A Different Kind of Magic--UNDERGOING EDIT

Figured I'd get the posting over with for now and just give you all the goods in one fells swoop. I am a little more than half done with chapter 69 so I'll give that to you guys by next weekend. No warnings, just more surprises. I will be able to respond to reviews more personally from now on now that I am going to need more time inbetween posting. Thanks for reading and reviewing!



Chapter 68- Where Do We Go From Here?

At a magically relocated Twelve Grimmauld Place, a tenuous fire licked at the coals that reflected the ominous expressions that surrounded the hearth. Draco twirled his wand absentmindedly, chin in his other hand, elbow on his knee. His thoughts ran amuck, not one taking shape before another took over, forcing confusion to the front of his mind. This feeling of helplessness pervaded his every waking moment. How could he, in good conscience, let his father continue this reign of madness? Yet the old man hadn’t confided in him any more than he had Narcissa. He knew vaguely about some Prophecy his father was after and some type of ring that was kept under tight wraps around the patriarch’s neck, but this iron grip over the wizarding world promised no one but Lucius any sort of legacy to hold on to.

The nose of the large black dog at his side interrupted his thoughts when its coldness was pressed into his hand. Draco chased the outlines of the wavy fur over the mongrel’s head, noting the streaks of silver beginning to appear throughout the animal’s lush coat. A wry grin stole across his face as he addressed the mutt. “If only Father could see me now. How little he really knew me, huh Sirius.”

The dog whined and licked his chops, eyes begging for a treat and a cuddle. Draco wasn’t sure if the Animagus trapped in the dog really understood him after all these years since his accident at the Department of Mysteries. He knew a part of the intelligence was still there, but most of the time Sirius acted like a regular dog that just wanted to be pet, scratched and fed. It was an indulgence he didn’t mind giving, after all, they were both outcasts. Everyone presumed Sirius to be dead, and Draco may as well be for turning against his own flesh and blood and abandoning his mother to the madness.

Draco laughed, talking more to himself than to the dog. “I wonder what Potter would say if I told him what happened. Do you think he’d believe me old boy?” The dog whined, jumping down off the tattered old sofa and loping into the hallway. He looked back, waiting for his friend to follow him. “Oh, all right. I’m coming. I suppose it is time for something to eat.”

The pair went into the kitchen, Draco scraping around in the cupboards in search of their last few tins of food. The meager fare was a far cry from what he was used to eating. Back in the day, every meal had been a feast at Malfoy Manor, before everything had changed. The destruction of his childhood home was never supposed to have happened. His father’s jealous cronies had smelled deception and burned the place to the ground. It was old news. No one cared what had happened to the Malfoy’s, except, in the beginning, to hunt them down. Now, no one was really left that mattered except what he supposed was the remnants of Potter’s precious Order. He sneered into his cup. What a crock of shite that had turned out to be. They all deserved the shitty lives they now led. At least he had gotten Severus out from under his bastard father’s thumb. Now they were even, and he didn’t have the life debt hanging over him any longer. It was every man for himself.

Still, what the hell was he supposed to do now? He had to go get food for him and the mutt at some point. It wouldn’t hurt to have a nice young witch and some Firewhisky to bide his time. Draco smiled, a rare thing these days. He looked down at the cocked head of Sirius and said, “Hey boy, what do you think of me getting a couple of bitches for us, huh?” The answering bark was all he needed to get off his butt and throw on a cloak before heading out the door.

--

Hermione’s head felt like it had been beaten with a bludger. The pounding migraine seared across her temples and spiked between her eyes. Slowly cracking an eyelid, she strained past the pain to see what was beyond the pale light of the candle next to the bed she was laying in. Everything else was dark, and she couldn’t see past the end of the bed. A tatty old quilt had been thrown over her. With a start that made her regret the sudden movement, she turned over and found Teddy sleeping soundly next to her. The rise and fall of his little chest had a sob of gratitude claiming her chest. They had escaped safely, and in that moment, it was all she could do to thank every God and Goddess above they hadn’t been splinched, killed or imprisoned.

