Defiant Blood - Blood and Bone Saga

Chapter 13

Ron's exploration had taken a while, just to orientate his surroundings, but it wasn't a case of size or open spaces. It was a matter of nerve and realising what amounts of it he had. He found that the darkness here arrived quickly. When he and Mad-Eye had arrived, the sky was cut down the middle, a large royal blue taking over in the winter sky. The regal colour quickly fading to black with only the long-distance sky some miles away hinting at a lighter world as the sky reflected the grounded snow. There were no cities here, no great quantity of house and streetlight to mask the stars in the night sky.

The truth was he was far out in the middle of nowhere. No one he could think of who could help, "How could I reach them!" Then there was the obvious matter that he'd been left with, while thrilled and grateful, an arm that seemed useless. It hung heavy on his frame, unmoving to any thoughts, try as he might, to bring it into life.

"Heavy isn't it". Ron had said to Julious.

"Well, you're so big", he simply teased, a smile forming on his lips.

"If you're worried, grow stronger", Moody threw his jab in.

Julious had explained the slapping, the act caused pain, anger and necessity for his mind to sharply tell his body to protect him. It was subconscious and this kicked it into action. And then there was the lack of any movement after. The two were connected, Ron's brain needed to start sending signals to his arm again, and Mors Manus needed to learn to interpret these. The longer he went, the more control he'd gain but it would take time. But there were ways to trick both body and mind to work together quicker.

So, for now it hung heavy on him, his wand clutched tightly in his, thankfully intact dominant hand. He had to admit to himself though, that while sort of useless, the weight of the new arm did make some difference with bringing back his balance with a wand. It's tip now illuminating the world through the wand lighting charm. This took a moment or two too. The freedom to use magic out of school was unnerving but he pushed past with the predicament he was now in.

The areas were large and gated, from what he'd seen so far. With long since overgrown fields and large square parade yard that Ron suspected had the sounds of recruits stood to attention within it's echoes of the past.

When he passed a large assault course the prospect of just what went into the training to be an Auror hit him. "They don't mess about", he thought. There didn't seem to be any real security wards in place, perhaps the grounds perimeter was enough, just not enough to keep Mad-Eye out. But he'd found this out as he'd used something as simple as a basic unlocking charm on the door to one of the main buildings.

He entered the intimidating structure as he realised, he didn't need to steady much nerve, he was already accepting a calmness that he'd been accustomed to before. Dark and full of shadow the outer grounds might be, but it still felt somehow safer in open space. Ron was vulnerable, he knew this. His scrap with Moody had shown him how off he'd been since he recovered, he was no better with the new arm right now.

Surprised with just how controlled he felt as he entered such an unknown place, he was starting to remember this confidence was something he'd not felt since his distant ethereal traveling. The building's structure was like that of a formal manor house. Ten years of stagnation he figured, as he looked around at the dust and lack of much else. Dust was an ally to the eye though as he guessed any footprints or such like would suggest recent movement. He observed large classrooms throughout, a huge mess hall and, adjoining through a side door of the house, a large open practical training room.

With nothing seemingly to do here Ron left, happy that this was another area he could class as devoid of life. Now he just needed a place to get warm and perhaps, sleep. It didn't take long to find what became his next best guess for such a place. Two large buildings on the opposite side of the parade yard stood parallel to one another. He entered with the same ease as the main building and found an open planned barracks, lined with some twenty beds. Each bed had its own wardrobe, footlocker and side table. This was repeated down both sides until it reached a room marked 'showers/WC'. Ron inspected all of the nothing it had to offer and left for the building's twin.

His mind told him, as he entered, he could rest at ease after another cursory glance within showed he was alone. He found the place as he expected to, a mirror image of the other barracks. Ron exited the showers last, satisfied he was categorically alone.

There was a loud bang as wood met steel, a flash of light and shout of some incantation, unclear to Ron's ear. The source was only visible to his eye as a dark figure moving towards him fast. At the first sight of the flash of light and scream of magic Ron had already dived. Heavy and cumbersome he landed awkwardly, forcing himself to roll upright behind a desk central to the room. His wand clutched tightly he jumped to his feet, wand aloft, poised scorpion-like to strike.

"Stupefy!" he shouted, it was loud, fierce… and off target. "Shit!"

He saw the figure close the distance with an unnerving threat of an advance that wasn't based in magic. It was just rushing him, dark, hooded and focused. Ron jumped the table, vaulting over on one hand, legs kicking over the top. The figure followed his movements, turning quickly to advance on him. Ron sprinted now, desperate to create distance, but his balance was all to cock. He flung himself to the floor, purposely falling into a slide so that he could aim from another angle.

"Expelliarmus!" "Fuck!"

Ron scrambled again, turning right now he jumped, again vaulting a bed in his way. Unable to look back he heard a crash as his attacker seemed to have collided with an obstacle. Turning again he dropped to his knees, a small skid as he spun round. This time his arm held out, eyes down the length of his wand as he aimed.

"Stupefy!" There was an almighty clatter as the figure flew backwards, smashing into a wardrobe that shattered. Wand still tight in his grip, Ron fell to his hands, panting as his eyes never left the mess of wood and robes where the attacker lay. He would never notice that in that second his new arm went from limp to palm down on the floor, supporting his weight as the other did.

Knowing he was still at a disadvantage he stood, wand held tightly, trained on the hooded shape. He wished he could grip his wand in two hands, wished he could grasp it round the neck while keeping it trained on its throat.

Standing over it he swung his foot, letting it collide with the intruder's side. Ron howled, hopping on one foot as pain shot up his leg. His foot had collided with something solid and heavy, not a set of ribs as he'd intended. A bark of laughter made him turn, wand held out like a rifle, trained ready to fire.

"You're not supposed to break your foot you idiot", Mad-Eye's voice rang out.

"You! You did this… you", Ron fumed as he stared down at the head in the now lit fireplace behind him. Ron couldn't let his guard down as he kept and eye on what seemed to be a now staged attacker. He went back to the heap by the upturned bed. Using his foot to hook the hood on the robe, wand still trained on it. "Oh, you shit-house!" Ron laughed darkly, though he found no humour in this. The attacker had been a wheeled training dummy, like the ones the DA used.

