Midnight Swimming Chapter 19 - I, a harry potter fanfic

Chapter 19

Draco

Saturday, 2nd of January 1999

The Durmstrang Quidditch team prepares for the match against the Gryffindors in the ship muggles would refer to as the Flying Dutchman. The interior of the ship is opulent with the dimly lit ancient symbols and incantations embedded within the dark wooden panels of the floor along with elaborate carvings of creatures; muggle and wizardly moving around the moulding of the room. To Draco's surprise each player is given a grand fullbody enchanted mirror showcasing mini versions of their opponents and their most recent game, helping the team strategize. His mirror is currently displaying McLaggen's pompous self.

He turns to Mickey to his right, "How'd the mirrors get information of these games?"

Mickey undresses, not looking at Draco, "Headmaster went to the Quidditch Pitch sometime last night and gathered their magic that's littered around the Pitch."

He gives Mickey an impressed expression, recalling how he's used the magic embedded within the castle for himself as well. He turns back to the mirror then notices a particular Weasley he's not so fond of in the mirror to his left. He does a double take when Draco sees that Ron has changed his position to seeker.

William, feeling Draco's attention turns to him, slides into his uniform, "Is that your boyfriend, Malfoy? With Katerina's loud mouth about shagging her right, I didn't peg you down for a man who goes both ways."

Oh, fuck off.

Recalling the night he was able to apparate to Hogwarts and back to Durmstrang was mind boggling to him. The magic he was able to absorb from the Murdúchann was nothing like anything else he ever felt, even more from the lightning encounter with Harry. Not only was he able to apparate 3,400 kilometers and somehow bypass the anti-apparition wards with such ease, but he was also able to plant a false memory on Katerina of them being intimate without realizing it. Even to this very day he still feels the immeasurable amount of magic pulsating through his veins. He was dumbfounded when he was able to apparate back to Durmstrang by simply envisioning his dorm room. When Draco walked back to the lake the following day to find his wand he was hoping to spot the mysterious water creature again, but it never presented itself to him.

Draco rolls his eyes at William as he undresses, "Not mine, but I can let him know if you're interested. I did peg you as a bloke who likes it up the ass."

Snickers are heard in the background. William's face contorts into a scowl has Draco mentally patting himself on the back for his reaction.

As William opens his mouth to give it right back to Draco, Mickey interrupts him, "Save it for the field." His tone is firm and commanding.

As the team dresses, there's a mixture of determination and excitement vibrating from Petrova's voice that's bouncing off the walls. However, as Draco begins to get ready for today's game, he's unable to resonate with the words booming from Petrova's octopus patronus floating around the room. He shoves his arms and legs through his Durmstrang uniform and although the fabric feels smooth against his skin, it has him itching. The idea of wearing another school's uniform puts a bitter taste in his mouth.

He straps the leather guards in the necessary places, yet as he tightens them, it feels wrong, like a betrayal. Another one he's committed. His thoughts inevitably drift to Granger and their conversation yesterday morning. He desperately wished it would have ended more favorably, but he'd be a fool not to understand that she needs space. So, he kept his distance throughout the rest of the day, only passing by the areas he thought she'd be, not wanting to engage in another conversation just hoping to simply gaze at her from afar. However, she wasn't in any of the places he thought she'd be, not in the library, not by the dock or hill she used to write about, not even the old spots she, Harry and Ron used to congregate.

He walked the halls and grounds of Hogwarts most of last night reminiscing of old cherished memories of Granger as he passed by their dark corners, along with sacred impressions of his Slytherin friends being accepted by their classmates and gaining friendships from the unlikeliest of people. Draco loved seeing familiar faces when he arrived, basking in the sentiment of him no longer being the villain in their lives, but the idea of him becoming the villain again to the one person who means everything to him was devastating. The memories of him and Granger hurt to relive but needing to feel her again was something his soul ached for.

As he finished placing his helmet on, he thought of the reason he was here and it wasn't Granger, it was Ron. And his hatred for him. He hated Ron for taking his witch and demanded his lifeless corpse, but as he stands in front of this enchanted mirror, he sees a reflection of a man who's deflated, who seems to no longer care about the hatred that brought him here. He just wants both of their pain to stop.

Thunderous sound of drums lets the team know they're to make their way to the smaller ships onboard to take to the shore. As the team takes the stairs to the top deck, Petrova finally decides to leave the Captain's Cabin.

* . * . *

Drums follow the team as they march toward the quidditch pitch. Draco catches wind of a conversation in front of him, apparently, it's a laughable idea of women playing quidditch. Draco scoffs at the sexist notion. Mickey turns to him furrowing his brows. Draco juts his chin over to the misogynistic conversation going on.

Mickey gives him a disgusted look, "Women don't belong on the field."

Draco slowly turns his head, giving Mickey his full attention, his expression screaming, 'excuse me?' as they enter the quidditch pitch.

Mickey waves him off dismissively, "They're too slow and not very strong. You quite literally need those qualities to play, or at least win."

Oh. He's in for a RUDE awakening.

Ginny slams into Draco with a tight bear hug with enough force to cause him to drop his broom. With his body being constricted from Ginny's grasp, he can only turn his head.

Ginny grins from ear to ear then gives him a loud sloppy wet kiss on the cheek before stating, "I missed you, Ferret."

He's a tad disgusted by the wetness on his cheek, but a sense of love and warmth bombards him, he misses being here at Hogwarts. Misses his friends, the magic that's so familiar to him here, he misses his home away from home. Draco gives her a mischievous grin before maneuvering their bodies in a hurried blur, putting her in a headlock, playfully choking her. Ginny giggles then kicks his leg so he loses his balance, bringing him to his knees making it possible to put Draco in a headlock, actually choking him. Draco attempts to fight against her grip, but Weasletits is strong. Although he's desperate for oxygen, he hangs in there for what feels like an eternity, trying to get out of her grip, but alas Ginny's relentless.

He frantically taps her arm to release him, Mickey chuckles in the background as Draco grabs his throat to ease the strain on his throat as he fills his lungs with air again.

"I think I love her, surely the gods wept when creating such a beauty" Mickey says to Draco as Ginny saunters off to the huddle with the Gryffindor team.

Draco coughs a few more times before he smiles as he shakes his head at Mickey, "She's taken."

Mickey's eyes narrow in annoyance and watches as Ginny continues to walk away, "Then I shall fight for her love."

Draco grabs his broom from the ground and then slaps Mickey on the back hard, "Good luck with that, she's dating Harry Potter."

Mickey's eyes grow wide as he flings his head to look at Draco, "Potter?"

