Meet the Malfoys

As the sun dipped towards the horizon, they drove through the empty winding roads passing dense forests and valleys dotted with stone villages, their windows dark and silent.

Hermione glanced at the Malfoys, their statue-like faces betraying a hint of uncertainty and concern, as the silhouette of their destination—a large, elegant house—began to emerge in the distance. The lone road was flanked with trees on both sides, leading to an ornate, heavy metal gate.

The gate stood as a grand entrance to the estate, flanked by lush hedges and towering cypress trees, nearly obscuring the house from view. A stone plaque beside the gate, embossed with gold lettering, read “Maison de Rochefort.”

Hermione pressed the intercom button with the master code, and the gate swung open, leading them into the winding driveway. The Malfoys sensed the wards that guarded the mansion, and Hermione drew her wand out to mutter few incantations to allow them entry. They all seemed relived to have finally made it to the safehouse.

“Here we are” announced Hermione, Lucius and Narcissa exchanged surprised glances, taken aback by the house, they had expected it to be a small muggle cottage. This mansion, though not as large as the Malfoy Manor, was suitable and almost as large as their other French residences along the Riviera.

The mansion had a grand stone façade, framed by sprawling gardens bursting with colorful summer blooms, while ivy clung to the walls, hinting at its old origins. The car rolled to a stop in front of the blue door, adorned with a bronze knocker shaped like an eagle. The Malfoys descended from the car to the sound of crunching gravel at their feet.

Four wands flickered with ‘Lumos’, as the group walked towards the door. Hermione rummaged in her bag again, the sound of heavy objects tumbling around startling Draco. After a moment of searching, she finally found the key, and the door creaked open to reveal a dark corridor. Hermione walked in first, followed by a wary Lucius, who was flanked by Narcissa on his left. Draco glanced over his shoulder as if sensing that they might have been followed.

Lucius had held his wife’s hand almost anticipating an attack but no one showed up, he relaxed when Hermione cast a spell to check for humans in the house. The house was empty and they weren’t followed after the attack at the café, Draco let out a breath he didn’t know he was holding.

Hermione walked to a small portrait, the picture in it unmoving, and pressed it to reveal a hidden cabinet. The Malfoys glanced around nervously, and when she turned on the lights, the house erupted into brilliance, forcing them to shield their eyes. They dropped their wands, momentarily captivated by the furnishings; the high ceilings with a sparkling crystal chandelier and vintage sconces casting a warm glow on the walls.

Draco’s mouth dropped in astonishment. If the muggle house in London had been a surprise, this blew his eyes wide open. How could the muggles have built this without magic? He cast a curious glance at his parents who were watching the lights with a hint of suspicion. Could this be stolen magic? he thought. 

The floor was marble, a modern blend of whites and grey, the walls were covered with textured wallpaper, in soft hues of cream and green. Narcissa surveyed the hall, slightly impressed by the muggle furnishings; it felt like something straight out of a wizarding magazine. Hermione cleared her throat, snapping the Malfoys back to reality after their surprise at experiencing electricity for the first time.

“The house is powered by electricity; it’s what Muggles use in their homes,” Hermione explained.

Draco squinted, considering her words. “So, it’s like a spell without wands? Sounds like stolen magic to me.”

“No, it’s not magic; it’s science. Muggles don’t know magic, and you can’t just steal it, Malfoy,” she replied firmly.

“So, you’re saying muggles can live like this without magic?” he narrowed his eyes in disbelief.

“Who needs this when we have magic?” Lucius scoffed. “With a simple ‘Lumos,’ we can do better with magic.”

Hermione took a deep breath, trying to rein in her irritation. “Maybe so, but the rooms have motion sensors so you don’t need a Lumos or candles.” Lucius opened his mouth to argue but she cut him off. “I’ve set up the wards around the estate, but I think we need to secure them with blood. I could use your help,” she said, looking pointedly at Lucius Malfoy.

“Muggles can’t use this elektriseety to keep themselves safe—how strange,” he replied, a hint of disdain in his voice, which made Draco smirk.

“There are cameras, alarms, and sensors around the perimeter! But we need to protect against Death Eaters, hence the wards. I’d set them up myself, but magical families like yours don’t share this ritual with a muggle-born. I could’ve managed it if there were even one written book about it!” she replied frustrated.