He collapsed to his rear in front of the fire, no longer needing the warmth as his blood pumped hot within, sweat beading his forehead. "You", he panted a little, but oddly he realised only from the adrenalin and not because of fear or panic, "You were doing that!" he accused.

"I wish I were that good, I couldn't control that thing from my living room, but I know a man who can", Mad-Eye laughed.

"So, you and Dumbledore are sat having a drink and running me ragged in this shithole", Ron grumbled.

"Guilty!" Rang a voice from the fire, behind Ron's mentor, Dumbledore's distinctive cheeriness ringing out.

"Right. So, test complete, not very well I'll admit", he grumbled, "so can I come over now, I'm nakard and done with this".

"Sorry lad, meant what I said", Mad-Eye actually seemed pained at this, "It's best for you to stay there, it'll be good for you. But I wouldn't say 'not very well', not perfect sure, but you did well in your condition. And happily, done enough to deserve this…". Ron watched with a cold frown as Mad-Eye disappeared, a hand now coming through the flames, dropping a large drawstring bag before his face returned. "I'll leave you to get through that lot and get some kip, I'll see you tomorrow".

Some time in the dead of night, Ron found himself somewhat contempt in the bed closest to the fireplace which was now only a warm glow. The bedding from the bag he was handed was clean and comfortable at least, and the remains of the chicken drumsticks he'd seemingly earnt by defeating the training dummy.

He smiled, "Silly old fucker", it was just like Mr Constant-Vigilance to make him work for his supper. But right now, he'd passed, his belly was sated and his lids weighing heavy over his eyes.

Ron's eyes had closed now, his mind was slipping blissfully unaware that he was switching off and his hand twitching as it did so. Once again, as it had many times now, it flexed into a balled fist as thoughts of Pansy assaulted him. Wounding and comforting all the same.

"Ron!"

It was barely a whisper in his ear, it made him twitch in what was not quite yet true sleep. He grunted and swatted his hand though bothered by an irritated fly. He would never know that it was Mors Manus that did the swatting at his unconscious will.

"Ron, please come to me".

Again, the voice was barely a whisper, but it was able to bring him around that bit more. His vision came too in the dark, his wounded eye was now working as well as it had in the Umbra Court, he wasn't straining against the shadows.

"Get up Ron, help me!"

Now Ron sat up, a sense of dread pressing against him, driving him to his feet. But Ron was worried, wand in hand he stood. He wasn't dreaming, he knew he wasn't, he was filling with that strange confidence but now it was thick around him, like armour. It was beginning to give him a sense of understanding that he hadn't felt since the Night Realm.

"What's more, it's the Night Realm that this voice has me thinking of", Ron said, thinking out loud. The memory of external thoughts stilled him, "bad habits", he managed to keep within his head. But that didn't stop the point of his musings, "It's not my dread I'm feeling".

He knew he was right; he wasn't scared, which was a worrisome thought in itself because worry was scratching at the back of his mind. So, it reinforced the notion that these were someone else's emotions he was feeling. He also knew he was awake; this was no dream. And the reason he was becoming so worried, so concerned within that knowledge, was that he had felt this cold chill before, moments before first meeting him.

"Corvus!" Ron said aloud, he didn't shout, he knew he didn't need to. "I feel you; I feel your scared". Ron's back was up, he shouldn't be hearing him, let alone feeling his emotions.

"Yes Ron, you hear me", the voice was still quiet, close by, surrounding him. Ron stepped out through the doors of the barracks, the doors that he'd set the Caterwauling charm to ward around the building. Anything close by would have set it off. But Ron knew Corvus wasn't there, not in any physical sense, though he couldn't explain this, he simply knew he was close by.

Feeling a pull of something guiding him Ron followed, the further he went the more he realised, he was scared, he was scared for his friend.

Ron turned past an outbuilding; old streetlamps marking the outskirts of the parade yard just beyond. All were out, until one wasn't, suddenly flickering on and off. It struck him immediately because he could see as it flashed that the light was smashed. It flickered again, there was a shadow beneath the light in the split second it flashed, a shade stood looming.

Ron stopped when he reached it, the light didn't flicker anymore, but he felt the presence.

"Corvus?" he whispered.

"Ron!" He whispered back.

"I see you, at least with my dead eye". Ron's eye saw nothing but the dark of night, his black eye was taking in a towering shape that loomed over him, it was a sight he'd missed for the longest time.

"Corvus, you're not here, are you?"

"No", his voice felt like it was coming through Ron silently, vibrating, pained and fearful, "I am lost, I feel anger and hate, I don't like this Ron". He reeled, it was a subtle movement but one that Ron wasn't used to seeing, it was pain. He didn't know how he knew this but he did. "I'm doing what I can to reach you… but something holds me back… I'm trapped… I can't be with you completely"

"Where are you?" Ron felt desperate, in the moment Corvus felt like his closest friend. Beyond Hermione or Harry, the thought was insane, but it felt true. Someone was hurting him, anger burned within at this. "How are you here, how do I see you, are you here in Celestia?".

"I fell, from shadow…", he swayed uncomfortably, "I am lost Ron, this Is not death nor living, I am trapped".

"Who's hurting you?" Ron urged, seething at the idea.

"Don't… know!" he strained. "I feel the anger of another, the rage of a soul not my own".

Ron's eyes watered, "I've missed you", he confessed.

"Pansy is lost to you, isn't she?" Corvus' voice shook within him and Ron felt yet more anger, still not his own, it was Corvus who was angered by this.

"How do you know?" Ron stepped forward.

Corvus stilled now, strength rooting him just enough to pass the internal struggle. "You reach out to me, at night when you dream. I wish to guide you". He strained again, the voice reaching Ron's mind trembled, "but… can't!" Again, he tried, "your eyes are as dead as mine were, when I lost my Rook, you must fight Ron".

"I don't know what to do", single stray tears floated his cheeks, "first P… Pansy… now you, what do I do!"

"I was born to shadow, but I see now you belong to it too, we are the same. Now darkness takes us both. But the darkest times show us the brightest strengths, you must find yours".

"I've just been fucking around playing games", Ron ground out, anger getting the better of him now. "Wasting time feeling sorry for myself, shopping in markets while she's… and now you…".

"You needed healing, you must accept this. You were broken, now you rebuild", Corvus emphasised his words, he wasn't for debating this.

