"In order to play the game of love, we must all sooner or later pay the Piper"
Chapter Two: Pay the Piper
Leolin stood nervously in the terminal at Heathrow airport, trying not to look so suspicious as she chewed on her lip nervously. Cristian had agreed to go to her and Draco's flat and fetch some of her things before meeting her, and she waited anxiously for him to arrive. She had already tried penning a note to her mother, but every time Leolin began, the ink would simply fade off the page. She'd tried flooing Ginny as well, but the call never went through and she accidentally burned herself trying to send a written message.
She looked around again. She'd used the last of her muggle money to buy a jacket and shoes to cover the fact that she was wearing a silk nightie, but she wanted to change into something of her own. She felt so ashamed already, she at least wanted to be in control of what she looked like.
She continually reached to touch her key or play with the band of her engagement ring, and she grew fretful every time she realized she had neither anymore. They were just a cruel reminder she didn't have Draco anymore either. She looked at her watch. It was nearly five now. She'd been gone almost ten hours. Surely by now Draco knew she was gone. Would he come after her? Would he know where to look? What would happen if by some miracle he did find her? Would the curse even allow him to see her? She didn't know.
She bit her lip again. Where was Cristian? How long did it take to gather a few things? For a hideous moment she imagined him bringing the note she'd written him to Draco and telling him that they were going to run away together.
"Hello, lapin."
Leolin whipped around, her lip trembling a little.
"Where have you been?" she demanded, tears in her eyes. "It's been hours."
"I was in Marrakech when you called. Traveling in and out of North Africa is not so easy these days, even for a wizard with an Algerian passport. And it wasn't exactly easy to sneak into your flat," he said, setting down her bag and nudging towards her with the toe of his boot. "I had to wait for the…hubbub to die down."
Her eyes snapped up to him.
"You saw Draco?" she demanded. "How was he?"
"What's it to you?" he asked, smiling. "You're the one that riled him up in the first place."
"It's not like that," she demanded.
He ignored her.
"I have to admit," he said. "I can't help but feeling smug. It's the day of your wedding to Malfoy, and here we are getting ready to run away together."
"It's not like that!" she repeated fiercely. "I—I don't want to go. Lucius is forcing my hand. Speaking of which, we have to leave. We have to be out of the United Kingdom by sundown."
He nodded again, his smile widening.
"We'll go to my flat in Geneva first, there are some things I need there. From there, we can leave for Rome."
"I've changed my mind. I want to go to Florence."
He shrugged.
"Florence, then."
She bit her lip again and nodded. The truth was that it didn't matter where she ran; her shame would follow her anywhere.
"Alright," she said, bending to retrieve her bag. "Let's go then."
"Ah, ah, ah," he said, putting a foot on the duffle so she couldn't pick it up. "Not so fast, mon lapin. We haven't talked about what all this is going to cost you?"
"Didn't you get the 100,000 galleons from my safe at the flat? I told you that half was yours if you just got me to Florence."
"Oui, I know, but I've decided that's not enough."
"Cristian," she hissed. "Please, don't be greedy. That's all the money I have. I'm broke. Now please, can we go? I'll die if I'm not out of the UK by sundown."
He only folded his arms across his chest to signify he was unsatisfied.
"Fine!" she snapped. "You can have seventy! That's really the most I can spare."
"This isn't about money, cherie, though I'm happy to take your 70 thousand."
"If it's not about money then what do you want?"
He smiled.
"What have I always wanted?"
She considered him.
"No," she sneered. "Never. I would sooner die."
"And so you just might," he said, smirking before wrenching her bag away and turning. "Au revoir, cousine."
She bit her lip, her mind racing. Was she really willing to die for this? For her pride?
"Wait!" she cried, and he turned around, his sick smile broadening.
When he was close enough she finally nodded, looking down at her feet in sickened shame. First Lucius, now Cristian. Draco wouldn't want her even if he could find her.
"Well?" Cristian said when she didn't speak.
She nodded again.
"Okay, I—I'll do it. But you have to promise me that you won't renege on any part of our deal!"
"You have my word."
"That's not enough," she said fearfully. "I want you to sign a contract."
Cristian only smiled.
"I don't have to do that."
"Yes, you do. If you don't, I'll—"
"You'll what? He countered. "You have nothing to bargain with, lapin."
She bit her lip because he was right.
"Fine," she said. "When we get to Florence, I will give you one night."
He shook his head.
"Non," he countered. "You uncross those lush thighs for me and then I take you to Italy."
"There isn't time for that," she said in agitation. "I have to be out of the empire in two hours!"
"Then we should stop dawdling," he said cruelly. "Allons, come hold on to me. I know a place where we can go."
She didn't bother to hide the tears as she continued to stand stock-still.
"Please Cristian," she said in a soft voice. "This has already been the worst day of my life. I just want to leave."
"Allons," he repeated, stepping towards her and snaking his arms around her waist. "I will take you away when it's over."
A better version of herself would have pushed him off, would have told him to go to hell. However, after everything she had been through in the last twelve hours, she was currently the worst, weakest, most pathetic version of herself, and she crumpled in reaction to his touch, sagging against him as her soul flitted free of her body. If she couldn't be a person anymore, she would just be an object. Cristian couldn't hurt an object. He couldn't humiliate a thing. She cried as he apparated them, trying to embrace her objecthood and take her mind off his roaming hands.
Leolin woke to the sound of clanging, a stiff pain immediately shooting down her neck as she stirred.
"Rise and shine, Lefevre," Adrian called, running his wand along the bars of her cell and making a grating rat-at-tat-tat-tat sound. "The minister's asked to see you."
"Goddamnit," she hissed, gently easing into a sitting whole body ached. "Stop that."
She sat up fully and scowled at Adrian. He was dressed more casually than he had been the day before, wearing nothing more than a pair of dark jeans and a white button-down, though he still wore his gleaming badge, which was clipped onto his belt. His hair was still wet from his morning shower, and Leolin wondered what time it was. Probably still fairly early.
"Not much of a morning person, are we, Lefevre?" Adrian goaded, watching dispassionately as she smoothed her hair and adjusted her fitted skirt and long-sleeved white blouse, now tinged an unbecoming grey.
"Fuck off," she snapped, stepping back into her Manolo's.
Adrian unlocked the cell and clapped her back in cuffs, dragging her to the lift and punching the top floor. She'd never been to the Minister of Magic's office, but she figured it was somewhere near the glass dome at the top of the building. She was right.
She bent her head as Adrian dragged her onto the executive floor, still trying to work out the kink in her neck. She didn't want to admit it, but she was a little afraid. After all, last time she'd seen Lucius, he'd ruined her life. She wasn't eager to find out what he wanted this time, considering it was likely more of the same. Part of her feared that he was going to kill her, and after everything she'd been through, the thought was equal parts terrifying and infuriating.
Soon they arrived outside the mahogany doors.
