Adult-FanFiction.org : Harry Potter

A Witch's Tale	By : snowblind12 Category: Harry Potter > Het - Male/Female Views: 27756 -:- Recommendations : 1 -:- Currently Reading : 5
Disclaimer: This fanfic is based off the Harry Potter books which are owned by JKR. I make no money from this fanfic and these characters as well as the Harry Potter books and world belong to JKR!

Chapter List
- 37
- 38
- 39
Thanks for favoring, following and reviewing. I apologize for not responding to reviews for the last chapter. I've been away and am still away on vacation, so my computer time has been limited. So, this has not been proofed as well as it should be. Please forgive spelling and punctuation errors.
Thanks to LissaDream for her friendship, plot advice and encouragement. You're the best :*
I own none of this and make no money from it.
Saturday Morning, continued...
Draco and Lexie walked out of Hermione's apartment building, unsure which way to turn. Following his gut, Draco turned right pulling Lexie alongside. Lexie's hand still in his, they walked briskly down the street, their eyes scanning left and right looking for anything unusual.
His grip so tight her hand was starting to hurt, Lexie finally had to say something. "Draco, you don't need to hold my hand. I can take care of myself, you know!"
Draco ignored her, his pace still fast, his grip still tight, his eyes still intensely scanning the corners, alleyways and store fronts.
"Draco, you're hurting me. Stop!" She scolded, stamping her foot and forcing him to stop.
He stopped and looked at her, his face intense, his voice raw and slightly choked. He loosened his grip but did not release her hand. "Lexie, I'm not letting go so you may as well stop complaining. I don't know what's going on, I don't know if we are being watched, I don't know we are in danger. One of my best friends is missing and I refuse to lose you too. You're in my country now and you don't know what we might be up against. You don't know what people are capable of over here. I do! Trust me! I'm not letting go."
Her jaw fell open and her eyes watered slightly. The love he had for Hermione and the love he had for her could not be more apparent and it moved her deeply. This was not the teasing, sarcastic and playful Draco she knew so well. This was a man who was desperate to find his friend and clearly desperate to not lose her as well. It should have made her angry that he was treating her like a child, but she found she wasn't at all. She squeezed his hand and nodded.
It was a couple blocks away that they both froze and looked at the ground in front of them. A bag of bagels, a shattered bottle of orange juice, fruit in a container that had spilled open. Slightly to the right, were two large to go coffee cups, spilled and empty.
"Fuck," Draco whispered. He leaned down and picked up the bag, looking for a receipt. A receipt was attached to the side:
Benny's Bagels, Buns and Biscuits
Time in 7:17am Time out 7:22am
Server: Minsy
Make it a great day!
Draco held the bag and stood looking back at Lexie. "This was hers. I just know it." He looked around and then said urgently. "Come on. We need Potter."
Draco and Lexie arrived back a couple minutes later to find Severus, Luna, Harry and Ginny were at the flat as well. Draco walked over to Harry and Severus, handing the bag and receipt to them. "Spilled food, juice and two spilled coffee cups are on the street about two blocks down."
Theo dashed over, grabbing the bag, looking at the receipt. "Oh God," he whispered, collapsing onto the sofa, his head in his hands. Ginny sat down next to him, rubbing his back. "it's important we not panic," she said out loud to the anguished and concerned faces around the room.
Theo nodded and looked up at Harry. "Tell me..tell me what to do." He looked back at Ginny, her eyes wet with unshed tears. He grabbed her hand and held it tight. Luna walked over to Draco's side, Lexie to her Father's.
Severus and Harry exchanged looks. Harry sighed. "I need to take this to headquarters." He looked back at Draco. "The Aurors are out looking. They have spies watching suspected areas where we believe sleeper cells might be." He looked at Theo and then Severus. "Other Aurors are being called in."
Harry looked at Theo. "The best thing for you to do is wait, Theo. There really isn't anything else you can do. Unless...unless you can think of anything unusual. You know, anything that at the time might have seemed odd, but now that this has happened, maybe might seem more prevalent?"
Theo sighed, rubbing his head, "I can't think of anything, but if anything comes to mind, I'll let you know right away."
