Harry apparated back to his home but not to his front porch as he usually did. Instead, he chose the garden in the back of the house as the place to travel to. He walked slowly through it, down the paths so carefully cultivated by Draco that wound about the patches of different herbs and flowers and plants used in his potions. Late spring gave so much warmth and life to the garden… It was all very pleasant to look at but he wasn't looking at any of it at all… he moved to a small and lovingly tended patch of grass in the back of the yard where a small cherub angel statue stood with a smile on its face, holding her hands skyward with her wings flared as if taking off in joy. At the base of the statue was a plaque of black marble, and carved in it were the words:
IN MEMORY OF ANDIE POTTER-MALFOY
TOO SOON YOU FLEW FROM OUR ARMS…
BUT YOU WILL NEVER CEASE BEING LOVED.
He sighed softly as he sank to a seat beside the small statue in the garden. He gazed at the words a long time before he reached to touch the stone, his fingers lightly drifting across the engraved words. "She'll pay, Andie, I swear it… she'll pay for taking you from us…" he murmured.
The sound of simple happiness broke through the miasma of pain and grief he was feeling; he could hear giggling and his eyes were drawn to Angel, bounding about after her Kneazle through the flowerbeds, running and squealing with the unbridled joy of innocent childhood. He couldn't help but smile at her antics. Yes, there was grief and pain in his life… but there was joy and love as well.
"Hey, baby…" Draco moved over to sit beside him and Harry took his hand and kissed it softly. Draco then slipped his arms about his husband, worried about him. He hardly ever came back here to the little memorial they had put up for their baby girl… "Are you all right…?"
Harry took a moment to compose himself; he knew he had to tell Draco but was highly reluctant to do so. "Ron and Hermione are having problems…" Harry murmured as an excuse for his mood, holding Draco close. "Ron is so torn up…"
Draco returned the embrace warmly, soothing his husband with his touch. "I knew something more was going on than what he came to talk to us about… have you gotten anywhere on that case…?"
"Still working on it…" he sighed.
"You don't think they're going to split up do you…? Rosie even knows something is wrong; she asked me to make a potion to help her daddy get back to his normal self… there has to be something we can do…"
"I'm doing what I can, but… in the end I don't think they'll pull through and stay together." He said softly. "Hermione's going to Azkaban and I'll be the one who sends her there…"
"Azkaban…?! What in Merlin's name has she done…?"
"Angel isn't the only child she created from stolen sperm…"
Draco was stunned by this news. Hermione never seemed to be the type to even get into the slightest bit of trouble, once Voldemort was gone anyway… "She did it more than once…? How many, do you know…?"
"No, we're not completely sure yet; but Pansy is definitely the mastermind behind it…"
Now everything made sense. Of course Pansy, that conniving and manipulative wench was pulling the strings. "That makes more sense… I can't see Hermione deciding to do that, but Pansy, most definitely… Even in school she was manipulating people and trying to get the world arranged as she wished it to be… she almost convinced father once that we should be wed…"
"From what we've seen so far of the case, she's hidden her involvement in most everything, and she's managed to arrange things so that Hermione will be hit with all of the blame once its uncovered." Harry answered in a quiet tone. "She's the one who is behind it all… and I will kill her. I'm going to kill her if it's the last thing I do." Harry said in a cold, furious tone.
Draco gazed at Harry questioningly. "Pansy's done more than steal sperm to make babies…? What else has she done…?"
Harry could not meet Draco's eyes. "She's a murderer. Worse than Voldemort ever was…" He whispered.
"Murder…? Oh Merlin… she's killed babies…?" Draco murmured.
"Apparently the Death Eaters didn't want to have any little witches…"
"She killed your daughters…?! That unholy bitch…!" Draco's eyes darkened with anger and grief.
"She did more than that." Harry's hand touched the stone again, tears brimming in his eyes. "She killed our Andie."
"…What…?"
"She killed her because she thought we would continue to go to the clinic; she could get more samples from us so that she could sell them and get richer…"
"She… but how…? How could she have…? The doctors said…" Draco was stunned; the news was all too much at once.
"A potion. I don't know what it was, but she told Tonks she did it; Tonks was posing as Hermione…"
Tears ran down Draco's cheeks. "She's bragging of killing our Andy… for what, money…?" Draco was tense with restrained anger and grief.
Harry held him close. "I've got to stop her," he whispered. "I want you to go and stay with your father, both you and Angel. I want you safe…"
"All right, but… but what about you? We all need to have you with us…"
"I'm not going anywhere, baby…" Harry kissed him softly. "But I'm not taking any chances with you and our son."
"I'll stay clear of it all… but you aren't staying here at the house without me…"
"Do you think your father will allow me to stay with you at the Manor…?"
Draco gave him a faint grin, trying to put his anger behind him. He needed to be calm to help Harry to get back on his feet again. "If Angel asks him, he'll almost beg you to come stay with us… he'll do anything that she wants him to…" he told his husband in a soft tone, but then he let the silence fall between them. Harry was content at this moment to just hold Draco close, one hand drifting to rest on Draco's stomach. Could feel their son move under his hands; that precious life that meant so much to both of them. "No one can take him from us, love..." Draco said softly, his own hand moving to slip over Harry's.
Harry kissed his neck. "I can't wait to hold him… I love you, my Dragon… More than anything in the worlds…"
"Mommy used to say that all the time to Mimi…" an innocent young voice piped up beside them. They both looked to see Angel, smiling happily at them, her cheeks flushed and green eyes sparkling. She'd come up behind them when they were talking and now threw her arms about both of them, hugging their necks.
"I'm sure she meant every word she spoke…" Harry said, moving his arm to include her in the embrace and giving her a soft kiss on top of her head.
"I miss them, but I'm happy to have you and Papa…" she beamed.
"And we are happy you're here with us." Draco smiled.
"Angel; would you like to stay with Nonno and Nona…?" Harry asked her.
Her reaction was not nearly what he expected. Her face fell, worry and grief touching her face. "Are… are you sending me away already…?" she asked sadly.
"What…? Oh, no! Never! Oh Merlin, Angel… you are yours forever. We'll be going with you to the Manor…"
Her joy instantly returned. "Really…? Oh I'd love it Daddy…! You can sleep in my bed and I'll use the couch it's really big and comfy and its right there…"
Draco laughed softly. "Don't you worry; we'll have a room quite near yours at the manor; mother wouldn't have it any other way…"
"It'd be fun to have a sleepover in the same room…" Angel giggled.
