A/N: Sorry for the delay! It's been one of those weeks …
Enjoy! :-)
"Draco, please don't make me do this," pleaded Seth, fidgeting nervously as he and Draco stood in the reception area of St. Mungo's Hospital.
"You promised me you would do anything as long as I didn't tell Phil - or Caroline -about your little betrayal, remember?" said Draco, putting his hand on Seth's shoulder.
"Yes, but this is a bloody huge favor. Don't you think you're sort of taking advantage?"
Draco smiled. "Of course I am. But this is what I need and, coincidentally, you're one of the few people who can help me get it."
"Yes, but -"
"Get on with it, Seth."
Without another word, Draco guided Seth over to the reception desk.
"Good day," he said to the Welcome Witch. "My friend here would like to visit his mother in the Janus Thickey Ward, and we understand that we will need someone to unlock the door for us."
"Yes, of course," said the witch, going into her desk and shuffling through some parchment. She pulled a sheet out. "What is your mother's name?"
Seth looked at Draco pleadingly, but he just motioned for him to continue. He sighed. "Lucy Littleton," he said quietly.
The witch scanned her parchment and then looked up at him slowly. "If you'll just give me a moment, I have to contact our Head Healer up there."
The Welcome Witch stood up from her seat and walked off somewhere. She returned several minutes later with an older, plump witch, who gave them each a onceover.
"I wasn't aware Mrs. Littleton had a son," she said.
"Ms.," Seth corrected. "If you know so much about her then it seems like you should already be aware that she and my father were never married. Death Eaters tend to have a rule against marrying Muggle-borns, even ones they had children with. They would much rather have their Dark Lord kill the man they did the unmentionable with, then offer their son as a sacrifice to try and save themselves. Only, that seemed to have backfired, didn't it? Since, well, I'm here on the outside and all, and she's confined to a small room for the rest of her life."
The Welcome Witch tried really hard to be distracted with something on her desk while the Healer flushed and continued to stare at Seth without blinking.
Draco took several deep breaths. "As you can tell, he is really very eager to see his mother after all of these years."
If Draco hadn't been so desperate to get into that ward, he would have grabbed Seth and led him right out of there. As angry at him as he was, he didn't like seeing his friend so distraught. But he needed to get in there, and Seth was his only real option.
"R-right this way," said the Healer, leading them towards the stairs.
Draco made sure to walk behind Seth as she led them up to the fourth floor, knowing very well that he was already eager to find an escape route.
They got to the fourth floor and headed down the corridor towards the Janus Thickey ward. When they got to the door, the Healer took out her wand and said, "Alohomora." She opened the door and held it for them while they walked inside.
They were immediately greeted by the beaming smile and bright white teeth of someone who Draco recognized as a former Defense Against the Dark Arts professor at Hogwarts … and a bad one. He didn't really recall what had happened to him. It was hard to keep track after a while.
"Hello, would you like an autograph? I have loads of photographs you can choose -"
"Perhaps I will take Gilderoy here for a walk while you … get reacquainted," said the Healer, taking Gilderoy Lockhart's arm. "Your mother is in the bed near the back. She never speaks, but she will get up and walk around every now and then."
The Healer left with an enthusiastic Lockhart and locked the door behind her. Seth remained where he stood, but Draco grabbed his shoulder and pulled him along.
"What are you doing?" he asked, resisting. "I already got you in here. There's no reason for me to actually see her."
"Demons, mate. We all have to conquer them."
Seth glanced sideways at him and sneered. "I loathe you right now."
Draco just smiled. "I know."
Draco practically dragged Seth over to the bed the Healer had said his mother was in. It was currently occupied by a woman with long, tangled white hair the color of snow, who was staring vacantly at the ceiling with the same sky-blue eyes as her son.
Seth looked down at her and gulped. "Please just do what you have to do so we can get out of here."
Draco nodded and turned. He didn't have to scan the room for long before he came across a man and a woman sitting together on the bed just across from Seth's mother. They were watching him curiously but didn't seem altogether there. Both looked aged and tired, but the woman still bore a striking resemblance to Neville Longbottom.
Draco took a step forward. "Hello," he said.
Both of them continued to gaze at him with the wide-eyed wonder of a child.
"Are you the Longbottoms?"
The man opened his mouth like he was going to say something, but only croaked before closing it again. He repeated this several times.
"Is that your wife?" asked Draco, pointing at the woman.
More curious stares.
Draco reached into his pocket and pulled out his pocket watch. He flipped it open and held it out to them. They both leaned in to look at it.
Draco pointed at the photo of him and Hermione kissing on one side of the watch. "You see her?" he asked.
The woman lifted her hands and took the watch from him, staring intently at the photo.
"That's my wife," he said. "I love her very much."
They both looked up and Draco put his hand on his heart.
"Love," he repeated, pointing back at the photo.
Their eyes drifted towards it once again.
"Do you … do you feel love?"
