(Recap of Part One in Harry P.O.V)
Draco had pinned Dean in a surprising amount of time. Even I hadn't gotten him down so fast when we wrestled. Everyone was howling with either laughter, of cheers of encouragement. I looked over to Hermione, just to see how she as adjusting to my crazy family. Based on her grin, I'd say just fine. The front door banging back on its hinges caught my – and everyone else's – attention in an instant. John. Dean had told me that he would be back when we got here, probably drunk. I was too caught up in the fact that he was here distracted me from what he was actually doing. Seconds was all it took for John to cross the room and grab a handful of Draco's hair. Draco's shout pushed me off the couch.
Without thinking much – I know, shocking – I reached forward to hopefully grab Draco's arm and stop John from dragging him. I felt sluggish, that no matter how fast I went it would never be enough. Dean got to him first, taking hold of the hand in Draco's hair trying to pry it off. That earned him a punch to the eye, making him sprawl on the ground. John moved on pretty quickly just after that, heading back for the door. I ran to the door, seconds too late, as the night seemed to deem fit of me. By the time I had shoved passed John, Draco was on the ground. John muttered something before going back in the house.
For the first time tonight, I was glad that I was able to get down steps quickly, "Draco, look at me, hey get with it. Draco," I placed a hand on his cheek, hoping that would get him to come around quicker. He groaned and rolled over, coughing a bit. His eyes blinked open and squinted at me, "Come on Draco, focus." I saw Sam hurry down the steps, a multitude of shouting following after him. He went down behind Draco, his small hands working to lift Draco into a sitting position. I helped best I could, "There you go. Okay, feel anything broken?"
"Ribs," He hissed out, face twisting in pain. Sam's hands wove into his already mused hair, most likely feeling for a concussion. Both of us jumped when the door slammed open, Bobby holding John by his clothes and dragging him from the house. John was putting up quite the fight, given us enough time to move Draco out of the way. I didn't miss the pained gasp from him. Bobby finally heaved John into his car shouting at him to get his drunken ass off his property before he called the police. John peeled out before the door even had time to shut.
Bobby hung his head panting at the end of the drive, totally exhausted. I looked passed Draco's shoulder, "Sam, get your brother." He nodded and stood, running up to the house.
"Harry, what happened?" Draco asked, still a bit breathless. I'd guess and say he'd broken more than one rib if he sounded like that.
"Well, John just threw you down the porch by your hair, and gave Dean-o a black eye." I watched him wince and copied the motion. Yeah, it wasn't really fun.
"Ouch." He said dryly, and I laughed, "Come on Icy, up you go." For his part, he didn't even bother to look irritated at the name as Dean helped him up, "We got to tape those ribs up for ya," Dean and I each brought one of his arms over our shoulders, and I pressed my hand up on his ribs to ease some of the pain while Dean supported most of his weight.
By the time we made it in the house, Hermione was curled up on the couch, very near tears. Ellen was running a hand up and down her shoulder. Jo was surprisingly nowhere to be found. I would look for her later.
"It's alright hun; he's just like that when he's drunk. He didn't mean it," I always loved to hear her talk softly like that, maybe because she didn't do it often, but right now, I could tell it was no use. Hermione staggered to her feet, baby bump getting in the way of the simple action, "Do not tell me what he did and did not mean!" She was livid, even the tears now running down her face couldn't mask that, "You do not call someone that without meaning it! You just do not call someone that," Her voice broke on the last word and she spun going to the bathroom. The door slammed and a sound click went off.
Dean and I settled Draco rather ungracefully on the couch and Ellen looked to him with grim features, "You okay?"
"Just peachy," He managed to breath out, "What did John call Hermione?"
"Dean's dirty whore; god it was awful," She let her head dropped into her hands, clearly showing her exhaustion.
