CHAPTER 5
Do you know, you're all I know
When everything comes crashing down,
You're all I know
19 September 1999 – Malfoy Manor
All Hermione focused on was trying to remember how to breathe. She couldn't risk trying to remember anything else. Especially not that the last time she had been within these walls, she was being tortured mercilessly by a truly psychotic witch.
"It's going to be alright," a gentle voice said beside her. She felt the warmth of his hand as it moved to gently grasp hers. "Nothing's going to happen. I promise."
She nodded but didn't say anything. Looking up she saw Draco looking at her with a most sincere look in his eyes. It pained him to bring her here almost as much as it pained her to be there. But it was something that had to be done.
Hermione looked around and took in the exquisite splendour of the room they were standing in. Thankfully they were not in the drawing room where the events that painted her nightmares took place. In fact, it all looked new – it smelt new too. The subtle hint of fresh paint and floor polished mixed together.
"Draco darling! At last!" Narcissa Malfoy called as she made her way towards them. She looked every bit the Malfoy matriarch. Her robes were beautifully detailed and surprisingly not black or green but rather a rich blue. Her hair neatly pinned up in an elegant bun with a jewel encrusted pin holding it all in place. She reached them in quick steps before reaching for Draco.
"It's so good to have you home again," she said dropping all formality for a moment as she embraced her son.
Draco took his mother's hand and gently kissed her on both cheeks, "Hello Mother," he said smiling. "It's good to see you again mother. You look well..."
"You look…" she stopped not knowing what to say. Her son was alive and well. It was more than she could have hopped for. She studied him for a moment and saw a light in him she thought he had lost since the war. A warm was radiating of him, and for a moment Narcissa was overwhelmed at the sight of her son. "You look happy dear," she said. "Though your hair could do with a good trim," Narcissa said lightly, reaching out to touch Draco's blonde hair. It almost shocked the life out of her when he smiled widely and let out a small chuckle.
He took her hand in his before he spoke again, "Mother there is someone I want you to meet." He said looking at her slightly nervous. Draco took a step back and that is when Narcissa saw her. Try as much as she could, Narcissa couldn't stop the shock working its way through her facial features. "Draco…what is this?"
"Mother this is Hermione Granger," Draco started.
"I know who she is!" Narcissa said quickly, "What I want to know is what is she doing here?"
"Mother, Hermione is my girlfriend," Draco explained as he reached for Hermione's hand.
"Hello Mrs. Malfoy," Hermione greeted politely.
"Miss Granger," Narcissa acknowledged barely giving the woman beside Draco a second glance. "Your girlfriend?" she questioned looking at her son.
"Yes." He answered.
Narcissa shook her head, "You were suppose to be busy with the internship! Not floundering about with the first witch you see! Oh, what is your father going to say?" Narcissa asked more to herself than her son.
Draco looked at his mother with slight disappointment. "Is it too much to ask for him to be happy that I am finally happy?"
Narcissa looked conflicted. She stepped away from her son and Hermione. "It's not that simple. You know what this means don't you Draco?" she questioned looking at them utterly worried. "Oh, what have you done?"
"Mother –" Draco started walking towards her.
"You are asking for trouble by bringing her here Draco!" Narcissa warned.
Draco had a snappy reply ready but Hermione reached out and gently squeezed his hand and looking down at his witch all his anger died away. This was never going to be easy. He knew that and so did she. Hermione gave him a small reassuring smile. Their small interaction was not missed by Narcissa who watched them with intrigue. But the thought of the consequences brought Narcissa back to her senses.
"How could you have been so foolish? To bring her here, to your ancestral home! No muggleborn has set foot within this Manor in centuries!" Narcissa continued scolding her son.
"Well that's not entirely true Mrs. Malfoy," Hermione interrupted. "I…I have been here before if you recall." She reminded the matriarch as delicately as possible.
Draco sucked in a pain filled breath as he remembered those events. A haunted look passed over Narcissa and for a moment her disappointment and disapproval vanished as pain and regret replaced it. It disappeared almost as quickly as it appeared. Quickly she slipped back on her mask of indifference.
"Yes, off course. Those circumstances were most unpleasing," Narcissa said.
"Most unpleasing?" Draco spat in disagreement. "It was more than that mother!"
"Be that as it may," Narcissa said sternly, "Draco, I think you should leave now with Miss Granger before your father finds out about this recent…endeavour in your life. Perhaps on your next you will try to remember what is expected of you."
"Hermione is not some endeavour mother!" Draco shot back forcefully. "This is not something you can wish away. I am not living by your expectations anymore. Father will find out and he will learn to make peace with my decisions." He informed her.
