CHAPTER 6
Maybe I'm destined to be distraught
Always a reason
Breaking me down to my knees in the dead of night
I keep on praying to see the light
They had walked only a few steps when Scorpius Malfoy stopped. It didn't take long for Albus to figure out why as he saw the worried figures of Draco and Hermione Malfoy make their way through the crowd.
"Daddy!" Thea screamed in delight seeing her father first. "Mummy!" Her screams alerted them instantly.
They were in front of Scorpius faster than Albus knew possible. Scorpius carefully handed his sister to their father. Draco held her close and closed his eyes with relief for a moment. His wife was at his side in seconds and he handed their baby over to her. The moment Hermione held her daughter she felt she could breathe again. Holding her baby close to her as she ran a hand over her blonde curls soothingly. All the worry was momentarily forgotten.
Althea wriggled a bit in her parent's embrace gaining their full attention once more. "Mummy, the means man was pulling my arm!" she cried looking at them with big silver eyes. She reached for her father and he quickly took her before she continued her story. "He saids we were going to see daddy but he lied!" she cried her bottom lip quivering.
Draco scowled as he listened to his daughter. He tightened his hold on her and pressed a kiss to her blonde hair. He pushed her sleeves up to see red marks on her hand where the kidnapper had grabbed too hard. He felt the anger rise in him once more at the thought of someone manhandling his daughter. Hermione's voice broke through his anger and he could focus on what was important.
"It's alright sweetheart," Hermione told her gently. "He's not going to hurt you anymore."
"Really?" Althea asked in a small voice.
"I promise," Hermione said. "Right?" she asked looking at Draco.
"Nobody's going to hurt you, sweetheart," he promised bringing her close again. She tucked her head under his chin and clasped her hands around his neck tightly. She wasn't going anywhere anytime soon.
"Scorpius I thought I told you to wait in the box?" Hermione asked turning to her son.
"Mum, it's Thea. I couldn't just sit and hope that help might come," he told his mother hoping she wouldn't be too mad.
Hermione wanted to be angry at him for disobeying them and rushing headfirst into danger, but he had said enough. It was Thea, and there was nothing they wouldn't do to keep her safe. She sighed and glanced over her son to check that he was not hurt before her eyes jumped to Damien.
"Did you see him?" Draco asked his son. While he might have been upset that his son disobeyed them, he knew why Scorpius did it and for that, he couldn't be angry.
"Not really," Scorpius answered. "But he did." He told his parents hesitantly before turning to look over his shoulder.
Draco followed his son's gaze as did Hermione. With great shock, Hermione immediately recognised his green eyes and black hair.
"He saved her," Scorpius told them. Both his parents looked utterly shocked at that.
"How…?" Hermione managed to get out.
"I'm not entirely sure," Scorpius said. "It all happened very fast."
"Okay let's get you lot back to the box. We can talk more privately there." Draco said looking around to the crowd they had attracted. "Mr Potter if you wouldn't mind joining us?" Draco asked him.
Albus nodded and followed the Malfoy's through the crowd all the way back to their box. All the while Albus thought how he was going to explain how he had managed to save the little Malfoy without it sounding crazy. All too soon they had arrived at the box, the Malfoy's ascending first and he followed.
Once inside Draco had Althea over to Hermione as Pansy and Narcissa rushed to her side. He walked to the table that saw Blaise and Lucius waiting and looking very solemn.
"Thea!" A voice called out before he saw a blonde scurry make its way to Hermione.
"Ly!" Thea cried happily as her sister hugged her.
Albus watched with great interest as Hermione brought both her daughters in for a tight hug, placing a kiss on each forehead. Their grandmother, Narcissa reached out and gently pressed down on Althea's curls. This was not at all like the Malfoy's his father and Uncle Ron had described, and it left Albus feeling very unsettled. How could his father have been so wrong about these people?
He turned his attention to the men in the room and saw that Scorpius and Damien were filling their father's and Lucius Malfoy in on what had occurred. Albus knew better than to intrude on the family moment so he stood quietly by the door, waiting for someone to address him.
"Mr Potter," Draco Malfoy finally said calling him over. It was only then that Rhaella noticed his presence in the room. Her face set into a quick panic as she saw her father calling him over.
Albus was very aware of the hush that fell over the room as he walked to the table. "Mr Malfoy," he greeted politely.
"Scorpius tells me you saved my daughter," Draco began giving the boy a hard look. "Is this true?"
"Yes… well, I didn't do it by myself." Albus said truthfully. "He would have gotten away if your sons hadn't arrived." He said looking at Draco and Blaise.
"Still you risked a lot to save her and I thank you for that," Draco said holding his hand out to the teen. Albus looked momentarily stunned before he gained his good sense back and reached forward to shake Draco's hand.
