(no subject)
Title: Beautiful Disaster
Chapter: 22
Author: ashleyfanfic
Rating: PG-13 (this chapter)
Summary: Veela!Draco! discovers that his mate is the least likely person on the planet, and the revelation leads him and his father in new directions.
A/N: I'm not sure if this is beated or not. If it is, then thanks to kazfiest.
A/N: Thanks to the lovely kazfeist for betaing this for me!
Two Days Later
Draco was growing rather frustrated with the members of his house as they had stayed unusually quiet regarding the attack on Hermione. He’d never known them to not use the gossip as fodder during the morning, especially Pansy and Millicent. He was afraid to broach it, instead hoping that one morning someone would finally break the silence and discuss it. As he pushed the eggs around his plate, his wish was granted, as he heard the discussion. He decided that he would wait until they asked his opinion, and they always did.
"What do you think, Draco?" Crabbe asked, as the conversation turned to him.
He decided to play like he hadn’t been listening and turned to his portly friend. "About?"
"Who do you think attacked her?"
He shrugged. "Could be any number of people." He then went on the attack, planning to lure whoever had done it by criticizing their efforts. "But whoever it was did a poor job."
He noticed several looks from the group around him. Goyle spoke up first, seemingly confused. "What do you mean?"
He shrugged. "The spell they used was simple enough for a third year. Not to mention that it's easy to attack someone from the back because most people would have a hard time against Granger in a face to face battle."
"Are you complimenting the Mudblood?" Pansy asked.
He shook his head. "It's not a compliment. It's a fact. It's actually a bit cowardly."
"Why cowardly? Why not cunning?" Blaise asked.
"Because if you were really intending to injure her and make her scared then she should know her attackers identity so she knows the threat."
"And then she could tell someone who you are," Pansy said. Pansy and Blaise were taking far more of an interest than he liked.
He shook his head. "But I'm sure she and everyone else in this castle already have their suspicions. If they really wanted to get to her, a Death Eater mask could go a long way. For one, she wouldn't know who it was but she would be aware of a greater threat to herself. She would be on edge all the time knowing that she truly was a target. The way it was done reeks of a student, not one of them."
Everyone was silent for a minute before Crabbe finally asked. "Why a student?"
"Death Eaters wouldn't have left her alive. They would have either killed her or taken her and used her to get to Potter. Leaving her injured for students to find is sloppy."
"I disagree," Blaise said calmly although Draco could tell he was silently fuming. "They could have left her to send a message."
"A bigger message would have been her dead mangled body. Leaving her alive only makes her angry and more cautious." He shrugged. "I simply think that they could have really messed with her mind by showing her a Death Eater mask. I'm sure the teachers all suspect it's a student and with the way we're treated I'm sure they think it's one of us. It's only a matter of time until they trace it back to the culprit," he said calmly. "I'm just glad I wasn't stupid enough to be involved this time."
Silence consumed the group and Blaise and Pansy soon left the table, leaving Draco with the knowledge that he'd found at least one of the culprits who'd hurt Hermione. He was almost positive that it was Pansy and that Blaise had had a hand in it as well. But it didn't make sense for them to just attack her without Hermione provoking it somehow. He soon left the Great Hall and was quickly pulled into a classroom by the two people consuming his thoughts.
Pansy went to slap him but he caught her wrist before she could. "How could you?!"
He pushed her away and she slammed into Blaise. "How could I what?" Draco asked casually.
"How could you embarrass us in front of everyone else?"
Draco was silent for a moment then tilted his head. "And how did I embarrass you, Pansy? All I said was the one who attacked Granger did a sloppy job of it." He pretended as if it was just occurring to him. "It was you." He looked to Blaise. "And Blaise." He shook his head. "What the hell were you thinking?" he hissed. "Do you know how much trouble you'll be in if they discover that it was you?"
Blaise shook his head. "If, Draco. If they discover it was us."
He sighed. "Don't be a fool! They'll investigate everyone in Slytherin before this is over."
Pansy shook her head. "No one but you knows it was us."
"All they have to do is do a Priori Incantatem on your wand, and you're done for!" he said angrily. "There are better ways at getting at Potter, Weasley, and Granger than doing something this foolish. You'll face time in Azkaban!"
Pansy looked desperately up at Blaise. "They can do a priori on our wands. They're clean. We're not stupid enough to use our wands to do it."
Draco rolled his eyes. He frowned. "Why? Why would you do this? We're only four months from leaving this place. Why would you attack now?"
"Because she was the easiest target and would upset the most people."
"Come on, Blaise. You have to see that this is going to come back to me. And let me explain it to you right now; I will not go to Azkaban for the two of you. If it comes to them taking me there, I promise you, you'll both live to regret it," he said before he opened the door and stormed out.
His first class of the day was Potions, which he had with Hermione, Blaise, and Pansy. But it would also give him the chance to discuss with Snape what he'd learned. He made his way into the class room and was the first one. Blaise and Pansy came in next and took their normal seats. They didn't seem to want to carry on their conversation, which suited him just fine. Hermione was the last one to join the class and he could see Potter and Weasley walking away from the class. He was actually thankful that they were worried enough about her to see to it that she made it to class safely, although the culprits were already there, so not much of a threat to worry about.
The potion they were making that day, a healing draught, was very detailed and he had to pay close attention to the time. He withdrew his pocket watch, held by the clasp Hermione had given him and smiled. He then bottled his potion and placed it on Snape's desk, and returned to his seat. Hermione was only seconds behind him in finishing. Fifteen minutes later, everyone else had finished and Snape said nothing other than dismissed. "Mr. Malfoy. A word," he said through the room. Hermione left, and he hated to see her go. Pansy and Blaise cast a worried look at one another before they too left the room.
Snape used his wand to shut the door and seal it from anyone hearing their conversation. "You've had a few days, so I'm assuming you know who the attackers are."
He nodded slowly. "I do."
Snape sighed. "Slytherins?"
He nodded. "Yes."
"I don't want you to tell me outright as they'll suspect you told me. But I will ask you a series of questions. Can we test their wands to catch them?" Draco shook his head. "Any idea why they did this?"
He shook his head. "Not really. They just did it."
He frowned. "Students in your year?”
Draco stalled for a moment before he nodded. "Yes."
He nodded. "The Headmaster and I had a thought."
"What's that?"
"We thought we could pin it on you."