The woman looked at him again, and then at the pocket watch, and then at him, and finally at her husband. She leaned in and kissed his lips like in the photo. She smiled proudly before looking back at Draco.
"Very good," he said, giving her a little applause.
The door to the ward opened and the Healer walked in with Lockhart still on her arm and someone just behind them.
Draco quickly took several steps back towards Seth as Neville Longbottom's eyes landed on him.
"Malfoy?" Neville said, walking further into the room. "What are you doing here?"
"I just came with Seth," he answered, turning so he was facing the wizard in question.
It was only now that he noticed Seth's mother had moved so she was sitting upright, her eyes fixed intently on her son. Seth was frozen.
"You all right, mate?" he asked.
Seth nodded, but Draco wasn't sure he was all too aware of the movement.
Neville went over and stood near his parents, but still kept his eyes on Draco. Suddenly, someone was pushing something into his hand. He looked down to see his mother handing him a gold pocket watch.
"Thanks, Mum," he said, taking a piece of Droobles Blowing Gum out of his pocket and handing it to her. She put it in her mouth and chewed happily while Neville looked at the pocket watch. "What are you playing at, Malfoy?" he asked, handing Draco back his watch.
"I …" Well, this was an awkward conversation. "I just wanted to check something first. Before I came to you about it."
"Something that has to do with my parents?" Neville asked.
Draco nodded.
"How did you even know they were here?"
"Bellatrix was my aunt, Longbottom. I am aware of the reasoning behind all family incarcerations."
"So … all those years in school when … when you gave me hell … you knew?"
Draco sighed and put the watch back in his pocket. "I'm not proud of it. But, yes, I did."
Neville's face burned bright red.
"Look, at any other time I would give you full permission to take a swing at me for being the git I was back then, but this isn't about you and me. This is about Hermione."
"What are you -"
"Your parents were the last couple in the Love Chamber before me and her."
Neville's jaw dropped. "What?"
"It's true," said Draco. "I found a spell that shows the imprint of everyone who's entered. They were the last names on there, other than mine and Hermione's. And, coincidentally, they are the only other names on there of people who are still alive."
Neville looked momentarily to the floor before glancing over at his parents. His mother took the gum out of her mouth and stuck it in her husbands. Then she kissed his lips again. Like in the photo.
"So why didn't you just tell me that? Why did you come here first?"
"I just … I wanted to make sure there was still love here before I got everyone's hopes up. Without it they can't get in."
"But if they can get in … you can get in?" Neville asked, crinkling his forehead.
"That's what I've been - Seth, watch it!"
Seth had backed up into him. Draco turned to see that his mother had crawled to the edge of the bed and was holding onto the railing while leaning in closer to look at him. Seth reached for Draco and gripped hard onto his arm.
"Se … Se-th," the woman choked out. Her voice was worn and dry, like it had not been used in years.
Seth screamed before running down to the other end of the ward, where the Healer was watching in amazement.
"I thought you said she didn't speak!" he yelled. "Why is she speaking? Why is she saying -"
"In all of the years I have worked here, I have never -"
"Se-th," the woman repeated, jumping out of her bed and tottering after him. "S-son."
Al life drained from Seth's face. He watched her coming towards him, his eyes steadily fixed on her outstretched hand before darting for the door. He pulled, but it was locked.
"Let me out of here!" he demanded.
The Healer ran over to the door and quickly took out her wand. Draco and Neville ran down the ward after him.
"Seth, calm down," said Draco.
"Let me out!" Seth screamed louder.
The moment the door was open, he was out of it. Draco and Neville followed him down the stairs, across the reception floor, out the door, and onto the Muggle streets. They followed him to a secluded alley, where he Disapparated.
"Thinx," Draco said to Neville before Apparating into Seth's lab.
Draco followed all of the workers gazes towards Seth's office in the back of it. He ran inside. Neville slipped in behind him, shut the door and put up a Silencing Charm.
"Seth, talk to me," said Draco, crouching beside his friend, who was sobbing hysterically in his chair. "Is there something more about why you never wanted to see your mother?"
Seth began shaking his head rapidly. Draco wasn't sure if he was trying to say no or yes.
"She recognized me," he cried. "She said my name."
Draco frowned. "Yes, I heard."
"The last time I saw her she was … she was still there. Not much, but she was. We were locked in a cell and they had just used the Cruciatus Curse on her. She said my name and … and then she said she was sorry. They took her away and I never saw her again." Seth wiped the wetness from his cheeks, but it did little good since he was still crying. "I always figured she wouldn't remember me. Why does she remember me?"
Seth looked at Draco with desperate eyes. He really wanted an answer. Unfortunately, Draco couldn't give one.
"I -"
"You should be happy she remembers you, mate."
They both looked up at Neville, who wiped his own tears away.
"I visit my parents every week and there's barely even a light there."
Seth's eyes widened. "I … I'm sorry. I didn't mean -"
"It's fine," said Neville, looking at the ceiling. "I don't know your story, but it seems like our circumstances are very different."