"Stay put," Adrian ordered lazily, throwing a freezing spell on her legs before slipping into the office.
He was gone for what seemed like forever, but in reality Leolin was sure it was only a minute or two. Finally, he emerged, freeing her and dragging her into the room. By now her heart was going mad, but instead of getting afraid like she used to, she began channeling her adrenaline towards strategizing again. She'd outwitted Lucius before. In fact, she was fairly sure she'd outwitted him by going to Blaise first and not home, and that might have saved her life.
She imagined Lucius would be waiting for her when she arrived, but she didn't immediately see him as she stepped in. That made her anxious.
She began to give a little resistance in her steps as she grew more agitated, despite her efforts to remain calm. Adrian responded by giving her shackles a forceful tug, and she cried out as the movement bent her shoulder at an unpleasant angle.
"Stop being difficult," he said, sounding almost bored. "Or I'll break your arm."
"Fuck you," she sneered.
"Now, now, Leolin, let's have none of that."
Leolin's eyes snapped up, and that's when she finally saw him. Lucius had been looking out the window when they first came in, but at the commotion he'd turned, smiling blithely as he gazed at her.
He looked largely the same, not a day older than he had been when she'd last seen him. The only betrayal of his age was the silver that now streaked his blonde hair, and the slight wrinkles that had formed at the corners of his eyes and across his brow. His silver eyes watched her keenly, and she stopped struggling with Adrian as their eyes finally met. He appraised her openly before his gaze skated over her shoulder.
"Go outside and watch the door," He told Adrian. "And you can take those chains off her."
Leolin gave Adrian a nasty look as he did as he was told, and as he vanished her manacles, giving her an even uglier look back. She didn't move, her chest heaving slightly as she contemplated what she could or should do.
"Welcome back, Leolin," Lucius said in a deadly voice when Adrian was gone. "I must say, I was right all those years ago in Gringotts. You have bloomed into an exquisite beauty. But then, I suppose you're a girl made lovely by sadness, aren't you?"
"If you expect me to weep and cower in front of you like I used to," she said in a cool tone. "I'm afraid you're going to be bitterly disappointed."
"No," he said, his voice slick with venom. "I suppose I don't. But you should know that I have half a mind to spread those lush thighs and fuck that pink cunt again."
She flushed against her will. Hard as she'd tried, she had not forgotten the shame and humiliation she'd suffered at his hands.
"You're welcome to try," she bit out.
"Perhaps later," he said, pleased to have put her on the ropes. "I have to admit I never thought I'd see you again."
She understood his thinly veiled threat. He'd ordered her never to return, and his orders were rarely disobeyed.
"You stole my life from me," she said evenly. "Did you really believe I would never come back for it?"
"Yes," he said bluntly. "I was quite certain I'd seen the last of you. And yet here you are."
"Yes, here I am," she agreed.
"And where is it that you've been hiding all this time?" he asked. she wasnt smiling, but there was a self-satisfied glimmer in his eye that made her stomach hurt."
"You don't know?" she asked.
"I lost track of you in Geneva," he said, voice uncharacteristically mild.
For once in her life, she was grateful for Cristian. He was at least good at covering their tracks.
"So where is it you've been?" he pressed.
"I was in Seville," she said evenly, unblinking. She'd been lying non-stop for five years. She was excellent at it by now. That was something Lucius had yet to discover.
"Seville," he repeated, eyes glittering as his lip quirked into a smile. "Fascinating."
"Does that surprise you?"
He smiled.
"Quite a bit."
"Why?"
"That's for me to know. Tell me, did it take you all five years to break the charm?"
"Three," she said.
He tensed his jaw, latently annoyed. She had a feeling he'd tasked someone else with weaving the charm, and he was regretting not simply doing it himself. She suspected that if he had, she'd still be stuck in Florence.
However, after a moment his nastiness faded a little, and he gave another charming, albeit dangerous, smile.
"Well aren't you a resourceful little witch."
"I was a determined little witch," she amended. "I think you'd agree that's a lot more potent than resourceful."
"Indeed. And I suppose you think you're rather clever , don't you?"
"I suppose I do."
"How long will that last, I wonder," he said somewhat snidely.
"I wouldn't dare guess," she said, pleased at the evenness she'd managed to keep in her tone.
A tense silence reigned before she finally spoke again.
"Why am I here?" she said at last, and he raised his eyebrows.
"You and I had a bargain. Leolin. Don't you remember? You broke our bargain, and now I'm going to make you pay for it."
She clenched her jaw, the fear rising in her chest again. She wished she still had her wand.
"What are you going to do to me?" she asked.
He considered, his placid façade not totally concealing the searing cruelty underneath.
"If you were anyone else, I would kill you," he admitted.
"But you can't," she pointed out. "Ginny and Blaise know I'm here, and they both have influence. That kind of a scandal would ruin an empire; even one as powerful as yours."
He gave her an ugly sneer, confirming what she'd said.
"You were clever going to Mr. Zabini first; I admit I didn't anticipate that. If you'd gone to your mother I would have had you before you could've even made a move."
"I know how you think," Leolin said evenly.
He gave a nasty smile. "Do you really? Interesting. If you know my tricks so well, how is it that I was able to desecrate your marriage bed and drive you out of England in the first place?"
She clenched her jaw again, a familiar grief welling up in her stomach.
"I'm not the same little girl I was back then," she said in a soft but determined voice.
"Indeed you aren't," Lucius said, and she ignored the insinuation, trying to suppress the memory of him buried inside her.
"What do you want from me?" she repeated. "Why am I here?"
"You say you've come back to reclaim the life you think I stole from you. I am right in assuming that includes Draco?" he asked.
She said nothing, fighting to remain insouciant. However, Lucius read her stony silence at once.
"Ah, yes," he said, smiling a little "Of course you came back from Draco! Well in that case, you and I want the same thing."
"And what's that?"
"To break up Draco's engagement."
She considered this, folding her arms across her chest.
"Do you honestly expect me to believe that now you want Draco and I to be together?" she demanded.
He smiled. "I never said I would allow you to be together," he replied. "You break them up then you disappear. This time for good."
"Why don't you want Draco to marry that girl?" Leolin asked.
"That's none of your concern, I'm afraid."
She considered this.
"You have nothing left to threaten me with," she said as calmly after a moment. In truth, her heart was beating like a Cherokee drum. "And I would rather die than help you, especially when it comes to hurting Draco. You made me do it once; I'll never do it again."
She tried to keep her voice steady, but it was difficult. She was desperately afraid; there was no point denying it. Even after all these years, she'd never forgotten the sound Draco's jaw had made when it had snapped underneath Lucius's boot, nor the way he'd beaten Draco half to death over the incident with Amelie and her father.
"Is that so?" Lucius sneered, rising from his desk and drawing his wand from his cane.
Leolin fought the urge to back away or flinch. Her heart was hammering in her chest so hard she thought it might break from its cage, but she savagely fought to remember what Lucius had stolen from her all those years ago, and the anger fueled her courage.
