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Count Your Blessings	By : LadyOfTheNight Category: Harry Potter > Het - Male/Female > Lucius/Hermione Views: 39965 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 5
Disclaimer: I do not own or make any money off of this fan fiction because Harry Potter belongs to a Ms J. K. Rowling and not me! ^_^

Chapter List
- 12
- 13
Count Your Blessings

<><>{Chapter Thirteen: Winter’s Cold Embrace}<><>

Ever since the prison breakout last month it had been murder trying to get ahold of anyone in the Department of Magical Law Enforcement. They were all working tirelessly searching for the escaped man to bring him back to Azkaban. After all this was the first breakout Azkaban had seen since the war and the department was doing their best to find the escaped criminal. The Magical Law Enforcement had been receiving many tips as to where Fenrir had gone and it was taking every last one of its employees to investigate all of these claims. None of this matter to Draco Malfoy because he was still waiting for his father to be released. After complying with all of the terms of his father’s parole, he still had not been given a date for his father’s release and he was growing more impatient every day. Draco kept receiving owls stating that the paper work for his father’s release was pending and that due to the recent breakout all non-immediate issues that did not pertain to finding said escaped prisoner were temporarily suspended. Draco still persisted and his daily owls to anyone of importance within the department had finally proved to annoy Mr. Greengrass and he begrudgingly, had given the young man an appointment to meet in his office.

When Draco arrived at the Ministry via the Floo Network he was shocked that hardly anyone gawked at him or even really noticed his presence. He was so used to being on the receiving end of inquiring stares that the lack of them was instantly apparent and left him feeling out of sorts. He warily continued on his way until he got to the Magical Law Enforcement’s section of the building; he was met with witches and wizards franticly running around and the place was full of activity and had to push his way through the clusters of cubicles and franticly moving employees until he found the office he was seeking. The secretary was eyeing him warily as he approached; no doubt she was remembering his rude entrance and lack of manners during his last visit. He smirked at her challengingly and waited casually outside the office while she announced his arrival.

Upon entering, he was immediately accosted by the disorderly state the office was in; a vast contrast to the neat and tidy space he had encountered last time. Papers and files were piled onto every available surface and crumpled up memos littered the floor around his rubbish bin. Draco even spied three owls waiting rather reluctantly for a response. The man seated at the desk looked a wreck as well. On Draco’s last visit he found the man to be a well groomed in tailor made robes but today his tie was loosened, his hair was devilish and he had huge bags under his eyes.

“What do you want Malfoy, I am very busy today.” The man grunted out while scribbling a note on his parchment. Draco looked for a free chair but found that the chairs were all occupied by paper work and prisoners’ files. He picked up the contents of the nearest chair and after realizing there was nowhere to put them, Draco sat down and placed the files in his lap.

“I am here to inquire about the delay on my father’s release papers. He was granted parole over a month ago and I am wondering what is taking so long.” He asked and Mr. Greengrass got up from his chair; just as Draco idly glanced down at the files in his lap and noticed that there were no names listed on the files, just prisioner numbers. Mr. Greengrass quickly reached for the files and moved them on top of another pile.

“Have you not heard that Fenrir Greyback has escaped? They have all of us pulled from our regular jobs to follow up on these ridiculous leads. Did you know this woman,” he said as he grabbed a sheet of parchment from his desk and waved it in front of the younger man. “She actually said she saw Greyback working at the three broomsticks last week. As if an escaped criminal would actual do that…” Draco knew that the man was stressed and needed to rant at someone. “And meanwhile my real work piles up!” he said again gesturing to the state of his office and Draco’s cunning Slytherin mind started to turn.

“You know, I could stay and help organize your files for you, and if I happen to run across my father’s file…” he trailed off as the older man gave him a calculating stare which Draco met evenly.

“I scratch your back if you scratch mine.” Draco tempted and watched as the man slowly gave in.

