely since he had last seen her like this. He could see her moving towards him but didn't move away, not even when she lifted the corner of his shirt and her fingers brushed against his skin. It heated rapidly with her touch; his body knew he should be with her even if his mind wouldn't allow it. He fought to control the desperate urge to grab her and hold her against his body, to end both their misery.

But I can't, he reminded himself, you can't be together.

He forced himself back into reality and realised she was examining his re-opened scar, which had bled through his shirt and alerted her to its presence. Reaching forward suddenly, Draco wrenched Arianwen's hands away as though her skin were diseased.

She gasped at the force of his action and squeaked, "you're bleeding!"

"It's nothing that concerns you," he snarled, adjusting his robe to cover the stained area despite the thirty-degree heat.

"Right," Arianwen said bitterly, "how foolish of me, actually caring."

"It is foolish," he growled, attempting to convey his disgust without actually looking her in the eye, "I have given you no reason to care for me, yet you insist on invading my space. You don't belong here, holidaying with my mother! It's-it's-" he looked around wildly for an adjective to describe the scenario. Incredibly endearing? Selfless? So unbearably sweet and Arianwen-like? "It's pathetic."

"You are pathetic. You couldn't even get your little flock to follow you, how disappointed your father would have been-"

SMACK! Arianwen slapped him hard across the cheek and in his shock he forgot himself and looked into her eyes.

As soon as he had, he wished he hadn't. The woman he loved was glaring at him with so much venomous animosity that he felt the need to visibly shrink himself. You had to do it, he reminded himself as he braced himself for another blow, she has to hate you.

"Don't you dare assume to know anything about my father." Her hand was shaking violently but she didn't seem to want to strike him again, instead her eyes filled with angry tears and she staggered away from him.

"I can hardly look at you, I can hardly look at what you've become-"

"THEN DON'T!" Draco roared.

"I HAVE TO!" She screamed back. "I HAVE TO KNOW IF THERE IS ANY GOODNESS LEFT IN YOU, DRACO!"

She shuddered back a sob as his stare became excruciatingly cold and intense.

"And what do you see?" He didn't know why he asked it, but he had. Some part of him had to know if she could detect the love behind his loathsome words…but she couldn't. The tears falling down her cheeks confirmed it all.

"I see the man who is willing to sell me to his friends. Who would allow them to-to use me however they please," Draco let out a foul laugh to complete his piece and as he did so a small gasp alerted the teens to Mrs Malfoy's presence. Neither knew how long she had been standing there, clinging to Lucius' arm for support as she looked upon her son with such horror that he might have just murdered a child in front of them.

"You are abhorrent, Draco Malfoy." It was barely even a whisper but Draco could detect every ounce of suffering behind it.

Arianwen wrapped her arms around herself and hurried into the villa, causing his mother to run after her pitifully.

"Arianwen!" Narcissa called. "Arianwen darling, wait!"

Out of respect for Mrs Malfoy, Arianwen stopped and turned to face Draco's mother with as much composure as she could muster.

"I-I had no idea, Draco he-I didn't teach him to be so-"

"Narcissa," Arianwen said gently, placing a hand over the older woman's, "I do not blame you for an instant."

This only seemed to trouble Narcissa further, like she couldn't fathom how Arianwen was able to be so forgiving. "I have told Lucius that they are to go home. They're just staying for tonight and then I promise they will leave us in peace for the rest of this trip. So please," she gripped Arianwen's hand harder for emphasis, "please don't leave."

She is asking far too much of me.

It's not her fault he's here. She didn't know anything, he didn't tell her anything!

I'll only get hurt around these people. Draco was right, I am being foolish.

No! She needs me, I won't leave!

"I'll stay," Arianwen announced firmly, silencing the battle of opinions in her head.

Narcissa breathed a long sigh of relief and wrapped Arianwen in a tight hug before suggesting she go and take a lie down before dinner.

Once she was safely shut inside her room, Arianwen changed into her nightgown and collapsed on the bed. It was so soft and welcoming, assuring her that she could forget about everything for a few wonderful hours; she happily succumbed to its temptation and her eyelids had just become heavy when a loud tapping at the window reminded her of her distinct lack of luck.

"For fuck's sake!" She allowed an owl to fly importantly into the room and untied a finely penned envelope from its leg.

"Aneirin," she said with a sigh, "what can he possibly have to say to me?"

Dearest Duchess,

I owe you so much more than this letter, I know that, but you are gone. Your friends refuse to tell me where I can find you and in all honesty, I don't blame them. Please understand that I have always been, and always will be, on your side. I implore you to note that I am not my father, his actions will not rule me and if it comes to it-

There was an odd squiggly string of words next that had been written so shakily they were ineligible. It seemed that Aneirin had realised this though, for he had struck through them and started again underneath.

