Disclaimer: As I do not own Harry Potter...I also do not own The Little Mermaid...she belongs to whoever owns her.

AN: I swear if someone feels the need to note me and point out it's Disney...I'll kill Draco Malfoy in this fic.
All first person is our friendly neighbourhood psychotic.
I probably should have edited a bit more, but I didn't.
*kisses*

Chapter 24 – Collections Complete?

I'm quite aware my sanity is in question. I'm questioning it myself frankly. There's no need to hide, not anymore. I can't believe I was almost caught. That really would have put a wrench in my plans.

It was difficult enough trying to suss out where Potter had hid them. He has quite the reputation for keeping things close to his chest. I understand it, I probably would too if I were in his position. I suppose it's difficult for others to understand why I've centered my delicious revenge around Harry Potter, but it's perfectly logical to me.

I should have just stolen a Time Turner, but do you have any idea how difficult it is to get one of those? They're housed in the Department of Mysteries. I remember listening to Hermione drone on and on about it when Harry and Ron were outraged that she hadn't kept it. I often wonder if I would have descended upon a completely different path if I had managed to steal a Time Turner.

Would Voldemort still be dead and gone? Would Cedric, my dear sweet beautiful Cedric still be alive? Would we be living in a lovely cottage somewhere with our children? It's calming to picture what would have been, what could have been. It's not that thoughts of Cedric replace my life with John. They don't. Nothing could replace John and Henry in my heart, but it hurts to think of them. It hurts so bloody much I can barely stand it. Thinking of Cedric is safe. He's been dead and gone for years and I suppose we all need a bit of imagination in our lives and that's what he is for me.

I couldn't help but laugh. I didn't recognise the sound but it continued until I was bloody crying. It was strange to feel the tears dripping from my eyes while my chest is heaving. I suppose my laughter terrified my guests. They started shouting and banging on the walls, but it didn't bother me. I was used to their antics.

Wendell is really quite a wonderful guest. He doesn't spit at me or even judge me overly much. It felt as if he could look into my soul. I didn't mind speaking with him. In fact, he was my favourite guest. It would be terribly sad when I killed him. I do think it would be lovely to have a spot of tea with him before I got to work. I wouldn't want him to feel neglected.

"Wendell darling." I hated to see him shivering with the cold. He lifted his curly mop of dark hair to look upon me and I was pleased to see no malice in his light eyes.

I was forced to magically expand the cabin. It was much easier to create the necessary cells for my guests with more space. Wendell was quite informative when it came to the construction. If it weren't for him, they'd all be down in the cellar and I can't imagine them lasting long there.

"Are we to have our final tea then?" The resignation in his eyes was enough to break anyone's heart, but not mine. I didn't have time for such distractions.

"I have a bit of time before I have to be off and I wish to spend it with you. It's got to be better than listening to Ron Weasley bellow." I held out my hand and led him from the cell.

His cell really was much nicer than the one I had allocated for Ron. The look upon Ron's face when I snatched him from the Manor was bloody priceless. He hadn't expected it, not really. I suppose that's what happens when your best mate is an Auror and hasn't seen fit to inform you of the threat on your life.

I can't even begin to tell you what a devil of a time I had tracking them down. It goes to reason I assumed they would employ the protection of the Ministry, but I was wrong. Hannah hadn't been much use. It wasn't her fault. She had only informed me of Susannah's location on accident. It was obvious she hadn't known anything more, which really was a shame, but I didn't have it in me to cut her down. She was miserable enough, but I think it was more guilt than anything. She had loved Neville; at least I think she did. If I had to guess, Hannah was quite enjoying her new marriage to the quiet but intelligent Theo Nott and it chaffed her. Stupid Hufflepuffs and their conflicting emotions, absolutely ridiculous if you ask me.

It was really those thoughts that led me to Malfoy Manor. Harry was never as secretive as he thought he was. It was always hilarious to observe the furtive glances which completely belied his intentions. If Hannah was still distraught over her marriage to Theo, then it was safe to assume the brilliant minds of Harry Potter and Draco Malfoy would keep the couples separated. The only logical choice after ensconcing their wives at Forest Lake would to be to send the others to Malfoy Manor.

I detested the fact they figured out my plan. I mean, I didn't imagine it would remain a secret forever, but I really thought I had more time. I suppose it's difficult to admit I wasn't as sly as I thought I was.

