Easter Holidays, Part Two
"What happens to people in love is some kind of mystery;
Yeah, but what passes for love on the streets these days is a joke.
So when people like us finally stumble into each other,
We've got to hold on tight,
Gotta never, ever let go…"
The Easter break had flown by in a whirlwind of activities. Besides the gathering at the Weasley's house and the visit to Diagon Alley, there had been a gala (some might call it a ball, as there was dancing involved) to raise money for the Ministry that Will had attended. Since Bella, for very obvious reasons, could not attend with him, Astoria volunteered. The two danced a couple of times, before Draco asked Astoria for a dance…much to Will's shock. Astoria, blushing profusely yet grinning, accepted. Will's mouth hung open in shock as he watched the two dance.
Glancing across the room, he noted that Lucius' mouth was hanging open as well. While Narcissa watched with a satisfied smirk gracing her face. She caught Will's eye and shrugged, causing Will to frown. Did Narcissa know something he didn't?
Unfortunately for Will, he didn't have long to ponder on why his younger daughter was dancing with Draco Malfoy, as a woman he vaguely recognized came up to him, grinning, and asked if he'd like to dance. He couldn't think of a legitimate reason to say no, so with an air of resignation he led the woman onto the dance floor…
He'd managed to escape the gala after just two dances, using the excuse of getting Astoria home as the hour was growing rather late, and the following day was Easter. Bellatrix had waited up to say goodnight to them (and in Will's case, get in a little bit of snogging before bed). William, tired as he was, had too much on his mind and found sleep to be elusive as he pondered Astoria and Draco's sudden interactions…first the book she'd given Draco the week before in Diagon Alley, and Draco asking her to dance at the gala. What in the world was going on with those two?
When Neville arrived to take Daphne to Longbottom House for Easter dinner the following afternoon, Will took him aside after greeting him. "Neville, I know that yours and Daphne's betrothal is sort of a…well, a test betrothal, if you will, but—"
Neville cut him off, blushing for interrupting the older man, but he had to say what was on his mind. "Sir, I swear I don't look at it that way! I—I mean, I know we're still basically just kids and all, but…b-but, Daphne means the world to me! I—I can't begin to imagine going through life without her. She has been such a blessing to me having her by my side at school, let alone when we were growing up. I really do want to..m-marry her, sir. Truly, I do! She makes me want so badly to be a better person. Her encouragement has helped so much. She—she's my world. I can no longer imagine life without her in it."
Neville was staring at Will with such a look of intense honesty that Will almost had his breath taken away. The boy has it bad…he even repeated himself. This young man did indeed love Daphne. Will could see it. In Neville's eyes, Will saw a future for Daphne that would never leave her in want of love or protection. And what more could a father pray for his children to have?
Will swallowed hard around the lump that had formed in his throat, and clapped Neville on the shoulder. "Well, then, Mr. Longbottom," Will's voice was thick with emotion. "There's nothing more to be said. You are the answer to what Daphne's mother and I wanted most for her: a man who would love her and take care of her." Then a fond smile appeared on his face. "I should warn you, however, that Daphne can be quite…persistent at times. She may be the epitome of a feminine pureblood heiress, but she can be fierce as well."
Neville gave a shy smile. "I, uh, already know that, sir. She stands up for her convictions and doesn't hesitate to let her feelings be heard. She's fierce, but in a good way."
Will chuckled. "In my experience, young man, I've found that the more feminine a woman is, the fiercer she can be. Her mother was the sweetest, most traditionally pureblood woman I think I've ever met; but by Merlin she was also the fiercest, so protective of those she cared about." He shook his head, still smiling at his memories.
After a few moments lost in the past, Will's mind came back to the present, and he cleared his throat. "At any rate, what I wanted to ask was whether or not you had an engagement ring picked out for Daphne yet."
Neville blushed again. "No, sir, not yet."
