Author's Note:
I think I am officially back to a regular posting schedule again! Let's hope 2021 will bring a better year! This one can be titled: The One Where Tonks Gets To Play Bad Auror.
Reviews and Comments: To TGolds: Yes, people are still reading this "albatross of a story." Some people rather enjoy it and I sure as hell enjoy writing it. No one is obligated to read it (except for Dusk) ;)! But thanks for taking the time to tell me you stopped reading 150 chapters ago as a review for chapter 258. To ValGrey02: Remadora is definitely safe… for now. To nothatchhavi: Thank you! Lucius is starting to see where his poor choices have taken him. To DeadFish37: Happy to teach you things about breastfeeding, LOL. How can Harry be anything but embarrassed, really? "I like how you've shown the wide circle of people Blaise's disappearance affects, and continued showing the horror of what Voldemort has done to the children, and Malfoy's thought processes as he reflects on it." — thank you! I think it's important to show how one choice can often have a ripple effect in more ways than one.
To Seriously Sam: I love the idea of Fee and Monty's portrait still being able to bicker like an old married couple! I think it's endearing. To Wolf's scream: I agree with you, Bill does have great qualities. And no, Voldemort is not going to be too pleased when he learns what Lucius has done. To Barbiejoyce: Thank you! I hate to disappoint, but I do not ship Lily and Scorpius and any next generation mentions that I may or may not write will definitely be Scorbus. To WinkingSkeever and Krazyasibe: Thank you! To alix33: I love the idea of McGonagall changing Harry's nappies when he was little LOL. To gemini614: I understand needing time to recover after Finn's death and completely understand the need for mental health — it's why I needed time off from posting in December. Thank you for reading. To Nightwing2013: Thank you for saying my Wizengamot sessions "have always been well planned and executed, which only adds to the hook" as those are often the scenes I am most worried about writing.
To Dianne: Thank you, glad I could cover so many emotions at once for you. To ravenhuff123: We will see more of Blaise and Draco, in this chapter, and for Andromeda, not this chapter. Remus and Tonks are all right for the moment. To kanishkkannu: Wow, 255 chapters in 4 days, I can see why you fell behind! Thank you for falling in love with Zee! She means so much to me and I love seeing people fall for her. Thank you so much for your kind words! To JamesTKent: Thank you for saying I "weave in and out of characters and plot lines like a pro!" I do my best to keep things moving along! To alexproblematicopuentes: Sirius would definitely have hugged his little star and goddess! To geekzgalore: No, Charlie and Zee will not getting together. To speedsONEandONLY: Thank you. I do think it was a brave move on Lucius' part, but was it the right decision? To Tieggalewills15: Tonks is safe for the moment!
To AQuickRead91: Thank you and yes, Malfoy found his backbone. To Harem_Hp_GW_us_Queen: Thank you! SSHenry was the first Hinny author I ever read so I was happy to share it! To xXQueenofDragonsXx: You should always be worried! Thanks for loving seeing Harry as a big brother. To Jmcglynn522: I love how often you re-read ASC, I will have to come to you for help remembering stuff LOL. I was hoping to surprise a bit with Lucius killing Isla. It will and will not affect Voldemort as you will see. To Raindrops & Flowers: Thank you! Sirius' memory does live on, even if only in little ways. And sadly, Ophelia will learn. To Leapyearbaby29: Harry will find out about Snape. To NewAvidReader: Thank you! I love that you said I gave you back a part of your childhood, even if it's a grownup version of it. To PurpleLotus: Tonks definitely wouldn't like that, no, but Remus is definitely worried. Thank you!
My posting schedule: Once a week.
Thanks to Dusk for her amazing editing skills.
As always, thank you very much for reading and please, please review!
Your reviews give me life! They give me inspiration! And they make me want to keep writing for more than just myself! Thank you for all of your continued support!
CHAPTER TWO-HUNDRED AND FIFTY-NINE:
Crouch crawled off one of his wives in the early morning, ignoring her whimpers. He loved waking one of them up by shoving himself into them; it was thrilling, and it turned him on more than he could say. Hestia let out a soft cry, her legs closing as she curled into a ball. Millicent only glared at him from the other side of the bed. Each of them had one arm chained to a bed post that he made no effort to move.
"Just need a few minutes, dearie, and then it will be your turn," he said, winking at her. "I'll take you from behind as usual. I don't want to see that face of yours while I'm shagging you."
Millicent wrapped her arms around Hestia as the smaller girl cried. "One day, you will pay for this."
Crouch only smiled and squeezed her breasts in his hands. "Doubt that. I'll be right back, dearie."
He climbed out of bed and pulled his clothes on. He wanted to head down to the kitchen and find himself a snack to help give him some energy for a second round. It was only five in the morning and still dark, and he looked forward to having the quiet of the manor to himself for a little. He opened the bedroom door just as the house elf's shrill voice echoed up the hall.
"We must leave, mistress. We must!" Binky exclaimed.
The elf's voice made Crouch pause as he adjusted his belt. He ran his tongue over his bottom lip and moved closer to the bannister to look over into the entranceway. He turned back to shush his young wives who were crying in the bedroom behind him. The annoying little bitches were always crying. He'd be happy once they were pregnant and he didn't have to spend so some much time with them anymore. You think they'd be happy that he took the time out of his day to tie them down and shag them. The more they struggled, the more he enjoyed it, and it made his orgasm all the sweeter. He shook the thoughts from his head, focusing on the sound of the house elf.
He closed the door, ignoring the sobs of his wives and moved back to the bannister to look down. He saw Narcissa standing below. She was surrounded by trunks and the tiny house elf was begging her. He recognized Isla on the ground next to Narcissa and frowned when he realized that she was dead. Something was up. He pulled his wand out and pointed it below.
"Stupefy! Stupefy!"
The elf collapsed first and Narcissa fell to the ground second as Crouch came down the stairs. He let his eyes take in the scene, moving over the trunks and he sniffed the air, catching a whiff of Lucius' expensive cologne. He kicked Isla's body. She was definitely dead. Not much loss there, he thought. The old bag was more of a nuisance than anything, especially with Abraxas gone.
Crouch levitated the two unconscious forms and moved them into the living room. He took Narcissa's wand, tucking it into his robes. Then he flicked his wand and made ropes fly out, binding them both into place. He sat on the sofa and pressed his fingers to the Mark on his arm and waited.
It only took a few minutes before the Dark Lord appeared.
"Bart, it's early. Why are you summoning me?"
"I have questions, my Lord."
When Voldemort merely stared at him, he gestured with his wand.
"Isla's dead and I found these two surrounded by travelling trunks. Looks to me like someone was planning on running, my Lord."
"Lucius?"
Bart shrugged. "Nowhere to be found."
Voldemort pursed his lips. "Dispose of the elf. Bring the woman to Avery Castle until we know more."
"Yes, my Lord."
Twenty minutes later, Crouch was humming as he worked. He saw Narcissa stir out of the corner of his eye and he turned to smile at her.
"Well, hello, Narcissa."
Narcissa blinked in confusion and then her eyes widened at the sight in his hands. Crouch turned to look at the elf. He'd lopped her head off cleanly and was now taking his time to skin her. He smiled at Narcissa.
"House elf skin sells for quite a lot on the dark market. I heard it's even an aphrodisiac. Would you like to taste?" he asked, holding out a strip of raw skin.
Her bottom lip trembled and he took a step towards her. "Binky," she whispered.
"Binky's quite dead, I'm afraid," he said, bending to pick up the elf's head. "Perhaps I can make this a hat for you to help you remember her, dearie?"
Narcissa's eyes narrowed. "You're disgusting."
Crouch's smile was slow. "Now, now, save the compliments for later," he said, licking his lips. "You've been a very bad girl, Cissy," he teased, trailing a bloody finger over her cheek. "The Dark Lord thinks that it's time you've learned a lesson. Unless of course, your cowardly husband shows up to learn that lesson for you. Where is your husband this morning, dearie?"
