For The Love Of The Night

by Amata Mercy

Draco Malfoy knows exactly what he has become, just as Hermione knows what she is for him. But when Dumbledore asks for their help in the war, things get a little mixed up. Can everyone come out of this the same? VAMPIRE FIC!

9. Lonely With A Broken Heart

Sorry it has taken so long, I'm officially in almost a month into my first year of college, so I'v been fairly busy! I just wanted to let everyone know that the note I wrote, was not in fact holding this chapter ransom. I wrote it to remind my readers of the challenge I had issued. I felt it unfair to publish the next chapter I had written, without giving everyone a chance to win it. I will still up hold that challenge, whenever someone wins then the next chapter tobe written can have their own bit of a prompt for me to work with. I must express that I had in no way meant to seem to improtune for reviews, the note really was for the challenge. I had practically finished the next chapter, just needed some fixing in places, and wanted to be sure everyone had their chance at guessing before I published it. Also it seemed like a good time to thank everyone who had either read or reviewed my story, if not by name but with a show of appreciation in words. Thank you, here is your next chapter.

Oh and even though Remus and Nymphadora are married, I still refer to her as Tonks just for recognition purposes and it's much easier to fit in like that.

Disclaimer: I don't own anything.

Chapter 8: Lonely With A Broken Heart

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Luna stared into a mirror, Blaise had returned some time ago, but she still remained quiet. It hurt to know that others were suffering from her decision to alter the future as she had, but at least this suffering was much shorter and easier dealt with than the one that had been planned for them. Her eyes looked more dead as she looked at herself, Blaise had left her with as little information as he could reveal to her. Part of her knew he was still worried that she was scared of him, and maybe she might be, but not because of what he has done or what he was forced to do before. No, it came from the unknown sense that just maybe he might slip too far into it all and what would happen once he did. Then there was Harry, her Harry, she worried that this would affect him so much that after the war it would never be close to the same that he wouldn't be able to adjust. Visions leaped into her mind, but not visions, they were parts of her newest Prophecy, she had always loved divination, but no one would ever understand just quite why.

It was so easy to get caught up in it all, day dreams were truly things of an ever changing future. It was hard to be a prophet, to know exactly what could happen, there was a difference between her and Twilight. Twilight saw glimpses of the future, caught visions of the present, and viewed impressions left by the past. Yet a prophet, knew detail by excruciating detail what that future looked like, and with the correct action could set it into place. Twilight and she together were a force to be reckoned with, and the Dark Lord wanted something of that standard very badly, yet though he knew there were several prophets it was harder for him to get his hands on one, especially when they might know he's coming or were very well protected. Or in her case unknown, her gift had been hidden away long ago, and easily taught by her parents how to pass it off around others as her being slightly unique was a nice way of putting it. It had become part of who she was though, and at times she was very attached to the dreamy ideas that popped into her head just as often as the future, it was these ideas that she allowed to pop out of her mouth without restraint. Letting something dreamy out to hide the reality of what else was locked in.

Slipping on the silk dress that had been left on the bed, she saw the milky white color really complimented her name, she was named after the moon, because just maybe she would forever be like it. A mystery to the world that it constantly had an eye on as it revolved around it. Did that even make sense? Sometimes she was so unsure of where her quirkier thoughts even came from and tended to confuse herself. The dress slipped on easily, a cool smooth river over her skin. An empire waist, strapless, a silvery transparent fabric the spilt from the waist fell over the milky silk, is was open in the back to where it came to a v at the small, and a silvery bow of sorts that came to points at the four tips made her see as though she was a one of those muggle fairies. Her feet made a soft patter against the ground as she moved about the room, she took notice that things in here were very nice, which she knew meant she was right Blaise was very high up in the rankings. He had left her saying he need to warn the Order of something, that was all, handing her her wand and then with a flutter of robes was gone from the room. It was almost nigh impossible to understand the boy at times, but it was good she already knew what was going on.

Finally she came to the door, he wouldn't have handed her her wand if he had put up a protective spell on the room. It was time for her to do her part in the war effort, Harry surely would kill her for this if he ever found out, but it had to happen. She charmed her wand to look like a clip in her hair as she placed it in its usual place behind her ear, then placing her hand on the doorknob she opened it to find dungeon halls that led into darkness on either side of her. Now it was her time to explore, her Harry had definitely rubbed off on her. Ravenclaws weren't the type to do this, she was used to thinking, and planning things out, that's why most prophets were Ravenclaw and clairvoyants typically Slytherin. Both made plans but Ravenclaws used others to set their into action, as did prophets with their prophecies, and Slytherins planned their actions, as did clairvoyants who planned what they needed to do next from what they had seen.

What Blaise hadn't known was that it may be easier for her to have her wand, but she did know wandless magic, everyone in their small group knew at least a little. That much Moody had ensured himself. Coming up to a torch she took a chance to place a silencing charm on her feet and then continued, she wanted to be sure she wouldn't be caught, at least not easily. She knew she could probably escape anything bad happening not only from the protection of Blaise but from her own unusual ramblings that people tended find so peculiar about her. A noise from up ahead alerted her to voices, but no footsteps were among them, so either she was coming up to a room for a meeting or just an area where others were standing and discussing something important she hoped.

She strained her ears to hear as she approached them, stopping at a small nook in the wall that still allowed her to hear and be out of the way if anyone were to venture down the hall she was occupying. It was times like these she wished she had paid more attention during lessons on enhancement charms.

"I told you already, every muggle in that place must die, I don't want one survivor. Men, women, children, they're all targets, hell an animal shouldn't even come out alive. When we're done I want the whole world to look on in fear of what might be coming next." a cold sophisticated voice of a man drifted towards her.

"The Dark Lord wants others to be witnesses to carry that anguish and fear with them, to be bale to tell others what they had seen, to be renounced as crazy. He wants to come in to prove their worst fears right." a demented sounding female voice joined in.

"What about those surrounding the area? Is it just inside of that muggle arena or the whole grounds surrounding it?" a rough voice questioned one she was slightly familiar with, Fenrir Greyback could be recognized even in the darkest depths of an abyss by his voice alone. This made her want to cast something to disguise her scent, one slight breeze was all that was needed for him to know her presence among them.

"All of them, every single one you see." the sophisticated one demanded again.

"Lucius you can't do that!" the demented one cried, and Luna didn't catch her gasp at his name, and an odd silence came over the room, Luna pressed back as far as she could in the wall. Her eyes trained for movement around her, and then she saw the torch a few yards down flicker in a breeze, the same one that caught her hair and scent to blow straight down to the werewolf that made her heart go cold in fear.

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The night had fallen around them, her eyes were focused on the visitors that were venturing up the steps, she had been planning all day for this, two nights ago they had planned this. Today was Wednesday night? It was getting harder to keep track of time in this war, it was becoming where they lived from battle to attack to attack to battle, just so much going on lately that it all blurred together in between. She knew her job, to be the one to gather these evil people together, obtain information from them by letting slip specific lines she had been told to say to certain people. She was the decoy, the bait, flaunting herself now "free" from the maniacal Order and ready to join back with those her father had once been in alliance with. It sickened her, but she was prepared, and when things either got too close for comfort for the Order or she got what they needed she knew the word to say to bring her fiery Ginger charging in with the others to finish out their plan. It was ingenious really, Harry and Draco had really come up with a doozy this time.

Her dress was a satin as black as night, it clung to her, flaring out around mid-thigh to reveal an elegant split, she had charmed it herself to sparkle softly like she wore the night sky. She wore matching gloves up to her elbows, it was strapless allowing the sweetheart top to show an ample amount of cleavage, as much as the boys said was needed for her mission. Her long hair was up in a twist and she wore her family jewels, her feet wore a pair of black stilettos. She knew that Ron's face was getting redder by the minute every time she greeted a gentleman who looked too long or decided to take a test of her wares. A sigh slipped through her lips as she greeted the last person to be invited, she turned smiling graciously as people complimented this or that or had some droll conversation they thought would catch her interest. Her eyes were scrutinizing each person, keeping track of what was being said and concentrating on what exactly she needed to say.

