One Step Closer to the Truth

Lower Dungeons, Azkaban Prison
Friday 9 October 1998

"Bombarda!" Arcturus yelled out. A gust of, what seemed like, air shot out from his wand and blasted against the stonewall to the right of Scabior.

Scabior flew to the floor to cover his head. Pushing up off of the ground, the werewolf spun around, looking for more cover. "Impedimenta!" A series of red flashes emitted from the tip of his wand and smashed into Arcturus' wand arm.

"Fuck," he groaned as the spell nearly froze his arm.

Scabior, glad that Arcturus was momentarily stunned, ran for cover at a large discarded rock.

"Crucio! Crucio! Crucio!" Arcturus shouted, clearly upset that his friend had incapacitated his arm. The torturing curse did not work.

"Would you calm down!" Scabior shouted back at his friend. "Protego," he muttered. A silvery shield formed in front of him. He used his free hand to making a turning motion – insuring that the spell would ward off anything that Arcturus tossed his way. "It's only practice!"

"Stupefy!" Arcturus casted. He quickly side-stepped away when the spell rebounded from Scabior's shield.

In that moment, Scabior dropped the shield. "Expelliarmus!" The werewolf said it with enough force that Arcturus' wand flew out of his hand and the Pureblooded wizard flew back into the opposite wall. The stone crumbled under the blast and weight.

Arcturus, momentarily stunned, took a few moments to inch his way up off the floor. He shook his head. "What…" he coughed. "What the bloody hell was that, Scab?" He looked over at his friend. His long hair was disheveled and looked nearly burned at the tips from the Incendio that was casted fifteen minutes prior.

"I'll tell you what that was," Scabior said while briskly walking towards him. Scabior threw his right fist into Arcturus' face.

Arcturus gripped his face in shock. He winced as he felt his nose break. "Sweet Salazar," Arcturus cursed. "What is wrong with you?"

Scabior chuckled. "That's for nearly burning my hair off and trying to torture me, you wanker!" Scabior grabbed Arcturus' wand from the floor and gave it to his friend. Then he pointed his own wand at Arcturus' nose. "Episkey," he muttered.

Arcturus groaned as the cartilage reset itself. He felt his friend grab hold of his arm and apparated them back to Arcturus' office at the Ministry. Scabior dropped Arcturus and walked over to the vacant loveseat against the far wall.

"Merlin's beard, Scabior. You know I hate side-along," Arcturus tried to grip both his nose and stomach. He couldn't. It seemed like he lost sense of his motor skills.

"Get used to it," Scabior grinned and flopped down on the couch. Arcturus watched as he begun to untie his boots and slowly slide his feet out of them. "You really got me in there."

Regaining his senses, Arcturus wobbled over to his desk chair and gently sat down in it. "I think you broke my back," he said sarcastically.

"You had it coming," Scabior mocked. His face then grew serious as he slowly massaged his sweaty toes. "What the hell is wrong with you? You acted all crazed. No disrespect to your wonderful mum, but you were her exact replica in there."

Arcturus chuckled. "None taken." He panted before placing his forehead on his desk. "I don't know what to do, Scab," he said with all seriousness.

"Hm?"

"Father won't listen to me."

"Dads aren't supposed to listen to their sons, Arcturus. It just doesn't work like that." Scabior ran a hand threw his dirty long hair. "Have you said anything to your sisters? I mean about your plans."

"Like I could tell Hermione," Arcturus scoffed. "She won't have anything to do with what I'm planning. You should have seen her face at the meeting last month."

"You mean when the Dark Lord told her about Potter?" Scabior raised an eyebrow. "Too bad I wasn't there; it's not like I was invited to such an exclusive meeting." Scabior rolled his eyes.

Arcturus looked up at his friend. "As much as I hate half-breeds, I wouldn't have done what the Dark Lord did to your father's Pack."

Again Scabior rolled his eyes. "It doesn't matter. What's done is done. My dad will continue to be used by him until he stupidly realizes we've gotten nowhere." He paused. "If you were the leader of this regime, I wouldn't hesitate to follow you completely, Arcturus."

