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Chapter 31: Let Us Strike a Bargain
"We only lose that which we cling to."
-Buddha
Genevieve sat next to the pool, knees tucked to her chest and eyes cast out towards the beach beyond. It had been a long time since she'd stayed at her house in South Carolina, and it didn't quite feel like home anymore. Or Perhaps it had never been home. Not really, anyways. She hadn't realised it growing up and during her adolescence, but it once she met Draco and he asked her to move in with him, she knew she was finally home.
"Genny? Are you out there?"
She wiped her eyes, trying to mask the fact that she'd been crying.
"On the deck," she called back.
Max appeared a second later, smiling at her.
"I don't think I've ever seen you dressed this casually," he laughed, taking in her leggings and loose shirt. "Even when we were sleeping together. You always went from naked to made up in like five seconds flat."
She laughed, too.
"I thought you'd be at Ashley's," he continued.
She shook her head, giving another feeble smile.
"I just wanted to be alone for a bit," she affirmed. "I needed to clear my head."
He nodded, sitting down and touching her knee.
"Beau told me your mom's in town," he said sympathetically. "How'd it go?"
Gen's lip began to tremble.
"It didn't," she said in a doleful voice. "She owled and said she was just too busy and maybe she'd catch me next time she was in New Orleans."
"Oh Gen," Max said as she began to cry. "Genny."
"It's fine," she said tightly through her tears. "This is nothing new for her. I haven't seen her in over three years. I think I was being silly thinking I'd get to see her this weekend. I know she's monstrously busy; she's always reminding me. If she was here she'd prompt me to remember that a proper belle is never needy."
"What a bitch," Max said coldly. He seemed to think better of it, because he amended. "Sorry, I shouldn't have said that."
She shrugged.
"If the shoe fits," she said softly.
"This isn't a reflection on you, you know," Max supplied, touching her cheek. "You're a wicked great girl. It's her loss if she doesn't want to get to know you."
Gen bowed her head.
"I just wish I could stop feeling like I'm not good enough for her," Gen admitted. "She left when I was eleven and she just never looked back, not for one tiny instant. It makes it difficult to feel like I'm worthy of anyone."
"No, she's not good enough for you," Max said warmly. "Seriously. You're surrounded by people who love you Genny, myself included. And what about Malfoy? He's friggin' crazy about you!"
Gen shrugged.
"I suppose."
"Okay, c'mon," Max said softly. "You know he is. Honestly the way he's always looking at you is a little annoying. It's so—lovey-dovey".
"I've never felt this way about someone before," she admitted. "I didn't know it was possible to love anyone this much."
"Have you told him about today? Surely he of all people understands what you're going through. I mean, his dad is pretty much evil incarnate, and from what I hear his mom's no picnic, either."
She gave a defeated laugh.
"That's true," she admitted. "She is awful."
"Where is he, by the way?"
"He's back in London," she admitted sadly. "Apparently Leolin's mother is in some sort of crisis, and he simply couldn't resist swooping in to rescue her."
"Who the hell is Leolin?" he asked.
"Oh you haven't heard of her?" Gen said bitterly. "She's Draco's ex-fiancée."
"What?" Max burst, angry and protective. "Malfoy was engaged before?"
"Honestly, I can't believe I haven't told you yet. Apparently he had some girl in boarding school that he was just madly in love with."
"Shit," Max said. "I'm sorry. What happened to her?"
"She ran off the day of the wedding," Gen said. "No one's seen her since."
"How long have you known about this?" Max asked. "And why is Malfoy still friends with her parents? That's so fucked up; it makes me want to kick his ass."
"I never wanted all the nasty little details, of course," Gen drawled. "But I gather that Draco went off the rails when this Leolin left, and it was her mother that coaxed him off the edge. They're his surrogate family now. I guess I should be thanking her, though; Draco's always insisting that she's the reason he found me, and that makes all the pain worth it."
"He's right," Max said. "One time he was drunk and he told me you were the best thing that ever happened to him."
"Oh you dirty liar," Gen chuckled, slapping his leg playfully. "You just said that to make me feel better."
He shook his head.
"He loves you, Genny," Max said seriously. "You should never doubt that."
"Suppose I don't," she supplied. "He still loved her first. I guess I'm just always destined to play second fiddle. Draco and my mother have that in common."
"He's not your mom," Max said. "Please don't even think you've not worthy of being loved; you are."
She bit her lip.
"Draco's my first love," Gen admitted. "I never knew what it was before I met him. My father only ever loved my mother and my mother only loved herself. I just wish I'd been his first as well. I don't think he'll ever get over her. What am I supposed to do if she ever comes back? I can't bear the thought of losing Draco."
"First loves aren't everything, sweetheart. Don't second-guess yourself just because he's a fucking idiot and tried to marry his high school girlfriend. That kind of love never lasts. Everyone I know who married someone they met at boarding school is divorced already. Besides, it's seriously impossible for that dude to love anyone as much as he loves you. For real."
She ignored his impassioned speech.
"Are you over Amelia?" Gen asked pointedly. "I know she was your first love."
Max gave a small frown.
"That was different," Max said. "She didn't leave me; she was stolen from me."
Gen bowed her head.
"I'm sorry," Gen said. "That's awful what happened to her."
Max nodded.
"That's why I need your help."
She nodded.
"You know I'd do anything for you, sugar," she affirmed.
"Remember the night you met Draco?" he said.
She laughed.
"At this point, how could I forget?"
"Did he ever tell you why he and Zabini were in New Orleans?"
She shook her head.
"I suppose I never really thought about it. Draco loves to drink and party. I guess I just assumed he was here for that."
"Agreed," Max said. "But it was a little more than that. Gen," he said seriously, taking her hand. "Can I trust you?"
"Of course," she said, smiling.
"This is serious," Max said. "What I'm about to tell you could change both our lives."
She nodded.
"You know I would never betray your confidence. Whatever you say today dies with me."
He nodded now.
"I know that," he affirmed. "But once we start down this road there is no going back for either of us."
She squeezed his hand solemnly.
"You can trust me, I swear. Whatever it is that you need, sugar, it's as good as done."
He licked his lips and clenched his jaw.
"There's something big coming in the UK," he admitted. "A second war."
She nodded.
"I know. You can feel it brewing when you're there."
"Look, we sat out last round, but I don't think we can afford to do that again. This has been in the works for some time, but things are escalating and we need to start preparing for something bigger."
"Who's 'we?"
"The Americans," he applied.
"What's your role in all this?" Gen asked.
Max considered.
"I can't say more until you agree, but let's just say it's pivotal."
"Does Draco know about this?" she asked.
"He knows some, but we haven't told him just how deep this all goes. Honestly, the less people who know at this point, the better."
"Then why are you telling me? You should tell him."
"No," Max said emphatically. "Look, it's not that I don't trust Draco, but he's not you. Genny, I trust you more than anyone, and things are getting to the point where I need extra protection against against Lucius Malfoy and his thugs. His dog Adrian Pucey's been sniffing around for months, and I need to get this done before he stumbles on something significant."
She nodded, her eyes serious. She took his hand and squeezed.
"What exactly are you asking me to do?" she asked.
He looked sidelong at her.
"What do you know about secret keepers?"
"Well I'll be the first one to say it," Ginny said sternly. "I hate this."
Leolin took a sip of tea and sighed.
"You're hardly the first one," Leolin pointed out. "Blair's said it a million times to my face, and Draco and Felix are apparently shouting it most vehemently behind my back."
"Have you forgotten what Gareth did to you?" Ginny demanded.
Leolin's eyes grew hard.
"That's unfair and you know it."
"I'm sorry," Ginny said guiltily. "I have no right to say that to you."
"Look," Leolin said in a calm voice. "I've thought this through and it's honestly what's best. Ignoring this could be a huge mistake, and we don't have room to make mistakes right now. I know you know that."
