Adult-FanFiction.org : Harry Potter

Fooling Fate sequel to Bound	By : goldhorse Category: Harry Potter > Het - Male/Female > Draco/Hermione Views: 44179 -:- Recommendations : 3 -:- Currently Reading : 3
Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter. That lucky duck JK Rowling does. I don't make any money from this fanfic. I just play with her toys and put them back in relatively good condition.

Chapter List
- 26
- 27
- 28
The house was teeming with life as they entered. All the rescued children were assembled in the living room. Their faces were stoic, as if they’d experienced a lifetime of grief. They had in many ways. Only tonight, the cause of their grief was Lazarus. His lifeless body lay on the floor having only been extinguished moments before.

“Fuck!” Alex yelled and began running diagnostics. “How long?”

“Seconds,” Andra said, her voice dead and muffled behind a curtain of mahogany locks. “He just seized up and his eyes glazed over and he…he-“

“There now,” another girl said in a soothing and heavily accented tone. She pulled Andra into her lap and started singing a lullaby in another language. “You listen to Nahuatl. This passing is a blessing and you will meet again.”

“I’ll kill them,” Andra growled angrily.

“You’ll have help,” Jonah grumbled and looked up, noticing who had walked in behind Alex for the first time. “Zandra!”

Zach and Nate quickly stepped to each side of Aiden as a large blonde boy lifted Zandra up and spun her around a few times before setting her down and hugging the life out of her. James carefully shifted behind Aiden, just in case he decided to get any bright ideas. Rhapsody’s heart broke just a little more as she saw the normally calm and happy boy she loved start trembling. Uncaring of how it looked at the moment, she stepped in front of him and gave him a tender kiss. She hoped to convey her sorrow to him and hissed when he accidentally jerked and split her lip.

“Shit,” Aiden murmured in a panic. “Gods, Rhap, I’m so sorry.”

“Just fix it,” Rhapsody chided softly. “It isn’t the first time.”

Aiden sighed and leaned down, tenderly licking the droplet of blood from her lips. He was keenly aware of every eye on him at that moment but he had to make sure Rhap was okay. He drew back and ran his finger over her now slick lip, making sure it had healed properly. His face clearly bore the sorrow he felt.

Rhapsody cocked her head playfully. “Did I turn sour?”

Aiden managed a weak smile. “No, still the sweetest lemon meringue ever.”

“Are you going to be okay?” Rhapsody asked beneath her breath.

Aiden nodded, not trusting himself to answer that particular question out loud. “I-uh, are you ready to see your dad now? I’ll take you if you want.”

“Thanks Aiden,” Rhapsody said softly. “I’m not sure I could do it without you.”

Aiden nodded and held out his arm for her to take. “Cadence? You coming?”

Cadence nodded. “Might as well.”

“A-aunt Melody?” Rhapsody asked in a small voice.

Melody gave her a weak smile. “I’ll be right behind you.”

Draco and Hermione stood at the back of the room and observed everything that was happening. Their children stood over in the corner, sorrow on their faces as they watched the girls climb the stairs with Aiden to see Philippe. Alex was still working over Lazarus’s body, hoping that maybe there was something he could do. Severus sighed and walked over, stilling Alex’s wand. He shook his head and pulled Alex out of the room and into the kitchen. They could hear him breaking down, blaming himself for being too weak to save anyone.

Hermione’s heart went out to Alex. Not only was he unable to help Philippe, but now three children had died under his care since they had been rescued. It was completely beyond his control but the mindset of a healer was always in the forefront. He held himself responsible for not being there and that was something that was hard to get over. She remembered the first patient she ever lost, a small boy, seven years old. His name was Blaine and he had been the unfortunate victim of a poisoning. She knew the antidote, but couldn’t make it fast enough to save him. It still haunted her, as these children would haunt Alex.

The rescued children were quiet, managing to introduce themselves shyly to the newcomers but declining to have Lazarus’s body removed. Jonah refused to let Zandra go, going so far as to grab Timmy to him and plant them all on the couch. It wasn’t hard to see he thought of them as pack. Draco finally understood that this relationship had to happen in order for Zandra and Aiden to get together. He belatedly thought about Serena and searched for her. She had managed to wedge herself into the hallway, her body wracked with silent sobs. Ara was rubbing her back in soothing circles. Draco tried harder to listen to them.

“It’ll be fine. You’ll see,” Ara cooed.

“I did see. He’s devastated.”

“It has to happen. We’re not to interfere.”

“Because the bloody know-it-all says so.”

“Look at them for yourself Serena. They are pack. They need to re-bond and no amount of infatuation is going to stop that.”

Serena huffed and turned around, sucking in a breath when she saw them sitting on the couch. Jonah had a death grip on Zandra’s waist. Timmy was sitting in his lap, head against his chest and his little hand clutched in Zandras. Two more small boys were sitting at his feet, their heads leaning against Jonah and Zandra’s legs. Andra and Nahuatl were on either side of the couple, their heads leaning on the couple's shoulders but their eyes glued to Lazarus’s body.

“See Serena? Do you understand now?”

Serena snorted. “I’m a bloody daywalker. Of course I understand. I just…hate it.”

“No one said we had to like it, just accept it.”

“Wait.” Serena froze. “That smell.”

“What smell?” Ara asked in confusion.

“I haven’t smelled that smell in years.”

“What smell?”

“Someone’s pregnant.”

