Chapter 24
February 10, 1995
Hospital Wing, Hogwarts, Scotland
It was a little past midnight. Harry had not been able to fall asleep. As the day had gone by, some color had returned to Hermione and around sundown she had started to move in her sleep. Madame Pomfrey was keeping her asleep for now, saying it would help the healing process. Tomorrow she would be allowed to wake on her own.
For now, he had sat in the chair after a large argument with Madame Pomfrey. She had tried to make him sleep in the bed next to her, saying he needed rest. Harry refused to sleep until she woke up. Remus had had to step in and had been accused of doing as his Alpha demanded. Remus had gotten upset at the Matron and eventually she had relented. She had been very disgruntled and Harry did as told as she checked Hermione over again and the cuts on his legs. Harry hadn't realized he had gotten a few stone chips in his legs.
Something shifted in the Hospital wing and he raised his wand. He could smell his Pack. They were all in the Hospital wing tonight. Remus was across the hall between Annabel and Jason. Bonnie was in the bed next to him. He smelled Tonks outside the doors. Only Sirius was missing. Harry wanted all his pack around.
"It was just a mouse, Harry. You should get some rest. Your magic and body need to sleep to make sure your leg is healed properly," the sandy haired man told him. Remus hadn't opened his eyes, leaning back in the chair and looking like he was sleeping.
"I can't let them get hurt again," he told Remus.
"I understand, Harry, but you do them no good if you are so exhausted you can't lift your wand," he instructed.
Harry took his glasses off and rubbed his eyes. "And what of you and Tonks? When do you sleep?"
"Harry, as your Beta, I am telling you to sleep. As you watch out for us, we watch out for you."
Harry sighed. Remus was right, he just wouldn't be able to take it if something else happened to his love. Remus opened his eyes and looked at him with understanding. "Can I climb in with Hermione?" He really needed to be close to her to know she was good.
"I'll make sure Madame Pomfrey doesn't bother you."
He gave him a look of thanks. She had rolled onto her side away from him. They had all been given fresh clothes and he had helped Madame Pomfrey get a button up night shirt on her. Her left shoulder was up and he very gently lay on the bed. "Harry, if you want to be under the covers, none of us will say anything," Remus told him settling back into his pose that made him appear asleep in the chair.
Harry gave him an appreciative nod before trying to slip below the covers. He very gently put an arm over her and she let out a sigh. Harry buried his nose into her hair, needing to smell her and to feel her to know she was still there. If it had been anyone else in here besides his pack, he never would have felt this comfortable to do this. He held her to him as gently as he could.
He woke a while later to hear voices. "...it was a trap," Remus was saying. It was still the middle of the night with how dark it was out. Harry could smell his godfather.
"Sirius," he said lowly. There was some scuffling before he felt his godfather next to him.
"Just stay there, pup," Sirius said in a low voice. Harry felt his muscles relax as Sirius put a hand on his shoulder. "How are you?"
Harry moved to at least look towards the shape that was Sirius. He could not see well more than three feet away. "Sirius, she almost died."
"I know, pup," he said gently. "You just get rest and keep her safe. We'll watch over you."
"I'm glad you're here," Harry told him. Having all his Pack here now was a giant relief. He felt like he might be able to get some real rest now.
"I'm glad I could be here. You did good today, pup. Now, get some rest."
"Sirius," he said quietly. "Who did this? Remus isn't saying anything."
"I already told you, Harry, we don't know," Remus said sounding tired.
"Remus, I took a trip through the site. Shacklebolt gave me permission. It was Fenrir's pack, and some others I have smelt before, but not sure where," Sirius said. Harry had a small growl come to his throat.
There was a short pause. "I haven't left them so I couldn't confirm that," Remus told him. "I think this is a conversation for tomorrow. Harry needs his rest."
"I'll kill him," Harry told them.
Sirius squeezed his shoulder. "Don't worry about that right now, pup. Just keep your girl safe and we'll worry about the rest."
"Sirius, she almost died. Bonnie and Jason..." he trailed off. If he had lost Hermione and the others, he would not know what to do. The thought was so scary his stomach clenched and he felt like his heart was falling through his chest. It was painful and made him feel like he couldn't breathe.
"Harry, Hermione and the others are safe now. You made sure they survived and are doing what you should. As Sirius said, just keep your mate safe for the night. We'll take care of the rest," Remus told him kindly.
He yawned and leaned back into his mate. She had grabbed his hand in her sleep, as though knowing he had rolled away some. Harry buried his nose into her hair again before settling. Hermione was safe. She was in his arms and his pack was together and here for the night. He wasn't sure if he would ever feel safe at the school again, but he knew Sirius, Tonks and Remus would do everything they could to keep them safe.
-oOo-
February 15, 1995
Scottish Highlands
Tonight was going to be a full moon. Sirius had been waiting for this for weeks. After what happened last week, and knowing it had been Fenrir's pack that had been involved, he was hoping to track down that cave again. Since that night, he had not been able to find his way back. The beasts had hidden it on him. He needed to find it. Harry and Hermione would not be in that type of danger again.
This time he wasn't alone. Tonks and two other Animagus Aurors were with him. Tonks was impossible to mistake. A grey wolf with a pink streak down her back. Of course she could change it, but she didn't. Green was a Reindeer, of all things, while the raven on his antlers was Benshaw. He really didn't care to be working with the DMLE again, but Remus had been able to convince him how important this was. Until last Sunday, the beasts had been silent for two months and everyone was getting itchy. He had a feeling that Harry and Hermione were not the main event.
Sirius was looking over to the other side of a valley. He could have sworn it was around here.
A lone muggle road passed below them. It was seldom traveled, used mostly in the summer and fall to go to the old inn at the headwaters of the river that moved along side the road. It was a cloudy night, so it should be easier to see any lights, but there was nothing.
Sniffing, he couldn't smell anything either.
The raven jumped off the antlers and transformed into a tall witch. "Alright Black, we have been out here for two hours and nothing. Should we pop over to the next valley and check it out?"
The rest of them did the same. "I am not sure. I swore it was around here, but there is no sign or smell of them. I don't get it. Even with magic, it would have been nearly impossible for them to move everything in that cave."
"Are there alternate exits," the man asked.
"I don't know. I was only able to be in there for about ten minutes before I had to leave. I found it by following one of the werewolves. There was the smell of dozens of them that used the path. That isn't just something you enchant away," he told them.
"We believe you, Sirius," Tonks said, still looking across the valley. "Even if you are an old fleabag."
He smiled at the young Auror. "Experienced," he told her.
"Experienced fleabag," she retorted. "What's that," she nodded.
They looked and saw a small light about halfway up the side of the valley and about two miles down. Sirius frowned. "That isn't natural, if that is what you mean."
"I wasn't talking about you," she rolled her eyes.
"Alright, enough. Benshaw, scout it out. Be careful," he told her. "I think the rest of us should move towards it. Lets get down towards the road and keep quiet."
Benshaw transformed into her crow and took off into the night, a black shade in the cloudy night. It took them a good twenty minutes to make it down the slope and to a spot across from the lights they had seen. No more had appeared, but they could see a wide ledge where they could have come from.
They stayed in their animal forms. Sirius was not going to take the chance of being bitten as a human tonight. After a while, Green pawed at the ground and they followed his eyes. The shape of Benshaw gliding out of the darkness greeted them. She flew over them to land behind a rock outcrop a few hundred meters up slope. When they joined her, she wore a frown.
"You hurt," Green asked her.
"No, but I don't like what I found. The hags or someone performed a ritual. There was a ritual circle and evidence of more than one sacrifice recently. The mutilated remains were being picked over by a few werewolves. I didn't dare get close enough for them to see or smell me." She closed her eyes and let out a breath.
"Shite," Green said. "Any sign of a cave?"
She shook her head. "There were a few animal tracks, but nothing that seemed like a cave. There is a lot of magic up there. Filthy magic. If I had to guess, I think some of the spells or whatever will make us forget this place. I can already feel the details going. Did I tell you there was a ritual circle?"
