Chapter 9
“Okay, steady,” he said slowly, his hand on Draco’s back.
“Like this?” he asked, holding up the beaker.
“Yes, exactly, perfect, Draco. Now pour that one in.” Draco did it and then looked back to check that he’d gotten it right.
“Perfect, mate. You’re brilliant at this you know?”
“Really?” he asked, grinning. Father always said he wasn’t good for much but screwing up.
“Absolutely. I would never lie to you. Okay?” and he seemed to really mean it, so Draco nodded.
“Okay.” Then he turned back to their cauldron. “When do the bubbles come?”
“Ah, the bubbles will take a little while longer, bu—”
“Regulus.” The voice came from the doorway and Draco turned to see mummy standing there.
“Cissa?” Uncle Reggie asked and Mummy came in and spoke in a low voice. Draco turned back to the cauldron to watch in case the bubbles started showing soon.
“What are you doing here? You know you can’t be here, if he sees you—”
“Then he’ll what? Throw me out? He can’t touch me, Cissa and he knows it. Unless Draco begins to present then there’s nothing to worry about. He can hate me for it as much as he likes but unless—”
“He has.”
“What?” Uncle Reggie asked. Mummy didn't say anything and then Uncle Reggie sounded angry. “With whom? When? Why didn’t you tell me?”
“With Kassy's daughter.” Mummy told him quickly and Draco turned to look at her, she was looking at him kind of funny and it made Draco sad. He got off his stool then, it took him a second, but he wanted to hug mummy so he did.
“Emmeline?” Uncle Reggie asked carefully, and his mum nodded, causing Uncle Reggie’s eyes to go wild.
“What about Emmy?” Draco asked, tugging on her skirt.
“When, Cissa?” His voice made Draco nervous.
“Last month.”
“LAST MONTH?!”He snapped and Draco hid behind mummy’s leg. He sounded angry and father usually got mean when he was angry. “Your child presented last month, and you didn’t tell me? You let him live HERE, NARCISSA?”
“What was I to do Regulus? I hoped it wasn’t true!” Mummy sounded upset and Draco was pretty sure she was talking about him. He hated making mummy upset.
“Does he know?” Uncle Reggie was quiet then, and Draco peeked out to see his face. It was blank. But when mummy didn’t answer it quickly got really angry and Draco hid again. He didn’t think Uncle Reggie was like Father, but that didn’t mean he couldn’t change his mind about Draco. “Narcissa does Lucius know?”he snapped.
“Yes.”
“FUCK!” Draco felt mummy flinch with him. Then Uncle Reggie spoke softer and seemed to be closer, “Cissa look at you! This isn’t okay, he isn’t okay. You are a daughter of the house of BLACK. NO ONE SHOULD TOUCH YOU!”
“He doesn’t. He—” Mummy said and then her hand was on Draco’s head, and she was stroking his hair. “Regulus what am I supposed to do? How am I supposed to protect him? I can’t get him out. Lucius won’t allow it and the ministry would side with him anyway, he is his heir.” They were definitely talking about Draco now. ‘Hair’ that’s what father was usually so angry at him for being. But how was he supposed to control it? Draco knew his father hated his curls because he made the elves get rid of them before Draco was allowed out of his room in the mornings. But apparently that was wasn't the right kind since father still punished him for being a terrible hair. Draco didn’t even know what he meant, let alone how to be a very good one.
“Yes, but does he even care, Cissa?”
“He cares that I am his wife. He cares that I cannot bear children any longer. And he cares that the Malfoy bloodline will not allow him to sire an heir with anyone but me.”
“Then what would you suggest for me to do? I told you years ago when we realized he had the gene that if Draco ever presented, he needed to leave that very moment! Now enough time has passed that that monster knows!” Uncle Reggie was shouting now.
“I cannot change that Regulus. I cannot just lie to him! He knows! How do I protect my son? Tell me how to protect my son! Please.”
“He needs to leave.” His voice sounded cold, and Draco didn’t like it. Uncle Reggie was supposed to be warm. Uncle Reggie was supposed to teach him about potions and show him and Tree how to ride brooms. Uncle Reggie made cocoa and read stories to them with Emmy. He wasn’t supposed to be cold.
“He can’t.”
“Cissa.”
“Reggie.” Mummy’s voice cracked and Draco buried his face in her skirt. He hated when Mummy cried.
“I will go. I will go and ask the tomes where to take him and when I return, I will take him with me.”
“How?”
“I will find a way and it will be done. You must listen to me Narcissa and we will protect him. Do you trust me to keep him safe?”
“Yes.” She breathed.