"Well, Daphne was set to inherit her mother's ring, and I was wondering if you would like to give her that one. At least for the time being. Someday perhaps you will want to give her your own ring, but this way she'll have a solid reminder of your betrothal. And so will you…if nothing else, it will hopefully keep the other boys away from her, let them know her heart belongs to yours."
Neville froze for a moment before a grin spread across his face. "I would like that very much, sir. Very much!" Then he paused as a frown replaced the grin on his face. "But what of Astoria? Won't she be upset over Daphne getting their mother's ring?"
Will felt his respect for Neville grow at hearing the boy's concern over not wanting to cause bad feelings between his daughters. "The three of us have discussed this issue. When the time arrives that a man comes to claim Astoria's heart, she will receive her grandmother's ring."
Once more turning serious, Will's eyes narrowed and he regarded Neville with a contemplative look. Neville grew nervous the longer Will stared at him. Finally Will spoke. "My daughters mean the world to me. I love them with everything I have in me. They are truly my greatest blessings. I would kill for them, Mr. Longbottom…without hesitation or mercy. And I can see in you that you feel somewhat the same, don't you?"
Neville swallowed. Looking Will in the eye, he straightened his back. "Sir, I would literally die for Daphne if I had to." His voice was so steady and full of absolute conviction in what he'd said that William nodded his head.
"And Daphne feels the same for you, sir," Neville continued after a small pause. 'She's told me how close you two are, especially since her mother died." Neville squared his shoulders again. "And, I'm not angry about…about what you did for…for her, breaking her out of prison and bringing her here. Daphne's told you how much the two of you love one another."
Will sighed, closing his eyes. "Neville, please believe me when I say that—that she had nothing to do with the actual…attack on your parents. She even tried to stop it, but…well, anyway, now she carries massive guilt over what happened. I know it doesn't make things right—I'm not sure anything will ever make things right. And I don't expect you to perhaps ever like her. All I can ask is for you to try, at least at some point in the future."
Neville sighed, and his shoulders sagged. "I will try, sir…I am trying. And I know that you and dad were close your last couple of years at Hogwarts. It's just…difficult to do a complete change of mind about someone that you've been told your entire life was responsible for your parents being vegetables." He fell silent, and the two men were again both locked in memories of the past for a time.
Finally Will spoke. "Well, how about I go get you that ring, so the two of you can get out of here." He gestured to Neville before walking into his study. Moving the large portrait of his wife that hung on the wall above his desk aside, he tapped his wand on a small metal door. It opened with a series of clicks and he retrieved a small box from inside. Looking at it misty eyed for a moment, he sighed and handed the box to Neville.
Neville reverently opened the box; he stared at the ring in awe before looking up at Will. "Thank you so much for this, sir. It means a lot."
Will smiled. "My pleasure, young Mr. Longbottom. Now go, find your lady love. I'll send one of the elves to let her know you're here to pick her up." He went to the doorway and called, "Lizzy!" The elf popped up in front of Will almost immediately. "Please go tell Mistress Daphne that Mr. Longbottom is here to escort her to his home for Easter dinner."
Lizzy bowed and disappeared.
Before Neville left the study, Will stopped him with a hand on his shoulder. "Remember, Neville," he said when the boy turned to look at him. "Love is much more than just the mushy gushy feelings it gives. The feelings are important, yes. But they come and go. Love is a decision, a commitment not to be taken lightly, that will get you through those times when the feelings thaw. You'll fight and argue. That's just a part of life. But never let it consume you. Renew that commitment daily, and never go to sleep angry at one another."
Neville gave him a weak smile, but the look in his eyes was one of absolute determination. "Yes, sir. And thank you again." The two shook hands and Neville entered into the main hall, his breath disappearing from his lungs as Daphne descended the stairs. She's so radiant and beautiful and gorgeous and…and mine. She's mine, and I'm hers And I shouldn't be. She deserves so much better than me.