"Draco! Don't be foolish! Your father expects you too carry on the pride and honour of this family. Do you really expect to do that with her by your side?" Narcissa questioned giving Hermione a cold stare.
Hermione shuffled slightly but didn't say anything. This was not her fight that much she knew but she hated it nonetheless.
"What the hell does father know about pride and honour?" Draco argued, "Was it pride when he let a murderous mad man into our home – a man that was the very height of hypocrisy that started the second war! Was it honourable that dozens of people lost their lives because of our cowardice? Was it honourable Mother, when Hermione lay screaming on the drawing room floor as your sister tortured and carved her up?!" He was almost out of breath as he looked at her. "Tell me mother where was the wonderful Malfoy honour when father was stripped of his magic and you were confined to this house?"
"Draco!" Narcissa objected looking rather distraught not just at her son's tone but the awful truths he had laid before her.
"So please Mother tell me, what the hell does father know about family honour and pride?" he spat venomously.
"Draco!" A hard voice reprimanded from across the room before Narcissa could gather a response.
Pure dread filled Hermione as they both turned to see Lucius Malfoy standing at the entrance, looking at the pair with a cold hard glare. "You will mind your tongue in this house!" he scolded.
Draco moved to argue back but Hermione gently tugged on his arm to stop him.
"Why have you brought her here Draco?" he asked moving towards them. "Surely you must have known that I would not accept?"
Draco clenched his jaw as he attempted to swallow his anger, "I had hoped that perhaps you would have learned a thing or two from the war." He answered looking at his father. Draco did not waver and his voice was firm as he addressed his father.
Lucius did not look impressed with this son's response. "If you choose this path, you will lose everything." He warned Draco.
"No I will have everything I need," Draco told him but he looked solely to Hermione.
"You cannot! I will not allow it!" Lucius cried.
"What are you going to do father? You have no magic," Draco reminded his father cruelly.
"But I am still Lord of the Manor! And the Head of this family! You will obey." Lucius commanded.
"NO!" Draco shouted back, "My days of following you around like an obedient little boy are over! You do not get to tell me what to do anymore. You lost that right when you had this branded on me!" Draco yelled and then pulled up the sleeve of his left arm, showing the Dark Mark to his father. It looked every bit as ugly and horrifying as the day it was burned into his skin.
Lucius quickly averted his eyes, looking at floor with a scowl on his face. "I will not allow it Draco!" he said stubbornly, "There will be consequences."
"I know," Draco said.
"Can you bear to live with it?" Lucius questioned.
"Yes," Draco told his father calmly. "I am not afraid of what is too come father. I am no coward."
Lucius scoffed and turned away from his son.
"Draco what consequences are they talking about?" Hermione asked softly from beside his son.
For a Draco hesitated and when Lucius looked to his son again he saw the uncomfortable look on is face, he quickly took advantage of this.
"Oh, she doesn't know?" he asked with a cruel smile, "Let me guess you were trying to protect your little witch from the truth?"
"Draco, what is he talking about? What consequences? And what truth?" Hermione asked looking into Draco's conflicted silver eyes.
"Go on Draco, tell her." Lucius pressed smirking.
Draco swallowed and pushed aside his hesitation as he held Hermione's hand firmly in his. "When I choose you Hermione, I will lose everything my name has a claim too."
"E-everything?" she questioned. Hermione noticed that he had said when and not if, but decided to debate that a little later.
Draco nodded, "I will lose my entire inheritance. All land, money, businesses and…any family honour and prestige that would come with being a Malfoy. Everything." He told her. "I will be burned off the family tree forever."
Hermione gasped in shock and couldn't hold back her tears. Draco hadn't told her that part! "Draco…I… you can't!" she stuttered pulling her hands out of his.
"You're a muggleborn Hermione and my ancestors felt that any Malfoy foolish enough to love a muggleborn had to be punished." Draco explained.
"You'd lose everything because of me!" Hermione cried outraged at the mere thought. "That's not fair Draco! That's … all because of me" she repeated much softer this time. "Why didn't you tell me this before?" she questioned and Draco winced when he heard how betrayed she sounded.
"Because you would never have let me give it all up if you knew," he told her simply.
"And you shouldn't have too Draco!" Hermione argued. They had forgotten that Narcissa and Lucius were still in the room watching the pair with interest. "You can't give up your family Draco! Especially after everything you're survived." She said begging him to see reason.
Hermione looked over to his parents and a strange wave of guilt washed over her. Despite all their misdeeds, they were still his parents and Hermione knew she had no right to take him away from them. Their efforts in the final moments of the Battle of Hogwarts proved to Hermione that at their core, the Malfoy's did care for each other. More than anything they sought to keep each other safe, just their methods of doing so might be slightly warped. They were angry with him now, but in the years to come they would regret this decision…and so would Draco.
