Chapter Five - Evacuation of Hogwarts
Nyx had woken up the next morning earlier than usual, her dreams had been troubling as more of her memories returned. Shaking her head, she glanced around at the unfamiliar room before standing and stretching. Seeing the early lights of dawn, Nyx felt a compulsion to search and catalogue her belongings. Her fellow Gryffindors would surely go looking for anything that went missing, and with the new door in the girls' dormitories, her bedchambers would be high on the list of places to search. Casting a few spells, she ensured no one other than her own blood could get into her room, followed by a spell she found in the grimoire to sense if Headmaster Dumbledore could detect the magic Hogwarts began using for her. Once she was certain the old codger could not, she pulled out a roll of parchment and quill, and began organising the belongings. Among the belongings were the invisibility cloak, a silver ring with a "S" emblem in the shape of an emerald serpent, many books that she had seen students using in the courtyard, and the Marauders Map. A smile crept on her face as she recognised Harry's cloak and map. Wondering how the map was in fact hers, she stood up and placed it on her desk.
Two hours later, she sat in the Great Hall with an appetite. Finished eating, Nyx stood to leave for her first class, the Malfoy's owl swooped down in front of her, nearly missing her head. Dropping the letter, the owl hooted, took the proffered piece of bacon from Nyx's fingers, and flew off. With the letter in hand, Nyx took off to the Room of Requirement, knowing that was the safest place to open it.
Nyx,
Inform Draco we will meet both of you at the Platform in Hogsmeade this evening. Keep this information between you two. Ensure you have packed all of your items. Flick your wrist and repeat Ad diminuendum et sacculus, pointing your wand at your trunk. It will allow all of your items to shrink and fit, no matter their size or amount.
Yours,
Lucius
After a double Transfiguration class with Professor McGonagall, Nyx found an excuse to speak to Draco in the corridors. "Malfoy, if you don't mind, we need to discuss the Alchemy homework Professor Snape assigned us." Harry stepped behind her as though he were her protector as Draco scoffed.
"Do you really need Potter-" he spat Harry's name, "to save you from the big bad dragon, mudblood?" Nyx could see the regret in his eyes as his usual insult crossed his tongue and came out of his lips.
"No, I am capable of handling you on my own, if you don't recall, cockroach," she smirked at the fond memory of punching Draco in their third year. Draco's eyes widened as he, too, recalled her using violence instead of magic against him. "Harry, leave me alone." Nyx left no room for Harry to object as she stormed into the empty classroom across the corridor. Draco followed suit, brushing off his group with a false laugh and snide remark.
Ensuring no one would overhear, Nyx cast Muffliato at the entryway and closed the door before turning towards Draco. His smirk held none of his usual arrogance, instead it held affection and something akin to pride. That smirk caused Nyx's breath to hitch as she stood facing him. He covered the distance between them in three strides before stopping less than his arm's length in front of her. Draco watched as she fought to steady her breathing and look at him. "Nyx, what-" he stopped mid-sentence as her big green eyes met his and her hair began to lighten.
"Polyjuice, now!" He reached for her satchel and dug until he found the vial he was looking for.
Nyx took the vial, uncorked it, and swallowed it in its entirety in one gulp. Draco watched as she transformed back into Hermione Granger, the know-it-all Gryffindor.
"Thanks," she muttered before turning away from him. Her heart was racing and she could not face the new emotions she felt towards Draco, not right now, not when she needed to maintain her composure. "Your dad is going to meet us in Hogsmeade, on the platform. He instructed me to pack everything. I presume that will go for you, as well. Pack everything and I will meet you on the platform." She opened the door and muttered the counterspell before leaving a baffled Draco behind her.
xXx
Lunch had come and gone, Harry had been suspiciously quiet as he sat across from her and intently studied her. Towards the end of her meal, she raised an eyebrow as his attention and he flushed as he looked down at his own plate. She stood and made her way back to the Gryffindor tower, where she planned to finish packing during her free period. No sooner had she entered than Lavender Brown started screeching at her about the new door and how her book was suddenly gone. Harry entered the portrait behind her, hearing the majority of Lavender's rant. When Nyx refused to acknowledge Lavender, attempting to walk around her, Harry grabbed her shoulder and forced her to face him.
