Chapter 27

Soft, white sand covered the beach which disappeared into crystal clear water. Opposite the water was a large forest of vibrant green trees that gave way to a what looked to be a volcano on the far side of the island-a hopefully dormant volcano. The island didn't appear to be very large, but it was picturesque. Cait could imagine herself enjoying the atmosphere had the visit been under other circumstances.

As she and Draco approached the house-which was a massive Polynesian style structure on stilts that sat over the water-she took a deep breath. Step one of Operation: Honeymoon Escape had been completed. The newlyweds climbed the stairs side-by-side before stopping in front of the glass front doors.

Draco glanced at her and gave her a smile before reaching forward and pushing the door open. Inside, the structure was a vision of luxury (and romance). Narcissa had truly outdone herself when she came to decorate.

The rather large bed, which was visible through the sliding partition that had been left open, was covered in plumeria flowers and surrounded by hundreds of candles. If the wedding itself could have been described as a winter wonderland, then this was certainly a picture of summer romance. The rest of interior was decorated in lush decor and each of the large windows that covered the walls gave them picture views of both the ocean and the forests that surrounded them.

In the kitchen area, a bottle of champagne was chilling on ice. Upon closer inspection, though, Cait saw that it was actually sparkling cider. A smile tugged at her mouth as she thought of Narcissa placing it there with her in mind. Beside the bucket was a pair of champagne flutes, a plate of chocolate dipped fruit, and two traditional polynesian leis made of orchids, plumerias and carnations.

"Well, Mrs. Malfoy," Draco murmured, pulling Cait close, "What do you think of our temporary home?"

"I think it will do for the day," she smiled, her eyes growing heavy. It had been a long day for both of them and the simple fact that they weren't being scrutinized by a few dozen Death Eaters was a huge relief in and of itself.

"Good, then let's get to bed. When we get up we can start looking for a way out of here," Draco assured her before pulling her towards the sleeping area.

The pair were pleasantly surprised to find the drawers and closet filled with their clothing. Slowly, they each changed into a pair of pajamas before climbing into the massive bed. They left their discarded clothing strewn on the floor as they gravitated towards the center of the bed.

Cait didn't want to admit it out loud, but she was completely content as she laid in Draco's arms. For the first time in a long time she felt a sense of ease and freedom creep into her. It had been so long since she had last felt so… good. She couldn't help but stare at her now-husband's face and think of how far they had come over the last year.

"What are you thinking about?" Draco whispered into the silence as he traced circles absently into her shoulder.

"Just thinking about how we got here," she replied sleepily and he smiled at her softly.

"It has been quite a journey, hasn't it? And it isn't over yet," he sighed.

"No, but Draco, I think we can do this. For the first time I actually feel like we might be able to get away. That we might be able to save our child," she admitted in the quiet of the room.

Draco stared at her for a long moment. They rarely spoke about the baby that was developing inside of her. There was so much that he wanted to say and at the same time he was afraid of actually saying the words out loud. Instead, he settled for placing a gentle kiss on her forehead and then tucking her head under his chin.

"I love you, my little dancer," he whispered.

"I love you, too."

The following days passed slowly and lazily for Draco and Cait. They spent most of the day light hours exploring the island around them. The water was warm and filled with sea life-dolphins, fish, manta rays, turtles. Draco loved to watch Cait as she swam with them.

He could remember the first time that she had popped out of the water with a huge goofy grin on her face.

"There is a baby," she had laughed delightedly. "There is a mama dolphin with her baby over here!"

Draco had laughed as he waded out to join her. Sure enough, there was mother and baby dolphin that were swimming right up to Cait. Draco had watched the sun dance through her sun-streaked hair-which was getting more and more red highlights in it the more time she spent in the sun-and bounce off her sun-kissed skin-which had started to develop freckles-as she looked carefree and completely at ease. Her belly had grown a bit since they had arrived and he couldn't help but marvel at how good pregnancy looked on her. He loved the way her little pooch stuck out over the bottom of her bikini and the way her bust had swollen to fill in the top.

When they weren't in the ocean, they had started to hike through the woods. They had come across a family of wild pigs and an assortment of birds during their explorations. Once they had even stumbled upon a group of seemingly wild chickens who had made the underbrush their home. Cait swore that she had heard sounds of wild horses, but they had yet to find them.

They spent their nights wrapped in one another's arms either on the deck facing the ocean or on the couch in the sitting area. They could barely remember life before their honeymoon, nor did they want to try. It was so peaceful and they had fallen into a sort of false security where they could pretend that they hadn't been coerced into getting married or the fact that Voldemort's heir was growing steadily within her womb.

It was on one of these balmy, tranquil nights as they sat watching the sun set over the azure water that Draco and Cait heard a noise from the forest behind them. At first, Draco thought that perhaps it was the wild horses that Cait had claimed to have heard earlier in the day. But as the noise grew closer Draco stood, motioning for Cait to stay where she was-which she didn't-as he stepped into the house and towards the doors that faced the forest.

