Draco stood on the balcony, overlooking the red flames that slowly edged up the hedges and continued on towards the house. He clenched his fists; his heart suddenly beating faster as the sky lit up with embers and slow, evolving screams echoed beneath him in the Manor.

He can't go like this.

-x-x-x-

"What are you standing there for? My girl! My sweet darling girl!"

Xeno dashed from room to room of the Manor, desperately clutching the robes of anyone who was paralyzed with indecision.

It was all the Malfoys' fault, and he knew just as much. But the eldest culprit was nowhere to be seen.

"Blasted creatures!" Yanking cages open and lifting up a large window pane, Xeno watched the magical beasts run for their lives, escaping the approaching flames. "Fly away! Go! Save yourselves!"

Amidst the chaos, he could not see Luna. If everyone else wanted to survive, why didn't see?

Where was she?

-x-x-x-

Lucius watched as birds cawed, beasts thudded their hooves and critters squealed about him. He jumped on the table and waved his hands.

"Get out! All of you! Shoo!"

He cast a spell, willing all the windows about him to open and smoke and a hundred flapping wings flooded out into the night sky. Then came the hooves creatures who ran out, nearly trampling the party goers in their fine attire.

Wizard-folk were thankfully stronger than the average human and quickly came to their senses amid this kerfuffle, and ran out.

But where, where was Miss Lovegood?

Lucius dashed outside, his voice searing his throat. "Luna!"

Screaming at the top of his lungs, he saw the flames crawling around the maze. Luck would have it, she was exactly there-in the centre of it all.

The roses lit up like colourful orbs, their delicate petals catching fire and instantly withering away into nothing underneath the black sky. Why did it always have to be them? He cursed.

Heels sparking, he dashed into the centre of the maze, cursing as flames licked the corners of his suit-not bothering to cast any Anti Flame charms on himself. He did eventually need a spell to calm his breathing and when he had reached a dead end, blasted the thorns apart revealing an even more dire passageway.

And finally, he saw her...lying in a small, red heap on the floor with her flaxen hair strewn about. Scooping her into his arms, light as a feather, he aimlessly spun in a circle, the flames encircling them.

Then, tossing her over his shoulders, he blasted more and more roses out of his sight until he could finally see the pitch black opening of the vast fields before him.

He lay her down in the grass, tapping her cheeks and checking for her pulse and breath.

She was so hot, so still, but still breathing. There was a pond nearby, but it was too far to risk it. Summoning water into the palms of his hands, he gently poured it over Miss Lovegood's head, her neck and trickled a bit between her lips.

When all other options had been exhausted, he wiped his eyes and pressed his cold hands to her cheeks.

"Don't even think about dying," he stuttered, his voice catching in his throat and coming out in ragged gasps as he prayed with every inch of his existence to the Cauldron.

"If you die, I...I won't have anyone to give this Manor to." He wiped his eyes. "Blast, I won't have much of anything!"

He stared at her, every second lasting as long as an hour, and thought of the Cauldron.

"I promise I won't be so bloody wicked to you anymore. I'll change my ways. Whatever you'd like me to be."

He gasped. "Please."

-x-x-x-

He was going to find that bloody elf. And he was going to end her. Draco marched down the stairs to the basement, and knocked fast and hard on the elven kitchen door.

When no answer came, he scream and kicked the door in with a violent spurt of magic and crawled through the tiny opening.

"You better be there Twinkle!" he warned and he got on his knees and looked around the kitchens, tossing back pots and pans. "Where are you!"

His lungs filled with the scent of smoke and burning grass. He opened the oven doors and the cupboards below. He should have never promised her anything. Anything.

Shoot. He stubbed his toe, cursing out all living things. "We didn't agree on this you...idiot House Elf!"

Somewhere in the distance, an elf cackle sounded as the creature crept higher into the Manor, carrying a lit piece of wood in her grasp.

No one saw her go up, no one saw her come up.

But strangely enough, no one saw her come out of the Manor.

-x-x-x-

"Its gonna blow Xenophilius!" cried Mrs Meddledrap. "We must make haste NOW!"

The fire had caught up to the Manor, first to the small flower arrangements around the porch and then, crawled up the lush carpet on the stairs and over the many draperies in the windows of the side rooms.

The ballroom was so hot and the night-so cool. The guests could not resist asking for open windows and even balcony doors. And now, the fiery beast aimed to destroy everything the Malfoy family had acquired over the centuries.

Xeno, frozen with indecision, was suddenly yanked by the sleeve and tugged out of the Manor with screams and whoops.