“Then his safety is out of your hands now. But you must ensure that nothing can happen to the Nott girl. I will take Draco to France so that he may find stability until he is older, and they can reunite. But you must not allow Lucius to go anywhere near Emmeline, Narcissa. She cannot be harmed, is that clear?”
“Yes, of course.” Mummy whispered and Draco started crying. “Oh, my sweet Dragon.” She said as she leaned over. She pulled the skirt out of Draco’s hands even though he tried to stop her.
“Why do I have to go away?” he sobbed. He wanted to stay with mummy. Mummy made things better. Father was better when mummy was there.
“Oh love, it’s not forever.” She said, brushing the tears off his cheeks with her thumbs but Draco couldn’t look at her.
“I want to stay with you!” he cried.
“I know, I know my Dragon. And I wish you could. But when Uncle Reggie comes back, you’re going to go on a trip together and it’ll be fun.”
“B-but what if—what if he doesn’t like me, m-mummy what if he doesn’t like me like F-Fa-Father?” he asked her, opening his eyes. If he had to go with Uncle Reggie, then he wouldn’t be with Mummy. What if Uncle Reggie got angry at him too?
“Draco—” she said but somebody pulled her away and Draco started shaking as Uncle Reggie knelt in front of him.
“Mate—” he said, his voice cracked, and Draco tried to hide inside his jumper, but it wasn’t big enough for him all to fit. “Draco,” he pulled on one of his arms, “Draco, look at me, please. I would never. You know I love you. I love you so much Draco. I would never do anything to hurt you. That’s why we’re going to go away.”
“But-but I’m s’posed, I’m s’posed to stay here. I’m the hair! What if something happens?” his stuttered, tears still falling from his face.
“I know mate, and you’re a great one. But I promise nothing is going to happen. Everything is going to be alright because your mum and I are going to take care of you Draco.”
“What ‘bout Flower?” He whispered. They’d talked about Emmy too. Was she going to come with them?
Uncle Reggie sighed really big and wiped Draco’s cheek with the sleeve of his jumper. “She’s going to be okay too, Draco.”
“Is she coming? Can we bring Tree too?”
“No,” his mum said, and when Draco looked at her she was crying too. He hated it. “Emmy and Theo have to stay here; they have to stay with their parents. But I promise, I’ll make sure they’re okay, my Dragon.”
“Mummy,” he sobbed. He didn’t want to leave. He wanted to stay with mummy and Tree, and Flower. But then Mummy spoke again, and Uncle Reggie tucked him into his chest where it was quieter.
“How soon can you go?”
“I’ll leave tonight and be back in three days’ time.”
“Do you swear to get him to safety?”
“On my life.” He whispered and pressed a kiss to Draco’s head before standing.
“W-where are you—where are you g-go-going?” he cried as Uncle Reggie let go of him.
“I’m going to go get everything ready for us, but don’t worry, mate. I’ll be back for you really quicky.”
“Promise?”
“Yeah, I promise mate. I’ll always come back for you, I promise, Draco.”
“O-okay.”
And then he was gone. Draco watched as Uncle Reggie disappeared from the doorway and Draco was left alone with Mummy in the potions room. He didn’t know what to do with himself.
“Mummy?” he looked at her but she was crying. “Mummy what’s wrong?” he asked, walking towards her again, but she pushed him away.
“Draco go to your room.”
“What? But mummy the—”
“Go to your room Draco.” She said sternly and Draco felt like crying again. Mummy was never stern. Mummy was never mean.
“But—”
“NOW.” She snapped and Draco jumped, scared she might grab her wand. But then she started crying even harder and she grabbed his face with her hands. “I’m sorry, I’m sorry. I’m so so sorry, Dragon. I didn’t mean it. I’m not mad at you. I wouldn’t hurt you.” She sobbed and Draco knew he was crying too. “I’m so so sorry. I didn’t know. I swear I didn’t know what to do.”
“What to do what?” he asked but she just kept crying and stroking his cheeks.
“I’m sorry, I’m so sorry.” She repeated and Draco just wished she’d stop.
“Narcissa.” a voice hissed and Draco froze. Mummy did too as she looked up.
“Lucius, what are you doing here?” she asked, standing and backing away. Draco wished she wouldn’t. He wished she wouldn’t back away.
“What? Am I not allowed to be in my own home?” he asked.
“No, not at all. You are. Of course, you are.” Mummy said softly. “I just, I thought you would be at work is all.”
Father’s face softened in the way it only ever did for Mummy as he walked into the room and grabbed her face with one hand. He was gentle with it though, not like the way he grabbed Draco. “Cissa you’re crying.” He observed and Draco backed away from them. “Why are you crying?”
