Chapter 1/6 today, I wrote a wopping 5800+ words today, but I'm only a few days behind now! I should be caught up by the weekend!
Enjoy!
Saturday, August 1, 1998
Just before midnight, Draco's Mark burned and he looked apologetically at the rest of the guests "He's calling me," he said with a grimace.
"Better go, mate," Harry said, clapping him on the shoulder.
Draco stood and kissed Hermione and Theo and then watched as he Occluded until his face was blank..
"He's planning a weekend's worth of 'activities,'" said Regulus with a sigh, "I'll be back when I can, but I'm assuming Draco will be passing along all information for the remainder of the weekend."
They stepped through the Floo to Mitternacht, leaving the rest of the group staring after them.
Theo stood after a few moments, holding out his hand to Hermione. "It's time to go, love, we have Lughnasadh tomorrow and I know that you and Millie are getting ready together in the morning."
Hermione went around and gave everyone hugs. Narcissa pulled her in for a tight hug and walked them to the Floo. "Take care of him," she whispered, gripping Hermione's hand tightly. "I know you didn't feel ready for any of the rituals yet, but I think you need to seriously think about doing them, it's getting more and more dangerous."
Theo nodded thoughtfully and pulled Hermione through the Floo back to Mitternacht. When they arrived, they quickly moved to their bedroom, finding three corn husk dolls on each of their pillows. Draco's had fresh corn silk hair, Theo's was an older corn silk that was closer to brown than white, and Hermione's had braided corn silk that had browned as well.
Each was dressed with the fruits of Lughnasadh: grains and corn. Next to Draco's doll was a note, "To the loves of my life. I wanted to leave you these dolls in reminder of the "fruits" we sewed in the spring. You're everything to me and there is no place I'd rather be on this festival than with you. I will be thinking of you every moment and the way you'll look in the fields of grain. Lughnasadh is a time for embracing the joy before the darker times come. I want you to soak up every ray of sun so that you may continue to brighten all my days as we enter the darkness of winter. I love you more than you know and cannot wait to be beside you again. I hope that going forward we won't spend another day apart. Love, Draco"
Hermione found tears running down her face, even when he was rushing off to Tom, he was still thoughtful and kind. Hermione turned to Theo, who wrapped his arms around her. "We'll have to find a prized place for these, and next year we can add Scorpius' doll to the lot," Theo said through his own tears. "Come on, love," he continued, "we need to get ready for bed."
That morning, Hermione and Theo were disappointed to find that Draco had not joined them. They couldn't feel much from his end of the bond and knew that he must be holding his Occlumency Walls firmly. As they got up and made their way down to the dining room, Hermione noticed that her belly was slightly visible.
"Theo," she said quietly, causing him to stop and look at her in alarm, "look at how big Scorpius is getting."
She pointed to her slightly rounded stomach and smiled softly when Theo dropped to his knees to kiss her belly. "We're quite excited to meet you, Scorp," Theo said softly to her stomach, "I know your Mumma, Pére, and I are working so hard to make sure that the world you grow up in is better than the one we currently have."
Hermione felt tears prick her eyes, and sent a wave of affection towards Draco. She felt his walls drop slightly, soaking in the affection gratefully. Theo stood and wrapped his arm around Hermione's waist, walking towards the dining room.
After they finished their breakfast, Ginny and Hermione were joined by Millie to get ready. There was nothing especially specific to wear to the Lughnasadh festival, but they still had to dress to impress. Hermione decided that she'd tell Millie the truth this week.
When they were totally prepared, Hermione grinned at the golden beads they'd added to her braided bun. The summery sundress she was wearing highlighted her small bump and growing breasts. She turned to Millie who was glowing in a way that Hermione hadn't seen before and Ginny who was laughing heartily at something Millie had said to her. She led them back to the Floo room where Theo was waiting for them, wearing dusty green trousers and a cream colored shirt that had small flowers that matched the ones on Hermione's dress perfectly.
"Ah," Theo said with a smile, "if I'm not the luckiest man, look at these three gorgeous ladies who will be accompanying me to the festival. I'll be getting jealous glares from all corners!"
Ginny socked him in the arm, harder than he expected, but grinned at him, "I'm more than my appearance, brother."
Millie chuckled, but Hermione saw the flush on her friend's cheeks, she knew that Millie wasn't used to so many compliments. Ginny and Millie grasped arms and stepped through the Floo to the Festival which was being held at the Abbott Estate.
When Hermione and Theo stepped through the Floo they were greeted by a set of open doors looking over a field of wheat. She watched as the children danced around. Hannah Abbott, greeted the guests politely next to her parents. She looked a bit standoffish when she greeted Ginny, it was well known that Molly and Arthur were separated and that Ginny, Percy, and Ron had sided with their mother.
Fortunately, Hannah and the rest of the guests, which leaned Lighter than some of the other parties they'd been to, were too polite to make any truly grating comments. Hermione noticed that while Daphne was there with her betrothed's sister, none of the other Darker families were. It seemed that the Nott's had played their hand well, being invited to such a Light leaning festival.
