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How To Train Your Auror 2: Family Ties	By : Alcoholic_Rootbeer Category: Harry Potter > Het - Male/Female > Draco/Hermione Views: 7990 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 1
Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter, and I will not make a profit from this story

Chapter List
- 39
- 40
- 41
Here we are. The final 3 chapters. I want to thank two special ladies: LightofEvolution and Sunful824 for proofing this chapter and making it all it can be.
Thank you, thank you, thank you.
Here we go.
~A.
"I am a human being
Capable of doing beautiful things."
AWOLNATION - Run (remixes) featuring Dan the Automator Remix
Hermione ached all over, head throbbing and even her gums pulsing. She vaguely became aware someone was talking as she was stirred from her sleep, awaking to the ceiling of the guest bedroom at the Potter's. She could barely remember what happened between stepping through the crumbling floo at Malfoy Manor and this morning. As she touched her cheeks, she felt the salty residue of dried tears.
"Drink this," someone said at the side of the bed, and Hermione attempted to roll over, caught as she discovered Scorpius curled into her side, still sleeping soundly. Ginny's soft, blue eyes greeted the brunette with understanding. "It's a pick-me-up potion. It'll help with-" she gestured to Hermione's form, "-all of this."
"Thanks," Hermione croaked, her voice dry and scratchy. She took the potion and shot it back with two gulps as Ginny took a seat next to her on the bed, her pregnant belly full of little Lily.
"You're welcome."
Hermione allowed the potion to take effect as memories flood her; the Manor, crumbling to pieces. Diggle's lifeless eyes staring up at the night sky. Draco being dragged away in cuffs… emotions hit her like a brick wall, knocking the breath out of her. Faces flickered behind her lids; Draco, Astoria, even Narcissa and Lucius.
"Gin…" She reached out and grabbed her best friend as the tears began to fall once again.
"Shh, Hermione. It's alright." Ginny patted the side of Hermione's cheek and cleared away the new tear stains.
Unknowingly, the two woke up Scorpius, who sat upright and stared at his Hermummy with confused adoration. "Hermummy no cry."
Sniffling, Hermione nodded and wiped her nose with her torn sleeve. "You're right, Scorpius. I shouldn't cry… I'm sorry you had to see that." She attempted her best smile as she reached over and hugged the toddler tight to her, to which he wiggled against her, not a fan of being squashed.
"Can go see Mummy 'n Daddy?"
As if cued, the two witches exchanged wary glances. "We can go see Mummy, Scorpius. Sure." Hermione purposefully glazed over mentioning Draco, unsure if explaining the situation to Scorpius would do any good. It then hit her… "I… I'm not even sure where she is," she spoke to Ginny. "Astoria, or Auror Jameson, or-"
"Calm down," Ginny said at once. "Harry left me with a list of answers for you. Locations and whatnot. Here. I have their rooms written down and everything…" From her pockets she produced a rolled up parchment and grinned, trying to reassure her friend. "It'll be alright. You'll see. Harry's working on getting Malfoy out of Azkaban as we speak. When have you ever known Harry to fail at something he puts his mind to?"
"It isn't that," Hermione replied. "It's that I'm not there, helping him. I shouldn't be resting. I should-"
"Agreed. You should be taking a shower." Ginny reached over and ruffled Scorpius's hair. "Albus is still sleeping, but once he's awake, how about a bath and waffles?"
"Albus! Yay! And pancakes," Scorpius insisted like the Slytherin he was born to be.
"Pancakes, then," agreed the redhead. "And while we do that, Hermummy can freshen up. -I've laid some clothes out for you in the bedroom."
"Thank you," Hermione muttered, the potion taking affect and alleviating some of the tension inside of her. She reached over to the nightstand beside her, snatching up her newly charged cell phone (thank Merlin the Potters had muggle things as well as magical). Just as her fingers touched the plastic, a new message buzzed onto the screen. Dean's name glowed at the top.
'With Draco. Says not to worry. Sends his love.'
"Hmph." She slammed the phone back down on the table. Apparently, she wasn't as forgiving as she had thought she was.
"Well?" Draco asked, expectant.