"Did you know who she was?" Scorpius asked looking at Albus curiously.
"I'm sorry?" Albus asked confused.
"Did you know who she was before you could save her?" Scorpius clarified.
"Yes," Albus said fully understanding what he was asking. "I knew exactly who she was before I could do anything."
"Why would you save her then?" Rhaella asked walking towards them. Hermione joined her husband at the table with Althea still in her arms.
"Because she was in trouble and she didn't deserve his cruelty," Albus said looking at her. He had to force himself to remember to look away.
"Mr Potter, my grandson said you fought the kidnapper longer than he had. Do you remember anything about him or perhaps he said something to you?" Lucius Malfoy asked.
Albus was a little hesitant to answer. He knew very well about the Lucius Malfoy's reputation and had rumours about the sort of company Lord Malfoy kept. He had intended on giving a vague answer but Albus had made the mistake of looking at Rhaella and suddenly the truth was spilling from his mouth before he could stop it.
"He said someone had paid a price for her," Albus told them grimly. "And that he was wearing a disguise so the face I saw was probably not his own and he had an Irish accent but I can't be sure if that was real too."
"Anything else?" Lucius pressed.
"No," he said.
Lucius nodded and was saved from saying anything further by the arrival of the Aurors. "About bloody time," Lucius muttered.
Albus felt his stomach drop when he saw his father leading his team into the box. This would not end well.
"Albus?" Harry asked confused. "What are you doing here?" he asked looking around at the Malfoy's rather suspiciously. Lucius, with much restraint, held back an annoyed sigh.
"He was playing hero and it seems he's rather good at it too." Lucius finally said earning a disapproving glare from his wife and daughter-in-law. "A lot better than you I imagine," he mumbled only so his wife could hear him.
"What my father means to say is that your son helped save my daughter," Draco explained quickly.
Harry looked at them rather shocked, "H-he did?" Harry asked looking completely shocked. His questioning gazed flickered from Albus to Draco to Hermione, though it did not linger on her for long.
"Yes," Draco asked gaining the Saviour's attention once more.
"How?" Harry asked meeting the unwavering eyes of his childhood nemesis.
"It's quite the tale, I'm sure your son won't mind sharing it a second time," Draco answered.
They waited, watching Harry carefully. He could feel their heavy stares on him and he had to remind himself that he had a job to do. Harry knew he was not going to get a straight answer from the likes of a Malfoy. Instead, he focused on his purpose for entering the box.
"Very well," Harry said trying to switch back into Auror mode. "Is she hurt?" he asked looking around to the room. His eyes landed on a younger blonde version of Hermione, only piercing grey eyes looked back at him with complete determination.
"It was not me that was taken Mr Potter," she said. "It was my little sister," Rhaella told him motioning to the little blonde now sleeping in Hermione's arms.
Harry looked to where she pointed and was shocked to see just how little she was. Had the kidnapper gotten away, Althea Malfoy would have been their youngest victim. But he didn't need to inform the already worried and very angry Malfoy's of that.
"Is she hurt?" Harry repeated his question.
"Somewhat," Draco told him as he reached for his daughter. "But rest assured Potter it's nothing we can't handle."
"Well we're going to need a statement," Harry informed him gritting his teeth.
"I'm sure your son can help you there," Draco told him.
"I need a statement from you Malfoy," Harry argued. "Seeing as you felt the need to call us here and waste our time."
"Waste your time?" Hermione cried. "My daughter was taken! You should have been here sooner!"
"How sure are you that she was taken, Mrs Malfoy?" Harry spat her name like it was acid in his mouth. "She could have just run off, something you're familiar with."
Hermione looked completely aghast and moved towards Harry but was quickly stopped by Draco gently grabbing onto her elbow.
"Potter if all you are here to do is throw around false accusations allow me to cut this visit very short," Draco told him sternly.
"Might I remind you Malfoy, that I am Head Auror for the Ministry of Magic. You do not give me orders." Harry told him harshly.
"Mr Potter," Lucius Malfoy said stepping forward. "My family has been through quite an ordeal today. You are not helping in any manner so I think it's best that you leave now."
"No one's going anywhere!" Harry shouted. "We need a statement so you Malfoys will have to come with us back to the Ministry."
"Absolutely not," Lucius said. "I am taking my granddaughter home, Mr Potter. if you insist on being a nuisance you may follow us to the Manor, where we will answer whatever dim-witted questions you need answering."
Harry looked set to argue again but Lucius didn't allow for such an opportunity. He turned and nodded to Draco who held his daughter closer before holding his arm out for his wife. Hermione accepted his arm and held on tightly to Rhaella, and Scorpius placed a tight hand on his father's shoulders, smirking at the sight of the very frustrated auror.
