"Let me take you to the playroom," she heard Theodore offer. "My presence is no longer needed."
"Hold on," she said and raggedly sighed, bringing a hand to her perspiring face. Her skin felt filthy and haggard and as much as she wanted to sprint to the playroom, she was not going to give Lucius and Narcissa the satisfaction seeing her this way. She gestured to the closed door a few feet away from the pensieve nook. "I need to…"
"Of course," Theodore said and made himself comfortable on the lone chair next to the fireplace.
Twisting the crystal doorknob, she entered Draco's bathroom and closed the door behind her. As expected, the style was luxurious and expensive with a large tub and a grand separate shower. Ivory white and bronzed brown rugs were placed on the floor. Stepping on one, she bet they probably were comfortable squishy to the bare foot.
In another lifetime, in another world, she may have liked to visit Draco's manor, specifically this bathroom. The tub did look particularly inviting where crystal glasses full of interesting things were perched on the edge. Removing the lid from one of the crystals, she peered in and saw a form of potion that smelt strongly of something medicinal, not unlike the Muggle muscle ointment Biofreeze. Draco must've poured this potion into his piping hot bath after a rough game of Quidditch or a long day from work. Or some really spectacular sex. Unable to let her thoughts end there, she couldn't help but stare at the tub and wonder if Draco had shared his bath time with Astoria. The answer was most likely yes because Hermione wasn't naïve enough to think otherwise. Upon Draco's visits during their time together, they too had shower fun and shared a bath together. Unfairly, the bath had not looked like this but had served its purpose.
Lidding the potion, she lifted another crystal lid and Draco's scent wafted through the air. Smiling sadly, she hurriedly capped it, never having grown fond of the smells he soaked his body in, always wishing he'd simply wash his body with soap. She had preferred his natural smell above all else. It had been a clean, refreshing smell.
The other crystals were filled with baths salts or bombs, and she took a little time connecting with this part of Draco he left behind before walking to the sink and peering at her reflection.
"Your hair is curling," her reflection said pointedly, the doppelganger lifting its hand and running a fingertip at its hairline. "Just right there. You might also want to touch up your make up and wash your mouth. Remember how Mum and Dad demanded you clean your teeth and mouth after vomiting."
Almost smiling, Hermione undid the black ribbon in her hair and set it aside before placing her purse on the counter top and rifling through. Having been employed by the cosmetic and skin care industry for a could chunk of a decade, she had picked up a few good habits like thoroughly washing her face and adding anti-wrinkle cream before applying moisturizer. She did all this and then rifled through her bag for some mouthwash or a toothbrush but no such luck. Most of her toiletries were back in Blaise's flat, so she began going through the drawers and found Hair Removal potion, hair gel, hair mousse, ten different kinds of combs and brushes, hair ointment for light blond hair, and Hair-Thickening potion.
Giving up on that drawer, she opened another and found several different types of shampoos and conditioners. Goggling momentarily at the load, she contemplated stealing a set. These were expensive brands from foreign places. Picking up a bottle, she read the French label and then popped the cap, stealing a whiff. It smelt good and her French was rusty but understood it tamed wild, unruly hair. Why Draco had it was beyond her but surely he wouldn't care if she took it. He wasn't using it, and she could use it on Alex's hair. He's probably approve of that.
With a little shame, she shrank the two bottles and put them inside her bag and continued her search for mouthwash and eventually discovered a mouth cleansing potion and uncapped it, pouring some into the lid and knocking it back, swishing it in her mouth and feeling the tingling burn of the solution killing the bacteria. After spitting it out, she rinsed her mouth and dabbed her lips on the soft towel hanging next to her. She then reapplied some powder on her cheeks and mascara on her lashes and concluded her grooming by fishing out of her purse the potion spray that cost her more than a bit of money back in Salem. After spritzing some on her tresses, she combed and smoothed out the curls threatening to coil. She added some lip cream to sooth the dryness from the mouthwash and tied her hair back into the ribbon and breathed in deeply, composing herself, pretending she was not deeply troubled from what Theodore had shown her. It was unnecessary bursting into tears again and vomiting.