"Hermione, what is going on? First, you are willingly talking to Malfoy. Then, you are ignoring your friends. Now, you are stealing from us? I am trying to help you. But I don't know who you are! Are you a Death Eater disguised as my friend?!" Harry accused.
"Harry James Potter! How dare you?! How dare you question me when it was YOU who turned against me and decided we were not friends. It was YOU who neglected the friendship. It was YOU who decided some fantastical idea, which has no evidence nor merit, was worth more to you than logic, reasoning, and our friendship. I have not stolen from anyone. Hogwarts saw fit to return any item belonging to me, as in rightfully mine by blood. I have no further answers for you. If you believe I am a Death Eater, by all means, look for my mark. You will not find one. I am ashamed of you, Harry… I am ashamed of who you are becoming," Nyx's seething anger turned into disappointment as she turned to walk away.
"You're not Hermione," Harry called after her as she took the stairs to the girls' dormitory two steps at a time, knowing Harry could not follow her if he wanted. But Lavender could, and did.
"Hermione, I want my book back!" she shrilled as Nyx opened her door and went to step inside.
"You mean my book, or did you not hear what I just told Harry, you daft bimbo?" Nyx's irritation was evident in her tone.
"MY book. I bought it!" Lavender continued before having Nyx's door slammed into her face.
xXx
A loud crash sounded from the Courtyard during supper. Nyx chanced a glance towards Draco and saw his eyes meet hers. Having been prepared for this, she turned her gaze towards the long table sitting on the dias, where the Professors were sitting. She noted that the headmaster was exiting through the door behind Professor Snape. A second crash sounded, this time closer to the external walls of the Great Hall. Panic began to ensue as students screamed, stood up, and were trying to escape the room, shoving each other to the side.
"QUIET!" Professor McGonagall's voice vibrated off the walls of the Great Hall and silence fell over the room. "Prefects, please remain seated. All other students, make your way to your common rooms, in silence." Her command obeyed immediately as a clatter of silverware echoed off the stone and students filed out.
"Yes, Mr. Longbottom?" her attention turned to face our table when he raised his hand.
"Why are we remaining when the other students were sent out?"
"Mr. Longbottom… These atta-" a third crash was heard as the doors to Hogwarts slammed open and darkness fell in the corridor outside. Everyone's attention turned towards the sounds of a duel. "On second thought, Prefects will return to their dormitories, NOW!" Professor McGonagall removed her wand from its holster and pointed towards the door behind their table.
Professor Snape opened the door and ushered the students through. "Alert your portraits that there is an intruder, and get into your dormitories."
xXx
It had been less than an hour since the attack on Hogwarts. All of the students had been alerted they would be returning home until Hogwarts was deemed safe enough to return, and an investigation was launched. The train was due to depart in another half hour, as the students awaited the thestral-drawn carriages outside of the main doors. Half of the professors were patrolling the grounds, the remainder had split up between the platform in Hogsmeade and the main doors. Out of all of their professors, Professor Slughorn and Hagrid were the two that opted to station themselves at the platform. Nyx watched as Draco, Blaise, Pansy, Theo, and the raven-haired first year Slytherin stepped into their carriage with their trunks. Draco glanced back and Nyx noticed the subtle nod he offered her. Neville, Dean, Luna, the three first years between Ravenclaw and Gryffindor joined her in the next carriage. Harry had remained behind to speak to their headmaster.
Nyx arrived on the platform and escorted the first years to the train, leaving them with Neville. Turning to glance down the carriages, she spotted the familiar blonde hair she knew she would need to follow. "Thank you, Neville. I want to find an empty carriage and this one only has one empty one. You should take it with the first years," she excused herself before rapidly dodging students and nearing the furthest edge of the platform.
Standing just past it was a face she had not expected, Professor Snape. "This way, Miss Peverell," he commanded her as he stepped aside. She stared at him in shock. He knew. Her jaw dropped open as she processed his words. Taking a small section of her hair, she checked to ensure the Polyjuice had not worn off. "Silly girl, stop playing with your hair. Your Polyjuice did not wear off. Get going before the oafs see you leave," he pointed behind him and she ran.