"Where are you, how will I find you", Ron asked worried he wouldn't be able to help him.

"I can not leave, I come now in fleeting moments, I only see the world through another's eyes".

"If I'm to find you… I need more than that brother", something of Ron was reaching out now, and he felt something of Corvus reaching back to him.

"Mord!

"Bloody Mord!"

Corvus rocked, leaning in that same pained manner, "I can not remain here Ron. You must push yourself; she needs you, they both do!"

"Both?" Ron said confused, "No wait Corvus, don't go… how do I find you?" Ron was shouting now.

"Ron… I am sorry", the voice distant in his mind now, "I will find a way to guide you…".

Draco sat bolt upright in his bed, the sheets surrounding him were disturbed by movement, damp with sweat. Only the dark surrounded him, and as it had so often in his childhood a paralysis hit him as feint moonlight cast shadows to spindle around him. Twisting forms moved around his bed, distant creaks and gurgling from the old pipes casting an audible track to the terror that haunted his younger self.

In the moment he almost cried out for Dobby, as he did so often as a youngster, the elf was his only comfort at night. His parents room so far from his own, they always failed to hear his screams, as they did now. He realised he'd been crying out in his sleep again.

"I am no child", he thought bitterly, determination grounding him.

His head turned as he thought he heard a whisper in his mind, something so silent it was to ears what a breath on the neck was. It was his neck though that now chilled, gooseflesh rising and the hairs standing on end. Fear flooded him. "I am no child!" he thought, pained by the reality that he was petrified.

He'd woke like this once before, back when the dreams that haunted him of the Dark Lord suddenly vanished. They were replaced by something new, something dark and unseen by his eyes, but ever present, behind his own. That night he was in his dormitory, surrounded by his friends yet so alone and fearful. At least there he felt their presence, now he truly was alone. It didn't matter how angrily he forced the words; he knew he was no child, but it did nothing to quell the anxiety.

He looked to his side, the glass of water he relied on so much at night of late was empty. His eye's drifted to his bathroom, the only source of water. He couldn't go in there, not now, at night. The memory of what he saw in the mirror that night, with someone else staring back at him caused such terror he had emptied his bladder at the sight of it. He trembled as his throat dried, forcing his hand.

"Ro… Rolo" he hissed, too scared to make any noise. "Rolo… please help me!" But he didn't appear, Draco's mind shuddered. If he put his legs out to stand, would the monster under his bed grab his foot? If he walked past the old wardrobe, would it open, swallowing him whole? If he went into the bathroom, would the vision that panicked him so return?

"I… I am no… no child!" He tried again, pushing back the silly thoughts of his youth.

He turned on his bum, legs out of his quilt, raised off the floor. He touched down on the polished wood, nothing snatched at him. He sighed a small amount of relief. He stood, but the room seemed bigger, taller somehow, or was he smaller. Was he six again, too scared to make it to the toilet, relying on Dobby to come to his rescue and hold his hand.

Draco spat at the memory, wishing death on the elf for seeing anything within him of weakness. And death to Potter, for taking away his only crutch as he did when he freed the retched elf. He walked past the wardrobe, unafraid. The door to the bathroom though stumped him. A man would walk in and get his water, claim his prize without need of light, darkness should have no sway.

He swallowed in failure, lighting the candles of the sconce within as he entered. Glass in hand he filled it with the cold tap. Shaking he brought it to his mouth where he banished the arid sensation. He was still sweating and the temptation to water his face was high, but the contrast with what happened last time too great.

Draco cupped the water in his hands, it pooled, leaking from below. He had to control the shaking in him as he drove his face into the sharpness of the cold water.

"Is it bravery, or fear that compels you, Draco?"

The voice was grave, deep and terrorising. It worked in freezing him to the spot, bent over the basin, hands over his eyes, he trembled violently.

"It's… it's not… it's not real!" he desperately thought, eyes squeezed shut.

"Not real am I?" Draco's eye's widened, his hands left his face and gripped the basin as he shook. He couldn't bring himself to look up. "I'm as real as the blood you drew from her back" it accused.

"N… no… I didn't, I n… never, and you're … you're just a nightmare".

"A nightmare's a matter of perspective, you're her nightmare. Why would I be your nightmare when I see so much of you in me? Look at me"

Draco brought his eye's up to the taps, just at the cusp of meeting his mirror's edge on the wall. "No!" he cried out, face dipping back down.

"You're so full of deliciousness, such a taste for anger and hate, you've no control over your emotions. It's beautiful", the voice sounded excited as it spoke now, but still all the more grave in its tone. It sounded to Draco like it didn't belong here. "Look at me! And tell me how it felt to break the girl".

"No", Draco whispered in pleading.

"Look at me!"

Draco's head had already started to rise, slowly straightening his back, but his eyes were squeezed shut.

"Do it", the voice ordered.

Draco didn't recoil when he saw it, but his breath caught as silent tears fell. "Are you going to kill me?"

"Why would I kill you, you entertain me so much".

Draco watched on as he took in the horror before him, as the giant shape leaned towards him, he saw it towered to the ceiling, a great shapeless hood concealing all beneath except for glassy black eyes, and long protruding beak.

"Who are you", he couldn't control the violence in his chest and throat as he continued to shake.

"I, I am the one you trapped here. But now, now I see that I am here to guide you!"

Pansy entered the drawing room as requested by the summons of her 'captors' as she'd come to think of them. Part of her tried to view Narcissa in a different light, but what other name could she use. The woman seemed to genuinely care, or at least fear for her son, but still she was here, trapped in her circumstances.

She entered to see Narcissa's concern covering her face, Pansy was cautious to move as freely as possible and not as gingerly as she felt. Her whole body ached but she put it beneath her.

After greeting her as cordially as needed, Pansy's eye's found Lucius and Bellatrix. "There back", she thought after their short absence. "Mr Malfoy", she bowed her head. His smile was friendly enough as he returned it, but as she bowed her eyes went to her belly and she winced. Both at the pain of the movement and the image of the little life growing within.

"Why do I care", she thought, "were dead either way". So, with that she walked straight by her aunt by marriage without offering her a glance. "Bellatrix", she grumbled, no bow, not even a further acknowledgment.