Draco wraps his free arm around Mickey's shoulder, guiding him to the line of his Durmstrang teammates. He gives Mickey an arrogant smirk as he nods his head, "Yes, the blasted Chosen One. Wait. Don't you read the Prophet? Their faces were blasted all over them after the war."

Mickey grimaces, "Bunch of misinformation that parchment. Don't really bother with it."

Draco nods his head. "So," he begins, tightly side hugging Mickey, "what was that about women not being strong?"

Mickey rolls his eyes then playfully pushes Draco off of him.

"Are you going to go easy on her?" Draco baits, bouncing his brows.

* . * . *

Floating several meters in the air, he scans the crowd for Granger, but can't spot her anywhere. However, he does notice Ron staring daggers at him. The hatred Draco once felt for the idiot on the floating broom now gone, the only emotion he's grappling with is jealousy that Ron has the witch who has his heart. As the game went on, there were a total of 9 times that Draco counted of Ron flying straight into him, knocking him off his broom at least twice to get to the snitch. Coming to the conclusion that Ron was waging war on him, but Draco had zero intention of engaging and beating the shit out of him like he initially wanted. He tried his best to steer clear of him, as much as it pained him.

Draco follows the bludger chasing after the demented ball with immense speed. He nears the ball and whacks the thing with all his strength plus a little extra magic still remaining within him, changing its course to a Gryffindor 6th year carrying a quaffle. Praying that the bludger strikes them and they drop the quaffle before they reach Durmstrang's post. Just as they throw their arm back to toss it in, the violent ball blows into them, knocking them off their broom.

Yes!

Durmstrang students cheer down below as Neville announces "An impressive blow to Rowena Crowley by Draco Malfoy!"

The sound of students both from his current school and his former cheering for him brings a smile to his face. Not being hated by the students of Hogwarts as he once was a breath of fresh air for him that he didn't know he needed. Both teams play vigorously. Each team's defense and offense matches the other's determination and fierceness, nearly neck to neck for the score. Although he was able to adjust to his new position with ease, he still caught himself almost chasing after the snitch a handful of times throughout the match.

Clouds rolled in half way through the game, creating a darkly charged atmosphere. He takes note of the somber color they hold.

And the forecast today? Lightning storm.

He smirks at a thought.

Wonder if I can absorb lighting directly.

Draco could sense the energy of the lighting before it streaked across the sky, illuminating the area. Boisterous thunder vibrates the air and anything it touches as rain trickles down from above creating a new struggle of gripping his club optimally, but not to an extent he couldn't handle.

A sapphire chaotic beam of light cracked in the sky, cutting through the field and taking aim on an unsuspecting McLaggen. Sudden shrieks from both the crowd and McLaggen are heard before he drops to the ground. The game resumed as soon he was taken by Madam Pomfrey and Ms. Pleakly to the hospital wing. With having one less player on the field Durmstrang may have a chance at winning.

"Move Ferret!" Ginny cries out as she zips by quaffle in hand.

Draco snickers and jerks his broom back, missing her by a hair. He dials in on a distinctive flutter and turns his head to find a golden sphere taunting him inches from his face.

If only I kept my fucking position, you'd be mine.

He exhales his annoyance and searches for William, fortunately he also has caught sight of it. The snitch darts off as William flies after it forcefully bumping into Ron in the process. Draco flies higher watching the two constantly viciously crashing into one another. A spark of something he can't quite identify flickers within himself convincing him to follow them. He follows behind the two Seekers as they whip through the air bumping into each other darting to catch the snitch. Glimpses of the glow of hexes and jinxes has Draco rolling his eyes.

William, you fucking twat.

Then twatface William casts a Tempest Jinx at Ron, lighting from the spell thankfully missing him by millimeters.

Bloody hell, Williams is going to end up killing the damn idiot.

Draco exhales his annoyance and darts towards them leaving the game behind. As the deafening thunder rages on in the sky above them, he chases them through the Forbidden Forest, maneuvering around each of the giant trees. Their movements are a fast blur and although the rain and lightning are beginning to taper off, there's an added difficulty to see with somber sky and darkness within the forest. Racing back towards the quidditch pitch Draco sees the uniquely identifiable red curse cast at Ron.

Shit!

Leaning into his broom Draco hightails after them, fear wanting to settle in, but he pushes it down. Ron dodges another red curse still chasing after the golden snitch, but being in front of William puts Ron in a disadvantage. Draco begins to close the distance between him and them. Just before they reach the pitch another curse is cast; unmistakable green shooting from William's wand. Horror claiming Draco's face as Ron turns around, the green streak misses him by a micrometer. Terror is written in Ron's eyes as he looks towards Draco, who still has a horrified expression.

"Avad-" Draco fully closes the distance not letting twatface finish the spell and leaps off his broom tackling William, knocking them both to the field.

The loud echoing sound of the crowd audibly wincing as they hit the solid wet ground. Draco gasps for air that's escaped his lungs as the pain from the fall ripples through his body, muscles, joints, bones aching. Thunderous cheers are heard from the audience.

"Ron has caught the golden snitch! Hogwarts wins!" Neville calls out to everyone.

Fuck, I hate my life.

Draco rolls to his side trying to find a position to subside this throbbing. Oxygen slowly enters his lungs and he glances to William who's knocked out.

Good, fuck you.

The audience continues their celebration and once again Pomfrey and Pleakly make their way to the field. Pomfrey quickly does a diagnostic spell on Draco, concluding he'll be fine and would only need Bruisewort Balm for any bruises. Then once again, the healer and her assistant take another person to the hospital wing after checking him. Draco gradually gets to his feet using his broom to aid him. He glances over to the Gryffindors, Ron is hoisted on the shoulders of two of his teammates, cheering for their win. Ron makes eye contact with Draco, a micro-expression of gratitude within them.

His Slytherin friends make their way over to Draco after they congratulate the Gryffindor team.

"Draco! What happened?" Theo barks a laugh.

Insanity, that's what happened.

"Knocked into me by accident," he offers as Mickey makes his way over to the group.

"Draco! What the fuck?" Mickey bellows.

Continuing with the lie, "I didn't get out of the way in time and crashed into me."

Mickey huffs his displeasure of losing.

"Mickey?" Theo asks Draco, finger-gunning at Mickey.

Draco gives a small smirk and nods his answer.

Theo wraps his arm around Mickey, "Cheer up Mickey, we'll get you sloshed to make up for it!"

Mickey's hard expression breaks, giving Theo a chuckle while smirking.