She ran off the platform and into a wall of a human being as she turned back to ensure her mind was not playing a cruel trick on her. Before she could fall back, a pair of hands steadied her and she could smell Draco before her mind processed what was happening. "There you go, Lady," he chuckled softly near her ear as his hands began to burn through her cloak, or was that just her imagination? Her entire body began to warm under the deep blush that took over. "Father, you know Nyx. Nyx, this is my father," his voice remained soft, but took a more confident tone. He turned her around to face Lucius. Uncle Lucius. The man that had been responsible for so much pain, and, yet, the man that saved her.
"Uncle Lucius," Nyx started before she felt the fear of what he was capable of itching inside her mind.
He offered her his hand, "Nyx, my dear… Let's get reacquainted in a safer location".
She took his hand, and reached back for Draco's, who had begun entwining his fingers into hers before she realised it. Lucius pulled them closer to him and reached for her trunk, she noticed Draco holding his own tightly. "Clear your mind, Nyx. This is going to be unpleasant, but we need to apparate," he said gently as she took in a deep breath and felt herself be pulled through a straw. Her feet landed beneath her and she felt hands checking on her body before she could fully breathe. "No splinches. You are a natural," pride evident in his voice before he walked away.
"Welcome to Malfoy Manor," Draco sighed with his hand still in hers. "Dellworth will handle the trunks, and before you can say anything, he is my house-elf and I do pay him," Draco added before the house-elf appeared.
"Dellworth, at yous service," a high-pitched nasally voice resounded from the creature nearly identical to Dobby with the exception of his tea cloth. In place of the tea cloth Dobby had worn, there was a simple black tunic designed to fit him correctly. Warmth enveloped Nyx as she noticed how well cared for the house-elf was.
"Thank you, Dellworth," Nyx offered a soft smile as she watched him apparate with their trunks. Spotting Lucius entering the large black front doors of Malfoy Manor.
"We should go," Draco suggested as he stepped forward, their hands remaining entwined.
Nyx glanced down at their hands as they crossed the gravel path. The warm feeling that had flooded her earlier returned, only this time, she found no distraction to ease the sensations she felt. At the first step, she felt a sudden apprehension and turned to face Draco. "I can't," she whispered. "Something is wrong".
Narcissa rushed out with open arms, until she saw the colour draining from Nyx's face and she looked at the apparition point. "Lucius, get out here, now."
"Narcissa, what in Mer-" his voice died as exited the door and he saw what Narcissa had, and what Nyx felt. "Fenrir," Lucius gave a false smile as he rushed past the teenagers.
Narcissa silently urged them to enter the manor before Fenrir took proper notice of Nyx. Without saying anything further, Nyx was escorted in. "Mother-" Draco began to quietly inquire about their next steps.
"Not now. Get her to your bedchambers, immediately. You may need to leave from there. Dellworth will assist," Narcissa gently pushed the two ahead of her. Draco took the guidance and pulled Nyx behind him.
They had no sooner turned the corner at the top of the staircase than they heard Fenrir's voice asking about the attack on Hogwarts and why Draco had been returned home with another student. Relief washed over Nyx as she realised Fenrir had not had the chance to truly notice who she was. Lucius began to explain the events to him, leaving Nyx out, and she felt herself being pulled through a barrier.
"Here. We are safe here for now," Draco let her hand go and closed the door before calling for Dellworth.
After a lengthy back and forth, Draco had decided to move on to the Peverell Manor with Nyx. Lucius had slipped and Voldemort was on his way. Narcissa entered Draco's bedchambers and instructed Draco to not leave Nyx's side before ushering them to the floo. Guiding Nyx to use her necklace, Narcissa informed them she would visit as soon as Voldemort had left. Nyx nodded and clasped her pendant as she whispered "Peverell Manor" and Draco threw down the floo powder. The familiar sensation of being pulled through the network of floo tunnels arose and ended, and they were standing in a much larger manor than the Malfoy manor. It had remained in an impeccable, dust-free condition. No sooner had they stepped out of the grate than they were greeted by several house-elves. Dellworth standing in the front.
"Lady," Draco offered a slight bow of his head and a small smile.