“Damn, that was fast,” Zach spouted off.

“Shut it you idiot, I’m serious!” Serena yelled.

“Who?” Alex had appeared before them like a flash, startling everyone.

“I-I dunno?” Serena offered. “But smell.”

Alex took a deep breath in through his nose, his eyes widening in shock. “Merlin. How did I miss that?”

“Too busy jumping through hoops I imagine,” Severus drawled as he stepped back into the living room. “Alright, in light of a new development, all females will be examined immediately.”

“Nice bedside manner there Severus,” Alex scoffed. “However, he is right. For this though, I need only to pass you over with a wand.”

“A-are you sure?” one of the younger girls squeaked.

“Here, I’ll go first,” Ara said and boldly stepped in front of Alex. “That way, you can see exactly what is going to happen, okay?”

The little girl nodded and watched with large eyes as Alex ran his wand over Ara’s body. Her abdomen glowed white after a few moments, indicating that she was not pregnant. He nodded and motioned for her to step back. Serena shrugged and took her place, willing to take the lead as well. Her stomach glowed white as well. With each pass, the family was soon cleared. By that time, they were joined by everyone who had gone upstairs, including a very drawn Harmony and Celeste. Even Harry and Ginny managed to get down, Lily and Cecil in tow. Every woman but Melody submitted for testing.

“See, nothing to fear,” Alex said softly and ran his wand over the littlest girl’s abdomen. It glowed white and he motioned for her to sit down with a grin. “All clear.”

He only had the three oldest left when a tiny voice from upstairs caught everyone’s attention. “I unna gwow! I unna gwow!”

Little Addie Mae toddled down the stairs as fast as her wobbly legs would let her, still weak from her short stint at Khrone’s. Her glossy platinum curls bounced up and down as she climbed backwards down the stairs. Everyone was too amused to help her down. She trucked over to Alex as soon as she cleared the last step and stomped her little foot.

“I gwow.”

“Alright darling,” Alex cooed and ran his wand over her stomach, the tip glowing red as it passed. His smile quickly turned to a frown.

Addie Mae’s face copied his. “I not wike wed.”

Hermione’s heart sunk into her shoes. That poor little girl. The pregnancy test usually only gave a few answers, white for not pregnant, blue for boy, pink for girl, purple for twins. Red though, red meant the most horrible news for a woman wanting a child. Red was a sign that the womb had been damaged beyond repair.

“Red isn’t so bad,” Melody spoke up. “Alex?”

Alex nodded and ran his wand over her abdomen, the tip glowing a fiery red.

“See?” Melody asked brightly. “I’m red too.”

“I wike white,” Addie Mae said with a frown.

Melody smiled and kneeled in front of her. “You know, I do too, but sometimes we don’t get our favorite color. Sometimes we get something better.”

“Bettow?”

“Yes ma’am,” Melody said. “I think red is even better than white.”

Addie Mae cocked her little head in thought for a long while. Then she shook it vigorously. “You cwazy. White bettow.”

The room exploded into laughter at the small girl’s antics. Perhaps she would be okay after all. Addie Mae shook her head in exasperation and toddled over to a stoic Aiden. She raised her tiny arms and insistently flexed her fingers.

“You up me.”

Aiden knelt, his face a mask of confusion. “What little one?”

“You up me,” Addie Mae said insistently. “Up me.”

“You want me to pick you up?” Aiden asked in astonishment, his brows almost disappearing with shock when she nodded. “Okay little one, but can I ask why me?”

“You no waff. Need hug. I give.”

Most of the females and a few of the males in the room teared up when Aiden smiled and picked the tiny girl up. He cradled her to his side as if she was the most fragile piece of glass he’d ever handled and stoically accepted her hug. Instead of insisting to get down, the child sighed and burrowed into his robes.

“I wike you. Feewl safe.”

Aiden’s breath hitched at those words. “I like you too little one. You never have to worry again you know. We’ll all keep you safe. We’ll never let them get you again.”

“Addie Mae,” Melody asked softly. “How would you like it if Aiden was your brother?”

“Bwotew?”

“Mm hmm. Brother. You would have lots of brothers and sister actually.”

“How?” The curious little child asked.

“Well, let’s see.” Melody started pointing at Draco. “Draco’s mommy said that she would be happy if she could be your adopted mommy as well.”

“What’s ‘dopted?”

“It means that she picks you to be her baby. She’ll become your new mommy. You’ll live with her and she’ll take care of you. She’ll sing songs and play games and give you food and clothes and always keep you safe.”

“Safe,” Addie Mae said with a serious tone no three year old should know. “I wike safe…wike Aiden. Safe wiff Aiden.”

“Yes, Aiden is safe,” Melody acknowledged. “And Draco and Aiden have the same daddy. If Draco’s mommy were your mommy, you’d be their sister.”

“And safe,” Addie Mae said softly.

“Very safe,” Melody said. “But you must be brave to live with Draco’s mommy.”

“Why?”

“Because you would have a new daddy and he is special.”

“Wike Aiden?”

“You think Aiden is special?”

Addie Mae nodded energetically. “Aiden is speciow. He has teefs, big teefs that can bite peopwl. But not Addie. He won’t bite Addie.”

“Aiden?” Melody asked softly. “Did you forget something?”

“No!” Aiden said in shock and ran his tongue over his teeth again just to make sure. His fangs sometimes descended without his knowledge but he hadn’t felt them this time. “They’re up.”