He furrowed his brow. "What? But I didn't do it! I wouldn't!"
"I know. But we could make you the mastermind."
"Why?"
He tilted his head. "To make you look loyal to the cause."
He shook his head. "I already told them that if I get pinned for this then I'm not going to protect them."
Snape frowned. "But maybe we could work with that. We'll bring all the 7th year Slytherins in. Maybe one of the others will turn them over and you won't have to worry about it. The threat to some of them with going to Azkaban will be enough. And Miss Granger remembers a female voice. I'm sure that among Bulstrode, Davis, Greengrass, and Parkinson, one will give the other over."
He sighed. "Where do I come in?"
"You orchestrated it all."
He shook his head. "Hermione will be furious that this is going to come down to me. And what happens when no one steps forward? I go to Azkaban?"
"No. Then you follow through on your threat. You've already warned them that you would turn them in if it looked like you were going to Azkaban, you'll simply do what you said you would."
He nodded. "Fine. When are we going to do this?"
"Lunch today. You'll all be pulled from the Great Hall."
Draco nodded. "Fine."
--------
Draco hoped that he could get word to Hermione before it was to happen, but to no avail. Instead he was sitting at the table in the Great Hall, Pansy and Blaise sitting farther away from him and whispering. Blaise had cornered him earlier and wanted to know what was said between him and Snape, and Draco only told Blaise that he hadn't given them up, yet.
He was midway through his soup when Dumbledore, McGonagall, and Snape walked into the Great Hall and straight to the Slytherin table. Dumbledore announced, "I need to see the following students in my office immediately: Draco Malfoy, Gregory Goyle, Blaise Zabini, Vincent Crabbe, Theodore Nott, Pansy Parkinson, Daphne Greengrass, Millicent Bulstrode, and Tracey Davis."
The entire hall was silent as they stood and started to make their way out of the hall, Draco shooting a death glare at Pansy and Blaise.
Once inside the Headmaster's office, he conjured chairs for everyone to take a seat, but they looked warily at the two Aurors that were waiting. "I'm sure all of you have heard about the attack on Miss Granger. Because it’s seriousness, we have decided that it should be dealt with in a like manner. It is our belief that the orchestrator and the ones who carried it out are in this room. Would anyone like to confess and bring a lesser punishment on themselves before we send the ones we think did this with the Aurors to Azkaban for interrogation?"
They were all silent as they looked worriedly at one another. The Headmaster heaved a sigh. "I expected as much."
"Headmaster, you know that I'm completely against this," Snape interrupted.
He nodded. "You've made your feelings known, Professor. Draco Malfoy, please stand." All eyes turned to Draco as he did his best to look as if he were holding in his rage, his fists were clenched at his side and he kept his eyes cast to the floor. "We believe you planned this."
"I had nothing to do with it. I was with Padma when it happened," he said as he held up his head.
"Yes, conveniently you weren't the one to cast the spell. Gregory Goyle and Daphne Greengrass please stand." They both stood. "Your whereabouts during this time have yet to be verified as no one recalls seeing either of you. Unless you can give a suitable answer as to where you were, the two of you, along with Mister Malfoy, will go with the Aurors."
Daphne looked on the verge of tears. "But...I didn't do this. I've never hurt anyone."
"Your whereabouts, Miss Greengrass?" Dumbledore asked calmly, seemingly uneffected by her emotional state.
"I...I...It wasn't me," she said softly.
"Gregory?"
Draco was amazed that he could appear to look even more dumb than usual. "I didn't do it, sir."
"Where were you?"
He looked to Daphne, then Draco, and finally back at the Headmaster. "I was here."
Snape furrowed his brow. "You were?"
He nodded. "Yes, sir. With...with Daphne," he said softly and Daphne's face flamed up immediately. "We were here all day. A few of the first years can confirm that as they...saw us."
Snape raised an eyebrow at that and looked to the Headmaster who only tilted his head. Draco wasn't sure but he thought he saw a smile. "I see. You may sit."
"Theodore Nott and Millicent Bulstrode." Both stood and looked unafraid. Theo told how he was with a few Ravenclaw girls in the Three Broomsticks and Millicent was in Gladrags buying some new clothes. They were told to sit. Crabbe and Tracey were next who both gave solid alibis, Pansy and Blaise were the last two. "Miss Parkinson, where were you during the time of the attack?"
She was silent as she tried to look indignant at the question. Blaise then spoke up. "Draco told us to do it."
*~*
Hermione entered the Great Hall for lunch and found that it was even louder than usual. She’d been late getting there as she’d stopped by the library to drop off a book. She was greeted with a few waves and smiles, and noticed that everyone was staring at her, even more so than after the attack. She took her seat at the Gryffindor table, Harry beside her. “Where have you been?”
“Library.” She looked around once more. “Why is everyone staring at me?”
Ron, who was sitting across from Hermione, spoke up. “Just talking about your attack and the fact that Dumbledore just pulled all the 7th year Slytherins out of here.”
Hermione’s eyes widened. “All of them?”
Ron nodded. “Maybe now they have evidence against Malfoy.”
She rolled her eyes. “For the hundredth time, Malfoy didn’t attack me. I told you I heard a female’s voice.”
He shrugged and Hermione looked to Harry. He could see the worry on her face and gave her a small smile. It wasn’t reassuring at all, but she felt that it was sweet he even tried. Ginny rushed into the room and took a seat beside Ron and in front of Harry. “I think they found the ones that attacked you.”
“We know; they took all the Slytherins out,” Ron said with a roll of his eyes, amazed that his sister was behind in the gossip.
She shook her head. “I know that. What I’m saying is that Goyle, Greengrass, Nott, and Bulstrode were all leaving Dumbledore’s office as I was coming here.”
Harry frowned. “That leaves Zabini, Parkinson, and...”
Ron smiled triumphantly. “Malfoy.”
Harry reached under the table for Hermione’s hand and gave it a brief squeeze, but it did little to help. She searched out her bond with Draco and felt his anger and frustration. She tried to soothe him, and reassure him that she loved him. She felt him grasp onto the bond and frowned. She looked to Ron and shook her head. “Malfoy didn’t attack me, Ron.”
“He planned it, Hermione. You know he did.”
She took a deep breath and looked to Harry. Ron’s certainty about it all really just drove home that she needed to tell him the truth. “Ron, I really need to talk to you. Now,” she said as she stood and led the way out of the Great Hall, leaving Ginny looking at them strangely as they left.