"Come on, and then let's go pack a few things…" Draco suggested.
"Okay!" She gave each of them a loud and rather damp kiss, and then skipped off with the kneazle kit romping after her, batting at her heels.
Draco turned and kissed Harry. "It's going to be all right, Harry… We'll go through this as long as we're together we can handle anything."
"All right, Dray…" he said, giving the statue one last look. "We'd better go help Angel pack." He said, rising, helping Draco to his feet. They followed the dark-haired girl and her pet into the house.
Angel chatted away about all the fun that they were going to have at the Mansion.
"Should you call and speak to Lucius first…?" Harry asked.
"I wish we could surprise Nonno with cookies like Rosie brought over… Papa, do you think Rosie could make cookies for us to take over…?"
"Not this time, but she may visit as well…" Harry smiled softly at her.
"I'll give father a call…" Draco said with a chuckle.
This had certainly been a long day… Lucius had been in and out of the nursery all day, soothing and cuddling little Remus Severus. He was worried; but Narcissa told him that she had seen this with Draco and it was something called colic… he wanted to call Severus but she'd told him that she could take care of this… nevertheless he had insisted on doing most of the walking with the boy… it seemed to be the only way he could rest was if he was being held. He was back in the nursery for the tenth time today, his tiny grandson held against his chest as he hummed softly, walking back and forth to try to soothe the colicky infant.
He saw the fire flare, then his son's face appear in the coals. Lucius turned and moved quickly out of the room, setting the still whimpering infant in his crib before he returned to the room, moving to answer the call. "Good evening Draco."
"I wasn't sure if you were home… are you having a good day, father…?"
"To be honest, one of my kittens is unwell; Draco… is there something I can do for you…?"
"I know it's a lot to ask, father, but could you spare a room or two for the night…?"
He frowned in concern. "That isn't a problem at all… Draco, what's happened…? Is Angel all right…? Where is Potter…?"
Draco smiled reassuringly at his father. "We'll explain it when we arrive; everyone is well. It will just be… safer… if we are there…" he said vaguely.
Lucius' expression did not change; something was definitely wrong. "Safer, hmm…? Well. I shall have the house elves freshen your rooms immediately and inform them you shall be joining us for dinner…"
"Thank you... we'll see you soon…"
"All right, Draco…" Lucius smiled and the call ended.
"I'll get my bags, come on Tia, hurry!" Angel said excitedly.
Draco moved to Harry. "Are we ready, love…?"
Harry gave his husband a wry grin. "I suppose I'm as ready as I'll ever be…" he answered. "Though it does sound mighty odd… I'm going to stay at Malfoy Manor…"
Angel bounced on her heels beside them; she'd dragged her bag down the hall to them, rumpling the runner carpet on her way in her eagerness to get back to them. "But it'll be FUN, daddy…! We can make cookies for Nonno tomorrow… will you help me…?"
Draco chuckled and drew his wand, the carpet straightening itself with a flick of his wrist. "Yes, of course we can do that… it will be lots of fun. Perhaps you can ride your pony tomorrow…"
"Could I really…? I haven't ridden her yet but she likes carrots and sugar cubes and she really likes apples…" she said, eyes sparkling as Draco took her hand and Harry shrank their bags down to carry easily. Harry took the floo powder and called out Malfoy Manor before Draco and Angel stepped in.
Tonks stepped out of the green flames in the fireplace of her own home, returning a full two hours after Snape had. Before even considering returning home, she had gone on to the ministry and documented everything she had received as well as the information that her friend across the pond had helped to decipher.
The living room was empty; they must be in the Severus' favorite room, the study. She shucked off her shoes and stretched wearily, moving to the bar to fix herself a light fruit drink, leaving the alcohol out of it. She moved out of the room; she needed to go find Severus and have a little talk about his behavior at the Weasley house today…
Severus looked up from his book as his female love moved into the room. He looked quite content with a rare soft smile on his lips; sitting there with Remus sprawled on the couch and his head resting in his lover's lap. Sev's long, slim fingers were slowly combing through the wolf's sandy blonde hair, and Remus looked so relaxed he seemed to be sleeping.
She hated to disturb this scene; these two were close like this only once in a great while. Remus loved to cuddle but Severus was always so standoffish… at least while she was around. Still, his behavior had been outrageous and she had to say something about it… "Sev… you really did go too far with Hermione today…" she said bluntly in a disapproving tone as she moved to her favorite seat, switching her own lamp on.
"What did you do…?" Remus asked in a drowsy tone without bothering to open his eyes even a bit, so very content. "Severus, are you being a bastard again…?"
Severus' lips twitched, settling into a soft smirk. "I did what I had to do. Hermione Weasley isn't guilty of any great crime, but she thinks she should be sent to Azkaban and presented directly to the Dementors for torture or even for the Dementor's Kiss… and she's drowning completely in self-pity. She's through and through a typical Gryffindor."
"I resemble that remark, Sev." Remus cautioned, cracking open one eyelid to gaze up at the dark-haired man.
Snape gave Remus' hair a soft tug instead of a stroke. "It's true; you often get that way when you think you've done wrong." He reminded. "Have patience and hear me out."
Remus subsided and through heavy-lidded eyes awaited the promised explanation.
"Mrs. Weasley has discovered she's involved in dark dealings and suddenly her mind, which is normally extremely sharp, turns to… oh, what is that awful translucent stuff muggles eat again…? Oh yes: Jell-O. Although it is true, she has owned up to the fact that she is involved, she's vastly overstating her involvement in the crime…"
"She's done quite a bit to help us investigate, Sev…" Tonks interjected.
"She has helped, that is very true; but she is a very intelligent and resourceful witch, Dora." Severus interrupted. "Self-pity does not suit her and it actually gets in the way of her thinking. She needed a good dose of Slytherin snarkiness to get her Gryffindor blood flowing back to her brain. Once she gets good and angry, she'll be of much greater use to you. Being angry or offended has always worked to get her in top form in the past. If you don't believe me simply ask Potter; he knows this is true…"
"She didn't need quite that MUCH snarking." Tonks responded, sipping her juice, curling her legs up under her on the cushion. "You were a real ass, Severus. And then you went past being an asshole to being an absolute bastard…"
Severus chuckled. "Oh, yes, I was, wasn't I…?" he said in clearly amused tone.
