Magical Lineage

Draco sat in his study, nursing his third firewhiskey. It was Friday night, and it had been a full week since Hermione started as the Hogwarts’ Librarian. A full week since she tackled Theo and showered him with kisses all while announcing she was pregnant with his child too. A full week since they went to the Repopulation clinic and had the pregnancy confirmed and the magical stasis taken off of his own child, so they would grow inside the witch together, as if they were twins.

He downed the rest of the amber liquid, and poured a fourth. It had been a week since Hermione inquired as to Theo’s somber mood after the visit to the clinic. A week since he confessed what he had planned on doing with the contraceptive potion. Hermione’s look of sadness and betrayal led to the beginning of a shit week of silence between she and Theo.

Draco’s heart broke when she had turned to their wizard, her eyes full of tears, her voice a sob, “I thought you loved me. I thought you wanted us to be a family.” Before he could say another word she apparated away. Draining his glass again, thinking of the despair in the wizard’s eyes. “Dra, I wanted her to be safe. But instead she thinks I don’t love her.” he sobbed as he fell to his knees. He wanted to go after Hermione but instead he wrapped his arms around Theo, he knew he had to take care of the man he loved. All while the witch he loved was out there, hurt, sad and pregnant.

The memory of last week had him throwing his glass across the room. Hearing it shatter, wasn’t as satisfying as he had hoped. Narcissa walked in and with a wave of her wand the glittering shards pulled together and repaired themselves. The glass floated into her hands. Noting her son’s look of frustration, she decided not to scold him. “Are they still not talking?”

Draco shook his head and dropped into his chair. “Oh he’s talking. He apologized and begged and groveled for forgiveness. She hasn’t even acknowledged him.” Draco closed his eyes. “After a week of me begging, last night was the first night they both slept in bed with me. I had to promise that I would sleep in the middle, otherwise she was going to her room and he was going to his fucking lab.”

Narcissa walked around the desk and put her hand on her son’s shoulder. She noted he looked exhausted. His hair was disheveled, his clothes wrinkled and if the dark circles under his eyes were any indication, he wasn’t sleeping at all. “She’ll come around.”

The wizard opened his eyes. “Mum she was so hurt. It’s like every insecurity she ever had is all she thinks about.” Sighing. “Of course he is no better. Her silence feeds every one of his insecurities.” Trying to talk around the lump in his throat, “This should be a time we are celebrating. Hermione is in her dream job. The three of us are in love. She’s pregnant with our children. Dear gods, how will we ever get back to what we had?”

Using her forefinger and thumb, Narcissa tipped Draco’s chin up to look into his beautiful eyes. “She’ll come around. What Theo did was wrong. He was taking her choice from her. He was choosing the future he thought was best for her, not the one you three agreed on. Her silence is his punishment.”

“You blame him then?” Draco inquired.

“I blame him in the sense that he had no right to make a decision for the triad without consulting the two of you.” Seeing he was about to speak, she held up her hand and continued. “But, that’s not to say I don’t understand and sympathize with him. He’s so scared. I spoke to him, three days into this fiasco. He’s still so haunted by his past, and so worried that something is going to happened to her because she is carrying his child.” Shaking her head. “After I spoke to him, I took some time to speak to her.” Noting the look of worry on Draco’s face, “Don’t worry I just listened. It’s not my place to try to fix this. Only they can do that.” Giving his shoulder a reassuring squeeze, “I really think both of them would benefit from speaking to a mind healer. He is so tortured over his childhood and she is so insecure from hers.”

Draco scrubbed his hands over his face, noting the beginnings of a beard. He couldn’t even remember the last time he took the time to groom himself. “I think you may be right. I have always thought that Theo needed to speak to someone, outside of us, about what he went through. Someone that con help him come to terms with his shit childhood. But he has always been ashamed of what he went through. In his mind he feels that if he had been stronger, better, quieter the beatings and abuse would not have happened. But she is no better. She never sought help for her trauma after the war, or the loss of her parents.” Locking his eyes to her silver grey, “If I’m being totally honest, you and I could have benefited from time with a mind healer. But I’m not diving down that hole right now. I just need them to talk. I need my family fixed.”

“You’re probably right my Dragon and maybe we can look into some sort of mind therapy. I know that even though my physical symptoms have all but ceased, thanks to your triad magic and my potion. I know that I still have nightmares and sometimes flashes of memory halt me in my tracks. Dam has noticed but he hasn’t pushed me to explain. I know I should. I know I should share with both him and Dromeda. I will, but maybe I need to talk to someone who can help me come to terms with everything that happened to me, before I can tell them. But as for Theo and Hermione…”

“She won’t listen to him. I know what he did was wrong, He knows what he did was wrong. But she won’t give him an opportunity to at least explain where his head was. What, in his mind, made him believe he was right.”

The witch nodded her understanding, “You just need to be there for both of them. I believe they will work it all out.”