Petrova's rage is felt before he's heard, he nears Mickey, Draco and the Slytherin gang, "We're returning to Durmstrang earlier than scheduled. Be ready to leave on the ship by 7 tonight." Glaring at Draco.

Fuck, I'm in for it.

Draco takes notice of Pansy's weariness towards Petrova before he nods to his Headmaster. As Petrova's leaving he smirks at Pansy, it's minuscule but he catches it. Draco quickly glances at Pansy, gauging her expression.

Does he know something?

Conversation ensues about Mickey having to see the Slytherin common room in the background as Draco exhales and with the energy still pulsating through him he concentrates, forcing his way into Petrova's mind. He comes across vile memories of Pansy underneath Petrova. Instantly Draco recoils and leaves his mind. Draco tries his best to remain calm while facing his friends as Petrova quickly looks to his surroundings.

Fuck, he felt me.

Draco's breaths become frantic, hoping he won't return. Once Petrova's out of sight Draco looks to Pansy with wide horrified eyes. She takes notice of his expression, giving him a confused glance.

"Pansy . . ."

She continues to look at him confused, brows more furrowed than before to silently ask a curt 'what?'

The boys now turn to look at Draco who's still staring at Pansy. With eyes now on him he instantly occludes, pushing those images of Pansy out of reach for anyone to see. Draco nods his head to the side, telling Pansy to follow him. Theo, Mickey, Blaise and Alaric share puzzled looks before starting back up their conversion.

The second Draco and Pansy are out of earshot he says her name again, giving her a knowing look. But her expression is still as confused as before.

"What Draco?" She asks with a clipped tone, crossing her arms displaying her annoyance.

"Petrova," Draco whisper shouts at her.

"What about him?" She asks with the same annoyed look.

She doesn't remember.

He obliviated her.

"Honestly Draco, I don-" She cuts herself off, her face shifting from confusion to horror.

Her eyes fling to Draco's, Pansy's ocean eyes searching his.

"Is he. . . Did you . . ." she doesn't finish her thoughts, but she doesn't need to.

See? Yes, I saw.

Draco gives her a sympathetic expression before dropping his broom to hug her tightly. She stands there in a statuesque form, unable to bring herself to hug him back.

"Please, don't say anything to anyone."

Draco pulls back, appalled that she'd even think that. "Pansy, I would never."

She doesn't make eye contact with him as she nods her head.

Pansy takes in a quick breath, "Right, well come on you, let's take that bulking man of a Keeper you have and show him your old common room." She says, linking their arms and pulling him past the boys. Pansy snaps repeatedly in the air, "Blaise, grab Malfoy's broom, yeah?"

Draco doesn't say anything to her, letting her disassociate to whatever extent she needs to.

"Didn't realize I was your lap dog," Blaise calls out to her as they walk towards the castle.

Pansy smirks and calls out over her shoulder, "Come now Blaise, every girl needs their trusted well-trained bitch."

They make lighthearted jokes and Alaric picks up Draco's broom for him. They reminisce about good times as they make their way to the castle. Before entering the castle walls, McGonagall calls out to Draco. They stop and turn to face her. Draco gestures for them to go ahead and he'll catch up. His friends nod and continue towards the Slytherin common room.

"It's nice to see you, Draco." McGonagall states with a soft smile.

He smirks, "It's nice to see you too, Minerva."

"How are you liking your new school?"

He raises his brows and chuckles, "It's nothing like Hogwarts, that's for sure."

"Hopefully that's a good thing…" McGonagall gives him a playfully questionable expression.

Draco laughs lightly while shaking his head, "Honestly, I'm not sure."

They share lighthearted expressions.

"Minerva. . ."

She looks at him expectantly for him to finish.

"If I wanted to come back to Hogwarts. . ."

McGonagall's smile grows from ear to ear and releases a joyful sigh, "We'll have you back at any point."

They share heartfelt smiles before nodding, bidding their goodbye and parting ways.

* . * . *

Once inside their designated space, Draco feels as though there's a weight instantly lifted off his shoulders. He tilts his head back embracing the feeling of being home. He looks around the room, admiring the gargantuan arched windows displaying the contents of the Black Lake. He has four hours before Mickey and he needs to be on the ship and he refuses to be outside these walls until he has to be. Theo flicks his wand, blasting music, feeling the vibrations of the thumping beat of that Muggle song Blue Monday by Orgy. The image of Granger in her stunning veridian dress flings forward, bringing a nostalgic feeling. Recalling the way they shared their first kiss and the beginning of galaxies being formed.

Theo hands out options of Firewhiskey, Goblin Gin and Moonshine. Draco smirks and takes the Moonshine, raising his glass to Alaric across the room smoking Whistling White with Blaise and Mickey. Alaric beams at Draco and makes a heart with his hands. Draco chuckles and takes a drink of the 'acid' as Pansy would say. The sting burning his throat on the way down resembles the sting of gin.

Would much rather have this than whatever the fuck Mickey likes.

Leaning into the safe and homely feeling, Draco plops down on one of the tufted sofas savoring the time with his friends before he's to leave again. A few moments later Pansy plops beside him, sharing silent decrees of missing each other.

Draco leans over to her, "Happy late birthday, Pansy Persephone Parkinson." He yells in her ear over the loud music.

Pansy smiles at him mouthing "Thank you," before taking a drink of her Firewhiskey.

She then leans over to him, "I talked to her the other day." Pansy yells over the music into his ear.

Draco doesn't need to ask who she's referring to. He flings his head to look at her, searching her eyes for the truth. Pansy gives him a sad smile while nodding her head.

Pansy leans into his ear again, "They're not together anymore." She yells again.

He pulls back once more to balk at her.

"She still loves you," Pansy mouths to him.

But she's still hurting.

Draco's eyes flutter closed as he rests his head on the back of the tufted green sofa.

Granger's God, if you're listening, I promise I'll make it right.

I just need to do better, be better.

This ship ride back was torturous. Petrova berated the entire team for losing the match, singling both Draco and William out for costing them the game. His words were filled with venom as he spat his threats of 'discipline' for such incompetence from the team. Petrova kicked Draco off the quidditch team since he seemed to be the 'outlier' of this disgraceful act. But Draco didn't give shit about being on the quidditch team, he wanted on the team for revenge that he never got. He did quite the opposite of what he wanted to do originally.

The few days that passed once he was back at Durmstrang had raised a new heightened sense of uneasiness. The disdain he seemed to earn from most of the students was palpable. Navigating this lawless land was now a million times harder with the target on his back for losing the game. Everyone took it as a slight against them, casting jinxes and curses his way. However, casters didn't realize the fire that they were playing with. Draco was a far more skilled duelist and caster than any of the twats deciding to take a shot at him. They were humbled. Quickly. However, not to his surprise the only one that came close to matching his skill was William.