Remus reached up and swatted him. "You should be punished." He said in a drowsy tone, opening his eyes fully now.
Dora watched them with a soft grin. "If it doesn't get her 'motivated', Severus, I'm going to force you to apologize to her. You know that, don't you?"
"Agreed." Severus said aloofly. "But you'll see… I'm not wrong about this. And I won't have to apologize for anything. She'll be thanking me, and so will you, Dora…"
"You're horrid, Severus!" she accused, but could not help a bit of a smile. She wadded up a piece of paper and threw it at him; he allowed it to bounce off his nose without flinching, his smirk only growing. "I think I just may make you apologize to her anyway…!"
Severus merely smiled at her and returned to reading his book, his fingers resuming their slow caress of Remus' hair, making him sigh in contentment, eyes closing once more.
Angel ran forward to fling her arms about the neck of her waiting grandfather, who knelt down on one knee and held his arms open for her, hugging her warmly in welcome. Draco stepped aside from the hearth to let Harry come in as well. He appeared in the flare of green flame and stumbled out, unsteady on his feet.
"Graceful as ever, Potter…" Lucius smirked.
"One of my endearing charms, I suppose…" Harry sighed, dusting off. "It has been a very trying day…"
"Not that I'm complaining, mind you, but what has brought about this visit…?" Lucius asked, straightening. Angel clung to his hand, smiling up at him adoringly.
"It's for their protection, plain and simple." Harry said softly.
"Come along, Angel, let's get you and Tia settled in your room…" Draco said, knowing that Harry needed to explain to his father and that Angel did not need to be involved.
"Okay Papa!" she smiled, taking his hand and allowing her to lead him away, curls bouncing as she skipped. "I'll see you later, Nonno…!"
"Good night, my dear…" Lucius smiled after her, and then he moved to the bar to pour a drink. He waited until Angel had not only left the room, but was clearly out of hearing range before he spoke again. "So what is it that has you convinced that there is danger to my son and grandchildren…?" he asked quietly, gesturing to Harry to have a seat as he himself sat on one of the plush barstools.
Harry took a deep breath, sitting on another of the stools clad in deep green leather and trimmed in silver. "We're getting close to closing the investigation…" he began. He had to explain this without telling every detail, but how…? "And… in the process of the investigation we found that our loss of Andie was no accident."
Cold fury flashed in his father-in-law's eyes, turning them steely grey. "Who killed my grandchild…?!" he snarled, his voice as cold and hard as a glacier.
"Andie was not the only child who was killed; several others were as well…" Harry said softly. "Angel is the only girl who was allowed to live. I'm fairly sure that the reason for her health is because the ones doing the killing didn't know about her existence…"
"You will tell me WHO, Potter." He said again, his voice steady and sounding calm, but with deadly, poisonous undertones.
Harry's eyes met Lucius'; more filled with fury and hatred than the older wizard had ever seen. "She is not yours to kill, Lucius. She is MINE." He growled in a dangerous tone.
Lucius paused a moment, meeting that gaze with his own, then he handed his drink to his son-in-law. "Indeed, Harry… it is your right." He agreed, calling Harry by his first name was an extremely rare occurrence. "But we must do this in the proper manner, following the legal channels for just such occasions; we don't want you to end up in Azkaban. Your children and my son need you to remain a free man."
Harry looked at him through narrowed eyes. "You're telling me there's a way to legally hunt down and destroy this bitch…?"
"Oh, of course; it's quite possible. You would know of this had you been raised in a proper wizarding family, but we can't undo Dumbledore's foolish choices for your youth. You must file blood-feud at the Ministry."
"Blood-feud…?" Harry repeated questioningly.
"Yes. You register exactly what offenses have been done against your family and almost any means of hunting them down and anything used in a duel is excusable…" Lucius explained.
Harry gave him a cold, calculating "I could hunt her down and make sure she pays for every death without worrying about any consequences…"
"Her and all of her kin…" Lucius agreed with a wicked smirk. "All who were involved -- because I can assure you, someone else was pulling her strings."
"I suppose it's possible, but she has profited greatly from her actions… and there are several who had a hand in the death of the children… it will be quite a list when I'm through…"
"I will need the names of those who were involved, and I will be assisting you in the destruction of those involved. I fully intend to file my own Blood Feud against them as well."
"I don't have all the names yet…" Harry admitted, much to Lucius' disappointment. "I'm working with an auror and my partner Damitri Zabini… hopefully we can we will wrap all of this up in the next week or so. That's why I wanted to ensure that Draco and Angel were somewhere that I knew they would be completely protected…"
"They will need to stay longer than a few days." Lucius poured himself another drink. "Blood feuds are not things that are settled in only a few days. We need to bring all the other children home as well…" he glanced at Harry out of the corner of his eye. "How many are there…?"
"Draco has four, not counting the twins; two girls and two boys. I have four boys, and one on the way. No daughters."
"No girls…?"
"None. They were all destroyed when they found they were female." Harry said in an angered tone. "Other wizards had been targeted as well; there are several Weasley children…"
"Weasley…? She used her own husband…?"
Harry took a deep drink, and then sighed softly, shaking his head. "No. Ron's was never collected, though I hear that Pansy had already sold it, the greedy bitch…" he glanced at Lucius. "I won't deny that Hermione is involved, as you've so clearly figured out. But she's our insider. She's surrendered her wand and she's doing everything we ask, and risking herself to dig up information she's not required to get. She's providing a lot more than we expected of her, to be honest… I really don't believe that she knew what was done to kill Andie until she heard it from Pansy's own mouth. The grief she showed… I know she didn't have any part in it…" he said in a soft tone.
Lucius nodded thoughtfully, swirling his drink in his glass, watching the liquid's movement. "Then I shall leave her fate in the hands of the courts and the aurors. Tell me; how did Draco take the news? He seemed calm enough when he arrived…"
"I only told him of the murder of Andie. He's holding up a lot better than I did." Harry admitted. "I couldn't keep it from him…"
That put a smile on Lucius' face. "Then I believe he's strong enough to meet the kittens."
Harry nodded, taking another drink. "He knows that I have kids out there… but I don't think he knows that he does, as well… he needs to know before we bring them home." He agreed.
"Shall we…?" Lucius smiled, leaving his glass on the bar as he rose smoothly to his feet with his typical liquid grace. "I need to get back to the nursery; little Remus Severus is so restless…"
"Sounds like a good idea." Harry agreed, setting the glass aside.