Will was peeking through the study door when Neville greeted Daphne. They exchanged a brief hug before Neville showed her the box Will had given him. When Neville opened it and Daphne saw her mother's ring, her hands flew to her mouth and she looked up at Neville, clearly asking him something because he grinned and nodded, dropping to one knee as Daphne held out her left hand to him, her other hand still covering her mouth.
Neville slipped the ring on it and then kissed her hand. When he stood, Daphne flung herself against him and the two shared a longer hug before they stepped apart once more. Neville offered her his arm, and the two headed into the sitting room to use the floo.
Will smiled. His baby was a woman now. "I wish you could have seen that, Mary," he whispered.
"She knows, dear boy," a voice whispered in his ear. "She knows."
Will smiled as his eyes filled with tears. "Thank you, Lady," he whispered back.
(XXX)
Will didn't have much of an issue with Daphne spending the night at the Longbottom house. Besides the teens' pureblood upbringing, which stressed the issues of remaining pure in more ways than just bloodlines, he knew Augusta was a very strict and proper woman in her own right, and would make certain that "nothing happened" between Neville and Daphne…well, outside of a good bit of snogging, which Will felt was inevitable, even if as a father he didn't like the idea one bit.
Besides, if he was honest with himself, he and Bellatrix were struggling a little bit in that particular area themselves, even as adults who had both been married to other people previously. So he couldn't find too much fault with his daughter and Neville for the intense romantic feelings they had for one another. But still…it bothered him. He reckoned it must be a "dad" thing.
The thought occurred to him the evening after the girls had returned to Hogwarts. Bellatrix was snuggling with him on the sofa in his study, sitting across his lap. He was trailing kisses down the side of her face, along her jaw, and down her neck. Her eyes were closed and a content smile graced her expression.
"Oh William," she sighed huskily. "You have no idea how badly I want you right now!"
He grunted, still kissing her neck. "If it's half as much as I want you," he mumbled, "then yes, I do have some idea."
She turned her head and pressed her lips to his, her arms snaking around his back as she pulled him closer. With a soft groan, he returned the kiss with equal vigor. After several minutes of this, Bellatrix pulled her head back, out of breath, but still keeping her arms around him. Her face bore a frustrated expression.
"If it wasn't for this blasted pureblood upbringing and its distaste of fornication, I'd drag you over to that desk and let you shag me right there!" She grinned, her mind calling up images that she knew she shouldn't be calling up at that moment. But she enjoyed them nonetheless.
Will snorted, smirking at her. "I could think of a couple places that might be a bit more comfortable than my desk for such an activity."
She rested her forehead against his and pouted, a hungry look in her eyes. "Forget comfort…I just want you!" She slammed her lips against his again. He depend the kiss whilst his hands crept up her back, and she wrapped her arms around him possessively.
As their snogging continued to grow in intensity, and both their minds began picturing things best not thought about at the moment, she broke the kiss again. Breathing heavily, she placed her hands against his chest. They smirked at each other for several moments before Bellatrix sniffed and raised her chin, fluttering her eyelids. "No…we are purebloods of ancient and noble houses. We do not fornicate like common mudbloods!" Then she leaned in and rested her forehead against his, her arms snaking around him again, and flashed a wicked smile. "But Merlin, do I want to!" Her voice was husky and seductive.
Will grinned back at her, just as wickedly. "Yes, we do need to behave ourselves. Besides, who would want to open their presents before Christmas?"
Bellatrix smirked. "I never let that filthy Lestrange open his present. I hated the mongrel! I only married him for mum and dad's sake. I suppose if the war hadn't started up so soon after we left school I would have had to consummate the marriage at some point, so there'd be an heir." She chuckled. "Seems the Dark Lord was good for something after all…he spared me the disgusting indignity of ever having to share a bed with Rudolphus."
To say that Will was surprised by this news would be a gross understatement. His eyebrows shot up and his mouth gaped. Bellatrix laughed at the stunned look he was giving her. "Yes, my love, you get to be my first…and only! Don't look so surprised. You've had dibs on me since we were kids. My heart has always belonged to you, all our lives…even though neither of us knew it."