Before Harry could think to object the Malfoy's disapparated with a loud and annoying pop! Narcissa and Lucius followed a moment later, with Pansy and Selene.
"Bloody Malfoy's!" Harry grumbled.
"Come on then Potter," Zabini said sighing with impatience.
"Where…are we going?" Albus asked slowly.
Damien looked at him and smirked a little. "Malfoy Manor," he informed Albus.
Brilliant, Albus thought as he reached out and grabbed the elbow of Damien Zabini. He felt the familiar tug at his navel as the room disappeared, Just fucking brilliant.
The Potter's apparated back to Malfoy Manor with Blaise Zabini. Harry glanced at his surroundings with deep uncertainty. Draco and Lucius Malfoy seemed to be having a quiet conversation in the corner while Hermione rocked Althea back and forth in her arms. Harry took a few steps further into the room and was very surprised to see that the Manor was not as he remembered it. While Harry seemed to be trying to gauge his new environment, Albus seemed to have eyes for only one person. Albus watched closely as Rhaella walked towards her mother, they shared a few quiet words before Hermione handed a still sleeping Althea over to Rhaella. Her hands brushed the curls away from her daughter's face.
Rhaella smiled at her mother, hoping to give as much comfort and support as she could before turning to leave with her little sister in her arms. That's when she caught him staring. Her feet slowed down as her silver eyes flickered to meet his green. She hugged Althea closer to her as his gaze never faltered on her. Her blush came up furiously and Albus couldn't help but chuckle ever so slightly. Rhaella was quick to remember the others in the room. She threw Albus a quick scowl before moving much faster out of the room. With her gone, Albus had no choice but to listen to the conversation happening around him.
"You don't remember what he looked like?" Harry asked Scorpius sceptically.
Scorpius scowled, "It all happened very quickly."
"Yes, you've said that already," Harry said sounding somewhat annoyed. He eyed the blonde boy carefully before stepping closer, "But surely you must remember something about the man who took your sister?"
"I've already told you everything I know Mr Potter," Scorpius said gritting his teeth and trying his best to remember his manners.
"I don't think you have," Harry insisted.
"I can't tell you something I don't know," Scorpius said.
"You Malfoys tend to hide information for your own benefit," Harry said, "Let me remind you withholding information is considered a punishable crime. And so is whatever vigilante act you plan on embarking after this." Harry warned.
Scorpius sighed, paying the Saviour's warning no heed, "If you want to know exactly what happened, it's your son you should be questioning. As my grandfather has already told you, he helped save my sister, and from what I saw he spent more time fighting the kidnappers than I did." Scorpius informed him, folding his arms across his chest.
Everyone in the room turned to look at Albus. He sucked in a breath and wished harder than he ever had for his father's invisibility cloak.
"Well, Albus, what exactly happened?" Harry asked almost reluctantly.
Albus took a deep breath and regaled the same story he had told to the Malfoy's earlier. His father listened with rapid attention and he got more worrisome the more Albus spoke. Once he was done talking, silence filled the room. Albus shuffled slightly, as he avoided looking at his father. He knew without a doubt his father would be angry, but he hoped his anger would not stop him from seeing the good Albus had managed to do. Even if it meant helping the Malfoys in the end.
Harry sighed hoping to reign in his thoughts. He looked at his youngest son and while he was most conflicted over the events, more so over the people involved than the actual incident, he was nonetheless happy to see his son was okay.
"I can't say I am not disappointed that you did something so rash and foolish as to take on the kidnapper by yourself," Harry began and Albus looked away as the guilt and shame filled him. He wanted to defend his actions, something about his father scolding in such a manner in front of the Malfoys no less, made Albus want to argue back. His father, however, continued speaking and Albus had no choice but to listen, "You could have been seriously hurt. I don't understand why you couldn't wait for us to get there –"
"He would have disappeared by the time you got there!" Albus said quickly looking at his father, almost daring him to deny it.
"It was dangerous regardless," Harry said, "But you did save her life and… that was very brave son." Albus flushed at his father's comments. "I'll need those memories from you if we hope to catch him before he decides to strike again." Harry turned to where Scorpius and Damien stood, "And I'll need it from you two as well," he said.
Scorpius regarded the saviour with distrust but nodded slowly regardless.
"Right, well you've had all your questions answered so I think you should leave now Potter," Draco said hoping to get rid of Potter soon. He was eager to check in on his little girl and then he would start his search for the man stupid enough to make a move against the Malfoy Family. Potter's warning be damned.
"Actually there is one more thing I need," Harry said smirking a little at the now very frustrated Malfoy.
"Well, what is it?" Lucius spat out.