When she didn't answer, he ripped open her robes, letting his bloody fingers trail down between her breasts.
"Mmm, I can't wait to play with you." He leaned in and sniffed her neck before he dragged his tongue across her throat. "Mmm, we're going to have some fun, dearie. I can't wait to make you scream."
When he vanished her robes down to her undergarments, he saw the fear flicker in those grey eyes and he smiled.
He was looking forward to this.
~ ASC ~
Ginny couldn't help but smile when Charlie's arms wrapped around her from behind. Aydin was sleeping peacefully on her shoulder and she turned her head to grin at her brother.
"I'm going to miss this little angel so much."
Charlie kissed her cheek before he touched his lips to the top of his daughter's head. "I know. She sure knows how to worm herself into your heart, doesn't she?"
"Do you really have to go all the way back to Romania?"
Charlie kept his arm around her as he spoke. "It's my home now, Jitterbug. It's where Aydin and I belong."
Ginny pouted, her hand rubbing up and down Aydin's back. "But it's so far away."
"And you can come visit me anytime you want," he said. "Besides, in a few days you'll be back at Hogwarts and wouldn't be seeing Aydin anyway."
Ginny sighed. She knew that he was right about that, but it was the idea of it. Scotland was a lot closer than Romania and they both knew it. "But you have the mirror?"
"Yes. I have the mirror and I promise whenever we talk I will hold it up so that Aydin can see her fabulous Auntie Ginny."
"I just don't want her to forget me."
Charlie kissed her cheek. "She won't. I won't let her. Fred and George connected all of our mirrors just so that can't happen. Mum and Dad are going to come spend the month of January with me. Dad's taking his holiday time all at once and I'm grateful for that. I'm excited to show off my new house and I know that they're excited to get time with their granddaughter."
"Tonks said that you still need to set up the nursery."
He nodded. "I do. I have the basics of course, but Mum will be around to help me get the rest. I have a room that will be perfect for Aydin just across the hall from my own. For now, she has a cot in my room so that she's close to me."
Ginny pressed her lips to the top of her niece's head. "She's so beautiful, Charlie, truly."
"Thank you," he said, smiling at his daughter. "Adreanna and I were nothing of importance. But she gave me a gift that I will always cherish."
"Do you think that she'll ever come back?"
Charlie shrugged. "I don't know. The papers were pretty thorough. She cut all ties with Aydin. She claimed zero contact in every way and even signed a paper saying that she's not allowed to make contact with her until her seventeenth birthday. It sure doesn't look like she wants to know her, which is her loss because this little girl is going to grow up to be an amazing young woman. I just hope that she turns out to be half as beautiful as her favourite auntie."
Ginny grinned at him. "I'm her only auntie."
"For a few more months," Charlie said, wiggling his eyebrows. "Then she'll also have an Auntie Fleur."
Ginny smiled. It suddenly occurred to her that as her brothers married, there would be plenty of aunties for Aydin. It wasn't something that she'd really thought about before. "She's such a good baby and I'll always be her favourite auntie."
"Yeah, she is and yes, you will be. I'm a lucky bloke, Jitterbug. I think having Mum and Dad come out to the reserve will help as well. Mum can see all the people I have there to help me and it will make her feel better."
"I think it's more that you moved over twenty-five hundred kilometres away that's the real problem. It makes it much harder for her to pop in and see her new granddaughter whenever she wants."
Charlie's smile was slow. "My point exactly." When Ginny laughed, he elbowed her lightly. "I love our parents, but you know me, I'm more of a loner. I always have been. And the best part about this family is that when I want family, I know who to call."
Ginny nodded, reluctantly passing Aydin to her brother. "I miss her already."
Charlie kissed Ginny's cheek as he snuggled his daughter into his embrace. "We'll come back home for Easter, I promise."
Ginny nodded as she followed her brother out into the garden. He had his bags over his shoulder as he held Aydin and her parents each had suitcases with them.
"Mum, stop fretting," Percy insisted as Molly threw her arms around him once again. "It's only two days. I promise that Ron and Ginny will get back to Hogwarts without a hitch. We've done it a few times before now, after all."
Molly looked like she wasn't so sure and Ginny smiled when her father took his wife's hand. "I know. I love you all."
"Bye, Mum," Ron said, hugging her tightly.
Ginny hugged both of her parents as Percy assured them that he would in fact be perfectly fine living alone for a few weeks in their absence. Molly promised to call the moment their portkey arrived, hugging them all once more. Fred and George had supplied the whole family with a slew of mirrors to communicate with each other and Ginny knew that her mother found it reassuring that she could get a hold of any of her children whenever she needed them. It made Ginny happy as well as it made her feel closer to her brothers and meant that she could see Aydin whenever she called Charlie. Then the four of them were leaving, heading off to meet their portkey to Romania.
Percy turned to her and Ron the moment they left. "Now, let's not give Mum any reason to fret."
"Perce, don't even start," Ron said, rolling his eyes. "Ginny and I are hardly children that need to be minded."
Percy nodded. "Good. I hardly have time to watch the two of you like a hawk. I, um, I have a date tonight."
Ron's eyebrow rose. "Oh? With the mystery woman?"
Percy ignored him and strolled into the house.
Ginny skipped after him. "Percy, tell us about her. She makes you smile so she must be special."
Percy shook his head and when Ginny only gave him a look, he sighed, his hands reaching up to ruffle his curly hair. "I don't want to jinx it, okay. I like her."
Ginny couldn't help but be happy for him. It was rare to see Percy so worried about anything. "You like her a lot, don't you?"
"Yes," Percy admitted. "She's intelligent and nice and beautiful."
"Beautiful in third is always a good sign," Ginny said, her eyes meeting Ron's when he came in through the back door. "That means he's really infatuated."
Percy rolled his eyes. "I just like her."
"Is that why you haven't let Mum shear down those curls yet?"
Percy let his hands move up through his short curly hair. "It is getting a little unruly, but no, I just… we've had more important things to worry about than my vanity."
Ron chuckled. "There's a first."
Percy glared. "Look, if I leave you two alone tonight, will it be fine?"
"You mean will the two of us be perfectly safe in our locked and warded house? Hmm, I don't know, Ron, sounds dodgy," Ginny teased.
Percy's eyes narrowed. "If you're going to make a joke out of everything, Ginevra, I will cancel my date and forcibly babysit the two of you like I did when you were children!"
"Percy, breathe, let it out a little," Ginny teased him. "You're always wound tighter than Auntie Muriel."
He only stared at them. "Honestly, will the two of you be all right if I go out?"
"Depends," Ron said, his hands in the back pocket of his worn jeans. "Can Hermione and Harry come over?"
Percy pursed his lips. "Mum wouldn't approve of you two having your respective girlfriend and boyfriend over when there's no supervision around."
"Well, Mum wouldn't approve of you going on a date and leaving me and little Ginny all alone either now, would she?"
Percy glared at him. "I'll be home by midnight."
Ron held his hand out to him. "Deal."
Ginny turned to her brother as Percy stormed off towards the house. "Nice work, Ron."
He grinned. "I have my moments. Now go ahead and invite Harry over and I'll get a hold of Hermione."
Ginny thought that it was the best idea her brother had.
~ ASC ~
Percy felt a little guilty leaving his brother and sister to fend for themselves, but he was too excited to see Audrey again to give it too much thought. After all, it wasn't as if Ron and Ginny were children. They could both cook much better than him and he knew that they wanted to spend time with their own significant others. It made him feel a bit better knowing that they weren't completely alone in the Burrow as he was really looking forward to his night with Audrey. The thought of cancelling was something he really hadn't wanted to do.
This would be their fifth official date and he loved spending time with her. She was beautiful, intelligent, and well-read. He loved hearing her thoughts on things from the latest work of fiction to the latest report on Ministry business. She was smart and had a sharp mouth on her that he longed to kiss. But every time he thought about kissing her, he chickened out.