"You can't lose your family over me Draco!" she insisted. "You can't! You should have told me!" she cried punching his chest with her tiny fists.
"I'm sorry," he said his voice barely above a whisper. Hermione didn't say anything, instead her chocolate eyes focused hard on him. "It's not your fault Hermione. No listen," he said cutting her off from her next rant. He spoke a little louder this time, knowing his parents were listening, "I can't change what my parents choose to believe. It's all they have held onto for so long and to suddenly just give it all up…" Hermione shifted slightly. It was not wrong, that much she understood. After all it was not easy to change one's entire belief system in one day, "They have made a lot of bad decisions, but so have I." Draco said looking at his father sadly, "So I accept their hatred of my decision, and I will accept the consequences too. Because you are worth it. I can't blame them for what they will do. It's what is expected and I made my choice knowing this." Draco told her pulling her closer, "I hope that eventually they will see what I see, and hopefully they will feel remorseful and embarrassed for what they have done but…" Draco sighed looking over at his parents, "they are not ready for such a change."
"Draco think about what you are giving up." Hermione pleaded. "How can you just accept this?"
"I know exactly what I would be giving up Hermione. And I fully accept that." He told her seriously, "But I will not accept you walking away from me."
"Draco, it's your family," she whispered heartbroken. "It would be a mistake to turn your back on them."
He reached out and cupped her face gently in his hands, tucking a stray curl behind her ear, "You're my family too love," he told her. "I know that my family has given you every reason to walk away and I wish I could change that but I can't – so instead I'm going to ask that you stay because I love you more than I knew possible. So please stay and I promise it will be the best damned decision you ever make." Draco told her. He dragged his thumbs across her cheeks wiping away the tears.
"You would really give it all up? After everything you've been through?" she asked softly.
"If I have survived everything just to lose you know I would never forgive myself." Draco told her honestly. "I'd give it all up, just to have you Hermione."
"I refuse to accept this!" Lucius yelled outraged. "If you do choose this then know you are no son on mine!"
Draco looked at his father for a moment, "That's it then? Won't you even think about it father? You would write me off so easily?" he questioned. Draco had hoped his father would at least give his decision some consideration.
"She is your choice Draco?" Lucius asked.
"Yes," he answered in a heartbeat.
"Then you are most certainly no son of mine!"
"Lucius no!" Narcissa pleaded. She was not ready to lose her son again!
"Quiet!" he ordered. "Your son has made his decision and I have made mine." Lucius said coldly.
"Lucius think about what you are saying!" Narcissa cried. "He is your son too!"
"He is no son of mine!" Lucius said vehemently.
"You can stand there and deny me all you want, but the only truth that matters is that I am your son and the only Malfoy heir there is. You have made all the wrong choices that too a lot of them knowingly. I will not make your mistakes." He took hold of Hermione's hand once more and led her towards the fireplace, "This is my decision father. Hermione is my choice. I suggest you learn to live with it because I am not changing my mind." Draco told his father before stepping into the fireplace.
They disappeared in swirl of green smoke, leaving Lucius behind in a furious mess.
Rhaella looked at her grandfather with surprise in her silver eyes. She had never heard his version of that particular meeting before.
Lucius looked down at his desk in embarrassment. Draco had been right about that. The remorse never went away either.
"Grandpa…" Rhaella whispered. "I don't understand mum and you are so close, how could you…"
"Hate her so much?" he finished for her. Lucius sighed as he looked at his grandchildren. "It was easy back then, because I had been doing it for so long. But your father was right. We weren't ready for the kind of change Draco needed from us."
"But you did change," Scorpius said, "Because dad was never disowned." He reminded them.
"Actually, I did burn him off the tree," Lucius informed them with a wince. "But your grandmother knows me too well and had a spell ready to rectify the tree once I came to my senses." He told them earning a laugh from both kids.
"But how did you come to accept mum into the family?" Scorpius asked.
"It took time. A lot of time. But I realised that despite being muggleborn, your mother understood what the core principle of this family was. And that she above all would uphold the honour and pride of this family, more so than I had done myself. It was by no means an easy thing to admit too." He told them, "But things are different now." Lucius said. He hoped his grandchildren didn't see him as the man he was but continued to see him as the man he had become.
Rhaella gave him a sweet smile, "I'm glad you came around," she told him.
"Me too," he replied softly.
Rhaella bid them goodnight and wandered out of the library, leaving Scorpius happily chatting with their grandfather. She had intended to walk up to her room, but as she thought over her parent's story, her feet took her somewhere else entirely.