"I've only just sent it," said Dean, "and that's with no reception, mind you, in a remote prison in the middle of the ocean…" He gave a reassuring look at the blond's crestfallen expression. "Give it some time, yeah?"
Draco sat across a lengthy table in a proper prison uniform. He hadn't been allowed to shower, but, for once, the young Malfoy didn't seem to mind. There was dirt along his fine features and muck in his hair -so much so, Draco was sure he resembled the crazed look of his departed Aunt Bellatrix. Last night, he arrived in Azkaban and slept dreamlessly. But he had slept. It was the first full night's rest he'd been given since the night of his proposal to Hermione.
Hermione… he hoped she was alright. And Scorpius. Luckily, Dean had told him enough about Astoria, seeing as how he'd just come from St. Mungo's. With a few hydrating potions and a full analysis of her condition, nothing new had come of it. It didn't really shock Draco; he knew what was in store the moment he signed up for marriage to Astoria. The curse would, eventually, eat her lifeforce, and she would cease to exist.
Why did everyone Draco cared for have a hex aimed at the back of their heads, metaphorically, and sometimes literally?
The door propped open, and Harry Potter entered, a thick stack of paperwork in his hands. Aside from a new change of clothes, Potter looked worn. He took a seat next to Dean at the interrogation table and flicked the first stack of papers open. When his eyes trailed up to Draco's, it was obvious he hadn't slept a wink last night. Maybe not since this entire ordeal began…
"So," Harry began, "from your witness statement last night and my written confirmation you worked with your grandfather under duress, the likelihood of the Wizengamot being able to hold you responsible for what happened last night is highly unlikely. And, since you actively broke into Azkaban under my orders, you should be cleared of those charges as well. However…" He stared down at the papers, back up to Draco, and gave an irritable sigh. "An Unforgivable? The Cruciatus Curse?"
Draco dipped his head, suddenly finding his fingernails much more interesting than what Potter had to say. Oh, who was he kidding? He just felt ashamed. "What do you want me to say?"
"I want you to tell me you didn't do it. That Diggle was lying."
A cold smirk graced Draco's pointed face. "It wouldn't be good form to lie about a dead man's word."
"Damn it, Malfoy!" Harry nearly knocked the papers off the table as he slammed his hand down. "Give me something I can work with!"
"You and I both know there's nothing to say that's going to get the case thrown out," Draco shrugged.
"I told you to get his attention. Ruff him up a bit and get yourself arrested. I did not tell you to go and use an Unforgivable on an inmate!"
"No, you didn't." Draco shrugged his shoulders again. His head felt numb, like all of his emotions and blood vessels had been yanked out and replaced with sawdust.
"Was it instigated?" offered Dean.
"What?"
"I mean, did Greg threaten you in any way, or-"
"Don't do that." Draco stuck his nose into the air and crossed his arms as best he could, despite the magic-dampening cuffs shackled around his wrists. "Don't dishonor your friend's memory to get me out of what I've done."
"Don't you do this," Harry challenged.
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"This!" The Auror threw his hands into the air. "This stubborn, Malfoy, aristocratic vendetta you have against your own self-worth!"
"Self worth?" Draco gave a snarky laugh. "My family are all a bunch of twiddling arseholes. None of this would have happened if-"
"-Oh, where do you get off?" Harry snapped. "Look, Malfoy. I get it. Self brooding is sort of your calling card. But you don't get to do that now. You're an adult -act like it. You're marrying my best friend. Act like it. You're a father! Act like it!"
Draco leapt out of his chair, lost in anger. His chains rattled against the wood of the table, and the guard at the door readied his wand, but Harry motioned for him to stand down. The two challengers stared each other down for quite some time until Draco spoke again.
"I am acting like it. My father was a coward, and my grandfather was a tyrant. I won't raise Scorpius to be the same way. If I teach him nothing else, it'll be to be held accountable for his actions."
"Now isn't the time to go on with your self-sacrificing bullshit. You want to be a better father to your son? Be there for him! Not locked up in a prison cell because you decided to grow a conscience at the last possible moment."
It then dawned on Draco how personal Potter was taking his choices. Whether it was out of concern for his friend, Hermione, or out of concern for Draco himself, the blond couldn't be sure. But he certainly felt flattered.
