A/N: And I'm back! Hogsmeade trip, an amusement park and Muggle London? Let's gooooooooo!!!!!
Walking through the Floo with his mother and sister and into The Three Broomsticks pub in Hogsmeade was like a dream come true. Harry had always wanted to visit Hogsmeade Village and especially Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry and today it was finally happening! "Lily! Kids!" They heard Severus's voice boom. "Oh, how I've missed you all." He hugged and kissed his wife first, caressing her still flat belly as he did so then scooped Violet up into his arms. She squealed with delight. Harry had started his whole, 'I'm too old for hugs' phase so he gave his stepdad a handshake. Lily just shook her head.
They group had lunch in the pub then set off to check out Honeydukes, Zonkos, and Dervesh & Banges on the high street. "Ooh! Can we walk up to the castle when we visit the rest of the shoppes, please!" Harry pleaded, apparently not 'too old' for that sort of thing. "We can walk past the Shrieking Shack too! Be good Vy or I'll lock you inside." He teased his sister.
"You will do no such thing Harry James Potter." Severus took Harry into Spintwitches to ogle at the newest racing broom and to get new gloves while Lily and Violet had some tea at Madame Puddifoots. After the promise of a quick look at The Shrieking Shack, the family unit headed up to the castle after Severus checked in with Professor Sprout.
Suddenly a brilliant flash of light went off to the shock of the group. By the time the adults got their bearings, the photographer has apparated away. Severus held his wife protectively. She met his eyes with a look of worry. What the hell was the Prophet going to write about? "Mum! What the bloody hell was that!" Harry shouted.
"Language, Harry!" Lily chastised him. "What has gotten into you lately with that mouth of yours?"
"Ron says it!" He argued to which Severus became very annoyed and pulled him off to the side to talk to him before he upset Lily.
"Just because Weasley says does not mean it is okay for you to young man. Now, apologise to your mother at once or you'll be going home." Harry huffed, "Don't test me, boy. Your mother is pregnant and cannot be stressed or it could hurt our child. That is your baby brother or sister so do as you are told. If you cannot hold your tongue then two weeks without your broom will be your punishment. Do I make myself clear?"
"Yes, sir." Harry agreed then walked back to his mother with watery eyes. "Sorry mum. I'll think before I speak next time." Lily stroked her son's cheek then looked up into the eyes of her husband. He looked concerned about her emotional state but said nothing; only taking Violet's hand and continuing their walk up to the castle.
Narcissa has been cooped up in Grimmauld Place for over almost two months. Carina's night terrors had not gotten any better so she was getting small doses of Dreamless Sleep potion every other night. Draco had been so patient, therefore she decided to take him on a trip with Auror protection, of course. Carina was going to stay with Alice and Sirius. It was Frank's weekend with Neville so they didn't mind.
Frank. She hadn't yet seen him since the morning after Lily and Snape's wedding. She'd requested a new Auror for their protection knowing that she felt too much for the Head Auror. Her new detail consisted of a young wizard by the name of Gawain Robards fresh out of the academy and his partner Kingsley Shacklebolt. Narcissa had already known Kingsley for years, but the young Auror was growing on her. Carina and Draco enjoyed him and his lighthearted jokes. He had told them he was the oldest in his family with a brother in his fifth year at Hogwarts and a sister that was starting next year.
It was because of the young Auror that they were taking this trip today. They had been sitting around talking about the Muggle world when the discussion of amusement parks came about. Hence the two Aurors and Draco in Muggle jeans, tees, and trainers and Narcissa in a pair of Lily's loose slacks and a pretty blouse and flats. She felt awkward, so used to her fancy robes. She'd only ever worn Muggle clothes one other time in her life and it was when she was a teenager and snuck into a Muggle pub with Sirius and Remus when they were seventeen.
"Ten minutes until the Portkey activates Lady Malfoy." She was just checking her hair and makeup when she heard Auror Shacklebolt announce their upcoming departure.
"I'll be out in a minute." Turning to her pouting daughter, she knelt down. "Sweetheart, Alice says you're going to help her bake a cake while your brother and I go out. Won't that be fun?" Although she tried to hide her excitement, Narcissa knew her daughter well.
"I guess," Carina shrugged. "Will you promise to take me when I get older?" She nodded and smile at her daughter. "And Draco? He'll tell me about the park?"
"I'm sure he will be eager to."
They went downstairs and Narcissa stopped dead in her tracks when she came face to face with the one man she had been avoiding. His eyes went wide and then he slowly smiled at her when he saw her in trousers. "Hello, Auror Longbottom." She greeted him. Frank almost flinched at the formal greeting.