"Why are you doing this Cho?" Wendell had slipped into the clothes I laid out for him and I was startled for a moment.

In his calm demeanor, for a split second, he reminded me of John. Those moments had truly become the bane of my existence. I remember speaking with Molly months after the accident and she told me I would get passed it and to give myself time to heal. I tried that avenue.

It was my dreams that haunted me the most. I couldn't hide from the memories in my sleep but the moment I considered exacting revenge…they stopped. I felt as if it were a sign that I was on the right path. Surely, if it was wrong to rid the world of Harry Potter, I wouldn't be able to sleep like a baby at night.

"I've told you Wendell, I don't know why you keep expecting the answer to change."

"I don't know why you think my death will impact your intended victim in the least. It wasn't as if I was a particularly good father now was I? Sure, I had a certain camaraderie with Harry Potter, but honestly? In comparison to your grand scheme of things, I'm nothing." Wendell sat at the ragged wood table, determined to ignore the rust coloured stains in the grooves.

He wasn't wrong, but I wasn't going to vary my plan for anyone. It didn't matter how much I liked him. He was really just a contingency plan. I had managed to snatch Ron Weasley, which was really more than I could have hoped for. If I managed to snatch Astoria and Hermione, then perhaps I'd let Wendell go. I wasn't about to start making him any promises, but I wasn't completely adverse to the idea.

"Why didn't you love her?" I couldn't help but ask.

Wendell poured cups of tea and even sliced the warm bread, as if this was something we had done every day. It was comforting and I was becoming attached. It was dangerous to become attached but I couldn't help it.

"My wife wished for children and once we finally had a child, she decided she had been wrong. It was too late by that time. I was thankful she was magical. It's selfish to admit, but we weren't forced to see her day in and day out. She was away for most of the year and it was almost as if we didn't have a child. We encouraged her to stay with her friends. We always saw to her needs but we weren't good parents. I don't think we were cut out for it. She blames me, my wife does. She claims it was all my idea and I let her. Hell, I even tell the story for her. Monica, er Helen has a bit of mental illness due to some childhood trauma. Quite honestly, I'd rather focus on her than our children. It's the reason I gave Troy to Draco Malfoy. They'll be wonderful parents. He'll be a lovely addition to their growing family…" I couldn't hear anything else he was saying.

He really was a right bastard. He had exactly what I craved and he tossed his children aside in favour of a selfish, demented woman? Well, that settled that, Wendell Wilkins had officially signed his own death warrant.

Harry Potter's house wasn't as impressive as I thought it would be. It was lovely, but frankly I had expected more. He had married Astoria Greengrass and Merlin knows that witch was accustomed to the finer things in life. They didn't even have any bloody house elves. I couldn't help but wonder how the prissy little Slytherin managed.

I wandered through the rooms, one after another displacing their belongings for amusement when I stumbled upon the nursery. I hadn't intended to wander through their home; it was only a stopover really. I couldn't believe they hadn't adjusted the wards. I suppose in the flurry of commotion they had forgotten. I almost wished they hadn't. Perhaps then I'd be lying in wait near Forest Lake instead of standing in the midst of James Potter's fucking nursery.

My throat closed when I saw the wooden letters on the wall spelling out the child's name. John and I had done the same for Henry. I supposed it was some sort of Muggle tradition. The room was done beautifully and even I had to begrudgingly admit the Potter's had some taste. It was the mobile that did me in.

A beautiful array of Quidditch players in a perfect circle of bright and wondrous colours, danced over the dark wooded crib and my heart clenched. It had taken me a bit, but I had managed to convince John to allow me to hang the same bloody mobile for Henry.

He had balked at the idea initially but we compromised. He insisted upon the wooden letters, which he had hand painted no less and in exchange John agreed to the mobile. Henry had loved to watch it spin round and round while the players waving at him. I closed my eyes, ignoring the sudden wetness and I could swear I could hear his laughter.

With a snarl of rage, even as the tears ran tracks down my cheeks I whipped out my wand and set about destruction. I slashed the wooden letters from the wall, blasted the small chest of drawers and scorched every photograph from the wall. I felt a bit better, but it wasn't enough. It wasn't nearly enough.

I don't know how long I shouted and smashed things, but I felt a bit better when I was forced to stop. Not only had I run out of things to destroy, my chest was heaving and I was completely soaked with sweat.

"What have you done?" The small voice interrupted the pounding in my head.