"Talk about gifts," Will murmured. Then he dropped his eyes. "I—I don't have any gift like that to give to you."
Bellatrix put a finger under his chin and raised his head till he was looking in her eyes. "You are the best, most perfect gift I could ever hope to have, my darling." She kissed him once more, rather chastely this time, and then snuggled her head against his again with a content sigh.
They sat in comfortable silence for a while, snuggling by the fire. William thought it might be a good time to honor his promise to Narcissa. "Love, Astoria and I ran into Narcissa when we were in Diagon Alley during the girls' holiday."
He felt Bella stiffen but she remained silent.
"She misses you. She wants to see you. I told her I'd pass along her message." Will was watching Bellatrix face. She was staring into space while a little frown played around her lips.
"How did she know I was here?" The question was soft, and Will sensed a small amount of fear in her voice.
Will sighed. "Your sister is a quintessential Slytherin…she tricked it out of me, the little minx." His voice had a sheepish tone to it as he recalled how very easy it had been for Narcissa to bait him.
Bellatrix burst out with a cackle. "Oh, that Cissy! Always the sneak!" She turned back to Will with a grin, snuggling against him. "Don't worry, my darling…I'm not upset. When we were kids, she used to trick both Andi and me as well. It's probably how she's been able to manage that idiot husband of hers all these years.
"She promised not to say anything, even to Lucius."
Bella smiled. "When Cissy gives her word, she won't break it. Our secret is safe with my baby sister. Andi has kept it secret too, and her daughter's an auror, for Merlin's sake. No, we're safe enough with my sisters knowing." She smiled wistfully. "Wouldn't it be nice if the three of us can all be together again?"
Will smiled, but didn't tell her about Narccisa's comment regarding Andromeda. "Yes, it would my love. And Sirius too."
Bella scoffed. "Oh, Siri will never accept me or Cissy again! I'm afraid he's too goody—goody for that!" Then a wistful expression covere her face. "Still, yes…yes, you're quite right, Will: it would be nice for what's left of the Noble and Most Ancient House of Black to be together again." She fell silent, and the two enjoyed each other's presence, snuggling peacefully on the couch far into the evening…without a doubt, snuggling with one another was their primary way of passing the days.
(XXX)
The following morning, Will sent an owl to Narcissa with a scrambled letter informing her that her sister did indeed wish to see her. He told her they would be in the Alley Saturday evening. She sent her own scrambled letter back that same afternoon, letting him know she see them then, and to give Bellatrix her love.
"We need to visit Borgin and Burkes this weekend," Will announced at dinner. "I've tracked your wand down to their shop. Narcissa will meet us there. She sends you her love, by the way."
Bellatrix smiled at Narcissa's words of affection, then frowned and scoffed. "What are those disgusting old men doing with my wand?"
Will shrugged. "Most likely one of the Aurors who arrested you stole it and sold it to them, hoping for a quick buck. Not sure why they've held onto it for so many years. I'd think the wand of the infamous Bellatrix Lestrange would be worth a considerable amount."
Bella smirked. "I put a curse on it so that if anyone but me tried to use it would emit a variant of the killing curse as soon as they said a spell." She cackled. "I wonder how many people it's killed over the years I was rotting in Azkaban."
Then she turned serious. "I confess I'm a bit nervous about seeing Cissy again," she said. "I'm not so certain she'll be happy that I've made things up with Andi."
Will smiled and pulled her to his side. She rested her head on his shoulder and sighed. "Everything will work out, Love. I promise." The Lady said it would, so I know it will.
(XXX)
About a week after returning to Hogwarts from the Easter break, Draco had finally worked up the courage to put his own plan into motion and speak with Daphne.
Entering the common room after his prefect rounds, Draco's resolve dimmed a little as he caught sight of Daphne. She was sitting on one of the couches, legs curled underneath her, face scrunched up as she went over an essay. There were only a couple others in the common room, scattered in far corners studying, and none of them were near Daphne. He sighed. It was now or never. Squaring his shoulders, he walked over to where she was sitting.