"What … what happened to your parents?"
Just then, the door burst open. Chastity came barreling in, but Draco grabbed her arm and pulled her right back out.
"Draco, what's going on?" she asked as he shut the door behind them. "Several employees came to me and said they saw Seth running through here like a madman!"
Draco looked around and saw that the lab was empty. "Where did everybody go?"
"I sent them away," she said. "Now, tell me, what has happened?"
"It's none of your concern, Chastity," said Draco, crossing his arms.
Chastity's cheeks flushed red. "What do you mean none of my concern? If Seth is upset I have the right to know!"
"No, you don't. Whatever it is that's going on between the two of you, it ends now."
"B-but … you … you have no idea what -"
"Nor do I care. Phillip is in no condition to deal with this right now. Maybe in a few years when he's in a better place again -"
"A few years?" said Chastity in an almost whisper. "But … but I love him."
Draco sighed. He really did not want to be dealing with this right now. "I really wish you had both figured this out ten years ago. But, if you love him, then you can wait."
"But -"
"Now is not the time, Chastity," Draco said sternly. "You need to wait."
"But -"
The door flew open and Phillip marched into the lab. "What's happened to Seth?" he demanded, looking right at Draco.
Draco looked from Phillip to Chastity, who were both looking at him expectantly. He decided it would be all right to give her a little something. "We just came from seeing his mother. She recognized him and he freaked out a little."
Phillip's eyes filled with concern before he rushed past Draco and into Seth's office. Chastity started to follow, but Draco grabbed her arm again.
"Get back to work, Chastity. Seth will be fine."
"But -"
"Enough of that," Draco said. "We've got this covered."
Chastity looked longingly at the door. She sighed deeply before nodding and turning. She left the lab with tears in her eyes.
While Draco pitied her slightly, he was definitely more concerned with how Phillip would feel if he ever found out about this affair. The wizard was already hanging on by a thread as it was. Finding out his ex-wife was shagging his best mate seemed like just the sort of thing to push him over the edge.
XXX
Even with the Minister's approval, it was still several weeks before St. Mungo's gave Neville permission to take his parents from the premises.
The time spent waiting was brutal. To speed it up a little, Draco worked with Kingsley to try and figure out where Hermione's Patronus had come from. They put his memory in a Pensieve and studied it, marking a map with all possible directions it could have originated in. It was while doing this that they concluded the purebloods had to be keeping her in one of their summer homes. They were the only wizard residences in that direction.
The only thing having them doubt this conclusion was the time it had taken her Patronus to get to him. It really should have shown up about twenty minutes earlier, but a number of things could have happened to slow it down. Draco just wished he knew what.
Once they had done all they could do with that, Draco started researching all Ministry laws, trying to find some hole that would allow the Aurors to thoroughly search all pureblood homes. Unfortunately, all laws seemed to be locked tight.
As soon as Neville got the okay for his parents, Draco took the day off work to go down to the Ministry with them. After he showed them how, the Longbottoms were able to open the door and walk inside. Draco and Neville followed them in. Neither was spit out.
Neville was convinced the only reason he got to stay was because he was related by blood, but Draco was pretty sure that had nothing to do with it. A part of his parents, no matter how small or insignificant it might seem, but a part still knew and loved him. Perhaps it was veiled by their insanity, but it was there. That's all that mattered.
Over the next couple of weeks, several people tried their luck in the room. It was no surprise that neither Harry nor Ron got to stay, but Ginny was very pleased when she wasn't spit out with her husband.
"Draco Malfoy loves me. I am beyond flattered right now." She grinned and winked.
"Don't press your luck, Mrs. Potty."
Luna wasn't spit out either. She was even more thrilled than Ginny, and there were no mocking undertone in her flattery. Unfortunately, Rolf was spit out. Draco was pretty sure he liked him just as much as he liked Luna, but Hermione didn't know him very well, so that must have been why.
Of course Phillip, Sophie, Seth, Caroline, and Astoria got to stay. And Lucius, but Draco only let him in once to get a look at the place. He was not invited again after that.
One Friday evening, about a week after the door was reopened, Draco was in the Love Chamber with Neville, who was trying really hard to keep his parents from touching any and everything. Seth was helping him while Astoria read through some journals with Draco. They only had about an hour left before the Ministry went on lockdown.
"So what is it we're looking for exactly?" she asked, turning a page.
"I'm not sure," answered Draco. "Hermione and I had sort of hit a dead end with that machine. We didn't have a plan for our next step."
Astoria turned a couple more pages before slamming her journal down. "This is pointless. It's all gibberish." She picked up a few more journals off of the desk and put them in front of her. "I'm going to match them up by handwriting. Then maybe we can try and figure out who wrote what. You wrote down the list of everyone who's entered here, haven't you?"
"Yes," said Draco, reaching over and grabbing a journal that belonged to him and Hermione, opening to the correct page. He then grabbed one of the older looking journals from in front of her and handed it to her. "This one matches Gappelish's handwriting. I saw it when he showed me the spell in his painting."