Lucius scoffed, “It is not that easy to set blood wards, old pureblood estates have century old rune stones. Do you have rune stones placed around the estate; I think not!”

“Well of course I do, I am not an idiot” she turned her nose up and led the group to the east side. They crossed an outdoor seating area, few empty benches and steppers and were led into a small garden with a lavish stone fountain.

“This is the eastern most boundary, it is the closest from the entrance. I have placed stones in all four directions, with an additional one in the north boundary as that is the farthest and widest. Do we need to visit all of them?” she asked.

“Not really if you have carved them the correct way. How have you carved the runes?” asked Lucius.

“In tandem of course, I have carved a personal rune on each one of them just in case”

If Lucius was impressed, he had better sense to not show it. He cast a ‘Specialis Revelio’ on the stone and the runes glowed bright yellow. Draco identified the Tiwaz (victory in war), Algiz (divine protection) and surprisingly a Mannaz (togetherness and dependence). There was an odd rune he did not recognize; it was shaped like a Dagaz but with a line running across it.

Lucius opened his palm and carefully sliced it, red blood started to steadily flow from the cut.

“Wait hold on, not your blood” said Hermione and offered her hand.

“You don’t know anything about blood wards, the strongest ones are cast by pureblood wizards with centuries of pureblood ancestry which is not diluted by inferior muggle blood. Step aside child” spat Lucius.

Hermione scoffed and crossed her arms, “Blood wards work to protect family and property in wizarding world. It enables wizards to protect their homes from unwanted intruders who are not family, does it not? Family means shared blood, through intermarriages between bloodlines. So, since the Malfoy and Black line is pureblood all away back to centuries, it means there is a lot of inbreeding and marrying every other pureblood family only.”

“Exactly that’s what makes our blood superior and better at the wards” replied Draco.

“No, it doesn’t, almost every pureblood wizard is related to another one due to the inbreeding. Did you know you are related to the Weasleys through the Black and Prewett line? Blood wards are particularly potent because they utilize the inherent magic of family ties, drawing strength from blood relationships.”

Draco grimaced at this statement but he knew it to be true, he had studied his family tree in great detail as a child, and he had at least one cousin in almost all pureblood wizarding family in Britain and even some in France.

Hermione continued, “Since I am muggle-born and with no know wizarding bloodline, it means no other wizard or witch shares my blood since I am child-less. It will make it harder to break a ward cast with my blood. Move over and tell me the incantation!”

Hermione sliced her palm with her wand and drops of blood glistened on the runic stone. The Malfoys stared at the red blood dripping from her palms.

“Well, what is the spell?” snapped Hermione. Lucius said the incantation which was in old Welsh, weaving a complex wand movement. The carvings in the stones glowed red. The last rune, which was a personal rune, glowed green which meant its mates were cast in the same spell.

Hermione could feel the magical barrier around the house, shimmering in the air like a translucent shield, recognizing her own magic in it from the blood she sacrificed.

“Is it done?” she asked in a low whisper. Lucius and Draco were both staring at her bloodied palm, Narcissa sensed the unease and responded “Yes, it is done. The wards have been secured by your blood. Here let me…” she cast a spell to heal the wound and clean the blood. She was carefully not to touch her, but the unasked question about the color of her blood lingered in her mind.

Lucius stood back for few moments and tested the wards with counter spells, when he was convinced that they were alright, he followed the group back to the house. Hermione showed them around a bit stating that she will give the grand tour tomorrow.

“Perhaps we should have a quick meal and retire for the day?” she suggested and the Malfoys agreed.

*******

When they entered the kitchen, Draco’s head began to spin at the sight of the shiny appliances and gleaming countertops. What are these strange things?

He watched her walk up to a large grey cupboard, pulling out bags and containers of food. He looked at the contraption with equal curiosity and hatred. What’s that supposed to do, he wondered not daring to ask about muggle artefacts in front of his parents. The Malfoy couple was eyeing the witch suspiciously.