“Addie, did you see Aiden’s teeth?” Melody asked.

“No siwwy,” Addie chided. “I jus knows. He has teefs wike Awets. Will new daddy have big teefs?”

Melody smiled just a little brighter. “Yes ma’am. Your new daddy has teeth just like Aiden and Alex…but he can’t play in the sunlight. Will you be okay with that?”

“No wike sunwite. Makes bad fings happen.”

Melody huffed like she’d had the breath knocked out of her. She wasn’t the only one either. However, Addie was already showing remarkable improvement, something that they couldn’t even dream of hoping for. In fact, now that Aiden was holding her, she could see her core sparking back to life. She decided not to say anything at the moment though but made a note of it and caught Cadence’s eye so she could see as well.

“Well, no bad things will happen again if you want to go live with Draco’s mommy. She’ll protect you and I know your new daddy will.”

“Otay,” Addie Mae said with a yawn. “But I stiw see Aiden, wight?”

“Every weekend, little one,” Aiden breathed, already enchanted by the little doll in his arms. He couldn’t help but fall in love with her. Her innocent nature and easy acceptance of him had melted him in an instant. Perhaps it was yet another trait that he shared with his father.

“Good. Now can dey gwow ‘gain? I wike da gwow.”

“Alright darling,” Alex said with a smile.

He ran his wand over the rest of the girls, frowning when they all showed up white. Another deep breath confirmed the smell but he couldn’t find the source. He cast a few diagnostic charms on his nose, just in case and then cast a blanket detection spell. It was only used in emergencies when the hospital needed to perform wide sweeps with magic that could affect pregnancies. He almost fell over when Lazarus glowed blue.

“Yay,” Addie Mae squealed and clapped her hands. “He’s wakeding up!”

“What little one?” Aiden breathed.

“Wazawus sayed he was tiwed and needed a nap but he’s all bettew now and is wakeding up.”

“LAZ?” Andra squeaked and broke away from her pack to cradle his seemingly lifeless body to hers. “Laz, if you’re in there, wake up. Wake up please. I can’t do this without you.”

A white light flooded the room and the sound of crackling thunder made the rescued children cover their ears and cringe.

“Nemesis,” Melody said softly when she noticed the appearance of the Goddess.

“You have done well, fated ones,” Nemesis said and knelt beside Lazarus and a frozen Andra. “We’ve seen your enemy now. In reflection of the losses you’ve suffered, and the path that you will need to walk from here forward, the Gods have decided to grant you several boons. This is your first. Your second will come soon. Call on us when hope is lost.”

When Nemesis blinked out, Lazarus took a deep breath, choking and wheezing. Melody fell to her knees beside him.

“Easy Lazarus. Take slow shallow breaths and try to calm down. Coming back from the dead hurts like a mother.”

“T-takes one,” Lazarus choked out.

“You’re a seer now,” Melody said happily.

“No,” Lazarus rasped and sat up slowly, gently positioning a stunned Andra to lean into his chest. “Just had the strangest talk with Fortuna.”

“Blabbermouth,” Melody muttered but couldn’t wipe the grin off her face. “Anyway, way to live up to your name kid. The fates don’t grant boons very often. Use it wisely.”

“I will,” Lazarus said. “But I have a score to settle.”

“Well you’re in luck,” Melody said lightly and jumped to her feet. “We’re all looking to settle the same score.”

“Damn straight,” Rhapsody piped up. She had remained silent throughout the entire ordeal but now had her bearings back. “But you all need to recover first. It won’t do us any good if you are still weak.”

“Who says I’m weak?” Jonah hissed.

Rhapsody rubbed the bridge of her nose in frustration. “For fucks sake, put the damn ego away. I don’t mean you are a weak person. I mean your bodies are weak and they need to heal.”

“I’m just fine,” Jonah growled.

“Oh really?” Rhapsody snapped and then turned to Aiden who still had Addie Mae in his arms. “Addie Mae, do you mind if Aiden puts you down for a moment? I need him for just a minute and then you can have him back, okay?”

“Otay,” Addie Mae said sadly. “Jonah needs a ‘pankin.”

Rhapsody giggled. “Yes he does. Do you want anyone else to hold you while Aiden give Jonah his spanking?”

“Can I howd Aiden’s daddy?”

“Of course little one,” Rhapsody said, barely containing a snicker as Severus sneered. However, the dour potions master dutifully took the child from his son and cradled her to his chest, turning to allow her to see what was about to happen.

“Wike Aiden’s daddy,” Addie sighed. “Safe wike Aiden. You my new daddy?”

“No sweetheart,” Severus said. “I won’t be your new daddy.”

“But you is Dwaco’s daddy?”

“Yes ma’am. But Draco’s mommy lives with another man and he will be your daddy.”

“Then who is you?”

Severus smirked. “I’ll be your uncle, of sorts.”

“Kay,” Addie Mae sighed. “Unca. Aiden, you pank Jonah now?”

“Of course little one,” Aiden said. He was quite looking forward to spanking Jonah, actually.

Jonah snorted and shot Rhapsody a condescending look. “So you call on your boyfriend to kick my ass?”

“No,” Rhapsody said breezily. “I just didn’t want to bruise your ego too badly. Besides, Aiden knows when to stop.”

“It’s true, you know,” Zach piped up. “Once Rhap starts, a wild pack of vampires couldn’t pull her loose.”