"Greengr-Daphne, may I speak with you for a moment, please?"
Startled, she looked up at Draco. Her eyebrows rising in surprise before suspicion covered her face, a frown replacing the initial surprised look. Her eyes narrowed.
Draco swallowed hard, trying not to gulp under Daphne's cold stare.
"What do you want, Malfoy?" She muttered after staring at him in silence for several moments.
Draco gestured at the couch beside her. Daphne glanced at it, understanding his request, before looking back at him and giving a curt nod. As he sat, Draco cast a muffliato just to be safe.
"Now…what do you want?" Daphne asked, sitting up straight and folding her arms across her torso.
Not certain about how to begin, Draco said the first thing that came to his mind. "I know Aunt Bella is at your house."
Daphne's face went blank, her ice queen persona falling firmly into place as she looked him in the eye and said, "I have no idea what you're talking about."
His signature smirk covered his face, and he lowered his voice. "You can drop the act, Daphne…my mum and I met your sister and dad in Diagon Alley over the break, and mum tricked it out of your dad."
Daphne continued to stare at him, judging the truth of his words. Draco sighed as she remained silent. "Don't worry. Mum promised your dad she wouldn't tell anyone, not even my dad. Go ahead and call me a mommy's boy if you'd like, but my mum is everything to me. If she tells me to do something or not do it, I listen to her. I haven't told anyone, and I won't."
He sighed and looked away a moment before continuing. "Look, I'm tired of us fighting all the time. I want to call a truce between us, okay?"
Daphne frowned. "A…truce?" She repeated slowly.
Draco sighed again and ran his hand through his hair. "Yes, Greengr—Daphne. A truce. Look, I'm not saying we have to be friends and start hanging out together, but I just want us to at least try and get along. I'm tired of the fighting. I mean, we used to be friends, back when we were kids."
"I think this is the first real, decent conversation I've had with you since we were kids, Draco," Daphne told him, giving him a small but warm smile.
A slight blush covered his face, and he smirked. "Well, don't get used to it. After all, I do have the Malfoy reputation to uphold."
Daphne rewarded his comment with one of her rare, genuine laughs, which sounded so musical it made the blush on Draco's face deepen. Longbottom sure lucked out, Draco thought, winning the heart of a girl like Daphne. No one could ever love me that way…no one decent, at any rate, not after all the things I've done. He fidgeted, rubbing the back of his neck a moment before extending his hand to Daphne with a nervous smile. "So…truce then?" He asked.
Daphne didn't speak. She was staring at him with narrowed eyes, contemplating how much truth there was in his words. As the silence stretched on, Draco grew more apprehensive. swallowing hard, he tried sweetening the deal. "Either way, I promise I won't tell anyone that my crazy aunt is hiding at your house."
A small frown crossed her face. "She's not crazy, Draco…well, not anymore. She and my father love each other deeply."
Draco wanted to scoff. Of course, he barely remembered his aunt Bellatrix. But from what he'd come to know about her over the years—mostly from other former Deatheaters and even from his mother herself (who always tried to defend Bellatrix's past actions), Draco knew that she was mentally unstable at best. And he wondered if she was even capable of loving anyone outside of the Dark Lord.
But Daphne seemed to truly believe his aunt loved her father, and Draco decided to give Daphne the benefit of the doubt. She had been around his aunt far more than he had, after all. He thought if the occasion ever presented itself, that he would ask Astoria about his aunt and her father as well, to see what her response would be. And if Astoria believed the two were in love, then so would Draco.
And Draco wondered…when had he come to put so much faith in the Greengrass sisters' words?
"Truce?" Draco repeated, his hand still extended towards Daphne. "Please?" He hoped he sound sincere enough without sounding desperate. For some reason, it was important to Draco that Daphne and Astoria believe him, although he wasn't certain just exactly why it was important to him…he only knew that it was.