If it comes to it, I will choose you. I know that you will think that was a bold statement and that I am just using pretty words to flatter you into forgiveness but please allow me to explain further.

I have no idea how but your uncle found out about my relationship with Huw. He wasted no time in confiding this information in my mother and threatened to out me if she did not comply with his demands. Lord Gwydion demanded that my mother use her leverage with my father to turn him against you. I am saddened to say that it worked, as you well know. My mother is more afraid of having a gay son than she is of being ruled by the Dark Lord and the despicable creatures that follow him. In the same vain, my father fears having a woman as Warden more than he fears empowering your uncle, a murderer.

You may understand now why I vow my loyalty to you. You: sweet, unassuming, wonderful, Arianwen Gwydion, have been a better friend to me than my own blood. You did not cast me away when you discovered my true nature and I have never truly thanked you for I am not as good as you, nor could I ever be, but I will take this opportunity to try; thank you, Arianwen, for seeing me for who I am and not trying to change me.

I am aware that after reading all of this, you may still not wish to continue a friendship with me and if that is so, I expect you shall want Lloyd back. I promise you that I have kept him safe and will continue to do so for as long as you allow me. Please let me know your wishes in your reply and Arianwen – please forgive me of my father's betrayal.

Sincerely yours,

Aneirin.

Arianwen reread the letter three times before she eventually destroyed it, a necessity to ensure that no one would discover that Aneirin was safeguarding her nephew. The owl, who had not flown back out of the open window after Arianwen had relieved it of its message, hooted softly. She smiled slightly and stroked its regal head with the back of her fingers.

"Are you wondering if I will forgive him?"

The owl hooted the affirmative.

"Then you will know that there is nothing to forgive. I love my dear Lord Aneirin unconditionally, there is nothing to forgive."

Draco, who had been listening at the door ever since he heard Arianwen talking to someone, swallowed back his tears and tried not to focus on the painful swelling in his chest. He had tried to blindly forget why he loved her while they were apart; it was the only way he could carry on, to pretend that the qualities he adored in her were just a figment of his imagination. He couldn't forget anymore.

Something about dining with her ex-boyfriend and his family at an intimate restaurant in Monaco made Arianwen feel a little awkward. At least Narcissa was there to strike up some conversation.

"Arianwen, darling, there's a beautiful coastal path that I thought I might show you tomorrow, we could even take some of the horses if you like?"

Arianwen smiled warmly at Narcissa, earning herself a scowl from Lucius and a typically unreadable stare from Draco.

"Why yes, that sounds lovely! Thank you, I am rather fo-"

"Anneliese!" A shout from the opposite side of the restaurant startled her and she looked over Narcissa's shoulder to see an elderly woman trying to break through the grasp of a middle aged man who appeared to be her son.

"Anneliese, mon petale!" The woman shrieked again, trying desperately to break through the man's grasp and approach Arianwen.

"What on earth?" Lucius muttered. "Who is that mad woman?"

Arianwen knew exactly who she was but didn't bother to offer an explanation, she simply opened her arms and allowed the woman to embrace her.

"My petal, how different you look! I almost didn't recognise you," the woman gushed in French as she kissed Arianwen on each cheek affectionately.

"Mother!" The middle aged man called, trying to prise his mother from Arianwen's side. "I'm sorry," he shook his head at them apologetically, "she's got dementia, thinks you're someone she used to teach."

"Madam Dubois," Arianwen breathed, ignoring the woman's son. For a few minutes the two women just beheld one another, each with a nostalgic smile on their face.

The elderly woman looked beyond Arianwen, her eyes falling upon Draco, who looked back curiously.

"This must be the Duke, Dewi is it? Your husband?"

Arianwen looked at Draco in panic and saw the realisation dawn on him, he would tell the governess that it was all a lie and she would get agitated as most dementia sufferers did when they realised that they weren't in familiar surroundings.

"That's right," Draco said smoothly, causing Arianwen's mouth to fall agape. "It's a pleasure to meet you, my wife has told me so many wonderful things about you."

The woman clapped her hands together in delight. "What a charming couple you make!" She moved her head around the table, as though looking for someone else. "And your baby, Arianwen? Is she not with you? I would just love to meet her!"

"Um…well-"

"-She's at home," Draco covered, ignoring the perplexed expressions on each of his parent's faces.

"That's a shame," the woman said, looking crestfallen. "You must be so proud. She's a true beauty, from what I've heard?"

Arianwen blinked back tears, quickly gulping some water to compose herself.

"Yes," Draco agreed softly, "she's an angel."

Arianwen's breath caught on the painful lump growing in her throat. She stared at Draco, her eyes wide and hopeful, but he refused to meet her gaze, his own eyes fixed on the elderly lady.

He doesn't mean it, she told herself, he's just playing along.

