Unexpected Companions
As soon as he apparated into the manor, he met his mother at the fireplace who enveloped him in a warm embrace. “Oh, my dear boy, what happened? Is it done?” she enquired warily. Draco couldn’t look his mother in the eye, he looked the other way and spotted his father hurrying down the stairs.
Lucius Malfoy was a shadow of his former aristocratic self. His once handsome face was slightly shrunk, which added more sharpness to his pointy face, his once shiny hair was slightly disheveled. He wore fine robes and carried his walking stick which hid an illegal wand. His piercing gaze and cold grey eyes retained its intensity as he studied his son with apprehension.
“I need to speak to you both…now” said Draco and hurried towards his father’s office on the first floor. His parents followed in his steps, still unsure of what had transpired at the castle. When Draco had firmly shut the door, and cast a silencing spell, he addressed his confused parents with a shaky voice.
“I couldn’t kill him, Snape did it. Dumbledore is dead” said Draco, as tears streamed down his cheeks. His voice was shaky, he tried his best to hold a steady composure since his father frowned upon such open displays of emotion, but he was unsuccessful in doing so.
“Oh well done my son. You don’t know what this means to us! You got the Death Eaters into the castle. The Dark Lord will reward us beyond measure,” laughed Lucius. He slapped his hand on his son’s back in praise.
“No, he is not! He is going to punish us father. I have failed to kill the headmaster. He will punish us for this, don’t you see?” pleaded Draco. He looked at his mother who stood near the desk, and was lost in deep thought having heard her son’s confession.
“We must leave now, I have a safehouse for us outside the country, we need to leave.”
“What do you mean leave? Leave where? Betray the Dark Lord, are you insane!” yelled Lucius.
A look passed between the mother and son, and Narcissa got up and summoned a small trunk from the back, she quickly cast a spell to shrink it to fit into her palm. The Malfoy men had identical expression of bewilderment on their faces.
“Lucius, with Draco as the witness, I invoke our marital vow” said Narcissa and she lightly touched her wedding ring. Lucius stood still, his face was now like a statue and he stared back at his wife with anger.
“What are you doing Cissa? Those words are not be uttered unwisely,” snapped Lucius. Draco was aware that a pureblood witch could invoke a marital vow in a perilous situation, and since his parents were bonded by the old wizarding marriage spell, his father could not ignore it.
“You vowed to protect me and our family. I demand that you accept Draco’s plan and we leave this country and this war for good. I don’t want either of you in a life-or-death situation every again. Our family will not stand host to the Dark Lord and serve him like peasants. The Malfoy and Black name will not be besmirched for the pleasure of a mad man. Do it for Draco, he is our only son, do it for him. You promised me when he was born that you will protect him no matter what. You promised Lucius” yelled Narcissa. Her blue eyes were brimming with tears, he had never seen his mother like this, so emotional and animated. His father stood with a shocked face, his embellished walking stick hanging loosely from his hand, unable to look away from his infuriated wife.
A muffled noise from the lower floors brought them back to the urgency of the situation, the Death Eaters had returned from the castle. Draco involuntarily scratched the dark mark on this left arm, and watched his parents stare at each other, not a word was exchanged between them. They could hear soft noises of people talking in the parlor, Draco knew they didn’t have a lot of time. He took out the portkey hidden in his robes and whispered ‘portus’, the rusty nail glowed blue and buzzed with energy.
Lucius was still staring at his wife, his eyes wide with rage but the formidable witch did not back down. She was after all from the Noble and Most Ancient house of Black, and she had the famed Black madness about her in that moment.
“We have to hurry… we need to leave now,” Draco urged, glancing anxiously at the door as if expecting it to burst open. Lucius, with a subtle flick of his wand, summoned a small leather case from its hidden spot in the office. He muttered a few incantations that Draco barely understood, then turned to his son with a calm expression. “Let’s go, before our guests arrive.”
The Malfoys touched the portkey at the same time, Draco immediately felt a hook just behind his navel that had been jerked forward. Their feet had left the ground and they were speeding forwards in a howl of wind and color and then… his feet slammed into the ground. His parents had landed gracefully, still standing though looking very wind swept. Draco preferred brooms, portkeys and apparition were clearly not his preferred mode of transport.
Narcissa cast a quick ‘lumos’, and they stared at the strange surroundings. They were in a townhouse somewhere in London it seemed, surrounded by strange things, things Draco had never seen in this life before. It looked like a parlor of sorts which led to a long foyer. The room had a crystal chandelier with no enchanted candles, the walls were dressed in cream and blue wallpaper, there was a small fireplace in the corner framed with ornate mantels.
Lucius unfurled the curtains, and the room led to a patio and small garden. Narcissa had moved to the sofa and was staring at a large black gleaming object on the wall. “We are in a muggle house!” whispered Narcissa, the shock evident on her face when she recognized the muggle appliance.
