Be warned: This chapter is rated M for situations
Previously on A Tale Of Two Wizards: I Can Get You Hermione
Luck had been on Celia's side when she entered the flat. There was a note Sal had left telling Gas he had taken the next two days off work and was taking a portkey to London to follow up with the witch he had met over the weekend. He would be staying with Blaise if the family needed him.
Celia smiled. All she had to do was wait and put her plan into action.
As soon as she heard Gas enter the flat, Celia had sent off a patronus to Emilio telling him she was being assaulted and needed help. When Gas entered his bedroom he found a naked Celia Lozier spread out on his bed. Before he could react, she had pulled him down on top of her and reached inside his robes to grab his member.
Gas tried to pull away but suddenly Celia was screaming, 'Help. Help. Somebody help me." The next thing Gas knew he had been grabbed in the back of his collar. Gas didn't know what was going on or who had grabbed him so he had gone for his wand. As he went for his wand he had been stunned. Evidently Emilio had sent Aurors to answer Celia's call for help.
Celia was still screaming as the Aurors threw a blanket around her and led her out of the bedroom. While the Aurors questioned Celia, Gas was being carried off still unconscious to a criminal holding cell.
After the Aurors left, Celia called her brother to report that everything had gone to plan and if he wanted a chance at Hermione, he should get his arse over there because she should be coming through the door within the hour looking to hex Gas.
Chapter 21: It All Comes Tumbling Down
Emilio was in good spirits as he traded his robes for a Muggle jacket.
"It's nice to see you smiling Minister," commented James as he looked at his superior.
"Today, all things have come together James. If I'm not back by end of day, I'll see you in the morning."
James wished the Minister a good day, but couldn't help feeling that someone was in for trouble. He couldn't remember the last time he'd seen the Minister smile for something other than Hermione Granger.
On his way out, Emilio mumbled to himself in a very low voice. "Morning, ha. If all turns out to right, you won't be seeing me for several days."
/*/
The ride down the lift gave Emilio time to think. Celia had finally done something right. She had closed her legs, concentrated on what needed to be done and strangely enough she had done the job. Hermione will soon be in my grasp. I will make use of every minute she is in my presence. I bided my time in London to let another wizard move in on the witch I love. There will not be a repeat performance this time. This time I will put my manners aside and use nothing but this dick. I want to make love to Hermione more than I've wanted anything in my life. I wanted it in London. I still want it in Milan.
Even as the lift glided slowly down the floors, Emilio could feel himself getting sexually excited. Before the elevator reached the ground floor, he'd had to Tergeo the front of his trousers. Thinking about Hermione had made his dick leak. Emilio smiled to himself. He had leaked on himself before while thinking about Hermione. This time he would see it through. The next liquid coming out of him would be going into his witch and it wouldn't be a leak. It would be the result of making love. The elevator came to a stop and Emilio stepped out with a spring in his step.
/*/
Hermione had burst into Sal and Gas' flat like a whirlwind. "Gas, I'd like to speak to you. Sal. Gas. Are you here? No one answered so she started through the house. Both Sal and Gas' bedrooms were empty. The living room was empty. Hermione thought she heard something in the kitchen so she headed that way. She opened the kitchen door, stepped across the threshold and everything had gone black.
When Emilio stepped through the floo, he saw his sister struggling to remove Hermione's jumper. He snatched the jumper out of Celia's hand snarling. "Get your hands off her. I told you I would take care of her. Get the fuck away from her. Now."
Celia backed away from Hermione's unconscious body snarling back at her brother. "If it wasn't for me, she wouldn't be here so you'd better watch your tongue."
Emilio glared at his sister. "Be careful how you speak to me Celia. I am your elder. You have done well so far. If you want to stay in my good graces, you will go on about your business and let me handle mine. You're done here."
As Emilio talked, he picked Hermione up and walked towards the door. He turned back to his sister to make a nasty retort. "Poor Malfoy has lost his witch. Hermione is back where she belongs."
"Draco won't be alone for long," bragged Celia. "I'll see to that. Give me a couple of days with him. He won't even remember Hermione's name."
"Whatever you say Celia. I really don't care about you and Malfoy. I have who I want."
As soon as he was outside the door. Emilio Apparated directly to the back cottage on the Lozier Estate.
/*/
Celia left the flat and Apparated home. Her feet hadn't quite hit the floor of her room when Ilaria confronted her. "What's going on? Who is in the back cottage? There are lights out there. If not you, then who?"