A warm hand on her arm brought a cracked scream from the surprise it wretched from her. A man’s calming voice drifted over her as the hand gently pushed her back down. “Sshh, now lass. Don’ ya be frettin’. You an the boy are safe ‘ere with me an my wife.”

Hermione’s vision cleared a little more as the adjustment to the candlelight brought a face into clear perspective, taking into account the graininess behind her eyes from the migraine. A kindly face of an older man, a Muggle from the looks of it, smiled gently down at her. A cool rag was placed over her forehead while he reached for a glass of water, proffering it to her in a non-threatening manner. She accepted gratefully, and as soon as she was able, she rasped out, “Where am I?”

“Why, you’re in me home, lass. My name is Graham Butler, at your service.” With a kindly flourish and bow, he respectfully gave her a fatherly pat on her hand. “Seems you an the lad ‘ave had a bit of a journey by the looks of it, Miss.”

He didn’t seem at all perturbed by their appearance. Unwilling to disclose anything more than was necessary, she tried hard to think of any other questions she could get him to tell her about why he thought they were there. “Do you know how we got here, sir? My memory is a bit fuzzy.”

The kindly twinkle in his eyes reminded her of Dumbledore. “Well now, that’s the funny thing, lass. You an the boy appeared right over me dinner table. Wrecked the soup ye did.” He chuckled companionably, apparently amused by what she figured was a ridiculous scene over his supper. “Me an my wife Lucy figured you two come from a circus or one o’ them Telly shows. Least I can figure, yer magic trick didn’t go ver’ well now, did it.”

Hermione shook her head, cursing under her breath at the damnable headache pounding so violently within her skull. “I- I think so. Now that you mention it, that does seem to make sense. I can’t remember everything yet, but yes, I do remember something about a television program and filming.”

The man called Graham slapped his thigh appreciatively. “I knew it. Lucy was sayin’ there was somethin’ supernatural ‘bout it all, but I told her there was a perfectly reasonable story fer it all. I was right. Say, you alright Miss?”

Hermione was beside herself from the pain, trying so hard to will away the headache. “I’ve got a terrible headache Mr. Butler. Do you have anything I can take for it?”

“Why, course I do lass! Here, let me go jus’ get ye some tablets.” He came back with some Muggle pills, which she accepted gratefully. He let her fall back asleep for a time, watching the young lady and lad slumber peacefully. Eventually, his head drooped as well and he nodded off along with his charges.

In the early light of dawn, Graham woke to find the young lady quietly poking around his kitchen. Following her in, he made her jump when he addressed her. “Feelin’ better lass? Ah, good then, les’ get somethin’ ta eat.”

Hermione nodded sheepishly, hard put to explain why she was snooping around this man’s kitchen. She desperately wanted to get some provisions and get away from the Muggles, but felt terribly for even thinking of stealing their food and leaving without thanking them properly. Teddy was still asleep and she needed to formulate a plan. She carefully conversed with Graham, shortly joined by his wife Lucy and their three children. The kids treated her a bit fearfully until Teddy woke up, and then they forgot the guests’ initial entrance into the home when they got caught up in a raucous game of tag.

Hermione made sure to give a cover story and pseudo name, assuring the couple they would be fine and she would find her own way back to the fictionary production cast they had been filming with. It was all too easy to spin a tall tale when it suited her. Lying was not second nature to her, so she bent her head quite a bit with the pretense of eating each time a falsehood slid past her lips. Wearing her heart on her sleeve was not conducive to keeping alive, but Graham and Lucy seemed to be simple folk.

Lucy brought over their belongings. Hermione was relieved they were so honest about everything, having taken care of them in the wake of her blind Apparition. She had to get back to Hogwarts somehow. By now school was in session and it wouldn’t be easy to get in or out without being discovered. Lucy was generous to a fault and gladly packed a hefty portion of sandwiches, dried meat and powdered drink mix for her and Teddy. It wasn’t gourmet, but it would last for a few days.

