Chapter 26: When Darkness Rears It's Ugly Head
My thanks to all my readers and reviewers...Enjoy-S.S.
Malfoy Manor, Wizarding World...
Draco had run through the vast halls of Malfoy Manor with dread coursing through him and sorrow in his Pureblood heart. He had known how his godfather would take the news about Hermione Granger losing his child. He had known all too well what agony the dour wizard suffered when his child with the boy's own Aunt Bellatrix had been murdered. It seemed as if history was repeating itself with Hermione. Lucius Malfoy had been in his study for a time and had come out upon hearing his distraught son call for him.
"FATHER!" shouted Draco frantically as he ran.
Lucius came bursting from his study with a look of shock spread across his handsome pale face. His lengthy hair swaying effortlessly with his sudden movements.
"What is the meaning of all this shouting, Draco?" asked the Pureblood wizard.
"Father, I apologize for the shouting but it couldn't be helped." said Draco still frantic. "I-I need you to get uncle Severus...something's happened...it's Granger."
Upon hearing the name of his "little brother's wife." Lucius snapped into action at once.
"He's here in the study...he was recovering from...it doesn't matter." said the handsome wizard in a hurried manner. "What is this matter concerning Miss Granger?"
"D-Dolohov." replied Draco with a hint of rage behind his gray eyes.
"Dolohov?" asked Lucius then something seemed to click.
He bolted into the study where Severus Snape had been quietly resting upon an elegant sofa. The dour wizard had been mentally drained from taking in the various gruesome aspects of the dark revel and the latest victim caused him great distress as it had reminded him of his own deceased mother and her brutal murder at the hands of his father.
Lucius made his way over toward the sleeping wizard.
"F-Father...there's more." Draco stammered looking down at his feet. "Granger...she was pregnant."
The handsome albino blond arched an eyebrow at this.
"Was?" he asked unsure that he had heard Draco correctly.
"Was." repeated Draco in a soft tone a flicker of sorrow behind his gray eyes.
Lucius' own gray eyes widened. He took a breath and waved his wand over the sleeping Severus Snape. His heart was heavy with sorrow as he decided how he was going to tell his little brother that he had lost yet another child in the wake of this war.
Severus blinked as his obsidian eyes fluttered open.
The dour wizard moved to sit up and instantly felt Lucius Malfoy's hands against his ebony clad chest.
"Slowly." said the handsome albino blond.
Snape felt the room had been spinning as he made to lift himself off the sofa. After taking a moment to collect himself, the Potions Master noted the sorrowful expression upon his godson's face. He had still been furious with the boy for his antics with Bellatrix and was yet to say much to him outside of class.
"W-What is he doing here?" asked Snape bitterly. "Is there not a class today?"
"It's only been two days Severus." said Lucius.
Draco blinked confused.
"Two days?" he asked. "You mean he's been out of it since Friday?"
Lucius nodded taking care to study the dour wizard before him.
"I-I've been here two days?" asked Snape confused now. "H-Hermione...I have to get back to Hogwarts...the baby..."
Lucius had to place his hands firmly on the ebony clad wizard's shoulders to keep him seated.
"Severus there is something you should know." he said. "I-I do not know how best to tell you this but you must be informed..."
Snape arched an eyebrow at his friend's words. He had not recalled telling Lucius or anyone about Hermione's pregnancy and yet neither seemed to be surprised once he spoke about his child.
"Severus, it's about your young bride." said Lucius with a serious expression.
"What about her?" asked Snape not at all liking how Draco and Lucius both were looking at him.
Draco turned away unable to face his uncle as the tears started to stream down his pale cheeks. This only served to alarm Snape further.
"No." he said rising to his feet and filling the rage run through him.
"Severus...there was an attack in Hogsmeade village." said Lucius scrambling to his feet. "Draco was there and fortunately he saved the girl but..."
Snape's obsidian eyes flickered with an emotion the handsome albino blond had not recognized. For the first time in years Lucius found himself looking at the remains of the 17 year old wizard who had been a father for only a brief moment before his son's life was taken.
"T-The baby?" asked Snape his eyes filled with conflicting as if he dared to hope but knew better.
"I-I'm so sorry Severus." said Lucius. "Apparently, your wife had a miscarriage."
Snape fell silent. His shoulders slacked in the way of a man resigned to some grisly fate, and his expression grew indifferent. The brief image of the 17 year old wizard immediately became a man older than even the handsome gray eyed blond before him.
"I see." he said in an emotionless tone. "Then I must see to her welfare."
He walked briskly passed both Malfoy men without another word and made his way to the floo. Draco had known that look. It sent chills down his youthful spine as he watched his godfather step through the floo and into Hogwarts.
"I-I tried father." he said sadly.
"I know." replied Lucius walking over to the sorrowful young wizard and placing a hand on his shoulder. "And I believe he does too."
Draco had not know what was in-store for his godfather and Hermione Granger but he was happy to have at least saved the young witch's life.
"She really seemed to want that child father." said Draco looking up at Lucius with a sorrowful face.
Lucius patted his young son on the head and sighed.
"So did he." he replied.
After several minute of letting the sorrowful news soak in Lucius poured himself a drink. Draco sat down on the sofa and Lucius handed him a glass. The young Malfoy had his first firewhiskey that afternoon sitting in the study. Neither father nor son said a word for the longest time.