"What-" she sputtered before Dellworth made the introductions and explained to Nyx that every house-elf had been freed, compensated, and clothed appropriately. All of the house-elves, with the exception of Dellworth, were hers to instruct as they had been with the Peverell family since before she was born.
xXx
It was nearing midnight when Nyx had settled into her bedchambers. Draco had been given the one closest to hers. She had no sooner felt the fatigue of the day settle in, as she heard a soft knock at the door. Standing, she wrapped her black silk night robe around her deep red, sheer camisole, and she opened the door to reveal a dishevelled Draco pacing back and forth. Hearing her door open, he faced her and his chest constricted. She was breathtaking in the moonlight. The Polyjuice had worn off and standing there in the entryway to her bedchambers stood a slightly taller, green-eyed, woman with a more defined nose, higher cheekbones, and long platinum blonde hair in a robe that amplified her beauty. He had always been attracted to the mousy brunette, especially her wild mane of hair and intellect, but this woman standing in front of him could bring him to his knees if she asked that of him.
"Lady," his throat parched as it cracked.
"Draco?" Nyx held concern in her brow and voice. "Are you all right?"
"Lady," he repeated as he swallowed, painfully relieving his throat. "I came to see how you were, Nyx". His voice felt foreign as he stared openly at her, taking in every detail, including the blush that was peeking out and stretching itself from beneath her black robe.
"I am concerned that your parents have not arrived, and fearful to sleep and have another memory arise that I would rather not, but I am well otherwise," she offered in a whisper, causing Draco to step closer to hear her.
"If you need anything," he let the word sit between them as he leaned down and whispered into her ear, "find me". He went to step back before he felt her hand wrap into his deep blue pyjama shirt at his waist. Stopping in his tracks, he waited.
"Stay," she inaudibly whispered, causing Draco to lean back into her space. "Stay".
A soft growl escaped his lips as he nodded and felt her lead him to her bed. She climbed in, letting go of his shirt before patting beside her. "I trust you. I don't know why I do after everything you did, but I trust you, and tonight, I learned to rely on my instincts". She explained how she felt Fenrir's presence before he had apparated. She felt the foreboding sensation before Narcissa attempted to greet them. An explanation to her dreams had been offered, too. Draco pulled her into his side as they sat and talked into the early hours of morning, when she had fallen asleep sitting next to Draco with his arm wrapped firmly around her. He had fallen asleep shortly after her.
Both of them woke to Dellworth announcing the intention of arrival for Lucius and Narcissa. Blushing, the two separated and stood. Draco gave her a gentle hug and kiss on the cheek before exiting to get dressed. Neither spoke as he left. She washed and dressed in a pair of dark denim pants, and a soft pink, sweetheart neckline, long sleeve blouse, thinking back to their conversation. He had apologised profusely and explained what had happened since that fateful night of her birthday. He offered her answers without her asking for them, her defences surrounding him crumbled into ash.
She would still be wary, as she would around anyone with the mark, but she knew she was safe with him. That was her last thought before Dellworth re-appeared and informed her that Narcissa and Lucius were waiting for her in the room with the floo fireplace.
xXx
It was after dusk when Narcissa and Lucius had decided to depart. Nyx had her answers, but she sat stunned at the amount of information they offered her. The exchanging of apologies, secrets, plans, and even information regarding Voldemort's ongoing plans for Draco and the Malfoys. She had learned her father had known him when he was a child, as he was friends with Lyla Potter, Kronos's mother. Nyx had asked about her parents' childhoods, their school years, and about why the Malfoys betrayed their trust. The answer to the betrayal stung the most.
"Nyx, we could not take the chance that you were the prophesied one after he failed to kill the Potter boy as an infant. When he came after your father, we knew he knew something that he would not share with his most trusted. Then he threatened Atropa if she refused to deliver you to him. We could not put Draco at risk. We did what was logical to protect you and Draco. For all of his insanity, Dumbledore did have hiding Harry in the muggle world correct. We followed suit," Lucius had explained in resignation.
Before they left, they handed Nyx a small box and instructed her to open it when she was ready to learn more about her parents, as most of their items and memories were hidden within. Lucius had Dellworth bring the pensieve to the Peverell Manor and set it up in a study for her and offered copies of his memories for her to sort through as she felt ready to handle them. Narcissa had offered hers, as well. Draco and Nyx watched as silvery hair-like strands were extracted from their heads with their wands and placed into vials. Each one magically naming itself in the process. Once they copied their memories for Nyx, Lucius asked if she would speak to him privately.