Celia feigned ignorance although she knew the cottage was the first place Emilio would think to take Hermione. He was a sitting Minister with the Italian Ministry. He had a luxurious home in Milan where he could entertain a witch any time he liked, but this was special. He needed a place where he could be private with Hermione. The back cottage was the perfect place. He'd better hope Draco didn't remember the cottage or there would be hell to pay.
Celia turned to her mother. "It's probably the house elves freshening up the place. They are supposed to keep the place clean after all. Isn't that one of their jobs?"
Ilaria sighed. "I suppose you're right. I just thought it was you and Draco Malfoy. It was your favorite place when you were in Milan."
Celia huffed. "Draco and I barely spent any time in that cottage so I don't know what you mean."
"Well I beg your pardon. I must have you mixed up with my other daughter named Celia who spent all that time out there with Draco Malfoy. Have a good night."
/*/
Ilaria may have acted a fool for all those years, but she wasn't acting one now. She was aware she had the most arrogant, self centered, self absorbed family one could ever imagine. No matter what her little chit said. Ilaria knew there was something going on and she was going to find out what it was.
Ilaria called for her most trusted house elf to give her instructions. Then she had made herself a cup of tea while she waited for the house elf to return.
Minny the house elf was back in five minutes. She reported that Master Emilio was in the cottage with a witch. Minny had cast her eyes at the floor as she added. "A witch with no clothes Mistress."
Ilaria jumped up. Emilio bringing a witch here? Why? He had his own home not far from the Ministry. He hadn't had a witch at the estate since he and Hermione had come for dinner. Something wasn't right. Ilaria commanded Minny to go back to the cottage to find out what was going on. In the meantime, Ilaria hurried to her rooms to collect her wand and a heavy jumper. Enough of the bull shite. If she was to take her rightful place as Mistress of this estate, she might as well start now. If Emilio was up to what she thought he was up to, she was going to need help. First she had to be sure.
Minny popped into Ilaria's bedroom. She reported that the witch with Master Emilio was sleeping by magic. That was all Ilaria needed to hear. She had taken hold of Minny's hand directing her to go quietly to the cottage. Ilaria was able to see through a small slit in the curtains. As she suspected. It was Hermione Granger laid out on the bed.
Ilaria stood there watching her son run his fingers up and down Hermione's body. There wasn't any doubt in her mind as to Emilio's intentions. A wizard didn't bring an unconscious witch to his bed without ulterior motives. Neither did he leave her on display for anyone to see. Ilaria was repulsed by her own son. The disgust welled up in her throat as she watched Emilio put his mouth on Hermione's breasts.
Ilaria wanted to burst into the room demanding that he stop, but she was frightened. She was his mother, but she was frightened. Emilio was just like his father. He would not hesitate to hurt her if she got in his way. Under normal circumstances, Emilio could contain himself very well. But these weren't normal circumstances. A Malfoy had interfered with the witch he loved. There wasn't anything normal about what was going on.
Ilaria whispered to Minny. "Take me to Draco Malfoy. I don't know where he is. You'll have to find him. Minny stood stock still with her eyes closed. When she opened her eyes she gripped Ilaria's hand and twisted them into apparition.
/*/
Draco was pacing back and forth one way. Fausto was pacing back and forth going the other way. Harry had come through a few minutes earlier after Draco called to let him know Hermione was missing.
Harry had taken what little details Draco had and called a couple of Auror contacts he had in Milan. When Harry got off the phone, he was able to tell Draco, Carmela and Fausto that Gas was being held in a criminal holding cell at Auror headquarters, but they couldn't tell him anything about Hermione.
Carmela let out a scream as she fell to the floor. "What have they done to my son?"
Fausto picked his wife up hugging her to him. "Gas is in custody? What are the charges?"
Harry suggested they speak privately, but Fausto wouldn't hear of it. "Carmela is his mother. She should hear whatever you have to say."
Harry glanced at Draco before speaking. "Gas was arrested earlier this evening in the act of sexually assaulting a witch. The complainant is Celia Lozier who has made it very clear Gas had put her in fear of her life. Gas has also been charged with raising a wand to an Auror. Which is technically the same as attacking an Auror. It's a nice bit of luck I have an Auror contact in Milan because even though he was arrested hours ago. Gas' paperwork hasn't been entered into Ministry files yet. He could have sat there for days without anyone knowing where he was. The Auror Department in Milan leaves something to be desired. As far as Hermione goes. He hasn't heard or seen anything, but promised to keep his ears and eyes open."