As she sat, she noticed the sheer delight in Lucious' eyes. It was no secret to Pansy that his tolerance for his sister-in-law bordered with the need to one day murder her if he could get away with it.

Then suddenly Bellatrix stood, outraged by the outward sign of disrespect. Pansy didn't care, she harboured her mothers ill feeling for the woman, the same woman who spoke ill of her dead soul.

"How dare you", Bellatrix spat.

"Did uncle fuck you bloody by the way?" Pansy said casually.

The reaction was instant in the room. Pansy had to choke back her own shock that the brain vomit had manifest with actual speech. Narcissa also choked something back while Lucious seemed to lose all composure and a small, undignified snort escaped his lips. But Bellatrix was the standout image that Pansy's eyes focused on.

Quite unlike the immediate death she'd anticipated, she was shocked to see actual colour flush the older woman's face. She winced somewhat and seemed to shrink, staggering back slowly her hands found the seat she'd leapt from and sat herself back down without further word.

Somewhat horrified by the understanding that her uncle had indeed seemingly enforced his place as head of their marriage in the bedroom, Pansy tried to eliminate this thought from her mind.

Pansy's eyes forced shut momentarily from the pain of cuts and welts on her back. It pushed her bastard of a betrothed into her head. "Where is Draco?" she asked, surprised not to see him suckling from his aunt as usual.

"Away, visiting a friend today", Narcissa spoke evenly, brushing over the direction the room had taken. "He will be home later. Actually, I called for you to speak of your uncles as a matter of fact. I wanted to inform you that one of them has just landed on the grounds, via the east gate".

Pansy stilled at this, so too had Bellatrix, she seemed to sit up straighter and shot a fearful glance at Pansy. Her uncles were back though, she thought they might have decided to abandon her after how bad everything went. "They could just be here on Death Eater business", she thought, "though why tell me?".

There was a light Pop and Rolo entered, his eye's held Pansy's gaze for a single moment, his little way of addressing her when he couldn't. "Master, Mistress, Master Lestrange and Lady Light here to see you".

"Yes", Lucious said waving the elf away, "of course send them in".

Pansy jumped to her feet as she heard his declaration, she spotted Narcissa's eye's sparkle, clearly pleased at such a response in her. "Harrier's here!", she couldn't control the sheer ache that struck at her heart.

The door's opened and in stepped her uncle Rabastan, with a surprisingly warm smile at the sight of Pansy. But before she could pay him any further mind, she saw the tall, statuesque figure of Harrier walking in as though she quite literally belonged, white blonde hair and all.

Judgment halted any further improper outbursts from Pansy as she suddenly realised her recklessness went beyond the safety of herself now. If Harrier was a guest, then Pansy had to see her get out of here as safe as she entered. She just hoped that the Death Eater connections of the Malfoy's didn't cloud Lucious' mind when it came to the Heiress of Light, her's was of course a formidably wealthy house.

Harrier stepped forward, turning almost as flawlessly as though Parisa had instructed her alongside Pansy. She lifted a wicker basket as she turned to her hosts, holding it outward as she bowed to each of the house heads.

"Mr Malfoy, Misses Malfoy, please accept these offerings as thanks for welcoming me into your home. The House of Light extends its gratitude to the House of Malfoy". She turned and passed the basket to Rolo who all but managed to lift it down gently to the ground.

The elf opened the basket for his master's to view and they both clapped their appreciation. An offering of fine wines and exquisite cheeses which Rolo carried away without word. These were the ways of old when frequenting the Houses.

"My dear", Lucious stood quickly, taking Harrier's hand and brushing his lips across her knuckles, "we are most delighted to receive you. Your parents are always welcome guests, and with such finery to offer the old ways, I applaud them". He turned to Narcissa, "Draco can be forgiven for waiting so long to ask for a match. If Hogwarts has girls such as these two, with such dedication and flawless delivery of tradition, it's a miracle he had the choice down to one".

Narcissa smiled at him, though Pansy saw that it was a dead smile, filled with well hidden distain. Pansy could make it out too, Lucious' had turned out to be somewhat of a letch around Pansy. Though he was very good at never overstepping any boundaries, perhaps the word was unfair to him, but he had a habit of showing his inner thoughts on his face, particularly around Pansy.

Narcissa offered Harrier the same greeting her husband had, then her eye's found something more worth her attention. Like her husbands had, hers seemed to wander too, as a younger, fitter male held her gaze as he now stepped through the threshold.

Pansy felt small as she looked at him, instantly upset as she remembered their last meeting, something welled within. Rabastan held a similar look, though this washed away as he looked her over and a desperate need took him. She closed the gap to him as soon as he made towards her, falling into his arms he engulfed her.

Pansy had to remind herself not to show her anxiety in this room as he held her, she breathed in his scent, and it filled her with that same strength his large presence managed. "I'm sorry", it was barely an audible whisper, no one but he could have heard it.

"Shh", he breathed silently, "it's ok, not here" he warned her. And before letting her go his arms gave another bone crunching hug, Pansy squealed in pain. He paused, pulling back, knowing something was wrong. "Pansy?" his voice was low, but his eyes had darkened.

Rabastan would probably have killed Draco if she revealed even one of her marks, that would help her no end, but she was terrified that it wouldn't. What was more, Harrier was here now, she had a duty to make sure she left where Pansy couldn't. So she shook her head, only with the slightest of movement and she allowed her eyes to find her stomach. He followed and gritted his teeth, she knew he wasn't satisfied but the gesture had worked to silence him.

"I will see you before I leave with Harrier later", he said in warning, he laced her forehead with a kiss that swooned her somewhat. The parental action was so unfamiliar to her. "Bella, Rol said he will be home within the hour, he expects you there". Bellatrix looked pale as she heard this, though as heat flooded her cheeks again Pansy saw that it wasn't quite fear that took her. Pansy wanted to wretch. "And he asked if you'd join them Lucius, for…", he glanced between the girls, "a work-related lunch".

"What, oh yes of course", he pulled his eyes from Harrier where they had been lingering, "never miss a chance to raid the Lestrange wine cellar. Come along Bellatrix, no point in waiting around here watching Rabastan and Narcissa play chess, always bores me asleep". Pansy did not fail to see the exchange the latter two gave.