"Miss Parkinson, so it's true, you have decided to finally be the pureblood Lady you are. I thought perhaps we could talk privately, you know, about the awful things you've had to suffer through." Her heart fluttered as she realized the man talking to her was none other than Rabastan Lestrange. Part of her wanted to smack the man for insulting her Ron and the Order but she remembered her place.

Laughing loudly she placed a hand against his arm, "Oh, yes my dear Rabastan. I do believe we will have much to talk about in that affair, would you please accompany me to the study?" she asked as she watched his eyes flicker down to view her bosom, and allowed her cheeks to flush a bit. Accepting her offer by taking her hand in on of his own while allowing the one nearest her to come around her and be placed half on her hip and half on her behind. "It was such a horrible experience and I am quite ashamed to say I had fallen that way. I can't say it was for the sex either could I?" she laughed with him, as she cringe inside sending Draco the necessary apologies to Ronald.

"My lady, we all have our moments. Yet I am sure you can easily tell me anything they might have had planned, being that you were in so tight with the best mate of the Chosen One?" The man stood before her backing her against the desk slightly, yet what he didn't know was he'd fed her the perfect line to give one of her own that had been planned out for her. This was the type of conversation Harry had been hoping for. Pump him for information, maybe take him down on her own, and see who else she could get information from before calling the back-up in. Ronald was going to throw a fit over this one she could tell. Rabastan wasn't that bad though, she knew he wasn't anywhere close to that dreaded Yaxley, who was known for his tastes in younger women.

Pansy straightened up smiling cleverly at him, "Only if you promise to fill me in on all that I have missed lately and what we shall be doing next once I'm sure our Lord allows me to rejoin the fold." he took his nod as an affirmation to the deal, "They aren't as clever as they like to play it off to be, I mean really the brains of the operation is no older than I am and a mudblood at that. What a sad thing that is, the girl has a mind but really she just does a lot of research and lets the others make the plans. If I remember correctly after your last plan, which thank god, got me out of that whole disgusting coterie, they were planning on sitting back and waiting for you all to make another move. Very cautious as always that girl is, she talked Potter and the others out of charging into battle, not even sure where they would be going. If I know them though, a small little show of our power will be all that's needed to drag them out and into battle against that dirty mudblood's wishes. So, my dear, what is that our Lord is up to?" She smiled leaning back against the desk more, and he complied slightly by stepping closer to her, practically leaning against her.

"That was very helpful, helpful indeed. I guess it would be my turn to allow you some light on our latest events and plans. We've taken to attacking large gatherings of those dirty creatures. As well as my specific little collection of colleagues are attacking specific families and known supporters. Not long ago as you should know it was I who killed that poor scamp, what' his name... Longbottom's family, you should know him, very much in the Order business that one. It was gruesome, but you would have been happy to know we made sure they suffered for every bit of misdeed they had done against our Lord. it is now our latest mission to attack some muggle event, no idea what really. I won't get in on that one, I'll be off to pay visit to Xenophillius Lovegood and his family, about time we put that damned quibbler to rest, don't you think?" Pansy was horrified by what the man had just told her, there was no way she was allowing him to live, but she couldn't call in the others, she would have to handle him herself, he hadn't been able to give her all the information that she needed. She smirked softly, trying to play off that she agreed while leaning forward a bit so that her chest came in contact with his own, he brought a hand up to her bare back and pulled her forward to kiss her neck.

Waves of disgust poured through her as she concentrated on the messages Draco was sending her, 'Take care of him Pan, remember what Moody showed you.' With a flourish of the wrist she had him silenced, another had him in a body bind, and the last had him out cold. Quickly she levitated him to a closet in the room, not needing anyone to come snooping around and discover what this party really was. Smoothing out her dress, and checking herself in the mirror before leaving she put on her mask once again. Practicing to be a pureblooded lady seemed to paid off for her after all. People were laughing and drinking and dancing like at any pureblood soiree, she scanned the room, smiling politely at the right people. Gliding through the room she spoke to some of the women who were gathered together trying to catch anything important in their annoying gossip chatter. Picking up an elvish wine from a tray as it passed her by, she smiled and tossed in a couple comments about the usual shopping places that were either good or not, or the ones being invaded by those disgusting mudbloods.

A movement to her left caught her eye as she saw Yaxley entering the study. It scared her, obviously he noticed Rabastan going in with her but not coming out. Against her better thoughts she forced herself to hurriedly follow him before he discovered something that would send up the alarm to early. Slipping into the room she smiled softly, "Yaxley, how nice to see you. I didn't know that you had decided to attend, if I had I would have worn something..." she knew she was going to regret the next words coming out of her mouth, "more attracting to your eye." Adding a wink and a coy giggle as he gave her a once over, "Now tell me, my dear, what can I do to help our Lord's upcoming plans?"

Yaxley gave her a wicked look as he pulled her over to the couch, "Let's get comfortable love. You see, our Lord has gained the attention of one of his greatest conquests, obtaining the last of a dying dynasty, his latest acquisition is now heading up our newest idea. We plan to attack a muggle sporting event, the Worlds Tournament games that are being hosted in London. It was a terrific idea you know. I am slightly jealous that I wasn't asked to head it up of course." The man had been slowly pushing her back as he spoke, pressing her against the armrest with him practically atop of her. Though it was easier to get all her information it was coming at a price as his hands were already on her, one at her breast another fumbling with the zipper at her back. His lips fell upon her collar bone and began traveling down, yet she controlled her breathing and was begging with Draco in her mind to hold Ronald back just a while longer, that she almost had it all.

"You dear, I would love to help, could you tell me exactly when we will be attacking and all that?" She ran her hands through his hair touching his neck and ears gently hopefully to distract him a bit as he began peeling her dress down. Draco was yelling in her mind, 'Hurry the bloody hell up or Ron was going to come crashing through the blooming window'. Pressing her lips against his neck she was placing her hands just as they needed to be if she needed to take him down before the others got in there.

The man pulled back a bit and she was extremely repulsed all through her body, "We plan to attack at the opening event just as the shoot off the the fireworks, that way our apparition and spells will take time to notice before the things begin to panic and run around like frightened sheep. We have orders to leave no survivors anywhere on the grounds, men, women, children, even animals. It is time to send a message." The man paused and she watched as his eyes rolled back in his head and a spell's light flashed with the action, looking up over his shoulder she barely caught sight of red hair before tears began pouring from her eyes, she no longer had to be strong or fake. Ronald was here.

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A light appeared in a dark hallway along with hurried heavy footsteps, a flutter of black robes and the shine of the moonlight glinted off a silver mask. this would strike fear into any heart and yet this one mask was the one any would want to see, he was the mercy and the savior to those in their attacks. A fog drifted around him cloaking him from the others as he wandered off their set path, his eyes glowed as he dove into a void only his kin could visit. Slipping through the night the tragic face of that one silver mask made his way specifically through the forest as if he knew it better than anyone, almost as if he was the forest, but that came with being part of the void. It had taken him all night to convince them to allow him to go on this one raid. That way he might slip away to pass along a note, so that he could possibly meet with one who he could trust with the new information he had obtained, not just of an attack, but the intentions of much more than that. There was so much he was privy to that others were not, he was the right hand now, and with his recent conversation with his Lord he knew, knew beyond a doubt, they had to be stopped before the latest conquest could go on.