The biggest shock was hearing from a Muggle perspective how the actions of the wizarding world were bleeding over into stark disappearances, raids on homes and unexplained phenomena in every town. Livestock was turning up missing on the edges of towns and in the country. Assassinations of government officials were rampant and no real progress was seen when it came to crime. Life went on, but was slowly being affected in drastic ways on the innocents of the world. She had to get back. It was imperative.

Disillusioning herself and Teddy after finally breaking free from the Butler’s, she quickly made her way to the edge of town and broke out in a trot across an expanse of field. Her heart caught in her chest when she realized where they were. They weren’t far from where Dumbledore had moved Grimmauld place! At the last moment during the war it had been discovered by Dark forces and in a last supreme work of wonder, Dumbledore had magically Apparated the entire building to a woodsy location outside of the village she had ended up in. Perhaps that was why instinct had landed her there. She shrugged internally; sad by the waste Dumbledore’s effort had ended up being since the place had been abandoned after the Light’s supposed victory. Harry had said he couldn’t bear to go back there with so many memories of Sirius and other lost friends.

She wondered briefly if the wards would still recognize her, and if anyone still stayed there. If they did, it would certainly have to be an Order member, wouldn’t it? She cursed herself for not inquiring, but figured it wouldn’t have mattered since she had considered herself safe at the cottage. It was her own fault they were in this situation by letting her magic get out of control. Grief filled her chest at the thought of all the anguish she had caused others, and especially poor Teddy. After a half hour of stumbling through brush and trees, across two more fields and skirting a farm, the place where she knew Grimmauld place to be came into view.

There was one problem. It was not disillusioned. She could see it as plain as the rocks and sky around her. With a screech she dropped to the ground when a sudden movement caught her eye at a window. It was hard to tell, but it had looked like someone with a thatch of blond hair had passed by. Who would be in that house with blonde hair? Why wasn’t it Secret Kept anymore? From a distance it looked extremely worn and run down. The place looked like it was hundreds of years old. Harry obviously didn’t know about these extremely odd changes or he would have mentioned it.

Teddy whimpered and grabbed her hand. “Hermione, there’s a big dog coming. I can see him in my head sniffing the ground. Don’t let him get me Hermione!” He cried into her chest, hugging her ferociously with his little arms.

Hermione considered Apparating again, but didn’t know if her inner turmoil would allow them to do it a second time lucky. Not wanting to chance it, she hushed the child and peeked up over the tall grass. Nothing seemed to be moving, but at the last second she screamed when a large black dog bounded out of nowhere, mouth open in a snarl as it landed on top of her and Teddy.

--

Draco couldn’t figure out for the life of him why Sirius had pushed past him out the door, nearly knocking him to the ground. He had never done that before and it confused the hell out of him. Usually he was content to laze around the house or sniff around just outside the grounds. Figuring he caught the scent of something, he pushed out after him, cautious to avoid being caught by anything that might be a trap. The quickly receding black form vanished into the tall grass at the edge of the property. All he could see were the slightly disturbed heads of the grass jiggling where Sirius passed on his way to whatever had captured his attention.

Draco squinted, straining his eyes to see. He didn’t like being outside for so long without being disillusioned. He jumped into action when he briefly caught sight of the dog leaping into the air and the sharp, shrill scream that pierced the stillness that followed.

He took off at what seemed like the speed of light, intent on finding out what the damn dog had gotten a hold of this time. It pissed him off when Sirius killed something. The blood was a bitch to get out of his thick coat.


--

Hermione did her best to cover Teddy with one arm, rolling instinctively to keep him under her. Her other arm was initially covering her face when the dog struck her and knocked them flat over, but she then scrabbled to find her wand. It took her several moments after the wand was in her hand and she had regained her kneeling position to realize the animal was not continuing to attack them. A large black dog stood calmly in front of her with its head cocked to one side, tail wagging furiously. It took a step toward her and she raised her wand threateningly. “Don’t you dare come near me you mutt! I’ll hex your balls off!” Good Merlin did she sound stupid. Like the dog could understand her!