Pansy looked to Narcissa who smiled and nodded for them to leave, hugging her uncle once again. "We won't disrespect your rules Narcissa", she said quietly as they passed. Pansy had a feeling Narcissa would be busying herself once everyone else left.

Pansy and Harrier's footsteps echoed along the polished wooden floor as they walked the corridor to her room, the wing being as quiet as always. Pansy opened the door for her, as silently as they had remained since leaving the drawing room. Closing the door, she spotted the look of shock on Harrier's face at her living quarters.

They faced off only feet from one another in the small place, Harrier raised a finger to the ceiling in questioning.

"Warded", Pansy said through her tears. With that Harrier nodded, her own tears releasing as they crashed against one another, crying as they sank to Pansy's bed. They spent even more time going over just what happened from the moment she left, filling each other in as best they could.

"Pansy", Harrier began, an unknown amount of time passed until they were able to reign in their emotions after being suddenly reunited.

"Harrier please, don't ask me what possessed me, you know what and you know why", Pansy said sadly. She stroked Harrier's face, trying to show just how much her being their meant to her. "Did you bring it?" she asked nervously.

"I did", Harrier said with a very strained and serious breath of exasperation. "Do you realise how much inquisition I've been subjected to. As soon as I got a reply, I had half the school administration at the gates to the estate".

"What did they do?"

"Grilled me!" she accused gently, "not before mother demanded to know what I got myself into. Poppy's so angry with you for leaving, and I've never seen Snape so livid".

Pansy's hand was on her stomach again, she paused as she noticed, so had Harrier. She stood quickly and dragged the girl into her bathroom. "We can't do it in there, I only feel safe in here".

Harrier's nose wrinkled at the sight. "How are you expected to live in this… postage stamp!"

"Narcissa tried to offer me a suite after my uncles came and threatened them all, but I refused", she locked eyes with her, Harrier showing her disbelief, "it's the furthest from that sadists room".

Pansy nodded at her as though waiting for something and Harrier gave her an exasperated look already. "Pansy, I haven't seen you in weeks. I can't just drop it all and play Healer, were all so hurt and confused, and worried sick!" she added the last with force.

Pansy bit back the urge to shout of her own pain, "I can only imagine my feelings if the roles were reversed", she said in earnest. Then she shuddered, "although, the way Lucious was… the roles really could be reversed".

Harrier visibly heaved, "pig! Is he like that often? Urgh", she grimaced at Pansy's sombre nod. She watched as Pansy began to step out of her dress and accepted, she wasn't getting out of there without completing the absurdity from within her letter. Taking out a pouch from around her neck she coughed and again pointed upwards. Pansy nodded in knowing and Harrier understood she could use magic here. She grew the pouch and began to arrange the delicate crystals she'd been loaned by Poppy Pomphrey to sneak in.

"What the fuck is that!" Harrier shouted despite herself. She grabbed at Pansy as her finger traced close to the some ten or so welts across her back. "Who!"

"Harrier please keep it down", Pansy pleaded.

"I said who?" she grit her teeth, turning her to face her.

"Draco, but no one knows, if my uncles find out they'll kill him…".

"Then there finding out!" Harrier threatened, "I'll do the little prick myself".

"Harrier I can't, you can't", she pleaded. "Look at me, sneaking you in to give me a pregnancy test, once they find out I'm dead. I've been living as recklessly as I dare but now, I can't help feeling I need to protect her from my own stupidity. I need to go back to playing this game properly again, if were to survive it".

"Her?" Harrier stilled

Pansy shook her head, "it's complicated, I don't even know where I get it from. But what if I'm wrong and there's a way I can get out of this alive. If I really am pregnant, I have to protect… it… as much as I can. If Rodolphus and Rabastan don't feel they can get me out, then what chance do we have".

"They know?"

"I told them, just as Rodolphus told me he was the one who snatched Ronald, the big one who guided me in after the others left", she added bitterly.

Harrier's hands went to her temples, and she took a moment. "How the fuck did we get to this Pansy!" She took the girls hands now as her eyes watered, "How are you even pregnant!"

Pansy sighed. She pulled her friend down to the floor where she lay, quite exposed now in only her underwear and guided her hands to where the crystals were. "Pansy, I'm no Healer, I can only do as Poppy showed me".

"It's ok, it's better than nothing. Just try for me, please", Pansy tried to bat her eyelashes, "what did Poppy tell you by the way?"

"The truth, it would seem". Her hand went to Pansy's stomach where she allowed herself to rest it there. Pansy's hand resting on top. "I didn't believe her until she all but forced me to, when I saw that she wasn't messing. Told me about what happened with Molly Weasley, your labour!" the last she said with accusation now.

"Something's messed us up…".

"…Yes, time, so I've been told". Harrier sat up, staring down at her with a sharp glare. She transfigured one of the towels into a soft blanket and lay it over Pansy where she didn't need to be exposed. Picking up the first crystal she held it aloft, trying to copy Poppy's instructions. "That still means the two of you… did it".

"We… we did", Pansy flushed.

Harrier too blushed, she'd known the moment she read her letter of course, but hearing it made it all real. She broke from her concentration to glare at Pansy.

"Oh, erm in the Hospital wing and… in St Mungo's".

"That really sounds like some weird kink", Harrier sneered. It brought a welcome laugh from Pansy. "I can't believe you never said anything to any of us".

"I never got the chance, it was the morning we all went to the pub together, it… well we know how it went".

"You went through all that, losing him, and on the day you two…", Harrier sighed, "I'm sorry Pansy".

Harrier listened as Pansy went into the details of what drove her that morning, the loss she felt when she woke and the need to never let go of him or open her eyes. As she went onto their second encounter, Harrier got the impression that this was a long overdue conversation. The girl had had no chance to decompress over anything.

"So, you know…" Harrier said slowly, her change in tone made Pansy pay her more attention. "Well I was just wondering…".

"What?"

"Well come on", Harrier laughed, "he's like six and a half foot or something stupid like that, does make one wonder".

Pansy raised herself to her elbows, she tutted as Harrier pushed her back down as she held two crystals now and focused on the movements they made. Pansy huffed, "what exactly are you asking?"

"Hell's Bell's Pansy do keep up", Harrier rolled her eyes when she didn't catch on, "Is one's sword as mighty as the warrior?" She smiled as the girl blushed.