"I swear it, if you don't stop screaming now, I'll give you a good spanking," Meddledrap said almost gleefully.

"But Luna, LUNA!"

"There are many people inside looking for her. Her creatures need you now!"

The two looked up at the sky, a sudden flash of red.

"See!" Meddledrap said, "she's been found. Likely they're just on their way of bringing her right over here!"

"But-"

"No buts! Here, I've made you a glass of water. Or perhaps something stronger later once everything's sorted."

Xeno took the water and drank quickly. He'd always respected firmness and decision in a woman. It had occurred to him that perhaps everything would be alright.

-x-x-x-

"Where is Draco?"

The words came out of Astoria's mouth with considerable annoyance twenty minutes ago, but now were said with a hint of panic. No one had seen him in the large crowd gathered around the Manor. Last she saw him, she'd sent him back into the building to take care of business, business that involved Luna and business that she sent him on.

This would have been the last time she ever saw him.

And the last words she ever said to him, were that she'd never talk to him again.

A sob formed in her chest. Astoria rubbed her eyes. How could she be affected so much by some stupid boy?

-x-x-x-

"Twinkle!"

Draco has exhausted himself with crying the stupid elf's name. Perhaps Luna was right. They needed to get rid of the elves once and for all.

He had crawled out of the kitchen and headed back upstairs when the stark smell of smoke and fire hit his nose.

He crawled out a side passageway in a side room and found himself back in the rose gardens, at the grave of his mother.

Then he saw it, the giant red spark of light in the night sky. Heading around the mazes in a path through the fields, he saw the shape of his father, lit up by magic, hunched over a figure.

His heart skipped a beat.

Running over, he sat on the grass beside the limp body of Luna.

"Is she...?" he mouthed.

"No," Lucius croaked. He stared at her so intently, silently wishing it would be enough to awaken her.

Draco's body shook. It was supposed to be a little trick between him and the House Elf, to make Luna fall asleep somewhere in the castle so that she could not receive the Manor from his father and he'd have no choice but to hand it over to himself and Astoria. Hogwarts' future depended on it. It all should have never amounted to this disaster, to her passing.

Draco felt an angry bout of tears pushing their way down his face. He sniffled.

"I'm sorry Father, it was all my fault," he sobbed.

Lucius bobbed his head. "It doesn't matter anymore."

Draco and Lucius looked at each other. Something had certainly changed about the both of them. It had made one softer and one grow more firm with resolve. And the cause of it was the barely breathing young witch between them.

And it was all their fault, as usual. His Father had not been able to protect her, and Draco, he was no help himself. He'd never learn. He just wanted to see some sort of compliment, some quiver of a smile on his Astoria's lips. Was it so much to ask for?

Draco stilled.

The Manor looked glorious in the distance, all in flames and smoking. Generations worth of dark artifacts, hand-carved furniture and magical traces all set aflame. His father should have been affected by this, on the edge of reason. Running, screaming and cursing whatever was in sight.

But Lucius Malfoy was as still as a python, sitting in a meditative state and rocking the blonde-haired girl in his arms. It was a picture: two figures in a tender embrace before the flaming hellfire.

And nothing did matter more than the fact that she was gone.

It had pushed even more tears to the surface and Draco covered his mouth to stop his sobs. This was pathetic. He never cried like that since he was a school boy.

It would take a miracle for Luna Lovegood to wake up now.

But slowly, her face began to crinkle and her fingers stirred, her breath deeply drawn in.

"Father. Look!" Draco said, steadying the girl's head. "Luna!"

Lucius propped Luna up as she coughed and spluttered, an odd coloured liquid coming out of her lips. The two wizard froze, not daring to breathe as her eyes opened and she steadied herself.

"Did you get the Nifflers?" she suddenly cried out, clutching Lucius' suit, eyes wide open.

"How-"

"Did you?"

"Yes."

"And the Hobllers?"

"Yes."

"And the Erumphent? You know how stubborn she is."

"Yes," Lucius said, smiling and suddenly wet-eyed himself. "Every last one."

"And Twinkle?"

Draco frowned. "There's no telling what happen to that little sh-"

"-e's perfectly fine," Lucius said. "You know how sturdy House Elves are."

"Oh yes," Luna said with a relieved sigh. "But I do wonder if I've been too firm with her and-" Luna widened her eyes, regarding her companions. "-Mr Malfoy. Are you two crying?" she said, rubbing a tear from his cheek.

Draco and Lucius exchanged glances, instantly straightening and grunting in an alike manner. "No."

Luna's face softened. "You were. You two are swarming with Dollicks."

"Dollicks?"