"Excellent," Astoria said, already looking through the other journals for matching handwriting. "Do you think you can get me a sample of your parents writing from … from before, Neville?" She blushed slightly.
Neville walked back into the main room from the one with the fountain. "I'm sure my gran has something. I can go to her house and check this weekend."
"No, stop! Don't drink that!" Seth shouted from the other room. There was a rattle and something crashed.
Neville ran back in.
Astoria went back to her journals. "Did they tell you about Pansy, Draco?"
He looked up and cocked an eyebrow. "What about her?"
"That she hasn't been seen out for almost a month now. Do you think something has happened to her?"
Draco shrugged. "It's possible. I hate to give Pansy any praise, but at least she has a bloody conscience."
Astoria stared blankly at the table and nodded.
"Have you had any luck with Daphne?" he asked.
She shook her head. "I thought when I found out she was pregnant that she would be more open to seeing me, but just getting ahold of her has been impossible. She hasn't returned any of my owls. Neither has Gregory." She paused. "Draco, do you … do you think the baby is his?"
Draco shrugged again. "I hope so. If it turns out to be Zabini's it is going to be pretty bloody obvious."
Astoria smirked. "My father would be furious if he ended up with a caramel-colored grandchild. My family is not too tolerant of infidelity." She paused. "Well, at least not infidelity you can prove. The Greengrasses are all about secrets."
"Same with the Malfoys." Draco winked.
Something buzzed in the other room. A phone flipped open and they heard Neville say, "Hey, Hannah Bear." A pause. "Really? Did you try calling -" Another, longer pause. "I see." A short one. "All right. I'll let him know." One more. "Yes, I love you too. Bye." Neville hung up the phone and walked back into the main room.
"How's Hannah Bear?" asked Draco. He and Astoria chuckled.
"Umm … fine," said Neville, blushing. "But she actually called about your friend, Sophie."
Draco's smile immediately faded.
Seth walked into the room, pulling Neville's parents along with him and asked, "What's wrong?"
"I guess she came into the Leaky Cauldron about an hour ago and got completely sloshed.
"But it's barely past seven," said Astoria.
"Yes, I know," said Neville. "Hannah tried to cut her off but she caused a big scene and is now crying hysterically at one of the tables. She tried calling her husband but he's not picking up."
Draco and Seth locked eyes. "I'll take care of Sophie," Draco said. "You help Neville return his parents and then go check on Phillip."
"Just give me oonnnee second," said Astoria, quickly looking through the last few journals and putting them into piles. She then grabbed Draco and Hermione's journal and tore the page out with the names listed on it. "I'll see what I can find for handwriting samples on everyone this weekend."
Once that was done, they all left the Love Chamber and headed out of the Ministry. There was no Apparating in and out of it anymore, so they had to head to the atrium to exit, Seth and Neville having to go the long way since they couldn't take the Floo network with his parents.
Draco went straight to the Leaky Cauldron. When he got there, it wasn't hard to find Sophie, even if Hannah hadn't nodded in her general direction. She was sitting by herself in a dark corner and sobbing as she drank from a nearly empty bottle of firewhiskey.
Draco sighed before walking over to her table. He called her name several times before she finally looked up. "Mind if I have a seat?"
Sophie shook her head and took another swig from her bottle.
Draco sat down and cocked his head to try and catch her eye. "Sophie."
She turned her head the other way.
"Sophie, what happened? Did you and Phillip get into a fight?"
"When are we not een a fight?" she said, taking another swig. "Eet ees always ze same bloody zing. 'E cannot look at me wizout zinking about ze baby. 'E blames 'imself. Eet should 'ave been 'im. 'E cannot get ze fuck over eet!" Sophie slammed the bottle down on the table. "I do not know what I am supposed to do."
Draco sighed. "You've done all you can do, Soph. He just needs time to -"
"Fuck time!" she shouted, her eyes catching and burning deeply into his. "I 'ave already given 'im enough time! Either 'e needs to be my 'usband again, or we need to end zis! I just …" She wiped her eyes with her palm. "I cannot do zis anymore. I thought Phillipe and I were strong. I thought we could get through anyzing, but I was wrong. We are just as breakable as everyone else."
"That's not true," said Draco, leaning forward. "You are strong, and you will get through this. Now, give me the bottle." He held out his hand.
Sophie looked at it reluctantly before slowly handing over her firewhiskey. Draco took it and gave it to the people sitting behind them.
"Let's get you home."
Draco stood up and helped Sophie to her feet. He put his arm around her waist and steadied her while she wobbled to the door. As they walked out, he caught sight of Blaise Zabini sitting at one of the tables and watching them with a smug look on his face. Theo Nott and an Auror Draco didn't know the name of were also at his table and watching them too. He recalled that the Auror had been in the hospital recently, so he hadn't been at work, but he had never cared to figure out why. Now, seeing him here with Blaise, he knew he had to make a point to find out.