Pansy's eyebrows raised as understanding hit her, "that's… I can't tell you that".

"Girl please, you forget I've seen you drunk, I've seen you pretending a bottle neck was his… wouldn't take your lips off it. So did it… do the job?" They laughed a little but Harrier hadn't dismissed the question and Pansy's cheeks flushed. "Oh I see, that good!"

"Well, yes but… ok look, so maybe he's rather in proportion to the rest of him, maybe more so… erm well, maybe outrageously more so".

"Bugger me! So Horse by nature as well as name", Harrier smirked, "did it hurt?"

Pansy tried to sit up again, only to be pushed back down. "Of course it did. I was bloody terrified of it, I was in agony until, well, until everything went…beautiful", she breathed at the memory. "But you know what It's like right". There was something in the way Harrier had asked that made her question her back.

Harrier's concentration broke. "Well, there was that Beauxbatons boy I went to the dance with last year. But I chickened out, but no. You're the first of all of us". She considered her for a moment, "do you regret it?"

"Oh" Pansy breathed, somewhat put out by how sharp the question sat in her mind. She thought about this and how she truly felt about it all. There was something more than simply being in love with the boy now to consider. Their actions might just have placed them in a very unfortunate position, at what felt like the start of war, during a desperate time for them both. But the answer was simple and unchanging in her heart. "I'd risk everything to do it again with him", she admitted.

"Fuck!" Harrier whispered.

"Fuck", Pansy agreed.

"No… Fuck!" Harrier stared down at the crystal.

"Fuck?" Pansy sat up on her elbows a third time, no hand forced her back down now. "You're sure!"

"No, I'm not sure, I'm a kid with a crash course under her belt but…" She set her jaw as she looked from the jewel to Pansy again, "It's saying your… your pregnant". Her hand found her mouth as her other found Pansy's stomach again. An aunt like possessiveness hitting her already. "Pansy what the hell are we going to do!"

"I don't know", she admitted, her eyes were watery but nothing much threatened. "I've had a week of morning sickness without failure, this isn't some huge shock to me but…".

"…But there it is".

"Yeah, here it is", Pansy's hand cupped Harrier's as it rested there.

An hour later the two were walking out into the light fall of snow, wrapped heavily against the cold. They had remained in almost complete silence as Harrier insisted on repeating the test that returned the same result. It was some five minutes into the walk and a heavy Incomunicados charm later that they felt safe enough to speak.

"I think you've another month, two at most before you start to show", Harrier spoke into her as they walked linked together. "I can't do anything like Poppy can and tell you how far along you are".

"I'm coming up on six weeks", Pansy said flatly.

"Should that even show up on a test yet", Harrier asked.

"It showed up later the same night we first did it!" Pansy pointed out.

"This is so fucking impossible", Harrier rubbed at her temple again.

"Harrier, it's all impossible. My entire life has seemingly ended, even if I can get through this alive, I'll be starting over from the ground up".

Harrier stopped with a fearful look. "That's true, isn't it. God's, I've not even considered it all as a whole but everything's been taken from you. Pansy I'm so sorry", she held onto her hands tighter.

"What is it?" Pansy asked as she saw her look around quickly.

"I have to speak with you". Harrier said nervously, Pansy noticed her eyes go to her watch.

"What have we been doing", Pansy laughed.

"No Pansy", Harrier moved closer to her and Pansy's face hardened as Harrier's tone changed, " I really need to talk and you must listen. Everything's going sideways out there, more than I think you realise. Dumbledor's gone, fleeing from the Ministry on some jumped up charges". Harrier shook her head, "Don't interrupt love, just listen…".

Pansy listened, eyes wide, the edges of her vision blurred as her body tingled. Harrier's words seemed to be carried to her from a distance while her view was taken up entirely by her face. Pansy's head reeled as she stood routed to the spot, Harrier's words literally hypnotizing her.

"Pansy… allow me to penetrate your mind!" Harrier's voice echoed.

"It only feels like we've had an hour", Pansy pouted softly.

"I know but…", Harrier Dropped her voice as Rabastan and Narcissa were so close, "…we have to respect that we don't matter in the greater plan, his plan".

"I respect the Dark Lord's crusade, but it is hard, missing you"", Pansy hugged her. She didn't see Rabastan's eye's narrow as he listened. His niece's word's, a stark opposite from what he knew her true feelings reflected.

"Once he wins, we'll be free to visit often… Mrs Malfoy", Harrier smiled at Pansy.

"Almost, but not quite", she shrugged, turning to Narcissa and extending a smile.

Narcissa smiled back, "I'm glad you understand at least why I'm not at liberty to extend to you more time". Both girls bowed their heads before they turned to hold each other again. "Our plans for a Christmas-New Years wedding might have changed, but we will soon be hosting an engagement party to honour the match. I trust you will look for our extension to your House Harrier, we would be honoured to have you again".

Harrier curtsied and bowed her head, "I will demand father moves heaven and earth to free his diary for the date".

Rabastan stepped forward, "by your leave Miss Light", he said courteously. He stopped when he reached Pansy and leaned into meet her face. "Are you ok?" he asked in searching.

"I am uncle", her head dipped, hiding her eyes from him, "I'm sorry for what was said, to you and uncle Rodolphus… I… Understand now".

His hand found her face; his thumb stroking her cheek as he gave her eye's a penetrating stare. Something of the way her eye's dilated spoke to him. But the thought stopped as he looked past it and saw the pain in them now. "I'm sorry too", he whispered, "I will tell him, and we will visit you more", he tried to assure her.

Pansy turned back to Harrier as they made to leave; falling into each other's eyes again, Pansy's eyes dilated further as something struck at her again. "Goodbye", she spoke wistfully.

Harrier strode out into the gardens once again, her chaperone at her side once again as they crunched through the snow.

"I hope you were both able to enjoy what short time you both had", Rabastan said quietly.

"I think we made the most of it, thank you Mr Lestrange, Sir. I have missed her so, we all have", Harrier said with a note of airiness.

They made it to the old travel point where he would Floo her back to her estate and leave her side once she was escorted to her door by him. As they reached the point they turned to each other, Rabastan sighed taking out his wand.

"Obliviate!"

