Midnight Swimming Chapter 21 - M, a harry potter fanfic

Chapter 21

Draco

Saturday, 20th of February 1999

With his Dark Art class discussion earlier in the week of removing magic from inanimate objects, it had Draco thinking of ways to remove dark magic from Hermione's scar. But, when asking his professor about the possibility of removing dark magic from a living creature or person their response of 'death would be a better solution for the unfortunate being,' left him with an unnerving feeling. However, he's determined to purge the dark magic still lingering within the scar. Draco sifts through books in Durmstrang's library searching for an answer. Hardly any of the books within the castle are English, most of them are written in Norwegian, Swedish, German, Russian, Croatian, and even some were in Basque. Unable to read most of the books due to them being written in languages he's not fluent in, he casts translation spells scanning the text for words regarding magic removal process, praying to come across accounts of successful removals on living subjects.

Not finding anything useful in the dark arts book for his class he grabs a grimoire from a witch named Jadwiga Bubashkin. Noting the cursive Russian, he casts a translating spell, with still not being able to bring himself to use the coping charm again, he's resorted to quickly scanning text jotting semi-useful texts down. However, students casting finite spells at him from around the library are making the reading process quite complicated for him. Every time a finite cast his way it has him becoming more and more viscerally angry.

I'm fucking fed up with this bullshit school.

I hate it here.

I want to go back to Hogwarts.

Draco, knowing that he can't take the book out of the library, resorts to ripping the page from the book and slams it closed, stomping his feet as he places it back in its home. He figures he can repair it when there are far less twats in the library. He shoves the parchment in his trouser pocket, marching off to read it in his dorm without the insufferable audience.

He sits at his desk in his room avoiding his intolerable peers; opened letters mainly from Pansy stacked to his left, out of the way. He's written to Pansy asking about Hermione and of course Pansy being her posh self sends a few howlers saying "Write to her your damn self, Malfoy," or "Stop being a baby back bitch and just write to her." He decided to continue being a 'baby back bitch," and keep his distance. He didn't want to overstep. If she wrote to him he would respond, however that hasn't happened yet.

Draco fidgets with the pages of the green journal to the side of him, blindly flipping through the pages as his eyes are fixated on the written words from the page he ripped out. He feels the journal tingle and his heart nearly stops. He tears his head from the parchment to stare at the leather journal in awe. Always carrying the journal around was a comfort he wanted to feel, as if she's always with him, but this tingling sensation brings a sense of profound longing for her. He has yet to feel the familiar tingling in ages, so the significance of her writing in the journal for the first time since everything transpired isn't lost on him. He closes his eyes clinging on to a sense of closeness he no longer has, savoring the sensation of her. Now knowing that the journals communicate with each other he refuses to give into the temptation to read her words, wanting to respect her privacy. The tingling stops indicating that she stopped writing, he releases a long exhale, his soul aching for her.

The weeks that dragged on seem to pass in an uneventful blur. He shifted through the motions for his schooling, only paying mind when a topic could help him in finding a solution for Hermione's scar. Draco tried to sneak into the library during late hours one night however the charm sealing the door was impenetrable. In an attempt to avoid his peers he woke just before daybreak to enter the library to sift through texts. He poured over texts and scrolls, but nothing he read depicted a safe way to remove the dark magic within her. Each useless text left him more and more frustrated. However, he was able to find a small comfort when the journal began to tingle more and more frequently.

He was grateful that Harry was able to ask Shacklebolt permission to create a portkey to 12 Grimmauld Place for Draco to use at his disposal. They worked diligently on crafting their legilimency skills along with restoring obliviated memories. The process, with enough concentration, became easier and easier for them. He knew he was one step closer to being able to unobliviate the Newhavens. During their last unobliviation session, Draco had asked Harry to help him to find Hermione's parents with the idea that Harry would teach her legilimency so she could have her family back.

Draco tried a few times to poke about the hidden library, however regardless of the time he found William also lurking within and with Draco not trusting him, he had also deliberately avoided the hidden library at all costs. Despite these agitating drawbacks, he refused to be deterred. The occasional tingle of the journal being a small beacon of hope for him to cling to.

Sunday, the 7th of March 1999

He sits at his desk looking over potions he's copied down in hopes of a solution for her. One hand always rested on the journal in hopes to feel her. Draco checks his pocket watch.

12:31

Draco's waiting until 1:30 to use his portkey for one last session before he attempts to unobliviate Warren's memories. The familiar precious sensation of tingling occurs, his thoughts instantly drifting to his favorite witch.

Knock, knock, knock*

The sound stirs Draco from his thoughts of Hermione, pulling his attention from his journal. He gets up from his chair and opens his door to find Astoria.

He quirks a smile along with a puzzling look, "You seem to be in the wrong common room."

She returns his smile and lightly shoulder chucks him on her way into his room.

Draco chuckles to himself, opening the door wider for her, "Also didn't invite you in."

She rolls her eyes as she pulls a letter out of her back pocket holding it in between her middle and index fingers before plopping onto his bed. "Oh, shut it. You've got mail."

He snickers as he walks over and takes the letter out of her grasp, noting that it's from his mother. "My mother gave you mail to give to me? How did you even get this?"

She waves him off dismissively, "Your mum's hired mine for renovation work and apparently you haven't been answering her mail." She gives him an arrogant smile before stating, "Sounds like you're a shit son."

He deadpans Astoria before opening the letter, however it's not from his mother, it's from Gringotts.