"There's no denying it in court," Dean interjected, putting a hand on Harry's shoulder to calm him. "The best we have is self-defense or finding a way to justify it."
"Why didn't you just punch the man?" asked Harry, softer.
"Why do you think?" sneered Draco. He took a seat again and huffed, "I was furious. Furious with him for the mind games, and killing Weasley, and putting Hermione through so much pain… I was furious with him for everything he'd ever done. I… I lost myself in the moment." He reached up with his manacled cuffs and ran his fingers through his hair."I'd broken Hermione's heart, abandoned my family… I thought I wasn't making out of my grandfather's bond alive. I thought 'if this is the way I go out, do I want to go out like a pansy?' No. I wanted him to feel it. I wanted him to know my wrath."
Dean stared with a wide, open mouth. "Do you think we could plead temporary insanity?"
"Temporary?" Harry raised an eyebrow.
"I've heard enough from the peanut gallery." Draco rolled his eyes. "Are we done here?"
"You have to work with us," Harry insisted. "..Unless, you don't want out."
Draco smirked in response. "Of course I want out, Potter. I'm trying to be admirable, not stupid."
"I'll see what I can work out with Kingsley."
"...I appreciate it."
"You picked one Hell of a time to become self-righteous," Harry grumbled.
"If I'm going to change the Malfoy legacy, it starts here." Draco crossed his arms. "Plain and simple. No more trying to hide the skeletons in my closet."
Harry rose to stand and pushed the thick paperwork toward Draco. "Dean will stay with you while you read over the casefiles. When I get you out of this, and I do mean when, I'm going to need my best Auror in the loop."
Draco's smirk widened. "Thanks."
"But since Hermione's going to be on temporary leave, that leaves you."
"And there's the Potter that I know."
Potter gave a smirk of his own as he made his way to the door, gave one final wave, and was off. Dean stayed behind, getting comfortable in his chair while kicking his feet up on the table. Draco reached over, pulled the paperwork closer, and began reading over the cases. Two, in particular, he searched for with stealth.
The first one was Dessy. Dessamine Yaxley. Raised in Bulgaria to keep her identity a secret, she was a prodigy in her school until she disappeared over a year ago. Rumors were, she ran away and didn't want to be found. Her confession, Draco noticed, wouldn't be admissible in court. She suffered from Dissociative Identity Disorder and delusions of her life being one large stage production.
Bruno Shafiq was a bit older. Nineteen. He'd lost his eye to a Death Eater as a child, crippling his chances of professional archery. Apparently, he'd been training for the Olympics since he was five. Wonderful in school, at Ilvermorny, but disappeared off the radar nearly two years ago.
As Draco read over the rest of the names of the captured, he saw each flaw within them -could nearly understand why each would make a pact with Abraxas. Each of them had lost something thanks to the War. Each of them contained a vendetta of their own... Much like Greg Diggle.
His thoughts turned to Victoria Crabbe -no, not Crabbe. Malfoy, really. He thought of her in Hogwarts, of all the wasted years he'd spent thinking himself an only child. How his father robbed him of the knowledge. Of all the misery Draco himself accumulated over Vincent's death. But Crabbe, Draco knew, was even more malicious than he as a child. Much like Bastian Cane, but without the smarts.
Draco looked up to Dean, whose brown eyes stared contemplatively at the ceiling.
"You alright, Dean?"
The Auror broke from his trance and stared at Draco. "Yeah, mate. I'm fine."
"It's... " Draco sighed. "What I mean is… I know Diggle was your…" Could he really call him a friend? "-karaoke chum."
Dean shrugged. "Was."
"You… visited him. Here, in Azkaban."
At that, Dean's face grew serious -more serious than Draco had ever seen it. "It's not like I publicly proclaim it. It's an unpopular opinion to stay friends with a convicted murderer…"
"So why did you?"
Dean shrugged again. "I suppose we had something in common, didn't we? Both our fathers were killed by Death Eaters."