"Tonks, a crystal." Green ordered.
Sirius was starting to feel his mind go fuzzy on the details too. Tonks pulled a crystal quill and some parchment. She started to write down all she could. She was about finished when they heard the first howl. "Merlin, I think they found us," he said.
"Benshaw," he said holding out his arm. She transformed and took the parchment in her mouth before disappearing into the night. They all transformed into their Animagus forms and began a mad dash up the mountains. Howls came from behind them and to either side. The beasts had not expected them to go this direction. Sirius had spent much time in the area and knew the tracks he was looking for. There was also the fact these wolves were not as fast as his own Alpha and his mate.
They scrambled up the mountains. They wouldn't be able to apparate until they were over the peak. Many of these old valleys had barriers or old rune stones when the Clans used to inhabit them and live side-by-side with magic wielders. It was the old ways and always seemed more powerful and over larger areas that what was practiced today.
The sound of the werewolves behind them or clawing up the steep sides were all around them. Sirius highly doubted it was less than ten. They yipped and barked as they tried for their quarry. Sirius let out a small yip as he took a sudden turn on a switchback that would lead them on a little longer trip, but it easier to maintain a rapid pace being a gentler ascent.
He pumped his legs and looked back. Green was right behind him, Tonks taking up the rear and pushing Green when needed. A hundred fifty meters or so down slope he saw a werewolf fall as the rock it grabbed crumbled in its hands. SHITE! They were getting closer than he wanted. Green was not James and would not survive a fight like this in his Animagus form. Tonks would hold her own. He had been very impressed with the Junior Auror, but to be trained by Moody he should have expected she would be good.
There was a howl behind them. When one answered down slope and before them, he felt some fear going through him. They were outpacing the group behind them, but would they do the same for the one now in front of them. He barked to urge them faster. Green was starting to pant. Not good. Not good. Not good, he kept repeating to himself. He knew he should have worked alone or only taken Tonks. Green was too soft for this, even if the man looked in good health.
They ran, still hearing the group behind and the group scrambling before them. They still had half a kilometer to the next path. That one was much steeper and he wasn't sure if Green would make it up. That one would only take about three-quarters a kilometer to get to a point to apparate. This one was a good two-and-a-half.
As they ran, he noticed that some of the rocks were loose on the edge and kept becoming dislodged as they scrambled up the path. The yip, growls and snarls were getting closer as they ran. Green was starting to lag. OH bollock! Sirius dashed ahead on the edge. Loose pieces started to fall and he heard a satisfied yelp as a cascade of falling rocks and shale started to sound. He slowed down just a bit after almost going down with a small ledge. Tonks was still urging Green and the group behind them sounded a little closer.
They continued this way for a few more minutes. He could see the top of the ridge he was angling for. Tonks barked behind him and he saw a werewolf crawl over the ledge of the path. He turned and bound past them, barreling into the creatures. It snarled and reached for him, but he had grown up playing with Remus and easily avoided the much less experienced beast.
The brown werewolf yelped and stumbled down the slope. He turned and barked at Tonks to move. Green was not holding up well. He moved onto the other side of the reindeer and they just about carried him up the slope. They broke the ledge and passed an old stone with faintly scribed runes. There were a few werewolves a hundred meters down slope.
Sirius transform and his wand was in his hand. A quick movement and Green morphed into his human form, still foaming around his mouth from the exertion. Tonks started to cast spells to keep them back. He hefted Green onto his shoulder. "Now, Tonks," he said.
She looked at him and popped away. He was a second behind her.
-oOo-
February 16, 1995
Hogwarts Grounds, Scotland
Andromeda was kneeling besides the cage, watching the dark hair girl heaving on the far side of it. Seconds after they had changed back, the girl had gotten violently ill. She hoped it was not a reaction to the changed wolfsbane potion, but figured it probably was.
Daphne and Harry had agreed, after she had asked their guardians, to try it to see if it made a difference. She had complained about her blood being painful, but not the burning the Potters had complained about. "Daphne, are you alright," she asked gently.
A ragged looking girl looked up at her, still naked and trembling. The stuff that had come out of her was dark and sickly looking. "What happened," Daphne asked.
"Can I come in," she asked.
Curtains had been drawn around the cages for privacy. That had been added after the first month. Daphne nodded.
Andromeda helped her away from the vomit and wrapped her in a blanket towards the cell door. Daphne leaned against the side of the cell and put her forehead on an iron bar. "Why did I throw up? That didn't happen last month."
She frowned. "I don't know. I am going to run some tests on you. How do you feel?" There was a concern that some of the sick looked like blood.
The teen hugged the blanket to her. "Cold. Light-headed. It feels like my blood tingles."
Andromeda nodded, not wanting to get her hopes up. After running her wand over Daphne, she determined the girl was physically good. There was no sign of internal bleeding or trauma. As she did some scans for the lycanthrope infection, her heart leapt some to realize the response was weaker. Daphne had closed her eyes and seemed to be falling into a state of calm. She just seemed exhausted and hungry. "Daphne, would you like me to help you get dressed and then you can go take a nap after a little something to eat?"
She could see the quick struggle. Andromeda understood the instincts drilled into a Pureblood. She was a Blood Traitor to many. Daphne had not treated her as such yet, but, when not feeling well, tired and in her state, base instincts could come out.
Daphne shook her head. "Just want to sleep," she said sounding half out of it already. Andromeda frowned. This was not the typical reaction the morning after a full moon.
"Jasper, get a stretcher and take her up to the castle. How is Potter doing?"
"Jordan is looking him over, but from what I can tell he is his normal self. Do you think this reaction is to be normal or is it something else?"
"I don't know, but I want to look at what came up. I'll take it back to my lab in Wessex. No need to risk contamination at St. Mungo's," she told her boss.
He nodded. "I agree. Are you going back now?"
"I want to ensure Ms. Greengrass is better before I leave." She reached into her satchel bag and pulled out a large jar. Jasper and another Healer took Daphne on the stretcher as she cleaned up the mess with her wand. She didn't like the look of it.
She followed the others up to the castle and her daughter fell in step with her. "What you got there," Nymphadora asked.
"Ms. Greengrass spit it up after her change. Not sure if its related to the potion changes or something else."
Nymphadora scrunched her nose. "Looks worse than that time Charlie cursed be with that slug spell."
Andromeda shook her head. "How much trouble didn't you get into up here?"
Her daughter smiled. "You really want to know?"
She eyed the young woman next to her. Nymphadora wagged her eyebrows. She was too much like her father. "Not really. I worry enough about the ones here right now, I don't need to know what other mischief they could cause."
Her daughter laughed. "Those two are saints compared to me. Though I didn't have my own room, so we had to find other spots that the Professors or Prefects would check from time to time."
"Nymphadora, please don't start that again. You know your father went through a whole bottle of scotch that day we got that letter," she told her. Yes, her daughter had always been an adventurous spirit. Even in school she had experimented. To know she had been with two boys was the first exposure they had had into her private life.
Except for her work ethic, she should have been in Gryffindor. Though, now that she had started dating Remus, her more adventurous side seemed to be subsiding. She had never known Nymphadora to stay with one man for this many months before. "How are you and Remus?"
She smiled broadly. "I think I'm in love, mum."
Looking at her daughter, Andromeda was surprised to see the expression on her daughter's face. Many times she had heard her daughter declare that, often after a few weeks, and then a month later she was on to her next guy, or girl a few times. Sometimes both. The look was always serious when she declared it, as though challenging her to contradict her daughter. She had found out a long time ago that only led to a row, and usually a string of relations that brought her daughter back with a bottle of fire whiskey and commiserating with Ted.
This time, she had more of a wistful, faraway look with an easy grin. Her body looked relaxed. It was so different, she had to look twice to see if she had seen it right. "You really like him, don't you?"