Dear Draco Malfoy,

Per the new regulations added to the Vault Stability Code 27.3 enacted on the 1st of January, 1995; any vault created after the year 1850 is required to have a minimum balance of 150 galleons or at least an asset with equivalent value in order to avoid closure. Your newly created vault of 937 on the 15th of December, 1999 has been emptied-

I knew he was going to take money out of it, but completely empty it? Fucking prick.

-by the second vault holder, Arkadius Petrova, on the 11th of January, 1999. This is our final notice-

Final notice? I haven't received any other notice from them.

-to inform you of the emptied vault, you can add more galleons or equal valued item to the vault or face closure by the 31st of March, 1999.

Regards,

Gringotts Wizarding Bank

Head of Gringotts

Warwick Davis

"Did mommy dearest cut you from your inheritance?" Astoria jokes.

"Ha ha, did my mother give you any other letters?" He quickly asks.

Astoria shakes her head, "No," jutting her chin to the letter, "What is it?"

"It's a final notice from Gringotts. Telling me I need to add money to my account or face closure."

She pulls her brows together, "Have you not been opening your mail?"

"I've never gotten anything from Gringotts, this is the first one." His brows furrowed in further confusion. "Fuck, I hate this school. I think Petrova confiscated those letters."

He reads the date of when the vault was depleted.

11th of January. . .

His eyes slightly go wide.

I was at Maighdean Hospital. He also hasn't called me to his office to berate me or take back the portkey since then.

He hadn't noticed Astoria nosing around and looking at the papers scattered on his desk.

"What are these for?" Astoria asks without looking at him.

"I'm trying to find a way to possibly remove dark magic from a scar."

"Your Death Eater tattoo?" She turns to look at him.

He shakes his head, "No, for someone else."

"Hermione?" She offers a sad smile.

He nods, returning her smile.

"Here, come with me." She pivots and briskly walks to exit the room, waving for him to follow.

Draco tosses the Gringotts letter on his bed before casting a reducio spell on the green journal before placing it in his pocket. He closes his door behind him, lightly jogging to catch up to her.

"Hey, how'd you get in the common room anyways?" He asks now matching steps with her as they pass bare stone walls on their way out of the common room.

She smirks, not answering his question.

He playfully squints at her, "Your mystery beau is a Wolverine?"

"I can neither confirm nor deny that allegation." She attempts to hide a smile as she shrugs one shoulder.

"Keep your secrets, witch," he quips.

"I will," she states in a singsong voice as they pass more baren corridors.

They round the corner and Draco audibly groans realizing where they're heading; the library.

"Can we not? I just left that hell hole."

"Quit being so melodramatic." Astoria chuckles.

Draco protests further with an indignant huff of air. Astoria ignores him as they continue walking towards the library. He looks around the castle walls and misses the liveliness of Hogwarts's portraits littered throughout the castle.

"I actually hate how dull this place is," Draco grimaces.

"One of the fourth years I tutor told me that Petrova ordered to have all of them taken down once he became Headmaster." She informs, sharing brief eye contact with Draco.

They step through the threshold of the library instantly overcome with an unwelcome feeling. His eyes lift towards the second story towards the back wall where the hidden room is located. Astoria tugs on him to continue to follow, he notices a handful of students are studying and casting translating spells.

"Merlin, I hate the feeling of being in here." Astoria grimaces as they walk towards the restricted section.

"You feel it too?" Draco asks.

She nods, guiding him to one of the back bookshelves. He shoves his hands in his pocket as he watches her scan over books, searching for one.

"What are you trying to show me?" Draco asks, leaning against the bookshelf.

"I came across a small journal and tucked it away, it had loads of spells and potions I had never even heard of before. Maybe you can find some use for it."

Ah, another journal to look through.

An uneasy feeling washes over him, guilt creeping back in for his previous lack of respect for privacy. Even though he knew that their journals were meant to interact with one another, she didn't know that. Draco made the conscious decision not to write in the damn thing and read her thoughts for a source of entertainment, but due to these brilliant choices of his, he no longer has the witch who promised herself to him. And he hates himself everyday because of it.

Astoria pulls a thick dull maroon tattered book from the shelf and reaches her hand into the very spot she took the book out of. She feels around for a brief second before pulling out another book. Although the material looks older than a few millennia, it's bound in a leather he knows quite intimately; elves skin. His eyes widen at the sight of it, she hands the book over to him with a smile, but once seeing his surprise she furrows her brows, conveying an unspoken question of 'what?'

He delicately takes the book from her, "It's made of elves skin."

She looks down at the dark ancient withered leather-bound book, "Oh, besides Buggernaughts I don't think I've ever seen leather that old."

"This is in fact ancient, I couldn't tell you how old my Buggernaughts are, but this," lightly shaking the book, "surpasses them by a few millennia."

"Oh, wow." Her eyes find his.

They share a small silent moment before she gently grabs the journal from him and flips through a few pages.

"This thing is littered with different languages and handwriting, it's like a mini grimoire from all over the world." Astoria states pointing to several entries in different languages. "Here," she flips to a page, "this one talks about portals transporting one to a desired location. Way before floos were created."

Any desired location? Even thousands of miles away?

Reminding himself that he needs to be at Harry's by 1:30 he checks the time.