“Alright, written on the front of the files is the reason they are being reviewed. Make three piles; one for release paperwork, one for parole requests, and one for everything else. I hope I do not need to say this, but just in case, do not open any of the files. Just sort them. When you come across your father’s file I will sign the necessary forms and personally send the owl to Azkaban but only after everything is sorted. He will be released in as little as forty eight hours. Do we have an accord?” he asked the younger man while leaning over with his hand extended in a sign of solidarity.

Draco gave him a smirk and brought his hand up to grasp the older man’s. “I believe we do Mr. Greengrass.” He replied and the two of them got to work. Every once in a while Draco would grab for a scrap of parchment and begin writing furiously and then would stick his note to the front of the file. When Mr. Greengrass inquired as to what the young man was doing he would just smirk and say he was organizing. It wasn’t until Draco left that John Greengrass went to check what the boy had been writing. When he got to the files he saw that not only had the man organized them into the three required piles he has also placed them in an order where all of the files that needed immediate attention were on the top of the stack. It would be a great help when he was finally able to return to his normal duties.

Then he started to read the parchments Draco had attached to some of the files. It was character evaluations of the few men he had encountered during his time as a Death Eater. He couldn’t help but wonder if the man would testify to the parole board, as a character witness. After all he had offered the information to be helpful and the only way to use this evidence would be for Draco to testify.

<><>{Chapter Thirteen}<><>

The first full moon since Fenrir’s escape came and went. Hermione had asked Charlie to stay over that night, just for her own peace of mind and of course he agreed. Unfortunately Molly had heard about their plutonic sleep over and had blown the whole thing way out of proportion. Molly had taken Hermione and Severus’ break up rather hard but with this new development she had quickly gone from sad to excited at a possible new prospect for her son; Molly always considered Hermione family and jumped at the idea of being able to make it official. Even though Hermione and Charlie had assured everyone that they were happily just friends, their relationship still became a running joke for the Weasley siblings and a pipe dream for Molly. The siblings would tease the ‘couple’ mercilessly anytime the two looked to be having a moment. Eventually it got to the point if Hermione and Charlie were even standing near one another someone would start to make kissing noises in a very loud obnoxious fashion and that would cause the whole argument to start over again. Charlie was not helping things because now he would just laugh along with his brothers and sister.

Needless to say Sunday’s at the Burrow had suddenly become much more exhausting then they used to be. Luckily for Hermione, Christmas, her son’s third birthday and waiting for Bill’s new baby all distracted Molly, giving her more pressing things to worry over then her whether or not her son was dating Hermione.

Now that Molly’s children were off starting families of their own they were less inclined to visit on actual holidays and opted to spend more time with their new growing families. Molly understood completely and decided to have her big family Christmas celebration the Sunday before Christmas and then Bennett’s birthday party was to be the weekend after. The party was originally going to be a small family party but with the Weasleys being counted as family the party was already destined to be anything but small. She invited Hagrid, Minerva and Filius to the party and all three of her old friends responded right away, excited to be invited. Bennett was one of the first babies to live in Hogwarts in many years and the staff had all cooed over his presence but none more than Hagrid; he had encouraged Bennett’s love of animals and magical creatures and Hermione was actually afraid of the gift Hagrid might bring him. She had already finished both her Christmas and birthday shopping and she could not wait for the holiday to arrive.

This was the first Christmas that Benny really understood what was going on and Hermione was enjoying watching him discover all of the candy, pastries, presents and decorations that went along with the holiday. Last year had been particularly boring watching Bennett unwrap presents; he had been content to suck on the brightly colored bow of his first present while Teddy tore through his parcels’ wrappings at an alarmingly quick rate for a two year old. When Teddy had succeeded in unwrapping all of his presents he quickly moved on to Benny’s neglected pile. They only ran into trouble when Teddy had tried to unwrap the present Benny was trying to eat. Hermione had a feeling that Benny would not stand for his friend unwrapping his presents for him this year.