“I’m fine.” Mummy said.
“What’s upset you, my love?”
“Nothing, Lucius, I’m fine.” Her sad eyes landed on Draco, and he suddenly felt cold as Father looked between him and mummy.
“He’s done this to you, hasn’t he?” Father snapped.
“No! Of course not. He’s just a child, Lucius. He hasn’t done anything.”
“We both know he is not just a child. He’s a menace and he’ll pay for whatever he’s done to upset you.”
Draco felt himself start shaking as father let go of mummy and turned to him.
“No!” Mummy shouted and grabbed father’s arm. “He hasn’t done anything! Please. He’s just a boy. He didn’t hurt me.”
“Draco go to my office.” Father said.
“Lucius, please.”
“If he’s done nothing then he has nothing to hide.” He said to mummy. “Draco go. To. My. Office.” He glared and Draco nodded.
“Yes, father.”
“Shut up.” He spat and Draco froze before walking out of the room. He could hear mummy talking from the potions room, but he knew it would be no use. Father would come eventually anyway. He always did. Maybe it wouldn’t be so bad if Uncle Reggie and him went away for a while.
Draco went straight to his father’s study, knowing better than to wander. Father could apparate within the manor when he wanted to and if Draco wasn’t there fast enough it usually meant he would be angrier. The door to Father’s study was large and heavy and though he tried he couldn’t get it to move. He didn’t know how to get it open but he didn’t want to wait outside, surely he would only get in more trouble.
It only took a second though of him staring at it before the door popped open on it’s own and Draco thought one of the elves must have felt bad for him so he went inside carefully.
Once he’d past the door though he realized it hadn’t been the elves as his father’s tall frame towered over him.
“Sit. Draco.” He ordered and Draco tried to control the shivers he knew were breaking out but he couldn’t help it. He walked slowly over to the chair on the opposite side of father’s desk, waiting for him to come around and start shouting, but he never did. All he said was, “Legilimens,” and everything hurt.
FUCK everything hurt. Everything burned and Draco wanted to scream, in fact he may have been.
“SHHH SHUT UP SHUT UP SHUT UP!” Someone was whispering at him, but when Draco tried to open his eyes it was too bright and stung.
“Fuck” he groaned and the voice came again.
“Shut up! You’re going to wake her!”
You’re going to wake her?
Her?
Emmeline.
TheApothecary, the last thing he remembered was Hermione collapsing and feeling pain as he tried to help her.
Draco jumped up. He flew out of the bed and on to the ground, ignoring the screaming pain in his scull as he opened his eyes.
“WHERE THE HELL IS SHE!?” He shouted, looking around him but Emmeline was gone. She was gone and as he reached for it he realized so was his wand. He wasn't in the apothecary anymore. He was in someone's house and the only person he could see was the man who had done all this. “WHERE THE FUCK IS EMMELINE? WHAT DID YOU DO TO HER?”
But the man just looked at him as though he was unimpressed. Draco didn’t need a wand. He could kill anyone with his bare hands if he had to. He started moving towards him but the man held up a hand. “Alright so I’m realizing now that separating you two was not my smartest move for your sanity’s sake, but in my defense you are really fucking loud mate.”
“I’m not your fucking mate.” Draco gritted. “Bring her back now or I swear I will kill you so fucking fast.”
“I’m guessing this whole cursing thing's not new for you kid, but it’s really weird for me seeing you try to act all scary around me. I used to watch the elves change your diapers.”
“I don’t give a shite, where is she?” he said moving towards the man, he would beat it out of him if he had to. He didn't give a shite what he made up to distract him.
“OKAY, Okay, okay. She’s in here!” he said, backing away from Draco again and moving to a door. He walked fast but Draco was nearly a foot taller than him so he moved past him in three strides and slammed it open.
“Emmeline.” He whispered as his eyes landed on her body. Salazar, she looked ill and his heart lurched. Draco immediately moved to be with her, needing to touch her and help her pain, but when he was less than a foot away he froze. As in his whole body from the neck down was frozen. FUCK, The bastard petrified him. “RELEASE ME NOW!” he shouted. He needed to be with her. He needed to hold his witch. He didn’t care what the man said.
“Yeah, no. Also, did you not hear me? Shut up. You’re going to wake her.” he said calmly and if Draco could move his arms he would be dead.
“I don’t give a shite what you have to say, let me go.”
“No.” He said again.
“What do you want?” Draco wasn’t above begging. She was hurt, her expression was broken and her skin was far too pale to be healthy. “I’ll give you anything. You know who I am, please, let me help her. Don’t hurt her again. I beg of you.”