Fausto made Carmela sit on the couch. "Where is your mobile phone? Those bloody fuckers are fucking with the wrong wizard's son. I'm going to make a call and I'm going to make it in private. Look after Carmela." Then he walked down the hall to Gas' room.
Draco tried to console Carmela, but there isn't any consoling a mother who's child is in criminal lockup being charged with a sexual attack on a witch.
Draco couldn't sit still. He didn't know where Hermione was. He was frightened for his witch.
/*/
Harry and Draco were going over what had started all this when there was a tiny knock on the door. They both drew their wands and stood on either side of the door. The tiny knock came again. This time Draco pulled the door open and stood facing a tiny house elf and some strange witch. Draco leveled his wand. "Who are you and what do you want?"
Minny was very scared but she stood in front of her Mistress. "This be Mistress Ilaria from Lozier Estate. We needs to see Draco Malfoy and we needs to see him now."
More than bloody tired of all the Loziers. Draco snapped at the little elf. "Why does Mistress Lozier need to see me?"
Minny felt it was safe enough so she stepped away from Ilaria.
Ilaria Lozier immediately started to speak. "Emilio has taken Hermione to the cottage at the back of my estate. It might be against her will. I need for you to get there to find out what's going on. If I'm wrong, I'll apologize to my son. If it's what I think, you need to go see about Hermione."
Draco started yelling at Ilaria, but Minny stepped back in front of her holding up one finger. "You will not hurt my Mistress Draco Malfoy."
In a lower voice Draco growled, "I'm not going to hurt anyone except the bloody sod who has Hermione. Take me to her now."
Fausto came barreling down the hall to find out what Draco was shouting about. He had stopped short when he saw Ilaria. He recognized the wife of Emiliano Lozier.
Draco had raised his voice again and again the house elf had pointed a finger.
"For fucks sake. Enough yelling," said Harry. "Let's go get Hermione. Grab hold to the elf and let's go."
/*/
The elf was still holding Ilaria's hand. Harry and Draco each grabbed onto an arm and were pulled into apparition. They landed in a darkened area where they had to squint to make out a large cottage.
"I remember this place," shouted Draco as he ran towards the cottage.
Ilaria grabbed onto Harry begging. "Please don't let him kill my son. He just loves her so much. There are things at work Emilio cannot control."
Harry brushed Ilaria's hand away to catch up with Draco. Harry who had come level with Draco before he made it to the door, grabbed him. "Hold on. We're not busting down any door until we know what's what. Look in the window. Find out if it is really Hermione and Emilio."
It was the wrong thing for Harry to tell him to do. Draco looked in the window and saw….. Turning back to Harry Draco croaked. "The bloody fuck has his hands on Hermione."
Draco moved to break through the door as Harry glanced through the window to see Hermione spread out on a bed with a naked Emilio Lozier lying beside her with his hand in a place only Draco should touch.
It had only taken seconds for Harry to see in the window, but Draco had already broken down the door calling Avada…..
Harry deflected that curse and knocked Draco off his feet. But Draco had called the next curse while he was still on the floor. "Malordra. You bloody piece of shite."
With Harry's interference, the Malordra had missed Emilio who was now on his feet with wand in hand. "You think to curse me? The Minister of Acquisitions. I have you good and proper now Malfoy. I'll have the Aurors put you away for years. You thought to get my witch by stealth, but you're too late. Hermione is back where she belongs. For your information. She took my full…."
Harry stunned and bound Emilio before he could finish his rant. Harry didn't want anyone to hear what Hermione had taken. Especially not Draco.
Draco was over at the bed covering Hermione with a blanket yelling "Rennervate love. Rennervate."
Hermione remained motionless.
Draco turned to Harry in near panic. "Do something Potter. I can't wake her up."
"You're too upset Draco. Stand back." Harry pointed his wand at Hermione's chest and spoke very clearly. "Rennervate."
Hermione coughed once and opened her eyes.
Draco grabbed Hermione up in his arms putting his face in her hair.
/*/
Harry levitated Emilio outside to give Draco and Hermione a bit of privacy. He could hear Hermione crying as she talked to Draco. Harry was also sure he could hear Draco crying as he answered her. But that fact would never cross his lips.