“Ha fricken ha,” Rhapsody said darkly. “Would you care to have a go?”

“I fancy my bits, thanks,” Zach hissed.

“That’s what I thought.”

“Scared of a girl?” Jonah offered.

“Just that one,” Zach clarified. “And you should be too.”

Jonah sniffed. “No girl could ever take me.”

Serena chose that moment to snap, lunging forward at full speed towards Jonah. If it was one thing she absolutely hated, it was someone with a chauvinistic attitude. Thomas Gregory had made the same mistake and was missing a testicle to prove it. Jonah might be on the same side, but she’d make sure he counted his bits twice when she was done with him.

“No,” Aiden growled and lunged for her.

He hit her mid-stride, the two knocking into each other with enough force to crack bones. They went tumbling into the staircase where more bones could be heard snapping. They moved so quickly they blurred out of sight a few times before Aiden finally pinned her to the ground and threw a sticking charm at her. Serena growled and hissed impotently as her brother eased off of her.

“That’s enough,” Aiden hissed. “You need to learn to control your temper.”

“You heard what he said!” Serena yelled. “Let me up. I’ll take him!”

“No, you’ll hurt him,” Aiden sighed. “And that’s the last thing we need right now.”

“I could take you all!” Jonah shouted.

“No,” Zandra said softly. “Jonah, trust me. This is one fight you aren’t going to win. Please, just apologize and we can all get together to plan the Master’s downfall.”

“You don’t think I can take him?” Jonah asked, his voice icy as he gripped her hand harder than necessary.

“No Jonah,” Zandra said softly. “You aren’t in any shape to fight.”

“Him,” Jonah spat. “Go ahead and say it. I’m not in any shape to fight him.”

“Any of them,” Zandra whispered and pried her hand loose, rubbing it with a grimace.

“You’re hurt,” Aiden said softly and walked over. Jonah growled low in his throat, warning him away but he was ignored. Aiden gently picked up Zandra’s quickly bruising wrist and tapped it with his wand, muttering a healing charm.

“Some pack leader you are,” Aiden said darkly. “You have too much arrogance and no control over your anger. Were you to try and take on the Master now, she’d slice you to ribbons before you even laid eyes on her. Winning takes discipline, control, and knowledge, three things you are sadly lacking in.”

“Are you calling me stupid?”

“You have no common sense, so yes,” Aiden snapped and rubbed Zandra’s wrist, nodding in satisfaction when she didn’t wince. “You act like you like Zandra and yet, you damn near fractured her wrist. Is that the action of a smart man?”

“I did not,” Jonah barked and then clamped his mouth shut when he saw a tear escape Zandra’s eye. His entire posture changed to one of utter horror as he almost tackled her to the ground, grabbing for her wrist. He was careful though, barely touching her, as if he feared one breath would make her shatter.

“Merlin Zandra,” Jonah croaked. “I-I didn’t mean to. I wanted to keep you safe.”

Aiden snorted. “The road to hell is paved with good intentions.”

“That’s it,” Jonah snarled. “I don’t know who in the fuck you think you are, but I’m sick of you. Let’s go.”

Aiden shook his head and straightened out with a wince. “You won’t win with that attitude.”

“I’m strong enough to kick your ass. Beating up a little girl doesn’t impress me.”

Serena screamed from the floor. “Let me up. I’ll show him who the fucking girl is!”

“Serena, shut up,” Aiden snapped. “You aren’t helping your case by throwing a tantrum. Jonah, I do not want to hurt you. Please rethink this.”

“You’re going to be the one rethinking things,” Jonah taunted and began to stalk in circles.

Harry and Ginny tensed, wondering if they shouldn’t interfere in this fight. It was clear that Aiden was already hurt. However, Jonah was still nowhere near ready to fight him. Aiden was controlled and careful, but one wrong move could jeopardize everything.

“No,” Harmony whispered, throwing a spell to keep them on the spot. “They must work this out on their own. It’s the only way to gain his respect.”

“But-“

“No buts,” Rhapsody broke it. “I’ve seen it too.”

Hermione sighed and leaned a bit further into Draco’s side, careful not to press against his burns. She wanted desperately to break this up, but Draco had immediately asked that she stay. He, too, thought that they needed to work this out for themselves. When she thought about it for a while, she realized he was right. If they hadn’t been able to work things out for themselves during their war, they might not be standing there. Still, she worried. Aiden was clearly hurt. Serena was hurt but spitting mad. And Jonah, he was undoubtedly still weak but too mad to notice how sluggish he was.

“Pank him Aiden!” Addie Mae called, causing several of the family members to giggle.

Aiden smiled and turned to the side to bow at the little girl in his father’s arms. “Yes ma’am.”

Jonah picked that moment to strike, charging for all he was worth, arms out to the side to grab Aiden in a tackle. Aiden, expecting this, sidestepped him and grabbed his left arm, swinging him around and neatly pinning him to the floor. From the lack of the expectant thud, everyone knew that Aiden had softened his blow. Anyone else would have split the floor boards. They knew from experience.

Aiden sighed and stepped back to allow Jonah to get back up. “Please stop this. You are only hurting yourself.”

“No, I’m hurting you,” Jonah insisted.

Aiden shook his head and neatly ducked the punch the blond threw at him. The next blow was dodged in the same manner. He stepped back on step to avoid the kick to his groin. Pursing his lips in annoyance, Aiden neatly caught the last swing, a right hook.