Hermione swished her wand and neatly assembled ham and cheese sandwiches and the group ate them in silence. She offered them colas, but the Malfoys promptly rejected the unfamiliar drink. Narcissa wanted to try the one in the red and white can but she decided otherwise, perhaps it would be unwise to appear so keen she thought.

Hermione led the family to the upper floors, “The bedrooms rooms are in the west wing. The East wing is closed off; it has some old furniture and personal artefacts of the owners. Mr. And Mrs Malfoy you can take the master suite.”

She opened the double doors to reveal a spacious room, with neutral tones and large windows draped in curtains in warm-hued colors. The room had a seating area, with a pair of velvet armchairs and a small coffee table. The ensuite bathroom was equally opulent, with matching sinks and baths for him and her, connected by a shared door.

“The bathroom is Jack and Jill style. The plumbing is muggle so you need to open the taps as such, and the water temperature can be set with these knobs. There are fresh linens, and bathrobes and towels in this closet and the cabinet below has toiletries for use.”

“I’ll show you how to use the intercom tomorrow,” she said, stifling a yawn. The Malfoy couple, equally fatigued, nodded silently in agreement. They turned to their son and wished him goodnight.

*******

Draco followed Granger into the next bedroom, which was smaller than the master suite but equally comfortable. It was designed in grey and black undertones, and included an ensuite bathroom, a large closet, a desk and some shelves for books and such. The bed was a four-poster, just like the one in his room at the Manor.

Draco had an amused expression on his face, which was caught by Hermione. “What?” she snapped.

“Nothing, I bet you took the best room. Let me see it.” Draco insisted.

“What? No way! It’s not only bad manners to invade a girl’s space… Wait, why am I even explaining this to you? Goodnight, Malfoy,” she replied, abruptly turning and heading for the exit.

“And Malfoy…” he heard her say from near the door. “If you need anything—anything at all—to make you more comfortable … please don’t knock on my door in the middle of the night. I will hex you into oblivion,” she warned before leaving him to explore his room on his own.

*******

In the other room, Narcissa lay on the bed, her head resting in her husband’s arms as he was gently stroking her hair.

“Isn’t this a bit inappropriate Lucius? A lady mustn’t sleep in the same bed as her husband” she said with a teasing smirk.

“Nonsense!” he replied, “We’ve had a horrible day and we are in this strange muggle house. I need to provide comfort to my lovely wife during such trying times. It is my duty!” He leaned and lightly kissed on her forehead.

“Are you upset with me, tell me so?” asked Narcissa with concern.

“No, my dear darling. On the contrary, I need to apologize to you and Draco. My failure in the Ministry last summer got you both entangled in the Dark Lord’s affairs. A Malfoy man shouldn’t leave behind his wife and heir to fend for themselves. Will you forgive me Cissa?” begged Lucius.

“You don’t need my forgiveness dear; you have done more than enough to protect Draco and me from the war. I still remember the last time when Bellatrix was forcing me to take the Dark Mark. If it hadn’t been for your intervention, I don’t know…”

“Let’s not think about the unpleasant past. Tell me Cissa, what you think of Miss Granger and this deal that our son has struck with Shacklebolt?” asked Lucius.

Narcissa looked at her husband, his forehead was lined with creases of worry. She liked when Lucius allowed himself to be open and vulnerable in her presence. “I think Miss Granger is a smart witch even for a muggle-born. I find it strange that she chose to do this task, unless Shacklebolt blackmailed her, which seems unlikely. There must a huge favor promised to her in return! Shacklebolt obviously is motivated by power but what is in it for the girl?”

“Yes, that is what I thought too! Why would she want this task, Draco has publicly humiliated her throughout the school years, the Malfoys and Blacks are known to be blood purists. Why risk spending time with dangerous snakes when being Harry Potter’s best friend could offer her far greater safety?”

“And more importantly why would Shacklebolt assign her as the protector. Her value as Potter’s friend itself puts her in peril.”

“Whatever it is, we need to find out and use it to our advantage Cissa.”  

Narcissa nodded in agreement and the couple soon fell asleep while pondering about the strangeness of their situation.

*******

In the next room, Draco finally managed to get the shower running. After several failed attempts to set the right temperature, he settled for a cold shower. Stepping out, he wrapped a towel around his waist, the silver scar on his chest gleaming in the light of the mirror over the sink. Draco frowned at the dark circles that were now visible under his eyes.

