Chapter 30

Remembering to Live

Cynthia looked at him in uncertainty, "Marius, are you sure about this…you know what has happened around her. I named her 'Hessa', 'Destiny' for a reason. And though I love my daughter, much chaos has been surrounded around her."

"The war was not her fault," he stated.

"No, no it wasn't. I had hoped that she would have ended up by the light side, but she didn't. And do you honestly think that Draco Malfoy will give up so easily, he has the tenacity of his father, that is for certain."

"We have not heard from him in months…"

"Only because he's planning…"

"You sound like you just want to give her to him!" Marius stood up from his chair and paced. "He won't get to her, I won't allow it!"

"It doesn't matter what you allow, Marius. And I don't want to give my daughter to that monster…he's not just like his father… HE'S WORSE! And even though he was gentle to Hessa, the only one he was truly gentle to, it makes him no less then what he is in my eyes. I love Hessa, I honestly do…and it was my own fault for leaving her…"

"Yes it was," he said sharply. Cynthia cringed at the hateful words, but she knew he was saying it because he was angry with her.

"…But it seemed to be fate nonetheless. If I allowed this marriage…"

"If you ALLOW IT? My dear lady, I think you overestimate your say…"

"No I don't, Marius. You know that the witches and wizards that stay here have a great deal of say in the city. We help you create the things you need and you know that, can you not deny that it is the very reason why you want my daughter? Because of her ability to do most of the things I do, her value in the community, even though neither of us have shared that with her?" He remained silent. "So as such, because of her value, because she came from me, I have more say than you ever will when it comes to her. Please understand, that I don't say these things to be cruel, I say them to warn you. Draco Malfoy is a force to be reckoned with, he's a force of nature…part of a dragon for Merlin's sake! The wisest and most cunning of all creatures…and you want to act like you can take him on single-handed? Marius, as much as I want to give male Conks credit for their sheer physical strength, even a few of you could not take him on, your shields would most likely hold…but…a man in love is a dangerous thing to meddle with."

"He isn't capable of love!" Marius hissed.

"Some people might say that about you…," she raised her eyebrows as if to dare him to challenge her. "How many lovers have you had, Marius? And none of them you've taken to your home, none of them you've pampered…you are selfish in many ways, cunning and shrude…even now, it is customary for the male to bring the female and ask for her hand so she is witness to everything that is said, making sure she agrees with the terms…and yet here you are, making a deal with me and trying to claim her, once again not giving her a say so, are you really no better than Draco Malfoy?"

"Don't take that tone with me…I do this to surprise her, to already have your blessing."

"No, it's a business deal. So what were you prepared to offer me for her…rings, bracelets, money…?" Cynthia sat back, she was grilling him, she had to. He didn't understand the bond, it was stronger than anything he could understand, Marius was considered a 'wild Conk', one with no master and he was seriously overestimating himself.

"Of course I would give you an ample amount for her hand if you agreed…"

"She's not something you can buy…she's not one of your jewels."

"Yes she is…my most precious one," he hissed, now Marius was taking a dangerous posture…if Cynthia did not agree soon, he would MAKE her.

"Don't you dare presume to take that posture with me, Marius…I will march in there and take my daughter back!"

They were standing toe to toe, even though Marius was taller than her by a good foot, Cynthia stood her ground, "do you think you can get in my house, Cynthia?"

"Are you threatening to kidnap my daughter…," she narrowed her eyes.

Adamina stepped in-between the two when she walked in the room, she had overheard part of the conversation and new Marius was overstepping his bounds, "whoa…whoa…time out. Marius…go home, get some more rest."

"I want…"

"You want Cynthia to agree with you…? Then I suggest you listen to me and GO HOME to Hessa, spend some more time with her before work…go…" He looked at her. "GO."

"All right," he glared at Cynthia and then left.

Adamina turned to Cynthia, "you and I need to have a bit of a talk…"

……………………………………………………………………………………………

When he got home he watched her sleep. Marius had hoped that when she woke up, he would have that ring in his hand and propose to her, but instead he was empty handed and irritated. She groaned a bit when he crawled into bed with her, Hessa's skin glowing like a star…fully ready to have children, eventually it would fade over some time if she didn't have them right away…but she was irresistible now. He held her tightly as she turned over into his chest. "Are you all right?" she asked.

"Why?" he said firmly, too firmly.

"You seem tense…and your voice sounds strange."

"It's nothing, something I'm working out."