Night time had fallen and the moonlight bathed itself over the manor, giving it a truly mystical feeling. She walked into the sunroom and took a seat by the window.
"Something on your mind sweetheart?" a voice called drawing Rhaella from her thoughts. Looking over she saw her mother leaning against the door watching her with slight worry in her eyes.
"Just a few things," she admitted with a small sigh.
Hermione walked to where her daughter sat and took a seat opposite her. Gently she ran her hand over the blonde curls that spilled around her shoulders. "What's wrong sweetheart?"
"Well grandpa told me about the first-time dad brought you home," Rhaella began. Hermione stayed silent knowing that particular memory could not have been a pleasant one to recall for Lucius. "How could you have stayed mum?" she asked looking at her mother with big silver eyes, "How could you have stayed knowing they would hate you so much?"
"Because as much as they hated me, your father loved me more." Hermione told her simply.
"It was that easy?" Rhaella questioned in disbelief.
"Merlin no," Hermione answered with a small smile, "I didn't want your father to ever give up his family, but I was also a little selfish and I didn't want to lose him. It was never easy for him to turn his back on everything, but he did. You know why?" she asked with a fond smile. Rhaella shook her head, "Because we believed in each other and we knew that things would get worse before they got better. His decision wasn't an easy one and it broke nearly every tradition this family ever had. You darling are proof of that." Hermione told her gently.
"I am?" she asked looking at her mother confused.
"There hasn't been a girl born into the Malfoy line in centuries," Hermione informed her. "When your father married, me he broke that curse. While tradition carried on in that our firstborn was a boy you darling, are an entirely different story."
"Really?"
"Yes, and that makes you incredibly powerful too." Hermione explained. "Our story is not an easy one but you have to understand that the world is not divided into just good people and bad people. People make mistakes all the time."
Rhaella nodded and turned to look out the window again. Hermione sensed something much deeper was bothering her daughter. "Sweetheart?" she said running her hands over her daughter's arms.
"It's just… well I was thinking about what happened yesterday, you know with the Potter's." Rhaella said cautiously.
"What about it?" Hermione probed.
"Do you think its possible that they would ever like us despite being Malfoy's?" she asked trying to sound nonchalant.
Hermione considered her answer for a moment, "I don't know. It would be entirely up to them I guess." She said honestly. "Do you hate them for what they said?"
"No I don't think so," Rhaella answered thoughtful, "I can't hate them. I don't even know them. It's impossible to hate something you don't know, right?" she asked her mother.
"Exactly," Hermione said smiling warmly at her. Rhaella got the sense that her mother knew something more but if she did Hermione said nothing. "Get some rest sweetheart; it's going to be full day tomorrow." Hermione said kissing her daughter on the forehead and walking out.
Rhaella nodded and watched her mother leave. Thinking back to the story her grandfather had told her and all that her mother had said, she couldn't help but feel slightly conflicted about a certain green-eyed, black haired boy that had been occupying her mind all night.
Sighing deeply, she pushed those thoughts aside and made her way up to her room. It would indeed be a full day tomorrow as they had all planned to attend a Quidditch match with the Zabini's. The last thing on Rhaella's mind as sleep drew her in was the encounter she had with Albus Potter earlier that day. She couldn't help the blush that grew when she played back the scenes in her head. She had been his six impossible things that day, and Rhaella had to wonder what other impossible wonderful things he might bring forth.
The stadium was filled to maximum capacity. People seemed to be dashing around from every corner. Beside her, Rhaella could practically feel the excitement ring of her brother as they walked through the crowd. It had been ages since she had last been to a Quidditch match. Walking with them were the Zabini kids. Scorpius and Damien talked match points while Selene gushed about Puddlemere's newest chaser. Moving through the crowd was a little more difficult as their group was now attracting quiet a few stares. It seemed that people seem to notice her parents more when they appeared together than when they were alone in public. Granted it must have been very weird for most to see Hermione Granger happily wandering around with Draco Malfoy.
Luckily for Rhaella she didn't have to endure it for much longer. Arriving at the foot of the stairs that would take them to their private box, she breathed a little easier as she felt herself being shielded from the inquiring looks.
Their private box was much bigger than she last remembered, with plush sofas and a table set out with the most mouth watering foods. Out on the balcony, the seats were set much like the rest of the stadium, overlooking the massive pitch. Immediately the Malfoy and Zabini kids took up one end of the stands while the adults milled around for a bit, pouring drinks and chatting.
They still had a bit of a wait before the match would start so the kids got comfortable in their seats, with Scorpius and Damien providing delightful entertainment as the two bickered playfully. It would surprise many to know that while Scorpius Malfoy might seem quiet and reserved, he was indeed the very opposite. It usually took a bit of coaxing but once comfortable, he would have you rolling on the floor in stitches. Currently he was having a go at Damien after hearing tales of his latest girlfriend ventures.