12:43

Noting that he has a small window, Draco skims the book as Astoria floated about the isles next to him grabbing other books that piqued her interest. Draco cast translating charms only for Astoria to tease him and cast an occasional finite at him then he would retaliate and cast a Pinching Jinx at her. The spell reminded him of smiles and laughter, better days he longed to relive. Another finite was cast at him, but this time not from Astoria. Draco grimaces at the reminder of why he hates being outside his dorm. He turns to the direction of the caster to find William snickering with his close-knit circle, a few from the quidditch team. Internally rolling his eyes, he slightly turned his body to hide the book from view.

"Come on, let's go," Draco quietly suggests to Astoria.

"Wait. Hold on." Astoria states, flipping to the opening of the book, glancing at it, closing it to then pick up another book and opening it to scan. "Here, look," she shows Draco the runes engraved on the inside cover. "I think this symbol is why no one can take a book out of the library." Looking at Draco.

"Okay, and?" Draco asks, irritated that they haven't left yet.

"Check the one you're holding," Astoria retorts with the same annoyance.

He rolls his eyes and checks, noting that the book doesn't have the rune etched into its binding. He sports a small smile at the ancient book then to Astoria before closing it and shoving it in his uniform trouser pocket. He gestures for her to put the books away so they can leave.

* . * . *

Astoria is sprawled on Draco's bed flipping through Witch's Weekly while he sits at his desk comfortably going through the grimoire, translating the words without any unwanted finite spells. He carefully looks over each page hoping to come across his desired purpose, but the ancient magic found on these pages have him wonderstruck. The journal contains entries of witches and wizards using or creating ancient spells along with potions requiring ingredients from magical creatures and plants erased from the passage of time. With every page comes various languages along with distinctly different handwriting on each page.

Invisique

Concealment Spell

Enshrouds a person or place with a cloak of impenetrable shadows, rendering it invisible to both magical and mortal perceptions. Most useful for concealing oneself from foes or for making a swift escape from perilous circumstances.

Draco realizes Alaric knows this spell, he recalls how he had to fully concentrate to perform this concealment spell. As he relived the memory in his mind, he misses his American friend and simpler times. He wondered if Alaric's mother was the one that taught him the spell. He peers at the next page. Unsure of the exact language, he casts a translating spell.

Loqui Procul

Communication Spell

Grants one the ability to communicate telepathically over great distances. A strong connection between the ones communicating is required to perform the spell properly.

Useful for coordinating plans or sharing information discreetly.

Could this be used to talk to multiple people at once?

Draco flips the page casting another translating spell to read the words written in Greek.

Veritatem

Truth Revealing Spell

Compels the tongue to reveal only truths. Attempted lies spoken causes slicing of the tongue.

Draco reads the additional words written to the side of the entry, this writing varies from the Greek originally written. He focuses his attention on the new handwriting, the words translating before him.

Doesn't cut one's tongue off, however leaves them in torment from lashings on their tongue.

He continues to the next page focusing on the spell to read the Norwegian written.

Falsas Veritas

Illusion Spell

Creates false reality of people or objects to mislead or distract enemies. Perfect for creating diversions or deceiving adversaries.

Another set of words scribbled to the side of the text.

Ingesting sepals enhances the ease of casting

Sepals? Hydrangea sepals?

He's in disbelief of the creativity of such a spell as he flips the page.

Portalis

Travel spell

Transports someone to their desired portal.

He looks at the drawings of archways that seem familiar to him, yet he can't pinpoint. As he reads the entry, it seems as though these specific portals are linked to one another and can only take you to the desired portal within the linked ones.

He reads the next page disclosing how to create a portal. An energy source is required to keep the portal open such as a crystal or essence of a magical being. Immense concentration and intention is required when saying the incantation of Portalis to create the portal. Draco skims passed the entry of locking a portal. He rifles through pages coming across potions that aid in fertility, some claiming to cure vampirism or lycanthropy.

Draco couldn't properly comprehend the idea of holding such ancient knowledge, he felt as though he was unworthy or ill-equipped to even attempt the magic written before him. Each spell, potion, magical creature or plant that no longer existed on this earth is a testament to the rarity of magic he holds in his hands. It's as though the pages were whispering secrets of a long forgotten ancient magic that time almost erased. Looking over certain pages regarding spells he realizes none of them state wand movement indicating to him that wands aren't required to cast these. The ability to cast wandless magic of this magnitude would take a monumental amount of skill.

Unless you have enough energy surging through their body.

Being mindful of the time he skims over the remaining pages until he stumbles upon his answer.

Aegis of Containment

Potion is designed to contain and neutralize dark magic, preventing its spread and reducing its potency. It acts as both a barrier and a dampener to ensure that dark magic remains contained and does not corrupt or spread further.

Requires silver cauldron.

Ingredients:

1 Blooming Queen of the Night

3 Leeches - plucked from purified waters on a full moon.

Extract of Wolfsbane

Essence of Dittany

A drop of blood of hæft werman

Unicorn horn shavings

However, it's the added notes to the side written in Sanskrit that has his full attention, he focuses the translation charm on the words.

Successful dark magic removal

Brew as stated for 6 months before adding the following under the shadows of a solar eclipse.

Murdúchann scales

Cluster of Hydrangea sepals and soil from whence it grew

His jaw drops as his eyes widen. "I found it! I fucking found it!" Laughing hysterically in disbelief.

Draco removes his green leather journal from his pocket trouser, quickly kissing the leather with a loud "MUAH."

I'm doing this for you.