I couldn't believe it. This was absolutely perfect. Stupid Harry Potter had allowed his tiny slip of a wife to venture out alone. I almost laughed at the absurdity of it all.

I wanted to quickly immobilize her but she started all that ridiculously shrill shouting. Astoria Potter ran down the corridor faster than I had anticipated, but I caught up with her. The silly witch hadn't enough sense to draw her wand if you can believe it. She was nearly to the Floo when I grabbed the long blonde hair flowing out behind her. I yanked her back hard, and she almost knocked me right off my feet when she slammed into me, but I managed to keep my footing.

I slapped her, just once yet hard and she stilled. She didn't have much fight in her for a Slytherin, but then I saw the reason why. What need did Astoria have for fighting when Harry Potter was coming to her rescue? Of course I saw those scheming green eyes and that ridiculous black hair peeking through the Floo. I wasn't ready for my confrontation with him, not yet.

I supposed it would have been terribly easy to end it all right then as he was completely unprepared for seeing me, but that's not what I wanted. I didn't want to make it easy for him. What pain is there in death? No, he must live, if only for a little while longer. After all, I haven't completed my collection yet.

I waited, just a moment for those green eyes to stare into mine while I held his wife in an iron grip. Astoria was crying, silently pleading for Harry to save her. I dug my wand into her throat and she shouted out.

"Harry!" There it was, the palpable pain in his eyes. It soothed my aching heart in a way I could never adequately explain.

I stared into the depths of his heartless soul and smiled. I gave him a small wave and Apparated away, with his screaming wife in tow. I couldn't have asked for anything more.

Draco Malfoy had a devil of a time dragging his unwilling entourage to Malfoy Manor. He was surprised he had managed it. Harry Potter had needed to be restrained, which was a fantastic feat in and of itself. It had taken Lucius Malfoy to finally bind the wizard, which only further fueled Harry's anger.

"Your father's a bastard; I know exactly where you get it!" Harry struggled against his magical bonds and Draco wished the wizard had been Silenced as well, but he wasn't about to suggest it.

"Potter, I'm going to ignore your outburst. Theo and Pansy are investigating the area where Weasley's wand was discovered. They suspect Chang snatched him as there's a lingering magical signature just beyond the wards." Draco continuously raked his hair which only made Harry wish he could rip it from the man's head.

"I hate you, I hate your father, I hate this bloody house." Harry seethed, unable to concentrate on much of anything.

"As delightful as it to listen to your riveting inventory of hatred, we've got bigger things to worry about. Perhaps if you could manage to rein in that nasty temper of yours we'd be able to implement the Trace. Don't you think it would be lovely to discover Chang's nifty little hideaway before she murders everyone we love?"

"What do you know about it Malfoy? You're wife and child are just upstairs. They're not Merlin knows where with a psychopath!" Harry wiggled the arms of the chair, desperate to be free.

It didn't matter if Draco Malfoy had a valid point; logic was currently lost on him. He couldn't imagine his life without Astoria. He wanted nothing more than to hunt Cho Chang to the ends of the earth and watch her writhe in agony. He remembered casting an Unforgivable upon Bellatrix Lestrange and she taught him a very valuable lesson. You've got to mean it. Well, that certainly wouldn't be a fucking problem.

"Stop feeling sorry for yourself and running through various scenarios where you've cornered Chang and hexed her into oblivion, she's a bloody intelligent witch. We haven't given her nearly enough credit. She marched straight into your home and snatched your wife. Don't you think for one fucking second that I'm not absolutely terrified she'll get Nee as well. You know how she is! If she thinks it'll aid the cause or whatever such nonsense runs through that brain of hers, she'll just walk right into it and there isn't fuck all I can do about it short of binding her in the chair beside you."

Harry's head slumped to his chest, the misdirected anger fleeting. He began nodding, understanding Draco Malfoy more than he ever wished too. On some level it still irked him his team took direction from Malfoy better than they ever had from him. It was his own fault, he knew it but it didn't help him feel any better about it. Harry knew if he had the slightest hope when it came to finding Chang, he'd have to rely on Malfoy.

"I hate my job." Harry sighed. Draco smirked and flicked his wand, instantly freeing Harry from his bonds. "What'd you do that for then?"

"Potter, don't complain about it. Simply say thank you Lord Draco Malfoy I will forever be in your debt because I'm a useless ponce without your brilliance." Draco wiggled his eyebrows and when there was no reaction he sighed. "Listen, any bloke that admits to detesting his job isn't going to run off half cocked in a fit of rage."