He opened the closet in the bedroom, to find it illuminated by tiny orbs of light.

“I bet my Gringotts vault this is magic. It can’t be anything else” thought Draco, utterly convinced of his own reasoning. 

The clothes were more or less his style —plenty of Oxford shirts, trousers, and light layers to last him through the summer. “Well, isn’t this a surprise Granger? You went shopping for me!” he mused. The closet also had an assortment of shoes and socks along with a fully stocked drawer of underwear!

Draco felt his cheeks heat up. Had Granger really bought all these boxer shorts for him? No, he quickly dismissed the thought. Turning back to the mirror, he decided to try the lotions on the dresser. They smelled pleasant, the labels were in French, though he sniffed them first as if expecting them to smell foul.

He climbed into bed, half-naked, grateful that the room was cool enough for the night. Despite the late hour, sleep eluded him, his mind consumed by thoughts of the Astronomy Tower. He pictured himself standing there, wand raised at Dumbledore, casting the Killing Curse.

As minutes stretched into hours, exhaustion weighed heavily on Draco, and his eyes fluttered shut. His mind drifted back to Malfoy Manor, where he found himself standing in the drawing room, clad in his finest robes.

The Dark Lord extended his hand. “Come, Draco. Take your position on my favored left.” Pride swelled in his chest as he caught the encouraging looks from his mother and father. He donned the Death Eater mask and stood ready, waiting for orders.

“Get the girl…” he heard the Dark Lord whisper. A burly blond man—probably Dolohov—dragged a screaming girl into the room. She was injured, her hands bloodied and her hair disheveled. She looked familiar; where had he seen her before?

“Draco, let us see you practice the Cruciatus. I heard your aunt taught you all about it.” Bellatrix beamed and gave him an eager push forward.

Draco raised his wand and then the girl looked up, he locked eyes with Hermione Granger! She was pleading, her voice trembling. “Please, I don’t know anything. I don’t know where Harry is… Please, I didn’t do anything.”

Draco jolted awake, a scream caught in his dry throat, his mouth was parched. He struggled out from beneath the bedcovers, wiping sweat from his brow. It is just a nightmare, he thought. He had escaped that life—the life of a Death Eater and as Dark Lord’s lackey. It was just a dream!

He snatched the vial of Dreamless Sleeping Potion his mother had given him and drained it in one go, smacking his lips afterward. As he lay back on the pillows, his head heavy with worry, he summoned the silver Snitch from his robes, holding the cool, smooth object tightly in his hand.

*******

Hermione was lying in the bed awake, unable to sleep. Her head throbbed with exhaustion, but she knew she had to send the message. Summoning the red notebook that Ron had gifted her for Christmas, she opened it and traced the words on the cover with her fingers: “To my best friend, the brightest witch I know.”

She held a fountain pen, and wrote “Hello Professor Atticus, I’ve reached Lisbon safely. How are you and Prongs Junior?”

The ink vanished in an instant, and she waited with bated breath. Minutes dragged by until, finally, untidy words began to appear in the book: “Hello, Lady Athena. All is well here. We had the burial a while ago; now we’re back home. Prongs Junior misses you, but I miss you more.”

Tears of joy streamed down her face as she recognized Ron’s familiar scrawl. “Oh Ron, I miss you too, and I love you so very much,” she whispered into the empty room. With trembling hands, she held the pen again and wrote, “I miss you both too. Take care, and be safe.”

She shut her charmed notebook and slipped beneath the covers. She had lied to her two best friends when she left the school grounds. Both Harry and Ron had agreed that she needed to take her parents out of the country and hide away for a while. With Dumbledore gone, they were afraid of what might happen to her if she were caught by the Death Eaters. She had lied to them that she would move to Portugal where no one could trace them and hide till the war was over.

Had her friends known that she was hiding with the Malfoys, they would’ve been outraged. Ron would have probably thrown a fit, and Harry, well he would’ve thought she was under the Imperius curse!  Hermione lay awake in her bed, dreading the day that awaited her tomorrow with the Malfoys.