It had been a month since the topic had been broached, and in that time Leolin had decided she wanted a meeting with Gareth. Of course almost everyone had protested, even—to their eternal surprise—Beau. However, Leolin remained obstinate. She couldn't undo the hurt Gareth had inflicted on her, but that was admittedly a lifetime ago, and she could shake the feeling that he still had some role to play.
"After everything you've been through," Ginny said, sinking down and taking her hand. "Do you really want to heap this on top?"
"I'm fine," Leolin said in the same calm voice. "Honestly, what's done is done. I can't look back anymore; I need to start finally looking forward."
"You don't have to lie to me. Draco told me what happened between you. He's heartsick. Without you Blaise and I are worried he might do something desperate and dangerous."
"That's his prerogative," Leolin said. "That doesn't mean I have to follow his lead."
Ginny narrowed her eyes. Finally something dawned on her.
"You can't keep this locked up," Ginny said. "That's seriously dangerous, Lai."
"The hell I can't," Leolin said in a calm voice.
"Leolin, you don't know the kind of trauma that kind of suppression can cause the mind; whatever box you've decided to stuff all this pain into isn't sustainable. At some point it's going to burst, and you will be crushed by your own grief."
"I know what I'm doing," Leolin said. "I've been doing legimency for years, and I know how to compartmentalise."
"No one can run from this kind of devastation forever," Ginny pointed out. "When it catches up with you—and it will—you won't have a prayer of fighting it off. It's going to fucking kill you!"
"What choice do I have, when there's still work to be done? Draco chose Gen! He looked me in the eye, told me he loved me, and left me. He left me for the woman who stole my life. The horrid bitch who gave my sun and stars the one thing I never could! If I give into that pain, even for a second, I will die."
"I know this is excruciating—"
"You know?" Leolin replied bitterly before sighing and letting some of the fight bleed out. "Gin, I can't have children, and now the love of my life is having a baby with a woman I hate. And if that wasn't enough, the only person I've every truly cared for us being beaten and tortured by a man who would own me like a slave. When you find yourself in this position, I'll be happy for your advice. Until that time, please let me be."
"I'm sorry," Ginny said, bowing her head. "I know that was presumptuous of me. I just—Lai, I love you so much, and I can't bear the idea of something bad happening to you."
"Something bad has already happened to me," Leolin pointed out. "In fact, a lot of bad things have happened to me. Please, try to respect that I'm dealing with this the only way I know how. Draco has to deal with this the way he sees fit, and I have to do the same. I know you don't agree with what I'm doing, but at least try to respect it."
"Okay," Ginny said. "I'm sorry."
Leolin nodded, her expression softening. She reached for Ginny's hand and Ginny squeezed it gratefully.
"What time is Gareth coming?" Ginny asked tightly.
"About half an hour from now," Leolin said unhurriedly. "I should probably get dressed."
Ginny nodded.
Leolin traipsed out of the cozy den past the elegant dining space, moving counter-clockwise through the open-place flat whose room flowed seamlessly together. Finally she reached the spiral staircase that led to her living quarters. The bedroom proper was open, the balcony of which overlooked the rest of the loft. However, farther in was her closet and bathroom, and she padded past the bed and closet the interior door behind her. When she was truly alone, she looked at herself in the large mirror. Would Gareth even recognise her? She wasn't the same girl he'd threatened at Draco's party. Hell, she wasn't even the resolute one who'd attended his sentencing a year later.
She was a fiercely strong woman, tempered in the fires of tribulations. Compared to Lucius and Cristian and Adrian, Gareth was practically tame. Then again, she wasn't quite sure what she'd feel when she finally saw him again. She had to admit she probably wouldn't be as calm as she was now. She also hoped that Draco wouldn't show up. She'd told Ginny expressly that he was not to come under any circumstances, but as Leolin knew all too well, he did as he pleased. She was worried he'd upset the admittedly delicate prison she created for her sorrow and what he'd done to her, and she worried seeing him would spring the lock and she'd never be able to close it again. That wasn't the state of mind she wanted to be in when she faced Gareth.
Finally she turned away from her reflection, heading to her closet instead. She dressed in a grey cotton jumpsuit that was both comfortable and chic. She donned a floor-length duster on top. At the last minute she stepped into black stilettos. This part didn't make sense, perhaps, given she was inside her own flat, but somehow they empowered her. She put two shimmering diamond studs in her ears before emerging.
"Leolin," Ginny called, and Leolin leaned over the glass partition of the balcony.
Leolin took a deep breath before starting down the stairs, her floor-length jumper fanning behind her.
Blair and Felix had stepped out of the floo into the soft, inviting den.
"What are you two doing here?" Leolin queried, feeling anxious and fretful.
The last thing they needed today was trouble.
"We're here in case Rhydderich does something untoward and we have to rip his arms off," Felix said, his voice protective.
"And where is he?" Leolin said as Ginny brought a tea tray. "You didn't bring him with you?"
Felix sneered his disgust. Even in the face of her anger towards him, he remained one of her fiercest defenders.
"He and Ieuan are on their way," Blair said, folding one arm over the other.
Leolin sat down, crossing her legs.
"I don't need bodyguards, you know," Leolin said, though she was surprised to find that her hands were trembling as she poured herself a cup of coffee.
"Never said you did," Blair said. "We're just here for moral support."
"I bet," Leolin said dryly.
Blair looked ready to say more, but just then the flames flared green. Leolin's heart leapt to her throat. She hadn't been expecting to be this frightened.
Ieuan emerged first, giving everyone a solemn nod before stepping aside and allowing Gareth to follow him. Ieuan had been right; he looked a pale shade of his former self. The Gareth Leolin remembered had been arrogant and full of life, his blue eyes sparkling and his full lips forever pulled back to show his dazzling white teeth. The man before her was gaunt and browbeaten, dark shadows under his dull eyes and skin pulled a little tighter across the bones of his face. His dark hair was greasy, and his five o'clock shadow made him look even older and more hollow. His lips were white, washing him out completely, and he seemed pale and nervous.
However, she had less than a moment to survey him before Blair was advancing, his fist landing with such malice on Gareth's cheek that he crumpled at once.
"Fuck you," Blair sneered as Ieuan came between them, shoving Blair roughly back.
"Enough, Lefevre," Ieuan demanded. "We don't have time for this."
Leolin watched as Blair continued to snarl.
"He's right, Blair," Leolin said softly, still unable to look at Gareth for more than a few seconds at a time. He inspired such an odd mixture of pity, fear, and loathing that she felt queasy. "That's enough."
Blair pulled Ieuan's hands off his jacket before scowling.
"Alright," Leolin said. "Everyone out. I want to talk in private."
Felix said protectively.
"Absolutely not," he said.
Leolin gave him a cool look.
"I don't remember inviting you here and I certainly don't remember asking for your opinion," she said, making him frown in hurt. "Now, everyone please leave."
"Bug—" Blair began, but she held up a hand.
"I can handle myself. "Please give us some privacy."
Blair acquiesced, pulling a grumbling Felix with him as he grudgingly stepped back. Leolin cast a silencing charm and a privacy spell. Immediately a wall of shimmering light appeared around them, and it looked as if they were inside a waterfall.
When they were alone, Gareth finally looked up, and they met eyes for the first time in seven years. She met his gaze evenly even as her heart thudded painfully in her chest.
"Hello, Gareth."
Draco had tossed and turned all night, and when he woke he felt no better. Leolin was due to met Gareth in just a few hours, and the idea made him sick to his stomach. He'd insisted he be there, of course, but he'd been denied at once.
He sat up, rubbing his eyes before hanging his head. He was exhausted. His emotional distress had begun to bleed into his physical form, and everything seemed to ache. His first thought was of Leolin, and he ran his hands through his hair, try to bite down the bitter anguish. He couldn't stop picturing the look on her face as he'd apparated away from her. He'd come straight home and torn his room to pieces before drinking himself sick and collapsing onto the ravished bed.