"Not many people know about Dollicks," she said. "They really like to lick the tears off your eyes when you cry and leave a sticky little spot in its place. Its practically proof they exist, but not many people can see them."

Draco grunted and pointed to the flaming Manor. "Well that went down like a lead balloon."

"I'm sure it's not all bad." A giant piece of the roof fell through with a resounding bang. Luna shuddered. "Just a bit of fixing before it's in tip top shape."

"Must we?" Lucius said.

"It is home!" Draco cried. "The Malfoy Manor. The most esteemed Dark home of the centuries-"

"Draco I believe there is someone you need to speak with." Lucius gestured with his eyes. "In private."

"Oh. OH." Draco blushed, then hesitantly made his way around the long winding territory of the Manor, eventually giving up and Apparating out of sight.

"It doesn't have to be our home...here," Lucius said softly.

"But the grounds..."

"...Don't matter. After all, anywhere where a Malfoy is, their Manor can follow."

Luna nodded. "Spain would be wonderful year round. Maybe by the water."

"Yes," he said, dreamily. "Those rolling waves would work nicely for the Grindylows."

"They prefer less noisy waters."

Lucius considered. "A pool?"

"A pool would work perfectly."

"Then it is settled."

Luna blinked her eyes. "After all of this?" She pointed to the burning Manor, where one row of bushes was evening with the ground.

"Especially." He smiled, and took her hand.

She squeezed his hand in return. "It sure takes a lot to become a Malfoy."

"You, my dear, make it look so effortless."

"I've learned from the best."

"Don't chide me-"

"It is true!" She gleamed. "Spain. Oh Mr Malfoy it takes a lot of courage to try something new."

He raised his brows in quick contemplation. "I can be very courageous."

"And very patient."

"At times."

"And really, really." She paused. "Nice."

"Nice?" He sighed. "Yes I suppose that's a start."

She bit her lip. "Do you think I can owl letters from Spain?"

He laughed shortly. "Those owls would have to have a lot of endurance. More than an average owl."

"But would that not me too much work for the owls," she said sadly.

Lucius had no choice but to look at her in the eye with a firm and gentle glare. "Everyone has their role. Just as you will be the mistress of the new manor."

"But be honest," she pleaded. "You would not mind leaving this behind?"

"With you, Miss Lovegood, I can make the Malfoy Manor anywhere on earth."

She knitted her brows together. "That still leaves the land of Manor in question. Who will take over the fallen Manor?"

"For that," Mr Malfoy said, "I have already a solution. What if we..."

-x-x-x-

Astoria had finished a long, fretful session of helping everyone calm their nerves with magically conjured up hot tea and blankets when the blond figure appeared out of the shadows of the surrounding shrubbery.

Draco Malfoy.

Speak of the Cauldron.

He grinned sheepishly when he saw her and brushed the stray bits of brambles off his suit.

Despite the anger that had been steadily rising in her belly the entire time of his absence, Astoria smiled like an idiot and fought back the overwhelming urge to hug him. Instead, she crossed her arms to keep her fingers from nervously twitching.

"You're alright?"

"Alright."

She hummed. "And your father?"

"He's having a little chat with Luna." Draco took her shoulders. "How are you?"

"Doesn't matter," she steamed.

"It does to me," Draco said, looking into her eyes. "Come on Astoria, you look positively peeved."

"Did anyone ever tell you that you were darn annoying?"

"Not really," Draco said with a grin. "But I don't think it'd do me any good if they did." Draco stroked her arms. "I know you are upset about my father passing on the Manor to Luna, but you have to admit, the lad needs more help than Hogwarts."

Here Astoria laughed, quickly and easily, and brushed an annoyed tear out of her eye. "The fire makes for a pretty good excuse."

"You see?" Draco said. "We will think of anouther way to earn that money for Hogwarts."

"You."

"Out of the two of us, you have the better ideas," Draco said, pouting. "Besides, we come as a unit-"

"-I don't even like you!"

"You do." Draco flashed his his cocky, familial Malfoy smile. "Otherwise why were you crying?"

"Was not!"

"Your eyes are red."

"You're a git." She wrapped her arms around her neck and help on tightly for a very, very long time. "And for the record, I would still talk to you even if we didn't get the Malfoy money."

"I know." He hugged her back. "But I still intend to keep my promise."

"If you want."

"Is that a challenge, Astoria Greengrass?"

"Maybe," she said, kissing him.

-x-x-x-

Her papa held Luna in his hands like it was the last time he'd seen her. And as it turned out, it would be.

"You're leaving to Spain?!" he bellowed, looking at his little girl, who did not look so little anymore. "But we just returned from Mexico!"

