Draco 13 August 2017
I'm not a patient man. Never have been, nor have I ever implied that I am. This waiting around until the right time to extract my wife and my top aid was killing me.
We did get Tony to be integrated into this moron's circle, and I must say he's a quick learner. Theo and I have been giving him personalized instructions on how the Dark side works, some ins and outs, and what to say to whom.
What we have been waiting for is to know the moron's grand scheme. With me as his top wizarding advisor, I have been able to get a great deal out.
What I'm worried about is where are the wands that belong to the ladies? The moron seems to think, Hermione's talent comes from her wand since she is a simple female muggleborn. Two strikes against her. I try and convince him that I wish that was the case, because my homelife would have been a lot easier when I was in school and came up second to her in practically everything.
But this guy has no real scheme, no plan, no foresight (hello Potter, I have found your equal on the opposite side!). I try to give him some direction, based on my previous experience with the Dark Lord. But luckily this guy isn't interested in killing people and creating horcruxes, just creating a state of anarchy. I try to understand why, all he can tell me is that it is time for a change and that wizards need to be in control. So creating a state of anarchy, where fear is the driving force, he is going to replace the government with one that can 'create a sense of stability and power in the region.'
Wow. Sounds familiar. Like when Voldemort took over the Ministry. But he wants to do it for the Muggles.
This makes our Ministry officials be on edge. And the surrounding Ministries follow suit. Since Britain has the most recent and terrifying dealings with a monster like him, everyone is pulled in. Including me. I am now sitting in on top level briefings, meetings, negotiations (I am so glad that I don't have to work within the confines of a Ministry), and other events. I even throw a small gathering of pivotal members of inner circle and some of the neighboring ministries, throwing ideas that this would be beneficial for many of the nations to follow suit.
I came home and vomited. I looked at one of the few pictures I have of the two of us and promised her silently that she will be home soon.
I need to focus on some good things: our future for starters. Ginny is planning a family get together with all of her brothers - except the one - and the children after our private family dinner to announce what happened. She wants it at their home, so it doesn't seem too frightening, and under the auspices of having Hermione home. I am keeping in close contact with her to let her know how Hermione is doing and get information on Rose and Hugo for her.
Our acquisitions department has already found the perfect home for me to move into, since I say the loft seems too rigid. I needed something with a yard and garden that we can entertain and for Padfoot, a bunch of bedrooms, a dining area that can be used to entertain or just feed all the Weasleys (like for Rose or Hugo's birthdays), a kitchen that I probably could live in, it's light and airy even with a sunroom and office for Hermione. It's close enough to the Ministry that she can go in at a moment's notice and still close enough to my work for me. It really was the perfect place. I already had our design team get to work on it so when we get back, it will be move in ready for the whole family in creams, light blues, yellows and greens.
Now I just need to get her home.
Another day of waiting passes and at least today I get to see her. I held her as she fell asleep, telling her the that I love her and that we will get her out and home soon. But she needed to eat, because I could tell she was weak. But she needed me. I needed her too. I need her now. I whispered to her what I was planning on doing when we get home, she isn't going to leave the bedroom until she is up to it. I will get her breakfast, lunch, and supper in bed. I will bring her a stack of books, even going to the Muggle library to get her something new to read regularly. She won't need to lift a finger. I told her of our new home, of the party Ginny's planning. And I told her I love her. I told her over and over. I told her she's the most important thing in this world to me, she and Scorpius. I would lay down my life for either of them without thinking twice. I told her not to worry about me tomorrow, I will be waiting for her to bring her home. I also told her it is going to be less than a week before we all get together and sit down to dinner and tell the kids so she has to get stronger by then.
I just have to wait now.
I just had the weakest definition of 'sleep' there is; most of the night I laid down praying, staring at the ceiling. I prayed that the extraction plan worked today. I prayed that both women came home safely. I prayed to be able to hold my wife tonight. I prayed that all this time wasn't in vain.
I prayed that I never am put in this position again. I prayed that I am able to come out of this black abyss that I was sucked into. I prayed that the evil can be eliminated in days and weeks instead of months and years.
My head was reeling as the sun crept in through the dark curtains of the room. Potter pokes his head in, "no rest for the weary mate?"