Tuesday, 5th of January 1999

Draco wrapped the still bleeding wound on his hand with a handkerchief, hating that the twat William got his dig. He attempted to see the school healer but she was never there when he popped in, he would have gone through her healing potions but they seemed to be locked away for her to disperse. Draco tried the few healing spells that he knew but none of them could close the wound, it was a tad too deep for simple spells. So, he resorted to going to the library to help with his particularly bloodied problem.

The library at Durmstrang is vast and intimidating with its dark color palette and high ever arching ceilings. The gothic style architecture within it was breathtaking. However as one enters, there's an overwhelming unwelcoming feeling, warning the souls inside its walls to abandon this place. The tall arched stained-glasses windows remind him of the ones of Hogwarts with merpeople swimming about. Although, none of them portray the Murdúchann dwelling in one of the lakes.

Draco forces the uninviting feeling down and stalks further into the library. The moving murals on the surrounding walls depicting a grueling battle Draco wasn't aware of. Multiple wizards and witches seem to be fighting against a single entity. The creature resembled something of elven life but with the height of a half giant.

I've never heard of a giant elf, must be extinct. Or fable?

Draco takes a deep breath, dismisses that bastardly unwelcoming feeling once again. He looks around the illustrious room, quickly taking in one new magical feature before another pulls his attention.

I could get lost in here.

Ancient scrolls, leather bound books and grimoires are showcased on the shelves. Chandeliers of bones from miscellaneous creatures are littered around the room. The large fireplace towards the right of the room crackles with enchanted colorful flames, but no amount of fire could give off the warmth he longed for, only Hogwarts could grant him solace to such yearning.

As if a silenced whisper spoke out his name he turned and followed the inaudible siren call, following it up the staircase to the second floor overlooking the rest of the library. The invisible pull guiding him to the back corner wall. He stands in front of a stone wall and confusion claims his face.

Nothing's here?

Another voiceless whisper beckoning him further, instinctively he reaches out his hand and places it flat against the stones. He can't see it, but he can feel the hidden room behind the wall. Bewildered and fascinated he presses his hand harder to the wall. As if no longer obstructed by the stones, astonishingly his skin lightly scratches against the granite as he steps through the wall. With wide eyes he frantically looks around, taking in the spacious room. Turning his head towards the fireplace as flames conjure themselves into existence, the fire instantly warms his surroundings. Victorian style sofa and accent chairs facing the fire giving the space a comfortable feeling. There's four towering wooden bookshelves towards the back of the room.

Continuing to listen to the silent siren call, he moves past the furniture to the bookshelves. Scanning rows and rows of books for a particular text, he'll know it once he sees it. Draco comes across ruins he's seen before in the Malfoy Library; he's not aware of their significance, but he's drawn to the grimoire as if a moth to a flame. He grabs the thick enchanted book. The magic it harbors lightly pulsates in his hand. He uses his uncut hand, trying not to get his blood on the ancient book, but the book is difficult to open causing his cut hand to slip. Small amounts of his crimson DNA streak the leather binding.

Fuck.

Then a familiar sensation occurs, the book tingles slightly in his hand. Draco's eyes widen as his blood slowly seeps into the leather, absorbing into the material to then slowly open up to him. Coming across a family tree, he's confused because he doesn't recognize any of the names. Multiple family crests are scattered at the top of the pages. Overlooking names then his eyes stop at William Arthur Philip Louis.

Is that Twatface?

Randomly flipping through pages, he stops again when he sees a figure's name that has him absolutely puzzled; Elizabeth Tudor.

He's related to Elizabeth I?

The line connected to her doesn't list a name but the line branching off of them lists James Tudor. Recalling his muggle studies class he sifts through memories of the Tudor line and how Elizebeth didn't have any heirs of her own.

Huh, Twatface is Royal.

But the Tudors are muggle? How was he able to be accepted into Durmstrang?

Only Purebloods are accepted.

"So I see you finally came across the familial Grimoire"

The abrupt sound startles Draco and turns to find William. He levels his heavy breathing, narrowing his eyes at him, clutching his jaw as he holds on to the ancient book.

"Are you a man of history?" William asks as he traces the hearth of the fireplace, walking towards Draco.

"You're a part of the Tudor line. . ."

William arrogantly smirks and nods his head while leaning against the bookshelf facing Draco.

"From Queen Elizabeth the I . . ."

He nods again.

"She's said to not have married or have any children?"

"Ah, I thought you were a man of history. Or at least someone finally fessed up." William says, then tsks as he shakes his head, pushing himself off the bookshelf.

Fessed up?

William crosses his arms tightly, giving Draco a pompous look.

Wait. Familial… My blood opened it.

"Elizabeth in fact had a child. And with a silver haired chap at that."

Draco's unable to mask his shock. He's stunned at the fact that his family tree has another branch he was never aware of.

"Apparently your . . . however many greats grandfather Malfoy was a bit off his rocker when it came to good ole Lizzy. Went into hiding for a little while because of him and hid their heir amongst a family member, a cousin she eventually had to send to the gallows to silence. Your poor grandaddy Lucius placed a curse on her line, not realizing he had cursed his own bloodline in the process." William scrunches his face smugly. He then leans in towards Draco, "Paranoid bunch I'd day."

The Malfoy curse . . .

Recalling the fact the Malfoy line had been plagued for centuries of only being able to carry one heir per generation. Bafflement written on his face, unable to fathom such a momentous family secret that's been hidden in the shadows for so long. A million more questions continuously race through his mind.

"How did your line get rid of the curse?" Draco asked with wide eyes.

"Took a century or two but one of the wives finally grew tired of claiming illegitimate children as Royals and found something that worked." William shrugged.

"But your Tudor line . . . its muggle? How did you get accepted here?" Draco asks, looking around his whereabouts.

"Clearly you didn't read far back enough."

Draco furrows his brows at William waiting for him to continue.

Oh, spare me your bullshit. Out with it.

A beat of silence passes as they stare at one another.

"You would have read the purpose for the secrecy of this place," William says, lifting both hands up, gesturing to the castle. "Or perhaps you already have?"

Draco furrows his brows in confusion.

William gives Draco an unamused glance, "Most of the team is surprised how you survived the lake."

Now aware of what the fuck he's talking about, Draco instinctively occludes, pushing memories of the Murdúchann and anything regarding the creature deep within his mind.

"Yeah, took awhile to swim to the surface from how far I fell." Draco deadpans.

William gives him a sinister smirk, "But here you are, alive and well."