"Yep," she popped the 'p'. "It's funny, since he asked me out, I haven't looked at anyone else. I don't feel I want to. I know it sounds strange, but I think there really is something to this mate thing among the wolves. I mean, look at Harry and Hermione."
She had a wistful smile of her own. It would have been best if this could have been avoided for the next few years. They were young, but after some conversations with Alexandra, she now understood more about werewolves than anyone she knew and understood the attractions of mates. How could she not to see the two Potters walking hand and hand with their Pack.
"You want to catch up with your pack," she asked.
"I will. Remus has dinner scheduled with all of us tonight. Looks like Hermione is finally recovered from last week," she said with anger.
She had been called in by the Matron to ensure she had gotten all the poison. They had removed all they could, but some of it would need another week or so to completely work out of Hermione's system. Harry looked so worried and pale she wasn't sure he hadn't been hurt worse than he was. A bond can do many things and there was no doubt they were a bonded pair now. He had most likely saved her with that bond. "Have they found the culprits?"
Her daughter looked at the five that were walking next to Remus. He looked over his shoulder at them. Tonks didn't say a word. That meant one of two things. Either she was on the case and couldn't say anything or she knew what was happening and couldn't say anything. That was something Andromeda understood. As a Healer she had to keep many secrets too. "Is that why you didn't come until almost morning?"
"You know the answer to that, mum," she said in a flat tone trying to give nothing away.
"Just promise you see justice done. I've grown fond of those two," she told her daughter.
"You should come over to Bliyhl House on Easter. They are all going to be there and I know the Potters would like that," her daughter said.
"How serious is it, Dora?"
Her daughter could tell she was being called on her change in tact. Her daughter huffed. "Not good," she said in a few. "I suspect the Prophet will get wind of this today or tomorrow. There was another Dark Mark, this time in Ireland, out by Cork. There were also two attacks last night on magical households."
She had been hearing enough she could read between the lines. "Were they anyone we know?"
"A first-year muggle-born's family, Heather Cameron. The mother is missing, her father and older brother dead. Not sure of the other one yet."
"That is awful. I will let child services know there is a house or two that would bring her in if needed. How many muggles?"
"Three confirmed. Not sure if this will make it, but two ritual sites where found with the remains of four or five people found at each one." Her daughter's perkiness had deflated and she could see how tired she was. Andromeda suspected a pick-me-up potion or two.
"How long have you been using the potions?"
Her daughter sighed. "Three days. I was going to take a bed in Remus chambers until dinner. He's got classes so it should be quiet. Scrimgeour kicked me out for the next two days."
"At least someone has some sense," she gruffed.
"Mum, can you just promise you and dad will be safe? Harry has offered to pay for more wards if you need it. The pattern is Muggle-borns and dad has become a little too popular lately," her daughter asked, looking worried.
She must have been very worried and their must have been something big she wasn't being told to see her eyes go the slate grey of Andromeda's and her hair to go darker. By now, they had made it to the castle and they followed the Healers, Daphne and the Potters to the Hospital wing while the others split for the Great Hall. The wolfsbane potion really was a saving grace for those poor children. Before, she doubted they would return to classes as easily the next day.
"Dora, are we under threat?"
She fidgeted with the hem of her sleeve. "I don't know. I just have this feeling," she told her.
Andromeda nodded. Her daughter knew stuff. It wasn't a direct threat to them or the DMLE would have told them, but with her father being who he was, they could be a target and not know about it. "Let me talk to your father later. We have enough to pay for some wards or we can look at something else."
Nymphadora looked relieved. "Thanks, Mum. Remus and I can come over tomorrow if you need to talk about anything. Thursdays are one of his nights off from Duties."
"That would be nice. Is seven good," she asked.
"Perfect. That will give Remus time to prep for the next day," she responded.
She gave her daughter a hug before walking into the Hospital wing. She needed tests and samples to determine how things went last night.
-oOo-
Lobo House, Hogwarts, Scotland
Harry lay in bed with his arm around Hermione's shoulders and her head on his chest. It was the first time they had been able to sleep in their own bed for days. Madame Pomfrey had refused to let her go until yesterday morning, and after she had found he had crawled into bed with her the first night, she had told him he was not to do that again while in her Hospital. He had always liked the Matron, having spent his fair amount of time in the Hospital Ward, but he was not happy she was keeping him from his wife that way. She was his mate and slept better when in his arms.
Then last night, as normal, they had been kept apart. He was starting to hate the full moons. Healer Tonks looked sympathetic at him when he told her he didn't want to spend time in those cages anymore, but they didn't have a better way to comply with the WRC.
Harry, thankful and frustrated with the WRC, had to agree with her for now.
Hermione was breathing in deep and slowly. He was pretty sure she was asleep, but he didn't feel like sleeping yet. The lamp at his bed side was on and he turned a page in his book. It was a book on a Magical History of Europe he had checked out for a paper for Binns. The current section was on the ICW. He found it interesting that when it had started, the ICW was essentially just a gathering of wizards to agree on rules to help protect their communities. As time had gone on, many things had happened for them to increase the restrictions around the Statute of Secrecy and the power of the ICW.
After the great upheavals around Napoleon, the downfall of the Ottoman Empire and many other social strife and rebellions, the Magical world had been under a great amount of danger. That was when the ICW had first established their Auror Corp. It was organized much like the British DMLE, but better staffed and given the Authority to 'use the appropriate means and force' to maintain the statute and other laws meant to maintain order in the wizarding world. DMLE laws would hold sway over the ICW except anything related to the Statute of Secrecy.
In 1856, the ICW used the clause for the first time to remove a government in Sicily that was allowing Muggle hunting and the use of dragons as guards. It had led to witch hunting and other events from the Muggles that had almost shattered the Statute. Many governments had protested, but England, France and the German Confederation had backed it. That had been all it took to give the ICW the power it needed. Since then, the ICW usually played hands off, only issuing fines, warnings or sending 'Peace Keepers' on the whole. Five times they stepped into government to force change or dispose them. Twice in England, once in Spain, once in Poland and once in Sicily. Thus, most governments feared their power and Auror force. As far as anyone knew, they had the largest force in the world with numbers around one-thousand members between the Aurors, Magical Reversal and Obliviator Departments. They would also call on member states to provide more if needed and approved by the High Council.
As he read more, he slipped his hand through the over large sleeve in the shirt she was wearing to rub his hand over her shoulder. She had come to bed in one of his t-shirts that Tonks had gotten for him. He had to admit he liked her narrow frame in his shirts. Something about her frizzy, half-wild hair worked with the shirt. His hand found her new scar and ran his finger over it. His heart still clenched to know how close it had come. If it had been a few more minutes, he would probably be sleeping in this bed alone.
He put the book down and nuzzled her hair to know she was there and to make sure her scent was over him. He had missed this. Not having her by his side last night had been awful. He hadn't been able to leave her side to go to classes unless Tonks and Sirius were there. He didn't trust almost anyone else with her right now and she wouldn't let him or any of their pack out of her sight without an Auror, a half dozen friends or a Professor they trusted.
The last turn had seen her be very protective of them all, and actually barked at and threaten Daphne when she had stood and growled at them when Jason had had a nightmare. Hermione had pressed her magic out and challenged Daphne until she backed down. Harry had been at her side, but he knew not to challenge his own mate last night unless he needed too. It was hard enough for him not to go after the other wolf. It was probably a good thing they had been on opposite sides of the building.
He continued to outline her scar. It was a reminder that he had to do better to keep them safe. He couldn't see her hurt again.
Hermione shifted under him, rolling her shoulder. "Stop, that tickles," she said sounding barely awake.
"Sorry love." Harry kissed the crown of her head. She had fallen asleep at his side a little after nine. He pulled his hand away.
"No," she said a little needy and wrapped her arm around him. "I need to feel you."
He moved his hand under the hem of the shirt and put his on her skin. "What ever you need, luv," he said gently. She relaxed as his hand spread over her lower back. "Go back to sleep."