“Mummy look!” her son interrupted her memories by holding up a small dragon ornament that was flexing its wings and preening for the young boy. Around the small dragon’s neck was a sash that had her son’s name on it followed by a number two to indicate his second Christmas. She planned on getting him a new ornament each year, effectively passing on a Granger Family tradition. She smiled at her son as he watched the magical statue mimic flight. They were currently partaking in another one of her family’s traditions, decorating the Christmas tree together. She was shocked and a little disappointed that first year when she came down the stairs at the Burrow to find the tree up and decorated before she even woke up. She hid her disappointment from Molly but was so glad to have her own tree this year to decorate with her son. Her mother and father had always gone all out at Christmas time and it was times like these that she really missed her parents.

Hermione had so much guilt over the fact that they lived completely unaware of their daughter or grandson’s existence and holidays always seemed to bring up those negative emotions. She also was getting little to no sleep because of the now reoccurring nightmares she was experiencing since Fenrir escaped. She could not wait till the Aurors caught him and she could finally sleep easy again. Each day that passed without his capture seemed to add to her stress level. Hermione’s thoughts were interrupted again by her son but this time she felt two tiny arms wrap around her legs as Bennett enveloped her legs in a big hug; all of her grief and stress were pushed back into her subconscious at the simple but comforting touch. He smiled up at her happily and she found herself smiling right back. Bennett never needed a reason but he always knew when she needed a hug and the comfort was always appreciated.

She knelt down to return the hug and inhaled his sweet scent lovingly before pulling back to give him a quick peck on the nose.

“Let’s put the dragon up high on the tree so he can protect his treasures underneath.” She suggested and pointed to the small pile of presents under the tree. Bennett nodded enthusiastically while lifting his arms up in a gesture that clearly said ‘pick me up’; together they put the dragon in spot that was visible from the floor but high enough to watch over Bennett’s presents. All of a sudden the fireplace activated and Bennett ran over to greet the unexpected visitor.

“Uncle Harry!” she heard her son cry out before she turned the corner to see her best friend standing there with a worried expression on his face that made her heart sink down into her feet. “Come see!” the little boy called out while taking his hand, trying to pull him over to the Christmas Tree. Harry ruffled his godson’s hair affectionately before bending down to meet his gaze.

“Do you think I could talk to your Mum real quick, we have boring adult stuff to talk about.” He told the boy truthfully. “I promise after we are done you can show me the tree.” The little toddler made an annoyed face but nodded his head in agreement and ran off to play.

“We just finished dinner but I can heat up some leftovers.” She told her friend trying not to look as nervous as she felt. Harry smiled warily but did not respond to her. “Did you catch him?” Hermione asked as soon as her son was out of earshot and he hesitated to answer. “Harry, what is it?” she asked when she noticed he was thinking hard about what to say next.

“We didn’t catch him…” Harry started but trailed off.

“But…” Hermione added knowingly and waited for Harry to go on.

“Well, we think we know what he is after or rather who…” he trailed off again and Hermione felt her heart drop down into her feet. She knew what his next words were going to be before he even looked up at her.

“Hermione, we found out he is looking for you.” He confirmed her worst fears and she could have sworn she felt her heart skip a beat. She took a couple of gasping breaths trying to calm herself down.

“Don’t worry Hermione, we are going to have Aurors’ posted outside around the clock and we’ll put one inside as well.” He told her soothingly as he pulled her into a fierce embrace and rubbed her back gently. “I won’t let him near you, or Bennett.” He told her truthfully and she just nodded into his shoulder until she remembered he said an Auror would be stationed in her house.

“I don’t want anyone I don’t know inside the house. I don’t want to alarm Bennett.” She told Harry with a slight wavier in her voice but could see he was already protesting.

“Hermione please don’t argue with me over this.” He pleaded but she just crossed her arms determinedly to show that she wouldn’t budge on the issue.

“At least let me stay then…” he pleaded again only to have her refuse.