"You know that it is," she bit out.
"I must say, I'm impressed by your foolhardy courage," he said. "Though there are, of course, other ways to compel your cooperation. Crucio."
Leolin's knees buckled immediately as she was wracked by an incredible pain. It was as if every nerve had been doused in gasoline and lit on fire, and she clenched her fists so tightly in an effort to control the sensation that she felt blood running down her palms. She grit her teeth to keep from screaming, but as the sensation endured, she couldn't hold it back any longer. She gave a dark scream of anguish, tipping forward onto her ruined palms as another cry ripped through her. Finally, the pain ceased, and she tipped back to sit on her heels, heaving and sweating.
"What do you think about my offer now?" Lucius said.
Leolin must have bit her cheek when she was trying not to scream, and she spat out a mouthful of dark blood onto Lucius's pristine carpet.
"Go to Hell," she grit out.
"Crucio."
This time she began to scream immediately, electrical currents of excruciating pain sizzling up and down her arms and legs, across her back, and through her chest. She could feel her mind shutting down, trying to avoid the pain. Just when she thought she could bare it no longer, the pain stopped.
She dry heaved, but she had nothing to purge, and she simply made a horrible wretching sound before pitching sideways and lying panting on the ground.
"What about now?" Lucius said, and she sat up, wiping her bloodied lips on her sleeve.
Her heart was hammering wildly in her chest and every part of her act, but still she did not relent.
"No," she said, her breathing laboured. "And you can no more torture me into insanity than you can kill me. You know that. I'm not your little puppet anymore. Give up."
He raised his wand again and she bowed her head. The pain never came.
"Perhaps you're right," Lucius said finally, coming towards her and kneeling so they were level. "Perhaps I'm just not asserting the right kind of pressure."
He made to drive a hand into her blouse, but a second later he recoiled his hand in pain.
"You little bitch," he sneered, slapping her across the face even as his palm sizzled.
"Ever time you try to touch me it'll be worse. Keep going, I dare you."
He slapped her again to assert his dominance, but it must have been excruciating because his touch barely stung.
"How terribly clever," he sneered.
"You can thank Lilly Potter; I based my spell on hers."
"I'm flattered you took the effort," Lucius sneered again
"I've suffered enough sexual humiliation at your hands," she seethed, still heaving from the pain of the Cruciatus. "The days of you manipulating me are over."
"Crucio!"
The third time was infinitely worst than the first two, and she could feel her mind fading in between reality and fantasy as the pain continued. She was utterly spent after it was over. Lucius smiled as he stood over her.
"Well," he said, "It would seem you truly can't be persuaded. Pucey?"
Adrian swept into the room, waiting for orders.
"Sir?"
"Arrest her."
Adrian dragged Leolin to her unsteady feet even as she bucked against him. In response, he drove the heel of his boot into the back of her knee, temporarily hobbling her as she cried out in pain.
"On what grounds?" she demanded breathlessly, still wincing from the pain in her knee.
"And call the International Aurors Office," Lucius continued, ignoring her and sliding his wand back into his cane with a snap.
"What are the charges?" Leolin demanded.
Lucius finally looked up at her, and something about the gleam in his eye made her blood run cold. Surely he couldn't know about—
"For the theft and illegal sale of muggle works of art by Wizarding artists."
She gave a cold laugh in a vain attempt to mask her surprise and horror.
"You've got to be kidding! You think I'm La genie du mal? That's mad!"
"I don't think you are," Lucius said, snapping his fingers at Adrian who released Leolin's wrists and pushed her forward roughly.
She stumbled a little, taking the extra time to try and get her thundering heartbeat under control. Her mouth was dry as dust.
"I know you are. Would you like to know how I know? Sit down."
She didn't move.
"Adrian?" Lucius prompted, and Adrian strode forward, forcefully kicking Leolin's feet from underneath her, causing her to tumble unceremoniously into the chair.
She made to stand again, but Lucius flicked his hand at her and she was immediately glued to the chair.
"Let go of me," she sneered.
"I know it's you, Leolin," Lucius said calmly. "You and that enchanting creature Severina Borgia."
"I hate her! Why would I—"
"No more lies," he sneered, growing annoyed. "They're tedious and insultingly unconvincing."
"I'm not lying."
He ignored her, opting to give a blithe smile instead. The silence went on so long that she began to fidget, and he laughed.
"Go on," he goaded. "Ask me."
"Ask you what?" she said trying to keep her voice even.
He furrowed his brows in feigned-anguish, clearly mocking her.
"How did I know? How could I possibly have known?"
Leolin clenched her jaw, unwilling to give ground even as she watched the foundations of everything she'd spent the last five years building beginning to quake. He took her silence as permission to speak.
"As you know," he began casually. "I'm a man of discerning tastes, and I have a—weakness for beautiful and expensive things."
He gave her a pointed leer, and she curled her lip at the insinuation that she was such an object.
"And as I watched this thief gallivant around Europe picking off priceless Muggle treasures, I decided I had to have one as well. I sent someone to start making inquiries. People were understandably hesitant to talk at first, but my agent was very good, and over time he gained details about La Genie. How one could go about contracting him and hiring him. His methods of delivering works to you. What guarantees could he provide that the International Aurors Office wouldn't come banging on my door.
It was a long and tedious process, I admit, but by this time I was determined to have one of these pieces for myself. Finally an art dealer in Belgium revealed that if someone was looking to contact La Genie, they ought to go to Rome."
Leolin felt the colour draining out of her face. She knew that man well; his name was Vincent Maes, and he was a good source for new clients.
"When he said Rome, I started to suspect the Borgias were involved, so i sent my agent down there to confirm my suspicions and earn me an audience. After all, Fausto Borgia and I go back a long ways. However, when the agent showed up to the party, it was actually Severina who greeted him. She, too, kept him a very safe distance, but eventually she agreed to introduce to a Parisian art dealer who might be able to help him."
Lucius smiled, and Leolin fought not to be sick.
"Imagine his surprise when Severina brought him to a party and introduced him to a woman named Naomi Thénard who happened to look just. like. you."
He paused for emphasis as Leolin bowed her head to catch her breath.
"Oh Leolin," he said sardonically, a cruel smirk splitting his face in two. "I don't think you understand how delighted I was to have finally found you again. Five years of searching, and suddenly there you were, right in front of me. The best part was that I had just begun to need you again, and I was admittedly worried I would have to find another little pawn to play your part."
She shook her head, truly lost for words. What had she done to spite Fate so badly that it felt justified in arranging their intersection? His eyes glittered as he continued.
"The only problem, which I admit was fairly ironic, was that the gag made it impossible for me to bring you back immediately. You seemed rather firmly entrenched in Italy, and even I will admit I'm hesitant to invade Borgia territory. However, my agent spotted you in Paris two weeks later, which meant you had begun to break the gag yourself. I could have intercepted you in France, I suppose, but I decided it would have been cruel to rob you of your moment of victory, so I just waited for you to cross the border on your own. I believe that brings us to the present."