"Mother come along, you've disturbed these people enough. Its time to go home." Her son insisted, looking at his mother with the utmost disdain.

The woman nodded at her son but didn't move, instead she turned back to Draco and stared imploringly into his eyes.

"You will look after her, won't you?"

Draco paused for a moment, and Arianwen could feel her heart beating so heavily that she was sure that half the people in the restaurant would be able to hear it.

"Toujours," he agreed.

Madam Dubois seemed satisfied with him and, after placing a few more kisses on Arianwen's cheeks, departed with her son.

Arianwen didn't know quite what to think. How can he say that he'll always look after me if he doesn't even want to be with me? Once I go back to home, we may never see each other again…

Could this all be a façade? Is it possible that he may still care about me, even just a little?

She chanced a glance at Draco and found him watching her, though he frowned when she caught him and slammed the glass he had been holding onto the table.

"I'm going back," he announced sharply. He pulled his handkerchief from his pocket and shoved it at Arianwen, who hadn't even noticed the tear rolling down her cheek. "Control yourself," he snarled with such force that she nearly fell backwards in her seat.

As she watched him retreat from the restaurant, her hand curled over the handkerchief. Draco Malfoy does not care about you, let him go.

Narcissa's heels clicked loudly against the hard floor as she walked through the villa to Draco's bedroom. She sensed the sorrowfulness from her son when he abandoned the restaurant and for the first time considered the idea that Draco might not think as unfavourably of Arianwen as he wished them all to believe. Her suspicion was confirmed when she saw him cradling his head in his hands, a crumpled photograph of him and Arianwen lying on the floor beside him.

"Draco?" Narcissa called gently, snaking her arm around her son and allowing him to lean on her. He seemed content to simply sit there and accept her comfort in silence but Narcissa was not. She wanted answers.

She leant forward and picked up the photograph from the floor. It was a lovely scene, Arianwen and Draco where huddled up in scarves and hats and while they were covered in a thick, fluffy blanket, it was obvious that they were still freezing. Narcissa couldn't help but smile as she watched Arianwen nuzzle her nose into Draco's neck, especially as she saw the look on his face as he cuddled her closer to him, proud that he was the one providing her warmth. It may seem like a simple photo to some but it spoke volumes to Narcissa.

"My darling boy," Narcissa said soothingly, brushing Draco's hair from his face. "It is okay to love her, you needn't shun your feelings like this. It's not as though she's some half-breed-"

"I can't love her," Draco croaked.

Narcissa furrowed her brow in confusion. "What do you mean? You have tried but you can't summon enough affection for her?"

"No!" He snapped, pulling away from his mother's embrace and scowling. "I can't love her. She won't be safe with me."

"Oh," was all Narcissa could manage, unable to contradict her son.

"Don't tell Father."

Narcissa nearly laughed, it seemed such a ludicrous thing to worry about when there was so much more going on. "Why ever not? Because he doesn't like the Welsh? Draco, there is really no need not to-"

"Just do not tell him."

She was about to tell her son to stop being so ridiculous when an urgent banging sounded against the window in Draco's room. "What in Merlin's name?" Narcissa opened the window to allow an owl to swoop in and drop a bright red letter into her hands. It was addressed to Arianwen. She called loudly for Arianwen to enter and a few minutes later the younger blonde appeared, looking incredibly awkward to be in her son's bedroom.

"Is that?" Arianwen questioned.

"A howler yes, for you dear," Narcissa finished, quickly pressing the envelope into her hands.

Before Arianwen could even pop open the seal, the envelope exploded and the deep, commanding voice of the Duke of Montgomeryshire, the Warden of Mid Wales, shouted urgently:

"DUCHESS! DEATH EATERS IN THE GORGE AT CADAIR BERWYN! MANY HAVE FALLEN…MAKE HASTE!"

Arianwen did not waste a second in drawing her wand on the two Malfoy's in the room.

"How could you?!" She screamed, causing Lucius to run into the room and dive at Arianwen to bring her down. She deflected him easily as the Dark Lord had taken his wand, and bound him with ropes conjured rapidly from her wand.

"NO!" Draco shouted, trying to move closer to Arianwen in a desperate bid to make her listen. "No, you don't understand!"

"I UNDERSTAND PERFECTLY!" She roared. "You mean to distract me while your comrades slaughter my people!"

Draco tried to grab her shoulders, to shake her, to will her to believe him.

"BACK OFF!" She screamed. "PROTEGO!"

The force of colliding with her shield charm sent Draco flying backwards, giving Arianwen the chance she needed to flee the villa and apparate to the heart of the battle. Her blood turned cold when she realised whom Montgomery was referring to as the many that had fallen.

A/N: please do not hesitate to ask me any questions about this fic via PM or review, and please do share your opinions with me via that wonderful little review button...you know you want to!