Chapter 20 – Never Lost

7 April, 2010

Mia's Brownstone

New York City, NY

Draco Malfoy

She glares at me and looks confused. She opens her mouth a couple of times like she is going to say something. Then she faints. I can't believe Mia fainted over hearing that I didn't marry Astoria. I expected yelling and multiple broken bones, not fainting. I carefully help her lay down on the sofa, and go to the kitchenette to find a towel. I place it under cold water and grab a glass of water for myself.

I take the cool towel and place it on her forehead, and put her feet on my lap. I could have cast a revving spell, but fuck, I just want to be close to her for a few minutes without her pushing me away. I look down at the feet in my lap, she still has the weirdest socks. These socks are white with little colorful bears on them; the pink bear has a rainbow on it's torso, the green has a shamrock, and the orange a cupcake, et cetera. She used to call them her lounge socks.

In Eighth Year, I asked her about her socks, after I noticed a particularly obnoxious pair that had men in capes on them. She laughed, and told me the story of Potter in First Year finding a magical mirror at Hogwarts over Christmas Break. The magical mirror showed one their deepest desires, and Potter became obsessed with it. She said Dumbledore came to Potter and told him how dangerous the mirror could be, and it was going to be moved. Potter asked Dumbledore what he saw in the mirror, and Dumbledore replied with 'a pair of woolen socks'. She told me the socks are all from Potter. He told her if Dumbledore, the greatest wizard he had ever known, greatest desire was socks, it would make the perfect gift for the greatest witch he'd ever known. She said it became a joke between the two of them. From Second Year on, they would buy each other the most obnoxious socks they could find to gift for birthdays and Christmas.

She looks so peaceful. When she's awake her mind is always working overtime. I think casting Legilimens on her would be a mistake in epic proportions. Her sheer brilliance would overwhelm an average person. Aunt Bellatrix was unable to successfully get into Mia's mind. That is why she tortured her as long as she did, she was frustrated by not getting past Granger's Occlumency.

Ophelia had powerful Occlumency skills. My father was a decent Legilimens, he taught me to Occlude at the age eleven. He was giving me examples, and told me entering Ophelia's mind was like being surrounded in a crowded ballroom with endless faceless people dancing around you. I thought it was funny at the time, but knowing Ophelia, she gained a lot of information at her balls.

I still can't believe all she did for Hermione. Now, the extra tutoring, the time turner, and the sheer amount of knowledge Hermione possesses is logical. When she told me about her education, it surpassed any pureblood education I knew of, it didn't make any sense. She said she was used as a weapon to help Potter and trained by The Order. That made sense to a degree at the time, but not completely. What Hermione described to me as her education, was that kind of education and training purebloods had a century or more ago.

When Mia told me that information, I recalled reading Maximus Malfoy's journals when Ophelia had mentioned she went to school with him and my great-great grandmother. I was always intrigued with Ophelia. You could always tell she knew more than she let on, and would mask it by correcting some faux pas. "Draco, the human body is the best picture of the human soul, and your body tells me you lack confidence and are lazy. Sit up straight." (A/N Footnote 1.) Maximus' journals didn't mention her, but he wrote extensively about the classes he took at Hogwarts. He wrote about the additional tutoring he received during summer breaks. At the time, I was about thirteen years old, and I was just happy I didn't have that much school.

It's not just the schooling she did for Hermione. It's all the social reforms. At first I didn't understand Phea's decision to make Theo the Editor-in-Chief to The Daily Prophet. I remember sitting there wondering what the fuck she was doing offering him the job. She barely knew him, and though I suspected she read his mind with her skill, I didn't understand it. Theo is easy-going, sarcastic, a bit cynical, and lacked discipline. He swears more than necessary, and he's a gossip. He was mostly raised by house-elves. They doted on him, and coddled him. He made good grades in school and was ranked sixth in our graduating class. Theo never did anything he didn't want to do. He told me his father crucio'd him when he turned seventeen. His father wanted him to take the dark mark, and he told his father "I feel the mass murdering of innocents may have a negative effect on my education, Father." He just laughed and lifted his left sleeve where there was just bare skin.