"Not bloody likely, so what's the plan then. I'm assuming you have one."

Lucius Malfoy burst into the library, eyes blazing obviously preparing to intercede and almost stumbled. He glanced quickly between his son and The Boy Who Irritated Him By Breathing and frowned. He immediately stalked toward the liquor cabinet and poured them all large droughts of firewhisky.

"Draco, since you've freed Potter I'm assuming you've come to some sort of agreement in order to preserve the welfare of my daughter-in-law and grandchildren? If there is even an inkling of discord between you, I shall not hesitate to curse you." Lucius wandered the room slowly, struggling to remain on his best behaviour. He did detest upsetting Narcissa and it was in his best interest to keep her placated at all times.

Draco rolled his eyes and helped himself to one of the tumblers laid upon the silver tray. Secretly he knew Hermione wouldn't approve of his drinking during such a tense situation, but if he was ever going to convince his father and Harry Potter to work together, a drink was the least of his problems.

"Potter, let's discuss the Trace for a moment. Did you place it on Astoria or Chang?"

"It would have been brilliant to have already had one on Astoria, wouldn't it? We didn't think of it Malfoy. We've set one on James of course, the day he was born in fact. I managed to cast it as she Apparated, so I'm not completely sure which one has it. It doesn't matter if they're in the same location." Harry gripped his dark hair and staring into the flames flickering in the fireplace.

"Minister Shacklebolt will be arriving by Floo for dinner this evening. He will be accompanying Adrien Pucey and a handful of Junior Aurors whose names I did not bother to retain. There has not been this many Ministry officials in Malfoy Manor since it was raided after…." Lucius refrained from referring to Voldemort as the Dark Lord, instead deciding to leave the sentence as it was. If his son and Harry Potter were not adept enough to discern his words they deserved to remain utterly clueless.

"Why do you think she's…collecting her victims? I mean before she would use her womanly wiles I suppose and ensnare them. It seemed she would take them, carve them and kill them or kill them and then carve them. She obviously chose her drop locations according to sentimentality." Harry downed the remaining glass of firewhisky quickly, hissing as he felt it burn his throat.

"Potter. You're forgetting she spoke with Hannah Nott. We can't even be angry with Hannah. Chang is quite aware we're closing in on her and it's apparent she's absolutely mental. I suppose she is determined to…"

"Blithering idiots the lot of you. It's obvious this Chang girl has a list. From what Hermione has told me during our delightful conversations over waffles…have you tried her waffles? They're heaven sent and…" Lucius closed his eyes and sighed in such a way his son was immediately uncomfortable.

"Father, please stop it."

"Regardless, the runes carved into the casualties are an incomplete message. She was Ravenclaw and therefore highly intelligent. The traumatic deaths of her husband and young child have altered her mental state, perhaps even degrading her ability to decipher fact from fiction, past from present. Cho Chang is choosing to blame Harry Potter for a death and the subsequent aftermath of her life. I'm also assuming the warped yet still logical portion of her thought processes have come to the conclusion it is simply justice for him to suffer as she has suffered. I can't say I agree with her methods, but the idea of causing Potter to suffer used to be one of my favourite pastimes." Lucius sniffed with disdain and refilled his glass.

"It doesn't help us find her Lucius." Harry snarled but he hadn't the chance to do more than glare angrily at the elder Malfoy due to the fact the younger Malfoy smacked him in the back of the head.

"Oi, Potter, the Trace, use it wanker."

"Wendell, isn't it lovely? We've another guest to keep us entertained." I shoved Astoria into her cell beside the cowering Ron Weasley and smiled broadly.

"You crazy bitch." Ron spat at me, but even his distaste for me couldn't ruin my delightful mood.

"You weren't complaining when you were fucking me." It was the sing song voice that did him in.

Ron's face turned a brilliant shade of red; it even managed to rival his hair. He finally managed to get to his feet. I couldn't even tell you why it was difficult for him. It wasn't as if I was spiking his water with vodka. Yes I was, but that wasn't the point at all. Angry, drunk Ron Weasley amuses me.

Besides, the minute I get Hermione Granger here, it will be like Hogwarts all over again. She'll be shouting at him for being a tubby drunken loser and he'll be rattling the bars of his cage shouting about her hair and her know it all attitude. Hell I wouldn't need to kill them, just carve them up a bit. They'd kill each other and my, what a scandal that would be.