She yawned into his chest. "What about you? It's almost eleven."
"I'm not tired," he told her.
"Harry, don't lie to me," she said moving to mold her body into his.
He snorted. "I need to learn how Alexandra hides her emotions in her scent."
"That would be useful, but you ever do that to hide anything from me and we will have words. Now, put that book down and come to bed with me," she told him.
He kissed her head again. "Aren't I already in bed with you?"
She lifted her head and shifted so she could look into his face. "Harry, how much have you slept in the last few days? Tell me Tonks didn't sneak you those pick-me-up potions." He sighed. Harry wasn't trying to hide this from her, but he didn't feel like he could sleep when she wasn't at his side. What if they found a way to get in? That phrase kept echoing in his head. She shifted as though she was going to get up.
"What are you doing," he asked pulling her back in.
She was looking less tired now. "Harry, you have bags under your eyes. You need to sleep. How much have you slept in the last week?"
He looked away from her. "Only those times I was in your bed or I couldn't stay awake and I knew Tonks, Sirius or Remus were around."
She put a hand on his face and pulled him back to look at her. He was ready to see her reproachful eyes. Instead, she climbed more on him and her lips met his. She put her forehead on his. "Will you sleep if I stay up?"
He should have known she would understand. "You need to sleep still. Madame Pomfrey said some of the poison is still working out of your system."
"She also said that she won't let me go back to classes until next week and if you didn't get any sleep I was to drag you to her in the morning where she would make sure you sleep. I already spent four nights without you by my side and I don't want to spend any more," she told him. "Harry, I need to know you are there as much as you need to ensure I am. I felt myself slipping and it was only you that kept me fighting to come back. I heard Remus that night. If you aren't at peak condition who will protect our pack? We only survived because of you."
Her eyes were fierce, and brimming with tears. Seeing her big brown eyes looking at him, he couldn't deny her what she wanted. "Will you sleep too? You need your rest."
"I am not going to fall asleep until I know you are. There are Aurors outside the door. We will be safe," she told him.
"You will sleep? You're not just saying that," he asked her.
"If you get to lie to me about that at times I get to lie to you." She kissed him on his lips when he gave her a hard look. "Harry, your mate is telling you to sleep, now do it."
He chuckled at the command in her voice. In almost anyone else, he would have fought against it. From her, he would listen. "How about I listen to my love?"
She smiled and kissed him again. "You're a good man, Harry Potter. Your pack is safe. I am safe. We have people we trust watching over us. Now go to sleep." She started to run her hands through his hair. He let out a contented breath. "Just sleep, my wolf," she told him. He smiled. She had picked that up from Luna and he was finding he liked it from her. From Luna, it was quirky enough to be funny. Hermione wouldn't allow anyone else to poke fun at him for it. He was hers.
"I love you," he told her as he felt himself drifting off. He really hadn't slept much in the last four days.
Chapter 25
-oOo-
February 19, 1995
Malfoy Manor, Somewhere in Wiltshire, England
Uncle Severus had come to retrieve them from the classroom he had been given to practice in. Pansy had begged to do the same training and Draco had agreed because it could be good if things went south for her to have the skills to help. His godfather didn't pleased to see them both sweaty and a few bruises showing on his arms. Pansy was proving quite proficient with bludgeoning charms.
After being 'escorted' back to their room and told to shower and change into House robes, they had taken a short Floo trip home from Uncle Severus Office. When he arrived, his mother had met them, looking very emotionless and cold. "I am glad you could make yourself presentable. You were supposed to be here forty minutes ago. There is only a few minutes before they arrive now," she told them coolly. His mother had always seemed to love him and she had never been a very warm woman, but she had been even less so since Christmas. Draco wasn't sure what was going on, but he didn't like it.
"I am sorry, Narcissa, that was partly my fault. I was with the fool when I received your owl," his Uncle said. Draco wasn't sure if he was covering for them or not.
"It doesn't matter. We are hoping this meeting is short."
He extended his arm, stiffening his back and acting the Pureblood Prince he was expected to be. A title he felt he deserved, but some of that belief had been shaken in the tournament. For once, his father had not been able to save him from it and it had taken months for the fact that the Malfoy's were not all powerful to sink in.
"Go into the tearoom. Your father is waiting and needs to discuss some items with you before Lord Davis arrives."
Draco pursed his lips. "Yes, mother."
He steered his wife past her to the tearoom. Draco had sat in here many times, bored out of his mind, as the adults talked. His father was looking out the window at the white peacocks that wondered the grounds. Draco knew them to be guards and powerfully magical in erecting shields and absorbing magic. They were special birds his family had bred and enhanced over generations. "Father. You summoned us."
His father took a swig of something from a crystal glass. "Yes, Draco. You and your wife are required to be at this meeting. Before that, I need to ask if you were involved at all in that incident with the Potters?"
Pansy squeezed his arm. What she had been planning would not have led to their deaths. "No, not in that," Draco said.
His father closed his eyes. "You are still seeking a way to get the boy and his bitch?"
"Lord Malfoy, I only had a plan to embarrass and to discredit them," Pansy said next to him and his eyes widened.
"Father, I had nothing to do with that attack. Pansy didn't know you had ordered me to not touch him," Draco said, stepping in front of his wife. She would not get punished.
His father let out a long breath. "You failed to tell her this?" His voice was low and dangerous.
"I didn't tell her it was an order directly from you," he told his father, pushing her so she was standing totally behind him.
"I see," the muscular man said looking at his glass before taking another drink. "You were using her to get at Potter, as a way to still follow my orders at the same time. I confess myself impressed you would be so devious. Perhaps there is hope yet. We shall talk of your punishment for disobeying later." His father turned to look at them. His eyes were hard. Draco had seen him give only a few people that gaze and it was only when he was effed off. "This is not a game, Draco. You don't understand what is going on. You and your wife have your orders. If you are to become Lord Malfoy, you will learn this lesson and not repeat it. Is Pansy with an heir yet," he asked.
"I do not know, Lord Malfoy," she said in a quiet voice. He knew she felt the danger in this conversation. "Prof... Uncle Severus will not be able to test for another week."
He kept his gaze on Draco. "Do not disappoint me, Draco. You have a task this week and I expect Pansy to be able to carry on our line."
He squeezed her hand when it laced into his. "Are the organizers going to ensure Pansy is safe when they stick her into the Black Lake?"
His father had been swirling his glass of dark liquor and it cracked when he took in his words. "Repeat that," he said in a steely tone.
"We knew the second task involves a hostage. The clue said it would 'be that which I would miss most'," he told his father, who breathed faster and the glass shattered in his hand. "Father, they are going to stick my wife in the bottom of the Black Lake with merpeople. I have an hour to save her. What would that do if she was pregnant?"
"Those incompetent berks," he said in a low, dangerous voice. "I'll have all their balls, fortunes and wives in the whore houses."
Draco, for the first time, felt true fear for his father. He knew he had served the Dark Lord and was still involved in shady dealing, but he had never seen the look on his father's face he did now. It was hard, almost feral in the absolute look of hatred on it. Pansy moved into his back, burying her face into his neck. He squeezed her hand equally as hard. Looking at his father, Draco had a shiver run through him as he realized he didn't want to know about his father's and family dark side. He never wanted that face directed towards any children Pansy would have.
"Lucius, they will be here any minute now. What did you do to your hand? Your dripping blood all over the carpet." His father looked at his hand as though he wasn't feeling any pain. Draco didn't think he would be acting the same way to see the large shard of glass buried in his palm. "Garrot," he called out with a snarl. A younger male elf appeared. It cowered to see its Master's rage. "Master called," the elf squeaked.
"Heal this and clean this up now," his father ordered.
A few minutes later, the elf had healed his father's hand and had gotten rid of most of the blood when the alarm for the floo went off. "Enough. You are not to sleep tonight until that is all out," his father said. The man was back to the pleasant politician that most saw.
