A Conspiracy of Snakes and Lions

Draco Malfoy was not a man known for wanting. The swish of a wand the snap of fingers, whatever he needed, whatever he desired came to him. However, for as long as Draco could remember, he has wanted Hermione Granger. Even their meeting on the train in First Year had surprised him. Here was this girl, hair a foot away from her head casually walking into compartments interrupting important conversations to inquire about some baby’s pet toad! The audacity and confidence threw Draco. When he found out she was muggleborn, his entire world trembled. When she punched him in Third Year, he fell.

Draco spent the rest of his school years fighting the attraction. He did what he could to protect her but nothing was good enough.

He did his best during the Quidditch Cup to warn Scarhead and the Weasel to hide her, tuck her safely away while the Death Eaters played. The fear he felt that night was nothing compared to watching Granger be pulled out of the Black Lake by Krum. It nearly killed him during the Triwizard Tournament. Theo and Blaise bodily carried him from the stands before he could rush the platform and save her himself. From that point, the Slytherin intercircle had been aware of his devastatingly tragic crush. Draco also learned that his core group of friends were not, in fact, blood, supremacists. All except for Crabbe. He had been sucked into the rhetoric from birth. The Yule Ball still prominently featured in his nightmares; wrapped in that Bulgarian Seeker’s burly arms. He burned all his Bulgarian Quidditch merchandise that night, still refusing to acknowledge that he had ever rooted for them during the World Cup.

The sixth year was the worst of it, though. Watching her muck about with Weasley, allowing him to make her cry and feel insignificant, made him want to throw everything away simply to comfort her. He knew what was coming and had his own task from the Dark Lord to complete, and yet the thought of Hermione Granger crying devastated him. He knew then that he would do anything to guarantee her safety. Wanting to protect someone as capable as her was ridiculou. Still, he resigned himself to loving her against logic, against Voldemort and the world he was attempting to build. He would do anything for her, even betraying his own blood. He nearly confessed to it all when Dumbledore promised to protect him.

When she lay screaming on his drawing room floor, he would have burnt the entire Manor to ash, starting with his Aunt Bella. The moment he twitched in her direction though, his body was locked into place. Most days he was grateful to his father for immobilising him with a non-verbal spell. He would have only succeeded in getting them all killed. When Potter, Weasley, and that house elf destroyed Mother’s favourite chandelier and rescued her, he collapsed into his father, body shaking with relief. Draco would have given his entire vault to that house elf when he got them out. As it were, every house elf in Malfoy Manor was paid a small fortune and granted whatever luxury it was that they desired (Fidle would always request to keep any loose buttons he found around the Manor while Bristel would require an entire pantry’s worth of caramelised onion jam).

When she stood to give her testimony at his trial, sensible heels and not a curl out of place, he could not imagine a more perfect woman. One he knew he would never deserve. He could rot in Azkaban with the knowledge she was safe and protected. That is all he had ever wanted. But then Potter and the Weasley patriarch had to give him a second chance. Hogwarts was where it began for him and Draco was determined to win her favour in their final year. But then he apologised for everything, every remark, all the cruelty, standing by and not doing anything when she begged him through tears as Bella ravaged her mind and body, and she dared to thank him. He ruined it then. Raged at her in front of everyone. He was good at ruining things.

He was going to put that skill to good use when he ruined Harry Potter for daring to even think he was good enough for Granger, to share the same air was one thing, but sitting at her table as a lover? Absolutely not. Draco would rather go another round of Bellatrix’s “lessons” than have to witness Potter wrapping a drunken Hermione in her scarf and taking her home. The other night at the pub was more than enough.

He had paid The Daily Prophet an exhorbent amount to stop running the McLaggen story but no amount of gold would be able to call off the beasts if they got wind of a Granger Potter relationship.

Fucking Potter

Draco and the Saviour of the World had run into each other a few times through the years, it was a small community and two of their best mates were engaged now. They were cordial, could carry a conversation, usuallly about Qudditch. They were not friends. They were not enemies. Now, Draco was reconsidering the unspoken truce between them.

“Hey. Draco? Dray? Drake the Magnificent!” Theo snapped his fingers in front of Draco’s pointed nose. Draco swatted Theo’s hand away with a scowl.

“Do not call me that. I was SEVEN!” Come up with an asinine nickname as a boy and your friends never let you live it down. Everyone wanted to run away to the circus when they were children, especially when their father was Lucius Malfoy.

“You good in there mate? You can’t just threaten to kill The Boy Who Lived, Twice and then disappear like that.”

“He set the settee on fire.” Blaise batted out whisps of flames that had sprouted on the red brocade, but they kept reemerging. With an exasperated sigh, Blaise drew his wand and doused the furniture in water.

“Letting our magic get away from us all because of Potter was fun in second year, now it is just sad.” Blaise gave him a wry look from the corner of his dark eyes.

“Shut it Zabini. Didn’t you flood the entire foyer of your 5th step-daddy’s country home when you found out they were not naming the new vineyard after you?” Theo gripped at him.