"I'll just settle for, alive," Draco quips.

Draco's eyes fling to the movement of William grabbing his wand, Draco takes a cautious step back.

"Come now, we're family after all. Might be distant, but still sharing some form of blood ties." William says, lightly raising his hands, surrendering.

Narrowed eyes locked on William, Draco doesn't move a muscle.

"Here, give me your hand." William offers reaching out for Draco.

Remaining still, Draco gauges him.

William rolls his eyes, "I'm raising the white flag you twat."

Poking his tongue through his cheek deciding if he's going to give in to William, he then stretches out his injured hand. William casts a wordless spell to cut through his bloodied handkerchief then casts another wordless spell to gradually close the wound. Draco looks at William as he's smiling at Draco's hand, content with his show of magic.

Draco takes his hand back, "Thanks."

William nods his head. Unsure of what else to say, Draco nods and places the book back in the empty space reserved for the enchanted book.

Exhaling this uneasy feeling within him Draco nods, "Right, I'm off to grapple with all this new information." He states as he walks past William.

"Let me know if you have any questions." William offers pompously waving at Draco.

He feels his skin scraping against the granite wall as he hesitantly walks out of the hidden room. As Draco flees the library he comes across a face he hasn't seen in almost a year.

Merlin, thank you!

"Astoria!" Draco calls out to her.

She turns from the conversation she's engaging with a group of girls and spots Draco. She smiles brightly at the sight of him.

"Draco! I heard you transferred!" She giggles as he slams his body into her, hugging her.

Swaying their bodies back and forth, "Merlin, it's so nice to see a familiar face. I thought you were going to school in Australia?"

She laughs at him as she tears herself from his bear hug. "I was but I got accepted here at the last second, mum wanted me closer." She says, shrugging her shoulders giving a genuine tight smile.

He recalls that her father was sent to Azkaban for harboring Death Eaters after Voldemort's death. However, the 'Death Eaters' that he was harboring were newly recruited members who were their family members. Her father was sent away for protecting his family and the 'evil' he was housing hadn't even committed any crimes. He hugs her again, rubbing her back to comfort her.

Pulling back she asks, "Not getting along with your fellow students, Draco?"

Ah, deflection. I know it well.

"They fucking hate me," Draco laughs, still holding onto each other's forearms.

"Not very different from Hogwarts is it?" Astoria quips.

Draco chuckles and shakes his head, "Ha ha, you're too funny."

They share smiles before mutually hugging this time.

She pulls back again to look at him with a bright smile, "It is nice to see a familiar face." Astoria apologizes to her friend and introduces Draco to them.

The girls give Draco shy smiles and nod in response before bidding their goodbye to Astoria and Draco.

"Well, speaking of familiar faces, come with me," Astoria nods her head for him to follow.

As they make their way through dark corridors and hike towards the far side of the grounds, they catch up with one another and how they've been. Astoria informs him of a secret fling she has, playfully refusing to divulge who it is while Draco tells her all about Hermione and his broken heart. Both Draco and Astoria bond on the idea of freeing their shackles to the pureblood ideology along with grappling with missing their incarcerated fathers. They make their way to the animal sanctuary tucked away on the far side of the property.

Thunderous roars of dragons become more boisterous as they approach. Fire streaming from cages, the warmth of the flames finding their way to the both of them. Draco gives Astoria a questionable expression, silently asking what they're doing over here. She gives a gummy grin and gestures for him to continue walking forward. He turns his head back to the dragons and spots another familiar face.

"Hagrid?" Draco asks out loud with a smile.

The half-giant turns around to put a face to the voice. Hagrid is also just as surprised to see him, however not as enthused.

"Draco?" quickly examining Draco up and down.

Hagrid notices Astoria a few steps behind Draco, "Ah, Astoria. There you are, were you able to fetch them for me?"

Turning back around to look at Astoria, she smirks at Hagrid, nodding her head while opening her satchel. She retrieves a large amount of raw meat out of the bag, indicating to Draco that she had to use an extension charm on it. She hands the meat to Hagrid for him to divvy out the meat between three cages, one containing a semi grown maroon colored dragon, a full-grown black dragon and then an albino dragon. The albino dragon reminds him of his Aunt Bella's dragon, however this one's scales are opalescent with pitch black eyes. Although it's hard to discern where the dragon is looking exactly, for Draco it feels as though it's piercing his soul with its gaze.

The albino dragon screeches into the air before breathing an array of purple flames from its mouth. Draco's mesmerized by the spectacular show of colors: shades of violet, iris, lavender dancing around one another.

"Beautiful," he says to himself with a smile as he's mesmerized by the dancing flames.

Hearing the clanking sound of chains against metal, Draco pulls his attention back to Hagrid.

"Are you the new grounds keeper for Durmstrang, Hagrid?" Draco asks.

"Merlin, no. My loyalties lie with Hogwarts." Hagrid laughs.

If Draco was a different man, he would have internally cursed this slight against him, but he's trying to do better, be better.

Draco gives him a small smile while nodding. "Expanding your hobby with Dragons?"

Hagrid narrows his eyes at Draco, assessing him.

"I'm running an errand for Charlie, actually." Hagrid answers. "You seem.. Um…" trying to find the right words, "different." Hargrid says with a small smile.

Draco's smile blossoms on his face, "I'm trying to be different."

Astoria nudges Draco then crosses her arms. He peers down at her, they share smiles with one another before turning back to Hagrid who's grinning at him.

Thursday, 7th of January 1999

Draco sits in his rigid chair at his desk, a stack of letters from his mother and friends pushed to the side to be read at a later time. His attention is currently on the green leather in front of him. Forcing the temptation to reread past entries of when he used to feel Hermione's love and affection, he opens the journal and immediately flips to the back of the journal, making sure not to read Hermione's once private thoughts. Desperately wishing he would have said those three words to her he decided to write for the first time in his journal.

The words we left unspoken will echo throughout time and space,

replicating itself in fragments, desperately seeking for a wholeness

within a reality for only which we've managed to create.

I love you, Hermione Jean Granger.

Exhaling as he sets his quill down, grappling with the idea of her never seeing these words or being able to say them to her. In an attempt to distract himself he searched his stack for Pansy's letter, the person he has been typically searching for within every stack of his letters. He wrote to her religiously, writing about everything that's happened since they've been apart; from what happened with Harry, to being in a fully committed relationship with Alaric, to her not being ready to talk about the Petrova thing. He writes her back and then sets his written letter to the side, deciding to walk to the owlery at another time today.