When they got outside, Sophie tried to walk on her own, but it didn't go well.
"Eet ees like 'e forgets zat 'e ees not ze only one who ees 'urting," she mumbled while her shoulder rammed into a brick wall. "'E does not realize zat some days I 'urt so much I want to die."
Draco tried to put his arms around her again but she pushed them off and pressed her back against the wall, using it to slowly sink to the ground.
"I wish zat my life 'ad been taken along wiz my baby's. I just …" Sophie had to gasp for air, she was sobbing so hard. "I just do not want to feel anymore. I want ze pain to go away."
Draco sighed and sunk down beside her.
"Why does 'e not love me anymore, Draco?" she cried. "Zis eesn't fair. We were going to 'ave a baby. We were going to be a family. But now … I do not even know what we are anymore, but eet certainly eesn't a family." She paused. "I am supposed to be eight months along now. We would be becoming parents at any moment. But instead …"
A group of giggling witches walked by and stared at them sitting there on the ground. Draco waved them on.
"Maybe we should 'ave never disrupted ze balance zat summer," Sophie said, plopping her head against the wall.
"What do you mean?" Draco asked, doing the same.
"You and I … we really are a lot alike," she said, glancing sideways at him. "And 'Ermione and Phillipe … zey are both such good, caring people. Zey do not deserve ze zings zat 'ave 'appened to zem. 'Ermione deserves to be 'ere, safe and sound. And Phillipe … 'e deserves ze family 'e 'as always wanted. 'E deserves a wife who could 'ave … who could 'ave protected ze baby when eet came down to eet. Not one who let eet die." Tears fell down Sophie's cheeks and onto her lap. "I failed."
"Sophie, you did not -"
"Yes I deed!" she shouted. "I failed Phillipe! I failed my baby! I cannot even keep myself together long enough to 'elp you find 'Ermione! What 'ave I done? Nozing! Because I am useless! I am a failure! I am -"
"No, you are not!" Draco shouted.
She froze and stared at him with her wet, blotchy eyes.
Draco turned so he was facing her head-on and grabbed her hands in his. "You are a great person, Sophie. You have done so much for me and, in the short time I've known you, you have become one of the most important people in my life." He sighed and released one hand from their hold to wipe her eyes. "I hate to see you this way. You don't deserve this pain. You deserve the best. You deserve -"
Draco did not get the chance to finish that sentence before Sophie's lips were crashing into his. At first he just sat there, motionless and unsure of what he was supposed to do, but when her hand moved so it was cupped behind his head, he began to find comfort in the gesture. It had been a longtime since he had kissed anyone and the feeling eased something inside of him he had not even known was pained.
Her lips continued to press against his.
This feeling … of someone being there …
His mouth opened slightly.
How I have missed this feeling … The warmth … The touch …
Her salty tears dripped into their parted mouths and lingered on his tongue.
The taste …
His lips began to quiver, still unmoving as his own tears fell from his eyes.
The love …
A flash. And then a face. The beautiful face of the woman he loved. The woman who was not in front of him now.
Hermione …
His eyes shot open. No. Definitely not Hermione.
"Sophie, stop!" Draco shouted, pushing her back.
Sophie stared back at him for a moment, looking hurt. Then that hurt turned to horror as her eyes widened and her jaw dropped. "Oh my … what 'ave I …" She threw her hands over her mouth and cried some more. "Draco, I am so sorry! I do not know what I was zinking! I … I love Phillipe! And you … Merlin, 'Ermione, what 'ave I done?"
Sophie stumbled to her feet, using the wall to brace herself. She was sobbing hysterically as she took off into the street. Draco stood up and went after her.
"Sophie, where -"
"Please, do not follow me," she said, holding out her hands to keep him a safe distance away from her. "I 'ave done enough to you tonight."
Draco looked at her and sighed. "Sophie … go home. Be with your husband. You need him right now and, despite what he might say, he needs you."
Sophie sniffled and nodded, but she did not Apparate home. Instead, she turned and walked further into Diagon Alley. Draco had the strong urge to follow her, to make sure she was all right, but he knew that seeing him right now would only upset her more.
After watching her until she was out of sight, Draco finally Apparated to his own home. He landed outside on the sidewalk and lazily walked up the steps to his front door. He unlocked it and went inside, heading straight for the drawing room, where he fell over the back of the sofa and closed his eyes. What-Had-He-Just-Done?
"Dwaco! Dwaco! You're late!"
Draco opened his eyes to see Teddy's big ones staring down at him, along with those of his Pygmy Puff, who was perched comfortably on his head. He had completely forgotten that Teddy and Andromeda were coming over to make him dinner tonight.
"Sorry, Teddy. I …" His eyes filled with tears.
Teddy's wide smile immediately dropped. "Dwaco, what's wrong?"
"Nothing," Draco lied. Though, not very convincingly, even to a four-year-old. Looking at Teddy's face only made him cry harder.
Teddy continued to stare at him, unsure of what he was supposed to do.