"Come, you are to present yourselves," his mother ordered. "Be on your best behavior and do not upset them," she warned.
"Yes, mother," he said.
They lined up and the floo let in an older man and woman who looked to be in her early thirties. "Welcome to our home, Mr. Davis," his father said. Pansy held his arm tight the entire time they went through their greetings. He felt uncomfortable by the time meeting started. Personally, he wanted nothing to do with them with their daughter being one of those beasts now.
His parents, acting as normal as usual, showed signs of stress at this meeting. To most, they would never notice it, but he saw the pinched eyes or the way they used shorter sentences than normal.
"So, how is the import business," his father asked after everyone was served tea or something harder and their elf had put out little cakes, biscotti and sandwiches.
"Not as well as it was. The Ministry is watching everything very closely. I had a perfectly legal Ironbelly hide and other parts that were kept for four days while they checked it over. Lost almost fifteen-thousand galleons because the blood spoiled and they took some very valuable dragon silver," Mr. Davis said irritably. "That stuff is 535 galleons a half gram and almost impossible to get."
His father's eye ticked almost imperceptibly. "Yes. The Ministry has been starting to become a thorn in the side to all businessmen doing perfectly legal business. I can arrange for a new shipment of dragon blood if you like."
"What's your cut?"
"Fifteen percent. Twenty if I have my people transport it," he told him.
The man frowned. "A little steeper than I usually pay. It's only about a twenty-seven percent profit on it."
His father sat back. "I can ensure if doesn't spoil."
The men looked at each other for a few. "Fifteen percent, you transport and I will pick up the hazard of other cargo for a ten percent cut," the man countered.
Draco really hated these meetings. Except to learn how to deal, he didn't understand why he was here. Pansy, on the other hand, hadn't let go of his hand. It was starting to hurt with how tight she was holding his. It went this way for another ten minutes, both men doing business deals that were acceptable in front of the family as his mother spoke softly with Mrs. Davis. "Sicily was nice, but I much preferred the pleasant breezes of Tunisia. The Mediterranean is so blue there and the wizarding alcove is lush. So many shops with things I hadn't seen before," she told his mother.
When the first round of tea was gone, his mother nodded to his father. "Frank, I assume you did not ask for this meeting to just talk business," his father said smoothly.
The man inclined his head. "I have not, Lucius. I came to talk of a merger we had discussed a few months back."
Lucius frowned. "I thought we had agreed that was behind us now."
The man held his father's gaze before looking at Draco. "It was you that wanted to conclude the business, I still expressed my interest in the terms that the Goblins and Ministry approved."
Draco sensed this was something to do with him. "Frank, I do not wish to follow the original deal we outlined. I have made a new proposal."
The man turned his eyes back to his father. "You did. A proposal I found most satisfactory, but it does not meet my needs. As you know, I am getting older. I have run my family business for more than fifty years now. My son has shown no interest and runs his own successful Law Firm. I would like to see it go to a proper family and not just dissolved."
"Francis," his mother said. "If you find the terms satisfactory, why not accept them."
"You know perfectly well, Narcissa," Mrs. Davis said. "Tracey is my only daughter and Frank's second. She has no other prospects now. We are willing to offer you eighty percent of the shares in the business for the price you offer and a contract for our daughter Tracey."
Draco took in a sharp breath.
"No," Pansy said next to him. His mother flashed them a look for them to be quiet.
"It is more than a fair price, Lucius. You would get the majority share of the company for sixty percent of what it is worth and you shall be able to claim the first contract. I will agree to any stipulations you want as long as it not a fealty bond and she is allowed to maintain her own trust vault," Mr. Davis said.
He leaned towards his father, knowing he would most likely pay for this later. "Father, you can't. She's a beast now."
The Davises stiffened. His father turned a hard eye to him. "Draco, be quiet while the adults discuss this," the man said in a low voice.
"She is not a beast," Mrs. Davis hissed.
"A fealty bond would not take with what she is now," his mother said. "Only a consort or marriage bond would take with part of her magic bound to the disgusting thing in her now. You would want us to take that into our house?"
"We would want you to take our daughter into your House," Mr. Davis said harshly. "We have a contract. I am willing to alter that contract to allow for current circumstances and to ensure her future safety and well-being. If you wish to deny the original contract to the Wizengamot, then I am sure they will exact a hefty toll for violating said contract."
His father reached for his pocket. "We have a contract. Neither party has violated that contract yet," he told the man icily. "What shall happen if she has a pup instead of a child? Will there be recompense," he asked. "Can the contract be changed to a consort, with option of termination after a child is born that is not infected?"
He glared at his father. He would have to soil himself for this mutt, possibly multiple times over multiple years? His nostrils flared. He considered if it would be worth it to defy his parents, but then he thought of Pansy. She may already be looking at punishment tonight. He enjoyed seeing her wriggling under his pleasant ministrations, but not under the pain she was sure to endure. For once, he clamped his mouth as hard as he could, to make sure he didn't say another word.
"You promised a full marriage contract," Mrs. Davis said. "He have talked to some very knowledgeable people. It is only at the Full Moon would she need to be contained."
"That was before she was bitten and turned into a werewolf. You ask us to take the risk of contamination of our only son and heir so you can rid yourself of a daughter who is tainted..." SMACK! His mother's head whipped to the side. His father was out of his chair faster than he ever knew he could be. Mr. Davis was just as fast. There was a flash and he dove to the side to push Pansy down.
As they fell, Draco felt a searing pain in his arm and he cried out as they tumbled over the chair, into his mother's and rolled her chair over. "This is a clear violation of our contract, Lucius. You attack my wife again and we will have words. My solicitor will contact you as soon as I can talk with him."
"My daughter is not some tainted beast we wish to get rid of."
Draco was holding his arm as he rolled off Pansy. "Draco, what's wrong," she asked. He could see Mr. Davis standing, a blurry movement of air where a shield stood between his wife and them. His father still had his wand out.
"Your wife attacked mine first, in my own House, Francis. We have been business partners for a long time, but after today any deals we currently have will be our last. Now get out of my House." His father's voice was cold and dangerous.
"Draco, you're bleeding," Pansy said softly tearing a piece of her dress and applying it to his arm. "Lady Malfoy, Draco needs to be healed."
They all looked at them. His mother had picked herself off the floor. She looked livid and a red handprint was on her face. Upon seeing him, her face paled some. "Lucius, what did you cast!"
She moved to their side and took the ripped cloth off. She took in a deep breath before taking out her own wand. She started to run her wand over his wound. He was starting to feel lightheaded. In a sing-song voice she started to heal his arm.
"Pansy, in the main pantry you will find blood replenisher potion. Grab two bottles. Quick," she snapped when Pansy didn't respond right away. He watched her get up and rush out of the room. When he looked up again, the Davises were gone and his father was still standing, looking down at him with an indeterminate look.
When Pansy got back and he took the icky potions, they moved him to another room. His father hadn't moved.
A while later, he woke to Pansy gently running her hand through his hair. "What time is it," he asked, his voice sounding rough.
"Shhhh. You've only been out for about an hour. I was told to let you rest," she said. He looked at her and the caring face he had grown to like since Christmas when they were alone looked scared.
"What is going on," he asked trying to sit up and she forced him back down.
"You probably saved me when you bowled us over," she said.
He touched his arm and realized he wasn't wearing a shirt. He had a blanket over him. "My father's cutting curse bounced off the shield. How bad was it?"
He saw a few tears in her eyes. "There was a lot of blood. It cut down to the bone."
Frowning, he took her hand and kissed it. "I love you," he told her quietly. He wasn't sure if it was a good thing for his parents to know how much he had grown to care for her in such a short time.
She leaned over and gave him a kiss on the lips. "And I you," she said in a whisper.
"Where are my parents?"
She sat up and looked around before whispering again. "They were arguing and then shut themselves in your Father's study. Draco, you may need to take Tracey as your wife or consort. If your father can't break the contract, it sounds like the breakout clause was extremely harsh."