“Stop this now. You’re embarrassing yourself.”

“Stop avoiding and fight!” Jonah screamed.

“Fighting never solved anything,” Aiden said softly.

“Wait, you’ve fought,” Zandra piped up, slapping her hands over her mouth in embarrassment.

Aiden smirked and lifted his foot to avoid having it swept out from under him. He neatly ducked the next jab to his jaw and grabbed Jonah’s left hand. He jerked the boy off balance while simultaneously kicking his feet out from under him. Jonah landed to the ground with a huff, all the air knocked out of his lungs.

“Yes, I fought. However, that was to let off some steam. There is nothing wrong with physically working out frustrations, but the only way to solve them is to communicate. So yes, I did beat Nate to a fine powder, but we talked it over after my anger subsided.”

“Bullshit,” Jonah shouted and flung himself up from the ground and at Aiden.

Aiden quickly decided he’d had enough, grabbing Jonah around the waist and depositing him on his stomach on the arm of the sofa. He quickly smacked the boy smartly on the ass and then pushed him to the floor, pinning him with his hand around his throat.

“Now, will you desist?” Aiden hissed.

Jonah struggled but finally went limp, nodding his assent. Aiden nodded and backed up, never taking his eyes off of the boy. When he got over to his family, he winced again and held his ribs.

“What all did you two break this time,” Alex asked sadly and started running diagnostics on the siblings. “Let’s see, Serena, looks like a simple fractured ankle. Easy to fix.” He quickly mended her ankle. “Now, if I let you up, you must swear to stay put or I will take you out. Do you understand?”

“Yes sir,” Serena mumbled glumly and remained lying down when the spell was removed.

“Now then,” Alex said, turning his wand on Aiden. His eyes widened when the results came back. “Merlin A, how are you standing?”

Aiden quirked an eyebrow. “On my feet?”

“Smartass,” Alex chided. “You’ve broken your left femur, six ribs, two lower vertebrae and your right elbow.”

Aiden shrugged and winced again. “I have a high pain tolerance. I hear I get it from my father.”

“I’ll say,” Alex snapped and went to work setting bones. When he was done, he stepped back and eyed Aiden critically. “Alright, you know the drill.”

Aiden sighed and nodded. He raised his wand and summoned a pen from his room. It zoomed into his hand. He tapped it and levitated it a few feet in front of him.

“Without the wand Aiden,” Alex chided. “You’ve been able to summon and levitate a pen since you were five.”

Aiden directed the pen to Alex’s hand where it was caught. Then he handed him his wand and stalked outside.

“Fuck,” Rhapsody moaned.

“That’s what I thought,” Alex said. “Go and see what you can do, yeah?”

Rhapsody nodded and ran outside to find Aiden.

“What’s wrong with him?” Zandra asked in a wavering voice.

“Remember what we said about him not healing very well on his own?” Melody asked.

“Oh!” Zandra said in shock. She remembered quite well, in fact. “But was he that drained?”

“Broken bones take more out of you than you think,” Alex informed her. “And then he decided to give Jonah a proper spanking. His magic was sustaining him, keeping him from feeling the pain too badly and it is fatigued now.”

“It can do that?” Zandra asked.

Alex nodded. “It’s a trait his father developed quite well.”

Severus sneered. “It was necessary. I didn’t think he would learn it so quickly.”

Alex shrugged. “Well, he did, so well that he was probably at his limit with that pen.”

“So,” Zandra said cautiously. “Rhapsody has gone to… to um, to-“

“Yes,” Alex said softly. “They are comfortable with each other. That’s the key to control.”

“He could lose control?” Zandra asked worriedly.

Alex nodded. “But he’s very, very good…and Rhapsody will not hesitate to knock him on his ass if he loses it. It’s the hardest thing to learn…and why I want you all to stay at school this weekend. When Philippe wakes up, he’s going to be ravenous. He won’t be himself at all and he’ll go for the first good smelling thing in the room.”

“But that would be you,” Zandra gasped.

Alex smiled. “Fortunately, newborn vampires are very weak. We get stronger as we age and that works in my favor. I can hold him until we can get some blood down him. He’ll come back to himself after his first feeding. However, if there is human blood in the house, he won’t be able to control himself. The pull is almost unbearable.”

“I want to be there,” Harmony said brokenly.

“It’s dangerous,” Alex said. “He could drain you.”

“I know,” Harmony said softly. “But I… I don’t want him to wake up alone.”

“You’ll be a fucking vampire too!” Jonah spat.

“Do you have a problem with vampires, werewolf?” Melody asked, her eyes blazing indigo.

Jonah blinked rapidly. “I-I uh-“

“We didn’t choose this life for Philippe,” Melody said, trying desperately to control herself. “He lost his life saving yours and having him turned was the only way we could keep him with us. It’s selfish and wrong on many levels, but you have absolutely no idea how badly we need him.”

Jonah sighed and sat down hard on the sofa. “I didn’t mean it like that. I am grateful that you saved us. I am. I just hate that he has to be a…a blood sucking leech.”

Melody growled. “Jonah, I’m only going to tell you this one time. I get that you’ve been taught your entire life that creatures are bad. But, you need to wake up and smell the coffee. You are a creature now, a half-werewolf with only half a soul. We hope to remedy that but your life will be in the hands of vampires. Alex has done nothing but care for you since you arrived. Does he seem like such a bad guy?”