Harry was quick to ignore his impatient tone. "I need to speak to her," he told them.
"No," a voice said firmly. Harry looked around to see that it was Hermione that spoke this time.
"Unfortunately this is non-negotiable Mrs Malfoy," Harry told her stiffly.
"She has been through more than enough today. Your questions are the last thing she needs right now," Hermione said firmly. "You can ask them another time."
"I thought you wanted to catch the person that is after your daughter?" Harry asked somewhat harshly.
"Of course I do!" Hermione cried angrily.
"Then let me do my job!" Harry argued.
"Oh, now you want to do your job!" Hermione said mockingly.
"What the hell does that mean?" Harry asked his eyes narrowing on the witch before him. Draco instinctively moved closer to his wife, his hand resting on his wand.
"You knew it was a Malfoy in trouble and I find no coincidence in the fact that you arrived twenty minutes after we informed the ministry of the situation," Hermione said looking at her former best friend. "How long did you stand in Kingsley's office arguing that there was no way in hell you'd be helping us Malfoys before he forcefully sent you to us?" Hermione asked looking The Saviour down.
Harry gritted his teeth but said nothing for a moment. Instead, he focused on willing his anger away.
"We are trying our very best to help your family Mrs Malfoy, but we cannot do much if you do not wish to cooperate," Harry said a little condescendingly. "Your daughter has been safely returned to you –"
"No thanks to you Potter," Draco scoffed. "You can quit the noble act, and should rather focus on thanking your son for saving your arse."
Harry glared at Draco, "We had the situation under control. We would not have let him walk away with your daughter."
"No, you just let it happen to the last three families," Lucius said dryly. "I guess we should we consider ourselves lucky that your son has somewhat of an infatuation with our Rhaella, and was able to recognise Althea as her sister."
Albus' eyes widened in horror as his father turned to him with a hard stare.
"It's…not…he's…." Albus stuttered.
Lucius looked at the stammering boy in amusement, "You're not nearly as subtle as you think Mr Potter. But as I've said we're grateful for it as it's saved another Malfoy." Albus felt his cheeks tinge a little but didn't say anything. "I can only hope it will remain a meaningless infatuation," Lucius added looking at the boy sternly.
Albus was saved from saying anything at the sounds of his father's indignation.
"That is completely absurd!" Harry cried. "Completely absurd."
"Why?" Hermione asked slowly.
"Well because…" Harry trailed off.
"Because she's a Malfoy?" Hermione challenged him.
"We've digressed," Harry said choosing not to answer Hermione's question. "I need to speak with her." He said more firmly this time.
"We're already told you no Potter," Draco said.
Harry huffed in irritation, "I understand you're upset and emotional but the longer we wait, the more she forgets."
"You can wait a day," Draco informed him.
"In any case, I have a feeling this is something she is not likely to forget so easily," Hermione added.
"Don't be so damned difficult!" Harry snapped. "All I need is for her to answer a few short questions. I cannot continue this investigation without her account of what happened."
"Come back tomorrow Potter," Hermione told him. "You certainly took your time arriving today I highly doubt waiting 24 hours will kill you."
Harry growled, "Look, whether you care to admit it or not, I'm the only one here that can help you right now so I suggest you start giving me something to work with."
Hermione rolled her eyes, "Don't fool yourself for a moment into thinking you're the only one with means and power in this room Harry Potter." Harry scowled and stepped closer ready to argue but Hermione cut him off. "I have already told you that you will not be speaking to my daughter. If you really and truly want to know what happened to her then I suggest you come back tomorrow."
"What about her memory?" Albus suddenly asked.
"What?" Harry asked turning to his son.
Albus tried to keep his voice steady as once again everyone turned to look at him.
"She's very upset. It's unlikely you'll get much from her," Albus informed his father. "So why not extract the memory from her in the same manner you'd take it from us. That way you'd have all the necessary information to start your investigation without having to wait."
Harry looked mildly surprised at his son. "That sounds like a decent enough plan."
"Potter, your son makes a better Auror than you do," Draco said smirking.
Harry looked a little proud at hearing Draco's comment. "So is it possible for me to get her memory then?" he asked.
Draco looked at his wife and they seemed to have some silent conversation before she slowly nodded her head. Draco smiled softly and placed a gentle kiss on her forehead before turning back to Harry.
"Yes Potter, we'll give you the memory," Draco said. "But I'll be the one to extract it from her," Draco added.
Harry seemed rather tired of arguing and simply nodded. "Just make sure you do it properly. I'd hate to have to come back here."
"You and me both Potter," Draco said moving away from Hermione towards the door. Harry set to follow him but Draco stopped him. "You wait here." He said firmly.