Gen had returned home the next morning to find him lying among feathers and empty bottles, and she'd wordlessly cleaned up the mess. He'd woken to find her sitting on the edge of the bed waiting for him. He could tell by the look in her eyes that she knew what had happened, though for once she didn't look gleeful. She silently offered him a hangover tonic, which he downed in one swallow then set on the nightstand. Afterwards they sat in silence for a bit. Gen seemed too scared to speak, and Draco wasn't sure what to say. He was looking at a lifetime with Gen; he needed to find a way to make it bearable. However, if the face of what he'd lost it seemed impossible. Finally after what seemed like an eternity of silence, he reached over, cupping her cheek and gently kissing her. She didn't force the gesture but she accepted it gladly, melting into his form when he seemed determined not to stop.
He shed her clothes dispassionately, though he kissed her often as they work towards their mutual end. For the first time in a long time he wouldn't let her become Leolin in his mind. This was his penance for leaving the woman he loved most; he wouldn't let himself indulge in the fantasy when he had so callously rejected the reality. Of course, this made things difficult, and Draco had to dig deep to find the feelings he'd once bore Gen. He could tell by the way she was moving that she was deriving little pleasure from the act save being close to him, and in some way that made him feel guilty. Still though, he couldn't seem to find a way to give her more. After an eternity he finished, rolling away from her.
"Draco," she whispered at last.
She curled up against him. He stiffly tried to hold her, but it quickly grew unbearable, and he pulled away.
"I'm sorry," he said quietly, standing up.
She nodded, biting back tears as he padded towards the door softly.
They'd coexisted in tense semi-silence in the month that followed, and Draco tried to warm to the idea of spending the rest of his life with her. That was absurd in some way, considering a year ago all he wanted in the world was to marry her. Had Leolin never shown back up, he could have been happy with Gen as his wife. Still, she had returned, and now he was faced with the truth he'd always known; he could never truly love someone else so long as she walked the earth.
Still, some days it was easier to accept his predicament, and he was able to conduct himself with some semblance of normalcy. On those days he and Gen experienced a pale shade of what they'd once shared, and that made things more bearable. He'd even occasionally found a way to be intimate, though those moments were admittedly very rare.
Other days he was so tortured that he couldn't even bear to sleep beside her, and he would wordlessly retreat to the spare bedroom and stay there instead. It hadn't been used since he and Leolin had come to London together, and it stilly smelled faintly of her perfume. Lying with his head buried in her pillow brought him as close to happiness as he was certain he would ever be going forward.
The only thing that kept him from going completely mad was the idea of the baby. Things would be different when the baby was born, he assured himself, and the joy he knew he'd feel would fill the aching void left by Leolin's absence. At least, it would help lessen the acute pain. He would love Leolin fiercely until the day he died, but children would at least be a welcome distraction.
He'd repeated this to himself so many times that it some ways it actually felt true. However, in the last two weeks the lie had begun to wear thin, and he felt the thread unraveling. He couldn't do this, he admitted to himself one morning. He tried to banish the though at once, but once it had taken hold in his mind it grew like a cancer. He simply couldn't live like this. Despite the baby and the coming war and everything, he needed Leolin too much to give up on her. Their loved had endured ten years and thousands of miles and every agonising hardship known to man, but in the end things were still the same; they were still soul-mates, despite the way in which the world sought to tear them apart.
Draco had spent nearly five years convincing himself he didn't love her, but the truth was that there wasn't a thing in the world she could do to make him stop. She was his first love and last love and every love in between, and at this point he would literally rather die than be without her.
He stood, stretching and touching a hand to his chest. This had become a something of a tick, and he found himself reaching for the medallion half a hundred times a day to ensure himself it was still there. Gen had noticed it at once.
"What's the falcon to you?" she'd asked gently one morning, touching it reverently as well.
It pained him. It felt wrong that she should lay hands on it.
"First the tattoo and now this," she said. "What do they mean?"
"The falcon is my patronus," he'd said simply.
"Where did you get the medallion?"
He looked at her dolefully and she retracted her hand at once.
"Oh," she breathed softly. "I see."
She'd never asked again, but he watched her eyes often flicked to it, as if longing for some way that she could wish it off his neck.
Draco cracked his back before stepping into fitted briefs. He'd slept the last three nights in the guest bedroom; he just couldn't handle sleeping in next to Gen anymore. He made the tousled bed with a flick of his hand before padding into the bathroom to brush his teeth and push pomade into his hair. He put on his glasses, which hid his tired eyes. When he emerged Gen was standing in the doorway dressed in a silk nighty and a soft cotton robe.
"I brought you a cup of coffee," she said in a quiet voice, extending it to him.
"Thank you," he said softly, coming over and accepting it.
She reached a tentative hand to stroke his cheek as he took a sip. His eyebrows furrowed at the gesture.
"How did you sleep?" she asked.
He shrugged out of her touch softly, and she dropped her hand at once.
"I'm not sleeping much these days," he admitted.
"I don't think any of us are," she replied. "Is that why you didn't come to bed last night?"
He clenched his jaw but didn't confirm. Finally he simply said, "I was restless and I didn't want to wake you with my tossing and turning."
She nodded even though they both knew it was a lie.
"It's alright," she affirmed. "You can come in with me tonight," she affirmed.
He nodded tightly, but otherwise said nothing. They were silent for a moment before she leaned up to kiss him. He froze, feeling a swelling guilt bubble up, but she didn't relent. Immediately she threaded her hands into his hair, trying to pull closer. He used his free hand to gently pull her away by the wrist.
"I'm going to get in the shower," he said softly, setting down his coffee cup. "We have a lot of things to do before the party at the embassy tonight."
She nodded her agreement.
"Do you want company?" she asked hopefully.
He avoided the question by pecking her again. He could already tell that today would be a bitter struggle, especially considering that he'd be seeing Leolin for the first time.
"Maybe Next time," he lied, and she nodded, bowing her head.
"Of course," she said tightly.
He turned towards the door and retreated away from her.
"Draco," she called in a soft, meek voice. "I love you."
His eyebrows synched together in pain.
"I—" he stammered, trying to stomach the pain in her eyes. "I know," he finished.
She looked anguished so he turned away, heading to the shower instead. Once inside he tipped his head back against the tiles, groaning in pain.
He couldn't do this. He simply couldn't do this for even one more day. He felt a latent sense of guilt for his inability to honor his commitment to Gen and the child, but he couldn't live like this anymore. Even despite the impossible position Gen had put him in with the pregnancy and the baby, he couldn't force himself to accept his current situation. He knew there was a good chance she'd bolt when he violated their contact and left her for good, but even that wasn't enough to force him to stay anymore. She couldn't hide from him forever, and in the end he'd get his child back. He would even let her remain to help him raise it, but he wouldn't allow her to do it without him.
A hideous thought occurred to him. What if she aborted the baby as recompense for his leaving? What would he do then? Draco took a deep, shuttering breath. He knew it wouldn't come to that. Despite what everyone thought of Gen, he knew her best. She'd been badly wounded by her own mother, and like Draco she also yearned for a child of her own to right her mother's wrongs. Draco was her Leolin, he knew that, but if truly faced with losing his love, she wouldn't give up what she so desperately desired out of spite. Gen was spiteful—bitterly so, in fact—but she wasn't inherently cruel.
Still, the thought gave him pause. Perhaps he ought to stay the course. It was, in terms of the baby, the safest route. He would be able to hold them the minute they were born, look into their eyes for the first time and assure them he loved them. That was so immensely powerful, he felt momentarily overwhelmed. Was he truly ready to sacrifice that moment? He was confident that he would find Gen eventually were she to flee, but it admittedly could be years. The child could be old enough to have formed their familial attachments, and he could forever be on the outside. If Gen had a five-year head start on him, she would always have the greatest influence. The prospect was admittedly difficult. He could be a stranger to his own child.