“No,” Jonah said softly. “But vampires kill people.”

“So do werewolves,” Melody pointed out and Jonah had to nod. “Besides, we can feed without killing our dinner. Jonah, it isn’t what you are that defines you. It’s who you are. I decided a very long time ago that I wanted to help people. That decision landed me in some very hot water but I wouldn’t change it for the world. I got a family, a reaaaaally big fucked up family and I love it. I might be a vampire, but I see it as a blessing. I’m stronger now and I’m going to use it to my advantage.”

“So what, you want us to be part of the family?” Jonah asked incredulously.

“We do,” Melody said softly. “Zandra was voted in unanimously. Join us Jonah, all of you. We’ll take care of you until you are strong enough to fight. Then we can protect each other. We have a common enemy you know.”

“How did you get mixed up in this anyway?” Jonah asked.

Melody shrugged. “It’s a mystery…well, it was. Some of the pieces are starting to slide into place. Do any of you recall seeing a man that looks sort of like him?”

Every rescued child in the room looked to where Melody was pointing, at Draco. Most shook their heads but Lazarus and Andra nodded. Melody pointed at them to speak.

“I only saw him once,” Lazarus said softly. “When we first were kidnapped. He was in the theater with us a few rows back. He kept laughing at inappropriate times and talking back to the screen as if it were a live thing. I had it after a little while and turned to tell him to shut up. He glared at me and then smiled this really horrible smile and got up to leave. We were caught in a binding spell when we left the theater. It was him. He bent down and-“

“And?” Melody coaxed when Lazarus stopped and frowned.

“He said, ‘The perfect little mudbloods for the collection, fine experiments. I’ll enjoy watching the spirit leave your eyes, thief.”

“Thief,” Hermione said hollowly.

“That’s what he said,” Andra said. “I remember trying to ask what he thought we took but the world went black before I could. We never saw him again.”

“Hermione?” Melody asked.

Hermione swallowed hard. “The Master, she was really angry with me being a muggleborn.”

“Right,” Draco said darkly. “She was pissed because she’s a pureblood and was born without any magic and Hermione was a muggle born with loads of it.”

“That’s up to the fates,” Melody sniffed. “It isn’t anyone’s fault.”

“But she doesn’t see it that way, does she?” Draco asked. “You remember when we broke into the Ministry during the war. Umbridge was trying muggleborns in court, accusing them of stealing their magic. They were being thrown in Azkaban for it.”

“Right,” Melody said, her eyes moving back and forth. “You…you don’t think…how old was Umbridge?”

“You mean is?” Draco asked. “She’s still in St. Mungo’s, you know. And it says she was born in 1965, why?”

“Because she was a few years shy of joining the war,” Severus said. “Umbridge was never a Death Eater, but she was a sympathizer. She hates anyone not of pure wizarding blood. Sound familiar?”

“Besides the fact that Whorple could be her fucking grey twin?” Melody asked in distaste.

“What if she was?” Celeste asked suddenly. “Would that be possible?”

“No,” Melody said. “Whorple was a teacher when I was sixteen, meaning that she’s too old to be Umbridge’s twin. Sister…maybe?”

“Wouldn’t you see that though?” Hermione asked.

“Yes,” Melody said with a frown. “But it’s been a while since I’ve seen Umbridge and only in passing on my way to see one of you two. I wasn’t paying that close attention to her crest. But, even if they were related, that only gives us a small connection and no idea where Moira MacNeeley would tie in with all of this.”

“Well, we can get you in to see Umbridge,” Draco said softly. “Would that help?”

Melody bit her lip for a moment and then nodded. “Yes. Then we’ll at least have one question answered.” She started to say something else when a conversation caught her attention.

“It’s okay Aiden, just take it.”

“I will not bite you damn it. I’ll be fine.”

“Sure, and Gregory will jump you tomorrow when you're weak as a newborn kitten.”

“I’m still strong enough to take him.”

“Oh you think so huh? Come on then, let’s have a go.”

“I’m not going to fight you Rhap.”

She heard Rhapsody snort. “Because you can’t.”

“Because I won’t. I’ve already hurt you once today.”

“Oh come on. I only hissed to cover up my moan. You know I love it when you bite me.”

Melody’s jaw dropped open. A quick glance around the room told her that everyone else had the same expression. Harmony looked ready to bolt out of the room. Alex was busy trying not to laugh.

“No one can resist the fangs,” Aiden continued. “Their bloody addictive and I’ll not expose you to that again.”

“What if I want it?” Rhapsody asked in a small voice.

Deciding right then that this conversation was about to be way too personal, Melody snapped, erecting an age line around the room. No one under the age of twenty could hear what was going on outside now. She knew this was something those two needed to work out.

Aiden growled. “I don’t care what you want right now. I damn near didn’t stop the first time I drank from you…and there isn’t anyone out here to stop me if I go too far.”

“You’ll be just fine. I can see it.”

Aiden sighed. “But I feel horrible using you that way.”

“I want it,” Rhapsody repeated.

“Why?”

“You’re hurting and not just physically. I-I know that you have your heart set on Zandra and you just had it ripped out. You need a reminder.”

“Of?”

“Just how bloody amazing you are.”

“What exactly are you suggesting?”

Rhapsody took a deep breath and blew it out loudly. “One last time Fire. Be with me one last time.”