As he's hunched over copies of texts since no students are allowed to take any of the books outside of the library. He casts translation spells for the Russian cursive he replicated with a copying charm. Using the copying charm put a bitter taste in his mouth when he cast it, reminding him of his own vile actions. However, when he used the spell it wasn't for malicious purposes this time.

Knock, knock*

Draco huffs his annoyance of the intrusion to his studying and rips open the door to find Mickey.

"Oh, hey."

"Here," Mickey's Bulgarian accent is more apparent with the roll the R.

He hands Draco a small package wrapped in burlap reminding him of the burlap sack Lila wears, internally missing her. Mentally making a note to floo home to spend time with his mother and Lila.

"It's from the Headmaster," Mickey says snarling at the mention of Petrova.

Apparently when the quidditch team got back to school he was furious with their loss and had them continuously doing drills. If one of them failed at a specific area of defense or offense Petrova had them stand in the center of the field and gave out lashes from his wand. According to Mickey this was the longest time that he'd interacted with Petrova and he loathed every second of it.

Draco nods to Mickey and then closes the door as he leaves.

Well I guess he remembered that I still existed and is requesting me for a private lashing.

He unwraps the package and a red howler shoots up.

"Meet me in my office at 5:15 on the dot, ANY later will result in FURTHER discipline."

The envelope rips itself apart, red fluttering to the group.

Draco draws his wand, "Incendio."

Flames eat away at the once boisterous parchment. A flicker of fear creeps in, unaware of what his punishment will be for costing them the game. He peers at the moonstone portkey inside the package. He pulls out his pocket watch from his trouser uniform.

5:09

Already late for being early.

Draco exhales, mentally preparing himself for the inevitable pain that's to be owed to him before physically touching the stone. Familiar sensations behind his naval are felt before popping into the sleek black reflective office of Petrova's.

Looking around the room, he doesn't find Petrova. Several minutes pass and not having a chair to sit on, Draco takes a further look into his office. He walks over to the housing tapestry glancing at House animals and then the several knick knacks that are on the accent table. There's a stack of papers to the left side of the table with a list of names. Being the nosey bugger he is, he decided to take a better look. His eyes scan the list in a hurried fashion, but there's a name that's crossed off; Parkinson. Then directly under the another with the name Amaryllis; Pansy's mother. An abrupt squawk has him jolting forward bumping into the table causing the knick knacks to scatter. Draco moves his hands out to stabilize him, accidentally placing his hands on a few of the scattered knick knacks.

The familiar naval pull happens again, however this time there was a continuous cycle of lurching from one location to the next. Before Draco can even attempt to gasp, he's violently yanked and spun through multiple vortexes. Visions of color flicker erratically as he's being sent from one place to the next. It felt as though pulling his body into several different directions, stretching and compressing in a frenzied manner, an unimaginable chaotic abrupt blend of torture. Only seconds pass yet the unbearable pain turns into a lifetime for him, stretching into infinity it seems. Once the spinning and location shifting stops, Draco lies on the floor, disoriented and shrieking from the searing pain embedded throughout his body. The high pitched ringing in his ears doesn't let him hear what the blurred elf in front of him is trying to communicate.

Draco felt as though trying to move was an unachievable task, the agonizing pain pulsated throughout his overly exhausted and mutilated body. As his edges around his vision began to darken he was able to place the grand doubled entry doorway of a manor.

Why am I at Pansy's manor?

Then the exhaustion and darkness fully claims him and he drifts into unconsciousness.

Sunday, 10th of January 1999

He wakes up groggy and confused regarding his surroundings, fighting against the weight of his eye lids. Pansy's elf is spotted in the corner of the opalescent room. Draco recalls how he got to Maighdean Hospital, remembering the pain he suffered from the hands of portkeys in his Headmasters office that led him to Pansy's manor for Wreek to bring her here.

Why did Wreek bring me here and not St. Mungos?

Draco fights to turn his head in the direction of himself. Wreek swiftly ran over to Draco.

"Why'd you bring me here?" Draco asked through hoars tired breaths.

"Mistress Amary likes this place," Wreek says.

"Is she here?" He asks with a dry hoarse voice.

"No Mistress Amary isn't here." Wreek says in a saddened voice. "Wreek haven't seen Mistress Amary in months."

"What? Eh" still trying to overcome his grogginess.

"Ah you're awake, good." An unfamiliar female voice calls out while gently pushing Wreek aside. "You've been out since you arrived. Awful state you were in, Wreek here was able to stabilize you before bringing you to Maighdean. You're very lucky; getting splinched the way you were should have killed you. I don't know what gods you pray to, but they're looking after you," a blonde nurse with dark brown eyes informs him.

She quietly informs him of the precautions taken once he arrived and the medicinal herbs used on him. However, he's not paying attention; he's glancing at Mr. Whimsbee and Wreek talking briefly before watching Wreek pop out of view. Then he succumbs to the heaviness of his eyes, falling back into a deep sleep.

* . * . * . . . * . * . *

The sound of whispers and giggles wake him up hours later still feeling a heaviness, this time much lighter than it was. Looking to see who's whispering, he sees Onyx and Emerson facing one another waiting for Draco to wake up. He smiles at the sight of them.

"You're up!" Emerson beams. "Gods, finally. I thought you were dead," he adds.

"Was kind of hoping actually, never seen a dead body," Onyx quips, shrugging one shoulder.

Draco shakes his head lightly chuckling at the two.

"Are you going to stand there or help this corpse out of bed?" Draco asks with a single brow raised.

* . * . *

"Draco! It's so nice to see you! Where have you been, boy?" Warren asks enthusiastically as the boys drag Draco into their room.

Thinking back to his betrayal to the one person who believed more of him than he did himself. Wishing he would have made better choices. Wishing he could have been the person she thought he was turning into. Wishing he was the person he thought he was becoming. Draco gives him a guilty smile as he scratches the back of his head to think of his response.

Do I start from the beginning or the past few weeks?

Olivia waves her hand dismissively in a friendly manner, "Oh, nevermind. How are you?"

This question seemed easier to answer.

"I've been better," Draco responds.

"Oh, I'm sorry to hear that. How about Hermione? How's she doing?" Olivia asks with a sympathetic gaze.

His brows pull together in confusion.

Has she not been visiting?

"Yeah! Where's Mione?" Emerson asks.

Draco gives the boy a small sad smile. Recalling from Pansy's letter that she stopped coming weeks ago.

"She's upset with me." He looks at Warren and Olivia, hoping his expression gives them the answer for why they haven't been visiting with them.

"Just apologize!" Onyx bellows furrowing his brows at Draco.