Draco was kneeling on the floor, Angel standing with her back to him as he buttoned up her new nightgown. He knew his father must have come into the room because suddenly the task got a lot harder as Angel began bouncing with delight. "Nonno and daddy are here, Papa…!" she said happily.
"All settled in, my own…?" Lucius asked as he held out his arms to the girl.
She ran to him, hugging him with all her strength. "Good night, Nonno… Thank you so much for letting us stay over…!" she said, her eyes sparkling.
"You need to learn that you never really need to ask to stay over here… You see, my sweet, this will always be your home." He said, scooping her up into his arms, causing her to squeal and giggle in delight. He gave her a kiss as he strolled to the bed to and set her down upon the sheets. "You are always welcome in this house. Never doubt that for a moment…"
She giggled and squirmed as he pulled up the blankets, tucking her in gently, but she finally settled. "Good night Papa… goodnight, Daddy…" she said, smiling at her fathers. The stuffed dragon toy she'd found at Draco's home was held tightly in her arms.
Lucius smiled at the girl. "Sweet dreams my own… if you need anything, just call. We will hear you wherever we are…"
She sighed happily and closed her eyes. Harry kissed her cheek and then slipped his arm about Draco. "Come on, love… we've something we want to show you…"
"Where's mother…?" Draco asked as they moved out of the room.
"She's tending the kittens." Lucius replied.
"So I finally get to see them…?"
"It is time." Lucius agreed, leading them down the hall to the nursery. "You really do need to meet them…"
Narcissa was seated in the rocking chair with a pale yellow blanket over her lap, wearing her white silk nightdress with a lacy almost veil-thin robe over her shoulders. She held a baby in each arm as she crooned softly to them to try to soothe them; one of them was whimpering. She looked over at them in surprise. "Oh… Draco…" she murmured, looking questioningly at Lucius.
Draco stopped, shock on his face. "Mother…? Merlin, mother…! Why didn't you tell me you were expecting…? Father…!" jumping to the wrong conclusion.
"I wasn't expecting, Draco." She interrupted him in a soft tone, a smile on her lips.
"I'd have told everyone in the wizarding world if I had had twins, son…" Lucius said with a soft chuckle.
"But…" he frowned, confused now. "They're so… I mean… aren't they Malfoys…? They have the coloring, the look…"
"Oh, yes, most certainly they are Malfoys." Lucius said firmly.
Draco moved to his mother, kneeling at her feet, gazing at the twins. "But… how…?"
"Want to hold one of them…?" Narcissa offered in a soft voice.
"May I…?" Draco held up his hands and his mother passed him the tiny girl, who had drifted peacefully to sleep. Draco brought the baby closer, gazing at her.
"These are your children, Draco." Harry told him softly. "They were created the same way that Angel was…"
"Mine…?" he whispered, tears in his eyes. "But… how did you find them?"
"Severus found them in the hospital; they had been orphaned."
"Their mother; she died in childbirth…?"
"No. Suicide."
"But why…?" Draco asked in a pained voice.
"I don't think she wanted to take your children from you… and she didn't want her father to get hold of them." Harry answered.
Narcissa touched his shoulder with a gentle hand. "They have you, my son. And they have us…"
"They're beautiful…" Draco whispered. "Who was the mother…?"
"Lestrange's youngest girl…"
"But she was only a child herself…"
"We know… but it clearly didn't matter to her father."
"I've given them names until you could meet them… its perfectly fine if you wish to rename them…" she said in a tender tone.
"What are they?" he asked, sitting comfortably at his mother's feet, gazing down at the sweet girl in his arms.
"You're holding your daughter Lillian, and this…" Lucius moved to his wife, relieving her of the boy as well and giving her a soft kiss. "This is your son…"
"Remus Severus…" Narcissa added. "He's been a bit fussy today… colic, I think…"
"I still think we should call Severus." Lucius grumbled softly.
"A boy and a girl…" Draco said softly, stroking his daughter's delicate cheek.
Harry smiled as he watched his husband. The scene was so beautiful… his husband sitting at his mother's feet, both of them gazing down at the babe in his arms with love and adoration on their faces, lit only by soft nightlights in the dusky dark of the room. "Your kittens are absolutely beautiful, love…" he said with a teasing smile.
Draco looked up at him with a soft smile. "I know; they're stunning… but why not tell me of them?"
"None of us wished to do anything that would endanger you or our grandson. We would not risk it this time…" Narcissa stroked his hair.
He gazed up at her. "He's a strong child, mother; nothing will stop him from coming into our lives now. Even if he were born today, he is full formed and could survive…"
"Well, my dragon, we wished to be certain before we told you. And the little one needed so much care; they were so frail and delicate when they arrived here…"
"And why did you tell me they were kittens…?"
She laughed softly. "That is your father's fabrication. That is what your father thought that I had brought home the first night…" she explained.
"They did sound like kittens; they were making little mewling sounds…" Lucius chuckled softly. "And she brought them in a little basket, not a proper carrying bed…"
"They were simply hungry…" she said with a smile.
"So they're why you were asking me about baby names… Lilly, after Harry's mum…"
"They needed to be called something, son." Lucius said.
"Yes, they do… but… Remus Severus…?" he looked up at his father, surprised that his father would approve of such a name.
"Severus named him." Narcissa chuckled.
Draco laughed softly "That figures… he does have a bit of a narcissistic bent…"
"Well can you blame him…? He has no children." Lucius reminded.
"But they have Teddy…"
"Remus and Nymphadora had Teddy…. Severus has fathered no children." Narcissa corrected.
"I like it, anyway. Uncle Severus has always been good to us." Draco decided.
"We thought perhaps you'd prefer the use name James for the son you are about to bear." Lucius answered in a cool tone, considering the face of his grandson as he spoke.
He gazed up at his father. "Really…? You will allow me to name him James…?"
Lucius smiled softly at his son, meeting his gaze. "Yes, I will allow it. But you must choose a proper middle name for him…"
"I will, I promise father…" Draco smiled.
"Severus saved their lives. He's the one who found them at the hospital." Harry agreed, moving over to touch the baby's fuzzy hair. "Without his potions they never would have survived at that muggle hospital…"
"Why were they in a muggle hospital…? Their mother was young but she was definitely a witch…" Draco asked, confused.