"I need to make sure you're giving me the right memory," Harry argued. "And I can't use it as evidence if I can't authenticate it."
"Fine," Draco conceded. "Come on then," he said and turned to Albus, "You too. There's a floo you can use in the office to floo home afterwards."
"Just a moment Draco," Hermione said stopping the three men from leaving the room. "I would like a word with Mr Potter," she said looking at Albus. Harry tensed at the idea of leaving his son alone with them. "Relax Harry, I'm not going to hurt him. He did after all save my daughter." She said smiling softly.
Albus looked to where his father stood. "It's alright, I'll meet you at the floo."
Harry seemed reluctant to agree but Draco grew more impatient and he didn't want them changing their minds about the memory. "Okay," he said before giving Hermione a warning look and then he followed Draco out the room.
"Mr Potter I –"
"Albus," he corrected. "You can call me Albus Mrs Malfoy."
Hermione smiled. "Thank you, and you can call me Hermione."
Albus chuckled slightly, "Yeah I don't think my father would like that."
Hermione's smile faltered. "No, I doubt he would." She said softly.
Albus watched her closely. She seemed rather upset at the idea that his father wouldn't be calling her so informally. Her despair however only lasted a few moments before she turned to smile warmly at him.
"Thank you for saving my daughter," she said. "Especially after knowing exactly who she is."
"It really is no trouble, Mrs Malfoy. I would do it again if I had to." He told her sincerely.
This only made her smile more, "You have no idea lovely it is to hear that. You're a good man Albus Potter." she said causing him to blush somewhat. "Now, about this business with my other daughter," Hermione added looking at him with a cheeky smile.
This time Albus flushed and looked around the room, grateful to see that the other occupants had long since left.
"I… it's not what you think…" he started quickly but stopped when he heard the soft laughter from the woman beside him. Hermione didn't say anything but steered him out of the room towards Althea's room, knowing that's where her family would be. They came to a stop in front of a large door, left slightly ajar.
"Don't worry Albus I'm not going to scold you. I think it's a little charming that your… infatuation saved my daughter's life. I can't really blame you either," Hermione, said gesturing towards the room.
Albus followed her line of sight and was left a little breathless. Rhaella stood near the vast windows at the far end of the room, with the light streaming in, she seemed to have an ethereal glow. He thought he had never seen anything more beautiful than Rhaella still decked out in her Quidditch jersey and her hair glowing almost white. Albus felt his throat go dry as he watched her chewing on her lip.
"She is beautiful," Hermione said smiling knowingly at the besotted lad.
"Yes," he breathed his eyes never moving from her figure. Hermione chuckled, loud enough to draw Albus from his reverie. He looked at her wondering how to ask what had been on his mind. He plucked up some of his Gryffindor courage and finally managed to get the words out.
"How… how did he know?" Albus asked. "Mr Malfoy." He clarified. "How did he know how I felt?"
Hermione chuckled. "He's very intuitive and observant. It's been a lifetime's practice for him, seeing things that others are oblivious to see."
"Oh," Albus said looking back to Rhaella.
"Something tells me this might be more than an infatuation." Albus looked at her unsure of what to say. It seemed Mrs Malfoy knew something he didn't. "I can't imagine my father-in-law or Rhaella's father is going to be very happy about this."
"Mrs Malfoy… I don't really know her," he said feeling the need to explain, "And something tells me that after today she's not going to be so excited to see a Potter, so I don't think you have anything to worry about."
"Fair enough," Hermione said and she seemed to hesitate for a moment before continuing, "But should that change in the future… I hope it is not too much to ask that you will treat her with kindness and please… try not to break her heart."
Albus swallowed and nodded, "You have nothing to worry about Mrs Malfoy."
Hermione gave him one last smile before leaving him in the hallway. She entered the room and walked straight to her youngest. Albus took a moment to gather his wits before following her into the room.
He walked quietly into the room and came to stand beside Rhaella, ensuring to put a safe distance between them. She gave him a brief glance before putting her focus back on her little sister. He too focused his attention on the Malfoy's and his father as they stood around the bed.
Little Althea was tucked safely under the warm covers, soundlessly asleep through her brow furrowed and she whimpered every now and then. Hermione sat beside her sleeping daughter and gently brushed away a few curls. She bit her lip in worry as Althea wriggled further into the covers, almost as if she were trying to take refuge from her nightmares.
"Did you get the memory, Mr Potter?" Hemione asked quietly though her eyes never left her daughter's sleeping form.
"Yes," Harry answered. "With the memory, it's unlikely that I'll need to speak with her," Harry told them. He seemed to contemplate adding something else but changed his mind and simply grasped the vile with the memory more tightly.