He nodded. “I do too. I’m just not sure how long it will take.” Just then an owl that Draco didn’t recognize flew to the open window, landing on the owl perch. He retrieved the letter it carried and after giving it a treat it flew off. Once he read it, his shoulders slumped and his face fell. “Fuck. This is going to kill him.” Narcissa quirked an eyebrow, indicating her curiosity. “It seems Hermione has decided to have dinner at Hogwarts and she may stay the night in her rooms.”

“Are you fucking kidding me?” Theo’s voice broke the silence but notched up the tension in the room. Neither Draco nor Narcissa saw the wizard enter. “She’s not coming home tonight? Is she ever going to forgive me?” As he spoke, he punched his fist into the wall. Not once but twice. Before Draco or Narcissa could move to him or say anything to try to console him, he turned and left the study. “Fuuuck. I fuck everything up.”

Draco shook his head, “I need to go after him. I need to…” he paused and lowered his head, “I need to figure out what the hell I can do for both him and Hermione.”

Narcissa hugged her son to her. “I’m sorry my dear. I think the best thing you could do is be there for both of them. THEY need to fix this chasm between them.” She kissed his cheek. “I’m heading to Dromeda’s for the weekend. You three need the space and time alone. If you need me let Mopsy know.”

____________________

Hermione sat in her Hogwarts rooms, with a book in her lap. She had not turned a page in over an hour. She hadn’t read a word past the first paragraph in over an hour. Not since she sent the owl to Draco, letting him know she wasn’t coming home tonight. A little guilt argued with her conscience, she didn’t actually explain why she wasn’t coming home. Her reasoning had been the book club she had started with some of the sixth and seventh years. Yes, she could have had the meeting and then gone home. But there was also the issue that she really hadn’t wanted to look at Theo’s sad expressions or hear his pleading words to forgive him. Honestly, she wanted to forgive him. she wanted to let him pull her into his arms and hold her, all while whispering words of love in her ear. He looked so fucking sad when she crawled in bed next to Draco last night. It was the first night she slept in their bed in a week.

“Hey there love.” Fred’s voice and presence startled her. “Are you staying the weekend?”

Closing her book and putting it on the side table. “I’m not sure. I know I’m staying here tonight. I had dinner with the staff and held my first book club meeting with the sixth and seventh years. So I thought I might just stay here tonight and get caught up on…”

“Still freezing Nott out?” His words cut her off.

She couldn’t help but shoot him a look that let him know, had he not already been a ghost, he would most certainly be one now. “Do you think I am wrong? Do you think that he was right in wanting to take the contraceptive? Did he have the right to make that decision for me? For Draco? For the family we were planning on having?”

“No Love. He had no right to make that decision for the three of you. But does it really matter? You’re pregnant with both of their kids. Even if he would have taken it, you were already carrying his baby.”

“Fred. That is not the point. The point is, if I were NOT already pregnant, he would have taken away my chance of getting pregnant.” She felt the tears begin to slide down her face, her hand subconsciously swiping them away. “I just don’t know how he could do that. I thought he loved me. I thought he loved us.” More tears, “I thought he wanted me.”

“Oh Hermione, I’ve seen you two together. I’ve seen the way that man loves you. It is written all over his face, his eyes, it’s written over his fucking soul. He loves you. He wants you. Honey you need to talk to him. You need to let him explain where he was coming from. Believe me if I thought he meant to hurt you I would be the first one to hate him and haunt his ass. But everything you told me about him Theo Nott has a few issues with self-esteem and a very low opinion of his own self worth,”

She couldn’t sit any longer, she began pacing the small sitting room. “I know. I wanted to go home. I wanted to throw myself at him and tell him we’re going to have a wonderful family. He’s going to be a great father. But he won’t hear me Fred. He doesn’t have to tell me what he thinks, it’s evident in his eyes, in his expressions, so much fucking worry. I already know that Theo believes he is going to be a shit father because his father was an evil fucker. His emotional scars are so much deeper than his physical ones.” She stopped pacing. “My first reaction was that he didn’t want to be with me. That he had decided that I wasn’t ‘worth’ it. But I know that’s not the case. I don’t doubt he loves me. I just need my heart to get past the fact that he was going to deceive me. He was going to let me think that I wasn’t meant to carry his child.” Shaking her head and wiping her tears “I need to go home. I need to let him say his peace and I’ll say mine and hopefully we can get past this.”

______________

Draco was in the library reading when Hermione walked in. She stood by the door and just watched him. She noted his rumpled wrinkled shirt, his mussed hair and his tired expression. This thing between her and Theo was affecting all of them. Her poor wizard was caught between them. He had no idea Theo had planned on tricking them. He was just as outraged and angry, but as she thought about it, he never had a chance to voice his frustration over the situation. Draco had been tasked with handling both her and Theo. Managing our interactions, and communication and anger.