"Just because you apologize to someone, doesn't mean they're ready to forgive," Warren says to Onyx, but then looks to Draco. "It's for them to decide when they are ready to forgive or if they ever do. You're not entitled to someone else's forgiveness," giving Draco a sad smile.

Draco nods to himself, taking in his words as the boys share dramatic frowns.

"How about you boys write to her, I'm sure she'd love to know what trouble you two have surely gotten yourselves into," Draco gives them a knowing look.

They boys share smirks before nodding their heads.

While the boys are engrossed with writing their letters to Hermione, Draco tells Warren and Olivia the truth of everything. And he decides to start at the beginning; from when he first met her up until their last conversation. Baring himself once more to people who have found their way into his heart.

Once Draco was fully healed, he was sent a portkey back to Durmstrang, but he didn't use it. The idea of using a portkey left an uneasy feeling in the pit of his stomach, so he utilized the ancient magic still within him and apparated back to his hellhole of a school. He expected Petrova to riot at him once he was on school grounds but he didn't show an interest in punishing Draco. He never got another howler or letter attached to a moonstone portkey to his office. There was a level of cautiousness within his bones that he felt he had to abide by, scanning corridors, double checking behind him. The thought of Petrova going silent was unnerving.

Continuing his intent on becoming the person Hermione fell in love with, Draco wrote to Harry to continue the legilimency sessions. There were a few days in between his letter and when he got a response from Harry.

Draco,

I'll be available to continue our little rendezvous between the hours of 3:30 and 5:30 this Friday.

I'd prefer it if I didn't have to see your bare ass this time, thanks.

The bloody chosen one,

Harry

Draco snickers at his short letter and makes a mental note of the time for them to resume their unobliviating endeavors. In an attempt to bypass Petrova and his plethora of portkeys Draco decides to create one for the inside of his dorm room. Unable to find something that he can live without in his dorm, he rummages through his wardrobe and takes a sock out to cast a duplication charm to then cast the Portus spell for his dorm.

Friday, 15th of January 1999

"12 Grimmauld Place," Draco yells as he throws the floo powder taking him to his desired location.

Draco dusts himself off once through the floo.

"Mr. Malfoy," Kreacher acknowledges, gesturing up to the stairs.

An uneasy feeling washes over him, the idea of him being referred to as Mr. Maloy has him thinking of his father and that horrid nightmare he had weeks ago. Wanting to rid himself of reminders of his daddy dearest he occludes, shoving Lucius to the darkest part of his mind. Kreacher leads him up the stairs to the drawing room to see Harry flipping through a book with a glass in his hand.

"Mr. Malfoy has arrived Master," Krature states to Harry.

"Thank you, Kreacher," Harry says without looking up to either of them.

Draco delicately traces his wand with his thumb, feeling the magic within it.

"Ready when you are Potter," Draco smirks.

Harry looks up from his book to smirk at Draco. Harry sets his glass down, walking over to him, smiling brightly before punching him hard on the side of the head. The punch had Draco stumbling back, stunned and unable to think for a moment.

"That's for Hermione," Harry smiles pretentiously.

Remorse for his betrayal against the witch he loves floods him, taking punishment of the punch and absorbing the pain that's owed to him. Then recalls Harry's own transgression he's committed against one of his best friends and returns the punch.

"And that's for Pansy," Draco reflects Harry's pretentiousness.

They share brief scowls before both exhaling and nodding, acknowledging both of their betrayals. They begin their session, casting the legilimency spell on one another. Finding his way through Harry's mind with an ease that once seemed impossible, he wanted to claim it was due to him being in possession of his wand, but he knew that the ancient magic was still lingering inside him.

However, they could cast the legilimens spell on each other and sift through memories until the end of time, but that wouldn't help them unobliviate anyone. Draco comes up with the idea of obliviating a certain memory they both share in order for them to truly unobliviate each other and he decides on a day that brought him great shame; the day that earned him the sectumsempra Harry cast at him.

"Obliviate" Harry casts at Draco.

A warm sensation occurs within Draco's mind, slicing exact parts of his memory of the day, cutting them off from when Harry found Draco in the bathroom to Snape healing him. The warmth cascades over the memory to be detached from the rest to be yanked to the unseen and forgotten. Now leaving a chunk of time unaccounted for. Draco tries to recall anything that could have transpired within the bathroom, but nothing, not even fragments for him to piece together.

"Are you ready?" Harry calls Draco.

He looks up to him, staring at his vibrant green eyes, knowing he's here to obliviate memories, "Yes."

Harry penetrates his mind, sifting through memories he's seen a million times, diligently searching for one that's hidden in the shadows of Draco's mind. He could feel Harry passing through thoughts and memories recognizing his way towards the darkened parts of the back of his mind. Finally finding the unknown memory Harry scrapes at the bubbled event repeatedly, but to no avail. Draco feels the pull of Harry withdrawing from his mind.

Harry exhales a sense of fatigue along with his frustration, combing his fingers through his hair. "Jesus Christ, this is hard."

"Didn't know you're a religious git too." Draco chuckles, referring to Granger.

Harry playfully scoffs, "She's not religious."

Draco smiles, "I know, just teasing."

Harry looks him over, "Do you miss her?"

Draco's expression falters, conjuring images of the women he loves and how it felt to be loved by her. "My soul aches for her."

Harry playfully scoffs again, "You've got it bad."

Draco gives a tight smile then raises his brows, "My turn, now."

Drawing his wand casts the obliviation spell of that day. He pushes himself wordlessly into Harry's mind, scanning over memories he's familiar with, frantically searching for something that's unknown. Diving deeper and deeper within his mind. Eventually coming across a blur of a bubble Draco immediately scratches and claws at the obliviated memory over and over again. Fighting against the obstructed mass was a gruesome task, but Draco was determined. Channeling the ancient magic absorbed that still lingered in him, he charged at the memory one final time tearing through the membrane of the wall surrounding the memory, freeing the image of Harry casting a sectumsempra on him from Harry's point of view. A feeling of horror and guilt imprinted on him as he draws out of Harry's mind. Draco catches his breath as he pushes down a guilt that he shouldn't feel from that memory.

Draco then smirks at Harry, "I fucking did it."

"You fucking did it." Harry exhales solemnly before shaking his head to then smirking at him.