She moved through the castle, hoping they could be as far away from the rest of the students as possible. She finally heard Ron sigh and turned to look at him. “Problem?”
“Why are we going to the opposite side of the school?”
She looked to Harry and frowned. “It’s important and I don’t want anyone to overhear,” she said as she continued walking and found an empty and very unused classroom. After they entered behind her, she locked the door and put every silencing spell she knew on the room. Harry took a seat on a nearby desk, ignoring the dust that had settled on it. He knew what was coming and he knew it was going to be a nasty piece of business he was going to witness. She frowned. “Ron, maybe you should have a seat.” He shrugged and took the desk beside the one Harry was sitting on as Hermione began pacing. She bit her lip and stopped pacing and looked to her best friends.
“Here’s the thing. There’s no easy way to tell you this.” Her frown deepened. “I’ve been seeing Malfoy.”
The room was completely silent as Hermione looked to Harry who was staring at Ron. She was actually afraid to look at the red head. “When you say seeing Malfoy...” he started.
She sighed. “I’ve been with him for a few months now.”
She finally looked to Ron and his expression was blank and she grew worried when he didn’t blink for several minutes. “Harry?”
Harry sighed. “Ron? Did you hear Hermione?”
He shook his head. “I must have misheard you, because I would almost swear that you said you were in a relationship with Malfoy, and I know that can’t be true because you hate him. We,” he said gesturing to all three of them, “hate him.”
She took a deep breath. “Let me explain. You see, the Malfoy family is made up of male Veelas. They’re rare anyway, but they exist in the Malfoy line, and Draco...”
“Wait, Draco?”
“Let me finish, please,” she pleaded. He was silent, signalling that he was going to give her the chance to explain herself, which she really wasn’t expecting him to do. “So, he’s a male Veela and all males have one mate. I’m Malfoy’s.”
Ron shook his head. “Still not making a whole lot of sense.”
“You see, I’m Malfoy’s mate. The one he’s destined for.”
He shook his head. “You believe him?”
She sighed. “No. I didn’t. But...I feel it, Ron. I feel the bond. You don’t think I would really take his word at what he said, do you? I’ve done the research. I’ve read all the books. I’ve spent time with him and...I feel it, Ron. I spent Christmas with him...”
“You spent Christmas with him? How? How did his father not kill you?!”
She bit her lip. “Lucius was there. I was at Malfoy Manor.”
“Dad was there, he didn’t see you.”
“They hid me. No one knows, Ron. You, Harry, Padma, Dumbledore, Snape, my parents, and his. His father is spying for Dumbledore.” She moved closer to him. “Don’t you think that if this was just a trick that his father wouldn’t be doing what he’s doing? They’ve turned their lives upside down to help us, to help Harry.” She sighed. “And I haven’t told you because I’ve been so afraid you wouldn’t be my friend. That you would hate me.” She closed her eyes. “I don’t want you to hate me,” she said as she felt the tears start falling down her face. “I really have no choice.”
He was quiet and looked over at Harry. “How long have you known?”
Harry sighed. “Since the week after we came back.”
He shook his head. “So, I’m supposed to believe that Lucius Malfoy is aiding Dumbledore?”
She frowned and swiped at her eyes. “He is.” She sighed. “He sends Draco letters to give to Dumbledore.”
He folded his arms over his chest. “You’re being played.”
She tilted her head. “Didn’t you listen? He’s a Veela. I’m his mate! The fight you had with him...he felt our bond was threatened by you!” She sighed. “And it was. You are one of my best friends and I wanted so badly for something to work between us because it would be simple. But this is anything but simple, Ron. It has turned my world upside down to find out that my future isn’t my own. I have no choice.”
“And if you did?”
She sat on a chair and sighed. “Do you think I would pick this? That I would choose something so complicated? Draco made my life miserable the first few years. I hated him, Ron. Part of me still hates him, especially since I’m trapped into this. But, I trust that what he says about this is true. I feel the bond. Right now, I feel his anger at being accused of hurting me.”
“So, he didn’t have anything to do with your attack,” he said softly, finally acknowledging that what she was saying could be true.
She shook her head. “No. He’s been trying to help Dumbledore figure out who did it.”
“How does Padma know before I do?”
She leaned back in her chair. “She figured it out and questioned him.”
“And he told her?”
He shrugged. “He feels he can trust her. And it helps if he needs her to cover for us.”
Ron frowned. “Why are you telling me this?”
“Because you need to know. I’ve been putting it off. And...I didn’t want you to find out like Harry.”
Ron looked to Harry, “How did you find out?”
Hermione blushed and Harry looked to Ron. “I was waiting up for her to help me with homework and started thinking that it was unlike her to be late. Every horrible scenario started to occur to me, so I went and grabbed the Map and I saw she was in his room. I thought he was hurting her. I grabbed my cloak, and went down there to help her and when I got there she opened the door and...”
“And?” he prodded and Harry looked to Hermione whose face was extremely red.
“And he saw Draco and me kissing in the doorway.”
Ron made a face. “Yes, I prefer this way to that.” He looked to Harry. “What did you do?”
“I confronted her when we got back to the Common Room and she told me everything she just told you. Although, I didn’t know that Padma knew.”
Hermione looked at Ron. “Do you hate me?”
He was quiet and shook his head. “But I also don’t like you at the moment. You should have told me sooner.” He looked to Harry. “You, too.”
Harry shook his head. “It wasn’t my secret to tell.”
He huffed out an agitated breath. “So, you brought me all this way because you thought that I would fly off the handle? Create a scene?”
She nodded. “Yes. I’m actually surprised that you haven’t.”
He dropped his hands to his lap and stared at the floor. “Believe me, I would like nothing more than to scream at you.”
She sighed. “Then why aren’t you?”
He shrugged and stared at the floor. “Shock, I suppose. I knew he fancied you. You’d think someone like him would be better at hiding his feelings, but I knew something was off. He was far too interested in what you were doing.” He sighed. “So, I feel like there’s more. Is there more?”
She shook her head. “Not at the moment. I’m really sorry I didn’t tell you sooner.”
He nodded. “So am I.” He made a face. “You haven’t shagged him have you?”
Harry grimaced as well, and then Hermione shook her head. “No. There has been no shagging.”
Ron frowned. “That part you can feel free to leave out.”
She couldn’t help but smile. “I wouldn’t share that with either of you.”