Did he just call me mate?
"Nerves. You train for this. Theo trains for this. I'll never be ready for this. Any of it."
"Doesn't help that it's 'Mione does it?"
"Hell no. Seeing her yesterday, it was the deepest pain that I have ever had."
"I can't image mate. Really. If something happened to Ginny."
"Just pray it doesn't." I'm adding that one to the prayer list now. For Potter, their kids, Hermione, all the Weasleys, and wizarding kind in general; I can't think of the rampage that Potter would go on if his wife was abducted like this.
"It's just a matter of hours now. Everything is in place. We are just waiting for Bacunawa," his true name, which took me days to figure out - though not much better than New Dark Lord since it means 'Serpent', "to come out into his lair." Potter reminds me.
"I am counting down the seconds, minutes, hours. I'm trying not to dwell. But Potter, was there any indication before she came out?"
"None. We had no idea that Bacunawa had a person in the Muggle government working with him. The local Ministries are working to flush out all the wizards in Muggle government positions as soon as we alert that the extraction is to take place."
"Have you had anything this coordinated? Well since the war?"
Potter's laughing. "You have no idea how un-coordinated the war was do you?" I shake my head. "It was three teenagers that only had the support of our old professors and fellow students and about 20 Order members we hadn't seen in months. That is anything but coordinated."
"You still beat him."
"With a lot of help from 'Mione. And a little from Ron here and there. And a whole lotta luck, mate. Maybe we'll talk about it over dinner."
"Your kids… they had better get O's in History of Magic: Wizarding Wars."
"You don't want to know what will happen if they don't. I fear for their safety. Their mum and aunt will" he shows a slice across his neck and we share a laugh. "What about Scorpius? Would you be upset?"
"He doesn't know what happened really on your side. He knows that his grandfather was a member of the inner circle of Death Eaters… Hopefully he'll beat Rose in the Dark Arts part of the Wizarding Wars."
"Nah, no offense, but she's her mother's daughter. She'll find something"
"In the library" we both chime.
I just shake my head, "Potter, I have to admit something. Sixth year, I would hide and just watch her study. She was panicked. She knew something was happening. She looked like she believed that she alone could end Him."
"I think she realized that one of the horcruxes was me. I think she was trying to find a way to extract it or destroy it. Or destroy any of them. She lived and loved the library."
"Don't tell her yet but we have a Muggle library two blocks away from our new house. And she has her own office which, honestly, is more library like with just a desk."
"She'll love it. You really thought about of everything."
"Except I don't know Rose and Hugo that well. I don't know how to do their rooms. I could just give them carte blanche' but I don't know if Hermione would go for that."
"One word - no. She wouldn't. Otherwise Rose would have about a half dozen wizard group posters all over her walls. And then there would be the quidditch calendar… Ron would get her the topless male quidditch team calendars annually. Hermione would throw them out."
I laugh thinking back to the couple of years I played professionally. "I still have the ones I was in. I can tell her stories of how they really did those calendars. It was the worst week all year. We all agreed that dawn to dusk practice would have been better than those photo shoots."
"Ginny remembers them from her time on the Harpies. Bikinis and Brooms is what it was called. I had one in my office at the Ministry."
"I underestimated you Harry." He's lounging in one of the chairs, like we were mates back in school.
"And I you, Draco. You've grown up from the prat we knew."
"I believe the phrase you are looking for is either 'foul loathsome evil little cockroach' or ferret." I have to laugh at the names I was called - justifiably - at school. Especially the one my beauty called me.
"Can I be honest with you Draco?" I nod. "I think she always cared about you. More than she would admit. Ron, well he was expected. You, that's what she really wanted deep in her heart. You excited her. You gave her a challenge. You gave her something to work toward and work for. Ron - love the bloke - but he's a putz. "
Damn Potter, I think, that threw me and it probably showed in the shock on my face. "Just do me a favor going forward, Potter."
"What's that?"
"Don't walk in on us again." I smirk.
He takes off his glasses and rubs his eyes. "I need to find a way to obliviate that from my memory forever. Maybe when we get her home…"
"I won't let her. You are going to be tortured with that for eternity. Considering I landed on my arse."