It wasn't like he hadn't kissed anyone before. And yes, it had been a while since he and Penny had been together, but there'd been two women since Penny. Nothing to brag about, of course, but he had actually had slept with both of them. The first had been a healer trainee he'd met at a pub and ended up going home with. They'd had great sex before he'd snuck out the next morning. They'd gone out once afterwards to see if there was more, but Noreen held no interest for him. She was flighty and ditzy and he couldn't hold an intelligent conversation with her to save his life. Four months later, he'd met Betty. She worked in Florean Fortescue's Ice Cream Parlour and she made him smile. She was sweet and when he kissed her, she tasted like strawberry ice cream. They'd gone out twice and then she'd gone down on him in a way that told him she thought she was really good from the sounds she made, but he had to disagree. He'd put a stop it, snogging her instead. He told her what he wanted as he shagged her and she'd told him that she loved him.
That had worried him.
No one fell in love after two dates. Betty was definitely not for him and when he'd tried to escape her clutches, it ended in her tears. Percy had decided to swear off women for a while after that fiasco. Clearly he didn't have the same suaveness and charm that Bill and Charlie did or that Fred oozed when he spoke. No, Percy knew what he liked. He knew what he wanted. He needed someone who understood that and he didn't have time to try to find a woman to fit those specific specifications.
But then he'd met Audrey.
He'd been immediately attracted to her. He liked her sass and he liked the way she understood what he had meant to do by storming into Scrimgeour's office. But after that day, he hadn't gone back to see her or made an effort to find her, thinking it had been a one time thing and that she most definitely wouldn't be interested in someone like him. Then the attack had happened and they'd shared drinks. He learned more about her. She was one year older than him and had attended Beauxbatons for her schooling; her mother had gone there and wished her daughters to attend the same. Her parents lived in Oxley where her mother sold flowers and her father was a lawyer at the Ministry. He found her fascinating.
Tonight he was meeting her at a restaurant that she had picked out near the Ministry. Percy asked the waiter to seat him at table for two and ordered two glasses of the red wine he knew she liked. He only waited a few moments before she came in.
She was wearing an ankle length blood red scoop necked dress held up by two tiny straps. A shimmering red beading on a floral pattern made the dress stand out and the asymmetrical hem showed off her beautiful calves in black heels. A black velvet ribbon was flat around her throat as a necklace and her brown hair was pinned up in a messy bun with dangling curls. He stood up, rubbing his sweaty palms on the side of his trousers as he did. Something about her always made him nervous, like she was with the wrong person.
"Hi, Audrey. You look lovely."
"Thank you," Audrey said, red lips the same shade as her dress, curving. "You look very nice yourself."
She smiled when he pulled the chair out for her and she sat down.
"Did you have a nice holiday?" Percy asked as he took his seat across from her.
"I did, thank you," Audrey said. "Oh, you ordered my favourite red, how lovely."
He nodded. "Yes, well, yes."
Audrey's lips curved as she sipped the wine. "You're funny."
Percy's eyebrow rose. "How so?"
"Just are," she said as she put her wine down. "Tell me about your day."
"Oh, well, um, nothing really interesting, I suppose. I was home and saw my brother and my niece back home to Romania. My parents went with him to stay for a bit."
"That's Charlie, right? The one who works with dragons?"
Percy nodded. "Yes. His daughter Aydin was a surprise to us all, even him. But he's going to be a great father."
"You said that her mother didn't want her?"
"That's what Charlie said," Percy told her. "She just abandoned her at the reserve. But that's what he gets, really. He's always sleeping around and did you know that the contraceptive charm is only ninety-seven percent effective?"
Audrey grinned. "I did. Nothing is foolproof, Percy."
Percy tried to hold back the look of horror, but he assumed by her giggle, he had failed. "Still, he should be more responsible."
"Where's the fun in that?"
The waiter came before he could answer and they placed their orders.
Audrey rested her chin on her hands, smiling as she spoke. "So, what does Mr Paper Pusher do with his day off? Something incredibly responsible, I assume?"
Percy adjusted his horn rims. "Well, I… there's nothing wrong with being responsible."
Audrey lifted her wine glass to her lips. "Absolutely not. But sometimes you have to let off a little steam, don't you think?"
Percy tapped his fingers on the table. "That's how you lose control and become irresponsible."
Audrey's lips curved. "Exactly." When Percy frowned, she tilted her head. "So, Mr Paper Pusher, what did you do today?"
Percy pushed his horn rims back up his nose before he spoke. "Oh, you know, I like to read sometimes or to finish up some work at home."
"Ah, a workaholic, that makes sense."
He blushed. "I just like to stay busy, I suppose."
"Nothing wrong with that," Audrey told him. "I like to stay busy myself. I read or do puzzles and I shop. Sometimes I do work from home, too."
Talk soon turned to work and the Ministry of Magic. Percy's eyes widened when Audrey told him that she'd heard word that Lucius Malfoy had been spotted in the Ministry.
"Why was he there?"
"No one knows for sure," Audrey told him, sipping her wine. "But I heard that the Aurors have had him in interrogation since he arrived four days ago. You know how fast the gossip mill gets going. Scrimgeour wasn't part of his interrogation and as his personal house elf, I didn't learn much else."
"Why would he show up at the Ministry?" Percy asked. "That's highly suspicious in my book."
Audrey shrugged. "I'm not sure, but it is fun to speculate about. Shacklebolt and Proudfoot were speaking to him."
Percy listened as she told him all about her holiday. Her older sister, Anna, had come by with her two nephews, Noah and Julian. Anna was five years older than her and a ballet teacher in Paris who was married to a Portkey Official named Byron. She told him how the boys, ages five and three, had been noisy and loud and how much she loved the chaos of it. Her parents had spoiled them for the holiday and they'd had tons of gifts to open. Percy told her about his own holiday with his siblings and his brothers' girlfriends who had attended.
By the time they left the restaurant, neither of them was ready for the night to end. Percy walked her back to her flat and when she invited him in for a nightcap, he agreed. Talk turned to music and literature over a bottle of wine before Audrey leaned in and pressed her lips to his for a soft, short kiss.
Percy stared at her.
"I thought if I had to wait any longer for you to make a move, it might kill me," she whispered.
Percy leaned in and took her lips with his. They kissed long and slow, getting to know each other with every head tilt and kiss. It could have been minutes or it could have been hours, Percy wasn't sure, but he knew that he didn't want to stop kissing her. When her hands began to loosen the tie at his neck, he pulled away to look into her eyes.
"I don't want to rush you."
"Not rushing me," Audrey assured him as she pulled his tie open and left it hanging down the side of his neck.
"I mean, we've only been on five dates."
"Six if you count those first drinks," Audrey told him, unbuttoning his shirt.
"Right, six," Percy said when her hands slid over his bare chest. "And I'm not, I mean I don't want you to think that I'm just here for a quick shag."
Audrey chuckled and stood up, taking his hand in hers. "Percy, I've seen how thorough you are when it comes to your work. I'm pretty much banking on quick not being in your vocabulary."
He swallowed and let her lead him into her bedroom. He was vaguely aware of it being decorated in bright jewel tones before she slid the dress over her shoulders and down her body. He was greeted to the sight of her pale skin covered in red lace to match her dress.
"Wow."
Audrey smiled. "That's a pretty high compliment."
Percy took a step towards her, taking her wrist in his hand. "If we do this, it's not going to be fast."
"Good."
"And it won't be only once," he said, his fingers dancing over the swell of her breasts.
"Even better," she whispered.
Percy pressed his lips to her throat before he pulled his tie off and wrapped it around both of her wrists, tying them behind her back and making her gasp. "And I have rules."
"Of course you do," she gasped as he bent her over the bed. "Mr Always in Control."
His hands slid over her arse, dancing along the red lace in a teasing fashion. "Rule number one, you can only touch me when I say." His fingers slid beneath the lace, stroking her and she arched back. "Rule number two, I'm in charge."