Once Theo took the position, The Daily Prophet changed. He had the unapologetic audacity to report actual news. That's the thing with Theo, he carries a Gryffindoresque ability to run his mouth. That is why Ophelia hired him. He along with his staff, absolutely desecrated British Wizarding Society. They took on everything and everyone until changes were made. I know for a fact that Ophelia was behind it all. I had it confirmed tonight, it was all for her granddaughter. I'm apprehensive to tell Mia everything too soon, but she'll need to know eventually.

I look down at her still sleeping form. Fuck, she's beautiful! Her face is sharper than it used to be. She's every bit of a grown sexy woman and not the girl she was a decade ago. She has the beginnings of laugh lines around her eyes. She's much more confident than she use to be. I'm sure that has a lot to do with her friends. They all seem to be positive influences on Mia, and they are protective of her. She never had supportive friends, certainly not Potter or the Weasel King. She always questioned herself, but now she owns her brilliance in the ways she talks and moves. Her accent is almost American now, except when she's being bossy. Fuck, I use to love it when she'd get bossy.

Her friend, Colton, was interesting. We had a good conversation. He seemed like a decent bloke. His specialty is Magical Transportation such as apparating, portkeys, other magical travel. I didn't even know that was something someone could get a Mastery in. He told me he grew up in Indianapolis, Indiana. He said I would never need to visit there, I just needed to Google (???) a picture of a cornfield, and I've seen the entire state. He said, "It's known for a huge event, The Indy 500. It's a annual race that happens the same time every year. My dad is a race car driver and mechanic. He doesn't use magic to cheat, but he does use it for personal protection. He loves the speed of racing. He taught me everything about cars. I could build my own car. That's why I chose magical transportation to begin with, I wanted to build magical cars. Mia changed it all the first night we took her out to the bars and she drank too much tequila."

He laughs, and shakes his head. "That girl needs to stay away from that shit! Anyway, this waif of a girl with a trigger wand was talking about how she wanted to find a way to combine magic with technology, and started telling us some of her ideas. It didn't take long before she had a plan, and we were all in. She tried to discourage us. She said she didn't want to take our dreams from us. She didn't, though, she just gave us new ones. Mia just gets ideas in her head and makes it happen. It's been an incredible 5 years since she started the company. She makes sure all of her employees from the janitor to the top executives are paid well and content with their jobs. She's truly amazing to work for and we have Sasha to thank for forcing her into our lives."

I'm interrupted by Mia stirring, I worry she's going to get angry at me for touching her. She sits up and says, "I haven't fainted since I was thirteen. It was the first time I ever disapparated by side along. If you'll excuse me a few minutes. I'll be right back."

She gets up and walks out of the room. I wait for her to leave the room and go to the kitchenette for a glass of wine. I can't believe I'm here with her. Even with her ridiculous rules and her snarky tendencies, it just feels better to be in the same room with her. I never felt pain like when I walked away from her. I went to Theo's and drank myself into oblivion, but the pain never left me.

17 July 1999

Malfoy Manor

Salisbury, Wiltshire, England

Ballroom

Draco

"I DON'T WANT THIS! YOU PROMISED US THAT YOU WOULD LET IS MAKE OUR OWN DECISIONS! IT'S A GOOD THING MOTHER IS DEAD SO SHE CAN'T SEE WHAT A MONSTER YOU HAVE TURNED IN TO. YOU COULD END THIS NOW! IT'S NOT FAIR, DADDY. DRACO IS MY FRIEND. HE IS DAPHNE'S FRIEND! YOU ARE RUINING ALL OF OUR LIVES! WHY WOULD YOU DO THIS TO EITHER OF US? HOW COULD YOU? I HATE YOU! I WILL CANCEL THE CONTRACT MYSELF SINCE YOU WON'T DO IT!" Astoria is in hysterics pleading with her father. This has been going on for a half an hour.

Hyperion Greengrass slaps Tori across the face. "YOU CANCEL THE CONTRACT AND FORFEIT OUR ESTATE I'LL AVADA YOU."

"I DON'T CARE! PLEASE KILL ME! AT LEAST I WON'T BE FACED WITH FORCING MYSELF AND MY FRIEND TO LIVE A LIE! I EITHER DIE HERE OR I DIE OF A FUCKING BROKEN HEART!" She breaks into sobs.