"Your bloody face was… UGH! Mental picture!" He cringes and rubs his eyes harder, like that is going to take the mental picture out.
I get a much needed laugh out at watching Potter squirm. Success.
Not much later he was called into a briefing with the heads of the ministries, Theo, Tony and a few other high ranking officials. Hermione should be there. Instead, she was in a black hole where you couldn't tell the date, more or less the time.
Every time I was allowed access - under the guises of seeing Trini, since she is my employee - I would sneak in enough food and water for a few days, and tell them both what day it was and how many many more before the extraction. And anything to keep their spirits up.
I would always come back and cry for hours. Potter would let me, thank goodness. Then they would debrief me as to their situation and any changes in the mood/environment/plans of Bacunawa. He hasn't moved. He isn't as scheming as Voldemort. He is more a sit back and watch what happens after the chaos he causes.
But honestly, Potter was the one who could debrief me. He was understanding through it all. He understood what position I was in. How it hurt to see the woman I love hurting, again. He was concerned for my distancing too far, falling in too far within the dark arts. He didn't trust anyone other than himself to debrief me. He would always come in with a pot of coffee and bottle of firewhiskey. We'd go through both before everything was over.
One night, after a particularly hard meeting with Bacunawa where Theo and I were able to teach him the Imperio curse, I just sat there looking in my firewhiskey realizing how much the color reminded me of her honey colored eyes.
"Tell me something Potter."
"Anything Draco. But again, call me Harry."
"She'll have a heart attack if she hears me call you Harry. We already discussed that."
"She'll be happy that we're friends though Draco. It'll be worth it."
I'm not ready, but I didn't tell him. I wasn't ready to have the Chosen One in my circle of friends yet. "Potter, tell me about her life. What was her life like?"
"Where do you want to start?"
"Well she was a know it all at school, but after school what happened to her afterwards."
"Well… She left school after actually taking her NEWTs, which of course she got all O's in. She had her choice of jobs at the Ministry. She wanted something with a challenge. Everyone expected her to be an auror, like Ron and I, but she couldn't anymore. She would get to a point in a job and then move. Every couple of years. She would get bored and it wouldn't be a challenge anymore. So a couple years ago she starts working directly under the Minister. She had a hand in all the different departments and how they ran - everything from staffing levels and budgets, to what projects were going on. Most of the higher members of each department she was on a first name basis with in days. But everyone knew her. It was her getting to know everyone." He sighed.
"Ron was jealous," he continued, "I see it in retrospect. She was getting so many accolades, such attention from everyone of any importance. He was known as Hermione Granger's husband, not Ron Weasley."
I chuckled. "I would consider that an honor. I wouldn't mind being thought of as her husband."
"Ron didn't see it that way. He was a member of the trio, he would complain. She was getting to the top of what she wanted. I was already in charge of Magical Law Enforcement, which is all I ever wanted. He was just a 'second stringer' as he would call it. The backup to one of us. It got to his ego. And the more his ego hurt, the bigger arse he was."
"What was the worst Potter? Did he hit her or anything?"
"No, probably because he didn't want the wrath of the Weasley women to come down on him." He thought about it, it was obvious, he was trying to choose his words carefully. Ron was still his brother in law, and one of his closest friends. "The worst probably was when Rosie was born. 'Mione, she wasn't feeling well that day so she stayed home. Everyone knew Rosie was due any day, probably everyone except 'Mione. She kept saying there were days and weeks to go before she was going to be born. Someone forgot to tell Rosie that her mom is always right." He smiled. "Well about 1 her waters broke. Luckily Ginny was already there, so she alerted everyone it was time. Ginny," he laughed, "had literally 30 racing owls at 'Mione's house for when it happened. And practically stayed over all day and night with James and I. Well we got the howler - yeah my wife she um can overdo things just so you know - and I rushed to the hospital. Ron didn't. An hour after we all got the howlers, well the lobby was full at St Mungo's with Weasleys; I told Bill, Charlie, and George to go get Ron since he still didn't show up." Now his mood obviously had turned. "He never showed. He missed the birth of his daughter. Ginny and I were there for 'Mione. I was on one side and Ginny on the other keeping her calm and coaching her along. I introduced Rosie to the rest of the Weasleys, when it should have been her father. Later that night I went to their flat, he wasn't there. I went to work and he was just sitting there drinking firewhiskey straight from the bottle. He claimed he was finishing up paperwork, which I called 'bull' because this was his daughter and I was his boss who knew better." I hadn't noticed how his head and shoulders had slumped. He was obviously upset at the actions of his friend.