Arcturus pondered on this briefly. Was he power hungry enough to take what the Dark Lord had so graciously created? It was treason even thinking of this. Arcturus shook his head. Regardless there was no way that he could see anything of the sort happening. His father had blatantly said no.

"It doesn't matter," Arcturus commented. "Because it won't happen."

Scabior sighed. "I see.' He then slipped on his boots. "What does Adhara think of this?"

Arcturus winced. It seemed like his friend knew exactly how to trigger a reaction out of him. "That doesn't matter either." He sighed, "I suppose she's too busy playing housewife with her husband to even see the bigger picture."

"We should visit her. Gain her opinion," Scabior went to door and opened it before Arcturus could respond. "Food for thought."

A Safe House in Ireland
Saturday 10 October 1998

Draco held Hermione's hand tightly in his own. Using his other, he lightly tapped on the dark wooden door. They waited a few moments until someone on the other side spoke.

"Password?" Draco recognized it as the airy voice of Luna Lovegood.

He pulled out the piece of parchment from his pocket. It was a letter he received from Tonks a week ago. Unfolding it, Draco read the password out loud.

"Tortoise runs fast." He looked at Hermione with confusion. She shrugged.

"Access granted. Hold one moment," Luna said.

Draco pocketed the letter. He stayed quiet as heard clicks and locks turning. Then the door swung open.

Luna's long, curly, platinum hair was pulled back in a haphazard plait. Her colourful clothes were wrinkled and a bit dirty.

"Hermione, Draco," she said before pulling them into a tight hug. "How are the both of you?"

Hermione pulled back first to look her friend up and down. "We are very well, Luna. May we come in?"

Luna let go of Draco and stepped back. "Yes, yes, please come in."

The two cousins walked in while Luna shut the door and placed back the locks to their original position. Draco turned and looked around the home. It was completely empty with brick walls and wooden floorboards. It would have been extremely dark if it wasn't for the large chandelier lamp on the ceiling.

"Where is everyone?" Draco asked.

Luna, who had been watching him intently, pointed at the lone elevator shaft built into the far wall. She walked towards them and pulled a lever. The caged door opened and she stepped into the dimly lit lift. She waved them forward. Tentatively, Hermione looked towards Draco and took the first step – pulling him forward in the process. Together they both stepped into the lift with Luna. The blonde girl pulled another lever and the doors closed. The machinery plunged down rapidly. The force pushed Hermione and Draco against the wall of the elevator.

"Oof," they both winced.

Luna stood contently, humming a soft tune. The lift suddenly halted throwing the two against the floor.

"Shite," Draco cursed.

The door creaked open. Slowly the two cousins picked themselves up off the floor as Luna exited the lift. The followed slowly. Draco vaguely heard Hermione gasp. He was momentarily shocked at what was in front of them. It seemed like a complete underground village had been built here, similar to how the Ministry was created. Families roamed free holding bags or selling items. Children played magical games with each other near a main aqueduct station. The atrium of the village had many tables similar to the ones in the Great Hall of Hogwarts – this appeared to be where people ate.

Draco vaguely heard the doors to the lift shut before he felt Hermione tug on the sleeve of his coat. "Is this real?" She asked.

"Of course it is," Luna answered. "Come on," she walked towards the atrium. "You'll have to stay here. I'm sure Mrs. Tonks and Mrs. Lupin are on their way down now."

"Luna, how did you know to wait for us? Did our cousin tell you?" Draco asked.

Luna only nodded and skipped off. When Hermione and Draco reached the atrium tables, they felt many curious glances towards them. Draco pulled her closer.

"At least they are thriving," Draco commented on the state of the survivors of the War.

"Hermione! Draco!" They turned around to see four figures running towards them.