The war raged as the water pummeled him. The woman he loved or the child he'd yet to meet. One moment he was struck with a blinding clarity and Leolin was the only choice. The next he was imagining the soft weight of a child in his arms, and the ache was so acute he felt unsteady on his feet.
By the time he stepped out he was still unsolved. Some part of him registered that night was monumental for their campaign to stop his father, and he tried to focus on that. However, it was hard. Finally he managed to get his feelings somewhat under control, and he got dressed and sat down at his desk, owling Blaise and the others and devising their plan for the evening. Even the embassy's wards were wearing thin, and they had to be sure they didn't burst while they were inside. If they did, they'd all be sitting ducks. For a moment Draco imagined Adrian's slimy hands all over Leolin, and he clenched his teeth.
Perhaps he should keep Gen from going; he didn't want her in unnecessary danger. He only wished he could convince Leolin to do the same, even knowing that was impossible. She always wanted to be where the fighting was hottest, and even though it made him fretful to see her in danger, he admitted that she was needed on the front line. That was, perhaps, one of the things he loved most about her; she was clever and resourceful and utterly without fear. Or rather, she was full of it, but she never allowed it to consume her.
He stood.
He needed to clear his head. Heading for the closet, he dressed in tracksuit bottoms and a zip-up, stepping into all-black trainers before emerging.
"Gen?" he called, jogging down the stairs. "I'm going for a run. I'll be back later."
Gen was standing in the kitchen as he entered, still dressed in her pajamas.
"Is that really safe?" she asked softly. "Adrian and the others are still out there looking for us."
"I know," he agreed. "But I'll be careful."
Her slender arms softly encircled his waist as she tipped her head back. Her blonde hair cascaded down her back. It was clear what she wanted, and he warred over whether he could really give it to her. He looked down at her candidly. She really was exquisite. Her eyes were deep pools of brown so dark they were practically obsidian, and they were framed by long, sooty lashes. He imagined a son or daughter with eyes as dark. Some part of him longed to love her simply to make things less painful. However, if he couldn't love her in this perfect state, he never could.
That didn't keep him from brushing a tentative hand down her cheek. She pushed forward to press her lips to his, though his response was feeble at best.
"I love you," she repeated. "Come back to me in one piece."
He nodded stiffly.
"I will."
He headed out, not knowing quite where he was going. However, he feet seemed to carry him to where he needed to be. Forty-five minutes later he found himself standing outside Ariadne's door and knocking.
"Draco," she said in surprise at seeing him. "What are you doing here?"
"Can I talk to you?" he said. "It's urgent."
"Of course," she said, extending a hand and ushering him in. "Come in."
When Draco had left for his run, Gen slumped onto the couch and began to sob. In eight weeks since he'd severed ties with Leolin, she had watched him valiantly struggle to love her again instead. However, in the end he couldn't seem to manage it. These days he slept in the guest room more than he slept in their own bed, and it was agony to watch him wilt away. It was only the baby that bound him to her, and even if it had been real, it had started to feel it wouldn't be enough to win him back.
Of course, that was only one half of her troubles. The other half was of course that there was no baby. Merlin, what was she going to do? She'd put herself in such a desperate position, and some small part of her simply wanted to give up. Clearly she was never really going to be enough for him. Still, she just couldn't let go. Even though Leolin was clearly the Draco's love of his life, he still remained the true love of Gen's.
Draco had seen who she really was at once, and he cared for her and loved her in a way no one else had before. She'd been adored by many men before him, including Ashley and Max and Beau, but Draco had been the only one to reach in and touch her soul. Perhaps she should have known from the moment Leolin's descended those stairs in that red dress that her and Draco's love was destined to end, but she still yearned to know what might have been had Leolin never returned. She and Draco could have been truly happy together. She knew that, and so did he. Still, she couldn't fight fate, which was hell-bent on uniting the two of them.
Gen knew she was making Draco monstrously unhappy by shackling him to her, but she simply could bear the thought of him abandoning her after everything they'd been through together. Gen had been a balm for the aching wound Leolin had caused, and Draco had offered her the love she should have received from her mother and father.
To lose this love would be to never love again. To lose this love was to accept that she would never obtain the sort of love that Draco bestowed on Leolin; the sort father had borne for her mother; the sort mother afforded her stepfather.
But what could she do? If there was a remedy to any of this, she couldn't see it. Where could she turn? To Max, certainly, or to Ashley, but this was admittedly beyond either of their control. Max would urge her to walk away and start again, and Ashley would make another greedy play for her hand in marriage. She didn't want advice, though; she wanted a solution. As impossible as she knew it was, she wanted someone to offer her a way to win Draco back. The problem was that no one had that power.
Unless…
No, she thought at once. As desperate as she was, she knew she couldn't go there. It would be a monstrous betrayal's of Draco's trust, even worse than the false pregnancy, and it seemed almost more terrible than losing Draco. Besides, one could never get something for nothing; there would be a terrible price for what she wanted.
Of course, she hadn't agreed to anything yet. She ought to just go. If the price was too steep, she'd simply walk away. Besides, she'd been watching Leolin closely for months. Gen had a dark suspicion Leolin was on some sort of leash, and that she was more tangled up in this that she'd even admit to Draco. That meant she was likely in a position of compromise, and for the right price, her fate could be leveraged in Gen's favour.
Gen rose, her resolve growing. What else could she do? This was her only hope at salvaging what little was left of her and Draco's relationship. She ascended the stairs numbly, bathing quickly and dressing. She rarely wore black, but eventually she found a dark sheath dress and put it on. She hoped she looked serious; she wanted to prove she meant business. Grabbing her purse, she scrawled a quick note to Draco saying she'd gone out and would be back in time for the party. She doubted he would wonder where she'd gone anyhow, but it was nice to pretend.
She considered her destination. It had been a while, years really, since she'd been there, but she thought she might still know the way, and she was right. She chewed her lip, staring at the glossy varnish of the front door of a handsome flat. She raised her fist to knock before lowering it, at violent war with herself. If she did this, she could never undo it. Still, when she remembered the sparkle in Draco's eyes as he fell to one knee and asked her to marry him, her mind was firmly made up, and wrapped on the door so smartly her knuckles stung. There was no immediate answer, and every second of silence knawed at her resolve. Merlin, what was she doing? She was many things, but she was not this. She could't sink this low, even for Draco. Besides, she still had the pregnancy trick up her sleeve, and she needed to trust it was enough. Hurriedly she backed down the stairs. However, before she could apparate away, the lock clicked and the door swung in.
"Genevieve," Adrian purred coolly, his mesmerising gold eyes studying her disapassionately. "What a surprise. It's been an age."
"I—" she stammered stupidly.
He crossed one lithe arm over the other.
"What can I do for you?"
She bit her lip.
"I—may I come in?"
He didn't replied, scrutinising her instead. However, after several seconds he swung the door in to admit her. She meekly scuttled across the threshold, and he glanced around the quiet street before swinging the door shut.
The minute they were alone, her roughly grabbed her wrist.
"First things first," he sneered. "Does anyone know you're here?"
"No," she squeaked. "And no one can."
He gave a crooked smile.
"Good answer."
He drew his wand and flourished it, and a painful shock zipped up her arm.
"Ouch!" she cried, cradling her arm to her chest. "Why did you do that?"
"Whatever it is you want from me," he replied coolly. "Stays between us."
"It will," she said. "You have my word."
"Sod that," he said. "You just gave me something better."
"Whatever charm he'd used pulsed blue in her vein. She nodded fearfully and he laughed.
"Right," he said, turning his back to her. "As eager as I am to watch you betray your friends for something undoubtedly petty, I need a shower. Stay down here, don't make any noise, and don't touch anything. I'll be back in a bit."