Leolin was breathing hard, knowing he had her beat. Her mouth was dry, and she felt like she'd swallowed a fistful of jagged glass.
"How long have you known it was me?" Leolin asked quietly.
"Sixth weeks, give or take," Lucius replied.
Leolin bowed her head. She'd just barely missed her window. Had she broken the gag two weeks earlier, she would be in Draco's arm already.
"Now," Lucius said triumphantly. "Let's talk about our new bargain."
Just then Adrian's floo began to softly emit smoke, and he flicked it open.
He read it in silence before smiling, nodding at the minister, and turning to the door.
Leolin watched him go before turning back to Lucius.
"What do you want me to do?"
For now, this was her only hope. She would have to think of a way to outfox him, but she had to play along, at least for now. That bit made her heart ache.
"It's simple, really," he said. "You break Draco and Genevieve up then leave, just like before."
"How do you expect me accomplish that?" she demanded quietly. "Draco hates me."
"Trust me," Lucius said in a nasty tone. "He hasn't forgotten that sweet, wet cunt of yours. I'm sure you will find a way to—convince him back into your arms."
She bit her lip, forcing herself not to cry.
"I'm willing to be generous," he sneered. "You can sleep with him as many times as you need to in order to convince him."
"He hates me," she repeated.
"He doesn't," he said evenly. "He only thinks he does. He won't know what it means to hate you until you leave again."
She frowned sourly.
"How are you going to keep me from just telling him the truth?"
"By making you sign this. You breathe a word to him or have someone do it for you, and the Aurors will be there within five minutes to clap you in irons and haul you straight to your twenty-year sentence in Azkaban. No trial, no jury, just prison. Then we'll see if Draco still wants you when you're forty five and haggard."
"He would," she said savagely.
"Then go ahead and tell him." He leaned over the desk menacingly, pushing the contract towards her. "I dare you."
She knew Draco couldn't, no matter how hard he would try. She'd seen what thirteen years had done to Sirius Black, and he'd been innocent; that was what sustained him. He was also an animagus, which Harry had said confused the dementors. She wouldn't have either of those things. She would come out a haggard wraith of who she was now. Her vanity couldn't bear that. Her love of Draco couldn't bear that.
"Fine," she whispered hatefully, signing her name with a flourish. "I'll play your stupid game. How do you want me to start?"
Adrian was back now, and he threw a glittering envelope on the desk.
"With this," Lucius said gesturing to the envelope.
Gingerly Leolin picked it up, but when she saw the handwriting on the front she dropped it again, her hands going to her mouth.
"Here," Lucius said. "Allow me."
He tapped the envelope with the head of his cane and it sprang to life, announcing its contents in a stuffy voice.
"Leolin Lefevre," it began. "Mr. And Mrs. Lucius Malfoy and Mr. Louis Beauchene cordially invite you and a guest to celebrate the engagement of Draco Lucius Malfoy and Genevieve Margaux Beauchene Saturday, May the Fifth, at seven o'clock in the evening at The Malfoy Manor. Please indicate below if you will attend and whether you intend to bring a guest."
The note went silent and fell limply in Lucius's hand, and he skimmed the contents again.
"Draco's even included a personal note at the bottom," he sneered, skidding the expensive parchment across the desk to her.
Leolin picked it up with shaking hands. Draco had already marked the box indicating 'No guest'. Below it he'd written: Your absence would be a grave mistake.
"How did he even know I was back?" she asked in horror.
Lucius gave what supposed to be a flippant wave of his hand, but his eyes were glittering now, drinking in her dispair.
"Oh, you know how gossip goes. Adrian casually mentions it to someone in the Emerald Crocodile, and suddenly every Slytherin past and present is talking about it. I'm frankly surprised it took this long for Draco find out. I half expected him to come storming over here last night, calling for your head."
Leolin must have looked pathetic, because he laughed.
"Don't look so frightened, my dear. I wouldn't actually have let him kill you."
She bowed her head again.
"What am I supposed to wear?" she asked quietly.
It was an inane question, she knew, but it so much easier than all the other things she could have asked.
"I already had a dress tailored for you," Lucius said casually, as if reading her inanity and anticipating that was what she was going to say. "It's at your stepmother's shop. I thought you could kill two birds with one stone. I'm sure your parents will be thrilled to have you back."
She looked at him, a hideous sadness welling in her eyes. She weighed her next move, knowing it was an exercise in futility. However, she would regret it if she didn't at least try.
"Lucius," she said in a tense voice, looking into her lap before looking up at him. "I—" she began, jaw tense.
"Yes?" he pressed eagerly.
He knew what she was going to say next, and he'd anticipated the words with a sadistic glee.
"I'm begging you to reconsider. I love Draco. I will do anything else you ask. I—I will be your lackey for the rest of my life. Just please, let me be with him."
Lucius gave her a grim sneer.
"If you hadn't cast that charm," he said savagely, leaning forward. "I would have you make that plea on your knees."
She recoiled, horrified and disgusted. This made Lucius laugh.
"Now run along, you have a lot to do in the next ten hours."
At first she couldn't move, but Lucius jerked his head to Adrian.
"Give her back her wand and get rid of her," he sneered, standing. "I have no more use for her at the moment."
Adrian hauled her roughly up, his grip so hard she knew it would leave a bruise.
"Come along Lefevre," Adrian said, dragging her towards the door. Lucius trailed behind, and just before Adrian pulled her out, Lucius placed a soft kiss on her right cheek. She was sure it was excruciating, but he held on for several seconds just so she knew who was in charge.
"Welcome home, Leolin."
When she had been released and her wand had been returned, Leolin had immediately changed her appearance before apparating to Diagon Alley. Her long ebony bob was suddenly a head of strawberry curls, and her dark blue eyes were a bright spring green. Her nose and lips shifted as well, and when she inspected herself in the window of a shop she passed, she reassured herself she was unrecognizable.
After what she'd just went through, she couldn't bear another emotional tidal wave. Besides, as desperately as she loved her father and stepmother, she owed it to Ariadne to go home to her first. After she tackled her reunion with Ariadne, she could go to her father and Amelie.
What was she doing? Immediately, she changed her appearance back. She couldn't lie to Amelie like this. Amelie was her family; she deserved the truth from Leolin. It would kill her to find out that she'd been with Leolin and not known it.
No. Leolin changed back to the strawberry blonde. She just wasn't ready. She needed to see her mum first. She would apologize to Amelie later. Right now, she just had to get through this and get home. Lucius was right; she had a lot to do before the party.
She vacillated back and forth between blonde and black the entire journey. Finally, she stood outside the door to Amelie's sleek salon, smoothing her dark hair and bracing herself. However, when she looked inside and saw a wedding dress hanging on a stand, she immediately balked, transforming again before stepping through the door.