"Good," Hermione said, "Then I suppose it's time you allow my daughter to rest. As you will no doubt see, it's been a rather tiring day for her."
Harry pursed his lips at her dismissal but didn't say anything. He motioned for his son to follow and turned to leave the room. Albus gave Rhaella one last fleeting look before he followed his father and Draco Malfoy out the room. He was led down another hallway and two sets of stairs before they came to the office. With no fuss and exchange of pleasant goodbyes, his father grabbed a fistful of powder and stepped into the fireplace. Albus stepped up to follow him, but a hand on his shoulder stopped him. he turned around and saw Mr Malfoy give him a look he hadn't quite expected from the older man.
"Thank you Mr Potter, for saving my daughter," Draco said sincerely. "I hate to think what might have happened to her if you were not there. I am in your debt and if there is anything you need or anything I can do for you, don't hesitate to ask."
"I don't think that will be necessary," Harry interrupted. "Come Albus." He said firmly.
Draco sighed holding back his annoyance but held his hand out for the younger Potter nonetheless. Looking a bit shocked, Albus shook his hand and said, "As I've told Mrs. Malfoy, I was happy to help." He stepped into the fire and barely had time to say goodbye before his father threw down the powder and called out their address.
Hermione had left Althea's room for a few minutes as she changed into more comfortable clothes and had the elves bring a few bottles of a dreamless sleeping potion. When she arrived back to the room, she stopped at the door and felt a smile tug at her lips.
Rhaella had taken up space beside her sister under the blankets with Zeus laying on the other side of Althea, while Scorpius sat on the floor at the foot of the bed. It was his slumped form that caused her smile to disappear. His knees were drawn to his chest and his hands lay across them with his head down. She didn't say a word but padded across the floor to join her son.
For a while, they said nothing until at last Scorpius couldn't take the silence anymore.
"I'm sorry," he whispered still not looking at his mother. Hermine hated how small his voice sounded. "I…I don't understand how this happened. One minute she was there and then…"
"It's not your fault Scor," she said softly.
"Yes! Yes, it is!" he cried, though he was careful not to wake the girls. "I should have watched her more closely."
"There was no way of knowing this was going to happen," Hermione said trying to placate her son.
He looked up and stared straight out of the massive windows, where he could see his grandfather's peacocks on the balcony.
"I am a Malfoy," he said.
"You are indeed," Hermione said wondering where her son was going with this.
"For as long as I can remember I've been told that we protect our own. I promised you that I would protect them… but I didn't." He said turning to look at his mother. Hermione gasped when she saw the pain and guilt evident in his silver eyes. "I… I couldn't."
Hermione reached for her son without hesitating, wrapping an arm around his shoulders. "Scor," she started, "This isn't your fault. And you did protect them." Scorpius didn't seem to believe her though as his guilt ate at him.
"Do you think she'll forgive me, mum?" Scorpius asked. "Thea," he explained, "Do you think she will forgive me for this?"
"Oh sweetheart," Hermione soothed, "There is nothing to forgive."
Scorpius looked set to argue again but Hermione silenced him. "Now you listen to me Scorpius Malfoy, there is absolutely nothing more that you could have done. In fact, it's only because of what you did that Thea is safe with us now. You helped keep her safe and I could not be more proud of you." Hermione said firmly as she looked at her son. Her eyes never betraying her words.
"Your mother is right, son," Draco said from where he stood leaning on the door. He walked into the room and stood beside the bed where his two daughters lay sleeping. "You did well today," he continued looking down at his son.
"But…he took her..." Scorpius muttered.
"And you brought her back," Draco reminded him. Scorpius glanced over his shoulder with a hesitant look toward his sisters. His father seemed to sense his fear well. "She won't hate you," Draco told him softly.
"You don't know that," Scorpius said with a defeated sigh.
"I know my daughter." Draco said confidently, "And I know our little Thea doesn't have a bone in her body that is capable of hating her big brother. In fact, I think it's you that will help her through this."
Scorpius ran his fingers through his hair as he thought over his father's words. "Really?" he asked looking at his parents.
"Yes," Hermione told him.
"Now what do we do," he asked a moment later.
Draco looked to the bed and sighed, "Now she doesn't leave the Manor until we find out who's paid this 'price' for her." He said gritting his teeth at the thought.
Scorpius couldn't help but laugh, "I don't think she'd mind that at all."
"No, she probably wouldn't. Especially when she already thinks of the Manor and its grounds as her own little village. It's certainly big enough for that," Hermione said with a smile of her own.
"It doesn't hurt that father keeps buying more ridiculous animals for her either," Draco added.
They shared a laugh and Hermione placed her cheek on her son's shoulder. "She's going to be okay," she said barely above a whisper, "She's a Malfoy and she's strong and fierce so she'll be okay."