Harry looked around the room. "Everyone involved with Poppinstock or Malfoy Enterprises could be at risk," His eyes shot to Draco. "Particularly, you."
Draco nodded. "I'm going to the Manor. Maybe Father will...I don't know. Maybe he'll have some ideas."
Severus nodded at Draco. "I'm coming with you."
Saturday Evening
Draco and Severus had spent an hour at the Manor with Lucius that morning. Lucius insisted he had no knowledge of the locations of any sleeper cells or the whereabouts of any of the known missing Death Eaters. He swore he had no contact with any of them.
Not knowing for sure his father was being truthful, Draco had threatened him. He hated to do it, but this was about Hermione, a witch whom he loved as though she were the sister he never had. And the simple truth was, he no longer trusted his father, not after what he had done. He looked his father in the eyes and threatened to tell Potter about Lucius breaking the terms of his house arrest by talking with Rita Skeeter. Draco knew his Dad was telling the truth when even that threat produced no new information.
After his father's denial, the elder Malfoy looked at Draco with a stoney expression, his voice quiet with rage. "I can't believe you would threaten me, Draco. Your own father! And over that...that filth!"
Exhausted, he sighed. "You left me no choice. It's your actions that led to this." He walked away, furious with his father and yet heartbroken that their relationship had taken this sour turn. Jen didn't know if their relationship would ever recover.
Severus had taken a different approach. He had not threatened his friend of over thirty years, but instead had asked the elder Malfoy his opinion as to where cells might be. They reviewed the names of the Death Eaters that were never caught or found dead. There were only a handful; Rabastan Lestrange, The Carrows, as well as three or four others. While Lucius remained quiet, Severus and Draco agreed the missing lot were a nasty bunch and that finding Hermione quickly was of upmost importance. If she wasn't already dead, she was being tortured, of that there was no doubt.
By six o'clock, Hermione's apartment was full of more concerned friends. Ron, George, Magnolia, Blaise and three Aurors were now part of the assembled group. The Aurors were there for security purposes and stayed near the doors and windows. Theo and Ron maintained a polite distance from each other, but were cordial and considerate of each other as well.
Harry wasn't there but would pop in every now and then with any new information he had. He had most recently popped in to say the Aurors were about to move in on a suspected cell location. With Hermione's life on the line, there was no time to watch and wait any longer as they had been doing for months. They needed to take their chances and move in now.
All eyes were on the Floo when at seven o'clock Harry came through. His voice excited, he announced to the room. "They captured the Carrows!" Ginny rushed into his arms. He held her as he looked back around the room, his eyes resting on Draco's and then Theo's. "They're being given verituserum now to see what they know about Hermione. With any luck, we'll know more within the next thirty minutes or so." He looked at Ron and reached out, squeezing his best friend's shoulder. "I'll be back as soon as I know more." He kissed his wife on the head and then stepped back into the floo, disappearing as he had been doing all day.
Draco, Theo and Lexie were standing together. Theo looked up at the ceiling and said quietly, his voice choked with emotion, "I can't take this. If..if anything has happened to her...I just."
Lexie pulled him into a hug, whispering reassuringly. "Hey, stop it. Harry could pop back in with good news any minute. Don't lose faith."
Hermione struggled with the bindings around her wrists. Her head was pounding, and the side of her head was tender to the touch, like she had banged it on something. The room was dark, without windows. It smelled damp. A cellar, maybe? She sat in the corner, wanting to keep her back to the wall. If something or someone came at her, she wanted to see it coming..even if she couldn't fight them.
She shook her head in frustration, realizing she should not have gone out alone this morning. Mad Eye Moody would be sorely disappointed in her were he still alive. She thought about Theo and how worried he would be when he woke up and she was missing. She had no idea what time it was, as she had been sleeping or unconscious until a few moments ago.
Her eyes shot up in front of her when a door creaked. It was a door she hadn't known was even there as it was so dark. The sudden light caused her eyes to burn and her head to throb even more. Once they adjusted, her eyes grew wide when the large foreboding frame of Rabastan Lestrange stalked into the room. He slowly approached, staring down at her with disdain. "You've been a busy little bee, Mudblood," he scowled as he towered over her. His dark wavy hair and dark eyes added to his menacing presence. "Spreading lies and gathering false evidence."