“I was promised a vineyard,” The words were uttered lowly, the vineyard was still a sore subject.
“Okay. Let’s get back to the Potter of the situation. He’s stealing your girl.” Draco did not understand the wide-eyed look Theo was giving him.

“Say what you will Nott.” He smiled at his little quip.

“You need to throw your wand into the ring.” Draco raised an eyebrow. He would not be so crass as that if he decided to woo Granger. “If you do not, Potter will officially be off my list and I do not want to give him up.” Draco groaned, of course, this was not about Granger at all but Theo’s ridiculous obsession with getting Potter to blush.

“If you do not tell her you are desperate for her, you will lose any chance. If Potter finally decided to see her, the glorious creature that she is…well, your window is closing my friend.” Blaise’s advice held more weight when he spoke in his slow dulcet voice.

“I will remind you, she is not mine to lose. She is a person and if she wants Potter, someone who has stood by her and supported her for decades, that is what she deserves.” There was that infernal ache in his chest again. He resisted rubbing at it.

“But she could be yours!” Theo nearly shouted, throwing his hands up.

“She is a person!” Draco roared. “Not a possession to be kept!” He sighed, he knew they meant well but they needed to drop the ridiculous notion that he and Granger were anything more than acquaintances who occasionally spent time together due to their friends. There was nothing that would change her distaste for him.

Theo placed a hand on his shoulder, squeezing gently.

“We know mate, but you need to stop being a dolt and tell her how you feel. Even if she laughs in your face, at least you would have let her know.”

“Laughing in my face is the least of my worries. I have seen her duel. I’m more worried she’ll hex my bollocks off.” He shuddered. “I appreciate the heads up to avoid the papers tomorrow, Theo. But I think I am going to retire for the night. You both are more than welcome to stay the night of course.” Draco nodded at both of them as he made his way to the ebony doors. As he left, he caught a few hushed words between Blaise and Theo.

“Can’t…..bribery won’t,”
“Willing…Azkaban.”

With the mention of the wizarding prison, Draco let the doors shut behind him. He did not want to think about that place any more than necessary.

✧✧✧

As he made his way down to the dining room the following morning, Draco was assaulted by Christmas. Fidel and Bristel levitated several large fir trees through the foyer, the scent of tile in the air. Blood orange garlands dropped from every doorway adding a pleasant citrus smell to the trees. Bows and baubles zipped from one end to the other, charmed to specific locations around the manor. A team of designers hired solely for the holiday season directed the decorations under Narcissa’s supervision.

“Oh, Draco Darling! Doesn't it look splendid?” Nothing could bring joy to Lady Malfoy like a well-decorated Manor for Yule. Draco did not truly care for the holidays; however, the smile that lit his mother's face made him swiftly placed a kiss on her cheek.

“You have outdone yourself, mother. I wasn't sure anything would compare to last year's theme, but this one is shaping up to be brilliant.” His mother’s answering smile was all he needed as he moved towards breakfast.

As he entered the family dining room, he found Theo and Blaise with plates piled high with eggs and sausage. The dark walls in Malfoy green made the fir garlands look stately and classic. They almost reminded him of Christmas at Hogwarts. The garlands dripped from the vaulted ceiling, baubles glistening in vibrant red and silver.

Pulling out a chair across from Blaise, he snatched the marmalade from Theo.

“When I said you were welcome to stay last night, I was only being polite. Go home.” He smiled at the pair, knowing that Malfoy Manor was as much their home as it was his. Something hit him in the forehead and fell to the table in front of him. He looked from the roll to Blaise. Back to the roll. What heathens infiltrated his Manor?

“Did you assault me with a roll?”

“I would never disrespect a roll like that.” Blaise smiled sweetly at him right before a second roll collided with the side of his head. Theo cackled as he picked up another roll. Just as he pulled back to launch, Narcissa pushed the doors open, her troupe of elves following with even more Yule decorations.

“Theo love, I would hope that some of my manners have transferred to you, however, I will remind you that if you throw one more food item in this house, I will show you why even my dear husband did not cross me.” Sweetness dripped from her words, but her glare was lethal. She lovingly patted his shoulder then went back to directing the house elves on candle placement as if no threat passed her lips. The trio inhaled breakfast as if they were late to play the Quidditch World Cup, Blaise nearly choking on a roll as he shoved it in his mouth on the way out the door. The Manor was almost ready for the Yule Gala the Malfoy have hosted for the last several years, the elite guest list topping out at Harry Potter himself. Just thinking about the party made Draco’s stomach roil. Potter always brought the same date but Draco assumed they came as friends. Would this year be different? That ache was back.

✧✧✧

Twenty-five years of witnessing magic and the ability to pop in and out of existence from one place to another always fascinated Draco, one moment you are on an impeccably manicured lawn in Wiltshire and the next time your eyes open, you’re standing at the gate of a white brick chalet bungalow, surrounded by winter flora and fauna. To the right, is a modest greenhouse with frosted glass. Longbottom was in dirt-covered dungarees that made Draco smile. Pansy tried to throw them away multiple times but Draco was positive Longbottom had charmed them to return to the wash. Pansy beckoned them through the wards with a promise to key them in soon. She would not.