Draco flinched, thinking back to the revelations discovered only yesterday. "Dean, you need to know-"
"-That the same man who killed my dad killed Greg's? Harry told me." Dean shifted uncomfortably in his chair. "All that time I visited him… and we talked 'bout our pain… it's surreal to know it was because of the same man. I've said it before -Diggle's the reason I became an Auror. I think about our friendship, all the drunk nights out and singing karaoke… and then I think how he tried to blow me up like the rest of our class… and…" He shook his head. "It's like, there was two sides to him, you know? Bastian Cane was real, living inside Diggle. And while Cane was cruel… Diggle was just a bloke, like us. You know what I mean? "
Irritably, Draco replied, "Scary thing is… I do." The two shared mutual glances, and Draco sighed. "Has she text-thingy'd you back, yet?"
"It's just 'text', mate. And… no. Not yet."
Theodore sat beside Astoria's bedside, reading a tattered version of The Odyssey to her. I was his favorite book, apart from a beloved muggle series called The Dresden Files, but he very much doubted Astoria would have found it as amusing. Something about inaccurate representations of wizards and all… Still, in times of turmoil, it brought him an escape.
Astoria took breath after shaky breath in her sleep.
There was a knock on the door, and Auror Granger walked in, looking restless but refreshed. At her side was Scorpius. Theodore couldn't explain it, but a feeling of great joy overtook him at the sight of the toddler, whose grey-blue eyes gleamed at him with happiness.
"Jame-son!" he shouted, running full blown across the room and into the Auror's lap. Theodore sat stoically, trying to remain as professional as possible as the toddler began to pull on Jameson's loosened tie.
"Hey," Auror Granger whispered.
"Hello," Theodore said back, cheerful and formal.
"How is she?"
"Mummy!" Scorpius shouted, realizing his mother was there. He nearly threw himself off of Theodore's lap in an attempt to crawl onto the bed to get to her, and Theodore had to hold him back, begrudgingly. "Mummy -Mummmmmmy!"
Astoria's eyes fluttered open. "Scorpius?" Her eyes found Scorpius, still wiggling in Theodore's arms, and then she met the Auror's eyes, her face softening. "I told you to go home hours ago."
"I did. For an hour. See? I've changed clothes." He gestured down to his less-than pristine, wrinkled attire he'd fished out of the clothes hamper. It felt entirely unbecoming, but he'd wanted to rush back as quick as possible. "Far too boring there," he added, reaching over to grasp her hand -the pale, purple lines in her arm were even more prominent against the sallowness of her skin.
"Mummy!" Scorpius leaned over and grinned, pushing between the two. "I beat a baaaaaad girl."
Astoria's face dropped. "You what?"
"Oh yes," Auror Granger giggled, walking behind Theodore and giving an indicating nod. "Took down a criminal with an Expelliarmus. You should be quite proud."
"Quite proud," Theodore agreed with a wink.
Astoria caught on and said, in comfortable knowing, "Oh, I see. Of course, I'm proud of you, Scorpius. Wonderful job."
The toddler bounced. "Last night funnnnn!" he giggled. "We do again!"
At the same time, all three adults said in horrified unison, "No!" They looked to one another, laughing with exasperated measure. Then, to Theodore's wonder, Auror Granger's expression dimmed.
"I'd like to give your condition a go, if I might," she told Astoria,."With the Gray? If you'll allow it."
Astoria glanced down to her arm, and then shrugged, seemingly impassive. "Don't go getting my hopes up, now."
Auror Granger reached out and touched Astoria's arm, closing her eyes. Theodore watched on, heart racing and brain pulsing with blood. Seconds dragged into minutes, and Auror Granger's face fell. "I… this is old magic. Old as the Gray." She closed her eyes and concentrated once more. Then, one faint line faded away. All three adults stared at the now normal vein, amazed. "Perhaps… with time…" Auror Granger trailed off.
It was obvious to Theo that Astoria was sullen by the only slight progression in her condition.
"Narcissa is being kept down the hall. Would you mind watching Scorpius for me while I…?"
"Not at all," Theodore smiled to Auror Granger, "Take your time."
With that, the curly brunette left just as Scorpius crawled up his mother's bed, snuggling into her arms.
"To be frank…" Theodore muttered, eyes trailing to the door. "I have someone here, too."