Audrey gasped when he slid her lace knickers down her body. "I had a feeling about you."
His palm slapped against her rump and she gasped. "And rule number three, if you misbehave, I'm going to spank you. And I can promise you, I will most certainly enjoy it."
Audrey turned her head to look over her shoulder at him. "There's just one thing you need to understand about me, Mr Weasley."
Percy unzipped his pants as his fingers found her. "What's that, Miss Mayfair?"
Audrey's hands escaped the tie and she spun around, shoving him back onto the bed and straddling him. She pinned his arms above his head with her hands and pressed her lips to the pulse in his throat.
"I don't play by any rules."
And when her lips met his, Percy knew with absolute certainty that it was about to be the best night of his life.
~ ASC ~
While Percy was enjoying his date with Audrey, Harry stepped through the Floo of the Burrow. Hermione had arrived twenty minutes before that; Ginny had respectfully disappeared when her brother had pinned Hermione against the wall of the living room and proceeded to snog her senseless. It made the sound of Harry arriving that much sweeter.
"Ugh, my eyes!" Harry exclaimed.
Ron made a rude hand gesture, but didn't remove his lips from Hermione's; Ginny hurried out of the kitchen at the sound of her boyfriend's voice, and jumped into his arms to cover his lips with hers.
"Mmm, hi Gin."
Ginny smiled, her arms linked around his neck. "Hi."
"Oi, no one wants to see that," Ron exclaimed.
Harry made the same rude hand gesture and Ron snorted.
"If you two are done acting like children, perhaps the four of us could find something fun to do together?" Hermione suggested.
Ginny rested her chin on Harry's shoulder. "Late night fly?"
Ron shook his head. "Not Hermione's style."
"Board games?" Ginny suggested. "That could be fun. Harry and I will get some snacks together and you two can pick the games."
They agreed on that and Ginny laughed when Harry merely walked her into the kitchen, her legs and arms still wrapped around him.
"I like when you carry me around."
He kissed the tip of her nose and sat her on the kitchen table. "Any excuse to hold you."
Ginny's lips curved, her fingers slipping into his messy hair and tugging him close for a long kiss. "No protests here."
Harry kissed her again. "So, Percy's on a date?"
"He is. He left about thirty minutes ago just before Hermione arrived. He was excited and I thought it was adorable."
"And your parents went to Romania?"
She nodded. "Yes. They're staying there for the whole month to help with Aydin, to see Charlie's house, and help him get settled. Dad took all of his holiday time, but they're both excited and completely enchanted by her."
"She's beautiful like her auntie."
Ginny smiled. "I'm going to miss her, but Charlie swore that he'd be back for Easter."
"Good. Mina and Leo were eating when I left. I'm glad Grandmama is there, I feel awkward when Zee says it's time for the twins to eat and I know that she's breastfeeding them. I mean… I shouldn't be in the room, right?"
Ginny chuckled. "It's perfectly natural, Harry."
"Yeah, but she's basically my mum so it's… weird."
She kissed him quickly and hopped off the table. "You're adorable. How are the babies? Do you hear them in the night?"
He nodded. "I do. They wake every few hours and need to be fed. I've been getting up with Zee to keep her company. She keeps telling me it's not necessary, but I can tell she appreciates it. Grandmama and Papa have moved next door with Grandma and Grandpa. The four of them are over for most of the day to help out. Our home has become a revolving door as of late. Gran and Grandda were by again yesterday and the day before with Ian to check on Zee and the twins. Jenny and Josh came by and Jenny brought a huge gift basket from the Ministry of Magic. I guess Zee's department made it for her. It was full of cute outfits and bibs and everything the twins could possibly need from soap and shampoo to receiving blankets and washcloths. She cried when she opened it."
"That's really sweet," Ginny told him. "Charlie said that the people at the reserve did something similar. The day before he and Tonks left to come back to England, a huge basket was delivered to his house. It's such a lovely way to welcome a new baby or babies in Zee's case."
"I'm kind of bummed to go back to school in two days," Harry admitted. "I want to stay and help with Mina and Leo. I don't want them to forget about me."
"I said the same thing to Charlie," Ginny said. "I'm sure that Zee will let you see them in the mirror and they definitely won't forget about you."
Harry nodded as he followed her towards the cupboards to look for some snacks. "I know. Hey, did you see the stats this morning in the paper?"
"About the Tornados slaughtering the Magpies three hundred and fifty to twenty? I did."
"Seems you owe me, Miss Weasley."
Ginny snuck a look at him over her shoulder. "I would have won if Ross wouldn't have gotten injured five minutes into the game. Everyone knows that the Tornadoes really scored when they picked up Ross as Chaser. The Magpies really should have better scouts."
"Not this time. I told you, Tutshill is making a comeback because of taking Cameron on as Chaser."
"Cameron shmameron. We all know that Ross is in the hunt for the Player of the Year award."
Harry grinned. "That Bludger took him down hard, Gin! He might have lost his chances. Not to mention it's his first season, what are his chances of snaking that award?"
"Bloody good with those hands of his and you know it."
"Guess we'll see how the rest of the season goes. But for now, pay up, Weasley."
Ginny stuck her tongue out at him before she turned, stood on her toes, and cupped his face in her hands. Her lips met his for a long soft kiss before she pulled away. "Satisfied?"
"Immensely," he said with a grin. "You know snogging really is the best form of currency, especially because it means we both always win."
Ginny laughed and turned back to the snacks. It took them a few more minutes to get things organized, but soon they had a big bowl of crisps and a plate full of mini sandwiches. They'd made a mix of ham and cheese, bacon and tomato, and cream cheese and cucumber. They carried them out to the living room and set them up on the table before Ginny brought out a jug of ice cold pumpkin juice and poured them each a tall glass.
"This looks wonderful, thank you," Hermione said, moving to sit on the floor at the table.
Ron nodded. "We decided on Crossroads to the Conqueror's Castle as Hermione's never played it."
"Obviously not," Ginny said, rolling her eyes. "It belonged to our great-great-grandfather."
Harry chuckled. "Sounds fun either way."
They took out the game pieces and set up their choices.
"Point of the game is to get to the Conqueror's Castle," Hermione said, her eyes on the instructions.
Harry raised an eyebrow. "Are you sure? I never would have guessed."
If looks could kill, Hermione's eyes would have done it.
"We take turns and follow the instructions as we move along the board and work our way through the roads and rivers, following the clues."
Ron picked up the teetotum and spun it across the table. "I'll start."
"No," Ginny said, picking up the teetotum. "Youngest goes first."
Ron stuck his tongue out at her. "Says who?"
"Me," Ginny said smartly.
She spun the teetotum across the table and played her move before passing it clockwise to Hermione to go next. They ate and played, chatting absently about their holiday and Ginny felt truly relaxed for the first time in a while. Sometimes even with everyone around, it was hard not to feel the tension from everyone. When Theo had been here, it had been grief and despair and she'd done her best to offer comfort. Bill had told her that he seemed better when he'd gone to Norfolk Manor, felt more assured now that he knew Blaise and Draco were in hiding. Then with the news of the weddings of the Hogwarts students getting out, it felt like everything was spiralling. It was horrifying to hear word of such a horrible thing and it was so much worse to think about it happening to students she went to school with. Ginny couldn't help but remember the letter she'd received as Compass about arranged marriages. She wondered if one of those young brides had written to her asking for advice.
Ginny had gone to her mother that night, telling her everything about the letter and what Arthur had told her. She wished that she could have known who the girl was and if the advice had been helpful in letting the girl make a decision. Molly had told her that the advice was good, but it sounded like most of them weren't given much of a choice. Ginny had let herself be wrapped in her mother's arms and tried to imagine her own parents forcing her to marry someone against her will. What would she do? She wasn't of age. There was nowhere for her to go. She couldn't use her wand outside of school without being traced. It was a scary thought and it made her realize that they may have agreed just because they didn't feel that there was another choice for them. Ginny found it heartbreaking on so many levels.