"He called her what?" I asked, a hard edge cutting through. I was distantly aware that Draco said it too, but I was already moving towards the bathroom. If John didn't already hold a spot on my most hated list, he would have then. What right did he have to call her that? Especially when he didn't even know her! I found myself in front of the bathroom door faster than I thought I would. The dark wood served as a pretty barrier between the room and the outside. Raising my hand up, I knocked slightly, "Hermione?" I heard her sniffle from inside, "Go away Harry."
"You know that I won't." I kept my voice soft, just loud enough to pierce through the door, "Tell me what happened…please?"
"It doesn't matter!"
"Yes it does. If it has affected you this much, than it matters. You think I want my sister feeling hurt?" It killed me, every time I knew she was hurting. A lot happened to us as kids, but the 'mudblood' name always the worse. What John called her was no better. I felt someone brush past me and saw white blond hair move up the steps. Draco headed to the top and stopped, sitting next to Sam. Kid was probably scared out of his mind, seeing his father like that.
My attention turned back to the door when it clicked, opening slightly. Hermione peeked out from the crack before bursting through and hugging me tightly. I held her just as tight, running a hand down her back. Neither of us said anything.
*DoP*
Jo had come down stairs later, holding a bloodied rag to her arm, "We got any pain killers around here?" I poked my head out from the kitchen, "Why would you need them? Just heal yourself."
"Mom took my wand away after I set a slicing jinx to John's back. Hence this," She held her arm up.
"I'm confused." And I was. I still went about finding a bottle of aspirin though, eventually pulling a semi dusty bottle from cabinet.
"She put up a shield to block him from it; meanwhile it bounced back at me. I'm lucky it wasn't worse." She shrugged, "I don't blame her though. Slicing up John – while maybe fun – would have worse consequences than anything."
I nodded and set the bottle on the table as she dropped into one of the chairs. Other than the long cut on her arm, she had several small shallow ones across her shoulders and collarbones, "Jesus what did you send out to him exactly?"
Jo smirked, "A little alteration of what your friend did. He taught me the original. I messed with it a bit until I got it down for small shallow wounds. This though," She lifted her arm up, "Was by product."
"You really changed Sectumsempra?" I couldn't believe it. I hadn't been able to ever change it, but then again, I never had patience enough to play around with it.
"Yeah," Jo couldn't keep the smug smile off her face, "Now stitch me up or something." I laughed a bit before gathering up some supplies to stitch her. I was certainly no expert like Draco was, but I knew enough from Sam doing it. The kid always played doctor after hunts, really the only one to know how. Ellen and Jo helped a lot with magic but healing spells weren't their forte.
I poured rubbing alcohol on a rag and dabbed at the wound, Jo hissing the entire time, "You messed yourself up bad,"
"I know." She grit out. I was surprised; Jo was doing better than I thought with this. After a bit, I finished and tied off the end. When Ellen wasn't looking, I swiped my wand over it to make sure it didn't scar to bad.
"Thanks Harry,"
"No problem. You may want to see Draco about it though, he is better at healing and stuff." I cleaned up the area. She nodded and patted my shoulder, "Maybe." With that she took off, leaving me with nothing to do now. Well, that wasn't entirely true; I should go make Darling bigger on the inside. I got up, put the first aid kit away and went outside. A peek up the stairs revealed Draco and Sam to still be sitting up there. I was glad they'd gotten close before, since they complemented each other so well. Sam already had a big brother, but a couple more never hurt anyone.
*DoP*
"You've been busy, haven't you bumblebee?" Draco asked, dropping our bags on the ground in the newly expanded Darling. Bumblebee. Where in the world had that come from? I shrug and turn a napkin into a couch pillow, setting it in an armchair, "Well, just trying to distract myself."
"Yeah, same. Which room is yours?" I pointed to the one farthest from the door. I vaguely noticed Draco dropped his stuff in the one across from mine and then Hermione's in the last one, "Where are my clothes from before?"
"My wardrobe, haven't moved them yet." I kept adding things to the space, including a coffee pot, and a gas burning stove top. It was the little things that made the space a home. A few minutes later and I heard Draco call, "Harry, what is all this?" I smirk to myself, "Hunter's gear."
"What for?" Of course he would ask. It made sense too after all.