Daphne steps in, "HOW DARE YOU! WHAT THE FUCK IS WRONG WITH YOU, DADDY? YOU HAVE NEVER HIT US! WHY WOULD YOU FORCE ANY OF THIS ON HER? WHAT THE FUCK IS IN THIS FOR YOU? I WILL NEVER FORGIVE YOU IF SHE IS FORCED INTO THIS MARRIAGE. MOTHER WOULD HAVE NEVER ALLOWED ANY OF THIS. I HATE YOU!"

Hyperion stomps out of the room, furiously.

My mother is standing next to me watching the scene unfold. The photographer is late. Poor Astoria tried to make one last plea. Mother shifts her stance, and scoffs, "I've never witnessed such undignified behavior!"

I huff, "Of course you have. You remember, don't you, Mother? You stood by in the drawing room and watched while the love of my life was crucio'd for a straight hour. You complained about your rug as she was carved into like an animal. Does that warm memory escape you? What about our dining room where we all sat around and watched my professor get eaten by a giant fucking snake? Or the time Yaxley and Rowle brought those two muggle girls in and…."

"ENOUGH!"

I laugh sinisterly, "After what you have done to me, I hope you have learned the art of budgeting before I become Head of House. Father took everything out of your dowry vault and added it to Malfoy vaults. You will be dependent on my generosity one day. I'll show you the same consideration you have shown me and Hermione Granger. Your manipulations are running thin, don't tempt me to leave you fucking destitute." When I went to see my father, he told me, my mother was who told him about Hermione and I. I could have married her before he got out of prison, and there wouldn't be anything he could do about it. Malfoys do not divorce not even if they marry a muggle-born.

I walk over to Tori and Daphne and lead them out of the ballroom to the green parlor, and warded the door shut.

Tori sits down and starts sobbing. Daphne is furious. Her gold locks are wild and practically vibrating.

Daphne walks up to me and gives me a hug, "Drake, I'm so sorry! I can't believe our fathers did this to the both of you. She's been with Blaise for as long as you were Hermione. Merlin, Hermione, she must be devastated. Oh no, does she hate all of us, now? I promise, I had no idea."

I shake my head, "No, Daph. She doesn't hate you. She is saving all her hate for me right now. She has money from her parents, she begged me to just forfeit everything. She doesn't understand the duty and the responsibilities forced on us. The impossible choices…Fuck!" I walk over to the drink cart and pour us all some firewhiskey. Daphne takes her drink.

I walk over to the sofa and I hand a drink to Tori, and she drinks it all in one go, and says. "I-I d-didn't even think of H-Her-Hermione in all of this. I h-had to tell Blaise y-yesterday. My-My heart hurts so much. He h-hates me n-now."

I sit next to Tori, and take her hand. "Astoria, he was at Theo's last night when I arrived after telling, Hermione. He could never hate you. He loves you. He is furious at our fathers for putting you and I in this fucked up situation. We have a year to figure this out. I didn't have time to explore all my options. Daphne, Pansy, and I poured over every marriage law book. I had my barrister look for any loopholes. I spoke with both of our fathers. What I haven't had time to do is speak with the one person that seems to have every pureblood man over thirty by the bollocks."

Daphne gasps, "Madame Dagworth-Granger, your godmother? Oh Merlin Draco, that's it. There were rumors Lord Voldemort was scared of her."

I look up at Daph, like she just sprouted vines out of her ears, "What are you talking about?"

She huffs, "In Sixth Year, at the Parkinson Yule Ball, Montague and Flint were talking about how HE was obsessed with Dumbledore and Madame Dagworth-Granger. They said their fathers both heard from their fathers, Lord Voldemort attended one of her balls in the early 60's when he was just starting to gain support. He tried legilimens on her. He was so disturbed by what he saw he ordered her killed, but no one would do it. He almost lost many of his supporters for it. They all owed her in different ways, and Montague and Flint weren't sure of the reasons. She was the darling of our society. A few years later, he had convinced his followers that she was a blood-traitor. She was inevitably shunned by the Averys, Carrows, Travers, Princes, Selwyns, and Rosiers, but he couldn't get anyone to kill her. Montague and Flint said Voldemort started recruiting new members and killed all his old members. Montague and Flints grandfathers died before the first wizarding war even started, hmmmm, so did mine, yours, Pansy's, Theo's and Adrian's. She might know something, or a way out. Maybe she has blackmail material on my father. My mother said her mother and grandmother loved Madame Dagworth-Granger."