Harry knew he didn't have any authority in Milan. Even if he had he wouldn't call on the Italian Aurors. Most of them seemed to be in the pocket of the person who paid the most for their service. He had called Fausto to tell him what had gone on and ask for his help. They still had to tread lightly. Emilio was an arrogant tosspot and a sexual predator, but he was still a sitting Minister with a great many connections.
Fausto arrived ten minutes later with Carmela in tow. After Fausto disclosed what Harry had told him, Carmela had insisted on accompanying him to bring clothes for Hermione. Fausto stayed outside with Harry and Emilio while Carmela knocked on the door.
Draco opened the door stepping aside so Carmela could come through then he stepped outside closing the door behind him.
Harry clapped Draco on the back. "We've got him mate. It's over. He won't be able to wiggle away from this."
"We do have him Harry," snapped Draco. "But don't be too sure he won't be able to wiggle out of this. He's a slime with a great many slime friends who will stand up for him. In my mind, it won't be over until Lozier is dead and everyone involved with hurting Hermione is dead or dying."
"Go back inside with Hermione," ordered Harry. "I'll stay out here with Fausto. He has called in some favors not only for Hermione, but for Gas as well. We just need to wait here for a bit until Ministry Services arrives."
/*/
When Draco went back inside, Hermione was completely dressed, but looked down at her lap when he entered. Carmela noticed and made to excuse herself from the room, but Hermione asked her to stay. Carmela wasn't exactly sure of what Emilio had done to Hermione. Although she could tell Hermione was suffering from humiliation and embarrassment.
Draco noticed as well. "Hermione love. You can't be thinking any of this is your fault."
Carmela left the room as Draco moved closer to his witch. He went to put his arms around Hermione, but she moved away. "I don't know what he did to me Draco. I feel he's done something. I'm so sorry. I walked right into his clutches even though we had discussed our need to be careful. It was such an elaborate idea to send a news clipping that I didn't stop to think it could be connected to Emilio. Now I think he may have done something inappropriate to me. I may have had sex with someone other than you. I don't want you to look at me."
Draco was murderous that Lozier had touched his witch. He was even more concerned that his and Hermione's intimate bond may have been breeched. Hermione was already feeling degraded. He didn't want her to know how hurt he was feeling so he had hugged her and held on. He couldn't stand knowing she might have been intimate with Lozier. But if it had happened, they would live with it.
"You were out cold Hermione. Perhaps you're wrong. Lozier touched you with his fingers. Perhaps that's why you feel…. The way you feel. Even if the unthinkable has happened. It will not change how I feel about you. I love you. Nothing will ever change that."
Hermione raised her eyes so she was looking at Draco. "Promise?"
"Promise," replied Draco.
Hermione laid her head on Draco's shoulder. "Maybe you're right about what happened. I'm not used to being intimate with anyone except you. I could just be feeling guilty over the fact I let myself get in a compromising position."
Draco leaned over to kiss Hermione on the mouth. "Lozier is done for. After today, we won't have to speak of this again. We love each other Miss Granger. Don't you forget it."
Hermione grinned. She had been about to make a witty reply when someone knocked on the door.
Draco looked at her. "Are you ready to get this sorted love?"
Hermione nodded and Draco called out. "Come in."
Harry stepped in to let Hermione and Draco know they were needed outside. Draco kissed Hermione once again before grabbing her hand. "Let's do this love. Just hold onto my hand."
/*/
When they stepped outside, there were four Ministry Service Officers surrounding Emilio while Fausto stood off to the side speaking with a fifth.
Carmela had walked over, smiled at Hermione and taken her other hand. She, Draco and Hermione stood as a united front for whatever was to come.
Fausto and the officer with him walked over to Hermione. The officer asked Hermione to accompany him back to their offices to be interviewed.
Draco told the officer he would like to accompany Hermione. The officer pulled Draco off to the side, shook his hand and thanked him for the excellent work he had done while undercover with the Service. He assured Draco that Ministry Services would take good care of a witch who is brilliant enough to put recording devices on her phones. The officer told Draco he was welcome to accompany Hermione to the interview, but would probably be asked to wait in another room.
Draco thanked the officer agreeing to any terms as long as he could be by Hermione's side.
/*/
Carmela and Hermione were standing alone waiting for Draco. Harry had to get back to London after assuring Hermione he would check back later.
Fausto accompanied the four officers and Emilio back to Ministry Services offices intent mostly with checking on Gas.