"Papa, Spain isn't as far as Mexico." Luna gripped Mr Malfoy's sleeve. "And there are owls there. Right?"

"And certainly, no House Elves."

"And a nice beach for you to stretch out and relax on when you come visit."

"And I will supply unlimited sangria."

"NO!"

"Please papa. You like the beach," Luna said, batting her lashes ever so prettily.

"I won't have it," Xenophilius crossed his arms. "Spain does not have printing presses."

"Well, maybe it's time to take on a new assistant," Luna suggested. "Someone who can offer a new...perspective!"

And speaking of perspectives, a large crowd had started to form around Mr Malfoy, most importantly the shop keepers and Mrs Meddledrap (draped over papa's arm and looking wildly concerned for her welfare).

"Mr Malfoy, are you planning on reconstructing the Manor?" was the question of one such wizard

Lucius' tactful avoidance of the word 'yes' was answer plenty. A sigh of relief escaped the lips of the less careful, but was clearly a sentiment most were not opposed to.

"So someone else might invest in the property?" Mrs Meddledrap said, hopefully.

"Someone might. But I do wish them well," Mr Malfoy said cleverly. "I wonder how the new owner would take to their perfect home standing on top of a centuries old Pureblood graveyard."

A gasp went through the crowd.

"But the place is very cozy and close to nature," Luna said hopefully, "If you don't mind the ghouls."

"So perhaps my dear, it would be wise for us to rebuild the Manor here, since nobody will take the prime location," he said with a wink.

"We aren't afraid of any ghouls."

"It seems then," Lucius started, "that this land should fall into the hands of our kind. Really who better than a Malfoy? Unless there are better offers?"

What could be done? The shop keepers looked at each other and argued, and the more wealthy of the group did not want to seem too eager to buy off Malfoy territory.

Finally, one voice piped up above the rest. "Who better than a Malfoy." Draco stepped forth. "We rebuilt one castle. What's anouther?"

And Astoria, at that moment, looked at him with a type of fawning fascination that could only come from seeing someone she fancied taking a gross leap of courage in front of strangers.

Lucius came over and pulled him into a great hug.

"Bravo!" cheered Luna, "Oh this is a clever solution! And what will you do with this place?"

Draco shrugged. "Don't know yet. I'll have to ask," he glanced at Astoria, "The new mistress of the manor. Maybe a summer institute for students who need extra help studying for the upcoming Hogwarts semester?"

"Or perhaps, you might like to start some extra curricular courses," Lucius suggested. " We know of a certain gentleman who specializes in journalism and writing."

"Ah!" Xenophilius cried.

"And anouther who is extra good at taking care of the territory," Luna said, gesturing to the young Mr Diddle who was beaming at the idea of having his own giant Manor to care for.

"That is more than fantastic," Astoria agreed. "The Institute for Additional Classes and Specialized subjects! Thank you.."

"With just a little work," Lucius said, "It can open soon. As for us, we have some travelling to do, my dear Miss Lovegood. It seems to me that we need to find a space in Spain to rebuilt the new and improved Menagerie for Fantastic Beasts."

Luna grinned from ear to ear. "Yes. But what about papa's house?"

"What about it, dove?"

"Well, he won't like having to take care of all the creatures by himself while we house hunt. And Neville has helped so much already," she whispered. "You did send them back to our house when the fire began?"

Lucius blinked his eyes rapidly. "Yes. The creatures."

Luna crossed her arms and stomped her foot. "Mr Malfoy!"

"I had panicked!" he cried. "And my priority was making sure you were safe and they weren't stuck inside a burning Manor."

"But however will we find them now?" Luna cried, nearly breaking into tears.

She didn't have to wail for long because Mrs Meddledrap pointed to the skies and cried, "Look! Here they come!"

And the small Thestral fouls and the birds and all the creatures came crawling back towards them through the bushes and undergrowth.

"Hoorah!" Luna cried, clapping her hands as Pop and Pippin ran ahead of the bunch on the Erumpent's back. "You are the very best."

"I knew it would all work out," said Lucius, who was sweating so hard and certainly not sure it would be.

It had taken them some time to send the creatures back to the Lovegood house with magic and to begin to extinguish the fire of the Malfoy Manor. But in the end, the entire town of Little Wilt and all of the Ministry visitors worked hard together, in their beautiful and formal attire, to help out Mr Malfoy and Luna. Wiltshire had never before seen such stark and devoted camaraderie form over a Manor. Because of a Manor. In spite of a Manor.

That's where it all began.

That is where it shall end.

A/N: Thank you for reading!