Her stomach flung itself up in a discomforting motion causing her to wondered if Draco kept any other medicines in the bathroom besides muscles soothers. Rifling through some more cabinets, she frowned when seeing a contraceptive candle. Pulling a face, she picked it up and studied the wick. It had never been lit which was just as well. They didn't work according to many of her friends who were mothers. Hermione also knew from first-hand experience they did not work but had sounded like a brilliant idea at the time. Her Healer had prescribed her to drink an Immunity Building potion during a vast spreading of Faerie Pox. The potion neutralized the effects of contraceptives, so Hermione chose to forgo that source of birth control and use the candle. It had been a few years ago when she and Draco were together. He visited on Easter and…
There it was. Stomach Settling potion. Uncapping it, she took a swig and shuddered at the strong ginger taste, her stomach immediately relaxing into a normal state. With her hands in front of her face, she fanned her flushed skin, her tears ready to spring forth and ruin all her work. Calming herself, hoping her control remained intact, she gave one last look at Draco's bathroom and departed back into his bedroom where Theodore stood in front of the pensieve, stricken looking and sort of conflicted.
"I find myself curious," he said emptily, not looking at her but into the secret nook. He placed his hands onto the basin's rims and quietly continued, "There was a memory in here already. One that he had yet to remove and place back into a vial."
"You want to see," Hermione said to him thickly, closing the bathroom door behind her and walking towards him. Clutching her bag like a lifeline, she took another step forward and peered into the nook, all the wispy memories gleaming in the glass vials evoking her curiosity.
"So do you," Theodore said.
Staring at him, she slightly winced in and shook her head. "We mustn't."
He glanced at her from the corner of his eye and replied, "I'm surprised. I thought you would go for it. It would be very Gryffindor of you."
Refraining from rolling her eyes, she said, "You think a school House I was a part of over ten years ago reflects my personality today? I've changed, Mr. Nott. Like you pointed out, I am curious, but it's none of my business. These memories," she gestured to the nook, "are private. I can't."
Theodore stared at her fully from behind his black-wire framings like he was considering her. "I doubt his parents know about this. I only knew about this because I helped him build this hideaway. It wouldn't offend them if we decided to have a peek."
"You think I care if I offend those people?" Hermione inquired dubiously, folding her arms and sticking her chin out. "I'm only here because of Alex and because I wanted to see Draco's grave to pay my respects."
"By having a smoke? I respect that. Speaking of." He slid out the cigarette container she had seen earlier from his inner coat pocket and opened it, muttering curses under his breath. "Damn, I forgot."
"Maybe you should quit," she suggested hypocritically.
"I did once. I didn't like it." He slipped the empty container back into his pocket and examined her purse.
"I don't have anymore," she lied, knowing his thoughts and quickly changing the subject. "Now take me to the playroom. I think Alex has had enough of Draco's parents for one day."
Theodore led her to the bedroom door and opened it for her. "To let you in on a little secret, Miss Granger, they are not as frightening as you make them out to be. Old Lucius is too crippled and weary going out and about throwing insults at the blood-diluted common folk. Same goes for Narcissa. However, steer clear from that Rose Weasley. Pansy's daughter is nothing but trouble."
"My, my, Mr. Nott," Hermione said in amusement as he closed the door and guided her down the hallway. "Are you actually cracking a joke?"
"No. I'm serious."
She frowned at his grave expression and kept silent for the trip to the playroom. They passed many portraits of Draco's ancestors, some of them peering curiously at her in intrigue and some sneering at her, mouthing 'Mudblood'. Heart sinking, she loathed the idea of Alex having anything to do with this environment. He was only beginning to grasp the idea of blood-bigotry because of the history lessons he learned in school. Only a few weeks ago he came home asking about his Blood Status of which she replied Half-blood. He then asked what hers was and she told him she was a Muggle-Born. He had then nodded solemnly and told her of the history lesson he learned in class. Mrs. Fitchell had taught her class the child-safe version of the Britain's Wizarding War.
"Mommy, you were there during that time? They said that Muggle-Borns were not liked very much. Were you ever scared? Did you get hurt? Is that where you got that…that scar?"