It was bloody chaos inside, There were people standing all over the place, all holding tickets and excitedly discussing their dresses. Before she could stop herself, Leolin recognized Madison Livington, who was arm and in with Lavender Brown, and Eleanor Riley, who held up a canary yellow dress to show her friends, who were also Hogwarts alum.
Despite the pandemonium, a perky young attendant was on her at once.
"Good Morning! Welcome to Bellenger! Can I help you find something?"
"Yes," Leolin said carefully, extracting a ticket Adrian had given her from her purse and handing it to the attendant. "I'm here to pick up this dress."
The girl examined the ticket, and her eyes lit up.
"Oh I love this dress! It's so magnificent! You're going to love it."
"I can't wait," Leolin affirmed, feeling nervous as she made to stand out of the way of another attendant, who was pushing a cart of dresses out the door.
The girl helping Leolin picked up her floo and flicked it open.
"Amelie? Someone is here to pick up order # 319."
" Enverrais son dos ici, s'il vous plaît?" came Amelie's reply. "I want to make sure the dress fits properly. Merci."
Hearing her voice after all this time made Leolin's heart ache. Leolin should have come as herself. She wondered if it was too late, and she decided it was.
"Ms. Bellenger would like to see you in the dress and make any last minute adjustments. If you would follow me, I will show you the way back."
Leolin reluctantly followed, her pulse throbbing.
"Watch your step," Amelie called from somewhere as they got to the fitting room. "My son Henri's toys are everywhere."
Leolin stepped over a small train that was whistling and softly emitting smoke, her throat aching painfully. Henri. He must have been Amelie and Adrien's new baby.
"Bonjour," Amelie said, emerging at last from the back. She had a small boy on her hip. "I'm Amelie Bellenger."
"Naomi," Leolin bit out, a tingle running up her arm as she shook Amelie's hand.
She really just wanted to hug Amelie. Why had she come here as someone else?
"And this is Henri," Amelie said. "Can we say 'allô', Henri?"
She tickled the toddler's belly, and he giggled but looked away.
"Oh," Amelie said. "Today we are feeling shy? Usually Maman cannot get you to be quiet, chou."
Henri buried his head in Amelie's shoulder. Leolin surveyed her stepmother, who looked beautiful and elegant as ever. She was wearing a fitted charcoal sheath, and Leolin could see a slight rounding in her belly. Amelie was pregnant again, though she was probably only three or so months along.
"Come in," Amelie ushered her forward and kicking the train away. "Would you like anything? Water? A glass of champagne?"
"I'm fine," Leolin said, feeling a little uncomfortable.
"Non?" Amelie said conspiratorially, winking at Leolin. "No champagne? I was hoping you'd say yes so I'd have an excuse to have one myself."
She gave a musical laugh.
Leolin smiled, nodding. "Busy day?" she asked, admiring all the dresses hung up around the room.
"It has been a madhouse," Amelie admitted, setting Henri on the floor with his train. "I had sixty-four dress orders for this party, and it seems that everyone has waited until today to come and pick them up."
Leolin flushed. "I'm sorry—"
Amelie gave a sweet laugh. "Oh no, Cherie, I did not mean you. I mean women who are in my salon three days a week ordering things. You would think some of them could have picked these dresses up before now! And my husband took the groom out for the day, so I have the boys."
Adrien was out with Draco? Leolin's pulse spiked. What she would've given for them to have been this close when Draco was Leolin's fiancée.
"You have more than one?" Leolin asked, indicating to Henri. She vainly hoped Max was with Amelie as well.
"More children?" Amelie clarified. "Yes. My oldest is Max. He's six. He went to the zoo with his grand-mére today, but Henri is only two, and I think he's too young. Besides, my mother-in-law can truthfully only manage one monster at a time. That's why I brought Henri with me."
Leolin nodded in understanding.
"Amelie?" another voice called from the hall.
A harried-looking seamstress came in carrying a gold dress carefully embroidered with thousands of crystals and delicate beads.
"For the bride," Amelie explained, watching Leolin admire it.
"It's lovely," Leolin said, swallowing the lump in her throat. "She has wonderful taste."
"She does," Amelie affirmed, and Leolin's stomach clenched uncomfortably.
She'd secretly hoped Genevieve was ugly and unstylish.
"Though I was rather surprised when she asked for this," Amelie continued.
"Really?" Leolin said, trying not to sound too interested."Why?"
"She usually has very restrained taste," Amelie admitted. "I've never seen her wear something this glamourous before."
Leolin tore her eyes away to glance at her stepmother. Somehow that stung, too. Leolin'd envisioned Genevieve as all tacky pushed-up breasts and big hair. She didn't want to imagine her as an elegant or sophisticated beauty.
Leolin glanced at the sparkling gown again. She wondered what Draco would say when he saw Genevieve in it. The bodice was form-fitting and had a generously cut neckline, and the gold beads shone like rays from the sun. If Genevieve was as beautiful as Adrian claimed, she was going to stun in it.
By this time, Henri had gotten up and tottered over to Leolin, a well-worn stuffed lamb under his arm. He looked up at her bashfully, chewing on his index finger as if trying to decide if he liked her. She bent a little.
"Hi Henri," she said in a soft voice. "Who is that?"
He didn't say anything, but after a minute of deliberating he answered.
"Lambie," he said in a tiny voice. "L'embasser."
He held the lamb out to her, and she did as he asked, giving the creature a soft kiss. When this was done he extended his arm up, indicating he wanted to be picked up.
"Sorry," Amelie said. "He is such a little prince. He wants always to be held. You don't have to hold him."
Leolin scooped him up in response, sitting him comfortably on her hip. It was heaven feeling his weight against her, and she laid her head atop his. She was sick to her stomach at not knowing Henri until now.
"He is so beautiful," Leolin said reverently, smoothing his soft hair.
"Merci," Amelie said. "I think so, too. Why don't you get undressed? There is a robe just behind the divider. Martha should be back by your gown in a minute. Here, you can give Henri to me. Allons, my petit monstre, let us let Naomi change."
It ached to hear Amelie call her that, and it ached when Henri fussed, wanting to go back into Leolin's arms. All Leolin wanted to do was hold him.
"You are fine!" Amelie tutted at him, rocking him a little as her floo smoked softly. She flicked it open.
"Ros?"
That must have been the perky attendant out front.
"Amelie, Miss Beauchene is on the floo for you."
"Is this about the dress? It's done. She can come pick it up anytime."
"No, she said it wasn't about that."
Amelie shifted Henri.
"Alright, then pipe her through."
Leolin was glad she was hidden behind the partition so she didn't have to hide her expression. She felt so nervous and agitated she wanted to vomit, and she hoped Amelie would leave the room before getting on the floo. She didn't. Instead, she threw a handful of purple powder onto the flames, and a voice rose from it, disembodied.