“No Harry, Ginny needs you right now, she is pregnant and you can’t leave her alone. Plus I doubt her ‘hormones’ would like you staying over anyways.” She told him knowingly and Harry had to grin sheepishly at that comment. Ginny’s pregnancy hormones had begun flaring up and even though she was only ten weeks along, she had developed quite the jealous streak when it came to her husband and Hermione’s friendship. Logically Ginny knew that the two of them were just friends but trying to tell that to her when the jealousy was rearing its ugly head was almost impossible. Harry and Hermione had begun referring to her unwarranted fits of jealousy fondly as her ‘hormones’. Hermione was not bothered by Ginny’s mistrust because it wasn’t directed at her specifically. Any unattached witch that Harry spoke to was at risk of enacting Ginny’s possessive and jealous wrath. Hermione could tell that Harry was secretly pleased that his witch was so possessive and took full advantage of her neediness by showering her with affirmations and love every chance he got.

“You shouldn’t be here alone.” He argued and even though she secretly would love to have another adult in the house, Bennett was still sensitive around strangers; put a strange magical animal in front of him and he was the most outgoing boy you had ever seen but he was always guarded around strangers.

“We won’t be alone. You said you were putting Aurors outside the house…” she reminded him gently as he ran his hand through his messy hair. “and I have my wards up. It is easy to enough to add more…” Just when she thought she had gotten Harry to agree to leave her alone she saw his eyes light up in excitement.

“Charlie!” he cried out and Hermione understood exactly where his thought process was taking him.

“No way! He is NOT staying here again, not after the way you all have been tearing the mickey out me for the last ‘sleepover’ we had.” She told him resolutely but Harry had already moved over to the fireplace to call the man in question. Hermione ran ahead of him and grabbed the jar with all of her Floo powder to prevent him from making any calls. She held the bowl protectively out of reach as she noticed Harry preparing to lunge for it.

“Come on Hermione, he is the only person I can think of that you and Benny both know and he is the only unattached family member besides Ron, which is out of the question, I know.” he told her matter of factly and Hermione couldn’t help but glare at him out of spite.

“What about George?” she inquired.

“He would want to bring Angelina…” Harry told her and Hermione instantly nixed that idea. She knew that George was not used to silencing spells and living with a toddler meant absolute discretion was necessary. This argument was destined to be a defeat for Hermione so she gave a great sigh and let her shoulders slump; she hated feeling helpless.

“It’s not that I don’t think you can handle yourself, but with Benny and yourself to look after it can be a lot for anyone.” He told his friend and she was instantly reminded of the Red Cap incident from years ago. When she remained silent Harry knew what he had to say to get her to agree.

“Your biggest and possible most dangerous flaw is that you don’t know when to ask for help.” Hermione opened her mouth to protest but Harry cut in before her.

“It’s true, remember when the Polyjuice Potion turned you into a cat Second Year? You wouldn’t even tell us something went wrong until you realized you couldn’t fix it yourself. Then in Third Year, you used that time turner to do all that work both for school and Buckbeak’s trial all the while keeping it a secret; I still don’t know why Dumbledore let you have that thing. Then …” Harry started to go on but Hermione was quick to cover his mouth with her free hand.

“Alright, alright, go ahead and call him then.” She told Harry defeated as she thrust the jar of Floo powder into his hands before storming off into the kitchen. The two adult’s arguing drew Bennett’s attention and Harry just smiled at his confused look.

“Witches…” Harry told the boy simply only to see a smirk appear on his godson’s face. “Come on, let’s call Uncle Charlie and see if he wants to come for a visit.”

When Harry had first called, Charlie thought his request was some type of an elaborate joke but after Harry explained everything, Charlie agreed to get his things together and head over. An hour later Bennett and Harry were playing in the living room amongst the boxes of ornaments; Hermione had abandoned her project of tree decorating and instead opted to sulk in the kitchen. Harry could no longer hear saucers breaking so he figured she had calmed down but now he was a little worried that it was too quiet.

“Hermione, are you alright in there?” he called and she didn’t respond. “Hermione?” he called again and was met with the same silence. Harry quickly picked Bennett up out of his lap and placed him on the floor.