She nodded, and he rolled his eyes at her schoolgirl-esque compliance. He turned, tugging his t-shirt over his head and revealing the elegant mosaic of lean muscles in his back. When he was halfway up the stairs, she made a decision.
"Adrian?" she called. He turned, visibly annoyed.
"What?" he snapped coolly.
"I'm sorry," she said quietly. "About your brother. I really am."
He considered this, and his expressive was eerily calm. She couldn't say quite why, but his impassivity was chilling.
"Keep your pathetic apology," he said imperiously. "I have no interest in your sympathy, and I can assure you that I've only begun to make your friends suffer for what they've done."
She said nothing, and he raised his eyebrows, gold irises glinting. Seared by his gaze, she turned away, and he continued up the stairs and out of sight.
At first she tried to do as she was told and stay put, but she was harbouring too much nervous energy, and finally she stood, cautiously ambulating through the luxuriously appointed den. It's décor was as predictably boastful and haughty as its designer, though even she had to admit he had good taste. She eyed the warm leather couches, the expensive art of the walls, and the three elegant bookcases, the spines of their various books perfectly neat. It did surprise her, however, when she approached the mantle of the sleek fireplace to find three picture frames. She threw a cautious glance towards the staircase and approached.
The first, she surmised, was the Slytherin quidditch team, though she noted at once Draco wasn't in the picture. It must have been taken after he'd been banned. She'd never gotten a full run-down of the whole incident—Draco had never been eager to talk about it and neither had Ginny or Blaise—but he'd always insisted it had been well worth the punishment.
In the photo Leolin stood annoyingly at centre, holding a gleaming trophy aloft and beaming. She was tucked under Blaise's arm, and they grinned at each other often. To Leolin's left was, surprisingly, Adrian. What was even more surprising was the lack of animosity between then. Leolin always insisted they'd never gotten on, even in school, but in the picture they seemed rather friendly. Occasionally Leolin would look away from Blaise to tussle with Adrian, though they were smiling at each other. The warmth between them, however tepid, was admittedly unsettling.
Next to the team photo was a picture of Adrian's family. His parents looked surprisingly normal, and Gen could see at once that Adrian had inherited his striking good looks from his mother. She was regal and blithe, smiling at the camera with her hands resting on ten-year-old Adrian's shoulder. Her husband stood next to her, looking pleasant as well. Four-year-old Tommy was perched happily on his hip. Gen watched Adrian's mother smooth his tawny hair back affectionately, her wedding ring sparkling as she did so. His parents seemed so normal. Had Adrian really inherited his cruelty from them, or was he just the rotten fruit on an otherwise healthy tree?
It was the last frame that truly surprised Gen, and against her better judgment, she picked it up for a better look. The photo had been taken of Adrian and Isobel's wedding day, and they both looked incredible. Gen remembered being extremely jealous of Isobel's dress. It was covered in thousands of crystals, and it sparkled magnifiscently in the sun. Isobel was beaming up at Adrian, and his pearly teeth glinted as he returned the gesture. He was wearing a smart gray tux and tails. Gen noticed Tate Rawle and Graham Montague standing behind the happy couple in similar entire, smirking at their friend's good fortune at having married such a beautiful woman. Adrian wrapped a hand around the back of Isobel's neck and bent for an outrageously sexy kiss. Everyone around them reacted with cheers and wolf whistles Gen could still hear. It was strange to think how badly things had ended between them; in the photo, their love looked eternal.
As she went to set the frame back down, she realised there was something on the back, she flipped it over to look. The back of the photo was still visible, and there was a note written in what was clearly Isobel's calligraphic script.
To My Darling Husband,
So you can remember how sinfully beautiful I was
when I'm gray and wrinkled.
All My Love,
Your Isobel
The note had been partially obscured by a sinister crimson stain that seemed to have originated from a small item affixed above the note. It was the ring Isobel had been wearing the last time Gen had seen her. Around it was wrapped a silvery sinew that Gen recognised as a unicorn hair wand core. There could be little doubt whose wand it had belonged to.
She set the frame down at once, feeling sick to her stomach. The picture wasn't a memento, she realised; it was a trophy.
She heard Adrian on the stairs now, and she hurriedly sank back onto the couch, fiddling with her own engagement ring. Adrian finally appeared, shirtless and in dark jeans as he dried his thick hair with a towel. He eyed her with contemptuous amusement as she approached.
"Have you just been sitting here this whole time?" he asked mirthfully.
"You said not to touch anything," she replied in a meek voice, trying to forget what she'd seen.
"Merlin," he said. "It no wonder why Malfoy wants to get rid of you; you've painfully boring."
The barb stung, and she fought not to bow her head. She yearned to dish back the sort of sharp retort Leolin would have likely given, but that type of vitriol wasn't her style, and she remained silent. He gave another small chuckle before grabbing a crisp white oxford and shrugging gracefully into it and beginning on the buttons.
She watched his long fingers deftly work. He was and always had been, she suspected, somewhat slender, but she realized at seeing his naked chest that he was bigger and stronger that she'd ever cared to realise. His chest and stomach were toned and well muscled, and she could see his biceps flexing as he worked. He had a swirling tattoo that covered his right shoulder and swept onto his chest. Finally he looked up to find her watching him.
"Didn't your mother teach you it's impolite to stare?" he asked smugly, clearly reveling in the attention.
"I wasn't—" she stammered. "I don't even think you're—"
"What?" he finished. "Handsome? Don't be coy, Beauchene. We both know I am."
She flushed and wrapped her arms protectively around herself, and he gave her a cruel smile.
"No need for that," he said, sounding latently and ironically annoyed at her vanity, particularly considering his own. "You're not my type. I don't like blondes, and I prefer a woman with curves. I suppose you could say Draco and I have that in common."
He flashed her a dazzling smile and she clenched her jaw, making him laugh.
"Would you like a drink before we start? Something tells me you're going to need one."
"Gin martini," she said as he padded to the bar on the far wall. "Thank you."
He nodded and began fixing it for her. He then poured himself an expensive Kentucky bourbon, eased the martini into her grip, and settled onto the couch, kicking his Spanish leather boots onto the glass coffee table in front of him.
"Now," he said, taking a sip and watching her do the same. "What can I do for you?"
She considered her answer carefully.
"I need your help."
"I see," he said, taking another casual sip. "I don't suppose I have to ask with what."
"No," she admitted. "I suppose you don't."
"I'm surprised it's taken you this long, to be perfectly honest. "When Leolin showed up to the gala in that red dress, I expected you to be in my hotel room waiting for me."
"I figured you were busy," she said flippantly, taking a heady sip to loosen the knot in her throat.
"So I was. But now you have my rapt attention. What exactly is it you want?"
"I need to get rid of Leolin."
He smirked and took a sip.
"And what do you expect me to do about that?"
She blinked back her surprise.
"You—" she stammered. "She—"
"Eventually yes," he agreed. "But unfortunately for you, that's not on my immediate agenda."
"Why not?
He shrugged.
"Maybe I'm too busy at the moment. Maybe I have plans for her in the meantime. Maybe I want to wait for her to win Draco back before I make her my creature." He shrugged again as if the matter meant very little to him. "Either way, I can't see how it's any of your business."
"It is my business," she said resolutely. "You know it is."
"Perhaps," he agreed. "But I have to wonder if you're really ready to accept my help."
"What do you mean?"
"It doesn't bother you?" he goaded. "If I do this for you, you'll be selling her soul to me. Sure you can do that to her? To Draco?"
"Y'all's history doesn't involve me," she said, trying not to absorb his cruel chatter. "Whatever's between you is your business."
He gave a smooth laugh, eyes and teeth flashing menacingly.
"That's cold, Genevieve," he mocked. "Even by my standards."
She looked down at her trembling hands, and he kicked his feet off the table, leaning towards her until she forearms were resting on his knees. He was close enough that she could smell his cologne, and it was cool and sharp.