"She must have run away from home; she was nowhere near a wizarding community when she took her life. She was found by muggles, and they tried to save her; they rushed her to the hospital in an ambulance... They tried to save her, but it just wasn't enough…" Harry explained.
"I owe Severus a great debt for saving them…" he found his eyes drawn back to the face of the baby in his arms. She squirmed slightly, opening her eyes, gazing up at him. A smile graced his face. "Oh… her eyes are so blue…!" he murmured, clearly falling in love with the baby.
"They may change over time… I hope they're like yours." Harry said. "We're going to have our hands full…"
"And a house full…" he smiled at Harry. "We've finally got our family…"
"You know what they say, Draco… Be careful what you ask for; you just might get it…"
"I don't care… Our house has been too empty for too long… I can't wait to hear it full of the voices of children…"
Harry kissed him. "It seems like we've been waiting a lifetime…" he agreed.
Draco returned the kiss, and then looked back down at the baby, his smile fading somewhat as a realization of the truth dawned on him. He lifted his eyes back up and gazed at Harry, his eyes full of questions and worry. "These two aren't all of them, are they?" He asked softly. "There's more than just them and Angel, surely…"
Harry nodded: there was no use in hiding the truth any longer. "You're right; there are more. I'm hoping we can find them all. And we were not the only ones used in this scheme; there are other fathers out there who have no idea they have offspring…"
"Oh Merlin…" Draco murmured. "Let me guess. All pureblood wizards…?"
"Yes. Traced back by paternal lines only, I understand…"
"Four is going to be quite enough to handle… how are we going to deal with more…? How can we care for all of them properly…?"
"You know, Draco…" Lucius started. "Your mother and I are more than capable of raising these two… in fact, even Severus himself has said that we've done quite an impressive job with them…"
"Lucius…!" Narcissa interrupted him.
"It IS true, Cissa…!" he defended.
"Fallen in love with them, have you father…?" Draco smiled softly.
"How can I not, son…? They look so much like you…"
"They are beautiful…" he sighed contentedly and his father agreed.
"No decision has to be made immediately anyway; we will be here for a few days, at least…" Harry said.
Lucius looked at his son. "There will be no debating this subject; you and Angel at the very least will be remaining under my personal protection until this is all settled. And of course, you can stay as well Potter…"
"Thank you father."
"Yes, Lucius. Thank you. I'll feel much better knowing they are safe…"
Narcissa rose to her feet gracefully. "Come now, my handsome men. It is time the kittens were laid down to rest…" she smiled at her husband and son.
"They're so sleepy…" Draco smiled.
"And little Sev has calmed… perhaps he can finally get sleep now…" Lucius said, moving to delicately lay his grandson in his bed.
Harry rose and helped Draco up, following him to the crib where he laid Lillian beside her brother. Draco touched each as if still convincing himself that they were real, and then he drew his hand away with clear reluctance to allow them to rest.
"Angel is going to be so excited…" Harry smiled.
"Yes; she'll be a wonderful big sister…"
"Have you two eaten yet…?" Narissa asked, turning to lead them out. "We tend to alter our schedules about the children's meals and naptimes now…"
Draco shook his head. "No, we haven't… I was waiting for Harry. I did feed Angel her supper hours ago…"
"Come along then, and dine with us." She offered. Harry slipped his arm about Draco as they followed Narcissa to the door.
"Coming, father…?" Draco asked.
"In a moment, son…" he said. He was only half paying attention to Draco, adjusting the blankets over the babies with obsessive fussiness.
"He's grown quite attached to them in these past days…" Narcissa said as they moved through the mansion to the dining room.
Draco chuckled softly. "It's easy to get attached to little babies… Was he like this when I was a baby…? I don't remember much of him when I was a child…"
Narcissa sighed softly. "He does not speak of his own childhood, but I know it was not pleasant… I think he tried to stay away as much as he could so he would not repeat the things that happened to him. He was away quite a bit when you were a baby. He missed so much of your youth I think he regrets it now…"
"He missed it all…?"
"Quite a bit of it, yes, and our home felt so lonesome and empty before the kittens came…"
"It must be very lonely in this big place…" Harry said softly. "Like you're the only living thing on earth…"
"Its not so bad at night, when you're in your own room. It's good to feel that way when you're lying down to rest. But during the day…" she sighed.
"I'd go crazy in a big place like this…"
"I made do chasing the house elves about the place…" Draco grinned softly.
"Oh, it's not so bad at all when there are children in it… why do you think I love it so much when Draco comes to visit…?" she smiled.
A house elf popped into view the moment they stepped into the dining room. "Shall I serve, Missus…?" it asked.
"Yes. But hold Lucius' until he comes to join us." She nodded.
"Master is with young master…" the elf replied. "Young master is being very cranky all day long…"
"Yes, and check in on little Angel as well." She instructed. "Take her some warm milk if she's having trouble sleeping, and come tell us if she is still awake."
"Yes mistress!" The elf piped in its squeaky voice, bowed, then popped out of view. Dinner appeared upon the table on fine silver dishes; a lovely spread of roast beef, potatoes, vegetables, soup and salad with fresh bread and butter.
"Come, son, that child you carry must be ravenous by now…"
"This looks absolutely wonderful…" he sighed, picking up his fork as he took a seat.
"Eat all you wish my dear..." she smiled warmly.
Draco looked up, pausing before he put the first forkful of roast beef in his mouth. "What's for pudding…?"
She laughed softly. "Anything you wish, of course…"
Draco smiled happily. "Um… something rich and decadently creamy…"
"He's had a penchant for cheesecake lately…" Harry chuckled.
"Then that is what he shall have."
"I'd noticed your friend Ronald Weasley brought that to dinner the other night…" Lucius commented as he strolled into the dining room to join them at the table.
"Oh yes; that was delicious…" Draco agreed. "We need to find out where he bought it, Harry… I'd love more of that…"
"It was rather tasty, but I must admit; I did enjoy the cookies more." Lucius commented in a slightly aloof tone as he moved to a seat.
"Cookies, Lucius…?" Narcissa asked curiously.
"Angel wishes to make some for you, you know…" Draco smiled at his father.
"I'm sure they'll be delicious."
"She talks about you all the time…" Draco told him. "She tells all her dolls and plushies about her wonderful Nonno…"
"Of course; the girl is very astute and clever…" Lucius said, unabashed.
"…and knows when she has someone who loves her." Narcissa added with a smile.