She giggled…that blasted giggle that made him want her…so playful, "you're always thinking about work. "Why don't you stay home?"

"Stay home?"

"Take a day off…I'll make it worth your while…," Hessa giggled again.

"Aren't you still sore from last night?" he chuckled and slapped her bottom, she squeaked.

"Does it matter?"

"Not really," Marius laughed even harder when she tutted and now they were play wrestling until he kissed her and was on top of her, holding her and sighed. He had thought about, impregnating her without even asking, such things were frowned upon but happened here. Marius kissed her and said, "I will stay here today…"

…………………………………………………………………………

"So, you're on his side?" Cynthia snipped.

"A little. Cynthia, I know you're worried about what will happen…but doesn't she deserve to be happy? You're sitting here, absolutely convinced that Draco Malfoy is just going to walk into the city and take her, he can't find us…"

"Yes he can…"

"How?"

"Hessa revealed to me that when they made the potion, they took her blood. He's been magically finding her that way…"

"Even so, he can't get in, he doesn't know the code. This city is loaded down with ancient protective charms long forgotten, and even then you're talking about guard after guard."

"He could bring Death Eaters…"

"And what…? To only have their spells thrown back at them? Cynthia…you have become such a doomsayer since Adem died. Honestly, it makes me think you need to get laid by one of the local wizards." Cynthia shot her a look. "Well…it does," Adamina giggle. "Just enjoy this part of your life, your daughter is back and could possibly be married…have a child, a grandchild for you."

"I know…but I just have this terrible feeling that it's not over."

"Even if it's not…we'll fight for her. But for now, let her be happy, let Marius be happy. You and him have not always seen eye to eye but you do see eye to eye about Hessa. He would make her happy, give her anything she wanted and give her a life that was denied her, away from the world that she would have known."

"I know…but she's barely been my little girl for six months now…" Cynthia started to cry.

"Ah, now we're getting down to it. Yes…I wish we could have all seen her grow up, but I have a feeling that Marius probably would have claimed her as soon as she was of age…so this day would have come anyway."

"I know…I just wish Adem was here to see her, how beautiful she is, he knew how to handle Marius so much better than I did. If I owl him…I'll never hear the end of it."

"I'll take care of him…meanwhile…just be happy. It will be the wedding of year!"

She rolled her eyes, "right, right…"

……………………………………………………………………………………..

It was almost afternoon and Hessa was asleep, Marius was far from done but let her rest as he kissed her back. There was a tapping at his window and he went to it, covering himself up slightly with one of the blankets. He took the letter from the owl and it flew off…it was Cynthia's owl, could it be?

He opened it:

Marius,

Through much thinking I have decided to give you permission to marry my daughter. Please be good to her, spoil her, and love her…she deserves so much happiness that fate and I have denied her.

Sincerely,

Cynthia Landcross

This smile came across Marius' lips, one of absolute victory and looked over at Hessa and went to go get the ring.

……………………………………………………

Hessa woke up being held by him. "Did you have a nice nap?" Marius smiled.

"Yes, but I don't think I'm ready to again, besides, I'm hungry…"

"Well…before we eat, I do have something for you."

"Marius, you don't have to get me anything."

"It's not just anything," he pulled out the ring box and opened it.

"Marius…," he eyes were wide. "Is this what I think it is?" Hessa couldn't miss the distinct shape of an engagement ring, though different. It looked as though it was made of real leaves but with white gold trim, the stone was set in the middle…it was a dragon fire diamond that reflected the green more but accented all colors. It was the most beautiful thing she'd ever seen.

"It is…I've asked for your hand in marriage and your mother agreed."

She started to tear, "aren't you scared…?"

"Scared?"

"That you'll end up like Harry…"

"Harry was a boy, and as much as I respect the things he's done…I can't take his defeat as my own already. Harry was Harry and I am Marius…"

Hessa understood…she had to give him a chance, "yes…yes, I will marry you." He placed the ring on her finger and kissed her fiercely. She looked up at him, "but I am still hungry…"

"Of course, we'll eat and then go and talk with your mother…but then…," he placed his hand in-between her legs while Hessa blushed.

Marius left her to get food from her favorite place. Hessa looked out the window and then looked at her ring and there was peace finally. There was no wondering if Marius would be able to protect her, he would protect her. She knew that Draco wouldn't stop looking for her, but until the time came to truly face him…she wasn't going to live in fear, she was just going to live. They had taken enough from her already…