It took a tentative step back, its tail drooping as it whined plaintively. That was certainly odd. Did it really understand her? She lowered her wand slightly, narrowing her eyes with suspicion. There was something oddly familiar about it, like she knew it from somewhere but couldn’t place it. A memory tickled the back of her mind like a feather on the tip of her nose. She knew it meant something, but what?

She was startled again when a large hand clamped down on her shoulder, another reaching around to pluck the wand out of her hand. With a furious screech she whirled around, jerking poor Teddy by the arm. “What the hell do you think you’re doing- Malfoy?” Her jaw dropped in surprise, unable to further articulate her exact sentiment at that moment. Nothing she could have said would have made sense anyway.

“Granger? Well well well. You never could stay away from me for very long, could you?”

She wanted to wipe the smug look on his face off with a bed of nails.

“Better close that fat gob of yours Granger. You wouldn’t want me to get the wrong impression.”

Hermione’s jaw snapped shut with an audible click. This made no fucking sense whatsoever. “What the hell are you doing here Malfoy?”

“I could ask the same of you,” he yawned, twirling her wand indolently. “I was here first, so you get to answer me, and then maybe I’ll answer you.”

“You git! Give me back my wand!” She tried to snatch it out of his hand, but he was too quick and pulled back shortly.

“What? And give you the chance to hex me? I think not. Come on Granger. Cough up an answer, I haven’t got all day.” His gaze wandered down to Teddy who was now staring unabashed up at him. It couldn’t be, could it? It was, the same kid his father had held captive with Severus!

Teddy piped up. “I know you. You’re the man that helped me an Mister Snape when your Daddy was being bad.”

Hermione looked from Teddy back up to Draco and down again. “Do you know him Teddy?”

He nodded emphatically. “Yeah Hermione, he likes to pretend to be mean but he’s a good guy like Mister Snape. His Daddy is bad and hurt us, but he helped us get away. Huh Mister?”

Now it was Draco’s turn to remain speechless. This day was certainly turning into something more than he had bargained for. He licked his lips nervously, suddenly tossing the wand back to Hermione. “Yes, that’s right. I did help you, but only because I didn’t want Father hurting a little kid. I’m not like that you know.” He raised his chin and attempted a semblance of snootiness, looking down his nose imperiously at the pair.

Hermione snorted. “I knew it. I mean, we figured it was you behind the mysterious notes to Harry, but it was all speculation really. Teddy told us a little about you but some of the Order members chalked it up to imagination. Even Severus didn’t really talk about you much. So tell me, what was in it for you? Are you going to drag me off to your father now?”

“Shit Granger, what do you think I am, some kind of monster?”

“I don’t know, you treated me like dirt all through school, and you were seen at Shacklebolt’s when Harry was standing guard. For all I know it could have been some kind of act.”

“What would I have to gain by letting Severus and the brat go and being fake? Do you think I want my father to hurt people like he has been? It’s been a fucking nightmare!” His face was turning red with indignation. He had risked everything for these ungrateful wretches and they still treated him like shite.

“Watch your mouth around Teddy! He’s just a little boy!”

“It’s okay Hermione. Mister Snape swears real bad sometimes and oh- I wasn’t s’posed ta tell.”

Hermione giggled a little bit at the faux paux. It was kind of funny when she thought about it. Severus had been more like a father to Teddy in the short while they had stayed together at the cottage than she supposed Teddy had had in a long while. It was only fitting some of the shadier parts of his language had come out around the boy.

“What are you laughing at?”

“Nothing Malfoy, look, can we go somewhere and talk? I don’t like sitting out here in the open. It makes me nervous.”

Draco seemed to remember where they were then, and he scanned the tree line and sky for any hint of danger. “You’re right for once. Let’s get back to the house.” He jerked his head towards Grimmauld Place and set out at a light run. The black dog bounded past him, easily running far ahead and stretching out at the door to wait for the rest of the group.

