Chapter 4 The Next Day

The sun beamed harshly through the curtains of their bedroom. Their bedroom. So today had arrived; the world didn't end last night. Tonks pulled the covers over her head, welcoming the darkness back. Maybe if I stay here...

"Dora? Can I come in?"

"Draco?" She flipped the covers down. "No," she whined, pulling them back up.

"Tough shit, I'm coming in." He pushed the door open, surprised by the clutter that laid before him. Apparently, a hurricane of clothes had landed in her room. He examined the mess closely; Severus' entire wardrobe lay at his feet. The closet door hung open revealing empty hangers; some hanging on the rack, others thrown to the floor.

She must have thrown a fit last night. She was known to do such things. He could recall her hexing him until he begged for mercy; the night he deflected.

Flashback

No, she screamed at him. She would not lose another family member to such a frivolous thing as Voldemort. First, she reasoned with him. Then, she pleaded. When he sneered at her, she hexed him. Tough love, she called it. He screamed until she heard the words she longed for.

"Cousin, please!"

He had finally claimed her as his own blood. She released him, staring into his eyes. She said the most simple words to him that night. Words that changed his whole world.

"If I am your blood and you are mine... Why do you fight to keep us apart?"

He relented, giving in to the only family member that ever fought for him. They had not known each other well before then, but she became a rock for him after that. She showed him what love looked like; what unconditional truly meant. The war brought him to his knees, but she helped him to find his feet. Now it was his turn to help her.

Flashback ends

He sat on the edge of her bed, rubbing her back. Draco waved his wand, setting everything back in its rightful place. He smiled at the clothes as they hung themselves back up.

His cousin and her temper; she could bring a giant to his knees. He didn't dare scold her. Even in her current state she would best him. She was an Auror after all.

"Cousin, you have to get up. You need to get dressed."

She huffed, "No. I don't."

"Dora, please."

Tonks inhaled deeply, "I don't want today to happen. Maybe if I stay like this, I can stop it."

Draco shook his head, "I wish you could... Come now. We'll be late."

Sarah approached the doorway, "Madame Snape-... Malfoy!" She backed up, "Um, I... You...-"

Tonks laughed, pulling the covers off. "You seem to have an effect on her."

Draco smirked, "I have that effect on all women."

"Shall I ask Hermione about your effects?

"She wouldn't disagree." He winked at her.

Tonks slapped his shoulders and laughed. "Sarah, this is my cousin, Draco Malfoy. Perhaps you have heard of him?"

She nodded, "Of course. I apologize, I wasn't expecting to see you."

Draco stood and extended his hand, "And you are?"

Sarah fidgeted before shaking it, "Sarah Reese."

"And you are here because?"

Tonks watched the awkward exchange. Poor Sarah. "She's from the Quibbler."

"You work for Luna?" Draco questioned.

"Yes. Miss Lovegood."

"Why are you here?"

Tonks got up and stretched, "I invited her."

Draco spun to meet her eyes, "Why?"

Tonks shrugged, "I wanted to tell our story. Severus' and mine."

Draco's face turned red, "I don't think Godfather would have-"

"Well, he isn't here, is he?" She walked into the bathroom, shutting the door.

Draco turned his attention back to Sarah, "How is Luna?"

"She's fine. Quite well, in fact."

"Still with Neville?"

Sarah turned her head slightly, "Yes. Mr. Longbottom recently proposed."

He smirked, "I know."

"Should I ask how?"

"I sold him the ring."

"You're a jeweler now?"

Draco shook his head, "No. I just sold him a ring."

"A dragon diamond."

"You've seen it."

Sarah nodded, "It's hard to miss."

"Listen closely Sarah. Your boss is a friend. Your boss' fiancé is a friend." He backed her into the wall, "Do tred lightly." Draco gestured to the bathroom door, "That is the only family I have left. If someone were to hurt her," he twirled his wand around his fingers, "I wouldn't be responsible for their fate."

She sputtered, "Are you threatening me?"

He smiled, hearing the door knob to the bathroom turn, "Not at all. Just making conversation."

Draco turned to his cousin, " Come now. We'll be late."

Tonks nodded, "Sarah's coming too. She'll be shadowing me all week."

Draco nodded, "Of course she is."

*****The Next Day was Bowie's 24th album. He was a fucking genius. The album was announced on Bowie's sixty-sixth birthday, 8 January 2013. Go buy all his albums! ****