"My poor honey." I want to hold her more now than ever. "Potter. Harry, know I would never treat her like that. Actually when Astoria was pregnant, she threatened to send me to some obscure cousin of hers in France because I was too clingy. I didn't want to miss anything. I wanted to be there by her side when Scorp first kicked, I was there every morning when she was sick, I would futz with the pillows until she was comfortable. Every time she had to pee, I would jump up and help her out of bed." I look at my hand smiling. "See these Potter?" I show him some scars I have on my hand and wrist. He nods. "They're the ones I am the most proud of." I chuckle, "They are from when Astoria clawed me and dug her nails in during a contraction. I told her I didn't care, she was so strong and brave and beautiful. She was having my son." I remember the day perfectly, everything she called me, every contraction, the doctor's face when he held Scorpius and handed him to me saying how much he looked just like me. "I was so lucky to cut his cord. But after his birth, Astoria didn't look at me the same. She wasn't interested in us. She would claim that she did her one job as a Malfoy wife, give an heir. For months she locked herself away, away from me and Scorpius. I talked to a couple of Muggle friends and they explained Postpartum Depression to me. I joked that I 'pulled a Hermione' and ran to the library and looked up everything I could. It took a lot, but she came around more and more. But we never… had that same connection again." I had a thought that crossed my mind, "When is Rose's birthday?"
"The 16th. Ginny told me that all she wanted was her mum home for her birthday. There is a huge party planned either way."
"So she's already is a lion. She'll be one of the younger members of her class."
"Never thought of that, but I guess it is because I was one of the younger members of our class. When Scorpius's birthday?"
"February 4th. Which actually didn't help with Astoria. It was cold, grey and depressing in general. Add to that she was depressed… So when Valentine's day came, I made the house bright and cheery, flowers everywhere but she didn't even see. I was given the greatest gift imaginable and I couldn't thank her because she wouldn't even open the door."
"Draco, you tried. Trust me, if that was 'Mione," he shook his head then a smile appeared, "well I'd have about a dozen more nieces and nephews. She would appreciate it. I am honestly surprised they had Hugo. But 'Mione didn't want Rosie to be an only child like she was."
"I didn't want Scorp to be an only child either, but it wasn't only my decision." It probably sounded more depressing than it really was. I couldn't imagine not having Scorp, although I could imagine about 3 or 4 siblings for him. "I always wanted a daughter. So I am a godfather to three now. I guess that's all I can ask for."
"Really?" He looked at me with a smirk plastered on his face. "You may want to ask your wife about that but I don't think she'd be opposed though."
"I never thought… maybe… I won't rush it."
"No you're not rushing into anything. You just eloped after one night, not even a one night stand. There's no rushing."
"Arse."
"Ferret."
"Scarface."
"Cockroach."
"We can do this all night can't we?"
"Yeah, but at some point I want to get some sleep."
"Fine… let's talk."
I haven't eaten. I can't. My nerves are shot. The team left almost an hour ago and there hasn't been word one what the status is. I know it was planned for a three hour extraction and eradication mission, but still. That didn't even include the 30 minutes to and from the liar. Four hours. I can't imagine four hours waiting for some word.
I think about what Potter - Harry - said. About maybe having more kids. Would it be something my beautiful wife would be interested in? I mean we're only in our 30s and even Muggles are having kids in the 40s and beyond. My company pretty much runs itself, contrary to Blaise's constant nagging, so I could stay home with the kids. Good thing there are an extra two bedrooms in the house I just bought for us.
But I won't, I won't pressure her or anything. It just really didn't cross my mind. If she gets pregnant, where the hell did she send her family? Oh yeah Australia. Well at least they speak English there and I can work out of our Sydney office.
I don't think she'll be as frustrated with me as Astoria was though. She seems to like the attention. And she deserves it.