"No, I was never scared," she lied and hugged him, kissing his forehead. "I was never hurt either. That scar was simply an unfortunate hex I received in my school days. It didn't even hurt when I got it. It was just simply there. I went out of the country, so I could be safe."
"They say that Harry Potter defeated You Know Who all by himself. He was a Half-blood like me."
"Yep," Hermione said, guilt pooling in her belly at telling her son lies. It wasn't right, but he wasn't ready to know everything just yet.
Theodore turned a corner and Hermione followed, checking her watch. They had been walking ten minutes and had yet reached the playroom. Yes, the manor was large but the playroom couldn't possibly be so far away from Draco's room considering it had once belonged to him. She then narrowed her eyes at a familiar portrait and then glanced at another familiar looking portrait.
"We've been down this hallway before," she said, coming to stop. "Are you lost?"
"We're not lost," Theodore said blankly. "It's just a bit farther away."
"But we've walking for a long time, and we've been down this hallway before."
Theodore walked away from her towards the end of the hall where the choices were either turn left or right. At first, they had turned left and Hermione remembered this. They most certainly had been down this hallway previously. This time Theodore turned right and disappeared around the corner, and she stomped after him. For whatever reason, he had led her around in circles, the prat. The longer she was away from her son, the longer he was with those lunatics.
She caught up to Theodore when he turned another corner that led down another hallway. At the end of it was a room with a wide opening, and she heard the faintest sounds of talking. Picking up her pace, she stopped at the threshold and saw Alex sitting at a child size tea-table with Rose Weasley.
"There you are," said Blaise from the corner who sat in a rocking chair next to Pansy and Narcissa. "Where have you been?"
"Mommy!" exclaimed Alex and rushed towards her, out of his little seat, wrapping his arms around her waist. She smiled down at him and finger-combed the curls away from of his eyes.
"Are you okay?" she asked him and he nodded, tightening his hold. "Are you ready to go?"
He nodded again and said, "Can we come back again?"
Clicking her back molars together, Hermione answered, "Yes," through her teeth, pointedly ignoring the satisfied grin radiating from Narcissa.
"He's been having a splendid time with Rose, haven't you Alex?" the older woman said.
"I think she's really taken to him," Pansy added and Rose rolled her eyes and huffed, resting her head on her tiny hand while drumming her fingers in boredom on the tea-table.
"We haven't finished our tea party," she whined, her bottom lip poking out. For good measure, she shoved at the stuffed dragon sitting next to her, the toy toppling to the floor dejectedly.
"You know, Alex," Pansy said while placing a hand on her belly, getting up from her rocking chair with Blaise's help. "When I was yours and Rose's age, I would come here all the time and play with your father."
"Really?" Alex stared at her inquisitively, his arms still around his mother's middle.
Pansy nodded and reached a hand out towards Rose who march over and rested her ginger head on her mother's pregnant belly. "Yes, but I think I am done for the day, as well. Rose's little brother is showing Mummy who's in charge. Thank you, Mrs. Malfoy for having my daughter and me over. Perhaps if I'm rested enough, I can return tomorrow. Maybe I can persuade Ronald in joining me. He very much wants to speak with you, Hermione. Harry, as well."
"I've already spoken to Harry," Hermione said forcedly and Pansy arched an eyebrow in mild alarm.
"Really? I can only imagine it was a bittersweet reunion considering…"
"It's none of your business," clipped Hermione.
Pansy's other brow mimicked the former. "Regardless, Ronald wants to speak with you." She then turned to Narcissa. "I hope you don't mind if he tags along tomorrow. I'll make sure he's on his best behavior."
The older witch licked her teeth behind her firmly pressed lips and slit her eyes. She inhaled deeply as if she were weighing the pros and cons, giving Hermione the impression Pansy had placed herself into a troubled lifestyle. It was a lifestyle of appeasing to her Blood Traitor husband and yet staying loyal to her elegant Pureblood heritage.
"Miss Granger," Narcissa said to her. "I assume you will be returning tomorrow with Alexander."
"If I must," Hermione curtly said and gazed down at her son. For him, she would.
"Pansy, you may bring your husband to accompany you. I'll take your word that he will act like in accordance."