Andromeda walked into the room. Draco sat up and tried to wipe at his eyes, but moves like that were always a dead giveaway.
"Teddy, take LD and go and set the table, will you?"
Teddy looked at his Grandma and nodded. He leaned in and hugged Draco before running out of the room.
As soon as he was gone, Andromeda walked over and took a seat on the sofa next to Draco. "Something you want to talk about?" she asked.
Draco shook his head.
"You know, Draco, even though we haven't known each other for very long, we're still family. And family doesn't judge. Whatever it is that has happened … you can tell me."
Draco smirked a little. "How did you know I'm afraid you'll judge me?"
"Call it instinct." She smiled. "Now, tell me what's bothering you."
Draco took a deep breath. Just the thought of the words made his eyes fill with tears all over again. He wiped them before they could fall. "Someone kissed me tonight."
"I see," said Andromeda calmly. "And did you kiss them back?"
Draco thought about this. "I … I don't think I did."
"Then what's the problem?"
He sighed. "Whether I kissed back or not, I still hesitated. And it felt … it felt nice. To have someone there. To feel wanted again. And needed. I know it's awful to tell this to my aunt but I've … I've never really been without that comfort before."
"Yes, I've heard the rumors." She smirked. "I still don't understand the problem. You didn't kiss back. And even if you did … with everything you're going through right now … you're only human, and humans sometimes have moments of weakness. That doesn't mean you're a bad person."
"But what if … what if I hadn't stopped it? What if I let that weakness consume me? I could …" He gulped. "I could never forgive myself if I did that to Hermione."
Andromeda sighed. "No one doubts that you love your wife, Draco." She paused. "Well, no one of importance, anyway."
Draco chuckled halfheartedly.
"You're stronger than you give yourself credit for. I trust that if, for whatever reason, you find yourself in that situation, you will do the right thing. Because you love her."
"I do." More tears.
"And you want to be with her. Only her."
Draco nodded and cried harder.
Andromeda wrapped her arms around him and pulled him close, letting him sob into her shoulder. She stroked his hair soothingly, making Draco feel a million times lighter.
"Merlin, are you sure you and my mother fell off the same family tree?"
Andromeda laughed. "While my sister may have many flaws, her ability to love is not one of them. She means well."
"Does she?"
"Of course," she said. "She only wants you to be happy." Andromeda pulled away from him and stood up. "Come along. We can't have all of this emotion rolling around on an empty stomach. You are getting far too thin."
Draco looked down at his stomach and laughed. He definitely had lost some weight.
After barely touching his dinner, Draco went back into the drawing room and lay back down on the sofa. His eyes were on Hermione's name on the clock when Teddy came in and made himself comfortable in the crevice between Draco and the back of the sofa, while LD nuzzled into his neck. Soon, Crookshanks came in and joined them by lying on Draco's stomach. Polly watched them all curiously from the mantel. She had taken to looking at the clock on a regular basis as well, though, Draco wasn't sure she completely understood what she was doing. She was just mimicking him.
After cleaning up, Andromeda came into the room and found them all asleep. She smiled before quietly waking Teddy.
"It's time to go, love."
Teddy's eyelashes fluttered as he focused on his grandma. "I wanna stay with Dwaco tonight."
Andromeda nodded. "Would you like to stay here more often, Teddy?"
"Mmhmm," he said, already falling back asleep.
"Well, perhaps we could arrange that."
Andromeda kissed and rubbed both boys' heads, then proceeded to the front door. She took one last look at them and sighed softly before leaving them to sleep.
XXX
"I hate it when you work the nightshift," Ron pouted as Astoria changed into her work robes.
"I know, I know. Me too," she said. "But, right now, I can use all the extra shifts I can get."
"Why can't you be like all the other pureblood witches and just be a socialite for a living?"
Astoria laughed. "Is that what you want?" she asked as she finished fastening her robes.
Ron frowned. "No. I like you the way you are. But your damn schedule is killing me."
"I know, darling," she said, grabbing his face and kissing him sweetly, "but I'm still a bit of a novice at St. Mungo's. They want to put me everywhere until I can find my calling."
"But you already know your calling," he said, putting his hands on her waist. "You want to work in Spell Damage."
"Yes, but that is an important ward. For them to even consider putting me there permanently, I have to prove myself first. With extra nightshifts."
Ron pouted again and flopped down on the bed. "Lovely. Another Saturday night spent without my girlfriend."
"Aww, poor baby," said Astoria, climbing on after him and resting her head on his chest. "I'm sure you'll survive."
"Will I, though?"
"I hope so," she said, stretching up and kissing him.
Ron grabbed her and rolled her onto her back. Astoria giggled as he kissed her neck.
"Ron, I'm going to be late!"
"Oh, fine."
He sat up and pulled her with him. Astoria cupped his face and gave him one last kiss before heading for the door. She stopped and looked back at him.
"The good thing about working the nightshift Saturday is that I'll have all of Sunday free." She winked at him before running out of the room. A few seconds later he heard the front door slam.