And here she was enjoying a lovely holiday with her friends and family. She felt guilty for that, but she also knew that she shouldn't feel guilty for it. She was lucky enough to have an amazing, loving family and she would treasure that. Harry touched her hand and she smiled brightly at him.
"Sorry, lost in thoughts," she said, picking up the teetotum to take her turn.
Hermione won before Harry voted they dig out the playing cards and play a game of Cheat. It wasn't long before the four of them were laughing, trying to figure out who was bluffing. Ron soon became the Cheat Champion, winning every round, and making them shout in protest. As ten came around, Ron asked Hermione if she wanted to go for a walk outside and she agreed, leaving Harry and Ginny alone in the living room.
Harry moved up onto the sofa, stretching his long legs out across the cushions. Ginny immediately crawled into his lap, straddling him.
"Alone at last," she said, kissing his cheek.
Harry placed his hands on her hips. "Have you been trying to get me alone?"
"Always," she said, kissing his nose. "Snog me."
"Well, with romance like that, how can I refuse?"
She chuckled as he tugged her close and placed his lips on hers. Ginny let her hands slip up into his hair, revelling in the softness of those messy, black locks. He tasted like pumpkin juice and his lips were soft and gentle as they teased hers. His hands stayed on her hips as they kissed slowly and softly, neither of them looking for more than the simplicity of their lips touching. When her tongue found his, his hands slid up her back and into her hair.
It wasn't long before Ginny had stretched her body out across his, losing herself in his kiss and his touch and basking in the feel of Harry. His touch, his smell, his taste. It all made her feel so safe, so secure, and so loved. She loved that the two of them could just lie here and snog. Lately, their snogging had become so heated and turned into so much more that she missed the simplicity of just making out with him.
Their lips met over and over, hands roaming in soft caresses meant to tease, and Ginny sighed into him. She loved kissing him. She loved him kissing her. She admitted a soft sigh when his lips pressed against her throat and she felt his lips curve against her skin.
"Something you like there, Gin?"
"Maybe," she said, turning to kiss his lips. "How come just kissing you is so perfect? Like I could spend days just kissing your lips and never tire of it."
"Maybe my lips were made to kiss yours."
"Cheesy."
"Fact," he said, kissing her. "I love kissing you."
Ginny snuggled into his embrace, burrowing herself between the sofa cushions and her boyfriend. "I love kissing you."
Harry turned on his side, gently brushing her hair away from her face. "Snogging you in the living room of the Burrow is even better than I imagined. And for once I'm not worried about six interruptions."
"Six?"
"Brothers," he said, kissing her lips. "Ever notice how they always seem to find their way to us at the worst possible time?"
Ginny smiled. "They like to be annoying."
"Ron especially has the worst timing," he murmured.
"Not anymore. Now he has Hermione's lips to occupy his time."
Harry made a sound of agreement, his lips trailing over her neck.
"But they are just outside and could be back at any moment."
Harry ignored this and continued to kiss her neck. "Not if Ron has any say in it."
Ginny ran her fingers over his arm. "Kiss me."
"Trying to," he said. "Someone won't shut up."
She smacked him and he laughed, covering her mouth with his. Ginny lost herself in his lips and thought it was the perfect way to spend her evening.
~ ASC ~
Ron took Hermione's hand in his as they stepped out into the cold night. He turned to tug her red toque over her ears before they headed out into the back garden, past the chicken coop.
"The stars are always so much brighter out here than at home," Hermione said, eyes on the sky.
Ron nodded. "That's because you're deeper into the city. The Burrow has a much better view of them."
"I know. They're lovely," she said.
Ron tugged her back behind his father's work shed. "I know it's cold, but I just wanted some alone time with you. I love Harry and Ginny, but I missed you."
Hermione smiled as he walked her backwards until her back was pressed against the shed. "So, you thought letting us come outside to freeze was a good plan?"
Ron moved closer, pressing his warm body up against hers. "I promise to keep you warm."
Hermione stood on her toes as Ron bent to kiss her, fisting her hands in the warmth of his jacket to hold him close. Ron had every intention of keeping her warm. When his lips touched hers, he felt that instant desire in his gut, the fire in his belly that only she could bring out in him. He lingered on her lips, kissing her deeply until she moaned under his mouth.
Ron loved making her moan. He loved dragging these sounds from her. The sounds she made when he kissed her drove him mad. She only made those sounds for him and he loved it. It was only when her cold hands slid under his shirt and up his back that he was reminded that they were outside in the cold winter air. He pulled away, admiring the red glow of her cheeks before he took her hand and led her into his father's shed. The lights came on when he entered, charmed to do so, and the heating charm activated as well at movement. Ron walked Hermione backwards, lifting her onto his father's work bench and bringing his lips back to hers.
Hermione's hands moved into his hair, sighing against him as they kissed. Ron's fingers tangled in her curls at the base of her neck as they snogged. She sighed against him, her hands slipping under his jumper to warm themselves against his skin. He loved her hands on his skin. When she pulled his jumper over his head, he grinned and kissed her throat.
"Always ripping my clothes off, Miss Prefect."
Hermione bit her bottom lip, her hands sliding over his chest. "I like you with your shirt off."
Ron's ears flushed and he kissed her again. Then he was pushing her back onto the work table and climbing on top of her. Hermione's legs wrapped around his waist as he kissed her. Those hands sliding over his back and chest, stroking and kneading. The way she curled her fingers around the bit of chest hair he had. The way her fingertips traced his nipples and drove him crazy. He loved her touch.
Her mouth moved down his throat, kissing every bit of his chest that she could reach, and when her mouth wrapped around his nipple, he moaned. The way her tongue flicked and stroked was enough to drive him mad. This woman had the most wicked mouth on her. He dragged that mouth back to his, wanting to lose himself in it. To kiss every bit of her as much as he could. His hands tumbled from her hair, rolling so that she was on top of him and he could get a grip of that plump arse. She rose above him, her curls falling in their faces and her fingertips gently stroked his eyebrows.
"I love you, Mione," he whispered, the words slipping out without thinking.
Hermione stared at him. Her eyes were wide in surprise, her lips parted. Ron didn't wait for her to answer him. He lifted his head to meet hers and captured her lips in his again for a long, deep snog that left them both breathless.
Hermione lingered for a moment before she pulled away. Her dark eyes met his before she spoke. "I love you, too."
"Yeah?" he whispered.
"Yes," she corrected, making him grin. "I love you."
Then that wicked mouth of hers trailed down his throat and over his chest and he knew that snogging Hermione Granger was the most dangerous thing he would ever do. He was an addict when she touched him, desperate for her, for his next fix. His hips rose up automatically, his erection straining against the denim and she smiled, flicking her tongue across his nipple.
Ron moaned and when her lips crushed into his again he knew one thing very clearly. This woman held more than just his heart and he'd never given anything so freely before in his life.
~ ASC ~
Draco was enjoying his time in Italy. The warm sun, the breeze from the Mediterranean. It was the kind of relaxation that he needed in more ways than one. He'd been here for three weeks now and his arm was healing well. Whenever he looked down at the long slice from his wrist to his elbow, he was comforted by it. It was healing and he knew that there would be a scar, but anything was nicer than the skull and snake that had covered most of his left forearm. His arm finally looked normal and it made him smile when he saw it. He finally felt like himself again.
Blaise's arm was healing as well, though the scar looked more jagged and wider, a raised pink against his dark skin. Draco wondered if Blaise had applied more force to his own arm or if just stabbing one's arm was that much more difficult than doing it to someone else. He didn't want to know the answer.
The house elves were feeding them well, constantly making full meals three times a day and bringing out constant snacks. Draco was putting weight back on and feeling more and more like himself.
He liked it here. But he didn't belong here.