They sat in the quiet of the room for the longest time, so long that Draco had even kicked off his shoes and had taken a seat in the chair beside the bed. It was only disturbed, much later by the distinctive pop of a house elf appearing into the room.
"Tilly has a message from master," the elf said. Draco leaned forward in his chair and he sat up a little more. "Master says to meet him in the library when you is ready."
"Thank you, Tilly," Hermione said gently. The elf bowed and then disappeared again. "Do you think he found anything?" she asked Draco.
"I don't know, but father can be very resourceful," he told her. Draco's eyes flickered to the girls for a moment, hesitant to leave them just yet.
"You should go speak with him. I'll stay with them." Scorpius told his father.
Draco nodded and quickly put his shoes back on before moving towards the bed. He placed a gentle kiss on each daughter's forehead and then slowly stood back and waited for Hermione.
She rose from the floor giving Scorpius a small kiss on his forehead before she moved to the bed. She pulled the blanket tighter around the girls. "Sleep well my darlings," she said before standing to accept Draco's hand. Together they set off to the library desperately hoping Lucius had some answers for them.
It had been a pleasantly quiet day for Ginny Potter. Harry has been called away on urgent business to the Ministry, and with all three of her children off doing something or the other, Ginny was rewarded with a moment's peace. She had settled into the living room with a cup of tea when the fireplace roared to life. Expecting to see Harry, Ginny was rather alarmed to see both her husband and youngest son exiting the fireplace looking rather disgruntled.
"Harry, what's wrong?" Ginny asked getting out of her seat and walking towards her husband.
"What were you thinking?" Harry asked angrily ignoring Ginny's question.
"She was in trouble!" Albus defended. He had expected his father to lose his cool once they had arrived home. But Albus was more than prepared to defend his actions, he didn't regret for one moment.
"You could have been seriously hurt!" Harry argued. Ginny's eyes widened in horror at hearing this. Grabbing Harry by the elbow she forced him to look at her.
"What happened?" She asked forcefully.
Harry gritted his teeth. "Ask your son what foolish thing he's gone and done now!" Harry cried. "Go on tell your mother," he said glaring at his son.
Albus scowled but did as his father requested. "There was an incident at the Quidditch match," he started explaining, "Another kidnapping attempt."
Ginny gasped in horror, immediately thinking the worst. Glancing over her son to check for injuries. "They tried to take you…" she said holding onto her son a little tighter.
"No mum, not me," Albus told her and Ginny breathed a sigh of relief. "It was another little girl they tried to take."
Ginny frowned, "I don't understand what is this supposedly foolish thing you've done?"
Albus sighed and braced himself for his mother's wrath, "I… I fought with the kidnapper," he said slowly watching his mother's face turn into a furious scowl. "And I managed to stop him from getting away with her." He added quickly hoping to diffuse some of her anger.
It was of no use. "Albus Severus Potter! What on earth were you thinking?!" she cried. "You could have been seriously hurt!"
"I know that! It's not like I went looking for this!" he cried frustrated, "I literally walked into him trying to take her away. You really don't expect me to just watch and do nothing?"
Ginny pursed her lips, "You should have waited for the Aurors to arrive. I take it this was the important business Kingsley called you away for?" she asked turning to her husband. Harry nodded but said nothing else instead he took a seat in the chair his wife had vacated.
"If I had waited he would have gotten away with her," Albus insisted. "Mum what if it was Lily?" he asked pleading her to understand. "Wouldn't you want everyone to do their best to find her?"
Ginny bit her lip as she contemplated what her son had said. She hated to admit it but he was right, if it had been her daughter, she would want the whole of England looking for her.
"I take it she's been returned to her family safe and sound then?" Ginny asked. She came to sit beside Harry. Albus nodded.
"Yes they were very grateful to Albus for saving her," Harry said.
"Who was it?" Ginny asked.
"Hm?" Harry said.
"Which little girl was taken?" Ginny asked.
Harry wondered how Ginny would take the news that only did their son save one Malfoy but apparently he harboured some sort of crush on another. Not bloody well, he thought. Luckily he was saved from answering by the ringing of a bell.
"Oh that will be the chicken," Ginny said getting up. "You boys should wash up; the food is almost ready." She said leaving the room.
A thick silence fell over the room as father and son regarded each other.
"What you did today Albus was – "
"Foolish and stupid I know," Albus said interrupting his father. "But I would do it again."
Harry sighed and then shuffled in his seat a bit uncomfortable, "About what Lucius Malfoy said… with you and uuh…" Harry trailed off trying to remember her name.
Albus flushed, "It's nothing dad," Albus assured him quickly.