The world would never be the same if this latest plan was allowed to be initiated, it would be turned on its ear, against his watch, a Merricini was there to guard the void and watch over the world. No this could not happen when he was the lead guardian, it would destroy his kind for once and for all and chaos would reign among the Earth and all time would come to an end. It would an apocalypse and he wasn't the only one he knew this, it was the true intentions of it all. Fear ran thick in his blood, something he hadn't felt in such a long time, it pushed him on to find the falcon he knew would do his bidding and not be struck down as most familiars had been lately. A cry fell upon his ear, the screech could only belong to his Boreas, the falcon flew low and landed on his owners out stretched arm. Listening carefully the Death Eater slipped them both into the void to hide them from snooping eyes and ears that could have followed them.

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Pulling the mask away he watched the bird preen as it waited for it's latest orders. "You know I could have used my Patronus... but that's too obvious for this the others may notice and I can't cast it inside the void. Look at me talking to a bird now." He was almost positive this war was becoming too much for him, once it was over he was taking Twi and the others and going to some place in the world where they could all be at peace, I think they all would appreciate that. Pulling a note from his robes he quickly charmed it to seem as if it was just a normal Daily Prophet to other's eyes except the one he needed it to be seen by. Then reaching back he pulled a feather from his own wings and rolling it up in the letter being sure some of the fog would cling to it, it was his calling card for now. "Go now Boreas, find him, you know where he should be and if not I know you'll find him, be sure to meet me here no later than dawn with him." The bird crowed indignantly at such a timeline, and as the void disappeared around him it took off into the night.

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Blaise watched with careful eyes before slipping his mask back on to rejoin his for now allies in their night of "fun". His stomach turned over at the thought of what they called enjoyment. It wasn't hard to find them, the agonizing screams of those the unfortunate victims. His presence was easily made known as he stood back saying he was there to be sure they did their jobs. What they didn't know was that he was pulling their pain into him, forcing the children who still were needed in this life into a death coma he would wake them from before they left. He couldn't save the parents without losing a part of himself to the void, he could only cheat death so much in one go with out part of his own soul being at stake. It was something he regretted every time it happened like all of his kind his greatest wish was to be able to save them all, but the void had it's price and he couldn't always avoid it.

A silver tear fell from each eye as he leaned over both children, saying he would deal with them himself. They dripped on to their fearful cheeks, the dementor had a kiss, he had tears. Yet his were reversible, all it took was for him to wipe it away before it dried. The adults' cries as they saw their children fall back into what seemed like death almost broke him, but he had to remain strong to save them. Twilight, he wished for her now more than ever, she was his strength, his hope, and his sanity, only Draco understood completely what he meant. "Zabini! Come on don't you want to at least get a good whack at these two?" It was Lucius his voice heady from the high he got from such dark entertainment, it was his mission in life to be death he was always told by this side of the war. "You don't always have to be the death of them, you can have some fun before putting them out of their misery. Though it is of my opinion that we allow them to suffer until they die, not give them the easy way out that you always give them."

Blaise sneered almost as well as any Malfoy but the man couldn't see it of course, "When I am involved, as the highest rank among you, we go by my laws. I am death, and will leave no victim to suffer, to have them alive when I leave." It pained him to speak those words, it was always Twilight that told him he had just as much right to be Life as well. He could never be life, his sister would always be life, she had been given the light. He had been given the darkness, no part of his family ever had more than two children. To him it meant one would be death and the other life, his Hermione would always be life. His body suddenly jerked to the side as Lucius shoved him to the ground, "What the fuck, Lucius?"

The man stood above him, "You took care of those kids too easily... You are His right hand now and look at you going easy on this dirty runts." His eyes were full of malice, "You are just like my son... pathetic. If the boy knew how to finish a job with a heart of stone like I tried to teach him then his mother would be alive and he wouldn't be a disgrace to the Malfoy name." With a kick to Blaise's side, he turned towards the kids, "We should burn them, that way they look like they suffered..." Blaise narrowed his eyes as he flung out his leg and landing a hard blow against the elder Malfoy's chest knocking the wind out of him and landing him flat on his back. It was Blaise's turn to stand over him now, but more clever than the other man he kept his wand out and trained on him. The others were too busy feeding their blood lust to notice the conflict between their own.

"You disgust me, you are a disgrace to the Slytherin House, at least your son can say he held the throne as Slytherin King proudly. For your wife, she would be alive if you had known what mission was for a boy and what you should have handled yourself. I can assure you if Draco was ever faced with the chance to kill someone like yourself again, he wouldn't hesitate, and unfortunately i am not quite at his level yet, you son Lucius, you decimate you." Blaise then breathed a fog so black it made the night around them bright, it filled Lucius's lungs and the man fell into a fitful sleep full of his own greatest fears. Death did not discriminate, it knew all fears, and created the worst nightmares. If he could not kill the man then he would at least be sure he knew his place, and came out scarred from the encounter.

Looking at the other's he noticed the brightening sky outside the window, "That's enough, everyone leave I will handle the rest." The others turned, covered in blood and crazed eyes, and it was at these times that he would wonder if they would attack him as well. Yet like every time they finally pulled themselves together and backed down, with a swift turn of their cloaks they were out the doors and fleeing into the forest once again. He looked down at the pitiful man at his feet and took out a portkey, threw down at him and watched as he vanished from his sight. Full of dread his crystalline eyes turned to the fearful couple barely alive clinging to each other in their living room floor, it was obvious they hadn't stuck to spells he could see evidence of torture devices and muggle weapons on them. He wished one last time that he could save them as he bent down to look them in the eye. "I am sorry, I can't save you as well, I shall save the children... bless you both, you are good people. The void will be good to you." Settling his hands on one of each of their own, he felt the coolness sweep over him as they both fell through the void, unlike with trying to save others, when they were so close to death he could send them easily through to the Ether. Hermione had much to learn.

It was with that thought on his mind that he stood, walking over to the children he scooped them both up in his arms. They both had the eyes of their mother, a beautiful green that almost brought him to his knees in sorrow as he thought of Twilight. Blending swiftly in to cloudy fogs of the night he found his way back to the clearing he intended to meet his falcon and friend. Each footstep was calculated, one wrong snap of a twig or noise might send an unfriendly ally their way. He saw a figure up ahead and saw the large falcon sitting on a log next to the person. There was no mistaking his familiar and knew the bird was sitting tall and proud next to the man that would prove his mission complete. The bird was cocky, that much Blaise was sure of, and had the unmistakable coloring of his species. Letting his guard down he eased out of the trees. "MERLIN BLAISE!" The man he needed to see cried as he took in the two lifeless children he was cradling.

"Trust me it's not what you think, but I do need you to take them... I will explain everything."

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It was very well known that Harry didn't always get to attend every mission, and so here he was sitting in headquarters waiting on the others to return from the one that was likely to be a huge fight, and gods how he hated missing a fight. Draco had been checking in with him letting him know how things were progressing and giving him a run down of what they deemed important information. He had paced back and forth every time he told him Pansy was in a room alone with some important Death Eater that would have all the right things they needed to hear. It was nerves he guessed, waiting to hear that Ron had jumped through a window to kill some bastard. "Blast it Draco, what the fuck is going on... you said Pansy was getting the rest of the holes filled in with Yaxley..."

Molly walked by and gave him a disapproving look, "Now Harry what did I tell you boys about that foul language?" She wagged her finger but just ended up throwing her arms up in defeat and rolling her eyes as Harry turned suddenly as Draco began filing him in again.

"What in Merlin's beard do you mean Ron took the bastard down right over Pansy?" Harry was about to burst, Ron had went in through the back and managed to kill Yaxley as Pansy was seducing him for information. This was something they had agreed upon before the start of the mission that night that Ron wouldn't interfere until Pansy threw up the signal or things got too dangerous for Pansy to continue unaided. He should have known the hothead wouldn't follow protocol, then again that's why they had chose for him to head up the attack, besides Draco couldn't, he had to keep hidden with it being a Death Eater party. "What in the bloody hell is going on down there?!" Harry stomped over to the window and realized there was a falcon pecking on the pane. "A blooming falcon as a familiar?"