Astoria snickers, continuing to read from her magazine, "Found what you needed?"

He turns his head, beaming at her, "I would kiss you but I'm not sure if your mystery beau gave you any infectious venereal diseases."

Astoria deadpans him, "Piss off, Malfoy."

Shoving the green leather back in his pocket he checks the time.

1:18

Desperate to show Harry his finding he flings over to where he's placed Harry's portkey, his own portkey back to his dorm stuffed inside a small cloth sack.

"Stay if you want, I'm leaving for Harry's!" He calls out before carefully unraveling Harry's portkey from its own clothed barrier. Activating it and the familiar pulling sensation around his naval occurs.

"Harry's?-"

Draco's transported to the basement of 12 Grimmauld Place and carefully covers the portkey before placing it back in his pocket with his other one. He sprints up the stairs, his long legs take three at a time. Hearing familiar voices, thinking that Andromeda most likely stopped by with Teddy. As he makes his way to the sound of the voices he notices that one voice in fact belongs to Harry, but the other is Ronald.

"Oh, you're early mate," Harry smirks, glancing over at Ron.

Both Ron and Draco share grimaces. Then a thought strikes him.

"I found something," Draco says to the both of them as he opens the ancient leather text.

Harry and Ron share amused expressions before turning their attention back to Draco. Draco steps forward, flipping through the pages to find the potion. Once found, he holds it open for them.

"Can't read that," They both say in unison.

You both can't be this fucking stupid.

Draco takes out his wand giving them a pretentious grin, "Watch carefully now." Then casts the translating spell.

"Hey, are you a magician?" Harry teases as Ron chuckles at his joke.

Draco doesn't bother responding; he gives Harry a disgruntled wave before pointing to the potion with his wand with a flat smile.

They scan over the text turning to sharing glances before looking at Draco.

"I think he is a magician, Harry."

Draco forces his eyes closed, praying to Hermione's God to grant him patience not to punch this redheaded twat. He releases a vexed exhale then opens his eyes again to look at Hermione's buffoons she calls friends.

"You can give this to Hermione," Draco says to Ron.

"Me?" Ron asks with a puzzled expression.

"Have you two made up yet?" Draco asks.

Ron's face falters, annoyance littered on his face.

"No. Not after what she practically yelled in my face that she's in love with you while dating me."

Draco was able to hide his smile, but raised his brows in surprise.

So that's what happened.

"Not really fond of her at the moment." Ron quips with slight disgust. "Sides, I'm not the one who needs to apologize."

"It doesn't matter who apologizes first, if you want your friendship back, take the bloody peace offering I'm trying to give you." Draco suggests poking at the journal.

Ron rolls his eyes and goes to put the journal in his trouser pocket.

"Oi, I didn't mean to take the journal." Draco snatches it out of Ron's hands.

I swear this twat has two brain cells and they're fighting for last place.

He scans the room for a quill and parchment to jot down the potion for Ron. Once finished, he hands the copy of the potion to Ron for him to look over again.

"The way this is written you could probably use this on yourself too." Ron says, eyeing the covered arm of where his death eater mark is.

"She should be the first to have it." Draco offers.

Ron nods at his words.

Harry's lips curl up in a smile as he wraps his arm around Draco. "And to think, you used to be a selfish prat."

Draco rolls his eyes and shoves Harry off of him, "Can we just start?"

* . * . *

Ron, being interested in the process, decided to stay and observe their session. Harry and Draco agreed on shared memories to obliviate and then took their turns as they skillfully penetrated the obliviated memories deep within their minds. The process felt almost second nature with each successful unobliviated memory. Unfortunately, their session was abruptly cut short when Kingsley flooed in, requesting Harry for a particular matter. Apparently, Harry had begun Auror training and was working on a case. Although Draco was hoping to practice more before attempting to unobliviate Warren, he knew that he was ready. Draco nods to his Minister in acknowledgement before Harry and him disapparate.

Crack

"I'm not going to directly thank you," Ron states.

Draco turns to him, slightly confused, but then remembers the quidditch game.

"Ah, right. Well, I also don't like the idea of having to save your life." Draco retorts.

"Call us even then, you prat."

"Don't recall you saving my hind," Draco furrows his brows in confusion.

"Not the bloke to gloat, but the three of us did during the battle of Hogwarts."

Draco's expression shifts to surprise.

Ron nods before waving around the copied potion, "I will directly thank you for this though. She needs this."

Draco gives a slight nod and watches Ron apparate away.

Crack

He stands there in Harry's home listing the ingredients of the potion in his head.

Blooming Queen of the Night, Leeches, Extract of Wolfsbane, Essence of Dittany, blood, Unicorn horn shavings, Scales of a Murdúchann. . .

He wonders if Kingsley would grant him access to the lake by Maighdean Hospital.

Wait, I know of one swimming around another lake.

That ingredient will be particularly difficult to obtain.

Then he recalls the last ingredients.

Cluster of Hydrangea sepals and its soil.

I would assume it's the ancient magical species.

Draco leans into this thought and apparates to Malfoy manor.

Crack

As soon as he apparates into the foyer of his manor there's a serene comforting sense that he can't articulate pulling at him. Draco searches the room for his mother, but doesn't find her. Draco checks the time.

1:59

Draco turns to follow the pull when one of his elves spots him.

"Master Draco, you're home," Topsy says to him in a cautious tone, her eyes flickering from him to the other side of the room, towards the hallway to the drawing room. Draco catches the eye flicker, but doesn't say anything, just nods.