"Amelie?" came the pretty drawl. Genevieve voice was high and musical, and if Leolin had to guess, she probably had a gorgeous singing voice. "It's Genevieve. Do you have a minute?"
"Of course, ma belle," Amelie said, making an apologetic face at Leolin, who had just emerged from behind the partition in a silk robe. "What is it?"
Leolin opened her arms to offer to take Henri, and Amelie nodded her thanks and handed him over. He seemed contented by the switch, and Leolin swayed a little.
"Have you been in touch with Adrien?" Genevieve replied.
"I haven't talked to him since this morning," Amelie said, going to a chiller and pulling out a bottle of champagne. She flicked her wand to unwrap it. "Is something wrong?"
Genevieve gave a delicate laugh like a ringing bell.
"Of course not! I just have to ask Draco something, and he's not answering his floo. It's typical, isn't it? A man invents something then refuses to actually use it."
Her drawn-out syllables and breathy timbre agitated Leolin; it made her restless. Of all the women in the world...
"Do you want me to try calling Adrien?" Amelie asked half-heartedly.
Leolin could tell she was torn between being helpful and wanting to attend her client without interruption.
"Would you mind terribly?" Genevieve said in a kind voice. "Oh Ami, thank you. I know you're so busy today."
"Of course," Amelie said in veiled distraction, popping the champagne and pouring a glass for Leolin and offering it to her. "If I reach him I will have him tell Draco to floo you."
"Did Adrien say how long they would be out?" Gen asked. "I slept right through Draco leaving this morning. I didn't get any of the details about today."
"They're at that whiskey distillery they like in the near Glasgow, but Adrien promised Draco would be at the Manor no later than five," Amelie affirmed, pouring herself a teeming glass of champagne and taking a healthy sip.
"Oh Amelie, you're such an angel. Thank you."
Genevieve hung up and Amelie took another sip as Leolin joined her.
"You seem close," Leolin said softly, indicating the floo.
"We have known Draco a long time," Amelie affirmed, flicking some powder onto the flames and saying her husband's name. "He is very dear to my husband Adrien and I. He was engaged to my stepdaughter before he met Genevieve, but we've grown very fond of her as well."
Leolin nodded tightly. The baby's breathing had grown rhythmic, and Leolin continued to rock him, happy for an excuse to break away.
"What happened?" Leolin asked in a soft voice.
Amelie clenched her jaw, probably in an attempt not to cry.
"To my stepdaughter? She left on the day of the wedding. I think she moved to Switzerland. We haven't seen her."
"I'm sorry," Leolin said in the same soft voice. "I'm so terribly sorry. You must miss her."
Amelie gave an appreciative smile.
"Like crazy," Amelie admitted, her voice a touch sad now.
She might have said more, but suddenly the floo picked up.
"Allô?"
Adrian's voice filled the room, and the hair on Leolin's arm stood up. It had been five years since she'd heard that voice.
"Adrien, c'est moi. How is the tasting?"
"Delicious," her father affirmed, laughing. "If I could drink whiskey instead of water I would be the happiest man on earth."
Amelie gave a good-natured tut.
"Tell me you are not getting Draco drunk."
"Depends on your definition of drunk."
Amelie laughed. "Because you promised wouldn't get drunk without me!"
Now it was his turn to laugh, and the sound stirred a bevy of bittersweet memories for Leolin.
"You are pregnant, Ami!"
Amelie took another sip of champagne.
"A little now and then never hurts."
"Did you just call to tell me you check on us? I appreciate your concern," he said.
"Non," she replied. "Genevieve just called me. She was looking for Draco. You haven't lost him, have you?"
"He's passed out, I'm afraid," Adrien said. "We're going to have a devil of a time sobering him by seven o'clock."
Amelie laughed.
"That had better be a joke, Adrien Lefevre!"
"Il est ici. Do you want me to put him on? Draco!"
Leolin's eyes snapped up, an odd and unpleasant emotion bubbling in her chest. She wasn't ready for this.
"Non," Amelie said. "I'm with a poor client who is currently holding your needy little prince of a son. I don't have time to chat. Just tell Draco to call Gen, s'il vous plaît."
There was silence for a moment then Adrien was back.
"He's calling her now. Anything else, mon cœur?"
"Oui," she said. "I love you desperately."
"I love you more," he said in a soft voice. "See you this evening."
"À bientôt."
Amelie hung up, taking another sip.
"I am so sorry, Naomi!" she cried as Martha brought in the dress bag at last. "I hope you don't think too poorly of us."
"Not at all," Leolin said. "Henri and I are bonding."
Henri was sleeping now, his head slumped onto Leolin's shoulder as he quietly snoozed.
"I will take him," Amelie said in a whisper, extracting him from Leolin's arms and setting him down in a crib in the corner. "Now! Finally, let us get you into your dress!"
Amelie opened the bag with her wand, levitating the dress slowly to the floor. It was a classic ball gown, strapless and voluminous, and made of the beautiful deep red satin.
"What do you think?" Amelie said
"I love it," Leolin affirmed, touching the fiery skirt. "I love the exposed back."
"So did my stepdaughter," Amelie said, smiling. "Allons, let us get this on you."
When it was in place, Leolin turned to the mirror, momentarily startled when she saw the face staring back; she'd forgotten she was wearing the glamour.
"It looks amazing with your figure," Amelie said.
Leolin touched her hair.
"It would look better if I was a brunette," she said, already trying to imagine what she herself would look like in the dress.
"Non," Amelie fibbed. "Your hair is beautiful."
Leolin nodded, though she could tell Amelie agreed it was a dress for a brunette.
"I was worried," Amelie admitted. "I do not usually make dresses just from measurements. I was worried—" she paused, laughing a little. "It takes a very particular figure to fill this dress out properly. I can see now that it will be perfect on you."
She helped Leolin step into it.
"Let me just make a few adjustments," Amelie said, flicking her wand left and right.
Leolin could feel the dress contouring perfectly to her body, and she was pleased with the result in the mirror. She wondered what Draco would think. It was not nearly as extravagant as Gen's gown, but the cut, material and colour certainly made a statement.
"All set," Amelie said, helping Leolin ease out of the gown. "You can get dressed again, ma belle."
Leolin nodded.
"Thank you so much," she said seriously, and Amelie smiled.
"Of course. Thank you for wearing my designs."
Leolin nodded again, slipping into her own clothes and picking up her purse and slinging the garment bag over her arm.
"Perhaps I will see you this evening," Amelie said, accompanying Leolin to the front.
"I hope so," Leolin admitted, longing for a real conversation with her stepmum.
It was still nutty in the lobby, and there were more women than before. Leolin recognized some from school, but something about that was painful, and she tried not to look too closely.
Just as Leolin was heading out, a young boy came bounding in, crying "Maman!"
Leolin watched him rush past her, taking in his soft green eyes and chestnut hair. Max was a perfect mix of Adrien and Amelie, and Leolin couldn't believe how big he was. The last time Leolin had seen him, he was Henri's age.