"I honestly don't know why you bother," Selene said with clear disapproval though her eyes carried the mirth her voice could not. "Though I have to admit you could have done a lot worse than the Daniels girl," she added frowning at the memory of the Hufflepuff girl.
"She wasn't my girlfriend Selene," Damien defended.
"Did she know that?" Selene shot back smirking at her brother.
Damien glared at his sister but didn't say anything. "She does now," he mumbled.
"After stalking you for nearly two weeks!" Selene objected delicately rolling her eyes.
"She stalked you?" Scorpius asked trying to hold back his laughter.
"Yeah," Damien muttered. "But just a little!"
"That's not what I heard." Selene teased.
"Shall we tell them…what's his name again?" Damien shot back.
Selene threw him a scowl. "No, because there is nothing to tell," she said.
Damien gave her a very disbelieving look but thankfully was once again distracted by Scorpius.
"Come on," Rhaella said lifting Selene to her feet.
"Where are you going?" Scorpius asked.
"We're going for a walk." Rhaella answered quickly.
"We are?" Selene asked.
"Yes." Rhaella answered.
"You're going alone?" Scorpius asked them looking rather worried.
"Oh Scor! You worry too much!" Rhaella said. "We'll be fine."
"Mum we'll be back soon! We're just going for a walk." Selene called out to her mother before the boys could say anything more.
"Oh, be careful darling!" Pansy called out watching the two girls head for the door. "Don't go too far!"
"Yes! Yes! I promise." Selene said hastily as Rhaella practically hauled her out the door. "Easy Ly!" She said laughing.
"Did you send it?" Rhaella asked her once they were outside.
"Yes," Selene told her slowly. "But I don't understand why I did…or why you even answered it in the first place."
Rhaella bit her lip nervously. "Because he didn't care…that I'm a Malfoy. Mum always spoke about second chances and I guess maybe I thought he deserved one too."
"But Ly after everything that was said to you…." Selene reminded her.
"But he didn't say those things! And it seems rather unfair that he should be punished by my anger for it." Rhaella explained. "If I want people to stop treating us with scorn because of our last name I should be willing to do the same for others."
"That's…very wise of you." Selene commended her friend.
"Thank you," Rhaella said smiling proudly. "I did the right thing…right?" she asked uncertainly a moment later.
Selene chuckled. "Yes, you did."
"Really? You don't think it was a mistake?"
"No, I think it's rather brave, you giving him a second chance," Selene said honestly. Rhaella gave her a rather surprised look. "I hate to admit it but despite being the Potter's prodigal son and having a somewhat inflated idea about himself…he's not that bad. Quite the charmer, very smart and hell we can both agree he's bloody gorgeous." She said smirking at her friend.
Rhaella blushed knowing how true that was.
"What I don't understand," Selene continued, "is why I had to send your reply."
"I didn't want anyone asking questions. Imagine what my father and grandfather would say if they found out I sent an owl to Albus Potter! I don't want to cause any problems over something that could be nothing." Rhaella said. They had walked a decent distance from their box and were now looking at some of the knick-knacks that were on sale. "And as you clearly saw there is no love lost between Harry Potter and the Malfoy men."
"I never thought about that," Selene said. "But do you really think this is nothing?"
Rhaella sighed. "I don't know."
Selene looked a little confused. "Wait…did he reply?"
"No!" Rhaella cried dejectedly. "Maybe sending the reply was a mistake."
"What did you say in your letter?"
"Only that he could call me Rhaella and that I would accept his friendship so long as his family didn't make any more attacks on mine," Rhaella told her.
"So, he knows your name," Selene said smiling.
"Yeah but I don't think that means anything really," Rhaella replied.
They continued walking and soon enough even that became a little difficult as more and more people streamed into the stadium. An overly excited little boy came barrelling into Rhaella sending her off her feet. She tripped and would have fallen had a pair of hands not shot out to grab her. Looking up she saw shocked to see who had caught her with such stunning reflexes.
"We really have to stop meeting like this Princess," Albus said smiling at her.
"Yes, we must," she said her shock slowly disappearing. "I thought I told you not to call me princess."
"My apologies Rhaella." He replied and she hated how much she loved hearing her name come off his lips. "Hello," he said softly a moment later.
"Hi," she replied.
"Zabini good to see you again," He greeted looking over her shoulders.
"Potter," Selene said. "You can let her go now." She commented with a smirk.
"Right," he said moving his arms away from her. "So Rhaella, are you a Quidditch fan or you're just watching the game?" he asked.