"I want to make something inescapably clear," he announced. "After I win Draco back for you, I'm going to rip Leolin's life in two, and you're going to help me do it. I won't do all your dirty work for you. If you really want this, you're going to have to come claim it yourself."
She was silent.
"Understood?"
She nodded mutely. She was shaking like a dead leaf.
"Still think you want my help?"
She couldn't speak. Did she?"
"Going once," he warned.
The sick gleam in his eyes gave her serious pause. She wasn't sure if she could really do this, even for Draco.
"Going twice."
However, when she considered an eternity without him, she felt like she couldn't breathe.
"Going three times. Last chance, Genevieve. Do you want Draco back or not?"
"Yes," she croaked at last.
"I'm sorry," he crowed arrogantly, leaning farther in and putting a hand to his ear. "I didn't quite catch that."
"Yes," she bit out louder. "Please help me."
He laughed, eyes sparkling like sleek bars of gold.
"I love women," he said in condescension. "They'd give up anything to be loved."
He stood and affixed his Captain's badge to his belt and slide his wand into the holster at his right hip.
"Where are you going?" she asked fretfully.
"I can't give you what you want. I'm taking you to the one person who can."
"Lucius?" she croaked. "No, I—I can't."
He shrugged.
"Fine," he said calmly. "But in that case, you ought to start shopping around for a date to Leolin's wedding. I would take you myself, but I admit I find you horrendously boring."
Tears were welling in her eyes now. If she went to Draco's father, she would be betraying the very core of who he was. Besides, there was no telling what he would want in exchange. Leolin was Adrian's prize, and Lucius price was likely to be much more dear."
Adrian watched her battle with annoyance.
"Is that all then?" he snapped, growing impatience. "Get out."
She didn't move, lip trembling now.
"Are you fucking deaf?" he snarled. "Get out of my sight before I slap that sorry look off your face. Ask Leolin how hard I hit."
"Fine," she cried, rising to her feet. "I'll go."
"Hurry up, then," he sneered, shrugging into a handsomely-tailored camel coat. "The minister doesn't like to be kept waiting."
She nodded, and he grabbed her by the arm, throwing a handful of powder in the floo with his free hand before all but pushing her into the green flames.
"See you at the ministry," he sneered.
He arrived a second after she did, grabbing her firmly by the elbow again and tugging her at such a clip and she had to jog a little to catch up.
"Slow down," she demanded. "I can barely keep up."
"Sounds like that's a you problem," he said with derision.
She never realized how frightening Adrian was, probably because she hardly even had an occasion to interact with him. He was scaring her. He punched the button on the lift and she stepped in, eying the wand at his hip.
Finally they reached the top floor and Gen followed Adrian. He arrived in front of a pair of French doors.
"Wait here," he snapped, and she nodded, heart hammering.
He disappeared before reappearing a moment later.
"He's ready for you."
She didn't move. Despite the fact that Gen was marrying his son, she'd only met Lucius a handful of times.
"Go on, Genevieve," Adrian sneered, giving her a hateful look to convey how tedious he found her. "It's too late to back out now."
She finally did as she was told and stepped through. Lucius Malfoy was sitting behind his desk. He looked more worn that she'd even seen him. It was no wonder they hadn't seen him in months. He looked almost ill. Still, even drawn and pale he was handsome, and she never failed to be struck by how much he resembled Draco.
"Geneviève," he said in the French pronunciation. "Please, sit."
"Coffee?" Leolin said, gesturing to the china on the tray.
"No, thank you," Gareth said.
Leolin ignored him, picking up the pot and pouring him a cup before handing it to him. She hoped he couldn't see her hands as they continued to quake.
"You look like you could use it."
This time he accepted.
"Thank you," he repeated, taking a sip.
Finally he looked up at her.
"Leolin, I want you to know that I didn't come here to ask your forgiveness," he said candidly.
It seemed as if Azkaban had sapped some of the Welsh lilt from his tone, and his voice was colourless and hollow.
"Good," Leolin said breathlessly, eyes dancing across his worn-out face. "Because you can't have it."
"You should know that I am sorry, though," he said. "I can begin to tell you how much."
"Because you spent four years rotting in prison for what you did? I think anyone would be sorry under those circumstances."
"No," he said in a strained voice. "Because in prison all I had was time to think, and I thought about you a lot. I was young and arrogant; I really had convinced myself I wasn't guilty of any real crime. It was only after about a year and a half in that I began to see myself the way you must see me. I guarantee you couldn't possibly hate me half as much as I hate myself."
Her brow creased and she looked away. His plea had resonated somewhere deep inside of her. She remembered what he father had once told her about forgiveness.
"Leolin, forgiveness is the greatest human capacity insofar as it attempts the impossible: to undo what has been done and succeed in making a new beginning when everything seemed to have come to an end."
She nodded stiffly, finally meeting his eye. Tears were shining in hers.
"Then make it up to me by proving me I can trust you."
He nodded, too.
"I mean to," he agreed.
There was a long silence where she considered him.
"Isobel Lorde told us what happened with Merys and Tommy Pucey," she admitted. "I'm sorry."
He bowed his head, voice choked with tears.
"The healers were only able to reverse some of the damage, and she's been struggling ever since. She's started talking to herself, and she'll burst into these fits about what happened. Gods, it's so agonising. I think—maybe this is my punishment for what I did to you. If my dad wasn't dead and Merys didn't need me so much, I would have killed myself forever ago."
Leolin thought of all the cruel things she'd seen Adrian and the others do and she bowed her head.
"He's dead, you know," she said at last. "Tommy Pucey. We got jammed up during a mission a few months ago, and one of our spies ended up slitting his throat. I know that doesn't change what happened to her, but at least you know his karma caught up to him."
"I'm glad," he bit out. "I hope he's burning in bloody hell."
"He is," she assured him. "I know he is."
Gareth nodded.
"Thank you," he agreed, and when she looked into his bright green eyes again, a jolt of fear touched her, and she scooted away.
Even as a wraith he was a powerful man, and she knew what happened when you got to closer to a viper; they would strike.
"I feel terrible for Merys," Leolin said. "But doesn't mean I can use your skills or that I trust you."
He nodded.
"I've been working on protective charms since I got out," he said. "Since Merys got hurt. I suspect you have a number of curse breakers, but you need defense as well as offense. There are fewer and fewer places to hide these days; at some point you're going to run out of them and Pucey will be on you. There's chatter all over; I started hearing it in Azkaban and it seems like I hear more talk of it every day. He's desperate to bring you and Malfoy down. Especially you."
She bit her lip.
"That's old news, I'm afraid."
"Doesn't make it any less true," Gareth affirmed. "Please, you need my help."
Leolin considered.
"It's been a long time Gareth, but I haven't forgotten how it felt."
He hung his head.
"I wish I could take that back," he said, and she knew he was telling the truth. "But I can't. Please, you'll never have to see me; I'll stay out of your way. I know whatever I do can never be enough, but I want to atone in any way I can. Please, for Merys."
"Make an unbreakable vow," Leolin said resolutely, standing.
"What?" Gareth said, as the wall of water faded down around them.
Blair, Ginny, and Felix stood protectively at the edge, and Harry and Blaise had joined them.
Leolin extended her arm.
"Make an unbreakable vow to never betray me and I'll accept your penance."
Gareth stood, grabbing her arm at the wrist. It was a bit hard to stomach his touch, but she admitted the ache was dull at best.
"Ren?" Leolin said expectantly.
Felix should and drew his wand with a quick, menacing swish. After a moment a bright light shot out, making a figure eight around their locked wrists.
"Will you, Gareth Rhydderich, swear not to speak of a word of anything you hear from Leolin or any other order member?"
"I will."
"And do you swear to do as you've promised and strengthen our protective defenses, particularly where Leolin is considered?"
"I swear," Gareth intoned.