Daphne glanced at his hand, then looked into his eyes, scrutinizing his intentions. She saw nothing but sincerity in Draco's eyes, which surprised her considering the fact that Draco almost always had some scheme in the back of his mind. But she saw nothing else in his eyes now.
Returning his smile, Daphne shook his hand. "Yes, Draco…we have a truce." She lowered her voice and leaned a little closer to him. "But please stop referring to Hermione as a 'mudblood'. It's so uncouth, Draco. Even for you."
Draco snorted. "Oh come on, Daphne…I've heard you use that word plenty of times yourself over the years."
Daphne shrugged. "Well, that was before I met Hermione and found out that not all muggleborns are scum. Hermione is an amazing girl. And she's loyal to her friends…yes, sometimes to a fault" she added with a smirk when Draco made a face. "But I value loyalty in people, Draco." She gave the boy a rather pointed look when she said that, causing him to gulp.
He gripped her hand tighter. "I do want a truce between us. And on my own…I swear my father didn't put me up to this." He sighed again. "In fact, if he knew about this, he'd probably be angry that I reached out to you." Draco shook his head. "It's weird how much our fathers dislike each other. They were friends when they were at Hogwarts. They're both purebloods and both our families are in the Sacred 28. I'm not sure what happened to drive such a wedge between them. Probably it was something about you-know-who. I know my father thinks your father should drop his neutral stance."
Daphne shook her head. "The Greengrass family has always been neutral, Draco. And it always will be. Tell your father he's wasting his time."
Draco snorted again. "Father thinks he can convince anyone of anything. And if he can't convince them, he tries to bribe or intimidate them." Draco paused a moment. "And I think he's actually a little bit afraid of your dad."
Daphne's smile was cold. "As well he should be. My father can be a very dangerous wizard."
Draco snorted. "Especially now that he has my crazy aunt on his side."
Daphne frowned. "Please stop calling her that, Draco. I told you, she's not crazy."
Draco shrugged, holding up his hands. "I believe you. All I'm saying is that if she's as deeply in love with your dad as she was devoted to the Dark Lord, then your father is well protected. Aunt Bella is a very powerful and dangerous witch."
Daphne smirked. "Oh, trust me when I say they are crazy about each other. It's almost like my father is a schoolboy with his first crush again."
Draco sighed. "They have a lot of time to make up for. My mother told me how deeply in love they were when they were students here. And how my grandfather ruined everything. I know my word might not mean much to you at present, but I give you my word that I won't say anything to anyone about Aunt Bella. Just, give me a chance to show you that I'm trying to change."
There was such a desperate, pleading look in his eyes that Daphne found her reluctance starting to depart. She nodded. "Alright, Draco. I'll give you a chance. You're right, we all did used to have fun hanging out. Who knows, maybe we can reach that point again. Please, though-ease up on Hermione, and keep your gang off poor Nev's back…after all, he's a pureblood too."
Draco nodded. "Got it. Thanks, Daphne." He smiled and stood. Before heading up to the boys dorm, he paused and turned back to Daphne. "Just out of curiosity, why are you giving me a second chance? I haven't had a chance to really prove myself trustworthy to you yet."
Daphne gave him another sincere smile. "You have, to an extent. You've kept the secret about my father and your aunt. Besides, "Nev is giving your aunt a chance as well. He has every reason to hate her, and if he can give her a chance, I can give you one. After all, I don't hate you."
Draco raised his eyebrows. "You don't?"
Daphne smirked. "Of course I don't hate you…I just really, really don't like you."
Draco barked out a laugh, running his hand through his hair again. "Thanks. Night, Greengrass."
"Night Malfoy." Soon after Draco had departed for his room, Daphne sighed and headed for her own.
A/N: Well, it's only been four months since I updated this one. :/ Guess I got too carried away on my other stories. If anyone is reading this, and cares, I apologize for the delay. One day seems to run into another for me. Anyway, hope you enjoy. Department of Mysteries is coming next chapter…and there might be a couple of surprises.