"Cissa." He nodded curtly, "Neville here heard about the trip to Blackpool and wanted to tag along. I hope that is alright." She looked over at Draco and Neville chatting excitedly and smiled.
"Of course. That is perfectly fine." Narcissa thanked Alice again for watching over Carina.
"By the time you get back, we'll have dinner ready and dessert prepared, won't we, Car?" Carina giggled and hugged her mother one last time before pulling up the step-stool to get ready for her baking fun with Miss Alice.
"Okay, everyone. Grab ahold of the flat cap. Ready?" The Portkey activated and whisked the group away to Blackpool Pleasure Beach. Draco and Neville looked amazed by the metal and wood structures. Narcissa also stared in wonder.
"Magnificent, isn't it?" She started at the whisper in her ear. Frank was so close. She had not expected to feel herself respond to just his voice like her body was. She closed her eyes and let go of a ragged sigh. "I've missed you." He whispered again before grabbing hold of his son's hand and walking toward the entrance of the park.
Narcissa felt her own son's hand grab onto hers. "Come on, mum. Let us catch up to Nev and his dad." She looked down into the bright eyes of her child. He needed this. One day of being Draco, a kid excited to experience his first amusement park, not Lord Draco Abraxas Malfoy, heir and master of the Malfoy fortune.
Sirius had suggested a walk, so after the cake was baked and cooking Alice got Aurora in her buggy and Sirius charmed Carina's shoes tied. The Auror assigned to the youngest Malfoy followed at a distance. It was a beautiful day and Carina was very talkative. "Then Ginny said that once we are all in Hogwarts together, we could have fun parties and dances to attend. Just imagine me in a fancy dress!" Alice chuckled at the beautiful child. She had been sleeping better, but still had night terrors a few times a week.
Carina did not remember anything from her sessions at St. Mungo's, but everyone else (adult-wise) was told of the Prophecy still being a factor. This meant that the DMLE had to be on alert for any activity from the loyal followers of Voldemort. The Aurors had been called on multiple leads all over the United Kingdom and a few leads in France, Italy, Russia and Bulgaria. Alice and Frank had plenty of discussions on the safety of Narcissa, Draco, and Carina Malfoy. Frank had made their safety a top priority with his best men and women heading around the clock protection. Alice also knew her ex-husband was in love with the widow of Lucius Malfoy. Hence why she was not even a bit surprised when he showed up with the guise of taking Neville to Blackpool Pleasure Beach.
Sirius nudged Alice, "I hope Rory's ready for more siblings." He lifted Carina to his shoulders. "I want a whole brood of these." Alice giggled and shook her head.
"Give me at least a year, babe. Maybe we'll get lucky with twins." She wagged her eyebrows to the huge grin that reached her husband's face. "How about a quick stop at the book shop? We'll pick out a few new fairytale books. That's okay with you right, Auror Garrett?" The gruff man nodded his head curtly and Carina smiled at him softening his face a bit.
After an hour of pursuing the shelves and seven books heavier, Sirius paid and got everyone situated. After Auror Garrett checked the street, they set their way back to Grimmauld. Carina was explaining the differences between a fable and a fairytale to Sirius much to Alice's amusement when Auror Garrett suddenly stopped. "Quiet!" Carina took ahold of her older cousin's hand. "There's a man watching from across the park. He's a wizard. I can sense his magic."
Alice saw him. She knew him. There he was. Plain in sight of anyone. Antonin Dolohov.
"That was amazing!!!" Draco screamed as he ran up to his mother. He'd just gone on a metal death trap called a rollercoaster. After Auror Robards and Frank assured her of its safety, she allowed him to go on with Robards, Frank, and Neville while her and Kingsley waited. Draco was just telling her about when a girl slipped by with her parents. "It's her." His jaw dropped as he watch the girl from his dream all those months ago appear. Narcissa turned to see who had her son so enraptured.
There was a Muggle couple and their daughter standing in line for some food. She was a petite thing with unruly brown curls and bright brown eyes, a button nose and Cupid's bow lips. "Do you know that girl, Draco?" He shook his head slowly but still stared.
"I, I dreamt of her. Mum, she's a witch, a Muggleborn witch. I know it sounds crazy but I think she's my soulmate, Mummy." Narcissa placed her hand on her heart. She could see the sincerity and the apprehension in her sons eyes. "Maybe I should introduce myself." She placed her hand on his shoulder stopping him.
"I don't think that is a good idea, my dragon. She doesn't know yet of her abilities. It may confuse or scare her if you were to tell her anything and I think it may go against the Statute of Secrecy." Draco sighed, seeing him physically deflate hurt but she knew it was for the best.