Harry smiled softly, listening to the conversation about his daughter and felt he had to speak up. "Thank you, Lucius and Narcissa…" he said.
"For…?" Lucius prompted, lifting an eyebrow at him questioningly.
"You've given Angel something I have never had. A family that loves her…"
"No need for thanks regarding Angel… she's given me something I never had, and never realized I needed…" Lucius assured, eating lightly. "She will never be wanting for anything in her life if I have anything to do with it…"
Hermione paced in her living room, fury bubbling in the depths of her soul. She snarled and growled, voicing every curse and epithet she knew and directing every ounce of her venom at Severus Snape. How dare he tell her she was being useless…? She went out of her way to get those files today, put herself in danger, put the whole case in danger of being blown, and he was telling her that it wasn't enough?! That self-righteous bastard; he didn't exactly have a clean slate behind him either! He hadn't done that much in her eyes to help the cause of the Order of the Phoenix, but he wasn't looked down upon…
She stopped, frowning as the fury suddenly drained out of her, something dawning in her mind. "Oh. Wait…!" She murmured, then turned and snatched a notepad off the desk, then moved to sit at the bar, frowning in thought. Something simply didn't add up… oh Merlin. Why hadn't she ever noticed before…?
She knew how much was put into each 'sample' that was set aside for each attempt at pregnancy. For each donor who wished to become a parent, male donations were encouraged to be twenty samples or more. Each attempt at implantation would now involve five to seven embryos… She knew that she had placed thirty-five samples into storage; she had used one for her friend and Angel had been the result. That meant thirty-four should be remaining… damn it, why hadn't she gotten up to look at that stupid screen…? She needed to know exactly how many attempts had been made with Harry's donation and she hadn't saved those files on her computer. She remembered using Harry's, but the donor list showed they had only two samples left. Where were they all going…? Draco's as well… there couldn't be that many babies out there, and she hadn't been cranking out babies like some kind of baby mill… it didn't add up…!
Something else was going on… she started making the special donor babies the year that Angel had been born; that was five years ago… they hadn't had success right away but there had only been a few children; no more than two or three a year at most… the amount of samples that were missing was a huge red flag… she scowled, angry at herself for not seeing it. Pansy probably thought it was funny that she was in the dark about it… well; she'd just have to turn on the light, wouldn't she? She set her jaw determinedly, then paused a moment as another thought crashed into her reality and thoughts.
Ron. She was going to have to do something about Ron…
Once she had everything squared away, then she could dive into this mess and find out exactly what it was that Pansy was really hiding… maybe even whom she was working with. It wouldn't matter too much if she were hurt or killed in the attempt; she knew what she had to do now. And she was the only one who could do it. She glanced at the magical tracing device on her wrist; she felt like she was under house arrest but it would be safe enough to go to the Ministry. She knew she had to protect Ron and there was only one way she could think of to do it. She went to clean up, and then went to floo to the Ministry.
Ron opened the door. "Oh… Hermione…!" he murmured, stepping back to allow her inside Charlie's house. "Come in…" he said, unsure of her reason to visit.
"Oh, Ron…" she moved to give him a brief hug but he held onto her, holding her close. She relaxed in his arms a moment. "I've missed you… how have you been…?" she murmured.
He breathed in the scent of her, sighing softly. Merlin he'd missed her… "I've been worried, really worried…" he admitted in a soft voice. He felt her push at him and with extreme reluctance he let her go. She moved inside and he closed the door, following her.
"How is Rose…?"
"She misses you horribly. She keeps asking me what she did wrong to make you leave us and I'm kind of wondering the same thing myself. She's out tonight at her friend Arianda's house… they're practicing for a school play and is going to stay over, since there's a teacher's holiday tomorrow…" he followed her into the sitting room. "So what brings you…? It's been days… when can I come back home…? You said it was only going to be for a little while…"
Hermione sat down slowly with an expression on her face Ron just could not read. She waited until Ron ran down in his questions and quieted to listen to her answers. "I'm in a lot of trouble, Ron… I've hurt a lot of people… I… I'm really not sure how I got mixed up in it all…"
"I wish I knew…" He answered softly. He needed her to understand he knew about it all… he took a seat in the chair beside hers, so he could reach her and touch her…
"I've destroyed my relationship with Harry…he hates me. And he has every right to…" she said quietly. "I love you Ron. I never meant to hurt you and Rose…" her eyes were moist with tears but she did not – would not – let them come.
"What made you decide enough was enough…?" Ron asked, leaning forward with his elbows on his knees, clasping his hands together to keep them from shaking.
"Pansy. She wants you." She said softly.
He looked confused. "What…? Why the hell would she want me…?" he asked.
"She wanted me to harvest you. To get your sperm like she harvests other people… to sell… she'd already sold some, in fact…"
"And that's what made you stop…? You refused to harvest me…? What makes me so different from anyone else…?" he asked, frowning.
"I never harvested any, Ron, not one drop… except at the clinic, in the normal operations. And there she'd use the sperm that was left after the successful pregnancies. I never harvested to use for… for sale like that…" she answered. Ron slipped one hand up on her shoulder, his touch warm and comforting. Hermione took a shaky breath and reached into her bag, pulling out some papers. "This isn't going to end well, Ron… I… I'm going to go to Azkaban. I don't know for how long… All you need to do is sign these and everything is yours, and Rosie's… There are two vaults at Gringott's, and…"
"What are those papers?" Ron asked, eyeing the papers, sitting up slightly.
"Divorce papers." She whispered.
Ron snatched them from her hand and immediately threw them aside is if they were poison. "No…! No, I won't do that! Damn it I love you…!"
Hermione felt the tears welling again and she fought them. "Ron, you don't understand…! I'm going to prison. I don't know if I'll ever get out but I want to know that you're free… I want to let you go… please…"
"I didn't spend thirteen years as your husband to just drop it all because something bad comes up. For better or for worse, that's what I said at our wedding. I didn't say it casually, that was my binding vow… I'm not going to give you up. You are my wife, no matter what…!"
She trembled, but did not look at him; she couldn't bring herself to. "It's the only way… I don't want you and Rosie dragged through all this… we need to protect Rose… and you deserve to be happy; to have a life without me… please… sign the damned papers…"
"I'm already involved in this mess. You told me Pansy's after me for my sperm, you think she's going to give up and not have a go at me…? She will, sometime or another. Signing those papers isn't going to free me from our marriage, Hermione, and it won't get me out of this situation, no matter what you say…!" Ron said, pointing an accusing finger at the pile of papers lying next to the fireplace.