"Pansy", Narcissa said as the girl watched them disappear to the fall of snow after some time, she turned. "Can come with me please".

Pansy followed and Narcissa fidgeted with her wand in hand, an unhappy look on her face. She waved her hand and two chairs from the dining room table turned to face one another.

"Sit please my dear", she spoke sadly now. Pansy sat without word, a strange smile crossing her lips as she looked at Narcissa, it pained the older woman.

"Legilimens!"

Pansy's face twisted as her mind was invaded. The pain she felt was joined by no sound as she wordlessly scrunched up her eyes in a grimace. Eventually there was a scream, but it didn't come from Pansy. Narcissa toppled her chair as she stood, hands clutching her mouth. Tears streamed her face instantly as she looked at the girl who harboured such a secret.

"That's enough!" Mad-Eye shouted, his voice loud and rough. "I'm bloody nakard".

"About time", Ron shouted back, he picked up his pace to a jog as he closed the gap across the parade yard. He didn't think that a sluggish march over would be quite as well received as showing a bit of effort. "I'm starving".

"You've surprised the hell out of me lad", Mad-Eye grunted as he regained his composure panting. He waved his wand in long arches and the collection of dummies and targets collapsed into a large box. "I was impressed with your reaction's last night; I wasn't expecting such an improvement in your aim so quickly.

"Argh", Ron sighed loudly. "It'll be this bloody thing", he shrugged his shoulder, "getting my balance back a bit". They had started with some short distance stuff, gradually getting further until back he was firing over two-hundred meters away. "Hey, I felt the fingers moving before, when I got really into it".

"That's good, you're busying your frontal lobe with the task at hand, your brains doing the rest behind the scenes. At least that's what Julious used to tell me when I got my leg". He regained himself; he had to work hard controlling the Dummies as Ron started to counter with quicker and quicker spell work. "And no, I wasn't talking about your balance, yes that's the lesson, but it's the attitude". They started to walk back towards the barracks as they spoke. "I don't know what boots kicked you up the arse but, you've kicked it into another gear today lad".

They entered and Mad-Eye collected another drawstring bag. They walked down to Ron's make shift lounge he'd put together. "I've shit to be getting on with Mad-Eye", he turned to him. "You told me you'd turn me into a monster if I let you", he crossed his arms, flexing, "I'm not wasting either of our time moaning. If I need to stay in the arse end of nowhere, then here I stay. If you say smash through that wall, I take it on head first".

"Er… lad!" Mad-Eye said with a small smile as Ron went on.

"No honestly", Ron pushed, "I've… this isn't about me, or maybe it is, but it's about me getting my shit together but it goes beyond that. I'm … what?" he said irritated as Mad-Eye started to laugh. His mentor nodded his head at his chest and Ron looked down. "Shit!", he exclaimed as he saw it, "I crossed my arms!"

"You did", suddenly Mad-Eye lunged forwards, hands raised like an old boxer advancing on his opponent.

"Hey, watch it", Ron shouted as he jumped back, but he paused again, mouth open. Now looking as both his arms were raised in front of his face. His right cocked, ready to strike, his left bent high protecting his jaw and face. "I meant to do that… I meant to!"

"I can see that", Mad-Eye laughed as he turned away, abandoning his attempt to invoke a reaction from the boy.

The two sat, Mad-Eye in a chair, Ron cross-legged on the end of his bed. Ron was passed some tub's of food and a bottle of beer.

"Roast beef, nice", Ron said as he opened the tubs, roast potatoes and veg, nothing to complain about. He lifted his bottle, "hey, this isn't butter beer".

"No, it's a proper beer, you've deserved it", Mad-Eye said as he leaned back, his foot resting on a second chair. "So, why don't you tell me about what's lit such a fire under your arse".

Ron paused; his fork raised to his mouth. He abandoned the mouthful and eyed him. He wanted to make something up, not go down the route of talking about the things he thought people would judge him as being mad.

"I saw Corvus", he said quietly.

"Your er… spirit friend?"

"I guess that's a sort of description", Ron shrugged.

"So, everything your girl told Albus, after you told her, that was… true?"

Ron recognised there was no judgment or jesting to his words. "Yes", Ron gave him the respect of meeting his eye. "I might never convince anyone, but I walked another world with a creature from another place and I found a brother in him".

Ron's conviction was tangible, scary even to witness as he spoke, "I think…", Mad-Eye spoke slowly, "I think I believe you… and not just because Albus does". He paused, "should you be seeing this… this Corvus though?"

"I told him to find me in my dreams when we parted, but it was no dream", Ron's eye was set with the same determination Mad-Eye had seen all day. "He's here and he shouldn't be. And he's scared, something's rattled him, and he's more like the stuff of nightmares so I can't imagine what it is!"

Mad-Eye listened as Ron decided to disclose everything from the light before in detail. He shook his head in disbelief. "Incredible", he breathed, "and this presence he felt, it's what, holding him captive?"

"I don't know", Ron admitted, "but his warning of Pansy, I don't know… it's just lit this fire in me". Ron's breath quickened as his mind filled with her, "She's all I can think about, and I don't even know if she's safe". His breathing became panting as his fists clenched, "I'm not stopping Mad-Eye, either I get her back or I die trying. I want to find Corvus too, get him out of whatever has him. And if I find either of them have been… been!"

There was an almighty bang, as Ron's arm struck out at the locker by his bed. Mors Manus hit the metal structure, smashing through and sending it soaring across the barracks where it crashed to the floor.

Both sat wide eyed as they looked between each other and back at the locker.

"I believe you", Mad-Eye chuckled.

"…Pansy… Pansy listen to me, do you hear me?"

Pansy turned in her sleep as the voice rang out. It was a dream, or at least it felt like one.

"I do!... I hear you again, it's you again isn't it", Pansy answered in her head, somewhere on the outskirts of her consciousness within the dream, another's presence was there. Something of a blonde girl stood staring at her.

Something about this was familiar, in two ways.

"Yes Pansy, someone is probing your subconscious. There asking you questions, I need you to answer them if were to escape this place. We must escape this place and complete what is Foretold".

"Yes", she thought, "I've done this before, with Dumbledore… But also, this isn't a dream, it's a memory". Pansy watched on as the memory played out, dreamlike as it did. Something about it as a whole was already known to her. Like the missing pieces of something she didn't know she was missing.