Lucius immediately drew his wand and cast a Homenum Revelio and they realized the house was empty. The Malfoys who had never ever set a foot in a muggle residence were standing huddling together, wands out, too scared to touch anything.
Draco always imagined a muggle house to smell like a hovel, perhaps a shabby dilapidated cottage but this place was nothing like it. It was clean, and smelled of pine and the forest, how strange!
Draco drew out the galleon, and tapped it with his wand to send a message. “Shacklebolt will meet us here. There is a person assigned by him to take us to the safehouse,” said Draco. His hands were shaking now, and he silently prayed for the plan to work out.
“Shacklebolt? You made a deal with the Order?” Lucius shouted, seizing him by the scruff of the neck. “Have I taught you nothing, you imbecile? We need to leave—this place isn’t safe for us!” He turned to his wife; his eyes wide. “Let’s go back; nobody will notice our brief absence.” He reached for her hand, but Draco stepped in, blocking him.
“Father, wait!” he insisted, his voice steady but urgent.
“The safehouse is outside the country!” he yelled back. He explained how he had struck a deal with the older wizard and the price to be paid for their safety. Lucius was not convinced but with Narcissa being obstinate on escaping and following their son’s plan, he couldn’t do much.
“What if this is a trap? What if they attack us here?” Lucius tried to plead to the better sensibilities of his wife.
“Then we fight or pretend that we were kidnapped by the Order and go back to the manor. I don’t think the Dark Lord suspects of our betrayal yet Lucius. I am not leaving before listening to the plan” said Narcissa. “He would have summoned for you by now” she pointed at his Dark Mark which was hidden under long sleeves of his robes.
*******
Almost half an hour passed and no body showed up. Draco was pacing the room now; his parents were seated on the edge of the couch, barely touching it as if they could catch some disease from muggle furniture. His father was staring at the house with disgust on his face, his mother’s expression to the surroundings were so far unbothered.
Was this a trap, will the Order of Phoenix storm this place and take them as prisoners? Will the Dark Lord find them here, will we all die? All morbid thoughts swam through Draco’s head as he nervously checked his watch.
A sudden loud pop echoed through the room as Shacklebolt apparated in, catching them off guard. Instantly, all three raised their wands, aiming them at the auror. With a flick of his wrist, Shacklebolt disarmed them effortlessly, his wand now pointed at Draco. “What was the number of the room we met in at the Leaky Cauldron?” he demanded; eyes sharp.
Draco scoffed; disbelief evident on his face. “Are you serious?” But as the wand remained steadfast against his chest, he relented, annoyance creeping into his tone. “Fine. We met at the Crooked Wand, not the Leaky Cauldron. Room 104.”
Shacklebolt took a deep breath, eyeing Draco's parents. “Have you checked them?” he asked, gesturing toward them.
Draco raised an eyebrow, a smirk playing at the corners of his mouth. “You mean, do I know if they’re my parents? I didn’t think it necessary, but yes, they are very much my parents. Would you like me to ask them some inappropriate and unnecessary personal questions to prove it?” replied Draco which earned him a light whack on his back with his father’s walking stick.
“Enough of the cheek, Draco. Shacklebolt, it’s good to see you as well,” Lucius said, attempting to break the tension. The auror remained silent, his gaze fixed on the Malfoys, a hint of uncertainty in his eyes. Finally, he spoke, in a serious tone “I need an Unbreakable Vow from you, Lucius, ensuring that no harm befalls the protector I’ve assigned to this mission.”
Lucius laughed “Do you really think I would harm the very person trying to protect my family? I’m not that foolish or inconsiderate.”
“At present the Malfoy name means nothing; your son is suspected to be a murderer and you are an escaped prisoner. I need assurance that no harm will be done to the protector. We will not proceed further till I have your word.”
“I didn’t kill him” snapped Draco. Shacklebolt ignored him and continued to stare back at Lucius.
“Who is it? Is it Nymphadora, my niece? She is an auror in the Ministry with you, isn’t she?” said Narcissa. Shacklebolt lowered his wand which was still pointed at Draco’s chest. He did not answer, but looked at Lucius for his response.
“Fine, I’ll do it—if you return our wands,” Lucius said, unwilling to risk being unarmed in the presence of the auror.
Shacklebolt chuckled and returned only Narcissa’s wand, he swished his own wand, a graceful and gleaming lynx erupted from his wand tip, he whispered a message and the lynx shot across the room and disappeared. Lucius had an illegal wand in his walking stick, he carefully unfastened the clasp, just in case the auror tried something funny.
“Was that a Patronus?” enquired Draco. Shacklebolt nodded but did not share further information.
Suddenly, a loud crack of apparition echoed from the other room, followed by the clatter of pots and pans hitting the floor. A lone witch stumbled into view from the kitchen, and Draco’s expression shifted to one of regret as he furrowed his brows, recognizing the witch who was now in the room with them.