"Where's my mother?" Draco asks.

Topsy simply gestures for him to follow her, leading him out to the garden. He smirks at the sight of his mother physically ripping out the weeds, discarding them onto a pile to the side of her. She's nearly caked in dirt, he never in his wildest imagination would have thought of his mother engaging in manual labor. He knew that she gardened in the summertime, but she always cast charms on herself to avoid getting her clothes dirty.

Topsy clears her throat to get his mother's attention.

She stirs from the abrupt noise, turning towards the sound. "Oh, Draco. You're home," Narcissa says with wide eyes.

"Am I not allowed in my own home?" Draco chuckles.

Narcissa gives her son a quick playful knowing look, shaking her head as she dusts her hands off.

"Have you known this whole time about it?" Draco shifts the conversation.

"What are you talking about, darling?" Narcissa asks, pulling her brows together in confusion.

"The hydrangea plant."

Narcissa widens her eyes again, "I'm not sure I completely follow, dear. I just know Bella had mentioned something about a rare flower being needed for special potions. Then Theo came over to apologize that day and told me about it and I went searching for it. Its origins are particularly hard to come by, I was lucky and stumbled upon it, actually. Don't tell Mr. Whimsbee, but I pruned a branch off." His mother teases.

He recalls the day he smeared the concoction Warren had him make on her arm to stop the pain.

"It's a key ingredient to removing dark magic." Draco states.

His mothers eyes widen and then fall to where his Dark Mark is.

"You can remove the mark?"

He nods, "I can, but that's not the reason I'm asking about it."

Narcissa gives her son a thoughtful expression.

"I found," he stops himself, "well Astoria came across the potion, truthfully." He says in a lighthearted tone.

"She's here, currently," Narcissa offers.

"Astoria?" Confusion written on his face.

His mother shakes her head and shares an unspoken thought.

Hermione.

Draco's face falters.

"She's here?" his voice a low whisper.

His world seemed to come to a slow stop. His heart began to thump wildly in his chest. Narcissa nods, examining her son's face. He turns to look at the manor.

Is that what I felt when I arrived? Did I feel her here?

Without saying goodbye to his mother he walks at a fast pace towards the manor then slowly turns into a run, desperate to physically see her. Praying that his mother isn't playing some cruel joke on his heart. Although his steps are rapid, he feels as though reaching the manor is gradually becoming impossible, as if it's being stretched into a never-ending path. His run turns into a sprint determined to see her, he flings the door to the manor open and runs towards the drawing room where his heart is guiding him.

Draco stops dead in his tracks at the entryway of the drawing room. He's awestruck staring at the back of Hermione's head, her typical wild curls gathered in a casual updo, loose ringlets peeking out as she stands in the room facing away from him. The sound of blood whooshing in his ears as he levels his breathing.

"Granger?" He says absentmindedly, subconsciously remembering when she scolded him for calling her by her first name just weeks ago. But Draco's unsure if the woman before him is a mirage of his deepest desires.

She turns around to see him for the first time in months. She's smiling but there's a sadness in her eyes that breaks his heart.

"Draco," she whispers to herself, as if she has also been longing for him.

His heart is panged with guilt and shame as his name leaves her lips, knowing that he put them in the tumultuous place they're in. Where the simplicity of speaking first names is a sacred act, yet he wasn't worthy of such a declaration of trust. They stand there in a long mutual silence, eyes locked on one another as the familiar cosmic pull occurs, drawing them together.

"Exposure Therapy?" Draco asks, breaking the silence.

She nods her head, "Exposure therapy."

He offers a sad smile, "I was slightly hoping you're here because you missed me," Draco quips thoughtlessly.

I should not have said that.

"I always miss you, Draco," she confesses, searching his eyes. "Even when I say that I don't."

Several different emotions bombard him, wanting to cling to the relief her words grant him. However, his treachery has no right to be flippantly written off. He breathes in deep, pushing down the urge to take this as a pardon for his treason.

"So, how have you been?" he asks, deflecting.

She notices and nods her understanding. "I've been okay," she responds, "You?" her eyes searching his.

"I've been okay." He responds, nodding his head, his eyes finding solace in her honey-colored eyes. A shade of brown he's missed for what seems like centuries.

She nods as they continue to cherish the sensation of galaxies forming. Remembering the few good memories embedded in these walls. Hoping they've washed away some thoughts of Bellatrix.

"You know Olivia and Warren wish you'd visit. The boys mostly though," he informs, smiling at the mention of the boys.

"They do?" Her question is more a confirmation that Draco has still been going to the hospital.

His brows pull together in confusion, "Haven't you gotten the boys' letters?"

Shame flickers in her eyes and she turns her attention to the floor.

She hasn't read them.

"They understand though. I told them everything."

Her head slowly lifts up to look at him. "Everything?"

Answering her with a silent nod.

"You know, you didn't have to keep going after switching schools," giving him a small smile.

"That's not the point Hermione, you know that."

Shit. I didn't mean to say her name.

She doesn't scold him for the use of her first name and he's eternally grateful, taking notice of her intake of breath.

"I've actually been writing to you too," she exhales.

Mentally sifting through the unopened letters on his desk, not recalling any from her. But he knows if she were to have written to him he would have opened it immediately. "I haven't received any of your letters."

Hermione gives him a small smile, "Not through letters."

He tilts his head in confusion, but then his eyes widen as he realizes the meaning of her words.