"And should Leolin fall into peril, do you swear you will protect her to the best of your ability?"
"Yes," Gareth said, eyes dancing across the bridge of her nose. "I swear."
"Then the vow is made," Felix said with finality. "Join us or perish, Rhydderich."
Gareth gave Leolin a final pained look.
"I'm with you until the bitter end," he promised. "I solemnly swear."
"Should I put the kettle on?" Ariadne asked, ushering Draco in.
He gave a feeble laugh.
"You know I'm not much for tea," he said, and she smiled.
"There's ice in the bucket on the bar, then," she offered. "Help yourself."
Draco nodded, dropping two cubes into his glass before dousing them with vodka. He took a hearty sip before refilling and sinking onto the couch. He rested his elbows on his knees as he drove his hands into his hair, and Ariadne sank down beside him, touching his back soothingly.
"I'm sorry," he bit out at once. "I know it isn't really fair for me to be here. It's just—my mum is still in Greece and I didn't know where else to go."
Ariadne considered.
"I suppose that I don't need to ask what this is about," she said gently.
"Certainly not," Draco said in a soft voice.
"Talk to me," Ariadne said.
"I've been such a prideful idiot," Draco choked, his throat tight. "If I'd just been honest with myself we wouldn't be in this position."
Ariadne took a deep breath that stood in lieu of a verbal confirmation.
"What was I thinking?" Draco demanded. "I've always known what Leolin means to me."
"That's in the past, Draco," Ariadne reminded him. "You can't change what's already been done."
"What am I going to do?" he asked in misery. "I can't live this way. I'm—I'm not myself without her. I just—"
Draco's shoulders rounded forward and he buried a groan in his hands.
"But you're worried about the baby," Ariadne surmised.
Draco sat up a bit.
"Gen and I signed a contract," he admitted. "If I break it, she'll run off and I'll never see her again. I'm not sure I could live with myself for losing the baby, even if I had Leolin by my side."
He looked up at her.
"Tell me what I should do."
She bowed her head.
"You've been put in an extraordinarily difficult spot, I know," Ariadne said sorrowfully at last. "But in the end no one can tell you what to do. You have to make that decision for yourself, and after you've made it you have to live with it. I know that's not really advice, but it's the best I have." She touched his cheek. "I'm sorry."
He held her hand there a moment.
"I'm sorry, Ariadne," he said in anguish. "It's my fault we're in this mess."
Ariadne shook her head.
"I don't blame you," she affirmed, pained. "I know how hard this has been for you."
"I don't want you to hate me," he said. "You and Adrian are family to me."
Ariadne's eyebrows synched together in agony.
"We always will be," she said.
"You have to know how much I love her," Draco said. "Please."
"I do," she agreed. "I know she feels the same."
Draco bowed his head again.
"If you had been forced to choose between keeping Leolin as a baby and the love of your life, what would you have done?" he said softly.
"I'm afraid Leolin is the love of my life," Ariadne admitted. "So honestly I can't say what I would do were I in your position."
"I want to choose her," Draco begged. "I love her so much sometimes I wonder if the baby even matters. It's just—"
Ariadne nodded.
"I know. You want to do what's right."
Draco hung his head.
"I know everyone's thinking I should just marry Leolin and raise the baby with Gen, but it's not that simple. The minute Gen gets even a whiff of this she'll be gone, and if there wasn't a war coming that wouldn't worry me; there's would be nowhere that she could hide that I wouldn't eventually find her. But when the Deatheaters tear Europe open, there will be a million cracks for her to slip into and I'll never be able to find her again. Even if I were to go home and lock her up right now, I'd have no way to keep an eye on her when the conflict starts. Besides, what right do I have to lock her up like a prisoner?"
"I don't know," Ariadne said.
"Ari please," Draco begged, closing his eyes as she soothingly touched his cheek with a cool palm. "What should I do?"
"What can I say?" Ariadne admitted at last. "Leolin is my daughter, Draco; all I want in this world is her happiness. I would be lying to you if I didn't admit I want to see you choose her, consequences be damned. But I can also understand your dilemma. Ironically so, in fact. The love a parent bestows on a child is transcendent. If someone had tried to take Leolin from me even for a tiny second, I would have given up everything I had to keep her. In the end, I can't tell you what to do. It will pain me to see you walk away from Leolin, but I won't stop you if that's what you decide to do."
Draco nodded, standing.
"I should—I need to go. I have to—"
"I know," Ariadne said softly. "I understand."
"Will we see you tonight?"
Ariadne shook her head.
"An envoy from the French Minister managed to get into London tonight. We're going to see him to find out what, if anything, the French are prepared to do."
Draco nodded.
"I will see you soon, then."
"Yes," Ariadne agreed. "Soon."
Draco bent to brush a kiss on her cheek as she smoothed his tracksuit jacket.
"Watch your back tonight," Ariadne said. "Promise me."
He nodded tightly before looking her in the eye.
"I'll do you one better," he said softly. "I promise to watch Leolin's."
Genevieve squirmed as Lucius's silver eyes swung in wide arcs across her face.
"Genevieve," he said, smiling pleasantly. "How lovely to see you."
She said nothing, already regretting coming here. The fact that Lucius had anticipated her visit made her supremely uneasy.
"Thank you," she said stiffly.
"If you don't mind me saying," Lucius continued. "You are positively glowing. Your new—situation suits you."
She fought to keep her expression neutral and he watched her struggle and smiled.
"You're going to be an excellent mother, Genevieve," he continued.
"Thank—" she began, but he cut her off.
"Or rather, you would have been. Oh dear, what will we do when dear Draco finds out?"
"I don't know what you're talking about," she stammered.
She wasn't sure why she was lying about it; she would have to tell him the true if she truly wanted his help.
"Oh come now, darling; don't be naïve. Before I was Minister I was the Lord of Knockturn Alley. Did you really think you could sneak into the apothecary with a secret as big as yours and I wouldn't hear about it?"
"I—" she said, throat tight. "I don't know."
"Of course you didn't," he supplied. "No one could be that arrogant and stupid."
The barb stung and she bit her lip, feeling desperate.
"I admit it's quite the dilemma. I'm afraid Leolin has all but won Draco away from you, baby or no, and when he finds out the truth he will run back to her without a second glance."
She bowed her head and he gave a cool smirk.
"Aren't you going to tell me I'm wrong?"
She was choking back tears now.
"How can I," she said bitterly. "When I know it's true?"
"Good," Lucius said, nodding. "Good girl. Now we can be honest with each other."
"Can you help me?" she asked in a soft voice.
He considered, folding his hands and resting them on his desk.
"Help you with what, exactly? The way I see it, you have more than one serious problem on your plate. Draco's already halfway out the door, and the only thing keeping him is a lie. That contact ploy was clever, I'll admit, but without a baby it's null and void."
"I know," she admitted. "That's why I need help withLeolin," she said after a moment.
"And what exact would you like me to do about her? Kill her?"
"No!" she burst. "I—I don't want her blood on my hands. Besides, that—isn't enough at this point. If she were to die, she would just be Draco's perfect martyr. I would cease to exist for him."
He nodded.
"Fair point. Besides, when he finds out there's no baby, it won't matter if Leolin was never born; Draco would never forgive you for lying to him like that."
"I know," she said dolefully. "But I—" she trailed off.
"Yes," he agreed. "One problem at a time."
"Please," she said. "Is there—is there anything you can do about Leolin?"
He smiled.
"As a matter of fact, there might be."
She swallowed.
"I'm listening."
"It just so happening I have some…leverage. A game-changer, if you will."
"Enough to send her away again?" Gen asked softly.
"Enough to turn the tide. When Draco hears what I have, he'll never want to speak to Leolin again. He'll come back to you at once."
"What could you possibly have—"
"Ah, ah, ah," he said in a cool voice. "Don't be greedy, Genevieve."
"And you're sure it will work?"