Harry sighed. “So, I think we’d better get back to everyone else.”
Hermione nodded. “Ron, I really am sorry.”
He shook his head. “Don’t. I will never like Malfoy. Ever. And, understand, that bond or no bond, should he hurt you, I’ll kill him.”
She sighed and nodded. She removed the spells on the room and followed her two friends out. Having told Ron she felt like a huge weight had been lifted. In fact, she was quite happy about the fact that her initial fear, that Ron would overreact to everything and never speak to her again, had been unfair. But as she felt Draco’s anger and frustration through their bond, she was once again reminded that just because Ron knew, didn’t mean the hard part was over.
*~*
Draco sat in a room across from two Aurors. They’d been asking him questions for the last hour only for him to say nothing. His father had always stressed the value of holding one’s tongue when the situation called for it. He felt this was one such occasion. The door to the room opened and Dumbledore, Narcissa, and the family barrister, Mister Cottingham entered the room. “This interrogation will cease until I’ve had a chance to speak with my client alone.”
The two Aurors gave the man a withering look as they stood and followed Dumbledore out of the room. Narcissa hugged Draco as he stood to greet her. Mister Cottingham took a seat across from the table. “Now, Draco, tell me what’s happened,” he said as both Draco and Narcissa were seated once more.
Draco filled in not only the story about Hermione being attacked by Blaise and Pansy trying to pin him as the mastermind. Mister Cottingham listened throughout and then said something that surprised Draco. “And your relationship with Miss Granger. How far does it go?”
He raised an eyebrow. “Meaning?”
“Draco, these are very serious charges they are going to bring against you. I need to know everything, and I mean everything. My contract with your family prohibits me from divulging any of your secrets. So, tell me about your relationship with Miss Granger.”
“We’re together.”
Narcissa for her part remained silent. Mister Cottingham looked to her. “You know about this relationship?”
“I do. As does Lucius.”
Mister Cottingham nodded. “I see. You’ll not say a word. Should any of this get out, your family would be in great danger. You will not answer one of the Aurors’ questions, but let me do the talking, no matter what they say. Understood?”
Draco nodded and Mister Cottingham stood and opened the door. “Gentlemen, I believe we’re ready to continue.” The two Aurors and Dumbledore entered the room.
“I would first like to know what evidence you have against my client in regards to this case?”
“His accomplices named him.”
He tilted his head and removed a file from his briefcase. “Ah, yes, Mister Blaise Zabini and a Miss Pansy Parkinson. I understand that Miss Granger admits, herself, that she heard a female voice casting a curse on her? We’ll assume that’s Miss Parkinson. Now, what is it you believe Draco has done?”
“He planned the entire thing,” one of them chimed.
Mister Cottingham tilted his head. “Other than two people who are obviously guilty, as unlike my client they have yet to deny being involved, what other evidence do you have?”
“Their history is coloured with violence against one another.”
“So, you have no physical evidence?”
They looked to one another, then Dumbledore. “He is a Malfoy.”
“I see,” he said, then packed his things into his briefcase. “Gentlemen, in order to prevent me from filing a case for wrongful arrest against the Ministry, and the two of you in particular, I would suggest that you allow my client to go back to school with your sincerest apologies. You have no evidence against him that would stand up in the Wizengmont, you have the word of two people who have yet to deny their own involvement in this attack, and I will get a written statement from Miss Padma Patil that will describe exactly where Draco was that day.”
Draco couldn’t help but smile at the hopeless look on their faces as they turned to look at Dumbledore. He nodded at them. “Very well,” Dumbledore said. “But, to ensure that Draco stays out of trouble, he will meet with me twice a week until the end of term. Is that agreeable to everyone?”
When Mister Cottingham looked to Draco he gave a slight nod and Mister Cottingham nodded as well. “That will do.”
The Aurors and Dumbledore left once more. Draco stood and shook hands with Mister Cottingham. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome. Stay out of trouble. And watch out for the members of your house. When you return to school and Parkinson and Zabini do not, you’ll have a target on your back. Be aware.”
He nodded and watched him leave. Narcissa gave Draco a hug and he sighed. “Any word from Father?”
“Only through our bond,” she patted him on the cheek. “Be careful, Draco. Mister Cottingham is right. Someone will come to seek revenge for Pansy and Blaise and many people will think that you were released unjustly and let them take the fall.”
He nodded. “I’ll be cautious.”
She smiled. “I know. You’re a smart boy.” She sighed. “Give my regards to Hermione,” she said before she turned and left the room. Draco entered the hallway and found Dumbledore waiting for him. “Mister Malfoy. Shall we return?”
Draco nodded. “The sooner the better.”
*~*
Ginny entered the library and found Harry, Ron, and Hermione all seated at a table. She quickly joined them and noisily dropped her books onto the surface causing a stern look from Madam Pince and Hermione. “Sorry,” she said sheepishly, then turned back to the three. “He’s back!” she whispered loudly.
Ron furrowed his brow. “What are you on about?”
Ginny huffed out a breath and leaned over the table so the three of them could hear her. “Malfoy! I just saw him walking down the corridor towards the Head Boy’s room.”
Harry looked to his three friends, then Ginny. “You mean they released him?”
Ron scowled. “Figures.”
Hermione frowned. “Obviously they couldn’t find anything to say he was involved.” Ginny shrugged and Hermione looked to her friends. “Let’s not talk about it.”
Harry nodded and looked to Ron. “Oy, what time is it?”
Ron checked his watch. “Nearly eight. Let’s skive off and go play chess.”
Hermione whipped her head to Ron. “Did you say eight?” He nodded. She began loading her books up quickly. “Bollocks!”
“What’s wrong?” Ginny asked.
“I have to tutor a Ravenclaw this evening...at eight.”
Ron rolled his head. “All work and no play makes Hermione a dull girl.”
She shoved at him. “Shush. You’d feel differently if it was you I was supposed to be tutoring.”
“Only, you won’t tutor me.”
She put her hands on her hips as she stood. “Ronald, tutor means ‘to teach or instruct’ not ‘do someone else’s work’,” she said as she shoved the last book into her bag and walked away from the table.
Ginny took Hermione’s abandoned seat. “Are you really going to play chess?”