"A girlfriend?" Astoria teased.
"...My mother, actually."
"Oh." Her face fell. "Is she sick?"
"I… erm…" He wondered how much to tell her, and if this really was the best time. But this week had taught him a lot about matters of the heart. Aurors Granger and Malfoy never ceased to say what was on their mind, and it inspired Theodore to want to do the same. Even if he wasn't nearly as articulate with his feelings. "When I was a boy..." he began, his mind racing. There was so much to tell her… he didn't want to burden her, but she needed to understand. He needed her to understand, so she wouldn't think herself a burden."When I was a boy, I ran away from home. Overnight. Field trip... my mother and father worked on highly illegal matters, but for the good of healing those around us, muggle or wizard. We were on the run, constantly, and they forbid me from going in fear we'd be found out."
He paused, awaiting her reaction.
"Theodore…" Her eyes were full of pity. But Theodore didn't want pity. So he continued.
"Please, allow me to finish." He sighed. "When I snuck off on my field trip, my mother came looking for me. Madder than a wet hen in the middle of April showers, she was... We were followed back to the house… Death Eaters. They did terrible things to my mother and my father. They forced an untested concoction of her own design down her throat and forced us to watch…" He clears his throat. "Well… she's never been the same since. She's here, in the Janus Thickey Ward."
Astoria smoothed out Scorpius's bangs as he began to fall asleep. The look she wore was thoughtful, but weary. "Theodore…"
"I know you're concerned about your condition. I know this curse has you wondering how long you'll… but I'm willing to try. If you are, I am. It doesn't scare me, the way you think it should. And my parent's research -there was a girl… a girl I knew once." He stared at her, his eyes full of untold stories. "She had a similar condition to yours, and my parents healed her. It wasn't the same, but perhaps if I searched my parent's research archives…"
"You don't need to do any of that," she whispered, tears in her eyes. "I've made my peace with what will happen. It was selfish of me to get involved with someone when I knew what would happen."
Theodore thought about how to reply. How could he make her understand? "You asked me why I wasn't snatched up once… I was." He gave a bittersweet smile. "I thought it was fate, after my mother's deteriorating health, to hold that girl close to me… the one my parents healed. We both ended up at Hogwarts, and... I pushed away friends who cared about me for her." He thought of Lindy, and of his best friend Roger, who he left behind for Hogwarts. "Anyway, I became quite guarded when all was said and broke my heart six ways to Sunday, and she was perfectly healthy. I've been this stoic man before you ever since. But… I am tired of being guarded. I don't care if Auror Granger can heal you or not. Well, that's not entirely true," he rambled, "I would very much like it if you were, but..." He sighed, shaking, overwhelmed by his emotions. "Anyway, the point I'm making, Astoria, is that I'd like to give it a go, no matter how long you might have." He reached over and grabbed her hand. "Because I've yet to meet someone like you, and I doubt I ever will again."
Astoria sniffled, wiping the tears from her eyes. "Circe, you make Draco's romantic endeavors look like shite."
"That wasn't my intention." Though, in the corner of his mouth, there hung a little smile. "Is that a yes, then?"
"You barely know me."
"I know enough. I know you like your tea with three sugars and dollop of honey. I know you pick the crust off your sandwiches, and you love your son more than anything in the world. I know you hate the color yellow, because you've said it looks horrible with your complexion. And I know you want this just as badly as I do."
"Goodness, you're an observant man. What is it they say about the strong, silent type?" She laughed. "Alright, Theo. You and I have a date, then."
"Great."
Theodore scooted closer to her with the chair and picked his book back up. He knew there was nothing more to say on the matter, and so he didn't. "Be strong, saith my heart; I am a soldier; I have seen worse sights than this…"
Hermione inhaled deeply and knocked on the door. It took a moment, but Lucius Malfoy opened it, startled by her appearance.
"Miss Granger…" he drawled.
"How is Narcissa?" she asked, a tad irritated by the daunting man's gaze.