*******
“What is she doing here?” yelled Draco. The Malfoys were now staring at the witch who completely ignored the blond family and approached the auror, he enveloped her in a friendly embrace. The Malfoys, disgusted with this public display of affection, looked away, but Draco spied that while releasing the embrace, Shacklebolt whispered something in her ear.
“This is Hermione Granger; she is going to be your protector” said Shacklebolt.
The Malfoys appraised the witch who was standing in front of them clutching her beaded bag. Hermione was not a very tall witch, but was clad in denim pants that made her look taller. She was dressed in a simple long-sleeved shirt and a pair of ballerina shoes. Her brown, curly hair was tamed into a thick plait. Hermione continued to stare back at the Malfoys, she cheeks were flushed from exertion.
“No way, I am not going anywhere with this mudblood!” yelled Draco. Recognition dawned on Lucius’s face, “Wait is this Potter’s mudblood friend? Have you lost your mind; you are assigning a school girl as our protector? I am not risking our lives in the hand of a muggle who will toss us first thing to Potter and the Order”
Before Shacklebolt could respond, Hermione had drawn her wand and pointed it straight at Lucius Malfoy’s face. “I will not tolerate you calling me a mudblood, not under any circumstances. I am here as a favor to Kingsley, so it is either me or nothing at all. And I rather toss you to your Death Eater friends who would be more pissed at you than Harry if they discover about this excursion to muggle London. I bet they can collect a nice little bag of galleons from Voldemort by bringing your heads.”
“You will not threaten my husband and family, you impertinent girl” shouted Narcissa and tried to grab Hermione’s wrist. But she sent a stinging hex her way, the blond witch stepped back clutching her cheek which was red like someone had slapped her.
“How dare you attack my mother” yelled Draco and was about to push Hermione when Shacklebolt stepped in between the agitated parties.
“This is why I need the vow Lucius, there will be no deal without the vow”
“And you think a school girl is capable of giving my family adequate protection? This is an utter disaster if you ask me, I will not pledge anything for a teenager and a muggle-born at that” snapped Lucius.
Shacklebolt smiled, “Hermione is a capable witch, quite bright for her age and known for her resourcefulness. You would know Lucius, since she and her friends ruined your plan at the ministry last year. “
Lucius seethed with fury, but Narcissa quietly touched his elbow and he held back his comments. The Malfoys were unhappy with the identity of the protector but they were low on options. Almost two hours had passed from when they had left the manor and they had to act quickly either way.
This felt like a nightmare, Draco thought, tugging at his hair in frustration. He wished he had just gone through with murdering Dumbledore instead!
“Before I hand over the wands, I need a vow from you Lucius; we don’t have time at our hands to waste.”
“Are you listening Narcissa, he needs a vow? What next you want me sign over my vault access to her?” spat Lucius, his face flushed red with anger.
“I need your vow that you won’t murder this girl who has risked everything to protect your family. No one wanted this job, Lucius—no one wanted to put their life on the line for Death Eater scum. Even your wife’s own sister refused.” If the auror’s words stung Narcissa, she showed no sign of it. Instead, her gaze remained fixed on the brunette witch, who now wore an expression of deep concern.
“Certainly, since time is of essence, let’s get this done with” he said quietly. “Perhaps my lovely wife will consent to be our Bonder.”
Beneath Narcissa’s curious gaze, the wizards kneeled and grasped right hands. Draco and Hermione stood at either sides and watched nervously, neither having witnessed an Unbreakable Vow before.
“Will you, Lucius, watch over Hermione and ensure no harm befalls her by you or your family while on the run”
“I will,” said Lucius.
A thin tongue of brilliant yellow flame erupted from the wand and wound its way around the hands of the wizards.
“And will you, to the best of your ability, save her from any harm that others might inflict on her while your family is in her safekeeping?”
“I will,” said Lucius. A second tongue of flame shot from the wand and interlinked with the first, making a glowing chain.
“And should it prove necessary…if Voldemort wins the war (Lucius’s hand twitched slightly but he did not draw away) … to protect her by claiming her as the Malfoy ward.”
There was a moment’s silence, everyone watched the wizards with bated breath, then Lucius nodded and replied “I will”. Both Draco and Narcissa exchanged a nervous look. Accepting a witch or wizard as a ward in the magical world was equivalent to adopting them and in doing so several birth rights in terms of estates and fortune can be disputed in the ward’s favor. But Lucius knew it would never come to that, so he complied.
Draco’s astounded face glowed red in the blaze of the third flame that had shot from the wand, twisting with the others and bound thickly around their clasped hands like a fiery snake. The kneeling wizards got up and exchanged a curious stare. Shacklebolt returned the wands of son and father and nodded in Narcissa’s direction.
“Alright then, I need to leave now, Hermione will take it up from here. You know how to reach me dear”, Hermione gave a slight smile and the auror apparated away.
*******
Hermione turned to her unusual companions, the Malfoys now stood facing her with matching scowls on their faces, and she thought that perhaps she signed up for the wrong sort of mission!