What a bloody arse Weasel was! Missing his daughter's birth! His child. His first bloody born. A baby girl! She should be able to depend on her father the most, and he wasn't there when she was her most vulnerable. I grab a piece of parchment and a pen, I need to write something to the kids.
Rosie, I'm sorry you two have a father that thinks of himself before you and your mother, but I never will. I promise you and your brother, I won't be like that. I will never think of either of you as secondary to Scorpius either. I married your mother, and now I just got blessed with a son and a daughter too. Please know I love you all. I don't ask that you love me. I hope someday you will. But until then, know that I love you and Hugo.
Love Always,
Your Stepdad.
I write a similar one to Hugo and seal the letters. I will give them when we all sit down as a family. At home. At the Potter house. For dinner.
Never would I believe that I would utter those words and not vomit. Instead I am looking forward to next week.
And Rosie's birthday. I need to think of something special for her first birthday as part of the family. And something from Scorp. And help her mother with a present, I don't know how she's going to be in 3 days.
There's only one person I know to ask what to get an 11 year old girl… my mother.
Screw that, I'm asking Blaise.
"Zabini." Well at least he's awake. That's a good sign.
"Yo' Mate it's Draco."
"Bout time you called in. How is everything? Is she out yet?"
"No I'm doing my best not to think about it right now. This is the longest four or so hours of my life."
"You need a distraction then."
"No I need some advice."
"I'm shocked. The perfect Draco Malfoy admits a flaw. Other than being neurotic about his wife that is in the hands of a nutter. But that is understandable."
"Shut it Blaise. I need to get a gift for a girl."
"Wait, wait, wait… You have a girl and a wife?"
"Arse wipe! It is my new stepdaughter. Rose. Her birthday is in a couple of days."
"Shit I forgot Granger had a daughter. Welcome to the club mate. Now you have to worry about boys, and boys, and boys like us."
"Yeah but she's also a Weasley, so she has about a dozen cousins already watching over her. So ummm the advice. Birthday present for 11 year old girl. One I haven't met yet but will probably be reeling from us telling her that she has a new stepdad about a day before her birthday."
I hear him laughing, "mate your timing… days before her birthday, you marry her mother. You, an unknown to her before. You - that probably is talked down by her whole family. Your timing is is something of brobdingnagian proportions."
"Did you get a new word of the day calendar?" I am laughing at the word choice.
"No I didn't. Got a new administrative manager up here. Since ours is being held by a certain nutter."
"Ugh… who? And Trini is well, thanks for asking. She's getting a week in the safe house here. No questions asked. I have it ready and she'll have a couple of house elves making her fruity drinks and luxurious meals. Now we just have to find her a man. But can we please talk about my stepdaughter!"
"11 year old girl… hmm… any ideas?"
"She likes wizard rock and quidditch teams. Her dad would get her the annual pin up calendars. But 'Mione would toss them."
"Find out who her favorite team is and get her some good seats to a match or two."
"That's an eh, last resort idea. I should probably ask Ginny Potter, but she's going to have me answering questions about what's going on here… and I don't have answers yet."
"How about I ask her? That way you don't stress and she doesn't either."
"That would be great. And if you can, ask her how to decorate the kids' rooms. I know how Scorp always wanted his own room, but them… I'm lost."
"I'll have your decorator call her. I'll work on the birthday present. Nothing too Malfoy-ish?"
"No! Nothing Malfoy-ish to begin with. Simple."
"Got it. I'll call her and take care of it. You just bring her mum home."
"That's the plan."
I'm running out of ideas to keep my mind off what is going on. How much longer until my wife comes back to me? I know they are bringing her and Trini directly here and then I'm taking them to the safe house. As soon as they touch down here, the other Ministries sweep into the Muggle governments and remove the wizards and witches. The timing is practically instantaneously.
We hide in the safehouse for a couple of days, but it will only be until she's strong enough to get home. Everything is ready for them, they have some new outfits, everything. And Trini will be at the other end of the safehouse estate, so she has her own sanctuary. The moment that we can get home, she's going home and I'm going to take care of her. Even Pansy is going to bring the baby by so that hopefully the two can become civil to each other. Hopefully. Only for Blaise's and my sanity.
I just have to wait, don't look at the clock, a little more until she comes back.