"He will. Won't he, Rose?" Pansy asked her daughter playfully, the girl grinning mischievously up at her mother.
"I'll make him. Don't worry, Mummy."
When Pansy and Rose left, a dense tension plagued the playroom and Hermione took advantage of their absence and asked Alex, "Was everyone nice? No one said anything mean to you, did they?"
Ignoring the muffled snorts and the huff of dismay, she waited for her son's answer. His little shoulders shrugged and grimaced. "Rose is kind of bossy."
"We had to send Lucius out to find you two," Blaise piped up as if he itched to say it since Hermione and Theodore arrived. "Where did you two go? I thought you were out in the cemetery."
"Granger and I-" Theodore began but was cut off by Blaise.
"You showed her, didn't you?" he spat and marched towards his friend.
"Showed her what?" Narcissa asked, her tone wary.
"I offered to show her, and she said yes," Theodore defended. "She could have said no."
"What is going on?" Narcissa tried and Blaise grumbled.
"Nothing you need to be concerned about," Hermione answered before Blaise or Theodore could.
Narcissa stared tartly at her, her hands balling into fists. The only reason she wasn't putting the younger witch in her place was because of the boy. He probably disliked people yelling at his mother. From what she saw these past few hours, Alex was irrevocably fond of Miss Granger and loved her more than anything as many young children tended to do with their mothers. If she yielded to the tempting thought of tutoring Alexander a certain way, incontestable difficulties would arise from the child. From these past few hours in his presence, he was undeniably Draco's son and not just physically. There were similarities personality-wise which made Narcissa wonder about the boy's future. Despite Miss Granger's firm resistance against Alexander remaining in England, it would be absurd to have him commute back and forth from Salem. He must simply go to Hogwarts to receive his education.
While studying the boy during Miss Granger's absence, Narcissa determined Alex had great potential in being sorted into Slytherin but much to her consternation, he also displayed Gryffindor qualities. And it wasn't so much of the House she had a problem with but the students' reckless and thoughtless behavior. There was being courageous and then being preposterously thick. In all honesty, the boy reminded her of Andromeda.
Brushing off the thought of her estranged sister, Narcissa placed her focus back on the boy, thinking it prudent to map out his future currently instead of later. There was a reason she told Pansy to bring Rose. The little girl was a firecracker, needless to say, and despite how cunning she was, her father's temperament had polluted the girl's chances of being a Slytherin. But all in all, the girl was a Pureblood and would grow into a striking young lady. She and Alexander would be a perfect arrangement.
You thought Draco and Pansy had been a perfect arrangement, too, and look how that turned out, a voice inside her head told her. Ignoring it, she patted Blaise on his shoulder and gave Theodore a warning eye. "Let's not fight, children. Shall we go down into the Yellow Tea Room for some tea and cake?"
"Cake?" squealed Alex, his eyes widening in excitement. "What kind?"
"Whatever kind you desire, darling," she cooed, earning a glare from his mother.
The tension had not fully settled in the tea room. Blaise continued to glare at Theodore as Narcissa silently drank her tea. Alex sat on Hermione's lap, switching off feeding her and himself bites of rich chocolate cake with mousse filling.
"It's really good, Mom," he said, eating the last bit of cake, chocolate crumbs around his lips. Hermione smiled warmly at him and took the cloth next to the plate and wiped his mouth, giving his cheeks kisses when he was all tidy.
"Did you…" Alex paused to chew his bottom lip before finishing in a very hushed voice so the other three at the table wouldn't hear. "Did you see Daddy?"
Somberly, Hermione nodded and hugged her boy when his chin started to tremble and nose reddened. He buried his face into the crook of her neck and wept.
"Oh Button," she whispered and looked to Blaise. "I think we should go. He's getting tired."
"You'll be back tomorrow," came from Narcissa. It was more of a statement or even a demand than a question. She wanted to spend more time with her grandson and had felt a bit put out when he kept busy with Rose. Lucius wanted to spend more time with him, as well. With Hermione being busy with Pansy's husband the next day, maybe she and Lucius could persuade the boy's mother of letting them simply conversing with him, getting to know all about him and his upbringing.