“Wait here, I am going to check on your Mum.” He instructed the toddler, who happily ignored him, choosing to focus solely on his puzzle. Harry pulled his wand out and quickly moved across the room toward the kitchen. He held his wand at the ready and he heard a small rustling coming from the kitchen. Without wasting another second Harry pounced into action and entered the room ready for a duel if necessary only to find the kitchen appeared to be empty. He checked the windows and doors to assure that they were still shut tight and then he heard a loud hiccup.

Still on his guard, Harry careful crept around the center island and was assaulted by the rich smell of liquor. As he came to the end of the counter he found his best friend sitting on the floor with a small bottle in one hand and a very large tumbler in the other. She blinked a couple of times to make sure Harry was really there and then scowled at him when she saw the he was laughing at her.

“Merlin, Hermione. I thought… Well never mind that, what are you doing to yourself?” he asked her still laughing as he took the bottle of liquor and the empty tumbler from her hands and gave them a curious sniff.

“What is this whiskey?” he asked her merrily and put them down on the counter to offer her a hand up.

“Don’t judge me Potter! If I’m gounna haffa babysitter then I best take ad-advantage of it to relieve a lil’ stress.” She grumped at her friend in her drunken slur.

“The saucer weren’t enough huh?” Harry teased as he pulled her up into a standing position with his arms wrapped securely around her to steady her balance. That was the exact position Charlie found them in when he walked into the kitchen with Bennett slung over his shoulder.

“What do we have here? Not only are you stepping out on my little sister but you’re doing it with MY witch.” Charlie teased lightly as he covered the little boys eyes with his free hand; both poking fun at the running joke and effectively lightening the mood.

“You lot didn’t start the party without me?” he asked gesturing to the open bottle of whiskey after noticing the empty tumbler. He flipped the little boy down over his shoulder causing Hermione to gasp with shock while her son shrieked with glee.

“Hermione just needed a little stress relief…” Harry started to explain only to be interrupted by Hermione pushing away from him and sighing in annoyance.

“Don’t patra-patronize me by talking over me.” She told the two men and then promptly gave a loud hiccup that caused her whole upper body to quake and she quickly grabbed the counter to steady herself from the wave of dizziness the hiccup brought on.

“Annnd I think I’m done…” Hermione announced to the group as Bennett watched on curiously. Hermione rarely ever drank alcohol and certainly not enough to give her the hiccups. Her head started to feel heavy and she suddenly remembered why she never got this intoxicated; she hated the way she felt when she was drunk.

“Oh come on, you have to have one with me!” Charlie whined at her teasingly and Hermione let loose another violent hiccup in response. She blushed and quickly put her hand over her mouth embarrassed that she had drank so much that is was showing. She had only wanted to calm her nerves and honestly had not realized how much she had drank until Harry had pulled her up onto her feet.

“I need to sit down.” She spoke determinedly and wobbled into the living room, falling onto the couch like a sack of potatoes. Her son followed her mimicking her wobbly motions before flopping down on the other side of the couch flashing his mother a smirk.

“You sir, are supposa be on my side!” she told him as she grabbed his nearest foot and dragged his protesting form closer for a tickle attack. She loved the sound of his laughter and continued her tickle assault for a few more seconds before pulling him into her arms with both of them lying on their sides; his back was up against her chest.

“I love you so much.” She whispered into his ear and he flipped over onto his other side facing his mother. Without losing eye contact he grabbed her face in his tiny hands.

“I love Mummy.” He told her simply and then pressed his small lips to hers before burrowing his head into her chest. They lay there in a peaceful embrace and soon she could hear her son’s soft breathing even out as he fell into a deep sleep. The whiskey made her eyelids feel heavy and soon she was following her son into sleep.

<><>{Chapter Thirteen}<><>

Draco was pacing the foyer restlessly as he awaited the Aurors who were escorting his father home. It seemed like it was taking forever but really it was just five minutes before they were due to arrive.