“No offence Parks, but the last time I came over unannounced, I caught Longbottoms’...well his naked bottom. I am okay with arriving at the gate.” Theo hugged the petite woman and winked at Longbottom who was quickly turning red.

“His arse is glorious and you were blessed.” Pansy slid her pale arms around her fiance’s waist as they walked up the winding path. When the pair had finally announced their involvement, the groups had all expressed their fake shock, no one willing to admit that each of them had stumbled upon Pansy and Longbottom in precarious entanglements throughout their year at Hogwarts. They had danced around each other until that fateful ‘reconciliation’ party, and reconcile they had done. It made Draco chuckle to himself just remembering.

Longbottom was as grounded as the plants overflowing from every available surface around the room which kept Pansy closer to the ground as well. Though Pansy kept Longbottom from falling into too much of a routine. They were well suited, even the Parkinson’s had admitted when Longbottom plucked up enough of that Gryffindor courage to state his intentions. Blaise theorized that Mr Parkinson was just grateful Pansy would be marrying into another pureblood family and kept their Sacred 28 lineage alive.

They passed the day slowly, lazing about the Park-Bottom (Theo had coined the term, even though Pansy had insisted she would not be changing her name) home. And a home it was, even given the barren upbringing Pansy had had, the small but stately home had all the amenities, warmth and laughter filled every crevice.

Theo spotted several large floral arrangements on the worn dining table, a Longbottom gift from his gran. Draco shuddered to think about the uncouth things the wood had seen over the years.

“Oi, Longbottom! You nick some flowers from Lady Malfoy?” He shouted from the other room. Draco would love to see him try to smuggle anything out of the Manor without his Mother’s approval.

“The other way around.” Longbottom hollered back. Pansy swatted his arm with a Look. Her soon-to-be husband grimaced and kissed her temple in apology. Draco leaned further back on the sofa, avoiding their gaze.

“Theodore, we are not ten any longer. Please return to the sitting room if you would like to have a conversation.” Pansy rolled her dark eyes as Theo launched himself over Pansy and Neville’s laps to lounge across them. Sighing, they both shoved him to the ground with a thud. His friend’s laughter warmed the coldness that had crept into Draco’s heart since they had left the Manor.

“Draco, has Narcissa spoken to you about her plan for the Gala?” Pansy’s question jolted him, his crossed leg dropping to the floor with the same thud Theo had made. Was she going to ask about Potter and Granger? His heart rate picked up. He was not going to discuss this. Not with Theo in the room. Their conversation last night still bounced around the back of his mind.

“I just want to make sure that you are okay with us stealing the limelight for the night. I know how much you like to primp for the grand event. However, when Narcissa insisted we use the party as a way to announce our engagement…how does one refuse Narcissa Malfoy?”

A chorus of “You don’t” rang out around the room from four distinct male voices. Draco was pleased to allow Pansy’s engagement to take precedence for the night. And with the focus off of him, he could avoid Potter and Granger, maybe do some wallowing. He did not admit his reasonings but Theo and Blaise exchanged a look. Draco wished he had a roll.

The day passed easily between his friends. Longbottom challenged Blaised to a game of wizarding chess, lost soundly and then rechallenged him to a game of muggle chess. Blaise had quit out of boredom. Theo and Pansy had discussed wedding attendants with a lot of whining from Theo about Draco’s place at Pansy’s side. The table was always filled with sweets and meals, Draco was sure there was a house elf lingering in one of the dark corners keeping the food aplenty.

As the three men made their way to the door after supper, Draco drew Pansy into a fierce hug.

“I do not think I have told you how happy your happiness makes me Pans. You deserve all the goodness this world has to offer.” He squeezed her with brotherly affection, her floral perfume too strong in his nose as she shoved him away with a laugh.

“Stop. You will make me ruin my makeup.” Her eyes were already glistening.

As he reached the gate, Theo and Blaise were already gone with a pop, Pansy shouted.

“You deserve all the goodness too, Draco Malfoy. I hope you find it.”

“We are not ten anymore Parkinson, we do not shout at our guests.” Draco allowed Lucius’s tone to come through and watched as Pansy shuddered a little. “I love you too Pansy.”

✧✧✧

Upon his arrival, Draco could not help but see Pansy and Neville cosied up on their sofa, simply enjoying each other’s presence, greeting each other at the door when one came home. He truly wanted an all-encompassing love like his friends had, but if it wasn’t with a woman with a mass of curls and stolen kisses in a library, he could not imagine it.

“Is that you Darling? The post arrived while you were gone.” Narcissa’s voice rang out from a distant chamber. As he handed his overcoat to Fidel, he grinned thinking of Pansy reacting to Narcissa Malfoy hollering through the Manor, like a muggle. Exchanging the coat for the single letter, Draco stared down at the official seal from the Minister. Unbeknownst to him across the country in a much smaller home, Hermione was staring at an exact replica of the letter he held.