"Ron, it's probably best if we don't engage her." Astoria Greengrass Potter sat on the corner of the cot and folded her hands as if she were fucking royalty or something.

"Shut up Stori! This is probably all your fault! She's demented and you went and married her old boyfriend." Ron shook the bars on his cell so hard I was hard pressed to keep from bursting into laughter. He looked absolutely ridiculous with his hair flying about and his face contorted in rage, never mind the obvious jiggle of his midsection. My, he truly had let himself go, no wonder he hadn't managed to draw a better wife than Millicent Bulstrode. "Hey! Leave Millie alone, she's a nice girl!" Apparently I had spoken aloud.

"You're drunk Ron!" Astoria had stood and shoved her arm through the bars to attempt to slap at Ron.

Wendell sat on the floor, ignoring the shouting around him in favour of staring at me. I don't know what he wished to accomplish, but he no longer mattered. He had shown his true colours and they were positively vile. I couldn't help but wonder how Hermione Granger Malfoy had turned into such a well rounded witch with the likes of him for a father. I couldn't give credit to her mum either as Wendell had discussed his wife's mental illness at length. She truly was an anomaly and wizarding kind would feel the loss heavily, which was exactly what I wished.

I had one empty cell. I had half a mind to separate Astoria and Ron as it seemed they were determined to slap each other's hands in their anger.

"Who's that one for then? Harry?" Ron finally declared himself the loser of the great Slap War and folded his arms across his burly chest with a growl.

"Harry? No, of course not, that would be ridiculous. I have no intention of capturing Harry Potter." I smiled giving Astoria a wink as the tension left her shoulders. "I intend to kill him. That cell there for Hermione."

"Why? Don't you think she's been through enough?"

"Aw is poor Ron feeling guilty? Come on then, tell Cho all about it." I pulled a dining chair into the corridor and sat directly in front of the bars of his cell.

It was easy to tempt him, especially when I withdrew the small flask from the pocket of my robes. I watched him lick his lips a few times and it was obvious he was fighting some sort of internal battle. If I had to guess, he was barely away I had been spiking his drinks.

"Don't do it Ron." Astoria was begging, it was cute.

"Why not? She's going to murder the lot of us anyway? What's it matter?" I held out the flask in silent offering, but he didn't reach for it. "She's right though, I promised I'd try."

"What do the promises of a death man matter to the one they've left behind? Do you honestly believe Hermione Malfoy would be angry with you for having one last drink? Do you believe your wife wouldn't be capable of understanding your plight?" I laughed and while it sounded strange to my ears, it wasn't unpleasant.

"It's not about them." Ron mumbled and it piqued my interest. If he wasn't worried about Hermione and Millicent's reproof then who had intimidated the poor bloke?

"Wait, don't tell me, it's Draco Malfoy isn't it? Did he pay you a visit? Threaten you a bit? Isn't that delicious? When was it? If I had to guess I'd say it was during that outlandish dinner party held at Forest Lake." The tips of Ron's ears reddened further which simply informed me I was absolutely correct.

"You weren't event there Ron!" Astoria threw a glass at the wall. She was only hurting herself; I only gave her the one.

"It wasn't at the bloody party, it was after. He corned me and said he knew all about the…the things I'd done before I stopped drinking and if I came near her or his family again he'd kill me."

"What did you do then?" This was deliciously juicy. If I had known this tidbit of information, do you know how bloody easy it would have been to implicate Draco Malfoy in my wave of carnage?

"I was just nasty alright? I said loads of things I shouldn't have and I might have shoved her a bit." Ron buried his face in his hands and I almost felt a wave of pity for him, but I never could understand a man that struck a woman.

It's slightly ironic I suppose. Here I am going about murdering unsuspecting witches and wizards on a personal vendetta of revenge yet I'm completely disgusted at the idea of violence against women. How's that for a shocker? Sometimes I even manage to surprise myself.

Ron's tale wasn't nearly as juicy as I thought it would be. I was a bit disappointed. I didn't need him to tell me Draco had smacked him around a bit. It was obvious from the way he was curled around himself and the anger he was expressing. Draco Malfoy could barely stand it when other men looked at his wife, touching her? Well, at least Ron was still alive. I would have been quite put out if that arrogant bastard had disrupted my plans.