Opening the window the large bird flew in and settled on the back of a wooden seat next to the desk, and held out it's leg for Harry to take the delivery tied to it. Slipping the ribbon from the parchment he handed the bird a treat form Hedwig's bowl. The note he noticed was covered in a mist that fell away with the ribbon, and he recognized the handwriting immediately, this couldn't be good. Yet all the note said was that they needed to meet, that this note might be intercepted so he couldn't say what he needed in it. it indicated that he needed to follow the bird, yet that was his own mind's paraphrasing of Blaise's constant eloquence. In war the mind could skim the contents of missives and understand all it needed to know in as little as a couple sentences. "Erebus... I should have guessed, who else would bloody use a falcon but the one with it as his patronus. Well better be getting along then or we'll be late and the arse has both of our heads." The falcon puffed out it's chest in its pride, every bit of the beauty that a silver morph gyrfalcon could boast. "Molly I'll be right back..." he called softly through the house knowing the matronly woman would disapprove of his actions, but the black feather lying on top of the parchment meant business.

Part of him said he shouldn't have been shocked when the bird led him into the forbidden forest, and yet some piece of him still forced his feet pause for just that second to consider if he was walking to his own death. Trust, he had to trust one he deemed a brother. If anything that was all he go on, that and a mysterious feather that compelled such inquiries inside of him that he knew he had to see him if only to discover some truths. Still, he knew there would be a veil around it all that kept him in mystery and it was for both his safety as much as their that they didn't know what all he was doing or was going on with him. Running a hand through his hair he stood from the log the falcon was resting on. This was a nervous habit he noticed he fell back on more and more lately. There was just too much going on and he was only one boy, one very unexperienced boy forced to be like that of a seasoned warrior or in his case auror.

Footsteps made him pause and clutch his wand even tighter in his grip, as he slowly turned to take in the sight of something he thought he would never have to face. A person he once held dear to his heart as a brother holding two lifeless bodies in his arms, not just that but the bodies of children. His face drained of all color as his world was flipped once again, he reached back to lean on a tree before letting it all register. Then looking up confusion and rage bursting forth in one go, "MERLIN BLAISE!" The other man stumbled forward setting the two down, a small girl with hair the color of straw and the boy's as dark as night, both with eyes as green as the hills of the Emerald Isle.

"Trust me it's not what you think, but I do need you to take them... I will explain everything." Blaise turned then kneeling between the children he wiped something of their cheeks while simultaneously putting a sleeping charm on them, "There that's simple to reverse once you get them to safety. Now for your explanation..." Blaise turned to see Harry was still deathly pale, "Do sit down Harry, you look as if you might pass out, and time is of the essence here." He pushed the boy-who-lived down onto the log next to Boreas, Harry just kept staring not completely sure weather to trust this man anymore or not, and yet something still compelled him to. So he sat and watched his friend copy his motions from only moments before, pacing in front of him trying to gather what it is that he needed to say to explain this situation best to him. "Look when I flipped back to this side of the war I wasn't really planning on getting any of you all involved in what I'm doing... Luna is fine-"

Harry jumped up and grabbed at Blaise's cloak, "Luna's with you... can you bring her to me? I need her..." He was jumping into hysterics he knew but Luna was his world and he would do anything at all for her, and if Blaise could meet him like this, couldn't he bring Luna along next time and let her return home with him. Blaise's col hands closed over Harry's wrists and slowly pried them from his person as he settled him back against the log once again. "Well, man, can you or can't you?"

Blaise bowed his head, "I can't unfortunately, the way I met you tonight was by signing on to a mission and it was suspicious enough getting the children out alive as well as making sure certain allowances and accommodations were made for Luna. Luna must remain in the Dark Lord's care for now, she is under my protection so she will be safe, just trust me. I needed to talk to you specifically because of what they're planning next it's practically mass genocide, he plans to attack a series of major muggle events and then possibly incite enough fear in them that they begin to battle it out themselves. Don't you see if another world war is started then it will be easy for him to disguise his own attacks against muggles and muggleborns through war time activity. He's opening up the playing field, going beyond just the English Wizarding world he has lately been constricted to. I'm not sure on the specifics as of yet, but I will find out... Tell 'Mione and Draco to be ready for me to contact them, or watch for Boreas, or even for my patronus, maybe even Luna's... I'm not sure yet but somehow I will help you all to stop this plan. I didn't return to my position without thought to what it meant, so I apologize for what may come of it all... Remember though that I care deeply for you all and I will get Luna back to you."

Harry stood staring into those icy eyes, "You are a good one, Zabini... Take care of my girl and I'll watch out for yours... Remember where you truly belong, never forget and never let it go, I don't want to lose you." He then turned to look at the two young children lying on the ground, one might have been 2 or 3 and the other possibly 4. "So young to have to suffer through it all, I will help them better than I was helped. If you need Godric Hollow is always open as a wartime orphanage for wizarding children right now. Be careful my friend, my brother." With a nod to each other, they parted ways, Blaise heading deeper into the forest as Boreas led Harry back out with two children in tow and his mind heavy with the burden of what Blaise had told him and what repercussion could come from that if unstopped.

His eyes scanned for the moon as his heart ached for one he had lost, "My moon stay strong, I will be with you again..."

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Her eyes were tired but she forced them to remain open. It had been a long night full of terrifying visions, there was just too much history in some places and then too much uncertainty of the future. Especially when her friend's whose futures she was constantly keeping an eye on were making rash and sudden decisions that could spin the whole world spinning for her. After Dumbledore had explained what the others had planned while she and Hermione had been slightly incapacitated, her dreams had made more sense to her. What she really could use though was a steadying hand, like that of Luna, a prophet was always welcome company to a clairvoyant. Their prophecies could keep her from flying off the handle at times, and helped balance out her power, but even then it was hard not to immediately act upon a vision. In war time though, it was hardly ever to hasty to take action. She ran a hand through her strawberry blonde locks and sighed, she just needed a break. Hogwarts almost always sent her for a loop especially when a moment of great importance to her own thought process was strong enough to present itself in her mind, it was exhausting to just walk from one end of the castle to the other at times, especially if Tom Riddle was her main thought. His memories were vague and blurry in these hallowed halls but there nonetheless and constantly willing to present themselves.

Dumbledore was extremely excited to take up use of her gift, his collection of memories about the Riddle boy was growing rapidly since she had enrolled and revealed her true nature. Yet not many looked upon her like they did Draco. Poor Draco was feared and scorned, at times she could see the affects of the thoughts of those around him had on him, but Hermione always handled that, she had before they had even been together, without knowing she was keeping his control in check and his life, or lack there of, going. Blaise did that for her, but without his presence it seemed as minutes could drag on for days, never truly knowing when she would see him again. In her dreams she clung to his future hoping that it would reveal some hole that she could hope was herself, because she couldn't see her own future, so holes indicated where she was involved. Yet she could see the end of the war, that was what scared her most. Did that mean she wouldn't be there?

Blaise swore to protect her, to care for her, to love her even if it meant joining eternity himself, which he knew was in his future eventually. She worried for him, she knew what he was doing, she knew why he was doing it too, but upon an unbreakable vow she had sworn never to reveal this information except when the time became necessary, then she would know, would be summoned to the appropriate place. Looking up she could see the rising sun, the others would be returning. It would be best if she were there to greet them, to prepare them for what she had seen, to inform one of them of actions that had happened most recently in their absence. Turning she smiled as she came face to face with Moody, "Come to interrogate me again old man?" The memories of the rest of the night's talks were far from pleasant, how could an older generation trust the fate of the world to such young minds and hands.