Ron sighed deeply before flopping back onto the bed. Less than a minute later, a knock came at the door. He shot up and ran for it.
"Did you forget your keys -?"
"No, we did not, Mr. Weasley," said Arron Greengrass as Blaise Zabini grabbed him and pushed him back into his flat. "I just saw my daughter leave. She looks well."
"Much better without you in her life, you stupid prick."
Blaise smirked. "Such hostile words for the wizard you want to be your future father-in-law."
"Not as long as she's disowned," said Ron as Blaise shoved him down onto his sofa. "What the hell are you doing here?"
"I've come to make a deal with you, Mr. Weasley," said Arron, making himself comfortable in an armchair across from him. "One that I am sure you will be most interested in."
"How do you figure?" Ron said, trying to stand, only to get pushed right back down by Blaise.
"Well, for one, it has to do with my daughter, who you seem to be quite fond of." He paused. "And then it also has to do with another. Someone you might love even more."
Ron's eyes narrowed at the man across from him. "What do you mean?"
Arron grinned. "Show him, Blaise."
Blaise reached into his robes and pulled out a mirror. He held it in front of Ron. "Go on. Say her name, Weasel." He smirked. "You know you want to."
Ron looked skeptically at the mirror before finally leaning in and saying, "Hermione."
The glass rippled like water and, within a few seconds, the face of the witch he had not seen in months appeared.
"Ron!" she shouted as she struggled with what must have been binds.
"Hermione!" Ron grabbed the mirror from Blaise's hands. "Hermione, are you all right? Have they hurt you?"
"No, I'm fine, but don't listen to them! You cannot take this -"
Her mouth kept moving, but whoever was holding the mirror in front of her must have cast a Silencing Charm. Still, that did not stop her from trying to scream at him. Ron tried desperately to read her lips, to understand what she was trying to say, but he had never been good at that sort of thing. Merlin, why had he never been good at that sort of thing?
"Hermione, I … I can't understand you. I can't -"
Blaise yanked the mirror out of his hands.
"Wait!" shouted Ron, trying to grab it back. "Please, let her go! What do you want? What do you …" He froze, all color draining from his face. "Astoria. You want Astoria."
Arron smiled. "That's right. It's time you gave me my daughter back, Mr. Weasley. And, it seems, I have quite the bargaining tool."
"What's the catch?" Ron demanded. "I doubt you would have kept Hermione prisoner for almost three months just to get me to dump Astoria."
"You're right," said Arron, getting to his feet. "We have no intention of ever giving Hermione back."
Ron rose to his feet. "Then why should I -"
"Ah, ah! Let me finish." He used his wand to push Ron back onto the sofa. "In about three months' time, we will be finished with your dear friend, Hermione, and, currently, the plan is to dispose of her."
"Three months? Why -"
"I said, let me finish!" Arron sealed his lips shut. "Now, where was I? Oh, yes! In three months' time, we plan to dispose of her. But, if you cooperate and do everything I tell you concerning my daughter, we are willing to make a deal." He removed the spell.
"What kind of deal?" Ron asked, rubbing at his lips.
Arron took a few steps forward and stopped in front of him. "If you help me get my daughter back, then I will make sure Hermione lives."
He paused for what Ron could only assume was dramatic effect.
"Of course, you will never see her again. All of her memories of this world will be wiped clean, and she will be free to start a new life, somewhere you will never find her."
"Then what's the point?" Ron asked, jumping to his feet. "I want her back! All of her!"
Arron pursed his lips. "So, are you saying knowing she is alive and well isn't worth it?"
"No, that's not …" Ron's ears turned red.
"Expelliarmus!"
The sound of several people struggling emanated from the mirror. Ron moved his head to try and catch a look.
"RON, NO!" Hermione's voice called.
"SHIT! Grab her!"
"Damn it, you two!" Arron shouted, grabbing the mirror from Blaise. "Get her under control!"
"Ron, don't let them have her! She's going to - AHH!"
The mirror went silent again. Ron grabbed for it but Arron held it so he couldn't reach.
"I will not let you see her again until you agree!"
"I don't agree!" Ron shouted. "I don't trust you! Why would I ever believe that you will let her live?"
Arron threw the mirror back at Blaise and said, "Will an Unbreakable Vow suffice?"
"W-what?" Ron stared at him with wide, astonished eyes.
"An Unbreakable Vow," Arron repeated. "You know it, don't you?"
"Yes, of course!" Ron spat.
Arron and Blaise exchanged a smirk. "Good. Of course, this one will work both ways. I won't tell if you won't. You get the gist." He lifted a finger to his lips.
Ron felt his breath halt in the back of his throat. "She won't go back to you, you know? If I leave her, she'll just go somewhere else. She's finished with you."
"Let me take care of that," said Arron. "You just focus on getting her out of your life. Now, do we have a deal?"
Ron stared longingly at the mirror with tears in his eyes. Blaise was holding it against his stomach so he couldn't see her.