"Allô, mon canard. How was the zoo? Where is your grand-mére?"
"Where is Henri?" Max asked excitedly. "I want to tell him about all the animals!"
"Henri is napping. Maximilien, did you lose your grand-mére?"
"Je suis ici," Leolin's grandmother said, sweeping in a well-cut lilac blazer and skirt. "Amelie, zeez boy eez exhausting," Marie said with a dramatic flick of her wrist.
Leolin bit back a wry smile. Marie rarely missed an opportunity for theatrics.
"I know," Amelie said, smiling as she smoothed Max's hair back. "Thank you for taking him. Adrian sprung this trip with Draco on me last minute, and I have a trillion things to do before tonight."
Marie sniffed. "Êtes-vous toujours aller à la fête ce soir?" she asked, a little indignant.
Amelie rolled her eyes, hugging Max again.
"Of course I'm still going to the party," Amelie said. "I wouldn't miss it."
"Even zough zeez Américain floozy 'as stolen Draco from our Leolin?"
Leolin's heart thudded painfully into the dark hollow between her ribs.
"Maman," Amelie said tiredly. "Gen did not steal Draco. Leolin left. You know this."
"And when Leolin comes back? What zen?"
"I don't think she is coming back," Amelie said a defeated voice. "Much as I wish she would."
"And eef she does?"
"Then it is between her and Draco."
Leolin was standing frozen, listening as they bickered. She wanted to scream 'I am back. I never wanted to leave!'
"Oh, Naomi," Amelie said. "I'm so sorry! I had no idea you were still here. This is my other son, Max, and my mother-in-law, Marie."
"Bonjour," Leolin said, nodding at Marie. "C'est un plaisir de vous rencontrer."
Marie gave her an approving glance.
"Vous aussi."
"Can I get you anything else before you go?" Amelie said. "The dress was already paid for, so don't worry about that."
"No," Leolin bit out at last. "I'm sorry, I don't know why I am loitering. I should be going. Lovely to—uh—meet you all. Au revoir."
With that Leolin hurried out of the shop, trying to catch her breath. She looked around for a moment, thought in retrospect she had no idea why; she knew where she had to go now. She'd been putting it off for two long. She had to go home. She looked at her watch. It was nearly four. She didn't have much time.
She took another deep breath, looking longingly back at Amelie's storefront before closing her eyes and spinning away.
She arrived outside the familiar brownstone several seconds later, taking a deep breath and removing the glamour. She would never dream of meeting her mother as anyone else. Her hands were shaking as she ascended the steps, trying to think what the hell she was going to say.
She knocked three times, so nervous that she was a little afraid she would faint. She heard shuffling behind the door, and she steeled herself. The locks clicked, and finally the door swung wide.
"I—" Leolin stammered, staring into the face of the man who'd answered.
She never imagined that her mother might have moved.
"I'm sorry," she bit out, blushing furiously. "I have the wrong house. Sorry to disturb."
"Leolin?" The man said in disbelief.
He had late forties, she guessed, with a grey hair, a neatly-trimmed beard, and a thick Scottish accent. He had a kind face that exuded trust, but after years of lying and thieving, Leolin remained suspicious.
"Who are you?" she demanded, backing away ever as the man was opening the door wider.
"Ari!" he called desperately. "Come down here."
He looked back at Leolin, who was watching him now in alarm.
"Shit!" Ariadne called from somewhere inside. It sounded like she was running down the stairs. "Is that Adrien already? And why's not at the and not coming through the floo? I thought he was still with Dr—"
Ariadne had reached the bottom floor now, and when she looked up, she dropped the dazzling earring she'd been trying to jam in her ear. She wasn't dressed for the party yet, but her hair was curled and she was wearing makeup. She looked more sad than Leolin remembered, but she was still lovely.
"Leolin?" Ariadne asked, sounding almost fearful. "Is that actually you, or am I dreaming again?"
"Hi Mum," Leolin whispered, and Ariadne flew forward, sobbing as she threw her arms around Leolin.
Leolin dropped her garment bag and purse as she buried her face in her mother's shoulder, squeezing her as tightly as she could and trying to re-memorize the way it felt to be in Ariadne's arms.
"Oh Leolin!" Ariadne said through her tears, stroking Leolin's cheeks. "Oh my gods! I was so worried I'd never see you again!"
"I know," Leolin said, anguished. "I'm so sorry Mum. So, so sorry."
"It doesn't matter!" Ariadne said, holding Leolin's cheeks in her hands and surveying her. "I only care that I have you back. Promise me you'll never leave again."
Leolin thought about Lucius. She had to find a way to break his hold over her.
"I promise," she said solemnly, and her mother rained kisses on her cheeks.
"My baby is home," Ariadne said in awe, smoothing back Leolin's sleek locks. "You changed your hair," she said.
Leolin touched it self-consciously.
"Yeah," she said. "Do you like it?"
"I love it," Ariadne said, touching it reverently, tears still in her eyes. "It's beautiful. I just can't believe how grown-up you are."
Leolin nodded, not knowing what to say to that. It was then that she remembered the stranger who'd opened the door. She looked at him bashfully, and Ariadne turned to him.
"I'm so sorry!" she said to Leolin, coming to stand next to the man and pressing a hand to his chest. "Leolin, this is your stepfather, James."
Leolin looked up at her new stepdad, feeling like the rug had been yanked from beneath her feet. She'd always urged her mother to meet someone, and she was happy for Ariadne, but as with Ginny and Blaise, it was painful to see how all their lives had morphed in her absence. She felt as if her piece no longer fit the larger puzzle.
"Leolin," James said steadily. "I—I can't tell you how happy I am to meet you. Everyone just thinks the world of you."
Leolin smiled in spite of herself, shaking his outstretched hand before letting him pull her into a hug.
"Thank you," she breathed, enveloped by the smell of soap as his arms encircled her. "And not everyone, I'm sure."
Ariadne gave her a sympathetic look.
"Come inside," she said, throwing her arms around Leolin again. "I want to catch up."
They ushered Leolin in and shut the door, and Leolin looked around, re-familiarizing herself with the space. It was just like she remembered, though there were now clues that James lived there as well.
"Would you ladies like some tea?" James asked. "I can put on the kettle, if you like."
"Do you have any whiskey? That would be better," Leolin said as she and Ariadne sat down on the couch.
James smiled.
"That's my girl. I'll go fetch it. You two catch up."
Both women watched James head to the kitchen, and they were silent a moment before Ariadne spoke, tucking some of Leolin's hair behind her ear as she bent her head to star into her lap.
"Does Draco know you're back?" Ariadne said quietly at last.
Leolin nodded.
"And are you going to the party tonight?"
Again, she nodded.
"He invited me, though I have a feeling it's not to bury the hatchet," she said at last, unable to hide her sorrow.