“Calm down Draco, pacing is not going to make them arrive any faster.” Dobbson told his young friend calmingly but the man continued to pace restlessly. Precisely at noon he ran outside and looked up into the sky to see six men gracefully falling down to the ground via portkey.

Draco’s heart was racing as he took in the sight of his father outside of the prison for the first time in years. He couldn’t help but feel nervous about his arrival. Lucius Malfoy had made it clear he had no interest in being released and Draco had worked tirelessly to achieve just that. After Dobbson advised Draco to not get his hopes up about his father, Draco couldn’t help but feel slightly worried too. Would his father be proud of him or would he remain an indifferent shell of the man that he once was?

A crowd of reporters and photographers had gathered to witness Lucius Malfoy be released into house arrest. Draco was doing his best to keep his features neutral as he walked down to meet them at the gates the signified the end of the property. The last thing he needed was to fuel the fire that the press had burning about his father’s house arrest.

“Mr. Malfoy, many are wondering if your rehabilitation is genuine; do you have anything to say in response to your skeptics?” A reporter called out in hopes of a quote.

“Mr. Malfoy what will you do with your time now that you are being released from Azkaban?” Another reporter tried.

“What are your thoughts on your son’s decision to free and pay all of the house elves that were owned by your family?” A third voice called out and Lucius raised an eyebrow at the question but still did not answer.

“Mr. Malfoy, what do you think will be your greatest temptation while under house arrest?” the first reporter tried again but assembled reporters quickly realized that Lucius was not going to give them the juicy quote that their editors desperately wanted.

Four of the Aurors were keeping the crowd of reporters at bay while the remaining one escorted his father forward onto the property. The other four Aurors remained outside the gate to manage the crowd while Draco led the wizards inside the French Estate.

After the Auror cast the monitoring spells that would alert the Aurors’ Office if Lucius stepped off the property, much like the trace that is placed on underage witches and wizards, the wizard removed the ancient rune encrypted shackles from his father’s wrists. The Auror was speaking to him but Draco was hardly paying attention and let Dobbson take control of the conversation. Draco was more interested in his father. He watched the man covertly for any sign of affection or even recognition but his father was as still as a statue.

When prompted Draco signed an oath stating he would inform the Ministry if he witnessed the Prisoner doing anything against the house arrest rules and soon Dobbson was escorting the Auror off the property, leaving the father and son alone, for the first time in years. If they were any other father and son one would expect to see a joyous scene filled with a manly hug and soft spoken words of endearment, but Lucius and Draco did not have a normal relationship. In fact, they had one of the most unusual father son relationships since King Laius and Oedipus Rex*.

They both sat in their respective chairs staring at one another. Draco could tell the older man was not pleased with being released early and Draco refused to apologize for getting him out. He returned his father’s slightly angry expression with one of clear defiance and determination. His father was the first one to break the silence.

“You knew I wanted to be left alone.” His father told him simply and Draco agreed with a swift nod of his head. Lucius fell silent again awaiting an explanation that Draco was not willing to offer. “Well, I am waiting…” Lucius told his son expectantly and Draco just shot him an inquisitive look and tilted his head in confusion.

“For your excuses as to why you could not follow simple instructions?” He asked coldly trying to show his son that he was displeased; even though in his heart he was yearning to hold his boy in his arms, Lucius’ guilty conscious forced him to stay distant; he reasoned that Draco was better off without his interference.

“I was merely returning the favor, you got me out; I got you out, now we are even.” Draco responded effortlessly even thought he was also longing for a physical or emotional connection of some kind; he mimicked his father’s cold attitude in an attempt to keep on even footing with his father; he would hate for his father to perceive him as the weak man he once was.

“The way you were to repay me was by leaving me alone.” His father argued back which only furthered Draco’s own anger. He did not want Dobbson’s earlier warnings to be true but his father was proving the man right.

“I couldn’t leave you in that horrible place; now that you are out I will do as you ask and leave you be, but not before I say what is on my mind.” Draco told his father with no hesitation and a fire blazing in his eyes.