I didn't wish to spend the rest of the day engaging in civil conversations with the dead. I had better things to do with my time. I had to prepare the surface. It wouldn't be sanitary to carve into their skin on a dirty table now would it? I also had to send an owl to my very good friend. He'd help me with infiltrating whatever safe place the Ministry had scurried away the Malfoys.

"Is it exciting? I'm almost done. Perhaps I've earned a bit of a rest after this. One more and my collection's complete." I clapped my hands, ignoring the sweat dripping down my brow and the hysteria begging to escape.

I didn't have time for hysteria. I had to prepare. I knew Harry had cast some sort of spell during Apparition and knowing him it was a bloody Trace. I had already carved Wendell. He was expecting it which strangely enough, sucked the joy right out of the situation.

I suppose he knew he never stood a chance. It's his own fault really. If he had bothered to give one shit about someone besides himself and his own selfish desires, it could have ended differently. I mean, I still would have marked him but I wouldn't have killed him. I believe that's saying quite a lot.

I had already decided if I couldn't get Granger, I'd settle for marking Astoria and Ron. It's better than nothing, but I had a secret weapon of sorts. I couldn't wait for him to arrive.

He didn't share my agenda, but his hatred of Harry ran deep. He was completely childish, but he was exactly what I needed. It didn't matter. I didn't care why he was willing to help me as long as he did.

Merlin I felt so bloody happy I could sing. I wanted to spin in circles the way Henry used to spin in the dewy grasses. I wanted to laugh as I held him tightly in my arms. I felt the laughter in my chest long before it escaped my lips and I let it. I needed it. It was exhausting to keep everything hidden but there wasn't a need for that anymore now was there?

I flounced onto the sofa for the first time in years and the telly popped on. I wasn't expecting that. I hadn't touched the sofa let alone sat on it since the last time we were all here together, as a family. There was one of those little black boxes wedged between the cushions and when I yanked it out, I must have hit a button because the cabin was filled with music.

There was a strange red-haired girl fish swimming and talking and it hurt my head. It figures it would be a bloody ginger, those Weasleys sure managed to get around now didn't they? I ignored it but I couldn't turn it off. It was probably the last thing Henry had watched here. He did love his videos.

"Look at this stuff…Isn't it neat? Wouldn't you think my collection's complete? Wouldn't you think I'm the girl…The girl who has everything?" I couldn't help but smile.

I was spinning in circles on the stained hardwood floor because if I closed my eyes I could see Henry doing the same. I remembered then, I remembered him slapping the screen while shouting 'fish mummy fish' and it had been beautiful.

"But who cares? No big deal, I want more." I did want more. It was a sign.

Henry was telling me it was alright. I was sure of it. He was guiding me and I could trust him. He wanted me to collect the final piece of my collection. Well that wasn't necessarily true. He was telling me to collect the second to last piece of my collection. Once I collected her, Harry Potter would come for me and I would be ready.

Draco Malfoy loved to watch his wife. It was the only time the tension ebbed. She was standing in his childhood bedroom slowly rocking Xander to sleep. He imagined the tot had been quite the handful considering the Manor was a veritable maze of trouble. Draco padded across the plush carpet slowly and wrapped his arms around his family.

"Merlin you scared me." Hermione dropped her head onto his chest, turning to kiss his jaw.

"You shouldn't be carrying him about. Give him here; I'll put him to bed." He carefully slipped Xander out of Hermione's arms and tucked him into the ridiculously large bed.

"I'm pregnant not an invalid." Draco smiled, gently leading her toward their room across the hall. He knew she wasn't truly angry with him. Her voice was light and airy with the slightest trace of a smile.

Draco remained silent, pressing her into the ornately carved door the moment it shut. His hands fumbled beneath her nightgown, searching for the knickers which didn't exist.

"Minx." He whispered against her skin, lavishing her exposed skin with small kisses and nibbles.

Impatiently he tore the cream nightgown from her body, his hands unsteady. Hermione knew something was wrong. He hadn't been nervous to touch her since the beginning. He was hiding something important. She had learned over time when Draco was especially focused on a particular case or he believed a particular situation would unduly impact them, he drowned himself in her. He had been almost insatiable the past few weeks and tonight it was coming to a head.

Hermione allowed him to lead her toward the four poster bed centered against the furthest wall without a fuss. It wasn't as if she didn't enjoy his voracious nature, it was the aftermath which concerned her the most. It was impossible to concentrate on such things when he was paying homage to her willing body however.