"We – meaning Bobby and I – figured since you already knew, you should be taught how to fight them, even if you don't go after them." I dropped into a chair and shrugged just as he poked his head out from his room. He disappeared again so I took off my glasses and set them aside, letting my hair cover my face. I really should get a haircut. How many times had Jo gotten her hair pulled by some crazy bastard or monster? Way to many times to count I'm sure.
"Thank you."
I jumped a little, "No problem." Sighing I drop my head back, barely seeing him tuck his feet up when he sat down in the chair opposite mine, "Well at least one thing didn't change." I felt the pull at my lips before I realized I was smiling.
"What hasn't changed?"
"The way you sit like a woman." My smile pulled into a grin as he chuckled and threw a pillow at me, "Git."
"You know it." We sat like that for a moment or two before Draco stood, "I'm going to get Hermione. It's late and I really don't think she wants to sleep somewhere unfamiliar." I nodded and closed my eyes, feeling sleep tug restlessly at me. I didn't even hear the door close.
*DoP*
The next morning I was shocked to find myself in my bed. How I got there, I could only guess that someone moved me. Probably Draco; I didn't even know what to think about that. I rolled over and started to feel around for my glasses, which were folded neatly in the center of the nightstand. I remember taking them off in the front room so someone must have put them there for me. Again, probably Draco. I didn't think about it more and got out of bed, stretching out. I felt everything pop and some of the stiffness melted away. Ellen would always gripe that I was too young to be snapping and popping and that only Bobby should complain. She never mentioned that she too did it.
Noises in the front room caught my attention and I shuffled out of my room. Draco was up making coffee and tea. Hermione was up too, but seemingly not quite awake yet. "Morning everyone,"
"Morning Harry; coffee?" Draco asked even while pressing a warm mug into my hand. I shake my head at him slightly; he knew I would want coffee so I didn't even mind. Sipping it brought instant comfort and I dropped into my chair. Domestic.
Where the hell had that thought come from?! Thank god Hermione's eyes were closed and Draco was turned, because if either of them had seen me sputter into my coffee I would never live it down. It hadn't occurred to me before how easily we fell into a pattern of life. Even before, that first morning after I burst into his flat. It was so easy. Maybe, I couldn't help but think what if we had found this pattern back at Hogwarts? Would we have fought so much? I wouldn't think so.
"Hello? Earth to Harry, you okay over there?" Draco called, sitting in his own chair. Hermione roused long enough to sip some of her tea and follow up on Draco's question, "Are you Harry? You were rather out of it right then." Her voice was rough with sleep still, though I knew she probably has been up for half an hour.
"I'm fine," I drank some of my coffee before putting it on the table in front of me.
"You sure?" Draco peered at me over the rim of his cup.
"Yes I'm sure. Has anyone been in the house yet?"
"No, we were waiting for you. It is your home."
My eyes flickered over to him, "I would hope it would be your home too," the words were quiet, almost like I didn't mean to say them. Which is odd because I very much meant them.
"Perhaps," He looked away, holding his cup in his lap. Hermione looked between us, "Well, I need food so I need to go in the house. Does anyone else feel like we're camping? I mean luxurious camping sure, but still." She laughed a bit and stood. She staggered a bit before pressing a hand to her stomach, "Calm little one, you'll make mama fall."
"Active this early is he?" Draco smiled and ran a finger across the side of her bump.
"I'm telling you Draco, it's going to be a girl." She sang and started for the door, completely not caring about her pajama clad state.
"Every sign points to a boy." I pointed out.
"Yes well it's my baby; I can tell in my heart, that it will be a girl. Ellen said that Jo carried low, and you see how that turned out." She grinned brightly and left, gingerly getting down. I stared at Draco, a smile teasing on his face, "She's so sure,"
"Well, what can we do? It'll be one or the other." I shrugged and grabbed my coffee. We sat for a moment before I got up and grabbed Draco's empty cup, "Come on, we'll rinse these off in the house." He nodded, "We need to figure out running water in here."