"Yes, we will return tomorrow. Late morning most likely," Blaise answered, sneering one last time at Theodore before standing up from his chair and buttoning his suit. "Theo, give Daphne my best."
On their way out, they ran into Lucius near the entrance where the younger wizard outright told him what kept Theodore and Hermione.
"He showed her the memory of what happened," Blaise said crisply, purposefully keeping his statement vague for Alex's ears.
Lucius frowned reprovingly and eyed Hermione and asked with false consideration, "Are you well?"
"I'm fine," she coldly responded and adjusted Alex legs encircling her waist.
"I trust you'll be back tomorrow."
"We will be," affirmed Blaise and bid his goodbye and then led Hermione out of the manor. They walked down the stone pathway towards the gates and stopped and set Alex down on his feet. She took his hand and Blaise's and Disapparated to his flat where she laid her son down for a nap. He wiggled up close to the headboard and curled up into a ball. She left him in the room and went out into the sitting room to see Blaise nursing a glass of scotch wearing a grim expression.
"He shouldn't have shown you that," he growled and rubbed the back of his head, muttering under his breath. "I'm sorry you had to see that."
"I didn't have to. I chose to," she calmly explained and smoothed out the skirt of her dress. "The memory was…brutal but informative. I probably could have gone on with life without seeing it, but now I know."
"Probably think we're all tossers. All of just bloody watching and doing shite about it."
"Well, yes." She shuffled to the double doors across the room. "I'll be out here for a few minutes."
"Lung cancer," he mumbled and sat down on the couch, relaxing his head.
Hermione cautiously stepped out on the balcony and stared down at Muggle London. It was beginning to snow as she lit her cigarette and stole a puff. She heard the doors open behind her and craned her head to see Blaise join her.
"I forgot to ask how you think it went," he said, stuffing his hands into his pockets and leaning against the door.
"That's a stupid question, Blaise," she replied and flicked some ash onto the snow-covered railing. "You know I didn't want to be there. You know I especially didn't want Alex to be there either."
"It could've gone worse. Narcissa and Lucius, they're trying really hard, Granger. And you didn't even have to see the drawing room."
"I'm tolerating this nightmare because of Alex. I don't give a shit how hard Draco's parents are trying to be nice to me. You say they're better than they were in the war and maybe that's true, but they're not cured. If Alex had been a Squib, they would not be nearly as thrilled. I can tell they accepted he's not a Pureblood, but they desperately wish he was. Already they set him up with a worthy playmate."
"If you'd been fed lies all your life and was expected to change overnight-"
"It's been over ten years since the war ended. That's not overnight." Hermione stabbed the smoldering cigarette into the railing, hearing a low hiss from the heat making contact with the snow and then tossed it by her feet. Looking back over the city, she shook her head. "I don't like this, Blaise. They could hurt Alex so badly if they chose to. He's only eight and so trusting. He doesn't know grownups can be bad people. The only bad people he knows are the ones he reads in books, the ones defeated by good people."
Blaise waited for her to go back inside his flat where they spent the rest of the day holed up. When Alex woke up, Blaise offered to teach them both how to play Wizard's Chess. Hermione already knew how to play, but her technique was on the same level as a troll, so she listened in on Blaise's instructions and watched as he played the game with her son. They played three rounds before Alex grew bored, having lost each time and told his mom she should play. Blaise won again and then suggested they watch a movie.
"You know what a movie is?" she asked.
Blaise lifted his nose and huffed. "Of course I do. I'm not a stranger to Muggle technology. Many of their trinkets are entertaining. Do you have a preference?"
"Probably something child-friendly."
"So Blue Valentine is out of the question?"
Hermione closed her eyes and pinched the skin between her brows. "I'm deeply mortified you even know about that movie."
"I feel the same way about you. I can't imagine you watching that…or any naughty film."
"I didn't say I've seen it, and you are right. I don't watch naughty films. Now we got that out of the way, I would be surprised, too, if you had movies for children."