"Oh Leolin," Ariadne cooed, and Leolin tipped sideways to lie her head in her mother's lap.
"Thank you," Leolin said at last, calmed by her mother's steady hands as they ran through her hair.
"For what, lapin?"
"For not asking me why I left. I—I know you're probably wondering, but you should know—I didn't want to. I felt like I had to."
"I know," Ariadne said softly. "I've always known that," Ariadne said. "Just like I knew you'd come back someday."
"Everything's changed," Leolin observed sadly.
"It is," Ariadne agreed. "But you should know that some things aren't set it stone. It's not too late to alter your destiny."
James brought out the whiskey and they all drank in comfortably silence, Leolin still curled against her mother.
"Did you come back for him?" Ariadne asked quietly.
Leolin squeezed her eyes shut, trying to forget the deal she'd made with Lucius.
"For Draco? Yes," she admitted. "I still love him."
Ariadne nodded, smoothing her hair.
"Are you sure you want to go tonight?" Ariadne said in a soft voice. "I worry—it's not going to be easy, my darling. Genevieve is—she's a gentle hurricane. I'm worried the force of her will blow you away."
"I have to go," Leolin said, sitting up. "I have to face this head-on."
"Then we're here for you," James said. "All four of us."
Leolin smiled, nodding her thanks.
"How long have you two been married?" she asked her mother, happy to talk about anything but Genevieve.
Ariadne smiled warmly at James.
"It was two years in January."
"Where did you meet?"
Ariadne looked at James, who smiled warmly back.
"Well three years ago I was looking for this book for my fiancée at the time," James explained. "And it was really rare, so I went to Obscurus for some help. That's when I first met your mum. She was the most gorgeous, brilliant witch I'd ever met, and I started to fall in love at once. We got to know each other as we were looking for this book, which was so ironic, because by the time we found it I was so in love with her I knew I had to break off the engagement. The funny bit is, the night I went home to end things, she was mid-shag with my neighbour. Turns out they'd been carrying on for months, even before I met your mum. I have to tell you, I've never been so happy to be cheated on in my life."
Leolin laughed, a joy seeping in as she watched her mother beam.
"So what happened next?"
"I was shocked when he came in the next day wanting to take me to dinner," Ariadne said. "Considering we'd just spent six weeks tracking down this book for the woman he was purportedly going to spend the rest of his life with."
"What did you do with the book?" Leolin asked, and Ariadne pointed to the mantle, where an ancient folio sat in a frame next to that their wedding photo.
Leolin's smile faded a little, and she drew her wand and flicking her wrist so the photo came zooming into her hand.
She studied it, feeling equal parts happy and sad. She couldn't believe she'd missed this day. Ariadne and James were in the middle of the photo kissing. Adrien and Amelie were next to them, smiling at each other. Amelie's belly looked ready to pop. Sian was next to them, holding Max's hand and smiling. Conor, Marc, Roderick, Gabriel and their respective wives were all crowded around as well, smiling and jostling each other. On the other side of the couple stood Blaise, who had slung on arm over his mother's shoulders as he grinned down at her. Lauren looked resplendent as ever, though Leolin noticed her ring finger was bare in the photo. Next to Blaise was Ginny, who stood between him and Draco, holding each of their hands as she and Draco shared in a joke. Leolin tried to hide her anguish, but seeing everyone so happy and knowing she missed it made her throat ache.
"I wish I'd been there," Leolin said softly, and Ariadne kissed her temple.
"Me too."
"Maybe this year we could renew our vows," James suggested. "Then we could all celebrate together."
Leolin nodded.
"I would love that."
"Then that's what we'll do," Ariadne affirmed, just as the clock began to chime six.
"Merlin's beard, it's six already? Leolin, if you really are serious about going, you should get ready. We don't have much time."
Leolin nodded again, standing up. Just then, the floo flamed, and Amelie and Adrien stepped out.
"I know we're early, but I though we'd have a drink—" He stopped, staring.
"Merlin," he croaked, drinking Leolin in. "Is it really you?"
Next to him, Amelie was looking her up and down, no doubt recognizing Leolin's outfit. She looked up, tears in her eyes.
"It was you?" she asked, a sob rising in her throat. "Today in the shop? That was you?"
At first Leolin thought she was angry, but a second later she threw her arms open and Leolin ran to her at once.
"I'm so sorry, Ami," Leolin whispered. "I didn't mean to trick you. I just—I didn't know what to say."
"It doesn't matter," Amelie said. "Somewhere deep down I knew it was you. And you're right, lapin. This hair suits the dress better."
Leolin smiled, wiping at some of her stepmother's tears before detangling from her embrace and hugging her father.
"Leolin," he breathed, as if unsure she was real. "Leolin, Leolin, Leolin. I was worried I would never see you again."
"I'm here, Papa," she whispered against his chest.
"I'm never letting you leave," he said cradling her. "Never."
She nodded, pulling away. Her heart was lighter than it had been for years, buoyed by her love for her family. Even the idea of losing them again was agony. She bit her lip. She was beginning to lose her nerve about the party. If Lucius wanted her there, and obliging him was likely a mistake. Besides, after reuniting with her parents, she realized she wasn't ready to face Draco. She needed more time in her family's care first, and he needed time to process the fact that she was back.
"It's time, lapin," Ariadne prompted gently. "We need to get ready and go."
Leolin bit her lip and shook her head.
"I—"
Amelie nodded her understanding, folding Leolin into her arms.
"You don't have to go," she whispered softly. "Of course you don't. You can go to Draco when you're ready, and in a better environment."
"I don't want to upset him more," Leolin said. "And I need time to—" she paused, and her father nodded.
"You don't have to explain yourself, lapin," he said in a gentle voice. "It's too much pressure. Take your time, ease back into things. You don't have to solve all your problems in one day."
"Your da's right, Leolin," James offered. "Stay here and rest."
Leolin nodded a last time, smiling sadly at each in turn.
"Thank you," she said.
Ariadne stroked her hair.
"Go lie down, lapin. You've had a long day. We'll see you in the morning."
Leolin nodded wordlessly before glancing at her father.
"It will be alright, lapin," he assured her. "We promise."
"Ami," Leolin said dolefully. "The dress. I'm so sorry."
"Don't be," Amelie assured her. "There will be another occasion for you to wear it, I'm sure."
"Give Draco my love then, I guess," Leolin said softly.
She tried to make it a joke, but her she couldn't manage the gaiety required, and Ariadne gave a sympathetic frown.
"No one's exchanged vows yet, my love. Everything will work out in the end. You'll see."
Leolin bit her lip, swallowing a raw lump in her throat.
"Have fun," she said softly.
"We'll see you in the morning," her father affirmed, pressing a kiss to her forehead. "Sleep well, darling, and welcome home."
A/N: Guess who's FINALLY coming back next chapter? :D
Review and tell me what you think Draco's going to do when he finally sees Leolin! Also, just review in general! That's how you get faster updates!