"Oh, she's better than a Quidditch fan. She's the best damn chaser I've ever seen." Selene said quickly grinning at her friend.
"Really?" Albus asked quirking an eyebrow.
"Don't listen to Selene. She's just exaggerating." Rhaella amended. "I mean I do play, but I highly doubt I'm as good as she makes it seem."
"Well, perhaps I should be the judge of that then," Albus said.
"Oh, and what makes you think you're qualified for such a responsibility Potter?" Rhaella teased.
"I have other talents; well other than my devilishly good looks you know." He told her smirking.
Rhaella laughed. "My! Aren't you an arrogant little swot!"
"So I've been told." He said chuckling. She had just called him an arrogant swot and he didn't in the least bit mind it. Rhaella was the first person in a long time that was not afraid to tell him exactly what she thought about him. It was something Albus found so appealing. He knew that everything about her was real.
"That wasn't necessarily a compliment you know?" Rhaella said sceptically.
"I know," Albus replied.
"We should be heading back," Rhaella said hesitantly. She wasn't ready to leave him just yet.
"Can…uh can I walk you back?" he asked uncertainly.
Rhaella opened her mouth to say yes but then stopped. As much as she wanted him too, she highly doubted her father or brother would be very pleased to see him. But she didn't need to say anything because it seemed Selene already had her covered.
"Are you sure you want too?" Selene asked. "What if you were seen?"
"Oh right…" he muttered not bothering to hide his disappointment. "See you around then?"
"Definitely," Rhaella told him with a smile. She allowed Selene to loop her arm through hers and drag her away.
"Come on Ly," Selene said as they moved through the crowd once more. "And wipe that sappy smile off your face." She commented with a smirk.
Rhaella giggled as they continued walking back to the box. The crowd seemed to be growing with each passing moment but that didn't stop her from noticing her parents rushing towards her. They broke through the crowd with no hesitation, determined looks on their faces. Her mother with her crazy hair on end and wand in her hand emitting sparks reached her first. Immediately Rhaella knew something was wrong.
"Mum?" she asked as her mother grasped her arms tightly. "What's wrong? Where are you –"
"Rhaella you need to go back to the box right now." Her mother said sternly looking over their heads to see the people around her. "Take Selene and go straight back. No Ly," her mother said cutting her off. "Questions later. I need you to do as I say. Right now!"
Confused and scared, Rhaella stared at her parents. Her father was scanning the crowd while her mother was muttering under her breath. It sounded familiar…a protection spell. Why would her mother be casting a protection spell on them?
"Mum…. I – "
"Rhaella!" her father said sharply. Looking at him she was shocked at what she saw. "Do as your mother says. Now!" he told her as Hermione let her go and began weaving through the crowd once more. "Go now!" he ordered, his pointed features outstandingly prominent as he bolted hot on his wife's heels.
"What the hell was that all about?" Selene asked.
"I have no idea," Rhaella answered staring after her parents.
"Come on Ly," Selene said tugging her arm. "I bet mum and dad know what's going on."
In no time, they had reached their box, and suddenly Rhaella was dreading finding out had happened in their absence. As they stepped into the box, she knew whatever it was it had to be very serious. Gone were the cherry smiles and pleasant laughter. Rhaella sensed the tension the moment she saw her godparents. Panic set in as she saw Pansy rush towards them.
"Oh, thank Merlin you're alright!" Pansy said hugging Selene and her close.
"Mum!" Selene cried. "Mum, what's going on? We just went for a walk. Mum…" but she trailed off as she saw her mother. More panic and confusion set in as Rhaella noted that her Aunt Pansy had been crying.
"Mum…I'm sorry I didn't mean to scare you. We just went for a walk…" Selene quickly said.
"It's …that's not it…" Pansy managed to get out before pulling her into another hug.
"Lyra …something's happened." Her godfather told her solemnly.
"I know. I saw mum and dad rushing out…. but they wouldn't tell me what." She said quickly. "Uncle Blaise, what's going on?"
She looked up at her godfather and saw the panic and tension in his features. Looking around the room she saw it was the same for everyone else in the room.
"What is it?" she asked almost too scared to know.
"It's Thea… she's missing." Blaise told her.
Rhaella felt the floor move from under her. Luckily, Pansy held onto so she didn't make it to the floor. She couldn't think about much in that moment as panic and dread filled her.
There was a great deal of shuffling and muttering. Looking up Rhaella noted her brother and Uncle Blaise standing around the table. They each wore a solemn look and seemed to be debating over some papers.
"They went to find her, didn't they?" Rhaella asked her godparents. Blaise nodded solemnly. "What if they don't?"