I shake my head. "Daphne, I get it. Your ability to gossip is superior to all. It's worth trying. Tori, we will figure this out."l

Astoria nods. "I'm sorry, this is happening. You've always been a good friend to Daphne and I. Thank you for being there with Blaise last night. I know you are hurting. I saw you two together. Daphne always said what a good friend Hermione was. It's just all so unfair. Hermione Granger really loves you. Love like that always finds a way."

I shake my head, "I don't know Tori, you didn't see the look in her eyes. I think I've lost her."

She smiles, "Something true can never be lost. Mum always said, 'Love is powerful magic.' You two really love each other. Someday it will find a way to bring you two together and right the wrongs done. Love is that powerful. Mum would never lie about that. "

We drank the whole decanter of firewhiskey and I called a house-elf for more. We were all so deliriously pissed, the photoshoot was an absolute success, we were the picture perfect, pureblood couple.

I visited Phea the next day and asked how to fix it. She just smiled her secret smile, and said, "These things have a way of working out, don't you worry your pretty little head over it." I just wish I knew then, what I know now.

7 April, 2010

Mia's Brownstone

New York City, NY

Draco

I check my watch and it's just past 11PM. 'Something true can never be lost. Love will find a way to right the wrongs done.' Could I ever have another chance with her? I think back to all the times I had her in my arms. How she fit perfectly next to me, how she'd run her fingers though my hair, and look in my eyes with pure adoration. I remember the other day in her office, when we met after all these years. I grabbed her wrist and she looked me in the eyes and for a moment it was the same look she gave me all those times I had her in my arms. No, not lost, maybe we can find our way.

I look over at her and smirk and she says, "C-can you stay a little longer while I go through more memories, Draco?"

She called me 'Draco'! Yes, not lost. For the first time since seeing her again, I smile, and say, "It would be my pleasure, Mia."

She nods, and then smiles back. "I'll go get the chest."

She gets up from the sofa, and goes to the bar and fills her wine glass. She drinks it all, and brings the chest over to us and sets it on the tea table.

"She rummages through the chest and says, "Huh, this looks like the next memory." We both get up and go to the pensive. She looks at the date again, and says, "I don't know if I want to see my parents being obliviated."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

24 May 1980

Ophelia's memory

We step into the memory and Ophelia is in front of a mirror. She is younger than her 100 year old self, she appears to be in her mid-sixties. She's dressed in a baggy white blouse light blue cardigan, and tan trousers. She takes a long look in the mirror, and then changes her eyes to striking grey. She changes her hair to mostly grey with about 25% jet black. She places it in a simple chignon. She gets out her wand and says a spell I didn't quite hear, and she gains about twenty pounds and fills out her clothes then she changes her nose to give her a slight bulbous end.

Mia gasps, "Oh my God! It's Mina Ward." I look over at her and Mia's eyes have unshed tears.

Ophelia then goes to the kitchen and grabs two containers. She leaves the house and walks next door.

She knocks and Helen opens the door, "Hello, how may I help you?"

Ophelia smiles, "Hello, my name is Wilhelmina Ward. I've just moved next door this week, and I thought I would come introduce myself to my new neighbors. If it's a bad time, I'll just leave you with this Shepard's Pie and Banoffee Pie I made. The Johnson's across the street mentioned you have a young one as well."

Helen smiles, "I had noticed the Martins had moved, the house sold very quickly. I'm Helen Granger, please do come in."

They enter and Helen leads them into the sitting room. Helen takes the dishes. "Thank you for your kindness. Shepard's Pie and Banoffee Pie are my husband's favorites. I'll be right back, I'll just take these to the kitchen."

Ophelia smiles again, "Of course."

Helen returns promptly with a tea set, and Ophelia says, "You have a lovely home."

Helen smiles, "That is very nice of you to say. We love the area and it's not far from the practice, in case of a dental emergency. We are both dentists. I was lucky to intern with his practice when I graduated dental school in '68, and as they say, the rest is history. Whereabouts did you live prior to moving next door?"