Ginny Weasley ran right into Hermione's open arms. The two friends embraced for they hadn't seen each other since the Battle in May. Draco watched Ron came up to embrace the two as well. The next two figures to approach were his Aunt Andromeda and Tonks, nestled in his cousin's arms was a sleeping baby. He saw Hermione detangle herself from Ron and Ginny to embrace Aunt Andromeda and she then turned to Tonks. The cousins had tears in their eyes. Draco watched as Tonks gently laid the baby in Hermione's awaiting arms.

Draco felt a lump of emotion swell in his throat. He swallowed thickly. This reunion was too much. He hadn't expected or anticipated this.

"How is she?" He heard Ron say next to him.

Draco had never gotten along with Ronald Weasley, but they did agree on one thing: Hermione's safety.

He nodded. "I'm doing everything I can."

Ronald grabbed him and turned him around. "Thank you." He pulled his old rival into a hug. "And you?" He pulled back. "How are you holding up? I hear it's pretty rough over there nowadays."

Draco was momentarily caught off guard. He never though Ron would be affectionate towards him. Draco took in Ron's appearance. The usual brawny Weasley looked gaunt with a slight case of malnutrition – as did most of the tenants of this underground city. "It's always been rough." He paused, "How long do you think it will take before you can get us out of their officially?"

Andromeda cut in. She moved forward to embrace Draco but then looked at him hard. "You both must stay there for now. I don't even know how you managed to get out of there so easily."

"I told Aunt Cissy we'd be going to Diagon Alley," Hermione explained.

"Regardless," Andromeda looked at all of the children. "You both need to be there to keep an eye on everything. We need people on the inside. Severus is dead and you must finish what he started. What of Adhara?"

"She attended the last Death Eater meeting and then she met with the Dark Lord privately. After that her husband took her and left," Draco said quietly.

"She wrote to me three weeks ago. I sent her a letter back and never go anything in return," Tonks put in.

"Did He give her a mission?" Ginny asked.

Hermione and Draco shrugged.

"We have no idea," Hermione said, looking down at the babe in her arms. "I'll try to visit her soon."

"Try to get her closer to you. We can't do anything if she's in France," Andromeda said.

Draco gulped. "There's something else. He gave us a mission. It has to do with Harry."

Hermione turned away, determined not to cry.

"He's alive?" Ginny whimpered. "Is he okay?"

"We won't see him until sometime next month. The Dark Lord wants us to train him in the Dark Arts," he sighed.

"What?" Tonks gasped. "But the both of you never really studied it."

"Narcissa would never had agreed to it," Andromeda muttered.

Draco nodded. "I know but that's what he wishes. Hermione has a theory."

With this cue, Hermione handed Teddy off to Andromeda. She clasped her hands behind her back. "I believe the Dark Lord wants us to covertly coerce Harry over to the darkness. Immerse him in the culture, not necessarily to teach. If the Dark Lord wanted to teach Harry, he'd do that himself. But we must now figure out why He would want to teach the-Boy-Who-Lived."

Dolohov Château
Thursday 15 October 1998

Adhara held the dark bronze egg in both hands. She nestled it to her breasts as if it was the unborn child within her. She caressed the ridges of the shell. Licking her lips, she looked at the dragon's egg. Tanith had taken her usual spot, buried in Adhara's curls, and hissed – flicking her tongue against Adhara's scalp.

The witch looked at the cauldron in front of her. The liquid was boiling but she didn't feel comfortable placing the egg within the cauldron like the Dark Lord had explained the month before.

"I'm not comfortable with this," she whispered to Tanith. "The books don't say anything about hatching a basilisk within a cauldron."

"And usually a basilisk only hatches from chicken egg." Adhara could hear the humour in the snake's words.

She rolled her eyes. "Well then why don't you lay on it if you know so much?"

"I love when you speak Parseltongue."

Adhara whirled around to see her husband leaning against the door to the cellar. "How long have you been standing there?"

"Enough to understand you were in a deep conversation." He paused before continuing. "I was going to send an elf to tell you that dinner's ready, but I thought I'd visit you myself. Your appetite seems heightened these days." Antonin started towards her.

Adhara placed the dragon's egg in its cushioned box on the worktable beside her. She took Tanith off her head and placed the snake on the egg. She shrugged. It was worth a try. Tanith nodded.