She didn't respond to his comment but instead just watched him, trying not to show fear, despite being terrified. She shifted away from him, edging closer to the wall behind her.
He waved his wand causing the overhead light to flicker on and shut the door behind him. He pulled a chair out of the corner and sat down in front of her, his large form still a towering presence. His voice seethed with contempt. "The little Mudblood, whore... Finally at my mercy, after all these years." His eyes roved up and down her form in a way that made her feel dirty. He leered, and her skin crawled, as he said, "Alecto and Amycus will be thrilled to get their hands on you. They felt deprived when you didn't come back to Hogwarts when they were there. They sooo wanted to play with you." He was openly smiling, maliciously. "Alecto likes little girls." His eyes gazed to her chest, "of course you're not so little anymore. But, I think she'll be pleased none the less." Once again leering up and down her form, he winked at her. "After she has her fun, Amycus and I will have our turn." He shrugged. "I'd start playing now, but you know, ladies first and all that. I am a gentleman, after all." He smiled at his joke.
Rabastan jumped to his feet and looked behind him when a noise could be heard in the room he had just come from. "Ahh, that's them now." He looked back at her, grinning. "Finally, little miss mudblood is going to get what she deserves."
When he left the room, Hermione let out a gasp of panic. She jumped to her feet and looked around the now lit room. She needed something, anything she could use as a weapon. Her feet were bound to each other but there was enough give for her to take small steps. Her wrists were bound as well, but she could still grab something with her hands if she could find something. Her panic was continuing to escalate, telling her she needed to get out of there now, before they tortured and killed her. She tried to calm herself. Think, Hermione! Think! Unfortunately, telling herself to think only made it harder to concentrate.
She stilled when she heard several muffled voices followed by yelling and then a loud crash. She held her breath, unsure what was happening. She started to move towards the door, wondering if she should start yelling for help when she heard the voice of her best friend. "Where is she, Rabastan? Where's Hermione?"
Relief hit her like a bludger and she let out a sob when Harry came bursting through the door. She tried to run to him and almost fell, forgetting about her ankle bindings, but he caught her, scooping her up into his arms and held her tight. She cried on his shoulder as he rocked her. "It's ok, Mione. I've got you. You're safe."
Draco sat in the corner of the room, a quiet observer of the comings and goings around Hermione's bed. Theo was at her side, holding her hand, refusing to leave, even for a minute. St. Mungo's had been able to place her in a private room so that the constant stream of visitors and well wishers could be accommodated. In addition to everyone who had been at her apartment, Narcissa, Andromeda, Molly and Arthur Weasley as well Kingsley Shacklebolt, had all stopped by with well wishes. Even Rita Skeeter had brought flowers on behalf of the Daily Prophet, although Draco suspected the bothersome witch was really there to try to get a useable quote or an exclusive interview.
Lexie came over and sat next to him, taking his hand in hers."You ok?" She asked, her face concerned.
Drcao didn't say anything for a moment as he just sat watching Hermione with a steady, hovering stare. "I could have become him, you know?"
Lexie got a confused look on her face.
"I could have become a monster, just like Rabastan Lestrange." His voice now a whisper, he added, looking down at his hands , "I almost did." He turned towards her, his expression sad. "I was a Death Eater, Lexie. Although I think you already know that."
Their eyes stayed on each other. Lexie didn't say anything, the warmth of her eyes telling him she wouldn't run or turn her back on him. She just watched him and continued holding his hand, giving him a chance to finally confess and confide in her.
He sighed, letting out a heavy breath and then looked back towards Hermione. "I was raised to believe that I was superior...among the chosen...the elite." He looked back at her. "A pureblood from a family that was practically royal in the wizarding world." He paused a moment, collecting his thoughts. "My father and my father's father were Death Eaters. As were my mother's sister, Bellatrix, her husband, Rudolphus and her brother-in-law, Rabastan...They were my family, the people I was around as I grew up. The children I played with, the children in my house at Hogwarts...they were all, for the most part, children of Death Eaters or children of Voldemort supporters. I was raised to hate muggle-borns. I was raised to believe they were dirty and inferior and a disease to be rid of."