Lucius raised one eyebrow and drew out a long pause before saying, "...Ask her yourself." And with that, he swung the door open to reveal Narcissa Malfoy, sitting up in her bed, reading a book and sipping water from a straw. Her eyes fluttered upwards, noticing Hermione's arrival as she stepped inside, and she gave a polite nod.
"Miss Granger. Or… should I say… soon-to-be Missus Malfoy?" An entertained eyebrow arched, but her face remained expressionless otherwise.
"That's if the man can manage to get himself out of the mess he's made," Hermione muttered, catching herself. "Erm… How are you feeling?" She gathered her nerves and took a seat in the guest chair beside Narcissa's bed.
"A slight bump to the head. The Healers say I can go home any time now, but Lucius is persistent I stay for more observations." Narcissa shot her husband a teasing glare. His only response was a smirk in return. "And Scorpius?"
"He's fine. He's with Astoria right now…" she added, "I would have brought him, but-"
"-A boy should be with his mother more than his grandmother. Not to worry, dear. I understand." The witch pursed her lips. "And Draco?"
Hermione fought the urge to snort. "Still in Azkaban, though Dean's with him right now."
"That Auror Thomas -he's unbecomingly charming, isn't he?"
Smiling just a little, the brunette replied, "He has a way of warming people up to him against their will, yes. Even Draco can't resist his charms."
Narcissa nodded appreciatively. "Lucius tells me it's over. That Abraxas is dead."
"Again," Hermione nodded.
"Well, thank Merlin!" Narcissa's eyes fell on her husband. "I never liked your father, you know."
"That makes two of us…" Lucius sneered dully, looking out the window.
"Lucius," Narcissa continued, "was just telling me about your conversation last night before you left via the floo." She looked between the two.
Hermione rolled her eyes. The woman wasn't subtle. "And I told him I didn't want to hear anything unless it was genuine." She looked Lucius up and down. "Frankly, I don't need your permission, nor do I want it, to love Draco."
"Believe it or not, Miss Granger, I am aware," Lucius replied, haughtiness in his tone. That was, until Narcissa sent him a withering expression, and he recoiled, adding, "However, in light of recent circumstances… I find it prudent to…"
"Oh, out with it, Lu," Narcissa demanded.
"You have my," Lucius gritted his teeth,"Ap-ol-o-gies." He said the word as if he might choke on it.
Hermione smiled, figuring it was the best she would ever get. She decided to change the subject -one Lucius could handle. "How are you feeling, Mister Malfoy? I noticed you're not walking with your cane. Or coughing…"
Lucius ran a hand over his chest. "I haven't felt this good in ages, actually."
"The Gray," Hermione explained, "It's healed you. I can sense it."
Another knock came to the door, and this time it was Harry peering around the wood.
"Hermione, glad I've caught you." Harry didn't seem daunted as he let himself into the Malfoy's infirmary room, instead giving a cheerful wave to both of them, possibly out of spite.
"Harry, what are you doing here? Have you even rested?" Hermione asked, concerned to see the dark circles beneath his eyes.
"I'll sleep when I'm dead," Harry shook his head. "Or, rather, maybe when Gin forces a sleeping potion down my throat. The point is, I might have discovered a way to get Malfoy off the hook." He began to pace.
And pace.
And pace.
"Well, out with it, Harry!" Hermione ushered him on.
"It's mental. It really is. I know as soon as I say it, someone's going to tell me it's mental… but it's so mental, it just might work."
"Now you sound just like Ron," she quipped, and they both smiled, amused.
"Alright. So what if we were able to discredit Diggle's allegations against Malfoy? Retract his statement?"
"Yes, well, that would be all well and good, but Diggle is dead, Harry."
"Mhmm." His eyes gleamed with knowing.
"Harry Potter. Tell me what you've got up your sleeve right now."
Harry reached into his pockets and retrieves a handkerchief. He unraveled it, revealing a small, black stone. "Diggle is dead, yes. But that doesn't mean he can't talk."
Once again, I'd like to say that inbetween HTTYA 2 and 3, I will be posting the rest of The Jameson Chronicles, so we can find out about his backstory in glorious detail!
Thank you to everyone who has reviewed, followed, and favorited.
2 more chapters. Are you prepared?
~A.
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How To Train Your Auror 2: Family Ties