"I suppose," she patted the snake lightly. "I haven't been paying attention." Adhara turned around to see Antonin standing behind her. This startled her. He continued to back her up against the table.

"Clearly," he commented. He pressed his thumb to her lower lip. He brushed the digit against the plump flesh. "I've been away on business."

She nodded before flicking out her tongue to taste his flesh.

Antonin shivered. "Talk to me."

"We should go to dinner. Pierre will be waiting," she whispered.

Backing her against a part of the table that was free of objects and animals, Antonin lifted her upon the table. "Let him." He paused, "Now say something in Parseltongue."

She smirked darkly before emitting a low sultry hiss.

Tanith rolled her orange cat-like eyes and watched as Antonin moved in to kiss Adhara. The witch continued to hiss.

Malfoy Manor
Sunday 18 October 1998

"What about Amycus?" Rodolphus Lestrange asked Bellatrix within the confinements of their bedroom.

His wife cackled in amusement. "Are you bloody insane? I would never allow it."

Rodolphus nearly broke into laughter at the thought as well. "Hmm, perhaps Thorfinn? He's been rather noble and loyal. He's also a great duelist."

"He's friends with Antonin," Bellatrix muttered.

"And?"

"Are you just saying this because Antonin is married to Adhara?"

"What does that have to do with anything, Bella?"

"Why pick Thorfinn Rowle? He's a few years younger than Rabastan," Bellatrix argued.

"So you want her to marry someone her own age?" Rodolphus asked.

"Actually yes; what about Nott's son? What's his name? He's friends with Draco," Bellatrix snapped her fingers trying to remember the boy's name.

"Theodore?"

"Yes!"

"I suppose," Rodolphus muttered.

From outside their bedroom door, Hermione perched herself against the floor. She bit her lip as silent tears rolled down her cheeks. Her parents were going to marry her off; just like they had done to Adhara. More than anything, Hermione wanted to see her sister. If they were still living in the same house, she would have dashed off to Adhara's bedroom and into her awaiting arms. And that's just what she did even if her sister wasn't there.

Dolohov Château
Thursday 22 October 1998

"Are you crazy? You come into my home and ask this of me. My husband could have walked in on us discussing this," Adhara stood up from the table flinging her tea cup against one of the walls.

"That's why we asked if Antonin and Pierre would be home," Arcturus commented.

Adhara wailed in outrage. "I can't believe you, Arcturus. Do you have any idea how much you're risking? Our lives – Hermione's life especially. She's just a child. But no! You want to go up against the Dark Lord to take over."

Arcturus watched as his sister threw her tantrum. He ducked as a cauldron cake was hurled towards him. He looked over at Scabior who was intently watching Adhara, nostrils flared. Arcturus raised an eyebrow. He ducked again as the plate soon followed – shattering against the wall.

"Addie, please, we need you to help us. Antonin will most likely be placed as Minister for Magic," Arcturus pleaded.

This stopped his sister. Her curly hair crackled with magic, her brown eyes wide and crazed, and her face bright. "Of France?"

"Yes," Arcturus let out a breath of relief. He watched as Adhara placed her right hand against her lower stomach; she slowly began to sit down.

Still breathing heavily, the woman spoke. "Get out."

"What?" Arcturus raised an eyebrow.

"Both of you get out of my house," Adhara gritted.

Scabior stood first, his back straight as a board. His nostrils flared again. Arcturus looked at his friend quizzically.

"Have you told anybody?" Scabior looked straight at Adhara, his gaze burning.

Adhara looked momentarily stunned. She looked down and then back up. "Pierre is the only person who knows."

"Knows what?" Arcturus asked in confusion.

Scabior's fists were clenched at his sides, nostrils flaring yet again. "Your sister is pregnant." With that, Scabior walked angrily out of the dining hall.

Arcturus was speechless as he looked at his sister. His eyes fluttered slightly as though he would faint. "Come again?"

Author's Notes: Please review. I would love feedback.

-Rosie