“I have learned a few things while own my own that I think would be prudent to share with you. We have to live with the choices we make, learn from our mistakes and try and right the wrongs we have committed. The way I see it you have two choices now; you can stop and accept what has already happened, wallowing in self-pity and guilt for the rest of your life, or you can fight against what everyone thinks they know about you and prove them all wrong. I am doing my best to change people’s perception of me and my family name. If you are not going to help me, then stay out of my way!” He finished and stormed out of the study only to run into his friend, Cyril Dobbson, in the hall.

“Well stated.” Was all he said and Draco could not help but let a rare, genuine smile to cross his face. He realized in that moment that he was no longer cared about what his father thought of him and it felt good.

<><>{Chapter Thirteen}<><>

It was Christmas morning and Hermione and Bennett were in the middle of opening presents; he had just pulled a new stuffed dragon out of a box when the front door burst open with wood and splinters flying in all directions. Standing in the doorway, with an unnaturally possessive gleam in his eye was Fenrir Greyback. Hermione did not waste a second and quickly scooped her son up into her arms and ran towards the back door in an attempt to reach the apparition point in the garden. She had just opened the door when a very large hand slammed the door closed and forced her to turn around and face him. Bennett was wailing as big fat tears fell from his eyes that were wide with fright. Hermione was doing her best to hold him away from the perpetrator but he was just too big of a boy now for her to hold him on her hip anymore. Fenrir released a loud roar and she could hear Bennett whimpering in fright but all she could do was clutch him tighter to her chest as the adrenaline pumped through her system.

“I’ve been looking for you girly…” Greyback trailed off when he noticed the boy in her arms. He reached out and pried the little boy from her hands, holding him by the back of his shirt and collar. Hermione felt his other hand pushed roughly against her throat and was having trouble drawing breath as she watched her son wiggle helplessly in the dangerous man’s grasp.

“Please, let him go!” she pleaded with the man who just grinned evilly at her before throwing the boy as hard as he could at the wall. With a sickening thud and one small whimper, she watched her son hit the wall and fall to the floor in an eerily quiet heap. Her maternal instincts were not enough to free her as she desperately clawed at the hand around her throat. He laughed and brought his free hand up to her shoulder poised to grope her heaving chest. Suddenly a violent shaking overcame her and she could faintly hear her name being called.

“Hermione…”

“Hermione…”

“Hermione wake up!” she heard Charlie call to her and when she opened her eyes she could see Charlie watching her worriedly. She blinked and tried to catch her breath as she took in her surroundings. She was in bed, that she was sure of and from the feel of it she had sweated through the sheets. Bennett ran into the room clutching his stuffed dragon and wasted no time jumping up on the bed. He wrapped his arms around his mother in a comforting embrace and she felt her racing nerves start ease, comforted by the fact that she was dreaming earlier. Her mouth felt like sandpaper and a dull ache resonate from the back of her head. The little boy was squeezing her waist tightly and she brought a hand down to run through her son’s tangled curls.

“Don’t worry, Mummy’s fine.” She told him reassuringly as she continued to run her hands through his platinum locks. “I just had a bad dream, that’s all.” She told him while looking at Charlie with big bags under her eyes. “Thanks for waking me; I’m sorry if I gave you a fright.” She told her house guest apologetically and he just waved her comment off as he stood up from the bed. Hermione’s almost nightly episodes were starting to take a toll on all of them.

“That’s what I’m here for right? Well if you don’t need anything I am going to go back to bed.” He told her awkwardly and if she wasn’t still trying to control her rapid breathing she would have laughed at the sight of him hovering uncertainly by the bed.

“We’re fine Charlie, thanks though. Truly.” Although she loathed needing him, she was still very grateful for his presence, especially since her nightmares had been getting worse. His eyes twinkled as he shut the door behind him. She grabbed her wand from under her pillow and cleaned the sheets and then changed her sleeping gown all under her son’s ever watchful eyes; he loved to watch her preform spells.