Hermione was out of breath by the time she traipsed inside and plopped down in front of the meager fire. It was so good to be here! Warm memories came flooding back with a vengeance and she felt her eyes swimming in tears. Fat warm drops rolled down her cheeks and onto her dirty jeans.

Draco rolled his eyes and sighed dramatically. “What’s with you? You act like you’ve been to hell and back.”

“I have!” she snapped unintentionally. His imperious attitude was just going to have to go if he was to stay in her company. She wasn’t in any mood to put up with his crap. “You have no clue what Teddy and I have been through, so save the tripe for another day!”

He sat stock still for a moment, grey eyes studying her before coming to a decision. “Why don’t you tell me about it,” he said softly, leaning forward just a bit, hands out to his sides.

Hermione was taken aback at his change in demeanor. It was entirely unlike Malfoy to go from one extreme to another, and she certainly didn’t trust him, even if he did help with the escape of her friends. “How do I know I can trust you?” she asked suspiciously.

His eyes narrowed, but before he could retort back Teddy stood up between the two from where he had been lie down on the floor mauling the dog.

“The doggy says Dray-cow-“

“It’s Draco, kid,” Malfoy interrupted, annoyed.

“Yeah, um, that Dray-cow is a good guy and you kin talk to him Hermione.”

Her eyebrows shot up with surprise, although she supposed she shouldn’t have been. Teddy was full of surprises. “Really Teddy? What else did the nice doggy say?’

Draco snorted. “The kid can’t talk to the dog. It’s just a dumb old dog.”

“You’d be surprised at the things Teddy knows. He’s quite an intelligent little boy.”

Draco shut his mouth, intent on hearing what else the kid had to say about Sirius.

“The doggy says he was friends with my Daddy.”

“With Remus?” Her palms got sweaty and her heartbeat sped up. This, this, no! It couldn’t be! “Teddy, can you ask the dog what his name is?”

The child nodded and bent down close to its mouth, stroking the head gently. He stood up and proudly announced, “He says his name is Sew-ee-is.”

“Oh my God!” Hermione dropped to her knees, clasping either side of the canine’s face in a firm grip. Her eyes bore deep into the animal in front of her, oblivious to Draco’s intent stare. “Sirius, are you in there?”

The dog whined and licked her nose, thumping its tail loudly on the half rotted wood floor.

With a small shriek her arms flew around Sirius as she nearly squeezed the life out of him. Her face was buried in his thick coat of fur for a good amount of time before she felt Draco pulling her away.

“Granger, give the mutt some room, you’re going to crush him.”

She looked up at him with a startled look. “Have you known it was him all this time?”

He answered her with a straight face. “Yes, but before you get your knickers in a twist, let me explain!” He held up his hands to ward off her warning glance. “I was looking for a place to stay awhile back after my father flew into one of his rages. I wanted a place to bring mum if it got too bad, but she never would leave.” He cleared his throat and moved on quickly, glancing nervously at Hermione. “I couldn’t go home because the place was gone, destroyed after the war. I’m assuming you know a little bit about what’s been going on.”

“A little bit,” she affirmed.

“Yeah well, you’d think a person like me would have a ton of places to hide out, but wouldn’t you know I can’t trust anyone.”

“You can trust me,” she said softly, her hand inexplicably reaching to smooth a stray lock of hair away from his face. It had grown so much since she had last seen him. He was beginning to look more like his father now that his hair was growing long.

He flinched away and she lowered her hand. “Sorry.”

“Don’t be sorry,” he sighed. “It’s been a long time since I felt I could talk to anyone other than my mother about anything important.”

She moved back a little to give him some space, but he reached out and clutched her hands in his own suddenly. “Don’t move away, please.” Shocked a little at his forwardness, she nonetheless allowed the innocent contact when she observed the desperation in his eyes.