Ron shrugged. “Anything is better than hanging around here all night,” he said as he began packing his things up as well. “Come on, let’s go back to the common room.”
x-posted at ashleyfanfic, dramione and teasingwench
Chapter: 22
Author: ashleyfanfic
Rating: PG-13 (this chapter)
Summary: Veela!Draco! discovers that his mate is the least likely person on the planet, and the revelation leads him and his father in new directions.
A/N: I'm not sure if this is beated or not. If it is, then thanks to kazfiest.
A/N: Thanks to the lovely kazfeist for betaing this for me!
Two Days Later
Draco was growing rather frustrated with the members of his house as they had stayed unusually quiet regarding the attack on Hermione. He’d never known them to not use the gossip as fodder during the morning, especially Pansy and Millicent. He was afraid to broach it, instead hoping that one morning someone would finally break the silence and discuss it. As he pushed the eggs around his plate, his wish was granted, as he heard the discussion. He decided that he would wait until they asked his opinion, and they always did.
"What do you think, Draco?" Crabbe asked, as the conversation turned to him.
He decided to play like he hadn’t been listening and turned to his portly friend. "About?"
"Who do you think attacked her?"
He shrugged. "Could be any number of people." He then went on the attack, planning to lure whoever had done it by criticizing their efforts. "But whoever it was did a poor job."
He noticed several looks from the group around him. Goyle spoke up first, seemingly confused. "What do you mean?"
He shrugged. "The spell they used was simple enough for a third year. Not to mention that it's easy to attack someone from the back because most people would have a hard time against Granger in a face to face battle."
"Are you complimenting the Mudblood?" Pansy asked.
He shook his head. "It's not a compliment. It's a fact. It's actually a bit cowardly."
"Why cowardly? Why not cunning?" Blaise asked.
"Because if you were really intending to injure her and make her scared then she should know her attackers identity so she knows the threat."
"And then she could tell someone who you are," Pansy said. Pansy and Blaise were taking far more of an interest than he liked.
He shook his head. "But I'm sure she and everyone else in this castle already have their suspicions. If they really wanted to get to her, a Death Eater mask could go a long way. For one, she wouldn't know who it was but she would be aware of a greater threat to herself. She would be on edge all the time knowing that she truly was a target. The way it was done reeks of a student, not one of them."
Everyone was silent for a minute before Crabbe finally asked. "Why a student?"
"Death Eaters wouldn't have left her alive. They would have either killed her or taken her and used her to get to Potter. Leaving her injured for students to find is sloppy."
"I disagree," Blaise said calmly although Draco could tell he was silently fuming. "They could have left her to send a message."
"A bigger message would have been her dead mangled body. Leaving her alive only makes her angry and more cautious." He shrugged. "I simply think that they could have really messed with her mind by showing her a Death Eater mask. I'm sure the teachers all suspect it's a student and with the way we're treated I'm sure they think it's one of us. It's only a matter of time until they trace it back to the culprit," he said calmly. "I'm just glad I wasn't stupid enough to be involved this time."
Silence consumed the group and Blaise and Pansy soon left the table, leaving Draco with the knowledge that he'd found at least one of the culprits who'd hurt Hermione. He was almost positive that it was Pansy and that Blaise had had a hand in it as well. But it didn't make sense for them to just attack her without Hermione provoking it somehow. He soon left the Great Hall and was quickly pulled into a classroom by the two people consuming his thoughts.
Pansy went to slap him but he caught her wrist before she could. "How could you?!"
He pushed her away and she slammed into Blaise. "How could I what?" Draco asked casually.
"How could you embarrass us in front of everyone else?"
Draco was silent for a moment then tilted his head. "And how did I embarrass you, Pansy? All I said was the one who attacked Granger did a sloppy job of it." He pretended as if it was just occurring to him. "It was you." He looked to Blaise. "And Blaise." He shook his head. "What the hell were you thinking?" he hissed. "Do you know how much trouble you'll be in if they discover that it was you?"
Blaise shook his head. "If, Draco. If they discover it was us."
He sighed. "Don't be a fool! They'll investigate everyone in Slytherin before this is over."
Pansy shook her head. "No one but you knows it was us."
"All they have to do is do a Priori Incantatem on your wand, and you're done for!" he said angrily. "There are better ways at getting at Potter, Weasley, and Granger than doing something this foolish. You'll face time in Azkaban!"
Pansy looked desperately up at Blaise. "They can do a priori on our wands. They're clean. We're not stupid enough to use our wands to do it."
Draco rolled his eyes. He frowned. "Why? Why would you do this? We're only four months from leaving this place. Why would you attack now?"
"Because she was the easiest target and would upset the most people."
"Come on, Blaise. You have to see that this is going to come back to me. And let me explain it to you right now; I will not go to Azkaban for the two of you. If it comes to them taking me there, I promise you, you'll both live to regret it," he said before he opened the door and stormed out.
His first class of the day was Potions, which he had with Hermione, Blaise, and Pansy. But it would also give him the chance to discuss with Snape what he'd learned. He made his way into the class room and was the first one. Blaise and Pansy came in next and took their normal seats. They didn't seem to want to carry on their conversation, which suited him just fine. Hermione was the last one to join the class and he could see Potter and Weasley walking away from the class. He was actually thankful that they were worried enough about her to see to it that she made it to class safely, although the culprits were already there, so not much of a threat to worry about.
The potion they were making that day, a healing draught, was very detailed and he had to pay close attention to the time. He withdrew his pocket watch, held by the clasp Hermione had given him and smiled. He then bottled his potion and placed it on Snape's desk, and returned to his seat. Hermione was only seconds behind him in finishing. Fifteen minutes later, everyone else had finished and Snape said nothing other than dismissed. "Mr. Malfoy. A word," he said through the room. Hermione left, and he hated to see her go. Pansy and Blaise cast a worried look at one another before they too left the room.
Snape used his wand to shut the door and seal it from anyone hearing their conversation. "You've had a few days, so I'm assuming you know who the attackers are."
He nodded slowly. "I do."
Snape sighed. "Slytherins?"
He nodded. "Yes."
"I don't want you to tell me outright as they'll suspect you told me. But I will ask you a series of questions. Can we test their wands to catch them?" Draco shook his head. "Any idea why they did this?"
He shook his head. "Not really. They just did it."
He frowned. "Students in your year?”
Draco stalled for a moment before he nodded. "Yes."
He nodded. "The Headmaster and I had a thought."
"What's that?"
"We thought we could pin it on you."
He furrowed his brow. "What? But I didn't do it! I wouldn't!"