The journals.

He's mystified at the notion of Hermione finally being aware that they possess the ability to communicate with each other. He pulls the reduced sized journal out of his trouser pocket. Her face falters as her eyes catch on the green leather, her eyes flicker from the leather back to him.

"You have it with you . . ."

"I always have it with me." His voice mirrored the lightheartedness of when she revealed still missing him.

She searches his eyes, desperate for his words to be true.

"But you haven't read the entries." Hermione states aloud, verifying that he's finally chosen to respect her privacy.

He responds with a small shake of his head.

Her eyes begin to water as she releases a humorless laugh. Wanting to comfort her, he instinctively rushes to her, abandoning the journal. Hugging her with his body, cradling her head making sure no tears he causes will fall from her eyes.

"I didn't mean to upset you," he frantically states

"No, they're happy tears," she says as she pulls back to look at him.

Regardless of the reason he delicately wipes it from her eye.

"I'm proud of you, Draco," her words hit harder now than they ever did before.

This makes his heart burst. He missed her voice. Her smell. Her touch. Her approval. Her heart. Just her. His body relaxes at her words and pulls her closer again. He refuses to let go of her as long as she permits it. Clinging to her as if she's his lifeline. They remain there in the drawing room standing and holding onto one another. A perfect silent moment.

Hermione pulls back to look at him. "Theo said something about you coming back to Hogwarts?" She asks, searching his eyes.

Draco clears his throat, "Yeah, I plan to."

"When?"

"When I'm ready. I need to finish a few things where I am," Draco responds, gently cradling her face, peering into her enchanting honey-colored eyes.

Hermione nuzzles into his touch and cups his hands, unwilling to part from him.

"I can't tell you how sorry I am for what I did, Granger."

"Hermione," she corrects, giving him a weak smile, letting him know first names have been earned.

His expression mirrors hers and places his forehead on her forehead, "I should have told you when we were getting closer, I'm so sorry."

She releases a long exhale, "Maybe things needed to unravel the way that they did."

He pulls her closer again, nodding his head, agreeing with her.

She was right. I wasn't capable of telling her the truth then.

Also wasn't the man I needed to be, not just for her, but for myself.

"You know, I tried everything to get rid of the thing. Burn it, bury it, rip it to shreds. Nothing," Draco admits.

"You tried to destroy it too?"

"Yeah, but it kept showing back up unscathed. Stupid fucking magic," he lightly chuckles as he shakes his head, then adds, "I tried to give it to you."

"Give it to me?" Her brows furrowed in confusion.

"I was ashamed and thought that if anyone should have that thing it should be you to do whatever you see fit, but it came back. It was the first thing I did, actually."

Hermione hugs him tighter. He squeezes her in return, then pulls back to look into her eyes.

"Unfortunately, I think you're right about things having to unfold the way that they did. Although I was changing, I was still self-centered. I'm becoming the person I never thought I'd be because of you. Yes, you are the original inspiration for wanting to become a better version of myself, but I need to become that person for myself, not for anyone else. That's why I'm not back at Hogwarts yet."

They stand there sharing more perfect silent moments.

"Would you dance with me?" She asks, breaking the silence this time.

His cheeks tighten from his beaming smile.

"Would Master Draco like slow or fun song?" Lila asks from the other side of the drawing room.

He looks at Hermione gauging her answer.

Hermione looks at Lila, "I think a slow song would be nice, Lila."

Lila tries to hide her smile.

Snap

A song Draco doesn't recognize fills the room. They gradually begin to slow dance, their bodies swaying and stepping in sync with the tempo of the song. As the song progresses, they steadily become lost in the vibrational hum of the melody, he twirls Hermione, hoping to conjure happier memories within the room. Matching the beat of the music, Draco's able to sync with the rhythm as it builds and recedes, twirling her at times he deems most appropriate. But if he was honest, it was to simply see her smile.

The song shifts into a more upbeat rhythm. Hermione and Draco glance at one another, sharing an unspoken thought between them. They both lend out their hand to Lila for her to dance with him. Lila squeals and skips over to them. The both of them take turns as they twirl Lila and dance around the drawing room.

Hermione catches Narcissa lurking at the doorway and waves her into the boisterous room. Draco smothers his amusement at his mother's inability to keep up with the tempo of the music. He offers a lifeline and gradually teaches her to quicken her movements to match the rhythm. The vibration of the song charging them with a level of merriment they haven't experienced in far too long. Sharing laughs and smiles as the songs shift from one to another, continuously changing pace, adding to the lively atmosphere.

They all dance about the room, enjoying each other's company. Draco takes it upon himself to twirl all of the girls for a show of it. Hermione takes Lila's tiny hands and dances around the room with her as Draco and his mother gracefully move across the floor. The sight of his mother's tight cheeks warms his heart, they share radiant smiles. Lila occasionally shows off the 'muggle' dance moves Hermione taught her, however, she's unable to blend them seamlessly with the beat of the music. Laughter and joy echo throughout the room as the afternoon continues.

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

7/3/1999

Danced with a few ladies this afternoon.

I would consider myself quite the- what do you muggles call it? Stud?

Saturday the 7th of March 1999

You fancy your mum?

That's not something to be proud of.

In fact I think you should see a specialist for that.

Oh, sod it. I was being cheeky.

I have zero intention of seeing your butt cheeks.

Granger!

I thought we established that first names are well in order.