“Be?” Aiden asked in astonishment. “Wait, no Joy. We’re not together anymore, not like that. Making them jealous doesn’t entail this. I won’t use you like that.”

Rhapsody giggled. “I’d rather like to think I’m using you. Do you have a problem with it?”

“Yes, actually. Joy, you know I love you but-“

“I know. You don’t love me like that. It’s the same for me. But… well, let’s think about this for a moment. The hunter doesn’t like me right now. Zandra is with Jonah for the time being. We know we’re good together. Why do we have to be lonely? I mean, my aunt and your dad were lovers for years even knowing that they weren’t meant for each other. They wanted companionship. It doesn’t mean they used each other.”

Aiden scoffed. “They did use each other. But… I suppose it was a mutual use.”

“Exactly. Sometimes you just have to get laid.”

Melody blushed bright red at the comment. She could see the pink coloring in Sev’s cheeks as well. Celeste and Alex were holding back snickers, as were Draco and Hermione. Harry and Ginny were looking at them strangely but were wise enough not to say anything. While the other adults in the room were seemingly occupied, they ushered the younger rescues upstairs for some much needed rest. Addie Mae protested the loudest but went anyway.

Harmony cleared her throat. “Um, I know I’m not going to stop this…but do me a favor Mel?”

“Yeah Harm?” Melody croaked.

“Don’t you breathe a word of this to Philippe.”

“Done,” Melody said with no hesitation. “Go to him sis. I know you want to.”

Harmony nodded and left the room to go sit with her husband again.

“What’s going on?” Zach asked.

“Nothing,” Melody snapped. “Why don’t you all sit down and have a chat with the ones still down here. You’ll be working together. Might as well get to know each other.”

Nate snickered. “Mom put up an age line. You know what that means.”

“That she doesn’t want Rhap to embarrass the hell out of herself for something beyond her control?” Cadence snapped. She knew what was really happening, her eyesight being what it was, but she did want to keep her sister’s confidence. Besides, Rhap had done the same for her a million times.

“Oh, right,” Nate said, chastised. “I’d forgotten about that.”

“Oh right, you’d forgotten about that,” Cadence mocked in a nasally voice.

“Hey now,” James said softly. “Why don’t we all calm down? It’s been a rough week and we need to be on the same page.”

“Fine by me,” Cadence sniffed. “Just spell Nate’s mouth shut and we’ll all be fine.”

“Jeez,” Nate said. “I’m sorry, okay? I really did forget.”

Cadence just nodded curtly and plopped on the floor, secretly happy that she’d pulled it off. However, there was one person that wasn’t fooled, if the goofy grin on James’s face was anything to go by. He had been on more than one double date with the couple in the pasture to know that more than just a bite was going down.

Melody sighed and concentrated on the couple in the pasture. She wasn’t going to begrudge them a moment of comfort. They were smart, responsible, and considered adults in the wizarding world. Besides, if Aiden really did lose control, they’d need to react quickly.”

“So what would you call us then?” Aiden asked. “I thought we stopped dating to become available.”

“How about fuck buddies?” Rhapsody suggested and then cackled. “Well, I suppose it is a bit crude. Would friends with benefits be more to your liking?”

“At least it doesn’t sound like I’m a stud service,” Aiden groused.

Rhapsody giggled again. “Oh, you are a stud alright.”

Aiden sighed. “Oh Joy, you know this can’t happen right?”

“Yes is can Fire. Just close your eyes and try to forget everything.”

“I can’t just forget everything. Besides, you already know I can barely move.”

“Then don’t,” Rhapsody purred. “I’ll do all the work.”

“And when I sink my fangs into you and attempt to drain you dry?”

“I’ll shock the fuck out of you.”

“Sounds like the opposite of pleasurable,” Aiden hissed.

Rhapsody hummed. “Oh, I’ll make it worth your while. Come on Fire. Just let go. You know you need this. Let me take care of you…just one more time. Just this once and I won’t beg again…unless you want to.”

Aiden moaned and then grunted. “Joy, just one question before we start.”

Rhapsody groaned. “Yes Fire. I’m terrified of him, alright? I can’t read him and that freaks me the fuck out. But I know he doesn’t like me. He thinks I’m an overbearing stuck up bitch. All he ever sees is me reprimanding one of you or Serena complaining that I’m a know-it-all. He thinks I’m full of myself. He thinks that I’m a control freak. He doesn’t see the real me. No one does.”

“I see the real you Joy,” Aiden said softly. “I see you biting your lip, wondering if anyone notices that you’ve put effort into your appearance. You’re insecure and terrified that someone is going to find out what you are and try to take advantage of you. I’ve heard you scream in your sleep when the visions become too much, held you while you cried late into the night. I know that your deepest darkest wish is that someone will take the lead for just once and tell you that everything is going to be alright. I see you just fine sweetheart. And you know what? If that hunter is meant to be your soul mate, then he will too. He’ll see you just as clearly as me…and maybe he won’t risk breaking you when he forgets himself.”

Rhapsody sniffled. “Oh Fire. You are going to made someone so happy.”

“Still won’t tell me who she is, will you?”

“Course not,” Rhapsody half-laughed, half-sobbed. “I still can’t break the bloody rules. But, if you want to try with Zandra, I give you my blessing.”

“She doesn’t want me,” Aiden sighed.

“She doesn’t know what she wants,” Rhapsody said soothingly. “Right now, Jonah seems to foot the bill. They went through something so horrible that most people couldn’t fathom it and they forged a bond. She’s got to figure out what that bond is before she can move on.”