"I know. But we could make you the mastermind."
"Why?"
He tilted his head. "To make you look loyal to the cause."
He shook his head. "I already told them that if I get pinned for this then I'm not going to protect them."
Snape frowned. "But maybe we could work with that. We'll bring all the 7th year Slytherins in. Maybe one of the others will turn them over and you won't have to worry about it. The threat to some of them with going to Azkaban will be enough. And Miss Granger remembers a female voice. I'm sure that among Bulstrode, Davis, Greengrass, and Parkinson, one will give the other over."
He sighed. "Where do I come in?"
"You orchestrated it all."
He shook his head. "Hermione will be furious that this is going to come down to me. And what happens when no one steps forward? I go to Azkaban?"
"No. Then you follow through on your threat. You've already warned them that you would turn them in if it looked like you were going to Azkaban, you'll simply do what you said you would."
He nodded. "Fine. When are we going to do this?"
"Lunch today. You'll all be pulled from the Great Hall."
Draco nodded. "Fine."
--------
Draco hoped that he could get word to Hermione before it was to happen, but to no avail. Instead he was sitting at the table in the Great Hall, Pansy and Blaise sitting farther away from him and whispering. Blaise had cornered him earlier and wanted to know what was said between him and Snape, and Draco only told Blaise that he hadn't given them up, yet.
He was midway through his soup when Dumbledore, McGonagall, and Snape walked into the Great Hall and straight to the Slytherin table. Dumbledore announced, "I need to see the following students in my office immediately: Draco Malfoy, Gregory Goyle, Blaise Zabini, Vincent Crabbe, Theodore Nott, Pansy Parkinson, Daphne Greengrass, Millicent Bulstrode, and Tracey Davis."
The entire hall was silent as they stood and started to make their way out of the hall, Draco shooting a death glare at Pansy and Blaise.
Once inside the Headmaster's office, he conjured chairs for everyone to take a seat, but they looked warily at the two Aurors that were waiting. "I'm sure all of you have heard about the attack on Miss Granger. Because it’s seriousness, we have decided that it should be dealt with in a like manner. It is our belief that the orchestrator and the ones who carried it out are in this room. Would anyone like to confess and bring a lesser punishment on themselves before we send the ones we think did this with the Aurors to Azkaban for interrogation?"
They were all silent as they looked worriedly at one another. The Headmaster heaved a sigh. "I expected as much."
"Headmaster, you know that I'm completely against this," Snape interrupted.
He nodded. "You've made your feelings known, Professor. Draco Malfoy, please stand." All eyes turned to Draco as he did his best to look as if he were holding in his rage, his fists were clenched at his side and he kept his eyes cast to the floor. "We believe you planned this."
"I had nothing to do with it. I was with Padma when it happened," he said as he held up his head.
"Yes, conveniently you weren't the one to cast the spell. Gregory Goyle and Daphne Greengrass please stand." They both stood. "Your whereabouts during this time have yet to be verified as no one recalls seeing either of you. Unless you can give a suitable answer as to where you were, the two of you, along with Mister Malfoy, will go with the Aurors."
Daphne looked on the verge of tears. "But...I didn't do this. I've never hurt anyone."
"Your whereabouts, Miss Greengrass?" Dumbledore asked calmly, seemingly uneffected by her emotional state.
"I...I...It wasn't me," she said softly.
"Gregory?"
Draco was amazed that he could appear to look even more dumb than usual. "I didn't do it, sir."
"Where were you?"
He looked to Daphne, then Draco, and finally back at the Headmaster. "I was here."
Snape furrowed his brow. "You were?"
He nodded. "Yes, sir. With...with Daphne," he said softly and Daphne's face flamed up immediately. "We were here all day. A few of the first years can confirm that as they...saw us."
Snape raised an eyebrow at that and looked to the Headmaster who only tilted his head. Draco wasn't sure but he thought he saw a smile. "I see. You may sit."
"Theodore Nott and Millicent Bulstrode." Both stood and looked unafraid. Theo told how he was with a few Ravenclaw girls in the Three Broomsticks and Millicent was in Gladrags buying some new clothes. They were told to sit. Crabbe and Tracey were next who both gave solid alibis, Pansy and Blaise were the last two. "Miss Parkinson, where were you during the time of the attack?"
She was silent as she tried to look indignant at the question. Blaise then spoke up. "Draco told us to do it."
*~*
Hermione entered the Great Hall for lunch and found that it was even louder than usual. She’d been late getting there as she’d stopped by the library to drop off a book. She was greeted with a few waves and smiles, and noticed that everyone was staring at her, even more so than after the attack. She took her seat at the Gryffindor table, Harry beside her. “Where have you been?”
“Library.” She looked around once more. “Why is everyone staring at me?”
Ron, who was sitting across from Hermione, spoke up. “Just talking about your attack and the fact that Dumbledore just pulled all the 7th year Slytherins out of here.”
Hermione’s eyes widened. “All of them?”
Ron nodded. “Maybe now they have evidence against Malfoy.”
She rolled her eyes. “For the hundredth time, Malfoy didn’t attack me. I told you I heard a female’s voice.”
He shrugged and Hermione looked to Harry. He could see the worry on her face and gave her a small smile. It wasn’t reassuring at all, but she felt that it was sweet he even tried. Ginny rushed into the room and took a seat beside Ron and in front of Harry. “I think they found the ones that attacked you.”
“We know; they took all the Slytherins out,” Ron said with a roll of his eyes, amazed that his sister was behind in the gossip.
She shook her head. “I know that. What I’m saying is that Goyle, Greengrass, Nott, and Bulstrode were all leaving Dumbledore’s office as I was coming here.”
Harry frowned. “That leaves Zabini, Parkinson, and...”
Ron smiled triumphantly. “Malfoy.”
Harry reached under the table for Hermione’s hand and gave it a brief squeeze, but it did little to help. She searched out her bond with Draco and felt his anger and frustration. She tried to soothe him, and reassure him that she loved him. She felt him grasp onto the bond and frowned. She looked to Ron and shook her head. “Malfoy didn’t attack me, Ron.”
“He planned it, Hermione. You know he did.”
She took a deep breath and looked to Harry. Ron’s certainty about it all really just drove home that she needed to tell him the truth. “Ron, I really need to talk to you. Now,” she said as she stood and led the way out of the Great Hall, leaving Ginny looking at them strangely as they left.