"We're working on sealing all the exits at the moment. Your grandparents have been contacted and they should be here momentarily." Blaise told his goddaughter.
"We're going to find her, right?" Rhaella asked holding onto Pansy tightly.
"Yes," Blaise told them. "We're going to find her."
"We're wasting time Uncle Blaise," Scorpius told him. "The longer we wait in here the further away she gets out there!"
Sighing Blaise looked at his family with worry. "We're doing everything we can right now."
"Not everything," Scorpius said stepping away from the table. "We all know that by the time the Aurors arrive she will be long gone. Let us go and look for her Uncle Blaise." He said looking at his godfather.
Blaise seemed hesitant to let any more of their out of his sight. But Scorpius wasn't taking no for an answer. "I can help."
"You can't go alone Scor!" Pansy scolded. "Don't forget you're the Malfoy heir for all we know this could be a trick to lure you out. Your parents would never allow you to put yourself in danger right now! They will find her." She muttered the last part over an over as she held Rhaella and Selene. "They have too.
"You can't expect me to sit in here and do nothing?!" he objected. "I can help! Please!"
"No…it's too dangerous! We don't know what they want and to send you out … it would be foolish!" Pansy argued. "Blaise tell him!"
"Your aunt has a point Scor," Blaise started.
"All my life I've been told me it's my job to protect the girls and that is exactly what I'm going to do." He told his godparents firmly. "In the time that it takes the ministry to decide whether they want to help us or not…I can find her."
"We can find her," Damien said stepping up next to his best friend. "Don't worry mum I've got his back."
"Okay." Blaise seeing the determined looks on the boy's faces. "Be careful and we'll send help as soon as we can."
"Blaise!" Pansy argued.
"He's right Pansy! Blaise told her. "We're wasting time in here. She is out there!" He said with frustration. "We can't wait for the Aurors."
"Go find her," Blaise told them. "Before she gets too far. Go now."
The boys nodded and raced out of the box into the thick of the crowd. The only thing that registered at that moment for all the occupants of the room, was that their sweet little Thea was missing… the youngest Malfoy in a world of people who seemed to hate the Malfoy's was now missing.
Albus walked through the packed crowd, towards his family. Once again, she was all he could think about. Her smile and her laughter were rather infectious. It blurred his mind and he walked passed the people without seeing much. That was until he felt something bash against his legs.
"Oh, I'm so sorry," he apologised immediately looking down to see a little girl with big silver eyes looking back at him. She looked frightened and seemed to be pulling against the hand holding her.
"Don't worry about it laddie," the man said his strong Irish accent catching Albus' attention.
Albus nodded but something held him back from walking away. "Is everything alright?" he asked for reasons unknown to him.
"Oh yes," the man told him rather quickly. "Just have to get this little one home," he said attempting to pull the little girl with him.
"NO!" the little girl screamed bringing Albus' attention back to her. "I won't go! Take me back to my daddy!"
"Shhh! I told you we were going to see him now!" the man said attempting to placate the little girl. "Sorry me niece is a lil' dramatic," he said attempting to laugh it off.
Looking at the little girl Albus felt something familiar about her but he couldn't quite put his finger on it.
"Come on darlin'," the man said pulling harder on the little girl's hand.
"No! Leave me!" she screamed causing the man to panic.
"We're going home," he told her. "Didn't I tell you we were going home?"
The little girl tried to pull her hand away but the man held on as he attempted to push past Albus. But Albus knew something was incredibly wrong as he noticed the mousy-haired man pull out his wand and take aim at the little girl as they passed him.
The little girl looked back at him flashing her those scared silver eyes and suddenly Albus knew why she seemed so familiar. He had been thinking about nothing but those eyes. Hell, he had just watched a certain blonde haired witch with the same silver eyes walk away from him.
Without thinking, he turned around and grabbed the man by the shoulder, throwing him off guard. The man's spell misfired and caused a roar from a nearby witch as it hit her.
Immediately chaos ensured as the man tried to hold onto the little girl and fight off Albus as well. He refused to let go of her wrist as she tugged and pulled against him. Albus was unsure how to move against him again, now fully aware of the little girl.
He tried to reach for the little blonde but the man has his wand trained on Albus now.
"Can't let you do that son," he said darkly. "There are people who paid a pretty price for this little Malfoy."
"Let her go," Albus said. "You won't get away. Everyone's seen you now." He said noting their onlookers.
"You think they're going to save a Malfoy?" the man mocked. "And what makes you think this is my real face? You forget laddie, I'm a wizard."
"She's just a little girl! Now let her go!" Albus said firmly ignoring the man's taunt.