Hesitantly, she stepped into the corridor with him, her hand on her wand. She knew she had forgiven Narcissa, but forgiving Lucius was proving to be more difficult than she thought. He had put innocent children in danger over the years, and nearly killed Ginny Weasley in the process. Her heart wanted her to be the little girl she had memories of and called him "Uncle Lucius" and mean it, but her mind kept her wary and guarded. Her hand twitched as he glanced where her hand sat on her wand. "Nyx, there is-" he began.
"Lucius, I want to forgive you, but I can't yet. You.. You did some unspeakable things and I am just not ready," Nyx interrupted him. She watched his expression turn colder before he softened and nodded his head.
"I understand. Please, protect Draco. He is going to feel inclined to obey the Dark Lord. The only way to prevent his mark from becoming permanent is to fight it and stop progressing through the ranks. I saw a glimpse of it earlier when he rolled his sleeve up before he noticed and rolled it back down. That redness is necessary. It means he is fighting it. He has months left before it should disappear. But he stops here and now, any demands from the Dark Lord, he cannot obey. I do not want him to follow my path," Lucius's voice soft and similar to the one from her memories. This was the father she knew he should have been to Draco. "Everything we did… It was to protect him. Please…" His implorations twisted around her heart like a vice.
"I will do what I can to protect him, but there are no more secrets from you. I am not asking you to betray Voldemort, but I am telling you that if you want Draco and I to fight this, you will need to betray Voldemort," she stood taller and glanced towards the door where Narcissa and Draco sat on the other side, talking. "Leave copies of any future memories we will need with Dellworth. When I come home on breaks, I will look at them with Draco". She turned and went back into the study.
"Of course," she heard Lucius say before he called out for Narcissa informing her that they would need to leave.
"Draco, you are staying here with Nyx. She is the sole Secret Keeper, now. You are safest here. I will have Dellworth move anything you need here," Narcissa smiled softly at her son and handed Nyx a pendant similar to her own. Turning to face Nyx, "This is safest with you. Once the Dark Lord discovers who you are, and that this is the only other secret keeper, he will attempt to use it and will Imperius me to hand it over. Have Dellworth or one of your house-elves destroy and scatter it. Even better if they can attach one piece to your current one. Remember, nothing is impenetrable, especially if there is more than one way to enter," she kissed Nyx's forehead before wrapping Draco into a tight hug.
"We will call on you when it is safe, and Dellworth will assist you back to Hogwarts when it is time," Lucius stated as he wrapped his arm around his wife and escorted her to the floo. "Close the floo as soon as we leave, Draco. And do not open it unless you are travelling to us". Draco affirmed that we would close it and they finished their farewells.
xXx
"Nyx, do you think Hogwarts will adjust like Kronos wrote in his journal?" Draco asked from his position beside her on the sofa. It had been five days and they were due to return to Hogwarts the next day.
"I hope so," Nyx smiled at the ease she felt with Draco. They had their difficult conversations, she explained what Lucius told her, her stipulations, and how they would need to interact to move on with their friendship. He had slept beside her every night since his parents left them to themselves. Neither were ready to admit that returning to Hogwarts would put an end to the comfort they cocooned themselves in the last few days. She had jinxed him twice, but only twice.
Draco and Nyx found themselves back in her bedchambers, both dressed in black pyjama pants and their respective house colours for pyjama shirts, hers a lower cut than his. This had been their arrangement since she woke with nightmares that first night alone in her bedchambers in the manor. Her scream woke Draco, who ran in with his wand at the ready. He sat beside her and gently roused her until she was awake enough to explain the nightmare. Torture. She had witnessed Atropa be tortured and as her memories came back, this was one dream that kept repeating. Draco wrapped her into his arms that night and she cried herself back to sleep, listening to his heartbeat.