"Come on, Weasel. We haven't got all day," said Blaise, sneering. "Everybody already knows which girl is more important to you."
"That's not fair," said Ron under his breath. "You're threatening Hermione's life. That's making it impossible for me not to pick her."
"You really think Astoria's life is going to be all that grand if you let her back with us? She's a blood traitor, Weasel. No one in her life will ever trust her again."
"That's enough, Blaise!" shouted Arron. "Astoria will be perfectly fine in our world. The right world. And you are correct." He looked at Ron. "The choice should be easy."
Ron whimpered. "Let me see her," he said quietly.
Blaise did not move.
"Let me see her!" he repeated, much louder this time.
Blaise looked at Arron, who nodded. He turned the mirror around. Hermione looked to be sitting and bound again, with her head hung low. She looked up slowly and cried, shaking her head as Ron gazed back at her. He could just make out the word, 'Please', formed desperately on her lips. But how could he possibly do what she wanted when her life was at stake? If he had a chance to help her, he had to take it. Hopefully, she would be saved before it ever came down to it. But, in the chance that she wasn't …
"I'll do it," said Ron, still staring into Hermione's amber eyes. She cried harder.
"Wonderful!" said Arron, holding out his right hand.
Ron lifted his own shaky hand and grasped it. His throat felt raw, but no amount of gulps would relieve it.
Blaise held the mirror so it was facing them and took out his wand, placing the tip of it on their linked hands.
"Will you, Ronald Weasley, remove my daughter, Astoria, completely from your life in exchange for the safety of Hermione Malfoy?"
Ron looked hesitantly at a photo of him and Astoria on a shelf to the right of them.
"I … I will," he said.
A thin, bright flame emerged from the wand and wound several times around their hands like a chain.
"And will you speak of everything you have learned here today about Hermione Malfoy, as well as anything you might learn in the future, to no one?"
Now Ron's eyes drew to the Muggle snow globe on the coffee table. His father had given it to her after she'd told him all about her collection of them and how upset she was that she had to leave them all behind. He sobbed.
"I will."
Hermione watched with her own tear-filled eyes as another string of flame shot from the wand and bound itself with the first.
"Your turn." Arron smiled.
Ron took a deep breath. "Will you, Arron Greengrass, promise to protect Hermione's life in exchange for my leaving Astoria?"
"I will," said Arron.
A third string of flame emerged from the wand and wound itself in the opposite direction.
"And will you do everything you can to make sure Astoria lives a happy life … without me in it?" he added under his breath.
"I will," said Arron.
A fourth string bound in the opposite direction with the other.
Arron was just about to release hands, but Ron held on tight, refusing to let him go.
"And will you make sure no harm comes to me in an attempt to break this vow and go back on your promise to keep Hermione alive?"
Arron raised his eyebrows. He had not been expecting that. He looked at Blaise, whose neck was strained as his hand clenched around his wand. They both nodded.
"I will," said Arron a bit hesitantly, knowing Rita would not be happy. But the vow was already in progress. He had no choice but to agree.
A final string of flame shot out of Blaise's wand and bonded with the others. Their faces illuminated in a red glow as all five flames wound together, creating a bright shaft of light, causing them all to squint. And then it vanished. The vow was finished.
Arron pulled his hand out of Ron's and grinned. "Pleasure doing business with you." He headed for the door and opened it. "You have one week," he said before exiting.
Ron got one last glimpse at Hermione before Blaise was sticking the mirror back in his robes and disappearing from the flat with Arron.
He was left standing there alone, still unsure if that had just really happened. He knew something that could help, yet he had never felt so hopeless. The Fellowship of the Dragon already suspected Blaise and the Greengrasses, but Ron had actual confirmation that they knew where she was. Now, more than ever, they needed to find her. But how much could he help without dropping dead?
Tears streamed down Ron's cheeks as he walked back into the bedroom. He went into the closet and dug through it until he came out with his old, tattered suitcase. Inside of it was a snow globe he had hidden several weeks earlier. He had found it in a junk shop in Diagon Alley while with Luna, who was dragging him around in search of a birthday present for Rolf. It was filled with a tiny, snowy village in the center of a forest and, when you shook it, a Hippogriff flew around the edges through the falling snowflakes.
It had a secret compartment in the bottom. Ron popped it open now. Inside of it was a small diamond ring he had purchased before he even found the snow globe. He cried as he looked at it, the diamond gleaming as it hit the light.
He clutched it tightly in his palm. Out of rage, he tossed the snow globe across the room. It shattered as it hit the wall. Ron stood up to fix it but paused when he reached the devastated remains.
What was the point? Even if they were still somehow able to save Hermione, Astoria would never forgive him for making this deal. It was true, a life was at stake, but that didn't change the fact that he had chosen Hermione over her.
No, there was definitely no point. Ron would never be giving her that snow globe, especially with a ring inside. Her father had made damn sure of that.
Still, in the end, he fixed it all the same. Just in case.