Blaise did. Blaise was made to live in Italy; to lounge around by the pool and relax. Draco did feel more relaxed and more calm than he had in months, but the thing was that as relaxed as he was, he only felt more clearly that this wasn't the place for him. The warm sun may have tanned his skin to a dark gold, but he still felt cold. He had come so close to using that blade on Finn, to letting it cut him… all because Theo had said he healed quickly. He should have known his grandfather would have ulterior motives. He should have known that it wasn't a simple cut.
Poison.
Iron.
The blade his ancestor had used to once hunt the fae. Had he known that? Had he known that he had fae slayers in his family? Was that something that he was supposed to be proud of? He felt a little sick to his stomach at the thought. So much history his father had glossed over. Was Lucius ashamed of it? Was it something that he knew was wrong? His parents... had they known what the dagger could do to Finn? Abraxas certainly had and he hadn't hesitated.
Whenever he closed his eyes, it was all Draco could see.
The dagger falling in the snow, speckling the white with red.
"I… I can't."
"You coward!" Abraxas declared, viciously.
The words had barely left his lips before the dagger flew up from the ground and plunged into Finn's gut. Finn stumbled, his green eyes wide in shock. The sword in his hand glowed before he nodded at Draco, turned, and in one quick motion, cleanly lopped the head off of Abraxas Malfoy. Blood sprayed across Draco's face, splattered on those standing near him, and Draco just stared down at his grandfather's severed head.
The sword dropped from Finn's hand and he reached down, pulling the dagger from his gut.
"I'm so sorry," Draco whispered. "I'm so sorry, I didn't…"
Finn shook his head. "If you hurt him, the whole court will come down on you."
He fell to his knees, his hands moving to try to stop the blood that fell.
Red covered the snow, the dagger lying in the cold, stained red. The way Finn's hands had pressed to the wound trying to stop the blood from gushing. Every time he closed his eyes, he saw it. He could feel his grandfather's warm blood on his face, taste it on his lips as he stared at the blood covering Finn.
What was worse was what came afterwards.
"Finn!"
Theo's terrified shout made Draco's heart clench. He watched his friend grab Finn's other side. "What happened? Why aren't you healing?"
"Mo grá," Finn said, putting his hand on Theo's cheek. "It wasn't his fault."
Theo's eyes met Draco's terrified ones and Draco saw the betrayal there. "What did you do to him?"
The sound of betrayal in his friend's voice, the look of hatred in those dark eyes… Draco had never hated himself more. Theo had always been like a brother to him. The sibling who was always there, the friend who always had his back. And he had repaid that love and devotion by attacking the man he loved. He had taken that dagger to the village with the plan of cutting Finn with it. He may have backed out. He may have been too cowardly to go through with it, but his grandfather hadn't hesitated. And the blade would never have touched the fae if Draco had been smart enough to leave it behind in the first place. If he had just been strong enough to say no.
Draco spent most nights tossing and turning, wondering how the Dark Lord had reacted to the news of Abraxas' death. He imagined he'd been angry, furious even, but it was his parents that he was most concerned about. What had happened to them when he hadn't shown up off the train? When Abraxas was found dead because of Draco's failure?
He dragged his fingers through his pale blond hair making it stick up everywhere. He had taken the Dark Mark in an attempt to save his mum when she'd refused to leave his father. What happened to her now? What happened to his father? Were they being punished for his cowardice?
"I can't do anything about your parents, Draco. We both know how stuck they are right now and with Abraxas' death, I can't imagine your father being able to get out from under the Dark Lord's clutches. But you can. Let me do this for you."
For him… Blaise had done all of this for him. He had risked his own life just to help him.
"I promised you, mate; alive and together."
They were words he had clung to night after night. But by choosing him, Blaise had also left Theo out in the cold. He'd abandoned one brother for another and Draco didn't know how to deal with that either. How to do deal with any of it. Blaise had not only taken the Dark Mark, but found a way to remove it. He'd made a dagger out of solid gold and stabbed his own arm to rid himself of the darkness he'd willingly taken to help his brother.
And what had Draco done in return?
"Feel free to scream. I did."
The sound of Blaise's words echoing in his ears made him clench his fists on either side of his body. He remembered the pain. The burning, the electrifying piercing of the Patronus, the blade. He had screamed. Blaise had done that; had saved him. Blaise had given up everything for him. He hadn't hesitated. He hadn't backed down.
Alive and together.
Draco looked out across the courtyard to where Blaise was lying in the sun. He wore short red bathing trunks. His short black hair shaved and a light dusting of stubble across his face. He had his arms tucked behind his head where Gucci sunglasses were propped. His eyes were closed and he looked peaceful. Draco knew he wasn't. He knew that Blaise was undergoing just as much turmoil as he was, if not more.
Draco shoved his hands into the pockets of his beige trousers. His white button-down was untucked and unbuttoned in the hot sun as he walked barefoot across the warm cobblestones to his friend.
Blaise didn't open his eyes. "Are you going to stay fully dressed or take it off and actually get some sun on that white arse of yours?"
"I've tanned," Draco said, defensively.
Blaise's lips curved. "Bet your arse is still as white as pure snow."
"Piss off," Draco mumbled, taking a seat on the lounge chair next to his friend. "At least I wear clothes unlike you in those shorts. If you move too quickly, your junk is going to escape."
"Well, then you would simply be blessed with a look at my gorgeous goods. Besides, these shorts are too tight for any escape plans."
Draco snorted. "True."
Blaise opened one eye. "We're not going back, Draco."
Draco nodded. "I know. I get it. I do."
"I know that you're worried about your parents and we both know that you have every reason to be worried, but you also know that staying away is for your own safety as well as mine."
"I know," Draco said. "I just wish that I could get word to them; to let them know that I'm alive and that I'm safe. And Theo… he's never going to forgive either of us for what went down. Finn is… it's my fault that he's dead."
Blaise sat up, pulling his sunglasses down over his eyes. "No, it's not. Yes, you brought the dagger out there that day, but you didn't stab him. Your grandfather did. We both know that even if you hadn't brought the dagger to Hogsmeade, Abraxas Malfoy would have found a way to hurt Finn and to kill him. He might have even killed Theo too, if Finn hadn't gotten to him first."
"I know that. Logically, I know that. But you didn't see the look in his eyes, Blaise. He… it was more than betrayal and hurt. Every time I close my eyes I see his, with that look in them and…"
Blaise reached out to grip Draco's hands in his. "He'll forgive us one day. We have to hope for that. We were fighting for our lives, too."
Draco pulled his hands away and stood up, eyes on the pool sparkling in the sun. "And what life is this, Blaise? Are we just going to lounge around here, drinking and tanning while our brother is forced into this war back home? Everyone else goes back to Hogwarts tomorrow."
"Right now we're healing," Blaise declared as he stood up. "Body and soul. But no, I don't plan on spending more than fifty percent of my time drinking and tanning. We're going to keep up on our studies and we're going to be ready to write our NEWTs when the time comes."
"NEWTs?" Draco snorted in disbelief. "There's a fucking war going on, Zabini! A war that has our parents shoved so far up the Dark Lord's arse that when he speaks, they can't breathe! My grandfather dragged my father into it and in his pathetic attempts to try to keep my mother and I safe, my father's become more involved. I don't know what your mother does other than provide them with some entertaining orgasms, but my parents are in the middle of it!"
The punch had Draco's head reeling back. The crack to his nose made him gasp, but not before Blaise was on him. Draco fought back. The two of the grappling across the courtyard, punching and hitting each other amidst the grunts and gasps of pain. It was only when they rolled off into the swimming pool, did they come up for air.
Draco could feel the blood on his face and he could see the blood on Blaise's lip. Blaise glared at him and hopped out of the pool.
"I deserved that punch," Draco admitted.
Blaise held his hand up, his eyes flashing. "You're an absolute tosser."
Draco hopped out of the pool, pulling his sopping shirt off. "You always knew that."
Blaise scoffed. "You're a bloody wanker. A complete arse who doesn't know when to shut his bloody gob."
"Is that why you sucker punched me?"
"No, that was for my mother. I know she has loose morals, but no one gets to say that about her but me."