They ended up watching How to Train Your Dragon, Blaise possessing the movie due to babysitting Pansy's kids now and then. Following the film, they ate dinner and played a few games of Exploding Snap where Hermione won all but one round. The last game she had let Alex win. Another movie was watched, and all of them were beginning to grow tired. After discussing the need for sleep, Blaise offered, "You two should accompany me to Italy this weekend. I have a few things I need to take care of."
"Mom, can we?" Alex asked earnestly.
"I don't think so, sweetheart." Hermione shook her head and then hugged him. "We can stay here until he gets back."
"Actually, Granger, I was thinking about scoring you and Alex a break from the Malfoys. When his tutors arrive, he will be spending longer days there at the manor."
"Tutors?" Hermione blinked. "So soon? Already? We just got here."
"What's a tuuuu-toooor?" inquired Alex. "Is it someone who toots?"
Blaise chortled and Hermione half-smiled and said, "No. A tutor is someone who teaches. They are like a private teacher."
Alex visibly deflated, a scowl in place. "Like school. I thought coming here meant no school."
"Your education is important, Alex. Though I wish you were back in Salem receiving it, it seems there have already been arrangements for your studies." Hermione sourly looked at Blaise like it was his fault Alex would be taught by tutors hired by the Malfoys. "But you need not worry. I'll be present to make sure the tutors teach you correctly."
"So…" Alex gazed up at her pleadingly. "Can we please go with Daddy's friend to Italy?"
Drawing in a deep pensive breath, Hermione's will began to crumble at the wide grey eyes of her little boy. He slightly protruded his bottom lip and worked his manipulative magic on her maternal instincts. And damn, if it made him happy going to Italy with a strange man, especially with knowing his father was gone, she wasn't in any position to deny him.
"If you really think we must," she caved and her regret somewhat lessened when he beamed up at her and threw his arms around her and kissed her cheek.
"Thank you, Mommy."
"You'll have fun, Granger," Blaise told her, an arrogant smirk in place. "Italy is sublime."
"I don't doubt it, but I'm not so sure about the company," she hinted with a cautious eye. "Will we be seeing your mother?"
The man pursed his lips and narrowed his eyes. "You've never met or even seen my mother."
"I've heard plenty and please spare me the details of how she's actually a loving person. Just tell me we won't see her."
"I'll have you know that she loves me, but fret not, Granger. We won't be seeing her. She's currently residing in Berlin until Christmas. It's a shame. She loves children."
All three of them retired to bed, Hermione still wanting to sleep next to Alex. They slipped underneath the covers, and she tangled her arms around him and rested her head above his on the pillow.
"Will you tell me a story?" he asked, his eyelids heavy and top eyelashes nearly tickling his cheeks.
"Which one do you want to hear?"
"The one Daddy used to tell me. I like that one the best. Watching the Dragon movie made me remember it."
Hermione's saddened frown went unseen by her son. Playing with his disarray of curls, she asked, "You want that one? How about the Three Little Pigs?"
"I like Daddy's story better."
"Alright, I'll tell you Daddy's story," she resigned, dreading having to recite Draco's bedtime story he fabricated for their son a couple of years ago. "Once upon a time, there was a peasant girl who lived in a village near a-"
"You forgot something. You forgot to say what she looked like," Alex interjected and she choked down a groan and complied by starting over.
"Once upon a time, there was a peasant girl who had long brown, curly hair and dark brown eyes. She lived in a village not far from a kingdom. Her parents had told her when she turned eleven, she'd be sent off to the kingdom where she could receive a proper education. The day after her eleventh birthday, the girl packed all her belongings and made the trek to the kingdom where she stayed for years going to school and…" Hermione chewed her bottom lip before continuing, "And reading many, many books. She was brilliant, but there were some in the school and in the kingdom who did not like her because she was not born there. They thought of her as poor and dirty and didn't think she belonged in their rich and elegant community. They wanted her to leave, but there were no other schools, so she stayed despite opposition being pressed upon her.
"In the school, there was another student. He was of royal descent, and he had lived in the kingdom all his life. From a small age, his parents taught him that outsiders were not to be mingled with, and that they were filth. For most of his childhood, he believed this until…until…he started liking the peasant girl and started having doubts about what his parents had taught him. Nevertheless, he made his feelings unknown out of fear of what his parents might think, and that the peasant girl would reject him because she was in love with someone else.