“Thank you.” He tightened his grip, staring down at their joined hands like it was a dream come true. When his story continued, his voice was pitched so low and soft she could barely make out what he said. “I was out by the town you must have come from. An old buddy of mine had been killed during the war and I knew he didn’t have any relatives. I went to his place but someone else had moved in. When I left town I came up the way you did. Sometimes there are abandoned cottages no one has been in for ages. Sirius found me. He knocked me down and tore off my trousers.”

Hermione laughed, the clear sound melting some of the ache around his heart at its innocent touch in his ears. “I would have paid a thousand galleons to see that.”

“I bet you would,” he growled, but there was no bite behind the words. “I hexed him good, but then he took off and kept looking back at me like he wanted me to follow. I’m not sure why, but I did. He led me here. At first I didn’t know where I was, but then I remembered Potter talking about this place. My mother had been to this house years and years ago. My mum had a thing for the mutt way back in the day. She used to gossip with a friend of hers when I was a little kid after she thought I was sleeping. At first, when I realized who she was talking about after I got older it really pissed me off. Now I realize Father treated her like shit and she was only venting. I don’t think they were ever intimate.”

Draco shook his head and muttered, “Gods only know why I’m telling you all this. Anyway, my godfather got drunk a few times with Father during their Death Eater days and he bitched plenty about what fuckers the Marauders were.”

“Watch your mouth, Ferret!”

The dog growled and bared his teeth at the young blond.

“Hey, sorry! Jeez give a guy a break!” Running his fingers through his hair he continued. “Anyway, Father was the one who figured out the location of Grimmauld place after Voldemort ripped the location from Snape’s head and gave the image to Father to storm the place. I guess there were so many curses thrown around it really aged the place.”

He looked around at the faded timbers. “It took me awhile, but when it seemed like the dog knew what I was talking about I figured out it was Sirius. I’ve come here from time to time to look after him, but I think he mostly kills what he needs to eat. Now I’m here to stay. I’ve got no other place to go.” He shrugged as if it were the most plausible explanation in the world.

“How did Sirius get here? I mean, I watched him die!”

“I don’t know. Why don’t you have the kid ask him?”

Hermione leaned down toward Teddy over their joined hands. The brush of her breasts over Draco’s knuckles sent a shiver down his spine and the start of a problem in his trousers. He closed his eyes shut tight to will it away, hoping to Circe she didn’t notice his discomfort.

“Teddy, can you ask Sirius how he got to this house?”

“Sure!” He stuck his face up close to the wet nose and did his little dog speak with it. Teddy screwed up his face and looked back to Hermione. “The doggy says he got cut in half and has to stay here now like a doggy. That’s silly.”

But a clearer idea was creeping into her mind. Pulling Draco a little closer, she told him excitedly, “No! It makes sense! I’ve read about animagus who get trapped when they transform and can’t get back into human form, or certain potions or spells that separate the human soul in such a way that makes it impossible for them to go back into their human body. I am guessing that something anomalous happened in the Department of Mysteries and somehow, Sirius was able to come back through in his animal form. Is that right Sirius?”

The dog barked loudly three times, its eyes bright. Then he ran around in circles before dashing away and coming back to a screeching halt in front of them. Teddy and Hermione laughed and Draco looked at the beautiful witch in absolute astonishment.

Hermione caught his open mouthed looked and admonished him. “If you keep your mouth hanging open any longer, I might get the wrong idea,” she teased.

It was his turn to redden and snap his mouth shut, embarrassed to be caught out. This whole encounter changed everything for him. He knew it wasn’t coincidence that brought them together. It was as if he had been freed from his obligations at just the right moment to come into contact with Hermione and the kid. For whatever reason, he’d yet to find out, but in his heart he knew it was the right thing to help them with whatever sort of mission they were on. If he knew Granger, it wasn’t meant to be boring.

For the last shock of the day, the delighted Hermione planted a kiss square on his mouth and hopped to her feet to transfigure a tiny chest into a large one filled with a variety of supplies. He was unable to wonder how she had come about all those items as his lips still tingled from the touch of her softness on his skin.