"That we do, but not today."
*DoP*
The phone ringing snapped my attention away from Hermione and Dean's flirting – ah, sorry, conversation – and I watched Bobby with wary eyes when he answered. Personally, I figured it was a hung-over John calling to apologize, but at the same time, I doubted it. Bobby expression though, answered my question before it was asked. It was some hunter or another calling us for backup. I stood and glanced at Hermione; she still didn't know about hunting and I preferred to keep it that way. She was still talking with Dean, laughing at some joke he cracked. I pull Draco from his sit and into the kitchen.
"What are you –" He started before I held a finger to my lips. Quiet, he needed to be quiet. I focus on Bobby again.
"Yeah, I'll send out my guys right away. Alright, will do, bye." He hung up the phone and turned to us.
"What is it?" I asked him, letting Draco's arm drop after I was sure he would stay silent. He was, and he seemed to realize that this was serious enough.
"He doesn't know. All he kept saying was talons, long talons instead of fingers. I'm thinking wendigo, you?"
"Same. Has he tried fire? I mean flare guns kill it just easily." I tilted my head a little, "But if it isn't, what else has talons in place of fingers?"
"I don't think he's tried fire yet, but I don't think it would be anything else. I've been keeping an eye on it before you guys came back. Five missing persons in six days, all from the same campgrounds. Only one has turned up dead so far. Do you want to go out? Take Dean with you? Or maybe train up newbie here with something sorta simple?" Bobby and I both looked to Draco. He still hadn't spoken, still watching curiously.
"Would you like to start learning how to be a hunter?" I ask him simply. I mean, it was almost unavoidable that one day he would be a hunter, but it was up to him on when. Draco looked pensive for a moment and glanced back at Hermione, "How close is it?"
"About seventy miles out," His eyes flashed at that and I knew that he would.
"I'll do it. I need to learn anyways and if it's that close, I'm not risking anyone here." I clapped him on the back, "We leave in an hour."
*DoP*
I slapped a flare gun into Draco's hand, "Keep that on hand. If you don't have it, use a fire blast spell. The thing will kill you Draco," I watched him stick in his front pocket and faceplamed, "Merlin Draco, come here." I pulled him forward and grabbed the gun from his pocket, "Turn around," He did so. I flipped his coat up and stick the cold metal in his waist band, right in the middle of the small of his back.
"Ah, that's cold!" Draco twisted away, "Why would you put that there?"
I pull out my gun from behind me, cocked it and pointed it at him in seconds. He froze, "Quicker draw. The seconds it takes for you to wrestle the gun out of your front pocket will cost you your life. Not to mention, hunting isn't exactly a publicly known job, and keeping a gun that visible just screams stupid." I put the gun down and un-cocked it, tucking it back behind me. Draco took a shaking breath, "Well, learn something new every day."
"That is the point of this," Jo piped, swinging her bag of things inside Darling. Bobby thought it a good idea for her to come with, in case I got tangled up she would get Draco out of the way. He looked crossed at her; though the look was ruined by the fact he was still deathly pale. I hadn't meant to scare him that much, just to explain something. I walked passed him and received a hard swat to the back of my head, "Never point a gun on me again." He hissed in my ear before walking away.
Chuckling, I rubbed the back of my head and silently hoped that a goose egg wouldn't form. "Alright, everyone in, we're taking off." I swung up into the driver's seat, Jo slide in the middle and Draco the last in on the passenger's side, "Where are you going again?"
"Good, question, but unfortunately I'm not going to tell you." Jo giggled at me response while Draco glared at me over her head.
"Why not?"
"'Cause it doesn't matter. What matters is you pay attention to whatever Jo tells you. Everything Draco, I mean it. Forgetting one thing could mean your death. I wouldn't like that so much you know." I added off handedly. Jo stared at me queerly for a second, before cracking open a large tome to a dog eared page and started lecturing Draco on the wendigo.
The drive went like that, Jo's words and Draco's questions fading into a comfortable background as I watched the road I drove.