This time there was no response for a moment until the man walked around him so Draco could finally look in his face again. He sighed and then spoke, “Fucking hell, that’s what you think?”
“What?” was all Draco could muster.
“I’m not trying to hurt your witch, mate.”
“I’m not your mate.” He snapped and the man looked at him.
“You used to be.” He said and his eyes watched him the way they had in the apothecary that made Draco want to draw his wand.
“I don’t know who the fuck you are, or where you’ve taken us, but you need to let me go now.”
“Look, I’d love to, but I can’t.”
“Why the fuck not?”
“You say fuck a lot for a kid your age.”
“How do you even know my fucking age?”
“Seriously I think that’s the hundredth time since you woke up.”
“How many more would you like to hear it before you release me and I kill you with my bare hands for touching Emmeline? Give me a fucking number and I’ll get there quickly.” He spat.
The man rolled his eyes. “Yeah, again. I’m not letting you go. Because, if I do, then you’re just going to grab her and I need to talk to you.”
“Fine. Talk to me while I help her. I told you, I’ll give you whatever you want, but not her. Please.”
“Draco, I’ve already told you, mate, I—”
“I’m not your fu—”
“Fucking mate, yeah, I know. Geez, give a man a second to wrap his head around this alright? I thought you’d be happy to see me.” He held up his arms as in disbelief.
“I don’t even know you!” Draco snapped.
“Yeah, and the next time I see your father I’m going to kill him myself for that one.” Draco’s blood froze. His father? This man knew his father?
“You know my father?” he asked stiffly, trying not to let his emotions show. Trying not to wonder what the implications were if he called him. Perhaps he would help, he could get Emmeline to safety and away from this man. Draco had no idea how dangerous he was, but he knew how dangerous his father was and hoped he might take pity on his old friend’s daughter long enough to save her. He’d surely let Draco die, but maybe he’d help Emmeline.
“Yeah, I’m familiar with Lucius.” He scoffed and Draco knew then that they would have no help. “And the fact that you almost looked hopeful to see your dear old dad for a second there is pathetic.”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” He said, but he knew, and it was.
“Yeah right. How’s your mum?”
“None of your fucking business.” Draco spat. “Let me go.”
“I’ve already told you.” He sighed as though Draco’s desperation to get to his mate was merely an inconvenience rather than a dire situation. “I can’t do that. If I do that, you’ll touch her and if you touch her you’ll take on whatever the hell they’ve done to her which means you’ll go goodbye again and I need to talk to you.”
“Fine. Talk.”
“Thank you! I’ve been waiting. First things first, I really do want to know, how is your mother?”
“What the hell do you think even gives you the right to ask that question?”
“Because I’m your uncle, Draco. And seeing as I didn’t entirely plan on spending the last, what? Ten years dead and apparently erased, I didn’t really get a chance to say goodbye.”
“I don’t have an uncle.”
“You have two.”
“You’re lying.”
“If you want to leave your witch here so you can go break into Grimmauld place to meet my brother and check the Black Family tapestry, you’re welcome to. But I’m not lying.” Like hell Draco was leaving Emmeline alone, but if the man wouldn't let him go, the least he could do was get answers.
“Your brother?”
“Sirius Black? You know, fugitive? Thinks he’s being sneaky, but I knew the second he triggered the wards at our old Black family house.” Draco’s mother was supposed to be the last legitimate and living heir to the Most Noble and Ancient House of Black’s fortune besides himself. Her sister was in prison and her other one disowned. He supposed he’d known distantly that Sirius Black was apart of the family, but Draco had the vaguest recollection of hearing he was a rogue member who’d also been disinherited.
“Your brother is Sirius Black?”
“Fucking Salazar how much did he have to change?” the man just stared at him, apparently bewildered.
Draco had no idea what he meant by ‘change’. There was nothing ‘changed’ about him. It was almost painful how obviously he was the physical product of the Black and Malfoy lines. So, he said with clearly sarcastic politeness, “Again, not to repeat myself but you clearly don’t understand, we’ve never met. If you could please tell me who the fuck you are I’m sure that might speed things up a bit.”
“I really am going to kill him.” The man said mostly to himself before holding out a hand to shake, “Regulus Black, nice to meet you.” Draco gave him an unimpressed look until ‘Regulus’ realized he was still petrified. “Oh, right! Finite.” He snapped his fingers, and the second Draco could move again he ran to help his witch.
The last thing he heard before it all went dark was Regulus groaning, “Wait no! Fucking hell!”