Have you gotten slow while being away?

Draco lies on his bed, mouth gaping open from her response, unable to come up with a quick retort.

Lost for words? That's a first.

He laughs wholeheartedly at his journal. Wanting to write his next thought, but knowing they're starting over, forming a friendship first. He simply holds the journal to his chest as if it's her.

I love you.

The days that pass by have a lightness to them that Draco hasn't experienced in ages. Hermione asked if they could start over, stating that the best way was to have a foundation of friendship. Regardless of the type of relationship they shared, he gladly took the scraps she threw his way. They wrote to one another as the journals were intended to from the beginning. Draco could be compared to a giddy school girl, although he'd deny it, with the way he was beaming at the journal with an immediate response from Hermione after he wrote into the journal.

Saturday, the 13th of March 1999

Warren and Draco sit on opposite beds in the room assigned to the Newhavens family, mentally preparing himself to dive into the darker parts of someone else's mind. Praying to any deity that would listen to make this a smooth and simple feat.

Draco and Warren take a deep breath.

"Legilimens."

Finding the shielded memory was effortless, navigating to the deep parts of someone's psyche was borderline routine. However, the task to penetrate the barrier was far more taxing than he anticipated. The bubbled memory itself was starkly different then the events that Draco and Harry would obliviate from each other's mind. Their memories were muffled and were slightly blurred, but Warrens were cast in a thick dull blob, his past events lacked a definition from Harry and Draco's. The nearly impenetrable magical wall resisted his every effort to penetrate. Although Draco was grateful for the practiced sessions, able to sharpen his Legilimency skills, he still cursed the damn blockage. Continuous attacks against the dull memory, committed to unveiling the memory within. Draco finally scraped through the thick barrier of the bubbled past.

A vibrant memory from Warren's perspective. He's holding hands with a younger Onyx helping him up the steps of a quaint Victorian Terraced home. Olivia calls out to Warren asking to get Emerson's scooter from his room since he's going back inside with Onyx. Warren nods to his wife and waves with his free hand before he opens the door for the both of them to enter the home. Instantly there's a darkness that he can't articulate, a sense that something isn't right.

"NO!" A heart wrenching scream shrieks in the distance.

Warren sprints to the sound of the blood curdling scream, before he could reach the door he hears, "Avada Kedavra!"

His eyes widens in fear, he draws his wand however he's unable to reach his daughter in time. He sees a man with jet black hair and piercing blue eyes standing over his daughter. Warren might not know who the man is, but Draco does. Petrova.

As Draco leaves Warren's mind, impressions of immense grief are embedded into him. He tries to steady his heavy breathing. He turns to Warren who's on his knees inconsolably crying from the memory Draco unobliviated. He covers his face in shame for choosing the tortuous event to restore to his memory.

He steps back from Warren, "I'm so sorry."

Warren doesn't respond, only sobs into his hands as he relives the day his daughter and son in law were taken from this earth. Not knowing what to do Draco remains where he is, minutes ticking by as he watches Warren mourn the loss of his loved ones.

"Don't," Warren says in between sobs, "Don't unobliviate them, they don't need to relive that."

Draco forces his eyes closed, wishing he could have chosen an easier memory to unobliviate.

"We'll say we were unsuccessful," Warren says thought slow breathes, trying to calm his nerves.

Draco bites his lip as he nods his head in agreement. Warren's lip quivers as he takes in a deep breath, hoping to banish the grief gnawing him.

"But we need to leave," Warren says, looking around the room.

"Leave? Why?"

"I refuse to be here when he shows back up."

Draco's eyes widened, "Shows back up?"

"He and Mr. Whimsbee are quite chummy. Occasionally popping up, talking about 'picking up supplies', but neither of them come back with supplies for the hospital." Warren grits through his teeth as tears slowly cascade his cheeks. "We've been staying here, practically for free, because according to Mr. Whimsbee he used to work with my daughter and suggested that we stay here at the hospital while they figure out a way to recover our memories." He turns his head in disgust at the memory of it, "Turns out the son of a bitch was in on it."

Draco holds the sides of his bed as he tries to piece together the events he knows.

He knows that Kingsley stated that the person who obliviated Warren and his family wanted to cover up his daughter's work.

He knows that Pansy was forced into some elusive sex ring.

He knows that Petrova obliviated Pansy and him being intimate.

He knows that Petrova is uniquely skilled with oblivation spells.

He knows that Petrova has several portkeys in his office, one being linked to Pansy's mother who's missing.

He knows that Petrova completely emptied the vault he created.

He now knows that Petrova killed two people.

He knows that Petrova has some sort of relationship with Mr. Whimsbee.

But how are they connected?

Could Petrova be the leader of the sex ring Pans was forced into? Is Whimsbee a part of it too?

Draco slowly turns his head to Warren. "I don't have the right to ask this of you, but I need to speak to the Minister. Could you hold off on moving everyone? I don't want them to be tipped off before I speak with him."

Warren releases a tearless sob with a quivering lip. "I can't stay another 24 hours in these walls of lies."

He quickly nods, "I'll apparate to him right now." Draco places a hand on Warren's shoulder, "I'm so sorry."

Warren looks into Draco's eyes, placing his hand on top of Draco's, "It might not seem like it now, boy, but you gave me peace."

A mixture of emotions flow through Draco, his eyes slightly water as he nods. Draco draws his wand and apparates to Kingsley's office.