"Bah, you know good and well I trust all of you. I was the one to train each of you if you remember, so I know what you're each capable of, that Voldemort should be shaking in his boots that you all are after him. No, what I came for is to see that you are doing well. Your mate left me a letter asking I keep an eye on you, also not to let your little arse go out on any missions. I went with the others earlier but they still have matters to handle probably won't be back 'til late tonight, so I told them I would return to be sure this here castle was in good hands while they were off. Others Aurors came with me, I'm sure you know McClaren and Hattersfield." The old man's good eye moved from her out to the view of the grounds she had just been watching. "So girlie, how are you? Don't you be spouting lies from the mouth either because I can tell when you are, what with all the excuses you tried to squeeze by on during training. Damn rain frizzing your hair..."

"I only used that one once, it was absolutely dreadful out... I'm fine, you know, Blaise and I talked about this a lot before he made his decision. I mean, I'm still broken hearted and missing him, it's like a hole is in me that I can fill without him here. I love him so... this is something that had to be done, and he will return to me, that much he promised. It warms my heart though to know he cared enough to get some rusty old goat to watch over me. Couldn't ask someone like Pompfrey or McGonagal, nope had to get eh geezer with one eye... " She dodged the harmless curse he sent her way and almost bowed over laughing, if anything her jibes with Moody brightened the gloom of the war if not just keeping her sane. The old man could bring her back down to Earth or back from death with one quick insult or knock to the head. It was like he was the grandfather she never had the chance of knowing before he was burned at the stake.

Leaning over the railing she imagined what exactly would happen if she fell, "You would crack the ground wide open and I would make your lazy arse clean it up. I'll also have you know that since I have to keep an eye on you that means with one eye you get all the attention... I'm not rusty either, I could tangle with the best of them." He grunted and she heard him chuckle softly at the shocked look on her face that he had known what she was thinking, "We're not all oblivious as you think, I can pick up on you all a bit better than the rest of the old farts, but still it's easier if you all just tell me what's going on in those little heads of yours than having to figure it out on my own. Now be honest you little psychic what's bothering you? Last thing I need is a scathing lecture from Zabini and have to put him in the infirmarry from self-defense..."

Tears came unbidden to weary eyes, "There's so much tragedy in this history, in this time, in this future... So much pain for those around us and for us all... How can I protect everyone of us? Soon, very soon, we are going to be split up, and you know it as well as I do. I can't protect them if I can;t always be with them, or Luna... Merlin what that precious prophet will go through, our 'Mione too... What will happen to me?" Finally she broke at the last softly gasped question, Moody knew like she did that in this war it came to a point where you worried so much for others at times you forgot yourself, then it would come crashing down on your shoulders, what tragedy would befall you if this is what happened to those you loved. "How is it the fates can be so cruel as to let me see and protect those around me but not myself? Is self-sacrifice the life of a visionary and prophet?"

"How wise you are for one so young. You will understand as you get older, that sometimes self-sacrifice is the only choice. Yes, tragedy is common in war, and i know that it will be ugly now that it's becoming climatic, but we need to keep you somewhere safe, if they were to get you as well as Luna... well let's not even think of the repercussions would be for our cause and advantages to theirs. You need to learn you can't protect them all, all the time, sometimes it's best to let things happen naturally. It certainly would keep you alive much longer." Moody then laid his hand on her thin shoulder, "I also don't want to hear of you going to any extremes to make your visions any more clear or vivid. Do you hear me, lass?"

Twilight looked up at him distractedly the tears finally breaking the barrier and spilling over her cheeks, but she was looking straight through him, a milky chartreuse met his one good eye, "That bloody werewolf..." was all that got past her lips before she began shrieking.

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The sweep of robes back and forth on cobblestone was all that could be heard in the room besides an occasional grunt from the pacer as he contemplated exactly what she had asked him earlier that night. The other girl had excused herself politely and quickly disappeared form their meeting. Then Moody had left to follow after much as he was to do with any of the younger members he had trained when he sensed them to be upset. Still she sat at the long table as they all deliberated over what to decide from her recent inquiry. It really wasn't that hard, she believed they wee putting too much credit to her new status of being and the other involved in this endeavor, who was currently absent on another endeavor of his own creation. "It won't be long really, I mean they'll be returning sometime tomorrow night. Let him rest up and take care of any injuries he might have sustained, at most I would be alone a total of what? Two or three days, I believe I can handle myself very well in such a small amount of time. Besides like they requested I'm no longer what the student body would see as yummy snack, I am one of them now. So I don't see how initiating the mission slightly early could hurt, I'm ready to begin now, and I don't need Draco to lay down its foundation."

They all stared at her, Dumbledore's eyes sparkled in pride, she had been dependent on Draco for so much, and still he was much stronger than her, even if she had the gift of Ether. Her gift was hardly developed and sapped all her energy when used extensively. Draco was her support, her strength, her protector, her lover, her comfort, her best friend, her rival, her everything, Merlin did she miss him, but he wasn't coming back, not really anyways. He withdrew from her, she forced him to, but it was his fault. It was obvious to her anyways, he had to still have feelings for Pansy. Something in her just wasn't ready to trust him again, this would be for the best, they would put space between them and give her time to think. Forgiveness had came so hard to her, always had, she held ontot things much longer than others deep in her heart.

"Hermione it's not that you need Draco, it's just your so new to this lifestyle. You aren't aware of many of the traditions and other things that Draco is aware of, besides his power is able to predict things much better than yourself, as well as the fact you gift is an unknown danger to yourself and others if you can't handle it. Draco's dark magic can keep it in check." Dumbledore began explainning to her, "Yet I do believe there's something more to this..."

Hermione's eyes softened a bit as hurt fled through her once again, "It's not a matter, this is strictly about the mission, and as far as my powers Guildenstern is able to train me. As well as help me until Draco comes, even if my mate doesn't agree to the school or its master. Please sir, just allow me to go." Those golden orbs glowed so feircely with determination that he almost considered her to be a Slytherin. Yet she was a Gryfindor so she had the courage to jump into this mission without hesitation. "If you must, contact Draco and let him know of my departure, if I know him, and I do so too well, that wil speed up their own return. The ma is fiercely overprotective when it comes down to it, and to keep his hite hot rage from yourselves tell him it was my choice as it was." She looked into each of their eyes as she stood, then looked up to the one witht he final say as to whether or not she owuld departing that night.

With a long heavy sigh, the older wizard sat andbegan writing on a parchment, "I'll send this out to inform them of your departure to them, and with all the intructions I deem necessary for you until Draco joins you. Go and pack your things, you will portkey as soon as Guildenstern floos me to let me know they are ready for you, which I will say will be soon enough, no later than 2 hours." Her curly head bobbed as she moved away from the long table to exit the room. Draco was going to kill her the next time he saw her, but that was ok by hten she would hopefully be able to face him. Their bond, she could hardly feel it at the moment, it was so weak where they had shut each other off, the only thing she knew was that he was alive, but Draco would be able to tell a little more than herself. Hopefully her mind was blocking him well enough, because if he already knew what she was up to she was going to get one howler of a message from his patronus any time now since he couldn' through their bond or in her mind.

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I t wasn't until she had actually flooed into the school that she realized how little she actually knew about her new heritage. Many stared at her, feeling just how young she was, like wizards, vampires grew stronger and wiser with age. Guildenstern kept his cold eyes acutely on her evry action keeping her form making a mistake before the older ones who weren't quite connected with new times just yet. That was the tragic part of their kind, sometimes immortality could cause them to isolate themselves so fully they missed decades at a time, some even centuries, and then risked revealing the whole species by being outdated and lost in time when they did return to the present, thus the need for these schools. Dumbledore had filled her in slightly as well as her new headmaster as he led her to her knew living quarters. It was at the top of the highest tower on campus, and very isolated form any of the other students and faculty, it was mostly never used and convenient for what she and Draco would need.