He swallowed. He had played the nice Pure-blood scion his parents wanted his whole life, so what did that mean for him? It sounded more like his father had used him as the shiny bauble, not Tracey, in the original dealings. Was he just being sold for the best deal for his Father? "How harsh?"
"Squib was mentioned a few times, as was losing a sizable chunk of the Malfoy fortune," she told him.
He laced his fingers into hers. It had never been a secret in this house that you got ahead by any means necessary, that the Malfoys were royalty in their world or that they always got what they wanted, one way or another. Now, like the tournament, it seemed Draco was going to be getting the exact opposite of what he wanted.
"I am sorry for using you to get around my father. I will never do that again," he said, still fearing what punishment they both may get.
She shook her head, a hardness coming to her features. "Draco, I fully understood what you wanted and what was probably unsaid. I have no issues doing that which you can't, but never intentionally lie or manipulate me like that again. I will ensure you can never have another child after I complete that part of the contract. Understood?"
He had no illusions that she meant her words. "Yes, dear," he said with a smirk.
She rolled her eyes before kissing him again. "Good boy," she said gently.
After a moment, he settled back down, starting to feel tired again. "If this is happening, how will we handle this? I don't want her near you."
"And you? You will have to sleep with her," she told him.
"I only need her to bend over until she gives me a single child. After that, she doesn't even need to live in the same house," he told her.
Pansy was quiet for a while, her eyes searching his. He heard the ticking of the clock on the mantle, the soft rustling of one of the House elves moving nearby and a windowpane rattling somewhere from the wind outside. After a bit, she opened her mouth, as though to speak and closed it after a few when nothing came out. She scrunched her brow and tried again. "Draco. I don't want you getting infected. I... I..." she couldn't say what she wanted too.
He could say that wasn't everything she wanted to say and tried to guess at what she wanted. "We can talk to Uncle Severus. Maybe he has a potion to prevent that."
She pursed her lips and nodded after a few seconds.
February 24, 1995
Black Lake, Hogwarts, Scotland
Cedric stood on the edge of the platform. He was concentrating on the deep breaths he was using to steady his nerves. He tried to push down his ill feeling towards the Judges and organizers. Angie was at the bottom of the lake. They had hit it on the head about 'what he would miss most'. In three months, he was already trying to figure out how they would make it work next year when she was here for her seventh year.
It was probably too soon to think that way, but he wasn't sure he would want to date anyone else.
Now, he had to save her from the merpeople. Everything he had prepared for he had not thought they would be this dense to put a hostage down there. That was until Tuesday night, when Draco had tipped them all off when he ranted against Dumbledore and Bagman at a Champions meeting. Crouch hadn't attended and he wasn't sure the man had been around Hogwarts since the day after the Yule Ball. The prat Weasley was there though, who didn't seem to care that they all would have to worry how to get their hostages out now too.
Next to him, Draco Malfoy looked paler than normal. As much as he may not like the boy, he sympathized with him. His young bride was down there, and the boy was not happy about it. Fleur was still looking flustered to know her sister was there while Krum looked as collected as ever to know his cousin was down there.
He went through his quick inventory. After Draco's use of runes last tournament, they had been told yesterday morning they could take a small pouch of things with them. They had reasoned any wizard would have up to twenty four hours to plan out something like this. It was big enough to fit a few items, like three vials of potions and a small amount of gillyweed that Angie had pushed into his hands last night. 'Use this. Longbottom said it should last about an hour and this is all they had in the apothecary in Hogsmeade. I expect you to save me, Diggory. I don't like this damsel in distress thing,'she had told him before thoroughly snogging him.
As they were asked to approach the platform, he took out two potions. He was better at potions than what his original plans had been. A water breathing and web feet potion were in his hand. He had an extra water breathing in his pouch. He was glad he had the thirty-eight galleons in his pocket it had cost to get the ingredients yesterday, and that both potions were a little over ten hours to brew.
"At the cannon, you can start," he heard Dumbledore shout.
As soon as the cannon sounded, he tipped back the potions and was in the water.
-oOo-
Black Lake, Hogwarts, Scotland
"Whomever thought this was a great idea to sit in the windy stands for an hour or more while you can't see anything should be thrown in the lake with them," Ron said irritably next to Neville.
"You're telling me," his brother said before him.
"Are you thinking what I am brother," George said.
Bonnie grinned to see the mischief in their eyes. She was sitting close to Neville, who was doing a good job of blocking the chill wind blowing across the lake. Hermione was doing the same with Harry in front of them. "Angie said not to cause any trouble," Neville said to them.
"She said not until the task was complete," Fred smiled.
"That gives us time to prepare," George responded.
"You aren't going without me," Lee Jordan told them.
"Wouldn't dream of it," Fred said jovially.
"I feel a bathroom break is needed," George said getting up.
As they stood, a smell of perfume and rotten reeds came to her nose she wrinkled it. It was the third time she had smelt it today. "What is that smell," she asked looking around. It overpowered most of the other scents around them.
"What smell," Neville asked her.
"It smells like that Skeeter hag," Hermione said looking around. "Where is she? The reporters are supposed to be on the Champions Platform."
Her Alpha's mate looked around, looking concerned when she didn't see anything. "You really don't like her," Susan asked.
Hermione scrunched her nose. "Have you read the tripe she has written about us? She's a fowl loathsome creature."
Ron chuckled. "Don't let her hear that. She might print it."
Hermione glared at their friend. Bonnie did too. She had come to loath the woman as much as Hermione and now that she knew what the woman smelt like she could either avoid her or hunt her down and show her how much a raging monster she could be. Her wolf didn't come out to play often, not after that bad situation she had had when she was seven, but it was still there. Harry and Hermione helped more than she could ever tell them to keep it at bay and even help tame the monster, but she did fear what she could do. Perhaps she shouldn't fear it as much?
"She prints it about us all the time. For once I would like to see her called those things and see how she likes it," the brunette scoffed at Ron. "It's bints like her that make it so difficult for us."
"Easy, luv," Harry said. She didn't miss that he was looking at something on the railing. Or that Harry hadn't relaxed since leaving the school. Harry had been on edge since Hermione and them had been attacked. She felt safe with him around. Having Neville there made her feel safer still. "Maybe we should just enjoy this."
"Enjoy what," Neville asked. "The small waves lapping at the supports of the stands?"
Ron snorted. "There is that hawk that keeps circling overhead. I've seen it dive into the water twice in the last few minutes."
They looked up to see the hawk he was looking at. "You have a keen eye, Ron," Luna said from next to her. "Don't move, Bonnie. You're blocking the wind."
She smiled. Luna had been close to her side. Bonnie should have guessed it was the same thing she was doing to Neville. "Come here," she told Luna, who was about her size. Luna allowed her to wrap her arm around her shoulders and she moved in.
"Your warm. Is that because of Neville," she asked and Bonnie's face flushed. She hit Luna's shoulder as Neville turned to them.
"I heard my name," he said. Bonnie flushed more to see his blue eyes looking at her.
"I was just wondering if how close to you Bonnie was, if that was why she was so warm," Luna said in her dreamy voice.
"It probably has a lot to do with it," Harry said in a whisper that only the wolves around them could hear. Hermione hit him on the shoulder. "Harry," she admonished him.
Jason was below them with some of their Hufflepuff friends. He closed his mouth with the nasty look she was giving him. "What did you do to get in trouble this time," Ron asked looking back down.
"Harry was.. ow," Luna said as she pinched her friend's shoulder. She moved to glare at Bonnie. Bonnie returned her look.
"What is that," Susan asked pointing out to a point a few hundred feet away from them. It had only been about forty minutes and seemed too early for any of them to be returning, but there was a large amount of fish floating to the surface.