Without his wand, Draco had to rely on his brute strength and his mind in order to get an upper hand on any would-be intruders. He had just picked up a heavy vase, ready to hurl it at the person approaching, when suddenly Cait grabbed his arm.

"Draco, it's your mum," she breathed before running ahead of him to greet the older woman. As the pair drew closer to the woman, fear tripped up their hearts. Something wasn't right.

"Mother," Draco questioned, worry coloring his tone. "What's wrong?"

"They're coming," she panted, her eyes wild. "You have to get out of here now! Severus will be waiting for you."

Draco caught the object that she thrust at him and it took him a split second to recognize it as his wand. She then tugged the hair comb out of her hair causing it to tumble down to her shoulders. She pushed that too into his hands before pulling him in for a fierce hug.

"Get yourself and Cait to safety, Draco. I love you." Narcissa rushed before turning to Cait and pulling her into a hug as well.

"Narcissa?" Cait asked, her voice hollow. "What's going on?"

"Go!" Narcissa shouted as more noise came from the forest. "Go now!"

As Draco watched, a cluster of Death Eaters broke free from the edge of the forest running straight for the group. His mother gave him one last look before she turned and ran straight for the group.

The sky lit up with the flashes of spells as Draco's heart rate escalated even further. He was in a near panic, torn between helping his mother and getting Cait to safety. His eyes widened, disbelievingly as a green jet of light struck his mother in the chest and brought her crashing lifelessly to the ground. He froze.

"No!" he heard Cait scream from beside him as she struggled to run through the sand towards his mother's fallen body. Suddenly a rough hand was wrapped around his and Cait's upper arms. Draco began to fight against the hold until he heard Blaise yell into his ear.

"The portkey," the other boy yelled again. "Activate it! Now, before they get to us!"

With one last glance at the encroaching swarm, Draco did as he was told and felt the three of them being thrown through space, spiraling endlessly in the darkness before being spit out onto the soft grass bathed in murky sunshine.

Draco stood, readjusting to being on two feet. It took him a moment to realize that Cait was still laying on the ground clutching at her abdomen. More panic flooded through Draco and he couldn't think. He had just lost his mother, he couldn't lose Cait or the baby now. Still paralyzed with fear, he watched Snape scoop Cait up easily in his arms and start towards an alleyway opening.

"What happened?" Blaise asked frantically. "Was she hit?"

The two boys ran behind Snape as the older man made his way quickly down the alley. As he burst into a seemingly abandoned space, he gently laid Cait down on a countertop and waved his wand to turn on the lights. The space appeared to be a workshop of sorts, some place that Snape used to store dusty potions supplies and various materials.

"What happened?" Snape demanded, fixing his gaze on Draco.

"I...I…" Draco stuttered, unable to form words.

"The baby," Cait whispered agonizingly. "Draco, something's wrong with the baby."

Instantly, Draco was at her side, gripping her hand. He couldn't lose her or the baby. Not tonight, not after he had just lost his mother. She looked so frail as she clutched at her abdomen, her face a mask of pain.

"Snape, please," he finally was able to whimper, "She...she's pregnant...the baby..."

"Stand back," Snape demanded and then pushed the blonde boy back when he didn't move immediately.

The older man thrust his wand towards Cait's swollen abdomen and uttered a few spells that Draco couldn't comprehend. All Draco could do was stare. His face was pale and his breathing shallow. Blaise feared that he might be going into shock, but try as he might, he couldn't get the blonde to move, to sit.

Two more figures appeared in the room, but Draco barely noticed. It wasn't until Molly Weasley stepped into his line of vision-blocking his view of Cait-that he focused on the woman. She was talking to him, but he couldn't hear anything that she was saying.

"Is she stable enough to move," he finally heard the Weasley matriarch ask.

"I think so," he heard Snape grunt back. "She needs a proper healer to make sure that the baby is safe."

"The baby?" Molly asked, focusing back on Draco. "Good heavens! Remus, get in touch with our contact from St. Mungo's. We need to get these two to the safe house immediately."

"Yes," Lupin agreed. "Mr. Zabini, if you wish to, you may join me. We can provide you with the protection that I assume you will now need."

Draco glanced at his friend who appeared to only be slightly shaken from the entire ordeal. He would need to thank Blaise for what he had done for him and Cait tonight. If it wasn't for him they may not have made it to Snape. The darker boy nodded and approached the ex-teacher before the pair of them disappeared.

"I'll take Ms. Nott if you will bring Mr. Malfoy," Snape addressed Molly who nodded her assent.

The redhead turned to Draco and gently took his hand. She had a look of sympathy and he wondered if she knew about his mother. Holding onto her hand, he squeezed his eyes shut and allowed the familiar sensation of side-along apparition to overtake him.