Draco's lips twitched. "Noted."
Blaise glared at him. "You don't know what she's gone through. You don't know what it's like for her. She only took the Mark because my father had it. He believed in the Dark Lord and what he stood for. He thought that he was going to do great things. But when he disappeared after going after the Potters, my mother told me that my father was there that night with him. He was waiting outside the house. When the Dark Lord fell, he panicked and ran. He was killed by Death Eaters for running. They blamed him for the Dark Lord's fall and the only reason that they left my mother alive was because she gave them a reason to."
"Blimey, Blaise, I'm sorry, mate, I didn't know."
"No, you bloody well didn't know! It's all about you and your sob story! It's always about you, 'Mr Needs To Be the Centre of Attention' — and you know what? I've come to terms with that. You and Theo are like brothers to me and neither of you is perfect, but I love you both despite that. My mother might not be a saint and whether she actually did murder her last four husbands or not is a mystery I don't need the answer to. She likes to be wealthy. She likes to be taken care of and most importantly, she likes it when men give her attention; when they make her feel special. Do I agree with her marrying them? Not really. But it's not my say. None of them has tried to step in and be fathers to me and I like it that way. Emilio Mantegna? I've never even met him, but Mamma says he makes her happy. My mother is always there when I need her and most of the time I don't, because she raised me to be independent. Do I sometimes wish that I was a little mummy's boy like you? Sure, sometimes it would be nice to be coddled, but I know better," Blaise declared.
Draco held up two fingers. "Wanker."
"Sod off, you're a total mummy's boy and you know it," Blaise retorted. "My mother asked me to take the Dark Mark and she made a big show out of it being important for me to meet the Dark Lord on her behalf, but behind closed doors, she told me differently. That meet in Hogsmeade where you and Theo came with me, as terrifying as that was, she was putting on a show. It was always my choice. It was always my decision and I told her that I wanted out. I told her that I wasn't going to let myself get sucked into this life that she was trapped in and she agreed with me. She told me that she thought I was making the right choice. And then you took the bloody Mark."
"I didn't ask you to take it!" Draco exclaimed. "I didn't ask you to help me!"
"Of course you didn't!" Blaise shouted. "Draco Lucius Malfoy, too bloody proud to ask for help! Too stupid to realize that he was bloody drowning! What the fuck did you expect me to do? Sit back and watch you destroy yourself? I know you considered taking your own life, Draco! I know the thought crossed your mind more than once! So, I did what I had to do. I sent word to Mamma and I took the bloody Dark Mark for you!"
"I didn't ask you to do that!" Draco repeated. "That was your choice and I won't let you throw that choice in my face!"
Blaise tilted his sunglasses down his nose. "I'm not throwing it in your face. I don't regret it. I'd make the same fucking choice again, hands down. Did I know what I was doing? No. Did I think that I could remove the Dark Mark? No. But I researched it and I looked into it and I studied it and I found a way. Did I know that I would survive it? No. But I was willing to take that chance for the bloke I was watching drown. That's why I did it. Mamma knew exactly why I was choosing it and not only didn't she talk me out of it, she provided the portkey to get us to safety after Death Eaters attacked Hogsmeade. She got us out. So don't you sit there and claim my mother doesn't care like yours does. Bellarosa cares."
Draco swallowed. "I didn't say that she doesn't care, Blaise. She just…"
"Cares about herself more," Blaise finished. "I'm aware of that. That's why I spoke to your aunt behind Mamma's back and made an alternate arrangement. Tuscany is beautiful and the villa and winery that Mamma has there is magnificent. On top of the thousands of Galleons from her new husband, I imagine we would have been quite comfortable there. But I wasn't willing to risk it. This summer, I worked hard to make the Zabini Villa safe. Mamma hasn't lived here in years. She's always preferred the Tuscan winery or the Roman flat or the Parisian manor. This was the Zabini home and it's always belonged to me. It's warded and unplottable. It's safe and sealed and most importantly, it's under a secret that only I hold. No one can get into this place without my permission. I knew it was the only place for us to go. For us to be safe. I knew that if I somehow succeeded in ridding us of the Mark, we couldn't just go back to our normal lives like nothing happened. But I also knew that we couldn't exactly turn ourselves into the Ministry of Magic and declare our innocence either."
Draco let out a slow breath. "I guess I should thank you then?"
"Like you even know what those words mean."
"Blaise, I know what you risked for me, don't think I don't."
"You have a funny way of showing it. Don't ask me why I thought I needed you around for the rest of my life, but you're family, mate," Blaise told him.
"We both know it's because you're jealous of my good looks and still looking for hair tips, obviously."
Blaise's lips twitched. "I'm the embodiment of the perfect man. I don't need your hair tips. I'm sexy, fit, rich, and incredible in bed. I just keep you around to remind you what perfection looks like."
"Oh, is that so?" Draco said. "Must be hard to lift your head off your pillow every day with that ego."
"Can't have an ego when it's fact. You, on the other hand, will always need my help."
"Suck my prick," he muttered.
Blaise grinned. "You wish, darling."
Draco snuck a look over at his friend. "Blaise, thank you."
Blaise rolled his eyes as he stood up. "You're welcome. But you're still a wanker."
Before Draco could respond, Blaise shoved him and he fell back into the swimming pool, spitting out water as he came up for air. He heard his friend laugh as he headed back into the villa and he shook his head.
Blaise Zabini really was one hell of a friend.
~ ASC ~
The rest of the week had gone by slowly. There had only been a few things that Tonks suspected had come from Greyback and his followers, but nothing like the heart in the box. Roses wrapped in human intestines seemed to have become a favourite of his and the taunts stayed the same, but it was enough to tell her that someone was definitely watching her.
Tonks refused to let it bother her.
She kept at her work, doing the usual and ignoring the tickle she felt sometimes when she was out of the Ministry. Higgins stayed close and she appreciated that more than she was willing to admit. Remus asked her constant questions about her day, wanting to know anything that she might consider unusual. She knew that he was worried and scared for her, but he was driving her mad with it.
Having Remus return back to teaching at Hogwarts meant that it would keep him relatively away from worrying about her, but she knew that it wouldn't stop him from fretting. Tonks knew how dangerous it was that Greyback had seemed to fixate on her, but she also knew that he was playing a game of fear with her and it was one that she wasn't going to show him bothered her. With Harry and Remus returning to Hogwarts, it meant that she had to be even more on her game. The holiday was over and a new year had begun; she wasn't going to start the new year off in fear.
Zee and Sirius' twins were eleven days old and between visiting the babies and being welcomed into the crazy chaos that was Zee's family, Tonks found that work helped her keep focus. With Remus and Harry returning to Hogwarts that morning, it took one thing off her plate. It meant her husband would have something else to focus on other than worrying about her. She knew that he was concerned about his upcoming classes now that so many students wouldn't be returning to the castle for another year. As for her own work, it was slow. Nothing much was going on at the office outside of closing up some late cases and of course dealing with Lucius Malfoy.
Lucius Malfoy had turned himself in six days ago and between Shacklebolt and Proudfoot, he had spent twelve hours a day for the last six days in interrogation. They'd questioned him about every single aspect of his life.
Shacklebolt had him under twenty-four seven surveillance and he was being housed in the dungeons in the DMLE until a trial could be established.
But he was talking to them.
He told them everything that he knew, everything that he had done, that he knew had been done for Voldemort, and in his name. He started with the rumours that Voldemort had been hiding out in Albania and how his parents had gone to look for him. He explained how his father had been so pleased when he'd returned with news, how they'd heard rumours of Crouch being kept a prisoner in his father's house, and of how they'd freed him and imprisoned Crouch Senior. He told them about the Quidditch World Cup, about the Muggle baiting, the beginnings of unrest and the beginnings of hope for Voldemort's return. He told them of how Crouch Jr had kept his father alive for months to torture him, how Crouch had worked with his father and Bellatrix to plan out how to return Voldemort to his body.