-oOo-
Black Lake, Hogwarts, Scotland
Draco swam with his webbed feet and bubblehead charm. He really owed Pansy for the rune work when they got out of this. The strips around his feet ensured his feet wouldn't turn back until they were taken off. In his pocket was a portkey that would take her back to the shore of the Black Lake, getting her to safety as quickly as possible. He would try to go with her, but if worse came to worse, she was leaving.
He was getting nervous as he got deeper and it got darker. For ten minutes now the giant squid had been shadowing him. The thing had never been known to be dangerous to students, but he doubted most students came this deep into the lake.
It was murky and long blue shadows were around him. He didn't dare light his wand though. From what they had read, that would be a beacon to many water creatures. Instead, he was relying on the goggles they had enchanted. It allowed him to see outlines and figures that were warmer or colder than the surrounding water. He had learned to charm those. The fact the judges allowed them to use a pouch this time had meant he could take quite a bit to help.
After a bit, he heard a song that was similar to the one in the egg. The squid was still tagging behind him. Draco was feeling rather apprehensive, especially when he saw the first merman or whatever it was. It was a sentinel with a trident. The things face was naturally armored and impossible to read as its black, pupil-less eyes watched him. The squid finally pulled up and disappeared into the inky depths of the lake.
He followed the song into the village. As he turned the corner of the last house, he pulled back and raised his wand as a boy with a shark head grabbed a smaller boy that was floating in the water and started to swim towards the surface.
Damn! He wasn't the first one here. He swam up to Pansy as fast as he could. The merfolk didn't say a word or stop him as he went to his wife. He stopped at her side. "Do I just take her," he asked through the bubble charm over his mouth.
"You are allowed one. Time is growing shorter," a larger merthing said as it pointed towards an hourglass that showed a little more than half the time had passed. Pansy was one of two hostages still left. A girl that looked the younger version of the vela champion floated next to her.
Draco took the portkey out of his pouch. Pansy's wedding band was in his finger. He put it on her finger and then cut the ropes that bound her to the bottom of the lake. "Safety," he said touching the ring with his wand. It was the wrong thing to do!
There was a pulse of magic that rippled through the water, like a shock wave. It knocked the merfolk away. Draco hit the bottom of the lake, hitting his head and seeing stars.
Pansy started to slowly float towards the surface before her eyes suddenly opened and she opened her mouth in shock. Draco saw it and forced himself to get up. He shot up to her as she closed her mouth and grasped at her throat as though she needed air. He reacted on instinct as he touched his wand to her mouth and an air bubble like his formed. She opened her mouth and took in greedy breaths.
"Earthbound! You bring forbidden magic here," an angry merthing said. He looked around. Most of them looked shocked and floated as though stunned. The one that spoke, still looked half shaken and as though it was gasping for water.
"I didn't know," Draco yelled and pushed Pansy up. He noticed that a guard was coming from the outskirts and his trident was held back. "Pansy, swim," he told her grabbing the wraps off his feet and jamming them in her hand.
"Draco, no! What is going on," she said looking at the strips with her runes on them. Draco's feet were already back to normal.
He didn't have time to answer as he yelled, "Bombarda," through his bubble charm at the one that just threw its trident. The spell sped away like an angry red ball of bubbles. When the trident hit it, it exploded, sending out another shock wave. He held Pansy until they were steady again. He pulled her shoes off roughly and wrapped the strips around her feet. "Swim," he ordered her as he pushed her towards the surface. More merfolk were waking up and he saw more tridents coming to hand.
"Stop," a merman said with command. Two that had raised their tridents stopped with them fully back. "Leave now, earthbound. Never return."
Draco didn't wait around as he tried to force Pansy to swim ahead of him. She was not leaving his side. After a few minutes, he noticed she was starting to look a little blue and was really slowing down. "Draco, its cold down here," she told him with chattering teeth.
"Shite," he said. He didn't want to try to cast a warming charm down here, after seeing what happened with the blasting hex, but he didn't have an option. He touched her robes and cast the spell. He kept them swimming. After a few moments, color had started to return and she took in a much easier breath. "Draco, are we getting closer to the surface? I can see some light now," she asked.
"Yes, Pansy," he told her, cursing himself for not realizing she couldn't really see down there. No wonder why she didn't leave his side.
As they approached the surface, now being able to see more clearly, they could see the giant squid. It was reaching out and taking fish off the surface. They came up about 30 meters from it.
"And our third champion has just broken the water," the voice of Bagman called out. "And here comes the fourth, Cedric Diggory. What an exciting event! The remaining three champions all finish within minutes of each other. Too bad Ms. Delacour had to withdraw early."
They had started to swim towards the stands that had been erected over the lake. When they got to the edge, strong arms took them out. A blanket was thrown over them. "They need to get to the warming hut," Madame Pomfrey said. Draco hadn't realized he was shaking.
"My sister. 'ouere is my sister," a half-crazed Fleur was saying as she tried to jump back into the water. Professor McGonagall and another was having to hold her back. "Let moi go!"
"What is going on," Professor Dumbledore asked coming down the stairs to the platform.
"Draco," a tired sounding Pansy said. He pulled her to him and wrapped her into his towel next to him. She was not breathing normally.
"Dumbledore, w'ere is my daughter," a man said following right behind him. He had dark hair, was short, but with a muscular build.
Draco was starting to feel lightheaded and dizzy as he watched them argue. "Draco, what's wrong," Pansy asked looking at him. She was still shaking.
"NOOOOOO!" A girl cried out in a deep despair.
They turned to see a group of merpeople above the water. They were holding the limp body of a girl. Fleur fell to her knees. Her father, the French Minister of Magic, stopped and looked at his daughter. Draco watched as the man's face crumpled. Dumbledore looked at the scene for a brief moment. The look on his face was almost as devastated as the man next to him. Draco swayed as a mass of people started to move. "Draco. Draco!" Pansy cried out as the world started to go black and he stumbled backwards. Then he felt like he was falling before being engulfed in water again.
-oOo-
Hogwarts, England
Albus stood by the door of the Hospital wing. The soft sobs of Ms. Delacour came from the bed screens in the far corner. Pierre Delacour, the French Minister, had wanted his dead daughter away from everyone so that they would not be disturbed. The last hopes of the Tri-wizarding Tournament being a means to help unite people and be a shining example of what good people could do was shattered. It had started to fracture that night Harry had been attacked and he felt like all he was doing was reacting now, not steering.
Nearest him, Madame Pomfrey and two healers from St. Mungo's were still working on Draco Malfoy and his wife.
In all their planning for the events, it was never considered that certain magics would be tried on the grounds of Hogwarts. Unless the Headmaster himself made a portkey and keyed it to the wards, then they would not work. The wards had been designed to not allow them to activate. The realm of the merpeople in the Black Lake was not Hogwarts lands, so the use of them was not deactivated like it would have been above the water. The second Draco had tried to use it, the magic of the portkey had bounced off the Hogwarts wards. Above the water, it would have been a strong gust of wind and release of magic. Below the water, it had turned into a deadly shockwave.
It had also triggered the magic that merfolk used and had canceled most spells. It had not canceled runes or potions, meaning that four people had survived Draco's folly. Below, the merfolk were declaring the lake off limits to all surface dwellers now. Seven of their tribe had died. Three had been children. It was only their deal preventing them from killing Draco or closing the lake totally to Hogwarts.
Draco had severe head trauma, some organ damage and a fractured spine. His wife had a partially collapsed lung and a concussion. Cedric and Angelina had each suffered a minor concussion and Angelina some minor internal bleeding that was now healed. Worst though was poor Gabrielle. She had been slammed hard into the floor of the merfolk central meeting area. Like the Malfoys, she had suffered numerous injuries. All would have probably been survivable, except for the fact that his stasis spells had been broken. While the merfolk recovered and Draco had made a mad dash to save his wife, the girl had drowned. The merfolk did not touch her or bring her to the surface until the hour was up. That was their bargain, and merfolk always held to the terms of a bargain.
Dumbledore suspected it was a little revenge against the wizards.