The group ate lunch then went on a few more rides. The last ride, Neville decided to sit out so it was just Draco, Frank, and Robards. "This is the oldest ride in the park so I thought we'd save it for last." Robards announced. Draco thought the name was too long but it looked like fun.
"Sir Hiram Maxim's Captive Flying Machines." Draco read out loud. Looks kind of cool. They went to get in line when Frank was stopped.
"Excuse me sir, do you think our daughter could go on with your son? My wife's had her fill and I can't due to my heart condition." Frank turned and saw a girl around Neville and Draco's age smiling up at him.
"Of course, that's actually my friends son but yeah. Come on little dove." He let the girl go in front of him. He saw Draco and Robards waiting in the line and the young wizard's eyes went wide when he saw the Muggle girl. "Draco, you don't mind if, I'm sorry dove, I didn't catch your name."
She smiled up at him and extended her hand for a shake, "Hermione. And you are?" Frank chuckled and shook the young lady's hand.
"My name is Frank. That gentleman over there is Gawain and this strapping young lad is Draco." Hermione nodded her head to Robards and blushed as she said hello to Draco.
"Gawain like the mid 14th century poem, Gawain and the Green Knight. And Draco? Like the constellation in the northern sky. Are you going to see the Draconids meteor shower tonight?" Draco stared at her in awe. She was brilliant. Absolutely brilliant. "I'm, um, sorry. I get told I can be a bit too much for people. I read a lot." She giggled.
Draco shook his head as if clearing away the fog. "I love to read as well, but I don't know if I have ever met someone as brilliant as you, Hermione." At that she smiled at Draco and thanked him.
"Okay, kids. We're next." Frank felt bad breaking up their chat. He could see Draco was becoming enamoured by the young Muggle girl. If only Lucius was alive to see this. The ride was not as thrilling as the others they had been on but Draco thought it was the best one yet. And maybe it was because of the beautiful girl laughing and throwing her hands in the air.
Harry couldn't believe he was actually at Hogwarts Castle. He saw Nearly Headless Nick, the Bloody Baron and the Grey Lady. The caretaker, Mr. Filch was scary and his cat even scarier. But meeting Professor McGonagall was the highlight. She even showed him her Animagus form, at tabby cat. He told her that his godfather was an Animagus as well and she smiled, already knowing this but being too polite to say.
"I can't wait til I turn eleven! Only three more years and I'll be here with you, Sev." The boys attitude from earlier had changed greatly; the threat of being broom-less working very effectively. Lily asked if they could rest in Severus's quarters for a bit, so they headed to the Dungeons. "It's chilly down here." Harry commented.
"Well, I think it's creepy. Dad? Are you sure you're okay here by yourself?" Violet questioned her stepfather, taking his hand in hers.
"Sweetheart, dad spent seven years of his life down here. He's just fine, aren't you Love?" Lily hugged his arm to her. He simply smiled and nodded his head. He stopped them in front of an ornate door decorated with a doe and a snake to which Lily kissed her husband's cheek. "Oh, Love. It's represents both of us."
"You're the love of my life, Lily. I needed to have you near." Harry fake gagged at their lovey dovey-ness. They both laughed and Severus whispered his password to open his door. As soon as they walked in they were met with a roaring fire and the room was decorated with photos of Lily and him on their wedding day, Harry's first time on a broom, Violet smiling as she hugged her doll, then one of them all together at Christmas. "I'll make us hot cocoa and I believe I have a tin of biscuits that Molly sent me last week."
Lily and Violet fell asleep on the sofa after their cocoa and biscuits were finished, so Severus and Harry left them to continue the tour of the castle. "Now, this next spot I think you'll truly enjoy." Severus said to his stepson as they left out the courtyard. Harry's eye went as wide as saucers.
"Is that? Oh wow! That's the Quidditch Stadium! Oh man! Can we check it out?" His face was lit up with the biggest smile.
"Come on." Severus tried hiding his own gleeful look back. He unlocked the broom shed and grabbed two school brooms. "No higher than the Commentators Booth, okay?" Harry nodded, his smile still planted on his face. "Ready? Go!" They took off to the skies, Harry whooping with joy as his stepdad followed with a small smirk stuck to his face. Harry was an impressive flyer for an eight year old. He flew with a graceful, natural ability. If there was one thing he got from his father (other than his looks), it was his flying skills. Harry did a barrel roll thru one of the hoops which impressed but also scared Severus. "Harry! Just because you can do it, doesn't mean you should. I think we're done for now." The disappointment on the young boys face was clear but he obeyed either way. "Now, head on back to my room while I put these away and lock up, okay son?" Harry nodded then started walking back to the courtyard they came from.