He shook his head lightly. "I hated Hermione all through school. I tormented her, picked on her, took every opportunity to make her miserable. All because she was a muggle-born and best friends with Harry Potter." He smiled, "and even more because she was so bloody, fucking smart. She was a hand at charms, excellent at transfiguration, perfect in potions...she was everything my father taught me muggle-borns weren't." He watched the muggle-born as she smiled at Theo, reassuring him that she was ok. Draco shook his head in dismay. "She was always taking care of everyone around her. Always the voice for those who didn't have one. She was so good, so selfless...it made me hate her that much more."
He let out a slow breath. "Over time, particularly after Voldemort moved into my house, I figured out how very on the wrong side of things I was. But it was too late. By sixth year I was a sworn Death Eater, I was terrified and I was alone. I knew I didn't believe any of the bullshit that psychopath was spouting, but I didn't have a choice but to do his bidding. If I had run to Dumblodore, I feared what would become of my family. I hadn't known that Severus was really Dumbledore's man. If I had known, I might have gone to him. I..I."
Lexie pulled him into a fierce hug. "Hey, it's ok."
He pulled back, his voice adamant, his gaze on the ground, not willing to look her in the eyes. "No, it's not! I was weak. I caused people to get hurt. It was because of me Death Eaters got into the school and Dumbledore was killed!" He swallowed, shaking his head, his voice now a whisper. He looked at her, his face pained, the words hard for him to say. "Severus killed him so that I wouldn't have to. I.. was not a good person."
His voice began to choke and he wiped his eyes. He looked back at Hermione, "and that witch right there...that amazing witch and her two best friends did what I should have done. They stood up to him and stood up to his followers. They did what was right, while my family continued to house, fund and support the evil bastard."
Lexie's tone was no longer comforting, but scolding. "Draco, you have to stop this!" Her tone got his attention. He looked at her, swallowing heavily. Her expression softened and she took his hand in hers. She sighed, gathering her thoughts. Her voice comforting and warm, she continued. "I'm glad you told me. I've been waitin' for you to tell me, but you need to stop blamin' yourself. You were a child! I've read all about what happened and I've read many articles about you. I know about everything you've done to try to help make up for what Voldemort did." She could tell he was about to cut her off and didn't give him a chance. "Listen to me, Draco! The thing is? It's not your burden to carry. It's not your fault! It was how you were raised. It was what you were taught. And yet, you figured out it was wrong. You figured it out because you were and are a good person. You helped the trio at the Manor. You didn't confirm their identities. You did what you could! If you had done more, you likely would have been killed." She squeezed his hand. "And look at all the good you've done these past few years. You are a good man Draco and I love you very much!" She looked at Hermione. "And that witch over there? She loves you too."
His tired eyes were defeated. He closed them and nodded lightly. He spoke softly. "I love you too, Lex. I'm sorry for not telling you about my past sooner. I was soo ashamed and so afraid I would lose your friendship."
"I'll aways be your friend, Draco. Always." She pulled him into another hug. This time he didn't pull away, but held her tight.
When they finally pulled away from each other, Draco noticed Luna was now sitting on his other side. She smiled warmly at him and then at Lexie. He pulled her close and she rested her head on his shoulder. He kissed her head and a feeling of relief finally washed over him. A weight that had plagued him was gone. He had come clean. There were no more secrets. And more importantly, Rabastan, the Carrows and three other Death Eaters, as well as two accomplices, had all been captured. To top it off, Hermione had been found before she came to any serious harm. That in itself was a miracle.
He looked back at the brilliant, bushy haired witch to find she was watching him, a warm smile on her face. He smiled back before giving her a signature smirk. "Really Granger, the lengths you go through to stay in the spotlight."
- 37
- 38
- 39
You need to be logged in to leave a review for this story.You need to be logged in to leave a review for this story.
Report Story

A Witch's Tale