It had been compounded, as had been pointed out, that they had failed to plan for any contingency where something could go this wrong. There was no tournament staff or Aurors posted at the Hostages. The event occurred out of sight and in a location that no wizard could quickly get too. He had no way of monitoring events, thinking his bargain with the merfolk would cover this. How wrong he was to not remember that merfolk took a wizard's words at face value. They never inferred anything not said or written. They had been betrayed in the past because of that.
Now, all he could do was look at the four Hogwarts students in beds, deal with their irate parents and the inevitable fallout that would occur between Britain and France.
Albus knew Amelia was on her way before she even walked into the hall outside the Hospital wing. She was projecting her magic, probably in a fit of rage. The people in here need not be disturbed with what was going to be said. He closed the doors and turned away from his reverie to meet her. Four other Aurors were with her.
"I see you heard of what happened," Albus said to her, seeing the look on her face.
"I did. How could you and the organizers be so ignorant to not warn your Champions of this," she asked in an angry voice.
He looked at her. "Part of the task was to know your environment and the limits around it. I ensured there were multiple books in the library to learn about the merfolk and the wards around the castle. It is also standard year four Defense course work."
"And have they gone over that part of the Syllabus yet," she asked him.
Albus kept a frown off his face. He knew Remus had, he was unsure of Moody. Remus filed all the standard Syllabus, lesson plans and what had been completed. Moody refused. When he didn't answer, she went on, "Did you give them a reading list? Any preparation work?" She was lecturing him like he would some of his students and he didn't like it. "Of course not. Why am I surprised. I know the rules of the tournament, Albus. You can give them primmer information that is general to the tournament, instead you expected them to find all this information on their own. Your youngest competitor is only fourteen. I wouldn't have thought to look that up and I am many times his age. Is it true that it was a backlash from an attempted portkey?"
He felt the rebuke in her voice. "It is common knowledge and written in many books that you cannot use portkey's on Hogwarts grounds. Only the Headmaster has that privilege."
She looked at him with pursed lips. "Albus, how many fourteen-year-olds think like that? I am not sure most would even know what a magical backlash is. And whose idea was it to do this at the bottom of the Black Lake? Isn't it the point of the tournament to actually see the Champions compete? What if it had gone even worse and you had to retrieve them all from the Black Lake? Would you have known before they all died?"
Albus wanted a lemon drop, but he had already gone through his supply and had not been able to get back to his office for more. He really didn't want to have this conversation at the moment, knowing he would repeat it with Cornelius, most likely the French Minister and others in about an hour when he had a meeting with the Tournament Committee. "Amelia, perhaps we should go up to my office to finish this conversation."
Her eyes hardened. "No. We will have this conversation now. As required by British and ICW Law, I must inform the Chief Warlock and Minister of an ICW investigation and request for information as soon as I can," she said in a harsh tone. "Minister Delacour has requested a formal ICW review and investigation. The ICW has sent a team down to talk with the Merfolk and another that is recreating what happened. The DMLE is out of this investigation. Chief Warlock, my Secretary is drafting up a response to a formal Request for Documents. I will bring it by as soon as she is done and then it must go to Minister Fudge for his signature."
"You have answered some of the questions I had, unless you wish to change your statements now that I have formally announced this investigation," she asked him. He had clenched his hands as tight as they could go. He had helped to draft some of the laws being used against them now in an attempt to keep other governments in line with the traditions of the Wizarding world. Now they were being used against him.
"My comments about the backlash are correct. Any other comments are considered personal, not having been informed of the formal investigation. If other questions are posed, I will do so with an ICW representative in attendance and will review the request as soon as it is available," he said formally. There was a procedure and tradition around this. If this went the way he feared, then the ICW had just taken the first formal steps to deposing some, if not all, of the current Wizengamot and then it would force reforms before allowing things to get back towards normal. This was the last thing he had wanted.
What would this mean if Tom found a way to come back? He was totally turned around on how that was playing. After the attack two weeks ago, he wasn't sure Voldemort wanted Harry alive. Unless there was a powerful third player he didn't know about. This move might also make Tom desperate and unpredictable if he couldn't use his old MO of confusion and attempting to take over the Ministry. He would find it very difficult if the ICW was in control.
"I will inform Captain Le Brun of your response. Also as required, I am releasing Blue Group three and five to the ICW for use up here in Hogsmeade and for anything related to this investigation. They will inform us if items are found in current DMLE investigations," she told him.
Albus had a feeling that if the ICW was to act, Amelia might be safe and gain support that would make her the top alliance and leader in the Ministry for many years. He knew she would not be kind to those that choose to follow the misguided ways of Tom or others. He had a thought to dispose of her and felt the bonds on his life debt pull hard. He scrunched his nose. Damn the Potters! They had been nothing but trouble since he had set his sights on them to help redeem Tom and pay for the last war and the new one brewing.
"Understood, Head Bones. May I have a copy of the request presented to the Department for Wizengamot Relations. The Wizengamot should know what is going on."
"Already sent, as required by DMLE rules."
She was too good to be tripped up. The way she was looking at him he suspected other machinations going on involving Bones that he would have to find out. This latest incident may dry up more of his sources though. "Very good, Head Bones."
"Albus, this is off the record. I don't care what the Tournament Rules or Traditions are. If there are any more lives lost in this because a Champion didn't know or the organizers failed to plan for appropriate measures, I will not stop until you and everyone involved is either in Azkaban or Nurmengard. I am not picky which," she warned him.
He had little doubt she meant it, or that she was building the resources to do so. For her to threaten to move so openly against him, was troubling. He was the most revered Wizard since Merlin and in the last eight months, his name had lost some of its luster and his influence had shrunk significantly. He could not afford to get any more on her bad side and she was so involved with the Potters, he couldn't depose her.
"Amelia, threats do not become someone of your office or stature. I can assure you that a review of the last event to occur in June will be taken up. There is still time to change our plans or even the event. The Goblet of Fire does not specify what is to take place, only that it is something that will challenge our Champion," he told her, trying to soothe her.
She looked at him with a hard enough look that if it had been anyone else, he would have felt fear at what she had threatened. "Any resources required from the DMLE will be at your full disposal. Use them. I do not want to see one more death or maiming. Are we understood between us?"
"Yes, Head Bones. Now, if you excuse me, I have items I must attend before my meeting. I would ask that you help keep the ICW out of the Hospital wing for the day. Madame Pomfrey has said they all need rest and she is still working on Mr. Malfoy." He waited for her to nod her head.
"Green, inform Scrimgeour I want Blue four outside the Hospital wing and Blue two is to patrol the halls and grounds," she said to the Captain of Black Group. Today she had had them here to ensure what happened had nothing to do with the Potter's or their investigation in the werewolves.
"Yes, Boss." Green turned and took off towards the Entry Hall.
"Is that necessary, Amelia? The students are already disturbed enough. Wouldn't it make it worse to have Aurors walking around in plain site? They have already been nervous enough with the ones at the Main Doors," he said to her. Albus really did not like all these Aurors around his school. He had work to do and to have them poke into things they should not, may cause even larger issues.
"Yes. The Ministry will not just sit back and do nothing when lives are in danger, Albus. That is two major events where people have died in the last two weeks. I do not wish to make it three for three." Her nostril's flared when she finished.
Albus let out a sigh. "No. You are right. I just ask they be professional and not bother the students," he told her.
"They have been instructed to only get involved under certain circumstances. I will give you and Minerva a copy of the rules so you can figure how to post it. From this day forward I will have four Aurors in the school and on the grounds at all times. Blue one will be joining the Hogsmeade Division Monday."
His lips pursed. He could do nothing about this. Wizengamot Laws allowed this, as did the Hogwarts Charter. Before Cornelius and his predecessors had always kept the DMLE out of Hogwarts. Now it was inevitable. "Very well. I look forward to reading them. Good day, Amelia."
Albus walked away as serenely as he could. Once he was assured he would not be seen or heard by them, he quickened his pace to get to his office.