"Hey kid!" Harry looked up and saw a group of students in red and yellow robes. "You know Professor Snape?" Harry nodded then walked closer.
"Um, yeah. He's my stepfather." The kids looked surprised.
"Is your mum a Death Eater too?" Harry looked at them confused. The kids exchanged looks, "I mean, you do know he was one of He Who Must Not Be Named followers right?"
"No, he killed Voldemort. He hated him. He saved me when I was a baby! Me and my mum! He wasn't one of them. He's not!" Harry screamed.
"Harry?" Harry turned and saw Draco's cousin Dora and ran to her, burying his face in her robes. "Hey now, you're okay, yeah?" She looked and saw a group of Gryffindor and a couple of kids from her house. "What did you lot say to him? He's just a kid!" They at least had the sense to look sheepish.
"Sorry Tonks. We saw him with Snape. We were just asking him..." Whatever they were going to say, Harry never found out because his stepdad was suddenly in the courtyard.
"Lewis, Johnson, Murray, Staunton and Creel! Back to your dorms." With mumbles of 'Yes sir' or 'Yes Professor' the group disappeared back into the castle. "Thank you, Dora." Nymphadora Tonks was Narcissa's niece, her sister Andromeda's only child. She was currently in her fifth year at Hogwarts.
"Listen, I don't know what they said, but he's upset." She whispered to her professor. Harry had ceased his crying and was now staring at his stepdad.
"They said you were a Death Eater. That you followed You Know Who. Is that true?" Severus felt his heart clench; knowing this was a discussion that Lily wanted to be a part of.
"Thank you again, Miss Tonks. Please go back to your House. Harry, come. Let's go back to my room and have a talk with mum, okay?" Tonks hugged Harry and kissed the top of his head before heading back into the castle. Harry followed Severus back to the Dungeons and waited as his stepdad unlocked his door before following him inside.
His mother had awoken and was reading a book but Violet was still asleep. Seeing Harry's tear streaked face and red, watery eyes, she jumped up from the chair she was in. "What's happened? Harry? Sev?" She watched as her husband looked at her pained.
"I was locking up the broom shed and had Harry walk back to the castle from the Quidditch Stadium. When I came through the courtyard, I saw him running from a group of students crying and into Dora Tonks's arms. Lily? They told him I was a, gods, they said I was a Death Eater." Lily gasped then took his hands. She led them all into Severus's bedroom and silenced the room so that Violet could not overhear.
"Harry, sweetheart, come sit and please, just listen." So they told him everything. They explained how they met as children and became best friends. How his jealousy over Harry's father, James, Severus's school bully, caused him to get in with the wrong crowd and start following He Who Must Not Be Named. They told him that he was marked at 18, but that he only was used as an advisor and never cursed or killed anyone.
They told him of the prophecy and that Severus begged The Order of the Phoenix to hide The Potter's and protect them. They explained that he overheard the Dark Lord being given the address of The Potter's safe house by Peter Pettigrew, their secret-keeper. "So I knew what I had to do then. By that time, I had already been disenchanted by his whole way of thinking. I loved your mother, Harry. I have always loved her. I had to protect her and you and yes, even your father. I was too late to save him. His lifeless eyes haunt me to this day, and I was almost too late to save you and your mum, but I did, and I would do it again without a doubt because I love you too. You're my son in every way that matters. And I understand that you may see me as a monster now," Lily softly said no, but Severus continued, "but just know that it does not matter as long as you know that I love you and I will always protect you, your mum, Vy, and the baby now growing inside your mum, any future siblings."
Harry sniffled and nodded, "Love you too, but I just need to wrap my head around all of this. And you're going to need to tell Violet. She needs to know. What if she finds out how I did? She would be inconsolable." He was right. Right and so wise for his years.
The group popped into an alley in Muggle London. "This way. Through that building there." Auror Garrett rushed the group into the apartment complex. They followed him then waited on the elevator. "Everyone inside. He cannot follow us here." He inserted a key into the floor controls and they felt the lifts move. The elevator dinged and the doors opened to a penthouse suite.
"Garrett? Where the hell are we?" Sirius finally questioned once they got inside.
"This is my parent's place. They left it to me in their will. I only use it once in a while. It's warded, don't worry." He got a glass of juice and some biscuits from the cupboard and helped Carina into a chair at his dining table. "There you go, poppet." Carina smiled up at him and he returned it with a small smile of his own.
Alice got Aurora out of her buggy and checked that she was okay before handing her off to her husband. "I've got to send a Patronus to Frank to warn them." She quickly did so, hoping she was in time. A few minutes later, a silvery image of a hedgehog apppeared, "We were just getting to the Portkey when we received your message. Taking everyone to my mother's estate. Meet us when you can."