She moved through the castle, hoping they could be as far away from the rest of the students as possible. She finally heard Ron sigh and turned to look at him. “Problem?”
“Why are we going to the opposite side of the school?”
She looked to Harry and frowned. “It’s important and I don’t want anyone to overhear,” she said as she continued walking and found an empty and very unused classroom. After they entered behind her, she locked the door and put every silencing spell she knew on the room. Harry took a seat on a nearby desk, ignoring the dust that had settled on it. He knew what was coming and he knew it was going to be a nasty piece of business he was going to witness. She frowned. “Ron, maybe you should have a seat.” He shrugged and took the desk beside the one Harry was sitting on as Hermione began pacing. She bit her lip and stopped pacing and looked to her best friends.
“Here’s the thing. There’s no easy way to tell you this.” Her frown deepened. “I’ve been seeing Malfoy.”
The room was completely silent as Hermione looked to Harry who was staring at Ron. She was actually afraid to look at the red head. “When you say seeing Malfoy...” he started.
She sighed. “I’ve been with him for a few months now.”
She finally looked to Ron and his expression was blank and she grew worried when he didn’t blink for several minutes. “Harry?”
Harry sighed. “Ron? Did you hear Hermione?”
He shook his head. “I must have misheard you, because I would almost swear that you said you were in a relationship with Malfoy, and I know that can’t be true because you hate him. We,” he said gesturing to all three of them, “hate him.”
She took a deep breath. “Let me explain. You see, the Malfoy family is made up of male Veelas. They’re rare anyway, but they exist in the Malfoy line, and Draco...”
“Wait, Draco?”
“Let me finish, please,” she pleaded. He was silent, signalling that he was going to give her the chance to explain herself, which she really wasn’t expecting him to do. “So, he’s a male Veela and all males have one mate. I’m Malfoy’s.”
Ron shook his head. “Still not making a whole lot of sense.”
“You see, I’m Malfoy’s mate. The one he’s destined for.”
He shook his head. “You believe him?”
She sighed. “No. I didn’t. But...I feel it, Ron. I feel the bond. You don’t think I would really take his word at what he said, do you? I’ve done the research. I’ve read all the books. I’ve spent time with him and...I feel it, Ron. I spent Christmas with him...”
“You spent Christmas with him? How? How did his father not kill you?!”
She bit her lip. “Lucius was there. I was at Malfoy Manor.”
“Dad was there, he didn’t see you.”
“They hid me. No one knows, Ron. You, Harry, Padma, Dumbledore, Snape, my parents, and his. His father is spying for Dumbledore.” She moved closer to him. “Don’t you think that if this was just a trick that his father wouldn’t be doing what he’s doing? They’ve turned their lives upside down to help us, to help Harry.” She sighed. “And I haven’t told you because I’ve been so afraid you wouldn’t be my friend. That you would hate me.” She closed her eyes. “I don’t want you to hate me,” she said as she felt the tears start falling down her face. “I really have no choice.”
He was quiet and looked over at Harry. “How long have you known?”
Harry sighed. “Since the week after we came back.”
He shook his head. “So, I’m supposed to believe that Lucius Malfoy is aiding Dumbledore?”
She frowned and swiped at her eyes. “He is.” She sighed. “He sends Draco letters to give to Dumbledore.”
He folded his arms over his chest. “You’re being played.”
She tilted her head. “Didn’t you listen? He’s a Veela. I’m his mate! The fight you had with him...he felt our bond was threatened by you!” She sighed. “And it was. You are one of my best friends and I wanted so badly for something to work between us because it would be simple. But this is anything but simple, Ron. It has turned my world upside down to find out that my future isn’t my own. I have no choice.”
“And if you did?”
She sat on a chair and sighed. “Do you think I would pick this? That I would choose something so complicated? Draco made my life miserable the first few years. I hated him, Ron. Part of me still hates him, especially since I’m trapped into this. But, I trust that what he says about this is true. I feel the bond. Right now, I feel his anger at being accused of hurting me.”
“So, he didn’t have anything to do with your attack,” he said softly, finally acknowledging that what she was saying could be true.
She shook her head. “No. He’s been trying to help Dumbledore figure out who did it.”
“How does Padma know before I do?”
She leaned back in her chair. “She figured it out and questioned him.”
“And he told her?”
He shrugged. “He feels he can trust her. And it helps if he needs her to cover for us.”
Ron frowned. “Why are you telling me this?”
“Because you need to know. I’ve been putting it off. And...I didn’t want you to find out like Harry.”
Ron looked to Harry, “How did you find out?”
Hermione blushed and Harry looked to Ron. “I was waiting up for her to help me with homework and started thinking that it was unlike her to be late. Every horrible scenario started to occur to me, so I went and grabbed the Map and I saw she was in his room. I thought he was hurting her. I grabbed my cloak, and went down there to help her and when I got there she opened the door and...”
“And?” he prodded and Harry looked to Hermione whose face was extremely red.
“And he saw Draco and me kissing in the doorway.”
Ron made a face. “Yes, I prefer this way to that.” He looked to Harry. “What did you do?”
“I confronted her when we got back to the Common Room and she told me everything she just told you. Although, I didn’t know that Padma knew.”
Hermione looked at Ron. “Do you hate me?”
He was quiet and shook his head. “But I also don’t like you at the moment. You should have told me sooner.” He looked to Harry. “You, too.”
Harry shook his head. “It wasn’t my secret to tell.”
He huffed out an agitated breath. “So, you brought me all this way because you thought that I would fly off the handle? Create a scene?”
She nodded. “Yes. I’m actually surprised that you haven’t.”
He dropped his hands to his lap and stared at the floor. “Believe me, I would like nothing more than to scream at you.”
She sighed. “Then why aren’t you?”
He shrugged and stared at the floor. “Shock, I suppose. I knew he fancied you. You’d think someone like him would be better at hiding his feelings, but I knew something was off. He was far too interested in what you were doing.” He sighed. “So, I feel like there’s more. Is there more?”
She shook her head. “Not at the moment. I’m really sorry I didn’t tell you sooner.”
He nodded. “So am I.” He made a face. “You haven’t shagged him have you?”
Harry grimaced as well, and then Hermione shook her head. “No. There has been no shagging.”
Ron frowned. “That part you can feel free to leave out.”
She couldn’t help but smile. “I wouldn’t share that with either of you.”