"Why do you care Potter?" the man snapped and Albus froze for a moment. "Were you foolish enough to think, I won't recognise a Potter? I'm doing everyone a favour!"
"No!" Albus cried reaching forward once more only to be blasted off his feet. He landed painfully on his back only distantly aware that the Irish man was fighting with the littlest Malfoy once more.
It occurred to Albus that he couldn't apparate…not here with the anti-apparation wards in place. He had to stop them before they reached the gates. Quickly he got up and ran towards the duo making their way through the crowds. The kidnapper had picked up Little Malfoy and was running with her in his arms. However, she didn't seem to be going without a fight. She kicked and screamed all the way until at last her little legs delivered a rather powerful blow to his stomach.
He cursed in pain, and she momentarily slipped from his grasp. They had almost made it to the gates when she finally managed to pull away from him.
"NO!" he screamed turning and reaching for her once more. His hard hands only managed to grab at her blonde hair.
Althea cried out in pain but didn't move again. The assailant stood up, victorious for a moment before he walked towards the little girl. "Come you little brat," he spat bending down to pick her up again.
"Expelliarmus!" Albus shouted as he approached them. Though he just missed his target as the man moved out of his aim just in time.
The man growled before sending a curse flying towards Albus. "Protego!" he shouted just in time for the curse to bounce off his shield.
Albus didn't bother looking around for help. He didn't have the time for that. If he was going to stop this man from getting away with Little Malfoy, then he had to move fast. Taking down his shield he ran towards them again. He stopped not even ten feet away, aiming his wand carefully at the man before shouting, "Flipendo!" which sent the man flying through the air.
Using this as a good distraction, Albus managed to reach Althea and had just enough time to throw up another protective shield. The littlest Malfoy stood behind him, clutching his leg as the assailant hit his shield with curse after curse. Albus felt the shield weakening but before he could call out another hex, someone appeared beside him. He turned in time to see Scorpius Malfoy and Damien Zabini raising their wands at their attacker.
"Stupefy!" Damien called only for it to miss the assailant by an inch.
"Alarte Ascende!" Scorpius yelled and once again the assailant was sent flying through the air.
However, before either boy could attack again, the man rolled over groaning in pain and then in a blink apparated far from their reach. Althea turned and saw her big brother standing beside them.
"Scorp!" Althea cried in relief before jumping into her brother's arms. Scorpius caught her and held her tightly to him. Damien looked just as relieved as Scorpius did but he was now looking rather sternly at Albus. His grip on his wand didn't let up either.
"You okay little Thea?" he asked looking her over. She nodded, her blonde hair bouncing furiously.
"The mean man was pulling at my arm!" she cried. "He said we were going to see daddy but he was hurting my arms!" she cried burring her head into the crook of her brother's neck. "He was means!"
"It's okay. He's gone now." Scorpius reassured her before looking over at her other saviour.
Albus stood watching the siblings with some apprehension. He wasn't sure what to say at that moment and judging by the looks Zabini was giving him, he figured it was best if he remained silent.
"Can we sees him now?" she asked breaking the silence between the two boys.
"Y-yeah let's go!" Scorpius said, turning and making his way back to their box. "You too Potter," he called over his shoulder.
"What?" Albus asked confused.
"You did save my little sister, didn't you?" Scorpius asked stopping to look at him.
"Yeah…" Albus answered hesitantly.
"Right, well I'm sure my father would like to hear about it. And thank you." Scorpius informed him.
"Plus, I believe your father is going to be making an appearance soon and we wouldn't want to miss that," Damien said looking at Albus sceptically.
"Come on it's this way," Scorpius said before walking through the crowd that had gathered.
It only took Albus a few seconds to realise the invitation before kicking himself into gear and following Scorpius Malfoy back to his family. It didn't escape his notice that this was going to be one helluva of a meeting. What with him being in the same room as the girl he was crazy about, but also having her family that hated his family so much in said room all while trying to explain how he saved their littlest Malfoy. Merlin help me, he thought following the two blondes and Zabini towards what could only be more trouble.
A/N: Hello again! I am so sorry for the very very delayed update! I hope this chapter makes up for it a little.
Thank you to all those who are following this story or have added it to their favourites! And a big thank you to all those who have reviewed! I look forward to hearing what you think so please do review, it really is an excellent motivator!
I will be uploading the flashback from this chapter to the flashback story Trials, Treasures and Truths. That is purely Dramione and covers their love story. That will include more flashbacks than Coveted so if you a more detailed idea of Draco and Hermione's story I suggest you guys check that out!
The chapter title was taken from the song The Fall by Imagine Dragons.
I am still looking for a beta, so if anyone is interest please let me know!
Enjoy!
xoxo
Immortal Dragon Empress