Hermione took a shaky breath. "…But it will save you both from the legal entanglements…"
"No."
"But I want to…"
"No!" Ron said, scowling at her, looking betrayed. "You're my wife! Damn it, Hermione, I didn't marry you on a whim. You want to let me go because you LOVE me…? What kind of Hippogriff shit is that…? If you loved me half as much as you say you'd let ME make this decision…!" he said in an accusing tone.
"The old saying is 'if you love something let it go…'" she began
"…and if it loves you, it will return. Well damn it I don't bloody want to be let go!" he snapped.
She bowed her head, silent for several long moments. Ron rose from his chair and paced away a few steps restlessly, trying to wait for her to decide what to do. "You… you don't understand what I'm involved in…" she said softly.
"I do so. Some of it, anyway… did you hurt Harry on purpose…? Were you trying to torture him and Draco…?"
She looked horrified. "No…!"
"Did you mean to make kids that no one knew they were fathering?"
"I didn't, not at first… well, all but Angel, but…"
"Then I don't care. You're my wife. You're brilliant, you always have been. I don't know why you're acting so thick right now. Are you going to let ME make my own decisions or not?"
Hermione hesitated a moment more, then looked at him with tortured eyes. "What do you want to do, Ron…?" she asked softly.
He bent and snatched the papers up off the floor, turned his back on her and threw them directly into the flames. He watched them burn for a long moment before he spoke. "I'm your husband. Our marriage isn't defined by any stupid license or piece of paper. No paper drawn up by a lawyer or any other legal idiot is going to change the fact that I'm married to you. You're not going to shove me away to protect me." He said firmly.
She sighed softly. "All right, all right…" she agreed in a soft tone. "But you have to agree to something as well…"
"Agree to what…?"
This was going to be horribly hard for her to ask of him, and harder for him to accept… "I don't want you to wait for me."
He looked her, shocked and surprised. "What…?"
"I don't want you to hold yourself to me… I told you. I'm going to end up paying for all I've done, and some pretty powerful families have been manipulated in all of this… I don't want you to wait for me. Find someone else while I'm gone…"
He shook his head. "I can't do that, I…"
"You can and you must. I know how you are, Ronnie…" she looked up at him and even now, through the shock and disbelief in his eyes she could see his need for her. "You need to be loved. You need to be taken care of. You're not happy if you're not, and I need you to be happy so Rosie can be happy…"
"You don't know what you're asking of me…!"
"I know exactly what I'm asking." She answered. "Don't think this is easy for me; I have been just as loyal to you as you have been to me… well… except for Viktor. But that was only once, and before we were married…"
"Did you have to bring him into it…?" Ron said, turning his back for a moment, very confused. She WANTED him to find a lover…?
"I'm sorry, I shouldn't have mentioned him." She sighed. "But I still want you to find someone else…" Hermione said, her eyes moving to the mantle just behind Ron.
A painting of Blaise with his arm about Charlie was on the mantle; she had long known of the feelings that the dark-skinned wizard had held for her husband and knew that it had been only chance that had landed her as Ron's chosen partner and not Blaise.
"Who…?" Ron mumbled. "I'm not exactly LOOKING for anyone else…!"
"Someone will come. Someone will be there to catch you… I know who would probably love to comfort you… if you will just… let them… don't be blind to them. Be open… and they may be closer than you think…" she said softly. The painted image of Blaise grinned and winked at her.
"Who…?" he demanded of her, turning back to face her fully, looking confused. "I don't know of anyone…"
"You've always thought he was interesting… and I don't mind Ron. I really don't…"
He hesitated, and then glanced at the painting which grinned more broadly and winked again. "You don't mean Blaise…?"
She shrugged. "Just… listen. And be open. I will not have you lonesome, Ronald… I need to know you're taken care of."
Ron sighed, turning back to her. "I'll try, okay…? I can't promise. I don't want anyone else. I want you…"
"And I'll be gone for years." She said in response, looking up at him. "I'm asking you… I'm TELLING you to find someone to make you happy while I'm gone."
"I'll try… As long as I can be here for you when you come home." He said softly, nodding in reluctant agreement. "I'll try, that's all I can say. I'll manage somehow…"
She pushed herself out of the chair and back to her feet. "I… I should go… I have things to do…"
"I'd much rather you stay tonight." He said softly, reaching to touch her.
She stepped back; she couldn't use the time, not even to reconcile with her husband. "I can't… I don't have any time left…"
"More secrets…?" he asked, reluctantly allowing her to move away from him for a moment.
"No… I swear to you, Ron; I'll tell you absolutely everything, every last detail. But I need to do this alone." She said, taking a deep breath. "Tonks is working with me, and so is Harry. If I really need you I know I can count on you…"
"Bloody well right." He said firmly, and then moved to her and pulled her into his arms, holding her tight. "You be careful, Hermione… I know some of what you're involved in and I don't want you getting yourself hurt…"
"I can't promise I won't get hurt… but I can promise you I'll make things right." Hermione said, feeling worlds better. She wasn't losing everything… Ron tilted her face up and pressed his lips to hers in a soft, loving kiss.
She returned it a moment, and then reluctantly pushed free, slipping out of his arms. "No… Ron, if you start that I don't think I'll be able to leave. I have to go…" she said, glancing at the time. "Tell Rosie that I love her… I don't know if I'll be able to get back to tell her myself…" she said, starting for the door.
"All right…" he murmured in a husky tone. "I love you Hermione… don't forget that."
"I won't…" she said, hurrying out though her body ached to have him hold her, just for a few moments more… she couldn't stay. She had to get to work and figure this thing out…
Hermione pulled into the parking lot of the medical clinic; it was nearly empty at this hour. Third shift personnel would be here, tending to the newborn babies in the clinic wing… but that wasn't where she was headed. She might have to deal with a security guard or two, but nothing she could not handle. Out of habit she reached to where her wand normally rested, remembering that she did not have it any longer since she had surrendered it… well. She would just have to be clever enough to muddle through without it.
She moved to the building, sliding her pass card through the access slot on the door; the little light flashed then went steady green and she pulled the door open, moving inside. As she expected, there was a security guard at the desk… what was his name, Tony…? No; it was Antonio.