There he was again, he was almost always on her mind anymore, it seemed they were right distance not only made the heart grow fonder but pain of loss stronger. "Lady Malfoy, I hope ou will be most ocmfortable here. Albus has informed me that you need to be taught our traditoins which do not change with time as well as our laws and history, also you have the gift of Ether which I shall train you in and keep in check as best I can until Lord Maloy returns. I would instruct you change your names, except Draco is well known among many of our kind and the name Malfoy alone calls for respect and fear enough to keep you both safe and reveered in the halls, perhaps even help your cause. Now, milday... do you have any questions?"

Hermione turned soft golden eyes upon him, a smile that could tempt any man to die for her cause, "I was curious, if you would know anyone at all who might have sympathies towards our cause? Any information that could help me setup our foundation at all would be useful, information on students and the best way to get know them all with little to do." she suggested and he sat in a comfortable arm chair across from where she was seate on a leather sofa. A quick glance to the window and back to her eyes proved he seemed to still worry for prying ears. "Silencio, muffliato." The spell fell over the room, "There now no one can hear anything said inside this room without being in here." she assured him and he nodded his body seeming to relax and function more normally with the trust that he could speak freely.

"Milady, your Draco, could quite possibly bring followers to your cause with his request alone. Among our kind there is a certain level of respect given not only his name but his hold of ancient dark magic n his blood. Given among a kind as ours, he is royalty. If you stick to drawing in the older ones, mostly before this century you find support in abundance for whatever he shall ask of them. Also, be sure to keep with our traditions terribly well, disrepect and shame are not held kindly among us. I tell you this if you can avoid alerting certian ones to your actions you shall succeed in what you plan, those that would oppose you are well known around these halls and outspoken for their cause, Draco will be able to tell, but most of all remember the name Casanovich." A knock came to the window then, a great eagle waited holding a letter, Hermione smiled knowing the harpy eagle as Twilight's familiar Valkyrie. "I think I shall bid you a good night, expect me to call upon you again in the morning close after dawn." With that the man swept from the room, his cloak flowing menacingly behind him, so cold and cruel seeming for the polite gentleman he truly was, it made her wonder why Draco hated him and this establishment so vehemntly.

Valkyrie carried a letter from her dear friend wishing her well on her mission and informing her that the others had been delayed once again but would be there by the next nightfall. Draco was set hopefully to join her before the week was out, though he wasn't aware he wouldn't be joining her the next night, Twilight did urge that she try to contact him through their bond. Hermione looked up into the night sky, tears still held in her eyes, why was it so hard to forgive when it came to matters of the heart? She turned away from the open window and once she had, she came face to face with someone she truly had not been expecting. "My dear, did you think you could do something as rash as this and not have any consequence?"

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It was a bit chilly, he cold tell by the way she held her arms as she greeted the guests at the front door, he had to admit he felt it some but maybe his utter jealousy and anger was keeping him warm enough. Draco kept reminding him to keep it all in check or he would screw up the whole mission if he charged in headlong before they got what they needed, the only time he was allowed to do so was if she was in any true danger and couldn't continue. In his opinion being in room full of bloody Death Eaters was dangerous enough, let alone having to seduce some for whatever information she could get out of them.

His eyes followed her as she went into the house, now he had to rely on Draco for any information he was going to get and what little he could see through the window he had posted them at. It was perfect really, they were placed between two windows, one viewing the room where the guests and party were and the other looking into the private study Pansy was to use once she got one of those vile creatures alone to talk to and seduce. Her seduction techniques had been a proficiency she had from before joining the order, something they all had known would be well used for their purposes when a mission called for it, and he himself had been under their effect many a time. Those dark lashes gently swept across her alabaster cheeks as she subtly flirted with Rabastan Lestrange, the man was psychotic in most senses of the word, too much like his lovely sister-in-law. Draco watched him tense up as she slowly led him from the party into the study. "She says she's sorry, Ron, and to please don't think badly of her for blushing and flirting as she does to his small actions and allowing him such freedoms.... Of all that's good and holy... I can't believe she thinks I would relay that one..." Ron gave him a patronizing look as he quickly glanced away from the window, "Fine... Says the sex is still worth it." Ron's whole face matched his hair at that one and the others around him laughed along at the embarrassment and disgust of the two.

"She's got that right... It was certainly worth it..." he watched as the man backed his girl against the desk, "What does the bastard think he's doing? Draco please tell me this is going to work out and she's got this under control or I'm going to blow a gasket right here... Oh bloody hell he's all over her, she's got an opening tell her to take care of him now or I'm going to come through this window and show him who she really belongs to." Draco rolled his eyes and dodged the kick that was aimed at his head, Ron wasn't beyond using the muggle fighting when it came down to it, then again all of them were well trained in it seeing as the Death Eaters didn't care to implement muggle ways when it came to torture. his eyes watched as she took the evil man down, silenced, binded, and unconscious in less than 10 seconds, he'd remember not mess with her in the future. Once she had him situated in the closet, she smiled and rejoined the party with a check in mirror, ever aware of appearances, then out into the party she went and he watched her as the pureblooded lady she deserved to be, that he wasn't sure he could give her.

"Shit... Is that Yaxley going into the study?" Ron heard Moody say and turned to see his little vixen drop her mask just long enough to see the fear in her eyes when she realized the same thing. It didn't take her long at all to navigate the room and enter the study swiftly after he did. "Our girl is on it though, trained you all well I did." Moody boasted and he and Draco were forced to roll their eyes and agree with old coot or face a hard practice the next time allowed him to train them. Ron felt sick at the thought of her being alone with Yaxley, it was common knowledge to all where his tastes in women laid. His eyes never left her, while his mind seethed that he was forced to remain where he was when the woman he loved was in such a precarious dishonorable position. Part of him knew he wouldn't stay mad at her forever and this moment was pushing that anger at her out of his mind, because he knew she loved him loved him more than anyone on this plane, and yet it was so hard to accept in comparison of Draco. What could he possibly give her that Draco couldn't? Maybe it was more a question of his male pride than anything else, that the one he considered his lover could be found seducing or in the process of what seemed willful seduction of another an that he considered better than himself. Shaking his head he turned his eyes to his leader, to the lone vampire sitting in the shadows where no light could possibly hit him and alert anyone to their station.

Turning his eyes back tot he window the scene was bloody well not what he had expected to see, "What in Merlin's name is going on in there? That bastard better get his hands off of her before.." Draco's hand slapped over his mouth as the man was yelling a bit loudly, then once it was removed Ron narrowed his eyes and was seething. Draco's hands still remained in a icy grip on his shoulders, and Ron had a feeling it was Pansy's doing that he was being held, held back form jumping to the rescue of her honor. "I'm giving her five minutes to get what she needs or I'm going come straight through the window. Tell her Malfoy." It all had been spoken in a voice so low and dangerous that it almost made the others shiver in fear of what he might do the evil bastard. As the slimy git began peeling down her dress that was when he decided it was time to move, there was no way in hell that he was going to let the man see her without that dress on. So he stood and headed to the entrance nearest to them, the back door it seemed, and he heard the patter of the others footsteps behind him.

"Ron, she hasn't gotten it all... you'll ruin the whole plan if you go in there now... what do you think you're doing?" Draco was right on his tail, the plan had been his and Harry's child, and both staunchly liked to see them played out to the very last step, both could hardly stand letting Ron head up attacks because honestly he was very rash and let his emotions rule his tactics. It was at times like these when he was glad to have them, it was easy to enough to keep hurrying along inside of the house and just before getting in hearing distance of the party he turned on his platinum friend.