"Believe me," Lucius said. "Even the armour of their love has a small chink in the chain. It's a weakness they've both forgotten, but I guarantee when it comes to light Draco will never forgive her."
"I can't imagine anything—"
"Have you forgotten already how much Draco hated her when she showed up in England after so many years away?"
"No," she said resolutely. "But he's forgiven her for that, and he doesn't even know why she left."
"Lucky you," he said slyly. "That would be a deal-breaker, I'm afraid. My influence only stretches so far, you understand."
She considered and her heart plummeted like a lead broomstick.
"You," she whispered. "You're the reason she had to leave."
"She never would have left him on her own," he admitted. "She needed a little…nudge."
"Draco can never know," she said.
"And he never will. I'm fully aware she's looking for a way to break her silence, but I promise once I let my secret fly the fight will bleed right out of her. This time she'll go on her own and she'll never come back. You have my word on that."
She nodded. She felt a small modicum of hope bobbing in her chest.
"Now," he said slyly. "Let's talk about your other little problem. You could have a miscarriage, I suppose, but that would admittedly push Draco away a little. You could also continue to try with Draco, but the acceptable window for that is closing rapidly. Even with Leolin out of the picture, it would be difficult for the two of you to conceive. He's been taking preventatives since you two's little scare two years ago, and that takes time for that to disappate in the body. You, however, are primed for conception. All those potions to offset your contraceptives will he purged your hormones rather quickly."
"What are you suggesting?" she asked. "I go back to my cousin?"
"If you'd like," he said calmly. "After all, he's blonde like Draco, and things like eye colour can be manipulated. However, bone structure cannot. Given my and Draco's resemblance, I suspect he's expecting to see much of himself in the baby."
She considered in puzzlement as he raised his eyebrows.
"What you really need, my angel, is a Malfoy heir."
"No," she said at once. "You? I could never. You—I couldn't bear to let you touch me."
"Am I so ugly?" he smiled, teeth dazzling. Even half dead he was alluring.
"I—"
"I assure you this is a business arrangement," he said dispassionately. "I have no desire to take you as a mistress."
"Still," she said, trying to ignore all the ways in which it could make sense. "I could never betray Draco like that."
"Don't be so parochial," he snapped. "You've already betrayed him. When you rip Leolin from his arms, you'll betray him again! Besides, if your eldest child doesn't resemble the others, Draco will start asking questions. I can't allow that."
She looked at him again, at his glittering silver eyes, his long nose and strong jaw and perfect lips. If she were to drink several glasses of wine, he would be Draco.
"Is this part of your price?" she asked softly.
"Yes," he said bluntly. "And if it fails then I'll help you fake to near full-term and miscarry. Leolin will be six months in the past by then, and Draco will be grief-stricken and need your comfort."
She bowed her head.
"Fine," she said. "I have no choice. I'll do it."
He smiled at having gotten his way.
"Don't look so glum," Lucius said in a smooth, rich voice. "I'm an excellent lover. If you don't believe me, you can ask Leolin."
She nodded tightly, choking back tears before standing.
"Ah, ah, ah," Lucius said. "We haven't talked about payment. You can't have something for nothing, you know."
"What could I possibly offer you that you don't already have?"
His eyes glittered and she wrapped her arms protectively around herself. He shook his head in annoyance.
"I don't want anything so common as sex," he sneered. "I'll ride you once and that will be pleasure enough. Besides, your possess something far more valuable than your beauty, formidable though it may be. Three years ago Adrian found a spy in my administration. An accountant named Alannis Kemp from Virginia. We rarely hire Americans, of course, but she came so highly recommended. Naturally, though, we had to kill her when we found out, but we did manage to find out before she died that she was part of a larger organization. I sent Adrian stateside at once, but progress was slow. Still, at some point he started gaining ground. He followed a Gage Martin back to the States. Imagine our surprise when he met with your good friend Beau Tanner!"
Gen's mouth was bone-dry.
"I—"
He held up a hand and continued.
"The problem was that when we bled Martin dry, he still didn't give up any secrets. As if he couldn't. That's when we began to suspect that he was under a protective spell. I sent my Spanish metamorphagus assassin after your friend Beau, but he was more cautious than Martin, and we never could lay a hand on him. He was too close to Draco though his association with you, and I couldn't afford to tip Draco off at that time. We realised ages ago that he wasn't involved in the ring, and we didn't want to give him leverage.
So we kept digging. It seemed that there was a kingpin that was just out a sight. And that Beau and perhaps your cousin were involved. Of course, the link between them seemed to be you. The problem was that you didn't seem to move around enough to be controlling anything. That's when Adrian put something rather brilliant together. The kingpin would also need a secret keeper to protect his identity, and he'd want someone outside of the hierarchy. It kept him safe and his agents along with him. Still, he'd need an outsider he could trust, someone unassuming but loyal. Someone like you, Genevieve."
She shook her head.
"I don't know what you're talking about!" she cried. "Please, you've got it all wrong!"
"I'm going to let you in on a little secret," he spit. "I am miles ahead of your new Order. My victory is already assured. If you don't give me what I want, you'll lose Draco and I'll still burn your world to the ground. I will bring down this house of cards, I promise you that, and you'll have nothing."
"No," she said. "Even despite that I could never—"
With a flick of his wrist two silvery figures appeared in the room.
"I love you," Draco's wraith begged, his misty form kneeling at Leolin's feet. "With everything I am."
She stroked his hair as he continued.
"How could have I ever been so stupid to think I could love again in your absence?"
"Please," she begged. "You don't have to lie to me. I know you loved Gen once."
He shook his head violently.
"You confuse her feelings with mine. I may be the love of her life, but you are the love of mine. I could never love her as long as I have you. You're my sun and stars."
But the time the apparitions faded, Gen was in tears.
"Give me what I want or lose the one love you'll ever have," Lucius pressed.
"I can't!"
"Give me the kingpin and I'll give you you're happy ending."
"There are hundreds of lives at risk!"
"Give me a name now and I promise to give the kingpin a quick, painless death. Fail to tell me and I flay the skin from his bones."
"He trusted me!"
"Last chance, Genevieve," he warned."It's now or never. Give me what I want before I change my mind and give Leolin and Draco the life together they're both so desperate for!"
Gen bit her lip. She thought of her mother, her father, the look in Draco's eyes as he dropped to one knee and asked her to be his wife.
"No, wait!" Gen said, heaving from the tears.
She was still a moment as her eyes fluttered closed and several fat tears rolled down her cheeks.
"I'll tell you."
He gave a sickening smile.
"You have my rapt attention."
"Max," she said at last. "It's Max Brankovitch. He's the one you're looking for. He's the one controlling the operation. Beau and the others are just his agents."
The minute she said his name a cold wind encircled her. She prayed he'd felt it too and knew to run.
Lucius laughed.
"Draco is as good as yours," Lucius promised, triumph gleaming in his eyes. "Now let's remedy your other little problem, shall we?"
He rose, shedding his coat and slithering around the desk. She flinched as he slid up behind her. A sob bubbled up and she didn't stop it. He reached around to grab a fistful of her skirt and pull it up. He pushed a hand into her knickers and she squeezed her eyes shut. She imagined watching Draco hold the baby in his arms.
"Relax," Lucius commanded softly but imperiously. "It makes my job easier."
His fingers were skilled, and she felt a small tingle. However, it was quickly swallowed by her swelling disgust.
"Bend over," he said when satisfied she was wet.
She didn't move.
He pushed her roughly down onto the shined mahogany.
"I said bend over," he demanded, pulling her skirt up again. "And try not to cry too loudly. It's terribly tedious."
A/N: Things are unraveling fast now! How do you feel about Gen now? What about Adrian? Lucius's leverage? What is Draco going to do? Is Max safe? Can Gareth be trusted? His and Gen's pictures had been added to the image bank. As always, REVIEW! The more feedback the faster I write!