Harry sighed. “So, I think we’d better get back to everyone else.”
Hermione nodded. “Ron, I really am sorry.”
He shook his head. “Don’t. I will never like Malfoy. Ever. And, understand, that bond or no bond, should he hurt you, I’ll kill him.”
She sighed and nodded. She removed the spells on the room and followed her two friends out. Having told Ron she felt like a huge weight had been lifted. In fact, she was quite happy about the fact that her initial fear, that Ron would overreact to everything and never speak to her again, had been unfair. But as she felt Draco’s anger and frustration through their bond, she was once again reminded that just because Ron knew, didn’t mean the hard part was over.
*~*
Draco sat in a room across from two Aurors. They’d been asking him questions for the last hour only for him to say nothing. His father had always stressed the value of holding one’s tongue when the situation called for it. He felt this was one such occasion. The door to the room opened and Dumbledore, Narcissa, and the family barrister, Mister Cottingham entered the room. “This interrogation will cease until I’ve had a chance to speak with my client alone.”
The two Aurors gave the man a withering look as they stood and followed Dumbledore out of the room. Narcissa hugged Draco as he stood to greet her. Mister Cottingham took a seat across from the table. “Now, Draco, tell me what’s happened,” he said as both Draco and Narcissa were seated once more.
Draco filled in not only the story about Hermione being attacked by Blaise and Pansy trying to pin him as the mastermind. Mister Cottingham listened throughout and then said something that surprised Draco. “And your relationship with Miss Granger. How far does it go?”
He raised an eyebrow. “Meaning?”
“Draco, these are very serious charges they are going to bring against you. I need to know everything, and I mean everything. My contract with your family prohibits me from divulging any of your secrets. So, tell me about your relationship with Miss Granger.”
“We’re together.”
Narcissa for her part remained silent. Mister Cottingham looked to her. “You know about this relationship?”
“I do. As does Lucius.”
Mister Cottingham nodded. “I see. You’ll not say a word. Should any of this get out, your family would be in great danger. You will not answer one of the Aurors’ questions, but let me do the talking, no matter what they say. Understood?”
Draco nodded and Mister Cottingham stood and opened the door. “Gentlemen, I believe we’re ready to continue.” The two Aurors and Dumbledore entered the room.
“I would first like to know what evidence you have against my client in regards to this case?”
“His accomplices named him.”
He tilted his head and removed a file from his briefcase. “Ah, yes, Mister Blaise Zabini and a Miss Pansy Parkinson. I understand that Miss Granger admits, herself, that she heard a female voice casting a curse on her? We’ll assume that’s Miss Parkinson. Now, what is it you believe Draco has done?”
“He planned the entire thing,” one of them chimed.
Mister Cottingham tilted his head. “Other than two people who are obviously guilty, as unlike my client they have yet to deny being involved, what other evidence do you have?”
“Their history is coloured with violence against one another.”
“So, you have no physical evidence?”
They looked to one another, then Dumbledore. “He is a Malfoy.”
“I see,” he said, then packed his things into his briefcase. “Gentlemen, in order to prevent me from filing a case for wrongful arrest against the Ministry, and the two of you in particular, I would suggest that you allow my client to go back to school with your sincerest apologies. You have no evidence against him that would stand up in the Wizengmont, you have the word of two people who have yet to deny their own involvement in this attack, and I will get a written statement from Miss Padma Patil that will describe exactly where Draco was that day.”
Draco couldn’t help but smile at the hopeless look on their faces as they turned to look at Dumbledore. He nodded at them. “Very well,” Dumbledore said. “But, to ensure that Draco stays out of trouble, he will meet with me twice a week until the end of term. Is that agreeable to everyone?”
When Mister Cottingham looked to Draco he gave a slight nod and Mister Cottingham nodded as well. “That will do.”
The Aurors and Dumbledore left once more. Draco stood and shook hands with Mister Cottingham. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome. Stay out of trouble. And watch out for the members of your house. When you return to school and Parkinson and Zabini do not, you’ll have a target on your back. Be aware.”
He nodded and watched him leave. Narcissa gave Draco a hug and he sighed. “Any word from Father?”
“Only through our bond,” she patted him on the cheek. “Be careful, Draco. Mister Cottingham is right. Someone will come to seek revenge for Pansy and Blaise and many people will think that you were released unjustly and let them take the fall.”
He nodded. “I’ll be cautious.”
She smiled. “I know. You’re a smart boy.” She sighed. “Give my regards to Hermione,” she said before she turned and left the room. Draco entered the hallway and found Dumbledore waiting for him. “Mister Malfoy. Shall we return?”
Draco nodded. “The sooner the better.”
*~*
Ginny entered the library and found Harry, Ron, and Hermione all seated at a table. She quickly joined them and noisily dropped her books onto the surface causing a stern look from Madam Pince and Hermione. “Sorry,” she said sheepishly, then turned back to the three. “He’s back!” she whispered loudly.
Ron furrowed his brow. “What are you on about?”
Ginny huffed out a breath and leaned over the table so the three of them could hear her. “Malfoy! I just saw him walking down the corridor towards the Head Boy’s room.”
Harry looked to his three friends, then Ginny. “You mean they released him?”
Ron scowled. “Figures.”
Hermione frowned. “Obviously they couldn’t find anything to say he was involved.” Ginny shrugged and Hermione looked to her friends. “Let’s not talk about it.”
Harry nodded and looked to Ron. “Oy, what time is it?”
Ron checked his watch. “Nearly eight. Let’s skive off and go play chess.”
Hermione whipped her head to Ron. “Did you say eight?” He nodded. She began loading her books up quickly. “Bollocks!”
“What’s wrong?” Ginny asked.
“I have to tutor a Ravenclaw this evening...at eight.”
Ron rolled his head. “All work and no play makes Hermione a dull girl.”
She shoved at him. “Shush. You’d feel differently if it was you I was supposed to be tutoring.”
“Only, you won’t tutor me.”
She put her hands on her hips as she stood. “Ronald, tutor means ‘to teach or instruct’ not ‘do someone else’s work’,” she said as she shoved the last book into her bag and walked away from the table.
Ginny took Hermione’s abandoned seat. “Are you really going to play chess?”
Ron shrugged. “Anything is better than hanging around here all night,” he said as he began packing his things up as well. “Come on, let’s go back to the common room.”
x-posted at ashleyfanfic, dramione and teasingwench