Carmela asked if it would be possible for her to accompany Hermione as well. The officer smiled offering a little bow. "It would be our pleasure to have you Mrs. Maida. I will Apparate you directly into our offices where I might have to leave almost as soon as we land. There are two other witches involved in this who need to be brought in. If everyone is ready, we'll go."
/*/
The Ministry Services offices were abuzz when Hermione, Carmela and Draco arrived. Almost every employee had heard the news that Minister Emilio Lozier along with his sister and mother were being detained.
A very perceptive officer offered a cheeky response to the news. "Now we have the lot." While several others commented. "It's about bloody time."
True to his word. The officer had to leave them as soon as they landed. They were shown to a private room where a female officer invited Hermione to come with her.
/*/
As Draco and Carmela sat quietly together waiting for Hermione to return, a wizard came to the doorway and called out to Draco. Draco looked up to see the wizard who had been his contact while he was undercover. With a smile plastered on his face, Draco stood to shake the hand of Xavier Cross. A wizard he had come to respect.
Xavier clapped Draco on the back asking if there was anything he could do for him.
"We'll need all the help we can get." Draco admitted.
Xavier nodded at the pair inviting them to follow him.
Before sitting down, Draco asked Xavier to let Hermione know where he and Carmela had gotten to.
Xavier stopped in his tracks and faced Draco. "Are you telling me that your Hermione is the witch Lozier assaulted?"
"Yes," sighed Draco. "Hermione doesn't scare easily, but I think Lozier really scared her."
"Well I can positively state, the bloody blighter has stepped into something he won't get out of so easily. There are at least ten In Service officers who will stand up for your witch without even knowing the full story. We owe her at least that much. I'll go tell the interviewing officer where we are."
/*/
Emiliano Lozier was waiting for his turn at trial in what was laughingly called a cell. He just finished up with a secret visitor. He still had a few friends. None in the Ministry Services, but a few in other places.
One of those friends had gotten a message through letting him know what was going on. It had all boiled down to Emilio, his bloody fascination with Hermione Granger and the damn blood war thing between him and Draco Malfoy. Emilio had gone and done it. Well actually he and his tramp of a sister had done it. They had even pulled their poor excuse for a mother into in the bull shite. Now he not only had to worry about buying his way out of the charges leveled against him. He had to find a way to buy his family out as well. They would all pay for this when he got of prison. He'd send them all packing without a knut to their names.
Emiliano had money. He just needed someone on the outside to start putting together a plan. He needed someone with a brain who would do what was necessary. Without many choices, Emiliano's thoughts were drawn to Emilio's assistant James Wooley. James was bright, loyal to Emilio, and could probably be enticed to help if offered the right amount of money. Now all he had to do was get a message out to James.
/*/
Draco, Carmela and Xavier talked among themselves until Hermione appeared at the door a little worse for wear, but holding it together. Draco stood and embraced Hermione as he introduced her to Xavier.
Hermione smiled as she reached out to take Xavier's hand. Xavier held her hand for an extra second. "Don't worry about anything Hermione. We're onto this family. We didn't have any idea the mother and sister were as bad as the men. As with many things. We can learn something new every day."
"Thank you Xavier. I don't doubt you, but the Lozier's always seem to land on their feet."
"Not this time Hermione. Not this time." Xavier exclaimed. "Ministry Services is in charge of prosecuting this case as well as the elder's case. No one will buy our silence or our support."
/*/
Carmela chose this moment to ask about Gaspare.
Xavier volunteered to go see if there was any news and was back within ten minutes.
Xavier took a deep breath before relaying what he had found out. "Emilio has made a statement in Gaspare's case. He has accused Gaspare of going around the back end of his own witch to force Celia into an illicit affair. When she kept refusing him, he finally attacked her. She had been at the flat to talk to Sal not realizing what Gas was trying to do until he had her pinned to a bed pulling off her clothes. According to the statement, Celia was able to get a Patronus off to him and he had immediately called the Aurors."
Softly Carmela said. "That's not true."
Xavier glanced at Draco before replying. "The Aurors reported a sexual assault in progress when they arrived. I'm sorry. It's an Auror case. They are insisting Gaspare remain in custody until they find out what's what."
Hermione went over to put her arms around Carmela.
Xavier continued speaking. "Ministry Services has assigned two good men to get to the bottom of it all. Your husband has been called back to active duty with me as his partner. All I can say at the moment, is to the trained eye both Hermione's and Gaspare's cases seem related. At a minimum they both involve a Lozier. Don't worry. We'll get every bit of it sorted Mrs. Maida."