"He didn't seem to think it was nothing," Harry commented.
"He probably just said that to irritate you," Albus offered. "Should we not tell mum it was a Malfoy I helped?" he asked hesitantly.
"No, I don't see the need to worry your mother with that," Harry answered. He looked at his son and saw him shuffling a bit. Obviously, Albus was battling with something. "What is it Albus?" he asked softly.
Albus didn't seem so eager to tell his father what was wrong. How could he possibly ask his father why the Malfoy's were so different from everything he'd heard about them.
"No, it's okay," Albus assured his father before dashing from the room not giving his father a chance to question him again.
Having decided he's fought enough with his son, Harry let him go and joined Ginny in the kitchen.
Her sleep broke by the faint pop on a house elf apparating into the room. Rhaella rolled over under the warm blanket and saw Tilly standing beside the bed. She rubbed the sleep from her eyes and moved closer to the edge of the bed.
"Miss, you has a visitor," Tilly whispered.
Rhaella looked across the room to the windows hoping to judge just how long she'd been asleep, but saw the heavy curtains had been drawn.
"Now?" Rhaella asked still somewhat sleepy. Tilly nodded. "Who is it?" wondering who it could be. Neither Selene or Damien would need such an introduction. She could think of only one other person who would need such an introduction. But it couldn't possibly be… could it?
"Albus Potter, Miss," Tilly told her.
Rhaella felt her stomach swooping as Tilly confirmed her theory. Her drowsiness disappeared and something else set in its place.
"Miss?" Tilly questioned. Rhaella was drawn from her thoughts as she realised she just yet to give the elf an appropriate response.
"Uhm… Tell him I'll be down shortly." Rhaella said as she felt her nerves building. Tilly bowed and was about to make an exit when Rhaella stopped her. "Tilly… mum and dad…?" she trailed off.
"Asleep Miss," Tilly informed her.
"Oh, Tilly!" Rhaella said stopping the elf once more, "Where is he?"
"The office miss," Tilly reply.
Rhaella nodded and then politely dismissed the elf. She threw the covers off and quietly made her way out the room. She looked back only to check that her brother and sister were still blissfully asleep. Once in her own room, she rushed to the bathroom, she quickly freshened up, pulling a pair of jeans and a warm sweater over her pj's.
Once satisfied, she left her room and quietly made her way to the office. Her sock-clad feet muffled the sound of her nervous footsteps. It was only when she was standing outside the slightly ajar office door that it stopped feeling like a dream. Seeing his silhouette thrown from the flames of the fire, Rhaella felt her nervousness rising. It was only then that she stopped to wonder, what on earth he was doing at the Manor at this hour… or the mere fact of how he got in without anybody else knowing! She felt very uncertain after the day's events. So much had happened! How could she even begin to thank him for saving her sister? And there was that business with his father and hers. Not to mention the comments her grandfather had made about his 'infatuation' with her.
Rhaella winced as the memories and thoughts assaulted her frozen form. The more she thought about everything the more anxious she got. So much had happened in such a short space of time. She remembered his presence in the Manor earlier in the day. His behaviour had her a little confused, especially in comparison to his father.
Taking a calming breath, she pushed the door open the rest of the way and entered. He stood with his back to her, watching the fire in the grand fireplace. It took him a moment to realise he was no longer alone. Slowly he turned to face her and Rhaella felt her heart hammering a little faster.
"Hi," she whispered completely unsure what to say.
Albus gave her a little smile, "Rhaella," he greeted and she felt her cheeks heating at the sound of her name escaping his lips.
She tore her gaze away from him and walked into the room, shutting the door behind her. Of the ways she would expect of how her day might end, this was certainly not one of them. Albus Potter was once again in her house… this time of his own free will. She stared him down and when she didn't move from the door, her gaze remaining unflinching, Albus chuckled.
"Surely after the day we've had, seeing me again can't be all that strange princess?" he asked teasing her a little.
Rhaella bit down on her lip to stop a smile from breaking, it certainly wasn't.
"You're really asking for trouble coming here at this hour," she told him.
"Perhaps," Albus shrugged, "But something tells me you're worth every moment."
His words caused a brilliant blush on her cheeks and when she heard him laughing softly, she could help but agree. Trouble be damned! This was definitely worth every moment…
A/N: Hello! Apologies for the super super delayed update!
I know I had previously said that Thea was five, but as I was writing this I felt she should be a little smaller, so I've changed her age to 3.
Once again a really big Thank you to all those who have followed, favourited and reviewed this story! It is such an encouraging thing reading your wonderful reviews so please do leave me your thoughts!
I promise I have not abandoned this story! Hopefully, the next update will be very soon!
Don't forget to review!
xoxo
Immortal Dragon Empress