"A war broke out in the kingdom and sides had to be taken. The peasant girl fought for herself and others who were outsiders, too. The boy aligned himself with the dark side as did his parents. During this war, his father had been given a certain task by the dictator of the kingdom and failed. As punishment, the dictator cursed the boy on his sixteenth birthday and turned him into a dragon and sent him to dwell in the dungeon of the dictator's castle for the rest of his days.
"As the war waxed on, many outsiders were captured and never heard from again. Some were taken to the castle and locked away. The peasant girl was one of the few imprisoned as a slave. Her treatment was to go down into the dungeons tri-daily and feed the dragon. It frightened her to do so and was afraid the dragon would eat her, but she had no choice. The dictator threatened to punish her, if she refused her duty.
"After a few days of feeding the dragon, the peasant girl noticed the creature was not violent. It never tried to hurt her or breathe fire out at her but simply lay shackled on the dungeon floor almost looking morose. She had studied dragons before and knew this was not typical behavior for the creature and took pity on it. So each time she ventured down to feed him, she stayed longer to keep it company. After a while, she began talking to the dragon and even braved stepping closer to it because it seemed like it was listening and perhaps enjoying her company. The peasant girl found it all entirely odd, for dragons didn't understand people nor did they like them, but this one did.
"The dragon let her touch its scales and horns. It was very content being petted and cared for, and the peasant girl began to care deeply for the dragon and would sneak away from her other duties for a visit. And sometimes she got away with sleeping down there next to the dragon because she…she trusted that he wouldn't hurt her.
"The war ended, the dictator had fallen, and the girl was freed from slavery. She was allowed to leave the castle, but she did not want to leave without making sure her dragon was freed, as well. She sprinted back down into the dungeons and didn't see it anywhere but instead found a boy she had not seen since her school days. He explained to her about the curse, but she was frightened for he had chosen the dark side during the war. The boy told her he loved her and had a change of heart, but she didn't believe him and fled the castle. He ran after her, determined not to let anything else get in the way of capturing the girl's heart. When he caught up to her, he found her in the embrace of another boy and became jealous, leaving the kingdom with a bitter heart.
"A couple of years later, they ran into each other and the girl still found him untrustworthy, but she had not married and was not claimed by any other. He begged she give him a chance but she, too, had turned bitter and callous and hardened herself. She told him she would only grant him one kiss and one kiss only in exchange of never seeing him again. Her words angered him but unable to vanquish his affection for her, he complied and fated himself to their first and only kiss after which she quickly ran away and like she promised, they never saw each other again. The End."
"Mommy?" Alex mumbled sleepily, his eyes closed and his breathing nearly even.
"Yes, Button?"
"It's a sad story."
"I know," she said and kissed his cheek before rolling over and turning off the lamp on the bedside table. "But you wanted to hear it."
Alex didn't respond, a soft snore escaping his nose and after a few mind-numbing thoughts about the day's events and things coming her way, she drifted off.
Something cold pressed over Hermione's mouth, and her eyes flew open and saw a shadowy figure towering over her. The pressure against her mouth muffled her scream, and she cursed herself for leaving her wand in in the sitting room. Terror coursing through her, she raised her hands at the perpetrator in hopes of clawing at him and fighting him off to protect her son but hesitated when the shadow shushed at her.
"It's only me, Granger," Theodore said.
A/N: So what do you think Theo wants? I know what he wants, but tell me your opinions on the matter if you don't mind.
Thank you to my readers, reviewers, followers, and those who have placed this fic on their favorite list.
Thank you to: Kou Shun'u, ClamKidToTheRescue, alina290, Angelus Draco, Woemcat, chyaraskiss, hkmac, Aya Diefair, Tenshi Mioko, Klara, meggzy101,and Musette Fujiwara for the reviews.
I presented you all a long chapter for not being able to post for these past couple of weeks. Tell me your thoughts on it, and don't worry, there will be more Narcissa and Lucius vs. Hermione. We've only scratched the surface of what's to come, so please be patient.
Read and Review and everyone have a spectacular day.