He spoke about the Selwyn estate in Croatia and how the Death Eaters were hiding out there, but how it was warded to keep people away; about how Pettigrew and Bellatrix had kidnapped Kata Novak and kept her a prisoner for her child; about how they'd taken the child and the abuse she'd suffered since then; about how Kata was now pregnant once more with Selwyn's child and was almost catatonic in her actions. He told them of how Voldemort had lived in the body of a snake until it was time to transport him to the body of Kata's child, about the disappearing Muggle children in Croatia and why the Dark Lord had needed them, about the ritual to bring him into the body of the child, and finally the plans for the graveyard.
He spoke about his father blackmailing Bagman, threatening Lucius and Narcissa to do what was needed and to try to force Draco to admire Voldemort's actions. He spoke about the graveyard, what was said and done, and how Sirius Black had come to him to warn him that he was going to be outed for being in the graveyard. He told them how he and Narcissa had agreed the safest place for him was to go to Azkaban and how he'd had no choice but to follow them when Bellatrix and Abraxas had led the raid to break him free.
He spoke about Voldemort's rage at Potter's escape, his desire to learn of the prophecy and the hunt for the Seer. He told them about Bellatrix's vendetta against Black, the purposeful attack against Zee in France, and how he'd attempted to help Theodore Nott get away from Thaddeus. He told them how they'd planned to get Harry to the Ministry of Magic by kidnapping Ginny Weasley and Theodore Nott. He confessed to murdering Thaddeus Nott in an attempt to save Theo and named Ministry officials he had Imperiused at one time. He told them of their meetings, what they spoke about, and who was involved. He told them about the weddings.
He drank glass after glass of water as he spoke and slowly confessed his sins to the Aurors. He named names and dates and helped them connect missing persons and dead bodies with names and faces over the years. It all came pouring out of him. And when Proudfoot asked him what had changed, he told them that he needed to protect his wife.
He finally confessed that he'd ordered their house elf to bring Narcissa to safety, to Andromeda Tonks, who could protect her and get her out of the country. Tonks had immediately gone to Shoreditch when Kingsley told her this. She had already questioned her mother that first day, but her parents had sworn they knew nothing. When Kingsley asked her to check again, she'd gone. Tonks knew her parents wouldn't have lied to her, but she also wanted to check in once more and see if they knew anything without realizing they did about where Narcissa Malfoy could be hiding. Andromeda swore that she hadn't seen or spoken to her sister in months.
Tonks had been on her way back to the Ministry to let Shacklebolt and Proudfoot know that Narcissa Malfoy was not with her sister, when the coordinates came in. She and Higgins arrived off the coast of Ireland where the symbol of the Dark Mark was floating in the sky and the monstrosity they found there told her exactly why Narcissa Malfoy hadn't arrived at her sister's house six days ago like her husband had claimed.
Her body was the most brutal sight that Tonks had seen since Crouch Senior had been found at the Hogwarts Yule Ball. Her pale blonde hair was matted and dirty in dried blood, parts of it were cut off in horrid chunks, and she was naked. Her arms and legs were covered in burns and cuts, the bottoms of her feet burned black. The body was displayed provocatively, spread-eagled and bearing all with her pale blonde hair fanned around her head. Someone had taken the time to fix her makeup, her lips a bright deep red and her eyes done up like she was going to a ball. Her breasts were sliced and bruised; branded into her right nipple was something gold that had been melted into her flesh. But the most horrendous sight was the carving across her ribs and abdomen. The carving that had clearly taken place while the poor woman had still been alive and read: For the Recreant's Sins.
Tonks stared down at the woman, who was in name, her aunt, and sympathy washed over her. No one deserved something like this.
Higgins bumped his shoulder into hers, his expression grim. "This isn't going to go over well when Malfoy finds out that his wife didn't make it out."
Tonks let out a slow breath and shoved her cold hands into the pocket of her robes. The snow blowing off the coast made her shiver in the cold. "No, it isn't. I think it's more than just a 'fuck you' to him as well. They knew exactly what he did and where he went. If they get their hands on him, he's a dead man."
Higgins' eyes met hers. "Let's just hope that if the Malfoy heir is alive out there, it tells him to stay away because when news of Lady Wiltshire's death reaches the papers, it's going to be all over the front page."
Tonks had to agree with that assessment. They finished their cursory examination of the crime scene. They finished taking photos and gathering evidence before they returned to the DMLE. Tonks left Higgins to get started on the case file, taking the photos she wanted with her as she headed down to interrogation. Tonks let herself into the room where Shacklebolt and Proudfoot were still drilling Malfoy.
"I've told you everything that I know," Lucius exclaimed, dragging his fingers through his hair.
"Well, I don't think that you've told us everything, Malfoy," Tonks said, putting her hands on the table in front of him.
"Auror Lupin, Shacklebolt and I can handle this," Proudfoot said.
Kingsley held up his hand. "Let her speak, Maverick."
"Thank you, Kingsley." She opened the file in her hands to the close-up photo she'd taken of just the carved words and placed it down on the table in front of him. "For the Recreant's Sins, what do you suppose that's about?"
Lucius stared down at the photo. "What of it?"
"Recreant, another word for coward, isn't that right, Maverick? Maverick is the word master. He just loves crosswords."
"Right you are, Lupin," Proudfoot said, leaning back in his chair. "Recreant, meaning coward, apostate, traitor, or even renegade."
"Interesting," Tonks said. "And would you consider yourself a coward, Mr Malfoy?"
Lucius swallowed. "I've paid for my sins and I'm here confessing the rest of them to you. Throw me in the damn crypt for the rest of my life, I don't care. I've said all I can say."
"Where did you send your wife?" Tonks demanded.
"I told you! I sent her to her sister! She has nothing to do with this! She's innocent!"
Tonks shook her head. "My mother, being the sister you mean of course, and not the older and insane one who has been in and out of Azkaban herself. You're talking about the middle sister, Andromeda Black Tonks, my lovely mum. Not that you were the loving uncle growing up. In fact, I can count on one hand the number of times that I've spoken to you and all of them have involved snide remarks or been through official Ministry business once I became an Auror."
Lucius stared at her. "Narcissa wanted to reach out to her sister, but Druella refused to allow it. She claimed your mother married filth and that Narcissa wasn't to dirty herself with her sister's sins. Narcissa respected her parents wishes."
"Where is your mother-in-law now?"
"Druella? I don't know. France? She said bad things were coming and she took off years ago when Abraxas started talking about bringing the Dark Lord back. She's a selfish bint, but she's not into the dark arts. I tried to get Narcissa to go to her, but she didn't want to."
"And you?"
He shrugged. "I wanted Narcissa. It was her choice, not mine."
"And was it her choice to spend her life with a coward? A recreant?"
Lucius' eyes narrowed. "I tried to send her away. She wouldn't go! This time I made her! I gave myself up to protect her! I lost my son to protect my wife! What more do you want from me?"
Tonks pointed to the carved flesh. "I want you to tell us your sins, Malfoy. What are the Recreant's Sins?"
"I told you, I —" He froze, trailing off mid sentence as his eyes narrowed on the photo. "No. No, no, no, no, no, NO!"
"I spoke to my mother, Uncle Lucius, and not only hasn't my mother spoken to Narcissa Malfoy in months, but she never arrived at their home," Tonks said quietly. "You are a coward and in your attempts to protect her, you left her vulnerable to those you were too afraid to stand up to."
"No!" Lucius cried out, his eyes filling up with tears. "No! Binky got her out! She took her somewhere safe!"
Tonks took out another photo, this one of Narcissa's face and placed it on the table before him. "No, you left her and they punished her for your sins; carved it right into her flesh as witness."
His fingers clutched the photo desperately and the sound of anguish that escaped his throat brought unshed tears to Tonks' eyes.
"I'm sorry, Mr Malfoy, but your wife is dead."
End Author's Notes:
Thanks to Jenorama for her awesome help with my Quidditch chat.
Thank you for reading and please review!