"Tell me what the Foretold is", Pansy demanded.

Harrier's eyebrows rose as she heard this, it was unexpected and she was intrigued, but she pushed on. It was Harrier's presence that she felt, beyond where Pansy and her Subconscious conversed. It was her who was doing the probing. But for some reason this memory, that she had no recollection of, was playing out to her now.

"No Pansy", Harrier said, Pansy's subconscious relaying within Pansy's head. "You must focus on what I ask, what I tell you".

"Why does Death visit me", Pansy demanded, "who are the heirs of eternal light?"

"I do not have the answers yet, but they are here, within us", Pansy's subconscious said as though its presence came with the sound of a growl. "I play Death's warning over and over for answers".

Harrier frowned again; she'd been warned Pansy could hijack the deep dive. She focused her own mind, pinning the questions to her with force.

"Did we dream of Death, or did we travel?" again Pansy was able to ask her own questions.

"We suffered no dream's Pansy; we travelled to her. Death's eye is on us, she stole us away, the Foretold is too important to ignore, we must learn more. You must answer the questions put forward; we must escape".

Harrier scowled, her will focused, she pressed into Pansy's mind with a determined prod. She had a job to do, for Pansy's own good, she'd do what was needed now.

"Ron is gone! He has disappeared".

"No! Where is he, is he safe?"

"Answer the questions! Ron has left to rebuild; your friends are scattered. If you want to see them, help me!"

"You must tell me what you know of the wards, who comes and goes from here…"

The push worked; Pansy's subconscious seemed to align now with Harrier's need. Pansy began answering as many questions as were put to her. Answering with answers she didn't know she knew. Whether the source was an overheard conversation here or the witnessing of some details therein, she gave what she could of life in and around the Manor.

When Harrier extracted all she could she began to pull Pansy back out, but slower than when Dumbledore had, with a more deliberate pace. She had more she needed to do.

"Pansy, when I leave, I will likely be probed for information and my memory will be altered to remember nothing. They cannot risk me leaving with Death Eater knowledge. I have been prepared for this, steps have been taken, do you understand?"

"I will… I will be questioned too?" Pansy said distantly.

"Yes! They will see us, our conversations, the tests, your secret will be discovered".

This was planned for, Dumbledore had accounted for the most likely of possibilities, even the unlikeliest. Harrier hadn't met with him while he was in hiding but she would do when she left here. He had instructed Snape to prepare her mind. A mixture of powerful magic; both spell work and potion, to effectively disrupt their minds with time. Once she brought Pansy out of her deep dive, the powers at work would finish bleeding into her and they would both be wiped blank of all they'd spoken with until it bled back in after sleep.

"I'm to be interrogated when I get back, by Dumbledore, I'm being taken to him. I needed what you could give me to pass on, what we need to know to get you out. We won't remember this, not for a time… I love you… we all do, we are waiting, Tracey pines, Farah frets, Liza cries, Molly yearns we are all waiting to have you back!".

In her bed Narcissa turned, tossing to the side as the images that she saw plagued her. Only the sound of Lucius was audible now, he had decided to share her bedroom tonight and while she was always thankful he didn't snore, he was a heavy breather.

She stood, leaving the warmth of her bed. Collecting her water, she walked to taking a sip before abandoning it on the table that sat there. She felt an abnormal cold within, it didn't match her surroundings, there was no sting to the air. Lucious' heavy sleeping wasn't disturbed by her opening the balcony door.

She stepped out into moonlight, silent tears glistening as they ran her face. She felt the sting of cold that she needed, it fit the inner chill that circled her. She wanted to howl, to scream out at the world as she felt the loss for her son. Her baby, the boy she only got to suckle from her breast once before her husband insisted, he was fed by nanny.

Her baby was so smart and beautiful, yet soft and sensitive. She longed to be able to hold him as she did as a child. She resented all the harsh cold her husband raised him with, over complicated by the incessant spoiling of him to make up for it all. It wasn't the Black way; it wasn't as her dearest's were raised. Her Sirius and Regulas grew up better for all the more balanced of an upbringing. Draco didn't remind her of them.

But now he was here, his pick of young ladies to take as his bride and the one he picks is perfect, she found. A better reflection of even her own rise to womanhood, perhaps Parisa was worth more of her time in her youth, she certainly got parenting right by the looks of her. But the girl was too perfect, she was learnt in the art of lies and deceit.

The image struck at Narcissa again as the memory of invading Pansy's mind returned. The two girls sat talking of school on Pansy's bed, the nothingness of youthful talk, there was no great threat to them or the Dark Lord in what they spoke of. The two were clearly just close friends, overjoyed to see one another and discussing the fears and trepidations of marriage.

"All lies", Narcissa though, every memory with Harrier a fabrication all to hide the scene that she saw as she concentrated too hard, pushed her back too deep.

The pale hand of her son, twisting its grip in the shining black of her hair as his hand repeatedly slapped her in the face. His hands, the hands that used to grip her fingers as a baby, trying to stand. The image of the girl half naked, pinned to a tree. Her son; she closed her eyes, swallowing. His hand reigning down his leather belt across her naked flesh. Another memory, her naked body reflecting in the mirror as she saw the wounds he inflicted into her.

"How can she hold herself so, how can she stomach to live this lie!"

Narcissa's hands went to her eyes, covering them as she hoped to hide from what she saw. Her son, her baby, a monster.

A/N

Hello all,

Just want to wish everyone a *+*Merry Christmas and Happy New Year*+*

I think this has been one of my longest gaps between posting a chapter. Hopefully the 10k size of the chapter will satisfy any ill feelings over this and I hold my hands up in apology. It is a busy time of year, one of the busiest in my job but I think the truth of it was that I got a little fatigued with writing and I had to listen to the story from the start on audio to appreciate why I fell in love with the tale and it worked. It gave a better second half to a chapter that originally started to feel flat and I'm pleased with it. I can't guarantee the frequent updates I was managing and now is the time it will slow. But, that said, it will be regular and it will be consistant. This story won't stagnate weeks and months with no updates, I'll rest when I'm dead or the story's finished.

Lot's oh Holiday Love and Light to all, especially to my biggest supporter!