Ophelia smiled, "I lived in Sussex, but wanted to move to be closer to my son. He isn't as far now."

Helen smiles, "That must be a great relief for you. Richard, my husband lost his parents in the last decade. My parents live in Liverpool, and only visit occasionally."

Ophelia looks around the room, "What a lovely piano you have. Do you play?"

Helen frowns slightly, "I do not, but my husband is quite good. It was a gift from his mother. She insisted we have one and found this lovely antique Steinway for our home."

Ophelia smiles, "I play quite well myself. My mother and grandmother insisted I learn so I could catch a husband. They were from a very different time."

Helen smiles, "My mother told me the same things. I wanted a career and to be something more than what society thought I should be. I, like all women, deserve a choice. I apologize, didn't mean to offend in anyway, I have a strong opinion about the things my mother used to tell me. My husband should be back soon. He and our baby left for a walk about thirty minutes ago."

Ophelia smiles, "Dear, you have nothing to apologize for. I feel women should have always been given choices. Men try to control what they fear. Women deserve a great level of fear, they are far superior. Do you have a boy or a girl?"

Helen smiles, "We have a daughter. She is 8 months old. We named her Hermione. Richard's idea because my name is Helen. He insisted all Helens should have a daughter named Hermione. I wanted to name her Claudia, but he said our girl is too special for such a common name."

They both share a polite laugh, and in that moment Richard comes in the front door carrying Hermione. When he enters the room he walks over to Ophelia and says, "Hullo, I'm Richard Granger, you must be the new neighbor" He shifts baby Hermione in his arms and offers her a hand.

Ophelia smiles "Wilhelmina Ward, it's a pleasure to meet you."

At that moment, baby Hermione lunged at Wilhelmina and she was just able to catch her. "Oh well hello to you, sweet girl."

Baby Hermione giggled and started babbling.

Richard looks confused, like he should know something he doesn't. Helen addresses Richard, "Richard, Mrs. Ward brought us dinner, a Shepard's Pie and a Banoffee Pie for dessert."

Richard watches Hermione with the baby a few more seconds and then smiles, "Mrs. Ward, I insist my new favorite neighbor stays for dinner. You don't have a prior engagement do you?"

Ophelia smiles, "Thank you for the invitation, I'd love to stay. I insist you call me Mina."

We leave the memory and Hermione goes to the bar for more wine. We take a seat on the couch. She says, "I can't believe she was Mina. I was always at Mina's house. I adored her, she always encouraged me to learn. She gave me piano and voice lessons starting at the age of five. I would go to her house on Saturday afternoons, and she taught me to bake biscuits and pies. She gifted me books on children's literature, philosophy, world history, mythology, and art history. She was present at every one of my dance and piano recitals. My dad adored her and she was often a guest for dinner. She passed away at the beginning of my Fourth Year. My dad said her son came over and gave us a box of books she still hadn't given me from her home."

She pinches the bridge of her nose, and shakes her head, "Fucking hell….her son, whom we never met, and whom my dad described as having too long black hair, a beard, and the same eyes…Sirius fucking Black! How did I not think of that when he described her son? I thought Ophelia was lost to us all those years and she missed out on our lives. I thought she didn't care at all. I loved Mina, she was always so encouraging and loving to me. We were told she died peacefully in her sleep. I was grateful for her and missed her, but I thought she was at peace and death is just a part of a long life. I don't understand how she had the audacity to be such an important part of our family when she could have been part of the family the whole time as my grandmother.

I smile at her, "Mia she said she would look after you three. She swore on her magic she wouldn't reveal herself to you until the threat was eradicated. She loved you all and love defies logic sometimes. What was meant as an act to protect your family, developed into the inability to stay away. Your dad loved her because he already loved Ophelia. As a baby, you were drawn to her right away because you loved Ophelia. Did you see baby Hermione look at Mina as soon as she heard her voice? She erased your father's memory, he was obviously drawn to her as well. Something true can never be lost, it will find it's way back. Your dad was obliviated, but love is powerful, it found way back to your family and Ophelia."

She nods, "Mina died about three weeks after the Quidditch World Cup. Mina died so Ophelia could protect my father once again."

The human body is the best picture of the human soul." –Ludwig Wittgenstein