Just then grey eyes locked to brown and a sigh of relief escaped them both. Draco closed his book, which he hadn’t actually been reading. The little witch crossed the room and crawled into his lap. She felt so tiny in his arms. His body enveloped her as she melted against him. Her body tucked against his chest, she pulled her knees up to her chest and buried her face into the crook of his neck. “Hey Sweetheart, this is a nice surprise. I got a note earlier that you were going to be staying at Hogwarts.” She didn’t respond verbally, just shrugged her shoulders. So he went on. “I’m so glad you changed your mind. I’ve missed you so fucking much.”

A soft sob escaped and her voice was so quiet. “I’ve missed you too.” After a moment, “I’ve missed Theo so much.” Hermione felt some of the tension leave Draco’s body. “I don’t want to be mad anymore. I want us fixed. I want to feel our happiness and hear laughter and look into mischievous blue eyes. I want our magic to sing again. Everything I’ve done today has been shit. My magic is off, my brain feels fuzzy. I’ve been a little nauseous.” She felt him stiffen and sensed his eyes on her face, “Poppy said it is probably from my lack of sleep and general shit diet. Not the babies.” Before Draco could reprimand or scold her, “I know. I know. I need rest and a healthy diet. But I also need to fix this thing between Theo and I.”

“Oh thank the gods. You both need to talk and really listen to each other.” Her nose was against his neck. She breathed in deeply, taking in his scent, old parchment and rain, she let it wash over her and through her. Helping her body to relax and focus her mind. As if he knew she needed his touch, he leaned his head so that his cheek touch her and held her to him. She giggled, “Hmmm. Are you growing a beard?”

“Do you want me to grow a beard baby?”

Smiling, “Maybe.” She rubbed her face against his. “I’m so tired.I just want to talk to Theo. Soak in the tub and then sleep until mid-day tomorrow.”

Putting one arm under her knees and the other securely around her back he easily lifted her. As he stood she threw her arms around his neck. “Where are we going?”

Draco began crossing the library, “To his lab. He’s been hold up there all day.” He was walking down the hall towards the staircase.

“I can walk you know.” She spoke into his neck.

He chuckled, “And I can carry you. You know.”

“Sweet Salazar. Fine carry me. I’m tired anyway.” She nuzzled her nose into his neck, moaning at the feel of is beard. She began feathering kisses and licks across his jawbone, loving the way his facial hair tickled her sensitive lips. Her desire for another’s scent and taste became a need. Wanting to inhale the smell of cedar and cloves and her hunger to taste toffee overwhelmed her. She felt Draco’s hand slightly flick and looked up in time to see the door to Theo’s lab open. The second they stepped into the room she knew something wasn’t right. She didn’t feel him there.

Draco stopped just inside the door. He looked around. “Theo?” he called out more out of habit, he knew the wizard wasn’t there. Hermione began squirming in his arms.

“Put me down. Draco. Put me down.” Her feet hitting the floor she headed straight to his supply and storage room.

Draco watched his little witch cross the room, but he knew she wouldn’t find their wizard in with his supplies. He reached out to feel the wards. Theo wasn’t in the manor he wasn’t on the grounds. In his periphery he could see Hermione standing in the doorway of the supply room and the lab. She was frozen in place. He followed her gaze to the parchment on the desk. He put his hand out and it floated across the room to his waiting hand.

_____________

Theo had left two notes on his lab table. The first was to Dam, it was short and to the point.

Dam,

Please note the potions, their brewing stages are listed below. Thank you.

The second note was a bit longer and more personal. Draco read it out loud.

Hermione,

I’m sorry for the upset I have caused in our home and to our family. I really didn’t think…well that’s it, I really didn’t think. I was being selfish and insecure when I thought about taking the potion. When I thought about controlling our family. Hermione Jean Granger, I love you so much. I was given a gift the day I opened that letter and saw your name partnered with Dra and I. I was the positive one then. The one who believed we could be ‘more’ to each other. Every moment you have spent with us has been like a dream come true. But with every moment of happiness, every memory made, every euphoric second in your arms, my fear of losing you has grown.

I’m so so sorry for hurting you Kitten. I’m just so scared that you carrying my child along with Draco’s will hurt you. I could not bare me or my child being the cause of your pain. If there is ever a hope that I could be the man you need, I need to go and try to fix whatever is fucked up in me. I don’t know how long I’ll be gone but I know Dra is with you and I know that he will take care of you and our children. I’m broken baby and I can’t be the man you deserve as long as I’m the man my father created. Please don’t hold this against me too. I’m trying. I love you with every drop of magic in my worthless soul.

Dra,

I heard what you and mum said, I need to fix myself. I love you, I always have. I want the future we dreamed of. I want the family and love that the triad magic has offered me. You more than anyone will understand when I say, ‘I want to be more than the scars my father left on my body. I want to be the son my mother dreamed of’. Please take care of our witch. Remind her everyday that she is loved. Remember everyday that you are loved and I will be home as soon as possible. I will be in touch soon. I’ll know if you need me.

Love T.

PS. I’ll fix myself and I’ll come home. I promise.

When he finished reading the only sound that was heard though the manor was the wailing sobs of a heartbroken witch.