Draco stopped as did the others, "First of all you can stop me when you can say that if it were Hermione in that room with him letting those things happen you would just sit idly by. Next come up with a plan of attack like now!" his demands were met with a grim look as Draco thought of his mate, Ron knew the two were having trouble but no amount of trouble between them would keep Draco from protecting her with every bit of immortal life. Then the man drew up a brilliant battle plan, there was a back entrance through the dining room to the study and Ron would enter there, while the others surrounded the ball room and parlor where the party was taking place and handle them until Yaxley was out of the picture and Ron could join them with Pansy. It was hoot to detain, not to kill unless threatened first. Ron nodded his head before turning and going the way that Draco had directed him and they were off to finish their mischief for the night. Ron came to the dining room and heard Yaxley begin to speak again, and that's when he slowly slid the door open silently, pointing his wand at the bakc of the man's head and watching him drop dead right over Pansy.

Her eyes shone with tears as she looked up over the body and pushed it to the floor in her eagerness to be in his arms, and he held her to him. "Oh Ronald..." she cried and clung with her arms around his neck and he wrapped strong arms around her waist holding her pressed tightly against his chest. "Oh Ronald..." she continued to sob against him and he placed a warm kiss to her temple.

"I'm here, love, I'm here."

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It had taken them a long time to get what they needed, it was well past the witching hour when they had finally made their move. It wasn't that Pansy had done a bad job, it was just hard to get the right people in the the right place at the right time and saying the right things, too many variables to contend with. His eyes were latched onto the unconscious people they hand bound up in the floor, and then to the dirty work Remus was working on by disposing of the few who hadn't made it through the fight, all of their number had come out maybe a little worse for wear but alive. Pansy had taken three showers since the whole ordeal had been over, and Ron had scarcely left her side since except to occasionally help Remus. Harry had been been drudging through every little detail with him ever since it was all over, and well it was times like these he wished he hadn't put an alert on his friends thoughts even from miles away. The others were exhausted so he was the only one who be able to ensure that none of their little guests escaped, besides who knew this house and its grounds better than he did. It was odd being home like this, the next time he thought he would be in these chambers he was sure Hermione would be at his side, the war would be over, and he would be able to give it back the glory that it truly deserved by making it a home of love and pride, not like what his father had done with it to tarnish its good name.

Tonks caught his eye when he saw her bend to pick up some priceless object that had probably been broken in the fight, when she raised what he could only be certain was his mother's signet ring. It took him mere seconds to reach his cousin's side, "Doesn't this belong to Narcissa, each of the Black girls were given a ring, right? This looks just like mother's." Draco's eyes matched hers in surprise, and Draco had to agree that could be no other crest than that of the Black family. Yet why would someone have his mother's ring? What had happened to his parents after they had been killed by the Dark Lord and he had fled? It was a mystery to him, but he would find out who had his mother's heirloom and why.

"Let me deal with this cousin, go help Pansy, I think she's writing out a report for HQ and I want it to be accurate how we fought before she and Ron joined us." His demand wasn't met coldly, she nodded and headed off, even if he was younger than her Tonks under stood the position he held among the Order. Placing the ring on his right pinky finger, he then began to delve into minds for the information he was looking for. He had began with the women, which took far too long in his opinion the bints all had too much jewelry and could hardly register which pieces they had picked out to wear here that night. It was easy to search through the minds of the men when they were unconscious like they wee and he tried to see if they had noticed anything about the ladies, for his mother, or even his father. It shocked him when he came to pretty young girl, maybe only a couple years older than himself and found an image of his father he never expected to see, he truly was an evil arsehole. The girl remembered his father distinctly and he had given her the ring sometime ago as a commemoration of what they had together, even if it was purely basic need, but he had to reassure the little thing in some way, since he still loved his wife dearly in the girl's opinion. He was sick to know this much into his father's personal life and see how much more he had truly tarnished the Malfoy name, it disgusted him and he loathed the man for it.

A cough to his right, told him that he had been growling and then he noticed he had crushed the girl's wist in his fury, "You need to watch it boy, any other see that outside our tight circle and you'd have to face the Order with a pretty good cause for that." It was Moody, the next best mentor he had next to Snape, the old man knew more than he let on sometimes and was much deeper than he first appeared. "Now you don't have to tell, but I know you have some sort of reason for harming any lass, even if it was unintentional. I was just letting you know that I'm heading back to Hogwarts, I have other business to attend to and it doesn't appear you need me here any longer. When can they be expecting you bunch to be back?" Draco quickly cast episki on the girl's arm to heal it, because just maybe she wasn't at fault for his father dark deeds.

Standing to his full height he towered above most, even other men, but Moody was still an intimidating character to him. "I would expect us back later than we thought, it seems there were more casualties on their side than we had expected and are having to dal with those as we speak. Also Azkaban is sending representatives to come take the ones we have here alive away to be processed and locked away to await trial. I believe we'll have to await them as well, but I may just stay and send the others along home soon enough. Anything that can go wrong I believe I can handle well enough on my own without them, and it is much safer that way, a lot harder to do away with me than any of them." Draco spun his mother ring around a bit on his finger and remembered the ring he had back at Hogwarts, and his own Malfoy signet ring he wore on his left ring finger, the one that had been his father's, that had been passed down to him by the Dark Lord while he still been a captive. That ring was still a proud sign and he refused to take it off, his father may have been a bad man, but not all had been when they had worn it before him. His Hermione's ring still sat on their end table in their bedroom, he had had it made on an impulse several weeks ago, and still he kept it from her, but he worried if she would even want it now after all that had happened.

Tears do not come easy for a man like him, but since he had left her room with those last words, he had found them a comfort when he couldn't keep himself busy. His heart felt empty without the feel of her constantly with him even if she was miles away, their bond was barely strong enough to feel her emotions, all he could be sure of was that she was alive and well, it seemed she was safe for the time being. Perhaps Pompfrey had released her from the infirmary by now, knowing her if she had his little kitten was probably curled up in some quiet cozy corner of the library researching on some new lead that had been found or she herself had discovered. Pansy hadn't been wrong when saying Hermione was the brain of their operation most of the time, the girl knew so much to help them and continually kept at her duty of finding all they would need for each lead they followed or mission they were sent out on. She always told him she wouldn't be able to bear it if something happened to those she cared about if she felt there had been some sort of information they could find useful, such placements of healing ponds or dangerous traps and monsters they might encounter. The old man had been staring at him for sometime now, and he knew he was probably as transparent as a clear glass window right now to him, "Don't worry, she'll come around just give her time. Every little lady in her condition worries and frets over the things their men do, good or bad. Now try not to stay here too long, I expect you all back by tomorrow night at the latest." Then he turned, but Draco caught something in his words, Hermione's condition, surely he just meant her being a new vampire, of course that's what he meant, she was getting dramatic, he had been around enough of the female gender of his kind to know how affected they were by any little change. His kind were immortal, not subject to change without some considerable amount of years to let it happen subtly.

It wasn't too long after that, when the aurors from Azkaban arrived and took into account how many they had taken as captives, when Draco noticed one was missing, one in particular. yaxley was there and so was Rabastan, but the young lady that had had possession of his mother's priceless heirloom was nowhere to be found. The little minx was important to any of them though, so it was an unfortunate loss, that none could really understand, the girl must have had a portkey of some kind, he had only left for a matter of seconds to see Moody to the door. Once they had gone, Draco was at leave to wander about his home while the others continued the bit of clean up left to do. The House elves had all been allowed free range to come and go as they pleased, but Draco had asked that they be careful to stay away of they ever found that someone had taken up residence here again until the war was over. Walking through the long halls of his childhood home, his took to great pains of trying to open up the bond he and his mate shared, but the woman was stubborn he'd give her that, most stubborn damnable woman he had met and could only love her more for it. He was at a loss of to win back her trust once again and have them a strong union before she could be at any danger in that awful place Guildenstern tried to call a school.