She ignored the sounds of slapping and wanton moans from the room next door, wishing Nick and Daphne would utilise stronger Silencing Charms, but it wasn't long before she was no longer concerned with their sexual habits, instead concentrating on the very talented lips of the wizard on top of her.

Later when she was exploring the smooth expanse of her husband's chest she sighed before kissing his heart. Draco was staring at the ceiling, one arm bent beneath his head, the fingers on his other hand lightly stroking Hermione's bare back. She knew he was troubled and decided now was as good a time as any to broach the subject.

"When are you leaving?" Draco closed his eyes. He assumed she would be furious with him, but her gentle acceptance was even more heart wrenching.

"If Potter manages to coordinate everything properly, then sometime tomorrow. I'm definitely hopeful it will not be before lunch. I've arranged for Teddy to come and spend a bit of time with Xander. They could both use some socialization. I'd rather enjoy watching them run about. What do you think we'll have?" Draco suddenly flipped onto his side and kissed her upturned nose.

He never got tired of touching her. Hermione thought it was incredibly sweet, but he was avoiding the details surrounding the mission. She smiled when his palm came to rest upon her stomach as it often did these days. The quiet thump was akin to watching a small child on Christmas morning and never ceased to amaze her.

"Your father is adamant we're having a boy. He says all first born children are boys and anything else would be a blight on the family tree. Then your mother hexed him. It was a jolly good show."

"I'm quite sorry I missed it then. Listen. Chang bounced around quite a bit after she snatched Stori, but between Shacklebolt and Potter they've managed to have a general idea where she's located. They're sending out the first team at daybreak. I'll be leaving mid-afternoon as part of the second team. We decided it was best to head out in waves. Shacklebolt wanted to take the lead but I requested to lead the second team. I don't trust them and I'd rather like to keep an eye on them. I'd like to have a girl. I know that doesn't have any bearing on the case, but I wanted you to know, just in case…"

"You mean in case anything were to happen to you, you can't think like that I wouldn't…" Hermione clutched him, her fingers digging into his sweat slicked skin and shook her head, refusing to believe for an instant of the dangers ahead.

"I'll be careful, that's what I'm taking the second team. I'm not going to go in there wand waving, blasting and hexing. That's Potter's job." His smirk was lost in a sea of curls, yet he didn't mind in the least. "Do you remember the gift I brought you from Italy?" Draco stroked the curve of her hip, molding her to his body.

"Of course, it was lovely. You know I set it in the nursery, did you know it's changed?" Hermione attempted to extricate herself but Draco wouldn't allow such a thing.

"I brought it with us. She doesn't cry any longer. I think it's in tune with you, as strange as that sounds. It's in the drawer of the bedside table in case you'd like to give it a gander. I take it you remember the inscription as well." Draco used his tongue to toy with her earlobe, sufficiently distracting her from the anxiety of his mission.

"Hope, that's why you wish for a daughter?" Hermione sunk into the comfort of arms, her heart near bursting as it filled it love.

"Ara actually, you know I have traditions to keep…"

"Yes and you were bloody dead set on naming our child Scorpius if it happened to be a boy. Tell me then, what's so special about Ara?"

"Why it's south of Scorpius of course. Ara Hope." He nuzzled her neck, leaving a trail of delectable kisses along her jaw.

"It doesn't go together particularly well now does it?" She sighed knowing in the end, she would bend to his demands. He asked so little after all.

"Doesn't matter, we'll call her Hope and my parents will be appeased."

"What if we have a boy then?"

"Scorpius and whatever middle name you wish. I'll leave it completely in your hands as long as it's not Harry."

Hermione laughed then, great peals of laughter filled their temporary bedroom.

"You're doing it wrong!" Daphne pounded on the wall between their rooms, which simply sent them into another round of inappropriate laughter.

They didn't hear the shouts or even the screams. Neither did they hear the spells crashing into Malfoy family heirlooms. They were completely unaware of the the rapid pounding of feet upon the staircases as they were lost in their beautiful moment. It wasn't until there was an insistent fist beating upon their door did they become hyper aware of the sounds around them.

Draco leapt from the bed, hissing as the cool night air chilled him to the bone. Hastily he thrust his arms into the robe he had left draped across the bottom of the four poster. He yanked open the door intending to berate the breathless Potter but the fire blazing in the green eyes stopped him cold.

"Malfoy! She's here!"