"Thank Merlin you thought of that my sweet. So, are we just going to be homeless because that sick fuck knows where we live? What the bloody hell are we supposed to do? Leave my ancestral home?" Sirius was irritated and angry. Dolohov knew where they lived? But how? And then it dawned on him. "Shit, he was friends with Regulus. Of course!" Regulus Black, Sirius's brother, was only 17 when he joined Voldemort's Death Eaters at the insistence of his mother. She was so proud, if only she knew that she was putting her faith in a Half-Blood.
"Carina?" The young girl was staring at nothing it seemed. She was quiet since they'd arrived. Alice walked over to her and gently shook her, making the girl shudder before she blinked her eyes back into focus. "Sweetie, are you okay?"
Carina shook her head before crying out, "That was him. The bad wizard man that hurt me, hurt my daddy. Why won't he just leave me alone!" Alice hugged her tightly before lifting her into her arms.
"Hush now. He can't hurt you now Auror Garrett made a quick, smart decision and got us away. Wasn't that brilliant of him?" Carina looked up and saw the wizard watching them. As soon as she made eye contact, she smiled at him causing him to smirk.
"Thank you sir, for saving me." Carina said sweetly causing Auror Garrett to chuckle.
"All in a days work, little lady." He tipped an imaginary hat her way.
Another hour later, Frank's Patronus came through. "Wards are in place. Meet up at the old oak tree by Neville's conception spot." Alice turned bright red at her ex's cheekiness. She looked up and saw a playful smirk on her current husband's face. "Not a word!" She said pointing a finger at him.
"Me? I didn't say a thing." Auror Garrett gathered up Aurora's buggy and made sure everything was cleaned up before they all apparated to Hampstead Meadow. Two miles from The Longbottom Estate. They walked towards a crop of trees and Alice stopped them next to a large oak. "So, this is the spot, eh?" Auror Garrett couldn't fight his chuckle when he saw his superior attempt to Avada her husband with just a glare.
"Sirius, don't make me hex you." The tension was broken at the Pop of apparition. They turned to find Frank, Gawain, and Narcissa.
"Carina!" Narcissa called out as she ran to her daughter, currently holding hands with Auror Garrett. "Are you okay, my sweet girl?" Carina jumped into her mother's arms. Narcissa looked to Garrett, "Thank you so much for saving my baby." The Auror blushed at her graciousness.
"It's my job ma'am." He gruffly replied and busied himself by explaining to Head Auror Longbottom. Frank thanked him as well then walked over to check on Carina.
"Carina, sweetheart, you are so brave." Carina peaked up and smiled. "You are. I'm so proud of you. Auror Garrett says you were very calm even though you saw the bad wizard. Maybe we'll make a Gryffindor of you yet." He teased.
Narcissa scoffed, "Ravenclaw all the way for my baby. Right sweetie?" Carina nodded and grinned between the two adults. "Besides, too many parts in that Gryffindor, for example," she pointed at her cousin making goofy faces at his daughter.
Frank stepped closer, "Excuse me, but I was in Gryffindor." He smirked as he licked eyes with her.
She smirked back and leaned closer to him, "Another example then?" Frank's eyes darkened. If she wasn't holding her daughter and they were alone, he would have kissed her again. Narcissa noted the lustful look in Frank's eyes and shivered. "Now, where will we go?" She asked to break the tension and change the subject.
"There's a safe house or..." he broke off.
"Or?" She urged.
"Or, you live with me, at the Longbottom Estate."
In a hotel room somewhere in Lancashire County, a young girl sat writing in her journal about her day at Blackpool Pleasure Beach. Hermione Granger had been enjoying a small holiday with her parents. She just gotten in trouble for accidentally shattering her glass while excitedly talking about the friend she made before they left. She didn't know why these strange things happened around her.
Hermione chewed on her pencil in thought and smiled. She continued writing about the amusement park.
There was a boy. His name was Draco, like the constellation. He seemed very impressed with me for knowing where his name came from. He was very handsome and so intelligent. I think that he was the most fascinating person I have ever met. There was something about him that made me feel so at ease. He actually enjoyed listening to me ramble on. I wish I had exchanged addresses or phone numbers with him. Oh, how I would enjoy having him as a pen pal!
She put her pencil down and shut her journal. Tomorrow morning they would go back home to London. She went to sleep not knowing that she would definitely be seeing Draco again.
A/N: A lot happened in this chapter. Hope it's not too crazy. Going to have two more chapters before our time jump which will take us to Harry, Draco, Ron, and Neville's first year at Hogwarts.