Trust. Safety. And another emotion they both refused to acknowledge. This bubble they created was about to be challenged. She settled against his chest and held his marked arm in her hand, tracing around it, never touching it. She glanced up at him and saw his eyes darken from the light grey she was used to to nearing black as the back of her finger traced the side of his marked arm and towards his bicep. His arm wrapped around her tightened and she heard his heart beating faster. "Draco…" she whispered before she felt her own heart race. He took the hand that was tracing his mark and placed it over his heart before he took her chin and awkwardly leaned forward towards her lips.
"Nyx". His lips ghosted over hers before hers crashed into his with a moan of longing. He pulled her up on top of him, as he attempted to deepen their kiss. She refused, as her logical mind regained control and she began to pull away.
"We can't," she said breathlessly as she broke the kiss. "Not like this". His grasp flexed before tightening on her hips. "I want-" his lips grazed her neck. "-this. But we need to do this-" a nip at her pulse caused her to ground herself into him and another moan to escape. "-the right way". She successfully pushed herself up, breaking their stupor in its entirety. His eyes returned to the light grey she was used to and his hands fell to his sides.
"As you wish, Lady," he relented and inhaled deeply. The nickname he had decided was hers because of her status. The one he used when he was attempting to break the ice. The one she had not heard in days. Her heart began to pound, not in excitement, but in fear. She stood quickly and exited to her balcony, where she stared at the sky.
"Draco," she turned and called out, only to find his absence from her bedchambers. Her heart plummeted into her stomach. She decided to sit in her study and read more from her father's journals about how Hogwarts had always adjusted for his needs and desires. She knew the school would offer her anything she requested. It had created a room out of nowhere and returned the items that belonged to her. Her fears were not rooted in how Hogwarts would adjust, but how the students and staff would adjust to her. Draco accepted her as she is, but returning to Hogwarts with the uncertainty of acceptance, the fear caused her blood to run cold.
Draco found her in the study, her father's journal in her lap as she slept in the oversized armchair by the window, the next morning. He had spent his night pacing in the room she had given him. His dishevelled hair and pyjamas mirrored the dark circles under his eyes. He stepped into the study and reached out for her once he reached the chair. Before he could touch her, he pulled his hand back. He leant over and kissed the crown of her head before he turned to leave. "Draco, I apologise," he heard her soft whisper as her hand found his. "I'm scared of returning". She admitted before she stood, placing the journal in the seat she had vacated.
"We leave in an hour, you need to make amends with it, and you will not be alone, Nyx. I will be beside you, even if that means sleeping in the Room of Requirement with you every night. I am not leaving your side," his words soothed a small part of the fear that had taken hold. He released her hand and left before his next actions could cause her to feel as unsettled as he had unintentionally done the night before.
xXx
Draco and Nyx stood facing the train in King's Cross Station. Their fingers entwined and a plan to sit together in an empty compartment had been created. Draco insisted that they would need the help of a few Slytherins that would not report back to their parents. Nyx, trusting her safety with him, did not counter his plan. They knew house loyalties were changing, and in a few short days, the Sorting Hat would be changing all of their paths. They needed to make it through until then. Finding an empty compartment, Nyx entered and Draco followed her in. They placed their trunks in the rack and sat side by side, fingers laced as they enjoyed the silence, before the inevitable happened. Blaise and Theo poked their heads in and asked if Draco minded if they joined. Draco nodded before turning to face Nyx, who had decided to refuse to drink the Polyjuice Potion and alter her appearance back to Hermione Granger, as Harry Potter walked by. Harry Potter blanched at the blonde woman holding Draco's hand and his wand was out before anyone could gather who Nyx was. Blaise, Theo, and Draco trained their wands on the intruder, as Nyx slowly stood and raised her own, never releasing Draco's hand.
"Harry". He knew that voice. Blaise and Theo turned to face her, taking their eyes off the wizard prepared to attack, glancing her over, spotting the joined hands, before turning back towards Harry.
"Hermione? What have you done?" the accusation fell from his lips in a desperate sigh as Harry's eyes fell to the fingers interlaced and tightly grasping one another, if their white knuckles were anything to go by. "Who are you?!" Anger began simmering and bubbling out. The train lurched forward and began to travel the familiar path to Hogsmeade Station.
Author's Note:
"Ad diminuendum et sacculus" is Latin for 'to reduce in size and satchel.'
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