Draco has Harry go at it again; scratching, clawing, trying to rip through the barrier of the bubble, but it's a near impossible feat. Exhausting Harry with each and every attempt. Draco calls for him to try one more time. Breathing in deep and forcing his exhaustion aside Harry pushes on, penetrating Draco's mind for the 9th time of the evening. He feels Harry maneuvering quickly past the known and diving towards the darkened parts, starting the recurring attempt of striking the bubble to release the hidden memory. After long continuous blows Harry finally penetrates the bubble, clawing through the barrier. The release of the memory causes Draco to scream out in pain, feeling the brief sting of open flesh. Draco and Harry stumble back, Harry's cries of pain are gargled and suppressed as they clutch their chests.

Draco breathes through once-lived searing pain then re-collects himself, "You fucking did it." he says in between breaths.

"Master, Andromeda has arrived," Kreacher informs from the threshold of the drawing room.

Harry swallows, "Right, thanks." Then looks at Draco, "That shit hurt."

Draco scoffs as he straightens himself, "Try actually going through it, you twat."

Harry and Draco share a laugh as they make their way to the formal dining room.

Andromeda is holding Teddy as they enter the room, everyone wearing bright faces. Draco notices how Teddy has grown significantly since the last time he saw him. He offers to hold Teddy and Andromeda's heart is warmed by the thought, handing the babbling boy over to Draco. He makes faces at Teddy for him to laugh at which brings a warm feeling in his chest. As they all eat the supper Kreacher prepared, they get swept up in a conversation about the quidditch game at Hogwarts and teases Draco for losing. Once plates are cleared, Draco asks if Andromeda wanted to have tea at the manor.

"I'd love to, just tell me when." Andromeda beams while taking the babbling baby back from Draco.

Thursday, 21st of January 1999

Draco floos to his manor, making a beeline to his room, hurrying to change from his Dark Arts class due to him being covered in blood and slime of some magical creature. He quickly bathes, scrubbing his skin nearly raw to get the rancid stench off. Once nice and clean, he walks over to his wardrobe and changes into a more familiar fabric of cashmere and color palette of black. He releases a sigh of relief as he stands fully dressed and feeling more like himself. He carefully plucks out the green leather journal from his uniform trousers, cupping the tiny version of the booklet of Granger's thoughts before casting a finite on it. Refusing to open the book but clutches it to his chest feeling minuscule resemblances of her as he walks to the formal dining room of his manor to look over if any of the elves need help before Andromeda and Teddy's arrival. However, to Draco's displeasure the room is littered with painter's cloth.

What in the bloody hell?

"Master Draco!" A familiar elven voice female cries out.

Draco smiles knowing who it is before turning to find Lila. As she jumps to cling to him, he lightly tosses the journal on the table before he grabs her mid air and pulls her tight to his chest. Lila giggles as Draco chuckles at her, he notices another elf that doesn't belong to him out of the corner of his eye. He smiles at Wreek and the small creature simply bows in acknowledgment of him.

"Fond of your elves?" Andromeda calls out from the entryway.

Draco turns his head, embarrassed that he wasn't aware of her arrival.

"Oh, forgots to mention, Dromeda and Teddy arrived," Lila whisper shouts to him.

Draco shakes his head at Lila, "Mainly fond of this one, currently." Draco answers to his aunt as he playfully scrunches his face to Lila as he sets her down.

"Baby!" Lila rushes over to Andromeda reaching up, his aunt smiles and hands Lila Teddy and scurries off.

"Topsy, watch her please," Draco calls out to Topsy at the other side of the room.

Topsy nods at her master and follows behind Lila and Lila's shadow; Wreek. Draco watches as Andromeda looks around the room.

"Sorry, I didn't realize mother was doing renovations."

She smiles, waving him off, "Don't worry yourself, just being here with you is enough."

They share radiant smiles.

"Is your mother here?" Andromeda asks.

"She's running errands currently." Draco nods.

Andromeda takes in a deep breath and nods her head. Draco's unsure of when his mother would be willing to extend her own olive branch to her sister, but he's hopeful in the idea of them mending their relationship.

With Topsy and Lila occupied, Draco offers to get them drinks. When he returns he watches as Andromeda's eyes go wide as she spots his journal. She lightly traces the leather with her fingers, ever so delicately she cradles it in her hand and flips through the pages. His first reaction to her skimming through the pages is to snatch it back, but her reaction to seeing it stops him. He continues to watch her interact with the journal, her face giving impressions of nostalgia, as if she's greeting an old friend.

Has she seen this before?

Her expression perplexed Draco, her eyes indicated a saddened hopefulness. He notices a single tear slowly falling down her cheek.

"Aunt Andromeda," Draco says in a gauging tone.

She looks up from the journal, wiping away the singular tear. "Oh, Draco."

He tilts his head, trying to gauge what she might know.

Her eyes glistening as she gives him a sad smile, "I haven't seen this in years."

"In years? What do you mean? I got that earlier this year."

"The journal came to you too?" her eyes expressing more hope, giving him a small smile.

Draco nods, still confused.

What does she mean 'came to you too'?

"Have you not written in it?" she asks.

"Only one entry towards the back," Draco says in a shameful voice, remembering what his intent for the journal truly was. "What did you mean by 'came to me too'?"

"The journal presented itself to me around my 6th year," she says in a reminiscent tone, looking back at the dark green leather. "It's how I met Teddy actually," her voice littered a heaviness of heartbreak he's grown far too familiar with. "Then we got reacquainted at the bank years later, picking up right where we left off." She says with a soft voice and she continues to trace the journal with her fingers, tears welling in her eyes.

"Sorry, I didn't mean to invade your guys' privacy, I was just baffled to see this thing again. I don't mean to pry, but the entries seem one-sided…." Andromeda says lifting her head to gauge her nephew.

'Your guys' privacy? One-sided?

"What do you mean?"

She sniffles as she wipes tears from her eyes, "They have the ability to communicate with one another."

Draco's heart stops as his eyes grow wide.

They can communicate with each other.

Recalling when McGonagall thought the journal was Hermione's.

'They're a set.'

"I was taken back the first time I saw Teddy's handwriting in it, thought someone stole my journal and had written in it," she says laughing at the memory, looking up at Draco from the journal.

Draco gives her a sympathetic smile, while still spiraling from this new information.

"We wrote to each other through the journal for a few weeks before we found out who the other was."

So, even if I didn't do the copying charm, I would have had access to Hermione's thoughts?

If I would have just written in the damn thing, we'd be in a completely different place than we are now.

Draco forces his eyes shut, trying not to shed his own tears from this revelation. His heart somehow finds a way to rip apart even further than it already has.

So, I broke her heart for nothing.

I broke OUR hearts for nothing.

We would have been drawn to each other regardless.

He opens his eyes to find Andromeda looking at him with a questionable expression. Draco lets out a long lightly sobbed exhale.

The universe was going to pull us together, anyways.