"Good evening, Mrs. Weasley… you're working late again…?" Antonio, an aging muggle security guard, smiled at her good-naturedly. "You know, you shouldn't oughta work so damned much. Not good for ya…" he advised.
"I know… but I couldn't sleep. I have far too much on my mind…" she gave him a fond smile. "I may as well be here working rather than pacing about my own room…"
"I suppose… should I bring you some coffee in about an hour…?"
"No, don't bother about me. Just do your regular shift. I won't be in your way." She assured, moving on past the desk.
"You never are." He sighed a little melodramatically.
Hermione moved on into her office first, pulling out the little pamphlet that Pansy updated each time a sample was used or a donation added. She scowled to see Zabini's information there now, ready to sell to the next customer. She wanted this to end before Pansy could manage to profit from THAT attempt…
She'd remembered right; Harry's said he had two samples left, and Draco only eight. She slipped into Pansy's office, using her access keys with a new memory stick in hand; she copied over the files one more time then slipped out again leaving the office precisely how she'd found it. She'd check the numbers once she got home to verify her theory, but she was already sure what she'd find. Ten to fifteen samples gone from each.
She flipped on the lights in the lab, moving into the silent room. She took up a notepad and began to do a simple basic inventory of every single vial of liquid or powder, every potion, chemical and other item that was in stock in the cabinets. Antonio came by to visit with her but she doggedly continued to work, making notes and he finally grew bored and wandered off to flirt with the nurses over in the clinic.
When Blaise returned a few hours later to his home, he found the house seemingly empty. Charlie wasn't due in for hours; he was working a late shift. "Ron…?" he called, moving through the house. He found Ron upstairs, dead asleep, a sleeping potion on the table beside him. There was also a note, telling Blaise and Charlie that Rosie was staying at a friend's house tonight.
He sighed softly, wondering what the hell had happened to make him dose himself again… he started to tuck him in then saw he was still wearing his shoes. With a soft grin, he moved to take his shoes and socks off, undressing him like he would a child, tugging his slacks off but leaving him in his shirt to sleep. He then covered him up with the blanket and gave him a soft chaste kiss on the cheek. "Sleep well, Ronnie…" he said softly. He took a moment to stroke his cheek and run his fingers through that thick red hair… he turned away and sighed, shutting out the light on his way out. He would never take advantage of him, and Ron was so loyal he'd never have a chance with him…
Blaise went about his normal bedtime routine, showering, brushing out his hair and brushing his teeth, and he was about to climb between his sheets when he heard the phone ring. He answered it, a little cross for the call coming in so late. "Hello…?"
"Oh, good; its you… Blaise, is Ron still awake…?"
Blaise recognized Hermione's voice and his ire grew. She had to have done something or said something to make Ron upset. "No, he's used a potion to make himself unconscious. What the hell happened…?"
"I happened. It's quite complicated; can I come over and explain…?"
"I suppose…"
"I'll floo over; I still don't have my wand… I'll just be a few moments…" she said then hung up quickly.
Blaise slipped back to the guest room to check on Ron; he was still sleeping soundly. He then trotted down the stairs, pulling on a short robe over his bare chest and sleeping pants. He arrived in the living room just as Hermione stepped out of the green flames.
She looked exhausted but invigorated at the same time and worried as well. "Is he all right…?"
"Sound asleep, looks like he drank a bit before he went to bed too…" he scowled, folding his arms. He'd give her a chance; he'd at least listen. "You came to explain, so explain…"
"I did a stupid thing and he wouldn't let me go through with it… but I may need to go ahead and do it anyway. Actually, I came to ask a favor of you…" she said, looking down.
"A favor…? What kind of a favor?" Blaise asked, unsure of her intentions. "What could you want of me?"
"I'm going to be gone for a long time… I know you cared deeply for Ron back in school and I have a feeling you still do… take care of him for me." She said softly.
"I… what…?" he asked, startled. She couldn't possibly be asking him what he thought she was…
"You and Charlie have always had an open relationship… I mean… Well, Harry and Draco told me that. And… Please Blaise… Ronny will go mental if he's all alone… he needs to be taken care of…" she said, gazing up at him.
"You want me to… but… you've never had an open relationship. You don't know what you're asking of me…"
"I know precisely what I'm asking. This is the first time I feel like I've been clearheaded in months. You and I both know I won't be able to take care of him; I need someone to. Please, Blaise. I want to have everything squared away before I'm put away… and Ron won't consider a divorce, I've asked him and he was furious with me…"
"I'm not going to seduce your husband…! Ron would never cheat on you…!"
"Its not seduction; I know he still thinks you're gorgeous… and its not cheating on me either, if I'm asking… begging you, really… to keep him happy for me…" she said softly. "I couldn't bear thinking of him all alone for years…"
Blaise sighed. "You'll have to tell him… I'm not going to. He'll think I'm trying to steal him from you."
"Loyal and true, that's my Ron…" she smiled ever so faintly, then sighed. "I've already told him to look for someone else. I even tried to point him in your direction. Just… make it clear that you're interested. You'll have to be REALLY clear; he's a little thick about relationships and sexual things… and… well, let nature take its course I suppose…"
"He'll always be welcome with Charlie and me, but I won't come between you. It will have to be his choice."
"Of course… and it would be more of a sharing than interfering… If I know Ron he won't ever be with Charlie; he's his brother. And he'd never want to end up interfering between you two either…"
"Charlie's usually too tired to even think of anyone else when I get through with him…" Blaise grinned. "No worries there, I take good care of my dragon-tamer."
Hermione looked curious for a moment, then nodded thoughtfully. "I forget about your Veela blood; you don't look Veela at all…" she said.
He chuckled. "You haven't seen me when someone threatens my Charlie." He returned.
"True…" she agreed, glancing at the time. Nearly midnight… "If I get to return, we could even continue to share… he's off so often with his tournaments and you'll be with him… he wears me out when he returns from his trips sometimes…" she said with a wan smile.
"I'd like that…" Blaise smiled at her. "And Hermione…? Keep strong. You can get through this. You just have to keep your head up and stay strong. Don't let anyone get the best of you…"
"That's really hard to do, Blaise…" she admitted, turning back toward the fireplace.
"You're a damned clever witch. Use your mind." He said firmly, following her to the fireplace and watching as she activated the floo.
"I'm working on that… thank you so much, Blaise." She said, and then was gone in a flare of green flames.
22