"Draco..." he turned and was met with a sight that softened his eyes, his aunt Andromeda. "You do look much different like Dora said, what is that plagues you so? My child i have loved you like my own before Cissi pushed me away completely because of Lucius and Bella, you know we were always much closer than with Bella. Dora said you were upset when I came to check in on her, I suspect a grandchild soon. Now tell my nephew what is it that troubles you?"

A sigh left his lips and he leaned back against the wall, " Aunt Dromeda, it's hard you know being in this war and knowing that you have a beter chance of seeing the end than any of the ones you care about around you. Knowing that the mate you have and love has pushed you away because of some damnable curse, and all you want is to have this time with her to be sure that even if you don't make it, you loved one another. I'm so lost in this despair and our bond is only strong enough to assure me she is alive, but still look at me after this fight, even I didn't come out unscathed, the stupidest death eater can still figure out quick enough what will hurt me to cause some damage. It's hard to admit... but I'm scared, that I'll lose everyone, I'll lose her, I'll lose the eternity I have dreamt about for so long, that I'll become my father." During all of this he had slid down to his knees and sat there on his haunches before his good, caring aunt, who had loved him even when his mother couldn't.

"Oh my Draco... you mustn't burden yourself with so much, trust me in that Hermione will always love you and even the best of unions go through rough patches, there were times I though I was going to kill your uncle, but he's still alive today. It is a war my child, you must understand that there will be loss, but take the time you have now to appreciate those around you so it will be easier to accept when they are gone. Last, never let me hear anything of your fear to be like your father again, before he was involved in all that horrid darkness of that awful excuse for a Lord, he was good enough man, maybe with his own prejudices, but we all have our faults. I promise you, that you shall never be like him, already you have proven that or you wouldn't be as you are now." She kissed his forehead and then turned, "Now, I must go tend to my daughter, she's being stubborn about letting me see to her wounds saying she must first see to Remus."

Draco laughed solemnly, "Daughters tend to take after their mothers." he joked and threw back a scathing look to him before disappearing around the corner, stepping into his old bedroom he discovered it was well past noon by now and that they should be about ready to head back to the castle. The urge to see his mate was strong, but he had promised her that he wouldn't burden her with his presence without her permission or unless it was impossible not such as in the case of their mission. It would be hard to bear it all as a gentleman and hold himself back from her and the bed they shared, but he meant to give her space and let her think it out so he would not cause any undue stress upon her countenance lest she be too hasty to cast him aside. "Remus... Is all ready to head home?"

The werewolf stood at the doorway, hand still raised to knock, "Yes, it is Draco, once Dromeda gets done pestering Dora, we'll head out, I thought it would be easiest to leave through floo since we've placed a new apparition barrier on the manor and grounds." Draco nodded his agreement, "Oh, and I found this note, it was on the kitchen counter. I'll see you in the parlor in about 10 minutes then." The older man then took off back down the hall anxious to keep the mother and daughter duo downstairs from killing one another. Draco looked down at the note he had left sitting on the dresser by the door, and took it up to read it.

Draco,

You don't know me, and hopefully will never have to encounter me again. I'm the one you took as a young girl and had your mother's ring. I thought it best to leave some sort of explanation to you for all this, and for the memories you so rudely intruded yourself upon. I'm actually coming upon my 500th year walking this Earth, yes I am like you have recently become. The Dark Lord took me captive some time ago for his own uses in his dark cause. Your father and I had a glorious affair that i refuse to be ashamed of, your mother gave her ring to him on the account that she could not bear to be tied to the shame of that part of her life. He saw to it to give it to me for my protection and a claim of sorts. I loved him dearly, I saw what you seem to think misdeeds as a rightful stand for one's own beliefs, and I do think he persuaded me to hold his own as well. I am still in service to my Lord and will take care to avoid your reach again, please don't try to find me, I am not as active one should be in His eyes.

Renee

Draco growled and through the notes across the room and his other hand cast the spell to destroy it from his sight. The woman was cocky, she had deserved the broken arm he had dealt and he wished he hadn't been so quick to think her a victim. Stomping to the door he slammed it shut as he made his way downstairs to join the others. Taking the time to get there to regain his composure, and once he stepped into the parlor none of them were of the wiser about his thoughts. "Everyone ready to head out? Moody just owled to say that we are to report straight into Dumbledore's office." Ron told him and then grabbing a hand of floo powder he put Pansy into the hearth and tossed it upon her as she called out the place. Draco was the last to leave taking a long look at his home before leaving again until what he suspected the end of the war. Then throwing down the powder he called our Dumbledore's office and tumbled out with not bit of grace or integrity, must have the House elves fix that.

"Ah, Draco good of you to join us now the meeting may start." Dumbledore looked at him warily but still with a smile on his face glad to see him alive and well, if not a bit beaten around the edges, "We'll see that Madame Pompfrey has a look at you after I relay some things you all have missed." Draco nodded and looked around hoping to catch sight of his mate but Dumbledore shook his head so he sat in the closest empty chair, which happened to be next to Harry. "Now first is that we have had confirmation from another source that something big is going down soon involving muggles. Harry had contact with someone whom he can't reveal, but can assure us that they can be trusted, that they seemed to feel that this plan is much like that of the one Miss Parkinson reported. With that said, we must immediately do what we can to prevent all this without alerting the muggle population. Second is that it is an unfortunate lot cast to the Lovegoods, after it was noticed that some of their members had been captured, the plan to attack their family was moved up and unfortunately only Luna's mother was able to survive, her father was killed protecting her." Harry gripped the arm rest of his chair tightly at this news and Dumbledore gave him a pitiable look, "Last.." he looked once again warily at Draco, who then felt suspicions rise about his mate. "Our latest plan to draft the help of the vampire race has been moved up in light of these events and the advice of a very resourceful young lady, Hermione left yesterday evening for Rosencrantz and Guildenstern has assure me that she arrived safely-" Draco jumped up at this news, his mate gone without him, at that dreadful dangerous institution on her own.

"What in the bloody hell were you thinking letting her go off on her own? I must join her at once." He was already halfway to the fireplace before he was pulled back down into his seat magically, and he gave Moody a scathing look. "She doesn't know what she's gotten her arse into and it is my every intention to keep it from finding out, and trust me it won't be good once she does." Draco growled and struggled against the magical bindings that kept him in his place.

Dumbledore sighed heavily before sitting in his chair, "It is something I worry about too, Mr. Malfoy. You see Hermione was very adamant on doing this or I wouldn't have let her go, I made precautions to ensure her safety until you arrive though, but I promised you would get the correct medical help once you returned. She has enough provisions made by myself and Guildenstern to be sure she will not find any trouble in the next day or so. Until then you will be checked over and tended as need be." Dumbledore then turned to Moody, "Alastor, would you please take your charge down to the infirmary as well as Ronald, Nymphadora, and Pansy. I need to speak with Harry and Twilight alone."

Draco gave Dumbledore one last cold look, before being dragged off, "You don't know what they're capable of like I do, and even she has no clue. You just might have condemned my mate to an early death among her own kind." then turning in using all his strength he called out to her. 'Hermione!!! I'm not far behind, you will stay in our room and do nothing until I come for you. Trust me in this, my wrath is much more light than those you are now in the company of.'

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Amata Mercy

Review! Thank you so much for reading! I will try to be much quicker with the next chapter.

All good between Pansy and Ron? The Lovegood tragedy? Blaise playing both sides of the field in the war? Luna in certain danger? What about Hermione? Draco discovers a past he never wanted to know of, and certainty of the evil of Rosencrantz? What of his wrath to his mate?