“Mummy,” he called to get her attention. “you scared?” he asked her worriedly and she looked down at him lovingly.

“No darling, as long as you are with me I am not scared.” She told him and he gave her a calculating look that was well beyond his years. He started her down as if he was trying to pull the truth from her and she couldn’t help but shiver under his pensive glare. Luckily for her his stare was interrupted by a large yawn that forced him to close his eyes momentarily. When he opened them his mother had pulled back the covers invitingly which prompted him to curl up next to her. She wrapped her arms around him lightly and whispered into his ear.

“Mummy loves Benny.” She told him simply and he blinked a couple times before whispering back.

“Benny loves Mummy.” He responded in his tired little toddler voice and they slept peacefully for the rest of the night.

<><>{Chapter Thirteen}<><>

“Her nightmares are getting worse.” Charlie told Harry worriedly. “And it’s really starting to affect the Leech.”

“Can’t she take the Dreamless Sleep Draught?” Harry asked worriedly and Charlie just shook his head.

“She said that prolonged use is not recommended and that she can only take the potion once a week. She been begging me to put a silencing charm on the room, for the kid’s sake, but then if Fenrir decides to visit I wouldn’t be able to hear a thing. You lot need to catch him already.” He chastised the young Auror and Harry ran his hands through his hair in frustration.

“We have the whole department working on it Charlie, but even before the war he was always good at avoiding the authorities. Every time we think we get a real lead the person in question ends up dead or missing; we were lucky to find that guard that helped him escape. Poor bludger was hiding in Bulgaria and he is the reason we know that Greyback is after Hermione. What we don’t know is what he is waiting for?” Harry queried and Charlie just shook his head.

“Maybe he’s seen all the reinforcements outside and decided to hold off his attack. If I were trying to get someone who was being guarded I would study their habits and wait for the opportune moment to strike.” Charlie said logically and Harry was staring into the fire pensively.

“I’ve thought that too but then why didn’t he strike during the last full moon? During the full moon is when he has the most power after all and we hadn’t figured out he wanted Hermione yet, it would have been the best time to do it. We are just lucky that we haven’t had any leaks to the media yet about who Greyback’s suspected target is.” Harry told the wizard in confidence.

“Maybe you need to make the situation more lucrative for Greyback…” Charlie proposed and Harry looked over at him curiously.

“What do you mean by ‘more lucrative’?” Harry asked and Charlie was only too happy to elaborate.

“I mean, we set a trap. Lure him to us, instead of waiting around for him to strike.”

“Hermione would never go for that.” Harry countered quickly only to see Charlie flash a devious grin.

“So then we don’t tell her.”

<><>{End of Chapter Thirteen}<><>

*Just in case you don’t know…

King Laius and Oedipus Rex is a reference from the Athenian tragedy by Sophocles entitled Oedipus the King. Basically what happens is King Laius hears a prophecy that his son would one day kill him so he orders his infant son’s, Oedipus Rex, death. A servant who is ordered to do so can’t bear to kill the baby so he leaves it on a mountain top to die of exposure. Long story short the baby lives to be a man then kills the king, marries the Queen… aka his mom and has children with her. When the new king and queen learn the truth of it all The Queen/Mom kills herself and then Oedipus blinds himself and wanders the countryside in exile. The play ends with the line no man should be considered fortunate until he is dead. Hey I said it was a tragedy. :)

A/N: Okay this was one of my favorite chapters so far. I hope you all like it too! It was so much fun to write that I may have neglected finishing the third chapter of my other active story… ^_^ sorry about that. I will get on that right away!

Don’t forget to review and rate and if you want to be on my e-mail alert list you have to e-mail me; the e-mail address is on the profile page! I can’t e-mail you if I don’t have your email address! lol As always thanks for the interest and I hope I am able to keep it!

I am happy and humbled to receive all types of reviews, even the more critical ones! They make me smile and keep me honest! Please never hesitate to send me feedback, I love it!
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