After all the guests had arrived, the children and young people began a harvest dance that had entirely too much spinning for Hermione and her still sensitive stomach. Theo and Ginny danced together and laughed most of the time. Millie was asked to dance by an older man who Hermione thought might be related to Penelope Clearwater.
After the dancing, Mr. Abbott, performed the ritual cutting of the first grain and offered it to Lady Magic.
"I offer you this," he intoned gruffly, "in gratitude for the abundant harvest and with hope that we will make it through the upcoming darkness. Winter is long, but Spring will always dawn anew, banishing the cold and dark. We gathered here today to soak up your light and love to tide us over until the sun joins us again."
Everyone raised their glasses, and made their way to the large feast that was spread before them. Hermione found herself observing the guests at the party who looked much more cautious than they had at the last festival. "Did you hear the news?" Daphne asked, sidling up to Hermione after they'd finished eating.
"No, what's happened?" Hermione asked, from her perch on the picnic blanket.
"Didn't you speak with Draco last night?" Daphne whispered.
"N-No," Hermione choked out, "he wasn't able to make it home."
Daphne looked at her, her forehead creased in worry, "They attacked Godric's Hollow, burned down half the village and left an effigy of Harry Potter," Daphne said quietly, "a few people died, but so many were tortured. It hasn't even made the Papers yet. Father told me that they'd be waiting until Sunday as there is supposed to be another attack today and again tomorrow."
Hermione swallowed heavily, looking around for Theo. He was standing with a few of the older men, looking to most, casual and relaxed, but Hermione could tell that he was nervous. She held out her hand to him and held her stomach worriedly. He made his excuses and came over to her, crouching and holding her face in his hands.
Daphne chuckled and excused herself. "What's wrong?" he asked, looking between her eyes.
"Did you hear about Godric's Hollow?" she said quietly, looking around surreptitiously.
He nodded, "I have a bad feeling about being here, but we can't leave now or it would be suspicious."
Hermione gestured to him, asking for help to stand. He stood and after brushing off his trouser legs reached down and helped her stand. When they were standing, Hermione gripped his arm, and began circling the crowd.
As the afternoon wore on, the anxiety didn't abate. Hermione refused to be separated from Theo, and found herself leaning on him more and more. Finally, Theo couldn't take her anxiety anymore and started to make his way over to the Abbott's to make their excuses. She felt her bracelet heat and looked down to see a message from Draco.
Get out, we're attacking in 10.
Hermione gasped and gestured to Theo who looked down at his own bracelet and paled. "We can't leave just before the attack," he hissed. "Once they land, be prepared to go. Gertie," he whispered. The small elf appeared in front of them. "Can you make sure that the garden beds are clear?"
Hermione knew that this was a code word for them. Gertie nodded her head and apparated away, but she felt her reappear, invisible between them. Hermione quickly sent a Patronus to the Order, notifying them of the attack.
Hermione and Theo made their way as quickly and subtly as they could towards Ginny who was Daphne and her future sister in law.
"Oh hello, dear," Helen Fawley said, "how have you enjoyed your first Lughnasadh?"
"As with everything it's quite different than at home," Hermione said with a smile, "our festival is around Sugar Cane as it's our major crop."
"That's lovely, isn't it Helen?" Daphne asked, "What do you d-"
Hermione could feel the Anti-Apparition wards wash over her and before they knew it, a hoard of dark robes appeared in the crowd.
Hermione and Theo reached for Ginny who looked shocked for a moment before she moved towards them. "Please take her," Helen said, pushing Daphne towards them. Hermione whipped her head around, looking for Millie, who was only a few feet away. Millie turned to them in alarm and began to race over, but her feet caught on her sandal and she began to fall.
She was hauled up by the Death Eater and pushed towards the group. Hermione and Theo could tell that it was Draco. When Millie had reached them, Daphne called out to Helen, "You have to come with us!"
"No," Helen said firmly, "my place is here. You must go."
Gertie, apparated them out just as the older woman finished her statement. When the group reappeared in Mitternacht, Daphne collapsed onto the carpet. "Helen!" she cried.
Millie wrapped her arms around her friend, while Theo helped Hermione settle on the couch, checking to make sure she was alright. Ginny began to pace.
"She's always been quite close to Helen," Theo murmured as they watched Daphne weeping, "they were betrothed when Daphne was a child and Helen was named her Godmother. She spent many summers with the Fawleys."
Eventually, the Greengrasses came to retrieve Daphne and Millie made her way back to her own family. Theo, Ginny, and Hermione sat in front of the Floo waiting to hear back from Draco.
After it had grown dark, Theo sent him a message.
Theo: Are you alright?
Draco: I am alive.
They sat and waited for more, just watching their bracelets but when no more was forthcoming, Hermione allowed herself to weep. She could still feel his tall Occlumency walls, but didn't disturb them in case she broke his concentration at a crucial moment.
Thanks for reading! Let me know what you think or if you have any thoughts about what might happen next!