“Will she though? That’s the question, isn’t it? I know all about bonds forged in fire. I see it every day with my dad and Melody.”

“And yet, they married other people.”

“And still fucked each other, in a foursome no less.” Aiden snickered.

Melody slapped her hand over her mouth to keep from gasping too loudly. She could feel Alex behind her, shaking with mirth. Severus was rigid, but Celeste had her face buried in his robes. She could hear her snickers clearly. Draco and Hermione were breathing deeply, trying not to laugh so they wouldn’t aggravate their wounds.

“Well, there isn’t anything that says we couldn’t have one too,” Rhapsody said innocently.

“I’m not fucking another guy, Joy,” Aiden growled.

“And you didn’t say anything about me and Zandra going at it,” Rhapsody said in a sing song voice.

“It does no good to lie to you,” Aiden huffed.

Rhapsody giggled. “We’ll discuss it later. Right now, you need to feed…and I want to fuck. So, why don’t you just lie back, relax, and let me do my thing.”

The six adults with enhanced hearing stood there helplessly as they were bombarded with sighs, moans, and cries of pleasure from the two teens outside. Begrudgingly, the sounds of the amorous couple were doing nothing to help their libidos. Muttered curses and pleading directions made them want to put up a silencing charm, but they couldn’t risk trusting Aiden to stop.

Draco was in hell in that particular moment. He wanted nothing more than to whisk Hermione away to their home back in London, throw her over a desk, and fuck her until neither one could stand anymore. Unfortunately, right now neither one of them could stand if that were to happen. One wrong move and they’d undo all the healing they had done.

‘Soon,’ Draco thought to his wife.

‘Oh yes,’ Hermione thought back in a moan.

She was turned on and she wasn’t sure if she should be disgusted or just frustrated at the thought. Still, it wouldn’t do any good to debate it. She couldn’t help her reactions, but she could tease her husband.

‘Did you mean what you said?’

‘When?’

‘In Melody’s bedroom, when you said I could tie you down?’

‘Oh, that. Of course I did…if that’s what you want.’

‘Will you teach me?’

‘How about I show you?’

“Stop it,” Melody snapped, breaking them out of their little conversation. “You’re starting to glow…and you can’t afford to do anything about it.”

“Damn,” they muttered and tried to rein it in. It was hard, but they managed it.

“Oh, I’m so close,” Rhapsody’s voice invaded their ears again. “Go on Fire. Bite. Please.”

“Promise you’ll stop me,” Aiden groaned. “Promise!”

“I promise, just please!” Rhapsody begged.

A piercing scream ripped through the air, breaking Melody’s concentration and subsequently, her age line.

“What in the fuck?” Jonah growled and tried to get up but was quickly put back into his place by a quick spell from Serena.

“It’s fine,” Serena growled. “Leave it.”

“But someone’s hurt.”

“Boy mate, you’ve got some learning to do,” Nate said dryly.

“I-“

“Shut it!” Melody snapped. “I’m trying to hear.”

All the children in the family promptly snapped their mouths closed. They knew exactly what she was listening for, Rhapsody’s heartbeat. It would be muffled from here, but she could still hear it if they were quiet. Aiden had only fed from the source once before and had to be reminded to stop by Zach and Nate. They almost had to physically separate him but he had come back to himself just in time. They didn’t relax until Melody relaxed and nodded.

Some time later, a rather rumpled Aiden walked stoically through the door, an equally tousled and unconscious Rhapsody in his arms. “She needs a blood replenisher.”

“Well,” Alex said jovially and tipped a bottle of potion down his niece’s throat. “Looks like she and Melody have one thing in common.”

“Damn it Alex,” Melody sighed.

“What?” Alex drawled. “I find it rather endearing.”

Aiden cleared his throat. “If you don’t mind, she needs to rest.”

“I’ll bet,” Alex snorted, an amused twinkle in his eye.

“Oh Merlin,” Aiden breathed and blushed brightly. “I didn’t… I mean… we-I… Fuck.”

Melody cackled, unable to help herself. “Yes well, go sit down with her. We’ll be leaving in a moment anyway.”

Aiden nodded and made his way to the arm chair, giving a grateful nod to Ara and Serena, who scrambled out of it.

“What in the fuck did you do to her?” Jonah asked in horror.

Nate chuckled darkly. “Knowing Rhap, I doubt it went down like that.”

No one missed the sadness in Zandra’s eyes as she took in their disheveled appearance, or the way that Rhapsody sighed when Aiden leaned her against his chest. Nor did they miss the way Aiden sighed when Zandra and his eyes met. They certainly also noticed that Jonah clutched Zandra just a bit harder when the two looked away uncomfortably.

AN: Okay, so that was probably evil but I couldn't help it. Aiden needed some love too. Please send all complaints to Muse@ she does what she wants blvd. I know you wanted some D/H action but they aren't ready yet. They will be though. *evil grin*. What do you guys think of little Addie? Her grammar is based on my own three year old's and I spelled it that way on purpose. She has a problem with her R's and L's. Poor little baby. As always, thanks to everyone who reviewed this story (and stuck around after my break). They are better than hot chocolate. Keep them coming and let me know how I'm doing and if you find any errors. Until next time... Love you guys!
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Fooling Fate *sequel to Bound*

Fooling Fate sequel to Bound