CRACK

A startled "Oh" is heard from Kingsley's secretary, Draco offers an apologetic smile for her to then continue to eye him with an unamused expression.

"The Minister isn't available," Kingsley's secretary states curtly, just before the Minister opens the door, walking out of his office.

Kingsley's brows furrowed in confusion as he spotted Draco. "Draco, I don't have an appointment with you."

Draco nods rapidly, trying to speak before he prematurely gets cut off with a dismissive wave.

"Make an appointment with Hestia," waving to his secretary.

"Please, just give me a minute of your time, Minister." Draco frantically pleads.

Kingsley reassesses Draco before glancing at his pocket watch, "Fine. I have 10 minutes to spare. I have other meetings to attend this afternoon."

They enter his chambers for the second time in less than a year. Draco quickly takes in the new design of his office. Scanning over the sleek and modern feel that Draco would classify as 'muggle.'

"I have reason to believe that my current Headmaster is the ringleader of the sex ring Miss Parkinson was forced into."

Kingsley's eyes widened, "That's a hefty allegation, Draco. If you're going to be making claims like that they better be backed up with some evidence."

Kingsley pushes back his other appointments in order to give his full attention to Draco. They remain in his office for an hour discussing all the information he can recall of the unregistered portkeys that resulted in Draco being splinched and Wreek telling Draco that Pansy's mother is missing. Draco rats on himself and explains to Kingsley of the one he has created for himself in his dorm, he's surprised to note that Kingsley didn't seem to care regarding this particular unregistered portkey. Draco explains to him the hostile environment at Durmstrang and the professors who use insidious curses against students along with the Headmaster's unofficial office resembling the room of requirement at Hogwarts. He informs Kingsley about creating a vault for their Quidditch team with enough money to last several years to come and then mentioning to Kingsley his final notice, yet not having received his other letters, indicating that Petrova has more than likely been confiscating Draco's letters. He recounts being able to successfully unobliviate Warren's memory which revealed Petrova murdering Warren's daughter and his son-in-law. He also relayed Warren's observed relationship between Petrova and Whimsbee and how they have coordinated supply pickups, yet neither Whimsbee nor Petrova come back with said supplies for the hospital.

Kingsley gently massages his chin, slowly ingesting all the information Draco divulged to him. "This is unnerving to say the least."

Draco released an exhaled sigh, "I know. One of my first thoughts was when you had told me that the person who obliviated them wanted to cover up his daughter's work. I'm just not sure how they all tie in together though."

"This does seem to piece some gaps together on our end. This is far bigger than we anticipated it could have been. I trust that you can keep this information for yourself?"

Draco nods, "But with Whimsbee and Petrova's relationship I don't think it's safe for the Newhavens to still be there."

Kingsley nods to him, "I agree, that will be my first order of business. I'll escort them personally to St. Mungo's and have them under the Ministry's protection until all of this is sorted out."

Draco nods in agreement of Kingsley's decision to place the Newhavens in St. Mungos under a protective order.

"And I want you back at Hogwarts," Kingsley firmly states to Draco.

Draco's eyes widen at the thought of actually going back to Hogwarts. With every fiber of his being he wanted to go back and he knew he could if he truly wanted to, yet he held off on this decision because he needed to be the person he thought he was becoming all those months ago.

"I believe it would be too dangerous for you to continue your studies there knowing this information and being in an unknown location."

"The Ministry doesn't even know where Durmstrung is?" Draco asks, perplexed by the notion.

"There was always a sense of good faith between Headmasters and Ministers, however with this new information, I highly doubt Petrova would be forthcoming nor willingly give up a portkey to his office you've explained." Kingsley states.

Draco pokes his tongue through his cheek thinking of a potential idea.

Wait. His office.

"I still have one he sent to me, he usually confiscates them, but since I was splinched he has yet to contact me regarding it."

Kingsley smiles, "Then I hope you will use your unregistered portkey to hand over the one to Petrova's office."

Draco offers Kingsley a guilty smirk, "Of course, Minister."

"We'll keep this one off the record until this mess is sorted," Kingsley nods to him, indicating to Draco to hurry along and fetch the portkey.

He pulls out the clothed sack containing his portkey to his dorm room, and tugs at the strings. Kingsley leans over to look at the unregistered portkey and then gives Draco an unimpressed look. Draco grabs the sock and activates the portkey, transporting him to his dorm. He quickly scans the area trying to recall where he put the portkey then recalls placing it inside his wardrobe. Grabbing the sock, he placed the portkey to Petrova's office inside. Tightening his hold to confirm it's still inside, he nodded to himself and shoved it in trouser pocket. Draco stops himself from pulling out his wand to apparate to the floo in the common room.

The thought of this being the last time he'll be here at Durmstrang is beyond delightful for him, he's ecstatic to finally escape this blasted castle. However, another thought gnaws at him. He takes in a deep breath before apparating to the lake he fell into.

CRACK

Draco stares at the thawing waters, praying that he'll be able to accomplish his goal. Wand still tight in his grip he casts a quick charm to melt more of the thin ice covering the lake. He takes another breath before placing a warming charm on himself and stepping towards the lake.

For Hermione.

Just before he's about to trudge into the lake, a sensation overcomes him that he can't quite explain. His eyes darted to spot near the middle of the lake where the ice is still frozen. Staring at the ice for it to dissolve, a wet circle grew for the creature to poke its head out of the waters, the Murdúchann's large dull black eyes fixated on Draco.